The republic of serbia ministry of environment and spatial planning table of contents
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Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN)The Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN) originated from the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy (PEBLDS). The PEEN aims to link different European and national protected areas and ecological networks with the goal of ensuring a favourable conservation status of Europe’s key ecosystems, habitats, species and landscapes. In the period from 2003-2006, the European Centre for Nature Conservation (ECNC) acted as a project coordinator with the aim of creating a map of the Pan-European Ecological Network (PEEN) in South-East Europe (SEE). One of the results of the project was creation of the PEEN Indicative Map which identifies the core nature areas of European importance, existing corridors between these areas, and where new corridors could and should be established. Green Belt The goal of the European Green Belt Project is protection of the area with significant habitats which would create a part of an ecological network and spanning across the former “Iron Curtain Zone”. The European Green Belt, as a symbol of the unity between the East and the West would be a key component of the European goal to reduce the loss of biodiversity at global level by 2010 (Countdown 2010). The main objectives of this project are to strengthen transboundary cooperation, to raise awareness of local communities about the significance of biodiversity conservation, as well as to build capacities of the all stakeholders associated with the protected areas in this region. In that way the project contributes to the harmonization of management plans in the three adjoining nature protected areas, and likewise to the involvement of the local economies in the programs of protected areas management. Considering the transboundary character of this area, it is clear that cooperation and coordinated management measures are the key solutions for its sustainable future. The Green Belt established in Serbia covers 12 protected areas. Ramsar Sites According to the criteria from the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance and Waterfowl Habitats in particular, there are 6 Special Nature Reserves, 1 Special Landscape Area, in addition to other two protected areas in the territory of Serbia. The total area of the Ramsar Sites covers 55,627 hectares, which is equivalent to 0.63% of Serbian territory. Important Bird Areas IBA Forty-two internationally Important Bird Areas (IBA) have been registered in Serbia on 1,259,624 hectares, which is equivalent to 14.25% of the Serbian territory. Important Plant Areas IPA In addition, 62 internationally Important Plant Areas (IPA) on 7,473 km2 or 8.5 % of the Serbian territory have been identified. The mapping of IPAs in Serbia is still in preparation. 56% of IPAs are protected in full or in part. The rest of IPAs are not under protection and frequently exposed to anthropogenic threats but may be proposed for protection in the near future. Prime Butterfly Areas PBA There are 40 Prime Butterfly Areas populated with day-flying butterflies. The PBAs cover the area of 903.643 ha which is equivalent to 10.23% of Serbian territory. BOX 2.1: Successful Stories - EMERALD NETWORK IN SERBIA The Project for establishment of the Emerald Network in Serbia which started in 2005 was superseded by the Project entitled “Development of the Emerald Network in the Republic of Serbia”. The Resolution No. 4 and Resolution No. 6 adopted by the Standing Committee of the Berne Convention serve as the basis for designating areas of special conservation interest within the Emerald Ecological Network. The Resolution No. 4 (1996) includes a list of endangered natural habitats requiring specific habitat conservation measures, while the Resolution No. 6 (1998) includes a list of flora and fauna requiring specific habitat conservation measures. The List of Potential Emerald Sites of Serbia prepared in compliance with the criteria set out in the Recommendation No. 16 (1989) of the Bern Convention includes 61 sites. Each of the selected 61 sites meets the basic criteria for nomination to the Emerald List i.e. each of these sites includes significant habitats of species defined by the Berne Convention as priority species and habitats for conservation at European level. Majority of these sites have already acquired a certain level of national protection (51 sites are either designated as protected natural goods or subject to protection review). In addition, certain sites are of international significance: one site is a Biosphere Reserve (Man and Biosphere / MAB UNESCO); 9 sites have been designated as Ramsar Sites; there are 35 Important Plant Areas (IPA); 35 nominated Important Bird Areas (IBA) and 30 Prime Butterfly Areas (PBA). There is an ongoing procedure for protection of several areas (5 Areas), while preliminary examinations are in progress for new areas (5 Areas), the characteristics of which give grounds for their protection at national level. Within this Project, the existing species and habitats in Serbia were identified and allocated according to respective Biogeographical Regions in line with the Resolution No. 4 and Resolution No. 6 adopted by the Convention on Conservation of European Wild Flora and Fauna and Natural Habitats, the EU Habitats Directive and the EU Birds Directive (Annex I and Annex II). In addition, the areas were allocated according to Biogeographical Regions; a Data Base of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCI) in the territory of Serbia and Montenegro has been completed, including data on their respective ecological features; each identified area has its boundaries clearly marked within the GIS; the GIS incorporates data on availability of selected flora and fauna species and types of habitats. The Report on the Project activities has been submitted to the Ministry and to the Council of Europe and a publication entitled Emerald Ecological Networks in Serbia has also been published. Further to the Convention on Conservation of European Wild Flora and Fauna and Natural Habitats, 61 potential Emerald Sites have been identified for the purpose of the Ecological Network, covering the total area of 1,019,269.31 ha, which is equivalent to 11.54% of the territory of Serbia. In addition, 73 priority habitats have been established in Serbia, out of which 65 habitats are located within the 61 potential Emerald Sites, including 189 Emerald Species, out of which 143 species are located within the selected areas. - INVENTORY OF THE WEST STARA PLANINA Mt. BIODIVERSITY The Project „Trans-Boundary Cooperation Through the Management of Shared Natural Resources – REReP, Promotion of Networks and Exchanges in the Countries of South-Eastern Europe“ was realised within the scope of the REReP Programme (Regional Environment Reconstruction Programme for South Eastern Europe). The basic task of the Project was to strengthen and develop the contact and cooperation between countries and people in score of environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. One of the main components of this project was strengthening of cooperation on protection and management of the key transboundary areas chosen by the countries of the south-eastern Europe and which has great significance in biodiversity protection, enabling in this way a successful transboundary social cooperation. The realisation of the Project started in the middle of 2000. At the end of 2001, local REC (Regional Environment Centre) offices in Serbia and Bulgaria, in cooperation with their countries and local organisations, designated the area of West Stara Planina-Mountain as the third transboundary area where the Project was realised. Two themes were defined that were related to the biodiversity of the Stara Planina Mt: „Inventory of the West Stara Planina Mt. Biodiversity“. 2.5. Protection of Species The Decree on the Protection of Natural Rarities, comprising 215 flora species and 429 fauna species was in force until 2010 when the Rulebook on Designation and Protection of Strictly Protected and Protected Wild Flora, Fauna and Fungi (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 5/2010) came into force. According to the new Rulebook there are 1760 strictly protected and 868 protected wild species of flora, fauna and fungi. All endangered taxa are protected by the Ordinance on Proclamation of Wild Taxa as Protected and Strictly Protected. In addition, utilization of certain types of mammals, flora, birds and fish is regulated by the Game and Hunting Law (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 18/2010); the Law on Forests (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 30/2010); the Law on Protection and Sustainable Use of Fishing Resources (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 36/2009) and the Ordinance on Measures for Conservation of Fishing Resources (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 104/2009). TABLE 2.1: Changes in the number of protected species in Serbia between 1993 and 2010
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1 - Decree on the Protection of Natural Rarities (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 50/1993) 2 - Rulebook on Designation and Protection of Strictly Protected and Protected Wild Flora, Fauna and Fungi (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia No. 5/2010) 2a – Strictly protected wild species 2b – Protected wild species 3 - Decree on Control of Utilization and Trade of Wild Flora and Fauna (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia Nos. 31/2005, 45/2005, 22/2007, 38/2008 and 9/2010) It is an evident increase of protected species for about 300%. This is the result of biodiversity monitoring development, more scientific biodiversity projects, and stronger “response” of the State. The Government also has prepared many Action Plans for endangered and protected species, especially for large carnivores. The Decree stipulates the measures for control of utilization and trade of 112 species of wild flora and fauna, out of which 78 species of flora (2 fern species and 76 seed plant species), 15 fungi species, 10 lichen species (8 species from the Usnea genus, except for the ones which are strictly protected), as well as 9 fauna species (2 reptile species, 2 amphibian species and 4 invertebrate species). 2.5.1. Red Books of Plants and Animals The lists and expert scientific studies of endangered wild species classified in the endangered categories and endangering factors, i.e. red lists and red books represent the basis both for undertaking of measures and activities that contribute to the preservation of endangered species and their habitats and for monitoring and making prognoses of the states of the populations of those species in the future. Addotionally, they are the basis for adoption of certain strategies, action plans, and decrees on protection of nature and natural values on the national level. Red Book of Flora of Serbia 1 – Extinct and Extremely Endangered Taxa Serbia got its first Red Book in 1999 and it is related to the extinct and extremely endangered plant species. It contains 171 plant taxa (species and subspecies) and presents around 5% of the total flora of Serbia. Out of that number, 4 taxa have been irretrievably lost from the world genofund, and before that they had lived only in Serbia; 46 taxa have dissappeared from the territory of Serbia, but they can be found in the neighboring territories or in ex situ conditions (botanical gardens); while 121 species are extremely endengered with a high probability of dissappearing from our territory in the near future or of disappearing from the entire world if due attention is not devoted to them. Red Data Book of Serbian Butterflies, Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea The Red Book of day-flying butterflies was published in 2003. It includes the presentation of 57 endangered species of day-flying butterflies, which in percentages represent 34% of the fauna of day-flying butterflies of Serbia. Apart from the extinct Fruška Gora Mt. Fenton’s wood white, among the extremely endangered ones are also the Alpine hesperida (Grizzled Skipper), Swallowtail, Eastern Dappled White, Stara Planina-Mount and Prokletija Mt. Yellow Spotted Ringlet, Apollo Butterfly, the Danube Clouded Yellow, Lesser Purple Emperor and Purple Emperor, Compton Tortoiseshell, Lesser Marbled Fritillary. Preliminary list of species for the Red List of Vertebrates The preliminary list of species for the Red List of Vertebrates was made by the end of 1990 and the beginning of 1991. This list is the basis and the startig point for the work on the Red List and/or Red Book of Vertebrata of Serbia. This list includes 1 species of agnatha and 29 fish species, 22 amphibian species, 21 reptile species, 72 mammal species, and 353 bird species. The work on the Red List of Vertebrates has not been completed. Atlas of Breeding Birds of Prey of Serbia The publication was issued in 2000 and it contains the data on the distribution, number, the trend of nesting populations, sizes of areas, and specific problems of protection of all the 25 species of vulcher birds of Serbia, in the course of 1977-1996. 2.6. Monitoring, Reintroduction Programmes, In situ and Ex situ Conservation The current status of biodiversity monitoring in Serbia can be characterized as rather incomplete and fragmented monitoring. The level and quality of the obtained data from monitoring is also very inhomogeneous. Another important issue is the scale of monitored parameters and the quality of data obtained in monitoring. The Serbian Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) was established 2004. One of its most important missions is to gather data from the environment monitoring, including biodiversity monitoring, their processing, and assessment and reporting on the national and international level. A number of projects have been implemented focused on in situ protection of rare and endangered species and their habitats (Protection of Hermann’s Tortoises (Testudo hermanni) in the Republic of Serbia; Monitoring of metapopulation system of water grogs (Rana synklepton esculenta) in the south-eastern part of the Pannonian Plain; Diversity of the fauna of bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in Serbia; Sustainable development and protection of forest ecosystems in Serbia – harmonization with the international standards; Implementation of GIS technologies in the valuation and protection of natural potentials of the National Park Tara; Providing of conditions for sheltering the animals that are on the lists for control of trade in endangered and rare species, etc. In addition, preliminary monitoring of threatened animal and plant species in the territory of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina was organized in 2002/03 by the Provincial Secretariat for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development. It included biodiversity monitoring on the ecosystem and species level, monitoring of protected welfares of national and international interest, fragile ecosystems, rare and threatened species, endemic and relict species and their habitats. Reintroduction is rather an efficient way of protection of species in their natural habitats. The Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning initiated several reintroduction projects. The project of the European beaver reintroduction in Serbia has been realized in association with the Ministry of Science and Environmental Protection – the Directorate for Environmental Protection, the Faculty of Biology in Belgrade, the Association from Bavaria, and SNR Zasavica. Several beaver families were reintroduced in Obedska Bara-Swamp and Zasavica special nature reserve. Micropropagation and reintroduction of Nepeta rtanjensis, a stenoendemic and critically endangered perennial of Serbia is a successful ongoing project that is financed by the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning. The total number of the natural population of this species is estimated to only around 700. Ex situ protection involves the activities that are focused on protection of rare and endangered species outside their respective natural habitats. Gene banks can be efficiently used for reintroduction (re-settlement) of the species that have disappeared from a certain area. Ex situ conservation programs include Zoos, botanical gardens, and rehabilitation centres for animals. Ex situ plant gene banks are located within quite a number of scientific institutions, first of all institutes and faculties. The legal framework for those centres includes CITES Convention and bylaws. Serbia ratified the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora - CITES Convention (Official Gazette of the SRY - International Treaties, No. 11/2001) BOX 2.2. Case studies: Conservation and monitoring of endangered bird species Case 1: -The Action Plan for Recovery and Conservation of the Vultures on the Balkan Peninsula was conceived as a long-term strategy of protection and replacement of vultures in the Balkan countries with the aim to create the best possible conditions for their survival, and it has been planned to also reintroduce certain species as required. This Action Plan involves a large number of prominent international organizations (the Black Vulture Conservation Foundation, the Frankfurt Zoological Society, the Foundation for the Preservation of the Bearded Vulture, the Legue for Protection of birds of France, BirdLife International, Royal Society for Protection of Birds, IUCN of Europe, the Working Group for Griffon Vulture for the Eastern Mediterannean), as well as a number of domestic governmental and non-governmental organizations. Within the project it has been planned to reintroduce griffon vulture in Stara Planina-Mount (Eastern Serbia), as well as of the black vulture in the southwestern Serbia. Preparations for reintroduction of griffon vulture have been initiated and their intensification is expected in the course of the years to follow. Serbia was was included in the project in 2004 with its separate project „Action Plan for Protection of Vultures of Serbia“. The main activities in Serbia are realized through the monitoring of all the nesting colonies, individual pairs, and individual vultures and problems of their protection, regular operation of feeding sites for vultures, prevention of negative events, such as poisoning and killing, and numerous other activities. Case 2: - Black stork (Ciconia nigra) is a rare species in Europe (R), within the category SPEC 2, species of interest to protection in Europe. It has the status of strictly protected species in Serbia. The number of pairs in Serbia in the period 1990-2000 was 110-120, with contemporary indications of slight increase in number. The majority of pairs nests in old, conserved alluvial forests along the rivers Danube, Sava, Tamis and Tisa in Vojvodina, whereas the minor number of pairs also nests on rocks in highland areas. The centre of national population is in Special Nature Reserve „Gornje Podunavlje“, where 20-30 pairs nest, as well as in Special Nature Reserve „Obedska bara“, with its population of 18-20 pairs. The bird population is primarily endangered by inappropriate and unadjusted forestry and the lack of shallow water habitat appropriate for feeding. Case 3: - White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) within the category SPEC1, a globally endangered species which has contemporary experienced the complete population recovery in Serbia. During 2009, its number in Serbia was 86-114 pairs, out of which 97 were in Vojvodina. The changes in number of white-tailed eagle in the period 1950-2009 show rapid depopulation in 1950`s, stagnation in the period 1960-1980, slight increase in population till mid 1990`s, since when, the exponential increase has followed. That resulted in increased number of known nesting pairs, from 20 in 1998 to 86 in 2009, that is, it increased 4,3 times in 22 years (Ham I, Skorić S. & Vučanović М. (2009): The distribution, successful nesting and population number of white-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicillain in Serbia in 2009. Ciconia 18: 16-28). The essential reasons of increase in population number are partial improvement of habitat condition, conservation of nesting sites and feeding in winter, and also positive trends in surrounding populations in Europe. The greatest number of pairs in Serbia (18-20) nests in Special Nature Reserve „Gornje Podunavlje“. 
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