English - Convention on Biological Diversity

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COUNTRY STUDY FOR BIODIVERSITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
3.5.4.3. Conservation status of animals
The European Red List includes 113 of the vertebrate species present within the
Republic of Macedonia (30 fishes, 66 birds, 16 Mammals and one species of Reptile).
Seventeen of the 20 endemic fishes are included within the category of globally
threatened species. Seven are restricted to Ohrid Lake (Acantholingua ohridana,
Phoxinellus epiroticus, Rutilus ohridanus, Salmo aphelios, S. balcanicus, S. letnica and
S. lumi), six to Prespa Lake (Alburnus belvica, Barbus prespensis, Chondrostoma
prespense, Cobitis meridionalis and Rutilus prespensis), one to Doyran Lake
(Sabanejewia doiranica) and three endemic species occur within other aquatic
ecosystems (Gobio banarescui, Salmo pelagonicus and S. peristericus).
Table 20. Threatened vertebrate species in the Republic of Macedonia.
Threatened Species of Fishes 30
Threatened Species of Reptiles 1
Threatened Species of Birds 66
Threatened Species of Mammals 16
Total Number of Threatened Species 113
Because the National Red List has yet to be prepared, the most important species to be
protected at the national level are considered to be the endemic fish species. The remaining
endemic vertebrate species should also be included, as well as some other specific vertebrate
species whose ranges end in or pass through Macedonia (Algyroides nigropunctatus,
Coluber gemonensis, Cyrtopodion kotschyi, Lacerta agilis, Pelobates syriacus, Rana
balcanica, R. graeca, R. temporaria, Testudo graeca, Triturus alpestris, Vipera berus etc.)
The reason for the disappearance of species and/or the reduction of their populations is
primarily due to human activity, but there are also global causes which have not been
completely identified. If global factors endangering biodiversity, including changes in
climate, are excluded, then all remaining essential factors having direct or indirect impacts
on faunal diversity, the observed changes within ecosystems (especially aquatic and forest
types), changes in the ozone layer, some fungal pandemics etc., are of anthropogenic origin.
Regarding the conservation of aquatic systems and their environs, where the greatest
faunal diversity is recorded, it is necessary to notice some key factors which cause
disturbances to natural conditions in biotopes and thus the reduction of biodiversity as a
whole. These include:
• Usage of various pesticides and other chemical agents in agriculture and forestry;
• Inappropriate disposal of household waste;
• Unplanned or inappropriate use of water for irrigation;
• Changes made in localised or wider areas through habitat destruction, fragmentation and
isolation;
• Tourism;
• Road traffic;
• Hunting for commercial purposes and collection for scientific, hobby and other nonscientific
uses;
• Colonisation by invader species;
• Insufficient knowledge regarding basic population parameters and the distribution of
individual faunal groups.