The LiËenca and Petelinjek Ponds, Glitter in the midst of Dravinjske gorice LIFE04NAT/SI/000240 project Natura 2000 in Slovenia - management models and information system Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation Celje Regional Unit
The LiËenca and Petelinjek Ponds The LiËenca Valley (the LiËenca stream is also called LiËnica by the locals) is situated in the area northwest of PoljËane, spreading on a good 2,700 ha in the midst of Dravinjske gorice. Its main feature is the wet landscape, which in the tiny valleys of side streams passes into well preserved and in places almost intact nature. One of the most attractive side valleys is the Petelinjek dale with its ponds. The stream with stands of alder trees, ponds, well preserved woodlands, wet meadows and small catchments in the side valleys constitute a functionally interconnected a unique ecosystem with exceptional biodiversity and habitats. Conservation status of the LiËenca: special protected area Natura 2000 area (Decree on special protected areas (Natura 2000 areas), Official Gazette of the RS, Nos. 49/04, 110/04); area of ecological concern (Decree on areas of ecological concern, Official Gazette of the RS, No. 48/04); natural asset (Regulations on stipulation and conservation of natural assets, Official Gazette of the RS, Nos. 111/04, 70/06). LiËenca near PoljËane Geographical position of LiËenca in Slovenia Petelinjek Ponds 2
LiËenca Valley Wet meadows Together with a number of small tributaries, the LiËenca stream cut the central part of Dravinjske gorice into ridges overgrown with beech forests. The latter are cut up by roads that interconnect several settlements, hamlets and farms. The valleys lying between the ridges are wet, for the ground is clayey and poorly permeable, with surface water flowing off very slowly owing to ground s weak draining capacity. Due to the extensive farming, numerous rare and endangered plant and animal species have found their habitats in the area. Yellow-belied Toad Marsh Fritillary In wet meadows, wild orchids can be found here and there, the most common among them being the Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata). A very rare plant here is the Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica), which has found itself on the brink of survival due to the intensive farming practiced in the area. Tiger Moth Sympetrum depressiusculum In the wet meadows along the LiËenca, which are of particular significance for some butterfly species, White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) can often be seen feeding. The extensively farmed meadows of Arrhenatherion type with Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) are inhabited by the endangered Dusky Large Blue (Maculinea nausithous), Scarce Large Blue (Maculinea teleius), and Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia). Siberian Iris Wet meadow Of great importance for the butterfly fauna are the forest edges, where Tiger Moth (Callimorpha quadripunctaria), another endangered species in Europe, can be found as well. Forest wetlands constitute an ideal habitat for certain amphibians, such as the Yellow-belied Toad (Bombina veriegata) and several species of newts (Triturus spp.). 3
Scarce Large Blue (Maculiea teleius) In symbiosis with the Ant and Great Burnet Scarce Large Blue (Maculinea teleius), which is known for its specific ecological demands, is one of the most endangered butterflies in Europe. It inhabits extensively farmed marshy or wet meadows, where Great Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) thrives as well, a highly nutritive plant for caterpillars. Apart from host plants, ants of the genus Myrmica must be there, too, as butterflies caterpillars conclude their development cycle in their anthills. The species is endangered owing to the intensive farming, cessation of mowing and, in turn, to the gradually overgrown meadows, certain water-management measures, building of infrastructure and urbanization. The Scarce Large Blue, and other animals and plant species of wet meadows with it, will survive if we: prevent overgrowing of wet meadows with woody plants; prevent hydro- and agromeliorations; preserve extensive growing of grass fodder without use of lime and manuring with mineral fertilizers or manure wastewater; mow wet meadows for the first time not later than in the third decade of May, and for the second time not earlier than in the second half of September. Scarce Large Blue The life of the Scarce Large Blue begins on the Great Burnet, where the butterfly lays eggs in mid summer. From the eggs, caterpillars are hatched, which then spend about three weeks in the flower head and then descend to the ground, waiting for host ants. Due to the secretion of caterpillars special substances, the ants adopt them by carrying them to their anthill. Here the caterpillars live until the ensuing summer, feeding on ant larvae. In June they pupate, while in July adult butterflies develop from the pupae, but are then forced to quickly leave the anthill to avoid becoming the ants prey. Great Burnet 4
Petelinjek Ponds The Petelinjek Ponds is a common name for a good 37 ha large valley northeast from the settlement of Sv. Jernej near LoËe. It embraces four more than 300 years old ponds: tatenberšek, tepihovec, Polšak and Stari Gaj (Gajšek). They were formed by damming of a small tributary of the LiËenca stream and were supposed to be managed already in the distant past by the ŽiËka Monastery of Carthusian monks as well as by Possek lords, whereas today they are cared for by the Association of Angling Societies Maribor. The result of the extensive management of the ponds and their appertaining tracts of land is an exceptional diversity of marsh and water habitats, which is clearly reflected in the great biodiversity of the area. In the ponds, floating plants prevail, such as various pondweeds (Potamogeton) and the White Water-lily (Nymphaea alba). In the ponds shoals and on their banks, stands of Reeds, Bulrush, Sedges, Reedmace and Horsetail can be seen. The most important plants among the endangered and rare species are the Common Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus) and Bog Bulrush (Schoenoplectus mucronatus). In terms of nature conservation, the ponds are significant for their rich dragonfly fauna. In their wider area, no less than 35 species have been recorded, or half of all dragonfly species living in Slovenia. Amongst the species endangered in Europe, the area is inhabited by the Large White-faced Wet meadows in the LiËenca valley Darter (Leucorrhinia pectoralis) and Large Golden-ringed Darter (Cordulegaster heros). Highly significant are also the endangered Variable Damselfly (Coenagrion pulchellum) and the strong populations of Yellow-spotted Emerald (Somatochlora flavomaculata), Norfolk Hawker (Anaciaeschna isosceles) and Two-spotted Dragonfly (Epitheca himaculata). The ponds and the surrounding forests are home to abundant populations of amphibians, the commonest among them being the Edible Frog (Rana kl. esculenta), Common Frog (Rana temporaria), Common Toad (Bufo bufo) and European Tree Frog (Hyla arborea). As far as the endangered fauna is concerned, the area is inhabited by a strong population of Medicinal Leech (Hirudo medicinalis), as well as by Ground Beetle (Carabus variolosus) and the rare Water Spider (Argyroneta aguatica). European Tree Frog Ground Beetle The entrance part of the pond with Bulrush, Reeds and Sedges Medicinal Leech 5
Large White-faced Darter (Leucorrhinia pectoralis) Torn between land and water Large White-faced Darter Workshop for the management plan preparation (June, 2006). The Large White-faced Darter (Leucorrhinia pectoralis) is a critically endangered species in Slovenia as well as in the rest of Europe. The main reason for such state of affairs should be probably looked for in the rareness of suitable habitats, i.e. ponds with extensively practiced fish farming, rich with water vegetation and thickly overgrown with Reeds, Sedges and Bulrush along the edges and mainly at the entrance parts of the ponds. Namely, the larvae cling to the stalks of these plants or hide between roots of Sedges and in the thick layers of organic detritus. Development of the larvae lasts for two years. They hatch in May or June on the stalks of the plants growing in the water. Then they retire for a few weeks from the ponds. When becoming sexually mature, they return there and breed. At the Petelinjek Ponds, the Large White-faced Darter will survive only if we adopt fish farming management plan that will be optimal for this species. It is highly important that predators have no access to the ponds vegetation and that in the autumn water is discharged from them for a short time. Detailed management plan for the project site Petelinjek, prepared within the LIFE project at the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation in cooperation with all sectors and other stakeholders, is only the first step towards nature conservation at the Petelinjek Ponds. Now it only remains for all of us to follow, to the best of our ability, the set out goals. In the area of Petelinjek Ponds, the population of the Large White-faced Darter would be endangered particularly by intensification as well as abandonment of fish farming, for in this case the habitat would acquire a totally different image. Detailed management plan documents for the project site Petelinjek, prepared within the framework of the project. 6
Petelinjek educational nature trail an open door to nature The Petelinjek educational nature trail is a little less than 3 km long circular route running along the existing forest paths and skidding tracks in the surroundings of the Petelinjek Ponds. It is intended mainly for pupils who will, through active participation at the thirteen information boards, get well acquainted with the life in the ponds, marshes, wet meadows, alder stands and forests. The contents of the boards spur the visitors to engage in a more enthusiastic research and observation of nature. Along the trail, two points are intended for the consolidation of knowledge gained on the already covered path of the educational nature trail. A walk along the nature educational trail can be a very special experience, for during the walk you can get acquainted with several points of interest hidden by nature at every single step. Learning hour in nature Educational nature trail Information board, which stands by the road at the beginning of the educational nature trail (red spot on the upper map) some 600 metres east of Sv. Jernej, presents some basic features of the nature-conservancy significance of the LiËenca and Petelinjek Ponds. Information board at one of site entering points Guided excursion along the educational nature trail within the LIFE project 7
Petelinjek, pilot area of the LIFE III Nature project: Natura 2000 in Slovenia management models and information system, LIFE04NAT/SI/000240 Boletina LIFE III Nature is a financial instrument of the European Union, which supports nature-conservancy endeavours to conserve the significant European species and habitat types, associated in the Natura 2000 network. The project, which lasts from January 1 st, 2005, to December 31 st, 2007, is being implemented by the Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation with the following local partners: Slovenian Forest Service - Regional Unit Celje, The Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry Service - Unit Celje and Fisheries Research Institute of Slovenia. Project activities in the Petelinjek pilot area: preparation of the site s management plan, setting up of site entering information board in the area, construction of educational nature trail around the Petelinjek Ponds, publishing of this brochure, other informative activities (lectures held at primary schools, competition for the best poster made in primary schools, preparation of info-material, etc.). Jelovica Jovsi Institute of the Republic of Project Slovenia for Nature Conservation Main financer: Co - financer: beneficiary: IN TITUT ZA VODE REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia The project s partners: Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation Celje Regional Unit Opekarniška cesta 2 3000 Celje Phone 03 426 0343 Fax 03 426 0342 www.zrsvn.si www.zrsvn.si/life Text: Matej Petkovšek, Gregor Kalan, Nina UratariË, Mateja Polutnik, Mojca TomaæiË Photographs: Matej Petkovšek, Gregor Kalan, Martin Vernik, Matjaž BedjaniË, Dušan Klenovšek, Rudi Verovnik Translated by Henrik CigliË Maps: Gregor Kalan Design: Pristop, d.o.o. Printed by»ukgraf, d.o.o. Number of copies: 5000 July 2007 The brochure was published within the framework of the LIFE III Nature project: Natura 2000 in Slovenia management models and information system, co-financed by the EU. The text does not necessarily express the views of the European Commission. LiËenca (Petelinjek ponds) Snežnik