Search

There are many calls for more effective science-policy interaction and knowledge exchange in order to tackle persistent conservation problems; however, more clarity is needed surrounding the roles and practices involved. To address this challenge, we present the outcomes of an iterative, transdisciplinary process between researchers and protected area managers, to identify good practice in the development of what we call ‘learning landscape partnerships’. This was achieved by a series of deliberative workshops, informed by the literature, to consolidate pan-European experience of those who manage and study protected areas. The resultant ‘learning landscapepartnership’ model highlights the key role of a ‘neglected actor’ in such partnerships - the protected area manager. Critically, protected area managers can act as intermediaries in interpreting science for use in conservation. However, this requires the recognition of: the boundary spanning work of individual researchers and protected areamanagers; the need for support and encouragement by their respective organisations; and the multi-dimensional institutional setting by which the relationship building occurs. Working with protected area managers therefore requires transformation in these three areas. Transformation is rarely straightforward but may be required to respond to the urgent conservation challenges facing our most valuable landscapes.

The Secovlje Salina, part of the Piran Salinas, is situated on the NE Adriatic coast, at the mouth of the Dragonja River, on the coastline of the Piran Bay. The Secovlje Salina, extended over 6,5 km2, is among the most important natural and cultural heritage sites in Slovenia, and therefore designated as a nature park, Ramsar site, Natura 2000 site and a cultural monument of national importance. The Secovlje Salina Nature Park is the first state-designated protected area in Slovenia where the concession for its management has been given to a business company (SOLINE Salt Production), which is owned by the national biggest mobile phone company (Mobitel d.d.). Management of the area is carried out in accordance with the decree on the establishment of the Nature Park and other legal background and is put into practice through the management plan, approved by the Government of Slovenia. In return for the efforts and investments into protection and management of the area, the private sector management body has been granted with the possibility to exploit part of the income generated from salt-making, tourism and other activities in the area. In the abandoned Fontanigge salt-pans, the Museum of saltmaking was created, which serves educational purposes, in the frame of eco-tourism. By paying regard to natural processes, the management company of the Park provides for the sustainable development of the area. In addition, through the protection of both natural values and of cultural heritage, the company is contributing to increased public awareness of the significance of protecting Secovlje Salina Nature Park. La Salina di Secovlje fa parte delle saline di Pirano e si trova sulla costa NE dell’Adriatico, alla foce del fiume Dragonja, nella Baia di Pirano. Si estende per oltre 6.5 km2, è uno dei patrimoni naturali e culturali più importanti della Slovenia ed è stata dichiarata parco naturale, sito Ramsar, sito Natura 2000 e monumento culturale di rilievo nazionale. Il Parco Naturale della Salina di Secovlje è la prima area protetta slovena in cui la concessione per la gestione è stata data ad una società commerciale (SOLINE Salt Production) che è proprietà della compagnia di telefonia mobile più grande della Slovenia (Mobitel d.d.). La gestione dell’area è in ottemperanza con lo statuto del Parco Naturale e con tutto il background legislativo, ed è attuata per mezzo di un piano di gestione approvato dal Governo di Slovenia. I vantaggi derivanti dall’investire nella protezione e gestione dell’area riguardano la possibilità da parte della società privata di sfruttare parte delle entrate dovute alla produzione di sale, al turismo e alle altre attività dell’area. Nelle saline abbandonate di Fontanigge è stato creato il Museo del Sale, che ha scopi educativi ed ecoturistici. Fornendo attenzione ai processi naturali, l’organo gestore favorisce lo sviluppo sostenibile dell’area. Inoltre, attraverso la protezione di valori naturali e del patrimonio culturale, esso contribuisce ad incrementare la coscienza pubblica sul significato di proteggere il parco naturale.

Možnosti za nove Ramsarske lokalitete: izkušnje ozemeljsko majhne države

In the 1996-1997 period, a point count survey of the birds of the Dragonja valley was carried out in the breeding season (according to the method as applied already in 1986). The degree of species dominance (D%) and the averagenumber of individuals as per separate count points (POV) were estimated. A personal assessment of the extent of the four major habitats and values compared with the same analysis from a decade earlier was also made...

The explicitly negative detrimental influence of man on his natural environment is becoming increasingly greater and more aggresive. General decrease in numbers of bird species and even their complete disappearance is talking place at an ever faster rate, and such is also the case in the territoty of Slovenia. The Red List of Endangered Breeding Species in Sloveniahas been prepared on the basis of historical ortnithological documentation and the data gathered in the last twenty years, especially thosepublished in the Ornithological Atlas of Slovenia and Acrocephalus, the journal of the Bird Watching and Bird Study of Slovenia. Comparisions with theprevious Red List (Gregori, Matvejev 1992) have also been made. Of the 364 species established in Slovenia so far, 219 were breeders. In the current Red List, 130 species appear in various threat status categories and subcategoriesor 59.4% of all Slovene breeding species. Nine (9) appear in the category of insufficiently known species (K 5). Due to the great geographical and ecological resemblance between Slovenia and Austria, the Slovene Red List is very similar to the one prepared by our neighbour. In spite of seemingly complicated categoties and subcategories, the basic threat status categories are in concurrence with the IUCN scheme. Arrangement of species in different categories seems revelant for the following reasons: because it exposes various causes due to which the breeders of Slovenia are endangered and at thesame time stipulates conservation guidelines for each separate species; becaused the definitions of subcategories are at the same time the criteria according to which the species are included in the List, and because the List is in this way adjusted to the specific biogeographical conditions of Slovenia. To preserve the species appearing in category a, conservation withinnature reserves (protected areas) should be sufficient. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters.)