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Conservation Efforts of the Balkan: Review of Studies

Strategic Planning for the Conservation of the Balkan Lynx (Breitenmoser et al. 2008)

This study shows that the Balkan Lynx has been restricted to border areas between Macedonia and Albania and that there is an estimated number of less than 100 individuals (as of 2006), which marks the species as a critically endangered species by the IUCN I (Red List Criteria). This study outlines the initiation of the Balkan Recovery Programme whose aim is to conserve the lynx by raising awareness, establishing partnerships between national and local authorities, creating conservation institutions and working with local people. Ultimately, this Programme with build a foundation for wildlife conservation between two countries which have historically experienced political and economic tensions. The main approach for this program is to combine a species conservation project with landscape conservation within a framework of the European Green Belt Initiative.

The Balkan Lynx is an umbrella species (conservation efforts will habitat and prey species) and thus serves as a flagship species for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity rich landscapes in the South West Balkans. However, until recently the species has been regarded as a nuisance animal which has led to local over poaching to save agricultural crops. Other issues of prey depletion and habitat fragmentation add to the list of threats. As they are large carnivores, they have a low population density and occupy large areas which adds a geographical dimension to its preservation. With this in mind, the conservation efforts must take on an internal approach.

Strategic Planning in Species Conservation (Breitenmoser et al.)

Utilize a  multidisciplinary approach that incorporates wildlife ecology and management, landscape conservation, anthropology, sociology, law and policies to create partnerships of conservation. There are three main steps within this framework that Breitenmoser describes in the study: status report, conservation strategy and national action plans. The status report is a scientific review of the target speice and collects and summarizes baseline information and other available knowledge (and knowledge gaps). The status report will be produced by experts in the field of Zoology and ecology. The conservation strategy is a long-term vision and includes wide-range goals. It uses the biological facts and combines them with socio-economic aspects along with political and administrative areas to form governmental organizations to offer political guidance in conservation. Lastly, the national action plans are to create concrete actions that will be implemented on the ground. They are targeted (have measurable outcomes), are time-bound) and have defined start and completion dates. They will be carried out be responsible actors and involve experts, government agencies, and local interest groups.

Ultimately, these conservation steps serve to create a Conservation Triangle for the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme. This triangle will involve national authorities and intergovernmental institutions within the public and private sector that will work closely with scientific experts to put forth the conservation efforts of the Balkan Lynx.

There are five (5) goals outlined for the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme. Goal one is to survey and monitor the species in a way that is tailored to monitoring  naturally low population density species. The second is to record baseline information, specifically gathering data on the distribution and abundance of individuals in the wild. The third is creating a recovery strategy program, and the fourth is to create protected sites and aid resource recovery. Protected areas will be added to the areas already outlined in the Green Belt initiative. Lastly, a conservational long-term partnership will be established.

Protected areas in species conservation - the protected area component within the frame of the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme (Schwaderer & Spangenberg, 2008)

This study took measures for the designation of new transboundary protected areas as well as the development of sustainable land use scheme in and outside protected areas (policy-based). It lays out future plans and how to work within the framework of the Balkan Lynx Recovery Programme. It denotes site importance within the European Green Belt and within the Balkan Green Belt Initiative. Thus it serves as a proposal of different areas to serve as protected areas.

There were four areas considered for protection. Ultimately, the Jablanica-Shebelink area (mountain range on the border area of Albania and Macedonia) was chosen as it was already in the process of becoming a protected area in this region. The Jablanica Working Group was established in Macedonia as a basis for pilot projects.

To understand this study though, its important to review the other sites that were potential sites to be chosen. The Shar Planina and Korabi Mountain is the largest mountain range in Macedonia and is geomorphologically diverse with high biodiversity. It has a mixture of boreal and alpine elements. The Korabi Mountain in particular forms a corridor to the Mavrovo National Park and this portion of land is strongly overused and degraded, thus it does not fulfill the requirements to become a protected area. The natural forest will require regeneration through a rotating system of use to ensure viable future use. Another potential site is the Albanian Alps in Northern Albania. This is a spacious area, however it is hard to compile a biodiversity assessment and socio-iconic study in the time frame needed. It would also require additional documents to be submitted to the Ministry of Environment Forest and Water Administration, thus it is not a optimal site on a time-constraint basis. The last potential site was Illinsk-Paklenska, a mountain range in southeast Macedonia, a biological corridor between Mavrovo National Park (to the North) and Pellister and Galicica National Park (to the south). It connects the northern and southern parts of the “Macedonia Green Belt.” It is a migration corridor for large carnivores and is well preserved as human pressures are low in this area. Additionally, there are local plans for the development of the region which include road networks and alternative areas to serve as biocorridors. However, political limitations such as submitting a proposal for proclamation as a protected biocorridor would require a reevaluation of national characteristics to raise awareness for ecological networks and biocorridors. This again, does not within the time constraints of the conservation framework proposed in this study.

Establishment of Model Projects for Sustainable Land Use (Schwaderer & Spangenberg, 2008)

By establishing protected areas in land to promote the conservation of a particular species, it is also disseminating information about the benefits of protected areas in general. It will asses different low-impact development possibilities and evaluate the need for comprehensive field appraisal and public involvement to declare protected areas. In addition to this, it will consider the social and economic effects for residents, businesses and local groups: community based. While it does restrict property uses for locals such as food gathering, areas for medicinal plants, grazing for livestock, fishing resources, hunting, and wooded areas it will also stimulate the local economy through employment and rural enterprise generate through ecotourism. Through public investment and multi-use landscape options it will lead to economic incentives for communities to implement protected areas to protect the Balkan Lynx.