Project name: Development of final drafts of the Forest Protection, Care and Restoration Program for Plitvice Lakes National Park – Group 7
Client: Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development
Period: 02/2021 – 03/2023
Location: Croatia
With the implementation of this project, the service “Development of final drafts of the Forest Protection, Care and Restoration Programs for Plitvice Lakes National Park – Group 7” was carried out. This service was divided into three work packages:
- Work package 1: Preparation of the Work Plan for the contract execution;
- Work package 2: Preparatory work and field surveys;
- Work package 3: Preparation of the final drafts of the Forest Protection, Care and Restoration Programs.
As part of the implementation of Work Package 1 activities, the Work Plan for the Contract execution was prepared. It includes a list of deadlines for the performance of all activities, Gantt charts, and a list of risks and outcomes related to the implementation of the activities. The work plan was prepared in agreement with the client.
As part of the implementation of Work Package 2 activities, the Supplier performed preparatory works and field surveys of the area covered by the Forest Protection, Care and Restoration Programs. The preparatory work consisted of the following activities:
- Analysis of existing documentation:
a) Analysis of previously prepared programs, plans and other relevant documentation;
b) Analysis of available research conducted in the area for which the programs are being prepared;
c) Analysis of the ecological network areas, targeted species and habitats;
d) Analysis of available databases related to the ecological network (ecological requirements, conservation goals, conservation measures); - Digitization and analysis of cadastral data;
- Visual identification of forest parcels using DOF images and satellite imagery;
- Projection of the division of management units into parcels and sub-parcels;
- Design of sample for forest inventory and field survey;
- Preparation of protocols (field forms) for field data collection as part of the field research of key habitat features of targeted Natura 2000 species and habitat types;
- Drafting a report on the preparatory work.
The field survey of the area covered by the Forest Protection, Care and Restoration Programs was carried out in accordance with the methodology prescribed by the Ordinance on Forest Management, and the field survey work included the following activities:
- Reconnaissance of the terrain;
- Creating the field survey database (photo base, movement routes in .shp format);
- Field survey, part 1 (at least 50% of completed field surveys of the covered area);
- Field survey, part 2 (field survey must cover the entire area (100%) covered by the Programs);
- Preparation of O-2 / O-3 form drafts for the entire area of the management units and delivery of those to the client;
- Designation of sub-parcels and description of forest stands;
- Valuation of habitat productivity;
- Preparation of tariff series and increment tables;
- Calculation of dendrometric data of living trees;
- Calculation of dendrometric data of deadwood;
- Preparation of management guidelines;
- Field marking of the boundaries of the management units.
As part of the implementation of Work Package 3 activities, the final drafts of the Forest Protection, Care and Restoration Programs were prepared. Forest Protection, Care and Restoration Programs were created for all forests and forest land parcels, regardless of ownership, and depending on the actual situation on the field. One Program for forests and forest land in private ownership and four Programs for forests and forest land in the ownership of the Republic of Croatia were prepared.
In addition to the preparation of the final drafts of the Programs, Work Package 3 also included participation in the public debates, obtaining approval of the prepared drafts by the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, and sending documentation to the Ministry of Agriculture for the purpose of their official adoption.
Implementation of this project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals:
