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NBMP Participants
Experts/Scientists
This is the key associate group for biodiversity monitoring. Several scientific institutions are implementing projects with elements of monitoring. Unfortunately their projects are usually time-limited, which complicates systematic monitoring activities.
The Institute for Ornithology (Croatian Academy of Science and Art) is an example of scientific institution that implements long term monitoring activities for several bird species, using a network of trained amateurs.
In the framework of CRO-NEN project 20 monitoring projects, for several bird species and import bird areas, have been implemented. Results oh these monitoring activities have been used for evaluation and selection of National Ecological Network sites and potential Special Protected Areas (SPA), according to EU Bird Directive.
 
NGO-s
By their voluntary work, NGO-s can contribute a great deal in the process of collecting data on biodiversity. Unfortunately, their programs for systematic and permanent monitoring are just starting to develop in Croatia. From 259 NGO-s dealing with environmental thematic, a large number is already developing programs dealing with biodiversity. This makes a good basis for their involvement in NBMS.
In the framework of CRO-NEN, two biodiversity inventorying projects have been implemented, with purpose of future biodiversity monitoring establishment. Organization for Protection and Research of Amphibians and Reptiles HYLA worked on population assessment for threatened and protected species Caspian Terrapin (Mauremys caspica). Distribution of this species in Croatia is limited to ponds in the area surrounding the city of Dubrovnik. Members of the organization have visited all known and potential locations determining the present state. Based on these results, monitoring activities will be carried out in the following years.
Biology Students Organization BIUS inventoried flora and fauna in Nature Park Papuk, as a ground work for future monitoring. For that occasion State Institute for Nature Protection (SINP) prepared forms for collecting data and maps showing habitat types of the researched area.
Croatian Ornithological Society HOD implements bird ringing actions in ornithological reserve Savica for several years. SINP has recognized the value of data collected this way and in the framework of CRO-NEN project initiated involvement of HOD in the NBMS. This year, within the celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity and National Day for Nature Protection in Croatia, two posters were published: Zoological Reserve Savica and Zagreb from bird perspective.
   
Water management and forestry
One of the main EU regulations in the department of water management is Water Framework Directive (WFD). Croatia, as a future member state, will also have to apply these regulations. Directive requires that water management authorities monitor selected indicators, which show the ecological state of waters in the observed catchments area. This procedure is being set up by Croatian Waters Inc. and has to be coordinated with other biodiversity monitoring programmes.
Certification is voluntary procedure in the forest management. It shows whether the management authorities are managing forests according to the principles of sustainable development. Certificate is good for marketing, thus giving certain privileges on the market.
Croatian Forests Ltd., managing authority for state owned forests in Croatia, acquired generic certificate. This commits them, among other things, to monitor threatened plant and animal forest species.
 
Rangers and nature protection inspectors
Management authorities of protected areas employ certain number of rangers. They spend most of their working-hours in the field and as such are perfect choice for data gathering and monitoring of these sites. With training and adequate monitoring protocols prepared, in the long run they can gather valuable data on biodiversity.
In the framework of the CRO-NEN project, cooperation with Nature Park Učka management authorities has been established. Together with State Institute for Nature Protection, field manual for rangers, for gathering data on threatened plant species in the Park area has been prepared.
Training of rangers for these activities was held in the form of a one-day workshop. If this method shows to be successful, it will be offered as a model to management authorities of all protected areas.
 
Schools
Schools are very suitable for gathering data on biodiversity. Through questionnaire sent by State Institute for Nature Protection in the framework of CRO-NEN project, a great interest of schools was expressed and existence of various programmes with elements of monitoring determined. These programmes are initiated by various teachers and aren’t included in any system yet.
In 2004 SINP has invited all schools in Croatia to participate in Swallow’s and House Martin’s nest counting action. Prepared forms with instructions were distributed to regional commissionaires for education during the Project presentation. They have distributed the forms to all schools in Croatia.
Response from schools was much better than expected. 249 schools were involved in this action. More than 5000 children filled-in 8574 forms. 58.089 swallow’s and 14.685 House Martin’s nests were counted. At the same time there was a competition for the best artistic and literary works on the subject of Swallows. Results of the whole action were presented to the public, with participation of the most active schools involved. The most successful schools and students in the action were awarded on this occasion.
In 2005 action was aimed at the setup of the real monitoring. Areas with the largest number of schools involved were selected and teachers were gathered for a two-day seminar. Purpose of this seminar was to train them and agree on the future long-term cooperation.
 
Students
In cooperation with Faculty of Science, Biology department, State Institute for Nature Protection prepared protocols for gathering data on flora, fauna and habitat types in the areas that students visit every year in the framework of their annual field research. Representative of the Institute participated in the training of students, as well as their field research, during May and June 2004. Students filled in forms ant field maps prepared for this purpose. Data gathered this way was used by SINP for updating databases.
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