Site description Neretva Delta contains the largest complex of wetlands in Croatian littoral with well developed water-fringe vegetation (reedbeds, sedge communties, rush), floating and submergent vegetation around Neretva and its tributaries. The mouth of the river Neretva is characterised by wide lagoons, shallow sand bays, low coasts and
saltmarshes. Reclaimed land is covered by agricultural landscape with many irrigation chanals. The area holds the most important breeding population of Bittern and Baillon's Crake. Main threats are river canalization, drainage, agricultural intensification, changes in traditional farming, unregulated recreational activities and tourism, overfishing, excessive or illegal hunting and destruction of mud and sand flats. |
