Conservation of Natura 2000 biotopes in Karula National Park

1
Conservation of Natura 2000 biotopes in Karula
National Park

• Rene Freiberg
• Ähijärve
• 05.09.2003

2
Why this project was needed?

• Agricultural abandonment of natural grassland
  endangers species and biotopes that are important
  on the national and Community level
• Growing pressure of tourism needs to be directed
• Additional funding and personnel was needed to
  complete tasks described in the Management Plan
  of Karula NP 2001- 2005

3
Project Area Landtype

• Project area is Karula National Park with total
  area of 11 097 ha

4
Project Area Population

• 250 people live inside the national park
• Population density of Karula National Park is 2,5
  people per sq. km
• This is 10 times lower than the average of Estonia

5
Project Goals

• To manage 350 hectares of semi-natural meadow
  during the project period
• To stabilise the populations of Corncrake and
  Lesser spotted eagle
• To assist the Ministry of the Environment and the
  Ministry of Agriculture to develop a compensation
  system for meadow management
• To educate the local population and involve them
  in the nature protection activities
• To develop the infrastructure needed to direct
  growing tourism

6
Project Funding

• Total cost of the project is 263 994
• 75 of the cost is supported by the Community
• 18 by the beneficiary
• 7 by the partners and co-financiers

7
Beneficiary, Partners and Co-financiers

• Beneficiary of the project is Karula National
  Park
• Partners of the project are Karula Municipality
  and Estonian Fund for Nature (NGO)
• Co-financiers of the project are Antsla
  Municipality, Ministry of the Environment and
  Ministrty of Agriculture

8
Duration of the project

• Project started in November 2001 and will end in
  December 2004
• Duration of the project is 38 months
• Project has been going on for 22 months, 12 of
  them with project manager

9
Actions of the project

• 21 Different actions are foreseen in the project
• 5 Preparatory actions
• 1 Non-recurring management action
• 1 Recurring management action
• 9 Public awareness actions
• 5 Overall project operation and monitoring
  actions

10
Preparatory Actions

• Action plan
• Formation of steering committee
• Selection of meadows
• Contracts with landowners
• Inventory of invertebrates

11
Non-recurring Management Actions

• Contracts for bushcutting
• Machines for bushcutting

12
Area of Non-recurring Management

• In total 60,3 ha was managed

13
Recurring Management Actions

• Contracts for meadow management
• Project tractor and hay collecting machines
• Project animals
• Local and higher level lobby work

14
Area of Recurring Management
15
Grazing Animals

• The number of grazing animals is the key element
  in recurring management

16
Number of Animals in the Project Area
17
Public Awareness Actions

• Protected value notice to landowners
• Project website, internet connection
• Media work
• Video
• Study tour
• Workshop
• Educational activities
• Development of facilities for tourism
• Laymans report

18
Current Financial Status
19
Current Status of Co-financing
20
Schedule

• Despite some initial delays (nomination of
  project manager, biotope monitoring in 2002,
  website) the project is in schedule

21
Contacts

• Project manager Renè Freiberg
• Tel. [phone], Mob.[phone]
• Fax. [phone]
• e-mail rene_at_karularahvuspark.ee