As part of the “Ichthyofauna research for watershed protection” project, run by the Center for Environment, scientists from BIOTA BH have initiated the study of the abundance and diversity of the underwater world of this beautiful river with the goal of its protection and preservation of its ecosystem.
Trebižat river, one of the major tributaries of the Neretva river, is known for its exceptional beauty and biological diversity. It harbors numerous fish species and other organisms and is recognized as one of the centers of endemism in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The aim of the project is to conduct a detailed research of the ichthyofauna of the Trebižat river system, with a particular focus on the critically endangered species, Imotski chub or makal (Squalius microlepis). A team of experts, using modern equipment and scientific methods such as environmental DNA (e-DNA) analysis, will collect data that will enable a better understanding of the river’s biological diversity and the status of its populations.
“Due to various threats such as pollution from wastewater, illegal construction, the appearance of invasive species, and habitat loss, Trebižat is facing serious challenges. The research results will serve as an argument for advocating the protection of this river and its biological treasures and will be included in the study we are preparing as part of the same project, with the aim of initiating an initiative for the official protection of the area,” emphasized Dragana Kovačić Jošić, project coordinator at the Center for the Environment.
Dušan Jelić, the lead researcher, highlighted that through this research, the condition and ecology of the river will be determined”.At some locations, we have already identified species such as The three-spined stickleback Gasterosteus spp., which occurs in fairly clean waters, as well as Neretvan spined loach, Adriatic dace, and other species, including one invasive species.”
The research promises interesting results, and it is hoped that they will contribute to raising awareness about the importance and biological richness of this Neretva tributary!
PHOTO: Aleksandar Saša Škorić, Dragana Kovačić Jošić
