Introduction :
Country:
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina Description of the Assignment: Bosnia and Herzegovina is known for its rich biological diversity, endemic species, habitats, and a series of relict ecosystems. Species diversity has the highest level of endemism in Europe. Still, despite the country’s rich biodiversity, international obligations, and growing man-induced pressures, nature conservation efforts remain insufficient. Socioeconomic challenges, such as unemployment and poverty, have resulted in both the government communities focusing on immediate economic priorities rather than environmental issues, including biodiversity. Thus, biodiversity conservation is not seen as a national priority. The objective of the “Sustainability of Protected Areas in BiH” (SPA) project is to achieve practical improvement in the management of protected areas in BiH, providing for better biodiversity status through strengthened resilience of key biodiversity values to climate change impact and increased revenues to protected areas from ecotourism. The project is called to reduce the gap between the current capacities of protected areas (PAs) with their increasing vulnerability to emerging threats, on the one hand, and the growing need to preserve and sustainably maintain biological and ecosystem diversity, on the other. It is planned to provide incremental effort in assisting the protected area management with tools and instruments aimed at diversifying and improving the sustainable, nature-based tourism offering in targeted PAs and neighboring communities, thus providing for sustainable incremental income and a development option that will valorize the unique natural values without further threatening them. The SPA project will also link the PAs to the funding opportunities provided by the government grant programs for tourism development. The SPA project has been financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is directly implemented by UNDP Bosnia and Herzegovina Country Office. One of the activities under Component 1 of the SPA project (Strengthening PA resilience to climate change threats) has the aim to provide support for the non-deterioration of the Bosnian alpine newt population (Ichthyosaura alpestris reiseri sin. Triturus alpestris ssp. Reiseri) within the Nature Monument Prokoško jezero. Scientific research revealed that this amphibian inhabit only the area of this Nature Monument and its surrounding, which emphasizes the need to protect the only stenoendemic amphibian in Bosnia and Herzegovina (which is a real rarity not only at the national but also at the European level). However biological specificities of this evolutionary line are almost unknown posing the urgent need for thorough research of this remarkable representative of amphibia diversity in BiH. According to some studies, the Bosnian alpine newt can be considered a critically endangered taxon which leads to the urgent need to ensure a systematic approach that will lead to adequate protection and reduction of the threats that endanger the survival and viability of this taxon. Despite the characteristic of this species, the population of Bosnian alpine newts is under significant threat caused by climate changes and anthropogenic activities in Nature Monument Prokoško jezero. The current conditions of the population are vague putting in question its stability and posing this rare and endemic species under serious threat of extinction. Based on the current status of the Bosnian alpine newt population, the SPA project will assist to the respective management authority of the Nature Monument Prokoško jezero in maintaining its population. Ultimately, the goal of this activity is to assure full integration of the Species management plan for alpine newts into the PA management plan for Nature Monument Prokoško jezero (which is currently in preparation). By doing so, the respective management authority will be obliged to ensure the implementation of the entire course of measures to assure that the alpine newt population is non-deteriorated. The National Consultant–Herpetologist will, in close cooperation with the Ichthyologist, provide expert support for setting the grounds for species’ monitoring and successful recovery of the Bosnian alpine newt population at Prokoško jezero. The work of the national consultant shall result in a detailed plan for the successful recovery of the Bosnian alpine newt, including the monitoring of the population, and as such - it represents a starting point for the implementation of the management plan of Nature Monument Prokoško jezero regarding the status of Bosnian alpine newt population. The National Consultant will work under the project manager's overall guidance and direct supervision. Period of assignment/services: from May 2023 to December 2023 Proposal should be submitted directly in the portal no later than indicated deadline.
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