engleski

Sustainable management of wildlife resources in the Danube floodplain in Croatia

Sustainable management of wildlife species aims to keep populations of wild fauna and flora, and their habitats under stable condition over time, taking into account the nature conservation policy and socio-economic needs of human populations. Wildlife is an important renewable natural resource, with significance for areas such as rural development, land-use planning, food supply, tourism, scientific research and cultural heritage. The length of the Danube course in Croatia is 137.5 km (river km 1433 -1295.5), which makes 5% of the total length. Spatial distribution of terrestrial, aquatic and wetland habitats is in permanent dynamic exchange, depending on frequency, intensity and duration of floods, as well as drought periods Along the Croatian Danube stretch, the most frequent are broad-leaved forests (86%), classified into habitat types of the floodplain willow forests (Salicion albae), floodplain poplar forests (Populion albae), and plantations of allochthonous poplars. Scrub and open spaces with little or no vegetation makes 3%, agricultural area 3%, while industrial and urban areas makes 4% each. Wetlands provides habitat for numerous biological species, especially fishes, birds and mammals. Tradition of hunting the particular wild animal species: red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) in this part of Croatia dates back more than 300 years. Nowadays, game management and hunting activities are implemented according to Croatian nature protection legislation. Freshwater fish diversity of the Danube River comprises 32 identified species, classified into seven families. Members of the family Ciprinidae dominates with 14 species, followed by Percidae (4 species), Ictaluridae (2 species) and four families (Centrarchidae, Cobitidae, Esocidae, Siluridae), with one species each. Total annual growth of fish biomass is estimated at 35-40 kg/ha in the Danube, and 25-200 kg/ha in the floodplain, depending on the flood intensity and duration. Main threats to wildlife management are habitat loss or degradation, soil and water pollution, more frequent occurrence of extreme weather and hydrological events, spreading of the invasive alien species and water-borne diseases.

wildlife; nature; Danube; Croatia

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