About the region

Hutovo Blato Nature Park, located in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina, spans 8,000 hectares across two municipalities. The park encompasses a range of ecosystems, including swamps, lakes, wet meadows, and riverine forests.

Main climate risks

droughts

Bosnia and Herzegovina has experienced significant droughts recently. In 2024, water levels in Bileca Lake fell 7 meters below the energy balance level set by the Trebisnjica Hydroelectric System [1]. Climate change is expected to increase seasonal differences, with more frequent summer droughts and increased autumn and winter floods, reducing river flows and water supply during dry periods [2].

heatwaves

Heat waves have increasingly posed challenges in recent years, with the summer of 2024 experiencing particularly high temperatures, exceeding 40 degrees Celsius and leading to 'red alert' heat warnings in Bosnia and Herzegovina [3]. Projections for the end of the century under a high emissions scenario indicate that very hot or extremely hot days could increase by 10-16 additional days between June and September [4].

wildfires

Bosnia and Herzegovina is increasingly vulnerable to wildfires, especially during prolonged dry periods. In October 2017, wildfires in Hutovo Blato National Park caused extensive damage, destroying large portions of reed beds and wildlife habitats [5]. These fires were fuelled by drought conditions, high temperatures, and strong winds, underscoring the growing risk posed by climate change. With the increasing frequency of heatwaves and summer droughts, the risk of wildfires in ecologically sensitive areas like Hutovo Blato is expected to rise, threatening biodiversity and protected ecosystems.

A field engulfed in flames and smoke, with bare trees in the foreground and a hazy sky above.

© Hutovo Blato

Focus during Pathways2Resilience

Hutovo Blato Nature Park aims to utilise the P2R project to develop a collaborative and integrated approach to water management within the area. The goal is to safeguard the park's ecosystem by engaging with government bodies, the private sector, community stakeholders, and hydroelectric companies involved in reallocating Hutovo Blato’s waters. These entities will be essential participants in any effective climate adaptation strategies.

“Hutovo Blato is already facing serious consequences of climate change, particularly due to significant changes in the water regime caused by both human interventions and natural shifts. Through this project, we will secure much-needed resources and expertise to develop sustainable climate adaptation strategies and ensure the long-term preservation of this ecosystem, which is inextricably linked to the ecological health of the entire region.”
Irena Rozić, Director of Hutovo Blato Nature Park
A cormorant perched on a wooden post in a lush, lily-covered wetland, surrounded by dense greenery and calm water.

© Hutovo Blato

Interesting highlights

SMART-Water Project -Launched in March 2025, this project uses artificial intelligence and geospatial sensors to monitor and assess the quality of inland standing waters. Deransko Lake is one of the pilot sites, alongside Skadar Lake (Montenegro) and Vransko Lake (Croatia). -The goal is to improve water management through real-time data and innovative technology.

Ecohydrological Revitalization -In late 2024, a project was completed to restore water flow from Jelimsko Lake to Deransko Lake by removing hydromorphological barriers. -This improved the hydrological regime of the wetlands, essential for maintaining rich biodiversity.

MoWaCLIM Project -Launched in October 2024, this project focuses on understanding the interactions between groundwater and surface water to increase the climate resilience of agriculture in coastal and lowland areas. -Hutovo Blato is a key partner in this cross-border initiative.

Regional Resilience Journey

Hutovo Blato has medium readiness for the first two RRJ steps and low readiness for the third RRJ step.

Hutovo Blato has the highest capacities in Capabilities and Skills, followed by Knowledge and Data.

Key community systems priority areas

  • water-management

  • nature-based-solutions

  • infrastructure

Key enabling conditions priority areas

  • knowledge-data

  • governance-engagement-collaboration

  • behavioural-change

References

[1] –

Euronews. September 10, 2024. ” Lowest water levels ever in Bosnia and Poland: record-breaking summer wreaks drought

[2] –

World Bank Group. 2021. “Climate Risk Profile: Bosnia and Herzegovina”.

[3] –

Ozturk, Talha. August 15, 2024. Bosnia, Serbia issue 'red alert' as mercury expected to exceed 40°C at midday”.

[4] –

USAID. June 2016. ”Climate Change Risk in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Country Fact Sheet.”.

[5] –

Radio Slobodna Evropa (2017). “Požar u Parku prirode Hutovo Blato.”