LAUSR

Increasing the efficiency of a drainage system, reflected in the timely evacuation of excess water from the active layer of soil, is possible by applying biotechnical measures. These measures include a broad variety of actions, including using different types of vegetation intended to solve individual or groups of problems, e.g. improving water quality, protecting the soil from water and wind erosion, and increasing biodiversity. The factors on which the decision concerning the location where the biotechnical measures will be applied would be made mainly depend on the vulnerability of the drainage system. Estimation of the suitability of localities for biotechnical measures would include identifying key factors and appropriately evaluating them, using GIS technology for spatial analysis, and an objective determination of the weight criteria based on entropy. As a result of the process described, optimal locations for the application of biotechnical measures were obtained, and findings show that utilization of these measures in Vojvodina has a significant and positive potential in water management, agriculture and forestry in both ecological and economic senses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.