With the term flowering meadows we mainly denote (semi-)dry extensive grasslands, which, in terms of their species richness, are among the most valuable, yet at the same time the most endangered ecosystems in Europe. The main aim of the project is to reestablish as many flowering meadows on lands where their composition due to past use is no longer optimal.

Aims and objectives of the project:

The EIP 16.5 project 'Flowering meadows' focuses on:

• conservation of biodiversity of flowering meadows,
• increasing species diversity by introducing characteristic native plant species that have begun to disappear from meadows due to prior use,
• promotion of ecosystem services of flowering meadows that go beyond their traditional use for grazing and fodder (e.g., tourism, aesthetic, recreational value, use of wild plants in nutrition and herbal medicine, etc.).

As part of the project we will:

• develop models for design, conservation and maintenance of flowering meadows, tailored to different regions, farms and stakeholders,
• enhance the value of flowering meadows with new functions and significance, and
• thereby contributing to their long-term conservation and enabling farms to achieve greater economic stability.

Different management practices are reflected in the different species composition and physiognomy of the meadows.

Expected project results:

• restoration of flowering meadows on lands where, due to previous use, there was a loss of characteristic species composition and thus a reduction in biodiversity,
• testing of different methods for the reintroduction of missing plant species, both at the seed collection level (straw debris, manually collected mature seeds, purchased conservation seed mixes, seeds collected with a brush harvester) and at the sowing level (in an undisturbed sward, partially cultivated or fertilized surface),
• development of framework guidelines for restoration and long-term management of different types of extensive flowering meadows, characteristic of the Slovenian countryside,
• increasing the added value of meadows for participating agricultural holdings by promoting multipurpose use (tourism, gastronomy, beekeeping, use of medicinal and dye plants, etc.).

An example of degraded land that can be transformed into a colorful, species-rich meadow with appropriate interventions.

Species-rich meadows provide a whole range of different ecosystem services of flowering meadows, which go beyond using meadows for grazing or feed for domestic animals.

Many insects feed on colorful, species-rich meadows.

Achieved project results:

The project is successfully concluded by the end of June 2024. We highlight the following achievements and results of the project:

• targeted measures and methods for the establishment and maintenance of flowering meadows based on field research in collaboration with partner farms,
• development of detailed guidelines for farms for each step of implementing the measures, which also include guidelines for meadow maintenance after the project's conclusion,
• testing of different methods of reintroducing plant species on selected target areas and successful implementation of all planned measures on five partner farms operating in environments with different site conditions,
• promotion and awareness-raising of sustainable and extensive use of meadows,
• establishment of an in situ seed bank at Zaplana 1890 farm for educational purposes and further renaturation of meadows in the region,
• successful implementation of a Training Program for agricultural enterprises with the aim of increasing capacity and awareness regarding topics of establishing biodiverse meadows, procedures for reintroduction of plant species and usefulness of plant species,
• seven workshops, lectures or professional excursions were successfully carried out, within which we expanded the acquired knowledge to a wide spectrum of target audiences,
• active involvement of young people in educational excursions and knowledge transfer,
• preparation of a Good Practice Guide for the restoration and maintenance of flowering meadows for the wider public,
• promotion of various ecosystem services of meadows that exceed their use for grazing or fodder for domestic animals, such as aesthetic, culinary, tourist, recreational and medicinal value.

Project co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) under Sub-measure 16.5. Support for joint actions to mitigate climate change or to adapt to it, and for joint approaches to environmental projects and enduring environmental practices.

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