Abstract
UDK: 582.323: 574.4(497.6)(234.422) 551.438.22(497.6)(234.422)
 Peatland ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina represent a relict remain of the vegetation, flora and fauna from the glaciation periods. Peatlands are widespread on the North, where they occupy large areas of northern Europe, Asia and Canada. Occurrence of this type of ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina contains an indication of nature conservation in general and represents an extraordinary natural value. The status of peatland ecosystems in the Balkans should be carefully monitored especially today, at the time of the already recognizable effects of climate change. The preserved structure and functionality of these ecosystems might indicate satisfactory degree of resilience to climate change, but adverse state warns on the need to take appropriate actions. Multiply drivers as overexploitation of natural resources, water, air and soil pollution and spread of invasive alien species, also have a negative effect on peatland ecosystems. In order to assess the conditions of peatland ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, researches were carried out on Vranica and Zvijezda mountain in central Bosnia. Researches was conducted including the following communities: Sphagno-Piceetum montanum Stef 1964, Sphagnetum recurvo-subsecundi Grgić et al. 1991, Menyanthi-Sphagnetum Grgić et al. 1991 Scirpetum silvatici Ht et H-ić, Calthaetum rostratae Lakušić et al. 1991, Abieti-Piceetum illyricum Fuk. 1960 Stef. 62 s.l ect. To investigate existing conditions state of the peatland ecosystems, floristic elements and life forms were determined for every plant species. A comparison of previous and today’s state of these communities was conducted, associated with analysis of Ellenberg’s indices for temperature, light, soil reaction etc. According to Lakušić et al., 1991., these type of ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina was satisfactory. However, today's finding shows severe changes. The loss of peatland habitats was recorded in the entire area of research. The main identified drivers are deforestation, habitat conversion and drainage of watercourses. In order to protect this type of ecosystems and important indicator species it is necessary to implement different conservation and restoration activities.
Highlights
Peatland ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina represent a relict remain of the vegetation, flora and fauna from the glaciation periods
Peatland ecosystems represent a specific type of vegetation that at the global level makes up only 3% of the earth’s surface (Houghton et al 1990), and whose significance is emphasized in the carbon cycle processes (Gorham, 1991, 1995; Roulet, 2000).This role is even greater today, which is especially important in the period of intense climate change due to the capability of carbon retention and storage (Houghton et al, 1990)
Peatlands increasingly play a role in policy relating to climate change, biodiversity and ecosystem services (Tanneberger et al, 2017)
Summary
Peatland ecosystems in Bosnia and Herzegovina represent a relict remain of the vegetation, flora and fauna from the glaciation periods. Besides the important role in the key processes of the geobiosphere, these ecosystems represent very important habitats of many plant species of specific life forms. In the vicinity Zvijezda Mountain, at Bijambare locality, peatlands are surrounded by primary climatogenous forest phytocoenoses in which, according to the spatial and ecological distance from the bogs, plant species can be found with their optimum in associations of mires.
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