Zasavica (bog)
Encyclopedia
The Zasavica is a bog
in the region of Mačva
, west-central Serbia
. With Obedska bara and Carska Bara
one of the major wildlife refuge
s and one of the last authentically preserved wetlands in Serbia. In the 2000s became a popular attracton with the successful reintroduction
of the beavers, which became extinct hundred years ago.
. The entire Zasavica system is located in the Mačva region and is administratively divided between the province of Vojvodina
(northern part; municipality of Sremska Mitrovica) and Central Serbia
(southern part; municipality of Bogatić
. It roughly extends between the settlements of Crna Bara
, Banovo Polje
, Ravnje
, Zasavica I
, Zasavica II
, Salaš Noćajski
, Noćaj
and Mačvanska Mitrovica
.
in the floodplain
of the Sava river. It is a typical elongated oxbow (in Serbian
: mrtvaja, dead [water]). The fossilized, parallel bed of the Sava is so elogated that it actually stretches almost to the Drina
river. In time, Zasavica
river was formed from the subterranean waters from the Drina and from several streams, most notably, Duboka Jovača and Prekopac canal (gravitationally, from the Cer
mountain. The final section connecting Zasavica and Sava has been channeled (Bogaz canal). The river slowly meanders into and through the bog, widening from 50 metres (54.7 yd) meters to almost 300 metres (328.1 yd). The marsh, consisting of several connected bogs, covers an area of 11.5 square kilometres (4.4 sq mi). During normal water levels, the bog is 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) deep on average, but it can get up to 10 metres (32.8 ft) deep. The marshland's altitude varies from 76 to 82 meters (250 to 270 ft). The entire biotype
includes also the Batar stream and several other canal-tributaries to Zasavica, and consists of an ecological row of water and marsh systems with fragments of flooded meadows and forests. Through the rivers Sava and Danube, the Zasavica biotype belongs to the Black Sea
drainage basin
.
.
From recent history, Zasavica is known as both the hiding place and a battle ground of Zeka Buljubaša, one of the heroes of the First Serbian Uprising
. He was finally defeated and killed by the Ottomans in Zasavica in 1813.
and since 2001 it is a member of the Europark Federation, federation of the national parks od Europe
.
, yellow waterlily
, water soldier
, fringed water-lily
, marsh nettle, sweet flag
, aquatic bladderwort
, triangular club-rush
, Common Mare's Tail
, water violet
, greater spearwort and the endemic Pannonian plain species of Pannonian cornflower
. In the Valjevac section of Zasavica a rare and endangered marshland bio-community Acoro-Glyceretum maximae is found.
. Poisonous mushrooms are rare and few, including panther cap
, death cap
and yellow-staining mushroom
.
, willow
or black alder. Alluvial slopes are inhabited by Pedunculate Oak
, European hornbeam
, linden
and European Turkey oak. Since 1962 a 1.1 square kilometres (271.8 acre) plantations of willow and hybride poplars were planted. White orchid also lives in Zasavica.
is represented with 234 species and zooplankton
with 220. Representatives of the first group are the Batrachospermnum algae, fresh water sponge (Spongilla lacustris) and fresh water jellyfish
(Craspedacustra sowerbii). Out of the second group, 21 taxa are new and recently discovered in Serbia.
(out of 35 living in Zasavica) and endemic Balkan species including three recently discovered in Serbia: Syrian longhorn beetle (Arhopalus syriacus), Morinus asper and Agapanthia lais. Sprecies of Cerambyx cerdo
and Morinus funereus are protected. Endemic and rare cricket Zeuneriana amplipennis, living only in Serbia, is also found.
family. Of those, 20 species ar autochthonous and three are imported (two from North America
, one from China
), though even the common carp
had been introduced by Roman
s. Seven species are protected: Umbra krameri, Rhodeus sericeus amarus, loach
(Misgumus fossilis), Cobitis tenia, etc. Six species are classified as endangered, five as vulnerable and six as rare. As part of the "Return of the autochthonous species of fish" project, wels catfish
has been reintroduced into Zasavica.
and eastern sub-species of the sand lizard
, Lacerta agilis bosnica, which is European Protected Species
.
and spotted crake
, Zasavica is included in the list of IBA, important bird areas. Since 1998, 20 artificial nesting platforms are placed throughout the reservation. Other species include common moorhen
, little grebe
, Eurasian coot
, great reed warbler
, little bittern
, mallard
, common quail
, white stork
, black stork
, Eurasian bittern, white-tailed eagle
, Western marsh harrier
, common kestrel
, mute swan
, northern lapwing
, etc.
, which are protected all over Europe. Otters were not spotted for years though. Recent but unconfirmed sightings of otters recently prompted the ecology organisations from Sremska Mitrovica to announce an award for those who capture otter on camera. Fur animals also live in Zasavica, most notably muskrat
. Eurasian Shrew, striped field mouse
, fat dormouse and several species of bats are listed as rarities in Serbia.
. In Serbia it has been protected in 1993. In March 2008 the fish has been discovered in the village of Bački Monoštor
, near town of Sombor
, almost 150 kilometers north of Zasavica.
, in western Serbia. Pasture "Valjevac", near the small Goransko-ribolovačko lake was chosen as their home. The pasture has an area of 3 square kilometers and today numbers 50 cattle. Breeding of Podolian cattle is being part of the program for the preservation of the animal species, developed by the Serbian Ministry of agriculture.
is the only surviving autochthonous Serbian breed of domesticated pig. Other two, Šiška and Šumadinka died out. A breed, also known as "woolen pig", due to its good qualities, is considered a "noble", but it almost died out in the 1980s. Its fat has up to 80 % cholesterol
and triglycerides less than a common, white pig. In 1998 Mangulica was introduced in Zasavica, but unlike Podolian cattle, they are left to roam free in the reservation, becoming feral
since then. A cases of breeding with wild boar are known.
. Initial fears that the beavers will not adapt proved to be groundless as very soon first dam was spotted and the animals began to reproduce. A dam is 30 metres (32.8 yd) long and 1.8 foot (0.54864 m) tall (of that, 0.8 metres (2.6 ft) above the water) and located at the Batar's mouth into Zasavica. In the late 2006 a dam in the canal Glušci, which flows into the Zasavica, was discovered and the beavers, though not the dams, are spotted in the river of Jadar
some 35 kilometres (21.7 mi) to the south down the Drina. As the area surrounding the Zasavica is entirely agricultural, farmers don’t share the excitement of the biologists as they claim the beavers ruin their crops saying that was the original reason for their extinction a hundred years ago
Bog
A bog, quagmire or mire is a wetland that accumulates acidic peat, a deposit of dead plant material—often mosses or, in Arctic climates, lichens....
in the region of Mačva
Macva
Mačva is a geographical region in Serbia, mostly situated in the northwest of Central Serbia. It is located in a fertile plain between the Sava and Drina rivers. The chief town of this region is Šabac. The modern Mačva District of Serbia is named after the region, although the region of Mačva...
, west-central Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
. With Obedska bara and Carska Bara
Carska Bara
Carska Bara is the largest individual bog and one of the major nature reserves in Serbia. It is located in the Banat region of the province of Vojvodina.- Location :...
one of the major wildlife refuge
Wildlife refuge
A wildlife refuge, also called a wildlife sanctuary, may be a naturally occurring sanctuary, such as an island, that provides protection for species from hunting, predation or competition, or it may refer to a protected area, a geographic territory within which wildlife is protected...
s and one of the last authentically preserved wetlands in Serbia. In the 2000s became a popular attracton with the successful reintroduction
Reintroduction
Reintroduction is the deliberate release of a species into the wild in zones formerly inhabited by said species but where it has disappeared from for a number of reasons, from captivity or relocated from other areas where the species still survives in...
of the beavers, which became extinct hundred years ago.
Location
Zasavica is located just several kilometers across the Sava river from the town of Sremska MitrovicaSremska Mitrovica
Sremska Mitrovica is a city and municipality located in the Vojvodina province of Serbia, on the left bank of the Sava river. As of 2002 the town had a total population of 39,041, while Sremska Mitrovica municipality had a population of 85,605...
. The entire Zasavica system is located in the Mačva region and is administratively divided between the province of Vojvodina
Vojvodina
Vojvodina, officially called Autonomous Province of Vojvodina is an autonomous province of Serbia. Its capital and largest city is Novi Sad...
(northern part; municipality of Sremska Mitrovica) and Central Serbia
Central Serbia
Central Serbia , also referred to as Serbia proper , was the region of Serbia from 1945 to 2009. It included central parts of Serbia outside of the autonomous provinces of Kosovo and Vojvodina. The region of Central Serbia was not an administrative division of Serbia as such; it was under the...
(southern part; municipality of Bogatić
Bogatic
Bogatić is a little town and municipality located in the Mačva District of Serbia. In 2011, the population of the town is 6,470, while population of the municipality is 28,879.-History:...
. It roughly extends between the settlements of Crna Bara
Crna Bara
Crna Bara is the name of several villages in Serbia:* Crna Bara , near Čoka* Crna Bara , near Bogatić* Crna Bara , near Aleksinac* Crna Bara , near Vlasotince...
, Banovo Polje
Banovo Polje
Banovo Polje is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Bogatić municipality, in the Mačva District. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 1,619 people .-See also:*List of places in Serbia*Mačva...
, Ravnje
Ravnje
Ravnje is a village in Serbia. It is located in the Sremska Mitrovica municipality, in the Srem District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 1,413,463 people...
, Zasavica I
Zasavica I
Zasavica I , also known as Zasavica or Gornja Zasavica , is a village in Serbia. It is located in the Sremska Mitrovica municipality, in the Srem District, Vojvodina province...
, Zasavica II
Zasavica II
Zasavica II , also known as Donja Zasavica or Zasavica , is a village in Serbia. It is located in the Sremska Mitrovica municipality, in the Srem District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 707 people...
, Salaš Noćajski
Salaš Nocajski
Salaš Noćajski is a village in Serbia, near more known village Noćaj. It is located in the Sremska Mitrovica municipality, in the Srem District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 1,879 people...
, Noćaj
Nocaj
Noćaj is a village in northern Serbia. It is located in the Sremska Mitrovica municipality, in the Srem District, Vojvodina province. The population of Noćaj numbering 2,120 people , and most of its inhabitants are ethnic Serbs .-Geography:Geographically, Noćaj is situated in the northern part of...
and Mačvanska Mitrovica
Macvanska Mitrovica
Mačvanska Mitrovica is a town located in the Sremska Mitrovica municipality, in the Srem District of Serbia. It is situated in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina...
.
Geography
The Zasavica bog is a marshy lowlandUpland and lowland (freshwater ecology)
In studies of the ecology of freshwater rivers, habitats are classified as upland and lowland.-Definitions:Upland habitats are cold, clear, rocky, fast flowing rivers in mountainous areas; lowland habitats are warm, slow flowing rivers found in relatively flat lowland areas, with water that is...
in the floodplain
Floodplain
A floodplain, or flood plain, is a flat or nearly flat land adjacent a stream or river that stretches from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls and experiences flooding during periods of high discharge...
of the Sava river. It is a typical elongated oxbow (in Serbian
Serbian language
Serbian is a form of Serbo-Croatian, a South Slavic language, spoken by Serbs in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and neighbouring countries....
: mrtvaja, dead [water]). The fossilized, parallel bed of the Sava is so elogated that it actually stretches almost to the Drina
Drina
The Drina is a 346 kilometer long river, which forms most of the border between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. It is the longest tributary of the Sava River and the longest karst river in the Dinaric Alps which belongs to the Danube river watershed...
river. In time, Zasavica
Zasavica
Zasavica can refer to:* Zasavica , a village near Bosanski Šamac, Bosnia and Herzegovina* Zasavica , a river in Serbia* Zasavica , a bog in Serbia* Zasavica I, a village in Serbia* Zasavica II, a village in Serbia...
river was formed from the subterranean waters from the Drina and from several streams, most notably, Duboka Jovača and Prekopac canal (gravitationally, from the Cer
Cer (mountain)
Cer is a mountain in western Serbia, 30 kilometers from Šabac, 100 kilometers west of Belgrade. The highest peak is 689 m high.During World War I, the Battle of Cer was fought on Cer, in which Serbian forces defeated Austria-Hungary....
mountain. The final section connecting Zasavica and Sava has been channeled (Bogaz canal). The river slowly meanders into and through the bog, widening from 50 metres (54.7 yd) meters to almost 300 metres (328.1 yd). The marsh, consisting of several connected bogs, covers an area of 11.5 square kilometres (4.4 sq mi). During normal water levels, the bog is 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) deep on average, but it can get up to 10 metres (32.8 ft) deep. The marshland's altitude varies from 76 to 82 meters (250 to 270 ft). The entire biotype
Biotope
Biotope is an area of uniform environmental conditions providing a living place for a specific assemblage of plants and animals. Biotope is almost synonymous with the term habitat, but while the subject of a habitat is a species or a population, the subject of a biotope is a biological community.It...
includes also the Batar stream and several other canal-tributaries to Zasavica, and consists of an ecological row of water and marsh systems with fragments of flooded meadows and forests. Through the rivers Sava and Danube, the Zasavica biotype belongs to the Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
drainage basin
Drainage basin
A drainage basin is an extent or an area of land where surface water from rain and melting snow or ice converges to a single point, usually the exit of the basin, where the waters join another waterbody, such as a river, lake, reservoir, estuary, wetland, sea, or ocean...
.
Human history
Remains show that humans were already settled the marshy areas of Mačva in 5000 BCE. They made canals and water alleys in the marsh, using them both for irrigation and drainage. That way, they participated in the volatile process of constant change of the Sava and Drina rivers directions, creation of meanders, change of the landscape, etc. Time erased memories of the first recorded settlers and the remains of their work was attributed by the later settlers as the work of giants, creating one of two popular legends in Zasavica. Other legend connected to the area is that of winged dragons. Ancient Celtic maps show area of Zasavica as one of 8 dragon-inhabited places in the BalkansBalkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
.
From recent history, Zasavica is known as both the hiding place and a battle ground of Zeka Buljubaša, one of the heroes of the First Serbian Uprising
First Serbian Uprising
The First Serbian Uprising was the first stage of the Serbian Revolution , the successful wars of independence that lasted for 9 years and approximately 9 months , during which Serbia perceived itself as an independent state for the first time after more than three centuries of Ottoman rule and...
. He was finally defeated and killed by the Ottomans in Zasavica in 1813.
Preservation
Special reservation of nature of Zasavica was formed in 1997 and placed under the state protection as the category I natural treasure of exquisite value. It includes the bog and surrounding terrains, with a total area of 18.25 square kilometers. Of that, 6.75 square kilometres (2.6 sq mi) or 37 % is placed under the level I of protection and the rest is in levels II and III. The majority of the protected area covers the water surfaces of the rivers and canals Zasavica, Jovac, Prekopac and Batar. Zasavica has a priority nomination to become a Ramsar site. It is proclaimed an Important Bird AreaImportant Bird Area
An Important Bird Area is an area recognized as being globally important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. Currently there are about 10,000 IBAs worldwide. The program was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife International...
and since 2001 it is a member of the Europark Federation, federation of the national parks od Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
Flowering plants
There are over 600 species of plants are recorded in the reservation. Several of them are endangered natural rarities and listed in the Serbia's Red Book of Endangered Species: European white water-lilyNymphaea alba
Nymphaea alba, also known as the European White Waterlily, White Lotus, or Nenuphar, is an aquatic flowering plant of the family Nymphaeaceae....
, yellow waterlily
Nuphar lutea
Nuphar lutea is an aquatic plant of the family Nymphaeaceae, native to temperate regions of Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia.-Growth:...
, water soldier
Stratiotes aloides
-Origins:found in Europe and NW AsiaIn Britain it was once common in East Anglia and still is in many places, particularly wet ditches and healthy ponds.-Description:A rosette of serrated leaves.White flowers are produced in the Summer....
, fringed water-lily
Nymphoides peltata
Nymphoides peltata is an aquatic plant of the family Menyanthaceae native to Eurasia. It has cordate floating leaves that support a lax inflorescence of yellow flowers with fringed petal margins...
, marsh nettle, sweet flag
Sweet Flag
Acorus calamus, commonly known as Sweet Flag or Calamus and erroneously as "rush" or "sedges", is a plant from the Acoraceae family, in the genus Acorus. It is a tall perennial wetland monocot with scented leaves and more strongly scented rhizomes...
, aquatic bladderwort
Utricularia australis
Utricularia australis is a medium sized, perennial species of aquatic bladderwort. This species has a vast geographic range, being found throughout Europe, in tropical and temperate Asia including China and Japan in the east, Central and Southern Africa, Australia and the North Island of New Zealand...
, triangular club-rush
Scirpus
The plant genus Scirpus consists of a large number of aquatic, grass-like species in the family Cyperaceae , many with the common names club-rush or bulrush . Other common names are deergrass or grassweed.The genus has a cosmopolitan distribution, and grows in wetlands and moist soil...
, Common Mare's Tail
Common Mare's Tail
The Common Mare's tail, Hippuris vulgaris, is a common aquatic plant of Eurasia and North America.The species is also sometimes called Horsetail, a name which is better reserved to the Horsetails of genus Equisetum...
, water violet
Hottonia palustris
Hottonia palustris of the family Primulaceae is an aquatic plant-Description:This plant has a stem reaching up to 80 cm in height. Its basal roots are buried in the underlying mud while other silvery, shiny roots dangle freely in the water...
, greater spearwort and the endemic Pannonian plain species of Pannonian cornflower
Cornflower
Centaurea cyanus is a small annual flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, native to Europe. "Cornflower" is also erroneously used for chicory, and more correctly for a few other Centaurea species; to distinguish C...
. In the Valjevac section of Zasavica a rare and endangered marshland bio-community Acoro-Glyceretum maximae is found.
Fungi
150 species of Fungi has been widely distributed in the entire reservation, in every eco-system (ground, trees, logs, meadows, pastures, etc.). Many are edible, including the rare species of morelMorel
Morchella, the true morels, is a genus of edible mushrooms closely related to anatomically simpler cup fungi. These distinctive mushrooms appear honeycomb-like in that the upper portion is composed of a network of ridges with pits between them....
. Poisonous mushrooms are rare and few, including panther cap
Panther cap
Amanita pantherina var. pantherina, also known as the Panther cap and False Blusher due to its similarity to the true Blusher , is a species of Europe and western Asia.-Description:...
, death cap
Death cap
Amanita phalloides , commonly known as the death cap, is a deadly poisonous basidiomycete fungus, one of many in the genus Amanita. Widely distributed across Europe, A. phalloides forms ectomycorrhizas with various broadleaved trees. In some cases, death cap has been introduced to new regions with...
and yellow-staining mushroom
Agaricus xanthodermus
Agaricus xanthodermus, commonly known as the yellow-staining mushroom, is a mushroom of thegenus Agaricus, which displays a strong yellow colouration at the base of the stem when cut...
.
Trees
Though dozens of species of trees are found, forests, which make % of the reservation, are mainly made of narrow-leafed ash and to the lesser extent of white poplarWhite Poplar
Populus alba, commonly called abele, silver poplar, silverleaf poplar, or white poplar, is a species of poplar, most closely related to the aspens . It is native from Spain and Morocco through central Europe to central Asia...
, willow
Willow
Willows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix, around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
or black alder. Alluvial slopes are inhabited by Pedunculate Oak
Pedunculate Oak
Quercus robur is commonly known as the Pedunculate Oak or English oak. It is native to most of Europe, and to Anatolia to the Caucasus, and also to parts of North Africa.-Taxonomy:Q...
, European hornbeam
European Hornbeam
Carpinus betulus is a hornbeam native to eastern, western, central and southern England. It requires a warm climate for good growth, and occurs only at elevations up to 600 metres...
, linden
Tilia
Tilia is a genus of about 30 species of trees native throughout most of the temperate Northern Hemisphere. The greatest species diversity is found in Asia, and the genus also occurs in Europe and eastern North America, but not western North America...
and European Turkey oak. Since 1962 a 1.1 square kilometres (271.8 acre) plantations of willow and hybride poplars were planted. White orchid also lives in Zasavica.
Plankton
PhytoplanktonPhytoplankton
Phytoplankton are the autotrophic component of the plankton community. The name comes from the Greek words φυτόν , meaning "plant", and πλαγκτός , meaning "wanderer" or "drifter". Most phytoplankton are too small to be individually seen with the unaided eye...
is represented with 234 species and zooplankton
Zooplankton
Zooplankton are heterotrophic plankton. Plankton are organisms drifting in oceans, seas, and bodies of fresh water. The word "zooplankton" is derived from the Greek zoon , meaning "animal", and , meaning "wanderer" or "drifter"...
with 220. Representatives of the first group are the Batrachospermnum algae, fresh water sponge (Spongilla lacustris) and fresh water jellyfish
Jellyfish
Jellyfish are free-swimming members of the phylum Cnidaria. Medusa is another word for jellyfish, and refers to any free-swimming jellyfish stages in the phylum Cnidaria...
(Craspedacustra sowerbii). Out of the second group, 21 taxa are new and recently discovered in Serbia.
Insects
250 species of insects live in Zasavica and 15 of them are protected. There are several rare species of longhorn beetleLonghorn beetle
The longhorn beetles are a cosmopolitan family of beetles, typically characterized by extremely long antennae, which are often as long as or longer than the beetle's body...
(out of 35 living in Zasavica) and endemic Balkan species including three recently discovered in Serbia: Syrian longhorn beetle (Arhopalus syriacus), Morinus asper and Agapanthia lais. Sprecies of Cerambyx cerdo
Cerambyx cerdo
The Cerambyx cerdo, commonly known as great capricorn beetle, is a species of beetle in family Cerambycidae. It is widespread in Algeria, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Moldova, Morocco, Poland, Spain, Sweden,...
and Morinus funereus are protected. Endemic and rare cricket Zeuneriana amplipennis, living only in Serbia, is also found.
Fish
In Zasavica live 23 species of fish, categorised in 8 families and 20 genera. The most common are members of the carpCarp
Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain...
family. Of those, 20 species ar autochthonous and three are imported (two from North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, one from China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
), though even the common carp
Common carp
The Common carp is a widespread freshwater fish of eutrophic waters in lakes and large rivers in Europe and Asia. The wild populations are considered vulnerable to extinction, but the species has also been domesticated and introduced into environments worldwide, and is often considered an invasive...
had been introduced by Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
s. Seven species are protected: Umbra krameri, Rhodeus sericeus amarus, loach
Loach (fish)
Cobitidae is the family of the true loaches, which are Old World freshwater fish. They occur throughout Eurasia and in Morocco, and inhabit riverine ecosystems. Today, most "loaches" are placed in other families...
(Misgumus fossilis), Cobitis tenia, etc. Six species are classified as endangered, five as vulnerable and six as rare. As part of the "Return of the autochthonous species of fish" project, wels catfish
Wels catfish
The wels catfish , also called sheatfish, is a large catfish found in wide areas of central, southern, and eastern Europe, and near the Baltic and Caspian Seas. It is a scaleless fresh and brackish water fish recognizable by its broad, flat head and wide mouth...
has been reintroduced into Zasavica.
Herpetofauna
Zasavica hosts 27 species of reptiles and amphibians, of which all 12 amphibian and 4 reptilian species are protected and some of them are on the preliminary list to be included into the Red Book. Six amphibian and seven reptilian species are also classified as the endangered species by the Bern Convention. Two endemic Balkan species live in Zasavica: Danube Crested NewtDanube Crested Newt
The Danube Crested Newt is a species of salamander in the Salamandridae family.It is found in Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Ukraine, and possibly Slovenia.Its natural habitats are temperate forests, temperate...
and eastern sub-species of the sand lizard
Sand Lizard
The sand lizard is a lacertid lizard distributed across most of Europe and eastwards to Mongolia. It does not occur in the Iberian peninsula or European Turkey. Its distribution is often patchy....
, Lacerta agilis bosnica, which is European Protected Species
European Protected Species
European Protected Species are species of plants and animals protected by law throughout the European Union. They are listed in Annexes II and IV of the European Habitats Directive....
.
Birds
There are 185 species of birds in the reservation, of which 120 are resident birds. Because of such large number of birds, including rare ones like night heronNight heron
The night herons are medium-sized herons in the genera Nycticorax, Nyctanassa and Gorsachius. The genus name Nycticorax derives from the Greek for “night raven” and refers to the largely nocturnal feeding habits of this group of birds, and the croaking crow-like call of the best known species, the...
and spotted crake
Spotted Crake
The Spotted Crake is a small waterbird, of the family Rallidae.Their breeding habitat is marshes and sedge beds across temperate Europe into western Asia. They nest in a dry location in marsh vegetation, laying 6-15 eggs...
, Zasavica is included in the list of IBA, important bird areas. Since 1998, 20 artificial nesting platforms are placed throughout the reservation. Other species include common moorhen
Common Moorhen
The Common Moorhen is a bird in the Rallidae family with an almost worldwide distribution. The North and South American Committees of the AOU and the IOC have voted on or before July 2011 to split the American forms into a new species Common Gallinule, however, no other committee has voted to...
, little grebe
Little Grebe
The Little Grebe , also known as Dabchick, member of the grebe family of water birds. At 23 to 29 cm in length it is the smallest European member of its family. It is commonly found in open bodies of water across most of its range.-Description:The Little Grebe is a small water bird with a pointed...
, Eurasian coot
Eurasian Coot
The Eurasian Coot, Fulica atra, also known as Coot, is a member of the rail and crake bird family, the Rallidae. The Australian subspecies is known as the Australian Coot.-Distribution:...
, great reed warbler
Great Reed Warbler
The Great Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus, is an Eurasiaan songbird in the genus Acrocephalus. It used to be placed in the "Old World warbler" assemblage, but nowadays is recognized to be part of the marsh- and tree-warbler family .-Description:This is a large thrush-sized warbler,...
, little bittern
Little Bittern
The Little Bittern is a wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, native to the Old World, breeding in Africa, central and southern Europe, western and southern Asia, and Madagascar. Birds from temperate regions in Europe and western Asia are migratory, wintering in Africa and further south in...
, mallard
Mallard
The Mallard , or Wild Duck , is a dabbling duck which breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand and Australia....
, common quail
Common Quail
The Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix, is a small bird in the pheasant family Phasianidae. It is widespread and is found in parts of Europe, .- Description :It is a small rotund bird, essentially streaked brown with...
, white stork
White Stork
The White Stork is a large bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. Its plumage is mainly white, with black on its wings. Adults have long red legs and long pointed red beaks, and measure on average from beak tip to end of tail, with a wingspan...
, black stork
Black Stork
The Black Stork Ciconia nigra is a large wading bird in the stork family Ciconiidae. It is a widespread, but rare, species that breeds in the warmer parts of Europe, predominantly in central and eastern regions. This is a shy and wary species, unlike the closely related White Stork. It is seen in...
, Eurasian bittern, white-tailed eagle
White-tailed Eagle
The White-tailed Eagle , also known as the Sea Eagle, Erne , or White-tailed Sea-eagle, is a large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae which includes other raptors such as hawks, kites, and harriers...
, Western marsh harrier
Western Marsh Harrier
The Western Marsh-harrier is a mid-sized harrier, a bird of prey from temperate and subtropical western Eurasia and adjacent Africa. It is also known as the Eurasian Marsh-harrier....
, common kestrel
Common Kestrel
The Common Kestrel is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European Kestrel, Eurasian Kestrel, or Old World Kestrel. In Britain, where no other brown falcon occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".This species...
, mute swan
Mute Swan
The Mute Swan is a species of swan, and thus a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae. It is native to much of Europe and Asia, and the far north of Africa. It is also an introduced species in North America, Australasia and southern Africa. The name 'mute' derives from it being less...
, northern lapwing
Northern Lapwing
The Northern Lapwing , also known as the Peewit, Green Plover or just Lapwing, is a bird in the plover family. It is common through temperate Eurasia....
, etc.
Mammals
So far, 45 species of mammals are found in Zasavica. It is ideal for the water-bound species like Eurasian otter or wildcatWildcat
Wildcat is a small felid native to Europe, the western part of Asia, and Africa.-Animals:Wildcat may also refer to members of the genus Lynx:...
, which are protected all over Europe. Otters were not spotted for years though. Recent but unconfirmed sightings of otters recently prompted the ecology organisations from Sremska Mitrovica to announce an award for those who capture otter on camera. Fur animals also live in Zasavica, most notably muskrat
Muskrat
The muskrat , the only species in genus Ondatra, is a medium-sized semi-aquatic rodent native to North America, and introduced in parts of Europe, Asia, and South America. The muskrat is found in wetlands and is a very successful animal over a wide range of climates and habitats...
. Eurasian Shrew, striped field mouse
Striped Field Mouse
The Striped Field Mouse is a rodent in the family Muridae. The range of this species stretches from Eastern Europe to Japan, including Taiwan and Siberia....
, fat dormouse and several species of bats are listed as rarities in Serbia.
Umbra
Umbra krameri or in Serbian mrguda ("frown fish") in Serbia lives only in Zasavica. It has been classified as an endangered species in the entire of Europe and placed under the strict protection by the Bern ConventionConvention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats
The Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats 1979, also known as the Bern Convention , came into force on June 1, 1982....
. In Serbia it has been protected in 1993. In March 2008 the fish has been discovered in the village of Bački Monoštor
Backi Monoštor
Bački Monoštor is a village located in the Sombor municipality, in the West Bačka District of Serbia. It is situated in the autonomous province of Vojvodina. The village has a Croat majority . Population of Bački Monoštor is numbering 3,920 people...
, near town of Sombor
Sombor
Sombor is a city and municipality located in northwest part of Serbian autonomous province of Vojvodina. The city has a total population of 48,749 , while the Sombor municipality has 87,815 inhabitants...
, almost 150 kilometers north of Zasavica.
Podolian
In 1998 the cattle of the Podolian breed was introduced in Zasavica. First animals arrived in the spring of 1998 from MionicaMionica
Mionica is a town and municipality located in the Kolubara District of Serbia. In 2011, the population of the town is 1,571, while population of the municipality is 14,263....
, in western Serbia. Pasture "Valjevac", near the small Goransko-ribolovačko lake was chosen as their home. The pasture has an area of 3 square kilometers and today numbers 50 cattle. Breeding of Podolian cattle is being part of the program for the preservation of the animal species, developed by the Serbian Ministry of agriculture.
Mangulica
MangulicaMangalitsa
Mangalitsa , Mangalitza or Mangalica is a name for three breeds of pig grown especially in Hungary and the Balkans known also as a curly-hair hog. It belongs to European unimproved lard-type breeds that are descended directly from wild boar populations...
is the only surviving autochthonous Serbian breed of domesticated pig. Other two, Šiška and Šumadinka died out. A breed, also known as "woolen pig", due to its good qualities, is considered a "noble", but it almost died out in the 1980s. Its fat has up to 80 % cholesterol
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a complex isoprenoid. Specifically, it is a waxy steroid of fat that is produced in the liver or intestines. It is used to produce hormones and cell membranes and is transported in the blood plasma of all mammals. It is an essential structural component of mammalian cell membranes...
and triglycerides less than a common, white pig. In 1998 Mangulica was introduced in Zasavica, but unlike Podolian cattle, they are left to roam free in the reservation, becoming feral
Feral
A feral organism is one that has changed from being domesticated to being wild or untamed. In the case of plants it is a movement from cultivated to uncultivated or controlled to volunteer. The introduction of feral animals or plants to their non-native regions, like any introduced species, may...
since then. A cases of breeding with wild boar are known.
Beavers
The main attraction in the reservation are the reintroduced beavers. Extinct in the early 1900s, four families with five members each, plus 11 single animals (31 in total) were reintroduced in 2004 with the help from the Bavarian Science Society. From Serbian side, project is conducted by the Biology Faculty of the Belgrade University. Each animal has a subdermal tracking microchip implantMicrochip implant (animal)
A microchip implant is an identifying integrated circuit placed under the skin of a dog, cat, horse, parrot or other animal. The chips are about the size of a large grain of rice and are based on a passive RFID technology....
. Initial fears that the beavers will not adapt proved to be groundless as very soon first dam was spotted and the animals began to reproduce. A dam is 30 metres (32.8 yd) long and 1.8 foot (0.54864 m) tall (of that, 0.8 metres (2.6 ft) above the water) and located at the Batar's mouth into Zasavica. In the late 2006 a dam in the canal Glušci, which flows into the Zasavica, was discovered and the beavers, though not the dams, are spotted in the river of Jadar
Jadar River (Serbia)
The Jadar is a river in western Serbia, 79 km long right tributary of the Drina river. The Jadar also gives the name to the Jadar region of western Serbia.- River :...
some 35 kilometres (21.7 mi) to the south down the Drina. As the area surrounding the Zasavica is entirely agricultural, farmers don’t share the excitement of the biologists as they claim the beavers ruin their crops saying that was the original reason for their extinction a hundred years ago