Aims and objectives of the project:

The EIP Project 16.5 »Water Bodies« focuses on:

• awareness-raising and training of stakeholders, such as agricultural holdings (AH), professionals and the general public,
• transfer of key knowledge, experiences and skills for long-term, ecologically sustainable conservation and restoration of biodiversity,
• promoting efficient use of ecosystem functions and services of water bodies, such as water retention, soil protection, space cooling, and preservation of habitats for plant and animal species,
• emphasising the importance of water bodies as an important landscape feature in agricultural areas.

The main objective of the project is to formulate a model or guidelines for the holistic management of water bodies in agricultural landscapes.

In doing so, the project takes into account:

• the spatial aspect, which emphasises the importance of water bodies as an important landscape feature in agricultural space, and
• the ecological aspect, which highlights water bodies as areas with high potential for the development of aquatic and riparian habitats, contributing to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity.

Water elements in agricultural spaces also contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change, retaining water in the landscape, and adapting agriculture to climate challenges, if they are properly integrated into the agricultural space.
 

As part of the project we will:

• establish a more ecologically rich agricultural space,
• ensure greater diversity of habitat types in the areas of agricultural holdings and indirectly contribute to the conservation of biodiversity‑important habitat types,
• maintain plant and animal species populations under increasingly frequent extreme weather events (drought, heat),
• restore, preserve and enrich existing water bodies,
• integrate water bodies into the landscape and improve the value of agricultural products from farms,
• increase awareness among farmers, advisers and other stakeholders about the importance of water bodies for biodiversity,
• improve the capacity to introduce and maintain water bodies that contribute to greater species diversity,
• transfer the project knowledge gained into practice and disseminate the project results to the wider public and interested groups.

Expected results:

• guidelines for the restoration and preservation of existing water bodies (a practical test of solutions carried out);
• guidelines for the establishment and maintenance of new water bodies (a practical test of solutions carried out);
• biodiversity support (conservation and enhancement, particularly of species associated with aquatic and wetland habitats that are globally endangered) and an increase in landscape diversity;
• greater awareness among farmers and landowners of the importance of various landscape elements, with emphasis on the positive effects of biodiversity on agricultural economy or agricultural production;
• maintaining good status of surface and groundwater and contributing to the improvement of moderate/poor status downstream from the restored/introduced water bodies due to interception of eroded particles, nutrients and FFS;
• impacts on the local microclimate, which are beneficial during heat events;
• increased water availability for on-farm use during drought;
• greater competence of AH regarding the importance of water bodies, their restoration, input and maintenance;
• acquired project knowledge disseminated among other AH, professionals, students, the general public;
• expanded project results among AH, professionals and the general public;
• positive impact on the agricultural products of partner AH.

Project co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. The project is implemented under Measure M16: Cooperation from the Rural Development Programme for the Republic of Slovenia 2014-2020, the 5th public call for Sub-measure 16.5. Support for joint action to mitigate climate change or adapt to it and for joint approaches to environmental projects and ongoing environmental practices for EIP projects.

More information: European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Rural Development Programme of the Republic of Slovenia.