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MRI PAS will coordinate a new LIFE project

MRI PAS will coordinate a new LIFE project
13.10. 2010

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MRI PAS will coordinate a new LIFE project

MRI PAS has signed a contract with the European Commission concerning implementation of a new LIFE+ project “Protection of water-marsh birds in five national parks – reconstructing habitats and reducing the influence of invasive species – Polish Bird Sanctuaries”.

The project is aimed at implementation and improvement of the active protection of water-marsh birds in areas of high natural value (five national parks: Biebrza National Park, Drawa NP, Narew NP, Warta Mouth NP, and Slowinski NP), by means of simultaneous improvement of habitat conditions and reducing the pressure of invasive alien predatory species, particularly the American mink and the common raccoon. The project should bring about an increase in the breeding success of water-marsh birds which will result in the growing numbers of these birds, and as a consequence should have a positive impact on the biodiversity of the protected areas.

The project duration is 2011-2014. It will be realized by the Mammal Research Institute PAS (coordinator) and 5 above mentioned national parks (partners).

The indicators of achieving the results are as follows:

  1. Increase in the area of suitable breeding biotopes for chosen groups of birds;
  2. Greater breeding success of water-marsh birds thanks to creation of safe nesting places;
  3. Reduction in the number of invasive predatory species;
  4. Methods of predators’ monitoring and eliminating implemented in national parks may be further used by national parks’ staff at relatively low costs;
  5. The created model of the influence of the location and size of American mink farms on birds in national parks will enable to take actions aimed at minimizing the negative impact of this predator (e.g. limiting the number of newly established farms).  It will be also possible to use this model as the basis for discussion on the location of farms in surroundings of other protected areas both in Poland and in Europe.
  6. More effective cooperation of national parks with administrators of adjacent lands to reduce the number of invasive species.

(DŁ & KN)