The Project “Protection of species diversity of valuable natural habitats on agricultural lands on Natura 2000 areas in the Lublin Voivodeship” (KIK/25) is being implemented under the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme (Priority 2. Environment and infrastructure. Area: Biodiversity and ecosystem protection and support for cross-border environmental initiatives) and covers the period 2011-2017. Value of Swiss co-financing: 2 424 874 CHF.

 The leading partner (coordinator) of the project is the Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation - National Research Institute in Puławy (IUNG-PIB). In the project three following units  are  involved as well:
1.  Institute of Technology and Life Sciences in Falenty (ITP);
2.  Polish Society for the Protection of Birds (OTOP);
3.  University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce (UPH).

The project is divided into two parts: research and education. The research part is implemented in Lublin Voivodeship and covers an area of Polesie with the Bug valley and Wieprz valley. The education part including, among others, training for farmers, educational films preparation will be  implemented in Lublin, Małopolskie, Świętokrzyskie and Podkarpackie Voivodeships.

Geographical scope of KIK/25 project/ made by Małgorzata Kozak

The main objectives of the project KIK/25 are:
• assessment  the impact of various agricultural practices (including the agri-environment program) on biodiversity;
• creating the biodiversity monitoring system on agricultural land on the Lublin Voivodeship example;
• dissemination of the research on the valuable natural habitats on agricultural land in the Lublin Voivodeship as well as the importance of biodiversity in agri-ecosystems.
 

Late mowing helps in protection of valuable species of flora and fauna/ photo Beata Feledyn- Szewczyk

The basic element of the biodiversity monitoring network on agricultural land will be 10 ha research square. During the project realization of 60 squares on permanent grassland and at least 36 on arable land will be established.

Localization of monitoring squares in the KIK/25 project/ made by Małgorzata Kozak

photo Izabela Hajdamowicz

photo Beata Feledyn- Szewczyk

photo Izabela Hajdamowicz

Evaluation of the effects of agri-environmental program contains the following packages:
a) Package 2 Organic farming;
b) Package 3 Extensive permanent grassland;
c) Package 4 Protection of endangered bird species and habitats outside Natura 2000;
d) Package 5 Protection of endangered species of birds and habitats in Natura 2000  areas.

Each square of monitoring system will have a specific percent of cover by one or more mentioned packages.

The main aim of the research on arable land will be the comparison the effects of organic and conventional farming (occurring in different variants) to the variety of flora segetal, breeding birds, spiders and orthopterans.
However, the state of biodiversity in permanent grassland plots will be evaluated on packages of 3, 4 and 5 of the agri-environment program, as well as on grasslands not covered by this program.

Trees and bushes between the fields as a biodiversity refugees/ photo Beata Feledyn- Szewczyk

In the last stage of the project the comprehensive detailed analysis of the results of monitoring activities and farm surveys will be performed. This analysis should provide the knowledge if studied agricultural  practices (including agri-environment program) may be effective in protecting and / or enhancing biodiversity.

On this basis the Code of Good Agricultural Practices supporting the protection of biodiversity will be created. The Recommendations of changes in agri-environment program  and Methodology for the creation of a biodiversity monitoring system on agricultural land will be developed as well.

photo Andreas Hirler	photo Izabela Hajdamowicz
photo Izabela Hajdamowicz	photo Beata Feledyn- Szewczyk

An important element of the project are information and promotion activities. The main source of information on the results obtained in the research part of the project will be geoinformation service www.agropronatura.pl. All educational materials, information about training and seminars will be published on the website.

Information on the importance of biodiversity, the methods of its protection on agricultural land and the impact of different farming practices and agri-environment measures on flora and fauna diversity will be provided during the trainings organized within the project. Complementary forms of knowledge: handbooks, brochures, leaflets and series of educational films on the protection of biodiversity on rural areas will be prepared as well.

Spiders as an important element of agroecosystem biodiversity/ fot. Izabela Hajdamowicz

Sustainability of the project

Close cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development as well as with the General Directorate for Environmental Protection during the project implementation (see enclosed letters of support) should ensure that achieved project effects will become a basis for developing or at least for expanding a nationwide monitoring system of species diversity on agricultural lands on NATURA 2000 areas and a monitoring system of environmental effects of the agri-environment program.

The project team will strongly support an initiative to develop a national system of the said monitoring and further to incorporate it in tasks performed by the General Directorate for Environmental Protection which is responsible for organizing and coordinating National Environmental Monitoring.

 Moreover, entities involved in the projects will support the initiative to incorporate activities connected with the content-related supervision over the above-mentioned monitoring to tasks of national research institutes (research and development units) subject to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

It should also be underlined that after the project has been completed the Polish National Bird Protection Society (OTOP) will continue monitoring breeding birds on the areas determined in the project and incorporate these areas in the Common Bird Monitoring System in Poland.

In addition, the Executing Agency will ensure the maintenance of geo-information service  (www.agropronatura.pl) for a period of 5 years after the end of the project- to the end of 2021.