After two years, the ReNature project – restoring wetlands and meadows successfully concluded in the Škocjan Caves Park, which are important for Natura 2000 and other protected species and habitat types in the Karst, the basin of Reka river and the Pivka intermittent lakes Nature Park.
As part of the project, experts from UP Famnit (Department of Biodiversity) in the fields of biology, ecology, and nature conservation, as well as partners from the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, collaborated. They mapped and described ecosystem services (human benefits from the local landscape and nature) provided by meadow and wetland ecosystems.
On Tuesday, 9 April 2024, the presentation of activities carried out over the past two years, followed by a press conference, and an excursion through the Karst Biosphere Reserve with a visit to restored wetlands, newly established grasslands, and high-stem orchards.
The most extensive renovation of meadows was carried out in the area of Vremščica, where, under the guidance of the Veterinary Faculty (University of Ljubljana), they cleared 39 hectares of overgrown land, thus providing additional grazing space for the flock of indigenous Istrian Pramenka sheep, which will prevent re-overgrowth.
A few more than five hectares of meadows have also been restored in the municipality of Pivka, thus contributing to the preservation of habitat for important bird and butterfly species. Near the Ravne Castle, they planted a small meadow orchard, as these are also becoming rare, yet they provide a home to several bird species. In the Brkini area, the Škocjan Caves Park has restored several wetland habitats, eight ponds, and one arched or locally known “velban” spring, which is a characteristic feature of the Brkini region.
Experts also teamed up with locals, jointly recognizing the importance of preserving cultural landscapes and heritage. Village communities took over the task of maintaining the ponds. They reached agreements with farmers to assist in preserving the meadows.
The areas areconsidered highly efficient carbon sinks and habitats for European protected species of animals and plants under the Natura 2000 network. Their functions are vital for the survival of various plant and animal species as well as for human activities, which are rapidly disappearing due to climate change, drought, erosion, changes in land use, and the introduction of alien plant and animal species. The project aimed to stop with disappearance.
ReNature is implemented within the framework of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation programme.
In addition to UP Famnit, the Municipality of Pivka, the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Ljubljana and the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) were participating in the project, whose leading partner is the Škocjan Caves Public Institute. The 1.2 million euros worth project was financed in part by funds from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism.
