This volume provides a comprehensive overview of environmental aspects of the Sava River which
is the greatest tributary to the Danube River and the major drainage river system of South
Eastern Europe. Hydroelectric power plants river traffic intensive agricultural activities
heavy industry and floods have considerable influence on the environment and biota in the
basin. Summarizing the results that were gathered in the course of EU bilateral and national
projects the book highlights the most important stressors and helps readers to better
understand the impact of anthropogenic activities on the function of river basins. Topics
include: transboundary water cooperation between the riparian countries climate change
projection including its impact on flood hazards evaluation of anthropogenic pollution
sources pollution of sediments metal bioavailability and ecotoxicological and microbiological
characterization of the river. The biological part also addresses quality aspects related to
wildlife in river aquatic ecosystems (algae macrophytes zooplankton macroinvertebrates and
fish) and riparian ecosystems (amphibians reptiles birds and mammals). The general state of
biodiversity and pressures caused by invasive aquatic species are also discussed.
