The Mosaic of LIFE: Habitat restoration and conservation of grassland bird species across the mosaic of the Mediterranean landscape

The Mosaic of LIFE: Habitat restoration and conservation of grassland bird species across the mosaic of the Mediterranean landscape

The mosaic of the Mediterranean landscape was created by the millennial presence of people and their domestic animals in the karst area, which is a combination of grasslands, forests, maquis, agricultural areas, and settlements

Such a landscape is not only aesthetically valuable, but is also naturally more resistant to droughts, fires, and extreme weather conditions. It is a combination of the cultural heritage and a region of an exceptionally rich biodiversity, which is increasingly threatened by the reduction in the extent of traditional farming and livestock breeding, which has led to the overgrowth of grasslands.

The five-year project ''The Mosaic of LIFE'', launched by the Biom Association together with partners, is dedicated to this unique natural heritage.

Over the next five years, through the ''Mosaic of LIFE'', we will carry out restoration activities of at least 560 hectares of grassland and improve the management of an additional 1,020 hectares. Habitat restoration includes the mechanical removal of woody vegetation, controlled burning under expert supervision, and, most importantly, the promotion of traditional grazing practices, as it is in fact the stock that has shaped and maintained this unique landscape for centuries.

In addition to the aim of conserving targeted grassland habitat types and associated bird species in the Split-Dalmatia and Šibenik-Knin counties, the focus is also on increasing the number of breeding pairs of four targeted bird species within the 8 ecological network areas of Natura 2000. At the same time, the project focuses on preserving the mosaic-type landscape and increasing its resistance to climate change by applying nature-based solutions, and promoting traditional agricultural practices and EU policies that contribute to solving existing challenges.

Special emphasis is placed on empowering livestock farmers, decision-makers and other contributors in the conservation of the targeted grassland habitats within the Natura 2000 network and the species associated with them. This will be achieved by improving the economic sustainability of traditional extensive agriculture and strengthening resistance to climate change. Finally, the project aims to raise public awareness of the importance of conserving the mosaic landscape, target habitats, and associated species, while promoting traditional agricultural practices and EU policies that contribute to long-term nature conservation and the solution of existing challenges. These efforts are expected to improve the conservation status of the target habitats and the target bird species populations, and contribute to the resistance of the landscape to climate change. The mosaic landscape, which combines different habitat types and their uses, exxhibits a greater natural resilience to climate extremes. Therefore, the project will develop Recommendations for the preservation of mosaic-type landscapes, which will be integrated into the official Natura 2000 management plans. This ensures the long-term sustainability of the results through spatial planning and land management at the regional level.

The ''Mosaic of LIFE'' project focuses on the preservation of four Natura 2000 target bird species. These are the Eurasian stone-curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus), Greater short-toed lark (Calandrella brachydactyla), Calandra lark (Melanocorypha calandra), and tawny pipit (Anthus campestris). The implemented measures are expected to significantly increase the number of nesting pairs of these four bird species and improve the general conservation status of grassland habitats and the species dependent on them. The project also aims to strengthen the economic sustainability of traditional extensive grazing and increase the resilience of local economies to climate change. The Mosaic of LIFE thus continues and expands the activities started with the Dinara back to LIFE project, transferring the acquired knowledge and proper practices to the wider region of central Dalmatia.

In addition to the Biom Association as the project leader, the project partnership includes the Ecological Association "Krka" in Knin, the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Zagreb, the Krka National Park, and the Fire Department of Split-Dalmatia County. Associated partners are the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition – the Institute for Environmental and Nature Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, the Public Institution Sea and Karst, and the Public Institution Nature of Šibenik-Knin County. The aim is to involve local farmers, foresters, livestock breeders, firefighters, mountaineers, public institutions, and other interested members of the public, encouraging cooperation and ensuring continuity of restoration activities even after the end of the project.

With the ''Mosaic of LIFE'' project, we want to show how nature conservation can be in balance with human activities. Traditional forms of grazing, which have shaped this landscape for centuries, are now becoming a tool for its restoration and preservation.

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The ''Mosaic of LIFE'' project is worth €4,850,315.57 and is co-financed by the LIFE Programme of the European Union, the Office for Cooperation with NGOs of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency. The project is implemented by the Biom Association (project leader), the Ecological Association "Krka" in Knin, the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Zagreb, the Krka National Park, the Split-Dalmatia County Fire Department, while associated partners are the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition – the Institute for Environmental and Nature Protection, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, the Public Institution ''Sea and Karst'', and the Public Institution ''Nature'' of the Šibenik-Knin County.