The administration of the Poľana Protected Landscape Area (PLA) has been working intensively on clearing the coppices in the foothills as a preventive measure in places with an increased occurrence of brown bears. Based on their expertise and long-standing experience, foresters from the Poľana PLA have selected sites where the cleaning should be done. The aim of this activity is to ensure optimum conditions for landscape management with the preservation of habitat diversity and the maintenance of breeding opportunities for the avifauna of the Poľana. Thus, selected trees and areas of wooden undergrowth and scrubs are gradually removed. The work, which started at the end of the last year, is still ongoing.

The aim of the measures is to protect people and preserve the landscape character. At the same time, the diversity of permanently grassed areas and pastures will increase. Selected sites with wetlands and traditionally maintained meadows will regain their original size.

The area for the natural occurrence of meadow-dependent species will be expanded by regeneration cutting in the area. The cleared areas will provide space for native grassland communities with an abundance of protected fauna and flora species of national and European importance. The sustainability of the intervention is planned in a way which allows for subsequent grazing and mowing.

Coppices in Poľana, Photo: Miriam Turayová, SNC SR Poľana PLA Administration

The non-breeding season lasting from the beginning of September to mid-March is the ideal time to implement such management. Impressive tree solitaires on the extended area of valuable foothill meadows will be especially appreciated by birds nesting in the open countryside, such as the rare woodlark.

The first site to be cleared was Detva – Stavanisko. Subsequently, trees are also being removed in other selected locations where bears occurred more frequently, i.e. in the territory of Detva as well as in some locations in the cadastral area of Dúbravy municipality. All the works will be carried out under the supervision of Poľana PLA Administration employees.

This press release was prepared by the Administration of the SNC SR Poľana PLA.

First photo: Coppices, Miriam Turayová, SNC SR Poľana PLA Administration