Travel 2 Serbia » Rivers

River Pčinja Valley

bo — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:46:09 +0000

The valley of the river Pčinja is positioned in southeastern Serbia. It comprises the river Pčinja and foothills of the Kozjak Mt. and Starac Mt., which are separated by the river Pčinja. The central part of this protected landscape is the river Pčinja itself, which draws attention for the beauty of its ravines and meanders.

The area is located at the border of the continental and Mediterranean climate and, combining the characteristics of both climate types, it is favourable for many species of plants and animals. On one side, it represents the southern border of distribution for continental species of flora and fauna, and on the other side, the northern border of distribution for species characteristic for the Mediterranean.
Polydominant thermophilous forests and thickets of the downy oak (Quercus pubescens), Turkey oak (Quercus cerris), Italian oak (Quercus frainetto), Oriental hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis),
ash (Fraxinus ornus), prickly juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus), Turkish filbert (Corylus colurna), and many other species, among which there are numerous Tertiary relics, prevail in this area. The characteristic species of animals are the snake-eyed skink (Ablepharus kitaibelii), ocellated skink (Chalcides ocellatus), large whip snake (Coluber caspius), red-rumped swallow (Hirundo daurica) northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Levant sparrowhawk (Accipiter brevipes).
The richness of the flora and fauna, the preserved morphology of the terrain and the cultural monument of extraordinary significance, the Monastery of St. Prohor Pčinjski from the 11th century, make this area particularly important from the aspect of conservation of natural and cultural-historical values.

National Park Djerdap – Danube River

predrag — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:06:34 +0000

The National Park “Đerdap” is positioned in the northeastern Serbia, at the border with Rumania.
The Park was protected in 1974, and it comprises 63,000 ha.
The prime attribute and the most remarkable aspect of the relief in this National Park is the grandiose Đerdap Gorge. It is the longest and the largest incising gorge in Europe. The Đerdap
Gorge is composed of four smaller gorges and three valleys that are interchanging along the line of almost 100 km.
The most beautiful gorge of the Đerdap is Veliki Kazan. In this part of its course, the mighty Danube is seized between steep, often vertical cliffs that rise even up to several hundred meters
above the river, which is not wider than 170 m. Exactly at this point the Danube is the deepest.
The depth of 90 m, measured in one of the huge hollows that are present in the Danube riverbed, represents one of the greatest river depths on Earth. The beauty of the canyon leaves an unforgettable impression on all visitors, regardless if it is observed from the river or from the edge of the plateau bending over the canyon. It is only here where it can be seen in a striking manner how Đerdap (Iron Gate) got its name.
The southern hinterland of the gorge is dissected by the erosive activity of a number of the Danube’s right tributaries. The canyon of the river Boljetinska Reka is particularly distinct for its attractive and dynamic morphology.
The canyon is significant from the aspect of the geoheritage protection, since a complete geological history of Serbia, from Palaeozoic to Cenozoic, can be observed in it. For its beauty, this geological profile is regarded as one of the most representative geological profiles in our country.
The great length and depth of the gorge, different expositions, most variable forms of relief, and a large number of sheltered habitats, caused the Đerdap Gorge to become the major refugium for ancient European plant and animal species.
The area of the National Park is inhabited by more than 1,100 plant species, among which are the Tertiary relics, such as the Turkish filbert (Corylus colurna), walnut (Juglans regia), common lilac (Syringa vulgaris), yew (Taxus baccata), linden (Tilia argentea), Caucasian lime (Tilia caucasia), Balkan maple (Acer intermedium), downy oak (Quercus pubescens), common holly (Ilex aquifolium). The species Tulipa hungarica has a particular place to which the Đerdap Gorge is the only habitat in the world.
The richness of the flora reflects in the rich vegetation as well, primarily the forest vegetation. More than 50 mixed forest and shrubby communities were registered, of which 35 have the relic character.
The National Park is the habitat of more than 150 bird species, such as the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus), white-tailed eagle (Haliaetus albicilla), black stork (Ciconia nigra), grey heron (Ardea cinerea).
The mammal fauna is also rich. The most attractive species are the brown bear (Ursus arctos), otter (Lutra lutra), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), grey wolf (Canis lupus), jackal (Canis aureus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), chamois (Rupicarpa rupicarpa) and other species.
The National Park Đerdap is distinguished from other parks for its unique and exceptionally significant monumental heritage as well. This primarily refers to the archaeological find Lepenski Vir. During the systematic archaeological activities that preceded the construction of the first Iron Gate dam and formation of the reservoir, remains of a previously unknown prehistoric culture were found on the Danube terrace Lepenski Vir on the right riverbank. This finding was a true sensation in archaeological circles. The settlement with sacral buildings of specific construction and shape and sculptures made of huge round pebbles, representing fantastic fish-like creatures, belong to the one of the most complex prehistoric cultures from the period between 7,000 and 6,000 B.C. In the narrow valley in the form of an amphitheatre, complex social and economic relationships were developed, with the most ancient urban structure, sacral architecture, and monumental sculptures on the European continent to date.
A number of monuments bear witness on the time when the Roman Limes – a chain of fortifications, was formed along the Danube. Most remarkable are the remnants of a road, cut into the bare rock and finished during the times of the Roman emperor Traianus. The famous Tabula Traiana today still bears witness on this grand Roman endeavour.
One of the most beautiful sights on the Danube spreads at the very entrance into the gorge. On the steep slopes, at the place where the Danube suddenly narrows, the medieval town of Golubac is positioned, with its impressive cascade of fortifying towers and town walls with loopholes. This is one of the most beautiful and important fortresses of medieval Serbia on the Danube.

Fishing in Serbia

bo — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:46:24 +0000

There are 110 fish species registered in Serbia, or 51% of all European ichtyofauna. Freshwater ecosystems in Serbia comprise large basins (Danube with tributaries), macroaccumulations (Djerdap, Vlasina, etc.), microaccumulations (larger number of small accumulations for irrigation and other local purposes), flooded areas and wetlands (Apatin wetland, Kovilje-Gardinovac wetland, and a series of smaller areas of local significance) and a canal network (Danube – Tisza – Danube, and other smaller networks).

There are 4 areas in Serbia with specific ichtyofauna: Danube-Black Sea System, Tara-Piva-Drina, System, Ohrid-Drim-Skadar System and rivers of Aegean basin. There are 79 fish species in Danube Basin, from 16 families and 3 species of Cyclostomata. Family Cyprinidae has 50 species. Specific feature of the Danube-Black Sea system is seasonal presence of 5 species from Acipenseridae family and 2 species from Clupeidae family, which migrate from the Black Sea to the Danube during spawning season.
Hydroelectric power plant cut this migratory path, and they can reach only to Djerdap II plant. There are 12 endemic fish species and subspecies in the Danube basin and one endemic species of Cyclostomata. There are also 13 allochthonous species. Populations of some introduced species are rather numerous, and some of them are undesirable in natural ecosystems.
Tara-Piva-Drina System is significant for mountain areas. There are 32 fish species registered in this system Ohrid-Drim-Skadar System represents very important area for it is a main corridor

between riverine, lacustrine and marine ecosystems. It has specific ichtyofauna for the large number of endemic species and subspecies. Metohija area, as a part of this system, has 16 autochthonous (Salmo trutta with two subspecies) and 9 allochthonous species.Aegean Basin rivers comprise rather small area in Serbia and there are no precise data on ichtyofauna.
Aquatic ecosystems enable fast spreading of introduced or non-indigenous species that are rapidly expanding outside of their native range. Introduced species can alter ecological relationships among native species and can affect ecosystem function, economic value of ecosystems, and human health. More than 15 fish species in Serbia are introduced from other regions (Janković and Krpo-Ćetković, 1995). The newest case of introduction was recorded in 2006. A specimen of the North American paddlefish, Polyodon spathula was caught near Prahovo in the Serbian part of the Danube River
(Lenhardt et al., 2006).

Gornje Podunavlje / Upper Danube Valley

bo — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 13:56:22 +0000

The Special Nature Reserve “Gornje Podunavlje / Upper Danube Valley” is positioned in the alluvial zone of the Danube, in its upper course in Vojvodina, at the far northwestern part of Bačka. It comprises the alluvial plane of the left riverbank of the Danube along the length of 64 km, and it represents the largest marsh complex in the upper course of the Danube in Serbia.

This lowland area is characterized by flat or slightly undulating relief with meanders, by-channels, old river courses, river islets, and ridges. Elongated ridges and swales are interchanging and stretching more or less parallel to the river course and to by-channels, which has a strong influence on the distribution of the flooding water and the level of the ground water. The area consists of marsh forests cut with ponds, swamps, wet meadows, reeds and shrubbery.

Gornje Podunavlje is a significant biodiversity center of Serbia. Its vegetation is built of 57 herbaceous, forest, and shrubby plant communities. Most communities are of the primary character, which illustrates the significant ecosystem diversity. Many fragile ecosystems are preserved, and represent the international priority in protection.

More than 1,000 plant species were determined, among which there are several critically endangered species in Serbia, such as the water violet (Hottonia palustris), mare’s tail (Hippuris vulgaris), and greater spear wort Ranunculus lingua). This area is inhabited by 60 species of butterflies, 55 species of fish, 11 species of amphibians, 9 species of reptiles, 230 species of birds, and 51 species of mammals. It is an important spawning ground and migratory route for fishes, a nesting site of the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) and black stork (Ciconia nigra), and the habitat of the largest red deer (Cervus elaphus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations in Serbia.

The Reserve is a significant trans boundary area that forms a natural unity with the protected marshlands in Croatia and Hungary with which it represents the largest inundation area in the middle course of the Danube in Europe.