National parks biodiversity preservation and improvement: the case study of Djerdap

Abstract

As a country in the Danube river basin, with specific low-lying and mountaineous terrain, Serbia abounds in quite diverse natural systems. As a part of the Carpathian-Balkan massif, the area of the Djerdap gorge and national park boasts high level of species and ecosystem diversity. When it comes to flora, it is one of the primary centres of plant diversity in Southeast Europe, a home to over thousand taxons, the large number of which are relict, endemic and endangered species. Vegetation comprises over fifty plant communities and/or forest and shrub species. Such diversity of life has earned Đerdap its status of national and international protected area, making it an EMERALD Network member, a Ramsar site, an IBA, IPA and PBA area. Đerdap is featured on the World Cultural and Natural Heritage Tentative List (UNESCO) and the list of Carpathian areas (Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians, BioREGIO Carpathians Project, etc.), and designated to become a biosphere reserve (MаB). The greatest limitations and threats to this area come from land repurposing, infrastructural development, forest destruction, ecosystems degradation and similar. A major element in preventing the negative consequences and causes of the shrinking biodiversity is advancing the management system of a protected area. It implies efficient maintenance and preservation of natural values, research and monitoring, conservation, rehabilitation of damages, landscape regulation, etc. The paper presents the concept of spatial planning in such areas, with special attention to the preservation and implementation of relevant planning solutions, laws, strategies and international documents.