LIFE TRŠCA: Working Group for Harmonizing Farming and Nature Conservation

At the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (MAFF), a working group on farming in protected natural areas has been established. The initiative for its creation arises from the need to reconcile the various interests that often intersect in these areas – how to farm while at the same time conserving nature and ensuring a favorable status of habitat types, species, and their habitats. The task of the working group is to prepare appropriate agricultural policy measures for protected natural areas for the programming period after 2027.

At one of the working meetings, various ongoing LIFE projects were also presented. LIFE is the European Union’s instrument for funding environmental and climate action. Among the projects showcased was the LIFE Tršca project, which focuses on improving conditions in the Cerknica Plain and the wider intermittent Lake Cerknica area. This is one of the most important natural areas in Slovenia. Due to the presence of qualifying species and habitat types, it is also included in the Natura 2000 network, but it is best known for its unique hydrological dynamics of periodic drying and flooding.

The LIFE Tršca project was presented as an example of an integrated approach to wetland habitat management. One of its main goals is to ensure suitable conditions for the conservation of bird species associated with aquatic ecosystems, such as the ferruginous duck and the great crested grebe. These two species are indicators of the preservation and quality of the habitat, as they thrive only under specific ecological conditions. In addition, the project also involves other animal and plant species that make up the rich and distinctive natural mosaic of the Cerknica Plain.

At the meeting of the working group, the LIFE Tršca representatives highlighted the operation “Conservation of Wet Extensive Grasslands,” which is also being implemented in the Cerknica Plain area. It was launched in 2007 under the Rural Development Programme. Over successive programming periods, the operation has been significantly adapted to better address the needs of the habitats and species it protects – for example, improving the habitat of the corn crake. At the same time, it enables farmers to continue cultivating their land successfully and maintain their economic stability. However, an issue was also presented: mowing on Lake Cerknica has greatly expanded outside the corn crake habitat areas, causing large-scale reduction of reedbeds and sedge stands, and consequently altering habitats for many wetland, aquatic, and reedbed species. This issue is being addressed by the LIFE Tršca project, whose main objective is therefore to improve the conservation status of wetland habitat types and the living environment of the ferruginous duck and great crested grebe, which require specific conditions for survival, by defining an optimal mowing regime.

By establishing this working group, the Ministry supports dialogue and cross-sectoral cooperation, which will assist in planning the next Common Agricultural Policy. Slovenia, with its rich natural heritage and relatively small agricultural areas, is in a special position where it is even more important to achieve a balance between land use and nature protection. Incorporating practices from projects such as LIFE Tršca ensures that, in policy design, practical field experience contributed by farmers, conservationists, and researchers is taken into account to the greatest possible extent.

Article was prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food.