Work

The role of protected areas in the Balkan freshwater biodiversity conservation: The case of Blidinje Nature Park (Southwestern Bosnia-Herzegovina)

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Freshwaters of the Balkan Peninsula show high levels of endemism and relict species, which are still little studied and are threatened by numerous anthropogenic stressors. Protected areas could give special opportunities to improve knowledge of their biodiversity and develop proper conservation measures for the most at-extinction risk species. The aims of this research were to: i) present a case-study of fish and crayfish ecological assessment of populations inhabiting freshwaters in the Blidinje Nature Park (Bosnia and Herzegovina); ii) identify the main anthropogenic pressures; iii) suggest sound management strategies. Based on our results, the Blidinje Nature Park could be considered of high conservation interest, thanks to the presence of three species at high extinction risk: Squalius tenellus, Aulopyge huegelii and Astacus astacus, which resulted all in good ecological status in terms of population abundance, age structure and growth. The presence of invasive Atlantic trout and overharvesting of crayfish seem to represent the main anthropogenic pressures on freshwater fauna in this area. The obtained information allowed to expand the knowledge on the distribution and ecology of these threatened species, also offering a strategic tool in freshwater management planning for the Blidinje Nature Park.

Source: Journal for Nature Conservation

DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2024.126739