NewLIFE4Bioislands

By implementing targeted interventions in small, strategic areas, the project seeks to trigger natural regeneration processes in landscapes where traditional restoration methods are too costly or impractical. By creating "biodiversity islands"—areas of high biodiversity within ecologically degraded environments—NewLIFE4BioIslands aims to improve ecosystem functioning, connectivity, and resilience.

The main objective of the project is to increase the diversity of native pollinators by 20% and increase abundance by 30%, specifically targeting Apoidea , Syrphidae and Lepidoptera . It also aims for a 30% increase in total invertebrate abundance.

This will be achieved by creating structurally diverse native vegetation within the "biodiversity islands", incorporating keystone species relevant to the target habitats and ensuring a staggered and extended flowering period to support diverse pollinators and ecological interactions. In addition, the project will focus on three priority habitats (6210, 6220, 9560) and three priority Annex II species: Euphydryas aurinia, Teline rosmarinifolia and Fritillaria drenovskii .

The project promotes public awareness of pollinators and their ecosystem services. It will launch a citizen science program to engage local communities, improve understanding of the role of pollinators, and collect valuable data for restoration efforts. The project will ensure compatibility with existing land uses, particularly grazing, by working with ranchers to align restoration efforts with sustainable practices. NewLIFE4BioIslands aims to create a replicable model for landscape restoration, addressing current environmental challenges.