Nature protection and biodiversity - State and impacts (Slovakia)

While the share of protected areas in Slovakia was only 23 % in 1995, in 2009, protected areas cover 36 % of the territory, the increase due mainly to the implementation of Natura 2000. The protection of rare plants, animals and habitats, minerals and fossils is also secured outside those areas, i.e. in the whole country. Despite a significant growth in the area of protected sites during the last 20 years, the state of nature and biodiversity is not adequate for surface protection against increasing extreme climate events (drought, floods, wind), global warming, abandonment of traditional management of meadows and pastures, expansion of invasive plants, fragmentation of habitats, etc. In the past, nature conservation was characterised by a passive approach, sometimes having a negative impact on some species and habitats which require active management. Even if there is generally a positive approach of the general public to nature conservation in Slovakia, the involvement of land owners, land-users, inhabitants of a region and other stakeholders (e.g. hunters, foresters, farmers) in the active protection of the natural values in the region, it is still insufficient.

(see Figure 1): Area in National Parks and Protected Lanscape Areas in the Slovak Republic (hectares)

(see Figure 2): Area in Protected Sites, Nature Reserves, Nature Monuments in the Slovak Republic (hectares)

Partial monitoring of selected plant and animal species show that most species suffer from a decrease in population size and area of distribution. The trend in deterioration of the status of populations was recorded particularly in aquatic and wetland species (e.g. fish, amphibians, reptiles) and habitats which depend on regular mowing and grazing (e.g. Spermophylus citellus, order Maculinea and some plant species) proving the endangerment of these habitats as well. The most endangered are halophyte habitats, caused by the fall of groundwater level, abandonment of traditional management and by secondary succession. On the other hand, the most favourable status falls on rocky habitats because of their inaccessibility, and forest habitats because of the relatively sensitive forest management on such sites.

(see Figure 3): Assessment of conservation status by habitat category (%) — reporting Article 17 HD

(see Figure 4): Assessment of conservation status by species group (%) — reporting Article 17 HD

(see Figure 5): Overall assessment of conservation status of selected species and habitat types in the Slovak Republic