Institute of Marine Biology University of Montenegro Kotor, Montenegro
Abstract
Due to multiple modern stressors, there are rapid changes in inland water habitats and
irreversible biodiversity loss. Hence, in order to detect parts of rivers or basins with
originally preserved habitat and biodiversity, detailed hydrobiological research of
inland waters (simultaneous research of basic abiotic parameters and hydrobiocenosis)
are necessary. The aim is to detect habitats' biological and ecological values, which are
important for the permanent preservation of genetic and species diversity and the
stability and functionality of the entire ecosystem or catchment area. In terms of
ecology and conservation, these habitats have the same importance for inland waters
and catchment areas as the hot-spot areas for preserving global biodiversity. The
importance of these areas in this work is presented on the example of the Veliki Rzav
River (Serbia). In order to support the program of declaring the river as a protected
area, the research was conducted in 2021. In the Veliki Rzav River, many biological
values such as preserved and high biodiversity of algae, macroinvertebrates, and fish
were detected. For the first time in Serbia, new species of algae were detected, along
with the significant presence of sensitive taxa in the macroinvertebrate community and
a stable brown trout population with the detection of the new haplotype
