干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

Zagreb, a capital city with about one million inhabitants, is situated between the river Sava and the Zagrebacka Gora mountain. In areas that represent the remains of an old river watercourse together with its small backwater channels and deserted gravel pits, artificial lakes now stand, representing the remaining natural green oases in the town itself. The richness of the flora and fauna that is typical of the rivers in these areas has been conserved, its attraction and specific value adding to the possibility of taking recreation in a natural setting. The preservation of woods, wood sides, hedgerows, meadows, pastures, rocky and marshy biotopes and the incorporation of indigenous vegetation in the landscaping of public green areas is of crucial importance. Existing parts of biotopes near water, such as open water areas, coastal vegetation, little islands, shrubberies, and nearby woodlands, demand careful attention and manipulation so that the requirements for nature conservation and for peoples' needs for recreation are respected. In this paper, the current state of different biotopes in two artificial lakes near the river Sava will be presented as well as an inventory of several valuable plant associations and some maintenance measures that are being carried out.