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

Management Challenges in Special Nature Reserve “Gornje ” and Preparations for its Proclamation of Biosphere Reserve

Vladimir StojanovićA*, Stevan SavićA Received: October 2013 | Revised: December 2013 | Accepted: December 2013

Abstract Management of protected natural wetland habitats and flooded plains is a real challenge in nature pro- tection. Such areas consist mainly of mosaic ecosystems, highly sensitive to all natural changes, espe- cially to those of anthropogenic origin. Special nature reserve “” is one of the larg- est and most important wetland habitats in this part of . The area is under protection, but for centuries it been influenced by numerous economic activities. The institutions for nature protec- tion and protected area management face numerous challenges regarding this issue. The paper focus- es on the research of the landscape changes in “Gornje Podunavlje” and its surroundings. They have be- come a sensitive issue under the circumstances when “Gornje Podunavlje” and its broader areas have been nominated for biosphere reserve status. Key words: protected area, landscape changes, “Gornje Podunavlje”, management, biosphere reserve, Mura – – .

Introduction ularization of protection through educational activities Since its foundation, Special nature reserve “Gornje and tourism development, which directly needs wild, Podunavlje” has been managed by Public Enterprise pristine and preserved nature. Vojvodinašume in . Active measures have On the grounds of confronted opinions, it seems been prescribed for this protected area. However, the that all this area is urgently in need for the principle area has been strongly influenced by agriculture, fish- of sustainable development in exploitation of the re- ing, forestry and meliorations for centuries, leaving vis- sources and nature protection. This concept, based on ible traces. Certain activities are currently creating a di- ecologically, socio-culturally and economically bal- lemma, especially the analysis of forestry development anced development (Baker, 2006; Elliott, 2013) may and its impact on ecosystems (Puzović, 2002). This ac- become useful in various protected areas (Stojanović, tivity is under jurisdiction of the management. On the 2005). Sustainable tourism approach should be par- other hand, numerous educational and tourism ac- ticularly directed to local population communities. tivities (Stojanović et al, 2013) contribute to populari- Trends and aims of sustainable utilisation of pro- ty of nature protection in “Gornje Podunavlje”. In ac- tected areas may also be found within the biosphere complishing the task, the management is supported reserve concept. Biosphere reserves introduce a dy- by professional and non-governmental organizations. namic and acceptable concept of nature protection Therefore, the activity span of the management starts as a form of international status in nature protec- at forestry development, which is mainly considered to tion that has the aim to integrate nature protection, have negative impact on habitats, and continues to pop- research and exploitation in order to satisfy human

A Climatology and Hydrology Research Centre, Faculty of Science, University of , Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, * Corresponding author: Vladimir Stojanović: [email protected]

98 Geographica Pannonica • Volume 17, Issue 4, 98-105 (December 2013) Vladimir Stojanović, Stevan Savić

Figure 1. Habitat map in Special nature reserve “Gornje Podunavlje” Source: www.gornjepodunavlje.info

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needs (www.unesco.org). In essence it is based on sus- known ornithological values, this natural asset was tainable development idea. “Gornje Podunavlje” with added to the IBA area list under the name “Gornje Po- its broader area was nominated for the biosphere re- dunavlje” in 1989 (Greemet, Jones, 1989). It was added serve Mura-Drava-Danube in 2013 (Panjković et al, to the Ramsar list in 2007 (www.ramsar.org). “Gorn- 2013). This form of protection might become the turn- je Podunavlje” became IPA area in 2007. In Septem- ing point in current managerial concept and definite- ber 2013, “Gornje Podunavlje” together with its broad- ly a stronger impulse in sustainable resources exploi- er surroundings was nominated for Biospere reserve tation in “Gornje Podunavlje”. status (Mura – Drava – Danube). Simultaneously, this status would create the highest opportunity for im- proving protection activities through sustainable eco- History and protection dynamics nomic activities. Special nature reserve “Gornje Podunavlje” is situ- ated in the north-western part of Serbia (), Landscape changes due to exploitation near the Danube banks, including numerous habi- of the resources tats in Apatinski rit, Monoštorski rit and Karapandža (Figure 1). This area has always attracted people for “Gornje Podunavlje” with its surroundings has a com- its abundance in natural resources, and currently the plex landscape history. Inevitably, the activities of the reason is primarily nature protection. In broader sur- people have changed significantly or even essentially roundings of the reserve there are nine settlements the landscape. Each period in the development of hu- with the population of 83,000. man communities particularly influenced the evolu- The first activities in landscape protection and nat- tion of natural features in the region. ural assets in this area commenced in the year 1955 Agriculture has been one of the most important hu- when Institute for nature protection passed the res- man activities in this area for millennia. It is close- olution on protection of forests in Monoštor as habi- ly connected to first inhabitants of this part of the tats of White-tailed Eagle and Black Stork. Eight years Pannonian plain. Archaeological site Donja Branjevi- later the municipality of reached the decision na near the village contains the remains of on protecting the mixture of trees: poplar, white pop- Starčevo culture. The Early Age brought sig- lar, willow, etc. in the area of Monoštorski rit (600 ha) nificant changes to behaviour of the human commu- as a strict nature reserve. Moreover, following the pro- nities. Survival strategy, based on hunting and gath- posal of the Provincial institute for nature protection, ering, was gradually replaced by food production the municipality passed the resolution on protecting through development of agriculture, primarily land forests near Monoštor, as a strict nature reserve (74.93 cultivation. Mobility of hunting-gathering communi- ha). At the same time 6.06 ha of forests was put under ties was replaced by trends of establishing permanent protection as natural monument. The municipality of settlements. New technologies, necessary for everyday put under protection the area of Bestrement life were acquired (Medović, 2001). The present sur- (9.63 ha) as a reserve for maintaining the fund of rare roundings of the reserve are almost completely agri- and endangered flora and fauna in 1987. However, the cultural with dominating arable land. Parallel to agri- most important year for creating the present protect- cultural development cattle breeding was developing ed area “Gornje Podunavlje” was 1982, when munic- especially in salt marshes (near Sombor, and ipalities of Sombor and Apatin reached the decision, ) the areas suitable for this branch. based on the proposal of Provincial institute for na- For centuries in the newer history there was the im- ture protection, to form Regional nature park “Gornje pression that Vojvodina was the abandoned and un- Podunavlje” (Kovačević et al, 2000). cultivated land. It was only during the reign of the The professionals from the Institute for nature pro- when huge regulation works tection of Serbia started revision and valorisation of were started aiming at populating and economic “Gornje Podunavlje” in 1996. Field research was con- growth of the region. Colonisations were frequent in ducted in the period 1996-1998 to validate natural the mid 18th century when, influenced by such activ- characteristics and decide upon the category of nat- ities and the need for numerous regulation works in ural assets in concordance with the current law. In the following period, the landscape started to change 2001, the whole process underwent the legal regula- its original shape. Also, the population increase im- tions and “Gornje Podunavlje” was pronounced a spe- plied large-scale exploitation of various resources. cial nature reserve (Official gazette of the Republic of It was already in the 18th century when fishing in- Serbia, No.45/2001). creased significantly. The short review of Sonta in 1720 “Gornje Podunavlje” is related to several inter- asserted that the inhabitants of the village had large in- national statuses in nature protection. Due to well- come, especially from fishing on the Danube, and fre-

100 Geographica Pannonica • Volume 17, Issue 4, 98-105 (December 2013) Vladimir Stojanović, Stevan Savić quently the turning point in fishing development was Siga, Ampovo and Adica, whereas Dravski water ca- the Theresian colonisation, when Apatin was turned nal cut off the meander surrounding Srebrnica (Buku- into a large admission centre for colonised . rov, 1975). Besides these changes in “Gornje Podunav- From that time onwards there was the boom of crafts lje” there was a whole range of other smaller regulation in the settlement. At the end of the 18th century, there works that had crucial impact on hydrography of the were 426 craftsmen and 200 fishermen. They brought area and were conducted at the turn of the century. precious experience from their homeland (the upper Among the most significant was the deepening of the Danube, the Rhine, and the Main), yet unknown to meander bed Baračka in the northern part of the re- the inhabitants of this region. Among the most useful serve. South from this bifurcation, South ca- were the various uses of large fishing nets. When they nal was dug (1,175 m) and Ruvac Kopolja near the formed their own guilds in 1830, the fishermen were Great Bački canal had to be cut because it endangered in such large number that neither of the towns on the the nearby dam (Borovszky, 1909). The number of reg- Danube from Bratislava to Orsova could be compared ulation works, which are of vital importance for the to Apatin by the number of professional fishermen inhabitants and settlements, is impossible to count in (Bukvić, 1969). At that time the town had the - the whole area. ing role in freshwater fishing on the whole territory of The dike building changed the physiognomy of the -. Fishing has remained one of the im- landscape in “Gornje Podunavlje”. The dikes were built portant economic activities up to the present. in previous centuries to protect settlements and cul- Serous melioration works in Bačka started in the tivated land threatened by the Danube floods. Build- second half of the 18th century when in large planned ing and strengthening of the dikes was most promi- colonisation higher needs for arable land were cre- nent in the 20th century. One of the examples of total ated. Under the new circumstances it was necessary change in the scenery was the area of Siga – Kazuk to undertake melioration works in order to drain the inMonoštorski rit, which was joined to the protect- marshes and swamps and obtain more arable land ed part of alluvial plain after the building of the dike (Petrović, 1978). The first most significant results in in 1966 (Hydrological study of Monoštorski rit Siga - collecting excess ground waters and redirecting them Kazuk, 1988). Comparative analysis of habitat condi- to – the flow 47 km long in south-west and tions in Monoštorski and Apatinski rit, subject to the south rim of Bačka loess plateau were visible in 1785 flooding Danube, offers the evidence on total change near Kula and Vrbas after the canal was digged be- of landscape values under the influence of dike build- tween the two settlements. The designer of the canal ing. The area of Apatinski rit has mainly preserved its was Jožef Kišnač who launched the initiative to ex- authentic features, but the area of Monoštorski rit has tend the canal to . In that way the problem of wa- been degraded which is perceived in the changes of ter-drainage of large marshes and moors was solved. small vegetation, decreased forests growth, and de- The canal Sivac-Vrbas-Crna bara, about 30 km long, creased food potential for game. Finally, higher mo- had huge importance for its main purpose was grav- bility of the people is provided which is an additional ity drainage of excess waters. Moreover, this canal threat to the area. was the base for the implementation of another great idea of Jožef Kiš, the building of the navigable ca- Management in Special nature reserve nal beetween the Danube and the Tisa, i.e. the Great “Gornje Podunavlje” Bačka canal which was opened in 1802. Apart from its traffic role, this canal, was also a drainage system for Special nature reserve “Gornje Podunavlje” has been excess water into the river Tisa (Milošev, 2002). The managed by Public Company Vojvodinašume from Great Bačka canal is situated in the Special nature re- Petrovaradin since its proclamation in July 2001. With serve “Gornje Podunavlje”. the aim of its long-termed protection and preserva- The Danube flow was several times changed by cut- tion ten year management and annual management ting meanders to shorten the navigation route at the plans are designed with the following activities: plan- end of the 19th century and beginning of 20th centu- ning documents and managing documents; custody ry. On that occasion, regulation works on the digging and inspection; monitoring the condition; coopera- of the Danube’s new riverbed were conducted. Three tion with users and stakeholders; protection and pres- water canals were dug:Blaževački, between 1,386th and ervation of natural assets; measures for protection 1,383th river kilometre, Sigajski between 1,416th and and exploitation of natural resources; development 1,408th river kilometre and Dravski between 1,386th activities; scientific and research activities; cultural, and 1,383th river kilometre. Blaževački water canal cut educational, tourist – recreational activities; project off the meander around Blaževac, Sigajski water canal activities; regulating and equipping the area; interna- cut off the meanders around Veliki and Mali Kazuk, tional cooperation; (Internal data and documents of

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Figure 2. The water canal Sirota at the site Karapandža. Demudding and canal cleaning as activities in nature protection are of special importance for preservation of wetland habitats. Photo by V. Stojanović

the managerial body, 2013). All the activities are in ac- ducted. At the locality Karapandža the works on ca- cord with the obligations of the management pursu- nal Sirota (to irrigate and maintain wet areas (Figure ant to the Law on nature protection (Official Gazette 2)) were conducted in 2012. In the future, the water of the Republic of Serbia, No. 36/2009). will be let into the water intake structure to the de- Since the proclamation of Special nature reserve sired water level. Apart from hydrotechnical adapta- “Gornje Podunavlje” several activities have been con- tion of forest and swamp area in Karapandža, project ducted with the aim of preserving and protection of implementation would enable water utilisation for iri- natural assets. These activities have been mainly fo- gation of cultivated land outside the area. The works cused on preservation of natural features of wetlands, on demudding the water canal Sirota were also the which have been drained for centuries. part of the project (www.vdpzapadnabacka.co.rs/ak- During the preparation activities for proclama- tuelno.htm). tion of special nature reserve in its south part, known Cooperation of management with Provincial in- as Apatinski rit, several interventions were conduct- stitute for nature protection and Provincial secretar- ed with the aim to provide undisturbed flow of the iat for urbanism, civil engineering and nature protec- flooding Danube. At the locality Staklara, due to the tion brought to revitalisation of wetlands at locality building of the local road for forestry needs, the ca- Štrbac, in the north part of the reserve. This area is es- nal Bakšan was obstructed. Pipe installation into the pecially important for mosaic type of habitat which road draiange ditches re-enabled unobstructed flow has been degraded due to negative anthropogenic in- of water, essential for habitats in north Staklara. At fluence.The locality is recognisable not only by its pre- the same time the Staklarski bifurcation was covered vailing xerophylous forests adapted to salty land, salty with soil and baffled. The demudding works preserved marshes, wet depressions, but also by the meandering this valuable meandre with the regime of the second river Plazović and several swamps.Semenjača swamp level protection. is completely covered in shrubs 2-3 meters high. Parts In the north part of the reserve several hydrologi- of these plants were picked by hydraulic cable to avoid cal regulation works to preserve wetlands were con- the possibility of regrowth. Biomass was deposited out

102 Geographica Pannonica • Volume 17, Issue 4, 98-105 (December 2013) Vladimir Stojanović, Stevan Savić of the reserve in abandoned clay pits. Open water ar- ing the endangered species, driving a terrain vehi- eas that are suitable as habitats for numerous species cle and taking a carriage ride. Increasing ecotourism were recreated by removing hydrofile vegetation. Such trends are expected in the reserve in the future years. actions of ecological management definitely have However, the development of forestry is the most great impact on preservation of wetlands, which fur- disputed issue in management type applied in the ther influence micro- and mesoclimate to a certain “Gornje Podunavlje”. The main problem is the over extent. The wetlands impact on air temperature and breeding the poplar trees. Protected areas in Serbia precipitation is obvious, thus they moderate climat- are also managed by the institutions appointed by the ic changes. state to manage the forests. Occasionally, there is the Research area is located in the southern part of the public opinion that interventions and jurisdiction of Pannonian Plain, characterized by Holocene sedi- management as economic user of forests and nature ments with gentle relief, and the climate is general- protectors are uncoordinated (Puzović, 2002). ly free from orographic effects. According to Köpen- Geiger climate classification, the region is categorized Biosphere reserve status – as Cf climate (temperate warm climate with a rather sustainable development model uniform annual distribution of precipitation) (Kottek in “Gornje Podunavlje” and the region et al. 2006). Therefore, wetlands probably have an in- fluence on microclimate conditions, i.e. decrease ex- Serbia nominated a part of its territory for trans- treme cold spells during the winter and high temper- boundary biosphere reserve Mura – Drava – Danube atures during the summer. At the same time, it can be in September 2013 (Panjković et al, 2013). Proposal for noticed a slightly increasing tendencies in precipita- biosphere reserve, which will be shared nd managed tion amount, comparing to agricultural bare lands in by five countries (Austria, , Hungary, surroundings. and Serbia) was submitted by WWF and EuroNatura Biological research and monitoring organized by (Figure 3). These organsiations have led the campaign several institutions, including the managerial one are for protection of the rivers Mura, Drave, Danube and of highest importance, such as monitoring of White- against all forms of their pollution and degradation tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Black Stork (Cico- from the early 1990s. During such activities the gov- nia nigra) and protection and improvement of nesting ernments of countries proclaimed 13 protected areas, conditions for Tawny Owl (Strix aluco). Apart from enabling of transboundary cooperation. Only Croa- organized monitoring and research of certain species, tian and Hungarian parts of biosphere reserve have there has been a continuous work on project research, been officially approved. Awaiting the proclamation revitalization and protection of habitat projects in of the Danube banks in Bačka, where Special nature Crna bara and Široki rit. These projects are realized reserve “Gornje Podunavlje” lies, as the part of trans- in cooperation with World Wildlife Fund and main- boundary biosphere reserve, a question arises about ly aimed at protection of wetland habitats in “Gorn- opportunities that this status brings in nature protec- je Podunavlje”. Otherwise, protection of similar areas tion and exploitation of resources. has been improved in recent years and WWF has set Biosphere reserves are inland and coastal ecosys- the goal to protect 1.5 million hectares of flooded are- tems recognised within UNESCO programme: Man as or to connect them with the river by the year 2020. and biosphere. Every biosphere reserve should fulfil Frequently, protection and management pro- three criteria: protection – comprising the preserva- grammes highlight the importance of education in tion of genetic resources, types, ecosystems and land- ecology, especially in terms of tourism development. scapes; development – which enables economic and Ecotourism is based on visits by tourist, experts and social development and support – which comprises individuals interested in nature protection and learn- demonstrational projects, training and education in ing about nature.Ecotourism may significantly con- environment protection. tribute to raising awareness about nature conserva- Challenges in protecting natural assets should also tion (Fennel, 1999). Educative and thematic tours/ be observed through the aspirations to the proclama- trails that provide information on natural values are tion of biosphere reserve. For centuries “Gornje Podu- segments of tourist offer. There are three marked navlje” has been under fierce impact of economic ac- trails in Special nature reserve “Gornje Podunavlje”: tivities of the people. With the tendency to protect this Karapandža (3 km); Bestrement (3 km) and Štrbac (2 area at international level it is urgently needed to ap- km). The management of the Special nature reserve ply concept of sustainable development to protection “Gornje Podunavlje” also offers the following activities and exploitation of the resources in “Gornje Podu- for tourists: renting a boat, sailing on the Danube for navlje”. Sensibility of wetland ecosystems and flood- organized groups, tourist guide services, photograph- ed plains additionally complicates this task. The solu-

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Figure 3. Riverbanks of the Mura, the Drava and the Danube – potential cross boundaries biosphere reserve, known as European Amazon tions of sustainable development are to be sought in Conclusion cooperation and experience exchange with countries The landscapes in “Gornje Podunavlje” were strongly sharing the biosphere reserve, since all its parts share influenced by agriculture, melioration and forestry similar history of utilisation of the area, which was in the past. However, the patches of well-preserved based on the development of agriculture, fishing, cat- nature rightfully deserve national protection catego- tle breeding and forestry (Trenc et al, 2007; Hungar- ry as well as numerous international protections sta- ian-Croatian Mura-Drava-Danube Transboundary tuses (IBA, IPA, Ramsar, MaB). Ruined and devas- Biosphere Reserve, 2009; Panjković et al, 2013). Basic tated localities, primarily habitats subject to changes activity should be directed to preserving valuable eco- due to the lack of water where it was the dominant systems, then to sustainable development of economic factor of the environment, have to be revitalised (e.g. activities such as ecological agriculture and ecotour- Monoštorski rit, Karapandža, Štrbac). Biosphere re- ism. Most of the biosphere reserves perceive their op- serve status should enable larger investments in sim- portunity in tourism and similar situation is valid for ilar projects thus confirming the global importance all neighbouring countries (Johnson, 2004). Further- of the protected area. With regard to the fact that more, forestry needs to rest upon the principles of sus- nature degradation process is caused by human ac- tainable development and integrate into principles of tivities, it is highly important that biosphere reserve nature protection. status demonstrates different types of sustainable Habitat revitalisation activities are needed in order development. As far as “Gornje Podunavlje” is con- to diminish negative impacts from the past, which is cerned, those new types can and have to be found in not only the feature of “Gornje Podunavlje”, but also new research, ecological education, tours in the re- of the areas in neighbouring Hungary and Croatia. serve, programmes of tourism development and ben- There is also the opportunity for employment of the efits for the locals who reasonably expect a lot from local population by participating in the projects. this project.

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Milošev, Ž. 2002. Hydro-technical workd in Acknowledgment and Bačka prior to building the hydrosystem Dan- The authors acknowledge the financial support of the ube-Tisa-Danube, Hydrosystem Danube-Tisa- Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Danube - 25 years later, Public company Vode Vo- Serbia (Project III 43005) jvodine, NoviSad, 1-22. Panjković B., Tucakov, M., Perić, R., Delić, J., Pil, N., Galamboš. L., Dobretić, V., Sabadoš, K., Kovačev, References N., Bošnjak, T., Timotić, D., Kiš, A., Stojanović, V., Baker, S. 2006. Sustainable Development. Routledge. Sekulić, G., Erg, B., Dimović, D., Bađura, S., 2013. Abingdon. Mura – Drava – Danube, Biosphere Reserve Nomi- Borovszky, S. 1909. Bács-Bodrog vármegye, Budapest. nation Form, Novi Sad (Serbia). Bukurov, B. 1975. Physical-geografical problems in Petrović, N. 1978. Navigation and economy of the Bačka, Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, De- Middle Danube during mercantilist period, His- partment of natural sciences, book 43, torical institute, Belgrade. Bukvić, M. 1969. Apatin through centuries, Cultural- Puzović, S. 2002. Poplar plantages and protection of educational community, Apatin. wetlands and biodiversity, Forests, No. 67, Serbian Elliott, J. 2013. An Introduction to Sustainable Devel- forests, Belgrade. opment. Routledge. Abingdon. Stojanović, V. 2005. Sustainable tourism in special na- Greemet, R., Jones, C. 1989. Important Bird Areas in ture reserves in Vojvodina, Department of Geog- Europe - . ICBP TehnicalPublication. raphy, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Hydrological study of Monoštorski rit Siga-Kazuk, Science, Novi Sad. Faculty of agriculture, Scientific-educational insti- Stojanović, V., Đorđević, J., Lazić, L., Stamenković, tute for water management, Novi Sad, 1988. I., Dragićević, V. 2013. The Principles of Sustaine- Hungarian-Croatian Mura-Drava-Danube Trans- ble Development of Tourism in the Special Nature boundary Biosphere Reserve, Budapest, 2009. Reserve “Gornje Podunavlje” and their impact on Internal data and documents of the managerial body, the local Communities. Acta Geographica Sloveni- 2013. ca. Special issue - SyCULTour 2014. http://giam.zrc- Johnson, C., (2004): Ecotourism Planning Considera- sazu.si/?q=en/node/640 tions in eastern , Ecotourism: Man- Trenc, N., Barić, B., Palada, D., Rodić-Baranović, P., agement and Assessment, Thomson, London. Duplić, A., Jeremić, J., Kopjar, S., Grlica, I., Vukelić, Fennel, D., A., 1999. Ecotourism: An introduction, J., Trninić, D., Karoglan-Todorović, S., Mračković, Routledge, London. M., Marčić, Z., Mađerić, B., Mikuska, T., 2007. Kottek, M., Grieser, J., Beck, C., Rudolf, B., Rubel, F. Mura – Drava – Danube, Biosphere Reserve Nom- 2006. World map of the Köppen-Geiger climate ination Form, State Institute for Nature Protection classification updated.Meteorologische Zeitschrift (Croatia). 15, 259-263. Decree on protection in Special nature reserve “Gorn- Kovačević, B., et al, 2000. Special nature reserve je Podunavlje”, Official Gazette of the Republic of “Gornje Podunavlje”, Proposal for protecting the Serbia, No. 45, 2001. area as natural asset of extraordinary importance, Law on nature protection, Official Gazette of the Re- Institute for nature protection in Serbia, Depart- public of Serbia, No. 36/2009. ment in Novi Sad, Novi Sad. www.gornjepodunavlje.info Medović, P. 2001. Prehistory on the territory of Vojvo- www.ramsar.org dina. Prometej. Military publishing institute. Novi www.unesco.org Sad. www.vdpzapadnabacka.co.rs/aktuelno.htm

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