Distribution of Hermann’s tortoise across Serbia with implications for conservation
Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is among the conservation priorities in the European Union. Consequently, it is included in Annexes II and IV of the EU Habitats Directive, Annex II of the Bern Convention, and Annex II of the CITES Convention. Hermann’s tortoise conservation programs compile in...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Belgrade, University of Novi Sad
2019-01-01
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| Series: | Archives of Biological Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-4664/2019/0354-46641900034G.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818209878981738496 |
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| author | Golubović Ana Tomović Ljiljana Nikolić Marko Nikolić Sonja Anđelković Marko Arsovski Dragan Iković Vuk Gvozdenović Slađana Popović Miloš |
| author_facet | Golubović Ana Tomović Ljiljana Nikolić Marko Nikolić Sonja Anđelković Marko Arsovski Dragan Iković Vuk Gvozdenović Slađana Popović Miloš |
| author_sort | Golubović Ana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is among the conservation priorities in the European Union. Consequently, it is included in Annexes II and IV of the EU Habitats Directive, Annex II of the Bern Convention, and Annex II of the CITES Convention. Hermann’s tortoise conservation programs compile insights on the threats affecting population viability, along with factors shaping the species’ distribution. Serbian populations of the eastern subspecies (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) seem numerous and therefore prosperous, but recent population viability analyses revealed that they are susceptible to rapid demographic changes and/or habitat destruction. This implies the need for effective population monitoring and protection, as well as mapping and preservation of suitable habitats. In this paper we summarized current knowledge about the geographic distribution of Hermann’s tortoise in Serbia and modeled its ecological niche. Our results corroborate and uphold the known species’ distribution in Serbia. Most suitable habitats are situated in the lowland areas of eastern, central and southern Serbia, under semi-open habitats, such as pastures and shrubs, broadleaf forests, and all successional stages in between. The results provided in this paper should be considered in the selection and shaping of NATURA 2000 sites in Serbia. [Projects of the
Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant
no. 173043 and Grant no. 173025] |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T05:07:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-72a50d51bce0487e8285a9c9de479e7f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0354-4664 1821-4339 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T05:07:43Z |
| publishDate | 2019-01-01 |
| publisher | University of Belgrade, University of Novi Sad |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives of Biological Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-72a50d51bce0487e8285a9c9de479e7f2022-12-22T00:37:02ZengUniversity of Belgrade, University of Novi SadArchives of Biological Sciences0354-46641821-43392019-01-0171350951610.2298/ABS190406034G0354-46641900034GDistribution of Hermann’s tortoise across Serbia with implications for conservationGolubović Ana0Tomović Ljiljana1Nikolić Marko2Nikolić Sonja3Anđelković Marko4Arsovski Dragan5Iković Vuk6Gvozdenović Slađana7Popović Miloš8Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, BelgradeInstitute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, BelgradeBiological Society “Dr Sava Petrović”, Niš + Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Biology and Ecology, NišFaculty of Biology, Institute of Zoology, Belgrade + Serbian Herpetological Society “Milutin Radovanović”, BelgradeInstitute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, BelgradeMacedonian Ecological Society, Skopje, MacedoniaMontenegrin Ecologists’ Society, Podgorica, MontenegroMontenegrin Ecologists’ Society, Podgorica, MontenegroFaculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Biology and Ecology, NišHermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) is among the conservation priorities in the European Union. Consequently, it is included in Annexes II and IV of the EU Habitats Directive, Annex II of the Bern Convention, and Annex II of the CITES Convention. Hermann’s tortoise conservation programs compile insights on the threats affecting population viability, along with factors shaping the species’ distribution. Serbian populations of the eastern subspecies (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) seem numerous and therefore prosperous, but recent population viability analyses revealed that they are susceptible to rapid demographic changes and/or habitat destruction. This implies the need for effective population monitoring and protection, as well as mapping and preservation of suitable habitats. In this paper we summarized current knowledge about the geographic distribution of Hermann’s tortoise in Serbia and modeled its ecological niche. Our results corroborate and uphold the known species’ distribution in Serbia. Most suitable habitats are situated in the lowland areas of eastern, central and southern Serbia, under semi-open habitats, such as pastures and shrubs, broadleaf forests, and all successional stages in between. The results provided in this paper should be considered in the selection and shaping of NATURA 2000 sites in Serbia. [Projects of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 173043 and Grant no. 173025]http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-4664/2019/0354-46641900034G.pdftestudo hermanni boettgeriecological niche modelspecies distribution modelconservationserbia |
| spellingShingle | Golubović Ana Tomović Ljiljana Nikolić Marko Nikolić Sonja Anđelković Marko Arsovski Dragan Iković Vuk Gvozdenović Slađana Popović Miloš Distribution of Hermann’s tortoise across Serbia with implications for conservation Archives of Biological Sciences testudo hermanni boettgeri ecological niche model species distribution model conservation serbia |
| title | Distribution of Hermann’s tortoise across Serbia with implications for conservation |
| title_full | Distribution of Hermann’s tortoise across Serbia with implications for conservation |
| title_fullStr | Distribution of Hermann’s tortoise across Serbia with implications for conservation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distribution of Hermann’s tortoise across Serbia with implications for conservation |
| title_short | Distribution of Hermann’s tortoise across Serbia with implications for conservation |
| title_sort | distribution of hermann s tortoise across serbia with implications for conservation |
| topic | testudo hermanni boettgeri ecological niche model species distribution model conservation serbia |
| url | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/0354-4664/2019/0354-46641900034G.pdf |
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