News
From May to June, the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas in Varaždin County (JU ZDP VZ) continued its efforts to control invasive alien plant species (IAS) in the Drava Forest Park. This marked the second consecutive year of targeted fieldwork under the LIFE RESTORE for MDD project.
Building on the progress made in 2024, this year’s activities have expanded the scope of the removal efforts: Alongside the continued removal of Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), two additional invasive species are now being addressed: goldenrod (Solidago sp.) and coneflower (Rudbeckia sp.). These fast-spreading plants often colonise forest edges and disturbed areas, outcompeting native species and reducing the forest’s ecological quality. Fieldwork is carried out according to a standardised methodology that ensures the removal process is both effective and ecologically sensitive. Particular care is taken to avoid harming native plant species and to support the natural regeneration of native vegetation.
Drava Forest Park, which covers 85 hectares, is part of the wider transboundary biosphere reserve Mura-Drava-Danube and contains valuable floodplain forest habitats, including HT 91E0* (alluvial forests with Salix alba and Populus nigra). Protecting these ecosystems from invasive plant species is essential for maintaining the area’s high biodiversity and ecological resilience. Sites targeted for removal are selected based on prior field mapping and research. Data collected during this year’s work will support long-term monitoring and inform future conservation planning.
Through consistent and focused action, JU ZDP VZ aims to reduce the presence and spread of invasive alien species, creating favourable conditions for the recovery of native plant communities and ensuring that the Drava Forest Park continues to serve as a rich and vibrant habitat for years to come.
