|
|
 |
|
Nature Park - Lonjsko polje
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
Nature Park Lonjsko Polje as a marshland is one of the most endangered habitats in the world. It is the greatest protected marshland not only in Croatia, but also in the entire Danube basin. It is included in the so-called Ramsar list of marshes of global importance, especially as a habitat of marsh birds. According to the criteria of bird directive of the European Union, this area belongs to Important Bird Areas (IBA). It mainly consists of three fields: Lonjsko polje, Mokro polje and Poganovo polje. The rivers Sava, Una, Kupa, Lonja and Strug meet precisely on the area of the Nature Park.
Due to their very complex activity, the floods cannot be predicted in this area, so one has to count on them at every season. The water level of the Sava, downriver from the town of Sisak can increase as much as 10 m. If the level of water in all these rivers rises high at the same time, huge amounts of water collide and cause floods to occur. The area of the middle
Sava River basin can receive a huge amount of two billions of cubic meters of water. So, water becomes the ruler of Lonjsko polje accepted even by man.
Public institution Nature Park Lonjsko Polje started its operation in 1998. The management of the Park is located in Jasenovac (approximately 100 km from Zagreb) and in Cigocic
village the Information center of the Park is located. Biological
Research Station shall open again soon in Drenov
Bok. The activities of Nature Park Lonjsko Polje are primarily directed on protection, preservation and promotion of basic natural and cultural values of the Park. The first educational programs for children have been designed and the Park also offers the services of an expert tourist guide. Expert scientific explorations are performed in the Park and numerous educational and professional workshops, meetings etc. are also held in the Park. The area of Nature Park Lonjsko Polje, formed like a mosaic of vast common oak forests interspersed with picturesque pastures and a lot of water surfaces, represents one of the most valuable fauna communities in Europe, especially concerning bird life.
There have been 239 bird species recorded, out of which more than 130 are nesting birds. Two species from the list of worldwide endangered species were spotted: the erne (Haliaetus albicilla) and the crake (Crex crex) and about 30 species that are endangered in Europe: black stork (Ciconia nigra), lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), spoonbill (Platalea leucordia) etc.
Birds of pray are a very interesting group: mouse buzzard (Buteo buteo), honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus), short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus), sparrow-hawk (Accipiter nisus), hawk (Accipiter gentilis), marsh harrier (Circus aeruqinosus), hobby (Falco subbuteo), Ural owl (Strix uralensis), dark-breasted barn owl (Tyto alba), long-eared owl (Asio otus) and tawny owl (Strix aluco).
The spacious area of Nature Park Lonjsko Polje is mostly covered with flooded
forests (60% of the surface), humid pastures and grasslands (approximately 30%) and the least part consists of water, ruderal and agricultural areas (approximately 10%).
Vast areas of Lonjsko polje are covered with the vegetation of flooded and humid grasslands. The areas of these grasslands are generally covered with sedge communities (Caricetum tricostato-vulpinae), slender-spiked sedge (Caricetum gracilis) and the communities of deposited of great gustocvjetna zlatnica (Solidaginetum serotinae-canadensis). The clear area of deep ponds
and marshes as well as the ornithological reserve Krapje Dol are in the early spring covered with flowers of water lily (Nymphaea alba) and yellow water lily (Nuphar luteum).
|
|
|
|
|
