Dianthus diutinus –

Conservation status IUCN Global: Endangered IUCN EU: Endangered HU: U1 (+) Protection status HD: Annex II and IV Population (2007-12) EU27 / HU: 40,000 – 90,000 individuals MS with genuine HU improvement Other MS -

Photo: Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0/Bérces Sándor

Summary: Endemic to the Pannonian biogeographical region, Dianthus diutinus inhabits open patchworks of grassland and scattered stands of forests, and is nowadays only found in the area between the Danube and Tisza rivers in central Hungary. The majority of its habitat has been afforested and fragmented with large-scale pine tree plantations, and degraded due to the spread of invasive alien species. As a result, the population size of Dianthus diutinus had shrunk by 2007 to approximately 20,000 individuals, consisting of 10 small and isolated subpopulations. As part of a LIFE project, LIFE HUNDIDI carried out from 2006 to 2011, the population size and the quality of the habitat of Dianthus diutinus was successfully improved. The population reached 97,738 individuals at the end of the LIFE project in 2011, but is likely to have declined now, due to natural factors, to approximately 78,000 individuals. In addition, the area of interconnected and unbroken habitat for the species has increased to 455 ha. These achievements were driven by the timely and smooth combination of extensive restoration of the habitat of the species (including thinning of non-indigenous forests and removal of invasive species) and research-based ex situ propagation and reintroduction, supported by various enabling factors (intense cooperation with stakeholders, changes in forestry regulations, and successful awareness raising activities). Future action will need to produce a better understanding of the species’ population dynamics and fluctuations, in order to secure lasting results.

Background Status and EU occurrence Dianthus diutinus1 is a middle-sized, perennial pink species of flowering . It is now virtually entirely restricted to the EU, where it only occurs in the interfluve area between the Danube and Tisza rivers in central Hungary (Pannonian biogeographical region). Outside the EU, Dianthus diutinus was historically found in Serbia in six localities but is now only present at one locality with a relict population of less than 1,000 mature individuals (Király & Stevanović, 2011). Dianthus diutinus is strictly protected under Hungarian law and is a priority species of Community interest at EU level. It is also listed as an endangered plant species in the IUCN global Red List (Király & Stevanović, 2011) and the European and EU Red Lists (Bilz et al, 2011). According to Hungary's Habitats Directive Article 17 reports, the species had an unfavourable-bad conservation status in the 2001-2006 reporting period, although with an increasing trend; and by 2007-2012 it status had shown a genuine improvement to unfavourable-inadequate, with a positive trend (Annex 1). Ecological requirements The species’ natural habitat is an open patchwork of grassland and scattered stands of forests, with the mostly found in the grassland areas. These are characteristic, but shrinking habitats of the Kiskunság Sand Ridge area in central Hungary. The arboreal vegetation of the species’ natural habitat include the White Poplar (Populus alba), Common Juniper (Juniperus communis), and Common Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). Characteristic perennial grass species of

1 Natura 2000 species code 4074 1 this habitat are the Pannonian endemic Hungarian Fescue (Festuca vaginata) and the protected Sand Feathergrass ( borysthenica). The sunlit slopes of the dunes are home to the Dwarf Shrub Rock Rose (Fumana procumbens) and the protected Alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria). This habitat is also home to the strictly protected (). Pressures and threats According to the reports produced under the LIFE HUNDIDI project and published research, the main threats to the species result from habitat loss and fragmentation, which have occurred due to afforestation and forestry activity, and habitat degradation. As a result of the large-scale afforestation activities that were carried out in the second half of the 20th century, the area of shifting sand dunes that used to be characteristic of the region has declined greatly. Remnants of the former sand vegetation (including Dianthus diutinus) have survived only in patches on the slopes of the sand dunes in between the pine plantations. Habitat loss and fragmentation resulted in a declining population size and an increasing isolation of subpopulations, which reduced genetic diversity. As highlighted in the LIFE HUNDIDI project’s website, in 2008, 70% of the total population of Dianthus diutinus could be found in alien forest plantations (pine trees): between the tree lines, at the side of forestry roads and in small grassland patches (maximum 1 ha) between forested areas. Along with habitat fragmentation, habitat degradation has occurred. The spread of invasive alien species poses the greatest threat, with the rapid expansion of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Black Locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia), Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) and Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) (KNP, undated). In addition to these main threats, Article 17 reporting and the Species Action Plan (Vidéki & Máté, 2005) highlight other pressures affecting the species. These include sheep grazing and damage by herbivores (including game species), human disturbances (walking and trampling, motorcycles), illegal sand extraction and fire management. While military activity used to take place in the area and thus to adversely impact the species, this is not the case anymore (Vidéki & Máté, 2005).

Drivers of improvements: actors, actions and their implementation approaches Organisers, partners, supporters and other stakeholders From 2006 to 2011, a dedicated LIFE project, HUNDIDI - Conservation of the Pannon endemic Dianthus diutinus (LIFE06 NAT/H/000104), was carried out to stabilize the populations of Dianthus diutinus at three of its most important sites: Bodoglár, Bócsa and Csévharaszt. The project was coordinated by the Kiskunság National Park Directorate (KNPD)(main beneficiary), with the following partners:  the Duna-Ipoly National Park Directorate;  the University of Szeged; and  the local Government of Kiskunmajsa. Of the three project sites, two were also protected at a national level besides being part of the Natura 2000 network, while the third one, Bodoglár gained local protection before the start of the project, as a result of the intensive communication and cooperation established in the course of the compilation of the LIFE project proposal by KNPD and Local Government of Kiskunmajsa. This provided a firm base for the partnership necessary for the successful implementation and sustainability of the project. The participatory approach, through good cooperation both with forestry authorities and local government contributed to successful implementation and popularity of the project (LIFE Final Technical Report). When LIFE HUNDIDI ended in 2011, activities continued to be carried out as part of the After-LIFE Conservation Plan. Contributions / relevance of strategic plans An important element of the conservation of Dianthus diutinus has been the development of conservation plans, which reviewed the evidence of the threats to the species and identified a comprehensive set of conservation measures. This included first a Species Action Plan, which was released in 2005 (available only in Hungarian). As part of LIFE HUNDIDI, management plans and ten-years forest management plans were then prepared and approved by the Hungarian ministry of rural development for the three Natura 2000 sites covered by the project:  Harkakötöny-Bodoglári homokbuckák (SCI HUKN20035), 713 ha;  Bócsa-Bugaci homokpuszta (SCI HUKN20024), 11,633 ha; and  Csévharaszti homokvidék (HUD120012), 362 ha).

2

Measures taken and their effectiveness The measures that were taken by Hungary to restore and conserve the species are listed below. Frequency of application of highly important conservation measures for Dianthus diutinus for 2007-2012

Code Measure Type Ranking Inside / outside Broad evaluation N2k 2.1 Maintaining grasslands and other Contractual; one High Inside Enhance Long-term open habitats off 3.0 Other forestry-related measures Legal; one off High Both Enhance Long-term 3.2 Adapt forest management Administrative; High Both Long-term recurrent 7.0 Measures related to hunting, taking Recurrent Medium Outside Long-term and fishing and species management 7.4 Specific single species or species Contractual; High Inside Enhance Long-term group management measures recurrent Source: Hungary Article 17 report available at https://bd.eionet.europa.eu/activities/Reporting/Article_17/Reports_2013 The main objective of LIFE HUNDIDI was to stabilise 85% of the known stands of Dianthus diutinus, in order to reverse the continuous decrease of the population caused by habitat diminution and isolation of the subpopulations. The project aimed at securing an unbroken habitat network, connecting and strengthening the fragmented sub-populations and informing the public about the importance of the Dianthus diutinus and its habitats. A first set of key measures under LIFE HUNDIDI concerned the restoration of degraded and fragmented habitats (Bankovics & Mile, 2012), which consisted of thinning/clearing alien tree plantations of Black Pine, Black Locust and Tree of Heaven, and eliminating Common Milkweed in grassland areas at the three project sites. At Bodoglár 27.5 ha of Black Pine plantations were thinned in 2008 in the project area, and a further 17 ha were cut in 2011. All cut wood material was removed from the area, tree branches and leaves were chopped and transported as wood-chips. At Bócsa, 18 ha Black Locust stands were cleared, while paying attention not to cause damage to the grasslands and to the clusters of White Poplars. At Csévharaszt, 28 ha Black Locust forest was cut in several patches, with chemical treatments used to reduce regrowth. A new Forestry Act had been approved by the Hungarian Parliament in 2009, which created the possibility to increase the proportion of forests primarily dedicated to nature conservation. Therefore, in the project area new forestry work methods could be implemented; and the “clear-cutting” of the non-indigenous Black Pine became possible (LIFE Final Technical Report). As regards the restoration of grasslands, mechanical methods were used in combination with the precise application of chemical treatments to eliminate the Common Milkweed. To avoid damaging the native vegetation, the treatment method was selected according to the density of the Common Milkweed stands and the natural status of the vegetation. In high nature value areas with few Common Milkweed plants, the leaves were treated with chemicals individually by brush, while the dense, heavily invaded areas were sprayed. Treatments were applied 2-3 times annually and resulted in a 90% decrease of the invaded area compared to 2007, and in a significant decrease in the density of surviving populations (Bankovics & Mile, 2012). Besides the restoration of grasslands, clusters of native trees were also re-created by planting saplings of White Poplar and Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur) in the sparse Black Pine plantations over 2 ha. Most of the young trees survived the first winter but many withered due to the extreme drought of 2011. In parallel to the habitat restoration work, a second set of key measures under LIFE HUNDIDI related to ex situ propagation and reintroduction of Dianthus diutinus, in collaboration with the University of Szeged. The original aim was the ex situ propagation and re-establishment of 15,000 individuals in order to stabilize the size of the three natural populations, and to build up continuity between the natural patches with the newly planted individuals (Nemeth et al., 2011). Preliminary research was carried out by the Botanical Garden of the Szeged University in order to explore the plant’s genetic characters. Before the start of the ex situ propagation, the research team determined the genetic heterogeneity of the populations and checked the amount of seed in the soil (Nemeth et al., 2011). Although they could not assign a definite DNA pattern to the populations, they found differences in their genetic heterogeneity, which they took into consideration during seed collection. Seeds were

3 collected separately from natural populations and germinated in light chambers. One month after germination the seedlings were transplanted individually in growing pots and after two weeks of acclimation in a greenhouse, were planted out in good quality open perennial grasslands areas. The young plants were planted in patches, with the research team paying attention to making the pattern of plant patches similar to that of natural ones. Between autumn 2007 and spring 2011, the planting was repeated annually, so as to establish a plant stand with varying age structure, and comparisons were made of the survival of plants in the spring and autumn plantings. In total, 18,777 of such ex situ raised plants were reintroduced to three project sites with survival rates varying from 10% to 80% depending on the season and the site (Bankovics & Mile, 2012). Consequently, these measures were considered to be highly successful and complementary to the habitat restoration work (Mile, 2017; Sliva, 2017). In addition to the habitat restoration and ex-situ conservation activities, public awareness raising and stakeholder mobilisation were important supporting measures that were implemented as part of the LIFE HUNDIDI project and contributed to its success (Bankovics & Mile, 2012). The long-term survival prospects of the target species was improved by informing the general public about the importance of its unique habitat. Over the course of the project, eight regional meetings with local foresters were held in order to ensure that their activities respect nature conservation goals. The information campaign also entailed the production of a wide range of materials and the installation of 17 information boards at the project sites and in the town of Kiskunmajsa and at the Botanical Garden of the Szeged University. The project also produced a film that was broadcasted five times on national TV channels. The project’s results were also presented at nine scientific events, both in Hungary and abroad, and in six scientific articles. Finally, a nature trail was established at Bodoglár in order to get visitors, both locals and tourists, acquainted with the strictly protected plant, its habitats and the conservation measures needed for their long-term survival. The trail had great demonstrational value, since the constructed board-walk and information boards provide a unique opportunity for visiting the area in an organised way without causing any soil or vegetation damage, both as self-organized or guided trips. It also demonstrated the fruitful cooperation of project partners and drew attention to the importance of the Natura 2000 network and locals involvement in the long-term protection of Dianthus diutinus (Sliva, 2017). While the measures described above are seen as crucial, other measures such as the installation of gates to prohibit disturbance of the sites by motorbikes and quad-bikes, and the annual monitoring of the existing and established populations also played an important supporting role (Sliva, 2017). Funding sources (current and long-term) and costs (one-off and ongoing) The LIFE HUNDIDI project is the only known source of funding for the conservation measures taken for the species (Mile pers comm, 2017; Sliva, 2017). It represented a total budget of €1,630,785, with an EU contribution of €1,223,088. Although the LIFE project played the primary role in achieving the improvement in the species’ conservation status, the total costs of all the contributory conservation measures are not known. As regards the activities carried out as part of the After-LIFE Conservation Plan, costs were born by the Kiskunság National Park (Mile pers comm, 2017), from its regular budget. To fund future activities, the National Park is considering applying for a new LIFE project (Mile pers comm, 2017). Future actions: LIFE HUNDIDI and After-LIFE monitoring activities carried out for 10 years have shown fluctuations in the numbers of individuals of Dianthus diutinus, with a current population estimated to represent 80% of 2011 levels (Mile pers comm, 2017), mostly due to natural factors. Further investigations and analyses are considered necessary in order to investigate the reasons for these population dynamics (e.g. micro-climatic conditions, the role of the game population, flowering, fruit and seed production biology). Understanding these dynamics is important to secure successes obtained in the long term and will be an area of future work and effort (Mile pers comm, 2017).

4

Achievements Impacts on the target species Monitoring activities carried out as part of LIFE HUNDIDI show that a significant increase in the population size of Dianthus diutinus had occurred by 2011, as shown in the table below (Bankovics & Mile, 2012). Furthermore, habitat restoration extended the interconnected and unbroken habitat area for the target species to 455 ha (Bankovics & Mile, 2012).

Site 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Ásotthalom 101 103 233 228 306 Bodoglár 5,007 8,590 12,906 16,928 27,614 Bócsa 1,753 1,845 3,791 5,710 8,848 Csévharaszt 3,269 2,491 7,585 7,644 8,915 Harkakötöny 7,255 8,483 9,036 10,080 34,159 Nagyrörös 1,136 772 1,013 1,227 2,433 Ócsa 508 556 1,386 1,156 2,074 Nemesná - - 10,495 15,262 13,152 Pusztavacs - - 15 72 66 Jakabszállás - - - - 171 Total 19,029 22,840 46,460 58,307 97,738 Source: Bankovics & Mile, 2012 It is important to stress that this increase in numbers was attributed not only to the success of the restoration activities but also to the intensive fieldwork, which led to the discovery of new populations. Over the course of LIFE HUNDIDI, four new populations of Dianthus diutinus were found, including one with more than 10,000 individuals (Bankovics & Mile, 2012). Therefore, the improvement in the conservation status of Dianthus Diutinus is not only genuine but also a result of better knowledge. Other impacts (e.g. other habitats and species, ecosystem services, economic and social) Other impacts relate to the construction of the high-quality, freely accessible, nature trail on the Bodoglár site (1.5 km). The nature trail was established in order to get visitors acquainted with the protected endemic plant and its habitat. More than 600 people visited the trail on organized tours since it was constructed, while the total number of visitors is estimated as several thousand (Bankovics & Mile, 2012). The nature conservational value of Dianthus diutinus has been estimated at 250,000 HUF (Bankovics & Mile, 2012).

Conclusions and lessons learnt The key targeted conservation measures that led to the improvements  Artificial forest restructuring with indigenous species: thinning of pine woodland; creation of corridors and interconnections between habitat patches and population stands.  Eradication of alien plant species Common Milkweed and Black Locust through plant control methods.  The nursery for ex situ propagation of Dianthus diutinus.  Ex situ propagation and re-establishment of Dianthus diutinus. Conservation measures that have not been sufficiently effective  More research on population dynamics is needed for lasting results (Mile pers comm, 2017). Factors that supported the conservation measures  Establishment of good cooperation with forestry authorities.  Changes in the forestry regulations making the total deforestation of non-native trees and use of the areas for nature conservation easier.  Excellent cooperation with the LIFE HUNDIDI project partner - Botanic Garden University of Szeged, fully devoted to the project.  Very good cooperation with the local government.  Proper monitoring, but also detailed site surveys within the possible occurrence of the species, allowing the detection of new populations. 5

 Awareness raising campaigns with attractive ideas. Factors that constrained conservation measures  Knowledge gaps in relation to the species’ population dynamics, biology, seed production and the role of pollinators.  The growing game population. Quick wins that could be applied elsewhere for the species  Ex situ restoration demonstrated that for some plant species, large numbers of seedlings can be grown and successfully planted, thereby bolstering existing small populations. Examples of good practice, which could be applied to other species  Timely and smooth combination of proper restoration of the habitat of the species with supportin ex situ conservation activities.

References Bankovics A & Mile O (2012) The LIFE-Project ”Conservation of the Pannon endemic Dianthus diutinus”. Steppenlebensräume Europas - Gefährdung, Erhaltungsmaßnahmen und Schutz, pp 401-407.Available at: https://www.thueringen.de/imperia/md/content/tmlnu/themen/naturschutz/steppenrasen/tagungsband2012 /36_bankovics_mile.pdf Bilz, M, Kell, S P, Maxted, N and Lansdown, R V (2011) European Red List of Vascular Plants. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. Király, G & Stevanović, V (2011) Dianthus diutinus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T161924A5514465. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T161924A5514465.en Kiskunsági Nemzeti Park (KNP) (undated) LIFE HUNDIDI project website. http://longlastingpink.eu/. LIFE HUNDIDI Layman report. http://longlastingpink.eu/uploads/layman_angol.pdf. LIFE HUNDIDI 3rd Progress Report Covering the project activities from 01.10.2009 to 31.10.2010. http://www.tartosszegfu.hu/uploads/3%20progress%20report%20HUNDIDI.pdf. LIFE HUNDIDI Final Technical Report Covering the project activities from 01.09.2006 to 31.12.2011, PP 8 Németh A, Mihalik E, Makra O, Balogh L, Szatmári M (2011) Conservation of the Pannon endemic Dianthus diutinus Kit. with ex situ and in situ methods. Proc Ex situ propagation and reestablishment of the Pannonian endemic Dianthus diutinus. Contribution of the Botanic Garden of the University of Szeged to the implementation of the LIFE06 NAT/H/000104 project. Steppe Oak Woods and Pannonic Sand Steppes. Available online at: http://wwf.hu/media/file/1318412920_Conference_abstract_book.pdf). Vidéki R, and Máté A (2005) Dianthus diutinus Species Action Plan.

Authorship Prepared by Constance von Briskorn of Deloitte, as part of the European Commission study on identifying the drivers of successful implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives (under contract ENV.F.1/FRA/2014/0063), carried out by the Institute for European Environmental Policy, BirdLife International, Deloitte, Denkstatt, Ecologic, ICF Consulting Services and PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. The information and views set out in this case study are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Commission.

Acknowledgments The authors thank Orsolya Mile (Kiskunság National Park) and Jan Silva (NEEMO) for assistance with the preparation of this case study.

6

Annex 1. Status of Dianthus diutinus at Member State and biogeographical levels

Favourable FV Unknown XX Unfavourable - inadequate U1 Unfavourable - bad U2

2001-06 2007-12 Habitat for Future Overall Range Population Overall the species prospects HU (PAN) U2(+) U1 FV U1 U1 U1(+) EU overall (PAN) U2 U1 FV U1 U1 U1(+) Source: Member State Article 17 reports as compiled by ETC-BD on EIONET https://bd.eionet.europa.eu/article17/reports2012/species/summary/?period=3&group=Vascular+plants&subject=Dianthu s+diutinus®ion=

Annex 2. LIFE Nature Project in Hungary that aimed to help conserve Dianthus diutinus

Project Title Project N° MS Type Of Beneficiary HUNDIDI Conservation of the Pannon endemic Dianthus LIFE06 HU Park-Reserve diutinus (2006-2011)” NAT/H/000104 authority Source: Life Programme database, projects with Dianthus diutinus listed as a key word

7