Natural heritage in the country

Although small in territory, we are one of the richest countries in Europe in terms of biodiversity, resulting in a wealth of wild plants, fungi and animals. The countries various ecosystems and habitat types host about 1700 algae species, 3200 vascular plants, over 2000 fungi, 450 lichens, 13000 invertebrates, 85 fish species, 15 amphibians, 32 reptiles, 333 birds and 84 mammal species. The endemism among these groups is large, with at least 150 endemic algae, 120 vascular plants, over 700 invertebrate species and 27 endemic fishes. Certain species are present only here and nowhere else in the world, while others are endangered in the rest of Europe, but still found here.

Many of the plant and animal species found in our country enjoy ‘protected’ status in accordance with the EU Habitats and Birds Directives.

Initiating the process of implementation of Natura 2000 will help the conservation of species and habitats in our country that are part of Natura 2000 and are protected in the EU Member States.

First steps for our natural heritage protection by having a Natura 2000 point of view are established by the project “Strengthening capacities for implementation of Natura 2000”, financed by the EU in period 2015-2017, that among other things, created the draft national reference red list of habitats and species. Also, it is the first who identified and suggested 7 (seven) Natura 2000 pilot. Those were processed and made available in digital form (GIS). When we become part of the European Union, these areas will become part of the Natura 2000 Network. With time, the network of Natura 2000 will increase, as new areas will be identified.

Second step for natural heritage protection is under the start of the Twinning Project “Strengthening the capacities for effective implementation of the acquis in the field of nature protection”, Financed by EU, under MK 13 IPA EN 02 17 number. Beneficiary is the: Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, Department of Nature. EU Member State Partners are: Finnish Environment Institute; (Suomen ympäristökeskus, SYKE); Parks and Wildlife Finland (Metsähallitus) and the State Service for Protected Areas (SSPA) from Lithuania. Operational time is 21 months, dated 18.11.2017 – 17.8.2019.

The project purpose is to strengthen administrative capacities of the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, Administration of Environment, Nature Department and other relevant stakeholders for implementation of the nature protection acquis, through development of implementing legislation, provision of training etc. and implementing of nature protection legislation

Key results are:

  • Nature conservation legislation is further developed to meet the requirements of the Habitat and Bird Directives
  • Improvement of the management capacity for implementation of nature protection activities in administrative and field level
  • Inventory and monitoring methods and protocols are developed to meet the requirements of the Habitat and Bird Directives

Components:

– COMPONENT NO 1: Strengthened capacities for preparation of draft management plans for natural protected areas which are of national and EU interest for conservation (potential future NATURA 2000 sites).

  • Key result: two draft management plans for potential Natura 2000 sites.

– COMPONENT NO 2: Strengthened capacities for preparation of studies for valorisation of nature values (including field data gathering and updating of Data standard from) of natural protected areas which are of national and EU interest for conservation (potential future NATURA 2000 sites).

  • Key result: two draft studies for valorisation of nature values for potential Natura 2000 sites; nature inventories implemented in two pilot sites.

– COMPONENT NO 3: Strengthened capacities for developing monitoring methodology for monitoring national biodiversity and preparation of National biodiversity monitoring program for national monitoring.

  • Key results: monitoring protocols and practices developed for 20 habitats, 20 species and 20 birds; draft National biodiversity monitoring program prepared.

– COMPONENT NO 4: Further transposition and strengthened administrative capacities for implementation of Nature Protection legislation.

  • Key results: Institutional capacity analysis with recommendations prepared; four draft secondary legislation prepared; stakeholder involvement plan for Natura 2000 prepared and 20 people trained for different topics related to the implementation of NATURA 2000.

 

Contacts:

info@natura2000.gov.mk

www.facebook.com/Natura2000MK/

Instagram Natura2000MK

RTA Arto Ahokumpu e-mail: arto.ahokumpu@metsa.fi

RTA counterpart Sasko Jordanov e-mail: S.Jordanov@moepp.gov.mk

Key personnel:

MS Project Leader Dr. Petri Ahlroth,

MS Junior Project Leader Ruta Baskyte,

BC Project Leader Vlatko Trpeski