Restoring biodiversity along the Italian Green Belt: forgotten bunkers, abandoned meadows and disappearing ponds

Challenge

The Julian Prealps are a biodiversity hotspot and preserve unique traditions scattered in small mountain communities. This border area has also been a theatre of war and has been heavily militarised, with infrastructure now hidden by EGB vegetation. The municipality of Lusevera, in particular, has experienced a sharp decline in population and profound changes in land use, with serious consequences for biodiversity, landscape and cultural traditions.

Objective

With this two-year project, we aimed to counteract these negative effects by restoring three natural areas according to scientific protocols, to benefit biodiversity and traditional pastoral activities. All this while supporting sustainable ecotourism and environmental education initiatives, involving local stakeholders and bringing new visibility to the area.

Approach

We achieved our project goals through the following activities: 

• Six abandoned Cold War bunkers were restored and reused as artificial hibernacula for endangered bats.
• Approx. 6 hectares of pre-alpine meadow, formerly a shooting range, was cleared of encroaching scrub and is now used for low impact traditional grazing by a local farmer.
• A small wetland with 5 ponds has been cleared of eroded soil and vegetation overgrowth to benefit biodiversity.

• Monitoring activities, sustainable tourism events and education were carried out throughout the project.

   

Achieved Results

After two years, 5 different species of bats have been recorded roosting in the restored bunkers, Natura 2000 botanical communities are benefiting from the restoration of the meadows, and surveys of the ponds have shown an increase in pond species, particularly amphibians. The local community has been enthusiastic about the project, and many educational tours and outreach events have engaged the public. 

A big impact for a small project, thanks to the BESTbelt project!