Reconstruction of the European pond tortoise habitats in the Meteliai regional park and Kuculiskes herpetological reserve (LIT/01/05)

Project Details & Results

Aim of the Project was reconstruction of the European pond Tortoise habitats in the most important habitat areas of the Pond tortoises in Lithuania. The Project also improved living conditions of other rare and protected species: Bombina bombina, Triturus cristatus.
The population of the Pond tortoise was carefully investigated, and a registry of observed individuals was created. This measure is very important as pond tortoise individuals differ from each other through whole their life cycle. This way it will be possible to follow migration of individuals. Investigation also helped to detect where to install new breading places and small temporary water bodies for tortoise younglings. Management plan of the area was also prepared. It included planning, discussion and detection of places where to restore and dig ponds and wetlands. Bushes and young trees around ponds of turtles were cut in order to create open spaces for sunbathing of Pond tortoises. Some additional ponds were also created.
Social economic benefit for the local communities was achieved through allowing local people to cut and take the trees from the protected area that can be used for heating purposes. Also local people were temporary employed during the project activities. In the future they will take care of removing bushes and trees according to the developed area management plan and can use them for heating for free.

Project Results
The number of European Pond Tortoise wintering and feeding habitats increased and their quality improved: new ponds in the area of 8,000m2 were dug or reconstructed, 2ha of bushes cleared at the banks of water bodies, the woody flora was cut down in the outskirts used for reproduction, and the high grass mowed. This created favorable conditions for the increase of the population by 15-20 per cent. Since the positive impact and effectiveness of applied measures is undutiful, it is clear what measures might be taken in the future, if the condition of the species would become worse in the project sites and neighboring areas.
The data collected in the course of the project on the abundance of local populations of European Pond Tortoise will ensure the objective evaluation of monitoring results and timely implementation of additional protection measures for species, where necessary.
Upon granted the Natura 2000 status to both sites the national public authorities are committed to ensure the protection of the condition of local European Pond Tortoise populations. At the same time the habitat management works will gain access to the necessary EU funds.

Innovation: This is the first case when the developed nature management plan had been implemented already during the project. Till then not numerous works of nature management were more of a demonstrative character showing their efficiency, therefore they were intended for the stimulation of different initiatives. However, this project is important not only for its demonstrative aspect, but also in planning long-term protection of the European Pond Tortoise vital populations, involving different local, national or foreign partners. The project contains a very important educational element conditioning the involvement of all stakeholders and encourages their cooperation.