important plant areas in central and eastern europe - Plantlife

Croatia
TONI NIKOLIC
Criteria and methodology
Criterion A = 114 species
Ai (15),Aii (62),Aiii (4),Aiv (33)
Criterion B data on 326 taxa were available to make richness assessments
Criterion C there was no habitat data available to make this assessment
The main challenges to applying the methodology were the age of the existing data and
the representation of Croatian threatened species and habitats on existing European and
global status assessments. Mapping data were not available for most habitats, and lower
plant and fungi data are particularly lacking. 88 potential sites were identified but several
of the smaller islands could be identified as individual IPAs. Further fieldwork is
necessary to identify boundaries and make detailed site reports.
Protection, management and threats
62% of the species decline in Croatia is related to habitat loss and degradation.The
causes of the habitat loss are water (inland and coastal) management systems and
drainage (c. 30%), development of infrastructure and urbanisation (c. 22%), shifting
agriculture (c. 17%) and tourism (9.8%). Steppe, grasslands, wetlands, and coastal and
sub-littoral habitats are particularly under threat. Many of the potential IPAs have some
form of protection but areas such as the south Adriatic islands have no protection.
Recommendations
■ Enlarge the national team to continue
the work.
■ Target fieldwork and data collection at
identified gap areas.
■ Redefine preliminary list of IPAs with
new data.
■ Highlight the status of IPAs outside the
existing protected area systems.
■ Work with government agencies to
improve plant conservation aspects of
national biodiversity action plan and
regional initiatives.
■ Work with local stakeholders on
improving awareness and action.
References:
Nikolić T., 2003 Preliminary Analysis of a
Potential Network of IPAs, Croatia. Zagreb
National Biodiversity Strategy Croatia
(www.biodiv.org/world/reports)
Neretva Delta
The Neretva Delta is a cross-border site between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The delta is a large alluvial fan, which washes into the Adriatic Sea.The marshes, lakes
and lagoons of this remarkable Mediterranean wetland have decreased dramatically and
its unique plants and habitats are still threatened by land reclamation and drainage
projects.The site is also an Important Bird Area and a Ramsar site.
The picture shows Sparganium erectum.
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