ISSN 0354-8724 (hard copy) | ISSN 1820-7138 (online)

Influence of Sediment Remediation on Protection Aims and Landscape Characteristics of Special Nature Reserve

Stojanović VladimirA*, Pantelić MilanaA, Savić StevanA, Dolinaj DraganA, Leščešen IgorB Received: September 2012 | Revised: December 2012 | Accepted: December 2012

Abstract The focus of this research is Special nature reserve Carska bara that is situated in the area of central Ba- nat (, ). The whole territory of the Reserve and the surrounding area represents space that has been under the influence of human activities since the very beginning of the development of human communities. Another great influence comes from the process of melioration of the whole area and mainly of the river Begej, which consequently results in changes in sediments and their quality. Sediment has a strong influence on numerous goals and functions of protection. It changes the char- acteristics of the landscape and ecosystems. That is why the process of sediment remediation, through the process of demudding, is of crucial importance for the protection of this area and its natural values. Remediation influences some important aims of managing the area such as nature protection, educa- tion and tourism. Key words: sediments, remediation, Carska bara, nature protection, protected area.

Introduction ger if the area is defined as the protected one and as Sediment is an essential and dynamic component of such is subject to the standards of the Law on nature all aquatic systems that, due to its tendency of bind- protection. ing, represents a reservoir of toxic substances of an- Special nature reserve Carska bara is situated in thropogenic origin. Sediment reaches waterways the area of central Banat, in wide alluvial river plain influenced by many different factors such as: drain- and on the place where waters from the Tisa and Be- age of geological base and soil, layering of particles gej flooded before the built of the system of embank- of eolian sediments or decaying of aquatic and in- ments. This whole area has been, during the course shore vegetation. With the problem of uncleaned of history and development of human communi- waste waters reaching river courses, the problem be- ties, under the influence of a number of social and comes even more serious because that process caus- economic activities, which influenced the creation es a decrease in decomposed oxygen, eutrophication, of the final landscape character (Stojanović, Pavić, appearance of toxic substances and composition of Ristanović, 2009). It can generally be defined as a mud, i.e. sediments. That is why the sediment quali- cultural area with well-preserved fragments of true ty is an important component in the programmes of nature (Pil et al., 2010). This also refers to surface protection of waters and whole environmental sys- hydrohraphy that belongs to the group of basic val- tem (Dalmacija at al., 2008). A problem becomes big- ues in the reserve and that, during the 20th century

A Climatology and Hydrology Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia B Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia * Corresponding author: Vladimir Stojanović, e-mail: [email protected]

Geographica Pannonica • Volume 16, Issue 4, 145-154 (December 2012) 145 Influence of Sediment Remediation on Protection Aims and Landscape Characteristics of Special Nature Reserve Carska Bara

(Ham, 1975), and even before, was under the strong People began to deal with fish farming and the de- influence of melioration and water management. In velopment of fishing in this area, back in 1762, two those kinds of circumstances, the protection of these years after the work on Belo jezero Lake had been isolated fragments represents a challenge in the field finished. Belo jezero Lake is, even today, a part of the of nature protection and especially if we take into nearby fishpond. From that moment until the pre- consideration the process of sedimentation and pol- sent day the whole area has been ameliorated and lution of sediments that seriously endanger both the regulated, so that a total of 16 lakes were formed. A surface hydrography and the whole concept of the century later, the magazine “Torontal” announced preservation of this reserve. that a lake is to be modified into a fishpond on the The basic goals of this research are directed towards estate of Count Felix Harnoncourt. That lake is the emphasising the importance of changes in the land- present Belo jezero Lake. According to the 1894 data, scape characteristics caused by sedimentation for the fish was caught in an organised manner from an area realisation of goals and functions of nature protection of water covering a total of 780 ha. Four years later, in the nature reserve Carska bara. Moreover, this pa- the construction of Belo jezero Lake was completed, per emphasises how the regulation of hydrologic ob- along with the regulation of supply and discharge of jects can influence the process of sedimentation of a certain amount of water. The fishpond had devel- this kind of protected areas. oped gradually, and in the period up to World War I, it included four northern lakes, four southern lakes Landscape history and changes and lakes Turka, Bart and Šovajka (Marošan et al., in the area in and around 1992). The construction of the fishpond created -ar Special nature reserve Carska bara tificial habitats which certain species inhabited, pri- marily birds that lost their natural habitats due to History of the landscape around the special nature amelioration. reserve has a complex chronology and each of the pe- Strong influences on both the core physiognomy of riods of development of human communities has re- the area and the geoecological characteristics of this flected on the evolution of the natural features of the part of Banat began in the 19th century, and result- entire region in a specific way. Three important eco- ed in changes in the morphology of the terrain and in nomic activities, some of which date from the ear- the water regime (Figure 1). The building of embank- ly period of human communities, have visibly in- ments, as forms of anthropogenic relief, prevented fluenced the formation of the landscape of Carska flood waves from the Begej and the Tisa to reach im- bara and its environment (agriculture, including an- portant ecosystems. This process had continued into imal husbandry, as well as fishing and water man- the 20th century, when the whole area became sur- agement). rounded by embankments. Complete isolation was The first impacts on landscape features date back achieved in 1974, because the part of the new embank- to the prehistoric period. Agriculture has been one of ment near the village of , was completed. The -fi the most important human activities in this region for nal years this area was flooded were 1972 and 1973. Be- millennia. It is, also, closely connected with the first fore the construction of the embankments, this whole inhabitants of this part of the Pannonian Plain. Ar- area would be flooded by high waters of the Tisa and cheological sites – Krstićeva humka and Batka near the Begej. This happened when the water level exceed- Perlez, which incidentally contain residues of Starčevo ed 340 cm. The barrage and lock at the confluence of and Kőrös cultures, testify on the impact of agricul- the Begej and the Tisa would then be shut down, and ture onto this area. The early Neolithic period brought the whole area would be flooded. The flood wave trav- about significant change in the behavior of human elled from the confluence, reached the Perleska bara communities. Survival strategy based on hunting and Pond, and continued to spread northward to the for- gathering was gradually replaced by food produc- mer barrage and lock in Ečka. Only higher locations tion through agricultural development. The original would remain dry, two of which were the banks of use of the resources of the land was accompanied by the Begej and beams in the Perleska bara Pond. At an equal development of farming. In this early peri- the time of higher water levels (550 cm), the coast of od relatively small amounts of grain, such as einkorn the Begej was flooded and then the whole area looked wheat, barley, rye, lentils and millet, were produced. like a lake dappled with willow trees (Ham, 1975). Em- Domestic animals that were bred were cattle, sheep, bankments primarily led to the fragmentation of local goats and pigs (Medović, 2001). Here, we can see the habitats. Large areas of forest and steppe vegetation fact that agricultural activity, with associated plant were destroyed, which opened the possibility of creat- and animal species, has been an integral part of the ing a cultural landscape in which there are islands of ecosystem for millennia. genuine nature.

146 Geographica Pannonica • Volume 16, Issue 4, 145-154 (December 2012) Stojanović Vladimir, Pantelić Milana, Savić Stevan, Dolinaj Dragan, Leščešen Igor

Figure 1. Map from the early 20th century indicates the significant changes that have occurred in the area of Carska bara protected area

The process of construction of embankments sig- nant water. This led to a change in the regime of for- nificantly changed the geoecological conditions of the mation of sediments, as well as their chemical compo- environment in the surface hydrography. The active sition, which were further disrupted by the discharge bed of the Begej was cut off on several locations by of waste water from the nearby fishpond (Nježić, dams and running water was transformed into stag- Rosić, 2008).

Geographica Pannonica • Volume 16, Issue 4, 145-154 (December 2012) 147 Influence of Sediment Remediation on Protection Aims and Landscape Characteristics of Special Nature Reserve Carska Bara

Sedimentation and sediment quality as At the same time it is necessary to pay attention to geoecological and chemical condition of the influence of climatic changes on protected areas, i.e. the environment in the reserve Carska bara the whole environment that have been in the focus of scientific researches in the last two decades (Mortsch, Important and crucial changes in the ecosystems hap- 1998; Walther et al., 2002; Dawson et al., 2003; IPCC, pened when the new river bed of the Begej was dug. 2007; Erwin, 2009). Climate changes probably have The works began in the mid 1960s as part of the re- indirect influence on overall sediment balance of Crs- alisation of the Hydrosystem -Tisa-Danube. ka bara as hydrological object. Depth of water profile, The Begej channel (navigable Begej) opened for navi- mugging process, sedimentation of plant residue and gation in 1971 when the present bed was baffled at the water reflection surface depend mostly on surround- place where today’s hotel Sibil is located all the way to ing surface waters and underground waters. Howev- the lock at the Tisa River estuary. This process signifi- er, additional negative contributions can come from cantly changed the water regime of the river. Especial- certain meteorological parameters (precipitation, air ly negative consequences were caused by filling the Ti- temperature, evaporation). During the period be- ganjica and Perleska bara Pond with dug soil which tween 1949 and 2000 in the area of (Repub- caused water shallowing and depression diminish- lic Hidrometeorological Service of Serbia, 1949-2010) ing. In just a few years time, the whole complexes be- precipitation has a slight tendency of growth accom- came overgrown with willows and macrophyte. Stari panied with unfavourable annual distribution, which Begej was baffled also a nit southern at Perlez, which in Vojvodina, being the region with relatively small connected the old and new embankment (Ham, 1975). amount of precipitation (about 600 mm), can have Such changes in surface hydrography of the Nature even even greater negative character (Spasov, 2003). reserve significantly influenced underground waters Such a situation causes larger number of dry periods, which then changed not only the entire hydrological especially during summer and spring, and has indi- characteristics of the whole area but its biogeographi- rect influence on the levels of underground and sur- cal characteristics as well. face waters. In the same mentioned period, tempera- Abandoned river bed, cut off meanders and numer- tures show significant growing tendencies, especially ous river arms got isolated from the network of water during summer, spring and winter. Such trends nega- course and as such became independent hydrological tively influence water thermics which later contribute objects. Before the Begej was regulated, water regular- to a more intensive euthrofication and similar nega- ly flooded this vast swamp area. After water withdraw- tive processes directly connected to sedimentation al, higher parts of swamp area remained dry and repre- balance of the reserve Carska bara. At the same time, sented a border between active streams on one side and despite relatively higher amount of precipitation, loss fluvial lakes and marshes on the other. Apart from water, of water happens because of the process of evapora- river filled these depressions with river sediments as well. tion. That is how certain climatic processes that would However, during years with more precipitation when usually be described as positive ones (in the sense of the river is richer in water and the transport force of wa- the sustainability of wetlands) are neutralised by oth- ter in the river bed is stronger than usually, lakes and er negative climatic changes. Based on the above men- swamps were cleaned from sediments and their basins tioned, despite the fact that climatic changes represent partially deepened. These cyclical activities of the Begej an indirect factor, a detailed monitoring of the most River stopped after numerous melioration works which important meteorological parameters is necessary if changed the entire physiognomy of the river bed (Fig- we want thoroughly to monitor all the factors that in- ure 2). From the hydrological aspect this space was regu- fluence the process of sedimentation in the reserve. lated and the changes influenced the river water regime. One of the important goals in the process of sedi- Cyclical flooding stopped after regulation works. Sedi- ment studying is collecting information on the pres- ments in depressions remained tied to lake and swamp ence of priority substances in the sediment of the Spe- basins while the natural demudding also stopped (Fig- cial nature reserve Carska bara in order to perform ure 3). Growth of sediments on the bottom of river arms risk assessment if the changes in the ecological condi- and swamps is constant while the lack of water and large tion and decrease in ecological potential due to poor organic production in stagnant water make this organ- chemical status of the sediment are proved to exist. ic component have significant share in total sediment Sediment is the habitat for numerous organisms, balance. This type of tendency represents a problem for important source of nutrients for organism and cer- any kind of hydrological object while mudding, smaller tain species in food chain while the sediment dynam- amount of oxygen in water and decrease in water reflec- ics (erosion, sedimentation and other) make favoura- tion are just some of the problems that are already pre- ble conditions for biodiversity. Since it shows severely sent on the area of the Special nature reserve Carska bara. expressed tendency to bind, it is considered that the

148 Geographica Pannonica • Volume 16, Issue 4, 145-154 (December 2012) Stojanović Vladimir, Pantelić Milana, Savić Stevan, Dolinaj Dragan, Leščešen Igor

Figure 2. Key geological and hydrological factor of sedimentation for certain hydrological objects is baffling of the river bed in the 20th century

Geographica Pannonica • Volume 16, Issue 4, 145-154 (December 2012) 149 Influence of Sediment Remediation on Protection Aims and Landscape Characteristics of Special Nature Reserve Carska Bara

Figure 3. Sedimentation visible on cut-off river arms of the Begej (Stari Begej) where extensive flourishing of the vegetation happens along the banks; Photo: V. Stojanović

reservoir of toxic and persistent compounds is of of dry material for phosphorus. These concentrations dominant anthropogenic origin. Polluted sediments should not have any kind of negative consequences have direct negative influence on the fauna of the bot- upon environment in case of deposition but do repre- tom and represent long-term sources of toxic pollut- sent a problem from the aspect of possible emitting of ants influencing negatively living world and humans nutrients from sediments which would cause favour- through food chain, water of direct contact. When the able conditions for the appearance for eutrophication. process of revitalisation is in progress it is necessary Results for the contents of HPK and BPK5 show high to perform disposal of polluted sediments, remedia- values for HPK/BPK correlation which indicates the tion, without negative influences on the environment. presence of organic pollution that is not biological- Data on the chemical characteristics of the sediments ly degradable. Generally, it is noticeable that the con- represent the base for selecting remediation tech- tents of organic substances are higher in surface than niques and later monitoring of sediment quality dur- in deeper layers of the sediment. When we take into ing the process of remediation and until final dispo- consideration high level of organic substances and sition that will not have negative consequences on the compare them with the conditions in standard sedi- environment (Dalmacija et al., 2008). ment, sediment in Carska bara is classified as slightly Researches were performed on two profiles (en- polluted (class 2) (Dalmacija et al., 2008). trance into Carska bara and at the pier at the bank of When the content of heavy metals and arsenic are the river arm Stari Begej). Since Serbia does not have considered, few elements from this group exceed per- suitable regulations for estimating sediment quali- mitted limits. ty, recommendations given by ICPDR (Internation- Sediment quality when the presence of lead is in al Commission for the Protection of the Danube River) question is rather adequate. However, there is a cer- were used for the interpretation of the results. tain influence of diffuse sources of pollution such as When general physical and chemical indicator traffic. The permitted level of mercury is exceeded due of sediment quality are concerned, nutrients do not to industrial waste waters (especially from the unit for show high concentrations that would derogate from chlorine production), usage of mercury pesticides for limit values of mud that are for example used in Den- seed protection or usage of mercury compounds in mark in agriculture and whose average concentrations lighters of explosive units. Copper is present in such are 40 g/kg of dry material for nitrogen and 25 g/kg high concentrations that cause possible negative ef-

150 Geographica Pannonica • Volume 16, Issue 4, 145-154 (December 2012) Stojanović Vladimir, Pantelić Milana, Savić Stevan, Dolinaj Dragan, Leščešen Igor fects. Copper in sediment is probably the result of tion and increased the total area of ​​protected areas waste waters that come either from metal industry or to 4726 ha (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, pig husbandry. Significant values of chromium are 46/2011). Like many other protected areas, Special na- also present in the sediment. Chromium also comes ture reserve Carska bara is threatened by certain fac- from industrial waste waters and has a potential nega- tors. The most prominent among them is the change tive effect. A very high concentration of zinc is present in the water regime and regulation of surface waters, on the profile at the pier. Zinc has the same origin as which led to the mudding of certain localities, mostly copper and chromium (Dalmacija et al., 2010). in the northern part of the cut-off branch of Stari Be- Presence of arsenic in the sediment has a nega- gej. How can management of protection of nature af- tive ecotoxic effect because its values significantly -ex fect the prevention of such tendencies? ceed values determined by ICPDR. The most probable The link between sediment, sediment remedia- source of arsenic is drinking water that contains ar- tion and protection of nature can be seen in the le- senic (drinking water that is provided for the town of gal framework of protection. According to the Law on Zrenjanin in the neighbourhood of Carska bara). the Protection of Nature, in Serbia, a special nature About 50 compounds were identified in the sed- reserve is defined as an area of ​​unmodified or slightly iment of Carska bara. The greatest number of them modified nature of particular importance because of are aliphatic hydrocarbon and polycyclic aromatic hy- its uniqueness, rarity or representativeness, intended drocarbon, as well as benzene derivates which, due for the preservation of existing natural features, gene to their hydrophobe have a tendency to accumulate fund, ecological balance, monitoring of natural phe- in the sediments. Among identified compounds there nomena and processes, scientific research and educa- are compounds of natural origin that can be industri- tion, controlled visits and the preservation of tradi- ally applied and compounds that are of synthetic or- tional ways of life (Official Gazette of the Republic of igin and as such represent markers of anthropogen- Serbia, 36/2009). It is a protected area that corresponds ic activities. with category 4 by IUCN categorization - An area of When the group of pesticides is in question, dy- management of habitats or species, where the goal of phenil-ether was detected in sediments. Potential for management is protection through intervention or ac- accumulation in sediments was shown also by those tive measures to create the conditions for the surviv- compounds that are used in agents for personal hy- al of certain species (IUCN Protected Area Manage- giene and cosmetic products such as 1-hexadecanole ment Categories, www.iucn.org). The relevant Law on and 1-ethyl-2-hexanol, components in sun protection Nature Protection and the Declaration of Special na- creams – benyophenone and menthol and camphor ture reserve Carska bara, enable activities of revitali- (component of perfumes) (Dalmacija et al., 2010). zation of the channels and maintaining their fluency at the second level of protection, as well as demudding Interdependence of sedimentation, of natural waterways and maintaining the channels at sediment remediation the third level of protection. This allows for the possi- and nature protection bility of preserving native ecosystems through human intervention. Special nature reserve Carska bara has a complex Contemporary laws and regulations regarding na- chronology of protection. The first decision on the ture protection enabled demudding as one of the tech- protection of the area was made in 1955, when the site niques of sediment remediation as it was proved that “Vojtina mlaka” was protected due to its outstand- sediments in certain parts of the reserve represent dan- ing natural beauty on the basis of the, then relevant, gerous threat to natural values. Such kind of interven- Law on the Protection of Cultural Monuments and tion seems to be necessary. Aimed at protecting the Natural Rarities. The next act of protection came in protected area, the managing body of Special nature 1986, when the municipality of Zrenjanin decided to reserve Carska bara initiated cleaning of part of the riv- declare Stari Begej a national park and Carska bara er bed (Suggestion of technical solution for removal of a strict nature reserve (Budakov et al., 1993). A reg- mud from part of the water course Stari Begej in Special ulation of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, nature reserve “Stari Begej - Carska bara”, 2003). Pro- at the initiative of the Institute for Nature Conserva- ject was realised in 2008 when demudding process was tion of Serbia adopted the Regulation on the Protec- performed in a length of about 800 m. Settling basin tion of the Special nature reserve “Carska bara-Stari on the contact between Belo Jezero Lake (that is part of Begej” in 1994 (Official Gazette of the Republic of Ser- the fishpond Ečka) and Stari Begej was built a year later. bia, 56/1994). A new Regulation on the Protection of This settling basin is intended to be used for sedimenta- the reserve, now named Carska bara, was adopted in tion of organic substances in water that is released from 2011, which partially changed the regimes of protec- the fishpond during fish catch which would cause -in

Geographica Pannonica • Volume 16, Issue 4, 145-154 (December 2012) 151 Influence of Sediment Remediation on Protection Aims and Landscape Characteristics of Special Nature Reserve Carska Bara

Table 1. Effect of the pollution or scope of sediments and remediation based on the function and aims of nature protection in Special nature reserve Carska bara

Ecological Socio-cultural Economic Protection of plants and animals Protection of social integrity of +++ – Tourism and recreation +++ (biodiversity) local population Protection of habitats +++ Protection of cultural heritage – Fishery + Protection of original relief Education of local population and +++ ++ Reed processing + characteristics visitors Interpretation: – not present; + low; ++ medium; +++ high

flow of water without presence of mud into the reserve otourism. The main tourist offer is voyage in a tourist (Pil et al., 2010). If we consider the fact that the valorisa- ship along Stari Begej. This tourist activity is in direct tion of protected areas, their goals and function are di- correlation with condition and thickness of sediment vided into three groups – ecological, socio-cultural and in the bed of Stari Begej. If we take into consideration economic (Prato, Fagre, 2005) and if we adjust that to the thickness of sediment of three metres, it is obvious the characteristics of the Special nature reserve Cars- that this segment of tourist offer is endangered with ka bara, then we can present contemporary and poten- the process sedimentation. Moreover, ecotourism as tial effect of polluted sediments as it was done in table 1. the form of tourism requires area of rich biodiversity Numerous mentioned effects cause a change in the and any further decrease in the number of plant and quality of water and sediments in this area (meliora- animal species would endanger the idea of the devel- tion, agriculture, and fishery) which influences the opment of this form of tourism. Expectations are high morphology of the terrain and landscape characteris- regarding ecotourism because it brings popularity to tics, i.e. ecological values and ecological objectives of nature protection, it brings incomes and influence na- managing the reserve. Moreover, growth and dying of ture protection. The principles of sustainable tourism algae and plants in the bed of Stari Begej causes mud- also emphasise the necessity of protecting natural val- ding. This process is rather progressive while the height ues (Stojanović, 2011) because it is the only way how of mud in some parts of the river bed reaches three me- this activity can serve nature protection. tres. This phenomenon generally endangers this wa- Apart from the fact that it can be observed in the ter ecosystem and causes decrease in water reflection. correlation with nature protection, the process of sed- Macrophyte vegetation overgrows this water surface iment remediation can be observed through tech- and transforms it into a swamp. This whole process en- niques of managing certain area. In the last couple dangers biodiversity because certain species disappear. of year great attention of scientists and institutions of Demudding as a process, which started with the reali- spatial planning and nature protection has been paid sation of the project from 2008, enables better circula- upon studying, planning and protecting landscapes. tion of water which consequently influences the quality A landscape is a multidimensional phenomenon that of sediment. This process positively influences the -en encompasses all abiotic and biotic components of one tire biodiversity and helps the process of nature protec- territory as well as cultural characteristics if present tion, which makes natural values less endangered. on that territory. There are different dimensions in the One of the dominant social functions and values of process of researching landscape. In ecology that is an this protected area is education. The reserve is a well- agglomerate of ecosystems and it is observed func- known destination for the purposes of excursion tour- tionally. European Landscape Convention was signed ism on the national level. One of the reasons for that in Florence in 2000 and it started being practically ap- are authentic characteristics of this wetland, whose val- plied in 2004. Since then its practical importance has ues have been confirmed and included on the list of been observed in many European countries. Ramsar sites in 1996. Due to its preserved natural val- The importance of protecting landscapes in Vojvo- ues students of geography, biology, ecology and tour- dina is described in Regional spatial strategy which ism choose this destination for their practical training. emphasises the necessity of protecting the structures If this values experience mudding and pollution this of one landscape and natural processes, all aimed at area will become less popular for the purposes of ed- promoting and sustainable using of those areas (Re- ucation. That kind of tendency shall certainly not suit gional spatial strategy of the Autonomous Province global trends in the area of sustainable development. of Vojvodina, 2011). Few studies have been made so Tourism is a dominant economic activity in the re- far concerning the fact that even sedimentation caus- serve. The development of tourism can be seen mainly es unfavourable consequences to the landscape and through the realisation of excursion tourism and ec- negative effects to its natural values, resources and as-

152 Geographica Pannonica • Volume 16, Issue 4, 145-154 (December 2012) Stojanović Vladimir, Pantelić Milana, Savić Stevan, Dolinaj Dragan, Leščešen Igor

Figure 4. Northern part of Stari Begej course restored its original form and open and clean surface after the process of demudding which is of great importance for a certain number of functions in this protected area pect of environmental protection. Such kind of pro- tection, an emphasis must be paid upon education, cess can be analysed in those parts of the reserve that tourism and stocking with fish. through the process of demudding restored their orig- The problem of mudding and the necessity of reme- inal forms (Figure 4). Conception and vision of na- diation through the process of demudding appear in ture protection should be more intensely placed in the some other protected areas in Vojvodina as well such correlation with protected areas, factors that endanger as in “Gornje ”, “Koviljsko-petrovaradinski them and with sediment remediation. rit” or “Karađorđevo”, which only makes this problem more contemporary in the field of nature protection.

Conclusion The landscape in the reserve Carska bara and around Acknowledgment it has a long chronology of systematic changes which The authors acknowledge the financial support of the makes it possible to define the territory as a cultur- Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of al area with well-preserved fragments of nature. The Serbia (Project III 43005) best preserved fragments of that nature are the ob- jects of surface hydrography – marshes, lakes, and river arms that all function as isolated systems due to References numerous alternations. Widely spread poor fen com- Budakov, Lj., Banjac, M., Branković, D., Butorac, B., munities and phytocenosis of sedge-dominated com- Habijan-Mikeš, V., Ham, I., Kovačev, N., Kovačević, munities serve as indicators of damaging changes. B., Kuzmanović, J., Bence, M., Pavkov, G., Stojšić, The tendency of their growth influences the reduction V., Vider-Milošević, V., 1993. Suggestion for the of free water surfaces and mudding. Consequences protection of nature reserve „Stari Begej-Carska can even be seen in the problems of fresh water inflow bara” as a Special nature reserve. Institute for Na- and inability to intervene in order to connect hydro- ture Conservation of Serbia, Novi Sad. logical frame of the reserve – the course of Stari Be- Dalmacija B., Tričković J., Agbaba J., Rončević S., gej with surrounding marshes. Remediation through Krčmar D., Pešić V., Tubić A., Dalmacija M., Božović the process of demudding seems rather necessary be- Lj., Molnar J., Ivančev Tumbas I., Ugarčina S., Kragulj cause it contributes to the development of functions M., Barši A., Bečelić M., Watson M.A., Poguberović and reaching goals of nature protection in the reserve S., 2008. Monitoring of the chemical quality of sur- Carska bara. Apart from management of nature pro- face waters and sediment in protected zones and

Geographica Pannonica • Volume 16, Issue 4, 145-154 (December 2012) 153 Influence of Sediment Remediation on Protection Aims and Landscape Characteristics of Special Nature Reserve Carska Bara

ecological black spots in Vojvodina in 2008. Faculty protection in the Special nature reserve „Stari Be- of Sciences, Chair of Chemical Technology and En- gej-Carska bara“. Festival of quality, Third confer- vironmental Protection, Novi Sad, 143 pp. ence on the quality of life, Association for quality Dalmacija B., Tričković J., Agbaba J., Ivančev Tum- and standardisation of Serbia, Kragujevac. bas I., Kragulj M., Molnar J., Maletić S., Dalmaci- Prato, T., Fagre, D., 2005. National Parks & Protected ja M., Krčmar D., Rončević S., Pešić V., Watson Areas. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, 446. M.A., Bečelić Tomin M., Rajić Lj., Ugarčina Perović Suggestion of technical solution for removal of mud S., Tubić A., Leovac A., Kerkez Đ., 2010. Research from part of the water course Stari Begej in Spe- of the presence of priority substances in water and cial nature reserve “Stari Begej - Carska bara”, 2003. sediment in protected zones and selected locations Pil, N., Galamboš, L., Stojšić, V., Perić, R., Sekulić, of surface waters in the Autonomous Province of N., Kovačev, N., Timotić, D., Kiš, A., Stanišić, J., Vojvodina. Faculty of Sciences, Chair of Chemical Dobretić, V., Stojnić, N., Tucakov, M., Delić, J., Technology and Environmental Protection, Novi Sabadoš, K., Kicošev, V., Cvijić, D., Bošnjak, T., Sad, 108 pp. Majkić, B., Čalakić, D., Banjac, M., 2010. Special Dawson, T.P., Berry, P.M., Kampa, E. 2003. Climate nature reserve “Carska bara”, suggestion for pro- change impacts on freshwater wetland habitats. claiming the area as the protected area of the 1st Journal for Nature Conservation 11, 25-30. level, study on the protection. Provincial Institute Erwin, K.L. 2009. Wetlands and global climate change: for Protection of Nature, Novi Sad, 177. the role of wetland restoration in a changing world. Regional spatial strategy of the Autonomous Province Wetlands Ecology and Management 17, 71-84. of Vojvodina, Urban and Spatial Planning Institute European Landscape Convention, Florence, 2000. of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, 2011, 208. IPCC 2007. Climate Change 2007. The Physical Sci- RHMZ 1949-2010. Meteorological yearbook I. Repub- ence Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the lic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia, Beograd. Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmen- Spasov, P. 2003. Occurrence of drought in Serbia, its tal Panel on Climate Change [Solomon, S., D. Qin, monitoring and forecasting possibilities. Water Re- M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Averyt, M. source Management 35, 30-36. Tignor and H.L. Miller (eds.)]. Cambridge Univer- Stojanović, V., Pavić, D., Ristanović, B. 2009. The Im- sity Press, Cambridge, United Kingdom and New plementation of the Principle of Sustainable Develop- York, NY, USA: 996 pp. ment in the Special Nature Reserve “Stari Begej-Cars- Ham, I., 1975. Qualitative structure of the heron col- ka bara”, Serbia. Geographica Pannonica 13, 1, 11-16. ony (Ardeidae) and influence of certain environ- Stojanović, V., 2011. Tourism and sustainable develop- mental factors on its creation in the area of Donji ment. Department of Geography, Tourism and Ho- Begej in Vojvodina. Larus 26 - 28, Zagreb. tel Management, Faculty of Sciences, Novi Sad, 260. Medović, P., 2001. Prehistory in the area of Vojvodi- Regulation on the protection of the Special nature re- na. Prometej, Novi Sad, Vojnoizdavački zavod, Be- serve „Stari Begej-Carska bara”, Official Gazette of ograd, 135. the Republic of Serbia, No. 56, 1994. Marošan, A., Ćurčić, S., Bugarski, D., Tomić, P., Regulation on the protection of the Special nature re- Milojević, S., Kicošev, S., Pavlov, B., Đuričić, J., serve „Carska bara”, Official Gazette of the Repub- Kečkemeti, E., Kikinđanin, J., Borić, D., 1992. Ečka lic of Serbia, No. 46, 2011. Fishpond. DD Ribarsko gazdinstvo Ečka, Lukino Law on nature protection, Official Gazette of the Re- selo, 343. public of Serbia, No. 36/2009. Mortsch, L. 1998. Assessing the impact of climate Walther, G-R., Post, E., Convey, P., Menzel, A., Parme- change on the Great Lakes shoreline wetlands. Cli- sank, C., Beebee, T.J.C., Fromentin, J-M., Hoegh- matic Change 40, 391-416. Guldberg, O., Bairlein, F. 2002. Ecological respons- Nježić, Z., Rosić, Z., 2008. Mud as an effluent from es to recent climate change. Nature 416, 389-395. Ečka Fishpond waters, demudding as a measure of www.iucn.org

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