Ecology and Environment

The lack of heavy industry in Croatia has had the happy effect of leaving its forests, coasts, rivers and air fresh and unpolluted. Nevertheless, there are some problems. Although 23% of Croatia is covered by forests, they are under serious threat. It's estimated that about 50% of the forests are imperilled as a result of acid rain, mostly from neighbouring countries. Logging and building projects are cutting into forested land at the rate of about 1000 hectares a year.

Coastal and island forests face particular problems. First logged by Venetians to build ships, then by local people desperate for fuel, centuries of neglect have left many island and coastal mountains barren. The dry summers and brisk maestral winds also pose substantial fire hazards along the coast. In the last 20 years, fires have destroyed 7% of Croatia's forests.
Animal pasturing in the Kornati Islands, Krka National Park and the Velebit Range have also damaged the landscape even though sheep and goat herds are disappearing. Although the sea along the Adriatic coast is among the cleanest in the world, overfishing has greatly reduced the fish population and scavenging for coral has nearly eliminated reefs.



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  • pit pit

    The Gorski Kotar highland region in western Croatia is the most densely forested part of Croatia, Risnjak National Park is wilhin this region, and has beech, fir, spruce and sycamore maple. Deer are plentiful as well as brown bears, wild cats and lynx from which the park gets its name. Ocasionaly a wolf or wild boar may apear but only rarely. Plitvice Lakes National Park however is an important refuge for wolves. A rare sea otter is also protected in Plitvice as well as in Krka

    dodano 2009-01-21 13:39:40, przez ip-62-69-211-230.globalconnect.pl
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