The application of the SVAP2 methodology to assess ecological conditions of lotic riparian area – case study Radalj river (Drina river watershead).

The condition of riparian areas of surface watercourses is one of the key factors for the good ecological status of the rivers. Great importance is given to the research of the condition of riparian areas, as well as their revitalization, by the adoption of a series of international directives, the development of methodological procedures for the rapid assessment of the situation and the development of measures and techniques that help riparian areas to return to a more natural condition. This research was based on the possibility of applying the method of visual assessment of the situation. The Stream Visual Assessment Protocol 2 was used for the assessment of the quality and quantity of riparian areas on the Radalj River, a tributary of the Drina River, in the municipality of Mali Zvornik (Republic of Serbia. In order to evaluate riparian areas, five elements relating to the condition of the river beds and banks as well as qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the riparian areas were taken into account. The results showed that the riparian areas at the monitored sites were in poor condition, and that according to the assessment and description, it is possible to draw preliminary conclusions on the additional studies and/or proposals for revitalizing techniques.