Introduction of the project

Petelinjek

Ličenca
Surface area (ha): 2,721.12

Significance
- pSCI “Ličenca near Poljčane”
- Important wetland area: standing water (ponds), running water (streams), marshes, wet meadows, and wet forests
- Habitat types: natural eutrophic lakes with water vegetation (Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition associations), Beech forests Lazulo-Fagetum, riverine willow scrub, alder and ashen copses
- Rich with fauna and wetland flora
- Two butterfly species from Annex I of the Habitat Directive (Maculinea nausithous, M. teleius)
- The area of Petelinjek is significant owing to its dragonfly fauna, with more than 30 species found here
- It has been estimated that the area is inhabited by more than 30 rare or vulnerable bird species, 9 of which are listed in Annex I of the Bird Directive 
- An important habitat for different amphibian and many other species protected by the Decree on protection of endangered animal species in Slovenia

Description of the area
Petelinjek is part of the larger Ličenca, the area that was in 2004 given the status of proposed site of community interest NATURA 2000 (i.e. ecologically significant area, which is in EU important for the preservation of favourable conservation status of animal and plant species, their habitats and habitat types, whose conservation is in the EU's interest). These are significant wetlands situated along the border between the Councils of Slovenske Konjice and Slovenska Bistrica. Wetlands are the most endangered habitats not only in Slovenia but in Europe as a whole. In the area of Ličenca we can find ponds, streams, marshes, wet meadows and wet forests. The greatest threat to wetlands are various detrimental spatial activities carried out by man in the area (nitrification, changed water regime, wetland drainage, excessive land-use, abandoned land, etc.). The Petelinjek area covers 37.48 ha and has the status of natural treasure.
Ličenca is extremely rich with fauna and flora, with some systematic groups of even national or European concern. Wet meadows are inhabited by the Great Burnet, which is a specific nutritious plant for two butterfly species (Scarce Large Blue and Dusky Large Blue) that can also be found in the meadows. In the wider Ličenca area, other hygrophilous plants can be found: numerous orchids (with Spotted Orchid as the most common among them), the medicinal plant Common Sweet Flag, Bog Bulrush, and many others.
In the entire Petelinjek area, more than 30 dragonfly species have been recorded to date, which is more than half of all dragonfly species living in Slovenia. All of them are listed in the Decree on protection of wild animal species in Slovenia, with 5 of them appearing on the list of endangered species.
In the same area, 30 bird species and various amphibian and reptile species categorised as vulnerable species have also been observed.
The area is rich with habitat types as well, with four of them listed in the Habitat Directive (Annex I) and 5 appearing on the list of the Bern Convention N°4.

The Petelinjek ponds
In the vicinity of Loče near Slovenske Konjice, a small tributary of the Ličenca stream runs through a concealed gorge. With its damming, ponds were created centuries ago and, in turn, marshy areas. The fresh fish from these ponds used to be supplied to the Žiče Monastery and the Loče Manor, whereas today the Loče Angling Society breeds young fish and releases them into other ponds and streams. Along these ponds, many plants and for them appropriate animals have found their suitable natural environments. The riparian foliage has attracted numerous insects to these places, notably dragonflies and rare butterflies. Here one can find  the Scarce Large Blue, which owing to the increasing global desiccation is disappearing from Europe. This butterfly species is restricted to the selected nutritious plant species for caterpillars  (Great Burnet) and the ant species, where the butterfly's caterpillar is known as a parasite. This is the reason why an environment suitable for the Scarce Large Blue can be created only in places where all the necessary conditions are present.
In spite its long history, the principle of work carried out at the ponds has not changed a great deal. The only things that have changed is the principle of water discharge and possibly the species of fish bred there. Water is still used extensively and neither have there been any major changes taking place in the vicinity of the ponds, as there is virtually no infrastructure and some areas are still hardly passable (owing to overgrowing and inundated terrain). This very »retardation«, however, brought a special chapter to nature conservation in the area, which boasts 5 qualifying invertebrate species (4 butterflies and 1 dragonfly) and 4 habitat types.      
The area was included in the NATURA 2000 network mainly owing to its insect species, which are restricted to wetlands. The conservation status will thus enable sustainable maintenance of the environment, where these species will be able to live and develop in the long run. Although there are some similar areas in Slovenia, the question remains as to the organisms' capability of communicating and traversing between the areas.

Dangers
- Intensive farming within the entire habitat and in the surrounding areas
- Disturbance owing to the increased visits by the people
- Low level of the people's awareness as to the nature-conservancy significance of the area

Conservation principles at Petelinjek
The area of Petelinjek was declared a natural treasure not until 2004. In spite of the late focusing on the area – or perhaps due to this very fact – it has been preserved in a very good state. A certain share to it has been contributed by anglers who are still dedicated to extensive and ecologically friendly manner of fish breeding, foresters who have carried out no major spatial activities in the area, and farmers who have decided not to carry out any detrimental changes there. This is why in 2004 the area was also proclaimed, within the framework of Ličenca,  a proposed site of community interest NATURA 2000. Petelinjek is thus only part of the larger NATURA 2000 area of Ličenca near Poljčane.

Qualifying species and habitat types that denote Natura 2000 area

SI3000214 Ličenca near Poljčane

Qualifying species:
Large White-faced Darter (Leucorrhinia pectoralis)
Dusky Large Blue (Maculinea nausithous)
Scarce Large Blue (Maculinea teleius)

Habitat types:
(6430) Lowland and montane to alpine hygrophilous marginal associations with high stems.
(9110) Beech forests Luzulo – Fagetum.
(91E0) Riparian willow, alder and ashen stands (softwood floodplain forest) (Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior(Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)).

Note: Only species and habitat types from  the area of Petelinjek are described.

The activities to be carried out in the Petelinjek area

Preparation of the management plan
With the management plan, we shall adjust and consolidate all users and possible manners of land-use. Thus transparency in the spatial activities in the area will be provided for as well as permanent protection of the site.
Natural history educative trail around the Petelinjek ponds
The educative trail will be intended for learning-in-nature purposes and used by school children as well as any random visitors. They will be able to learn about the terrain itself and various natural processes taking place in it.

Detailed management plan for the pilot site Petelinjek - part of the Natura 2000 site Ličenca pri Poljčanah

Workshops for anglers and agricultural advisory service
At workshops we will attempt to acquaint the participants with the significance of the area and its nature-conservancy status, in order for individual users to act in compliance with conservationist principles. No major troubles are expected, considering that the users already work very well in a sustainable manner in the area.

Public awareness building
With public awareness building we wish to call attention to the users and visitors of the dangers of the situation deteriorating in the Petelinjek area and to stimulate them to take part in nature conservation. Within this framework we shall thus organise various workshops, lectures, excursions, competition  for the best photograph and drawing, and prepare various promotion materials and articles. Much attention will be dedicated to the preparation of brochures, in which the NATURA 2000 area will be well denoted and described.

Setting up of information tables
In the Petelinjek area, 13 info tables are to be set up, which will serve to describe the area and major characteristics to be seen along the natural history educative trail. More about the ecucational trail...

Monitoring
Survey of the species occurring in the area and monitoring of the current state of affairs will be carried out by non-resident associates from specialist institutions during the implementation of the LIFE project.

 

 

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