Management recommendations

Abstract

The acute succession problem justifies an opportunistic use of all suitable methods on the short-term (10 years). The ban on winter burning should be (temporally) lifted. The mown area should be enlarged by activating volunteers, raising budgets and funds for mowing of BNP-owned peatlands and by using peat harvesters. BNP and farmers should co-operate to raise funds and conclude Management Agreements for livestock farming on private and BNP-owned peatland. Agreements should include the use of Biebrza hay and litter. In the longer term (>10 years) extensive grazing seems the most promising tool. It may be implemented as traditional dairy farming, ranching of beef cattle, horses or (semi-) wild herbivores or as Wilderness. Suitability and feasibility may differ between the three basins. The entry of Poland to the EU will affect the feasibility of the strategie