hydrological regimes are the fundamental component of peatlands. For the
appropriate functioning of mires and fens, an increase of mean summer water levels
to maximum depths of about 10 cm are necessary (Graf et al. 2010). At this level,
fens start to produce peat during the summer months, whereas they loose peat if the
water table is lower (Blankenburg et al. 2001 cited in Graf et al. 2010). According to
great biodiversity value of peat bogs, and the fact that natural peatlands play a key
role for global climate regulation by minimising CO 2 emissions (Parish et al. 2008)
as well as for water regulation, it is important to ensure their strict protection and
conserve their functions.
In TNP the uncontrolled recreation activities, occasional grazing with cattle,
motor traffic, forest operations close to sensible peatbog areas (Dobravec
et al. 2003), water discharge from public roads and the privatisation of larger part
of the land, including bog forests with some peatlands are the main pressures.
Therefore, to reduce negative impacts, the long-term goal should be to put peatbog
ecosystems from the buffer zone into the core zone of the Park-management, with
most strict protection regime laid down by Triglav National Park Act (Zakon o
Triglavskem narodnem parku 2010). Anyway, the conservation of peat bogs in TNP
is partly ensured by their protection under Natura 2000 and protection in the frame
of Management Plan of TNP (which will be adopted in 2013) as a closed area (Javni
zavod Triglavski narodni park 2013). According to regulation in peat bogs-closed
areas, all activities, interventions and access are prohibited. Moreover, in the frame
of forest planning, all peat bog ecosystems are excluded from forest management
(Gozdnogospodarski nac ˇrt 2011–2020).
By monitoring the biological and environmental parameters, along with human
impacts, early warnings for changes in bog ecosystems will be possible. Consequently, actions to prevent species loss and habitat destruction can be taken in time.
In the event that climatic changes will be indicated by the alteration of vegetation
cover (e.g. an increase in woody species) and decreased indicators for humidity and
low temperatures, action to improve hydrological conditions in peat bogs and their
surroundings can be taken. An increase in nitrogen-indicator species (Trifolium
pratense, Poa alpina etc.) is connected with grazing and traffic. Therefore, livestock crossings and grazing on peat bogs or in their direct vicinity will be reduced or
prevented. Meanwhile, forest management in the surroundings of peatlands should
apply sustainable techniques for maintaining biodiversity and carbon storage (Parish et al. 2008).
Acknowledgements The present study was carried out under the “Adaptive Management of
Climate-induced changes of Habitat Diversity in Protected Areas” (“HABIT-CHANGE”) project,
supported by Central Europe. First and foremost, I would like to thank to our project coordinator
Sven Rannow and project manager Marco Neubert for the valuable guidance and advice during
writing a paper. Many thanks go to both referees, Ingolf Forst Profft, Andrej Arih and one
anonymous author for valuable comments and constructive reviews on this paper. I would also
like to thank Miha Marolt for providing the maps. Finally, I am very grateful to Tanja Menegalija,
the project coordinator in Triglav National Park, who gave me the opportunity to work on that
project.
11 Monitoring Concept of Climate-Induced Impacts on Peat Bog Vegetation. . .
181
appropriate functioning of mires and fens, an increase of mean summer water levels
to maximum depths of about 10 cm are necessary (Graf et al. 2010). At this level,
fens start to produce peat during the summer months, whereas they loose peat if the
water table is lower (Blankenburg et al. 2001 cited in Graf et al. 2010). According to
great biodiversity value of peat bogs, and the fact that natural peatlands play a key
role for global climate regulation by minimising CO 2 emissions (Parish et al. 2008)
as well as for water regulation, it is important to ensure their strict protection and
conserve their functions.
In TNP the uncontrolled recreation activities, occasional grazing with cattle,
motor traffic, forest operations close to sensible peatbog areas (Dobravec
et al. 2003), water discharge from public roads and the privatisation of larger part
of the land, including bog forests with some peatlands are the main pressures.
Therefore, to reduce negative impacts, the long-term goal should be to put peatbog
ecosystems from the buffer zone into the core zone of the Park-management, with
most strict protection regime laid down by Triglav National Park Act (Zakon o
Triglavskem narodnem parku 2010). Anyway, the conservation of peat bogs in TNP
is partly ensured by their protection under Natura 2000 and protection in the frame
of Management Plan of TNP (which will be adopted in 2013) as a closed area (Javni
zavod Triglavski narodni park 2013). According to regulation in peat bogs-closed
areas, all activities, interventions and access are prohibited. Moreover, in the frame
of forest planning, all peat bog ecosystems are excluded from forest management
(Gozdnogospodarski nac ˇrt 2011–2020).
By monitoring the biological and environmental parameters, along with human
impacts, early warnings for changes in bog ecosystems will be possible. Consequently, actions to prevent species loss and habitat destruction can be taken in time.
In the event that climatic changes will be indicated by the alteration of vegetation
cover (e.g. an increase in woody species) and decreased indicators for humidity and
low temperatures, action to improve hydrological conditions in peat bogs and their
surroundings can be taken. An increase in nitrogen-indicator species (Trifolium
pratense, Poa alpina etc.) is connected with grazing and traffic. Therefore, livestock crossings and grazing on peat bogs or in their direct vicinity will be reduced or
prevented. Meanwhile, forest management in the surroundings of peatlands should
apply sustainable techniques for maintaining biodiversity and carbon storage (Parish et al. 2008).
Acknowledgements The present study was carried out under the “Adaptive Management of
Climate-induced changes of Habitat Diversity in Protected Areas” (“HABIT-CHANGE”) project,
supported by Central Europe. First and foremost, I would like to thank to our project coordinator
Sven Rannow and project manager Marco Neubert for the valuable guidance and advice during
writing a paper. Many thanks go to both referees, Ingolf Forst Profft, Andrej Arih and one
anonymous author for valuable comments and constructive reviews on this paper. I would also
like to thank Miha Marolt for providing the maps. Finally, I am very grateful to Tanja Menegalija,
the project coordinator in Triglav National Park, who gave me the opportunity to work on that
project.
11 Monitoring Concept of Climate-Induced Impacts on Peat Bog Vegetation. . .
181