celebrating world forest day

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Nektarina Non Profit / Celebrating World Forest Day / March 21 2011 / Forests in Plitvice Lakes National Park / Croatia 1 Celebrating the World Forest Day / March 21 2011 Forests of the National Park Plitvice Lakes / Croatia

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Page 1: Celebrating World Forest Day

Nektarina Non Profit / Celebrating World Forest Day / March 21 2011 / Forests in Plitvice Lakes National Park / Croatia

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Celebrating the World Forest Day / March 21 2011

Forests of the National Park Plitvice Lakes / Croatia

Page 2: Celebrating World Forest Day

Nektarina Non Profit / Celebrating World Forest Day / March 21 2011 / Forests in Plitvice Lakes National Park / Croatia

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WELCOME TO PLITVICE LAKES

Croatia's first National park established in 1949 covers 296.85 km2 of breathtaking natural splendor becoming with it the largest among

the eight national parks of the country. Ranging in altitude from 367 m to 1279 m above sea level. The park was inscribed on the UNESCO's

World Heritage List in 1979, in recognition of its "outstanding natural beauty and undisturbed production of travertine (tufa) through chemical

and biological action". The park represents a phenomenon of karst hydrography.

The park harbours a grand collection of waterfalls, gallery of lakes, forest and diversity of animal life. The lakes are renowned for their

distinctive colors, ranging from azure to green, grey or blue. The colors change constantly depending on the quantity of minerals or organisms

in the water and the angle of sunlight. The sixteen lakes which are formed by natural dams of travertine are separated into upper and lower

lakes. About eight km of pathways and wooden walking trails around lakes are accessible to visitors. Trails are descending from an altitude of

636m to 503m above sea level.

The Park is situated in central Croatia, in the eastern part of the mountainous region of Lika-Seni county. The National Park is also home

to 4,000 inhabitants. The local economy is based on tourism and farming.

Plitvice lakes are recognized as an astonishing natural monument for the benefit and enjoyment of the people now and for the

generations to come. Today, 60 years after its establishment, Plitvice Park continues to provide inspiration for visitors becoming nowadays one

of Croatia's biggest attractions.

Hiking is a common activity with organized programs for park visitors, other possible activities include: electric boat and train ride, cycling,

skiing and rowing.

"There are water, lakes, waterfalls and forest elsewhere, but Plitvice Lakes, are unique they simply must be seen!" (Academic, Ivo Pevalek,

1937)

Come for a visit and take away the experience of a lifetime.It is time to get out and enjoy the beautiful outdoor in Croatia!

Page 3: Celebrating World Forest Day

Nektarina Non Profit / Celebrating World Forest Day / March 21 2011 / Forests in Plitvice Lakes National Park / Croatia

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FORESTS OF PLITVICE LAKES NATIONAL PARK

The forests of the Plitvice Lakes National Park are one of the conditions of present status and of survival of lake water and belonging

streams ecosystem. Favourable geological conditions which are affecting the Park area, do depend on balanced forestry ecosystems,

composed exclusively from grown up, well composed forestry components of natural system.

There is no soil erosion in the Park area, and that could be provided only by forest itself. Forest creates much more soil than insignificant

amounts of soil taken away by superficial rainflow are. Tree crowns of the Plitvice forests are covering forest soil well. That soil is in fact soft,

spongy creation which purifies the water by filtering it, makes it drinkable, keeps it and slowly lets it off in springs, streams and the lakes.

Water which goes from forest into the lake, certainly keeps its cleanliness, transparency and is suitable for development of travertine forming

plants.

Geological base of the Park is mostly made of limestone of Mesozoic era with layers of dolomite, but of dolomite itself as well. The most

represented ground is brown soil on the limestone and dolomite (kalkokambisol) and its depth depends on the karst phenomena.

The most represented tree species in the Park forest is beech tree (Fagus sylvatica) which is covering about 73% of forestry area. Beech tree

has a great ecological value. In major parts of these forests, beech tree is reaching its ecological top creating secure and firm forestry cover,

thus making ecological base of its area safe.

The second largest represented tree species in the Park is fir tree (Abies alba). This coniferous species appears in a higher area above plain

beech forest. In its living area, fir tree grows up together with beech tree, thus creating one of the most beautiful and ecologically most

efficient forests of the area. The share of all fir trees in the National Park forests is about 22%.

Among the other tree species, we can find in the Park deciduous trees as follows: mountain maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), maple mlijec (Acer

platanoides), maple gluhac (Acer obtusatum), oak of kitnjak species (Quercue petraea), mountain elm tree (Ulmus montana). Coniferous trees

that can be seen are: spruce (Picea abies), a pine (Pinus nigra), common pine (Pinus sylvestris). Out of "Pioneer" tree species which are

occupying open areas, we could mention juniper tree, pine, birch tree and trepetljika (Betula pendula and Populus tremula). All the mentioned

tree species cover about 5% out of the total forestry area.

Page 4: Celebrating World Forest Day

Nektarina Non Profit / Celebrating World Forest Day / March 21 2011 / Forests in Plitvice Lakes National Park / Croatia

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Page 5: Celebrating World Forest Day

Nektarina Non Profit / Celebrating World Forest Day / March 21 2011 / Forests in Plitvice Lakes National Park / Croatia

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Page 6: Celebrating World Forest Day

Nektarina Non Profit / Celebrating World Forest Day / March 21 2011 / Forests in Plitvice Lakes National Park / Croatia

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Page 7: Celebrating World Forest Day

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Page 8: Celebrating World Forest Day

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Nektarina Non Profit / Celebrating World Forest Day / March 21 2011 / Forests in Plitvice Lakes National Park / Croatia

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Text copyrights

Plitvice National Lakes Croatia / www.np-plitvicka-jezera.hr

Forests of National Park text / Author prof . dr. sc. Branimir Prpic

Photography copyrights

©Rubia for Nektarina Non Profit

www.nektarinanonprofit.com

Nektarina Non Profit extends gratitude to

Authorized Volvo Representative in Croatia www.moto-ris.hr and to Basler Osiguranje Zagreb d.d. www.basler-oz.hr for making

this publication possible.

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Nektarina Non Profit / Celebrating World Forest Day / March 21 2011 / Forests in Plitvice Lakes National Park / Croatia

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Published online by Nektarina Non Profit / March 2011