Introduction of the project

Jovsi

 The area of Jovsi
Surface area (ha): 2,902.1

Significance
- SPA “Kozjansko – Dobrava – Jovsi” (southern part),
- pSCI “Dobrava – Jovsi”
- Dobrava and Krakovski gozd are the only larger areas of lowland floodplain forests in southeastern Slovenia.
- Several rare and endangered species (at the national and European levels): Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra), Great Capricorn Beetle (Cerambyx cerdo) and European Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus),  freshwater mussel Unio crassus, Large Copper Butterfly (Lycaena dispar) and Tiger Moth (Callimorpha quadripunctata), and the amphibians Italian Crested Newt (Triturus carnifex), European Fire-bellied Toad (Bombina bombina) and Yellow-bellied Toad (Bombina variegata).
- The only surviving swamp in the region.
- Important breeding ground of the Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) and the only confirmed nest site of the Corn Crake (Crex crex) in Pannonian Slovenia. Here occur at least 18 bird species from Annex I of the Bird Directive.

Description of the area
Jovsi is an extensive floodplain at the eastern Slovene boundary along the Sotla river, some 6 km before it joins the Sava. Prior to the Sotla's regulation some decades ago, this area had often been heavily inundated. The hydromorphic soils used to be overgrown with woods (still partially preserved as Dobrava forest), whereas today marshy and wet grasslands prevail, interwoven with belts of riparian vegetation, scrubs, isolated willows, pedunculate oaks and alder trees. 
At present, the entire Jovsi area is intended for agricultural purposes. Along the Sotla river fields prevail, in which predominantly maize is grown,  whereas the central part of Jovsi constitutes mainly of meadows. The marshiest of them are situated at the western border along the Šica stream, which is the reason why they are mown by their owners once a year only. Most important in nature conservationist context are marshy and flooded meadows with some rare and endangered species in the central and particularly western parts with very significant habitats for numerous animal species, particularly birds. In the area of Jovsi, over 80 bird species with some 50 breeders have been observed to date, including the most endangered bird species such as Snipe, Roller, Lesser Grey Shrike and Corn Crake.

Dangers
- Overgrowing – fragmented, prevalent in the area's western part
- Intensive farming of meadows near the Sotla river
- Forest management in the area of Dobrava
- Disturbance owing to the increased visits by the people
- Low level of the people's awareness

Nature-conservancy status
Protected area – nature monument (Official Gazette of the RS, No. 58/95)
Ecologically significant area (Official Gazette of the RS, No. 48/04)
Proposed site of community interest (Natura 2000 area) (Official Gazette of the RS, No. 49/04)
Natural treasure (of national concern) (Official Gazette of the RS, No. 111/04)
Proposed for a Ramsar site.

Qualifying species and habitat types that denote Natura 2000 area

SI5000022 Kozjansko – Dobrava – Jovsi (Bird Directive)
Qualifying species:
Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis)
Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)
Black Stork (Ciconia nigra)
Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia)
Corn Crake (Crex crex)
Grey-headed Woodpecker (Picus canus)
Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
Quail (Coturnix coturnix)
Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio)
Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius)
Wryneck (Jynx torquilla)

SI3000268 Dobrava – Jovsi (Habitat Directive)
Qualifying species:
Large Golden-ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster heros)
Otter (Lutra lutra)
Yellow-bellied Toad (Bombina variegata)
European Fire-bellied Toad (Bombina bombina)
Italian Crested Newt (Triturus carnifex)
Great Capricorn Beetle (Cerambyx cerdo)
European Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus)
Large Copper Butterfly (Lycaena dispar)
Tiger Moth (Callimorpha quadripunctata)
Freshwater mussel Unio crassus
Habitat types:
Illyrian Oak-Common Hornbeam forests (Erythronio-Carpinion)
Illyrian Beech forests (Fagus sylvatica (Aremonio-Fagion))
Beech forests (Luzulo – Fagetum)

The activities to be carried out in the Jovsi area 

Preparation of the management plan
In cooperation with our partners, we shall attempt to adjust the nature-conservancy interests with forest management plans, development schemes adopted by the local community, and agricultural development plans. The management plan prepared for the Dobrava – Jovsi area will thus be adjusted and confirmed by all partners.

Detailed management plan for the pilot site Dobrava - Jovsi

Purchase of old trees
In Dobrava forest we plan to purchase 100 old oak trees and thus to highlight their ecological value, for they are crucial for the breeding of certain bird species, such as Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Stock Dove, Black Stork and Collared Flycatcher.

Amelioration of hydrological conditions
The Šica stream is of key importance for the discharge of surface and flood waters from Jovsi. Unfortunately, its discharge capacities keep deteriorating owing to the fact that no maintenance is carried out in the stream.  Within the project's framework, the Šica stream is to be restored and the water regime regulated with wooden sluice gates that are to be built in the stream. By being opened prior to mowing, they should enable a normal use of the agricultural land along the stream.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Setting up of viewing platform
A high viewing platform is planned to be built along the educative pool (made in 2003) within the framework of the so-called Corn Crake Trail. Access to this no doubt attractive destination of the existing educative trail will be enabled over a long passage built above the inundated land. The platform will be able to accept up to 10 people and will be equipped with information tables. 

Conservation of grasslands
One of the project's objectives is to preserve the mowing activities in Jovsi meadows and along the Sotla river, as they are crucial for the survival of some rare grassland bird species, particularly Corn Crake, which is one of our most endangered birds, as well as Snipe, Quail and Lesser Grey Shrike. The project will provide financial means for the implementation of late mowing (after July 15th) for 100 ha of meadows and for the restoration of 50 ha of now overgrown land.

 

Info point
In cooperation with the local community, info room will be set up at Kapele. In it, special features of Dobrava and Jovsi as well as some other local characteristics will be presented with the aid of notice-boards and other information material. The room will serve for the implementation of the LIFE project and, after its expiry, for various activities associated with tourism and promotion of the area.

Publishing of leaflets and setting up of information tables
With the aid of the project, 10 info tables are to be set up with the presentation of Dobrava and Jovsi and 6 leaflets printed with the presentation of natural history issues and animation of the project.

Monitoring
In the area of Jovsi, night counting of the Corn Crake has been carried out on regular basis since 1992. Monitoring of this bird is to continue within the framework of the project, but from now on mowing, the state of the old  purchased trees and hydrological conditions will be monitored as well.

Public awareness building
For a higher nature-conservancy awareness, several workshops and meetings are to be organised in order to acquaint the interested public with nature-conservancy issues of the area and with measures to be adopted for the preservation of favourable conservation status of the present rare and endangered species and their habitats. For the local media, short contributions and reports on current implementation of the project will be prepared as well.

 

 

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