Landuse
Overview: Situated in southeastern Europe, Serbia has a strategic location at the heart of the Balkan Peninsula. Covering a total area of 88,361 km², it offers a diverse topography. Its geography varies from flatlands in the north to hilly regions in the central parts, and mountains in the south. The Rivers belong to the basins of the Black, Adriatic and Aegean Seas. Three rivers are navigable along the entire length of Serbia: the Danube, the Sava and the Tisa. These geographical features contribute to Serbia’s rich natural diversity and serve as a backdrop to its land use patterns.
Land Use and Distribution: Serbia is a region of significant land use, with a substantial portion of its territory devoted to agriculture and forests. According to data from the National Forest Inventory of the Republic of Serbia (NFI) in 2009, agricultural land, along with forests and other forest lands, covers over 80% of the land area, excluding Kosovo and Metohija. This underscores the importance of these natural resources in the country’s landscape and economy.
Based on the initial results of the second National Inventory of the Republic of Serbia (NFI2) in 2023, it is evident that approximately 46% of Serbia’s land area is predominantly allocated to agricultural vegetation. This includes various agricultural land, including arable fields, gardens, vineyards, orchards, and raspberry bushes. Moreover, 617,805 hectares are dedicated to grassland, primarily comprising meadows and pastures, constituting about 8% of the total land area. These statistics provide valuable insights into the diverse and dynamic land use practices within Serbia.
Demographics in the Republic of Serbia
The population of the Republic of Serbia has been continuously documented through these censuses. In 2021, the estimated population was 6,834,326, with a negative growth rate of -9.4 per 1000 inhabitants compared to the previous year. The non-official results of the 2022 Census indicate a population of 6,690,887, marking a trend of reduction in the number of residents compared to previous censuses. The largest cities include Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, and Kragujevac.
When compared with 2011 the total number of inhabitants fell by 49,975, i.e. by 6.9%. Decreased number of inhabitants was recorded in all the regions (about 10%), except for the Belgrade region where the number of inhabitants grew by about 1.6%.
Climate Characteristics and Change in Serbia
The climate of Serbia can be described as moderately continental with distinct seasons. Summers are warm, with July being the hottest month, particularly in the mountains where average temperatures are between 13°C and 17°C.
Winters are cold, with January as the coldest month. Most areas experience snow cover from November to March.
Stakeholders
In Serbia, the existing Landscape Fire Management system involves numerous stakeholders from various ministries, agencies, and organizations. Here’s a concise overview of the major stakeholders within the system:
Organizational Setup of the System
- Ministry of Internal Affairs
- Public Enterprises for Forest Management and National Parks
- Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management
- Ministry of Environmental Protection
- Russian-Serbian Humanitarian Center (RSHC)
- Firefighters Association of Serbia
- Republic Geodetic Institute
- Republic Hydrometeorological Institute of Serbia
- Private Forest Owners Associations
- Mountain Rescue Service
- Institutes and Educational Institutions
- Chamber of Forestry Engineers
Legislation
The key legal acts and strategies related to landscape fires in Serbia include:
- Laws
- Strategies
- Other Bylaws and Regulations
These legal acts and strategies collectively address various aspects of landscape fire prevention, preparedness, and response in Serbia.
Landscape fires
The organized fire protection system in Serbia traces its origins back to the reign of Prince Miloš Obrenović in 1834 when the “Decree against Fire” was enacted. This marked the official beginning of efforts to safeguard the country from the devastating impacts of fires. Since then, the landscape of fire protection in Serbia has undergone significant development, adapting to various forms of state regulation and continually evolving up to the present day. This evolution is evident in the “Strategy of Fire Protection 2012-2017,” which outlines the nation’s commitment to managing fire risks.
Burnt areas:
43416
ha
Forest growing stock loss:
175293
m3
Number of forest fires:
1543
Fire risk assessment
Serbia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs coordinates disaster risk reduction and emergency management efforts, which encompass landscape fires as a significant concern. Various state administration bodies participate in preparing the Disaster Risk Assessment of the Republic of Serbia and deliver their scope-specific contributions to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This collaborative approach includes the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management in assessing forest fire risks.
Fire risk assessment
Serbia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs coordinates disaster risk reduction and emergency management efforts, which encompass landscape fires as a significant concern. Various state administration bodies participate in preparing the Disaster Risk Assessment of the Republic of Serbia and deliver their scope-specific contributions to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This collaborative approach includes the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management in assessing forest fire risks.
SWOT Analysis
Analysis of Landscape Fire Management (LFM) System:
- Weaknesses
- Preventive Measures
- Preparedness
- Suppressive Measures
- Post-Fire Management
- Economic Impact
LFM guidelines
This section outlines essential guidelines for establishing an effective Landscape Fire Management (LFM) system aligned with a country’s needs, building upon report findings:
- Organizational Structure
- Legal Regulation Enhancement
- Interagency Communication
- Centralized Database
- Capacity Building
- Technical Equipment
- Public Awareness
- Fire Risk Forecasting
- Vegetation and Fuel Management
- Forest Resistance Enhancement
- Silviculture Measures