The Life4oakForests project on 19 July 2022 participated in the Life Symposium (Life Programme: Funding direct action to protect Europe’s threatened insects) organised by NEEMO-Monitoring Life projects and Communicating about the Life Programme and CINEA-European Climate, Environment and Infrastructure Executive Agency, at the XXVI International Congress of Entomology ICE 2022 in Helsinki, Finland.
The project was presented by Mrs Serena Petroncini, Forester technical coordinator of the Life4oakForests project in Italy, who gave a report highlighting the transnationality of the project and focusing on the activities underway both in Italy at the Parco Regionale della Vena del gesso Romagnola and in Hungary at Bükki National Park Directorate, Balaton-felvidéki National Park Directorate and Duna- Ipoly National Park Directorate.
Particular attention was paid to the New Conservation Forest Management Guidelines promoted by the project and applied in the relevant oak-dominated forest habitats in both countries and actions related to invertebrates were highlighted; in particular the importance of creating lying and standing deadwood, microhabitats for many species including invertebrates such as saproxylic insects.
Invertebrates are vital species for pest control, pollination, soil organic matter creation and water filtration. Their presence is declining due to the loss of their habitats, intensive agriculture, pollution, invasive alien species and climate change.
Life4oakForests interventions are also aimed at the conservation of these species.
The ICE 2022 Congress with the Life Programme Symposium gave Life4oakForests project the opportunity to present its conservation actions aimed at increasing the biodiversity of oak forests. We therefore thank the organisers of the XXVI International Entomology Congress ICE 2022 and Life Programme Symposium for the special occasion and excellent organisation.