Eagles in the forest - Conservation of the Lesser Spotted Eagle* (Aquila pomarina) in Lithuanian Forests LIFE09 NAT/LT/000235

Transcription

1 Eagles in the forest - Conservation of the Lesser Spotted Eagle* (Aquila pomarina) in Lithuanian Forests LIFE09 NAT/LT/ Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more Contact details: Contact person: Saulis SKUJA Tel: Fax: saulis.skuja@eagles.lt Project description: Background The lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina) is a medium-size migrating eagle found in central, eastern and south-east Europe, as well as eastwards to Iran. More than 95% of its global breeding range is in Europe, where some pairs breed. The species according to the latest art 12 Birds directive report has a secure conservation status in Europe and is listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive. The lesser spotted eagle breeds across the whole of Lithuania, where its breeding density varies significantly - with the greatest density recorded in central and north-western regions. More than 10% of the European population breeds in Lithuania (the Baltic States, Belarus and Poland account for more than half of Europe s population). The Lithuanian lesser spotted eagle population declined by more than 20% between 1980 and 2006, due to habitat degradation, the loss of nesting sites (caused by forestry operations and drainage), and hunting activities during migration. Objectives The main goal of the Eagles in the Forest project was to protect the nesting sites of at least 10% of Lithuania's lesser spotted eagle population (more than 200 pairs) from direct destruction and the indirect effects of timber harvesting. The project also aimed to ensure the long-term favourable status of nesting habitats

2 for the entire population by carrying out protection measures in line with the ecological needs of the species, and drawing up a species action plan and new planning schemes for all the Natura 2000 network sites (SPAs) designated for the lesser spotted eagle in the country. Information on the nests and their protection requirements were distributed to all relevant stakeholders to avoid the deliberate or unintentional destruction of nests during forestry operations. The project also focused on raising awareness about eagle conservation among the general public and target stakeholders. Results The Eagles in the Forest project surveyed the nesting sites of lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina) in project areas that covered at least 10% of the eagle s population in Lithuanian. This provided valuable information to assist conservation efforts to protect the species, through national and European action plans, and statutes for Natura 2000 network sites (SPAs). Poor-quality nesting sites identified in the survey were improved. The project dissemination its findings and raised awareness about lesser spotted eagle in Lithuania. Project surveys resulted in 273 nesting sites and 226 lesser spotted eagle pairs being identified (119 nests/102 pairs in seven SPAs designated for this species in Lithuania, and 154 nests/124 pairs in other project areas in Lithuania). The project team sent out a total of 107 information packages about all the identified nesting sites and breeding pairs to the relevant stakeholders. This information was also entered into two national databases: 1) the forest cadastral database of the State Forest Service (FCDB), and 2) the information system of registration of protected habitats, animal and plant species (ISPS) administered by the Ministry of Environment (MoE). Additionally, the project made recommendations for the protection of nesting sites of large forest birds to improve ISPS rules; these were approved by the MoE and are now functional. The project team prepared individual statutes for six SPAs for the protection of lesser spotted eagle in Lithuania (Šimonys wood, Taujėnai-Užulėnis forests, Labūnava forest, Lančiūnava forest, Gedžiūnai forest and Gubernija forest), which were officially approved by the MoE in October 2015 and became legally operational at the start of The National Species Action Plan for Lesser Spotted Eagle prepared by the project was approved by the MoE in February 2015 and is similarly in legal operation. The project also contributed to the European Species Action Plan for Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina). The project improved 80 lesser spotted eagle nesting sites of poor quality (35 of them in seven SPAs designated for lesser spotted eagle and 45 in other project sites) using artificial platforms. Evaluation of the protection status of the nesting sites showed that 92% of registered nesting sites were free from any kind of forestry-related disturbance. In 7% of cases, some activities had resulted in deviations from the valid protection regime; while 1% of identified nesting sites were heavily affected or destroyed by forestry activities. All the results and publications can be found on the project website ( The project set up 20 information boards in project sites, disseminated information through the media (press, internet, radio, TV), created five short films about project activities, and produced materials aimed at specific

3 target audiences. In addition, the project team organised nine seminars and workshops for experts, and a portable photography exhibition about lesser spotted eagle that toured to 19 locations in Lithuania. Project activities improved the protection of lesser spotted eagle in Natura 2000 network sites (SPAs), to implement the EU Birds Directive (where the species is listed in Annex 1), and also in areas outside of the Natura 2000 network. The project results are expected to both preserve nesting habitats and to decrease brood loses due to forestry activities. It is estimated that thanks to the project, nesting sites and broods of about 1% of the European population were positively affected by ensuring an adequate protection regime. The project s approach to mapping nesting habitats, to establish protection regimes and improve poor-quality nests, could be applied directly in other commercial forest areas in Lithuania or elsewhere in the EU. A report prepared by a forest economy expert ( Evaluation of the values of the landscape variables significant for the nesting sites of the lesser spotted eagle ), based on an economic modelling case study conducted by the project, showed that both economic and ecological objectives would be better met if the lesser spotted eagle protection regime was based on the actual distribution of breeding pairs in SPAs. Hence, forest enterprises can minimise their costs for lesser spotted eagle protection, leading to long-term benefits, in terms of employment, health and other socio-economic impacts. 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 Species - Birds Keywords agricultural method environmental impact of agriculture forest ecosystem migratory species nature conservation Target EU Legislation Nature protection and Biodiversity Directive 79/409 - Conservation of wild birds ( ) Directive 92/43 - Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora- Habitats Directiv... Target species

4 Aquila pomarina Natura 2000 sites SCI LTANYB001 Simoniu giria SCI LTBIRB001 Birzu giria SPA LTBIRB002 Nemunelio upes slenis SPA LTIGNB003 Vakarine Aukstaitijos nacionalinio parko dalis SPA LTKAIB006 Budos - Pravieniskiu miskai SPA LTKAUB008 Kauno marios SPA LTKLAB005 Minijos upes slenis SPA LTPAKB002 Gedziunu miskas SPA LTSIAB001 Gubernijos miskas SPA LTSLUB003 Sausgalviu pievos SPA LTSVEB002 Labanoro giria SCI LTSVEB005 Asvejos ezerynas SCI LTUKMB001 Taujenu - Uzulenio miskai SPA LTVLNB001 Kazimieravo slapzemes SPA LTZARB001 Vasaknu tvenkiniai SCI LTIGN0018 Aukstaitijos nacionalinis parkas SCI LTKAI0002 Strevininku miskas SCI LTKAU0007 Kauno marios SCI LTKED0001 Labunavos miskas SCI LTKLA0007 Minijos upe SCI LTMOL0010 Labanoro regioninis parkas SCI LTMOL0012 Vilkaraiscio miskas SCI LTPRI0005 Revuonos istakos SCI LTPRI0011 Rudgiriu pelke SCI LTPRI0013 Prienu silas SCI LTROK0002 Bradesiu kadagynas SCI LTROK0006 Barsenu pelke SCI LTROK0007 Dusetu giria SCI LTSIR0003 Alioniu pelke SCI LTSIR0004 Sesuoleliu miskas SCI LTSIU0013 Nemuno delta SCI LTZAR0002 Pelketos Rasu ezero pakrantes SCI LTZAR0003 Gipenu kaimo apylinkes SCI LTZAR0004 Padustelio pelkes SCI LTZAR0005 Balnio ezeras ir jo apyezeres SCI LTZAR0006 Eglio ir Eglioko ezerai SCI LTZAR0007 Ilgasilis SCI LTZAR0008 Vyko ezero apyezeres SCI LTZAR0011 Antazaves silas SCI LTZAR0022 Velniabale SCI LTZAR0024 Grazutes regioninis parkas SCI LTZAR0027 Zalves pelke SCI LTZAR0028 Zalves upes slenis SCI LTIGN0027 Sungardo ezeras SCI LTIGN0033 Kazitiskio pelke

5 SCI LTKAI0005 Budos-Pravieniskiu miskas SCI LTKED0010 Gelnu miskas SCI LTKED0012 Ilgatrakio miskas SPA LTKEDB001 Labunavos miskas SPA LTKEDB002 Lanciunavos miskas SCI LTROK0019 Minkunu durpynas SCI LTZAR0032 Melatineles upes slenis Beneficiaries: Coordinator Type of organisation Description Partners Viešoji įstaiga Gamtosaugos projektų vystymo fondas NGO-Foundation The main aim of the Foundation for the Development of Nature Protection Projects, which was established in 2003, is to sustain and enrich biological diversity and to ensure the conservation of the natural environment in Lithuania as well as to promote the ideas of nature protection and management. The foundation supports the development of scientific, practical and information activities undertaken within the area of environment protection, makes legislative proposals to the authorities and carries out practical initiatives to preserve rare and vanishing species. None Administrative data: Project reference LIFE09 NAT/LT/ Duration 01-NOV-2010 to 30-APR Total budget 1,049, EU contribution 766, Klaipedos apskritis(lithuania Lietuva) Panevezio apskritis(lithuania Lietuva) Siauliu Project location apskritis(lithuania Lietuva) Utenos apskritis(lithuania Lietuva) Vilniaus apskritis(lithuania Lietuva)

6 Read more: Brochure Title: "Report on the results of the nesting sites of the Lesser Spotted Eagle inventory in project area (action A.1)" (1.77 MB) Editor: Eagles in the forest No of pages: 18 Leaflet Title: "Mažasis erelis rėksnys ir jo apsauga" (446 KB) Year: 2013 Editor: VšĮ Gamtosaugos projektų vystymo fondas No of pages: 2 Leaflet Title: Project's leaflet Year: 2011 No of pages: 2 Project web site Project's website Publication: After-LIFE Title: After-LIFE Conservation Plan No of Conservation Plan pages: 12 Publication: After-LIFE Title: After-LIFE Conservation Plan (Lithuanian Conservation Plan version) No of pages: 12 Publication: Book Title: "Mažasis erelis rėksnys" (2.68 MB) Author: Rimgaudas Treinys, Darius Stončius,... [et al] Year: 2013 Editor: Gamtosaugos projektų vystymo fondas No of pages: 50 Publication: Case study Title: "Report on the improvement of the poor quality nesting sites of the Lesser Spotted Eagle (C.2 action)" (1.83 MB) Editor: Eagles in the forest No of pages: 14 Publication: Case study Title: "Mazojo erelio rèksnio (Aquila Pomarina): Apsaugos Planas" (197 KB) Author: Rimgaudas Treinys Year: 2015 No of pages: 17 Publication: Layman report Title: Layman report (Lithuanian/ENglish version) Editor: Gamtosaugos projektų vystymo fondas No of pages: 15 Publication: Management plan Title: "Šimonių girios biosferos poligono nuostatai" (93.8 KB) Editor: Lietuvos respublikos aplinkos ministras No of pages: 5 Publication: Management plan Title: "Labūnavos miško biosferos poligono nuostatai" (90 KB) Editor: Lietuvos Respublikos aplinkos No of pages: 4 Publication: Management plan Title: "Taujėnų užulėnio miškų biosferos poligono nuostatai" (91.8 KB) Editor: Lietuvos Respublikos aplinkos No of pages: 5 Publication: Management plan Title: "Lančiūnavos miško biosferos poligono nuostatai" (89.7 KB) Editor: Lietuvos Respublikos aplinkos No of pages: 4 Publication: Management plan Title: "Lietuvos respublikos aplinkos ministras įsakymas : Dėl lietuvos respublikos aplinkos ministro 2004 m. Gruodžio 10 d. Įsakymo nr. D1-629 dėl adutiškio guntauninkų miškų, gedžiūnų miško, gubernijos miško, padauguvos miško, plinkšių miško, rūdninkų girios, šimonių girios, taujėnų užulėnio miškų ir

7 Publication: Management plan Publication: Management plan Publication: Management plan Publication: Management plan Slides Presentation Slides Presentation žaliosios girios biosferos poligonų įsteigimo, jų nuostatų ir ribų patvirtinimo pakeitimo" (231 KB) Author: Kęstutis Trečiokas Year: 2015 Editor: Lietuvos respublikos aplinkos ministras No of pages: 15 Title: "Lietuvos respublikos aplinkos ministras įsakymas: Dėl lietuvos respublikos aplinkos ministro 2005 m. Lapkričio 8 d. Įsakymo nr. D1-531 dėl blinstrubiškio miško, dotnuvos josvainių miškų, labūnavos miško ir lančiūnavos miško biosferos poligonų įsteigimo, jų nuostatų ir ribų planų patvirtinimo pakeitimo" (231 KB) Author: Kęstutis Trečiokas Year: 2015 Editor: Lietuvos respublikos aplinkos ministras No of pages: 7 Title: "Gedžiūnų miško biosferos poligono nuostatai" (85.3 KB) Editor: Lietuvos Respublikos aplinkos No of pages: 4 Title: "Lietuvos respublikos aplinkos ministras įsakymas : Dėl mažojo erelio rėksnio (aquila pomarina) apsaugos plano patvirtinimo" (388 KB) Author: Kęstutis Trečiokas Year: 2015 Editor: Lietuvos respublikos aplinkos ministras No of pages: 18 Title: "Gubernijos miško biosferos poligono nuostatai" (85.3 KB) Editor: Lietuvos Respublikos aplinkos No of pages: 4 Title: "Działania zmierzające do renaturalizacji torfowisk na terenie Poleskiego Parku Narodowego" (53.3 MB) Editor: Poleski Park Narodowy No of pages: 21 Title: "Mažojo erelio rėksnio monitoringo Natura 2000 teritorijose ir už jų ribų metodikos pakeitimo pasiūlymai" (2.47 MB) Editor: GPVF No of pages: 14 Project description Environmental issues Beneficiaries Administrative data Read more