LIFE 11 NAT/GR/ LAYMAN S REPORT

Transcription

1 LIFE 11 NAT/GR/ LAYMAN S REPORT LIFE- Nature Project Conservation and Management of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) at three Greek SPA sites M Tzali/NCC

2 Project identity M Tzali/NCC Project title: Conservation and Management of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) at three Greek SPA sites Project code: LIFE+ 11 NAT/GR/ Website: Funded by: European Commission, Green Fund -Ministry of Environment and Energy Total budget: 1,957, European Commission contribution: 1,465, Duration: 01/06/ /10/2016 Contact Coordinating beneficiary: University of Thessaly- Research Committee Associated beneficiaries: Municipality of Rigas Feraios Body Management Authority of Lake Karla- Mavrovouni - Kefalovrisso University of Thessaly-Research Committee Contact person: Prof. Athanassios Sfougaris Laboratory of Ecosystem and Biodiversity Management, Department of Agriculture, Crop Production and Rural Environment, University of Thessaly, Fytokou str, Volos, 38446, Greece Tel.: , asfoug@agr.uth.gr Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS) Nature Conservation Consultancy (NCC)

3 Project objectives V Goritsas/NCC The present project aims at enabling the formulation of an effective and sustainable conservation framework for the lesser kestrel at 3 SPA sites of the Natura 2000 network. The achievement of the project objectives will be based on providing well focused conservation planning and implementing concrete conservation actions to ensure a positive population trend for the local species population. 9 The Lesser kestrel is a small migratory falcon, which breeds in colonies. During spring it migrates to Europe and especially to the Mediterranean region in order to breed. 9 Its diet consists mainly of insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, centipedes and small mammals. 9 The species population in Europe is estimated at 25,000-42,000 breeding pairs: the largest population breeds in Spain. The largest population of South East Europe breeds in Greece (2,480-2,900 breeding pairs) and in FYROM (1,000-1,500 breeding pairs). 9 During the 20 th century the species underwent a rapid population decline. 9 The species is classified as vulnerable in the red data book of rare and threatened animals of Greece. 9 Lesser kestrel is listed in Annex I of the EU Wild Birds Directive. Source: Birdlife International, 2016

4 Project actions 9 SSppeecci ieess ppooppuul laatti iioonn aasssseessssmeenntt 9 EExxtteennssi iivvee ssuurrvveeyy foorr f tthhee ssppeecci ieess eeccool llooggyy,, inn i oorrddeerr ttoo iddeenntti i iifyy tthhee ccrri itti iiccaal l hhaabbi ittaattss,, tthhee nneesstti inngg ssi itteess aanndd tthhee winntteerri iinngg ggrroouunnddss 9 EEsstti imaatti ioonn oof f tthhee leesssseerr l kkeessttrreel ll pprreeyy aabbuunnddaannccee iinn i tthhee ddi iif ffeerreenntt hhaabbi iittaatt ttyyppeess aarroouunndd tthhee bbrreeeeddi iinngg ccool loonni iieess 9 PPeel lleett aannaal llyyssi iss inn i oorrddeerr ttoo iiddeenntti i iifyy tthhee pprreef feerrrreedd pprreeyy ttyyppee tthhaatt tthhee leesssseerr l kkeessttrreel lss feeeeddss f oonn 9 PPrroomootti ioonn oof f eeccoottoouurri iissm fooccuussi f inngg oonn tthhee leesssseerr l kkeessttrreel ll 9 Aggrroocchheemi iiccaal l aannaal llyyssi iss inn i oorrddeerr ttoo tteesstt foorr f aaccccuumuul llaatti iioonn oof f cchheemi iccaal ll ccoomppoouunnddss inn i lleesssseerr l kkeessttrreel ll tti issssuueess 9 Goooodd pprraacctti iccee gguui iiddee foorr f faarrmeerrss f 9 CCoonnssttrruucctti ioonn aanndd eessttaabbl li iisshhmeenntt oof f aarrtti iif fi icci iiaal ll nneessttss,, ttoo innccrreeaassee i nneesstt ssi ittee aavvaai il llaabbi il lli iittyy.. 9 Creation of a certification label of local products as friendly to biodiversity and to the lesser kestrel 9 Documentary for the lesser kestrel 9 Public awareness campaign for the lesser kestrel and its threats 9 Planning of sustainable management practices of the rural environment and sustainable management of Karla wet meadow habitats for the benefit of the lesser kestrel 9 Regional Action Plan for the conservation of the lesser kestrel Map 1: Project area

5 Actions and results 9 We assessed the species diet by collecting pellets in more than 5 different breeding colonies through 2013 to We investigated which habitats the lesser kestrel uses for foraging. For this purpose novel methods were used, such as telemetry for the monitoring of the lesser kestrel movements. In total, 50 adult lesser kestrels were tracked with GPS data loggers and 26 with radio transmitters, from 2013 until The breeding population size in Thessaly was estimated by conducting population census in more than 160 villages. The census results indicate that the lesser kestrel population breeding at the Thessaly region was estimated at 4,910-5,370 breeding pairs. The breeding colonies are distributed in 109 villages (Map 2). Additionally, the overall species population of Greece was estimated at 8,800-9,100 breeding pairs. 9 The habitats sustaining the higher prey abundance were identified. 9 The breeding success of the species was monitored closely. In total the breeding success in 230 natural and in more than 400 artificial ones was monitored. 9 Agrochemical analysis was conducted in order to investigate if agrochemical compounds are accumulated in lesser kestrel tissues or in its prey. 9 The hunting success of the species was estimated at different foraging habitats with conventional methods. Map 2: Distribution of lesser kestrel colonies in Thessaly M.Tzali/NCC M.Tzali/NCC Polymeros/HOS

6 The main project achievements During the implementation of the program it was achieved: 9 The nesting availability for the species was increased. Low breeding success is strongly correlated with the nesting site selection, especially when nests are located far from the optimal foraging grounds sites. For this reason, during the 4 years of the project implementation 710 artificial nests were established in 137 buildings 9 The heterogeneity of the agricultural landscape has increased. Due to the intensive cultivation of cereals of the project area, the natural vegetation zones were shrunk dramatically, thus the shelter for the lesser kestrel prey was limited. In order to increase the shelter sites for the prey, 1,200 trees and shrubs were planted forming a network of 12- km hedgerows. 9 Traditional cereal varieties were promoted to farmer groups for cultivation. In total hectares were cultivated with traditional barley varieties. J.Frick/NCC P.Kordopatis/HOS 9 Conservation friendly rangeland management. The goal was the benefit to both sides: farmers and lesser kestrels. In an area of 30.7 hectares artificial meadows were installed, which are surrounded by different crop types. The artificial meadows will provide an income to the farmers and suitable habitat to insects that are potential prey for the lesser kestrel. 9 Creation of a certification label of local products as friendly to the lesser kestrel and their promotion to the market. A certification label was produced by the University of Thessaly in order to certify the products that are being produced with lesser kestrel and biodiversity friendly practices. 9 A volunteer group for the lesser kestrel was created. The volunteer group participated at the scientific monitoring action and at concrete actions as well. 9 An extensive public awareness campaign was implemented. At the framework of the public awareness more than 200 articles were published in national and local newspapers, as well as in online media. During the project more than 30 dissemination events were implemented. It is estimated that more than 500,000 individuals were reached by the campaign and got informed about the lesser kestrel. 9 Establishment and operation of a special exhibition. In total individuals visited the Info center during the project implementation. 9 Environmental education campaign and production of environmental education material. An environmental education material focusing on the lesser kestrel was produced. It is estimated that 5,000 students participated in the environmental education campaign.

7 Αρχείο/ NCC 9 Documentary for the lesser kestrel, the project area and the project actions was produced. The main objective of the documentary is to demonstrate the effectiveness of conservation actions for the species in Thessaly. 9 The wintering grounds of the lesser kestrel population breeding in Greece revealed for the first time. For this purpose adult lesser kestrels were tracked with geolocators. 9 Promotion of ecotourism focusing on the lesser kestrel. A series of meetings with local tourism professionals was conducted during the third project year. A practical action plan for the development of rural tourism and ecotourism in the project area focusing on the lesser was presented. An important achievement of the current action is that Lake Karla is being promoted as an ecotourism destination by various tourist agencies. Map 3: Wintering grounds of lesser kestrels breeding in Thessaly. Αρχείο/ NCC Αρχείο/ NCC

8 Socio-economic impact The project was implemented in three sensitive SPA sites, which are characterized by the presence of small villages and intensive agricultural production in the whole project area. 9 The implementation of an extensive awareness campaign led to informing the local population about the SPA sites and raising awareness. 9 The participation of farmers in implementing agricultural friendly practices for the lesser kestrel and biodiversity, led to the success of the specific action. 9 The concrete actions benefited the biodiversity in the project area apart from the lesser kestrel. 9 The establishment of more than 700 artificial nests ensures the availability of nesting sites and thus the viability of the population 9 Unharvested cereal strips, solitary trees and headlands provides shelter to the lesser kestrel preys such as insects and small mammals 9 The project patrolling team with the volunteer group participated actively in the awareness campaign of the project resulting in the raise of the local community's awareness for the species. 9 Creation of a certification label of local products as friendly to the lesser kestrel and their promotion to the market combines the protection of biodiversity with agricultural production. Photo: Body Management Authority of Lake Karla & Municipality of Rigas Feraios P.Kordopatis

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