Preparation/ update of Protected Areas Management Plans integrating Climate Change Adaptation – (Sustainability of Protected Areas project - SPA)

Summary of the project: 

The project "Sustainability of Protected Areas in BiH – SPA" aims to enhance the management of protected areas in BiH, leading to improved biodiversity and resilience to climate change impacts, along with increased sustainable recreation revenue. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and executed by UNDP in collaboration with various governmental bodies and funds in BiH, the project strives to bridge the gap in protected area capacities and address emerging threats to biodiversity. By focusing on key protected areas like Una National Park, Prokoško Lake Nature Monument, Vrelo Bosne Nature Monument, Blidinje Nature Park, and Vjetrenica-Popovo Polje protected landscape, the project seeks to integrate climate change adaptation measures into management plans and conduct comprehensive risk assessments. 

Project goals 

General goal: To strengthen the resilience of key biodiversity elements to climate change impacts in 5 pilot protected areas.

Specific goals: 

• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments of climate change impacts on pilot protected areas. 

• Update management plans of selected protected areas to incorporate climate change threats. 

• Develop unique methodologies for conducting risk assessments of climate change impacts in pilot protected areas. 

• Establish a basis for monitoring changes in biodiversity dynamics based on identified climate risks. 
  

Main activities: 

• Updating Management Plans for Una National Park, Prokoško Lake Nature Monument, Vrelo Bosne Nature Monument, Blidinje Nature Park, and Vjetrenica-Popovo Polje protected landscape 

• Comprehensive Risk Assessment and Assessment of vulnerabilities of species, ecosystems, and local communities to climate change 

• Database Creation for monitoring spatio-temporal dynamics of key vulnerable biodiversity elements based on identified climate risks. 

• Finalization and presentation of updated management plans for selected protected areas, ensuring clarity, accessibility, and practicality. 

• Create unique methodologies for conducting comprehensive risk assessments of climate change impacts in pilot protected areas and creation of future amendments to relevant by-laws defining the content of management plans.