2022-2024 European Union and EuroNatur
The canyon of the Cijevna River represents one of the most exceptional natural values of the Morača River Basin and the Skadar Lake region. Cijevna serves as a natural corridor between Skadar Lake National Park and Prokletije National Park.
Previous research has shown that the canyon and valley of the Cijevna River are rich in geomorphological phenomena, diverse geology, hydrology, soil types, and unique climatic conditions. Due to the intersection of strong Mediterranean and mountain climate influences, the Cijevna canyon hosts a complex mosaic of ecosystem and habitat types of relict character, which serve as refuges for a wide range of plant and animal species.
What makes this canyon particularly valuable in terms of biodiversity is the presence of a unique plant community (phytocoenosis) Adianto–Pinguiculetum hirtiflorae Stevanović & Bulić 1989. This community is extremely rare and has a very narrow distribution, recorded only in the Cijevna canyon in Montenegro, where it was originally described by V. Stevanović & Z. Bulić in 1989. The dominant species of this community, Pinguicula hirtiflora Ten. (a carnivorous plant), is considered a symbol of the canyon and the wider area.
In addition to its natural values, the canyon also holds significant cultural and historical heritage.
Due to its outstanding natural characteristics, the canyon has been granted both national and international protection. It was designated a Nature Park in 2017 and is also recognised as an Important Plant Area (IPA), Important Bird Area (IBA), a proposed EMERALD site, and part of the European Green Belt.
However, the area is still considered one of many so-called “paper parks” — legally protected, but lacking an established management authority. Due to the absence of proper management, the area has suffered the impacts of several development projects that have negatively affected ecosystems and plant communities. One such example is the construction of the international road Podgorica – Cijevna – Tamara – Vrmoša – Plav. Although the official Protection Study for the Nature Park provided clear guidelines for safeguarding this unique plant community, these measures were not implemented in practice. As a result, road construction led to changes in microclimatic conditions and the complete loss of the community at the affected site.
For these reasons, Montenegrin Ecologists Society has launched research focused on mapping the Cijevna canyon to identify potential new locations and remaining habitats of this unique plant community.
Once the current status is assessed and potential populations are identified, a team of expert botanists engaged in the project will conduct a thorough evaluation and provide specific recommendations for recovery and long-term conservation.
During fieldwork, we will also record other important and rare plant species, among which perhaps the most well-known is the “phoenix flower” – Ramonda serbica (Pančić) O. Schwarz.
Our local partner in this project is the NGO Eco-Team. As part of the project, Eco-Team will develop a socio-economic analysis for the area of the Natural Monument “Cijevna Canyon,” which will be submitted to the provisional managing authority – the Municipality of Tuzi — and will significantly contribute to the establishment of an adequate management body.
Finally, through a meaningful public outreach campaign, we will continuously promote and educate both local stakeholders and the broader public about the unique value of this canyon and, more generally, about the importance of conserving canyon ecosystems, rare and endangered species, and their relevance to the lives of each individual.
