Effective land management requires managers to have a thorough understanding of the actual conditions in the field. We often monitor the status of populations at specific target locations, but for planning both short-term and long-term measures, a comprehensive overview of the management area and knowledge of habitat conservation status are crucial.

As part of the LIFE FOR SEEDS project, we conducted a land use inventory in 2021 to prepare a restoration plan for meadows at Lake Cerkniško jezero. The survey recorded land use activities such as mowing, mulching, grazing, and overgrowth. We also prepared a professional article presenting a detailed yet simple land use inventory method that enables efficient monitoring of natural habitats.

Land use surveys are essential for the proper management of conservation areas, as they provide valuable insights into actual land use changes. Our survey of Lake Cerkniško jezero revealed that in 2021, almost all areas suitable for mechanical mowing were mowed, offering key insights into the dynamics of managing this area. The survey allows for monitoring of different habitat types, such as reed beds and shrub vegetation zones, and facilitates the rapid adaptation of management measures based on real field data.

This method is highly effective for large-scale monitoring and can significantly contribute to biodiversity conservation by providing essential data on habitat conditions and human impact. The article also includes practical guidelines for conducting similar surveys in other areas, supporting the broader application of this method in nature conservation management.

The article was published in the journal Varstvo narave. You can read the full text at the following link:

https://zrsvn-varstvonarave.si/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/02_Krasevec_Jancar.pdf.