On the second day of CASCADE steering committee meeting On May 5th, 2022, a visit to Neretva River Pilot site was organised. The study visit was conducted with the aim to introduce the Pilot area in Dubrovnik Neretva County involved in the project CASCADE and to exchange information on activities and methods.
The study tour started in the minibus with a presentation, who gave general information about the history, heritage and main attractions of Dubrovnik Neretva County. He continued his presentation during the boat trip, where he explained the ecological characterization of the place, focusing on the Neretva River, the five protected areas in the Neretva Delta, Lake Kuti and the ornithological reserve. He said that the Neretva Delta is located in the south of Croatia at the mouth of the Neretva River, and covers an area of 12 thousand hectares. From Metković to the mouth of the river, in the north and northeast, it is bordered by the Dinaric Alps, and in the south are sloping hills. Originally it consisted of twelve sleeves, but after numerous meliorations and cultivation of this agricultural land, the number of sleeves was reduced to only four, and the former wetland of the delta was largely transformed into an agricultural area, also called the California of Croatia.
Dr.sc. Ivana Ujević, Project Manager of PP10 - IOF, also highlighted that the Neretva is the only river in this region that has a delta at its mouth. The delta itself, the lagoons and the spaces filled with brackish water are areas where numerous fish and crayfish spawn. These spaces are essential for migratory processes. She referred to the importance of this area within the project CASCADE, as the Neretva Delta has a great diversity of habitats, especially water and wetlands. She described the advantages of a nature reserve, ecological problems, but also the main species (flora and fauna) and the current management, also in terms of access regulation for visitors.
She also stressed that the delta area in Croatia is considered very important for the protection of nature and biodiversity. Moreover, the whole project area, especially its fragile karst and wetland ecosystems, is threatened by various activities, such as: anthropogenic impacts on freshwater ecosystems and global climate change.
During the study visit, the partners had the opportunity to visit the Neretva River and its surroundings. After a guided tour by boat, CASCADE partners returned to Agro Etno Park Žabac, where they had a snack. The visit ended at 16:30.
