Biodiversity and importance of natural retentions along Sava River

Aims are:

– Preliminary study and mapping of most valuable and threatened species and habitats along the Sava River in Bosnia and Herzegovina

– Prepared proposal for conservation and management of habitats and species along Sava River in Bosnia and Herzegovina

– Identification and promotion of good practises in water management and flood risk management from neighbouring countries which can be applied along Sava River in BiH

– Creating a database of measures for flood control which can be easily accessed by all stated interested parties

Main results:

– Publication where the first systematic biodiversity research is done in the area along Sava river in Bosnia and Hercegovina. Even the research was preliminary, since the defined area of the research was large, it is very important since it gives information of natural values of the retention zones which can potentially represent future protected areas.

– Meetings with the authorities with the subject of using the retention zones in flood risk management– it is important to include in their planning since authorities were mainly focused on projects of using the dykes as technical solutions.

– Final presentation of a project and press releases – during the final presentations experts give really important points on using the retentions as protected areas especially when Bosnia and Hercegovina is approaching EU and there is a necessity of creating Natura 2000 network of protected areas. Press releases are important that wider public becomes more aware about potentials of using the retention zones in flood risk management and as a natural value.