The greatest threats to the biodiversity of Montenegro are the destruction of species and their habitats, urbanization, deforestation and climate change, the interlocutors of the MINA agency assessed, and said that the moment is right to stop further degradation of nature.
Speaking about key ecosystems and species of special importance for protection in Montenegro, the Environmental Protection Agency said that since 2017 they have been mapping habitats and species with the aim of declaring the Nature 2000 network, i.e. the ecological network of the European Union (EU).
"The Natura 2000 network is based on the preservation of habitats and species that are recognized by the Habitats Directive, which Montenegro is a signatory to," the Agency stated, adding that the state established the Emerald network, which is currently being updated.
The Agency said that Montenegro is implementing the Convention for the Conservation of European Wild Flora and Fauna and their Natural Habitats (Bern Convention), which is the main instrument for the protection of flora and fauna, as well as their habitats.
Answering the question of which ecosystems and species are of special importance for protection in Montenegro, the Agency said that these are the species that are protected at the national level.
"The list of species protected at the national level is being updated, the number of which, based on scientific knowledge, will be incomparably higher compared to the list that is currently in force," added the Agency.
As it was announced, they prepared the Red List of birds, butterflies, amphibians and reptiles, while the Red List of fish, plants and fungi, which determined/or will determine the status of critically endangered, endangered plant and animal species, is expected to be completed by the end of the year. which need priority protection.
The Agency said that they are working on strengthening the legal infrastructure that will provide more effective protection measures.
When asked about the National Biodiversity Strategy, the Agency clarified that the document sets long-term goals and guidelines for the preservation of biological and environmental diversity.
The strategy contains several guidelines, among which are a description of the state of nature and natural values, strategic goals of nature protection with implementation indicators, guidelines for the preservation of protected natural assets and ecosystem protection.
Answering the question of what are the biggest threats to biodiversity, the Agency said that it is the destruction of species and their habitats, urbanization, deforestation, pollution from the use of chemical means for agriculture, landfills on the banks of rivers, invasive species, and climate change.
They added that biodiversity is also affected by the fact that in many municipalities there is still no wastewater treatment system.
Speaking about how the strategy will be aligned with international obligations and conventions, the Agency said that the Global Framework for Biodiversity adopted in 2022 in Montreal was aimed at responding to the global report on the assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The Agency said that the purpose of the global framework for biodiversity is to achieve the results specified in the vision, mission, long-term goals and objectives with the help of governments, sub-national and local authorities, with the involvement of the entire social community.
"And this contributes to the achievement of the Convention's three goals - preservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and fair distribution of profits arising from genetic resources," said the Agency.
They stated that the National Biodiversity Strategy implies the implementation of the goals of the global framework for biodiversity, the EU Biodiversity Strategy, as well as the EU Nature Restoration Act.
The strategic approach to the protection of biodiversity until 2030, as stated by the Agency, implies effective preservation of at least 30 percent of land, inland waters and seas, restoration of at least 30 percent of all degraded ecosystems.
The strategic approach includes planning and managing all areas at a sustainable level to reduce the loss of biological diversity and stop the extinction of species.
Among the strategic principles are the protection of genetic diversity and the management of conflicts between the human population and wild species, ensuring the sustainable, safe and legal exploitation and trade of wild species, reducing the introduction of invasive species by 50 percent and reducing their impact.
The Agency added that the strategic principle includes reducing pollution to a level that will not be harmful to biological diversity and reducing the impact of climate change on biological diversity and building resilience.
They said that Montenegro is a country characterized by a wealth of biodiversity and a relatively good preservation of nature.
"It is the last moment to stop the further process of degradation, and start all available mechanisms that will contribute to the preservation and then the improvement of nature, which is our greatest value, the price of which is increasing every day," said the Agency.
They said that the strategy is adopted for a period of five years, and that the new law, which is being drafted, foresees a period of ten years.
Milica Kandić from the non-governmental organization (NGO) Parkovi Dinarida, answering the question of how the authorities can influence the preservation of biodiversity in the context of climate change, said that it is necessary to determine zones sensitive to climate change at the level of protected areas.
"To define and implement climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, to monitor and evaluate the planned measures," Kandić added.
Kandić stated that according to the sixth report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the ecosystems of the Mediterranean are considered a critical zone, that is, among the most threatened by the consequences of climate change.
"Extreme hydrometeorological phenomena such as long-term droughts and high temperatures lead to more and more frequent fires and a decrease in the water balance, which directly affects the preservation of water and forest ecosystems," said Kandić.
According to her, other ecosystems, such as wetlands, high mountain areas and pastures, karst areas, coastal and marine ecosystems and others, although represented on a smaller scale, are equally important and equally vulnerable and sensitive to climate change.
Kandić said that coastal wetlands, lagoons and estuaries, sea caves, beaches, sand dunes and coastal sources of drinking water will be endangered due to rising sea levels, stormy winds and intrusion of the sea into the land.
She said that the Parks of the Dinarides are included in the development of the National Biodiversity Strategy.
"The strategy should provide guidelines for preserving biodiversity, but also integrate global goals for increasing protected areas to 30 percent by 2030, which is very important for mitigating climate change," said Kandić.
Kandić said that climate change represents one of the biggest challenges for humanity and planet Earth.
She said that as a result of climate change, there are more extreme impacts of abiotic and biotic factors that directly affect natural ecosystems.
"The consequences of climate change are an increase in temperature, increased intensity and duration of dry periods, very frequent extreme rainfall and floods, fires, then rising sea levels, expansion of pests and plant diseases," Kandić added.
She said that extremely long dry periods and fires have a great impact on forest ecosystems, which is manifested by the drying of forests, fires, and the appearance of harmful organisms.
"Insects, as organisms that depend on temperature, will have better conditions for development due to the expected increase in temperature, through e.g. increasing the number of generations", explained Kandić.
She added that the death of trees will result in an increase in the populations of saprophytic fungi, as well as insects that feed on the dying and dead material.
"Climate changes directly affect marine ecosystems through an increase in sea temperature, but also in the acidity or pH value of the sea," said Kandić.
She added that due to the increase in sea temperature, the Adriatic Sea becomes warmer and therefore a more acceptable habitat for species from the Red Sea, such as lion fish, which become invasive in the Adriatic Sea.
"The lionfish reproduces quickly, it is a predatory species and its abundance is expected to increase in the future, which directly affects the native fish stock", said Kandić.
She emphasized the importance of conserving grouper and octopus, which some scientists believe are natural regulators of the lionfish population.
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