Narrative
Despite the fact that the state of ecosystems in Slovenia is deteriorating - in particular aquatic ecosystems - there is a significant lack of nature restoration, rehabilitation and rewilding projects in Slovenia. The project Natura Mura is one of the few bright exceptions. It addresses some of the key challenges for nature conservation and the provision of ecosystem services in the river Mura floodplain, such as the changing hydro-morphological conditions of the Mura River, climate change, intensification of floodplain use, the emergence of non-native invasive species and diseases, the abandonment of extensive grasslands, uncontrolled visitation and the lack of adequate interpretation infrastructure. The main objective of the Natura Mura project is to improve the conservation status of 3 target habitat types and 12 target species of Natura 2000 sites along the Mura River through the following main activities: a. restoring river dynamics and aquatic habitats; b. maintenance and restoration of floodplain forests; c. maintenance and restoration of wet grasslands; d. establishing a comprehensive interpretation in the Natura 2000 Mura area.
Financial data
€ 4.571.854,99, 80% co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
Recommendations
Rapid biodiversity loss, reflected in shrinking populations and extinction of animal, plant and fungi species, represent a crisis equivalent to climate change, threatening humanity's existence on the Earth. Despite the facts that the state of ecosystems in Slovenia is deteriorating - in particular aquatic ecosystems - and that preserved nature is crucial for mitigation of and adaptation to the consequences of climate change and overall long term social resilience, there is a significant lack of ecosystems restoration, rehabilitation and rewilding projects in Slovenia. We need more comprehensive nature restoration and rewilding projects. Project Natura Mura can serve as an example, however even this project could be further improved by extension of activities to the whole watercourse, as currently only some microlocations of river Mura are subject to above mentioned activities.
Information sources
https://natura-mura.eu/Other info
https://natura-mura.eu/o-projektu/