“enhance regional see cooperation in the field of climate policy” preparatory study for...

“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.

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.

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.

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/).

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)

OVERVIEW OF THE GENERAL CLIMATE POLICY IN SERBIA

- National Environmental StrategyThe principle of preservation of natural values The principle of cross-sectoral integration

- National Environmental Action Plan

- Forest Development Strategy of the Republic of SerbiaSustainability of forest and forestry development Forest multi-functionalityIncrease 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

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%.


The Legal Framework

Nature Conservation Acta.Constitution of the Republic of Serbia b.Spatial Plan of the Republic of Serbiac.Law on Environmental Protection ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 66/91, 83/92, 53/93, 67/93, 48/94, 53/95)d.Law on National Parks ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 39/93, 44/93, 53/93, 67/93, 48/94)e.Law on Fishing ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 35/94, 38/94)

Forest Acta. Law on Forests ("Official Gazette of RS", No.46/91, 83/92, 54/93, 67/93 and 48/94, 54/96)b.Law on Hunting ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 39/93, 44/93, 60/93)c.Law on forest reproductive material ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 135/04).


National Forest Inventory

Region Total area

(ha) Forest

area 1979 Forest area 2007 (ha)

2007-1993

forest area in %

(2007)

Vojvodina 2,151,800 146,402 154,000 7,598 7.2 Central Serbia 5,595,300 1,837,417 2,098,400 260,983 37.5 Kosovo i Metohija 1,091,200 429,121 ? SERBIA WITHOUT KOSOVO 7,747,100 1,983,819 2,252,400 268,581 29.1


Forest percentage per regions Central Serbia Vojvodina KiM The previous inventory (1979) 32.0 6.6 39.4 The last inventory (2007)* 37.5 7.2 ? Optimal forest percentage** 49.8 14.3 ?

National Forest Action Plan Forest Management and Climate ChangeForest Certification

FSC and PEFC Systems of Silviculture Deforestation

The Forest Health Condition ICPF Monitoring Program

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102 103

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106 105

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14

11

9

5

12 1 2

10 16 8

6 7

13 3 15 4 1947

4849

20 17

46 5754

18

21 41 40

42 43

28

3539292724

36

33313026

3223

373834

45 44 56 60 6472

6761595855

5073 75 74 52 51 62 68 66 71 70

95

9293698281

80636577787653

83 79 88 86

8987

919710085

96 99 90

98

94

Subotica

Novi Sad

Beograd

Kragujevac

Nis

Pirot

Krusevac


The Forest Fires

YearTotal number of fires in forests

and on other forest landTotal blazed surface area of

forests and forest land1990 161 29011991 85 11681992 126 6541993 259 56751994 116 10091995 21 3971996 87 70161997 56 8841998 124 17491999 26 1932000 339 132012001 54 8772002 134 46082003 102 6762004 22 982005 15 632006 43 7152007 258 33229

Total 2028 75113Average 112.7 4172.9


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


Start End Duration1 1862 1865 32 1870 1875 53 1882 1885 34 1889 1894 55 1898 1900 26 1906 1908 27 1911 1914 38 1922 1926 49 1930 1935 5

10 1939 1942 311 1947 1949 212 1953 1957 413 1963 1966 314 1970 1973 315 1984 1987 316 1995 1998 317 2003 2006 3

Forests and Disturbances

Registered gradations of Gypsy moth

Year Area (ha)2003 163 0002004 360 0002005 64 000

Area under attack of various intensities (ha)

Biodiversity, Socioeconomic Impacts


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.

Elaboration of Adaptation Measures

Afforestation and Reforestation as Potential for Climate Change Mitigation – Programmes in Serbia

year 1946-1954 1955-1960 1961-1965 1966-1970 1971-1975 1976-1980 1981-1985 1986-1990 1991-1995 1995-2000 2001-2004ha 31806 19636 31910 33247 29257 64722 73356 42526 24476 7380 4651Average annual 3976 3927 6382 6649 5851 12944 14671 8505 4895 1476 1163


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.

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.

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

THANK YOU

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