Management model for habitat *6260 Pannonic sand steppes

Management model for habitat *6260
Pannonic sand steppes
Viera Šefferová Stanová
DAPHNE Institute of Applied Ecology, Slovakia
Zoltán Vajda
Kiskunság National Park, Hungary
7th European Dry Grassland Meeting

Management Models
for Natura 2000 Sites
EC project - elaboration of 25 management models for
habitats from annex I of the Habitats Directive, which require
active recurring management
Grassland habitat types covered: 6210, *6220, *6230 , *6260
Compilation of published and unpublished experience and
best practices
Approach: single model for each habitat type, which requires
management
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/manag
ement/habitats/models_en.htm

Management models
for grassland habitats
Preparation of 16 management models for all grassland
habitats in Slovakia
Including results of ecological experiments focused on
mulching, grazing, mowing, top soil removal etc.
First step: analysis of ecological conditions and management
requirements of particular vegetation types (alliances).
Result is 16 management models for 23 alliances of
grassland vegetation

*6260 Pannonic sand steppes
Description of habitat and related species
Open sand grassland communities dominated by Festuca
vaginata and Stipa borysthenica
Closed sand steppes are characterised by a vegetation
cover of more than 50%. These habitats are typified by
Festuca wagneri and Festuca rupicola,
Endemic habitat of the Pannonian biogeoregion

Distribution of *6260 Pannonic
sand steppes in Natura 2000 sites

Species that depend on the habitat
Dianthus diutinus
Natural habitats in their original
state are rare due to the effects
of fragmentation and isolation
It is resulting mainly from
forestry activities.
There are less than 10 known
sites in Hungary.

Trends
Sand steppes and shifting sand areas are considered to be
one of the most endangered habitats in Central Europe.
At the beginning of the 20th century, sands were still
widespread,
now they have been reduced dramatically through
now they have been reduced dramatically through
stabilizing measures, intensive agricultural and forestry use
and abandonment of traditional land use.

Threats
Abandonment - litter accumulation and the establishment
of shrubs and trees, humus accumulation stimulates the
spread of generalists and may cause the local extinction of
some open sand grassland species
Overgrazing - grazing by large flocks can lead to the
Overgrazing - grazing by large flocks can lead to the
undesirable spread of ruderal or alien plant species and
erosion on the dunes

Threats
Afforestation – Pinus sylvestris, which is not native to the
habitat and have had a very negative impact on basic sands
because of acidification
Invasion and/or plantation of non-native species - Robinia
pseudacacia, Asclepias syriaca, Ailanthus altissima, Prunus
serotina

Conservation management
Sand steppes could be maintained without management if
the ecological conditions allow wind erosion, which keep
moving of shifting dunes
Sand dunes have been stabilised to such extent that without
appropriate management it leads to natural succession or
invasion by expansive grasses and alien species.

Active management - grazing
The open steppe community Festucetum vaginatae does not
need grazing.
On closed dunes it is mostly sheep that are used, while on
plains it is cattle.
For the maintenance of open and closed grasslands on sand,
1 sheep per ha for 2 days a year is recommended
In areas where afforestation through succession is a
problem, mixed sheep/goat herds can be used.
High grazing pressure for a short period of time eliminates
not only young poplars but also grass species, and reestablishes
mobile dunes - 10 goats/ha, and 3 sheeps/ha.

Active management - mowing
• Mowing is nearly impossible on open sand steppes; it is
more typical for closed steppes.
• Steeper slopes and areas containing rare species should not
be mowed with machinery, due to erosion problems.
• The machinery should cut the vegetation a minimum of 10
• The machinery should cut the vegetation a minimum of 10
cm above the soil surface to protect tussock formation by
dominant grass species.

Eradication and control of invasive
species – Robinia pseudoacacia
• Drilling a 4-7 cm deep hole, with an 8 mm diameter, into the
tree.
• The direction of the borehole has to point not to the centre
of the tree but must run nearly parallel with the bark at a
10° angle to the xylem.
• The hole must be completely filled with herbicide
(Glyphosat), and then has to be sealed with lime putty.
• The number of holes depends on the size of the tree. There
has to be one hole for every 10 centimeters of the trunk’s
circumference.

Eradication and control of invasive
species – Robinia pseudoacacia