Protected area Protected areas or conservation areas are locations which receive protection because of their recognized natural or cultural values. Protected areas are those areas in which human presence or the exploitation of natural resources (e.g. firewood ...

s cover around 5% of the territory of

Serbia , image_flag = Flag of Serbia.svg , national_motto = , image_coat = Coat of arms of Serbia.svg , national_anthem = () , image_map = , map_caption = Location of Serbia (gree ...

. The ''Law on the Protection of the Nature'' defines these categories of protected areas: *

Strict nature reserve A strict nature reserve (IUCN category Ia) or wilderness area (IUCN category Ib) is the highest category of protected area recognised by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA), a body which is part of the International Union for ...

— Area of unmodified natural features with representative

ecosystem An ecosystem (or ecological system) is a system formed by Organism, organisms in interaction with their Biophysical environment, environment. The Biotic material, biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and en ...

s set aside for the preservation of its biodiversity and for scientific research and monitoring. * Special nature reserve — Area of unmodified or slightly modified natural features of great importance due to uniqueness and rarity which includes the habitats of

endangered species An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching, inv ...

set aside for the preservation of its unique features, education, limited tourism and for scientific research and monitoring. *

National park A national park is a nature park designated for conservation (ethic), conservation purposes because of unparalleled national natural, historic, or cultural significance. It is an area of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that is protecte ...

— Area with large number of diverse ecosystems of national value, with outstanding natural features and/or cultural heritage set aside for the preservation of its natural resources and for educational, scientific and tourist use. *

Natural monument A natural monument is a natural or cultural feature of outstanding or unique value because of its inherent rarity, representative of aesthetic qualities, or cultural significance. They can be natural geological and geographical features such as w ...

— Small unmodified or slightly modified natural feature, object or phenomenon, easily detectable and unique, with unique natural attributes. * Protected habitat — Area which includes

habitat In ecology, habitat refers to the array of resources, biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species' habitat can be seen as the physical manifestation of its ...

s of one or more wildlife species. * Landscape of outstanding features — Area of remarkable appearance with important natural and cultural value. *

Nature park A nature park, or sometimes natural park, is a designation for a protected area by means of long-term land planning, sustainable resource management and limitation of agricultural and real estate developments. These valuable landscapes are pres ...

— Area of well-preserved natural values with preserved natural ecosystems and picturesque landscape set aside for the preservation of biodiversity and for educational, tourist, recreational and scientific use.

National parks

There are 5

national park A national park is a nature park designated for conservation (ethic), conservation purposes because of unparalleled national natural, historic, or cultural significance. It is an area of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that is protecte ...

s in Serbia (

IUCN Category II IUCN protected area categories, or IUCN protected area management categories, are categories used to classify protected areas in a system developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The enlisting of such areas is part ...

) as of 2007, and one more which is proposed and is in the procedure of receiving the status of the National Park:Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia
''Registry of Protected Natural Resources''
One of those National parks ( Šar Mountain) is located on the territory of

Kosovo Kosovo, officially the Republic of Kosovo, is a landlocked country in Southeast Europe with International recognition of Kosovo, partial diplomatic recognition. It is bordered by Albania to the southwest, Montenegro to the west, Serbia to the ...

. Although Kosovo declared independence in 2008, Serbian government does not recognize this, so Šar Mountain is still listed as a Serbian National park by Serbian authorities.

Nature reserves

There are 22

nature reserve A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area) is a protected area of importance for flora, fauna, funga, or features of geologic ...

s ( IUCN category Ia) in Serbia and 6 more which are in the procedure of receiving the status of a Nature reserve. They are grouped into two groups: ''Strict Nature Reserves'' and ''Special Nature Reserves'':

Nature Parks and Landscapes of Outstanding Features

There are 23

s and Landscapes of Outstanding Features (

IUCN Category Ib The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. Founded in 1948, IUCN has become the global authority on the stat ...

) and 8 more which are in the procedure of receiving the status of a Nature park or a Landscape of outstanding features:

Natural monuments

There are currently 64 natural monuments of geological heritage and 225 monuments of botanical heritage (mostly rare trees) in Serbia. Some of the best known monuments of geological heritage are: Resavska cave,

Đavolja Varoš Đavolja Varoš ( sr-cyr, Ђавоља варош, literal translation, lit. "Devil's Town") is a rock formation consisting of about 200 earth pyramids or "towers", located in southern Serbia on the Radan Mountain, in the municipality of Kuršuml ...

, Marble cave and

Rugova Canyon Rugova Canyon (; , ''Rugovska klisura'') or Rugova Gorge () is a river canyon near Peja in western Kosovo. The canyon is located in the Albanian Alps, close to the border with Montenegro. With a length of and a depth up to 1,000 meters, Rugova ...

Notes and references

;Notes ;References

External links

Ministry of Environmental Protection of SerbiaInstitute for Nature Protection of Serbia Birdwatching in Serbia
{{DEFAULTSORT:List Of Protected Natural Resources In Serbia