From Lake Sevan to the Lesser Caucasus mountains, Armenia’s landscapes are closely tied to water, agriculture and rural livelihoods. As land degradation, mining and climate stress place growing pressure on its ecosystems, restoration and climate-resilient land management are becoming increasingly important.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is known for its forests, rivers and Dinaric karst landscapes. With floods, landslides, river modification and habitat degradation affecting both people and nature, stronger coordination across institutions is key to turning biodiversity and climate knowledge into action.

Bulgaria brings together mountains, forests, wetlands and the Black Sea coast, creating habitats for a wide range of species. As these ecosystems face growing pressure from fragmentation, pollution, invasive species and climate change, protecting and restoring ecological connectivity is becoming increasingly important.

Croatia’s Adriatic coast, islands, karst landscapes and river systems support remarkable freshwater, cave and marine biodiversity. As tourism, wildfires, pollution and climate change reshape these ecosystems, restoration and adaptation are becoming central to long-term resilience.

Across Greece’s islands, mountains, forests and coastal waters, biodiversity is deeply connected to livelihoods, tourism and cultural heritage. Rising heat, drought, wildfires and marine pressures are making it more urgent to align climate adaptation with nature protection.

Kazakhstan’s vast steppes, deserts, mountains, rivers and Caspian Sea ecosystems are home to species such as the saiga antelope, snow leopard and Caspian seal. Water scarcity, land degradation and extractive pressures show why biodiversity, climate and land-use decisions cannot be treated separately.

Moldova’s forests, agricultural landscapes and river valleys are central to its economy and rural life. Soil erosion, water pollution, forest fragmentation and climate risks make restoration, adaptation planning and greener development important pathways for resilience.

Montenegro’s coast, mountains, forests, Lake Skadar and karst landscapes hold exceptional biodiversity in a relatively small area. As construction pressure, pollution, wildfires and climate impacts grow, protected areas and nature-based solutions offer practical ways to connect conservation with sustainable development.

The host country, North Macedonia, brings to the table landscapes such as Lake Ohrid, the Prespa Lakes, the Šar Mountains and the Vardar basin into focus. These ecosystems support unique freshwater biodiversity but face pressure from land-use change, hydropower, water pollution and climate change.

Slovenia sits at the meeting point of Alpine, Mediterranean and Pannonian landscapes, with forests, rivers, wetlands and karst systems shaping much of the country. Its strong Natura 2000 network provides a useful foundation for linking ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation and science-policy cooperation.

In Tajikistan, the Pamir Mountains and glacier-fed rivers shape both biodiversity and everyday life. Glacier retreat, overgrazing, land degradation and water-related hazards make mountain ecosystem protection central to climate resilience and rural livelihoods.

Uzbekistan’s deserts, river systems, mountains and the Aral Sea region show how closely water, land and biodiversity are connected. Desertification, dust storms and water stress make restoration and more coordinated water governance especially urgent.