LIFE and endangered plants : conserving Europe's threatened flora.
Date: 2008-05-23
Institutions: Directorate-General for Environment
Subjects: EU Member State, EU programme, biodiversity, biotope, conservation of resources, protection of plant life

L I F E   I I I

LIFE and endangered plants 

Conserving Europe’s threatened flora

colours C/M/Y/K

32/49/79/21

Attention version papier ajouter

European Commission
Environment Directorate-General

LIFE (“The Financial Instrument for the Environment”) is a programme launched by the European Commission and coordinated 

by the Environment Directorate-General (LIFE Unit - E.4).

The contents of the publication “LIFE and endangered plants: Conserving Europe’s threatened flora” do not necessarily reflect 

the opinions of the institutions of the European Union.

Authors: João Pedro Silva (Technical expert), Justin Toland, Wendy Jones, Jon Eldridge, Edward Thorpe, Maylis Campbell, 
Eamon O’Hara (Astrale GEIE-AEIDL, Communications Team Coordinator). Managing Editor: Philip Owen, European Commission, 
Environment DG, LIFE Unit – BU-9, 02/1, 200 rue de la Loi, B-1049 Brussels. LIFE Focus series coordination: Simon Goss (LIFE 
Communications Coordinator), Evelyne Jussiant (DG Environment Communications Coordinator). The following people also 
worked on this issue: Piotr Grzesikowski, Juan Pérez Lorenzo, Frank Vassen, Karin Zaunberger, Aixa Sopeña, Georgia Valaoras, 
Lubos Halada, Mikko Tira, Michele Lischi, Chloé Weeger, Katerina Raftopoulou. Production: Monique Braem. Graphic design: 
Daniel Renders, Anita Cortés (Astrale GEIE-AEIDL). Acknowledgements: Thanks to all LIFE project beneficiaries who contributed 
comments, photos and other useful material for this report. Photos: Unless otherwise specified; photos are from the respective 
projects. This issue of LIFE Focus is published in English with a print-run of 5,000 copies and is also available online.

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ISBN 978-92-79-08815-5   

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doi: 10.2779/99297

© European Communities, 2008

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LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

Patrick Murphy

Plants are vital to almost every aspect of our daily lives. They provide us with food, fibres, medicines, fuel, shelter, 

clothing and the air we breathe. Many animal species are also directly dependent on plants for their survival. 

Plants are essential constituents of ecosystems and play a key role in the Earth’s system.  

Europe is blessed with a high rate of diversity, but, despite their undeniable importance, plants everywhere are 

under threat. Some 21% of Europe’s vascular plant species (flowering plants, conifers and ferns) are classified as 

threatened according to the IUCN. Half of the continent’s 4,700 vascular plant endemics are in danger of extinc-

tion and 64 have already become extinct. In a number of European countries more than two-thirds of the existing 

plant habitats types are endangered. Major land-use changes from agriculture and forestry, habitat destruction, 

fragmentation and degradation, direct impacts by economic activities and invasive alien species are all rapidly 

eroding our plant communities. Climate change will further aggravate these pressures.

LIFE, the financial instrument for the environment, has been a cornerstone of plant conservation efforts, especially 

within the boundaries of the Natura 2000 network. 

In total, from 1992-2007 some 970 projects received EU co-funding under the LIFE-Nature component of the 

LIFE programme. Although only 33 of these projects directly targeted the conservation of plants listed under the 

annexes of the Habitats Directive, a far greater number of projects targeted plant conservation within a broader 

context – for example, under habitat actions, Natura 2000 network site management plans, or more general 

actions.

This brochure explores the challenges for conservation of Europe’s endangered plants and highlights the role of 

the LIFE programme in helping to halt biodiversity loss, and to restore threatened habitats and natural systems. 

From Romania to northern Finland, France’s Seine Valley to Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains, the Mediterranean 

to Macaronesia, LIFE has supported a range of successful projects, helping to restore habitats and protecting 

endangered plants. 

LIFE has also helped to promote a new concept – the plant micro-reserve (PMR) –  first developed in the Spanish 

region of Valencia, and since successfully implemented in Slovenia and the island of Crete (see pp. 17-22). 

Now, LIFE+, with a budget of over €2 billion, will continue to offer robust support to the conservation of plant 

species and of biodiversity in general across Europe.

Preventing the disappearance of so many species of plants is one of the major challenges that must be addressed 

in order to achieve the goal of halting the loss of Europe’s biodiversity.

Patrick Murphy

Head of Unit – Nature & Biodiversity

European Commission, DG Environment

Background to Europe’s 
wild plants ................... 3

European wild plants:  

Plant micro-reserves:  

from concept to  

implementation ..............  17

status and threats ............. 3

Greece: Conservation  

Restoration of  
habitats ...................... 37

Austria: Lake Constance  

forget-me-not flourishes  

European biodiversity  

policy and plant  

conservation ....................  5

LIFE’s contribution to  

EU plant conservation  ....  7

Endangered plants in  
general ......................... 9

Finland: Stakeholder  

participation in managing 

endangered plant  

populations ..................... 10

France: Saving two  

Norman plants ................ 12

Germany: Grassland  

protection in Bavaria  ..... 14

Portugal: Managing and  

preserving Asphodelus  

bento-rainhae ................. 16

of endangered flora on  

in Bregenz once more  

Crete ..............................  20

thanks to LIFE-Nature ...  38

Mediterranean flora ... 23

Germany: Protecting and 

developing the Benningen 

Cyprus: Conservation of 

Marsh ............................  41

Romania: Conserving  

forest habitats, preventing 

soil erosion and guarding  

against avalanches ........  42

Czech Republic: Preserving 

the beauty and biodiversity  

of the Moravian Karst ....  45

Further projects  
focusing on wetlands ..  46

List of available LIFE  

publications ...................  49

unique flora and  

habitats ..........................  24

Italy: Conserving  

the ‘critically endangered’ 

Sicilian fir and helping to 

ensure its long-term  

survival ..........................  27 

Spain: Protecting  

extraordinary biodiversity  

in the Sierra Nevada ......  30

Macaronesian flora .... 31

Spain: Conserving five  

priority species in  

the Canary Islands .........  32

Portugal: Restoring  

Madeira’s laurel forest ...  34

Background to Europe’s wild plants

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

European wild plants:  
status and threats 

The disappearance and declining populations of many endangered plant species presents the 

European Union with one of its greatest conservation challenges.  Efforts have focused on habitat 

loss and degradation, introductions of invasive alien species, pollution and disease, and climate 

change.

Europe’s  varied  geography  and  cli-

mate provides a vast range of habitats 

that support more than 12,500 vascu-

lar plants (flowering plants, conifers 

and  ferns).  Centres  of  particularly 

high plant diversity include the moun-

tainous areas around the Mediterra-

nean  and  the  Black  Sea.  The  floras 

of Spain, Greece, Italy, Bulgaria and 

Romania  support  the  highest  num-

bers of both endemic and endangered 

plant species. 

Europe’s flora is one of the best known 

in the world and has been shaped by 

human  interventions  for  many  hun-

dreds of years. However, the acceler-

ated pace of industrialisation in recent 

decades, together with major land-use 

changes,  has  resulted  in  European 

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plants today being considered among 

Convolvulus massonii: highly threatened by habitat loss 

the  most  threatened  in  the  world. 

According to the World Conservation 

Threats

Union (IUCN), some 21% of Europe’s 

that by the year 2032, more than 70% 

of the land’s surface will have been 

vascular plant species are classified as 

The main factors that have contrib-

destroyed or disturbed. Habitat loss 

threatened and half of the continent’s 

uted  to  the  progressive  decline  of 

is also a problem because it leads to 

4,700 vascular plant endemics are in 

European plant diversity are:

the  fragmentation  of  the  remaining 

danger of extinction. In a number of 

European  countries  more  than  two-

thirds  of  the  existing  plant  habitat 

Habitat loss and degradation 
Habitat loss is the primary cause of 

habitat resulting in further isolation of 

plant populations. 

types are endangered. 

species loss at local, regional and glo-

Introductions  of  Invasive  Alien 

Wild plants in Europe are under severe 

drafting of groundwater, road building, 

bal scales. Urban development, over-

Species (IAS)
Aliens are not science fiction, but a 

threat, and significant losses of plant 

recreation, forest fires, agriculture and 

nature conservation fact.  An “alien” is 

species and habitat have taken place. 
Although being a subject of concern, 

tree logging all destroy and degrade 
plant’s natural habitats. It is estimated 

any species that is moved by humans 

to an area outside of its native range. In 

plant  conservation  tends  to  receive 

that habitat destruction from human 

the vast majority of cases, these spe-

less media coverage than conserva-

activity  is  the  primary  cause  of  risk 

cies will not survive because they are 

tion of other threatened groups, such 
as big mammals (for example, lynxes 

for 83% of endangered plant species. 
Habitat loss is harmful not only to a 

not  adapted  to  the  new  area.   Nev-
ertheless,  in  a  minority  of  cases,  a 

and  whales)  and  bird  species.  The 

single species, but to whole commu-

species will be able to survive in its 

public is, however, concerned about 

nities and ecosystems. According to 

new  location  and  sometimes  will 

wild plants disappearing from the local 

the United Nations Environment Pro-

even thrive in a new location. “Inva-

countryside.

gramme (UNEP), it has been estimated 

sive”  species  are  those  that  spread 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Background to Europe’s wild plants

quickly to become very common and 

changes on European flora – such as 

dominant in the new habitat, posing a 

changes in the distribution of species, 

great threat to native species through-

flowering times etc. – are forecast to 

out Europe. Particularly vulnerable are 

be most pronounced in mountainous 

European  island  ecosystems  (espe-

areas  and  in  the  Mediterranean  and 

cially in the Macaronesian and Medi-

Pannonian  biogeographical  regions. 

terranean  biogeographical  regions), 

Climate  change  poses  an  enormous 

due  to  their  long-standing  isolation. 

challenge  to  the  conservation  and 

For example, Rhododendron ponticum 

management of the plant species and 

from the Iberian Peninsula and Turkey 

habitats  both  within  and  outside the 

is an ornamental flowering shrub that 

Natura 2000 network.

has invaded the UK acid woods and 

heathland causing problems in many 

important  oak  forests  on  the  West 

coast of Scotland. In addition to the 

Importance of plants: their 
goods and services

environmental consequences, invasive 

Plants are universally recognised as 

alien species may also have significant 

an essential part of biological diversity 

E
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Plants are valued for many reasons, 
including aesthetics:  Lady’s slipper 
orchid (Cypripedium calceolus) 

economical and social impacts.

and a vital resource (i.e., in maintain-

The  vast  majority  of  medicinal  and 

ing carbon dioxide and oxygen equi-

aromatic  plant  species  used  today 

Pollution and disease
Pollution  is  the  release  of  chemical, 

librium in the atmosphere). In addition 

is  collected  from  the  wild.  Unfortu-

to  the  small  number  of  crop  plants 

nately, such a practice can sometimes 

physical,  biological  or  radioactive 

used for basic food and fibres, many 

result in unsustainable practices. For 

contaminants in the environment.  It is 

thousands of wild plants have consid-

example,  wolf’s  bane  (Arnica  mon-

sometimes not visible to the naked eye 

erable economic and cultural impor-

tana), used to treat sprains, bruises, 

and can disperse through air, water and 

tance and potential, providing food, 

and muscle aches, and great yellow 

other mediums into which it is emitted. 

fuel, clothing, shelter and medicine. 

gentian (Gentiana lutea) are harvested 

As a result, its direct effects, especially 

throughout Europe (especially in Bul-

on plant life, can sometimes be hard 

An estimated 50,000 - 70,000 plant 

garia  and  Romania).  These  plants 

to spot. Pollution is a big problem for 

species  are  used  in  medicines 

are included in Annex V of the Habi-

plants.   For  example,  Pesticides  are 

throughout the world. They make an 

tats Directive, which identifies plants 

designed to allow farmers to increase 

essential  contribution  to  healthcare 

(and animals) requiring management 

their  yields  (and  gardeners  to  keep 

and provide an important source of 

measures  because  of  exploitation 

out  weeds),  but  their  misuse  and 

income in rural areas.

concerns. 

over-application can adversely affect 

wild plants in the area. The misuse of 

insecticides also  affects  plants,  as  it 

can impact on the populations of pol-

linators (such as bees) that some plants 

need to reproduce. Soils can also be 
contaminated with heavy metals, which 

few plants can tolerate. At the very least 

contamination will cause reduced plant 

production and ecosystems become 

more vulnerable to other threats.

Climate  change 
More  recently,  Europe’s  plants  are 

facing an unequivocal warming of the 

climate. According to the latest projec-

tions more than half of the plant species 

assessed could be vulnerable or threat-

ened by 20801. The impact of climatic 

Effects of climate change on plant diversity:

Species are ‘left behind’ as they are unable to change their distribution fast enough. 
Species with long life cycles and/or slow dispersal are particularly vulnerable.

Some isolated species are particularly vulnerable, as they may have ‘nowhere 

to go’. These include:

l  Arctic and alpine species, and island endemics.

l  Coastal species which are ‘squeezed’ between human settlements and rising 

sea levels.

l  Plant genetic composition may change in response to the selection pressure 

of climate change.

l  Some  plant  communities  or  species  associations  may  be  lost  as  species 

move and adapt at different rates.

l  Increased invasions by alien species may occur, as conditions become more 

suitable for exotic species while native species become less suited to their 

environment.

l  Many plant communities act as ‘sinks’ (store carbon), which helps to offset 

carbon emissions. However, over the next 70 years, the effects of climate 

change  on  plants  mean  many  terrestrial  sinks  may  become  sources,  for 

� Thuiller �. et al. (����) “Climate change
 Thuiller �. et al. (����) “Climate change 
threats to plant diversity in Europe”.

example the bogs.

 
 
Background to Europe’s wild plants

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

European Biodiversity Policy  
and plant conservation

The EU has introduced a framework for action and made key pledges to safeguard the conti-

nent’s rich biodiversity. It has created a network of protected sites, Natura 2000, which focuses 

on endangered plant species, and recently outlined its commitment to halting the loss of biodiver-

sity in the EU and to restoring habitats and natural systems.

European  heads  of  state  agreed  at 

sites, and that effective conservation 

loss by 2010. Many of the biodiversity-

the  2001  summit  in  Gothenburg  to 

and  sustainable  use  of  biodiversity, 

rich habitats in need of conservation 

halt  biodiversity  loss  by  2010.  The 

and  the  maintenance  of  essential 

are situated in, or close to, agricultural 

following year, the parties to the Con-

ecosystem  services,  also  requires 

land, where inappropriate agricultural 

vention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 

action in the wider countryside. For 

practices  have  reduced  biological 

and some 130 world leaders commit-

plants, such action is provided for by 

diversity. The presence of some plant 

ted themselves to a significant reduc-

specific requirements in the EU Habi-

species and habitats that are depend-

tion in the rate of biodiversity loss by 

tats Directive (92/43/EEC)2 and more 

ent on extensive farming, for example, 

the same target date. A Commission 

generally by the integration of biodi-

has declined in recent decades.

Communication of May 2006, “Halt-

versity concerns into agricultural and 

ing the Loss of Biodiversity by 2010 

other policies. 

–  and  Beyond”,  [COM(2006)2161. 

EU Rural Development Policy (Council 

Reg (EC) No.1257/1999)4 aims to rec-

reconfirmed Europe’s commitment to 

The 2001 Biodiversity Action Plan for 

oncile agriculture with the objectives of 

implementation of the CBD.

Agriculture (COM/2001/0162)3 aims to 

the EU nature conservation policy. This 

reduce the negative impacts of farming 

goal is achieved by financing agri-envi-

Two particular threats to EU biodiver-

practices by promoting the sustainable 

ronmental measures that go beyond 

sity are highlighted in the Communica-

use of biological resources. It is one 

the usual good farming practices and 

tion. First, “spatial development”,  for 

of the four biodiversity action plans, 

that have a direct impact on the con-

which Member States have a particular 

covering  1)  conservation  of  natural 

servation of European flora, particularly 

responsibility, through improved plan-

resources, 2) agriculture, 3) fisheries, 

through the maintenance of extensive 

ning, to reconcile development needs 

and 4) economic and development co-

with  the  conservation  of  biodiversity 

operation outside Europe, included in 

and maintenance of ecosystem serv-

the EU’s Sixth Environmental Action 

4 http://www.ndp.ie/documents/publica-
tions/reg_cir/CR���7�999.pdf

Bogs: a priority for conservation habitat 
important for certain plant species, 
such as the insectivorous sundew 
(Drosera rotundifolia)

ices. The second threat is the potential 

Programme  (6th  EAP),  approved  by 

impact of climate change, where rising 

the Council of Ministers in 2001. It also 

temperatures are already having a bio-

has the goal of stemming biodiversity 

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���7����:EN:PDF
3 http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/
l�8��4.htm

logical impact, including earlier timing 

of  spring  events,  and  poleward  and 
upward shifts in ranges in plant, as well 

as animal species. 

The EU approach recognises that bio-

diversity is not evenly spread, and that 

certain species are more at risk than 

others. Consequently, it affords spe-

cial attention to the protection of sites 

of highest nature value and species 

most at risk included in the Habitats 

and  Birds  directives.  However,  this 

approach also recognises that much 

biodiversity  resides  outside  these 

� http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/
biodiversity/comm���6/index_en.htm

Background to Europe’s wild plants

systems and support for agriculture in 

est) to the Habitats Directive list the 

and low forest vegetation with Quercus 

Natura 2000 zones. 

habitats and species whose conserva-

alnifolia (9390*); the rock rose (Cistus 

tion requires the designation of SACs. 

palhinhae) is the main species within 

The  recent  reforms  of  the  Common 

Some of them are defined as “priority” 

maritime wet heath formations (5140*) 

Agricultural Policy (CAP) have also ena-

habitats or species (in danger of disap-

in the southwest of Portugal; and sea 

bled further integration of biodiversity 

pearing). 

concerns into agricultural policy and 

grass (Posidonia oceanica) is the main 

species  within  Mediterranean  sea 

the 2008 review of the CAP provides 

Annex II identifies 324 animal species 

grass habitats (1120*). 

an  important  opportunity  to  further 

whose conservation requires the des-

strengthen and support measures for 

ignation of SACs. However, the number 

Other habitat types with broader distri-

farmland  and  forest  biodiversity.  For 

of plant species listed is much higher 

bution are also very important for some 

example,  national  statutory  require-

– 587, or 64%, of the total (see Fig.1). 

plant species such as orchids. The dry 

ments derived from EU directives cov-

Moreover,  some  204  (80%)  of  listed 

to semi-dry calcareous grasslands hab-

ering birds, habitats, nitrates and pesti-

plant species are priority – compared 

itat (6210), which is widely distributed 

cides are now included in the accepted 

with just 51 for animals. 

standards for good farming practice.

around Europe, can be home to impor-

tant populations of rare orchid species. 

Natura 2000 network and 
plant conservation 

The  distribution  of  plant  diversity 

Where this is the case, the habitat is 

across Europe is not even. A full 60% 

considered a priority for conservation. 

of the plant species included in Annex 

For  example,  important  endangered 

II occur within the Mediterranean and 

orchid  species  (e.g.,  genus  Ophrys) 

The Habitats Directive has focused on 

Macaronesian  regions,  according  to 

are dependent on calcareous substrate 

the requirement of Member States to 

the reference lists for biogeographical 

semi-natural dry grasslands or forests 

establish a network of special areas 

regions (EU-25). 

(e.g., Cypripedium calceolus).

of conservation (SACs) that, together 

with  the  special  protection  areas 

(cid:33)(cid:46)(cid:41)(cid:45)(cid:33)(cid:44)(cid:51)
(cid:41)(cid:78)(cid:86)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:66)(cid:82)(cid:65)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:17)(cid:19)(cid:22)

(cid:48)(cid:44)(cid:33)(cid:46)(cid:52)(cid:51)

(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:16)

As well as the plant species included 

Finally, Article 13 of the Habitats Direc-

(SPAs)  designated  under  the  Birds 

Directive (79/409/EEC)5, make up the 

(cid:38)(cid:73)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:0)(cid:24)(cid:21)

in Annex II of the directive, there are 
(cid:48)(cid:76)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:83)
(cid:21)(cid:24)(cid:23)
habitats that are characterised by high 

(cid:19)(cid:16)(cid:16)

tive requires that Member States should 

also establish both within and outside 

Natura 2000 network.

(cid:33)(cid:77)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:66)(cid:73)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:18)(cid:21)

(cid:50)(cid:69)(cid:80)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:18)(cid:20)(cid:0)

Annexes  I  (natural  habitat  types  of 

(cid:45)(cid:65)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:21)(cid:20)(cid:0)

rates of endemic plants, which are nor-

the Natura 2000 network, a system of 

mally found in restricted areas. These 

(cid:18)(cid:16)(cid:16)

strict protection of endangered plant 

tend to be dominated by a particular 

species included in Annex lV (b) by pro-

Community  interest)  and  II  (animal 

(cid:38)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:87)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:0)(cid:48)(cid:76)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:8)(cid:33)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:73)(cid:79)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:9)(cid:0)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:21)(cid:0)(cid:0)

plant  species  and  often  are  classi-

(cid:17)(cid:16)(cid:16)

hibiting the “deliberate picking, collect-

and plant species of Community inter-

(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:0)(cid:78)(cid:85)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:33)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:0)(cid:41)(cid:41)(cid:0)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:73)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:29)(cid:0)(cid:25)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:0)

fied as “priority natural habitat types” 

ing, cutting, uprooting or destruction” 

under the directive. For example, the 

of such plants in their natural range in 

� http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/
LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:3�979L�4�9:
EN:HTML

(cid:45)(cid:79)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:8)(cid:34)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:9)(cid:0)(cid:19)(cid:18)(cid:0)

endangered  golden  oak  (Quercus 

the wild; and the “keeping, transport 

(cid:76)

(cid:76)

alnifolia) is the main species within a 

and sale or exchange” of specimens 

(cid:73)

(cid:78)
(cid:65)
(cid:78)
(cid:79)
(cid:78)
(cid:78)
(cid:65)
(cid:48)

(cid:73)

(cid:69)
(cid:78)
(cid:80)
(cid:33)

(cid:76)

(cid:67)
(cid:73)
(cid:84)
(cid:78)
(cid:65)
(cid:76)
(cid:84)
(cid:33)

(cid:65)
(cid:69)
(cid:82)
(cid:79)
(cid:34)

Cyprus Annex I priority habitat – scrub 

of such species taken in the wild.

(cid:65)
(cid:84)
(cid:78)
(cid:69)
(cid:78)
(cid:73)
(cid:84)
(cid:78)
(cid:79)
(cid:35)

(cid:78)
(cid:65)
(cid:73)
(cid:83)
(cid:69)
(cid:78)
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Figure I: EU-27 plant and animal species listed 
in Annex II of the Habitats Directive

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Figure II: Annex II plant species 
by biogeographical region 

(cid:33)(cid:46)(cid:41)(cid:45)(cid:33)(cid:44)(cid:51)(cid:0)(cid:8)(cid:19)(cid:18)(cid:20)(cid:9)

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(cid:50)(cid:69)(cid:80)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:18)(cid:20)(cid:0)
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(cid:45)(cid:65)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:21)(cid:20)(cid:0)

(cid:48)(cid:44)(cid:33)(cid:46)(cid:52)(cid:51)(cid:0)(cid:8)(cid:21)(cid:24)(cid:23)(cid:9)
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(cid:48)(cid:76)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:83)
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(cid:33)(cid:77)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:66)(cid:73)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:18)(cid:21)

(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:0)(cid:78)(cid:85)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:33)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:0)(cid:41)(cid:41)(cid:0)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:73)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:29)(cid:0)(cid:25)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:0)

(cid:38)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:87)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:0)(cid:48)(cid:76)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:8)(cid:33)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:73)(cid:79)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:9)(cid:0)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:21)(cid:0)(cid:0)

(cid:50)(cid:69)(cid:80)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:18)(cid:20)(cid:0)

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(cid:38)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:87)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:0)(cid:48)(cid:76)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:83)(cid:0)
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(cid:45)(cid:79)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:8)(cid:34)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:9)(cid:0)(cid:19)(cid:18)(cid:0)

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(cid:35)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:0)
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(cid:38)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:78)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:8)(cid:48)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:84)(cid:65)(cid:9)(cid:0)(cid:17)(cid:25)(cid:0) (cid:35)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:8)(cid:39)(cid:89)(cid:77)(cid:78)(cid:79)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:69)(cid:9)(cid:0)(cid:17)(cid:0)

(cid:20)(cid:16)(cid:16)

(cid:19)(cid:16)(cid:16)

(cid:18)(cid:16)(cid:16)

(cid:17)(cid:16)(cid:16)

(cid:73)

(cid:78)
(cid:65)
(cid:78)
(cid:79)
(cid:78)
(cid:78)
(cid:65)
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(cid:33)(cid:46)(cid:41)(cid:45)(cid:33)(cid:44)(cid:51)(cid:0)(cid:8)(cid:19)(cid:18)(cid:20)(cid:9)

(cid:48)(cid:44)(cid:33)(cid:46)(cid:52)(cid:51)(cid:0)(cid:8)(cid:21)(cid:24)(cid:23)(cid:9)

(cid:41)(cid:78)(cid:86)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:66)(cid:82)(cid:65)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:17)(cid:19)(cid:22)

(cid:38)(cid:73)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:0)(cid:24)(cid:21)

(cid:33)(cid:77)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:66)(cid:73)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:18)(cid:21)

(cid:50)(cid:69)(cid:80)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:18)(cid:20)(cid:0)

(cid:45)(cid:65)(cid:77)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:21)(cid:20)(cid:0)

(cid:38)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:87)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:0)(cid:48)(cid:76)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:83)(cid:0)

(cid:8)(cid:33)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:73)(cid:79)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:69)(cid:9)(cid:0)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:21)(cid:0)(cid:0)

(cid:45)(cid:79)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:0)

(cid:38)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:78)(cid:83)(cid:0)

(cid:8)(cid:39)(cid:89)(cid:77)(cid:78)(cid:79)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:69)(cid:9)(cid:0)(cid:17)(cid:0)

(cid:8)(cid:34)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:84)(cid:65)(cid:9)(cid:0)(cid:19)(cid:18)(cid:0)

(cid:8)(cid:48)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:84)(cid:65)(cid:9)(cid:0)(cid:17)(cid:25)(cid:0)

(cid:35)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:0)

(cid:52)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:0)(cid:78)(cid:85)(cid:77)(cid:66)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:0)(cid:33)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:0)(cid:41)(cid:41)(cid:0)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:73)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:29)(cid:0)(cid:25)(cid:17)(cid:17)(cid:0)

(cid:73)

(cid:69)
(cid:78)
(cid:80)
(cid:33)

(cid:76)

(cid:67)
(cid:73)
(cid:84)
(cid:78)
(cid:65)
(cid:76)
(cid:84)
(cid:33)

(cid:76)

(cid:65)
(cid:69)
(cid:82)
(cid:79)
(cid:34)

(cid:76)

(cid:65)
(cid:84)
(cid:78)
(cid:69)
(cid:78)
(cid:73)
(cid:84)
(cid:78)
(cid:79)
(cid:35)

(cid:78)
(cid:65)
(cid:73)
(cid:83)
(cid:69)
(cid:78)
(cid:79)
(cid:82)
(cid:65)
(cid:67)
(cid:65)
(cid:45)

(cid:78)
(cid:65)
(cid:69)
(cid:78)
(cid:65)
(cid:82)
(cid:82)
(cid:69)
(cid:84)
(cid:73)
(cid:68)
(cid:69)
(cid:45)

(cid:33)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:0)(cid:41)(cid:41)(cid:0)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:0)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:73)(cid:69)(cid:83)

(cid:33)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:0)(cid:41)(cid:41)(cid:0)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:84)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:0)(cid:83)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:73)(cid:69)(cid:83)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Background to Europe’s wild plants

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

LIFE’s contribution  
to EU plant conservation

Since its beginning in 1992, LIFE1, the financial instrument for the environment, has been a corner-
stone of plant conservation efforts in Europe, especially within the boundaries of the Natura 2000 
network of protected sites.  Now with the launch of  LIFE+2, the new financial instrument for the 
environment, with an overall budget of €2 billion, LIFE will continue to offer robust support to the 
protection of plant species in Europe.

In  total,  from  1992-2006  some  970 

projects  received  EU  co-funding 

under the LIFE-Nature component of 

the LIFE programme. Although only 

33 of these projects directly targeted 

the conservation of plants listed under 

the  annexes  of  the  Habitats  Direc-

tive, a far greater number of projects 

targeted plant conservation within a 

broader context – for example, under 

habitat actions, Natura 2000 network 

site management plans, or more gen-

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LIFE projects often target more than 
one endangered plant species

objectives often involves carrying out 

complex actions, which differ consider-

ably according to each individual plant 

species targeted by the project. As a 

consequence, a number of the projects 

featured over the following pages ben-

efited  from  close  collaboration  with 

stakeholders  and  from  national  and 

international partnerships. 

Some  common  characteristics  of 

LIFE-Nature projects targeting plants 

eral actions.

plant species is located in the south-

are projects:

ern European countries.

l  targeting several plant species – with 

Under LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity, 

different  ecological  requirements, 

projects targeting plants and habitats 

LIFE plant project actions

habitats and locations

within and outside Natura 2000 may 

focusing on very restricted species 
l  focusing on very restricted species

be financed. ‘LIFE+ Nature’ will co-

A particular characteristic of LIFE plant 

populations – with few individuals 

finance best practice or demonstra-

projects, a number of which have been 

and often targeting very small areas 

tion projects contributing to the imple-

selected to highlight the different sec-

e.g. one Natura 2000 site or a group 

mentation of the Birds and Habitats 

tions  of  this  brochure,  is  that  such 

of sites

directives;  and  ‘LIFE+  Biodiversity’ 

projects typically have highly specific 

will co-finance innovative or demon-

objectives (e.g. many target endemic, 

stration  projects  contributing  to  the 

or  very  rare  species).  Meeting  these 

� LIFE I, II and III (�99�-���6)
� LIFE+ (���7-���3)

implementation  of  the  objectives  of 

the Commission’s 2006 Communica-

tion “Halting the loss of biodiversity by 

2010 – and beyond”.  

Geographic distribution of 
LIFE projects targeting plants

As mentioned in the previous article, 

‘European  Biodiversity  Policy  and 

plant conservation’ (pp.5-6), the distri-

bution of plant diversity across Europe 

is not even – almost two-thirds of the 

plant species listed under Annex II of 

the Habitats Directive are restricted 

to the Mediterranean and Macaron-

esian  biogeographical  regions.  It  is 

no surprise therefore that the largest 

contribution of LIFE projects targeting 

LIFE and Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

Invasive alien species (IAS) are acknowledged as one of the main threats to biodi-

versity, together with habitats loss and fragmentation. Reducing the impact on EU 

biodiversity of invasive species is one of the objectives identified in the European 

Commission’s Communication on Biodiversity.

The issue of invasive species was specifically addressed by a LIFE-Nature project 

in Madeira, Portugal that involved the removal of over 850 tonnes of Kahili ginger 

(Hedychium gardnerianum) plant material from an area covering 165 ha. The Kahili 

ginger is an ornamental plant introduced to local gardens in Madeira in the 1930s, 

but which now runs wild throughout the island, displacing the native Macaronesian 

laurel forest, a priority Natura 2000 habitat. Like the Kahili ginger, the Carpobrotus 

edulis from South Africa, with its beautiful flowers, was planted in gardens very 

far away from its native soil. The diverse coastal plant habitats of Minorca, Spain 

have been particularly hard hit by this uncontrolled IAS. Thanks to a Spanish LIFE-

Nature project (LIFE00 NAT/E/007339) this invasive plant was successfully elimi-

nated from the island’s Natura 2000 sites. 

 
 
 
Background to Europe’s wild plants

combining local conservation meas-
l  combining local conservation meas-

plant  species  Viola  hispida  and 

viding future sustainability for the 

ures (in situ) and off-site actions (ex 

Biscutella neustriaca and as a result 

conservation of plant and habitats 

situ) such as plant nurseries

the definition of new Natura 2000 

increasing plant species knowledge 
l  increasing plant species knowledge

sites and management plans.

- by gathering scientific knowledge 

(new populations, genetic studies, 

l  Land or rights acquisition: actions 
targeting  the  protection  of  plant 

within the Natura 2000 network. 
l  Aw a re n e s s - r a i s i n g :   s e v e r a l 
projects produced leaflets, mono-

graphs  or  manuals.  Projects  also 

etc.) to be used in the development 

populations  and  conservation  of 

implemented traineeship schemes 

and implementation of protection, 

management or recovery plans

increasing  public  awareness  and 
l  increasing public awareness and

their habitats in certain locations. 
l  Direct conservation actions: for 
the conservation of plant species 

and raised awareness among local 

stakeholders (farmers, environment 

agents, etc), schools and the gen-

knowledge of plant species – (nor-

and their habitats: ex situ – creation 

eral  public.  These  actions  helped 

mally  very  low)  together  with  the 

of nurseries, in-vitro propagation, 

to  improve  general  knowledge 

establishment of partnerships with 

germoplasm banks – and in situ – 

of  Europe’s  plant  species  and  to 

stakeholders at local level.

recovery of degraded areas, habitat 

improve  awareness  of  the  impor-

restoration, alien species eradica-

tance of their conservation.

Financed actions vary considerably, 

depending on the characteristics of 

the targeted species or habitats. But 

in general, the projects include:
l  Preparatory  actions:  such  as 
the  preparation  of  surveys,  map-

tion, establishment of fences, etc. 
l  Monitoring:  included  scientific 
monitoring  during  the  project 

LIFE also co-funded the purchase of 

equipment needed for plant conser-

periods and after-LIFE in order to 

vation  actions,  helping  to  fund,  for 

assess  the  longer-term  impacts. 

example,  the  building  of  nurseries 

Some projects also included spe-

and the supply of tools and resources 

ping, definition of seedling proto-

cies and habitats surveillance (for-

of vital importance to continued local 

cols,  genetic  analysis,  etc.  These 

est fires/collecting/grazing). 

plant conservation. 

actions help to further knowledge 

(cid:23)(cid:16)

of the targeted species and set out 

l  Networking:  several  projects 
organised  expert  meetings  deal-

Annex II identifies 587 plant species 

(cid:22)(cid:16)

improved conservation measures. 

ing  with  plant  conservation  and 

whose conservation requires the des-

(cid:21)(cid:16)

Projects  typically  involve  partner-

established  contacts  with  other 

ignation  of  special  areas  of  conser-

ships  with  research  institutions 

(cid:20)(cid:16)

LIFE project beneficiaries both on 

vation that together with the special 

–  mainly  European  botanical  gar-

(cid:19)(cid:16)

a national and European level. LIFE 

protection  areas  designated  under 

dens and the botany departments 

funding  also  played  an  important 

the  Birds  Directive,  make  up  the 

(cid:18)(cid:16)

of  European  universities.    For 

role  in  the  establishment  of  part-

Natura 2000 network. Of these, some 

(cid:17)(cid:16)

example, the French project LIFE99 

nerships  between  stakeholders, 

204 (80%) of plant species are prior-

grasslands of the Seine and Eure 

of management and conservation 

NAT/F/006332  contributed  to  an 
(cid:16)
increased  knowledge  of  the  dry 

(cid:76)

(cid:76)

(cid:73)

(cid:67)
(cid:73)
(cid:84)
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(cid:65)
(cid:69)
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(cid:69)
(cid:78)
(cid:80)
(cid:33)

(cid:76)

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valley  habitat  of  the  endangered 

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(cid:46)(cid:142)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:0)(cid:48)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:74)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:83)

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managers  and  scientific  person-

ity. Thus looking to the future, under 

nel, resulting in the establishment 

plans with local support and pro-

the new LIFE+ programme there are 

plenty of opportunities for LIFE project 

applications targeting plants.

Figure III: LIFE Nature projects targeting  
Annex II plant species

Figure IV: Number of projects by  
Biogeographical region (1992-2006)

Only EU member states with projects targeting plant species

(cid:20)(cid:16)

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(cid:46)(cid:142)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:0)(cid:48)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:74)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:83)

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(cid:46)(cid:142)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:0)(cid:48)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:74)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:83)

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(cid:46)(cid:142)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:0)(cid:33)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:0)(cid:41)(cid:41)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:65)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:69)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:83)

(cid:46)(cid:142)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:0)(cid:48)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:74)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:83)

 
 
 
 
 
 
LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

Europe’s native plants have been declining at an alarming rate. They face an 

ever-increasing range of threats, from the fragmentation of their habitats to pres-

sures resulting from agriculture, forestry and urban sprawl.  Climate change and 

the spread of invasive alien species are additional threats. Across Europe, LIFE 

Nature has been contributing to the conservation of endangered plant species by 

maintaining and restoring their habitats, as well as implementing management 

and recovery plans within the framework of the Natura 2000 network. Here we 

present some LIFE project examples that are helping combat the loss of Europe’s 

plant diversity. 

Endangered plants in general

Finland: Stakeholder participation 
in managing endangered 
plant populations

An integrated package of proactive LIFE-Nature management measures in Lapland has resulted 

in the successful restoration of prioritised biotypes and improved conservation status for two of 

Europe’s endangered plant species – lady’s slipper (Cypripedium calceolus) and yellow marsh 

saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus).

Northern Finland is renowned for its 

Europe’s  yellow  marsh  saxifrage  is 

Natura 2000 sites in Kainuu, Northern 

unusual environment that experiences 

very sensitive to hydrological changes 

Ostrobothnia, and southern and cen-

the  midnight  sun  in  summer  and  a 

and the plant has disappeared from 

tral Lapland.

harsh Arctic chill during winter. These 

extensive areas in central and north-

climatic extremes create a distinctive 

ern Europe. The lady’s slipper has also 

What did LIFE do?

set of conditions where a variety of 

suffered population decline from clear 

flora and fauna have thrived in a mix 

cutting, soil preparation and plant col-

Metsähallitus was aware of the impor-

of different habitats, ranging from wild 

lection. Loss of marsh habitats and 

tance of partnership approaches for 

boreal forests to treeless alkaline fens 

herb-rich woodland has been particu-

securing  sustainable  benefits  from 

and mires. Recent expansion of com-

larly problematic and the fate of these 

habitat  restoration  work  and  so  an 

mercial  forestry  is  now  threatening 

species has been further threatened 

integrated  proposal  was  designed 

some  of  these  natural  habitats  and 

in  Finland  as  woodland  meadows 

to include the project’s main stake-

the plant species that they support, 

become overgrown or taken over by 

holders. 

such as the lady’s slipper (Cypripe-

the spruce (Picea abies).

dium  calceolus)  and  yellow  marsh 

Four  main  project  elements  were 

saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus). Both of 

Lapland’s  Natural  Heritage  govern-

developed,  covering  the  following 

these plants are listed under Annex 

ment  agency,  Metsähallitus,  recog-

activities:

IV  of  the  EU  Habitats  Directive  as 

nised these problems and acknowl-

l Inventories and restoration plans;

important species that require strict 

edged that it had special international 

l Land purchase;

protection.

responsibility  for  the  two  species, 

l Biotope management actions; and

since  Northern  Finland  hosted  a 

l Stakeholder awareness.

Population numbers and distribution 

significant  proportion  of  the  plants’ 

of these species have declined steeply 

remaining  European  population.  A 

Preparation work

throughout Europe and this trend had, 

LIFE-Nature proposal was developed 

until  recently,  continued  in  Lapland 

to tackle the key issue of habitat loss 

Inventories were prepared during the 

as habitats were destroyed by forest 

and Metsähallitus’s project has had 

LIFE  project’s  initial  stages,  which 

clearances or drainage of nutrient-rich 

success  in  reversing  the  decline  of 

identified the location and status of 465 

fens for timber production. 

these  endangered  plant  species  at 

yellow marsh saxifrage colonies and 

Mowing (left) was one of the key actions to recover the populations of S. hirculus (right)

632 lady’s slipper colonies. This base-

line  information  was  then  converted 

into  restoration  plans  for  19  areas. 

The inventory process also generated 

important data on other priority plant 

species, such as slender green feather-

moss (Hamatocaulis vernicosus) and 

fairy slipper (Calypso bulbosa).

Preparation  of  the  restoration  plans 

confirmed the relevance of acquiring 

land to ensure appropriate habitat man-

agement procedures. A total of 2,172 

ha of biotopes was obtained, involving 

Endangered plants in general

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

explained.  Lady’s  slipper’s  popular-

ity in Finland was considered to help 

engender a positive attitude towards 

the  commitments  required  for  both 

plants’ conservation.

Training materials were distributed to 

forestry schools to help broaden the 

LIFE  project’s  benefits  and  a  series 

of public information materials were 

also produced including interpretation 

facilities for visitors at the Natura 2000 

sites. Two detailed scientific reports 

were prepared, which mapped each 

plant’s conservation status and iden-

tified  a  set  of  recommendations  to 

improve unfavourable conditions for 

both species.

What was the outcome?

Tree ring barking (left) to reduce shadow and population monitoring of C.calceoulus

purchase of 76 plots and swapping of 

to avoid damage to flower stems that 

19 plots. Protection agreements were 

emerge later in the summer.

Metsähallitus    considers  this  LIFE-

acquired on an additional 24 plots to 

Nature project to have had a rewarding 

reinforce the Natura 2000 areas’ eco-

These  experimental  measures  gen-

and worthwhile outcome. Investments 

logical unity and provide a firm founda-

erated  positive  results  in  terms  of 

have  been  delivered  in  a  carefully 

tion for the habitat restoration work to 

increased numbers of lady’s slipper 

coordinated  manner  to  encourage 

build on.

flowering  shoots  in  thinned  wood-

on-going sustainability of the conser-

Conservation in action

low marsh saxifrage in the project’s 

has been secured through construc-

lands  and  broader  coverage  of  yel-

vation work. Stakeholder commitment 

Different biotype management actions 

were  established  during  the  LIFE 

Stakeholder commitment

project and each action was carefully 

mowed areas.

tive cooperation with Forest Centres 

in  North  Ostrobothnia,  Kainuu  and 

Lapland. Monitoring of the plant pop-

ulations will continue as an on-going 

tailored to the individual target areas. 

Sustaining  the  benefits  from  these 

activity and results are anticipated to 

A  key  target  referred  to  rehabilita-

pro-active  conservation  measures 

show  that  LIFE-Nature  support  has 

tion of wetland mire habitats, which 

requires good understanding amongst 

been  successful  in  its  objective  of 

involved restoring original hydrologi-

all  stakeholders  about  the  environ-

stabilising the populations of two of 

cal conditions by filling and damming 

mental rationale and practical tech-

Europe’s endangered plant species.

ditches  on  land  that  had  previously 

niques  involved.  Metsähallitus  was 

been drained for forestry. Some 167 

keen to implement an effective part-

ha of land was restored in this way, 

nership approach to the LIFE project 

creating  considerable  coverage  of 

and exceeded its original intentions 

new natural habitat opportunities for 

regarding  support  from  the  forestry 

both lady’s slipper and yellow marsh 

sector and awareness of the project 

saxifrage.

amongst the public and media.

Mowing  and  clearing  of  overgrown 

Cooperation with forestry stakehold-

Project Number:  
LIFE00 NAT/FIN/007059

Title: Conservation of Cypripedium 
calceolus and Saxifraga hirculus in 
Northern Finland

Beneficiary: Metsähallitus, Natural 
Heritage Service Northern Finland 
(public authority)

sites  formed  another  core  compo-

ers was strong throughout the project 

Contact: Arja Vasama

nent  of  the  LIFE  project’s  plans. 

and  this  can  be  highlighted  as  an 

This  involved  removal  and  control 

important  success  factor.  Mutual 

of spruce to open up canopies and 

respect and appreciation were rein-

reduce shading. Mowing was carried 

forced during special training events 

out manually in sensitive areas and by 

for  350  landowners  and  forestry 

mechanical  mowers  on  larger  sites. 

professionals  where  conservation 

Mowing was carefully timed in June 

techniques  for  both  species  were 

Email: arja.vasama@metsa.fi

Website: http://www.metsa.fi/luo/
projektit/lettorikko/

Period: Dec-2000 to May-2005
Total Budget: e 1,900,000
LIFE Contribution: e 950,000

 
Endangered plants in general

France: Saving two Norman plants

A project to conserve two endangered wildflowers in Normandy significantly raised the level of 

interest in these native species and hopes for their long-term survival. It brought together a range 

of partners to stop the decline in populations of these species.

Listed  in  the  Habitats  directive,  the 

endangered  species,  the  Violet  of 

Rouen  (Viola  hispida)  and  Biscutelle 

of Neustrie (Biscutella neustriaca), are 

found in the calcareous grasslands and 

scree on the slopes of the Seine val-

ley. Encroaching brush and woodland 

has reduced the size of these habi-

tats. They were maintained as clear-

ings  through  traditional  grazing  up 

until the 1960s but have since been 

abandoned  with  the  introduction  of 

modern farming practices. The habi-

tats are home to a wide range of flora 

including orchids.  

n
h
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r
A

:

o
t
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The  first  step  of  the  project  was  to 

France’s Seine valley – the unique location of these two plants species

conduct a survey of the populations of 

the target species. According to Car-

1,500  individuals  were  found  at  10 

These sites are mostly in the depart-

ine Douville of the Conservatoire des 

sites, while a total population of 2,000 

ment of Upper Normandy but some are 

Sites  Naturels  de  Haute-Normandie, 

Biscutelle was identified at 40 sites. To 

in Ile-de-France.

the project beneficiary, the violet was 

be sustainable, the violet would need 

particularly  threatened  and  would 

to increase its population to 5,000 indi-

What did LIFE do?

have already become extinct without 

viduals with at least 100 at each site; 

the intervention of the project. Some 

the Biscutelle would require 50 per site. 

EU  funding  was  a  major  factor  in 

About the wildflowers

The Violet of Rouen is an annual flowering plant of 

5-15 cm high. Its leaves are dark green and cove-
red with tiny short white hairs that give the plant a 

velvet-like appearance. Its flowers, which are about 

1.5-2 cm high, consist of five petals. The superior 

petals are slightly darker and the base of the inferior petal striated black on a 

white background. Seeds are contained in a three-valve capsule that opens 

when ripe.

The  Biscutelle  of  Neustrie  is  a  perennial  with  a  thick  root  and  is  20-40  cm 

in height. The root may divide into several branches creeping under ground 

and giving birth to several rosettes of leaves. Its lea-

ves are dark green covered with tiny short, rough, 
but not glandulous, hairs. Flowers are about 5 mm 

long,  bright  yellow  and  consist  of  four  petals  and 

four  sepals,  typically  crossed.  Two  big  flat  seeds 

are contained in each fruit. When ripe, seeds fall to 

a short distance from the parent plant. 

attracting partners to the conservation 

of these habitats. The beneficiary was 

supported by the Vexin regional park, 

the National Botanical Conservatories 

of Bailleul and Bassin, the University 

of Rouen and the Agency for Green 

. The project 
Spaces in �le-de-France. The project
�le-de-France. The project

allowed the beneficiary to reintroduce 

beneficial  grazing  practices  in  sec-

tions of grassland that are still in good 

condition or that were to be restored. 

Restoring sites entailed manually cut-

ting away scrub and trees. On the �le-�le--

de-France site, however, the project 

partner, the Vexin regional park, pur-

chased a rotary shredder to remove 

dense vegetation. Though the grass-

lands would be grazed using existing 

flocks of sheep for the most part, the 

project allowed the beneficiary to buy 

an additional flock of 100, and where 

 
Endangered plants in general

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

local stockbreeders are still present, 

agreements were concluded. “Local 

farmers and landowners were cooper-

ative,” says Douville. “Those that look 

after the sheep are compensated by 

the fencing and maintenance that the 

project has provided.”   

As  well  as  habitat  restoration,  the 

project  planned  to  attempt  con-

servation  of  the  violet  ex  situ,  and 

reintroduce individuals to their former 

sites. This aspect of the project was 

conducted  in  partnership  with  the 

National Botanical Conservatories. 

One of the major results of the project 

has been a significant improvement in 

The calcareous screes (left) and grasslands (right) are maintained through grazing and 
removal of vegetation

knowledge of dry grassland habitats 

of Biscutelle do not last, so it is not 

ervation of the two target species. As 

in the region. Some 3,000 ha of land 

possible to restore populations on old 

well as restoring and managing their 

was  inventoried  in  the  lower  Seine 

sites through the use of the seed bank 

current habitat locations, it is estab-

and Eure valleys, and as a result the 

remaining in the soil.

lishing  new  locations  by  restoring 

project  provided  precise  and  use-

potential sites. 

ful data to managers and competent 

One satisfying outcome of the project, 

authorities. Moreover, a further 800 ha 

says Douville of the Conservatoire des 

Restoration  work  includes  clear-

of grassland was added to the Natura 

Sites Naturels de Haute-Normandie, 

ing  and  grazing  some  37  ha  of 

2000  network.  Management  plans 

is the number of old people that have 

grassland for Biscutella neustriaca. 

(called  “Documents  d’objectifs”  in 

commented  on  how  the  restoration 

For  Viola  hispida,  the  restoration 

French)  were  finalised  for  several 

of  the  habitats  has  brought  back 

involves carefully removing by hand 

Natura 2000 sites including coteaux 

fond memories of how the landscape 

vegetation to make the scree mobile, 

d’Orival and coteaux de Saint Adrien.

used  to  appear.  She  also  says  that 

scorching the remaining vegetation, 

the  demand  for  guided  visits  to  the 

and  removing  the  larger  stones  to 

In Normandy, the project purchased 

areas  has  steadily  increased.  The 

leave only fine scree. Where neces-

167.5 ha of dry grassland and estab-

Conservatoire  has  erected  informa-

sary,  individuals  will  be  introduced 

lished  management  agreements  for 

tion display panels and responded to 

to reinforce sparse populations or to 

a further 334 ha. The biodiversity hot 

a high level of media interest in the 

constitute new populations. Isolated 

spots  for  these  orchid-rich  habitats 

project. More than 50 newspaper arti-

locations will be connected by clear-

are  now  under  active  management. 

cles have been written on the conser-

ing  and  grazing  16  ha  of  “ecologic 

As a result of the habitat restoration 

vation work including two articles in 

corridors”. 

efforts, 297 ha of land are now grazed. 

national newspapers. Local television 

The populations in all the existing sites 

also reported on the project.

were monitored closely each year the 

project ran. 

Life after LIFE

A biological study of the two species 

The  longer  term  management  of 

was  carried  out  in  order  to  develop 

these sites is now being financed by 

a  suitable  conservation  strategy.  It 

FEDER, crédits Etat-Région, Minis-

was discovered that the violet seeds 

try of the Environment and Contacts 

have a good germination power even 

N2000.  However,  at  the  end  of  the 

after a long time. Stripping scree to 

project, the two target species were 

recreate favourable conditions for the 

still  endangered  and,  as  a  result, 

violet was tested successfully in one 

preparations  for  a  second  LIFE 

old site, and will be extended to other 

project began. The main objective of 

sites  corresponding  to  the  species’ 

the follow-on project, which is ongo-

historical range. By contrast, seeds 

ing, is to ensure the long-term pres-

Project Number:  
LIFE99 NAT/F/006332

Title: Priority species, chalk grass-
lands and scree in the lower Seine 
valley catchment area

Beneficiary: Conservatoire des 
Sites Naturels de Haute-Normandie 

Contact: Carine Douville 

Email:   
cshn@cren-haute-normandie.com

Period:  
April-1999 to September-2003 
Total Budget: e 1,166,000 
LIFE Contribution: e 1,103,000  

 
 
Endangered plants in general

Bavaria: Sand grassland protection

Home to the priority species Jurinea cyanoides, the sandy Bavarian grasslands along the great 

bend of the River Main, though ecologically rich, are under threat. A LIFE project increased the 

available habitats for the priority species, thereby ensuring its survival. 

The  habitat  of  Jurinea  cyanoides, 

known as Silberscharte in German and 

a priority species listed in the Habitats 

Directive, is dry sandy, steppic grass-

land  (Koelerion  glaucae),  which  is 

criss-crossed by lichens and isolated 

twisted pines. The only significant site 

in  Bavaria  –  near  the  town  Volkach 

– is just a few hectares and extremely 

vulnerable. It is surrounded by pine-

woods,  orchards  and  sandy  arable 

lands where asparagus is grown. As a 

result expansion is difficult and plans 

to  quarry  sand  in  the  vicinity  have 

posed an added problem.

The  aim  of  the  LIFE  project  was  to 

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increase  the  available  habitats  for 

The level of soil nutrients was reduced by a system of crop cycling

Jurinea  cyanoides  so  as  to  ensure 

the  survival  of  this  species  and  to 

Depending on the condition, sections 

Permanent  monitoring  plots  were 

increase  the  population  size.  This 

of land would be left to either natu-

also established to track the evolution 

goal would be achieved through land 

ral succession, mowed, ploughed or 

of vegetation.

purchase of surrounding properties. 

scoriated to accelerate the leaching 

The  project  focused  on  two  small 

of nutrients and then in some cases 

The beneficiary, the Ministry for the 

areas  that  are  both  partly  nature 

sowed with Jurinea cyanoides seeds. 

Environment, the competent author-

reserves:  the  Astheimer  Dürring-

In certain places sand would also be 

ity for nature conservation in Bavaria, 

swasen and the Sandgrasheiden am 

deposited on the land. Public access 

along with project partner, the munici-

Elgersheimer Hof. 

to the sites was to be restricted.

pality of Volkach, purchased 6.4 ha of 

What did LIFE do?

In order to refine management options, 

land to re-colonise the species. Since 

the project site was in an area where 

there is intense competition for land 
from the agricultural sector (aspara-

the project started by conducting sev-

gus cultivation, fruit tree plantations 

eral studies:

and vineyards) and the gravel indus-

Genetic fingerprinting to clarify the 
l  Genetic fingerprinting to clarify the

try,  a  rural  land  consolidation  pro-

taxonomic  status  of  central  Euro-

cedure  was  used:  land  was  bought 

pean  Jurinea  cyanoides  vis-à-vis 

where  sellers  could  be  found  and 

Russian specimens; 

then  swapped  against  the  required 

Soil analysis to determine nutrient and 
l  Soil analysis to determine nutrient and

sections of land via the consolidation 

mineral levels and monitor the success 

procedure. In this way enclaves and 

of actions to reduce nutrients; and

bridgeheads  for  Jurinea  cyanoides 

l  Analysis of invertebrates associated 
with Jurinea cyanoides and its habitat.

could  be  created,  many  of  them 
adjoining the existing nature reserve. 

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Jurinea cyanoides is found in dry 
sandy grasslands

The following actions were taken to 

improve the soil and general habitat 

conditions to ensure re-establishment 

and long-term survival of the species 

 
 
 
 
 
Endangered plants in general

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

on the land acquired:

The  removal  of  objects  such  as 
l  The removal of objects such as

fences and huts;

An increase in the proportion of bare, 
l  An increase in the proportion of bare,

steppe-type land through the clear-

ing of hedges and bushes, mowing 

tall grass and pruning or felling of 

fruit trees;

The reduction of the level of nutri-
l  The reduction of the level of nutri-

ents in the soil (especially in former 

asparagus  fields)  by  a  system  of 

crop  cycling  (sunflowers,  linseed, 

flax and rye); 

The improvement of the soil struc-
l  The improvement of the soil struc-

ture  by  ploughing  and/or  adding 

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sand; and

Sowing seeds over the treated land boosted the natural re-colonisation process

The  boosting  of  natural  re-coloni-
l  The boosting of natural re-coloni-

sation  by  sowing  seeds  over  the 

rectly as they were paid for the biotope 

old fruit trees needed to be explained 

treated land.

measures, which they had been con-

to  the  local  inhabitants.  Excursions 

tracted to do on both project sub-sites.  

were held for inhabitants and forest-

In  those  sections  where  Jurinea 

ers  (maintenance  of  forest  clearings 

cyanoides  has  been  re-established, 

The strategies and techniques used 

is  important  for  Jurinea  cyanoides 

long-term management is carried out 

could  serve  as  a  model  for  other 

conservation locally). In addition, four 

through  mowing.  Monitoring  of  the 

projects that target point endemics or 

information panels were set up.  

success of the project actions began 

endangered species with geographi-

during the project and will continue 

cally  restricted  populations. The 

Finally,  the  project  established  net-

afterwards. 

project  also  illustrated  the  need  to 

working opportunities with other plant 

What was the outcome? 

sideration  when  dealing  with  con-

well  as  visiting  sites  where  Jurinea 

take the taxonomic issues into con-

conservationists in Central Europe as 

servation projects for geographically 

cyanoides  occurs  in  other  parts  of 

Local authorities initiated the conser-

isolated  species. Conservationists 

Germany. It produced a brochure in 

vation measures for this endangered 

are  still  unsure  whether  the  Ger-

German, French and English detailing 

plant species around 1990, but it was 

man-Czech  populations  belong 

contacts with authorities in Mecklen-

only with LIFE support that significant 

to  the  same  species  as  the  Rus-

burg  Western  Pomerania,  Saxony-

advances could be made to reach the 

sian  and  Asiatic  populations.  

Anhalt, Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, 

long-term  conservation  objectives. 

Lower Austria and Poland. 

First  results  at  the  end  of  the  LIFE 

Another  important  outcome  of  the 

project were very encouraging: where 

project was the agreement between 

they had been sown manually, the Juri-
nea seeds germinated very success-

the  competent  authorities  and  the 
local gravel industry. The project initi-

fully and the local range of the plant 

ated talks between these stakeholders 

steadily expanded. Where there was 

at the end of which the gravel indus-

no sowing, colonisation took longer 

try agreed to refrain from extending its 

but by the end of the project individ-

quarrying area inside the core areas 

ual specimens had already appeared.  

of Jurinea cyanoides. This agreement 

Through the creation of the new habi-

will result in greater landscape pro-

tat for Jurinea cyanoides, the project 

tection and increased value for local 

made the Volkach area a stronghold 

recreation.

for this species in the EU. LIFE has 

focused much local attention on the 
presence  and  conservation  needs 

An appropriate public-awareness cam-
paign for what might be considered a 

of this species, thereby ensuring the 

plant species with a low conservation 

long-term management of the Natura 

profile was carried out. A mobile exhibi-

2000 sites around Volkach. Local farm-

tion toured the municipalities affected 

ers were involved and benefited indi-

by the project – notably the felling of tall 

Project Number:  
LIFE96 NAT/D/003042

Title: Protection and Development of 
the Population of Jurinea cyanoides 
(Silberscharte) in the typical plan 
association on continental dunes 
(Sandgrasheiden) near Volkach

Beneficiary: Bayerisches 
Staatsministerium für Umwelt, 
Gesundheit und Verbraucherschutz

Contact: Otto Elsner

Email: otto.elsner@t-online.de

Website: http://www.ivl-web.de/juri-
nea/frame_jur.html

Period: Jan-1997 to Dec-2000 
Total Budget: e 600,000
LIFE Contribution: e 240,000 

 
   
 
 
 
Endangered plants in general

Portugal: Managing and preserving 
Asphodelus bento-rainhae

Asphodelus bento-rainhae is an endangered plant found only in a 700 ha site on the northern 

slopes of Portugal’s Serra da Gardunha. The LIFE “Asphodelus” project set out to reverse a 

declining trend in the plant’s population by restoring its habitat

Asphodelus  bento-rainhae  is  listed 

as a priority species in the Annex II of 

the Habitats Directive. It occurs along 

the edges of oak (Quercus robur and 

Quercus  pyrenaica)  and  chestnut 

(Castanea  sativa)  forests  in  a  small 

area  of  eastern  Portugal.  When  the 

LIFE project began, the endangered 

plant’s habitat was being destroyed 

at a rate of 7% per annum as a result 

of forest fires and the conversion of 

woodland into cherry orchards, and 

the  fruit  growers’  extensive  use  of 

herbicides has been accelerating the 

reduction  and  fragmentation  of  the 

surviving Asphodelus population. 

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LIFE, together with the local munici-

pality and various private individuals 

living in the district, provided funding 

Asphodelus bento-rainhae: found  
only in 7 km� of the north slopes of  
Portugal’s Gardunha mountains

in the second year. This was probably 

the result of genetic factors within the 

plants rather than anything specific to 

the project. 

In terms of forest fire prevention, sev-

eral blazes were detected and extin-

guished  during  the  course  of  the 

project, however, on two occasions the 

pSCI was slightly damaged by fire. 

A total of five farmers participated in 

a programme encouraging the diver-

sification of forest uses and reduced 

use of agro-chemicals and fertilisers. 

However, this represented only 3% of 

the cherry producers in the area. 

The project made an essential con-

tribution to the Natura 2000 network, 

for the NGO ADESGAR to carry out 

paign showed farmers how to make 

both by enlarging the pSCI to include 

urgent conservation measures. 

agricultural  practices  more  compat-

key  nuclei  of  the  target  species 

What did LIFE do?

ible with the protection of the region’s 

located  outside  its  boundaries  and 

natural heritage. A key component of 

by establishing a management plan 

this was the promotion of alternatives 

for  the  species.  The  local  authority 

The main objective of the project was 

to the use of herbicides. 

intends to incorporate this manage-

to  reverse  the  declining  trend  in  the 

ment plan into its land use regulations 

Asphodelus  population  by  restoring 

What was the outcome?

by 2010. 

its habitat, shoring up the recently iso-

lated population nuclei and preventing 

The  project  achieved  several  goals 

forest fires. 

aiming at the conservation of the pSCI 

and the target species. The distribution 

Project Number:  
LIFE98 NAT/P/005229

ADESGAR used part of the LIFE fund-

of the main Asphodelus bento-rainhae 

ing to lease and purchase land (32 ha). 

nuclei was mapped. This enabled the 

Other  habitat  restoration  measures 

pSCI to be enlarged to incorporate the 

included  planting  Asphodelus  from 

20% of key Asphodelus nuclei located 

seeds cultivated in nurseries, control-

outside its boundaries. 

ling the development of forest under-

growth,  regulating  public  access  to 

Various  techniques  of  species  inter-

sensitive areas, and gardening. 

spersion  were  tried:  while  the  direct 
transplant of individuals coming from 

Forest fire prevention was the subject of 

high  density  nuclei  was  successful, 

an information campaign aimed mainly 

the  seedlings  transplanted  from  the 

at farmers, and also at local residents 

seed collection that had germinated in 

and visitors. Another information cam-

nurseries showed a high mortality rate 

Title: Asphodelus bento-rainhae – 
Measures to manage and preserve it

Beneficiary: ADESGAR (Associ-
ação de Defesa e Desenvolvimento 
da Serra da Gardunha)

Contact: João Pedro Silva

Email: joaoamarosilva@gmail.com

Website: www.gardunha.com

Period:  
Aug-1998 to Jul-2003
Total Budget: e 556,000
LIFE Contribution: e 446,000

 
 
 
 
Endangered plants in general

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

Plant micro-reserves:  
from concept to implementation

A plant micro-reserve (PMR) is a small plot of land (up to 20 ha – there is no minimum size) that 

is of peak value in terms of plant richness endemism or rarity. The PMR is a permanent, statu-

tory reserve given over to long-term monitoring of plant species and vegetation types. As well 

as providing strong protection to plants and substrate, traditional activities compatible with plant 

conservation are allowed within the micro-reserve.

Europe’s  first  plant  micro-reserves 

The success of each PMR is meas-

flora  appears  in  micro-populations 

were set up in 1994 by the Regional 

ured  by  the  rate  of  incorporation  of 

fragmented  throughout  the  whole 

Wildlife  Service  of  the  Generalitat 

three  indicators:  priority  habitats, 

region. These areas of high botanic 

Valenciana, the autonomous govern-

endemic taxa and threatened taxa. 

value also include 33 habitats listed 

ment of the Valencia region, with the 

in Annexe I of the Habitats Directive, 

support of the LIFE programme. 

Valencia pioneers the PMR

of which 15 are priority habitats. 

Plant  micro-reserves  allow  a  close 

The Valencia region has a great diver-

Many  of  these  plants  and  habitats 

monitoring  of  target  species  by 

sity of plant species. Twelve of its 355 

are threatened by urban development 

trained staff and the development of 

endemic plant species are included 

and changes in land use, particularly 

conservation actions tailored to their 

in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats 

on Valencia’s coastal fringe and in its 

needs across a whole territory. Since 

Directive; and 150 species are consid-

wetlands.

a PMR can be proclaimed for a single 

ered rare or threatened. Much of this 

A PMR in Muntanya Cavall, Valencia

target species, it can pinpoint isolated 

areas of high botanical value. The aim 

is to provide a small-scale and flexible 

approach to plant conservation and to 

act as a complement to large Natural 
Protected Areas.

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The final aim of PMRs is not protec-

tion itself but inventory and monitor-

ing of plant diversity.

Valencia  was  therefore  an  ideal 

location  for  Europe’s  first  network 

of  PMRs,  a  project  included  in  the 
UNESCO-MAB  Programme  in  1991 

because of its scientific importance. 

LIFE-Nature supported a two-phase 

project  to  create  a  network  of  flora 

micro-reserves in Valencia. The first 

phase  (LIFE93  NAT/E/011100)  ran 

 
 
Endangered plants in general

from 1994-96 and the second phase 

Chaenorhinum tenellum, Petrocoptis 

bling sites of high botanical interest to 

(LIFE95  NAT/E/00856)  started  in 

pardoi and Silene diclinis. Conserva-

be incorporated into the network that 

January  1997,  ending  in  December 

tion programmes were established for 

would otherwise remain outside it. Pri-

1999. The aim of the projects was to 

the  genus  Biscutella,  terrestrial  and 

vate landowners are compensated for 

set up a network of some 100 small 

aquatic cryptograms, the labiate genus 

transferring management rights to the 

botanical  reserves  (with  an  average 

Teucrium (germanders), Satureja (savo-

regional authority and are also eligible 

size  of  two  hectares)  that  would  be 

ries), Linaria (toadflax), Chaenorrhinum 

for grants and subsidies to maintain 

representative  of  the  main  endemic 

and Sideritis (ironwort). 

the PMR.  

plant communities found in Valencia. 

In addition, a further 1,000 ha of land 

Species conservation involved both in 

Two  further  LIFE-Nature  projects 

of prime botanical interest would be 

situ and ex situ measures. The former 

in  Valencia  have  complemented 

purchased for long-term research and 

included land purchase agreements 

the  network  of  flora  micro-reserves 

monitoring in plant ecology.

and habitat management plans, the 

established  by  the  original  project. 

Exceeding the objectives

seed  bank,  ‘in  vitro’  propagation  of 

the  Valencian  community”  (LIFE99 

latter  included  implementation  of  a 

“Conservation of priority habitats in 

species  and  cultivation  of  plants  in 

NAT/E/006417)  ran  from  July  1999 

(cid:44) (cid:41)(cid:38)

(cid:37)

The  project  surpassed 

greenhouses. 

(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:84) (cid:83)

expectation,  succeed-

(cid:74)
(cid:79)
ing  in  establishing  a 
(cid:82)
total  of  158  micro-
(cid:48)
reserves,  covering 
(cid:50)
286 ha. A total of 77 
(cid:45)
of these PMRs were 
(cid:48)
granted a formal dec-
(cid:0)

(cid:0)

laration of legal protec-

(cid:0)
(cid:48)
(cid:45)
(cid:50)

(cid:0)

(cid:48)
(cid:82)
(cid:79)
(cid:74)

Expanding the network
The Valencia micro-reserve network 

to the end of 2003 with the principal 

objective of conserving the vegetation 

in 17 priority habitats in the 38 sites 

proposed for inclusion in the Natura 

has expanded significantly following 

2000  network;  “Management  and 

the conclusion of the LIFE project in 

increasing appreciation of three high 

1999. As of 2005, it consists of 247 

mountain  priority  habitats  in  Valen-

plots,  with  a  total  surface  area  of 

cia”  (LIFE03  NAT/E/0064)  ran  from 

(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:83)

tion  for  both  the  plants 

tected sites for plant conservation in 

1,684 ha (the densest network of pro-

(cid:37)
(cid:44)(cid:41)(cid:38)

2004-2006 with the goal of improv-

ing the conservation status of three 

and the physical habitat by 

the world). Some 80% of the micro-

priority habitats: endemic black pine 

Valencia’s Regional Environment 

reserves are on public land, with the 

forests, endemic juniper forests and 

Minister. 

remainder owned by private individu-

yew woods. 

als, NGOs or municipal authorities. For 

The project was also able to draw up 

the Generalitat Valenciana, these pri-

The mountain habitats project aimed 

propagation protocols for 20 endan-

vate micro-reserves play an important 

to stop the widespread decline of yew 

gered  native  species  and  recovery 

dual role – on the one hand getting 

and juniper woods through measures 

plans were put in place for a number 

individuals directly involved in plant 

such  as  eradicating  invasive  spe-

of  species  –  Limonium  dufourii, 

conservation, and on the other ena-

cies,  preserving  monumental  trees 

The PMR projects also  involved ex-situ conservation actions – In-vitro reproduction of yew (left), Silene hifacensis seedlings in a 
nursery (centre) and Helianthemum caput-felis (right)

Endangered plants in general

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

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of  the  best  yew  formations  of  the 

Alicante province were successfully 

eradicated.  In  the  Pegunta  ravine, 

specimens  of  the  non-native  pop-

lar Populus nigra x Canadensis were 

felled  and  the  trunks  turned  into 

drinking troughs. These troughs were 

one  of  the  methods  used  to  attract 

potential animal dispersers of seeds 

(along with the planting of fruit-bear-

ing plant species and the installation 

of ecological beehives) with the aim of 

improving the low propagation rate of 

Silene hifacensis: a priority Annex II 
plant species included in the Valencian 
PMR projects

the targeted tree species. 

reserves. The Minorcan government 

Nurseries  were  established  for  the 

ear) are now working on implementing 

and regional government (Govern Bal-

cultivation of endemic aromatic plants 

this network of PMRs. 

and  2,500  examples  of  each  of  six 

aromatic plant species native to the 

(cid:44) (cid:41)(cid:38)

(cid:37)

project habitats were given away free 

to visitors and local inhabitants. 

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(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:84) (cid:83)

(cid:74)
(cid:79)
(cid:82)
(cid:48)

(cid:0)

Slovenia  was  the  first 

(cid:0)
(cid:48)
country outside Spain 
(cid:45)
to  go  down  the 
micro-reserve path. 
(cid:50)

(cid:0)

In  the  LIFE-Nature 
(cid:48)
project  “Conserva-
(cid:82)
(cid:79)
tion  of  endangered 
(cid:74)

(cid:50)
(cid:45)
(cid:48)
(cid:0)

(cid:37)
(cid:44)(cid:41)(cid:38)

Monitoring of plant species populations 
is vital for assessing their conservation 
status

Information  panels  describing  the 

flora and habitats on view were added 

to eight mountain trails with the aim 

both of promoting knowledge of the 

species/habitats  in  the 

(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:83)

and encouraging economic activities 

natural environment and of attracting 

future  Karst  Park  (Slov-

linked to the natural habitats and their 

visitors to the area, one of a number 

enia)”  (LIFE02  NAT/SLO/008587) 

conservation.

of dissemination activities carried out 

that ran from 2002-5, the Science and 

Some 21,000 seedlings of 23 species 

were  planted  to  improve  the  con-

Exporting the concept

servation  state  of  the  habitats  and 

during the project. 

Research Centre (ZRS) at the Univer-

sity  of  Primorska  in  the  port  city  of 

Koper set up a network of 30 micro-

reserves for rare and endangered wild 

encourage their natural regeneration. 

Planta Europa, the network of inde-

plants, as well as for priority habitats 

Demographic  analysis  of  yew  tree 

pendent organisations, non-govern-

protected by the Habitats Directive, 

populations  revealed  that  there  are 

mental  and  governmental,  working 

mainly focused on small ponds, cal-

6,451 specimens within the five sites 

together to conserve European wild 

careous  screes,  rocky  slopes  and 

where works were carried out during 

plants and fungi, adopted the initial 

grasslands. All the sites are within the 

the  project  –  a  sevenfold 

LIFE micro-reserves project in Valen-

boundaries of the Karst Edge, to be 

increase  in  the  number  of 

cia as a pilot scheme to evaluate the 

included in the future Regional Park 

trees compared with previ-

possible creation of a pan-European 

of the Slovenian Karst.

ous  data  for  the  whole  of 

micro-reserves network. Steps have 

Valencia. 

now been taken towards establishing 

Since 2004, LIFE has been support-

The  Botanical  Garden  of 

such a network. 

ing  the  “CRETAPLANT”  project  (“A 

pilot network of plant micro-reserves 

the  University  of  Valencia 

The  LIFE  project  “Conservation  of 

in Western Crete (Greece)” – LIFE04 

collected 195 lots of seeds 

areas with threatened plant species 

NAT/GR/000104). Developed by the 

of  the  most  characteristic 

in  Minorca  (Spain)”  (LIFE00  NAT/

(Mediterranean  Agronomic  Institute 

plants  of  high  mountain 

E/007355) ran from 2001-4. In it, the 

of Chania (MAICh) and the National 

habitats  for  storage  in  a 
germplasm bank. 

government of Minorca (Consell Insu-
lar) developed a set of comprehensive 

and Kapodistrian University of Athens 
(NKUA), its aim is to adapt the PMR 

actions to recover the plant species 

concept to the province of Chania in 

Invasive  species  such  as 

and priority habitats protected by the 

Western Crete. As the feature article 

Robinia pseudoacacia that 

Habitats Directive, including the draft-

on the following pages shows, results 

threatened to colonise one 

ing  of  a  network  of  24  plant  micro-

have been impressive.

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Endangered plants in general

Greece: Conservation 
of endangered Cretan flora

On the island of Crete, home to one of the richest floras of all the Mediterranean islands, a LIFE-

funded project has established plant micro-reserves (PMRs) as a conservation measure for 

seven rare plant species. Modelled on PMRs in Spain, the success of the project demonstrates 

how this methodology can be transferred to other plant-rich Natura 2000 sites in Europe.

The  Mediterranean  bio-geographi-

cal  region  is  the  most  bio-diverse 

in the European Union, with a high 

endemic  floristic  diversity  con-

centrated  on  the  islands  and 

mountains  of  the  Medi-

terranean  Sea.  Crete 

(cid:74)
(cid:79)
in  particular,  is  con-
(cid:82)
s i d e re d   t o   h a v e 
(cid:48)
one  of  the  rich-
(cid:50)
est  diversities  of 
(cid:45)
plants  in  Europe, 
(cid:48)
with  an  especially 
(cid:0)

(cid:0)

high concentration of 

(cid:0)
(cid:48)
(cid:45)
(cid:50)

(cid:0)

(cid:48)
(cid:82)
(cid:79)
(cid:74)

endemic  plant  species. 

The  main  threats  to  these 

(cid:44) (cid:41)(cid:38)

(cid:37)

(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:84)(cid:83)

(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:84) (cid:83)

(cid:37)
(cid:44)(cid:41)(cid:38)

plants stem from human activi-

Androcymbium rechingeri: a very rare Cretan endemic flower

ties,  such  as  tourism,  farming  and 

the grazing of farm animals, as well 

Crete has 14 plant species included in 

sites that include populations of these 

as uncontrolled access to important 

Annex II of the Habitats Directive, with 

plant species. Within the framework of 

habitats, fires, and habitat modifica-

eight of these having priority conser-

the LIFE project, the University of Ath-

tion through deforestation, drainage 

vation status, and the Greek authori-

ens, in collaboration with the Mediter-

and climate change.

ties have proposed 38 Natura 2000 

ranean Agronomic Institute of Chania 

Table 1- Priority plant species targeted by the LIFE project in western Crete 

Plant name

Androcymbium rechingeri 

This plant species grows on the west coast of Crete, in Falassarna and the islets of Imeri Gramvousa and Ela-
fonisi (only known world locations). It is a small bulbous plant that flowers from December to February.

Description and location

Anthemis glaberrima

This small annual plant, similar to chamomile, grows among calcareous coastal rocks on the islets of Imeri and 
Agria Gramvousa and is found nowhere else in the world. It is particularly threatened by tourism activities.

Bupleurum 
kakiskalae

This plant was first described in 1967 by the Swiss botanist Greuner. It grows on a single steep limestone cliff 
at Linoseli, in the Lefka Ori mountains (recently, a second population was discovered). It has the peculiarity of 
flowering once, after about 12 years of producing leaves, and then it dies.

Cephalanthera cucullata

This orchid only grows in the mountainous forest areas of Crete and is threatened by overgrazing.

Hypericum aciferum

Nepeta sphaciotica

Phoenix theophrasti

This short, creeping shrub grows only on the coastal cliffs of Sphakia (between Sougia and Agia Roumeli), in 
the southwestern part of Crete. 

This small shrub only grows on a mountainous slope, at an altitude of 2,300 metres on the northern side of 
the Svourichti summit of Lefka Ori. The small population of this unique plant species is susceptible to various 
threats, especially climate change.

This palm tree is found only in Crete and southwest Turkey, mostly in moist sandy valleys or rocky areas in close 
proximity to the sea. It is known by the common names Phinikas or Vagi, and the largest known population is 
located in Vai, eastern Crete, an area already targeted by another LIFE project (LIFE98 NAT/GR/005264). This 
plant is included in Annex I and Annex II of the Habitats Directive as part of the priority habitat palm groves of 
Phoenix (habitat number 9370 of the Habitats Directive).

Endangered plants in general

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 2

(MAICh) and the Region of Crete-For-

potential PMR areas and from these it 

est Directorate of Chania, proposed 

was decided to establish seven PMRs, 

the establishment of a pilot network of 

one for each of the target species. 

PMRs in western Crete (the prefecture 

of Chania) to support the conserva-

A detailed inventory and mapping was 

tion of seven endemic priority plant 

carried out for each PMR, including 

species found in three of these Natura 

the location and densities of each spe-

2000 sites.

PMRs for seven endangered 
species

cies. This information was then used 

to develop a management plan for each 

PMR. Unlike other LIFE projects con-

cerned with PMRs, this project did not 

foresee the purchase of land: The PMR 

The main objective of this LIFE project 

areas were already in public ownership. 

was  to  promote  the  conservation  of 

“This was very important,” stresses the 

seven  threatened  plant  species  that 

project  manager,  Professor  Costas 

are endemic to the island of Crete (see 

Thanos, “as the owner of the land is the 

Fences protect against grazing, note 
the difference between the right side 
(grazed) and left side (ungrazed)

table 1). As the distribution range of the 

State (represented by the Chania For-

Along with these actions, long term 

targeted species was so narrow, the 

estry Service, which was also a project 

monitoring  plans  were  prepared  for 

PMR was considered to be the most 

partner).” This fact simplified both the 

each species in order to determine the 

appropriate  conservation  and  man-

bureaucratic  processes  of  acquiring 

factors that affect their conservation. 

agement tool. This approach was first 

permits and the implementation of the 

Some  of  the  parameters  monitored 

tested in 1994, in Valencia, Spain, and 

subsequent actions.

had already been successfully applied 

included:  climate  conditions;  soil 

characteristics; interaction with other 

in other LIFE projects (see pp. 17-19). 

All  the  PMRs  were  delimited  and 

plants; the presence of animals; and 

The  project  proposed  establishing  a 

marked with signs and posts to dis-

human activities. The project estab-

network of PMRs in small land parcels 

courage  trespassing  and  to  raise 

lished  permanent  monitoring  plots, 

(less  than  20  ha),  as  defined  by  the 

awareness  of  the  presence  of  the 

with meteorological and environmen-

original methodology. 

threatened species. The  B. kakiska-

tal sensors (with dataloggers) and, in 

This network of small protected areas 

fenced off in order to avoid damage 

Service, also hired a warden to guard 

lae and C. cucullata PMRs were also 

collaboration with the Chania Forestry 

constitutes  a  management  tool  that 

from  grazing.  A  vehicle  barrier  was 

each PMR.

complements the management plans 

erected  at  the  P.  theophrasti    PMR, 

for larger areas, such as those for Nat-

since the area was being used to park 

To  complement  the  in-situ  actions, 

ura 2000 sites, which require conserva-

vehicles. 

the  project  also  implemented  

A lobster pot protects the highly endangered C. cucullata 
against grazing

tion actions and strategies at a wider 

landscape level. 

This was the first experience of PMRs 

in Greece, but it was also recognised 

that,  if  successful,  it  could  be  more 

widely applied in other parts of Crete 

or the Greek mainland.

The first step was to gather all avail-

able information in order to establish 

the location and estimate the popula-

tion  size  of  the  seven  targeted  spe-

cies.  It  was  then  possible  to  define 

the number of PMRs required and to 

decide on their location and the area 
to  be  covered.  The  information  col-

lected showed that the plant species 

were restricted to very small areas, and 

were generally found in low-to-medium 

densities. The project pre-selected 14 

 
Endangered plants in general

certain ex-situ ones, including the col-

lection and study of the germination 

of  seeds  from  the  target  species  in 

the University of Athens, in order to 

evaluate their viability. The seeds were 

also stored in the MAICh seed bank 

Species

PMR locations and area covered

Androcymbium rechingeri 

Elafonisi islet (2 ha)

Anthemis glaberrima

Agria Gramvousa islet (4.5 ha)

Bupleurum kakiskalae

Linoseli (1 ha)*

Cephalanthera cucullata

Koustogerako – Mountain range of Lefka Ori (12 ha)

and seedling plantations were estab-

Hypericum aciferum

Fournoti (6.5 ha)

lished  in  the  MAICh  botanical  gar-

Nepeta sphaciotica

Svourichti summit at Lefka Ori mountain (4.8 ha)*

den, in the Alpine Botanical Garden 

at  Omalos  (mountains  of  Lefka  Ori) 

and in the Information Centre of the 

Phoenix theophrasti

Chrisoskalitissa (2.2 ha)

* The only known worldwide populations

Forest Directorate of Chania. These 

ers, leaflets and t-shirts) targeting the 

blocks  vehicle  access  to  the  PMR 

ex-situ conservation measures acted 

general public, in particular children, 

and reduces the risk of fire.

as a backup, as the seeds and plants 

and local authorities. The campaign 

could be used in future to restore or 

focused  on  the  PMRs,  highlighting 

Life after LIFE

reinforce  the  natural  populations  of 

their  importance  in  conserving  the 

the target species.

flora of Crete. Key actions included 

Since  the  completion  of  the  LIFE 

the LIFE-funded Visitor Centre at the 

project, the beneficiary and partners 

The project also developed an infor-

Botanical Garden of MAICh and the 

have continued to monitor and survey 

mation campaign (local events, post-

Alpine Botanical Garden created at 

the PMRs. The increased knowledge of 

Bupleurum kakiskalae

Omalos.

Observed population growth

the ecology of the target species, com-

bined with the ex-situ actions allows 

for a better and quicker response to 

the different threats. The definition of 

Although,  the  conservation  proce-

a legal status and the implementation 

dures  implemented  by  the  project 

of the management plans by the Cha-

were based on ‘mild’ actions (fenc-

nia Forestry Service (Region of Crete) 

ing, wardening, installing signs and 

will also guarantee the conservation of 

boards)  and  did  not  involve  heavy 

these species in the future.

restoration  measures,  the  project 

achieved  good  results  in  terms  of 

In summary, LIFE funding was crucial 

guaranteeing the long term conser-

for the conservation of seven unique 

vation  of  the  target  species.  Along 

and rare plant species on the verge of 

with the implementation of manage-

extinction. Without the support of LIFE, 

ment  plans  and  continuous  moni-

the application of a new plant conser-

toring of the plant populations, the 

vation methodology – PMRs – would 

project  defined  the  legal  status  of 

not  have  been  tested  or  transferred 

PMRs in Greek law, along with the 

as  an  effective  conservation  tool  in 

Natura 2000 sites. The proclamation 

Europe.

of the PMRs as “wildlife refuges” is 

currently  being  approved  by  the 

Regional authority of Crete.

Project Number:  
LIFE04 NAT/GR/000104

Two  species:  B.  kakiskalae  and  C. 

cucullata,  which  were  particularly 

threatened by grazing, benefited sig-

nificantly from the fencing actions. In 

Title:  A pilot network of plant micro-
reserves in western Crete

Beneficiary: National and Kapodis-
trian University of Athens

2006, the entire population amounted 

Contact: Prof. Costas Thanos

to 69 B. kakiskalae individuals while 

in  2007,  within  the  fenced  area, 
an  additional  100  seedlings  were 

recorded. In relation to P. theophrasti, 

the population increased from 49 to 

55 individuals thanks to the planting 

of offshoots and the barrier that now 

Email: cthanos@biol.uoa.gr

Website:  
http://cretaplant.biol.uoa.gr

Period: Sep-2004 to Dec-2007
Total Budget: e 932,000
LIFE Contribution: e 699,000

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 2

The Mediterranean region is home to more than 24,000 vascular plant species and 

includes approximately 10% of all known plant species on Earth. More than half the 

plant species are endemic and 80% of all European plant endemics are found in the 

Mediterranean. The region is nearly as rich in endemics as tropical Africa, even though 

the latter is some four times larger. 

However, this plant biodiversity is threatened by the rapid urbanisation of coastal zones 

for tourism, increasing conflicts over the use of land, the growing risk of desertifica-

tion, water scarcity and forest fires. Furthermore, climate change is already affecting 

flora, in particular the endemic Mediterranean mountain flora.

LIFE has been funding projects that aim to improve the conservation status of the 

region’s unique habitats and plant species, which are considered a priority for con-

servation at European level.

Mediterranean flora

Cyprus: conservation of  
unique flora and habitats

The first LIFE Nature project to be undertaken in Cyprus aimed to conserve unique habitats and 

plant species in Europe while promoting the implementation of the Natura 2000 network.

Natura  2000  network.  Despite  the 

current protection given by the Nat-

ura 2000 network sites designation, 

the past and current pressures have 

continued  to  contribute  to  the  deg-

radation of the habitats in Annex I of 

the Habitats directive. These include 

the Cyprus endemic forest habitats of 

Cedrus brevifolia and Quercus alnifo-

lia, and the – unique to the EU – Quer-

cus  infectoria  forests  and  the  peat 

and  serpentinophilous1  grasslands 

habitats of the Troodos mountains, as 

well as four Annex II priority plant spe-

cies (Scilla morrisii, Arabis kennedyae, 

Chionodoxa  lochiae  and  Pinguicula 

Troodos mountains peat grasslands – unique habitats

Cyprus has a high diversity of habitats 

the flora of Cyprus – considered one 

crystallina). A range of human threats 

and species, ranging from semi-desert 

of the richest in the eastern Mediter-

has  critically  endangered  all  these 

habitats to peat grasslands, and pine 

ranean  –  is  endangered.  The  main 

unique habitats and species.

and  oak  forests  in  the  mountains. 

threats come from past and present 

This  diversity  is  boosted  by  a  vary-

human  activity  including:  building 

With the aim of establishing conser-

ing landscape and relative isolation, 

roads, agriculture, water extraction, 

vation actions that could secure the 

which has resulted in a high rate of 

tourism and forest fires.

endemic species. 

favourable  conservation  status  of 

these unique habitats and species in 

When  Cyprus  joined  the  European 

five Natura 2000 sites, the Environ-

But human impact on Cyprus has con-

Union  in  2004,  seven  Special  Pro-

tributed to the depletion of the island’s 

tection Areas (SPAs) and 36 Sites of 

landscape and the degradation of its 

Community  Importance  (SCIs)  were 

natural habitats. As a result, much of 

proposed  to  be  integrated  into  the 

� Species that tolerate heavy metal rich
  Species that tolerate heavy metal rich 
concentration soils derived from the min-
eral serpentine

Table 1- Description of the main Natura 2000 sites targeted with project actions

Natura 2000 site

Site description

Troodos National Forest Park  This SCI, considered the most important area for biodiversity in Cyprus, contains a variety of habitat types (11 

Annex I habitats) including four priority and endangered habitats (Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana, Quercus alnifolia, 

and serpentinophilus and peat grasslands). It hosts 10 Annex II species (three of them plant priority species: 

Arabis kennedyae, Chionodoxa lochiae and Pinguicula crystallina) and another 262 relevant plant and animal 

species, including a large number of endemic plants and the priority snake Columber cypriensis.

Kavo (cape) Gkreko

This SCI presents 11 Annex I habitats, including the priority Zizyphus lotus mattorals, vernal pools, and the 

marine Posidonia beds. It hosts 400 plant species, 15 of them endemics and 71 fauna species, including the 

dolphins Tursiops truncatus and Stenella coeruleoalba. 

Vouni Panagias

The site includes eight Annex I habitat types (including the Quercus infectoria woodland) and two plant species 

listed in Annex II (including the priority Scilla morrissi). The site also hosts one of the known populations of the 

endemic snake Coluber cypriensis (Annex II priority species).

Mediterranean flora

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 2

Since approximately 75% of the ter-

restrial part of the Natura 2000 net-

work in Cyprus is state forest land, the 

Forest Department was the obvious 

main partner,” says Thomas Kyriacou, 

an FD official responsible for some of 

the project actions. 

The  majority  of  the  actions  target-

ing endemic plants and habitats were 

implemented in the Troodos Mountains 

SCI. The mountains are highly attrac-

tive both during summer, because of 

the fresher temperatures, and winter, 

because of the snow. However, visitors 

to the area posed serious threats and 

needed  to  be  managed.  The  project 

erected fences around the priority peat 

The insectivorous Pinguicula crystallina

grasslands habitat to keep out people 

Arabis kennedyae: a critically endan-
gered plant species endemic to Cyprus 
targeted by the project

ment Service (Ministry of Agriculture, 

and vehicles, and it removed 20 picnic 

the forest sublevel. The P. nigra forests 

Natural Resources and Environment) 

tables. Signposts were put up on the 

are located on the top of the Troodos 

proposed the first LIFE Nature project 

serpentinophilous grasslands to high-

mountains and are normally covered by 

for Cyprus. 

light the importance of the habitats and 

snow during winter. The project added 

What did LIFE do?

prevent destructive trespassing. The 

populations of the critically endangered 

fences to prevent winter sports activi-
ties taking place on the areas of the P. 

plants C. lochiae, the insectivorous P. 

nigra habitat and restored areas. 

The LIFE project implemented a vari-

crystallina  and  A.  kennedyae  were 

ety of conservation actions that tar-

mapped and marked with signposts. 

In the Kavo Gkreko SCI, the project 

geted several habitats and species. 

During the mapping process one new 

implemented  the  rehabilitation  of 

In  total,  the  project  focused  on  five 

large (actually the largest) population of 

Zizyphus lotus mattoral by eliminating 

sites,  but  the  most  relevant  actions 

A. kennedyae was found. Plant seeds 

the invasive alien plant species Acacia 

targeting endemic habitats and spe-

were collected, and the A. kennedyae 

and Eucalyptus. Z. lotus seeds were 

cies  were  developed  in  three  sites 

and P.crystallina populations reinforced 

collected  and  germinated  for  plant-

(see table 1).

by sowing. The project in Troodos also 

ing later in three distinct areas. Also 

enhanced the natural regeneration of 

in the same SCI, the project delimited 

Each project action was planned and 

Pinus nigra ssp. pallasiana and planted 

and  monitored  three  areas  contain-

implemented  according  to  the  spe-

new seedlings from the FD nurseries on 

ing another priority habitat, the vernal 

cific requirements of each habitat and 

recent burned areas, as well as allevi-

pools, which is characterised by small 

species and with the involvement of 

ating the competition pressure exerted 

temporary ponds only visible during 

several  partners.  The  project  man-

by the aggressive congener P. brutia 

the  rainy  season  that  contain  rare 

ager Christina Pantazi says that the 

on P. nigra, by removing all seedlings 

water-related plant species.

coordination of this project posed a 

and saplings of the latter species from 

Vernal pools contain a high diversity of 
plant species

challenge, because of the complex-

ity of the actions to be implemented 

and the diversity of the targeted spe-

cies and habitats. “We had to rely on 

the knowledge of our partners,” she 

explains.    “However,  this  is  a  small 

country and we all know each other, 

and that simplified the coordination 
task,” she adds. The project partner 

responsible for the bulk of the actions 

was  the  Forest  Department  (FD), 

which is responsible for the manage-

ment  of  Cyprus’s  state  forest  land. 

At Vouni Panagias the project restored 

an area of more than 10 ha of Quercus 

infectoria oak woodland. The restora-

tion land was granted by the monas-

tery of Chrysorrogiatissa, where it was 

possible to plant 4,000 oaks. The area 
was  fenced  and  a  watering  system 

was built to increase the viability of 
the trees during summer. In the same 

area  as  the  Q.infectoria  woodland, 

the habitat of the endemic plant Scilla 

morrisii  can  be  found.  Seeds  were 

collected and 50 plants were planted 

 
Mediterranean flora

2000  sites.  These  guidelines  were 

used to establish management plans 

for four Natura 2000 sites targeted in 

the  project  (Koilada  Diarizou,  Vouni 

Panagias,  Troodos  National  Forest 

Park and Kavo Gkreco).

Overall, the project substantially con-

tributed to the conservation of unique 

habitats and species on Cyprus and 

raised  awareness  about  the  Natura 

2000  network  and  nature  conser-

vation  issues  in  the  country.  At  the 

same  time,  this  first  involvement  of 

local  authorities  with  a  LIFE  project 

enhanced  their  capacity  and  laid 

Q.infectoria plantation with watering system – this stand is now the largest continuous 
area of Q. infectoria in the EU

in three sites, as part of the recovery 

taking  place  with  the  help  of  the 

the groundwork for the continuation 

plan for the species. 

planted seedlings and reduced dis-

of  nature  conservation  activities  on 

In  Koilada  Diarizou,  in  an  area  of 

presence of the natural values mean 

approximately 5 ha, the project pro-

that tourists and locals tend to avoid 

Life after LIFE

moted  the  natural  regeneration  of 

these areas, or at least are aware of 

turbance. Signposts pointing to the 

Cyprus.  

Alnus orientalis, mainly through fenc-

the importance of the unique habi-

The FD and the beneficiary – which 

ing, in order to halt the overgrazing of 

tats and species. A seed bank for P. 

is also in charge of implementing the 

this riverside tree species. Also, at the 

nigra seeds was also established for 

  –  areare 
Cyprus  Natura  2000  network – are

same time the Forest Department con-

ex-situ conservation of the species’ 

now  responsible  for  managing  the 

tacted local farmers and explained the 

genetic diversity. 

importance of the habitat and asked 

former project areas. The monitoring 

of habitats and species will continue, 

for their cooperation.

The restored Q.infectoria woodland 

along with some of the project activi-

is now the largest area of this habi-

ties, which will be developed by the 

The actions have been subject to a 

tat  in  Europe,  and  represents  the 

FD  with  the  help  of  national  funds. 

monitoring program developed by the 

most important area for the endemic 

These activities include promoting the 

project in order to access the effec-

S.morrisii. In the A. orientalis riverside 

regeneration of P. nigra; maintaining 

tiveness  of  the  project  actions  and 

forest it is possible to see very strong 

the Q. infectoria woodland; eliminat-

to  evaluate  the  conservation  status 

natural regeneration. Local shepherds 

ing alien plant species; and monitor-

of the targeted species and habitats 

have been working with the FD with 

ing the peatland and serpentinophil-

before and after the project actions. 

regards to the fenced areas. In Kavo 

ous grasslands and plant species.

What was the outcome?

Gkreko, the 650 Z. lotus plants that 

were planted now cover more than 
0.8 ha where previously there were 

All these actions, targeting a diversity 

only three plants.

of sites, habitats and species all over 

Cyprus, were very successful, espe-

The project also established guide-

cially those involving the restoration 

lines for the drawing up of manage-

of the Q.infectoria woodland and the 

ment plans for all of Cyprus’s Natura 

management of the human activities 

in the Troodos mountains.

The peat grassland area is now com-

*  The habitats – with Habitats Directive ref-

pletely  safe  from  trespassing  and 
there  are  no  longer  visible  human 

included 
erence number in parentheses – included
 – included

Quercus infectoria (93A�), Quercus alni-

activities.  This  has  helped  habitat 

folia (939�), Cedrus brevifolia (9�9�), the 

recovery greatly. The P. nigra habitats 

peat (646�) and serpentinophilous (6�B�) 

also have benefitted from the fencing, 

grasslands habitats of the Troodos moun-

and  natural  regeneration  is  already 

tains, as well as the vernal pools (3�7�).

Project Number:  
LIFE04 NAT/CY/000013

Title: Conservation management in 
Natura 2000 sites of Cyprus*

Beneficiary: Environment  
Service, Ministry of Agriculture  
Natural Resources and Environment

Contact: Christina Pantazi

Email: cpantazi@environment.moa.
gov.cy

Website:  
http://life-natura-sites.cy.net

Period: Nov-2004 to Apr-2008
Total Budget: e 2,551,000
LIFE Contribution: e 1,531,000

Mediterranean flora

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 2

Italy: Conserving the ‘critically  
endangered’ Sicilian fir and helping  
to ensure its long-term survival

The mountainous area of Polizzi Generosa within the regional park of Madonie in north-central 

Sicily is host to the world’s only population of the Sicilian fir (Abies nebrodensis) – a critically 

endangered species whose numbers by 2000 were estimated at only around 30 adult trees. The 

project’s achievements were twofold: firstly, during the project period (2001-2005) to effectively 

conserve the few remaining individuals; and secondly to substantially develop the population to 

help ensure its long-term survival.

i

h
c
s
L

i

l

e
e
h
c
M

i

:

o
t
o
h
P

A Sicilian fir tree (one of 3� remaining adult individuals of Abies nebrodensis) in the Madonie Regional Park

The high rocky peaks of the Madonie 

ered in 1957, but confined only to a 

ever  soil  degradation  of  its  natural 

mountains were once covered by the 

small area, just a few kilometres from 

habitat has made re-introduction dif-

Sicilian fir, an endemic conifer, which 

Polizzi Generosa. Because of its rar-

ficult. Other major threats to the spe-

grows  at  around  1,500  metres  on 

ity, this relic species is included as a 

cies include the poor health of speci-

limestone soil. The wood of the spe-
cies can be seen used in the doors 

priority species in Annex II of the EU 
Habitats Directive.

mens  propagated  in  tree  nurseries, 
the  limited  population  size,  and  the 

and the roof-beams of local churches. 

danger of forest fire. Additional threats 

By  1900  however,  the  species  was 

Once rediscovered, foresters immedi-

include hybridisation with non-native 

considered extinct, due to extensive 

ately initiated conservation measures 

firs resulting in genetic contamination, 

logging and erosion. It was rediscov-

to help preserve the Sicilian fir. How-

and global warming.

 
 
 
Mediterranean flora

A  nursery  was  developed  using  the 

seeds  from  the  local  population  in 

order  to  maintain  and  propagate 

the genetic heritage of the species.  

A database and an information centre 

were also established, the former pro-

viding for the future monitoring and 

management of the species and the 

latter  helping  to  promote  increased 

awareness of the problems related to 

its conservation.

What was the outcome?

The project was very successful on a 

technical level, helping to secure the 

effective protection and survival of the 

29 remaining individuals and helping 

to improve the survival rate based on 

natural reproduction (i.e. of the 30 or 

so wildlings, or plantlets, found in the 

vicinity of the mother trees). 

Seedlings of A.nebrodensis are cultivated in a nursery since the survival rate in nature 
is so low

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What did LIFE do?

Among the actions carried out in the 

field was the fencing of the individual 

In  situ  –  the  establishment  of  22 

The four-year “Nebrodensis” project 

trees: each tree was fenced within an 

experimental plots enabled research-

was  run  by  the  park  of  Madonie, 

average  area  of  300  m2 and  a  pad-

ers to identify the most suitable areas 

the  project  beneficiary,  working 

locked  gate  was  placed  along  one 

for  the  trees  to  be  reproduced  and 

with  several  stakeholders  including 

side of the enclosure. Stonewalls were 

The  plots  were  established 
grown.  The plots were established

researchers from Palermo University, 

built,  or  restored,  downhill  from  the 

at different altitudes, soil and expo-

Italy (department of botany), and the 

plants using local stones, in order to 

 within the native area 
sure conditions within the native area

botanical garden of Valencia, Spain. 

reduce soil erosion. A trail that repre-

and at other sites within the regional 

Its  objective  was  to  conserve  and 

sented a threat to one of the trees was 

park. 

manage  in  situ  the  existing  popula-

moved uphill. Infested vegetation was 

tion of the Sicilian fir and to expand 

removed by hand within the fenced 

since  the  survival  rate  in 
Ex  situ  –  since the survival rate in

it through ex situ management opera-

areas and with the aid of machinery 

nature  is  so  low,  an  increase  of  the 

tions.  The  location  of  the  popula-

outside those areas. 

cultivated stock was secured through 

tion  within  the  40,000-ha  Madonie 

park  SPA  (Special  Protection  Area) 

Sicilian fir planted on the previously established experimental plots

included in the Natura 2000 network, 
guarantees some level of protection 

for  the  individual  trees,  helping  to 

improve their long-term viability.

The work involved the drawing up of 

guidelines for the conservation of the 

target species, its propagation, and 

the grafting of exotic fir trees. Sample 

areas  for  monitoring  and  observing 

particularly  vulnerable  stands  were 

identified. In addition, measures were 
adopted to manage and improve the 

general conservation conditions of the 

habitat, to support the existing popu-

lation and to increase the survival rate 

of natural regeneration. 

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Mediterranean flora

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 2

the controlled use of individual nurs-

eries,  private  and  foreign  partners, 

working actively in the action of con-

servation.  For  instance,  the  coop-

eration with the Spanish partner was 

particularly successful, enabling the 

transfer of a number of plantlets to the 

botanical garden of Valencia, where 

they  continue  to  be  regularly  moni-

tored.  In  addition,  anyone  can  ask 

for a seedling of Sicilian fir, provided 

that  the  proposed  transplantation 

site matches the required ecological 

conditions. The form to request the 

seedlings is available on the project 

website (see box).

Life after LIFE 

In  order  to  check  on  the  survival 

rate  of  the  trees  and  to  assess  the 

long-term indicators, a post-project 

follow-up  report  was  carried  out  in 

November 2007 by the LIFE external 

Mapping and monitoring the ‘health’ of each individual 

monitoring team. It showed the repro-

ductive potential of the target species 

the fertile adult individuals.

tives within the park’s territory, such 

has greatly improved. In fact the fer-

as guided tours, schools visits and 

tile adult individuals have increased 

Monitoring activities continued after 

tourism  in  general.  (See  the  “data-

by  one  unit  (from  29  to  30)  and  the 

the end of the project, namely of the 

base” section of the project website 

number  of  inventoried  wildlings 

growth and health of the adult individ-

for details of the visits to the project 

found close to the mother trees has 

uals, of the natural regeneration and 

during its duration). This produced, 

increased from around 30 to more than 

of the seedlings raised in the nursery. 

among  others,  the  effect  of  boost-

80. Each of the trees and wildlings is 

Particular care was dedicated to mon-

ing the accommodation business in 

labelled, protected with micro stone 

itoring the seedlings transplanted in 

the area. Indeed, several “Bed  and 

walls  and  regularly  monitored.  The 

the experimental plots. This revealed 

Breakfast”  enterprises  have  been 

wildings remain quite small for many 

that  the  conservation  status  of  the 

established  recently.  These  initia-

years, therefore the micro stone walls 

target species (intended as isolated 

tives appear to be sustainable in the 

built around the plantlets help to pro-

individuals, natural regeneration and 

longer term.

tect them from accidental stomping, 
and clearly indicate their location (e.g. 

transplanted  seedlings)  has  signifi-
cantly improved since the end of the 

to repeat periodical measurements). 

project.  There  are  now  more  than 

Moreover the micro stone walls pro-

3,000 seedlings available in the local 

Project Number:  
LIFE00 NAT/IT/007228

tect the wildings from erosion.

nursery and the vegetation and health 

status of the plants is judged “good to 

According to the beneficiary, periodi-

excellent”. 

cal checks on the dimensions and on 

the expansion of the tree crowns have 

A  number  of  scientific  publications 

revealed that they are in good health. 

on the species have been published  

However, despite these highly promis-

by  the  project.  Details  of  these  are 

ing indicators, the beneficiary remains 
cautious,  stating  that  a  few  more 

available  from  the  project  website 
see box).).
(see box).

years are needed before their survival 

is ensured. The genetic diversity has 

Finally, the increased awareness of 

increased  thanks  to  the  controlled 

the threats to the Sicilian fir favored 

cross-pollination carried out among 

the  establishment  of  social  initia-

Title: Conservation of Abies nebro-
densis in situ and ex situ

Beneficiary: Ente Parco delle 
Madonie

Contact: Salvatore Carollo

Email:   
gsesto@parcodellemadonie.it

Website: http://www.kalliope.it/ 
parcodellemadonie/progettolife/

Period: Sep-2001 to Aug-2005
Total Budget: e 1,161,000
LIFE Contribution: e 871,000

 
Mediterranean flora

Spain: Protecting extraordinary  
biodiversity in the Sierra Nevada

This highly successful restoration and conservation project, located in the biodiversity-rich Sierra 

Nevada mountain range, helped to safeguard the habitats of 11 endangered plants and propagated 

most of the targeted plant species for reintroduction to their natural habitat. The LIFE team also estab-

lished the management plans necessary to ensure the long-term protection of the endangered flora.

The  Sierra  Nevada  National  Park 

screes, stony wastes, meadows and 

around  Granada  in  southern  Spain 

pine and oak woods.

contains 7% of all Mediterranean flora, 

boasting  over  2,100  plant  species, 

The project evaluated the plants’ con-

including more than 80 unique to the 

servation status, established manage-

region. The particularity of this undulat-

ment plans for each site and imple-

ing, mountainous terrain provides an 

mented restoration and conservation 

amazing diversity of habitats that have 

measures.  The  six  target  localities 

enabled this wealth of biodiversity.

were included within the National Park 

of Sierra Nevada, thereby enjoying a 

Saxifraga nevadensis

Most  of  these  endangered  habitats 

high protection status. A high altitude 

and  species  are  protected  by  the 

(1,900 m) Botanical Garden was also 

by 2002; and the 600 re-introduced 

Habitats Directive. The Sierra Nevada 

created,  holding  specimens  of  all 

Senecio elodes showed survival rates 

is a designated pSCI (proposed Site of 

regional flora. Interestingly, this idea 

of more than 80%.

Community Interest) within the Natura 

was  replicated  by  another  Mediter-

2000 network. Nevertheless, factors 

ranean  LIFE-Nature  project  (LIFE04 

Significantly,  the  project  established, 

such as overgrazing (by wildlife and 

NAT/GR/000104) featured in this pub-

through  the  management  plans,  a 

domestic  cattle),  unsustainable  for-

lication (see pp. 20-22).

framework for the long-term protection 

estry activities, forest fires, illegal har-

of biodiversity in the targeted sites.

vesting and leisure activities are neg-

Seeds and other vegetative material 

atively affecting the Sierra’s diverse 

from  203  threatened  species  were 

The project increased knowledge and 

flora. Now, 115 species, including 35 

collected  and  stored  in  germplasm 

awareness about flora conservation 

that  are  endemic  to  the  region,  are 

banks;  propagation  protocols  were 

among the general public and relevant 

threatened with extinction. 

obtained  for  56  of  them.    Seedling 

professionals.  Notably,  it  generated 

What did LIFE do?

trials were conducted on site to rein-

successful  co-operation  with  local 

force or reintroduce the populations in 

farmers  and  LEADER  programmes 

The four-year “Sierra Nevada” project, 
led  by  the  Andalusian  Environment 

The project ran an information cam-

targeted areas.

around  the  cultivation  programme 

for Artemisia granatensis, a species 
threatened by over-collection because 

Ministry,  worked  to  safeguard  the 

paign  to  improve  awareness  of  the 

of its alleged health properties.

habitats  of  11  endangered  plants 

threatened species and habitats. 

included in Annex II of the Habitats 

Directive: Narcisus nevadensis; Are-

What was the outcome?

naria nevadensis; Artemisia granaten-

sis;  Centaurea  gadorensis;  Erigeron 

The project successfully propagated 

frigidus;  Senecio  elodes;  Senecio 

most of the plant species targeted for 

nevadensis;  Erodium  astragaloides; 

re-introduction to their natural habitat. 

Erodium rupicola; Odontites granat-

The  situation  of  each  of  the  11  tar-

ensis;  and  Laserpitium  longiradium. 
The project covered six sites in Sierra 

geted species considerably improved 
during  the  project  and  progress 

Nevada1  encompassing  high-lying 

was  made  towards  reducing  their 

� Mulhacén-Alcazaba, Poqueira river, 
Monachil river woodlands, Collado de las 
Sabinas, Alayos de Dílar and Trevenque

endangered status. For example, the 

Odontites granatensis increased from 

440 samples in 1995 to over 100,000 

Project Number:  
LIFE98 NAT/E/005358

Title: Recovery of areas of threat-
ened flora in Sierra Nevada

Beneficiary: Consejería de Medio 
Ambiente de la Junta de Andalucía

Contact: Rafael Silva Lopez

Email: pn.sierranevada@cma.caan.es

Period: Jan-1999 to Dec-2002
Total Budget: e 835,000
LIFE Contribution: e 501,000

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

Within the EU, the Macaronesian region consists of three volcanic archipelagos: the 

Azores, Madeira (both Portugal) and the Canaries (Spain). The contrasting landscape 

and mild climate have created an ideal environment for a particularly rich flora and 

habitats, many of which are endemic. Although representing less than 0.3% of EU 

territory, the Macaronesian region contains 207 SCIs and hosts around 19% of the 

habitat types in Annex I of the Habitats Directive and 28% of the plants in Annex II.

LIFE has been funding a number of projects for these particular habitats and species 

in the Atlantic islands.

Macaronesian flora

Conserving five priority species  
in the Canary Islands

The monteverde forest regions of the Canary Islands are home to five priority species listed in the 

Birds and Habitats directives. A LIFE project was carried out to reduce the risks to these species 

and ensure their long-term survival.

The  monteverde  regions  consist  of 

laurel  forests  and  heathlands  with 

fayal/brezal  (Myrica  faya  and  Erica 

arborea forests), rich habitats for the 

targeted species: Dorycnium specta-

bile,  Myrica  rivas-martinezii,  Sam-

bucus palmensis, Sideritis discolour 

and  Isoplexis  chalcantha.  The  main 

threats  are  urban  development  and 

traditional wood exploitation, which 

has led to degeneration and reduc-

tion of this habitat. It now occupies 

barely one-third of its original surface 

area,  and  the  five  plant  species  are 

especially  vulnerable  on  account  of 

their limited distribution. The lowering 

of the water table, grazing and illegal 

collection of specimens are also sig-

nificant threats.

What did LIFE do?

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islands  of  La  Gomera,  Hierro,  La 

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Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria in 

Dorycnium spectabile habitat in Tenerife

10 Natura 2000 sites. Its objectives 

were to:

The project beneficiary, the regional 

habitat in search of unknown popula-

•  Improve knowledge about the spe-

authority, also foresaw habitat man-

tions of the target species. The project 

 and their habitats to draft the 
cies and their habitats to draft the
relevant management measures.

agement and control of land uses in 
critical  areas.  Finally,  measures  to 

found  new  populations  of  all  of  the 
target species, and the project actions 

•  Increase the long-term chance of 

make traditional uses compatible with 

led to an increase in the number of 

survival of the targeted species.

conservation were also included.

individuals: Dorycnium spectabile was 

•  Reduce the impact of threats to the 

populations.
existing populations.

What was the outcome?

increased by a factor of three; Sideri-

tis discolour and Myrica rivas-martin-

ezii by a factor of five. 

To achieve these objectives, the par-

The  number  of  plants  in  the  wild 

ticular  bio-climates  where  the  spe-

increased dramatically as a result of 

The future conservation of the genetic 

cies occur were analysed along with 

the  project’s  actions.  Targets  were 

diversity was also boosted by estab-

the genetic variability of the popula-

clearly surpassed. Adequate habitat 

lishing  two  germplasm  banks  for 

tions. Reproduction and propagation 
techniques  were  then  studied,  and 

management measures were imple-
mented  to  improve  the  status  of 

storing  seeds.  They  were  set  up  in 
accordance with scientific and con-

nurseries and germplasm banks were 

populations. 

created. Population numbers would 

servation criteria, following systematic 

methods that guaranteed the storage 

be increased through reinforcements, 

Also,  a  comprehensive  survey  was 

of the maximum representation of the 

reintroductions  and  introductions. 

done on every island with monteverde 

genetic diversity of species. 

 
 
 
Macaronesian flora

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

The  project’s  germination  trials  and 

ronment and has already been used 

propagation  studies  also  achieved 

by  competent  authorities.  The  ben-

very satisfactory results for three spe-

eficiary has advised other institutions 

cies. While valid protocols were not 

involved in conservation projects such 

obtained for  Sambucus palmesis or 

as  university  departments,  Natural 

Myrica rivas-martinezii, protocols for 

and National Parks and other islands 

vegetative reproduction are available 

administrations. It has also proposed 

that  will  allow  existing  genetic  fea-

that  the  target  species,  which  are 

tures to be preserved. Genetics stud-

already listed in regional and interna-

ies  were  successful  for  all  species 

tional lists of endangered species, be 

(except Sambucus palmesis), provid-

included in the Spanish National List 

ing  important  practical  conclusions 

of Endangered Species.

for their future management. The first 

results were attained in detailed bio-

Dissemination  activities  included  a 

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climatic modelling, which will continue 

successful television publicity cam-

Sambucus palmesis flowers

in the future as long series of data are 

paign. Potential conflicts with private 

needed to attain reliable results.

landowners were avoided by working 

on plants) based on these guidelines 

The project produced a huge amount 

will ease future monitoring activities 

of  new  information  that  furthered 

and the habitat management initiated 

“The project was a key milestone for 

mainly in public areas. Such a policy 

have been approved to date.

knowledge  on  the  status,  biology, 

by the project.

ecology,  threats  and  conservation 

needs of the species and their popu-

Life after LIFE

lations. The infrastructure generated 

the kick-off of flora conservation in the 

Canary Islands. Previous activities had 

implied reacting to urgent measures 

needed for specific species or areas 

by the project guarantees the continu-

Since the project ended, the structure 

and were not structured in a planned 

ity of many of the activities carried out 

of nature conservation has completely 

or organised fashion. This was also 

and made it possible to extend simi-

changed in the Canary Islands. Deci-

due to the fact that there the regional 

lar  activities  to  other  species  in  the 

sion-making power, which was cen-

government counted on very scarce 

Canary Islands listed as priority in the 

tralised  at  the  regional  government 

resources  for  nature  conservation. 

Habitats Directive. Most require simi-

level during the project implementa-

With  the  LIFE  project,  an  important 

lar measures to those started in this 

tion, has largely been transferred to 

boost to resources and personnel was 

project,  and  the  experience  gained 

the “cabildos” (island governments). 

attained and kept afterwards, helping 

through this LIFE project will ease the 

In  spite  of  these  changes,  monitor-

to maintain a line of action that contin-

huge amount of work to be done.

ing  of  the  species  status  continues 

ues at present in flora conservation,” 

through  regular  censuses  carried 

the report concluded.

The  methodology  developed  and 

out  by  the  regional  government  of 

put into practise during the project is 

all threatened species in the Canary 

relevant for other flora conservation 

Islands. Monitoring is carried out in 

projects  in  this  Macaronesian  envi-

Dorycnium spectabile plantation in its 
natural habitat

the  framework  of  several  projects 
(AFA,  SEGA,  initiative  for  climate 

change,  etc)  and  is  centralised  in  a 

system called SEGAS.

An  ex-post  mission  reported  that 

recovery plans had been drafted for 

all the species of the project though 

none has yet been approved. How-

ever,  since  the  LIFE  project  ended, 

these drafts have been used to draw 

up “Methodological guidelines for the 
elaboration  of  plans  for  threatened 

species  in  the  Canary  Islands”,  a 

reference document for the manage-

ment  of  other  endangered  species. 

Fifteen recovery plans (including 11 

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Project Number:  
LIFE97 NAT/E/004165 

Title: Conservation of 5 species of 
the Monteverde in Canaries 

Beneficiary:  
Consejeria de Política Territorial 
Gobierno de Canarias

Contact: Manuel González Martín  

Email: manuel.gonzalezmartin@
gobiernodecanarias.org 

Website: http://www.gobiernodeca-
narias.org/cmayot/medioambiente/
medionatural/biodiversidad/vidasil-
vestre/life9.html

Period:  
Jan-1998 to Dec-2000 
Total Budget: e 599,000 
LIFE Contribution: e 449,000 

 
 
 
 
 
Macaronesian flora

Portugal: Restoring the laurel forest 
of Madeira

The Madeira Archipelago contains a large area of native laurel forest, a priority habitat accord-

ing to the Habitats Directive and home to several endemic and priority fauna species. Five LIFE 

projects have helped to restore this forest, which is threatened by land conversion for agriculture, 

woodcutting, cattle grazing, forest fires and invasive species. 

Laurissilva  (laurel  forest)  is  con-

rea,  supports  flora  and  fauna  of 

Rats not only live on food resources 

sidered  primeval  forest  and  dates 

outstanding value, including several 

from the forest (plants, shoots, ber-

back  to  the  Tertiary  period  when  it 

species  endemic  to  Macaronesia 

ries and seeds) but also prey heav-

covered vast expanses of southern 

and  Madeira,  such  as  the  Madeira 

ily  on  birds,  the  main  vehicle  for 

Europe  and  North  Africa.  The  ice 

laurel pigeon, Columba trocaz. 

spreading seeds and consequently 

ages brought about a drastic reduc-

one  of  the  natural  mechanisms  of 

tion in the area of distribution, now 

The area of forest has shrunk progres-

forest regeneration. 

confined to the islands in the biogeo-

sively since the discovery of the archi-

graphical region of Macaronesia and 

pelago. To reverse this trend, the main 

In the late 1990s, the invading exotic 

certain pockets in southern Morocco 

pockets of laurel forest are now pro-

plant Kahili ginger (Hedychium gard-

and on the coast of West Africa.

tected as part of the Madeira nature 

nerianum) went through a phase of 

reserve and a proposed Natura 2000 

rapid colonisation of new and exten-

Nowadays  the  most  extensive  and 

site (pSCI Laurissilva da Madeira).

sive areas along the lower border of 

best preserved expanse of laurel for-

the forest, endangering its regenera-

est is found on the island of Madeira. 

Yet  despite  being  a  priority  habitat 

tion and expansion. These points of 

Found at an altitude of 300 to 1,300 

according to the Habitats Directive, 

degradation also hindered the native 

m, the laurel forest grows in parts of 

serious dangers still threaten the for-

fauna. 

the island where thick fogs are fre-

est’s  existence.  One  set  of  threats 

quent and rainfall and humidity are 

comes from human activities, includ-

high  (minimum  of  1,700  mm/year 

ing  land  conversion  for  agriculture, 

and  average  85%,  respectively). 

illegal wood extraction and intensive 

This biotope, frequently dominated 

grazing by livestock (as well as forest 

by Laurus azorica and Clethra arbo-

fires). A second set of threats includes 

the spread of non native fauna (rats) 

and invasive alien plants. 

Laurissilva forest on the north slopes  
of Madeira island

Macaronesian flora

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

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Andryala crithmifolia (left) and Chamaemeles coriacea (right): plant species targeted by LIFE99 NAT/P/��643�

What did LIFE do?

Partly  running  in  parallel  with  this 

forest  and  from  key  areas  outside 

project, the LIFE project “Measures 

it.  However,  the  aim  of  total  eradi-

Between 1994 and 2003, LIFE sup-

for the management and conserva-

cation from a “sanitary belt” around 

ported five separate projects for the 

tion of the laurel forest of Madeira” 

the  forest  was  not  achieved,  nor 

conservation and restoration of areas 

(LIFE97  NAT/P/004082  –  February 

was  the  whole  set  of  exotics  tack-

of Madeira’s native laurel forest, and 

1998  to  January  2000)  aimed  to 

led.  However,  three  jobs  were  cre-

its  flora  and  fauna  .  As  part  of  the 

eradicate  the  main  invading  plant 

ated as a consequence of LIFE and 

initial project (“Urgent measures  for 

species  and  assess  the  extent  of 

a  permanent  exotics  fighting  team 

the  conservation  and  recovery  of 

damage caused by rats. 

(supported by national funds) is now 

species  and  habitats  of  important 

at work on this task, helped by the 

community  interest  of  the  Madeira 

This  project  partly  achieved  its 

Portuguese  army.  The  assessment 

Archipelago”  –  LIFE94/P/A222/

objectives: the most invasive of the 

of damages caused by rats was not 

P/01052/MAD)  350  ha  of  excellent 

exotics,  Hedychium  gardnerianum, 

concluded and only preliminary con-

quality laurel forest was purchased 

was  removed  both  from  the  laurel 

clusions were drawn. 

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with  a  view  to  implementing  man-

agement measures for the preserva-

tion of this priority habitat. The LIFE 

project “Recovery of priority habitats 

and  species  of  Madeira”  (LIFE98 
NAT/P/005236),  which  ran  from 

October  1998  to  September  2000, 

was a continuation of the first project 

and aimed to improve on some of its 

actions.  Measures  taken  included 

the purchase of 325 ha of land with 

good quality forest, the management 

of herding and tourism activities and 

the creation of a surveillance centre 

in a strategic location. 

Recovering seeds in Pico Branco, 
Porto Santo island

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Macaronesian flora

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Endangered plant species of the Madeira laurel forest: Cheirolophus massonianus (left) Jasminum azoricum (centre) and Pittosporum 
coriaceum (right)

Other flora in the forest

The project successfully established 

The Funduras project

a germplasm bank containing seed 

The laurel forest is also home to other 

and vegetative material of the eight 

The fifth LIFE Nature project ran from 

rare flora. The LIFE project “Conserva-

priority  species,  thereby  helping  to 

January 2000 to December 2003. The 

tion of priority and rare plant species 

conserve genetic variability. 

aims of “Restoration of the laurel forest 

of  Madeira”  (LIFE99  NAT/P/006431 

in Funduras” (LIFE99 NAT/P/006436) 

– October 1999 to September 2003) 

Two  species,  Jasminum  azoricum 

included protecting the local ecosys-

set out to save eight priority rare and 

and  Cheirolophus  massonianus, 

tem against the collection of species 

endemic  species  from  extinction. 

were  successfully  reintroduced  in 

and tree cutting, reducing the risk of 

These species were:

•  Aichryson dumosum

•  Andryala crithmifolia

the  wild,  while  a  third,  Aichryson 

forest  fires,  and  disseminating  the 

domusum, was found to be present 

native biological heritage and raising 

in such numbers that reintroduction 

awareness about the importance of its 

•  Chamaemeles coriacea

was  deemed  unnecessary.  It  was 

conservation.  

•  Cheirolophus massonianus

however  reproduced  in  the  Botani-

•  Madeira morning glory (Convolvu-

cal Garden of Madeira for research 

As a result of an agreement with the 

lus massonii)

•  Geranium maderense 

purposes. 

local  rangers  that  survey  the  area, 

together  with  a  technician  hired  by 

•  Azores  jasmine  (Jasminum  azori-

The project also succeeded in partially 

the  project  and  integrated  into  the 

cum)

restoring the habitat in Pico Branco 

regional  forestry  department,  spe-

•  Pittosporum coriaceum.

that houses many of the species.

cies collection has been successfully 

Aichryson dumosum: found only on a cliff on the south slope of Madeira island

avoided. 

This LIFE project has also increased 
the local population’s knowledge of 

the  importance  of  the  area  of  lau-

rel  forest  and  two  INTERREG  III-B 

projects have since taken place with 

the aims of promoting walking tourism 

and describing in detail the Funduras 

area within the Natura 2000 network. 

Life after LIFE

It should be noted that the restora-
tion of areas invaded by alien spe-

cies  is  a  slow  and  long-term  task. 

However, with the support of LIFE, 

Madeira  is  taking  strides  towards 

achieving that long-term goal.

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LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

Restoration of habitats

Many endangered plant species are narrow-range endemic species with special habi-

tat requirements. Their conservation status is highly dependent on the status of the 

habitat. Thus, the restoration and management of their habitats is crucial for their sur-

vival. Some LIFE projects have been restoring endangered plant species habitats, and 

at the same time promoting conservation actions on- and off-site in order to guarantee 

the long-range conservation of the plant species.

Restoration of habitatsRestoration of habitats

Austria: Lake Constance forget-me-
not flourishes in Bregenz once more 
thanks to LIFE-Nature

Restoration and renaturation works by an Austrian LIFE-Nature project along a stretch of the Lake 

Constance shoreline have helped to ensure the long-term survival of Myosotis rehsteineri – a for-

get-me-not species endemic to the region. The designated Natura 2000 site gained its regional 

protection status in 2003. The work carried out by the LIFE team was commended in accompa-

nying documentation for this process.  

Myosotis rehsteineri: endemic to the gravel shores of Lake Constance

The  Lake  Constance  forget-me-not 

sheen.  Unfortunately,  this  specta-

What did LIFE do?

(Myosotis rehsteineri) as the name sug-

cular sight has become increasingly 

gests, is found in the Lake Constance 

rare.  One  reason  for  the  species’ 

The  main  objective  of  the  LIFE-

region, which straddles Austria, Ger-

decline in Bregenz is that up until the 

Nature project was to restore 2,600 

many  and  Switzerland.  Here,  in  the 

1990s, large amounts of gravel were 

metres of eroding lakeshore near the 

lake’s  natural  flood  plain,  it  thrives 

extracted from the lake for building 

city of Bregenz in Austria, to help the 

on  the  gravel  banks  built  up  during 

projects. Over time, the broad gra-

survival  of  Myosotis  rehsteineri,  as 

the postglacial period, from pebbles 

vel banks that used to gently slope 

well as to preserve other important 

washed down by the Alpine rivers. 

down into the lakes gradually disap-

habitats  and  species  found  in  the 

In  early  spring  when  the  Lake 

peared and were replaced by unsta-
ble, steep slopes where the motion 

erosion zone. At the same time, the 
gravel deposited under water would 

Constance  forget-me-not  blooms 

of the waves rolls the gravel to and 

serve as spawning ground for fish. 

– and when lake water levels are at 

fro unimpeded – leaving little chance 

their lowest – strips of the shoreline 

for the delicate gravel bank flora to 

The project was run by Amt der Lan-

used to be carpeted with a light blue 

take hold.

deshauptstadt Bregenz, the depart-

Restoration of habitats

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 

ment  of the Austrian city of Bregenz 

responsible  for  environment  and 

conservation issues. Using a techni-

que that had already been success- 

fully  applied  on  the  German  (wes-

tern) side of the lake, as part of the 

actions  of  an  earlier  LIFE-Nature 

project,  “Biotope-Network  �estli-

cher  Untersee  –  Lake  Constance” 

(LIFE99 NAT/D/005940), the techni-

cal restoration works to stabilise the 

Bregenz shoreline were implemented 

during the four winters of the project 

period (April 2001 to May 2005), to 

avoid damaging the sensitive plant 

life on the shore. 

A  line  of  coarse  pebbles  was  laid 

along the low-water mark (to absorb 

the  shock  of  the  breaking  waves). 

Then the space between this line and 

the original shoreline was filled with a 

thin layer of finer gravel, similar to the 

shore sediment that was previously 

A line of coarse pebbles was laid along the low-water mark (to absorb the shock of the 
breaking waves)

found  here  and  that  had  originally 

this technique during the low-water 

species was easy to artificially pro-

been  the  habitat  of  the  forget-me-

periods  each  winter.  Completed 

pagate. As a result, more than 1,650 

not. The choice of grain size of the 

in  2005,  the  works  are  only  visible 

specimens were produced within a 

gravel used for the outer border and 

during times of extremely low water 

few months. These were then rein-

the  shallow  infill  depended  on  the 

levels. 

inclination of the slope and the wave 

troduced to certain sections of the 

shoreline within the project’s wider 

forces  expected  at  that  point.  The 

Through collaboration with the local 

restoration actions.

approximately  2,600  m  long  lakes-

municipal plant nursery, the project 

hore was successfully treated using 

team  also  demonstrated  that  the 

Over the course of the project, the 

The project added finer gravel, similar to the original habitat of the forget-me-not

beneficiary  faced  two  major  pro-

blems.  Firstly,  there  was  political 

and  social  pressure  to  weaken  the 

protection status of the site, which 

is situated in a popular tourist area, 

partly within the city of Bregenz. And, 
secondly, once the restoration was 

achieved, visitor pressure increased, 

generating a need for management 

of these visitors to avoid trampling 

and disturbance. 

The  project  dealt  with  both  these 

problems  successfully  by  carrying 

out intensive public relations, com-

munications  and  visitor  guidance 

work.  For  example,  “UferNatur”,  a 
visitor  guidance  and  information 

programme launched at the end of 

2000,  was  expanded  considerably 

under LIFE. Panels, an educational 

nature  trail,  seasonal  brochures, 

 
Restoration of habitats

information  and  thematic  posters, 

maps and advertisements were pro-

duced informing visitors and the local 

population about the protection sta-

tus and the code of conduct for the 

protected area. Information material 

included a video film “Grillfest meets 

Haubentaucher”  (“Barbeque  meets 

Great crested grebe”), dealing with 

tourist  pressure  and  its  impact  on 

the  designated  Natura  2000  site. 

A  project  website,  designed  and 

maintained  by  secondary  school 

students, remains open – providing 

further details on the LIFE project. 

What was the outcome?

In 2003, the designated Natura 2000 

site  gained  its  regional  protection 

status. The conservation work car-

ried out by the LIFE-Nature team was 

commended in accompanying docu-

mentation for this process.  The fol-

Planting Myosotis on recovered areas

lowing year, thanks to the restoration 

of  its  habitat  and  the  artificial  pro-

ted as a stable population with “very 

Finally,  other  habitats  (not  listed  in 

pagation of the plant, some 83,000 

good” long-term prospects.

the Habitats Directive) that benefited 

individuals  of  the  Lake  Constance 

from the project are reedbeds (9.12 

forget-me-not species were counted 

The  project  also  brought  indirect 

ha; breeding and resting habitats for 

in the project area. This was evalua-

benefits to a number of habitats lis-

bird species) and gravelly/sandy sho-

ted in the Habitats Directive, inclu-

relines (10.23 ha), which are potential 

ding: Molinia meadows on chalk and 

expansion habitats for the delicate 

clay  (3.61  ha);  transition  mires  and 

lakeshore vegetation, and therefore 

quaking bogs (0.05 ha); alkaline fens 

of eminent importance for the long-

(0.23  ha);  residual  alluvial  forests 

term  maintenance  of  the  endemic 

Alnion-glutionoso-incanae (1.4 ha); 

forget-me-not.

and  mixed  oak-elm-ash  forests  of 

great rivers (a few hectares). While all 

of these habitats are scattered and 
small, they host a number of Annex 

II species, for example, large blues 

(Maculinea)  and  fire-bellied  toad 

(Bombina) species, as well as Annex 

I birds such as the bittern (Botaurus 

stellaris) and the kingfisher (Alcedo 

atthis). The benefits for these habi-

tats stemmed from the reduction of 

trampling and disturbance resulting 

from the visitor guidance measures 

implemented by the project.

Myosotis in bloom on previously planted 
areas

Project Number:  
LIFE00 NAT/A/007069

Title: Protecting the habitat of  
Myosotis rehsteineri in Bregenz   

Beneficiary:  
Amt der Landeshautpstadt Bregenz

Contact: Gerold Ender 

Email:   
gerold.ender@bregenz.at 

Website:  
www.bregenz.at/index.php?id=1066  

Period:  
Apr-2001 to May-2005 
Total Budget: e 2,040,000  
LIFE Contribution: e 1,020,000

Restoration of habitats

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 4

Germany: The Benningen Marsh

A LIFE-Nature project in Bavaria has successfully restored parts of the Benningen Marsh 

(Benniger Ried). This ecologically valuable calcareous fen is home to rare plants, including the 

world’s only confirmed population of Armeria purpurea.

The  Benningen  Marsh,  located 

the core zone that he would do nature 

between the towns of Benningen and 

restoration works on his property. 

Memmingen  in  Bavaria,  Southern 

Germany, is a 22 ha calcareous fen 

The project removed succession over-

and petrifying springs complex with 

growth and non-indigenous trees, in 

expanses  of  water  where  ground-

particular conifers, to reduce water loss 

water reaches the surface. The site, 

through evapo-transpiration. Scattered 

a  priority  habitat  for  conservation 

plots of black sedge were scooped out 

included in Annex 1 of the Habitats 

to create mosaics of open patches into 

directive,  contains  rare  plants  such 

which tufa mosses and Armeria could 

as Armeria maritime ssp. purpurea1, 

spread. To further help the spread of 

a magenta-coloured wildflower found 

Armeria, the project team cut openings 

only in this location, and the creeping 

in tree belts to let pollinating insects 

marshwort (Apium repens). However, 

enter the core zone.

over  decades,  pressure  from  hous-

Armeria maritime subsp. purpurea on 
calcareous fens

ing and agriculture had changed the 

Public relations work was carried out to 

quality  and  percolation  volume  of 

raise awareness amongst the local com-

European  tree  frogs  (Hyla  arborea) 

the  groundwater  in  the  area.  Open 

munity and visitors of the value of this 

benefited  from  restoration  work 

springs had become overgrown with 

forgotten site. This included publishing 

around their breeding ponds.

trees and shrubs. Tufts of black sedge 

brochures and reports and establishing 

(Schoenus nigricans) formed a thick 

a visitor observation point. 

The  data  collected  during  and  in 

choking mat around the Armeria and 

tufa mosses (Cratoneurion).There was 

What was the outcome?

practically no active management of 

parallel with the LIFE project greatly 

increased knowledge of the site. Many 

rare invertebrate species were found, 

the site and the local population was 

The LIFE project has led to a major 

such  as  Neumania  verrucosa.  The 

largely unaware of the rare habitats 

improvement to the site’s conservation 

project has also massively raised the 

and species on its doorstep. 

status.The hydrological project works 

profile of the pSCI and its rare species 

(boulder dams, groynes and a reduc-

amongst the local public.

What did LIFE do?

tion in the frequency of ditch cleaning) 

brought about a 10-20 cm increase in 

In 1996, the LIFE-Nature “Benningen” 
project  was  set  up  to  preserve  and 

the water level and increased calcium 
carbonate precipitation, both prereq-

improve the core zone as an ecologi-

uisites for the expansion of the tufa 

cally  valuable  calcareous  fen,  while 

mosses and Armeria. In the patches 

creating a buffer zone of humid mead-

where the black sedge was removed, 

ows  around  it  by  rehumidification.  

new  growth  of  Cratoneurion  and 

Armeria  was  observed.  Other  spe-

A detailed hydrogeological survey was 

cies besides Armeria were found to 

used to determine the exact hydro-

have increased in number, including 

logical measures that needed to be 

the plant Bartsia alpina, the narrow-

taken. The beneficiary and partners 

mouthed whorl snail (Vertigo angus-

purchased  or  leased  38  ha  of  land, 
and  an  agreement  was  struck  with 

tior) and hygrophile grasshoppers. 

the owner of a further 11 ha of land in 

The  blue-tailed  damselfly  (Ischnura 

� This species is not included in the Habi-
tats directive

pumilio) returned to the site in 2003 

after  a  10-year  absence.  Both  the 

dragonflies  and  the  population  of 

Project Number:  
LIFE96 NAT/D/000304

Title: Protection and development of 
Benningen Marsh (Benninger Ried) 

Beneficiary: Bayerisches 
Staatsministerium für Umwelt, 
Gesundheit und Verbraucherschutz, 
Bavaria, Germany

Contact: Harald Lippert

Email:  
harald.lippert@stmugv.bayern.de

Website:  
www.LIFE-natur.de (with video)

Period:  
Jan-1996 to Aug-2003
Total Budget: e 386,000 
LIFE Contribution: e 227,000 

 
Restoration of habitats

Romania: Restoring forest habitats, 
preventing soil erosion and guarding 
against avalanches

Located in the Pietrosul Rodnei Biosphere Reserve, part of the Rodnei National Park in the 

Carpathian mountains in northern Romania, this project targeted the restoration of two seriously 

threatened alpine forest habitats: mixed cembra pine/spruce forests and mugo pine shrublands. 

The actions were implemented on the avalanche-prone slopes of Mount Pietrosul Rodnei. In the 

short term the project achieved its restoration objectives for the targeted habitats. In the longer 

term the LIFE actions will play an important role in helping to guard against soil erosion and future 

avalanches.

The  6,415-ha  Pietrosul  biosphere 

Among  the  habitats  of  Community 

40  over-aged  trees  remaining,  the 

reserve, now also a proposed Natura 

interest in the reserve, forests are the 

species population has now become 

2000 site, hosts a number of habitats 

most seriously degraded, surviving 

almost extinct locally. 

and species of Community interest, 

small patches. 
in some cases only in small patches.
in small patches.

some of which have become dam-

Some tree species, such as the cem-

In Romania, the cembra pine grows, 

aged by human activities. The main 

bra  pine  (Pinus  cembra)  and  mugo 

together with mugo pine and spruce, 

threats include tourism (e.g. skiing, 

pine (Pinus mugo) only survive at 1% 

at high altitudes (1,600-2,000 metres). 

hiking,  mountaineering),  selective 

and 21% respectively, of their former 

It also occurs in the Polish, Ukrainian 

logging,  livestock-grazing  and  dis-

area. In the past, a large population 

and  Slovak  Carpathians,  as  well  as 

turbance from hunting, for example 

of  cembra  pine  was  present  in  the 

the Austrian, Swiss, French and Italian 

of chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra). 

targeted area, but with only around 

Alps. The species’ habitat, which has a 

Pinus mugo and Pinus cembra habitat in Pietrosul Rodnei, Oriental Carpathians

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Restoration of habitats

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 4

The conservation of other flora and 

fauna was also tackled through the 

drawing up and execution of a man-

agement plan for the whole reserve, 

backed  up  by  surveillance  and 

monitoring.    Ahead  of  the  planting 

of the seedlings, a chalet refuge was 

built.  During the project implemen-

tation, the chalet housed the work-

ers,  project  team,  and  researchers 

– providing shelter during activities 

such  as  the  seedlings’  plantation, 

the scientific inventory of the woody, 

herbaceous, bird and carnivore spe-

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cies and GIS measurements.  Since 

the  project  ended,  the  chalet  has 

been  put  to  use  by  the  National 

Park,  mainly  by  the  park  warden.   

A  GIS  distribution  map  was  also 

prepared for the forest, herbaceous, 

and  stony  habitats  in  the  reserve. 

Pinus mugo tree planted at an altitude of �,8�� m

priority status according to the Habitats 

and mugo pine habitats in a 50-ha 

The planting, together with its asso-

Directive, is important for a number of 

area, located mainly on the very steep 

ciated  activities,  proved  to  be  the 

reasons, including reforestation in the 

(40-60°) northern slopes of Mt. Piet-

most laborious and difficult of tasks. 

sub-Alpine  zone,  and  landscaping. 

rosul Rodnei, (rising to 2,303 metres 

For  example,  sticks  and  seedlings 

Its wood is used for the manufacture 

it is the highest peak in the Rodnei 

were transported from Borsa (650 m 

of furniture and crafts, and its seeds 

mountains).  The  work  included  the 

elevation) to the project area (1,800 

are  one  of  the  most  important  food 

planting  of  seedlings  originating 

m elevation) along a very treacher-

resources for the bird species, the nut-

from neighbouring areas within the 

ous path, using a primitive caterpillar 

cracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes). 

reserve,  with  similar  genetic  origin 

track. The sticks, used for field mark-

and environmental requirements. 

ing of the seedlings, were carried on 

This chalet was built to shelter the LIFE project team and park warden

The  distributional  trend  of  another 

priority  habitat,  Pinus  mugo  and 

Rhododendron hirsutum shrubland, 

is  also  decreasing  in  the  Pietrosul. 

When allowed to grow naturally, its 

continuous carpet effect helps guard 

against soil erosion. However, during 

the 1970s, the P. mugo carpet was cut 
over a large area in the Pietrosul to 

create land for livestock grazing. As 

a result, the area has become more 

prone to avalanches. For example, in 

1996 an avalanche killed four hikers 

within the LIFE project area. 

What did LIFE do?

The  four-year  LIFE-Nature  project 

was  run  by  ICAS  –  the  Romanian 
Institute  for  Forest  Management 

and Research – and the Maramures 

Forest  State  Administration.  The 

project’s  main  objective  was  the 

recovery of the cembra pine/spruce 

 
 
 
Restoration of habitats

workers’ back to the planting area.  

Another laborious task was the dig-

ging of the seedling beds in spring 

and the planting in autumn.

An awareness-raising campaign was 

launched at the start of the project, 

which  continued  throughout  the 

project period.

What was the outcome?

The project’s main achievement was 

the successful reintroduction of cem-

bra pine and its restoration together 

with  the  mugo  pine  and  spruce  on 

50-ha.  In  total,  15,500  seedlings 

were used for the restoration instead 

of the 10,000 foreseen. The monitor-

ing of the restoration work confirmed 

that  the  correct  methodology  was 

used, as shown by the high survival 

Transporting the sticks for field marking the seedlings was an arduous task

rate of seedlings. 

the national park. The plan includes 

beneficiary also organised an inter-

economic  and  conservation  activi-

national IUFRO conference (37 par-

Another major output was the man-

ties for the sustainable development 

ticipants from 11 countries) focusing 

agement  plan  setting  out  actions 

of the area with special emphasis to 

on pines, including cembra pine. 

to  be  taken  during  the  project  and 

specific actions regarding the resto-

establishing a working framework for 

ration of woody habitats and conser-

Life after LIFE

long-term conservation and manage-

vation of all flora and fauna habitats. 

ment of the reserve. After the estab-

This action involved consultation with 

The  project’s  after-LIFE  conserva-

lishment of the national park in 2004, 

local  administrators,  stakeholders 

tion plan foresees a continuation of 

the scope of this plan was extended 

and local residents, and the organi-

activities  initiated  during  the  LIFE 

from  the  foreseen  area  of  the  bio-

sation of three workshops, the last of 

project,  especially  maintenance  of 

sphere reserve to the entire area of 

which took place in May 2007. The 

seedlings and young plants and the 

Project manager Ioan Blada (left) shows the pines planted on the restored area

monitoring of the success of restora-

tion actions. 

Project Number:  
LIFE03 NAT/RO/000027

Title: Restoration forest habitats 
from Pietrosul Rodnei Biosphere 
Reserve   

Beneficiary:  
ICAS-Forest Research and  
Management Institute

Contact: Ioan Blada

Email:   
icas@icas.ro

Website:  
http://www.icassv.ro/life_pietrosu/

Period:  
Jun-2003 to Jun-2007
Total Budget: e 213,000  
LIFE Contribution: e 107,000

Restoration of habitats

LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 4

Czech Republic: Preserving  
the beauty and biodiversity  
of the Moravian Karst

Located in the southernmost part of the Moravian Karst, one of the most attractive areas in the 

Czech Republic, the LIFE ‘Rupicolous’ was a complex, but highly successful project. It featured a 

series of interrelated actions targeting sub-pannonic steppic grasslands that contain the endan-

gered plant forest habitats.

Hády Hill, rising to 423 metres above 

What did LIFE do?

sea level, dominates the landscape to 

the northeast of Brno, the second larg-

The  project  was  managed  by  the 

est city in the Czech Republic. The site 

project beneficiary, Land Trust Hády, 

is situated in the southernmost part of 

a local nature conservation organisa-

the Moravian Karst, a limestone area 

tion. Its main objective was the resto-

of caves and small underground rivers, 

ration and sustainable management of 

which is one of the most beautiful and 

some 150 ha of the Hády’s natural and 

most visited areas in the country. The 

semi-natural vegetation, a haven for 

presence of lime and the flow of the 

some very rare thermophilous plants 

Svratka river, which cuts a deep valley, 

and habitats. This was achieved by 

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have contributed to creating the ideal 

a  series  of  interrelated  actions.  For 

conditions  for  a  high  concentration 

example,  in  order  to  safeguard  the 

Pulsatilla grandis: a species targeted by 
the project

of  thermophilous1  plant  species  and 

most endangered flora and fauna, the 

habitats. Several of these are included 

beneficiary  purchased  5  ha  of  land 

planting  seedlings  of  oak,  lime  tree, 

in the Habitats Directive: Echium rus-

close to the Hády quarry. Abandoned 

sycamore and common maple. Tradi-

sicum and Pulsatilla grandis (Annex II) 

pastures with sub-pannonic steppic 

tional grazing was also successfully re-

and Cypripedium calceolus (Annex V), 

grasslands were restored and tradi-

established to maintain the grasslands 

sub-pannonic steppic grasslands, pan-

tional sheep grazing re-established. 

and woodlands. On a small (2 ha) area, 

nonian  white  oak  woods,  pannonian 

Restoration  actions  included  the 

Norway spruce trees were removed in 

oak hornbeam forests, lime alder for-

removal of invasive tree species and 

order to restore the lime alder forests 

ests of slopes, screes and ravines and 

scrub vegetation and the introduction 

of slopes, screes and ravines and cal-

calcareous scree (all of which are listed 

of appropriate grazing management. 

careous screes of hill and montane lev-

in Annex I). Several developments were 

els in lower parts of the valley.

threatening the unique biodiversity of 

What was the outcome?

this area. A move away from traditional 
agriculture and grazing methods had 

The  project  was  successful  and  its 

led to overgrowth on pastures and the 

achievements have gone beyond what 

invasion of alien species such as black 

was expected at the outset – i.e. some 

locust (Robinia pseudacacia), common 

12 ha of land in and around the Hády 

ash  (Fraxinus  excelsior)  and  Norway 

spruce (Picea abies). Furthermore, the 

priority habitats and species were being 

quarry  was  bought  from  the  mining 
company,  Českomoravský  Cement. 
The two Annex II priority plant species 

endangered by the existence of lime-

Echium russicum and Pulsatilla gran-

stone quarries that gradually destroyed 

dis now grow on this land. To favour 

the unique steppe grasslands. Follow-

the  expansion  of  the  dry  grassland 

ing the closure of the quarry at Hády 
in 1998, the area was abandoned and 

habitats and white oak forests, inva-
sive species (in particular black locust 

had become overgrown.

� Plant species that thrive in a warm envi-
ronment 

and  common  ash)  were  eliminated 

over 56 ha ( the original proposal was 

for 25 ha). The natural succession of 

the  vegetation  was  encouraged  by 

Project Number:  
LIFE04 NAT/CZ/000015

Title: Restoration of thermophilous  
habitats in the Moravian Karst

Beneficiary: Land Trust Hády (Local 
Chapter of the Czech Union for 
Nature Conservation)

Contact: Václav Izák

Email:   
a.stoker@natuurmonumenten.nl

Website:  
http://psh.ecn.cz/index2.htm

Period:  
Oct-2004 to Dec-2007
Total Budget: e 550,000  
LIFE Contribution: e 412,000  

 
 
Further projects focusing  
on endangered plants

The table below provides further examples of LIFE projects focusing on endangered plants.
For more information on individual projects, visit the online database at:  
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm. The database provides useful, detailed 
search fields – for example under “species” users may search plant  and mosses species under 
“Pteridophyta”, “Lower plants”, “Gymnospermae” and ”Angiospermae”

Country

Number

Name

Austria

LIFE00 NAT/A/007069

Protecting  the  habitat  of  Myosotis  rehsteineri  in 
Bregenz

Cyprus

LIFE04 NAT/CY/000013 Conservation management in Natura 2000 sites of 

Cyprus

Czech  
Republic

LIFE04 NAT/CZ/000015 Restoration  of  thermophilous  habitats  in  the  

Moravian Karst

Finland

LIFE00 NAT/FIN/007059 Conservation  of  Cypripedium  calceolus  and  

France

LIFE96 NAT/F/003200

Saxifraga hirculus in northern Finland

The  Mediterranean  holm  oak  grove  integrated 
management

Annex II targeted plant 
species

Myosotis rehsteineri 

Alnus orientalis¤
Arabis kennedyae* 
Chionodoxa lochiae* 
Pinguicula crystallina*
Pinus nigra subsp. pallasiana¤
Posidonia oceanica¤
Quercus alnifolia¤
Quercus infectoria¤
Scilla morrisii* 
Zizyphus lotus¤

Echium russicum 
Pulsatilla grandis

Cypripedium calceolus
Saxifraga hirculus

Centaurea corymbosa

LIFE99 NAT/F/006332

Priority species, chalk grasslands and scree in the 
lower Seine valley catchment area

Viola hispida*
Biscutella neustriaca*

LIFE00 NAT/F/007273

For a conservatory management of the laricio pine 
habitats

Pinus nigra subsp. laricio var. 
corsicana¤

LIFE06 NAT/F/000137

Rescue of Viola hispida and Biscutella neustriaca in 
the Seine valley

Viola hispida*
Biscutella neustriaca*

Germany

LIFE96 NAT/D/003042

Protection and development of the population of 
Jurinea cyanoides (Silberscharte) in the typical plan 
association on continental dunes (Sandgrasheiden) 
near Volkach

Jurinea cyanoides*

LIFE96 NAT/D/003043

Protection  and  development  of  the  Benningen 
Marsh (Benniger Ried)

Apium repens

LIFE02 NAT/D/008457

Restoration of a freshwater section of the estuary of 
the River Elbe especially for Oenanthe conioides

Oenanthe conioides*

LIFE04/NAT/D/000025

Living Rhine floodplain near Karlsruhe

Marsilea quadrifolia

Greece

LIFE99 NAT/GR/006497 Amelioration and conservation of Rouva’s Forest 

on Idi Mountain

LIFE04 NAT/GR/000104 A pilot network of plant micro-reserves in western 

Crete

Zelkova abelicea 
Cephalanthera cucullata*

Androcymbium rechingeri*
Anthemis glaberrima*
Bupleurum kakiskalae* 
Cephalanthera cucullata* 
Hypericum aciferum*
Nepeta sphaciotica*
Phoenix theofrasti

 
LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 4

Country

Number

Name

Hungary

LIFE02 NAT/H/008630

The  practical  protection  of  Angelica  palustris  
habitats

Annex II targeted plant 
species

Angelica palustris

LIFE06 NAT/H/000104

Conservation  of  the  Pannon  endemic  Dianthus  
diutinus

Dianthus diutinus* 

Italy

LIFE97 NAT/IT/004163

Conservation  acts  for  Apennine  Abies  alba  and 
Picea excelsa forests and Apennine beech forests 
with Abies alba

Abies alba¤
Picea excelsea¤
Taxus baccata¤

LIFE99 NAT/IT/006217

EOLIFE99 - Conservation of priority plant species 
in the Aeolian Islands

LIFE00 NAT/IT/007228

Conservation of Abies nebrodensis (Lojac) Mattei 
in situ and ex situ

Bassia saxicola*    
Cytisus aeolicus*        
Ophrys lunulata* 
Silene hicesiae*

Abies nebrodensis*

LIFE03 NAT/IT/000160

Preservation  of  Taxus  and  Ilex  central  Apennine 
beech-wood

Taxus baccata¤ 

LIFE04 NAT/IT/000182

Preservation  and  extension  of  priority  habitats 
damaged by agricultural activity

Aster sorrentinii*

LIFE04 NAT/IT/000190

Conservation actions in NATURA 2000 sites mana-
ged by the State Forest Service  

Abies alba¤
Pinus nigra subsp. laricio¤

LIFE04 NAT/IT/000191 

Conservation of Apennine beech forests with Abies 
alba SIC Pigelleto - M. Amiata 

Abies alba¤
Taxus baccata¤

Portugal

LIFE98 NAT/P/005229

Asphodelus bento-rainhae - measures to manage 
and preserve it

Asphodelus bento-rainhae* 

LIFE98 NAT/P/005234

Conservation  of  four  rare  species  in  pSCI 
(Valongo)

Culcita macrocarpa
Trichomanes speciosum

LIFE99 NAT/P/006431

Conservation of priority and rare plant species of 
Madeira

LIFE99 NAT/P/006441

LIFE02 NAT/P/008480

Montados  of  the  Cabeção  Site:  management  of 
habitats and species

National plan for conservation of endangered plants 
(first phase)

Romania

LIFE99 NAT/RO/006391 Conservation  of  a  Euro-Siberian  wood  with  oak 

(Quercus robur)

LIFE03 NAT/RO/000027 Restoration forest habitats from Pietrosul Rodnei 

biosphere reserve

Aichryson dumosum   
Andryala crithmifolia    
Chamaemeles coriacea* 
Cheirolophus massonianus  
Convolvulus massonii*  
Geranium maderense* 
Jasminum azoricum   
Pittosporum coriaceum*

Halimium verticillatum

Convovulus fernandesii*
Linaria ricardoi* 
Marsilea quadrifolia 
Narcisus scaberulus
Omphalodes kuzinskyanae   
Tuberaria major*
Plantago algarbinesis
Plantago almogravensis

Narcissus poeticus subsp. 
radiiflorus

Pinus cembra¤
Pinus mugo¤
Picea abies¤

LIFE04 NAT/RO/000225

Forests with Pinus nigra banatica - part of NATURA 
2000

Pinus nigra subsp. banatica 

  
   
Country

Number

Name

Annex II targeted plant 
species

Slovenia

LIFE04 NAT/SI/000240

NATURA 2000 in Slovenia – management models 
and information system

Pulsatilla grandis

Spain

LIFE96 NAT/E/003096

Conservation of 13 endangered plant species in 
Aragon (Spain)

Spain

LIFE97 NAT/E/004165

Conservation of five species of the Monteverde in 
the Canary Islands

Spain

LIFE98 NAT/E/005358

Recovery  of  areas  of  threatened  flora  in  Sierra 
Nevada

Androsace pyrenaica  
Boleum asperum      
Borderea chouardii*
Centaurea pinnata*  
Cypripedium calceolus  
Hamatocaulis vernicosus (moss) 
Lythrum flexuosum* 
Orthotrichum rogeri (moss)  
Petrocoptis montsicciana 
Petrocoptis pseudoviscosa  
Puccinellia pungens  
Riella helicophylla (moss) 
Sideritis javalambrensis

Dorycnium spectabile*
Myrica rivas-martinezii*
Isoplexis chalcantha*
Sambucus palmensis*
Sideritis discolor*

Narcisus nevadensis*
Arenaria nevadensis*
Artemisia granatensis* 
Centaurea gadorensis
Erigeron frigidus
Senecio elodes*
Senecio nevadensis
Erodium astragaloides*
Erodium rupicola*
Odontites granatensis
Laserpitium longiradium

LIFE99 NAT/E/006417

Conservation of priority habitats in the Valencian 
Community

Riella helicophylla (moss)
Silene hifacensis*

LIFE00 NAT/E/007355

Conservation of areas with threatened species of 
flora on the island of Minorca

LIFE03 NAT/E/0000064 Managing and adding value to three high-mountain 

Valencian habitats

Anthyllis hystrix
Apium bermejoi*
Centaurea balearica*
Daphne rodriguezii* 

Juniperus sabina¤
Pinus nigra subsp. salzmannii¤
Taxus baccata¤

LIFE03 NAT/E/000059

Integral management of the habitats of Northwest 
region of the Murcia Province

Pinus nigra subsp. salzmannii¤
Juniperus thurifera¤

LIFE04 NAT/E/000064

Restoration of Juniperus spp. forests on Tenerife

Juniperus turbinata subsp. 
canariensis¤

LIFE04 NAT/E/0000044

Recovery of the littoral sand dunes with Juniper spp 
in Valencia  

Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. 
macrocarpa¤

LIFE05 NAT/E/000067

Conservation and restoration of Aiako Harria LIC 
(ES2120016)

Soldanella villosa

*  Priority species for conservation
¤  Annex I habitat

 
LIFE Focus  I  LIFE and Europe’s endangered plants  I  p. 4

Available LIFE publications

LIFE-Focus brochures

Other publications

A number of LIFE publications are 
available on the LIFE website:

LIFE and Europe’s wetlands: Restoring 
a vital ecosystem (2007 - 68 pp. - ISBN 
978-92-79-07617-6) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/ 
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/wetlands.pdf

LIFE  and  waste  recycling:  Innovative 
waste management options in Europe 
(2007 - 60 pp. - ISBN 978-92-79-07397-7) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/recycling.pdf

LIFE  and  Europe’s  rivers:  Protecting 
and  improving  our  water  resources 
(2007 – 52pp. ISBN 978-92-79-05543-0 
- ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/rivers.pdf

LIFE and Energy: Innovative solutions 
for sustainable and efficient energy in 
Europe (2007 – 64pp. ISBN 978 92-79-
04969-9 - ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/energy_lr.pdf

LIFE and the marine environment  
(2006 – 54pp. ISBN 92-79-03447-2- ISSN 
1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/marine_lr.pdf

LIFE and European forests (2006 - 68pp. 
ISBN 92-79-02255-5 - ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/forest_lr.pdf

LIFE in the City: Innovative solutions 
for Europe’s urban environment (2006, 
64pp.  -  ISBN  92-79-02254-7  –  ISSN 
1725-5619)    http://ec.europa.eu/envi-
ronment/life/publications/lifepublica-
tions/lifefocus/documents/urban_lr.pdf

Integrated  management  of  Natura 
2000 sites (2005 - 48 pp. – ISBN 92-79-
00388-7) http://ec.europa.eu/environment/
life/publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/managingnatura_lr.pdf

LIFE,  Natura  2000  and  the  military 
(2005  -  86  pp.  –  ISBN  92-894-9213-9 
– ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/military_en.pdf

Best LIFE-Environment Projects 2006-2007 
(2007,  44  pp.-ISBN  978-92-79-06699-3  
ISSN 1725-5619)  
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/ 
publications/lifepublications/bestprojects 
documents/bestenv�7.pdf

LIFE for birds: 25 years of the Birds 
Directive:  the  contribution  of  LIFE-
Nature projects (2004 - 48 pp. – ISBN 
92-894-7452-1 – ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/birds_en.pdf

The air we breathe: LIFE and the Euro-
pean Union clean air policy (2004 - 32 pp. 
– ISBN 92-894-7899-3 – ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/lifeair_hr.pdf

LIFE-Nature:  communicating  with 
stakeholders and the general public 
– Best practice examples for Natura 
2000  (2004  -  72  pp.  –  ISBN  92-894-
7898-5 – ISSN 1725-5619) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/natcommunicat_lr.pdf

A cleaner, greener Europe: LIFE and 
the  European  Union  waste  policy 
(2004  -  28  pp.  –  ISBN  92-894-6018-0 
– ISSN 1725-5619) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/waste_en.pdf

Industrial  pollution,  European  solu-
tions: clean technologies – LIFE and 
the Directive on integrated pollution 
prevention and control (IPPC Direc-
tive)  (2003  -  32  pp.  –  ISBN  92-894-
6020-2 – ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/cleantech_en.pdf

LIFE and agri-environment support-
ing Natura 2000: Experience from the 
LIFE programme (2003 - 72 pp. – ISBN 
92-894-6023-7 – ISSN N° 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/agrienvironment_en.pdf

LIFE-Third Countries 1992-2006 (2007, 
64 pp. – ISBN 978-92-79-05694-9 – ISSN 
1725-5619) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/TCY_lr.pdf

Best  LIFE-Environment  Projects  2005-
2006  (2006,  40  pp.  ISBN  92-79-02123-0) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/ 
publications/lifepublications/bestprojects/
documents/bestenv�6_lr.pdf 

LIFE-Environment  1992-2004  “Dem-
onstrating excellence in environmen-
tal innovation” (2005, 124 pp. – ISBN 
92-894-7699-3 – ISSN 1725-5619)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/lifefocus/
documents/lifeenv9�_�4.pdf

LIFE-Environment Projects 2006 compi-
lation (2006, 56 pp.-ISBN 92-79-02786-7)
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/
l i f e / p u b l i c a t i o n s / l i f e p u b l i c a t i o n s / 
compilations/documents/envcompila-
tion�6.pdf

LIFE-Nature Projects 2006 compilation 
(2006,  67  pp.  –  ISBN  92-79-02788-3) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/
publications/lifepublications/compila-
tions/documents/natcompilation�6.pdf

LIFE-Third  Countries  Projects  2006 
compilation (2006, 20 pp. – ISBN 92-
79-02787-5) 
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/
l i f e / p u b l i c a t i o n s / l i f e p u b l i c a t i o n s / 
compilations/documents/tcycompila-
tion�6.pdf

A number of printed copies of cer-

tain  LIFE  publications  are  availa-

ble  and  can  be  ordered  free-of-

charge  at:  http://ec.europa.eu/ 

environment/life/publications/

order.htm

LIFE “L’Instrument Financier pour l’Environnement” / The financial instrument for the environment

Period covered (LIFE III) 2000-2006.

EU funding available approximately EUR 945 million.

Type of intervention co-financing actions in favour of the environment (LIFE projects) in the Member States of  

the European Union, in associated candidate countries and in certain third countries bordering the Mediterranean and 
the Baltic Sea. 

LIFE projects
>  LIFE Nature projects improve the conservation status of endangered species and natural habitats. They support the 

implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives and the Natura 2000 network. 

>  LIFE Environment projects contribute to the development of innovative and integrated techniques or methods to 

support environmental progress.

>  LIFE Third Countries projects support environmental capacity building and initiatives in non-EU countries bordering 

the Mediterranean and the Baltic Sea. 

LIFE+ “L’Instrument Financier pour l’Environnement” / The financial instrument for the environment

Period covered (LIFE+) 2007-2013.

EU funding available approximately EUR 2,143 million

Type of intervention at least 78% of the budget is for co-financing actions in favour of the environment (LIFE+ 

projects) in the Member States of the European Union and in certain non-EU countries.

LIFE+ projects
>  LIFE Nature projects improve the conservation status of endangered species and natural habitats. They support the 

implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives and the Natura 2000 network.

>  LIFE+ Biodiversity projects improve biodiversity in the EU. They contribute to the implementation of the objectives of 
the Commission Communication, “Halting the loss of Biodiversity by ���� – and beyond” (COM (2006) 216 final). 
>  LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance projects contribute to the development and demonstration of innovative 
policy approaches, technologies, methods and instruments in support of European environmental policy and legislation.
>  LIFE+ Information and Communication projects are communication and awareness raising campaigns related to the 
implementation, updating and development of European environmental policy and legislation, including the prevention 
of forest fires and training for forest fire agents.

Further information further information on LIFE and LIFE+ is available at http://ec.europa.eu/life.

How to apply for LIFE+ funding The European Commission organises annual calls for proposals. Full details are 

available at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/funding/lifeplus.htm

Contact

European Commission – Directorate-General for the Environment 
LIFE Unit – BU-9 02/1 – B-1049 Brussels – Internet: http://ec.europa.eu/life

LIFE Focus / LIFE and endangered plants: Conserving Europe’s threatened flora

Luxembourg: Office for Official Publications of the European Communities

2008 - 52p - 21 x 29.7 cm
ISBN 978-92-79-08815-5
ISSN 1725-5619
10.2779/99297 
doi: 10.2779/99297

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