Towards candidature of the Crno jezero (Black Lake) (Durmitor, Montenegro) as a high ecological status (HES) site of the Dinaric Western Balkan ecoregion

The aim of this study was to assess whether the Crno jezero (Black Lake) could be designated as a site possessing specific reference conditions of a glacial lake in the Dinaric Western Balkan ecoregion. The results of a Lake Habitat Survey (LHS), analysis of macrophytes and a basic water quality assessment indicate that the lake is in a near pristine state, particularly with regard to its hydromorphological status, and that it fulfills the requirements of High Ecological Status (HES), as set by the Water Framework Directive. However, to confirm these preliminary findings, an integrated assessment of the ecological and chemical status, using other biological quality elements and a full set of physico-chemical parameters, is necessary.