Nature Parks
10.04.2015. 13:23:45
In Croatia there are 11 nature parks, of which six are mountainious. Particularly noteworthy is the nature park Biokovo with its beauty scenery which attracts many tourists. Owing to the great diversity of the living world, here we can find the 1500 different species of plants, of which a large number of endemic species such as the Biokovo bell and narrowleaf knapweed. It is known its abundance of geomorphological content such as a variety of caves, sinkholes, caverns and rocks. Also, in this area live many birds and reptiles, and we should highlight and mouflon, dormice, mountain goats, wolves and bats. Besides Biokovo with its beauty stands out Wildlife Kopački rit which with its green vegetation belongs to one of the best preserved wetlands in Europe. The park is dominated by white willow forests and wetlands, which are ideal for living amphibians, fish, birds and many mammals. The southern section of the Kopački rit was declared zoological reserve. However this park special charms with its birds, even 282 species of which 141 nests regularly. This is also the largest fish hatchery belonging to the danubian basin. 1986, this nature park has been placed on the list of important ornithological areas in Europe due to the importance of the area as a wetland habitat of a large number of birds. We have to mention Nature Park Lastovo comprising of 44 islands, islets and rocks. It includes the island of Lastovo with adjacent islets. Thanks to the beautiful and rich features of the land and a very diverse living world this park has special value. In this area are present a total of 703 plant species, 53 of which are endangered. There are 141 animal species, of which 71 are endangered, and the particular importance to the nature park are giving endangered species like Lastovo and the Adriatic coastal lizard. Lonja field is the largest protected area that has a rich green area thanks to the oak forests and wetland. This nature park is a habitat for many waterbirds, and is mostly inhabited by small white herons, spoonbills, white-tailed eagle and spotted, black stork, white-tern and the ferruginous duck. These species are extinct in many parts of Europe. Also here were recorded 250 species of birds most of which are nesting. Therefore, we can say that this is the main reason why certain areas in this park are protected ornithological reserves. In 1983. the whole area of a nature park has been set on the list of important ornithological areas in Europe. Medvednica is characterized by forest beech, oak, ash, maple and fir trees, and within Medvednica are located eight protected forest reserve. This area is inhabited by a variety of well over 1300 plants and about 70 species of nesting birds. Zeleni škriljavac is the most famous rock of this park. Also known is cave Veternica which has 7100 meters long channel. This cave is one of the most important paleontological sites in Croatia. Park of Nature Papuk covers almost the entire area of the eponymous mountain and western part of Krndija. 95 percent of the park is full of forests, which are protected due to the natural values and we can say that in addition to the natural features of this park has important geological features, which is why in 2007 it gained the status of a geopark. In the northwestern area is located the first geological monument in Croatia, Rupnica, which is protected due to the secretion of volcanic rocks. Here live many plant and animal species such as birds and bats. Park Telašćica belongs to one of the most beautiful Adriatic bays and includes 13 islands and reefs. Inland area of this park contains lush Mediterranean vegetation and 400 plant species. Undersea of Telašćica makes sandy bottom decorated with flowering meadows of Posidonia and it also contains a rich flora and fauna. Učka Nature Park has a highly developed forest vegetation, and emphasized are the coastal forests of beech and many meadows and grasslands on which reside, over 1200 protected plant species, and in addition there are about 150 species of birds. Učka contains about 200 caves. Besides these nature parks we must also mention the Velebit Nature Park which is the largest protected area in Croatia, Vrana Lake Nature Park and Žumberak.
