important plant areas in central and eastern europe - Plantlife

Serbia and Montenegro
Current IPA statistics
Total number of IPAs: 59
Number of cross-border IPAs: 12
Criteria and methodology
Criterion A: the Serbian Red Data Book (Vol. 1 and database for Vol. 2) was used to
identify IPA species, and an assessment of internationally important species was
completed.The list includes species having most or all or their distribution in Serbia and
was mapped used 10 x 10 km squares
Criterion B: the following approach was adopted for this criterion: general species
richness with particular emphasis on rare, endemics and relict species, and diversity of
plant communities. Species richness was assessed using 50 x 50 km squares.
Criterion C: threatened, as well as rare and unique habitats, including the limestone cliffs
in gorges and canyons, forests of endemic trees and shrubs, steppe and sandy steppe,
relict peat bog and wetland plant communities were mapped at 10 x 10 km squares
The main challenges were the lack of Serbian and Balkan species and habitats included
on regional Red Lists or political documents. Maps of IPA site details, species and
habitats are held in GIS and databases.
Protection, threats and conservation issues
Of the IPAs identified so far five are in National Parks and 15 in nature reserves of
various status, although some of the IPAs have no current protection. The IPAs selected
so far have been concentrated on the mountainous areas with their many endemic and
relict species, areas of the rare habitats of steppe, forest steppe and sandy steppe, and
the few peat bogs, marshes and wet meadows.
Recommendations
■ Continue the identification and
validation process of potential IPAs in
Serbia
■ Publication of ‘IPAs in Serbia’ is planned
to be finished in 2005.
■ Promote the inclusion of Serbia and
Balkan species and habitats in European
and International lists of conservation
status
■ Use of IPA data in conservation
strategic planning in Serbia and
establishing net of protected areas in
Serbia.
■ Close cooperation with the Ministry of
Science, Natural Resources and
Environmental Protection, other
government agencies and stakeholders
to protect and manage IPAs
Deliblatska Pescara
Deliblatska Pescara in north east Serbia is a unique area of inland sand dunes and is a
floristically rich part of the Pannonian Plain.The dunes and adjacent loess hills contain
many rare types of plant communities such as steppe grasslands, sandy steppe and forest
steppe, as well as areas of deciduous forest and flooded Danube streams.The site is
largely protected but the rare habitats are threatened by afforestation by pine and false
acacia.This site is also an Important Bird Area.The picture represent an characteristic
landscape with feather grass (Stipa sabulosa) community mixed with groups of common
juniper (Juniperus commnunis) and natural of white oak (Quercus pubescens) and silver
white lime (Tilia tomentosa) forests.
VLADIMIR STEVANOVI˘C
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