First meeting for developing the plan for restoration of the grasslands under the project "Land for Life"

On 25/10/2016 at the National Museum of Natural History was held the first meeting for developing the Plan for Restoration and Sustainable Management of the Grasslands necessary for the purposes of the BSPB LIFE project “Restoration and sustainable management of Imperial Eagle’s foraging habitats in key Natura 2000 sites in Bulgaria" (LIFE14 NAT/BG/001119). The meeting was attended by leading Bulgarian botanists, herpetologists, ornithologists, terriologists and experts from the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, NMNHS, the Faculty of Biology, Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski", SFA - PA and BSPB.

The main objective of the meeting was to present the results from the first inventory of the biodiversity in the territories occupied by the Imperial Eagle in Natura 2000 sites of the project, and also to identify the main methods for restoring plowed and bushy grasslands. During the discussion it was paid a special attention to creating and maintaining a diverse of mosaic habitats from grasslands and shrub vegetation that ensure the greatest biodiversity. The methods of removing shrubs were also discussed – in particular the use of shredders, which, besides removing bushes, kill all animals, using them for shelter, thereby causing significant damage to their populations and deprive the Imperial Eagles of their basic prey.

The plan for recovery and sustainable management of grasslands will be implemented by BSPB and farmers' organizations, partners of the project in the most important habitats for the Imperial Eagle in the protected Natura 2000 areas in Southeastern Bulgaria.