1. Zvolen, September, 2014 Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Institute of Forestry University of Belgrade Belgrade, Serbia Faculty of Forestry ROLE OF FORESTS ON A NEW CROSSROAD IN SERBIA: BENEFIT, PROTECTION, SOCIAL-POLITICS AND NEW CHALLENGES‚‚ ‚‚ ROLE OF FORESTS ON A NEW CROSSROAD IN SERBIA: BENEFIT, PROTECTION, SOCIAL-POLITICS AND NEW CHALLENGES‚‚ Vera Lavadinović, Miodgrag Zlatić, Vukan Lavadinović, Milorad Veselinović, Snežana Prokić

2. Serbia - Basic facts Area: 88 361 km² Location: Longitude: 41° 52' - 46° 11‘ Latitude: 18° 06' - 23° 01' Population: 7.498.001* Climate: Moderate continental Land use: Agriculture – 65,00 % Forests - 27,3 %

3. National forest inventory Forest Other wooded land Non productive soil Agricultural land Meadows and pastures Water Urban area

4. Forests in Serbia Forests cover 2,5 million ha, or 27,3% out of which 50,2 % are private owned and 49,8% belong to the State. Out of total forest coverage, forests and plantations are represented with 49 %, coppice with 42% and 9% are shrubs and brush wood. Pure broadleaves stands cover 60% of total forest coverage, mixed stands 35 % and pure conifer stands 5%.

5. Forestry Vojvodina 6,8 % Central Serbia 32, 8 % Kosovo & Metohija 39,4 % Forest cover 27,3 %

6. Forest land categories

7. Forestry - Species structure

8. Forests in protected areas By recognizing the need to designate some parts of the forest for the primarily ecological, social and cultural functions, to date, about 543.000 ha (6,1%) of the total territory have been designated by different methods of protection. In Serbia, there are : 5 National parks 15 parks of nature 50 strict nature reserves 21 special nature reserves 284 monuments of nature, 16 localities of remarkable characteristics 37 of historical significance 642 natural rarities

9. Forestry Forestry has a very important role in the socio-economic development of the national economy of the Republic of Serbia. Main stakeholders in Serbian forestry are S.E. “Srbijašume”, S.E. “Vojvodinašume” and 5 National parks which are controlled by the Ministry in charge. All stakeholders are representatives of the State.

10. Challenges of forestry sector Low forest coverage High percentage of coppice forests Stakeholders participation Small average size of private forest owners properties Implementation of sustainable development in practice Publics’ state of mind on environmental protection Lack of centralized information system

11. Today, ecological importance of forests goes beyond their economic importance. The need for multi-functional use of forests and forest resources imposed by resolution of this issue through equal consideration of several aspects, the most important of them are economic, environmental and social. Strategy for conservation of forest areas must provide such conditions that the collection of non-wood forest products and development services has a commercial effect. This would justify the conservation in the local population and allow prosperity of rural areas.

12. Natural resources and taking care of them is one of the important tasks of the Republic of Serbia. That is bound by international and national norms and standards (Convention on Biological Diversity, the Law on Environmental Protection, Regulation on Controlling the use and trade of wild flora and fauna, the Regulation on the Protection of Natural Rarities). The Republic of Serbia has the right to dispose of natural resources but also has to demonstrate responsibility for their maintenance and use. In Serbia, were taken to the administrative as well as legislative measures in aim to control the use of the use of the species for which it is estimated that threatened their survival.

13. Given its fitogography position on the three border moesian, illyrian and forest-steppe province, with the impact of submediterranean conditions, as well as a variety of geographical, climatic and edaphic conditions, Serbia in terms of vegetation is very diverse and complex. Medicinal plavets in the flora of Serbia has over 700 species, accounting for 19.55% of the total flora. A number of species of medicinal plants and wild fruits in Serbia is in the process of decay, which is consequence of reckless and uncontrolled human activities. The survival of some plant species in nature are needed permanent protection measures

14. THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS KIND OF PROJECT Plant species used as medicinal herbs and forest fruits are an integral part of the natural ecosystem. Factors that influence the occurrence of certain species and communities, and in particular to their population and reproduction, are climate, geological substrate, soil and various forms of biological interactions between them. No matter what any kind of species adapted to the physical and chemical conditions of habitat, it may be pushed to the habitat over-exploitation. Therefore, the exploitation of these species, as well as the amount that can be used, it should be very carefully. This would maintain their development. The self renewal and productivity must be well studied, as well as biotic factors that influence their occurrence, population and productivity.

15. THE REASON FOR THE PROJECT A comprehensive approach to the potential of forests and forest lands, in order to define the available capacity and the use of non-timber forest products. Previous assessments allowable amount for the collection of medicinal herbs, berries and mushrooms are not based on extensive research and the use of appropriate methodology. Therefore there is a need for appropriate methodology and comes to reliable information on available resources and potential for sustainable use of these non-timber forest products with the new approach and their application

16. AIM Using the appropriate research methods for resource potential of non-timber forest products will be come to the possible amount of the collection, without the risk of a drastic reduction in the number and endangering the survival of these species The protection of these resources (quantity and quality) at the origin Habitats.

17. EXPECTED RESULTS Creating a database that compiles the results on the size of populations at selected sites, endangered natural populations, the potential of non-timber forest products, a network of collectors, buyers, processors…… Creating a baseline for ongoing monitoring of potential non-timber forest products Application of GIS technology will enable multidisciplinary and manage a large number of diverse data on the territory of the Republic of Serbia.

18. JUSTIFICATION FOR PROJECT REALISATION Through the organized exploitation of natural resources will be determined by quotas that will ensure sustainable development and the protection of biodiversity Quality specific economic parameters of sustainable use of resources will lead to the protection of species in habitats Information system to monitor flows of natural resources, from its taking from nature, to use for production and trade.

19. RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN SERBIAIN THE CONTEXT OF BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION According to the EU Directive on habitat and Directive on birds, Ecological Network established in Serbia including European ecological network Natura 2000 will continue through this project

20. RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN SERBIAIN THE CONTEXT OF BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION Towards the implementation of EU policy and EU regulations, a Draft Strategy of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Republic of Serbia (2014-2024) has been prepared based on the principles of sustainable development including integration into sectoral policies and strategies with the specific aim of achieving sustainable economic and social development at national and regional level. Sustainable management of natural resources and environmental protection with long-term economic and sustainable economic growth are strategic priorities for rural development in Serbia until 2024, particularly the application of agro-environmental measures, agro-forestry and conservation biodiversity.

21. Thank you for your attention!