Improvement of Protected Grasslands Using Natural Seed Mixtures

Amid the accelerated loss of Europe’s valuable natural habitats, the LIFE DiverSEED project proposes an innovative and collaborative approach to support the restoration of high-nature-value grasslands in Romania and Slovakia.

Our association is one of three project regions in Romania where pilot activities are being implemented. The three Natura 2000 sites involved are the Sighișoara–Târnava Mare Valley, the Târnava Mică Hills, and the Ciuc Mountains, where more than 500 hectares of ecologically degraded grasslands will be restored.

LIFE DiverSEED offers practical solutions through the collection and use of local seeds to restore the original plant composition of grasslands. As no commercially available local seed mixtures currently exist in Romania, the project develops habitat-specific seed mixtures and provides guidance on their use for ecological restoration. In doing so, it contributes to increasing ecosystem resilience and to the conservation of pollinator communities, whose populations will be continuously monitored.

The project combines traditional land-use practices, such as mowing, grazing, and the removal of invasive species, with new overseeding methods adapted to local conditions. Activities are carried out in partnership with farmers, local organizations, and experts from Romania and Slovakia.

A key element of the project is the involvement of local communities. In the target areas, more than 50 farmers participate in practical grassland management and restoration work, as well as in training sessions, applied research, and consultations. In addition, educational events for children and young people and awareness-raising campaigns for the wider public are organized.

Scientific data collected during the project contribute to the further development of existing agri-environmental schemes, which currently prove insufficient to halt habitat degradation. Through cooperation with relevant authorities and the formulation of concrete policy recommendations, the project aims to redesign certain elements of the agricultural support system.

In Romania, project implementation is coordinated by the ADEPT Transilvania Foundation, which has over 20 years of experience in community-based biodiversity conservation. Additional local partners include the Institute of Biological Research, the Milvus Group, and the Agri-Cultura-Natura Transylvaniae Association, all of which have strong expertise in research, environmental education, and nature conservation.

The project began in the summer of 2024 with planning activities, local consultations, and field visits involving national and international experts, aimed at developing the seed collection methodology.

In 2025, DiverSEED continues with detailed grassland mapping and the collection and sowing of the first region-specific seed mixtures. These seed mixtures are intended not only for use within the project but also for market introduction, ensuring continuity beyond the end of EU funding.

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