STUDY ON CROATIA'S BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY PRESENTED IN WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON, Jan 13 (Hina) - Children in Croatia should be taught to leave alone Bombina Bombina, the fire-bellied toad, the same as fishermen should protect Acipenser Sturio or Adriatic sturgeon, because both animals are on a list of endangered species and are part of Croatia's natural resources, claim US scientists who have just completed a study on Croatia's biological diversity. #L# The study was presented in Washington at a panel discussion organised jointly by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the consulting firm Chemonics. The study, completed last month, is the work of Richard Warner and Dr Goran Susic. The two scientists have made a detailed list of the main ecological systems and communities in Croatia, the species which are unique for Croatia, and warned about the dangers threatening their survival. Warner and Susic also comment on how Croatia's authorities are protecting environment and natural resources. The study includes a special supplement with some 20 endangered plants and animals in Croatia. Those include amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and as many as 52 species of fish. The authors of the study have given several suggestions as to how the preservation of the country's biological diversity could be improved. They particularly advocate the drawing-up of an integral list of plants and animals and a permanent control programme. Warner and Susic believe the Ministry of Environmental Protection should improve its cooperation with other government institutions and public companies such as Croatian Waters and Croatian Forests. The study also addresses the importance of Croatia's national parks and other protected areas for the economy, especially tourism. (hina) rml