Exploring the Heterogeneity and Conservation Status of Mires and Other Wetlands in North Macedonia (SE Europe): Insights From Mapping Efforts

Inconsistent definitions and different approaches towards wetland typology indicating absence or under-representation of wetland area from available data, underscore the need for improved mapping efforts in areas with significant knowledge gaps. In response, this study adopts a broader ecological definition which provides a comprehensive map of the wetland area in North Macedonia, with additional estimates of the mire area. The results show that naturally occurring wetlands occupy 1.5 % of North Macedonia (380.55 km²), including riparian forests (184.03 km²) and other wetland areas (196.52 km²). Only 22 % (84 km 2 ) of the total wetland area is under official protection or proposed for protection. High-altitude mires have been mapped for the first time. There remains a need to explore alternative methodologies for delineating peatlands in the lowlands, particularly those that have been historically converted to agricultural use. Integrating hydrogeological insights with recent surface wetness data has alleviated mapping limitations and revealed four key regions with potential to host wetlands and peatlands, primarily in lowlands. These results can guide future research focused on gathering ground truth data to improve estimates of the extent of lowland peatlands to support future restoration targets. The enhanced delineation and resolution of the area of mires and other wetlands addresses the spatial discrepancies that are particularly evident in larger European datasets. Such improvements provide updated information for diverse research and management purposes. The geospatial data provide a basis for in-depth exploration of remote sensing approaches and classifications that could enable the improvement of mire or wetland maps extending beyond national borders in Southeast Europe.