News

Following the successful first community evening in Bijelo Brdo last September, restoration activities at the Bjelobrdska oxbow began this spring. With the first kilometre of dredging completed, work is actively progressing along the remaining 4.5 kilometres of the oxbow as part of the LIFE RESTORE for MDD project.

These efforts aim to improve hydrological conditions across 193 hectares of floodplain forest, enhancing habitats for a wide range of wetland and forest species. By restoring water flow and raising groundwater levels, the project supports the recovery of habitats such as HT 91E0* (Alluvial forests) and HT 91F0 (Riparian mixed forests).

All restoration measures are being implemented under strict environmental safeguards and are accompanied by continuous ecological monitoring. The monitoring builds on the baseline research presented during the community evening. Their earlier surveys documented remarkable biodiversity, including:

• 26 different habitat types and 112 native plant species, alongside 17 invasive species
• 59 bird species, including 23 Natura 2000 SPA targets and 10 forest habitat indicators
• A wide range of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates
• Nine mammal species recorded through tracking cameras, including otter, beaver, red deer, wild boar, and golden jackal

This extensive baseline now enables the project team to track ecological changes in real time, assess the effectiveness of restoration actions, and ensure that targeted species and habitats are responding as expected.