HR019

General Information

Wetland and aquatic ecosystems in Croatia such as riverine island are the best examples of preserved habitats and intact nature. Old Danube wild islands are located on river Danube at eastern part of Croatia in Nature Park Kopački rit and are representative examples of preserved ecosystems. Alluvial forests of white willow and endangered black poplar present at the site are priority habitat type in Europe; Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior, code 91E0*.  Alongside alluvial forests reeds, meadows, sand bars, shallow water zones, steep banks and oxbows are present at the islands. These habitat types represent ecosystems which are endangered world-wide by water management and regulation. Healthy and dynamic wetland and riverine ecosystems of these islands provide optimal conditions for growth and development of different flora and fauna species thus they are places of high biodiversity and home to some very interesting, protected and rare species of birds such as terns, herons, white-tailed eagles, black storks, many endemic fish species, then reptiles, amphibians and mammals.