During the 1981-1996 period, qualitative and quantitative structure of oligachaeta communities as indicator of the eutrophication process was investigated in the lake Palic (the 2nd oxidation lake), Serbia (Yugoslavia). The mean annual number of oligochaetes was related to nutrient concentration (total nitrogen and total phosphorus). The analysed data for both oligochaete community and nutrients, leads to the conclusion that the second oxidation lake Palic can be classified as an highly eutrophic environment, with tendency towards dystrophic, particularly in past two years.

During the period from 11th May, 1991 to 5th March, 1994, seasonal study of the river Jablanica (Serbia, Yugoslavia) macrozoobenthos was carried out. Investigations were done of three sectors: in the upper, middle and down reach of the river, with the aim to estimate water quality changes by the changes in bottom fauna composition. Bottom fauna community was composed of 17 invertebrate groups with 100 taxa determined. The most diverse Oligochaeta (21 taxa) and Ephemeroptera (19 taxa). Macroinvertebrates diversity decreased downstream the river as a result of the pollutional degree increase. Saprobic indices were from 1.51 (sector 2) to 1.8 (sector 3).

In Yugoslavia, application of macrozoobenthos for the purpose of bioindication has been relatively limited. This communities has been used in conjugation with saprobiological methods, while biotic indexes have been unjustifiable used to a small extent. This paper shows the most significant biotic indexes used in the World and possibility of their application in Yugoslavia, as well as the necessity for their modification and elaboration of new ones specific to Yugoslav conditions.

There were estimated of water quality of the river Banja and its trubutary Pocibrava, Serbia (Yugoslavia), during the period 1991-1994 by seasonal investigations of benthos fauna composition as bioindicators. The results have shown higher diversity of the Pocibrava bottom fauna community (66 taxa) than in the river Banja (53 taxa) where it was more uniform. Both water flows were receiving some organic loading and by the use of macrobenthos indicator organisms it was concluded that they belong to beta-mesosaprobic water quality class.

In the period of 1993-1996 water quality of the Bajski canal (Serbia, Yugoslavia) was followed using certain chemical and biological parameters. Oxygen control ranged from its deficiency to its supersaturation recorded in spring and early summer which moved down in summer and early autumn. A smaller amount of suspended particles points to a sedimentation process provoked also in the canal bed, clearing the way for the development of macrophytes. A diverse zooplankton showed typical seasonal variations. A total of 73 species was recorded including 13 Protozoa (17.8%), 44 Rotatoria (60.3%), 10 Cladocera (13.7%), and 6 Copepoda (8.2%). In summary, the process of water quality deterioration is less evident in this section of the DTD (Danube-Tisza-Danube) hydrosystem (Serbia, Yugoslavia).

During the period 1977-1996, Oligochaeta have been studied as indicator of water quality in the Bajski canal, Serbia (Yugoslavia). The locality was characterized by the 13 species from nine genera and two families - Naididae and Tubificidae. Species in genera Limnodrilus, Potamothrix and Branchiura were dominant, defining the environment as natural eutrophic.

A complex ichthyological analysis of the individual sections of the DTD (Danube-Tisza-Danube)-Backa canal system (Serbia, Yugoslavia) performed during 1996 vegetation period 23 fish species from 7 families. On the basis of the occurrence and abundance of indicators and limnosaprobic parameter, water quality of the analyzed canal sections was found to be beta-mesosaprobic index ranging from 2.15 to 2.21. The obtained results show that water quality of this DTD (Danube-Tisza-Danube) canal sections (Bajski Kanal, Odzaci-Sombor, Vrbas-Bezdan and Novi Sad-Savino Selo canals) corresponds to its purpose. The fish community representing an important factor of a whole aquatic biocenose, in addition to its undoubtedly indicator values also representing an active factor in the process of selfpurification and quality preservation of whole hydrosystem.

In order to carry out the program of protection and rational exploitation of Kovilj Marsh (Serbia, Yugoslavia), which is a part of special natural reserve called the Marsh of Kovilj and Petrovaradin, we have done an ecological analysis of the fish community. The research was conducted during the period of "low water", in the autumn 2000, on the following locations: Slajz, Tonja and Arkanj, and we have established the presence of 12 species from 6 different families. The saprobic index of the majority of bioindicative species shows that the water belongs to the beta-mesosaprobic type (the saprobic index according to Pantle-Buck is 2.1). The presence and abundance of certain ecological groups of fish is examined in relation to migration, type of food and type of substrate on which the fish lay their eggs. The results of this examination point to main features of certain localities in this floodplain, as well as to the necessity of taking appropriate measures of protection of this valuable water resource.

Perch (Perca fluviatilis) suitability as a water indicator was studied in field and laboratory investigations. It was found out that hematological status of this fish species was a valuable indicator of both temporary and periodical deterioration of dissolved oxygen saturation and can be used as reliable test for water quality evaluation. The anlyzed hematological parametrs were tested for their sensitivity and reliability as indicators of water quality changes. Values of different parameters were given for perch kept under optimal and unfavourable conditions of water oxygen saturation.

Important differences in the structure of fauna communities of their deepest parts of benthos were found in the investigation of several water reservoirs (Gruza, Grosnica, Barije, Bor, Vlasina and Medjuvrsje) on the territory of Serbia (Yugoslavia) lasting several years. The pronounced alterations of the structure are in the correlation to the pronounced degree of eutrofication was also established according to other indicators, above all according to the concentration of biogenic salts and the amount of organic substances. Characteristic group and taxa of the fauna of benthos which point to certain level of eutrophications were separated.