The little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius)
The little ringed plover (Charadrius dubius) is an inhabitant of the rivers, nesting on the barren gravel and sandbars.
Rivers are lifelines of our planet!
Slow, even stagnant habitats of the river side-branches and dead-branches, including oxbow lakes, are the mix of the river and wetland.
A shy inhabitant of the dense old forests, the black stork is much rarer bird than its cousin the white stork.
Steep banks of the river are extreme habitat, where some very specialized animals and plants live. They are mostly created by river erosion.
Dynamical, natural river harbors many habitat and the corresponding species of the animals and plants. Such river is in constant rejuvenation and creation of new habitats.
The white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is one the largest bird of prey found along the rivers in Europe. It is the ruler of the sky of the floodplains.
Gravel and sand bars are the layers of the sediment in the riverbed. It is not only the barren sediment; this is precious habitat for specialized animals and plants.
River regulation is altering of the course of the rivers, embanking it in the stone or cement and reducing its dynamics. Chiefly done for the erosion and flood protection, river navigation and irrigation, but it has backfired with profound negative consequences.
Preserved, natural rivers and streams, in general, offer us many benefits, not only as a conventional resource as a waterway, hydropower energy or irrigation, to name just a few. There are other, often unknown, but essential.
After centuries of abuse, rivers are finally seen not only as a resource but much more complex and fragile systems, with many other benefits. Based on new scientific vision, many countries are protecting the rivers.