Geo-ecological transformation of wetland into agricultural landscape: the case of Pancevacki rit, Serbia

Abstract

This paper identifies the factors and consequences that led to geo-ecological transformation of wetland into agricultural landscape in Pancevacki rit (the Belgrade metropolitan area). The study is the result of regional geographical and geo-economic studies of Pancevacki nit, which, each year until 1932 when the system of defensive embankment was built around the region, had been exposed to flooding of the Danube and the Tamis rivers. After the construction of the defensive embankment in the period of 1932-1935 a system of melioration canals was also built and the river beds were channeled. That caused geo-ecological transformation of the territory: wetland and frequently flooded land became fertile, the settlements which had often been temporarily displaced became permanent, and in the period of 1931-2002 the number of inhabitants in the region multiplied 15.48 times. The results of the study confirm the initial hypothesis that the geo-ecological transformation of wetland into planned landscape and the vicinity of Belgrade (5 km) were the main factors that led to demographic explosion in Pancevacki nit caused by migrations, strong development of agriculture and suburban development, which has been confirmed by interviews conducted in settlements Borca and Ovca.