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Heavy metal pollution of aquatic ecosystems is worldwide problem with consequences on the aquatic organisms. The concentrations of selected heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd and Pb) were determined in liver, kidney, gills, muscle and bone of barbel (Barbus rebeli) and chub (Squalius squalius) from the river Crn Drim in Macedonia. In general, liver and kidney in both fish species contained the highest concentration of the investigated metals, while muscle showed lowest bioaccumulation of heavy metals. Analyses supported significant seasonal differences in some organs for some metals: highest value in spring-summer compared to autumn-winter period. Generally, metal concentration was higher in the barbel than chub. The concentration of metals in muscle are bellow permissible value and do not constitute any threat for human health due to the consumption of metal loaded fish.

With an estimated < 50 adult individuals remaining, the Critically Endangered Balkan lynx Lynx lynx balcanicus is one of the rarest, most threatened and least-studied large carnivores. To identify priority conservation areas and actions for the subspecies, during 2006–2014 we conducted 1,374 questionnaire surveys throughout the potential range of the Balkan lynx to (1) evaluate human–lynx interactions and identify potential threats, and (2) determine the probability of site use in 207 grid cells through occupancy modelling. Human–lynx interactions were related mainly to poaching of lynx, and damage to livestock by lynx. Poaching was intense throughout the potential range of the subspecies, apparently having affected 50–100% of the total estimated extant population. Damage to livestock was recorded only in relation to sheep, mainly in the southern part of the lynx's potential range. Occupancy modelling indicated 108 grid cells with high probability of site use, which was affected mainly by increased terrain ruggedness and reduced forest cover. Based on the combined results of our study we identified five priority areas for conservation, as well as in situ habitat protection, community participation in the conservation of the subspecies, and the improvement and implementation of the existing legal framework as the priority conservation actions for the Balkan lynx.

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The aim of the paper is to evaluate the quality of water of the Mantovo Reservoir (Southeast Macedonia)based on physico-chemical parameters and the macrozoobenthos. Monthly sampling was performed during 2003 and 2004. Temperature and DO depth profile data indicate that the Mantovo Reservoir is a dimictic lake. Based on mean nutrient concentrations, the Mantovo Reservoir can be considered as being phosphorus-deficient. During the summer stratification, very high concentrations of Mn (2,819 μg/l)and Cu (147.6μg/l)were detected in the lower profundal. Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri was the dominant species, which indicates the presence of organic pollution. Dominance of Chaoborus crystallinus and decline in abundance of L. hoffmeisteri in the lower profundal indicate a deterioration of environmental status in the deepest part of the lake

Carabid fauna is not sufficiently explored in Central and Western Balkan areas, especially in mountain ecosystems with unique biodiversity which is a result of specific environmental factors and geologic history. Furthermore, distribution of species and adaptation to varying environmental parameters change along the altitudinal gradients. All this highlights the need for biodiversity and ecological studies in order to assess the state of the mountain ecosystems and conservation significance. Carabids as good bioindicator group can be used as a tool for monitoring those changes. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences of body size distribution and mean individual biomass (MIB) of ground beetle assemblages as a response of changing conditions and vegetation types along an altitudinal gradient on Belasitsa Mountain in south Macedonia. Both parameters significantly decreased with increasing altitude and were consequently associated with the vegetation type. Larger bodied individuals and higher values of MIB were recorded in the white oak and oriental hornbeam forest stands with the values decreasing in sessile oak forests towards submontane and montane beech forest stands. This research yielded first list of carabid species inhabiting Belasitsa Mountain with insight of carabid body length and biomass distribution along altitudinal gradient.

The catalogue of the ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) of the Republic of Macedonia is the result of our permanent investigation during 15 years. It is based on the critical review of the data in 255 scientific publications and the revision of the collections deposited in the museums in Macedonia (Skopje and Struga), other European countries (Berlin, Budapest, Vienna, Sofia) and the first author's private collection. For all of the species and subspecies we have presented the known literature references, precise data for the studied material and overall distribution in the Republic of Macedonia. The study of the material resulted in new country records of 10 genera, 101 species and 25 subspecies. First detailed records are provided for another 47 species and subspecies, and additional material was studied of 482 species and subspecies. Type material of 18 species and subspecies was also examined. Thirteen species and one subspecies were rejected from the list of Macedonian ground beetles. Six more species are treated as questionable and were not included in the present list. As a result, the presence of 571 species and 234 subspecies (626 taxa in total) in Macedonia is confirmed. These taxa are arranged in 104 genera, 31 subtribes, 35 tribes and 13 subfamilies. The most numerous in term of the species are the genera Bembidion (60), Harpalus (48) and Amara (46), as well as Pterostichus (26), Ophonus (19), Carabus (16), Trechus (16), Brachinus (16) and Dyschirius (15).

Category metric* Metric descriptive characteristics (as originally provided by Goforth and Bain (2010) Score Upper French Creek watershed, USA Goforth and Bain (2010)** calculation specifics Bregalnica watershed calculation specifics Supporting literature*** ***Considering that land use pressures do not act in isolation, much of the papers used as a supporting literature focus on both catchment and local scale, some dealing with the multiscale effects and interactive pathways of stressors and examined species specific responses.