The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

On 24 September 2001, Bosnia and Herzegovina made its declaration of succession to the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in respect to the Convention on Wetlands, and the Convention came into force for Bosnia and Herzegovina as of the date that it assumed responsibility for its international relations, 1 March 1992. Bosnia and Herzegovina presently has 2 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 10,911 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Bardaca Wetland (Bardaca-mocvarni kompleks). 02/02/07; Republic of Srpska Entity; 3,500 ha; 45°06'N 017°27'E. Important Bird Area. Situated in the floodplain of the Sava River near the border with Croatia, about half of the Ramsar site comprises fishponds constructed since the early 20th century and further enlarged in the 1960s for irrigation purposes. The ponds, floodplain forest, meadow and swamp areas support a range of endangered species and make an important nesting and stopover site for birds. There is a rich fish fauna (e.g., Gymnocephalus schraetzer, Zingel streber) and a range of amphibians such as Salamandra salamandra, rana dalmatina, and the pond tortoise Emys orbicularis. The hydrological regime has been interrupted by the construction of channels, pump stations, and damming of nearby streams, but presently pressure comes from permanent, intensive agricultural practices such as intensive pasturing and unwise use of fertilizers and pesticides. Aquaculture and fish production remain a primary economic pursuit. With assistance from the Ramsar Small Grants Fund, a management plan is currently under development. Ramsar site no. 1658. Most recent RIS information: 2007.

Hutovo Blato. 24/09/01; 7,411 ha; 43°03’N 017°37’E. Nature Park. Located near the estuary of the Neretva river, the site, comprising swamps, lakes, wet meadows, and riverine forest, provides favorable conditions for many wetland species, particularly of birds and fish, several of which are described as endangered. Human activities in the area include fishing and hunting; pressures from drainage, agricultural intensification, urbanization, and growing tourism are seen to pose potential threats. Ramsar site no. 1105. Most recent RIS information: 2000.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 25 October 2001, updated 5 July 2007, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.