The surface of high nature value grasslands at Natura 2000 sites in Slovenia is decreasing, mostly due to agricultural intensification (conversion to arable fields, application of manure, early first mowing, too frequent mowing, intensive cattle grazing, overseeding, liming) and land abandonment which leads to shrubs and forest encroachment.

The LIFE FOR SEEDS project focuses on establishing a seed bank of 300 characteristic taxa found on three EU priority habitats: semi-natural dry grasslands with orchids, species-rich Nardus grasslands and intermittent lakes, which, in addition to aquatic habitats, are also composed of various types of wet meadows.

Project goals:

Establishment of a seed bank

• We will establish a seed bank of characteristic plant species of EU priority habitat types: intermittent lakes (3180*), semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites) (6210(*)) and Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (6230*).
• The seed bank will hold 12.000 accessions of at least 300 different plant species from above mentioned habitat types. To ensure the seeds’ high genetic diversity, we will collect them across 21 Natura 2000 sites in Slovenia.
   

Restoration of 71,4 ha of high nature value grasslands at Natura 2000 sites

• We will restore 61,8 ha of priority Natura 2000 habitat types (3180*, 6210(*) and 6230*) and 12,3 of non-priority habitat types (6410, 6420, 6430, 6510, 62A0) using green hay and seed mixtures. In total, 74,1 ha of high nature value grasslands will be restored at seven Natura 2000 sites (Notranjski trikotnik, Goričko, Julijske Alpe, Drava, Krimsko hribovje – Menišija, Ljubljansko barje, Škocjanski zatok).
• The most suitable method of grassland restoration will be determined for each of the habitat types.
   

Preparation of agricultural measures

• To encourage the production of native seed material and grassland restoration, we will prepare three measures: green hay, seed mixtures and grassland restoration.
• These measures will be included in the national agricultural policy plan after 2027.
• Their attractiveness for farmers will be estimated within the project by conducting a feasibility study.
   

Web cadastre of well-preserved grasslands

• We will set up a web cadastre of high nature value grasslands including target habitat types that will serve as a geo-referenced basis for the implementation of agricultural measures and could also be used for the improvement of Natura 2000 zonation. The web cadastre will enable adding new plots also after the project ends.
• Web cadastre will serve as link between the producers of seed material, their users, nature conservation and agricultural stakeholders and be an information point for those looking for native seeds for grassland restoration.
   

Awareness raising of the importance of species-rich grasslands

• Dissemination and education activities will be performed in order to raise awareness about the importance of species-rich grasslands for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service (e.g. pollination, production of honey, herbs and medicinal plants).
• Our goal is to encourage people to either set up new high nature value meadows or to continue managing extensively the existing ones.