Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country rich in forests – more than 63 percent of its territory is covered by forests and forest land, which ranks it among the leading countries in Europe. Although our forests are still relatively preserved, climatic extremes such as droughts, heat waves and forest fires are already causing visible changes, including the drying of certain species, among which the spruce is especially endangered – pointed out today in Sarajevo, prof. Ph.D. Besim Balić.
He stated this information at the public lecture “Forests as a multifunctional natural resource in conditions of climate change: situation and perspectives in Bosnia and Herzegovina in a global context”, held at the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, organized by the Department of Natural and Mathematical Sciences – Committee for Natural Resources and in co-organization with the Faculty of Forestry of the University of Sarajevo (Department of Forest Management and Urban Greenery).
The lecture was moderated by Academician Vladimir Beus, who once again emphasized that forests are one of the key climate regulators – through the process of photosynthesis they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, contributing to the stabilization of temperature and air quality.
The lecture emphasized that climate change is increasingly affecting the stability, productivity and health of forest ecosystems, which is calling into question their key ecological, social and economic functions. The risks associated with the frequency of droughts, fires and pest attacks, which additionally accelerate forest degradation, were particularly highlighted.
– The profession must move from traditional to adaptive forest management in order to increase their resilience to climate change – believes Prof. Dr. Balić, also pointing to the need for a systemic approach to forest resource management.
The absence of a unified legal framework in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the fragmented forest management system across cantons, were also highlighted as significant challenges, which makes their effective protection and long-term planning difficult.
In the context of marking the World Day of Forests (March 21), whose theme this year is “Forests and the Economy”, it was emphasized that forests represent not only a natural, but also an important economic resource. In addition to their production function, they play a key role in preserving biodiversity, regulating water flows and improving the quality of life.
During the lecture, relevant data on the state of forests in Bosnia and Herzegovina were presented, including the results of the national forest inventory, along with the identification of key challenges and guidelines for their sustainable management in the future, the Academy of Sciences and Arts of BiH announced.
