COOPERATING FOR GRASSLAND CONSERVATION · Member States prepared this plan. Concha Olmeida, one of...

COOPERATING FOR GRASSLAND CONSERVATION Cross-regional networking event in support of the Natura 2000 biogeographical process

16th Eurasian Grassland Conference, Graz (Austria), 28th May 2019

Consortium Information: Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen Marine Research, Wageningen UR In cooperation with: Nature Bureau Ltd. Estonian University of Life Sciences Terra Ecogest Mãe d’água

Support for the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process - ENV.D.3/SER/2017/0010 - Cooperating for Grassland Conservation Graz (Austria), May 2019

Prepared by Theo van der Sluis, WENR, Jan Sliva, NEEMO

Authors Theo van der Sluis (Biogeographical Process, WENR)

Jan Sliva (NEEMO)

Version 3

Date 1 June (1stdraft)

10 December (revised)

Reviewed by Sophie Ouzet

Acknowledgments.

We would like to thank the organisation team, special thanks to Martin Magnes.

Recommended citation

Van der Sluis, T., Sliva, J. ‘Cooperation for grassland conservation’. Cross-regional networking

event in support of the Natura 2000 biogeographical process. WENR/NEEMO, Wageningen.

(ENV.D.3/SER/2017/0010)

Disclaimer

This report presents the (summary) of the discussions held at the workshop, and by no means

presents the opinion of the facilitators or consortium members of the Biogeographical Process

(BGP).

Link to more information on the Alpine Biogeographical Region

Cover pictures: Theo van der Sluis

https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/platform/knowledge_base/134_alpine_region_en.htm


Contents

Summary ............................................................................................................. 4

1. Introduction .................................................................................................... 6

1.1. Set-up workshop .......................................................................................................... 6

2. Report of the workshop .................................................................................... 8

2.1. Introduction theme ..................................................................................................... 8

2.2. Workshop session I ...................................................................................................... 9

2.3. Workshop session II ................................................................................................... 10

3. Conclusions, and closure of the workshop ..........................................................13

3.1. Conclusions from the workshop ................................................................................ 13

3.2. Closure ....................................................................................................................... 13

4. Contribution to the Alpine Road Map? ...............................................................14

Annex 1. Detailed program Workshop Session ..........................................................15

Annex 2. Pictures .................................................................................................17


Summary

During the 16th Eurasian Grassland Conference, organised by the Eurasian Dry Grassland

Group (EDGG) together with the University of Graz, a network event took place on the

management of dry grasslands. The Regional networking event was held in Graz, Austria in

May 2019. A total of 16 experts participated. The program focussed on three discussion topics:

• What are traditional management methods that are still being practiced, and how have they developed/altered over time?

• What tools do farmers need in relation to N2000, to maintain Favourable Conservation Status, for monitoring and adaptive management?

• Is there a specific regional focus required for action; are there regional differences which require different tools or are tools sufficiently adaptable?

An international team of experts nominated by EU Member States has prepared the Habitat

Action Plan 6210, which is very relevant for the conservation of species rich grasslands. The

BioGeographical Process (BGP) presented the plan on behalf of Concha Olmeida, one of the

authors. Both the presentation and the a summary of the Action plan have been shared with

the participants. Several presenters highlighted various aspects of grassland management. In

particular relevant discussions were held in relation to forms of traditional management of

complex landscape systems, indigenous knowledge, and how current (national) regulations

sometimes fail to facilitate the continuation of such management.

The themes were discussed in an interactive way, in small working groups, to stimulate

involvement from all participants.

The second part of the workshop continued with following questions:

1. How can we sustain adjusted management methods, and what support measures are needed?

2. How can we ensure ecological and economical sustainability of grassland management independent of financial support?

3. How can we ensure actions towards FCS at various levels?

In summary, the following recurring suggestions were made in the workshop:

- more flexibility is necessary to cope with regional differences, in particular with

regard to traditional knowledge;

- Although the directives come from Brussels, it is the countries that implement

them. The Directives are not perfect, but some of the problems arise at national

level, and Member States have freedom to adapt the directive to national or

regional needs;

https://edgg.namupro.de/egc2018/info


- subsidies are not always the solution, and sometimes they are the problem. It

creates dependency on external funding and does not generate intrinsic

motivation of farmers;

- still, payments should be sufficient to cover costs of farmers, and to ensure

sufficient income;

- the price of products should take the quality into account; however, it is noted

that in some countries the willingness to pay is much higher than in other, e.g. in

the Netherlands or Germany many people want cheap products, whereas

consumers in Austria or Italy may value more high-quality (expensive) food.


1. Introduction

A networking event was co-organised with the EDGG, for the 16th Eurasian Grassland

Conference in Graz, Austria and Maribor, Slovenia (29 May – 05 June 2019). The event was

held on the 29th of May, 12.30-17.45 hrs.

The Conference has a focus on the values of Palearctic grasslands and how to ensure their

sustainability. The networking event was prepared and held in form of an

intercommunicative workshop and focussed on the conservation of specific N2000 habitats

related to natural and semi-natural grasslands and steppes. The key questions for discussion

were:

• What are the values delivered by extensively used grasslands?

• How do farmers use and manage species rich grasslands without silage?

• What are best practices for grassland management, and what are important socio-

economic conditions to conserve these grasslands (e.g. maintain favourable

conservation status).

The work builds forth on Sulmona (2018) workshop results, to explore the experiences

through e.g. LIFE programmes, with species-rich grassland management, and how traditional

management systems have been adapted to current (modernized) management.

The discussions focussed at the required conditions for maintaining specie-rich grasslands,

the tools available to maintain such grassland management, the efficiency of financial

incentives, and which particular values of grasslands can be used to finance its future

conservation.

1.1. Set-up workshop

The format of the 2018 workshop in Sulmona was followed for the Graz workshop. The

results of the Sulmona workshop formed the starting point for the discussions and

workshops.

Introduction

Purpose: provide the right focus on the topic at European level

• What is the Biogeographical Process, the Sulmona workshop, plan for the

workshop (Theo van der Sluis)

https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/platform/events/pdf/Workshop%20Introduction%20BGP_TVDSluis.pdf


• EU Habitat Action Plan (H6210) (Concha Almeida, presented by Theo van der

Sluis)

• Grassland management, best practices and LIFE (Jan Sliva, NEEMO expert)

• EDGG expert (Martin Magnes: what EDGG expects from the workshop)

1st workshop/discussion:

Purpose: to exchange knowledge and get all people on the same level

In three groups of each 5 people the following questions/themes were discussed:

- What values are obtained from grasslands and steppes

- Which LIFE programs and other measures have been most helpful in maintaining

extensive grasslands?

- What are the largest threats for extensive grasslands, and what causes their

further decline (why do conservation programs often not work?)

The results of workshop 1 were reported back in the plenary.

The second workshop went into more detail:

Purpose: formulate concrete actions with regard to development of tools, priority support

actions and knowledge sharing on existing tools and means available.

Short presentations/statements (10 minutes)

• Financial support & governance (Wolfgang Angeringer/ Martin Magnes)

• Traditional grassland management Central Europe (Molnár Zsolt)

• Farmers benefits for extensive grassland use (Andrea Catorci?)

• Observations from field work (Martin Magnes & colleague)

The discussions focussed on:

- What are traditional management methods that are still being practiced, and how

have they developed/altered over time?

- What tools do farmers need in relation to N2000, to maintain Favorable

Conservation Status, for monitoring and adaptive management?

- Is there a specific regional focus required for action; are there regional differences

which require different tools or are tools sufficiently adaptable?

Each group discussed one topic and reported back in plenary.

https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/platform/events/pdf/Habitat%20Action%20Plan_6210_CAlmeida.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/platform/events/pdf/Grassland%20and%20LIFE_JSliva.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/platform/events/pdf/Cultural%20Use%20of%20Grasslands_Zsolt%20Molnar.pdf


2. The workshop

2.1. Introduction theme

The team arrived at 11 at the meeting room on the first floor, and installed itself. Two

people joined, but only after 12 (i.e. intended start of the workshop) it turned out that the

organisation with the other participants were in a room on the ground floor. It was decided

to stay in the lecture room at the first floor for the first presentations, than move to the

ground floor. Due to this misunderstanding the meeting starts at 12.30.

Four presentations were presented to set the scene of current grassland conservation

practices, by the BGP, Concha Olmeida, Jan Sliva and Zsolt Molnár:

Next, the EU Habitat Action Plan (H6210) was presented which is very relevant for the

conservation of species rich grasslands. An international team of experts nominated by EU

Member States prepared this plan. Concha Olmeida, one of the authors could not be present

at this meeting, so Theo van der Sluis presented it on her behalf. Both the presentation and

a summary of the Action plan is shared with the participants, and all are requested to

provide input or feed-back before the 15th of July.

Next, Jan Sliva (NEEMO-LIFE) gave an overview of LIFE projects which are of interest and in

support of grasslands and grassland biodiversity, the lessons learned and best practices. An

important point is that the current policies cannot halt the further decline of species rich

grasslands, despite positive experiences and good results from the LIFE program. Also, the

funding should be reliable for farmers to remain motivated: funding shouldn’t change from

year to year.

Last, Zsolt Molnár gave a presentation on the importance of indigenous knowledge of

grasslands and grassland management, the role of local traditions in maintaining grassland,

as well as the importance of grasslands for communities livelihoods. An important lesson is

also that policies are insufficiently incorporating local knowledge and practices in the

development and implementation of policies. When agri-environmental schemes are

designed they should include traditional management as a whole system, and not

selectively. Also, more flexibility is required to allow continued traditional use of the

pastures, which significantly varies among biogeographical regions.

All four presentations from the introduction are shared with the participants.

We continue with the ice-breaker and introduction of all participants.

https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/platform/events/pdf/Habitat%20Action%20Plan_6210_CAlmeida.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/platform/events/pdf/Grassland%20and%20LIFE_JSliva.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/platform/events/pdf/Cultural%20Use%20of%20Grasslands_Zsolt%20Molnar.pdf


2.2. Workshop session I

In workshop session I, three groups were formed of 5 people each. The groups discussed the

following three questions, in 45 minutes:

1. How have traditional management methods developed/altered over time?

2. What tools do farmers need in relation to N2000, to maintain Favourable


3. Is there a specific regional focus required for action; are there regional differences


Each group presented their answer on the questions.

Question 1: What are traditional management methods that are still being practiced, and

how have they developed/altered over time?

Species rich grasslands are product of traditional management (mowing and grazing) over

centuries. How they are perceived by the population altered significantly, due to

industrialisation of agriculture, globalisation and cultural value attached to traditional

management. There are strong gradients and large differences within the EU from East to

West, and from South to North, where, especially in NW Europe, the globalization process

accompanied by the loss of traditional cultural values, has had most impact.

The pastoral systems have changed along the "industrialisation gradients": Transhumance

has stopped, sheep and cattle is brought to mountain valleys where they graze. Traditional

grazing management and the profession of herdsmen declined or ceased to exist.

Management of HNV grasslands in Natura 2000 areas and other protected areas are mostly

tied to financial support to be able to survive and are still declining.

Thus, solutions should be worked out according to the current situation, (i) for areas with

still existing / living traditional and cultural values and (ii) for areas where these values no

longer exist (refer presentation Z. Molnár):

(i) traditional management has mostly collapsed (e.g. DE, NL, BE, partly IT) -> revitalisation,

new ways and innovative imitation

(ii) traditional management is still functioning (e.g. HU, RO, SK, partly IT) -> maintenance,

innovative adaptation, value enhancement, valorisation of ecosystem services

Large best practice and innovation projects should be implemented in order to demonstrate

the ecological sustainability and economic efficiency of modern pastoral systems. Also

education and communication are essential to overcome the current negative development,


as well as more exchange and awareness raising on these issues, to come to a new valuation

of traditions.

Question 2: What tools do farmers need in relation to N2000, to maintain Favourable


Connect a certain product quality with grassland quality (and management), support the

development of brands with such higher product standards, to ensure better payment of

farmers. Link the quality of the product with the quality of the environment and animal

welfare (which also affects the quality of the product).

Existing tools are not sufficient, the impact factor is too low. Tools should be

understandable, but also culture-based and modern and innovative. There is an interaction

between these last factors.

Question 3: Is there a specific regional focus required for action; are there regional

differences which require different tools or are tools sufficiently adaptable?

Group x: Yes!

Group y: Yes! 😄

Group z: Results-oriented Nature Protection, which focuses on key-species for conservation.

2.3. Workshop session II

Short statements are given by participants, oral presentations of 5 minutes on the themes.

Andrea Catorci from Camarino (Italy) gives a statement on the benefits of using extensive

grasslands. He defined the goals for a management plan with the farmers for a protected

area of 3000 ha. Cooperation with many farmers ensures that they check each other as well.

Extensive grazing results in better products (cheese) of higher quality. These products should

gain higher prices. They did consumer surveys with hundreds of people testing the quality,

and asking them for the willingness to pay. This demonstrated indeed that people attribute

higher monetary value to good products. Finally, also chemical components differ for these

products, and more study may be required to demonstrate this. He notes also that some

farmers do not qualify for financial support because the land is from the community, which

has been the system for centuries, this demonstrates that some directives are not well

adapted to local conditions.


Next, Martin Magnus summarizes the findings of Wolfgang Angeringer. Wolfgang is Austrian

farm advisor and has a farm of his own but could not make it this day due to farm work. First

of all, the agri-environmental schemes should be much more flexible, and designed in close

cooperation with farmers and experts. Farmers participation in Natura 2000 should be based

on voluntary measures, with proper payments to compensate for loss, and higher prices for

better products.

In workshop session II, again three groups are formed. In this case, each group discusses one

of the three questions First, ideas are formed among 2-3 people, next they discuss with the

whole group the most promising idea to develop further. The groups discuss the following

three questions, in 45 minutes:

1. How can we sustain adjusted management methods, and what support measures are

needed?

An intricate system is presented of how a system should be developed: better farm products

from extensive grasslands are required. Important is training and awareness raising of the

producers, as well as the consumers. Also further research into quality aspects might be

required. For this funding and financial support is needed.


2. How to ensure ecological and economical sustainability of grassland management

independent of financial support?

Two ideas are presented, one is rather similar to the scheme described above. The second

idea starts with the need to first of all attain ecological sustainability, and second economic

sustainability (in that order). The following steps are necessary:

• Identify High Nature Value sites on farm

• define what the best status is to be achieved

• assess possible management schemes

• define the optimal management approach

• ensure fair pricing of pr. The authorities can support the development of the

pricing system. E.g. through certification of grasslands, like is done for FSC-timber

3. How can we ensure actions towards FCS at:

• Biogeographical level

• National level

• Site level

The EU should ensure transparency, at all levels. They should define the rules for regional

production, these rules should be generic; e.g. import restrictions to protect some regional

products. They should also stimulate regional products through their policies.

At national level guidelines are needed on how to apply rules. Focus should also be on

information sharing.

At site level there is a focus on the site itself, the development of actions; e.g. rotational

grazing. Management planning should also allow for temporal adjustment – here flexibility is

required!


3. Conclusions, and closure of the workshop

2.4. Conclusions from the workshop

The following points were repeatedly mentioned, and considered important for future

measures:

- more flexibility is necessary to cope for regional differences, in particular with

regard to traditional knowledge;

- the directives are coming from Brussels but the countries implement them.

Directives are not perfect, and some of the problems are at national level, where

the Member State has freedom to adapt it to national or regional needs;

- subsidies are not always the solution, and sometimes they are the problem. It

creates dependency on external funding and does not generate intrinsic

motivation of farmers;

- still, payments should be sufficient to cover costs of farmers, and to ensure a fair

income;

- the price of products should take into account the product quality. In some

countries the willingness to pay is much higher than in other, e.g. in the

Netherlands or Germany many people want cheap products, whereas Austria or

Italy may value high-quality (expensive) food.

2.5. Closure

Due to organisational issues, changing rooms etc. we have exceeded the time planned and

we finish at 5.45. The participants are thanked for their active involvement, their patience

but also their enthusiasm to generate ideas.

From the participants several people respond that they are inspired by the ideas, and that

they have received a much better understanding of what Natura 2000 can mean for

grassland management.


4. Contribution to the Alpine Road Map

The agenda and workshop questions were prepared with the Conference organisers, and

they largely overlap with the Working Groups of the Alpine Region. In particular the topic of

conservation measures and effectiveness were extensively addressed, in particular with a

focus on traditional management, and maintaining beneficial practices in future

management.

Themes

Traditional

management

methods and

changes occurring

Tools to maintain

Favourable Conservation

Status, for monitoring and

adaptive management

Is a regional

focus required

for action

Ensure ecological and

economical

sustainability of

grassland management

Alp

ine

Ro

ad M

ap W

Gs

Setting conservation

status objectives &

priorities

x

Conservation measures

and their effectiveness x x x x

Monitoring and

evaluation x

Addressing threats and

pressures to Alpine

habitats and species

x


Annex 1. Detailed program Workshop Session

Program Wednesday 29th of May

11.30 Arrival participants, coffee

12.00 hrs: Start workshop, Presentations

• Introduction BGP, Sulmona and aims for the workshop (Theo van der Sluis) (20

minutes)

• Current LIFE support for grasslands, best practices (Jan Sliva, LIFE) (20 minutes)

• EU Habitat Action plan (Concha Almeide/ Theo vd Sluis) (15 minutes)

13.00 hrs: Ice breaker, get all participants on board

Short break

13.30 hrs: Working groups Session 1 (45 minutes), working on following questions:

- What are traditional management methods that are still being practiced, and how

have they developed/altered over time?

- What tools do farmers need in relation to N2000, to maintain Favourable


- Is there a specific regional focus required for action; are there regional differences


Reporting to plenary (20 minutes)

14.30 hrs: Coffee Break (15 minutes)

14.50 hrs: Short presentations/Statements (10 minutes)

• Financial support & top down/bottom-up (Wolfgang Angeringer/ Martin Magnes)

• Traditional grassland management Central Europe (Molnár Zsolt)

• Farmers benefits for extensive grassland use (Andrea Catorci)

• Observations from field work (Martin Magnes & colleague)

15.30 hrs: Working groups session 2 (1 hour):

formulate possible joint actions with regard to:

• How can we sustain adjusted management methods, and what support

measures are needed?

• How to ensure ecological and economical sustainability of grassland

managemet independent of financial support?


• How can we ensure actions towards FCS at:

a. Biogeographical level

b. National level

c. Site level

16.30 hrs: Reporting back to plenary (20 minutes)

16.50 hrs: Formulation of conclusions and closing of the workshop

17.30 hrs: Closure of the workshop


Annex 2. Pictures

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