Protected areas in the function of sustainable development: Case study on the city of Belgrade

Abstract

The transformation of autochthonous habitats and ecosystems, the spatial distribution of which overlaps the territory with developing urban settlements, leads to a permanent destruction of their ecological stability and biodiversity impoverishment. The processes of conversion and fragmentation of habitats are simultaneously following the spreading of spatial and functional urban areas, whereby it is often possible to secure the survival of remaining species and their communities only through legal protection. The existing ecological effects in the nature protection process have been analyzed on the example of the protected areas located on the territory of the City of Belgrade. At the same time, the goal of this paper includes the consideration of potentials that, together with the process of protection of natural values, can be valorized in the context of sustainable development and provision of ecosystem services due to the adequate management of protected areas.