Launch of a five-year project to restore the mosaic Mediterranean landscape

At the Krka Eco Campus, the Biom Society and partners presented the “Mosaic of LIFE” project, which will focus on restoring more than 560 hectares of grassland in the areas of the Krka and Cetina Rivers, Mt. Svilaja and Mt. Dinara over the next five years

The five-year “Mosaic of LIFE” project is dedicated to restoring the mosaic of Mediterranean landscapes and preserving threatened grassland bird species. This landscape, shaped over thousands of years in coexistence between humans and livestock in the karst landscape, is a unique combination of grasslands, forests, thickets, agricultural lands, and settlements. The abandonment of traditional agriculture and livestock farming has resulted in the overgrowth of these grasslands, and the loss of biological diversity.

The presentation was opened by project leader Tomislav Hudina from the Biom Society, who gave a detailed outline of the project “Mosaic of LIFE” with an emphasis on the project work packages, activities, and targets. He highlighted the cooperation with the local community and partner support as key conditions for project success.

“The project ‘Mosaic of LIFE’ is intended to show that nature conservation can work alongside human activities. We are focused on the mosaic nature of the landscape, restoration of grasslands, and cooperation with the local community, so as to preserve threatened species and habitats in the areas of the Krka and Cetina Rivers, Mt. Svilaja and Mt. Dinara. Over the next five years, we will carry out a number of activities in cooperation with local and regional self-government units, farmers and livestock holders, hunters, hikers, and all those who love this region,” stated Tomislav Hudina, project leader.

Following were presentations by project partners, who presented their roles and upcoming activities. Nella Slavica, director of the Public Institute of Krka National Park, spoke of the importance of the project for preserving the mosaic of habitats within the protected areas. Inga Kukolj from the Krka Ecological Society in Knin spoke of the importance of including the local community, especially livestock holders, and the many educational activities to soon begin. The fire commander of Šibenik-Knin County, Ivan Kovačević, spoke of the role of fire-fighters, strengthening their knowledge through training, and the role of controlled burning. Hrvoje Kutnjak from the Department of Agriculture, University of Zagreb presented the scientific component of the project, and the use of innovative methods in grassland conservation.

“We are truly proud to be part of this valuable project in nature conservation, and the sustainable development of our community. We are honoured to give our contribution over the next five years, to ensure successful implementation, and that at the end of the project, we have truly useful results that can serve as an example of good practice,” said Inga Kukolj from the Krka Ecological Society in Knin.

During the five-year project “Mosaic of LIFE”, at least 560 hectares of grassland will be restored, and management improved on an additional 1020 hectares. The aim is to increase the number of nesting pairs of Eurasian stone curlew, greater short-toed lark, calendra lark, and tawny pipit, to strengthen animal husbandry, restore wells and ponds, and to develop the first result-based measures for grasslands in Croatia. The project also includes education and awareness raising about the importance of grasslands, and the promotion of local products and services. The project “Mosaic of LIFE” will continue the activities of the project “Dinara back to LIFE”, transferring the acquired knowledge and good practices throughout the Dalmatian region.

As part of the project, Recommendations for preserving mosaic landscapes will be drafted, and then included in the official management plans for the Natura 2000 network. This will ensure long-term sustainability of the results through spatial planning and land management at the regional level.

In addition to the Biom Society as the project leader, the project partnership includes the Krka Ecological Society in Knin; Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb; Public Institute of Krka National Park, and the Fire-fighting community of Split-Dalmatia County. The associate partners are the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, Department of Environment and Nature Protection; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Public Institute More i krš, and the Public Institute Priroda of Šibenik-Knin County.

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The project “Mosaic of LIFE” is valued at EUR 4,850,315.57 and is co-financed with funds of the LIFE programme of the European Union, Office of Associations of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund. The project is implemented by the Biom Society (project leader), Krka Ecological Society in Knin; Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb; Public Institute of Krka National Park, and the Fire-fighting community of Split-Dalmatia County. The associate partners are the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, Department of Environment and Nature Protection; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Public Institute More i krš, and the Public Institute Priroda of Šibenik-Knin County.