Nature protection and biodiversity - National Responses (Slovenia)

In Slovenia, one of the most important, and oldest, mechanisms for the preservation of plant and animal species and their habitats has been the designation of protected areas, and after joining the EU, Slovenia also established ecologically important areas and special protection areas (Natura 2000).

As regards wetland conservation, Slovenia signed the Ramsar Convention in 1972. Three Slovenian wetlands that together cover 8 205 ha are on the list of internationally important wetlands – Ramsar sites. In 1993, the first wetland to be included in the list was the Sečovlje Saltpans, followed by Škocjan Caves in 1999 and Cerknica Lake with its surroundings in 2006 (ARSO, 2008).

Based on the systemic Nature Conservation Act, a well-functioning system of permits in the area of nature conservation was established, an indemnity system for proceedings related to damage caused by wildlife species was introduced (NB07), and a system for controlling the import and export of endangered species of wildlife flora and fauna is also operational (CITES convention). Intensive upgrading of information systems for easier operational work is under way and notification and providing information to the public regarding the state, the preparation and the implementation of legislation is also being carried out according to plan.

In the past, agriculture enabled the development of large species and habitat diversity in Slovenia and decisively shaped the cultural landscape. Designation of protected areas is only the first step towards the preservation of traditional farmland habitats, and these will be preserved only if farmers recognise the economic benefits of preserving their existing status. In 2007, the share of agricultural land included in various forms of protection was 25.1 %. Agricultural land covered 19.7 % of protected natural areas while protected areas were mainly covered by forest – 71.2 % (KM06).

High nature value farmland areas are among the most important opportunities for the preservation of biodiversity and the protection of threatened habitats since they are the areas of extensive agriculture and high diversity of species and habitats. Most of the high nature value farmland areas, 20-30 % of the entire territory, are in western and southern Slovenia, especially in hilly and mountainous areas (KM05).

In the Rural Development Programme (2007) for the period 2007-2013 it is planned that by 2013 agro-environmental measures will be implemented on 365 000 ha of utilised agricultural area. The total area included in the implementation of agro-environmental measures has been increasing steadily, covering a total of 328 364 ha in 2007. The largest increase was in the areas where measures to reduce input use and improve soil and water quality were implemented, and the smallest increase was in the areas where mainly measures for the preservation of cultural landscape and biodiversity were implemented. Nevertheless, the latter measures continue, encompassing 49 % of all areas under agro-environmental measures (KM03).

Every year there is a stronger response from farmers to agricultural policy that supports the expansion of organic farming. The area under organic farming increased from 2 400 ha in 1999 to 29 332 ha in 2007, from 0.5 to 5.9% of utilised agricultural area (KM08).

Within the Nature Protection National Programme, more detailed goals are defined: preservation of biodiversity with a programme of measures for the protection of plant and animal species, their habitats and ecosystems; protection of natural values with a programme for the establishment of protected areas and the restoration of valuable natural features; the route to fulfilment of international obligations; education in the area of nature conservation; raising public awareness of the importance of nature conservation; and securing financial resources for implementing nature protection.

In October 2007, Slovenia adopted an Operational Programme – Natura 2000 Management Programme 2007-2013 – aimed at achieving protection goals where protection measures are defined – measures for nature protection, adapted use of natural assets, adapted agricultural practice, water management, and others – to ensure the favourable state of plant and animal species and habitat types. One of the goals is also to increase the share of areas under protection.

With a goal to preserve a favourable state of threatened species of large carnivores and reduce conflicts with humans, a new Action Plan for Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Management for the period 2007-2011 is being prepared. In September 2009, the Government adopted a Strategy for the Preservation and Sustainable Management of Wolf (Canis lupus) in Slovenia.

The Operational Programme – Strategy for the Management of Invasive Alien Species – is also in preparation. Expansion of invasive alien species is one of the important causes for biodiversity decrease. Therefore, in order to preserve the composition of biocenosis in the most natural state possible, control and prevention of the introduction of any alien species is a key and extremely important measure that will be defined in more detail in the operational programme.

One of the key goals is also to establish a biodiversity monitoring system based on a set of indicators – state, pressures, and responses – that includes improvement of a system for establishing the level of threat to species and habitat types. As well as monitoring the state of biodiversity, the implementation of statutory protection measures should also be monitored since they are necessary for the evaluation of the efficiency of our activities and success in achieving the goals. This is the only way to draw attention to changes in the environment and to adopt professional decisions and new measures. And last but not least, familiarity with the state of biodiversity is a reporting obligation of Slovenia within the EU, other important aspects of monitoring being promotion, awareness raising, and accessibility of data and information.