Living on the Karst Edge

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The project focuses on the ​​karst edge area as a series of steep cliffs and limestone slopes where long-term interaction between man and nature has produced peculiar biological, cultural and aesthetic values. This area of rich natural resources is under the increasing pressure of visitors and other human activities due to its close proximity to densely populated Koper, Trieste and Opatija. The joint challenge is to establish preconditions for formal protection, to improve existing and develop joint management plans, develop monitoring programs for the most important habitats and species present on both sides of the border. The overall objective is to establish an effective management and monitoring mechanism of the N2000 area in order to reduce the pressures on biodiversity. Climbing is very popular in Slovenia and has started to take on mass proportions in Croatia which results in harming protected areas. Current mechanisms are not sufficient to regulate the conflict between locals, climbers and nature conservationists. Climbers and other recreational enthusiasts are nature lovers and the project will encourage their activities, but harmonize them with measures of protection. The project will result in cross-border mechanisms for sustainable management of the karst edge area, reducing pressures on biodiversity and ensuring the prerequisites for the establishment of formal protection. Results will mainly benefit the local population, but also all visitors to the area. In order to tackle these challenges, partners will follow an approach primarily focused on threats incurred by recreation. Many projects dealt with problems caused by abandoning the traditional use of space, but sports recreation was not considered in studying the preservation of species and habitat types. The system of joint N2000 area management and monitoring will be upgraded by citizens science, which along with the use of drones and creating a volunteer network is one of the planned innovations.

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