Springs as Essential Water Sources for Dependent Ecosystems in Karst

Abstract

The karst covers some 30% of the territory of former Yugoslavia and similarly Western Balkans countries and represent fully contrasted terrain. On one side there are dry hilly mountainous terrains with deep groundwater table and terrestrial ecosystems adapted to these circumstances while on another, in the foothills and along erosional bases are often located strong karst springs which originate many perennials and sinking rivers or recharge the lakes. These rich karst aquifers are the main source for water supply of local inhabitants and aquatic ecosystems. In this "classical karst" region where the Dinaric Mountains arch represents dominant geological structure there are numerous landscapes, features and biotopes under different kinds of protection, from those included in UNESCO's World Heritage list to natural monuments and areas protected by national legislatives. They are inhabited by specific biocenoses including underground endemic species such as famous olm Proteus anguinus. Although rich in surface and groundwater resources in comparison to rest of Europe water demands are permanently increasing as result of tourism expansion, intensive agriculture and urbanization. This is why during recession and drought periods lack of sufficient water may cause restrictions in potable water supply along with water shortage for dependent ecosystems. Establish a proper balance between abstraction for domestic water supply and water provision to dependent ecosystems is one of the main challenges and requests which had been included in

The Role of Subaquatic Springs in the Formation of Flow, Temperature and Chemical Composition of River Water in the Reserve

“…It can lead to significant changes in the flow, temperature and chemical composition of river water, a decrease in dissolved oxygen and other parameters [Afgane et al, 2021;Mustafa et al, 2016;Gonneea et al, 2014]. In urban, industrial and agricultural areas, subaquatic discharge can lead to hidden pollution of rivers and lakes [Vaganov, 2017;Xilong et al, 2021;Stevanović et al, 2022]. This can significantly affect both the surface water bodies themselves and the state of the biotic components of the environment [Tamborski et al, 2020;Schubert et al, 2014].…”