Urban Development Consequences on the Wetland Ecosystems Transformations—Case Study: Pančevački Rit, Serbia

Abstract

The article analyzes the consequences of one century long human influences on vegetation of the wetland ecosystem, on the example of Pančevački Rit in Belgrade, Serbia. The autochthonous, non-altered ecosystem was formed in the alluvial plain between Danube and Timis River in the formation of connected swamps and bogs with periodically flooded patches. The major transformation of the wetland ecosystem started with the construction of the embankment and dense canal system followed by settlements development, increasing of population density, intensification of agriculture activities etc. The study area transformation factors were identified in the first phase of research, while the second phase includes analyses of their influences on habitat conversion using GIS, with the purpose to preserve fragments of indigenous wetland vegetation, mostly fragile wetland meadows from further degradation.