Nature protection and biodiversity - State and impacts (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Genetic diversity of crops and livestock

The diversity of the eco-climate has supported a varied and well-preserved group of genetic resources in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Factors that determine genetic diversity on a national scale are:

• Heterogeneity of ecosystems and landscapes in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Unique processes and levels of cultural diversity
• Historical process of habitation
• Influence of other civilisations from both east and west.

The diversity of herbal genetic resources is considered a significant gene pool, based on information concerning the rich variety of vegetables, fruits and cereals in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is reflected in the many types of cherries (Prunus avium: alice, ašlame, hašlamuše, hrušćovi, crnice, bjelice); plums (Prunus domesticus: bijele, prskulje, mrkulje, savke); pears (Pyrus sp.: ječmenke, krivočke, mednjače, takiše, bijeli karamut, crni karamut, krupnjače, jeribasme); apples (Malus sp.: petrovače, golubače, šarenike, zelenike, senabije, šahmanuše, krompiruše, crvenike etc.), as well as sour cherries, apricots, peaches, almonds, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and currants.

During the long period in which various civilisations have inhabited the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, many animal breeds have been domesticated. The majority have evolved as distinct ecotypes, today clearly separated and even isolated, and they now form the general gene pool of domestic animals. There is a high level of diversity among the various breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs and pigeons.

A large proportion of the indigenous gene pool of breeds and species has already vanished. For this reason, urgent action is now required to make an inventory and ensure conservation of the remaining herbal and animal genetic resources.

The available genetic diversity represents an outstanding resource and great potential for the production of healthy and high-quality foods, as well as for the cultivation of various types of fruits, vegetables and cereals and healthy breeds of animals.

Species diversity

The process of preparing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s first report under the Convention on Biodiversity represented the first assessment of the country's total plant, animal and ecosystem diversity. Based on data in literature and current knowledge of the distribution of species, plant diversity is estimated as follows: 

Table 1. - Assessment of plant diversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Based on the actual knowledge of the animal kingdom, biodiversity was assessed by phylogenetic groups, as shown in Table 2:

Table 2. – Assessment of animal diversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Unfortunately, there is no established for monitoring the population status of species. However, research that includes the status of populations, number, indicator values, etc. is occasionally carried out for certain species in order to acquire knowledge of their ecological range. These data provide the basis for the future monitoring system.

Research is also occasionally conducted on certain types of ecosystems in order to acquire knowledge of their structure and dynamics. However, a national list of indicators for regular monitoring of the environment has never been established.

Invasive species

Among the invasive species in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the most common are: Asclepias siriaca, Helianthus tuberosus, Solidago gigantea, Tagetes minuta, Amorpha fruticosa, Robinia pseudacacia, Phytolaca americana, Reynoutria japonica, Ailanthus altissima and Impatiens glandulifera. The majority of these species live in ravines, cuttings, wood clearings and similar kinds of habitat.

Certain species (Asclepias syriaca, Helianthus tuberosus and Amorpha fruticosa) have a negative effect on the habitats of hygrophilous woods of willow, alder and poplar, which  are particularly common in the Posavina area of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hygrophilous ecosystems are now under severe threat as a result of invasion by alien species. 

Animal alien species are mainly types of fish that have escaped from fish farms or found their way into adjacent rivers and lakes. Natural and artificial lakes are the types of habitat that are easily invaded by alien species. Gudgeon (Gobio gobio) is one of the most significant invasive fish species in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

The goldfish (Carassius auratus gibelio) is often found in warmer hydro-accumulation areas. In the hydro-accumulation of the Neretva river there are carp (Cyprinus carpio) which are becoming highly abundant. Due to a poor living conditions, the Californian trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) has fled from many fish farms, while the Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) has also been introduced into the Neretva river and its hydro-accumulations. 

Invasive fish species have significantly disturbed the ecosystem structure of many watercourses. This has endangered the endemic gene pool of species such as Neretva's own soft-muzzled trout (Salmothymus obtusirostris oxyrhynchus). Through the arrival of invasive species, endemic species, such as Paraphoxinus metohiense and Leuciscus svallize have now become endangered in karsts and underground rivers.