HORACE

The presence of habitat types and animal and plant species of importance for nature conservation in Pohorje is a result of the intertwining of natural conditions and human activities in the past. The Pohorje area is characterized by a silicate base, a high proportion of forests (75%) and a dense above-ground water network, which preserves numerous transitional and high bogs. This area is therefore recognized as an area of importance for nature conservation at the national and European level. It also belongs to the pan-European Natura 2000 network.

On the ridges, specific, species-rich grasslands with common wolves on silicate soils have been preserved, with numerous transitions to heathlands, which are becoming overgrown due to abandonment of use. Extensive grasslands in the lower hilly belt, which are the habitat of protected and endangered species, are subject to increasingly intensive land use. The threat and pressure are increased by uncontrolled development and unsuccessful management of leisure activities in nature, especially motorized vehicle driving, which contributes to the fragmentation of habitats of protected and endangered species. This is also contributed to by poorly coordinated spatial management, fragmented sectoral planning at the national level, the absence of direct supervision in nature, and insufficient awareness and information of visitors.

The project continues and builds on the activities and good practices of the project partners' previously implemented projects in the project area. The project addresses seven qualifying habitat types and six qualifying animal species in the following areas:

• habitat restoration measures related to forest habitat types (beech forests, bog forests, acidophilic spruce forests, maple forests),
• habitat restoration measures related to wetland habitat types (active raised bogs, transitional bogs),
• habitat restoration measures related to grassland habitats (species-rich grasslands with a dominant red wolf),
• measures to restore the habitat of the addressed species – alpine goat, greater humpback whale, mountain owl, branched bat, lesser horseshoe bat, wild rooster.

The project will additionally pilot direct monitoring in nature, rehabilitate sections of mountain trails, and supplement and upgrade the interpretation of the contents of hiking trails and visitor centers at Rogla, Kope, and Tre Kralje.