Management of grasslands in special protection areas Natura 2000 in Slovenian Istria

V magistrski nalogi so obravnavana suha travišca v Slovenski Istri, z vidika doseganja ciljev varstva vrst in habitatnih tipov, dolocenih v okviru posebnih varstvenih obmocij Natura 2000. Sooceni so naravovarstveni in kmetijski vidiki s ciljem ovrednotiti stanje in spremembe v površini trajnega travinja od 19. stoletja dalje, ekonomicnost kmetijske proizvodnje ter možnosti ucinkovitejšega spodbujanja upravljanja travišc Natura 2000. Na raziskovanem obmocju smo prica nazadovanju travniških površin, predvsem zaradiopušcanja rabe travinja, zato je pricakovati tudi slabšanje ugodnega stanja varovanih živalskih in rastlinskih vrst. Uporabljeni pristop podaja dobre možnosti usklajevanja ekoloških zahtev ogroženih vrst metuljev in varovanih habitatnih tipov z zahtevami ekološke proste reje govedi v okviru postavljenega kmetijsko naravovarstvenega modela. Ekonomska kalkulacija z upoštevanjem vseh dejanskih prihodkov in odhodkov dokazuje, da je prag pokritja dosežen s sprejemljivo plansko lastno ceno in kjer spodbude iz naslova Skupne kmetijske politike predstavljajo pomemben del vseh ustvarjenih prihodkov na kmetiji. To dokazuje, da je možno že z obstojecimi oblikami spodbud zagotoviti pozitivne ucinke na varstvo varovanih vrst in habitatnih tipov na raziskovanem obmocju. Kljub temu je potrebno predvideti nove tipe spodbud, ki bodo temeljile na intenzivnejšem med sektorskem sodelovanju in izmenjavi znanj na ravni identificiranih prednostnih obmocjih varstva ter s poudarkom na upravljavsko-ekoloških posebnostih posamezne individualne kmetije.The Master thesis explores the specifics of dry grasslands in Slovenian Istria with the main focus on achieving Natura 2000 targets related to endangered species and habitats conservation. Nature conservation and agriculture aspects are confronted to evaluate the status of grasslands in Pregara village wider area from 19th century up to the current days. Optimal dimension of grasslands and economic parameters of agriculture production are defined within the thesis as well as the opportunities for more efficient Natura 2000 site management. The results demonstrate an evident regression of grasslands in the research area due to land abandonment. Consequently, an evident decline of favourable status of protected species and habitats is expected. The model shows great opportunities for harmonizing ecosystem demands of endangered butterfly species and habitat types in Natura 2000 site with organic free range cattle breeding. Additionally, the economic analysis show the eligibility of agri-nature conservation model with Common Agriculture Policy subsidies representing a great proportion of the total farmʼs yearly income. This proves that positive impacts on the protected species and habitats in the research area could be generated already following existing subsidies. However, new innovative measures should be developed especially based on more intensive interdisciplinary cooperation and knowledge exchange in priority areas as well as with regard to management and ecosystem specifics of individual farm