NATURAL „AMBASSADORS“ OF MEDVEDNICA

Natural world knows no artificially created boundries. Plants disseminate freely and animals migrate over the borders with ease. In order to protect the natural world, people are also required to cross those borders.

European Union has devised a way to protect its flora and fauna through Natura 2000 network. The network includes areas important for conservation of endagered species and habitat types throughout the continent.

This ecological network was designed in order to try and conserve more than 1000 rare, endangered and endemic species of plants and animals and 230 natural and semi-natural habitats in more than 3000 Natura areas. Areas included in Natura 2000 network cover almost 20% of EU teritory, which makes it the biggest system of protected areas in the world!

Natura areas are chosen based on scientific criteria and are rooted in two important European directives that are basis for nature protection within the European Union – Bird Directive and Habitats Directive. Important habitat types, plant and animal species are named as Natura species and are listed in annexes of those directives. Those species could be considered as „ambassadors“ of nature whose presence, abundance and conservation status in a selected area qualifies the area as a candidate for addition in Natura 2000 network.

Habitat types and species HR2000583 Medvednica based on The Regulation on the Ecological Network and the Jurisdiction of Public Institutions for Management of Sites of Ecological Network (OG 80/19