LIFE for Jurinea project activities
The project is divided into 4 main groups of working packages: Project management and coordination, Practical species conservation, Long-term sustainability and dissemination of project results.
Preparatory activities
Aim: to evaluate key threats and biological factors affecting Jurinea cyanoides
The main objective is to evaluate the intensity of the most important threats on project sites of Jurinea cyanoides and to suggest the appropriate management interventions and furthermore to determine the most important biological issues affecting the performance of Jurinea cyanoides and suggest the best practices for the enhancement of plant fitness.
Ex-situ conservation
Aim: To establish self-sustaining ex-situ populations of Jurinea cyanoides across a network of private and botanical gardens.
The main objective of this work package is to establish self-sustaining ex-situ populations in at least 10 gardens per country (private or institutional), each cultivating 50 plants. Additionally, botanical gardens will contribute, with at least 2 gardens in the Czech Republic planting 50 individuals each, alongside expected participation from at least 3 local institutions in Saxony-Anhalt in Germany.
Management interventions
Aim: To prepare overgrown project sites for species reintroduction and population strengthening through targeted brush removal and biomass management.
Project sites are currently overgrown with dense shrubs, with significant accumulation of dead biomass and spreading of dominant grasses. In such conditions, restoration management has to be applied to enable species reintroduction and population strengthening.
Strengthening of current population
Aim: To increase genetic diversity in small Jurinea cyanoides populations to prevent inbreeding depression, improve pollinator attraction, and reduce the risk of extinction.
The small populations suffer from high risks of inbreeding depression or low attraction for pollinators. This leads to further decrease in plant fitness and population size. These populations are thus very susceptible to extinction. Therefore, it is crucial to increase genetic diversity of populations to reduce inbreeding and attract pollinators.
Reintroduction of Jurinea
Aim: To enhance the number of sites in nature occupied by Jurinea cyanoides in its historical occurrence.
Implementation of species reintroduction is in concordance with all required conditions. The major limitation of species survival in nature is lack of populations and there is no chance for spontaneous spreading of the species to other sites. Therefore, the establishment of new populations and the associated conservation of genetic material in the historical range of its occurrence is very important.
Evaluation of success
Aim: To monitor population and site changes to optimize current management, define final best practices, and maximize the project's public impact.
The main objective of this action is to continuously evaluate the changes in plant population and sites. The results will be used for three main aims: 1) up-dating of actions according to current situation 2) suggestion of best practices at the end of project 3) preparation of public outputs to enhance the catalytic potential of the project.
The action is divided into 5 tasks to cover the whole spectrum of implemented interventions.
Promotion of project and results, education and public awareness
Aim: To create a memorable project brand and widely communicate implementation updates and results to both specialists and general public.
The main aims are: 1) to create attractive, simple and memorable appearance of project design and use it in preparation of particular items. 2) to spread information about the project implementation and its results to a broad audience (public and specialists).
Impact to policies
Aim: To secure long-term conservation by aligning land management plans, updating site protections, and establishing an international cooperative framework.
The main objective is to support long-term conservation through improved planning, coordination, and international cooperation. Specifically by adjusted land and forest management plans to align with conservation priorities, developed or updated management plans for key natural sites, established a coordinated international conservation program and provided groundwork for the expansion and strengthening of protected areas.
Improvement of plant conservation in Ukraine
Aim: To transfer species conservation know-how to Ukraine using Jurinea cyanoides as a model to build capacity for local habitat management, ex-situ protection, and community engagement.
The main objective is to share species conservation expertise with Ukrainian partners, using Jurinea cyanoides as a model to protect other endangered local Jurinea species. In close cooperation with the project LIFE ConNaturLIFE Ukraine, we will train local colleagues in conservation planning, habitat management, impact evaluation, ex-situ protection, and community engagement. The work package is divided into three key tasks targeting these specific aspects of species conservation.
Project partners
Financing
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.