We considered thermal environment and UV-B radiation indices in the Vojvodina region, Serbia. We derived an empirical formula for estimating the daily sum of the UV-B from global radiation and used this formula to reconstruct the UV-B radiation pattern for 1981–2008. We describe the actual climate conditions for the period 1992−2008. In addition, we applied a statistical downscaling technique on ECHAM5 outputs under the A2 scenario to assess the 2040 climate. The results indicate that a warmer and drier climate in the Vojvodina region can be expected because of the following evidence: an increase in the mean annual temperature (8.6 to 12.3%) and in the frequency of hot days (29.4 to 50%); a decrease in the mean annual precipitation (8.1 to 14.2%) and in the frequency of cold days (11.8 to 27.8%); a higher increase in the mean temperature for the colder period (24.9%) than for the hotter one (6.7%); and a reduction in precipitation during the growing season (15.7%). We have analyzed the thermal environment for the period 1992 −2008 using the wind chill index and the heat index for the winter (December to February) and summer (June to August) periods. In all places, the heat index has a tendency for growth. We determined an increase in the daily UV-B dose in an amount of 3.7% per decade. Even though there is some evidence indicating ozone stabilization, there are no signs of a significant recovery of ozone layer thickness, so it can be expected that UV-B dose levels will remain high in the future.

In this paper, we have used the Kolmogorov complexity and sample entropy measures to estimate the complexity of the UV-B radiation time series in the Vojvodina region (Serbia) for the period 1990–2007. We have defined the Kolmogorov complexity spectrum and have introduced the Kolmogorov complexity spectrum highest value (KCH). We have established the UV-B radiation time series on the basis of their daily sum (dose) for seven representative places in this region using: (i) measured data, (ii) data calculated via a derived empirical formula and (iii) data obtained by a parametric UV radiation model. We have calculated the Kolmogorov complexity (KC) based on the Lempel–Ziv algorithm (LZA), KCH and sample entropy (SE) values for each time series. We have divided the period 1990–2007 into two subintervals: (i) 1990–1998 and (ii) 1999–2007 and calculated the KC, KCH and SE values for the various time series in these subintervals. It is found that during the period 1999–2007, there is a decrease in the KC, KCH a...

This paper describes the plant communities of two oligotrophic karstic rivers with a slight anthropogenic influence — the Trebižat and the Lištica — in South Bosnia and Herzegovina, their sinecology, and the relationship between vegetation and plant species and environmental parameters. According to 87 relevés, a total of 26 plant associations, using Braun-Blanquet methods, were found in the rivers and nearby surveyed area. Only nine associations were common to both rivers. Eight associations were recorded for the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time. Associations from both rivers differed according to following parameters measured at the sampling site: water temperature, distance from the mouth (river kilometers), river width, water depth, flow, pH and slope. There were no differences in nutrient concentrations among the associations. According to Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), three environmental variables out of the 11 initially considered were retained as being related to plant distribution. The first two axes explained 56.8% and 35.2% of variance of species-environment relationship in the Trebižat and Lištica rivers, respectively. Water depth in the Trebižat River, and pH and river kilometers in the Lištica River were found to be the most influential, while nutrients and other physico-chemical parameters were not significant in either river. Water depth vector was identified as an underlying environmental factor determining distribution of Potamogeton lucens and Myriophyllum verticillatum (Potamion), and Nymphaea alba (Nymphaeion albae). According to in situ measurements of light intensity, the highest coefficients of light attenuation, radiance and reflection were found at a station with dense populations of Potamogeton lucens and Nuphar luteum (Potametum lucentis). The vegetation and floristic value of the rivers is discussed as a basis for biodiversity conservation programmes and evaluating the state of these ecosystems in the future.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is distinguished by a very unique mosaic of high biodiversity level. However, current development activities and initiatives for construction of new dams, together with activities in the forestry sector throughout the country, emphasizes the need for establishment of new protected areas in all major ecosystem types that should be ecologically viable and effectively managed. A review of the history of protected areas and administration developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina provide useful input for analysis. However, the data on the current state and size of protected areas in the country are obsolate and inaccurate. The results of the analysis have shown that in spite of a very high biodiversity level, Bosnia and Herzegovina managed to designate only 2.6% of its territory as protected areas, which is far below regional and European level. Lack of protected areas system is one of the main direct threats to biodiversity conservation. The primary objective of establishment of protected area network (PAN) in Bosnia and Herzegovina is to ensure conservation of valuable natural areas, which contain representatives of all main ecosystem types that could be found in the country. Only in this way, sustainable conservation of biodiversity could be achieved.