Conservation of priority grassland habitats in Slovenia through the establisment of seed bank and in situ restoration (LIFE)

Background

As in most parts in Europe, extensive high nature value (HNV) grasslands have rapidly declined in recent decades due to agricultural intensification or abandonment. Also in Slovenia, the surface of HNV grasslands in Natura 2000 sites is decreasing: the surface of semi-natural dry grasslands, habitat type 6210(*), decreased by 29% (62.3 ha) in the eastern part of SAC Goricko between 2004 and 2012; likewise, the surface of Molinia grasslands at the southern part of Planinsko polje (part of SAC Notranjski trikotnik) decreased by about 70% from 2010 to 2018, whereas alkaline fens only remained in traces (both are part of the qualifying habitat type 3180*). Moreover, some typical species of habitat type 3180* (Turloughs) have become extinct at Planinsko polje, mostly due to intensification. In parts of SAC Julijske Alpe, the habitat type 6210(*), semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates, is encroached by shrubs due to land abandonment, whereas species-rich Nardus grasslands (6230*) are locally degraded by tourism and forestry (erosion). Consequently, also plant genetic diversity is being lost and eroded. The most threatened habitat types, declining in size and quality, have either an unfavourable-inadequate status (U1; 3180* and 6230* in Alpine region) or unfavourable-bad status (U2; 6210(*) in the Alpine and Continental region). In that light, it is necessary to establish a seed bank of characteristic taxa from those habitat types. The Botanical Garden of the University of Ljubljana stores a large number of native angiosperms seeds, but their seeds stem from a limited number of locations, implying low genetic diversity. Thus, it is necessary to increase the number of accessions of wild grassland angiosperms of priority habitat types in Slovenia (by 12 000), as well as to establish safety duplication of seeds, collected in nature. Moreover, in Slovenia, there are currently no agri-environmental or other measures to support the production of seeds of native grassland species or grassland restoration. Three measures are planned to be prepared and financially evaluated in the project, and endorsed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food to become part of national agricultural policy after 2027. They will be promoted among farmers, especially those who own HNV grasslands.

Objectives

The overall objective of LIFE FOR SEEDS is to improve the conservation status of the most threatened grassland habitat types in Slovenia.

More specifically, the project aims to:

• Establish a seed bank of characteristic plant species of priority habitat types 3180*, 6210(*) and 6230* and its safety duplicate. The seed bank will hold 12 000 accessions of at least 300 different plant species, collected across 21 Natura 2000 sites in Slovenia, where the above mentioned habitats are listed as qualifying;
• Test two different grassland restoration techniques: green hay and sowing seed mixtures. By doing so, it is foreseen to (a) restore 61.8 ha of priority habitat types 3180*, 6210(*) and 6230* at five different Natura 2000 sites (Drava, Julijske Alpe, Goričko, Notranjski trikotnik, Krimsko hribovje - Menišija), and (b) determine the most suitable method of grassland restoration for these habitats;
• Prepare agricultural measures for the production of green hay and seed mixtures and their use in grassland restoration (either from arable fields or intensive meadows). These measures will be included in the national agricultural policy plan after 2027, making them available for farmers to enrol;
• To set up a web cadastre (registry of land ownership) of HNV grasslands that will serve as a geo-referenced basis for the implementation of agricultural measures developed within the project. The web cadastre will enable new plots to be added after the project ends;
• Raising awareness among the wider public, especially landowners, of the importance of species-rich grasslands for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services (e.g. pollination, production of honey, herbs, medicinal plants, genetic material for fodder plant breeding, protection against soil, and wind erosion).

The project will facilitate the implementation of EU environmental policies, in particular the Habitats Directive, Birds Directive, and the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

Results

Expected results:

• Seeds of at least 300 characteristic plant species of habitat type (HT) 3180*, 6210(*) and 6230*, collected from 21 different Natura 2000 sites in Slovenia, stored in the new seed bank and its safety duplicate. In total, 12 000 accessions stored and their collection data (date, location, name of collector, etc.) entered into a publicly-available database;
• Thirteen joint collecting events organised (four for each priority HT) at the beginning of the project to familiarise seed collectors with the collecting method and characteristic species. 15 volunteers will participate in seed collecting;
• A web-based cadastre established, containing at least 1 000 plots of well-preserved grasslands from different Natura 2000 sites;
• At least three agricultural measures for the production of green hay and seed mixtures and their use in grassland restoration prepared, financially evaluated and adopted in the national agricultural policy plan after 2027;
• In total, 61.8 ha of priority HT restored: 43 ha of 3180*, 16 ha of 6210(*) and 2.7 ha of 6230*. For the purpose of restoration, 12.9 ha of land at four Natura 2000 sites purchased, while 12.3 ha of five non-priority HT restored at four SACs;
• A manual for grassland restoration using native seeds from well-preserved grasslands printed in 6 000 copies, which also includes information on appropriate management methods based on interviews with at least 120 land owners;
• Numerous awareness raising and dissemination activities performed, including exhibitions, lectures, workshops, public events, research camps for biology and agriculture students, field excursions for children, and visits for farmers.

Project web page: https://lifeforseeds.si/en