The republic of serbia ministry of environment and spatial planning table of contents

Threats to biodiversity in Serbia

Although Serbia is rich in biodiversity, the country has suffered a progressive loss of biodiversity as a result of human activity. In particular, agriculture, industrial development, urbanization, forest extraction, hunting, fishing, energy and mining, transport and tourism, are the sectors that have impacts on the biological diversity. Also, uncontrolled pollution, alteration of river courses and hydrotechnical works, mineral resource extraction and overexploitation of biological resources are significant endangering factors.

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  Drastic increase in areas modified as forest- and agricultures;
  
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  Intensive fragmentation of habitat due to the development of industrial and communicational systems and suburban areas;
  
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  Inadequate and overwhelming exploit of biological resources, beyond ecosystem sustainable development (uncontrolled exploit of economically valuable resources such as trees, fish, wild animals, medicinal herbs, mushrooms etc.)
  
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  Introduction of allochthonous species ( import of species from geographically distant parts to a certain habitat);
  
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  Permanent air, water and soil pollution by a whole range of pollutants (sulphur and nitrate oxides, heavy metals and pesticides);
  
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  Increased levels of ionizing and unionizing radiation;
  
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  Climate change due to enormous emission of substances that destroy ozone layer and of gasses creating the greenhouse effect
  

Synergetic action of these factors has resulted in drastic decrease of biodiversity both on local and global level.

In the light of various impacts on biodiversity, the topic of climate change impact has increasingly become the focus of public attention. According to a number of predictions, the global warming effect will probably have a significant impact on biodiversity condition in the area of South-Eastern Europe and accordingly the territory of the Republic of Serbia. The climate change impact modifies important external factors needed for the survival of autochthonous plant and animal species, primarily the rise of temperature and frequency of extreme weather conditions, more frequent and intensive floods, the increase in allochthonous species and consequently a significant threat of natural habitat endanger.

Number of objectives of Kyoto protocoll overlap with the aims of biodiversity conservation. Enlargenment of GHG sinks and reservoars, concurrently with ongoing biological diversity conservation efforts, would bring out multiple positive effects. Expansion of protected areas not only preserve biodiversity, but also include ecosystems considered as CO₂ reservoars (ancient forest stands, habitats on peat soils etc.). Habitat revitalization increase ecosystem’s resistance. Ongoing creation of ecological network enhances landscape dynamic and evolutionary processes which are necessery to biocenoses’ adaptation.

Figure 1.6: Normalised fluctuation of summer air temperatures in Serbia (Source: Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia and Serbian Environment Protection Agency)

Normalized fluctuation of average annual air temperature in year 2009 is positive and more than 3, which indicates that air temperature values in Serbia in 2009 too were extremely higher than normal.

Normalized fluctuation of average summer air temperature in Serbia in 2009 is positive and higher than 2, which indicates that summer 2009 too was very warm in comparison to normal values in the period 1961-1990. It was twentieth summer warmer than average that continued since 1990.

Aforementioned statements show the continuation of tendency of average air temperature raise on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. According to data from the period 1951-2009, the raise of annual air temperature is dominant in Serbia. After 1990 the annual air temperature raise is more intensive. The intensity of temperature raise in the period 1991-2009 is multiple higher than in the period 1951-2009.

The basic impediments in solving climate change problems in the Republic of Serbia are as follow:

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  The use of data on climate and information used for planning and projecting, because standard methods and instructions based on stationary climate traits are still applied.
  
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  The need for including climate change as factor of sustainable development into sector strategies, especially into sector susceptible to climate change, such as agriculture, water management, forest management, energy management, tourism, health sector, engineering, traffic sector and others, has not yet become part of common knowledge.
  
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  An adequate support for implementation of multidisciplinary research programs on climate change impact, susceptibility and adapting options, has not yet been provided.
  
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  There is no particular state program for solving climate change problems.
  
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  Limited financial means for the purpose of strengthening capacities, both systematic, institutionalized and individual, education, training and informing.
  

Figure 1.7: Territorial trends of annual air temperature in Serbia (Source: Republic Hydrometeorological

Service of Serbia and Serbian Environment Protection Agency)

Climate change has its impact on all biodiversity aspects. Its effect being thus that it changes population and species distribution, as well as the functioning and composition of ecosystem (destruction, change or modification of habitat).

Figure 1.8: Slightly, moderately and severely defoliation