Irrigated agriculture has considerable impacts on the environment. To minimize negative effects and maximize positive effects, it is necessary to provide comprehensive analyses beyond the strictly technical domain. In this study, we apply a methodology for determining priorities in implementing irrigation plans using multi-criteria analysis methods on a specific case study area in the sub-catchment area of the Orljava River in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. Five potential irrigation areas (Orljava-Londža, Pleternica, Ovčare, Treštanovci, and Venje-Hrnjevac) were analyzed according to five selected criteria: environmental protection, water-related (four sub-criteria), social, economic, and time criteria with different criteria importance (weight). The aim of this study was to confirm the adequacy of using six multi-criteria analysis (MCA) methods (mostly used: PROMETHEE, AHP, ELECTRE TRI, and the less used: DEXi, PRIME, and PCA) in determining priorities for fulfilling irrigation plans, present models for preparation of the input data, apply certain methods, and compare the results on the selected case study area. The methods' adequacy was confirmed during the research. Five of the six MCA methods identified the Ovčare area as the most appropriate for irrigation development (i.e., it has priority in implementing the irrigation plan). According to one (AHP) of the six methods, Orljava-Londža has more advantages over other areas. All MCA methods, except PCA, chose Venje-Hrnjevac as the least advisable (last to be implemented) alternative. Conclusions from this research confirm findings from recently published research regarding the application of MCA on water management problems.

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This paper deals with the surface water quality of a small catchment area of the Karašica and Vučica rivers based on the analysis of water physical and chemical parameters according to the national Decree on Water Quality Standards (2013). Water samples were collected and analysed monthly at five sampling stations situated along the watercourses in the period between 1998 and 2015. Analysed parameters were pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD-Mn), five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD 5 ), nutrients: nitrate compounds (nitrates and total nitrogen), phosphorus compounds (orthophosphates and total phosphorus), and the content of heavy metals. The obtained results indicate a water quality status between moderate and good, depending on the parameter and sampling station.

Methodology for determining priorities in implementing irrigation plans using multicriteria analysis method DEXi is applied on the specific case study area in the sub-catchment area of river Orljava in Požega-Slavonia County, Croatia. Five potential irrigation areas are analyzed according to five selected criteria: environmental protection, water-related (4 sub-criteria), social, economic and time criteria with different criteria importance (weight). The aims of this paper are: confirm the adequacy of using DEXi method when determining priorities in fulfilling irrigation plans; present the model for preparation of the input data; apply the method and give feedback on the application.

This study investigated hydrological alterations in the sections of the Mura, Drava, and Danube rivers, which together form a unique river landscape proclaimed by UNESCO as the Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Mura, Drava, and Danube (TBR MDD). A coherent network of 12 major protected areas along the rivers highlights their ecological value, which could be endangered by climate change and consequent environmental changes. Statistical analyses, such as the homogeneity test, Mann–Kendall trend test of monthly and seasonal discharges, and empirical probabilities of daily discharges, were applied to discharge data series (1960–2019) from six hydrological stations prior to the calculation of indicators of hydrologic alteration (IHA). This method could be a helpful tool for recognizing the changes in hydrological regimes that can affect river ecosystems. The 33 indicators were organized into five groups. The results showed a decrease in low pulse duration and increase in rise/fall rates and the number of reversals. From an ecological perspective, the results obtained for the probabilities of long flooding periods were particularly significant. They drastically decreased for all three rivers on their stretches within the reserve. According to IHA modeling results, the river sections analyzed were moderately altered with global indicator values between 0.5 and 0.75. The most pronounced hydrological alterations were associated with the frequency and duration of low and high pulses and the rate and frequency of changes in water condition, which could have a significant impact on the ecological values of the TBR MDD. In addition, results show more pronounced climate impact versus human activities.