The aim of the research is to asses the current level of urbanization in 10 national parks in Serbia and Montenegro and its trends in this area in the past 35 years. This will be done by analyzing the satellite data imagery, combining GIS and Remote Sensing methods. Satellite data will be obtained through NASA GloVis portal as a part of its data dissemination program established to promote a scientific cooperation.
An archival research will be conducted on the methods and results of monitoring of urbanization of protected areas so far. Also available data on geo-spatial characteristics of national parks in digital format will be acquired at market price.
Obtaining the latest accurate data available on this urbanization levels is intended to help the decision-making structures in both countries how to approach the solving of major problems in protecting these areas from further devastation. This is especially important given the complexity of establishing the baseline values for urbanization of such large areas which is needed for making the strategies of their preservation and protection.
The EnviroGRIDS @ Black Sea catchment project is developing a system that aims to assist governments and communities to track and respond to environmental trends in the Black Sea catchment.
The widely accepted and recognized modern principles of water resources management require watershed-wide approach. It was already incorporated in water codes of many countries as well as international treaties such as Water Framework Directive adopted by EU.
Degradation of freshwater ecosystems is considered to be one of the biggest non-military threats to human society. Access to fresh water is becoming one of the factors limiting development and it might be a major source for conflicts in near future. The degradation of the Sea of Azov, once one of the most productive seas in the world, is a characteristic example of anthropogenic catastrophes. The Project aims to promote world best practices in integrated water management and environmental security in the region.
The current development of the Aydar-Arnasay lakes system (AALS), which is one of the remarkable examples of the human-induced ecosystems, depends on numerous political and environmental factors. On the one hand, the political tensions and disagreements between Central Asian republics alter the implementation of the coordinated water policy in terms of agreed water discharges to the Aydar-Arnasay lakes. On the other hand, forecasting change of the regional climate has an uncertain influence on these lakes.
The overarching goal of the project is to identify which of the elaborated water management scenarios is the most probable in terms of the future development of the Aydar-Arnasay lakes system.
The future development of the lakes system implies such important aspects as features of hydrological regime, including level of mineralization; maintenance of fisheries situated in these lakes, conservation of biodiversity, i.e. wetlands of international importance designated as a Ramsar site and various birds and fish species inhabiting these lakes.
The Feasibility study for the restoration of Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Southeastern Bulgaria is developed within the project “Conservation measures for target species of the EU Birds Directive – Lesser Kestrel, Black Vulture, and Imperial Eagle in their main habitats in Bulgaria”.
The current activity provides for the development of a set of criteria for Lesser Kestrel habitat suitability and using GIS tools for identifying potentially suitable areas for reintroducing the species in Southeastern Bulgaria.
The project is implemented by Green Balkans with the financial assistance of the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union and the state budget of the Republic of Bulgaria through Environment OP 2007-2013 (ope.moew.government.bg), Axis 3 “Preservation and restoration of biodiversity”: project No 58301–60-480, Contract No 58301 – С – 008, procedure BG161PO005/08/3/01/05.
The ultimate Project goal is to establish and manage an International Ural Sturgeon Park with the active involvement of local communities in the nature conservation measures. If established an International Ural Sturgeon Park can guarantee the preservation of the remaining self sustaining sturgeon population with natural reproduction and provide an opportunity for successful sturgeon stock restoration in the future.
