DRY GRASSLAND - Dry Grassland in Denmark - Restoration and Conservation LIFE08 NAT/DK/000464

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1 DRY GRASSLAND - Dry Grassland in Denmark - Restoration and Conservation LIFE08 NAT/DK/ Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more Contact details: Project Manager: Annette Strøm JACOBSEN Tel: Fax: ansja@nst.dk Project description: Background European dry grasslands are considered to be threatened and vulnerable habitat types. An evaluation in 2007 of the conservation status of Annex I habitat types in Denmark, identified six habitat types that should be targeted for restoration work due to their classification as having unfavourable status. A previous LIFE project Restoration of Dry Grassland in Denmark (LIFE04 NAT/DK/000020) had helped to restore dry grassland through conversion of plantations and arable land, clearing of scrubland and grazing. Objectives The DRY GRASSLAND project aimed to follow on from the project and continue with the restoration and conservation of dry grassland in Denmark, in new locations using the experience obtained in the previous grassland project, supplemented with other methods. The main objective was to improve the conservation status, and to increase the dry grassland areas of: semi-natural dry grassland and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia); important orchid sites; and species-rich Nardus grassland, on silicious substrates in mountain areas (and sub-mountain areas in Continental Europe). Furthermore, the project aimed to evaluate the feasibility of different methods, or combinations of these methods, for controlling the invasive alien species Rosa

2 rugosa. The objective was to optimise the efforts to control the distribution of this species, in order to obtain and maintain a favourable conservation status of dry coastal grassland habitats in Denmark. The project's third objective focused on creating and improving habitats for a number of targeted amphibian species: the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), Natterjack toad (Bufo calamita), European treefrog (Hyla arborea) and agile frog (Rana dalmatina), in order to achieve and maintain their favourable conservation status in Denmark. Results All project objectives were achieved and in many cases exceeded. These successful results have led to an increase in the number of areas with a favourable nature status and structure status. Results have managed to limit threats to, and improve the nature status of, existing dry grassland habitats and species. This happened as a result of improved grazing, the clearing of woody species, the control of invasive species, and the restoration of ponds. The project made new or restored fencing in about 23 km. Public access is provided through 30 trap gates. Facilities have been made to secure grazing and manage grazing animals with the establishment of 5 new automatic drink dispensers, 7 catch folds and 1 shelter for cattle. Clearing of bushes, shrubs and trees has been done on 134 ha to eliminate overgrowth and improve or start grazing. Japanese Rose (Rosa rugosa) and Scotch broom (Cytiscus scoparius) have been removed on around 9 ha at the project sites. Appropriate grazing regimes were promoted through acquisition of 8 robust cattle and agreements were made with tenant farmers to safeguard whole year grazing, which is well-suited for conserving the local sites biodiversity. Project results for amphibians include the establishment of 31 new breeding ponds for the Tree frog (Hyla arborea), Natterjack toad (Bufo calamita), Agile frog (Rana dalmatina) and the Crested newt (Triturus cristatus). Some 32 ha at DK006Y275 (Suserup), 6 ha at DK008X183 (Fyns Hoved) ha and 8 ha at DK008X201 (Ristinge Klint, Sydlangeland) of new abandoned former arable land has been included in a new grazing regime. Some of this land (Suserup) has been impoverished to accelerate development into grassland. Impoverishment occurred in different ways to collect new knowledge about techniques and results. Results from soil samples did not indiacte significant differences after different experiments. However, analysis showed that parts of the former arable land were already becoming suitable for natural grasslands colonisation. Furthermore, inoculation has been done by hay spreading and spreading of seeds, harvested from other grassland areas. Results from the assisted spreading were not confirmed at the project closure, because the sowing had to be carried out in Autumn 2013 when soil conditions were as nutrient-poor as possible. At site DK008X201 (Ristinge Klint, Sydlangeland) plot transplantation occurred from adjacent grassland to former arable land. The experiments in control and eradication of Japanese rose were divided into a demonstration project including test of different control measures. These

3 included cutting and herbicide, grazing and cutting, and a large-scale project. None of the methods used were able to fully remove all Japanese rose stands during the test period, but there was a significant reduction of the rose stands with most treatments seen in relation to frequency and cover. Findings from the project suggest that more consistent use of these control methods is needed to confirm best practices. Quantified results were as follows: Clearing of 106 ha dry grasslands with overgrowth by woody species (134 ha cleared); Removal of aliens species on 5 ha (9 ha were removed of mainly Rosa rugosa); Establishment or securing of appropriate grazing regimes on 195 ha (240 ha of grazing secured); Acquisition of 4 cattle (Galloway breed) for grazing on 19 ha (8 cattle were purchased and 40 ha are being grazed); Restoration of dry grassland habitats from conversion of 47 ha former arable land (32 ha were restored and no action was needed for the remaining 15 ha. Plot transplantation was instead implemented on the site); Creation / restoration of 19 ponds suitable for Triturus cristatus, Bufo calamita, Hyla arborea and Rana dalmatina (31 ponds were established/restored and Bufo calamita returned to the Thurø Rev site); Awareness raising results (42 rather than 29 information boards were produced and 4 rather than 3 project/site folders were realised). Success factors for these results include a need: for making and restoring several smaller ponds; providing shelter for cattle; and being aware of other interests such as bird life, insects, visitors, locals and culture on the site. Socio-economic benefits from the project involved new agri-business opportunities and knowhow from grazing hardy cattle all year round on the sites. A new job was also established to provide nature management and visitor services. In addition some 70 volunteers participated in beach cleaning activities. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section). Environmental issues addressed: Themes Habitats - Grasslands Keywords grassland ecosystem restoration measure

4 Target EU Legislation Nature protection and Biodiversity Directive 92/43 - Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora- Habitats Directiv... COM(2011) 244 final Our life insurance, our natural capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to Target species Bufo calamita Hyla arborea Rana dalmatina Triturus cristatus Target Habitat types Fixed coastal dunes with herbaceous vegetation ("grey dunes") Decalcified fixed dunes with Empetrum nigrum European dry heaths Xeric sand calcareous grasslands Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites) "Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on silicious substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas in Continental Europe)" Natura 2000 sites SCI DK006Y275 SCI DK008X201 SCI DK00EX130 SCI DK00EX283 SCI DK005X331 SCI DK008X329 Suså med Tystrup-Bavelse Sø og Slagmosen Sydfynske Øhav Hanstholmreservatet, Nors Sø og Vandet Sø Hanstholmknuden Bjergene, Diesebjerg og Bollinge Bakke Thurø Rev Beneficiaries: Coordinator Type of organisation Description Danish Nature Agency National authority The Danish Forest and Nature Agency (DFNA) is an institution within the Danish Ministry of the Environment. DFNA's remit is to conserve natural sites and to undertake practical management measures for wild flora and fauna.

5 Partners Municipality of Thisted, Denmark Administrative data: Project reference LIFE08 NAT/DK/ Duration 01-JAN-2010 to 31-DEC Total budget 2,162, EU contribution 1,081, Project location Sjælland(Danmark) Syddanmark(Danmark) Nordjylland(Danmark) Read more: Project web site Project's website Publication: After-LIFE Title: After-LIFE Conservation Plan (Danish Conservation Plan version) Year: 2014 No of pages: 9 Publication: Layman report Title: Layman report Year: 2013 Editor: Naturstyrelsen No of pages: 13 Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more