Habitat restoration, grassland birds conservation status improvement and promotion of nature based solutions through resilient mosaic Mediterranean landscape
LIFE24-NAT-HR-Mosaic-of-LIFE/101202651
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Full project’s name: Mosaic of LIFE – Habitat restoration, grassland birds conservation status improvement and promotion of nature based solutions through resilient mosaic Mediterranean landscape
Acronim: MOSAIC OF LIFE
Project Reference: LIFE24-NAT-HR-Mosaic-of-LIFE/101202651
Project duration: 1.9.2025. – 31.8.2030.
Total project budget: 4.850.315,57€
The Mosaic of LIFE project is co-financed by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, Government of the Republic of Croatia Office for Cooperation with NGOs, and the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund.
Lead beneficiary: Biom association
The Mosaic of LIFE project was designed as a concrete response to the biodiversity crisis and increasingly pronounced climate change, aiming to restore and conserve grassland habitats and target bird species within eight Natura 2000 sites in central Dalmatia. These are valuable natural areas that form a connected ecological network, and the project builds on the previously successful Dinara back to LIFE project, in which grassland restoration methods were tested for the first time as well as it was achieved significant collaboration with the local community.
Project goals
To conduct the restoration activities on a minimum of 560 ha and improve management of additional 1020 ha of bush-encroached Natura 2000 target grasslands and significantly increase the number of nesting pairs of the four target bird species in the project area through upscaling activities and transfer of knowledge from the Dinara back to LIFE project to the wider region.
To empower livestock farmers, decision makers and other stakeholders to preserve the target Natura 2000 grassland habitats and associated species by improving the economic profitability of traditional extensive agriculture and boosting resilience to climate change.
To advocate for the preservation of the mosaic landscape by making it more resilient to climate change through the application of nature based solutions and the testing of legal options related to the Nature Restoration Law and national legislation.
To raise awareness about the importance of mosaic landscape conservation, target habitats and related species, and promote traditional agricultural practices and EU policies that contribute to solving existing challenges.
Activities
1. Project management and coordination
T.1.1 Coordination and administration of the project
T.1.2 Monitor and measure horizontal KPIs and project specific indicators
2. Restoration activities for improvement of Natura 2000 target grassland habitats and related target bird species conservation status
T.2.1 Collecting baseline data and defining status of the target grasslands and bird species
T.2.2 Selection of bush-encroached grasslands for restoration activities
T.2.3 Grassland restoration activities
T.2.3.1 Mechanical and manual removal of unwanted woody vegetation
T.2.3.2 Volunteer grassland restoration camps
T.2.3.3 Prescribed burning of bush encroached grasslands
T.2.4 Scattered micro-habitat improvements for resilient and biodiverse grasslands
T.2.4.1 Restoration activities for ponds and wells supporting grassland use by wildlife and livestock
T.2.4.2 Restoration activities for disturbed grassland habitat in abandoned gravel mine using nature based solutions
3. Promotion of landscape mosaicism through nature-based solutions for wildfire prevention and habitat
T.3.1 Analysis of the landscape mosaicism of the project area
T.3.1.1 Gathering spatial data for the analysis of the landscape mosaicism
T.3.1.2 Analysis of the landscape mosaicism of the project area
T.3.2 Analysis of wildfire impactsand ecosystem services for landscape mosaicism preservation
T.3.3 Raising capacities for implementation of nature-based solutions for conservation of target Natura 2000 grasslands and birds and wildfire prevention
T.3.3.1 Capacity building for implementation of nature-based solutions among all relevant stakeholders
T.3.3.2 Best practice examples visit to Mediterranean country that have had big wildfires and learning from their experiences
T.3.4 Recommendations for preserving the landscape mosaicism and its integration into the Natura 2000 management plans
4. Empowerment of farmers for biodiversity friendly and sustainable grassland management
T.4.1 Baseline study of the conditions for livestock keeping in the project area and the establishment of cooperation with livestock keepers
T.4.1.1 Analysis of the current extent and distribution of grasslands included in agri/environmental/climate schemes for payment through CAP and depending livestock production
T.4.1.2 Establishment of strong cooperation with local farmers
T.4.2 Analysis of productivity and phenology of grasslands
T.4.3 Improvement/amelioration of the productivity of the grasslands in the project area
T.4.3.1 Development of the seed bank of the target grassland habitat types
T.4.3.2 ORestoration of grasslands’ productivity by testing of novel sowing techniques
T.4.4 Supporting farmers for sustainable grassland management practices and biodiversity friendly effective grassland use
T.4.4.1 Livestock ethology data analysis
T.4.4.2 Improvement of grasslands maintenance and conservation status
T.4.4.3 Recommendations for the organization of pasture infrastructure and biodiversity friendly grassland use
5. Development of result based agri environmental scheme for grasslands
T.5.1 Drafting the result based agri environmental scheme for grasslands
T.5.1.1 Preparatory activities for drafting the proposal of the result based agri environmental scheme for grasslands
T.5.1.2 Drafting the proposal for result based agri environmental scheme for grasslands
T.5.2 Testing the draft result based agri environmental scheme for grasslands
T.5.3 Implementation of the result based agri environmental scheme for grasslands through CAP post-2027
6. Monitoring and evaluation
T.6.1 Birds monitoring
T.6.2 Grasslands monitoring
T.6.3 Monitoring of grassland productivity, phenology and improved agricultural practices
T.6.4 Monitoring of the drafting of the result based agri environmental scheme
T.6.5 Monitoring of socioeconomic impacts of the project
T.6.5.1 Socio-economic impacts on farm level
T.6.5.2 Socio economic impacts at the project area level
7. Education and awareness raising for promotion of grassland biodiversity
T.7.1 Education and awareness raising program for local population
T.7.2 Contribution to the promotion of local food products and services which are grassland biodiversity friendly
T.7.2.1 Promotion of products from native livestock breeds as a contribution to the maintenance of grasslands and related species in a favorable conservation status
T.7.2.2 Collection and processing of sheep’s wool as an additional potential source of income for shepherds
T.7.2.3 Support for marketing of grassland products
T.7.3 Awareness raising through sustainability themed events
T.7.4 Broadening awareness raising efforts outside the project area
T.7.4.1 Citizen science program
T.7.4.2 Educational component of volunteer camps for habitat restoration, restoration of ponds and dry stone walls
8. Communication, Dissemination & Visibility
T.8.1 Development of communication plan and general project communication
T.8.2 Promotive materials and visibility
T.8.3 Specialized communication campaigns
T.8.4 Project introduction and cooperation with stakeholders
T.8.5 Dissemination of Mosaic of LIFE project results
9. Sustainability, replication and exploitation of project results
T.9.1 Share experiences and best practices with other regional stakeholders
T.9.2 Networking with other
T.9.3 Guidelines for ensuring mosaicism and implementation of nature-based solutions in land management on landscape level
T.9.4 After-LIFE conservation plan
About LIFE programme
The LIFE Programme is a European Union funding instrument intended to support activities in the fields of environmental protection, nature conservation, and climate action. The objective of the LIFE Programme is to contribute to the implementation, updating, and development of EU policies and legislation related to the environment, nature, and climate by co-financing projects with European added value.
Through the LIFE Programme, the European Union aims to contribute to the protection and improvement of environmental quality and to reduce the impacts of climate change by funding innovative projects that support the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy, as well as projects aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss and combating ecosystem degradation.
The implementation of LIFE projects contributes to sustainable development and to the implementation of the climate and energy policy framework up to 2030, the integrated national energy and climate plans of the Member States, and the Union’s long-term climate and energy strategy, in line with the long-term objectives of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
LIFE started back in 1992 (LIFE I: 1992–1995, LIFE II: 1996–1999, LIFE III: 2000–2006, LIFE+: 2007–2013, and LIFE 2014–2020), since when more than 5,000 projects in the fields of environmental protection and climate action have been co-financed.
The European Commission (DG Environment and DG Climate Action) manages the LIFE Programme. The Commission has delegated the implementation of the LIFE Programme to the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), while external teams for selection, monitoring, and communication provide support to both the Commission and CINEA.
You can find more information about the LIFE Programme at the following links: here and here.
Mosaic landscapes
Mosaic landscapes are characterized by the presence of very different habitats, such as forests, grasslands, rocky areas, and cultivated fields. Mosaic landscapes allow for the simultaneous functioning of various human activities while supporting a high level of biodiversity.
Habitats
The most valuable habitats in this area, which have been gradually disappearing for decades, are various types of grasslands. In karst regions, grasslands develop under the influence of a range of factors, such as slope, soil depth, occasional flooding, and altitude, which also determines temperature and precipitation levels. Due to the diverse natural conditions in which they form, these grasslands support different plant and animal communities, and over time have also led to the development of various forms of traditional land use.
Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas at the EU level, established based on scientific knowledge of natural values and primarily designed to protect endangered species and habitats.
Learm more about grasslands
Dry continental grasslands
This habitat comprises dry grasslands developed on steep calcareous slopes of the hilly part of continental Croatia and Dalmatian Hinterland. The area is rich in orchid species which embody these grasslands’ wealth. Since the grasslands are situated in upland areas of Croatia, where the number of people and livestock is decreasing, they are poorly maintained and are currently in different phases of gradual transition to shrubs and forest. The project area covers relatively small areas of this habitat in the northwestern part, north of the Badanj peak. The areas were traditionally used as hay meadows which contributed to the development of rich and diverse flora. Due to inaccessible terrain they have not been thoroughly studied yet.
Submediterranean dry grasslands
This habitat spreads across large surfaces of rocky grasslands developed on coastal slopes and areas exposed to strong northeastern wind (bura). They cover extensive areas along the eastern Adriatic coast. In the hinterland the habitat develops in highland and mountain areas still within the reach of the Mediterranean climate impact. The grasslands contain a high percentage of rocks and they were mostly used as pastures. Although they seem bare and species-poor, they provide a habitat for a wide variety of plant species, many of them endemic to the eastern Adriatic coast and thus represent its outstanding natural richness. In the project area, they are a dominant grassland type and cover relatively big areas spreading across most of the grassland surface of plains and highlands (up to 900 m). In the past, the grasslands were intensively used for livestock farming which was, together with controlled burning, the main way to maintain them. Today, the consequence of reduction in livestock farming is absence of grazing and controlled burning on large areas of these grasslands, which resulted in gradual encroachment of shrubs.
Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands
This habitat comprises alpine grasslands that extend beyond the forest line and are widespread around peaks of our highest mountains. These grasslands are often developed in the regions exposed to extreme climate conditions where, due to strong wind and low temperatures, the forest vegetation cannot grow. However, on less exposed areas the grasslands developed as a result of subalpine forest clearance. Their flora is significantly different compared to other grassland habitats because it contains numerous species tolerant of extreme climate conditions. The project area covers the grasslands present at higher altitudes (above 900 m) surrounding the highest peaks of Mount Dinara. Traditionally they were used as summer grazing areas and hay meadows by shepherds, a practice that almost completely died out in the recent decades. Currently, encroachment of woody species is transforming grasslands into shrub and forest thus increasing the risk of summer wildfires. Summer wildfires have extremely negative impact on the grasslands because, apart from grass, a layer of humus also burns, killing the underground parts of plants.
Bird species
Foto: Vaclav Volrab
Stone-curlew – Burhinus oedicnemus
This remarkable bird belonging to the order Charadriiformes prefers dry, barren areas with little vegetation instead of wetland habitats. It can be seen on dry grasslands, rocky pastures, bare rocky areas and similar wastelands during the warmer part of the year since it winters in Africa.
Stone-curlew has a distinctive appearance. The bird is medium-sized with large yellow eyes, strong bill and long legs. You will be impressed by its appearance which is especially interesting if you spot it on the ground where it usually dwells. It is distinctive in flight with dark wings with white pattern. While moving, it avoids detection and when it is disturbed, it runs with body held horizontal and head hunched into shoulders. It is more active from dusk to dawn and can be recognized by its unique call, especially during nesting season. Stone-curlews are social birds and they form flocks for feeding and other activities. They are monogamous and reportedly stay together for life. Females usually lay two eggs in a hollow in the ground. They feed mainly on insects and small invertebrates, occasionally on small reptiles, frogs and rodents.
Short-toed lark – Calandrella brachydactyla
Short-toed lark is a medium-size songbird with brownish-white feathers. It nests in Croatia and can be found in Istria, Croatian Littoral and Dalmatia. Its habitats are dry grasslands and agricultural land with low vegetation.
Short-toed lark is endangered due to abandonment of traditional livestock farming what results in overgrown grasslands or intensified agriculture which destroys its habitat. It has distinctive undulating song-flight. The bird feeds and nests on the ground and spends nights in shallow holes which it previously digs.
They are migratory but small number spends winter in Croatia. In Croatia, 85% of overall short-toed lark population nests in seven important bird sites of the Natura 2000 ecological network, one of them being Dinara Mountain.
Foto: Biljana Ječmenica
Foto: grishahasanov iNaturalist
Tawny pipit – Anthus campestris
The Tawny pipit is a medium-sized songbird, similar in coloration to the larks but lighter and slimmer, with a thinner bill and longer legs. It is a species of dry grasslands but is considerably more adaptable than the Calandra lark and the Short-toed lark, nesting both on flat habitats and on slopes. It can also live at various altitudes, from sea level up to the peaks of our coastal mountains. It nests on the ground and is a migratory species that winters in the Sahel. Its numbers are declining because the overgrowth of dry grasslands threatens its habitat.
Calandra lark – Melanocorypha calandra
The Calandra lark is a relatively large songbird, the largest of our larks. Like other, it has cryptic brown coloration. It is characterized by a strong bill adapted for feeding on seeds. It is a thermophilic species of coastal dry grasslands. It was once widespread in Croatia, from Istria to Prevlaka, but is now present only locally, primarily due to the overgrowth of dry grasslands. It is a resident species but is not strictly tied to a single area, and during winter it can be seen far from its breeding sites. Like other buntings, it nests and rests on the ground and can sing both in flight and from perches. In the Krka area, it nested in large numbers until about 20 years ago, but now only a few pairs remain at a single site.
Foto: tatiana_menshikova iNaturalist
Challenges and Threats
The greatest threat to grassland species is the overgrowth of grasslands by woody vegetation, i.e., the spread of trees and shrubs. This leads to the permanent loss of grasslands, making their restoration increasingly difficult. Many species that depend on open grasslands are highly sensitive even to a small proportion of woody vegetation, as its presence brings in species that hide, nest, or hunt from trees and shrubs, further competing with species typical of open habitats.
The absence of grazing poses an additional threat, even on grasslands that have not yet become overgrown. Without regular grazing, dense, tall grass develops, favoring a smaller number of specialized grassland species. Although such grasslands may appear lush, they support a significantly lower level of biodiversity compared to those where grazing is present.
Disturbance of nature during the breeding season is also an increasing problem. Since open grasslands are now rare and often very small, species cannot easily retreat to a safe part of their habitat when briefly disturbed, because such areas no longer exist—the grasslands are surrounded by scrub. Many species that use open grasslands for feeding and raising their young or for incubating eggs are highly sensitive to disturbance. Disturbance can lead to the destruction of nests with eggs or chicks before they are able to fly, resulting in failed breeding and, unfortunately, threatening the survival of these species. Additional pressures come from prolonged, multi-day activities such as film shootings, concerts, construction work, and the use of loud tools and machinery. These activities often take place in these areas precisely because of their traditional and recognizable appearance, further disrupting the tranquility of the last remaining preserved habitats.
The ‘Mosaic of LIFE’ project area covers the Dinara and Svilaja mountains as well as the wider area around the Krka River canyon. However, it does not include the entire area, but only those sites protected under the EU Natura 2000 ecological network of protected areas.
The project proposal aims at improving the conservation status of 4 target grassland habitat types
- 6170 – Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands
- 6210* – Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Brometalia) (* important orchid sites)
- 62A0 – Eastern sub-Mediterranean dry grasslands (Scorzoneratalia villosae)
- 6540 – Sub-Mediterraneangrasslands of the Molinio-Hordeion secalini
Activities will be carried out in the following 8 Natura 2000 sites:
Sites of Community Importance (SCI)
- HR2000918 (Wider area of Krka National Park)
- HR2000922 (Svilaja)
- HR2001313 (Middle course of the Cetina River with the Hrvatačko and Sinjsko fields)
- HR2001314 (Spring area of the Cetina River with the Paško and Vrličko fields)
- HR5000028 (Dinara),
Special protection area (SPA)
- HR1000026 (Krka and the surrounding plateau)
- HR1000028 (Dinara)
- HR1000029 (Cetina)
Udruga Biom
The Biom Association is one of the leading civil society organizations for nature conservation in Croatia. It has been active since 2006 and is the Croatian partner of BirdLife International, the world’s largest network for bird and nature protection. BIOM focuses on the protection and research of wild birds, other species, and their habitats, combating poaching and raising awareness about the importance of nature conservation. The association brings together nature enthusiasts and organizes volunteer programs and educational activities for both children and adults. It is well connected with key stakeholders in the nature conservation sector and has extensive experience in implementing national and international projects, including the coordination of three LIFE projects. Through its activities, BIOM contributes to the conservation of biodiversity and the promotion of a sustainable coexistence between people and nature.
Details and contact:
Čazmanska 2,
Zagreb
Matića 12, Sinj
e-mail: info(at)biom.hr
Public institution national park Krka
The Public institution national park Krka (Javna ustanova Nacionalni park Krka) (NP
KRKA) manages the area of Krka National Park and the surrounding Natura 2000 areas,
some of which are part of the project area. The area of the Krka river was declared a National
Park in 1985, and the total area of the Park is 11.063,68 ha with a relatively large area of
grasslands. The reasons for the declaration are primarily the geomorphological, hydrological
and landscape values of the area, which the public institution strives to maintain and protect
with its activities. Numerous researches were also carried out in cooperation with BIOM, FAZ
and other partners, and the cooperation continues through this project.
Details and contact:
Trg Ivana Pavla II. br. 5,
Šibenik
+385 22 201 741
e-mail: info(at)npk.hr
Ekološka udruga „Krka“ Knin
The ecological association “Krka” Knin was founded in 2004 in Knin with the aim of preserving and protecting the environment. Through numerous projects, it has gained a positive reputation among the public, institutions, and the media, and has become an equal partner in decision-making on environmental protection and sustainable development issues. It operates in the fields of nature conservation, education, sustainable development, and social activities. The association has four locations in Šibenik-Knin County (Knin, Šibenik, and Promina), is a member of the Green Telephone Network of Croatia, the Green Forum, and the LAG Krka, and has established the social enterprise Marunuša j.d.o.o. It has extensive experience in preparing and implementing numerous local, national, and EU projects (ESF, Erasmus+, ESS) in cooperation with educational institutions, local governments, associations, and international organizations.
Details and contact:
Tvrtkova 3, Knin
+385 22 664 608
e-mail: eko.udruga.krka(at)gmail.com
University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture
The Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Zagreb is the leading Croatian institution in the field of agriculture and related sciences. Through education and research, it contributes to the improvement of food production, the management of natural resources, and the development of rural and urban areas. Its study programs are aligned with the Bologna Process, and its faculty members and researchers actively participate in numerous national and EU projects (LIFE, Interreg, IPA, H2020). The Faculty has extensive experience in research and education on grassland management and fodder production, and in recent years has been actively engaged in projects related to the restoration and conservation of dry grasslands.
Details and contact:
Svetošimunska cesta 25,
Zagreb
e-mail: hkutnjak(at)agr.hr
Firefighting Association of Split-Dalmatia County
The Firefighting Association of Split-Dalmatia County (Vatrogasna zajednica županije
Splitsko-dalmatinske) (FASDC) is responsible for coordinating and supporting firefighting
units across the county. It oversees fire prevention efforts, including public education and
safety inspections, to reduce the risk of fires. The association ensures that local fire
departments are adequately trained, equipped, and prepared to respond to emergencies,
including wildfires, urban fires, and other disasters. It also plays a crucial role in coordinating
responses to large-scale emergencies, facilitating cooperation between different firefighting
units and other emergency services. Additionally, the association is involved in planning and
implementing firefighting strategies and policies at the county level, ensuring the safety and protection of the community
Details and contact:
Hercegovačka 18, Split
+385 21 383 756
e-mail: vzsdz(at)st.t-com.hr
Associated beneficiaries
Here you can find publications, reports, and other materials developed as part of the Mosaic of LIFE project.
Reports
Studies and Guidelines
Brochures
Posters
Flyers
Questionnaires
- Interest Survey (in croatian)
Contact
project.mosaicoflife@gmail.hr
Project partners
Associated partners
The Mosaic of LIFE project is co-financed by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, Government of the Republic of Croatia Office for Cooperation with NGOs, and the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund.
