As much as 30 percent of the total endemic flora in the Balkans is contained in the flora of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This is stated in the chapter “Biogeography, Biodiversity and Protected Areas of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina” in the prepared strategy of the Federal Government, i.e. the relevant ministry on the development of the agricultural and rural sector in this entity until 2027.
In the aforementioned chapter on the diversity of biodiversity, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry of the FBiH also states that more than 5,000 species and subspecies of vascular plants (plant species with roots, stems and lichens), more than 100 species of fish and more than 320 species of birds and other elements of biological diversity.
The richness of landscape diversity is illustrated by the number and types of landscapes identified in accordance with international standards: Mediterranean, supra-Mediterranean, Mediterranean-mountainous, mountainous, hilly, peripannonian and pannonian.
The great diversity of genetic resources in BiH is also reflected in a large number of original animal breeds and plant species.
In accordance with the European directive for the establishment of the European ecological network, the process of establishing NATURA 2000 is underway in Bosnia and Herzegovina, whereby all the most important natural habitats and plant and animal species that should be protected in order to preserve the undoubtedly rich biological and geodiversity have been identified, listed and mapped.
The rich biological and diversity of the landscape of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina required the establishment of protected areas and other categories of protection with the aim of ensuring the survival and protection of habitats and species.
According to the current categorization of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 29 areas are protected in BiH, of which there are two strict nature reserves, four national parks, 16 natural monuments, five nature parks – protected landscapes and two areas for resource management – forest parks on total area of 127,557.4 ha.
Of the total area of protected natural areas according to the IUCN categorization in BiH, 76.9 percent is on the territory of the Federation of BiH.
Two Ramsar areas have been established in the territory of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Hutovo blato and Livanjsko polje (wetland areas whose protection is regulated by the Ramsar Convention).
There is a large number of high-value natural areas that are foreseen for future protection in the planning documents of the federal, cantonal and municipal levels.
With documentation at the entity level, it is planned to protect about 17 percent of the total area of the Federation of BiH, it was also stated in the document sent from the Government to the Federal Parliament.
