Ref.: Contract between UCODEP - building a human world and Dr. Vesna Sidorovska on the Investigation of Amphibians & Reptiles, within the frames of the Project “Environmental Protection, Economic Development and Promotion of Eco/Sustainable Tourism in the National Park Mavrovo”. Draft Final Report Prepared by Dr. Vesna Sidorovska Study on Assessment and Evaluation of Amphibians & Reptiles within the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo Skopje, August, 2010 2 Contents Executive Summary 4 1. Introduction 12 2. State of the Art 14 3. Biology and the Area of finding of Amphibians and Reptiles in NP Mavrovo 15 3.1. Assessment of Amphibians 15 3.1.1. Order Caudata (Tailed Amphibians) 16 3.1.2. Order Anura (Tailless Amphibians) 20 3.2. Assessment of Reptiles 31 3.2.1. Order Testudines (Terrapins and Tortoises) 32 3.2.2. Order Squamata (Scaled Reptiles) 34 3.2.2.1. Suborder Sauria (Lizards) 34 3.2.2.2. Suborder Ophidia (Snakes) 47 4. Evaluation of Amphibians & Reptiles 58 4.1. Introduction 58 4.2. Methodology 58 4.2.1. Species Richness 58 4.2.2. Species Heterogeneity 58 4.2.3. Legal Protection 58 4.2.4. Conservation Status 59 4.3. Evaluation of Amphibians 60 4.3.1. Species Richness 60 4.3.2. Species Heterogeneity 60 4.3.3. Legal Protection 61 4.3.4. Conservation Status 61 4.4. Evaluation of Reptiles 62 4.4.1. Species Richness 62 4.4.2. Species Heterogeneity 62 4.4.3. Legal Protection 63 4.4.4. Conservation Status 63 5. Threats to Amphibians and Reptiles 64 5.1. Introduction 64 5.2. Indirect Threats to Amphibians and Reptiles 64 5.3. Direct Тhreats to Amphibians and Reptiles 64 5.3.1. Cut off of the Migration Corridors 64 5.3.2. Eutrophication of Glacial Lakes and Temporary Pools 65 3 5.3.3. Water capture/extraction from Mountain Streams 67 5.3.4. Prejudices and Illegal Collection 69 5.4. Impact on Amphibians & Reptiles by the Construction of Dam and Artificial Lake on the locality Dolno Lukovo Pole 69 6. Ways for Effective Protection of Amphibians and Reptiles in NP Mavrovo 70 6.1. General Management 70 6.2. Prescribed Fires 70 6.3. Mowing 71 6.4. Grazing 71 6.5. Management of Woodlands 71 6.6. Management of Wetlands 72 6.7. Core Habitat, Corridors, and Buffers 72 6.8. Microhabitats 73 6.8.1. Cover Objects 73 6.8.2. Nesting Sites 73 6.8.3. Den Sites 73 7. Important Areas for Amphibians & Reptiles with Recommendations for Zoning 74 7.1. Alteration of the Current Boundaries of the Park 74 7.2. Important Aquatic (Wetland) Habitats 74 7.3. Important Terrestrial Habitats 74 Long-term Monitoring Program for Amphibians and Reptiles in NP 8. Mavrovo 76 8.1. Key Amphibian and Reptile Species that are recommending for Long Term Monitoring 76 8.2. Monitoring Methodology 76 8.2.1. Sampling Design 77 8.2.2. Data Collection 77 8.2.3. Quality Control and Assurance 78 8.2.4. Supplemental Survey Methods 78 9. Protection Regime 79 9.1. Current Protection/Management Category of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo 79 9.1.1. IUCN Criteria 79 9.1.2. National Legislation 82 9.2. Discussion 84 10. Conclusions 85 References 88 4 Executive Summary The Balkans with Macedonia in its central part, contain some of the most extreme environments, and boast the additional diversity of their cave and lake environments which is unsurpassed in other parts. Certainly, compared to other temperate regions on Europe, it is quite outstanding. Coupled with the importance of the geographic location in a transitional zone open to a variety of floral and faunal influences, it is not surprising the notion that the Balkans are indeed the centre of European biodiversity (Reed et al., 2004). In the case of the National Park Mavrovo, due to its unique natural values, in the year 1949, the forest belt around the Mavrovsko Pole, encompassing an area of 11,750 ha has been proclaimed as a National Park. In the year 1952, the boundaries of the Park have been widened for several times, encompassing an area of 73,088 ha, including the mountains Korab and Deshat. The National Park Mavrovo is situated in the mountainous region of the north-west part of the country. It is with elongated shape, extending into a North-South direction, following the border line with Albania westwardly. Besides the two mountain massifs Korab and Bistra, within the current boundaries of the Park are included parts of the Shar Planina Massif, as well as almost the whole watershed of the Radika River. The sides of the mountains at their higher altitudes are mostly steep, rocky and to a great extent bare, thus resembling the mountains of the Dinaric Alps. This, and the presence of associated deep valleys, makes the area difficult to access. From the standpoint of regional designations, the Mountains included in the NP Mavovo belong to the westernmost part of the Western-Macedonian Mountain Zone. Regarding its morphogenesis, the origin of the mountains is related to radial tectonic movements that took place in the Tertiary Period, when these mountain massifs actually developed. The Amphibians and Reptiles within the confines of the National Park Mavrovo are quite well represented, dominantly by Northern species, while the Mediterranean species are less represented. The unique value of the territory of the National Park Mavrovo, concerning the herpetofauna is mostly related to the Northern species as Ultimate Southern Frontier of their distribution range. In addition in the Park are present the core populations of these species on National Level. Among the all-terrestrial vertebrates, the Amphibians and Reptiles are the best biological indicators in assessing the status of environmental conditions of certain area. Amphibians and Reptiles are particularly vulnerable groups; most are confined to small territories or home ranges, within which they have little ability to escape from land development, or even short-term changes. This vulnerability is considerably exacerbated in the more temperate parts, or in the high mountains, where these animals spend up to 6 months or more in hibernation/torpor. Notwithstanding the fact that numerous data on Amphibians and Reptiles for the territory of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo have been published, they are still only scarcely investigated. Fragmentary investigations have been conducted by Klaptocz (1910), Kopstein & Wettstein (1920), Fejervary (1922), Karaman (1922, 1928, 1931), Bolkay (1924), Wolterstorff (1925), Cyren (1941), Dimovski (1964), Pozzi (1966), Krivokapic (1969), Tovornik & Brelih (1980), Petkovski, Sidorovska & Dzukic (2001) and Sterijovski, Stamatovski & Tokov (2003). The classification of species, presented in this report follows the most contemporary publications on the taxonomy of Amphibians & Reptiles: Biserkov (2007), Bohme & Kuhler (2005), Carranza et al. (2006), De Lapparent de Broin et al. (2006), Nagy et al. (2004), Utiger et al. (2002). Based upon a literature review, unpublished data of the author of this report, analysis of the Museum collections, as well as field investigations conducted in the frames of this project, in 5 total, within the confines of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo, presence of 35 species of herpetofauna has been ascertained, which is 74.5% of the total number of Amphibian and Reptile Species on National Level, represented by 47 species. The Evaluation of Amphibians and Reptiles has been conducted in accordance with the EU Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC), the IUCN Red List of Globally Threatened Species (2010), the IUCN European Red List of Threatened Species (2010), Species Richness, Species Heterogeneity and Geographical Distribution/Endemism. Amphibians and Reptiles, according to the IUCN Red List of Globally Threatened Species (2010), are regarded as the least endangered. However, on a national level, including the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo a considerable reduction in the populations of most of the species has been recorded. A general characteristic for the Amphibians of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo is its high degree of species diversity. Within the territory of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo 11 Amphibian species have been recorded, which is 73.3% of the total number of species on National Level, represented by 15 species. Amphibians of Boreal (Taiga) or Siberian Origin within the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo are represented by the following species: Alpine Newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris), Common Frog (Rana temporaria) and Common Toad (Bufo bufo). Amphibians of Broadleaved Arboreal Origin represented by Holo-Mediterranean Elements that have widely expanded their range up to Central Europe to the North include the following species: Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra), Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus), Common Tree Frog (Hyla arborea), Agile Frog (Rana dalmatina) and Green Toad (Pseudepidalea viridis). Within the territory of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo the vertical distribution of these species on appropriate habitats reaches high altitudes. Amphibians of Broadleaved Arboreal Origin represented by Ponto (Eastern)-Mediterranean Elements with distribution range mainly restricted to the Balkan Peninsula encompass the following species: Macedonian Crested Newt (Triturus macedonicus) and Balkan Stream Frog (Rana graeca). The Complex of Eremial (Steppes-Desert) Faunal Elements within the territory of the National Park Mavrovo includes the species: Balkan Yellow-belied Toad (Bombina scabra) with origin of the Ponto-Caspian Steppes Region. From the Oreo-Tundral (Arctic-Mountain) Complex of Faunal Elements, none amphibian species is present. Habitats Directive provide a strict legal protection for six species (Annex IV), while the species Macedonian Crested Newt (Triturus macedonicus) and the Balkan Yellow-belied Toad (Bombina scabra) are included in the list of Annex II, which means that the species are of community interest whose conservation requires designation of special areas of conservation. None of the 11 amphibian species present within the territory of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo is included in the three IUCN categories of Threatened Species on European Scale. None of the 11 amphibian species present within the territory of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo is included in the three IUCN categories of Globally Threatened Species. The amphibians Macedonian Crested Newt (Triturus macedonicus), Balkan Yellow-belied Toad (Bombina scabra) and Balkan Stream Frog (Rana graeca) are endemic to the Balkans, vulnerable to extinction due to their restricted range size that covers wetland ecosystems with disjunctive distribution only within certain parts of the Balkan Peninsula. 6 The number of hitherto recorded Reptiles for the territory of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo is 24 species, which is 75% of the total number of species on National Level, represented by 32 species. Reptiles of Boreal (Taiga) or Siberian Origin within the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo are represented by the following species: Viviparous Lizard (Zootoca vivipara), and Adder (Vipera berus). Reptiles of Broadleaved Arboreal Origin represented by Holo-Mediterranean Elements that have widely expanded their range up to Central Europe to the North and include the following species: European Pond Terrapin (Emys orbicularis), Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis), Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis), Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis), Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis), Grass Snake (Natrix natrix), Aesculapian Snake (Zamenis longissimus), and Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca). Within the territory of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo the vertical distribution of these species on appropriate habitats reaches high altitudes. Reptiles of the Complex of Species of Broadleaved Arboreal Origin represented by Ponto (Eastern)-Mediterranean Elements that have widened its range to the Circum-Mediterranean Region include the species Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus). Another group of reptiles of this Complex includes species whose core distribution range is mainly restricted to the Balkan Peninsula: Hermann's Tortoise (Eurotestudo hermanni), Snake-eyed Skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii), Kotschy’s Gecko (Mediodactylus kotschyi), Balkan Green Lizard (Lacerta trilineata), Dalmatian Algyroides (Algyroides nigropunctatus), Balkan Whip Snake (Hierophis gemonensis) and Dahl’s Whip Snake (Platyceps najadum). Within the territory of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo the vertical distribution of these species is mainly restricted to the lower altitudes, mainly in the Oak forest belt. The Complex of Eremial Faunal Elements that includes species of Ponto-Caspian Steppes Origin encompasses the following species: Balkan Wall Lizard (Podarcis tauricus), Large Whip Snake (Dolichophis caspius), Orsini's Viper (Vipera ursinii) and Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata). The origin of the species Erhard's Wall Lizard (Podarcis erhardii) and Nose-horned Viper (Vipera ammodytes) comes from the Aegean-Anatolian Semi Deserts. None reptilian species is included in the Complex of Oreo-Tundral (Arctic-Mountain) Faunal Elements, therefore no presence of such elements on the territory of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo too, which is quite understandable, since this group are cold-blood animals. Habitats Directive provides a strict legal protection for 18 species (Annex IV), while the species: Hermann's Tortoise (Eurotestudo hermanni), European Pond Terrapin (Emys orbicularis) and Orsini's Viper (Vipera ursinii) are also included in Annex II (Animal and plant species of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation). The Species Orsini's Viper (Vipera ursinii), present within the territory of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo is included in the European Red List of Threatened Species within the category Vulnerable (VU). In addition, the species: Hermann's Tortoise (Eurotestudo hermanni) and European Pond Terrapin (Emys orbicularis) are listed in the Category Near Threatened (NT) which is close to qualify the species as Vulnerable (VU). The Species Orsini's Viper (Vipera ursinii) is included in the IUCN Red List of Globally Threatened Species under the category Endangered (EN), while the species European Pond Terrapin (Emys orbicularis) under the category Vulnerable (VU). In addition, the species Hermann's Tortoise (Eurotestudo hermanni) is listed in the Category Near Threatened (NT) which is close to qualify the species as Vulnerable (VU) on a Global Scale. The Reptiles: Hermann's Tortoise (Eurotestudo hermanni boettgeri), Dalmatian Algyroides (Algyroides nigropunctatus), Balkan Green Lizard (Lacerta trilineata), Erhard's Wall Lizard 7 (Podarcis erhardii) and Balkan Wall Lizard (Podarcis tauricus) are endemic to the Balkans, vulnerable to extinction due to their restricted range size that covers habitat types with disjunctive distribution. From a Global point of view, it is confirmed that the living world of the Planet Earth is faced with the sixth phase of mass extinction (Wake & Vredenburg, 2008). The process of extinction has shown most vigorous effects on the Amphibians and Reptiles, since they are particularly vulnerable groups. In the case of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo, on the basis of our field investigations on the status of Amphibians and Reptiles, several human activities that have negative impact on the populations of Amphibians and Reptiles have been recorded. Indirect threats are related with human activities in the wider area: construction of artificial lakes i.e. Mavrovsko Ezero and Lukovo Pole, transfer of water resources from one watershed (Radika River Watershed) to another Watershed (Vardar River Watershed), development of mass tourism (especially for 8th of September when big mass of humans are visiting the highest peak Golem Korab), development of tourist infrastructure, development of local road infrastructure. Besides the migration corridors important for the Pan-European Ecological Network, within the territory of the protected Area National Park Mavrovo, several local migration corridors exist, which are not less important for the Park itself, but also on National and European Level. These migration corridors relate the amphibians with their breeding and hibernation sites. Twice a year, in spring and autumn appears mass movement of amphibians and reptiles in certain directions, so called migration corridors that have been established through the millennia. The spring migration of the amphibians to the breeding aquatic sites is especially powerful. This mass migration is of explosive character, carried out into a period between 3 and 14 days, therefore looks like a torrent that could not be stopped, even a mass casualties on the roads, when they cut off the migration corridor. Such local migration corridors have been recorded on certain sites within the Park, including: the local ring road around the Lake Mavrovsko Ezero, and along the local road Mala Reka- Selce-Tresonche. However, the most impressive is the migration corridor that is cut-off by the local road Strezimir-Lukovo Pole, which constraint the movement of the amphibians from the surrounding area to the rivers Radika, Adzina Reka and Crn Kamen. Only during a short monitoring period (June 09, 2010) on this portion of the road have been recorded more than 100 live specimens and 42 road casualty specimens of Common Toad (Bufo bufo). Such a big casualties on a extremely low frequency road, should be an alarm to the Management Body of the Park to undertake immideate actions to prevent the future casualties. On the Korab, Bistra and Deshat Mountains a unique hydrological complex of mountain glacial lakes and temporary pools are present. These aquatic biotopes are primarily breeding sites for rare European species of amphibians whose populations are existing at the ultimate southern range of the species, mainly concerning the Alpine Newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) and the Common Frog (Rana temporaria), as well as the Balkan Endemic Species Macedonian Crested Newt (Triturus macedonicus). Even with the only three above mentioned species, excluding the other zoological and botanical rarities, these small aquatic ecosystems deserve strict protection. In this case we shall be focused on the Glacial Lake Lokuf, situated on the Deshat Mountain. The glacial lake Lokuf is the lowermost glacial lake in the Republic of Macedonia (1,574 m asl), which is in the phase of the process of natural succession into a peat bog. Unfortunately, just close to the lake shore a Sheep-Farm has been constructed, which is directly situated within the primary watershed of the glacial lake, incongruous with the level of protection of this area. It is not only a violation of the virgin nature and visual landscape, but primarily it has negative impact on the natural processes in the lake itself. Namely, with the run-off and snow melting waters a huge amount of Nitrogen and Phosphorus nutrients enter 8 the lake waters that accelerate the process of eutrophication of the lake and its succession into a peat bog. The water capture from mountain streams that is conducted through pipelines into the Lake Mavrovsko Ezero is widely present within the boundaries of the National Park Mavrovo. In accordance with the Macedonian Law on Nature Protection concerning the Biological Minimum of Water Habitats (Article 56), Paragraph (1) says: “For the purposes of protecting the survival of the natural wealth and conserving the biological and landscape diversity in the water habitats, partition of the waterways in a way contributing to habitat degradation, reduction of the quantity of water below the biological minimum, drying, and encumbering of the springs, swamps and other water habitats, shall be prohibited”. However, concerning the water extraction from mountain streams in the National Park Mavrovo, the law has not been implemented properly, since in certain cases the whole quantity of water of the mountain streams is captured, leaving dry stream bed, as it is the case with the waters of Adzina Reka. Such actions cause vigorous negative impact not only to the populations of Amphibians, mainly for the Balkan Stream Frog (Rana graeca) and the Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra), but also desiccation of the spawning sites of the endemic Stream Trout Radichka Pastrmka (Salmo farioides) and the core natural habitat of the Globally Threatened Species Stone Crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) as well as to other numerous animal species that are closely related to such habitat types. A major portion of Direct Threats to Amphibians and Reptiles is related to prejudices concerning these two groups of animals as a consequence of long term tradition and inadequate knowledge of the local population treating them as harmful and dangerous animals that results in killing the animals in most of the accidental encounters, especially with the snakes. Finally, it should not be neglected the illegal, unregistered, collecting of all species of Amphibians and Reptiles, connected with commercial, hobbyst or even semi scientific reasons. Across the territory of the Park a whole teams of illegal collectors, amateurs, students and experts are roaming collecting series of specimens of rare species. Protected Areas, like National Parks, especially the most worthy areas, should be excluded of such activities. The preliminary results of the analyses made on the basis of the field investigations, the construction and maintaining of Dam and Artificial Lake on the locality Dolno Lukovo Pole will not cause significant negative impact on the population status of Amphibians and Reptiles in the wider area. On the opposite, certain species of Amphibians, like: Common Toad (Bufo bufo), Green Toad (Pseudepidalea viridis), Yellow-belied Toad (Bombina scabra), Common Tree Frog (Hyla arborea), Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) and Common Frog (Rana temporaria), as well as the aquatic reptiles: Grass Snake (Natrix natrix) and Dice Snake (Natrix tessellata) will increase their populations, while other species or Reptiles, like: Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis), Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca), Adder (Vipera berus) and Orsini’s Viper (Vipera ursinii) will have conditions to retreat safely in the surrounding habitats. The Amphibians and Reptiles play an important role as insect and rodent predators and as valuable prey for various birds of prey and carnivorous mammals. Successful management of wildlife areas for protection of Amphibians and Reptiles should introduce Protection Measures that will take into consideration all stages of their life history. Protection measures have to provide access to food, shelter, migration corridors as well as hibernation, aestivation, breeding, and nesting sites. Management practices commonly used to manipulate the structure and composition of vegetation can exert immediate, short-term, and long-term effects on herpetological assemblages. Prescribed fire, mowing, grazing, and forest thinning are examples of disturbance techniques. The best method for avoiding herpetological mortality due to site management is to conduct any treatment outside of herpetological activity periods. In general, the Amphibians and Reptiles hibernate from mid-October through March and are least impacted by management during this time period. If management is to occur within the 9 herpetological active season, several different approaches may be taken to minimize impacts. Amphibians and Reptiles are most active when air temperatures are between 10-26,6 0 C and after rain or flood events. Therefore, a suitable time to conduct management is during the hottest part of the day, during a dry spell, or on unseasonably cool days. The highest potential for mortality due to site management occurs during spring and fall migrations to and from breeding or wintering habitats. Becoming familiar with the migratory behaviour of Amphibians and Reptiles known to occur within the management area is critical in formulating a management plan that will reduce the chances for management during mass herpetological movement. Due to the weak dispersal capabilities of many Amphibian and Reptile Species, emigration of animals during and immigration of animals post-management is most successful for sites within 200 meters of suitable untreated habitat. It is therefore advised that a site be managed on a rotational basis with no more than ¼ of the site impacted in any given year. Some of the typical Mediterranean reptile species have been recorded exclusively at the ultimate age of Park’s Boundary downstream the Radika River Valley, or immediately outside the borders of the Park, on its southern edge. In order to encircle the biodiversity richness and heterogeneity of the Park with the Complex of Mediterranean faunal and floral elements, it is highly recommending alteration of the current boundary, that is, its widening downstream the River Radika, from the locality Boshkov Most, up to the artificial lake Debarsko Ezero and the settlement Dolno Kosovrasti. In that way, the main biocoridor for undisturbed penetration of Mediterranian faunal elements from the Adriatic Sea Area upstream along the River Drim up to the territory of the National Park Mavrovo will be protected. In that manner we shall mention the following Mediterranean Reptile Species: Hermann's Tortoise (Eurotestudo hermanni boettgeri), Kotschy’s Gecko (Mediodactylus kotschyi), Dalmatian Algyroides (Algyroides nigropunctatus), Montpellier Snake (Malpolon monspessulanus), Large Whip Snake (Dolichophis caspius), Balkan Whip Snake (Hierophis gemonensis) and Dahl’s Whip Snake (Platyceps najadum dahlii). In addition, the boundary of the Park should be extended on the Mountain Krchin that will encompass not only the mountain peaks Rudina and Crvena Plocha, but also southwestwardly up to Debarska Banja. On the Korab, Bistra and Deshat Mountains a unique hydrological complex of mountain glacial lakes and temporary rain and snow melting pools are present. These aquatic biotopes are primary breeding sites for rare northern species of amphibians whose populations exist at the ultimate southern range of the species. The natural, small aquatic habitats are exclusively significant for the Amphibians. Maintenance of functions of such aquatic habitats is great challenge. The conservation and improvement of status of the existing aquatic habitats is of special significance for the Amphibians, since they represent unique sites for breeding and development of their larval stage, as an early phase within their life history. On the Korab Mountain such unique complex of small aquatic ecosystems represents is present on the locality Kobilino Pole. On the Deshat Mountain, the Glacial Lake Lokuf, the Glacial Lake Barite and the temporary pool Suva Bara. On the Bistra Mountain, the main complex of temporary pools is situated on the right side of the local soil road Toni Voda-Tri Bari, including the locality Tri Bari itself. All these small aquatic ecosystems should be included in Zone of Strict Protection, following the instructions given in the Chapter on Management/Protection Measures. Concerning the conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles, the most important localities for zoning of the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo are included in the high-mountain belt of Korab, Bistra and Deshat Mountains. 10 On the Korab Mountain the most important area for Amphibians and Reptiles is the locality Kobilino Pole with the surrounding mountain peaks. In the grassland ecosystem of this area the core population on National Level of the Viviparous Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) is maintaining. In the temporary pools of Kobilino Pole the largest population on National Level of the Common Frog (Rana temporaria) is also present. Besides the Amphibians and Reptiles, until 2001, the largest population of the Balkan Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) counting more than 1,000 specimens, was present on this area. The Balkan Chamois is Balkan endemic subspecies and the core population was surviving on the locality Kobilino Pole and the surrounding mountain peaks. After the extinction of the core population, the subspecies is faced with complete extinction. Therefore, the Management Body of the Park should undertake immediate restoration measures for reintroduction of small population from the locality Brzovec and proclaim the area as Zone of Strict Protection. On the Bistra Mountain, the high-mountain belt on the section between the Mountain Peaks Golem Brzovec and Mal Brzovec, should be included in the Zone under Strict Protection, since this is the core zone for the population of the Globally Threatened Species Orsini's Viper (Vipera ursinii). On the Deshat Mountain, the high-mountain belt over 1,900 m asl should be also included in the Zone under Strict Protection. The borders of the areas that are proposing as strictly protected zones were set down with their optimum surface, which gives possibilities for certain reduction during the process of synchronizing of the Zones of Strict Protection, with the proposals of experts on the other thematic issues. During the process of development of Long-term Monitoring Programme for the Protected Area National Park Mavrovo, the following key Amphibian and Reptile Species are recommending to be included for monitoring: • Alpine Newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris): monitoring on the stability of the breeding centres on the localities: Toni Voda, Chaushica, Tri Bari, Kobilino Pole, Lokuf and Barite. • Balkan Stream Frog (Rana graeca): monitoring of the population status on transect lines along the Mountain Stream over the Hotel Makpetrol in Mavrovo, Rosochka Reka near Selce and Bunetska Reka near Bogdevo. • Common Frog (Rana temporaria): monitoring on the stability of the breeding centres on the localities: Toni Voda, Chaushica, Kobilino Pole. • Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis): monitoring of the population status on transect line along the Valley of the Mountain Streams Mala Reka, Rosochka Reka and Tresonechka Reka. • Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis): Monitoring of Population Status and Trend in the Grassland Ecosystems on the locality Toni Voda-Ski Lifts. • Viviparous Lizard (Zootoca vivipara): Monitoring of Population Status and Trend in the Wet Grassland Ecosystems on the locality Kobilino Pole. • Orsini’s Viper (Vipera ursinii macrops): Monitoring of Population Status and Trend in the Dry Grassland Ecosystems on the localities Golem Brzovec-Mal Brzovec and Kobilino Pole. The original intent of the IUCN Protected Area Management Categories system was to create a common understanding of protected areas, both within and between countries. The established categories are recognized by international bodies such as the United Nations and by many national governments as the global standard for defining and establishing protected areas. As such, these categories are increasingly being incorporated into government legislation.