Protected Areas in Serbia

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Protected Areas in SerbiaAuthor(s): Lidija Amidzic , Mirjana Bartula , Zoran Krivošej , Danijela ProdanovićSource: Natural Areas Journal, 33(3):348-355. 2013.Published By: Natural Areas AssociationDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3375/043.033.0314URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.3375/043.033.0314

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348 Natural Areas Journal Volume 33 (3), 2013

Natural Areas Journal 33:348–355

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Protected Areas in Serbia

Lidija Amidžić1

1Faculty of Applied EcologyUniversity Singidunum

Pozeska 83a11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Mirjana Bartula1,4

Zoran Krivošej2

Danijela Prodanović3

2Faculty of Natural ScienceUniversity of PrištinaKosovska Mitrovica

3Faculty of AgricultureUniversity of PrištinaKosovska Mitrovica

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4 Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT: Nature protection in The Republic of Serbia dates back to the Middle Ages. The current nature protection in Serbia has been regulated by the relevant legilsative and institutional framework harmonized with the European Union environmetal accord. However, the total protected areas are still small in comparison to the existing natural values that deserve to be protected and maintained.

Index terms: biodiversity, protected areas, Republic of Serbia

INTRODUCTION

Serbia is a Central Balkans and Danu-bian state situated in the Mediterranean hinterland. It covers an area of 88.361 km2 and stretches northward from the high Prokletije and Sara Mountains and encompasses the plains of Vojvodina, which are a part of the Pannonian Plain. The geographical position has allowed for pervasion of Mediterranean and Central European continental influences, which has made Serbia an important intersection of flora and fauna from different biogeo-graphic regions, as well as significant refugial centers of the Balkan Peninsula (Figure 1). High biological and landscape diversity on a relatively small territory of Serbia is unique in many respects – from scientific, practical, and aesthetic stand-points. The best preserved and the most valuable landscapes of Serbia now have the status of protected areas.

The Characteristics of Natural Heritage of Serbia

In the complex relief and geological structure of Serbia, two main parts can be differentiated – lowland and highland regions. The lowland region, on the north of Serbia, is comprised of alluvial planes and river terraces along the Danube Sava and Tisza loess plateaus and the two low elevation islands – Fruska Gora and Vrsac hill. The hilly-mountainous region of Central and Southern Serbia is built up out of five complex orographic units delimited by river valleys. In the central and southern parts of the region rises the Rodopian massif (as a branch of Rodopian magmatic system); on the north-east, parts of the the Carpathian Mountain system are situated; on the east and south-east are the massifs of the Balkan mountain system; on the west and south-west rises the Dinarides Mountain system; and in the south, the Skardu-Pindus Mountain system.

Complex lithological composition and structural fabric of this part of the Balkans have influenced the diversity of hydrogeo-logical phenomena and drainage systems formed by fast flowing mountain rivers, valley flowing rivers, and wide lowland rivers. In hydrogeograph-ical terms, the territory of Serbia plays a role of water divide of the Balkans, as on it three drain-age basins are divided: the Black Sea, the Adriatic Sea, and the Aegean Sea.

Serbia’s geographic position has enabled penetration of both warm Mediterranean and cold continental climatic impacts, which, under influences of turbulent re-lief/variable landscapes, result in diverse climatic variants. The basic types of cli-mate in Serbia are moderate-continental, continental, and mountain. In concordance with the local orographic conditions, they are manifested through different types of meso- and micro-climatic parameters, from Submediterranean to the crisp mountain and periglacial.

The complexity of elements of physical geography on the territory of Serbia is further enriched by geoheritage objects as valuable examples of the formation of the lithosphere and its shaping. So far, 650 geoheritage objects of national and global importance have been established (Mijović et al. 2005). These objects belong to his-torical and geographic, stratigraphic, geo-morphological, geophysical, neotectonic, speleological, hydrogeological, pedologi-cal, geoarcheological, climatological, and ex situ geological heritage. For its values, 80 legally protected geoheritage objects particularly stand out as single monuments of nature or important landscape elements in the larger protected areas.

Due to its specific position, Serbia is under the influence of five biogeographic regions: Central-European, Pontic-South Siberian, Central-South European, Mediterranean-

C O N S E R V A T I O N I S S U E S

Volume 33 (3), 2013 Natural Areas Journal 349

Figure 1. Geographic position of Serbia.

Submediterranean, and boreal. This kind of biogeographical diversity clearly influences the high species and ecosystem diversity that are expressed through the presence and coexistence of numerous plant and animal species of different origin, age, biology, and ecology.

According to the official data (Stevanović and Vasić 1995), 44,200 taxa (species and subspecies) have been discovered and clas-sified in Serbia, although it is assumed that there could be approximately 60,000 taxa.

If the number of certain types of groups of organisms present in Serbia are compared with the same in the European subconti-nent, obtained quantitative indicators show extraordinary species diversity. Namely, Serbia occupies only 0.84% of European territory, and in it dwells 39% of vascular flora, 67% of butterflies, 51% of fishes, 37% of amphibians, 26% of reptiles, 74% of birds, and 68% of European mammal fauna, which makes it the meeting place of the biological diversity of this part of the world.

Ecosystem diversity (beta) of Serbia goes far beyond the boundaries of ordinary. The northern part of Serbia, in the area of Panonnian Plain, represents the lowland biome of steppes and forest-steppes and on it continues a central highland biome of temperate deciduous forests (which are a part of Central European region). Moun-tains of central Serbia include coniferous forests of the boreal type; the mountains of Southern Serbia are represented by the Oro-Mediterranean vegetation biome of the South European-mountain region;


and mountaintops above 2000 m repre-sent biomes of highland tundra that are connected to the circum-boreal region. Finally, the limestone cliffs of the very south of Serbia are belonging to the biome of Submediterranean vegetation of the nearby Mediterranean region.

In the complex biome spectrum of Serbia have been described 2758 vegetation taxa (Lakušić 2005). Its vegetation (exclud-ing vegetation of mosses and lichens) is comprised of 1399 associations and 971 subassociations, which are classified into 242 alliances (26% in comparison to Eu-rope), 59 classes (73% in comparison to Europe), and 114 vegetation orders (49% in comparison to Europe).

History of Nature Protection in Serbia

The first historically significant testimony considering nature preservation in Serbia is The Law of Emperor Dusan from 1349. In Article 123 of said Act, Saxon miners were suspended of privileges on the basis that they could indefinitely perform deforesta-tion for purposes of ore digging and raising settlements. The prohibition of unrestricted deforestation was later extended to the nobility and the villagers of Ljubiznje and Skorobiznje in the surroundings of Prizren, the Serbian capital at that time.

After the second Serbian uprising against the Ottoman rule, many rules that regulate the relationship with nature were adopted. In accordance with the foregoing, the Duke Milos Obrenovic, in 1820, issued an order that people should not destroy the forest; and in 1835, the care of forests was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In 1836, The Highest Order was adopted which banned deer hunting. This order also introduced closed-season on rabbits, chamois, and birds. By decisions from 1859 and 1860, fishing with dynamite or poisoning was banned for the first time (Radović and Mandić 1998). In the same period, Duke Milos also issued an Order for Protection of Forests of Avala Mountain. The Law on Forests entered into force; and in 1898, the Law on Hunting and the Law on Fishing (Popović 1951) also became law.

In the nineteenth century, on the present-day territory of the Serbia swamp, Obedska bara was protected by Imperial order on the initiative of Baron Mollinary in 1874. That was the first offiially-designated protected area in Serbia.

At the beginning of the twentieth century, in 1905, the Law on the Use and Regula-tion of Waters of the Kingdom of Serbia entered into force; and in 1914, the Law on Spas, Mineral, and Thermal Waters, by which care of the forests in the vicinity of the spas was regulated (Đurđić 2006), also began law. After the First World War, in 1918, by The the Decree Of Kingdom Of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, The Ministry Of Forests And Mines was established, аnd in 1930, The Order for Keeping and Maintenance of Objects of Historical, Scientific, Artistic Value, Natural Beauty, and Rarities entered into force (Pоpоvić 1951). In 1939, in order to conserve the most important areas of natural assets, the Regulation on National Parks had been adopted. However, the first national park in Serbia was protected much later – in 1960 – when Fruska Gora was designated as a national park.

The Organization of Nature Protection Activities in Serbia

Protection and conservation of geodiver-sity, landscapes, and protected areas in Serbia, at the national level, are primarily provided by:– the Ministry of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning of Republic of Serbia,– the Environmental Protection Fund of Republic of Serbia,– the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia.Protection at the provincial level in-cludes:– the Provincial Secretariat of Urban Planning, Construction, and Environment Protection,– the Provincial Institute for Nature Con-servation of Vojvodina Province,– local self-government units,– managers of protected areas,– professional/expert/specialized and scientific organizations, and other public services,–citizens, civil groups, their associations, professional, or other organizations.

The direct affairs of nature conservation and protected areas can be classified into administrative, professional, managerial, and regulatory. Administrative affairs of nature protection and protected areas are conducted by the Ministry of Environ-ment, Mining, and Spatial Planning, The Provincial Secretariat of Urban Planning, Construction, and Environment Protection of The Autonomous Province Vojvodina, and the competent units of local self-government.

Professional aspects of nature protection and protected areas are performed by the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia and The Provincial Secretariat of Urban Planning, Construction, and Environment Protection of Vojvodina.

When it comes to protected areas, the main tasks of the Institute are:– information collection and analysis of the data about nature and natural values,– monitoring of the status of nature and the extent of its vulnerability,– preparation of studies of protection in order to determine values and management options of areas proposed for protection,– providing guidelines for work and re-search in protected areas,– performing professional supervision in a protected area and proposing measures for protection,– providing professional assistance to managers of protected areas,– establishing conditions and measures for protection of nature in the development and implementation of spatial and urban plans, project documentation, forestry, hunting, fishing, and water master plans, etc.

Management activities in protected areas are conducted by managers of protected areas which:– protect, improve, and promote protected areas,– adopt management plans and other acts stipulated by law,– ensure that natural processes take place undisturbed and the use of protected areas is sustainable,– provide supervision over the implementa-tion of conditions and measures of nature protection,– follow the movement and activities


of visitors, and, in cooperation with the inspection and competent body of the au-thority of the Interior, prevent all activities and operations that represent factors of endangerment and degradation, etc.

Inspection jobs in protected areas are con-ducted by The Ministry of Environment, Mining, and Spatial Planning by environ-mental inspectors. Inspection supervision is also entrusted to The Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and local self-government units in the protected areas declared by their authorities. Inspectors have the duty to order the implementation of certain measures for protection of nature, to prohibit activities harmful to nature, to seize certain items, goods, or devices that endanger nature, and to bring decisions that require the conduction of necessary activities, prohibitions, procedures, etc. Environmental inspectors cooperate with other competent inspection bodies (for forestry, hunting, water management, etc.) and inform them of the measures taken.

Financing of projects related to affairs of environmental protection, biodiversity, geodiversity, and protected areas is under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Pro-tection Fund of the Republic of Serbia. The Fund also performs affairs of project management and financial mediation in the field of conservation, sustainable use, protection, and improvement of the envi-ronment, as well as in energy efficiency and utilization of renewable energy resources. Income for the Fund is gained through a fee for trade in wild flora and fauna and from charges based on the “polluter pays principle.” Besides assets of the Fund, man-agers of protected areas are required to use their own monetary assets, and funds from projects financed by governmental and international institutions, as well as from donations and gifts. Funds for management of protected areas are mostly collected from fees for the use of protected areas, services, and the use of certain natural resources. A national information system for environmental protection, and produc-tion of reports on the state of environment and the implementation of environmental policy, is entrusted to the Agency for En-vironmental Protection of The Republic of Serbia. The Agency cooperates with the

European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Environment Information and Observation Network (EIONET).

Legal Framework for Nature Protection in Serbia

Basic laws and by-laws in governing the protection of nature are:– the Law on Nature Protection (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issues 36/09, 88/10, 91/10),– the Decree on Control of the Use and Trade of Wild Flora and Fauna (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issues 31/05, 45/05, 22/07, 38/08, 9/10),– the Decree on the Ecological Network (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issue 102/10),– the Regulation on Proclamation and Pro-tection of Strictly Protected and Protected Species of Wild Plants, Animals and Fungi (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issue 5/10),– the Regulation on Conditions to be Fulfilled by Protected Area Managers (Of-ficial Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issue 85/09),– the Regulation on Compensation Tariffs for Determining Compensation Levels for Damage Caused through an Unauthorized Act in Relation to Strictly Protected and Protected Wild Species (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issue 37/10), etc.

The area of protection and use of natural resources is regulated directly or indirectly, and other laws such as: The Law on En-vironmental Protection (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issues 135/04 and 36/09), The Law on Forests (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issue 30/2010), The Law on Water (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issue 30/2010), The Law on the Protection and Sustainable Use of Fish Stocks (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issue 36/09), The Law on Game and Hunting (Official Gazette of the Republic of Ser-bia, Issue 18/10), The Law on Welfare of Animals (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issue 41/09), The Law on Plan-ning and Construction (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issue 72/09), The Law on Geological Research (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issues

44/95 and 101/05), The Law on Tourism (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issue 45/05), The Law on Agriculture and Rural Development (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issue 41/09), The Law on Strategic Environmental Impact As-sessment (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issues 135/04 and 88/10), The Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, Issue 84/09), etc.

In addition to the above-mentioned laws, Serbia has adopted a significant number of laws on the ratification of international conventions such as: The Convention on Wetlands, Ramsar – Iran, 1971; The UNESCO World Heritage Convention – United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Paris 1972; The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora – CITES, Washington, 1973; The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, Bern, 1979; The Convention on the Con-versation of Migratory species of Wild Animals – CMS, Bon, 1979; The Conven-tion on Biological Diversity – CBD, Rio de Janeiro, 1992; The Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians, Kiev, 2003; The Danube River Protection Convention, Sofia, 2004, etc. By signing and verifying these conven-tions, Serbia took over the responsibility for their implementation through national legislation and practice.

Types of Protected Areas in Serbia

According to the Law on Nature Protec-tion, protected areas are: (а) a strict nature reserve, (b) a special nature reserve, (c) a national park, (d) a monument of nature, (е) a protected habitat, (f) a landscape of out-standing features, or (g) a nature park.

(а) Strict Nature Reserve: an area of unchanged natural characteristics with representative natural ecosystems, in-tended solely for conservation of the original nature, gene pool, and ecological balance. Only monitoring/follow-up of natural phenomena and processes and scientific research that does not disturb natural characteristics, values, phenomena, and processes are allowed in strict nature


reserves.

(b) Special Nature Reserve: an area of unmodified or slightly modified nature, of particular importance for its uniqueness, rarity, or representativeness, and which includes the habitat of endangered wild spe-cies of plants, animals, and fungi, without settlements, or with a few in which man lives in harmony with nature, intended for conservation of existing natural features, gene pool, ecological balance, monitoring of natural phenomena and processes, sci-entific research and education, controlled visits, and preservation of traditional ways of life.

In the strict and special nature reserves, it is forbidden to perform actions and ac-tivities that may impair the properties for which mentioned areas had been declared protected as natural goods (picking and destruction of plants, harassing, captur-ing and killing of animals, introduction of allochtonous species, land improvement, various forms of economic and other uti-lizations, etc.).

Visiting both strict and special nature reserves for educational purposes can be made on the basis of licenses issued by the manager of the protected area.

(c) National Parks: areas with a larger number of diverse natural ecosystems of national importance. They contain prominent features of the landscapes and cultural heritage in which people live in harmony with nature. They are intended for the conservation of existing natural values and resources, the overall landscape, geological and biological diversity, and intended to meet scientific, educational, spiritual, aesthetic, cultural, touristic, health and recreational needs, and other activities in accordance with the principles of environmental protection and sustainable development.

Permitted operations and activities in National Parks are those that do not threaten the authenticity of the nature and conduction of activities that contribute to the education, health, recreational and touristic needs, and the continuation of the traditional ways of life of local communi-

ties in a way that does not endanger the survival of species, natural ecosystems, and landscapes, in accordance with the law and the management plan adopted by the manager.

(d) Monument of Nature: an area left unchanged or a partially changed natural spatial entity, object, or phenomenon, physically well defined, recognizable and/or unique, of the representative geo-morphological, geological, hydrological, botanical and/or other traits, as well as by human labor-formed botanical value of scientific, aesthetic, cultural, or educational significance.

All actions and activities that endanger the Momument’s features and values are prohibited. Protection measures for a specific Monument of Nature, and the measures of its use, are closely determined by the act for designation of that particular protected area.

(e) Protected Habitat: an area that includes one or more natural types of habitat signifi-cant for the conservation of one or more populations of wild species and their com-munities. The goal of habitat protection is the protection of threatened and rare habi-tats, ecosystems, and indigenous wildlife at the national and /or international level, thus ensuring the favorable status of native wild populations, provision of migratory routes and rest areas, facilitating/ enabling scientific research, population management and education, etc. Actions and activities endangering, or damaging to, one or more types of habitats are prohibited. In the act for designation of a protected habitat, its significance, purpose, and measures of its protection are detailed.

(f) Landscape of Outstanding Features: an area of distinctive appearance with significant natural, biological, ecological, aesthetic, cultural, and historical values, which over time developed as a result of the interaction of nature, natural potentials of an area, and traditional ways of life of the local population. The landscape of outstanding features may be a natural area or a cultural landscape with unique features. The natural landscape of out-standing features is an area of significant

biological, ecological, and aesthetic values, where the traditional ways of life of local population did not significantly disrupt the nature and natural ecosystems. The cultural landscape of outstanding features is an area of significant landscape, aesthetic, cultural, and historical values, which evolved over time as a result of the interaction between nature, the natural potential of the area, and traditional ways of life of the local population. In the area of the landscape of outstanding features, actions and activities that violate the primary natural and man-made landscape values and character are prohibited. Protection measures, the man-ner of performing economic and traditional activities, and the use of natural and created values in the area of outstanding features are specified in the Act on Designation of Protected Area.

(g) Nature Park: an area of well-preserved natural values with mostly preserved natural ecosystems and vivid landscapes, intended for conservation of the total geological, biological, and landscape diver-sity, as well as for meeting the scientific, educational, spiritual, aesthetic, cultural, touristic, health and recreational needs, and other activities aligned with traditional lifestyles and sustainable development principles. In the Nature Park, it is not permitted to conduct economic or other activities and actions that endanger the essential characteristics and value of the area. Protection measures, the manner of performing economic activities, and the use of natural values in the nature park, are specified in the Act on Designation of Protected Area.

Categories and Protection Regime of Protected Areas

The procedure of protection of the area is officially initiated when the study of protection made by the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia or the Provincial In-stitute for Nature Conservation, is delivered to the competent administrative authority: the Ministry, the provincial authority, or the body of local government. Based on the Law of Nature Protection, protected areas are classified into categories I, II, or III.

(a) In the first category are international


and national classified protected areas that are of exceptional significance.(b) In the second category are regional classified protected areas that are of major importance.

(c) In the third category are classified protected areas of local importance.The proposal of category of protection regime is delivered to the competent administrative authority by the Institute for Nature Conservation in its Study on Protection.

The I (first), II (second), and III (third) level of protection regime can be established in protected areas. They are determined in the Act on Designation of Protected Area.

(а) Protection regime of I level (strict protection) is implemented on protected area, or its part, containing original or slightly modified ecosystems of great scientific and practical significance, which allows processes of natural succession and conservation of habitats and living com-munities in the wild.

(b) Protection regime of II level (active protection) is conducted in a protected area or its part with partially altered ecosystems of great scientific and practical importance, and especially valuable landscapes and geological heritage objects.

(c) Protection regime of III level (proactive protection) is carried out in a protected area or its part with partially modified and/or altered ecosystems, landscapes, and objects of geological heritage of scientific and practical importance. The proposal of protection regime is also delivered by the Institute for Nature Conservation via a Study on Protection.

Management of Protected Areas

Protected areas in Serbia can be managed by legal entities (public enterprises for forest management, tourism organizations, units of local self-governments, scientific, and educational institutions, etc.), religious communities, NGOs, or native persons if it is a protected area of a small surface area. National parks are managed by public

companies that are declared by the Serbian Parliament (Amidžić 2011).

The manager is determined by an Act on Designation of Protected Area. In ac-cordance with the Law on Nature Protec-tion, the manager of a protected area is directed to:– conserve, promote, and improve the protected area,– adopt a ten-year Management Plan, an-nual Management Program, Rulebook on internal order and ranger service, and the Rulebook on Compensation Fees for use of protected area,– mark the protected area, boundaries, and regimes of protection in accordance with special Regulations on the Manner of Labelling,– ensure undisturbed performance of natural processes and sustainable use of the protected area,– give consent on conduction of scientific research, exploration and/or research activ-ities, filmmaking, placement of temporary objects on surfaces in a protected area, and issue additional authorizations,– monitor the movement and activities of visitors and provide trained guides for tourist visits,– keep records of natural values,– keep records on human activities, the activities and processes which pose a risk of endangerment and damage to a protected area, and submit information about it to the Institute and the Ministry,– keep records of real estate with the data relevant for management of protected areas,– in cooperation with inspection and bod-ies of the competent authority of Interior, prevent all actions and activities that are inconsistent with the Act on Protection and represent a risk factor of endangerment and devastation of the protected area, etc.

The manager must have a staff educated for nature protection and ranger services.

Protected Areas in Serbia

In the territory of Serbia, there are 464 areas of particular importance for the con-servation and improvement of the state of nature protected by law: 5 national parks; 16 nature parks; 58 landscapes of outstand-

ing features with specific natural, cultural, and historical values; 71 strict and special nature reserves; and 313 monuments of nature. The National Parks of Serbia are: Fruskа Gоrа (25.393 ha), Djerdap (63.608 ha), Таrа (19.175 ha), Kоpаоnik (11.809 ha), and Sara Mountains (39.000 ha).Fruska Gora lies between the Danube and Sava rivers and is 75 km long. In this area are gentle slopes covered with loess, nu-merous streams cut into the rock masses, abundant fossil flora and fauna preserved in the sediments of the former Panno-nian seabed, as well as the lush forests of sessile oak (Quercus petraea), white common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), beech (Fagus moesiaca), and silver linden (Tilia tomentosa). At the foot of Fruska Gora, stretches a famous wine-growing region, where wine has been grown for over 1700 years.

Ðеrdаp National Park is located in Eastern Serbia, on the border with Romania. It covers nearly 100 km of the right bank of the middle water course of the Danube, which is making its way to the Ðеrdаpska klisura/Djerdap Gorge, also known as Iron Gates. This is the largest and longest composite gorge in Europe. It was created at the point where the Danube has cut into the south Carpathian massif/range. A particularly attractive locality is Kazan, known as “the Gates of Europe.” Here the Danube narrows to only 140 m and reaches its maximum depth of 90 m. Forests of Turkish hazel/Turkish hazelnut (Corylus colurna), common/Persian/English wal-nut (Juglans regia), lilac/common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), European yew (Taxus baccata), silver lime (Tilia argentea), Cau-casian lime (Tilia caucasia), Montpellier maple (Acer monspessulanum), pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens), Pancic’s maple (Acer intermedium) and other tree species, add to the beauty of the landscape.

Tara National Park is located in Western Serbia on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. It includes the mountain ranges Tara and Zvijezda, belonging to the internal Dinarides. These limestone mountains are intersected by deep canyons and gorges of wild mountain streams and rivers. To the north, the park is limited by the river Drina, whose canyon in certain


places reaches a depth of 1000 m. Tara is the area with the highest production of timber mass in Europe. Located here are forests of European spruce/Norway spruce (Picea abies), silver fir/European silver fir (Abies alba), Scots pine (Pinus silvestris), moesian beech (Fagus moesiaca), and the most famous species is Serbian spruce (Pi-cea omorika (Panč /Purkyne)) – a tertiary relict of this region.

Kopaonik National Park (2017 m) is located in central Serbia. The park covers most of Kopaonik Mountain, which is the last eastern branch of the internal Dinarides limited by river valleys of Ibar, Јоšаnica, Sitnica, Lаb, Rаsina, and Тоplica. It is char-acterized by wild river gorges, numerous springs of thermo mineral water, boulders and cliffs, vast pastures, and woodland. The forest vegetation is dominated by oaks (Quercus cerris, Q. frainetto, Q. petraea), Moesian beech (Fagus moesiaca), silver fir (Abies alba), and European spruce (Picea abies).

National Park Sаra-mauntin (2651 m) is located in south Serbia, near the border with The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It covers the northern part of the 85-km long mountain range of Sаra Mauntain, which belongs to the Skardu-Pindus mountain system. The main features of this Park are a continuous main ridge, side ridges intersected by deep wild riv-ers, 70 glacial lakes, spacious pastures, blueberry bushes (Vaccinium myrtilus, V. uliginosum), Siberian Juniper (Junipe-rus sibirica), alpenrose (Rhododendron ferrugineum), and the vast forests. The best known species of forest trees are endemorelict pines – Bosnian Pine (Pinus heldreichii) and Macedonian Pine (Pinus peuce), Balkan Maple (Acer heldreichii), and European yew, although quantitatively, forests of oak, beech, and spruce dominate. Sаra Mauntain is the center of biological diversity of Serbia with a large number of endemic species.

All national parks of Serbia are character-ized by a very rich fauna, ethnic heritage, cultural and historic monuments dating from the Neolithic period, ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, and the age of

the medieval Serbian state.

On the preliminary list of potential world l heritage sites under the designation of UNESCO, there are five protected areas: the National Parks of Ðеrdаp and Sаra Mountain, and Таrа Special Nature Re-serve, Deliblato Sands, and the Monument of Nature Devils Town.

Within the UNESCO programme Man and Biosphere (UNESCO, МAB – Man and Biosphere), the Nature Park Gоliја, together with the surroundings of the medieval Orthodox monastery Studеnicа, was declared for biosphere reserve Gоliја – Studеnicа, while on the preliminary list of potential biosphere reserves are an-other nine protected areas: Special Nature Reserves Dеliblаtskа, pеščаrа, Gоrnjе, Pоdunаvlје, and Оbеdskа swamp; National Parks Ðеrdаp, Sаra Mountain, and Таrа; and Nature Park Stаrа plаninа (Amidžić et al. 2007).

Based on the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as waterfowl habitat, nine natural areas have gained the status of Ramsar Area.

The total surface of protected areas is 518,200 ha, accounting for 5.86% of the territory of Serbia. According to the Spa-tial Plan of The Republic of Serbia 2010 – 2020, it is prospected such that by the end of this decade, 12% of the national territory will be placed under legal protection.

In protected areas, the protection regime of I level is carried out on 20,170 ha, account-ing for 0.0023% of the territory of Serbia (3.89% of protected areas); protection regime of II level is carried out on 102,430 ha that is 0.012% of territory of Serbia (19.77% of protected areas); and protec-tion regime of III level is implemented on approximately 80% of the protected area coverage (76.34% of protected areas) (Spatial Plan of Republic of Serbia 2010 – 2020). This percentage share of protection regimes is not a constraint to the sustainable development, but poses a serious threat to the conservation of national natural heri-

tage, especially if one bears in mind that our protected areas are still not enjoying adequate protection.

CONCLUSION

The richness of habitats, plant and animal species, ecosystems, landscapes, cultural, historical, and ethnic heritage makes up the original landscape character of Serbia, requiring exceptional care and long-term conservation.

Unfortunately, even though it has signed and ratified all the relevant international conventions in the field of nature conserva-tion and biodiversity, and that its legislation is largely aligned with the European Union, Serbia is still not adequately protecting its natural heritage. Key indicators of unfavor-able conservation status of the most valu-able areas in Serbia are as follows:

– a small total area of state under protec-tion (5.86%),– small area of the parts in the protected areas under strict protection (regime of the I degree; 0.0023% of the territory of Serbia (i.e., 3.89% of protected areas)),– degradation of certain parts of protected areas due to unplanned construction, especially for skiing, which is especially characteristic for Kоpаоnik National Park, National Park Sar-Planina, and Nature Park Stаrа Plаninа,– poor financial conditions of protected area managers.Improvement of relationships with nature and protected areas could be achieved if conditions below are satisfied:– procedure for declaration of new pro-tected areas is accelerated,– strict implementation of regulation and prevention of conflict of interest are in force,– there is an increasing involvement of local population and non-government organiza-tions in affairs of protection activities,– more adequate financing, equipping, and training of managers of protected areas and their ranger service staff,– continuing education of all stakehold-ers important for the improvement of relationships with nature (policy makers, local population, children and young, non-


governmental organizations, etc.),– more agile promotion of nature protection and protected areas.

Ms. Lidija Amidžić is an Associate Pro-fessor at the University of Singidunum, Faculty of Applied Ecology, from Belgrade, Serbia. She is an educated biologist and has worked on biodiversity conservation and natural areas management for 30 years.

Ms. Mirjana Bartula is an educated biolo-gist and works with the Faculty of Applied Ecology in Belgrade. Ms. Bartula is a specialist in protected area and integrated natural resources management with more than 10 years experience.

Mr. Zoran Krivošej is an Associate Profes-sor at the University of Priština, Faculty of Natural Science, Department of Biology. His field of specialization is botany.

Ms. Danijela Prodanović is an educated biologist and since 1995 has worked at the University of Pristina, Faculty Agriculture. Her research activites are focused on plant ecology.

LITERATURE CITED

Amidžić, L., S. Krasulja, and S. Belij. 2007. Pro-tected Areas of Serbia. Ministry of Environmental Protection, Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, Belgrade.

Amidžić, L. 2011. Guidelines for Management of Protected Areas. Ministry of Environment, Min-ing and Spatial Planning of Republic of Serbia, Foundation for Ecological Actions Green Limes, Belgrade, Serbia.

Ðurđić, S. 2006. Protected Areas as a Tool for Valuation of Spas. Protection of Spas in Serbia, Proceedings: 107-114. University of Belgrade, Faculty of Geography, Association of Spatial Planners of Serbia, Belgrade.

Lakušić, D. (ed). 2005. Habitats of Serbia – Manual with Descriptions and Basic Data. The Results

of Project “Harmonization of national nomen-clature in the classification of habitats with the international standards.” Ministry of Science and Environment Protection, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden “Јеvrеmоvаc,” University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Belgrade, Serbia.

Mijović, D., Lj. Rundić, and D. Milovanović. 2005. Protection of geological heritage in Serbia and directions of development. Second Conference on Geoheritage of Serbia, Monography:17 – 21. Institute For Nature Conservation of Serbia, Belgrade.

Popović, V. 1951. Nature protection by enforcement of Law on Natural Rarities, Law on Forest, Law on Fishery. Journal of Nature Protection 2-3:182-229. Spatial Plan Republic of Serbia. 2010 – 2020. Official Gazzete of Republic of Serbia, No. 88/10.

Radović, I., and R. Mandić. 1998. Protected areas of Serbia and biodiversity protection – base of natural heritage of Serbia. Journal of Nature Protection 50:13-33.

Stevanović, V., and V. Vasić (eds). 1995. Biodiversity of Yoguslavia with overview of Species of Interna-tional Importance. University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Ekolibri, Belgrade, Serbia.

Documents

Protected Areas in Serbia