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FOREST-A FUNDAMENTAL PHENOMENON

Fundamental phenomenon of the Nature Park Medvednica is well preserved forests and forest communities, which cover 64% of Park's area. Main In the Park are 8 forest nature reserves.

FOREST MANAGEMENT

Of total Park area (22.826 ha), 8.188 ha are public forests, 374 ha belong to the Faculty of forestry and 5.988 ha are private forests. In accordance with scientific principles forest experts manage and exploit Medvednica forests. Private forests are managed by their owners, but management plan has not been made yet, so their appearance depends on their owners.

Forests in Nature Park Medvednica:
 

*selection system means that every couple of years single trees are taken out from Medvednica forests, and in that ways space is opened for the growth of new young trees.

*regular management means that some part of the forest is completely cut down. This clear space is in fact a young forest only a couple of years old

"Hrvatske šume" d.o.o. gained the right to a prestigious FSC certificate for forest management. According to the definition, FSC accredited certificate means that forest management is in accordance with strict environmental, social and economic standards.

The most represented, economically important species are beech, fir, sessile oak, maple, hornbeam, alder, and sweet chestnut. Endangered species are fir (withering), sweet chestnut (cancer of chestnut bark), and black alder (change of water regime…).

NATURE RESERVES OF FOREST VEGETATION

Special nature reserves of forest vegetation on Medvednica

•  Bliznec – Šumarev grob ( Beech and fir forests )
•  Gračec – Lukovica – Rebar ( Termophilic forests of downy oak and European Hop hornbeam )
•  Mikulić potok – Vrabečka gora ( Hilly beech forest )
•  Pušinjak – Gorščica ( Hilly beech forest )
•  Rauchova lugarnica – Desna Trnava ( Beech-fir forest )
•  Tusti vrh – Kremenjak ( Sessile Oak and beech forests )
•  Babji zub – Ponikve ( Sessile Oak and beech forests )
•  Markovčak – Bistra ( Beech-fir forest )



Forest vegetation reservations in the area of Nature Park Medvednica

BIODIVERSITY

Every old tree is a home to many smaller animals, fungi and plants. Hollows, cuttings, broken and raised bark are important microhabitats for over 50 other living species.

It is normal for trees that in a certain age for different reasons occurs bark breaking, trunk rotting, formation of hollows, tree withering, overturn caused by strong wind, ice or other. During summer and winter a couple of dozen species find here ideal condition for its stay; an old tree can be a daily or nocturnal hiding place, or a place where females of some bat species raise their young. During cold period or lack of food some animals hibernate under bark or in tree hollows. The hollow made by woodpecker can be a habitat for owls, stock dove, dormouse, bees and hornet, and different species of bats. If an oak tree is even older, its subtenants are fungi, stag beetles, long-horned beetles...

HOW DO WE PRESERVE FOREST BIODIVERSITY?

We leave standing and lying dry trees in forests, as well as healthy trees with hollows, we allow further growth of major economically important species of trees, leave fruit trees, preserve natural water regime …


Cycle of Sessile Oak

FOREST COMMUNITIES

Natural forest composites of Medvednica represent a large natural resource of plant species and diversity of forest formations, and at the same time form the fundamental phenomenon of Nature Park Medvednica. This is the result of vegetation development of this area in the past and very diverse environmental conditions (climate influences, altitudes, exposition, inclinations, types and depth of soil, etc.) under which forest associations have developed in present form. This is especially affecting southern slopes of Medvednica, which represent one of the best examples of forest vegetation zoning in Croatia.
From the phytocenologic and natural-scientific point of view, in Medvednica's forest we can find very interesting forest associations, which besides economic value have large commonly useful values (biological diversity, sustainability, protective, esthetical, recreational, health, tourist, educational and other functions).

REVIEW OF FOREST ASSOCIATIONS ON THE LOCALITY OF NATURE PARK MEDVEDNICA:

1. Sessile oak and hornbeam forest
(Epimedio-Carpinetum betuli /Ht.1938/Borh 1963)

This forest association is located on the lowest slopes of Medvednica (150-350 m), and surrounds the whole massive. In the past large areas of this forest were cleared and in the present they are field crops, orchards, vineyards and settlements.

In tree layer besides sessile oak (Quercus petraea) and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) comes wild cherry (Prunus avium), field maple (Acer campestre), European beech (Fagus sylvatica), bigleaf linden (Tilia plathyphillos), etc.
In shrub layer comes hazel (Corylus avellana), European dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), European euonymus (Euonymus europaea), common privet (Ligustrum vulgare), honeysuckle (Lonicera caprifolium), mezereon (Daphne mezereum), and in the ground level wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa), lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis), primrose (Primula vulgaris), European wild ginger (Asarum europaeum), sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), dog tooth violet (Erythronium dens-canis) and other spring flowers.

Larger areas of this association can be found at the foothills of Kraljev vrh, while the most beautiful composites of this endangered association are located in southwest parts of Medvednica, especially in the area of Ponikve, below Pongrač's forestry, and in lower parts of many streams around Medvednica.

2. Sessile oak and sweet chestnut forest
(Querco-Castaneetum sativae /Ht.1938)

On higher altitudes sessile oak and sweet chestnut forest (Querco-Castanetum sativae /Ht.1938) follow sessile oak and hornbeam forest which grows on slightly to moderately acid soil, on elevation 250-550 m.

Tree layer consists of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) and sessile oak, and common are hornbeam and European beech.
The shrub layer is not well developed, and one can find sweet chestnut, flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus), broom (Genista sp.), clustered broom (Chamaecytisus supinus) and juniper tree (Vaccinium myrtillus).
In the ground level we can find common cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense), wood hawkweed (Hieracium sylvaticum), scotchmist (Galium sylvaticum), saw-wort (Serratula tinctoria), golden rod (Solidago virgaurea), pig-salad (Aposeris foetida), lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis), willow gentian (Gentiana asclepiadea), etc.

It is important to mention that on all localities where this association is found drying of sweet chestnut trees has been noticed, and the formed gaps are filled with European beech and hornbeam, which is especially noticeable in composites above estine towards Medvedgrad, and above Gračani.

3. Sessile oak and wood hawkweed forest
(Hieracio racemosi-Quercetum petraeae /Vukelić 1990/1991)

This forest association can be found on shallow ridges and crests, almost exclusively on south and southwest sides, on elevation 300-750 m.

In the tree layer sessile oak is especially dominant, and on most locations it is the only tree species. Very rarely one can find sweet chestnut, wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis) and flowering ash. In shrub layer comes hairy broom (Chamaecytisus hirsutus), broom (Genista sp.), while in the ground layer comes scotchmist (Galium sylvaticum), various-leaved fescue (Festuca heterophylla), peach-leaved bellflower (Campanula persicifolia), Caucasian daisy (Tanacetum corymbosum), black pea (Lathyrus niger), oakforest woodrush (Luzula luzuloides) and Hieracium racemosum.

The most beautiful composites of this association are located on Markuševac hill above Bačun, and below St. Jakob's chapel.

4. Sessile oak and great woodrush forest
(Luzulo-Quercetum petraeae /Hill.1932/Pass.1963)

These pure sessile oak composites are located on sunny slopes and ridges on drained terrains on elevation 500-600 m. In shrub layer come various acidophilus species like blubbery and broom, and in poorly developed ground level acidophytes: great woodrush, wood hawkweed, common cow-wheat, bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) and numerous mosses.

5. Illyrian mountain beech forest with dead nettle
(Lamio orvale-Fagetum sylvaticae /Ht.1938)

The area in which these forests are distributed on Medvednica is on elevation between 300 and 820 m, but on southern slopes it begins much higher than on the northern ones.

In tree level dominates European beech which is in lower parts combined with sessile oak and hornbeam, and in higher parts sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), Norway maple (Acer platanoides), European ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and wych elm (Ulmus glabra).
Shrub layer consists of species from tree level, which are sometimes accompanied with bigleaf linden, mezereon and spurge laurel (Daphne laureola), etc.
In especially luxuriant layer of ground vegetation the most significant are dead nettle (Lamium orvala), dog's mercury (Mercurialis perennis), butcher's broom (Ruscus hypoglossum), pig-salad, Hungarian widow flower (Knautia drymeia), cyclamen (Cyclamen purpurascens), primrose, lungwort, etc.

Especially valuable composites of this association are located on the area of reservation of forest vegetation Pušinjak-Gorščica and Mikulić stream-Vrabečka hill.

6. European beech forest with great woodrush
(Luzulo-Fagetum sylvaticae Mausel 1937)

This association is extremely acidophilus, developed on poor, washed out and heavy soils. It occupies significant areas on Medvednica, grows on steep, mostly north slopes, on elevation between 250 and 800 m.
In tree level dominates European beech, while in lower areas next to beech individually comes sessile oak and sweet chestnut.
Shrub layer is undeveloped if we exclude considerable presence of European beech, and rarely acidophilus species like blueberry and broom.
Acidity indicators prevail as well among ground vegetation. Foremost, those are great woodrush, wood hawkweed, western brackenfern, various-leaved fescue, pig-salad, golden rod, and moss.

7. Pannonian beech and fir tree forest
(Abieti-Fagetum "pannonicum" Rauš 1969. prov.)

These forests continue on very distinct vegetation zone of mountain beech forests. On Medvednica they are distributed in the peak zone (800-1000 m elevation) while on the north slopes they descend 400 m lower, even to elevation 250 m (above Gornja Bistra).

In the tree layer dominate beech and fir (Abies alba), less often comes bigleaf linden and sycamore maple, while on lower elevations hornbeam, as well.
The shrub layer mostly consists of species from tree layer, and hazel, spurge laurel and mezereon.
Ground vegetation is abundant, and especially often is: roadside fescue (Festuca drymeia), cyclamen, alpine ragwort (Senecio nemorensis), sweet woodruff, rattlesnake root (Prenanthes purpurea), English ivy (Hedera helix), fir, blackberry and raspberry (Rubus sp.).

The main recreational area of Medvednica is located in these forests (peak zone of climbers' lodges and sky slopes).

8. Mountain maple and common ash-tree forest
(Chrysanthemo macrophylli-Aceretum pseudoplatani /Ht.1938/Borh.1962)

This forest association comes in fragments in the zone of beech-fir forests, on moist and sheltered depressions in which larger quantities of snow accumulate during winter, on elevation between 800 and 1000 m.

In tree level dominate: sycamore maple, European ash, wych elm, and common are species from surrounding beech-fir forests, such as fir, beech and Norway maple.
In shrub layer, besides species from tree layer, dominates red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa).
Ground vegetation layer is very abundant and rich with species of which the most important are perennial honesty (Lunaria rediviva), alpine ragwort, white-flowerd tansy (Tanacetum macrophyllum), mourning widow (Geranium phaeum), corydalis (Corydalis sp.), sweet woodruff, coralroot (Cardamine bulbifera, Cardamine enneaphyllos), goat's beard (Aruncus dioicus), coltsfoot (Petasites sp.), ferns (Athyrium filix femina, Dryopteris filix mas), etc.

In this part of Medvednica the most beautiful examples of this association in Croatia can be found, and it was described here for the first time.

9. Yew and lime forest
(Tilio-Taxetum Glavač 1959)

On northern rocky steep slopes of Medvednica, in the zone of mountain beech forest, fragmentarily, one can find this forest association. We find it in the area of Horvat's steps, Eagle's rocks and Velika peć.

In tree layer the most dominant species are bigleaf linden, yew (Taxus baccata) and sycamore maple, and we can see beech, fir, flowering ash, hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia) etc.
In shrub layer significant are, besides linden and yew, euonymus (Euonymus latifolia and Euonymus verrucosa), hazel, whitebeam (Sorbus aria) and species from tree layer.
In ground vegetation layer important species are hart's tongue fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium), common spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes), common polypody (Polypodium vulgare), mossy sandwort (Moehringia muscosa), perennial honesty, spotted deadnettle (Galeobdolon luteum), dog's mercury and blackberry.

The community is protected by law because yew is relict and rare species and as such protected by the Law of nature protection. However, yew and its association have in many places completely disappeared, for which reason the remaining localities must be strictly protected.

10. Downy oak and hop hornbeam forest
(Ostryo-Quercetum pubescentis Ht.1938)

On the area of Medvednica this association appears on locations where composites of downy oak are the remains of termophile tertiary vegetation, which remained only on extremely dry habitats after de-icing and introduction of middle European mesophile species. On Medvednica this forest association occupies limited areas with specific conditions, such as localities above Podsusedsko Dolje, Kameni svatovi, reserves of forest vegetation Gračec, Lukovica-Rebar, above quarry near Bliznec stream, in the eastern part on the stretch of rocky peaks Oštrc-Pečovje-Vitelnica, and at the entrance to Trnava stream. Those are extremely termophile, southern habitats, with larger slopes on which snow thaws first, and water drains.

In tree layer, next to downy oak and hop hornbeam, we can find flowering ash, Montpelier maple (Acer monspessulanum), and in shrub layer whitebeam, cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas), wild service, wayfaring tree viburnum (Viburnum lantana), wild rose (Rosa arvensis).
Owing to low density tree tops and plenty light, ground vegetation is abundant. We can find causcian daisy (Tanacetum corymbosum), Lithospermum purpurocoeruleum, Solomon's seal (Polygonatum officinale), germander (Teucrium chamaedrys), Italian aster (Aster amellus), bastard balm (Melittis melissophyllum) etc.

11. Common alder with sedge
(Carici brizoides-Alnetum glutinosae Ht.1938)

Localities of this association on Medvednica are very narrow zones next to streams Trnava, Markuševac, Bliznec, Mikulić, Vrapčak, Šupljak, Bistra, Rakova noga, Pustodol, Reka. Those are the main localities, often flooded, i.e. smaller plateaus next to streams and habitats on which atmospheric and strained water drains from higher locations and surrounding steep slopes.

In tree layer dominates common alder, and in shrub layer hazel, common elderberry (Sambucus nigra), European dogwood, purple willow (Salix purpurea) and European euonymus.
In the layer of ground vegetation dominates sedge (Carex brizoides) with various species from moist habitats, such as drooping sedge (Carex pendula), horsetail (Equisetum sp.), common hop (Humulus lupulus), iris (Iris pseudacorus) and other hygrophytes.

This association has a distinct relict character, and it has remained in this area since glacial period. An important development factor of this association is dynamics of underground water, and in the last couple of years its area has decreased because of construction of hydro energetic and melioration systems.

12. Common oak and hornbeam forest
(Carpino betuli-Quercetum roboris /Anić1959/Rauš1969)

This, otherwise very common and researched association of Croatian lowlands, appears on Medvednica only in the area of park Stubički Golubovec. Through horticultural design it changed its physiognomy and in its larger part has been changed into an English type of park.

Floral composition is rich and various, and in tree layer consists of common oak and hornbeam. Seldom can we find beech, field maple (Acer campestre), littleleaf linden (Tilia cordata), silver linden (Tilia tomentosa), wild pear (Pyrus pyraster), narrowleaf ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), etc.
Shrub layer mostly consists of: hazel, European euonymus, wayfaring tree viburnum, hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) etc., while in ground layer abundant are mesophile species which are indicators of fresh and drained, but not wet and flooded habitats: wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella), wood anemone, Solomon's seal, European wild ginger, English ivy, alpine strawberry (Fragaria vesca), greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea), lungwort, sweet woodruff, tuberous comfrey (Symphytum tuberosum) etc.