Ecohydrological Restoration of Peatlands in the Carpathians
State Nature Conservancy of the Slovak Republic ·Slovakia
About this project
<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">The project aims to restore Slovak peatlands located in different part of Slovakia (Western, Eastern, Northern) by implementation of hydrological restoration measures and applying climate-responsible peatland management. Study of wetland functions as carbon sink will be conducted in cooperation with Norwegian Partner (NINA) including methodological training for Slovak experts. Best-practice methodological guidelines for sustainable management of forested peatlands on local and national level will be prepared. Working with and involving relevant local stakeholders and local communities will ensure the long-term sustainability of the project. Public awarenes campaign to raise awareness on role of peatlands within climate change. New innovative educational methodology and tools will be elaborated and incorporated into the curriculum of local schools at project sites. </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">Main project target groups are: general public, students from local schools and local stakeholders (landowners and land users, foresters and administrators of forest).</span></span></p>
Bilateral cooperation results
Bilateral Partner, the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), participated a number of field trips on peatland sites and provided its expertise in monitoring of their environmental status before and after restoration with emphasis on carbon stocks and biodiversity. NINA expertise has shown that small Slovak peatlands do not contribute significantly to national greenhouse gas emissions. However, they are lost together with unique biodiversity within a century, if not restored and sustainably managed. Norwegian Partner contributed to development of skills in monitoring and protection of degraded peatland ecosystems. Achieved results were published in the form of scientific study which is available free of charge to other experts for further use. Bilateral cooperation was strengthened by co-organised trainings and information activities presenting the Project results to local communities and stakeholders. Bilateral collaboration had wider effects beyond the Project. Achieved results on restoration of Slovak peatlands materialized in English open technical publication published by NINA.
Project partners
- The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research Donor project partner· Norway
- DAPHNE Institute of Applied Ecology Project partner· Slovakia
- PRO POPULO Poprad Project partner· Slovakia
- Municipality of Spišská Belá Project partner· Slovakia