People and Projects Solving Freshwater Restoration Challenges

EcoAdvance European Project

Showcase category ➤ DidIt

SERBIA

Prof Atila Bezdan

Prof. Dr., University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Water Management

Scientists & Researchers
My Projects

Dalia Demo site - Begecka Jama Sustainable Solutions for ecosystem monitoring and Restoration

    • Modeling water quality in drainage‐system canals using QUAL2K;
    • Water quality modeling of the Danube–Tisza–Danube hydrosystem ;
    • Water and sediment quality in the Jegricka watercourse;
    • Characteristics of sediments in the drainage system canals;  
    • Water quality of the Beljanska bara watercourse;
    • Water quality modeling of a section of the Tisa River;  
    • Assessment of diffuse pollution sources in a section of the Tisa River;
    • Performance (treatment efficiency) of the constructed wetland system in Gložan;
    • Performance (treatment efficiency) of the constructed wetland system in Novo Miloševo;
    • Spatial distribution assessment of invasive alien species Amorpha fruticosa L. by UAV-based on remote sensing in the Special Nature Reserve Obedska Bara, Serbia;
    • Environmental Impact Assessments of the Irrigation and Drainage Systems
  • Key project facts

    Most projects focused on water-quality monitoring and modeling; one involved invasive-species monitoring using UAVs. All research was carried out in the Vojvodina region (northern Serbia)—rivers, canals, and wetlands. Project durations ranged from a few months to several years, and outcomes included improved water quality in target waterbodies and early detection of invasive species in wetland-forest areas to guide appropriate management measures.

  • What impact did these projects have on biodiversity, if any?

    Not directly, most of the project are related to water quality, and by improving water quality we positively affect the entire freshwater ecosystem—including its biodiversity.

  • What work challenges did you face and what approach did you take to solve them?

    For example, in the case of the project monitoring the performance of the CWS Gložan (activities also partly carried out within the DALIA project), one of the main ongoing challenges is maintenance. Unfortunately, the local utility company responsible for upkeep has limited capacity and expertise. Typical problems include clogging, sludge and mud accumulation, and the need to trim and manage vegetation (e.g., reeds). These issues remain unresolved: insufficient maintenance still occurs intermittently and will continue to do so in the future.

  • What lessons learned are transferable to other places/projects?

    Twenty years of monitoring the CWS Gložan confirm that its treatment efficiency has remained at a satisfactory level—comparable to conventional systems. This demonstrates that nature-based solutions and green technologies can effectively protect the environment while meeting societal needs, and that these approaches are transferable to other sites and regions.

  • What is your biggest barrier and what are you trying to do about it?
    The biggest barriers in case of the project monitoring the performance of the CWS Gložan (activities also partly carried out within the DALIA project) are the limited capacity of the local utility company to properly maintain the CWS and the lack of funding for more in-depth research. We are seeking resources to produce management and maintenance guides for the CWS and to organize training for the utility’s staff.
My Focus and Approach
  • Lessons Learnt - Some recommendations for others?
    1. What’s most important:

      Twenty years of monitoring the performance of the CWS Gložan show that its treatment efficiency remains at a satisfactory level, comparable to conventional systems. This demonstrates that nature-based solutions and green technologies can effectively protect the environment while meeting society’s needs.

    2. Do this, not that: 

      Try avoid jumping straight into technical details without first building trust and shared goals with stakeholders. Don’t overlook local knowledge or skip genuine community engagement. Also try to avoid underfunding, because of case of long-term maintenance and monitoring, and don’t rely on a single funding source. Don’t rely on narrow expertise; problems regarding freshwater ecosystems are usually complex and require experts from different fields.

    3. Always start by:

      In short, first to identify a clear environmental problem and link with real-world benefits; engage stakeholders early to co-design objectives; and secure adequate funding to ensure the project’s success.

    4. What to do when things get difficult…:

      Don’t quit, research, ask for advises,…

    5. 5 simple steps to:
      1. Conduct site survey to identify the most degraded sections or key stressors.
      2. Bring together local community, local authorities, water managers, local NGOs, scientists to co-design goals.
      3. Develop a simple restoration plans and obtain required authorizations.
      4. Implement on the ground.
      5. Set up monitoring to track effects and tweak interventions as needed for long-term success.

    6. The biggest barrier and what I am trying to do about it:
      The biggest barriers in case case of the project monitoring the performance of the CWS Gložan (activities also partly carried out within the DALIA project) are the limited capacity of the local utility company to properly maintain the CWS and the lack of funding for more in-depth research. We are seeking resources to produce management and maintenance guides for the CWS and to organize training for the utility’s staff.
My Journey
  • My journey:

    By chance. My first tasks after joining the Department of Water Management were directly related to freshwater ecosystem protection—such as hydraulic modeling and water-quality modeling in watercourses, as well as performance monitoring of the constructed wetland. Ever since I was young, I’ve loved spending time on the water and in nature, and fortunately my current work continues in many ways along the same lines.

  • My Education:

    I obtained my Dipl.Ing., Magister, and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Water Management.

  • The Big Change:

    I wouldn’t say there were big changes, but some of the significant outcomes include confirming the effective performance of the Gložan and Novo Miloševo CWSs, securing adoption of mandatory water and soil quality monitoring by irrigation investors, sharing our scientific findings with professional and academic audiences, and training students in these field.

  • Favourite part of the work I do:

    Crunching numbers and data, and of course field work.

Interview

Key Topics:

Key Topics

These relate to specific topics (e.g. technical solutions; restoration activities etc.) addressed within the showcase materials.

  • Water quality monitoring
  • Water quality modeling
  • Hydrological and hydraulic modeling
  • Water management
  • Climate change
Prone2Success Factors Demonstrated:

Prone2Success Factors Demonstrated

These are the Prone2Success checklist factors which are highlighted within this showcase. More information on the Prone2Success checklist can be found here.

  • Measurable goals to improve ecological status
  • Measurable goals to improve ecosystem services
  • Communicate/engage with stakeholders from the outset
  • Engage with the local community from the outset
  • Include long term monitoring
  • Take climate change into account
NRL Restoration Categories:

NRL Restoration Categories

These are the restoration categories (listed under Annex VII of the European Nature Restoration Law (NRL) which are relevant to this showcase.

  • [24] Remove / control invasive species
  • [32] Reduce pollution (chemicals, urban/industrial wastewater, litter, plastics)
Resources
Articles

Good review paper on CWS: Engida, T., Wu, J.M., Xu, D. and Wu, Z.B., 2020. Review paper on horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands: potential for their use in climate change mitigation and treatment of wastewater. Applied Ecology & Environmental Research, 18(1).

Presentations

DPS 5, SERBIA
BEGEČKA JAMA

Peer reviewed papers
  • Josimov-Dunđerski, J., Belić, A., Jarak, M., Nikolić, L., Rajić, M. and Bezdan, A., 2012. Constructed wetland–the Serbian experience. Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 7(2), pp.101-110.
  • Josimov-Dundjerski, J., Lj, N., Belić, A., Stojanović, S. and Bezdan, A., 2011. Nutrient levels in a constructed wetland system Gložan (Vojvodina Province). Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 17(1), pp.31-39.
  • Josimov, D.J., Nikolić, L., Belić, A., Džigurski, D. and Bezdan, A., 2013. Sustainability of the constructed wetland during summer drought. Letopis naučnih radova Poljoprivrednog fakulteta, 37(1), pp.53-60.
  • Josimov-Dundjerski, J., Savić, R., Belić, A., Salvai, A. and Grabić, J., 2015. Sustainability of the Constructed Wetland Based on the Characteristics in Effluent. Soil & Water Research, 10(2).
  • Nikolić, L., Maksimović, I., Džigurski, D., Putnik-Delić, M. and Ljevnaić-Mašić, B., 2023. Removal of nitrogen and phosphorus by aboveground biomass of Phragmites australis in Constructed Wetland System under the conditions of temperate continental climate. International Journal of Phytoremediation, 25(4), pp.483-492.
Acknowledgements & Links

This material was provided by: Atila Bezdan

Funding came from numerous sources, but I’d especially like to mention the HE project DALIA and research grants from the PWMC “Vode Vojvodine”. I would like to acknowledge the outstanding cooperation with colleagues from the University of Novi Sad Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Technical Sciences), the University of Belgrade (Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Forestry, Institute of Meteorology), and the PWMC “Vode Vojvodine.”

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