Prevention and management of adverse impact of ornamental invasive alien plant species on endangered habitat types and species of EU importance (LIFE)

Background

Invasive alien species (IAS) are one of the main threats to biodiversity. According to the Natura 2000 Management Programme for Slovenia, 65 terrestrial Natura 2000 sites and an additional 41 aquatic spaces are vulnerable to IAS, which comprise altogether 100 habitat types (HT). Habitats and species of meadows in agricultural land and riparian zones are among the most endangered areas. Some 19 terrestrial HTs are directly threatened by IAP in Slovenia.

IAP have been introduced for horticultural use and their spread to natural habitats poses a danger to species and habitats of EU importance. The project will focus on IAS of Union concern (Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014) and IAS, that negatively affect the conservation status and trends of species and habitats in the EU such as: Ailanthus altissima, Asclepias syriaca, Impatiens glandulifera, Heracleum mantegazzianum, Solidago canadensis, Solidago gigantea, Fallopia spp., Phytolacca americana, Senecio inaequidens, Buddleja davidii, Amorpha fruticosa, Erigeron annuus etc. Different project activities will be implemented across 13 selected project areas, which form part of the following Natura 2000 Sites of Community Importance (SCI):

• SI3000267 Gorjanci – Radoha
• SI3000188 Ajdovska planota
• SI3000232 Notranjski trikotnik
• SI3000256 Krimsko hribovje – Menišija
• SI3000231 Javorniki – Snežnik
• SI3000253 Julijske Alpe
• SI3000255 Trnovski gozd – Nanos
• SI3000263 Kočevsko

Objectives

General project objectives are to prevent, minimise and mitigate the adverse impacts of ornamental IAP species on endangered habitats and species of EU importance. The project sets out to upgrade the management of IAP of Union concern, focused on ‘pathway 2.9’ concerned with ornamental purpose and other then horticulture and ‘pathway 6.1’ on natural dispersal on regional level. Specific project objectives are as follows:

• Limit the spread of IAP from cultivated urban areas such as parks and gardens into endangered natural habitats by rising public awareness and stakeholder participation;
• Limit the introduction and spread of IAP into endangered natural habitats by adjusted garden waste management;
• Develop advanced techniques of waste management of IAP residues and research possibilities for alternative use of materials and their potential for circular economy;
• Upgrade and establish early warning and rapid response systems for water management and agriculture to prevent IAP from spreading;
• Improve the conservation status of species and habitats of EU importance threatened by ornamental IAP by managing and removing them. This plan will be upgraded and adjusted to tailor to different sectors such as agriculture, water management and forestry on 233 hectares (ha) of land and by preserving a further 1,407 ha;
• Ensure sustainability, transferability, and upscaling of project results for further use and development in other sectors and areas.

Results

The expected results include the signing of at least 20 management agreements by the landowners and lease holders. The foreseen land surface, covered by management agreements is approximately 20 ha in the Jovsi and Vrbina project area and another 5 ha in Nakelska Sava. The following specific results are expected:

• Analysis of the current state of selected ornamental IAP on the market in Slovenia and in Croatia.
• Harmonized invasive (black), potentially invasive (orange) and non-invasive (white) ornamental plant lists for Slovenia and a review conducted for Croatia.
• 16 demonstration plantings of non-invasive ornamental plants designed and carried out in Slovenia and Croatia, organisation of international conference for non-invasive ornamental plants in Croatia.18 training sessions and awareness raising actions, 20 workshops on different themes will be organized.
• At least 500 farmers are aware of the impact of IAP on habitats and species of EU importance on the agricultural land in pilot areas of National Reform Programmes (NRP) and KGZ-CE. Some 90 000 farmers and people connecting to farming are informed about the challenges.
• Use of the EWRR system will cause decrease of a surface of invasive plants in pilot areas. At least 10 actions of eradication as rapid response in early warning systems will be implemented. Protocol for efficient EWRR system for IAP on water and waterside lands to prevent spread of IAP into habitats of EU importance will be issued.
• Recommendations for proper disposal of removed IAP material and guidelines for effective garden waste management system will be prepared.
• Optimized management methods and habitat restoration will be developed and established on pilot areas. Habitats and species of EU importance will be improved on approximately 100 ha.
• There will be less cultivation of IAP on selected green spaces and gardens in pilot areas and less sale offer in selected garden centres.
• IAP will be removed from 233 ha and 1 407 ha of habitats of EU importance will be preserved.
• 500 surveys on awareness of targeting the general public of Slovenia will be conducted before and after project communicational activities.
• Intensive communication with landowners will be carried out. Number of planned workshops, lectures, and trainings: 116; planned events: 12; No. of participants on workshops, lectures, trainings, and other events: 1 700; No. of articles published in newspapers and journals: 108 articles in ‘Glasilo Future’; No. of short films: 20; No. of handbooks and guidelines: 13

Project web page: https://zrsvn-varstvonarave.si/blog/projekti/life-ornamentalias