Zasavica watercourse
The watercourse of the river Zasavica is positioned in the area of the northern Mačva, to the east from the river Drina, and to the south from the river Sava. The length of the watercourse is more than 33 km, and its width reaches up to 80 m.
The main function of the reserve is the conserva¬tion of the natural watercourse characteristic for lowland areas, as well as the preservation of wet¬land habitats with significant biological diversity.
More than 250 phytoplankton and 190 zooplank¬ton species were determined within the Reserve. Furthermore, this area is inhabited by 60 spe¬cies of fungi and around 700 species of vascular plants. The most important plant species are the white water lily (Nymphaea alba), yellow pond lily (Numphar luteum), greater spearwort (Ranuncu¬lus lingua), Urtica kioviensis, water soldier (Strati¬otes aloides), and waterwheel plant (Aldrovanda vesiculosa), a Tertiary relic for which it was long thought that it has disappeared from Serbia.
Of 21 species of fish, particularly significant is the European mudminnow (Umbra krameri), for which Zasavica is the only habitat in Serbia.
The fauna of amphibians (13 species) and reptiles (14 species) is very rich, as well as the fauna of birds. Among 185 bird species, particularly inter¬esting are the penduline tit (Remiz pendulinus), little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus), and ferrugi¬nous duck (Aythya nyroca). Of 30 species of mam¬mals, the European beaver (Castor fiber), the spe¬cies that was reintroduced to its natural habitats in Zasavica after being extinct in Serbia for a long time, deserves a particular attention.
This reserve is significant for the preservation of autochthonous breeds of domestic animals as well, such as the swallow-bellied Mangulitsa pig, the Balkan donkey, and the Podolian cow.
