In recent years, the concept of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is emerging in Serbia, in particular in the direction of overcoming the challenges in mitigation of existing problems with urban floods and pollution. The aim of this paper was to assess the performance and functionality of two rain gardens (RGs), taken as case studies, constructed in two different locations in private residential properties in Serbia. The research technique is based on visual inspection as a monitoring method during the first, second, and third year following RG construction. The basic functions of RGs observed were flow reduction during storm events, presence of standing water or overflows, time of infiltration, vegetation health and adaptation. The results of the assessment suggested that: (a) both RGs infiltrate runoff during rain and snow events with no presence of standing water after 24 h and (b) rain gardens can reduce peak flows and total flow volume in a short period of time for rainfall depths that are connected with different return periods and flood frequency. The RGs also showed excellent plant growth rate and rapid plant adaptation. This study revealed that the concept of RGs as NbS can be applied under local soil conditions and typical continental climate, and contributed to limited research gaps about performances of RGs as NbS in Serbian practice. For obtaining more detailed information about RG performance, we recommend further assessment of RGs from the aspect of improving runoff quality like testing pollutant removal.
Greksa, A; Blagojevic, B; Grabic, J
Nature-based Solutions in Serbia: Implementation of Rain Gardens in the Suburban Community Kac
Environmental Processes-An International Journal