Managing marsh habitats for conservation of waterfowl of temporary lakes

Introduction

Project LIFE Tršca will focus on improving the ecological function/conservation status of the priority habitat type turloughs or temporary lakes (HT 3180*). We will achieve a lasting effect of project activities on turloughs (HT 3180*) through the following actions:

1. Introducing new and revising existing agri-environmental schemes.
2. Conservation of the most important marsh land-plots.
3. Removal of the dead marsh vegetation deposits and creation of products made from this dead biomass surplus.
4. Monitoring and evaluation of changes allowing efficient response.

Target Bird Species

Moreover, the project will focus on improving the conservation status of two target bird species that are considered as "priority for funding under LIFE," as agreed by the ORNIS Committee:

• Ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca)
• Red-necked grebe (Podiceps grisegena)

This will be achieved through the restoration of their breeding habitat and reducing disturbances during nesting and wintering.

Positive Effects on Waterfowl

We will achieve a positive effect of project activities on target waterfowl (Ferruginous duck and Red-necked grebe) through:

• Restoration of their breeding habitat.
• Reducing the negative impact of disturbance in nesting and wintering periods caused by visitor activities.
• Monitoring and evaluation of changes enabling efficient response.

Communication and Dissemination

Our nature conservation activities will be supported through communication and dissemination to gain project support from local and wider audiences. This will help assure the longevity of the project’s activities through work with youth.

Replicability and Exploitation

In the scope of the project, we will also focus on replicability and exploitation aspects, as the project’s results will be of help to different organizations involved in nature conservation and land management not only in Slovenia and Bulgaria, but in other EU countries as well.