Using important plant areas and important bird areas to identify Key Biodiversity Areas in the Republic of Macedonia

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Published: Aug 6, 2012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o2997.2766-78

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L. Melovski
M. Velevski
V. Matevski
V. Avukatov
A. Sarov

Abstract

An attempt is made to identify Key Biodiversity Areas in the Republic of Macedonia through the identification of internationally recognized important areas for biodiversity: Important Plant Areas (IPAs) and Important Bird Areas (IBAs). Forty two IPAs covering 6,495km2 and 24 IBAs covering 6,907km2 have been identified in Macedonia. Thirty seven IPAs (6,152km2 or 24% of the country’s territory) and 15 IBAs (4,821km2 or 18.75% of the national territory), meet KBA criteria, between them yielding 42 KBAs. The remaining five IPAs and nine IBAs do not meet KBA criteria although have international significance. Together IPAs and IBAs total 10,698km2; those meeting the KBA criteria total 9,670km2. In total, 73% and 65% of the entire national protected areas (PAs) surface overlaps with IPAs and IBAs respectively. This proportion is 81% for the 42 KBAs. However, only 25% of the total size of protected areas overlaps with IPAs, only 21% overlap with IBAs, and only 19% with the combined 42 KBAs. This means that Macedonia’s protected areas system is not yet representative and comprehensive for safeguarding its botanical and avian diversity.

Article Details

Issue
Vol 4, No 8 (2012)
Section
Communications

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Author Biographies

L. Melovski

Ljupco Melovski is professor at the Institute of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and President of the Macedonian Ecological Society. His field of expertise is forest ecology and plant conservation. He was leader of the project for identification of the Important Plant Areas in Macedonia.

M. Velevski

Metodija Velevski is an ornithologist at the Macedonian Ecological Society, where he works on vulture conservation and has led the initiative for identification of Important Bird Areas in Macedonia.

V. Matevski

Vlado Matevski is professor at the Institure of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and member of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts. His field of expertise include plant taxonomy and plant communities.

V. Avukatov

Vasko Avukatov GIS specialists in the Macedonian Ecological Society.

A. Sarov

Aleksandar Sarov GIS specialists in the Macedonian Ecological Society.