“ENHANCE REGIONAL SEE COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF CLIMATE POLICY”

1. “ENHANCE REGIONAL SEE COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF CLIMATE POLICY” PREPARATORY STUDY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADAPTATION STRATEGY FOR FORESTRY SECTOR IN REPUBLIC OF SERBIA Prof. dr Ratko Kadović Aleksandar Vasiljević, dipl. ing. šum.

2. INTRODUCTION The region of Serbia is characterized by the wealth of forest communities, lowland, upland, mountainous and subalpine forests and the unique forest ecosystems with a great number of endemic species of trees, shrubs, ground flora and fauna. Some forest complexes have been designated as National Parks and some are under various regimes of protection. It is estimated that there are about 1000 plant communities in Serbia. Balkans endemic species consist 8,06% of flora of Serbia (287 taxons), and local endemic species 1,5% (59 species). Numerical and diversity of fauna, also, is very high. A big number of species are tertiary, glacial, boreal, droughty (arid), or steppe`s relicts. The gorges and canyons of the east and the west part of Serbia are the most important refuges of tertiary vegetation on Balkan Peninsula. Between plant species, in Serbia are endangered about 600, and between animal species, about 500 species of mammals, birds, amphibian animals, reptiles and fishes.

3. Serbia`s forests are undergoing rapid change due to a warming climate and large-scale disturbances. Thеsе changes has been exacerbated by management policies and practices resulting in forest simplification. According that, we need to improve our knowledge of the sensitivity of species and ecosystems to climate, to continue provenance trials in different climatic regimes, and to develop adaptive management strategies. Current initiatives to ensure healthy forests, maintain biodiversity and minimize fragmentation of habitat will help buffer the effects of climate changes.

4. According the results of the PRUDENCE Project (under the IPCC SRES scenario A2), the change in mean annual temperature in Europe, shows a general warming of several degrees by the end of he century. In Serbia the mean annual temperature is expected to increase up to 4-4,5°C on the end of 21st century, and precipitation decrease vary between 0-40%. If the temperature increase is substantial, droughts, insect infestations and fires could become more likely, and forest cover loss may occur and persist while the new forest types migrate north.   If the average global temperature increase is 2 °C over the next 100 years, tree species will have to migrate 1 to 3 miles every year, exept for trees whose seeds are spread by birds(http://www.climatehotmap.org/impacts/). 

5. OVERVIEW OF THE GENERAL CLIMATE POLICY IN SERBIA - United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was adopted in 1992. Serbia and in the year 1997. - Law of Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol By Kyoto Protocol no new obligations were introduced to the developing countries. It means that the Republic of Serbia, have no obligation of quantified reduction of emission of GHG, but the possibility was allowed to accept voluntarily at any time such an obligation • Law of Ratification UN Convention to Combat Desertification (Government Proposal) • Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE)

6. OVERVIEW OF THE GENERAL CLIMATE POLICY IN SERBIA - National Environmental Strategy The principle of preservation of natural values The principle of cross-sectoral integration - National Environmental Action Plan - Forest Development Strategy of the Republic of Serbia Sustainability of forest and forestry development Forest multi-functionality Increase of forest area and productivity Forest management Attachment to international commitments and agreements Forest degradation and environmental impact assessment Conservation of forest health Research, education and training - The Spatial Plan of Serbia

7. ANALYSES OF THE FORESTRY SECTOR ADAPTATIONIN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA Area of forests and woodland is 2,654,577 ha. Forest percentage is 26.7%. 56.2% is in state and public ownership and 43.8% is private property. State-owned forests, managed by PE "Srbijašume" and PE "Vojvodinašume" The present condition of the growing stock of Serbia is characterised by insufficient forest percentage and forest density, unfavourable forest structure from the aspect of silvicultural form and tree species, insufficient production fund, unfavourable stand condition, unsatisfactory forest health state. Estimated optimal forest percentage of 41.4 % . The most represented tree species are beech forests 27.6%, oak forests 24.6%, and other broadleaves 8%. Forests per silvicultural form is as follows: high natural forests 40%, coppice forests 35%, artificially established stands 14%, scrub and brushland 11%.

8. ANALYSES OF THE FORESTRY SECTOR ADAPTATIONIN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA • The Legal Framework • Nature Conservation Act • Constitution of the Republic of Serbia • Spatial Plan of the Republic of Serbia • Law on Environmental Protection ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 66/91, 83/92, 53/93, 67/93, 48/94, 53/95) • Law on National Parks ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 39/93, 44/93, 53/93, 67/93, 48/94) • Law on Fishing ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 35/94, 38/94) • Forest Act • Law on Forests ("Official Gazette of RS", No.46/91, 83/92, 54/93, 67/93 and 48/94, 54/96) • Law on Hunting ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 39/93, 44/93, 60/93) • Law on forest reproductive material ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 135/04).

9. ANALYSES OF THE FORESTRY SECTOR ADAPTATIONIN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA National Forest Inventory

10. ANALYSES OF THE FORESTRY SECTOR ADAPTATIONIN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA National Forest Action Plan Forest Management and Climate Change Forest Certification FSC and PEFC Systems of Silviculture Deforestation The Forest Health Condition ICPF Monitoring Program

11. ANALYSES OF THE FORESTRY SECTOR ADAPTATIONIN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA The Forest Fires

12. ANALYSES OF THE FORESTRY SECTOR ADAPTATIONIN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA Forestry Organization -Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Water Management - Forestry Directorate -Ministry of environmental protection -Public Enterprises for Forest Management Public Enterprises for Forest -Management – Srbijasume and Vojvodinasume -Public Enterprises of National Parks -Faculty of Forestry Belgrade -Institute of Forestry - Belgrade -Institute for Lowland Forestry and Environmental Protection in Novi Sad -Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia

13. ANALYSES OF THE FORESTRY SECTOR ADAPTATIONIN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA Forests and Disturbances Registered gradations of Gypsy moth Area under attack of various intensities (ha) Biodiversity, Socioeconomic Impacts

14. ANALYSES OF THE FORESTRY SECTOR ADAPTATIONIN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA Elaboration of Adaptation Measures Forest Management Strategies under Climate Change - Identify the issues of concern and the degree of change in forests that would be considered a serious problem; - Determine the sensitivity of forests to changes in climate, and the impacts of potential future climate changes; - Develop management responses which include actions to be taken in the future, and actions required now to facilitate future response; - Monitor forests to determine if changes are taking places, and if thresholds for intervention have been reached. Afforestation and Reforestation as Potential for Climate Change Mitigation – Programmes in Serbia

15. ANALYSES OF THE FORESTRY SECTOR ADAPTATIONIN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA Identification of Needed Measures for Adaptation 1) Active forest management to promote forest adaptation to climate change, 2) Afforestation and reforestation programmes, 3) Carbon Sequestration in Forests, 4) Assistance to urban and rural communities to adapt to changing forest conditions.

16. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMENDATIONS Technologies for Reducing GHG Emissions in the Forest Sector Forest management practices that can restrain the rate of increase in atmospheric CO2 can be grouped into three categories: - management for carbon conservation; - management for carbon sequestration and storage; - management for carbon substitution. Crucial Unknowns and Research Needs 1) short- and long-term monitoring of forest health, nutrition, greenhouse gas absorption, changes of populations and communities, in addition to the traditional growth and yield studies; 2) quantifying impacts and response mechanisms to environmental stresses; 3) modelling impacts and risk assessment.

17. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMENDATIONS Recommendation for the Forestry Sector Active Forest Management to Promote Forest Adaptation to Climate Change Afforestation and reforestation programmes Carbon Sequestration in Forests Assistance to urban and rural communities to adapt to changing forest conditions Capacity Building

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