2nd Thematic Work Package

Building capacities of Carpathian protected areas managers

Old-fashioned habitat mapping methods are time-consuming, they often need special expertise and tend to be rather expensive. Effective, integrated, science-based nature conservation management planning needs innovative tools, methods and capacity building. To face this challenge, this work package, lead by Danube-Ipoly National Park, provides platform for international cooperation and experience exchange to address and share best practices in biodiversity and site management.

The base of a new approach for habitat management planning will be developed through the introduction of innovative tools and methodologies for habitat mapping and evaluation. During the project lifetime, a forest state assessment methodology will be introduced as an innovative technique to serve multi-aspect and small-scale evaluation of forests. The protocol will be evaluated and finalised based on the methodology for monitoring the change in semi-natural forest habitats.

Next to the forest evaluation methodology a new evaluation of grasslands will be developed and tested for management planning. To showcase innovative tools, LIDAR, a light detection and ranging tool will be introduced for monitoring the topography, species and habitat diversity. The LiDAR scan will provide the base for a more effective and long-term nature conservation planning. The LiDAR tool will be tested on a pilot action in two habitats: a mountainous and a river valley in the Danube-Ipoly National Park.