Land use practices strongly determine the state of biodiversity and ecosystems in an area. As the dimensions at the level of whole ecosystems are difficult to understand and monitor, the impact can be monitored on smaller modelled areas. To this end, we will create test polygons at several locations in the area of the intermittent Cerknica Lake, where we will monitor changes in the plant communities by different mowing methods. The test polygons will be marked with stakes and mowed according to a plan - several times a year, once a year, once every two years, etc. The establishment and maintenance of test polygons are simple and inexpensive, and they can provide a qualitative enhancement to the research and educational content of the protected area.
One site will also be easily accessible to all visitors to the lake, who will be able to see how the frequency of mowing affects the diversity of plants that thrive there.
