NATIONAL ECOLOGICAL NETWORK and ECOLOGICAL NETWORK ALONG THE SAVA RIVER

1. NATIONAL ECOLOGICAL NETWORKand ECOLOGICAL NETWORK ALONG THE SAVA RIVER Petra Rodić Baranović State Institute for Nature Protection September, 2007. STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

2. Legislation • national • NEN – regulated by Nature Protection Act (Official Gazette 70/05) • international • Emerald Network – ecological network based on Bern Convention • for EU Member States same as Natura 2000 • for EU candidate countries – preparation for Natura 2000 network • NATURA 2000 – EU ecological network • Bird Directive (79/409/EEZ) – SPA areas • Habitat Directive (92/43/EEZ) – pSCI – SCI – SAC SPA + SAC = NATURA 2000 STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

3. Preparation of National Ecological Network • ecological network - the system of interrelated or contiguous ecologically important areas which by their well balanced biogeographic distribution substantially contribute to the conservation of the natural balance and biological diversity • Sites are interconnected with corridors which enable communication and migration of species • steps: • 2003. – 2005: CRO-NEN project and first draft of national ecological network • 2005. – 2006: revision of NEN on the basis of new collected data • 2006: Emerald network project – map and database of potential NATURA 2000 areas • 2007: National Ecological Network ready for government designation – expected in October 2007 !!! • proposal of NEN and related database available on www.cro-nen/nem STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

4. www.cro-nen/nem: STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

5. www.cro-nen/nem: STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

6. Metodology: • Distribution analysis of wild taxa and habitat types – IMPORTANT AREAS! • Data used: • SINP databases • Other accessible relevant databases (exp. FCD-Flora Croatica Database) • Habitat map of Croatia • Red books • Spatial plans • Results of Inventarisation projects led by Public institutions • Accesible papers and studies (published and unpublished) • Targeted research / studies ordered • SINP data – field work STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

7. Data structure: STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

8. NEN proposal: - polygon + point sites - cca 1500 sites + 40 (39) SPA - 2 corridors STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

9. National ecological network sites • all areas set out as an important for conservation and/or establishment of favourable status of wild taxa and habitat types threatened on national or international level • areas were determined using expertise criteria based on accessible data <50 years old< 50 g. • internationally threatened taxa and habitat types listed on Annexes of BD and HD • nationally threatened taxa and habitat types listed on Croatian Red List or in Ordinance on habitat type protection • all speleological objects (including marine caves) • NEN sites of international importance - NATURA 2000 • all NEN sites include conservation objectives and protection measures • incorporation of above measures in spatial planning /management documents • except for protection measures there is a possibility of management plans STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

10. Sava River ecological network project area Odransko field Jelas field Spačva pool Lonjsko and Mokro fields STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

11. Sava River ecological network Wet grasslands and meadows Wetland forests (Slavonian oak (Quercus robur) forests, Black aider (Alnus glutinosa) forests) etc. Waterfowl Fish species Amphibian & Reptile fauna Butterflies • Sava river • Flooded fields • Flooded forests • Fish-ponds • Lakes EN sites: • Sava Podsused • Sava Rugvica • Izvorišna područja Odre • Ribnjaci Lipovljani • Lonjsko i Mokro polje • Sunjasko polje • Prašnik • Vlakanac - Radinje • Jelas • Gajna • Dvorina • Sava Štitar • Sava Bošnjaci • Spačvanske šume • Sava STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

12. What next? • Shapes in more precise scale – 1:5000 • New data gathering: • government budget • scientific research - call for projects • PHARE project • consultation process on Croatian NATURA 2000 proposal • defining final proposal for NATURA 2000 • drafting management plans for two largest NATURA 2000 sites • capacity building for Nature impact assessment • Nature Protection Information System establishment STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

13. Protection and conservation of EN sites • NEN sites – part of protected areas according to Nature protection Act • Public institution for management of protected area – competent authority • According to legislation related to management and protection • Importance of conservation objectives emphasised - qualifying species and habitats • Management plan - adopted by Public institution for management of protected area • NEN sites – outside of protected areas • Management led by County public Insitution • Management plan adopted by County public institution for management of protected area • Most important mehanizam for protection of this sites is Nature Impact Assesment – Ordinance adopted (Official Gazette No. 89/07) !! • By way of derogation, if the planned intervention is not admissible to nature, owing to overriding public interest, the Government may grant a permit which must include compensation terms STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

14. THANK YOU! STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION

15. STATE INSTITUTE FOR NATURE PROTECTION