Zavod Republike Slovenije za varstvo narave

Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation

REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT IN THE YEAR 2007 BY THE INSTITUTE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA FOR NATURE

CONSERVATION AND THE TRIGLAV NATIONAL PARK

Photo: T. Makovec

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF NATURE PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION, CONCLUDED BETWEEN THE

GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PRINCIPALITY OF MONACO, FOR THE YEARS 2007-2009

Ljubljana, March 2008

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REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT IN THE YEAR 2007 BY THE

INSTITUTE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA FOR NATURE CONSERVATION AND THE TRIGLAV NATIONAL PARK

Background The document reports on the activities carried out in 2007 in the field of Nature Protection and Biodiversity conservation in Slovenia, within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding concluded between The Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Principality of Monaco for the years 2007-2009. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation proposed a set of activities in the field of nature conservation, to be carried out in the areas concerned by the Alpine and the Barcelona Convention. The current Memorandum of Understanding is a follow-up of the cooperation, started in 2002, between the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation and International Cooperation for Environment and Development of the Principality of Monaco. In 2002 and 2003, two major projects were carried out -signposts and buoys were put in place at the Debeli rtič protected area in 2002, while in 2003 a whole set of activities was carried out on the only Posidonia oceanica meadow in Slovenia. The above mentioned cooperation was upgraded by a Memorandum of Understanding for the period 2004-2006. Taking into account that both countries are not only Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention but also to the Alpine Convention, the MoU included also activities to be carried out in the mountain area of Slovenia. The activities were carried out by the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation (Regional Units Piran and Kranj) and by the Triglav National Park. The main projects were the release of a book on endangered species and habitat types in the Slovenian sea, the cartography of the benthic habitat types in the marine protected areas, activities aimed at the conservation of daffodil meadows in the Karavanke Mountains, which were focused mostly on cooperation, communication and education of land owners and visitors of the area and lastly activities carried out by the Triglav National Park that were aimed at the long-term preservation of biodiversity and landscape diversity on the mountain pastures Klek above Pokljuka.

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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 2007 - 2009 Introduction The Memorandum of Understanding for the period 2007-2009 includes eight projects, each one with a different set of activities to be carried out through the triennium. The following projects were accepted within the MoU:

1. Improvement of the conservation status of the habitat types of the Stjuža Lagoon (natural monument and Natura 2000 site)

Within the 2004 MoU, a complete cartography of the habitat types and an inventory of species were carried out in the area of the Stjuža lagoon (Nature Reserve, Proposed Natura 2000 site and part of the Strunjan Landscape Park). Due to some human activities carried out between 1975 and 1985, the northern and western bank of this important coastal wetland experienced serious degradation. The reconstruction of the banks could improve considerably the conservation of the habitat types and the future management of the protected area.

2. Contribution to the integrated coastal area management In the framework of the previous MoU, the cartography was carried out in the marine protected areas and in the area of the only Posidonia oceanica meadow. In order to cope with the numerous activities planned in the coastal area and to be able to implement the principles of integrated coastal area management, further research on the distribution of marine habitat types and their conservation status is needed.

3. Improvement of the infrastructure of the Natural monument Debeli rtič The presentation of the Debeli rtič Natural Monument was successfully implemented in 2002, with the signposts, buoys, the reprint of the leaflet and several presentations for the general public. For the triennium 2007 – 2009 the reconstruction of two footpaths that are connecting the upper edge of the cliff with the sea is foreseen. The aim of the proposed activity is to properly organize the visiting of the area and to prevent further degradation of the geomorphologic features of the cliff.

4. Biological and Landscape diversity conservation on the Pokljuka mountain plateau

The foreseen activities include: monitoring and supervising of the management plan, research and preservation of larch tree forest, reconstruction of wooden roof on a shepherd’s building, preparing and printing a leaflet about Klek mountain pasture and an exhibition about the five years program. On the existing “resting area”, where a nature information trail begins and where there is a junction towards the Klek mountain pasture area, a filed information station with rest area for visitors is foreseen. Beside that the enlargement of the information points based on bio diversity phenomena will be set up. Biodiversity inventories, research and control will be carried out and regular maintaining of the wooden bridges on the trail and trails in the Pokljuka gorge will be performed.

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5. Conservation of Daffodils meadows (2007-2009)

Actions for preserving daffodil meadows will be focused on detailed management plans for selected meadows, cooperation with land owners and visitors, printing a book and organizing an expert meeting biodiversity conservation in the area of the meadows. In 2007 the results of the inventory will be acquired, and the area of greater nature protection importance will be defined, so we will be able to present the results to land owners.

6. Improving nesting possibilities of owls (Tengmalms Owl and Ural Owl) on Jelovica mountain plateau (2007-2009)

The Ural Owl (Strix uralensis) is a large size owl, living mostly in natural and semi natural fir and beech forests. It has grey plumage, flat-faced head and relatively long tail. The Ural owl makes nests in old hollow trunks, nesting from march till June. For successful nesting it needs mosaic forests, enough old trees with hollows and also some forest clearings. Tengmalm's Owl (Aegolius funereus) is a small (L 25 cm) large-headed owl. It is decidedly nocturnal and difficult to see. The species inhabits beech and fir forests with dense grove, at altitudes of up to 1,600 m; its habitat is similar as the Ural Owl habitat. It feed with small birds and small mammals. In other European countries there are good experiences in setting artificial nest boxes to improve the nesting possibilities for owls. There are some good experiences also in Slovenia, especially with Tengmalms owl. We expect that we can improve the nesting possibilities for Ural and Tengmalms owl with setting the artificial nest boxes on the Jelovica mountain plateau too.

7. Natural monument Divje jezero – improving the conservation status of endangered species and infrastructure

Divje jezero (wild lake) is among the most remarkable Karst phenomena in Slovenia. The lake is oval, about 60 m long and 30 m wide. The water, flowing out of it and joining Idrijca after 55 m is considered as the shortest Slovene river called Jezernica. The lake's water level fluctuates for 2 to 3 m only; most part of the basin is not deeper than 3 m, under the precipitous wall the funnel shaped passage deepens into huge channel going steeply down. The cave divers advanced 160 m deep and 426 m far but they did not attain the bottom. The lake is extremely interesting because of endangered and rare animal and plant species: Proteus anguinus and other water cave animals can be found in the siphon, while otter (Lutra lutra) was seen in the lake. As plant species are concerned, the endemic Primula carniolica should be mentioned.

8. Promotion of biodiversity conservation and awareness raising The activities foreseen comprise firstly, the release of the digital, interactive version of the book on endangered species and habitat types in the Slovenian sea (released within the MoU 2004-2006). Secondly, an international workshop on human impacts on the marine biodiversity of the Northern Adriatic is planned for October 2008, with participants from Slovenia, Italy and Croatia.

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Activities carried out in 2007 The implementation of most of the activities, planned for the year 2007, was successfully carried out. Some of them, due to some technical reasons and minor problems, which will however not jeopardize their implementation, will be carried out in the first months of 2008. A short description of the implementation of the different activities carried out for the single projects in 2007 is given hereafter. The list of expenses, with due comments especially in the case where the actual expenses were lower than the planned ones, is annexed to the report. Improvement of the conservation status of the habitat types of the Stjuža lagoon According to the timetable, documentation for the reconstruction of the NW bank of the lagoon was gathered and formal permits acquired. The reconstruction of the NW bank started in December 2007 and was concluded by the end of January 2008. The foreseen reconstruction of the bank included the removal of garbage and improper materials, the reshaping of the bank with the mud from the lagoon and the reposition of halophytes and reeds. Beside that, a fence with poles and chain was put in place in order to prevent further degradation of the reconstructed bank due to parking and other harmful activities. A press conference was organized to inform the general public about the activities and the expected results.

The NW bank of the lagoon before and after the reconstruction works

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Contribution to the integrated coastal area management To be able to implement the principles of integrated coastal area management, further research on the distribution of marine habitat types and their conservation status was needed. Following the cartography of the benthic habitat types in the marine protected areas carried out n the previous years, and according to the MoU, research on the presence and distribution of marine habitat types started in areas outside the three protected areas. The results of the year 2007 are promising and are already of great help in the decision-making processes concerning human activities on the coast and in the sea.

Field work Facies with the stone coral Cladocora caespitosa

Improvement of the conservation measures in the Natural monument Debeli rtič The activities in 2007 were mainly devoted to the preparation of the due documentation and permits (Municipality of Koper, Ministry of Environment, Institute for Cultural Heritage Conservation and Agricultural Fund of the republic of Slovenia) for the reconstruction of two footpaths, which connect the upper part of the cliff with the sea shore and the closure of some temporary footpaths that contribute to the degradation of the geomorphologic features of the cliff. The activities were successfully carried out and it is foreseen that the concrete works should be performed as planned, that is within 2008.

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Degradation of the vegetation and of the geomorphologic features of the cliff. Biological and Landscape diversity conservation on the Pokljuka Mountain plateau The project has four main objectives: - Preserving landscape and biodiversity in the area of the Klek Mountain

pasture, - Establishing a field information station for visitors at Pokljuka high plateau, - Reconstruction of the Pokljuka nature trail, - Biodiversity study and access to Nature Monument Pokjuška soteska

(Pokljuka gorge) In the project proposal form we have planned the time schedule of the project activities. In the beginning of this report we would like to stress out that we have done some changes in time schedule which do not effect on final results. The main reason of changes was simple fact the whole area of Pokljuka was hardly damaged by wind - snow breaks and sleet in last winter which causes thousands and thousands cubic meters of fallen trees. We have had a difficult task ensure the biodiversity and nature conservation objectives at one side and to ensure proper forest protection measures and sanitation at the other side. Also our partners in the project were deep involved into this matter. We have executed less points in the program under objective “Establishing a field information station for visitors at Pokljuka high plateau” and at the other side we have done more than planned in the frame of the objective Biodiversity study and access to Nature Monument Pokjuška soteska (Pokljuka gorge) Preserving landscape and biodiversity in the area of the Klek mountain pasture In the first phase of the project in years 2005 and 2006 the “management plan” or

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better “plan for pasturing (grazing) use” was prepared and finally adopted by Ministry for agriculture, forestry and food of Slovenia”. Such plans are every year revised and Triglav NP authority together with local pasture societies are taking care about the execution of the plan. Triglav NP provides guidelines, consultation and we monitor the situation during the tree month long pasturing period. All planned activities were executed. An agreement has been signed with the grazing rights holders preventing as from 2005 any further interventions in the larch forests of the Klek mountain pasture. We continue - as part of the agreement - to purchase firewood and some construction material in the valley outside the Park and have placed it there at the disposal of grazing rights holders. The data we collected in the first phase of the project - a detail survey and site plant index as well as habitat analysis were used and implement in day to day forest managing of the area. At the same time we used the data as a professional background for the new zoning system for the Triglav NP. The forests above Klek area are now listed in so-called 1st protection zone where forests are well protected and logging is prohibited.

Preserved larch tree forest at timberline above Klek

In the year 2007 construction plan together with the implementation of the culture heritage guidelines was prepared. In this activity we strongly respected traditional forms and “know how” for such a reconstructions. The activity is continuation of the first phase of the project and we are planning to reconstruct all buildings needed till the end of the project. Establishing a field information station for visitors at Pokljuka high plateau In the year 2007 especially because of the above mentioned (see introduction) reasons all the work in the frame of the activity under this objective has not been done. Triglav NP prepared the “idea project” in which content and design has been set up. Together with stakeholders and partners in the project we developed the project and we have gone through all gaps to finally receive official permission for building up field information station for visitors. The wood for facilities and some

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simple works as producing stands for the information boards, desks and benches have been done in the workshop. Further activities – mainly set up the infrastructure in the field are planned in 2008. Reconstruction of the Pokljuka nature trail There are no proposed activities in the project for this objective in the year 2007. The activities are planned to be executed in 2008. Biodiversity study and access to Nature Monument Pokljuška soteska (Pokljuka gorge) The woods in Natural monument Pokljuška soteska at the foothills of Pokljuka plateau were also damaged by snow – wind break in the winter 2006 – 2007. Any further work in the frame of our project was impossible without sanitation of the fallen trees which damaged the existed infrastructure. Triglav NP led the whole process of extraction of the timber. It was especially important to involve all stakeholders including private owners of the area. Together with forestry experts we have prepared the technical project – he extraction of timber from the gorge has been the difficult task and it was very important to care about geological and geomorphologic natural heritage and to preserve rare plant species in the gorge.

Shuttlecock fern

We have done the plant species inventory and mapping of the founded species in autumn. Our intension is to go on with inventory and research as it was planned in spring and later once again in autumn. The biodiversity inventory done in the autumn 2007 already proved the specifics of plant side index in the gorge and also proved that the detail inventory has been really needed. Existed data we have had before starting this project were really old and “poor”. Fallen timber caused by snow – wind break totally destroys old and existed wooden bridges which are in the project proposal to be maintained and reconstructed anyway. In fact we had luck that it has happened before we have started with proposed activities. Parallel with timber extraction we removed old wooden bridges and wooden stairs. With our project partners we have prepared

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plan for the works in the year 2008.

Fallen timber and damaged wooden bridge above

Conservation of Daffodils meadows Habitat mapping was successfully carried out. The results show an exceptional diversity of habitat types. 47 different non-forest habitats were detected in 1398 polygons. Many of habitat types are in double or triple combination. Ten habitat types are of European importance. Parallel to habitat mapping, orchid’s inventory had been done. In 137 polygons, 6 different orchids genus were found. That shows high number of orchid samples in rather low number of orchid genus in mapped area. Butterflies were mapped on the field using transect method. Considering different ecological conditions on different altitudes, mapping took time over the spring, summer and autumn. The mapping report will be finished in February 2008.

Distribution of non-forest habitat types

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In cooperation with Austrian partner Arge Naturschutz we organised an excursion on daffodil meadow of Golica Mountain. Experts from Austria (Arge Naturschutz, University of Klagenfurt), experts from Slovenia (Forest Institute and Institute for protection of Nature) and local people (land owners and people from Tourist association) participated to excursion. We examine daffodil meadows of Golica Mountain, where grass cutting was reintroduced few years ago and the number of daffodil raised. Workshop and official film presentation An event took place in local environment on Planina pod Golico. Many experts and journalists participated, but we expected more local people. The number of local people was lower because of less convenient time and because of the weather which was very suitable for work in the field (grass cutting and hay gathering). The journalist’s interest to film and workshop was pleasant to us. In next months many articles in local and national newspapers were published. We also participated in eight radio interviews (local and national radios) and TV broadcasts. The film was presented on first program of National TV and three local TVs. In summer the film qualified to International film festival Agrofilm 2007 in Czech Republic, where we received a special Diploma.

Workshop Article on Daffodils

Brochure In cooperation with Arge Naturchutz we published a brochure with title »Preserving daffodil meadows and biodiversity in Karavanke Mountains«. Print and design of

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brochures was Austrian partner's cost. Brochure on the conservation of Daffodil meadows

Improving nesting possibilities of owls (Tengmalms Owl and Ural Owl) on Jelovica Mountain plateau Most of the »paper work« was carried out in 2007. The plan was also to start with putting in place some nest boxes and continue with the rest of them in 2008, however, the negotiations with land owners were more time consuming than expected. Tengmalm's Owl (Aegolius funereus) Ural Owl (Stryx uralensis)

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Natural monument Divje jezero – improving the conservation status of endangered species and infrastructure The actions which have been implemented in 2007 were focused on the first objective of the project, which is to protect the habitats of endangered and protected species by improving the visitor’s infrastructure. According to that the Institute for Nature Conservation prepared the due guidelines for the drafting of a comprehensive presentation plan for the Wild Lake that would include the needed conservation measures. Consequently the Municipality of Idrija financed the drafting of the document “Integrated Plan for the conservation and presentation of the Wild Lake”, which has been finalized only in October 2007. The document defines in detail the possibilities to improve the infrastructure for visitors (forming of panels, arrangement of footpaths, selection of materials, etc.) in order to assure good conservation status for the endangered and protected species in the long term. The late drafting of the document however prevented further actions in 2007 and shifted the setting up of the interpretation panels to April 2008.

School children at Divje jezero in June 2007.

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Promotion of biodiversity conservation and awareness rising The foreseen activity for 2007, which is the release of the digital, interactive version of the book on endangered species and habitat types in the Slovenian sea (released within the Memorandum of Understanding 2004-2006), was successfully accomplished. The CD, which is annexed to this report, was distributed as planned to nature conservationists and other concerned scientists as well as some schools, libraries etc. As the international workshop on human impact on marine biodiversity in the North Adriatic is concerned, the first announcement was sent in January.

Cover of the CD on endangered species and habitat types in the Slovenian sea

Report prepared by Robert Turk and Metod Rogelj, Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation, Regional Units Piran and Kranj Martin Šolar, Triglav National Park Piran, Kranj, Bled, March 2008

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Annex I List of expenses for the year 2007

Project planned exp. € expenditure € Improvement of the conservation status of the habitat types of the Stjuža lagoon

13.000,00 15.994,00

The work was subcontracted to the company Soline. The company manages the Sečovlje salina natural park and has a lot of experience with reconstruction works on banks, dikes and other hallophyllous habitat types. The cost was slightly higher than expected, mainly due to an underestimation of the material that had to be removed.Contribution to the integrated coastal area management

4.500,00 4.500,00

The activity was subcontracted to the Marine biological Station, which has past experience with the cartography of benthic habitat types. Improvement of the conservation measures in the Natural monument Debeli rtič

2.000,00 2.701,00

In carrying out the activity we managed to acquire the due permits and projects and at the same time carry some work on the protected area infrastructure. Biological and Landscape diversity conservation on the Pokljuka Mountain plateau

20.000,00 20.000,00

The activities were performed by the Triglav national park on the basis of a contract between the Institute and the park and according to the planned timetable. Conservation of Daffodils meadows 7.000,00 9.177,00 The activities were carried out according to the plan. Improving nesting possibilities of owls (Tengmalms Owl and Ural Owl) on Jelovica mountain plateau

12.000,00 /

Most of the »paper work« was successfully carried out. The plan was to start putting in place some nest boxes already in 2007 however, the negotiations with land owners were more difficult than expected and resulted in a slight delay for the field work, which will be carried out in the first half of 2008. Natural monument Divje jezero – improving the conservation status of endangered species and infrastructure

7.000,00 /

The funds planned for 2007 will be spent within April 2008. As explained above, the inclusion of the municipality of Idria was crucial in order to be able to close the financial framework for the complete reconstruction of the protected area. The elaboration of the presentation and reconstruction concept was however more time consuming that foreseen. Promotion of biodiversity conservation and awareness rising

4.500,00 2.124,00

The interactive CD version of the book on endangered species was released in December with a cost lower than expected. The remaining funds were (and will) be used in the preparatory faze for the October workshop on human impacts on the marine biodiversity in the Northern Adriatic. Total expenses for 2007 70.000,00 54.496,00