Management of nature conservation in southern Poland by the regional directorate for environmental protection - case study from the Małopolska Voivodeship

English. The study combines considerations that fall within the scope of institutional management of nature conservation in the Małopolska region, situated in southern Poland, regarding the issue of protected xerothermic plant communities (Festuco-Brometea class). The latter, are considered to be one of the richest in number of vascular plants species. However, as semi-natural habitats, they need livestock grazing in order to stop natural plant succession. Such protective actions are organised by the Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection. These unique thermophilic steppe communities, located north of Krakow, are covered by Special Protection Areas, within Natura 2000 European network. An active protection of these grasslands is implemented mainly by providing financial support for sheep grazing. Therefore, efficient management means firstly introducing a complex system of selecting the areas, especially those which particularly deserve protection. Then, there is the issue of selecting farmers who would carry out sheep grazing in such habitats, but also who will be able to cope with a rather difficult management of the grazing process itself. Thus, the crucial task for that institution is organizing financial support for farmers who decide to do such work. This includes the analysis of costs related to the protective actions with respect to the size of such habitats, as well as the number and abundance of protected plant species in particular areas. Results of the research show that institutional protection of xerothermic habitats, in the face of frequent abandonment of animal production by farmers, is especially important nowadays. It also seems there is no other alternative to it. However, the most problematic aspect seems to be the duration of such initiatives, which depend on repetitive financial support from various grants concerning nature conservation.

English. institutional level, Małopolska region, nature conservation

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