With the ReNature project, grasslands and wetlands in the Kras Biosphere Reserve and the Reka River basin are being restored
Škocjan Caves Park, Slovenia, together with partners - the Municipality of Pivka, the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies of the University of Primorska (FAMNIT), the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, and the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, is concluding the two-year ReNature project, officially titled "Restoration of the network of wetlands and grasslands important for Natura 2000 and other protected species and habitat types in the Karst Biosphere Reserve and the Reka River Basin and the Seasonal Lakes of Pivka Nature Park" - ReNature.
Grassland and wetland ecosystems are highly efficient carbon collectors and habitats for European important animal and plant species of Natura 2000. Due to climate change, natural disasters, and invasive alien plant and animal species, we are rapidly losing them. The most extensive grassland restoration was carried out in the Vremščica area under the leadership of the Veterinary Faculty, where they cleared an overgrown area of 39 hectares. With the new meadow, they contributed to the preservation of biodiversity and provided additional grazing areas for the herd of autochthonous Istrian pramenka sheep from the Veterinary Faculty, thus preventing further overgrowth.
Grassland and wetland ecosystems are highly efficient carbon collectors and habitats for European important animal and plant species of Natura 2000. Due to climate change, natural disasters, and invasive alien plant and animal species, we are rapidly losing them. The most extensive grassland restoration was carried out in the Vremščica area under the leadership of the Veterinary Faculty, where they cleared an overgrown area of 39 hectares. With the new meadow, they contributed to the preservation of biodiversity and provided additional grazing areas for the herd of autochthonous Istrian pramenka sheep from the Veterinary Faculty, thus preventing further overgrowth.
About 6 hectares of grasslands have also been restored in the Municipality of Pivka, contributing to the reduction of overgrowth and the preservation of the habitat of European important bird species, butterflies, and other insects. By planting a small high-stemmed meadow orchard near Ravne Castle, they also contributed to preserving this rapidly disappearing landscape.
Park Škocjan Caves restored several small wetlands in the broader area of the Brkini Hills, eight ponds, and one large spring. Areas that once served to water livestock are now an important habitat for amphibians, dragonflies, and other species. During dry periods, they are a vital source of water for both wildlife and domestic animals.
Park Škocjan Caves restored several small wetlands in the broader area of the Brkini Hills, eight ponds, and one large spring. Areas that once served to water livestock are now an important habitat for amphibians, dragonflies, and other species. During dry periods, they are a vital source of water for both wildlife and domestic animals.
Experts in biology, ecology, and nature conservation from the University of Primorska and the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, together with locals, identified, mapped, and described the ecosystem services or functions provided by these ecosystems, which are constantly under pressure from natural disasters and various interest groups.
The project's closing event at Škocjan Caves on Tuesday was aimed at presenting the project's results and conducting a field inspection of the activities carried out. Project partners have contributed to improving the state of dry karst meadows and wetland ecosystems and some European important species and Natura 2000 areas in the Brkini Region, the Reka River Basin, and the Pivka Region.
The project is co-financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021, as well as the Republic of Slovenia in the amount of EUR 1.196.385,00.
The project's closing event at Škocjan Caves on Tuesday was aimed at presenting the project's results and conducting a field inspection of the activities carried out. Project partners have contributed to improving the state of dry karst meadows and wetland ecosystems and some European important species and Natura 2000 areas in the Brkini Region, the Reka River Basin, and the Pivka Region.
The project is co-financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2014-2021, as well as the Republic of Slovenia in the amount of EUR 1.196.385,00.