The Rivers of Montenegro: Introductory Remarks

Abstract

The river network in Montenegro is primarily affected by the geological processes in the karst which dominates the Montenegrin landscape. All the surface and groundwater from the territory of Montenegro flow into the Black and Adriatic Seas, with approximately 45.4% (6,268 km2) of its surface belonging to the Adriatic and 7,545 km2 (about 54.6%) to the Black Sea (Danube) basin. As one of the last remaining strongholds of unvalorized resources, the Montenegrin rivers have become a point of possible conflict as they become the object of the social, political, ecological, and economic changes through which the country has passed, most especially in recent decades. As a result of the poor management of aquatic resources and the absence of an established set of equitable sharing principles among all the parties involved, the number of conflicts over the exploitation of the water resources has increased, not only in its role as an economic and biodiversity issues but also with the active involvement and participation of the local community. This book aims to provide an extensive overview of the various limnological and hydrobiological aspects of the Montenegrin river basins, so as to stimulate a science-based management approach to the use of water resources.