3-11^th July 2007, Čemerno Mt.  – 18 participants from 5 scientific sections joined unique expedition to the remote parts of an unknown mountain.

Expedition on Čemerno Mt. was carried out in the period of July 3^rd-11^th. Researchers from organizations BSSRS “Josif  Pančić” from Novi Sad and Ecological and Research Society “Mladen Karaman” (ERS) from Kragujevac were located in a Tolišnica village. One part of the expedition crew was situated in a local Hunting Lodge while the other part was camping in tents on a meadow near local pub „Hanomag“. The aim of the expedition was to determine plant, animal and habitat diversity of the mountain. Results of this research will be especially valuable during process for preservation of this habitat as Čemerno mountain has the potential to be valued as a protected nature area in future. Faculty of Sciences from Kragujevac helped the expedition with necessary equipment: computer, projector, binocular, microscope etc.

The expedition crew consisted of  7 members of BSSRS „Josif Pančić”, 9 members of ERS “Mladen Karaman” and 1 member of  Society of Young Researchers of the Institute of Geography “Branislav Bukurov” from Novi Sad.

 

BSSRS “Josif  Pančić”, Novi Sad

 

Marko Sciban                      

Dimitrije Radisic

Jelena Seat

Marija Radojevic

Nebojsa Radisic

Marko Subotin

Tanja Tunic

 

SYRIG “Branislav Bukurov”, Novi Sad

Natalija Novakovic  

 

ERS “Mladen Karaman”, Kragujevac

Milos Radakovic     

Zeljko Milojevic

Milena Curcic

Ivan Vucicevic

Ana Golubovic

Milica Ivanovic

Goran Jovanovic

Milorad Jankovic

Nikola Mihajlovic 

Dr. Miroslav Demajo – scientific advisor 

 

During our free time in the evenings we displayed nature and conservation films inside of the pub “Hanomag”. Also, audience (local people and students) was able to watch photo documentation which was collected during each day. By using 5 photo cameras we collected big number of images from this remote part of Serbia.

 

Following sections were covered:

Botany, Mycology, Entomology (Lepidoptera, Odonata, Heteroptera, Orthoptera), Herpetology and Ornithology. 

Large amount of material and information was collected during 8 days of expedition. Localities Troglav, Propljenica, Smrdljuš (the highest peak of the mountain) and its surrounding were visited. A lot of collected material is still under data processing. The most valuable data was collected by herpetology and botany sections. The most significant was discovery of Meadow Lizard (Darewskia praticola) and this is the second report of this species in Western Serbia.           

Čemerno Mt. is facing difficulties in preserving its natural values in the future. At the moment, the biggest problem, and the most dangerous activity is illegal tree logging which is endangering the old Beech forest and some of the gigantic specimens of maple, elm and ash species Acer pseudoplatanus, Acer heldreichi, Acer platanoides, Ulmus montanus, Fraxinus sp. The second largest problem are mountain roads that were built for trucks and tractors in order to get to the most isolated parts of forests. They are increasing erosion and polluting streams thus creating ireversible destruction of nature. 

Because of cultural, geographical and political backgrounds the nature of Čemerno Mt. is still relatively preserved.  Since there were recent discoveries of rich deposits of minerals together with gold, there is a constant threath by domestic and foreign mining companies. Therefore, mountain should be as soon as possible put under protection. But as the mountain is very rich with cold and clean (drinkable) waters (springs, streams and rivers) we think that that is the most valuable resourse. Only conservation and protection of this region can stop destruction and pollution of the mountain springs. Preliminary results from this expedition are benefiting the fact that Čemerno Mt. has to be under protection of the state. 

Both organizations (ERS and BSSRS) are planning another expedition next year (2008) with more enthusiasm and complex research activities. There are plans for exploring unvisited localities, such as southern slopes of the mountain and Konjski Krš, which is known to be a bear habitat. There is a possibility to broaden our activities to the Biosphere Reserve “Golija-Studenica”, but negotiations with it’s authorities are still in the process. 

Marko Sciban, coordinator, BSSRS “Josif Pancic”