The scientific research activities of the Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Biogeography and Valorization of Natural Ecosystems involve Prof. Dr. Branko Micevski and technical associate BSc Biol. Borche Strejoski.
Within the framework of project activities, which include research on the three natural lakes in the Republic of North Macedonia, monographs on the ornithofauna of Prespa Lake and Lake Ohrid have been published. The research conducted in this Department focuses on monitoring and
protection of large carnivores ‒ the lynx and the bear (determining their status, distribution, especially in transboundary areas with Albania and Greece, as well as population density in the Republic of North Macedonia), bird fauna, particularly in wetland habitats, inventory of wetlands as natural resources, as well as faunistics and valorization not only of birds, but also of certain insect groups (Orthoptera, dragonflies, butterflies and saproxylic beetles).
In cooperation with Carl Bro International (Denmark), the first inventory of CORINE biotopes in Macedonia was prepared, serving as a basis for the future EMERALD network. In collaboration with EURONATUR (Germany), the National Institute for the Protection of Natural Rarities and the Macedonian Society for the Study and Protection of Birds (MSPB), the necessary documentation was prepared for the designation of the northern part of Prespa Lake as the strict nature reserve “Ezerani”. In cooperation with IUCN (Netherlands), the first catalogue of wetlands in Macedonia was produced. In collaboration with the Ecological Movement of Thessaloniki and the Hellenic Ornithological Society, monitoring of the ornithofauna along the course of the Vardar River was conducted. As a result of cooperation with Pro Natura (Switzerland), the first “Management Plan for Pelister National Park” in Macedonia was developed, in accordance with EUROSITE standards.
Prof. Dr. Branko Micevski has led or participated in more than 100 applied projects related to nature protection, studies on the current state of biodiversity in specific areas, and environmental impact assessment studies for major development projects in North Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo and Albania, in cooperation with the private sector (Biomaster company) and the non-governmental sector (MSPB).