Modern technologies in water resource planning in the Republic of Serbia

Abstract

River systems in Serbia have been exposed to intense pressures over recent decades due to urbanization, industrial development, climate extremes, and insufficient wastewater treatment infrastructure. This study combines advanced GIS methods and remote sensing techniques with available spatial digital and analog data to analyze the condition of surface and groundwater resources. The analysis is based on open-access data, digital elevation models, Sentinel-2 and Landsat 9 satellite imagery, as well as long-term hydrological and demographic datasets. Methods applied include zonal statistics, Kernel Density Estimation, kriging, and multi-criteria GIS analysis. The results indicate that the Danube-Sava-Morava river corridor represents the most vulnerable zone of hydrological degradation and pollution, particularly in the vicinity of Belgrade, Pančevo, Novi Sad, and Niš. Smaller catchments such as the Nišava and Timok are especially sensitive due to limited control measures and inadequate water resource planning. Projections up to 2050 suggest further deterioration if water management practices and wastewater treatment infrastructure are not improved. The integration of advanced GIS methods, remote sensing, and numerical analysis proves to be a reliable basis for improved management and protection of water resources in Serbia.