Total project value: 159.558,00 €
Funding rate: 100%, Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund
Project implementation period: 3 May 2024 – 30 September 2028

False indigo bush (Amorpha fruticosa) is most widespread in Kopački rit in the southern part of the Special Zoological Reserve along forest roads, which represent a significant anthropogenic impact on natural habitats. For now, the development of false indigo bush in this area poses a threat to the target habitat type (6440) of floodplain grasslands – Cnidion dubii meadows. This habitat type is very rare in the Republic of Croatia. The false indigo shrubs will be selectively removed using manual methods. In forest edge areas and along roads, they will be selectively removed by mowing/cutting with trimmers and chainsaws. In open meadow areas, both the aboveground and underground parts of the plants will be removed from the soil. All plant material will be disposed of at a nearby composting facility where it will be turned into wood chips used for compost production.

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is mostly spread across the meadows of Kopački rit that are mown once or twice a year, such as the meadow on the Stari brijest educational trail in the “Venecija” area. Its spread has also been recorded onto a nearby meadow in the Tikveš Castle Complex. Removal of common milkweed in this area will be carried out by frequent mulching of the meadow every 2–3 weeks during the vegetation season, in accordance with the methodology from the Common Milkweed Management Plan. The fine mulch will remain on the meadow, where it will decompose quickly. Habitat restoration in the common milkweed removal area is not required because moist meadows develop there, with herbaceous vegetation reaching 1–1.2 m in height by the period of peak vegetative growth of common milkweed. Thus, mulching during its intensive vegetative growth phase will ensure reduced growth by depleting the plant’s energy reserves and preventing the storage of new energy. Because of this, native vegetation with an earlier growth cycle will be more competitive. Planting woody vegetation in the milkweed removal area is not suitable because it would eliminate the meadow habitat.

Determining the initial distribution of invasive alien species (IAS) will be carried out in the first project year. After that, their removal and control will continue until the project’s end. Final assessment of IAS control effects will be performed in the last project year. Monitoring will be conducted during and after project implementation as a permanent activity of the Public Institution. After the project activities are completed, monitoring of IAS spread will continue at locations where removal was carried out. IAS removal will also continue after the project if monitoring shows the need for it. An external expert is planned to be contracted for determining initial IAS distribution, monitoring, and assessing IAS control efficiency. Equipment planned for purchase for IAS removal includes: a tractor with attachments (mulcher and trailer), battery and motor chainsaws, brush cutters, battery-powered pruners, spades, shovels, rakes, pitchforks, and axes. Employees of the Public Institution will work on IAS removal, and hiring one new staff member is planned. To increase public awareness, promotional and educational materials such as brochures, T-shirts, caps, bags, and similar items will be purchased.

DESCRIPTION AND VALUE OF INDICATORS:

It is expected that the spread of Amorpha will be halted on the Cnidion dubii (6440) meadow habitat. A reduction in the number of Amorpha individuals in forest edge areas and along roads is also expected, with ultimately 20% or less coverage or number of shoots in the removal area compared to the initial value in the first year of removal. The total area planned for Amorpha control is 12 hectares. A reduction in the number of common milkweed individuals in the “Venecija” and “Tikveš Castle Complex” areas is expected, with habitat coverage reduced to less than 10%. The total area planned for milkweed control is 18 hectares, with ultimately 10% or less coverage or number of shoots in the removal area compared to the initial value in the first year of removal.