English - Convention on Biological Diversity

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COUNTRY STUDY FOR BIODIVERSITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
5.10.3. Trade
Unless trade in biological resources is considered to be a direct cause of biodiversity
loss (as is comprehensively discussed in Section 3.6.3.), this sector does not significantly
impact biodiversity in Macedonia. Areas occupied by trade activities are usually placed
in urban centres, while the remaining activities of trade are connected with other sectors
already discussed (e.g., transport).
5.11. Sectoral analysis
A careful analysis of the previously presented data will show that not all sectors
impact biodiversity equally. A preliminary ranking of the main economic sectors by
their impact on biodiversity includes:
• agriculture, which has had a particular impact on biodiversity in the decades
following the Second World War. Serious threats to fish diversity in the Republic of
Macedonia are caused by over-fishing (especially in Ohrid Lake);
• transport sector, especially due to the fragmentation of habitats;
• the energy sector represents a threat to biodiversity for several reasons, including
pollution, construction of hydropower reservoirs and, especially, the transmission of
energy;
• industry and mining;
• tourism also poses a serious threat to biodiversity. In this context, illegally
constructed weekend settlements and incomplete communal infrastructure in the
main tourist resorts are of particular concern;
• national defence is a threat that can be easily overcome in the future;
• construction poses a threat due to the use of agricultural land of high cadastral class
for nonproductive purposes, habitat destruction, disturbance of animals, as well as
pollution due to the construction of waste disposal sites. This sector would not be
ranked very high, however;
• the social, economic and political situation in the country, following periods of rapid
and uncontrolled development of the economic sector (especially agriculture and
industry), results in poor conditions for preservation of the existing biodiversity
richness. At present, great efforts intended for biodiversity protection are being made
by the MoEPP. Other ministries and the Macedonian government undertake almost
no coordinated activities, however.
The most important secondary benefit related to the protection of biodiversity in the
Republic of Macedonia would be the adoption of an inter-sectoral approach. Such an
approach towards problem solving is posed as a matter of urgency. The Strategy and the
Action Plan for Biodiversity Protection can be considered a first step towards that goal.