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ŠUMARSKI LIST 5-6/2022 str. 78     <-- 78 -->        PDF

and traditional culture in natural areas; (2) it contains educational and interpretation features; (3) ecotourism is generally, but not always, organized for small groups of tourists; (4)it minimizes negative impacts on the natural and socio-cultural environment; (5) it supports the protection of natural areas by generating economic benefits for local communities, creating jobs and income opportunities and increasing awareness about natural and cultural assets (UNWTO, 2002).
Ecotourism definitions are quite diverse in tourism literature, where authors focus on various perspectives, from the welfare of local community up to sustainable resource management (Diamantis & Johnson, 2003). Overall, ecotourism and its products are mostly based on nature, involve educational aspect of the tourism experience, and are focused on providing benefit to local communities through sustainable sociocultural, environmental and economic development (Blamey, 2001). As stated in Mondino et al. (2018) ecotourism is characterized by a number of biosphere reserves throughout the world, in order to establish the bond between conservation awareness and sustainable local development. In theory of ecotourism it is suggested that economic development and natural resources conservation are compatible, which is relevant in the context of biosphere reserves. But even so, there are some challenges to be addressed (Mondino et al., 2018).
According to Hoppstadius and Dahlstrom (2015) UNESCO Biosphere Reserves represent the exploration fields for ecotourism due to their objectives that focus on learning, experimentation, and sustainable development. However sustainable development is essential prerequisite for activities in biosphere reserves. In the context of biosphere reserves, sustainable development acts as connecting line between conservation and economic development, which is not supposed to prevail on neither of sides, but to focus on compromise and exploration of both equally. The major contribution of biosphere projects is the knowledge gained in that specific areas, which would be valuable in improving the conservation and development of the area and might be implemented at other localities. Investigating ecotourism in biosphere reserves contributes to understanding sustainable development in practice (Hoppstadius and Dahlstrom, 2015).
This research emphasizes the importance of mutual knowledge of geographically close protected areas, which are part of a unique natural unity and which share the common ecosystems, habitats and species. No matter the fact, these protected areas are not only a part of the biosphere reserve, but are located in different countries. The main goal of this paper is to indicate the necessity of harmonizing the policies of nature protection and development of tourism (ecotourism) in such cases.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
PODACI I METODE
Study Area – Područje istraživanja
Biosphere reserves Mura-Drava-Dunav and Bačko Podunavlje are the result of an initiative that appeared in the second half of the 1990s and which was dedicated to the protection of the river corridors along the Mura, Drava and Danube. In 2012, Mura – Drava – Danube Biosphere Reserve (Croatia - Hungary) was declared, while Bačko Podunavlje Biosphere Reserve was declared in 2017. Biosphere reserves Mura River in Slovenia (2018) and Lower Mura Valley in Austria were declared after that.
In September 2021, four biosphere reserves were declared as unique and the first pent lateral in the world - Mura – Drava – Danube, which is also known as European Amazon. Protected areas of Kopački rit and Gornje Podunavlje are now an integral part of this large Biosphere Reserve in fact.
Nature park Kopački Rit (23,126 ha) is situated in the north-eastern part of Croatia in the region of Baranja, between the rivers Drava and Danube (Osijek-Baranja County). There are two settlements in the Kopački Rit Nature Park, Tikveš and Kozjak, with a population of 108 inhabitants. In the area outside the Nature Park, there are mostly rural settlements Bilje, Kopačevo, Podunavlje, Vardarac, Lug, Grabovac and Zlatna Greda, while the city of Osijek is only 5 km air distance away from the park (Spatial Plan, 2006).
Nature Park Kopački Rit is one of the best-preserved floodplains of large rivers in Europe. It is characterized by the exceptional beauty of the landscape and rich biodiversity. Special Areas of Conservation important for species and habitat types POVS Kopački rit - HR 2000394 (Narodne novine (NN), 80/19), and Special Areas of Conservation important for birds POP Podunavlje and Donje Podravlje - HR 1000016 are integral parts of the Ecological Network of the Republic of Croatia (Natura 2000 network) managed in whole or in part by the Public Institution “Nature Park Kopački rit“. The list of flora for the Park area currently contains more than 500 plant species (https://pp-kopacki-rit.hr). The park is internationally recognised for birds. It is inhabited by as many as 300 different species of birds, which makes up 80% of the species recorded in the ornitho fauna of Croatia. Particularly interesting are the species that nest in large colonies, such as the grey heron, the white-bearded tern, the great blackbird, and the river gull. The largest population of the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the entire Danube basin nests in the area of Kopački Rit. It is also a symbol of the Park (https://pp-kopacki-rit.hr).