AQUA-BIOPRESS

Bioindicators and anthropogenic pressures in aquatic systems of the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve

Project summary

The project aims to investigate the diversity of planktonic and periphytic communities in freshwater ecosystems of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube, with the goal of understanding the influence of environmental and anthropogenic factors on their structure and function. Field research will be conducted during spring and summer under different hydrological conditions. The physicochemical parameters of the water, as well as planktonic and periphytic communities, will be analysed using standard species identification methods and modern molecular analysis techniques. The stable isotope method will be used to monitor food web interactions, carbon and nitrogen sources, and the impact of organic matter input from land on aquatic ecosystems. The experimental part of the research will be conducted under controlled conditions and will enable assessment of the effects of anthropogenic pollutants on the target communities. The project will foster international cooperation and provide professional training for doctoral and postdoctoral students. All collected data will be consolidated in a structured digital database. The project results will contribute to strengthening research capacities, and improving understanding of ecological changes in freshwater ecosystems. The results will also enable long-term and effective management of natural resources, with the aim of preserving ecological balance and promoting the sustainable development of the world's first transboundary biosphere reserve, which extends across the territory of five countries and is under UNESCO protection.

Implementation time: 2025. – 2029.; 48 months Financing amount: 143,000.00 EUR

Apr 24, 2026

Starting field research for a project AQUA-BIOPRESS

In April 2026, research was conducted as part of the project “Bioindicators and Anthropogenic Pressures in the Aquatic Systems of the Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve” (AQUA-BIOPRESS), funded by the European Union under the Next Generation EU programme. Project team members carried out research at selected sites on the Drava, Danube and Mura rivers, Lake Halaševo, Sakadaš Lake, and the Stara Mura channel in Podturen. The research involved determining ecological conditions (physical and chemical parameters of water), collecting samples for the analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, sampling various planktonic and fouling communities, and collecting water samples for further molecular analyses and assessment of their diversity. The collected samples will be processed in the laboratories of the Institute of Water Ecology, Department of Biology, and field research will continue in May. Professional assistance and support for the project team were provided by the expert services of the Public Institution Kopački rit Nature Park, the Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Values of Osijek-Baranja County, the Public Institution for Nature Protection – Međimurje Nature, and the Sports and Fishing Association “Šaran” from Podturen.

Mar 20, 2026

Project promotion at the University in Bitola through Erasmus+ programme

As part of the Erasmus+ programme for professional development, Matej Šag and Nikolina Bek, PhD, presented the AQUA-BIOPRESS project to the teaching staff and students of the Faculty of Biotechnical Sciences at the University “St Kliment Ohridski” – Bitola, Republic of North Macedonia. The presentation of the project goals, research activities, and expression of interest for further cooperation took place on 26 February 2026.

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