English - Convention on Biological Diversity

COUNTRY STUDY FOR BIODIVERSITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
and oligosaprobic indicator species within the aquatic ecosystems are constantly
decreasing as a result of intensive anthropogenic impacts.
Data concerning the degree of threat to Algal taxa exist only for diatoms. According
to the research to date, many imperiled species are found in Ohrid and Prespa Lakes
(Achnanthes inflata, A. minuscula, Diploneis domblitensis, Eucocconeis quadratarea
and Hippodonta rostrata), Doyran Lake (Navicula oblonga, Nitzschia elegantula and N.
reversa), and the glacial lakes on Shar Planina and Pelister Mountains (Decussata
hexagona, Navicula amphibola, N. concentrica, N. tridentula, Pinnularia alpina, P.
infirma, Planothidium peragallii, Stauroneis obtusa etc).
Table 17. Number of diatoms species according to their degree of threat in the Republic of
Macedonia.
Category Number of Species
Extinct or probably extinct species 9
Threatened species 107
Rare species 107
Endemic species 85
The Red List of threatened plant species within the Republic of Macedonia has not
yet been prepared, although there is sufficient data to do so. Great numbers of higher
plant species exist within Macedonia, representing a portion of the globally threatened
species included in many international documents – international Red Lists, conventions
and directives (IUCN Global Red List, Bern <strong>Convention</strong>, CORINE species), species of
national importance (local endemic and relict species), endangered species and,
unfortunately, a certain number of extinct species (EX).
The IUCN Global Red List 1997 (Walter and Gillet, 1998) contains 70 taxa from the
Republic of Macedonia (of which 18 are local endemics). Of these, one species has the
world status EX (Extinct) – Thymus oehmianus Ronninger & Soska. It is our belief that
this information is incorrect since vital populations of this species still exist within the
Republic of Macedonia; a more suitable category would be “EN” (Endangered). Two
species have world status “EX/EN” (Extinct/Endangered) – Astragalus physocalyx
Fisch. and Ranunculus degenii Kummerle & Jav., while one species has world status
“V” (Vulnerable) – Ranunculus cacuminis Strid & Papan. Of the remaining 66 taxa, 61
have world status “R” (Rare) and five have status “I” (Indeterminate).
Appendix 1 of the Bern <strong>Convention</strong> * includes 12 species (11 vascular species and
one species of moss) with portions of their ranges located within Macedonia –
Aldrovanda vesiculosa, Astragalus physocalyx, Buxbaumia viridis, Campanula abietina,
Fritillaria graeca, F. gussichiae, Galium rhodopeum, Lindernia procumbens, Marsilea
quadrifolia, Ramonda serbica, Salvinia natans and Trapa natans.
Of the species listed in EU Habitat Directive † Annex II, two species of vascular
plants and one species of moss are present within Macedonia. Three species (F.
gussichiae, L. procumbens and R. serbica ) are also present from Annex IV.
From the European CORINE list, nine species are present in Macedonia:
Coeloglossum viride, Jurinea taygetea, Narthecium scardicum, Orchis coriophora,
* Bern <strong>Convention</strong>, Appendix 1 – Strictly protected species
† EU Habitats Directive
Annex II – Animal and plant species of Community interest whose conservation requires the
designation of special areas of conservation
Annex IV – Animal and plant species of Community interest in need of strict protection
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