Савез пољопривредних инжењера и техничара Србије ANALYSIS OF THE MELLIFEROUS FLORA IN THE NIŠ AND PIROT DISTRICT The Beekeeping as an Alternative to the Unemployment And a Steady Base for a Sustainable Development in the Bulgarian-Serbian Cross-Border Region Bulgaria – Serbia IPA Cross-border Programme, CCI Number 2007CB16IPO006 Project № 2007CB16IPO The project is co-funded by EU trough the Bulgaria–Serbia IPA Cross-border Programme

Aims of the study: Overview of the legislation regulating the environmental protection and biodiversity in EU and Serbia with a focus on melliferous flora; Identification of the protected areas (parks of nature)and specifics of their melliferous flora; Classification of the melliferous flora of Niš and Pirot district with evaluation of nectar and pollen production; Considerations and recommendations for the development of organic beekeeping in the Niš and Pirot district.

Basic strategical documents in protection of nature in Serbia: Стратегија биолошке разноврсности Р. Србије за период од до године; National programme for environmental protection Spatial plan for the Republic of Serbia ; National strategy for the sustainable development. Strategies that are applied on regional or municipal level

Area of the Nis and Pirot District emphasizes the exceptional biodiversity. On the territory of Nis District protected areas cover ha. Nature Park Sićevačka klisura - a landscape of exceptional biodiversity and habitat of endemic and rare species of plants and animals (Ramonda serbica –, Ramonda nataliae, Salvia officinalis – sage, Syringa vulgaris– lilac, Cotinus coggygria – smoke tree) Ramonda serbica Salvia officinalis

On the territory of the Pirot District protected areas cover ha. Nature Park Stara Planina - a landscape of exceptional biodiversity and habitat of endemic and rare species of plants and animals. Stara planina is habitat for 119 species of plants and 51 species of moss, which represents 34% of the total fund of flora Serbia. Pasqueflower Lily

The territory of Nis and Pirot district is very favorable for the development of beekeeping. Floristic analysis showed that in this area very rich melliferous flora is developing, consisting of over species of plants, which is more than 55% of the total number of species of melliferous flora of Serbia.

Early spring melliferous plants develops in the meadows and woods in late winter (in February) and early spring (March) and consists of hazel, dogwood, willow, poplar, snowdrop, saffron, violets, anemones, coltsfoot, dead nettle, primrose... Willow Dead nettle

Saffron (Crocus sp.) is a significant melliferous plant that provides nectar and pollen in the sensitive part of the year, at the turn winter into spring. Species Crocus veluchensis grow widespread only in the Balkans.

Fruit melliferous species are very important for the development of bee colonies. Peach Raspberry Apple

Latespring melliferous plants The most important honey plant in our country is the acacia.

Earlysummer melliferous plants Very important melliferous plant is lime.

Summer melliferous plants Different meadow, weeds and herbs bloom in the summer. The most important are bonito, thistle, clover, chicory, thyme, oregano and many weed species such as white basil, betony, vetches. Significant honey plants are grown plants such as pumpkin, cucumber, sunflower and corn (provides only pollen). Important medicinal plants are sage, mint, lemon balm, yarrow, chicory, marigold... Sunflower Meadow sage

Latesummer melliferous plants Buckwheat is an excellent melliferous species that can be used as a cereal.

Beekeepers of the Nis and Pirot district well recognized melliferous species as well as the timing of their flowering. Results of the questionnaire

Conclusions The teritorry of the Nis and Pirot districts highlights the exceptional biodiversity of plant and animal species. This area is inhabited by about different melliferous species. Large areas under acacia trees develop in Nis District and rich meadows in Nis and Pirot districts. Fruit species represent a significant melliferous species. Area of the Nis and Pirot districts is extremely favorable for the development of beekeeping, especially organic. There is a need for creation of the phenological maps of flowering time, which are a prerequisite for the formation of the cadastre of bee pastures of this area.

Recomendation Stimulate beekeepers to follow flowering of the melliferous species in order to create a map of phenological flowering, which are a prerequisite for the formation of the cadastre of bee pastures in this area. Improving existing bee pastures with: sustainable use and conservation of natural habitats of melliferous plants, such as forest and meadow-pasture ecosystems; sowing of crop melliferous plants and herbs as well as planting of the melliferous trees and shrubs. Stimulate beekeepers to grow buckwheat, exceptional plant species used as cereal and in addition an excellent melliferous plant that bloom in the period of year when there is no other honeybee pasture. This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union throughthe Cross-Border Programme CCI No 2007CB16IPO006. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Beekeepers Association “Kovanluk” and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the Managing Authority of the Programme