The Management Plan (in English) - Nacionalni park Sjeverni Velebit

N a t i o n a l P a r k

Northern VelebitM A N A G E M E N T P L A N

Krasno, September 2007

NOR THERN VELEBIT NATIONAL PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN

2Publisher:

Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia

For the publisher:

Božo Biškupić, M.A.

Editor:

Zoran Šikić

Technical editor:

Svjetlana Lupret-Obradović

Language supervision and proof-reading:

Apostrof d.o.o.

Photographs:

Archives of the Northern Velebit National Park Public Institution, Darko Bakšić, Csaba Pinter, Ante Vukušić

Graphic design and layout:

Ermego d.o.o.

Printer:

Arcode d.o.o.

Print run:

100 copies

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the National and University Library in Zagreb under 654528

ISBN 978-953-6240-80-7

Development of the Management Plan has been fi nanced under the Karst Ecosystem Conservation (KEC) Project, with grant funds (IBRD GEF TF 050539 HR) from the Global Environmental Fund (GEF) via the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and funds from the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia.

MA N A G E M E N T P L A N P R E PA R AT I O N T E A M

3

Northern Velebit National Park Team

· Milan Nekić , Director General

· Milan Krmpotić, Director General (2001-2005)

· Svjetlana Lupret Obradović, Conservation Manager – Management Plan coordinator in Northern Velebit NP Public Institution

· Tihomir Devčić, Chief Ranger

· Dubravka Kljajo, Expert Advisor/Geologist

· Konrad Kiš, Expert Advisor/Forester (2003-2007)

· Irena Glavičić, Expert Advisor for Marketing

· Agriconsulting Project Team, Italy

· Hana Blašković, Project Director

· Paolo Viskanić, Biology Study Team Leader

· Sanja Tišma, Local Project Coordinator

· Željko Kramarić, Management Planning Advisor

· Silvija Kipson, Management Planning Associate

· Andrea Ruk, Administrative Support and Translation

· Luigi Boitani, International Management Planning Expert

· John Grainger, International Management Planning Expert

· Peter Howard, International Management Planning Expert

Field ResearchFlora Team

· Toni Nikolić, Team Coordinator (PMF)

· Ljudevit Ilijanić, Team Member

· Jasenka Topić, Team Member

· Mirjana Vrbek, Team Member

· Suzana Buzjak, Team Member

· Mirko Ruščić

· Dario Hruševar

· Tamara Kirin

· Mihaela Britvec

· Ivica Ljubičić

· Ivana Vitasović-Kosić

· Dijana Jurković, Data Entry

· Sven Jelaska

Fauna Team

· Nikola Tvrtković, Team Coordinator, Zoologist, Bat Expert (HPM)

· Igor Pavlinić, Bat Expert

· Draško Holcer, Bat Expert

· Nenad Vajdić, Field Work Assistance

· Marijana Vuković, Zoologist, Karst and Forest Animals, Moth Inventory

· Martina Šašić, Entomologist

· Franjo Perović, Entomologist, Water Insect Inventory

· Iva Mihoci, Entomologist

· Vesna Tutiš, Ornithology Team Coordinator, Ornithologist, Ornithology Institute, Croatian Academy of Arts and Science

· Davor Ćiković, Ornithologist, Ornithology Institute

· Sanja Barišić, Ornithologist, Ornithology Institute

· Dragan Radović, Ornithologist, Ornithology Institute

· Ivan Budinski, Contractor for Ornithology Institute, Ornithologist/Bander

· Krešimir Mikulić, Contractor for Ornithology Institute, Ornithologist/Bander

· Ognjen Vukadinović, Associate, Ornithology Institute, Ornithology Field Assistant

· Đuro Huber, Large Carnivore Team Coordinator

· Josip Kusak, Large Carnivore Team

· Tomislav Gomerčić, Large Carnivore Team

· Goran Gužvica, Large Carnivore Team

Biospeleology Team

· Jana Bedek, Biospeleology Team Coordinator (HBSD)

· Roman Ozimec, Biospeleologist

· Branko Jalžić, Biospeleologist

· Martina Pavlek, Biospeleologist

· Helena Bilandžija, Biospeleologist

· Marko Lukić, Biology Student

· Predrag Rade, Speleologist

GIS/IT

· Marija Bajica, Team Coordinator (Oikon)

· Siniša Tkalčec

· Josip Križan

· Martina Jelinić

· Zoran Gregurić

Habitat Team

· Vladimir Kušan, Land Cover

· Zrinka Mesić

· Hrvoje Peternel

Karst Eco-system Conservation (KEC) Implementation Unit:

· Kornelija Pintarić, KEC Project Leader

· Dijana Juroš, Program Coordinator

· Stella Šatalić, Biological Diversity Chief (November 2002 – January 2007)

· Mirjana Stjepanović, Procurement and Finance Expert (September 2002 – March 2007)

· Melani Marković, Expert Associate (March-December 2007)

· Ana-Antonija Barić, Expert Associate

· Marijana Uzelac, Procurement and Finance Expert (March-December 2007)

Management Plan Preparation Team


4

A Word from the Publisher

In the interest of improving conservation in protected areas, and particularly to preserve karst ecological systems in Croatia, the Ministry of Culture and the World Bank implemented the Karst Ecosystem Conservation (KEC) Project from 2003 to 2007, with fi nancing from the Global Environmental Fund. Under this Project, management plans were developed for Risnjak National Park, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Paklenica National Park, Northern Velebit National Park and Velebit Nature Park.

The development of management plans for national and nature parks is an obligation stipulated by the Nature Protection Act (as published in Croatia’s offi cial journal, Narodne novine, no. 70/05), which also specifi es the content of management plans and modes for their adoption. The park management plans developed by KEC are in fact the fi rst management plans for protected areas drafted in Croatia. The format of this Management Plan and the methodology used to draft it were reached by agreement at KEC Project workshops, at which all interested parties participated during the period from 2003 to 2007.

The Management Plan consists of a brief, summarized strategy document, which breaks down the strategic objectives and guidelines for management, and the action plans. The actions plans further refi ne the strategic management guidelines and provide a detailed specifi cation of management “in the fi eld”. The action plans adhere to the vision, mission, policies and general management strategy specifi ed by the Management Plan.

The management plans are prepared on the basis of existing research studies and data on the status of individual park, and a great deal of supplementary research of plants and animals was conducted, particularly in the karst subterranean zone. Useful documentation on physical planning and the state of local economies (concerning tourism in particular) was also gathered, and local populations and interested parties in and around the park were constantly consulted at all phases of plan development. The vision, mission and objectives of the management plans are presented to the wider public every year at annual KEC Project workshops organized by the Ministry of Culture and the public institutions which manage these protected areas.

The management plans for Risnjak National Park, Plitvice Lakes National Park, Paklenica National Park, Northern Velebit National Park and Velebit Nature Park were developed by a team from the fi rm Agriconsulting of Rome, working together with Croatian experts under the active leadership of the management teams at each park. We believe that the KEC management plans will serve as a sound model for the development of these strategic documents in other Croatian protected areas.

The Ministry of Culture would like to express particular gratitude to the World Bank team for its leadership of the project and for conveying international experiences to the staff of the Ministry and the public institutions, which greatly contributed to enhancement of capacity to implement international projects.

We would like to thank all participants in the plan development process for their contribution to this document, for only the cooperation of all participants made it possible to deliberate on all vital aspects and fi nally develop this Management Plan.

Božo Biškupić

Minister of Culture

F O R E W O R D

5

Foreword

Dear Readers!

You have before you the Northern Velebit National Park Management Plan, drafted as a part of the Karst Ecosystem Conservation (KEC) Project.

For those of us working in Northern Velebit National Park, the adoption of this Management Plan is a very important step, for this document is an important tool for performing all of the Institution’s functions as defi ned by law.

The Management Plan provides a detailed breakdown of every aspect of the Institution’s work in the coming ten years, whether it be research, specifi c species and ecosystem preservation and conservation, development of the visitor system or institutional reinforcement of the Institution itself and training of its staff .

The Northern Velebit National Park Management Plan is the fruit of many years of joint eff orts by everyone involved. Besides those who actually drafted the Plan, the Institution’s staff , the Ministry of Culture, the State Institute for Nature Protection and numerous other institutions and individuals actively participated in its preparation.

Since this is the fi rst Management Plan for Northern Velebit National Park, we expect that in the course of its implementation, we shall have the opportunity to test its underlying assumptions, achieve the planned objectives and implement all relevant measures, and also spot any shortcomings, so that we can try to correct them during revision of the Plan.

We would like to convey our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in preparation of the Management Plan, and also invite all of those who are in any way interested in Northern Velebit National Park and the Public Institution’s work to join us in the creation and implementation of action plans, and facilitate the improved implementation of the Plan with their suggestions. We believe that in this way we shall contribute to a common goal – the conservation of nature in Northern Velebit National Park, to the benefi t of all.

Krasno, September 2007

Park Management


6

Northern Velebit National Park

Basic information

Protected area: Northern Velebit

Conservation category:National ParkIUCN – category II

Date established: June 9, 1999

Legal founding instrument:Act Proclaiming Northern Velebit National Park (Narodne novine, no. 58/99)

Total surface area:109 km2 (Act Proclaiming Northern Velebit National Park)111 km2 (boundaries of Northern Velebit NP ascertained by GIS)

Date of Management Plan’s adoption: September 17, 2007

Planning period/plan revision: 10 years/ revision after 5 years

Physical plan In progress

Physical planning period /

Information on park management

Management: Northern Velebit National Park

Address: Krasno 96, 53274 Krasno

Telephone: + 385 53 665 380

Fax: + 385 53 665 390

E-mail: [email protected]

Public institution’s charter:Charter of Northern Velebit National Park Public Institution, adopted by

the Governing Board on February 27, 2006

Internal regulations:Northern Velebit National Park Internal Rules of Order (Narodne novine,

no. 75/00)

CO N T E N T S

7

Contents

1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1.1. Northern Velebit National Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

1.2. Northern Velebit in the international context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

1.3. Vision of Northern Velebit National Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2. CURRENT STATUS AND VALUE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2.1. Institutional and legislative framework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2.1.1. Legislative framework underlying the Management Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

2.1.2. Planning instruments in Croatia and links to other planning documents . . . . . . 18

2.1.3. Responsible ministries and institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

2.2. Northern Velebit National Park Public Institution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

2.2.1. Organizational structure of Northern Velebit National Park. . . . . . . . . . . . 19

2.2.2. Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

2.2.3. Financial status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

2.3. Natural value of Northern Velebit National Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

2.3.1. Geology, hydrogeology and soils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

2.3.2. Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

2.3.3. Landscape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

2.3.4. Land cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

2.3.5. Habitats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

2.3.5.1. Plant communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

2.3.5.2. Subterranean habitats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

2.3.6. Species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

2.3.6.1. Fungi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

2.3.6.2. Plants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

2.3.6.3. Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

2.3.6.3.1. Invertebrates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

2.3.6.3.2. Amphibians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

2.3.6.3.3. Reptiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

2.3.6.3.4. Birds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

2.3.6.3.5. Mammals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36


8 2.3.7. Specially protected areas within the National Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

2.3.7.1. Hajdučki and Rožanski Crests Strict Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

2.3.7.2. Special Zavižan-Balinovac-Zavižanska Kosa (Botanical) Reserve . . . . . . . 38

2.3.7.3. Visibaba Special (Botanical) Reserve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

2.3.7.4. Velebit Botanical Garden – Landscape Architecture Monument . . . . . . . 38

2.3.8. Habitats from the Ecological Network and Natura 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

2.4. Population and cultural values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

2.5. Visitors and tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

2.6. Threats to the value of Northern Velebit National Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

3. ZONING AND FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVES OF PARK MANAGEMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

3.1. Zoning concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

3.1.1. Zoning in Northern Velebit National Park and management by zones . . . . . . . . 51

3.1.1.1. Zone 1a – Strictest conservation zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

3.1.1.2. Zone 1b – Very strict conservation zone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

3.1.1.3. Zone 2 – Active conservation zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

3.1.1.4. Zone 3 – Usage zone; sub-zone 3b: Recreation and tourism infrastructure zone 54

3.2. Objectives and measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

3.2.1. General problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

3.2.2. Scientifi c research and monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

3.2.3. Biodiversity conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

3.2.3.1. Grasslands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

3.2.3.2. Forests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

3.2.3.3. Water ecosystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

3.2.3.4. Subterranean ecosystems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

3.2.4. Cultural heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

3.2.5. Public participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

3.2.6. Publicity and other marketing activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

3.2.7. Visitor system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

3.2.7.1. Visitor management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

3.2.7.2. Interpretation and education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

3.2.8. Road infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

3.2.9. Other infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

3.2.10. Enhancement of institutional capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

CO N T E N T S

94. IMPLEMENTATION OF MANAGEMENT PLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

4.1. Action plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

4.1.1. Overview of action plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

4.1.1.1. General problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

4.1.1.2. Scientifi c research and monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

4.1.1.3. Biodiversity conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

4.1.1.3.1. Grasslands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

4.1.1.3.2. Forests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

4.1.1.3.3. Water ecosystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

4.1.1.3.4. Subterranean ecosystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

4.1.1.3.5. Species and individual habitat types . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

4.1.1.4. Cultural heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

4.1.1.5. Public participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

4.1.1.6. Publicity and other marketing activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

4.1.1.7. Visitor system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

4.1.1.7.1. Visitor management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

4.1.1.7.2. Interpretation and education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

4.1.1.8. Road infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

4.1.1.9. Other infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

4.1.1.10. Enhancement of institutional capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

4.2. Financial aspects and cost estimate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

4.3. Monitoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

4.4. Adaptive management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

4.5. ooperation between the Park and other parks on Velebit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

5. BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

6. APPENDICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

6.1. Appendix 1: Principal relevant laws, regulations and documents governing the management of Northern Velebit National Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

6.2. Appendix 2: Habitats in Northern Velebit National Park according to the National Habitat Classifi cation (NHC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

6.3. Appendix 3. Summary of stakeholder problems and proposals . . . . . . . . . . . . 99


10

Rožanski Crests – a view from Premužić Trail

1 . I N T R O D U C T I O N

11

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Northern Velebit National Park

Northern Velebit National Park was established in 1999. It is situated in the northwestern part of Croatia, in Lika-Senj County. It covers a part of the northern Velebit massif, from Borov vrh, Markov kuk and Babić-siča in the north, and Zečjak and Štirovača in the south. Its exact location lies between 44° 41’ 31” and 44° 51’ 17” north and 14° 55’ 27” and 15° 3’ 54” east. The Park is very close to the Adriatic Sea, only about 2 km east of the coast and 15 km south of the town of Senj. According to the legislation proclaiming the national park, the park covers a surface of 109 km2, while surface determined by GIS instruments is 111.5 km2. It is completely situated inside the borders of Velebit Nature Park.

The area was designated as a national park due to the exceptional number, diversity and uniqueness of its karst phenomena, the wealth of wildlife and extraordinary natural features present in a relatively small area.

Fig. 1. Location of Northern Velebit National Park


12The following are among the Park’s acknowledged treasures:

� A large number of vertical speleological phenomena (pit-caves) – this area is valuable in global terms and has a high number of endemic subterranean animal life;

� Habitats for three large carnivore species (bear, wolf and lynx), and also wild cats;

� Valuable alpine grasslands;

� Exceptionally valuable and well-preserved coniferous forests;

� Autochthonous black pine forests;

� A signifi cant capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) population in Croatia;

� Exceptional landscape diversity;

� Signifi cance of the entire area in the national consciousness.

The sense of authentic wilderness that can be experienced in the Northern Velebit National Park is symbolized in the Park’s logo featuring a wild animal’s paw. The triangle in the logo indicates the triangular shape of the Park's boundaries, while the use of green and gray stresses a picturesque contrast between lush forests, grasslands and rocky, limestone peaks.

Velebit is the largest Croatian mountain and it belongs to the Dinaric system that extends from the eastern Alps to the Šar-Pindus massif. The overall length of Velebit is 145 km, while its width varies from 10 to 30 km. In the north-south direction the length of the Park is 17 km and in the east-west direction it varies from 4 to 10 km. The Park’s elevation ranges from 518 m above sea level to 1,676 m.

The bulk of the Park rests on limestone, dolomite and carbonate breccias, and it contains an immense wealth of karst relief forms: from bizarrely shaped crests, “pillars” and various jutting rocks to deep karst valleys, pit-caves and other karst depressions. Wooded fi elds called dulibe and green grasslands wend their way through white limestone cliff s, creating extremely picturesque panoramas. The Hajdučki and Rožanski Crests, as specifi c geomorphological phenomena, were proclaimed a strict reserve. So far more than 150 pit-caves have been discovered, out of which the most famous, and one of the deepest in the world, is Lukina, discovered in 1992.

The climate on Velebit is characterized by two vegetation zones. The National Park is located in a part of Croatia with high rainfall and low annual average temperatures (4-6°C).

Due to its exceptional location at the border between two large vegetation zones, Northern Velebit has exceptionally rich and diverse plant species (around 950) which vary from sub-Mediterranean to alpine. Also, there are many rare, protected and endemic plant species in the Park. The Park encompasses the Visibaba Botanical Reserve, with its rich site of the endemic Croatian Sibirrhaea (Sibiraea altaiensis ssp. croatica), and the Zavižan-Balinovac-Velika kosa Botanical Reserve, famous for the outstanding richness of it alpine plant species. This reserve includes the well known Velebit Botanical Garden, founded by Professor Fran Kušan in 1967.

Five species of amphibians, sixteen species of reptiles, around one hundred bird species and roughly forty species of mammals have been recorded in the Park so far. Additionally, four species of large carnivores live in the Park: the brown bear (Ursus arctos), lynx (Lynx lynx), wolf (Canis lupus) and wild cat (Felis sylvestris). The groups with the highest number of species is butterfl ies. Troglobionts, or subterranean fauna, constitute a very important animal group. Many of these species are endemic, and the most famous is a stygobiotic leech (Croatobranchus mestrovii), so far discovered in four pit-caves of Northern Velebit. Fungal life is very rich and diverse, but insuffi ciently researched.


13

The Park’s cultural heritage is present in a form of numerous ruins of old shepherds’ huts, cottages and stacked-stone walls, which testify to past times when this area was more densely populated. Although harsh for everyday life, this area has always attracted to hikers, and it is crisscrossed by numerous trails. The most famous and widely known is the Premužić Trail, built in 1933. The trail, 57 km long, presents a masterpiece of stacked-stone wall construction. Its section 16 km section in the Park passes through some of its most beautiful and interesting sections. Besides hikers, in recent years interest in the Park is increasing among other visitors as well: in 2005 and 2006, around 10,000 to 11,000 people visited the Park. Northern Velebit National Park is linked to all other national parks in Croatia and it has established sound cooperation with many institutions, NGOs and individuals, both at the national and international levels. Since 2003, it is encompassed by the Karst Ecosystem Conservation (KEC) Project of the World Bank and Croatian Government, and the ministry in charge of environmental protection.

1.2. Northern Velebit in the international context

The Republic of Croatia is a signatory to all relevant international treaties in the fi eld of nature conservation at the global level. One of the fundamental covenants is the Convention on Biological Diversity that Croatia ratifi ed in April 1996 (as published in Croatia’s offi cial journal, Narodne novine, International Treaties edition, no. 6/96) and it has undertaken the commitment to safeguard existing biodiversity and to sustainably use its components.

The karst tracts of the Croatian highlands constitute a natural resource of exceptional value to Europe and the world. The area is rich in endemic species and habitats, and the morphology and hydrology of the terrain

Solitary, unusual rock formation on grasslands in the Park’s southern section


14are very specifi c. Although Croatia’s karst zones are relatively well preserved, especially in highland Croatia, they require, due to their extreme vulnerability, special attention in terms of strategic development planning and incorporation of biological and landscape diversity measures into all human activities in this region.

It is precisely due to the aforementioned reasons that Northern Velebit National Park became a benefi ciary of Karst Ecosystem Conservation (KEC) Project funds via a grant (IBRD GEF TF 050539 HR) from the Global Environmental Fund (GEF). The basic objective of this project is to safeguard biodiversity and facilitate sustainable development in local communities based on available natural wealth. This included the enhancement of institutional and professional capacity to conserve biodiversity, improve management of protected areas and promote business and tourism that uphold sustainable use and conservation of natural resources.

Northern Velebit National Park has been designated a core area of international signifi cance and it is an important candidate for the future Natura 2000 network, to be implemented once Croatia joins the European Union.

Furthermore, since 1978, Velebit has been encompassed in UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) Program. The World Wildlife Fund has included Velebit on its list of ten hot-spots under the Mediterranean Forests Protection Program. The Croatian Government, through the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning, and in cooperation with the non-governmental organization Zelena akcija (‘Green Action’) of Zagreb and the Forestry Institute from Jastebarsko, signed the Gift to Earth Covenant in 2000, whereby it symbolically “gave” the territory of Northern Velebit National Park to the entire planet.

1.3. Vision of Northern Velebit National Park

The Northern Velebit National Park is recognizable by its preserved biodiversity, richness of the natural phenomena and experience of pristine wilderness. It is a space for gaining new experiences and the stronghold of sustainable develop-ment for the surrounding local communities, based on traditional practices.

This vision refl ects the specifi c characteristic of the Northern Velebit National Park as the most natural part of Velebit. This vision also includes awareness of being a very special area as a National Park within a much larger Nature Park encompassing all of Velebit. The Park has a serious understanding of being a motor for sound and sustainable development in the region and a space for off ering new experiences to visitors of the area, especially the experience of wilderness and pristine nature.

In order to achieve this vision, the following long term objectives have been defi ned which refl ect the diff erent aspects which together ensure that the vision is achieved in the long run:

� Preserve and improve the unique karst biological and landscape diversity by facilitating natural processes and securing protection of the area with negligible human impact;

� Cooperate with the local community in planning and implementing local development and ensure visitor access to the authentic experience of the Nature Park’s natural value.


15These objectives refl ect the original aims for which the Park was created, namely the conservation of nature, the education and recreation of visitors and the conservation of the valuable habitats of Northern Velebit.

A new aspect introduced by this Management Plan is wilderness conservation as a special feature of the Nature Park and its potential role as a resource base for sustainable development of the local community and the latter’s active involvement in conservation and management of the protected area.

Northern Velebit National Park is notable for its highly-valuable and diverse landscape, with pristine and unaltered karst features. Most of the Park has not been actively used over the past several decades (Hajdučki and Rožanski Crests Strict Reserve), while other parts were impacted by human activities (e.g. mountain grasslands). The National Park’s territory will certainly change with time, but all stakeholders involved in management must ensure that these changes proceed such that the Park retains its importance, natural value and cultural heritage.

The three fundamental objectives foreseen for the long-term sustainable management of the Park are:

� Conservation – to conserve and reinforce biological and landscape diversity and the cultural heritage in perpetuity;

� Education and recreation – to promote understanding of the importance of conservation and protection of natural value and enjoyment of the pristine natural environment and other specifi c qualities of the Park;

� Strengthening the local community – to reinforce cooperation initiated with the local community in sustainable use of the Park’s natural resources with the objective of local and regional economic growth and development, ensuring income for the local community and the creation of new jobs.

The vision of the Northern Velebit National Park will help all interested groups and stakeholders understand what kind of Park is desired in the future and help secure their support for the Park. All management activities should be consistent with this vision since it refl ects the Park’s purpose and management objectives.

Hajdučki and Rožanski Crests Strict Reserve


16

Karst fi eld – grassland at Veliki Lubenovac

2 . C U R R E N T S TAT U S A N D VA LU E

17

2. CURRENT STATUS AND VALUE

2.1. Institutional and legislative framework

2.1.1. Legislative framework underlying the Management PlanNature conservation in Croatia is regulated by a large number of legal instruments. The fundamental legislation governing the conservation of biological and landscape diversity is the Nature Protection Act (as published in Croatia’s offi cial journal, Narodne novine, no. 70/05). This law defi nes the categories of protected areas, the methods for management thereof, in this regard, and the basic relevant documents.

National parks and nature parks are managed by public institutions established by the Croatian Government. The obligation to draft management plans is stipulated by Article 80 of the aforementioned law. The management plan is adopted by the public institution’s Governing Board after securing consent from the Ministry of Culture and technical approval by the State Institute for Nature Protection, for a period of 10 years. Public hearings must be held during development of such plans. The management plan is implemented in practice through annual programs of conservation, use and promotion of the protected area.

In addition to the management plan and the annual operating programs, the management of a protected area is regulated by internal regulations which defi ne measures for protection, conservation, improvement and use pertaining to the protected area.

Besides the Nature Protection Act, during development of this Plan, all eff ective laws and subordinate regulations and documents governing management of protected areas were taken into account (Appendix 1).

Nature Protection Act – Narodne novine, no. 70/05

Article 80

1) Management of strict reserves, national parks, nature parks, regional parks, special reserves and protected landscapes shall be based on management plans.

2) The management plan shall be adopted for a period of ten years.

3) The management plan shall specify developmental guidelines, protection methods, use and management of the protected area, including detailed guidelines for protection and conservation of its natural values, respecting the needs of the local population.

4) The management plan shall be binding for all natural and legal persons engaged in activities within the protected area.

5) Upon the close of a fi ve-year period, implementation of the management plan and the results achieved shall be analysed and, if necessary, the management plan shall be revised in the manner and under procedures as determined for the adoption thereof.


182.1.2. Planning instruments in Croatia and links to other planning documentsThe Croatian Parliament proclaims national parks and nature parks and enacts physical plans for areas with specifi c features, national parks and nature parks. Physical plans have been mandatory since the 1970s as the core planning and conservation instrument for protected areas in Croatia. They are developed by the county physical planning departments which are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction. Physical plans encompass the organization, use and purpose of a given area, as well as the conservation policies for specifi c areas of parks as well as zoning according to various types of usages. Since physical plans for protected areas are approved by the Croatian Parliament, they constitute fundamental legal documents for the management of national and nature parks in Croatia.

Alignment between the Physical Plan as the fundamental legal document and the Management Plan as a strategic document and basis for management and conservation activities is crucial to zoning in the Park. In the Physical Plan, zoning is set forth according to the principal objectives of preservation and use purposes, while in the Management Plan it is defi ned in greater detail due to conservation management moves and measures in each zone. The Physical Plan thus indicates “where and what,” while the Management Plan additionally specifi es the operative aspects of protected area management, particularly those pertaining to conservation and protection of biodiversity.

Northern Velebit National Park’s Physical Plan is currently being drawn up by the Physical Planning Department of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction in cooperation with Lika-Senj County’s Physical Planning, Development and Environmental Protection Offi ce. This Management Plan was developed in close cooperation with the aforementioned Departments, to ensure that legal aspects and conservation policies are aligned already at an early phase.

Besides physical plans, there is a series of other documents (strategies, plans and programs) at the national and/or county level, which infl uence the subsequent implementation of the Management Plan (biological and landscape diversity strategy and action plan, tourism development plans at various levels, agricultural development plans at various levels, natural resource management plans, etc.).

2.1.3. Responsible ministries and institutionsNature protection and all activities related to management of the protected areas were under the authority of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning until the beginning of 2004. After public administration reform in January 2004, all activities related to nature protection were transferred to the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture.

Ministry of Culture, through its Nature Protection Directorate, is responsible for implementation of the Nature Protection Act and international conventions governing nature protection, and it coordinates the protection of species, habitats and landscape diversity, and is responsible for planning sustainable use of the natural heritage for the future.

Ministry of Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction, although not directly involved in the management planning process for protected areas, has great responsibility for the development of protected areas through coordination of preparation of physical plans in close cooperation with the county physical planning departments and through inspections thereof.

The State Institute for Nature Protection performs expertise-based tasks pertaining to nature protection in the Republic of Croatia.

Throughout the preparation of the management plan, vital inputs from other ministries and regional and local governments were taken into account and addressed.


19

2.2. Northern Velebit National Park Public Institution

2.2.1. Organizational structure of Northern Velebit National ParkThe National Park is administered by the Public Institution under the authority of the Ministry of Culture. The Public Institution’s activities encompass protection, conservation and promotion of the National Park with the objective of safeguarding and preserving the authenticity of its natural environment, ensuring that natural processes proceed unimpeded and that natural resources are used sustainably and overseeing all nature protection criteria and measures in the protected area.

The bodies of the Public Institution are: Governing Board, Director General and Conservation Manager. The Governing Board administers the Institution, while the Institution’s operations are organized and guided by the Director General, who is appointed by the minister in charge of nature protection for a period of four years. The Institution’s expertise-based tasks are led by the Conservation Manager, who is appointed by the Governing Board at the Director General’s proposal for a period of four years.

The Public Institution’s Charter and Internal Structure and Operating Rules determine the Public Institution’s internal structure and activities.

For the purpose of the most eff ective possible performance of its tasks, the Institution is divided into three departments managed by the Offi ce of the Director General (Fig. 2).

The Institution’s internal organizational units are:

� Offi ce of the Director General,

� National Park Conservation, Promotion and Use Department,

� Ranger and Technical Services Department,

� General and Joint Services Department.

Northern Velebit National Park Public Institution currently has 15 employees. The Internal Structure and Operating Rules foresee 57 employees, which indicates the Institution’s considerable under-capacity to perform its activities. This discrepancy between the number of employees and planned positions is particularly explicit in the National Park Conservation, Promotion and Use Department and in the Ranger and Technical Services Department.

Offi ce of the Diector General

(2) 2

General and Joint Services Department

(6) 3

Ranger and Technical Services Department

(24) 5

National Park Conservation, Promotion and Use

Department (25) 5

Fig. 2. Current organizational structure of the Northern Velebit National Park Public Institution with the planned number of staff (in parentheses) and the actual number of staff (March 2007).


202.2.2. InfrastructureThe Public Institution does not own any real estate within the boundaries of Northern Velebit National Park. The Institution does own a building and land in the village of Krasno, in Velebit Nature Park, where the Park’s Headquarters are accommodated. Based on a contract concluded with the City of Senj in 2007, the Institution has become owner of real estate and land where the Visitor Center will be constructed, as well as additional general-purpose facilities for the local community.

The Park’s offi ce operates in Senj, which also includes the Park’s information center.

Within the Park, the Institution has an interest in any buildings or structures that may serve the purpose of higher quality management of the territory and/or inclusion in the visitor system.

2.2.3. Financial statusTo provide a better picture of the Public Institution’s fi nances, Table 1 shows the main sections of the budgets for 2005 and 2006.

Table 1: Overview of Public Institution’s revenues and expenditures for 2005 and 2006

Description

2005 2006

Amount(in HRK) Percentage (%) Amount

(in HRK) Percentage (%)

Revenues 1,965,011 100 3,085,248 100

Revenues from Central Budget 1,727,371 97.9 2,741,568 88.9

Revenues generated by own activities 227,059 11.6 258,445 8.4

Aid from other fi nancial institutions 4,111 0.2 63,085 2.0

Earnings generated by fi nancial assets 6,470 0.3 22,150 0.7

Expenditures 1,870,604 100 3,509,479 100

Employees 969,002 43.9 1,125,101 32.1

Supplies, energy and services 626,812 28.4 657,791 18.7

Other operating costs 172,815 7.8 195,857 5.6

Financial expenditures 4,473 0.2 4,301 0.1

Procurement of non-fi nancial assets 433,916 19.7 1,526,429 43.5

Revenue surplus 242,007 12.3 -424,231 -13.8


21

2.3. Natural value of Northern Velebit National Park

2.3.1. Geology, hydrogeology and soilsThe Park encompasses an exceptionally karst territory, characterized by great articulation of its terrain, refl ected in the crests and peaks between mutually separated hollows and ravines of tectonic origin. The corrosion, erosion, hydrological and climatic conditions and the hydrogeological features of the terrain have led to the development of a thoroughly karst relief, which makes the karst morphology here among the most notable in the world.

Millions of limestone crevices of various shapes and sizes, numerous depressions, and a number of vertical caverns are only a part of the wealth of karst features in this territory.

The National Park’s geological base encompasses all stratigraphic layers from the Middle Triassic (Ladinian) to the Quaternary. The oldest rock in the Park can be found in its southeastern section, in the central area of Štirovača, present in the diploporous limestone (T

22.2) which is massively formed and exceptionally

karstifi ed such that it gives the impression of a paleo-karstifi ed relief. It comes into contact with Carnic and older Noric (T

31.2) clastic rock, which consists of red sandy and tufaceous marl, fi ne to coarse grain

tufaceous sandstone, micro-breccia and multi-colored limestone conglomerates, with widths of roughly 2,000 meters. According to some assessments, this is the largest paleo-depression on Velebit, and perhaps in the entire Croatian portion of the karst zone. On the north and north-west it comes into contact with the Noric-Rhaetic dolomites, known under the term Hauptdolomite.

In terms of hydrogeological characteristics, these rocks can be classifi ed as porous (T2

2.2), nonporous (T3

1.2) and slightly porous (T

32.3), which means that all hydrogeological phenomena have developed in the karst

of the Štirovača area: springs, surface waterways and submerged zones.

Scarps


22Jurassic rock appears in the limestone and dolomite. It extends from Markov kuk through Vučjak to Čepuraš, and further on in the Park’s south-eastern section. In the Park’s southern section, it can be found in the wider Alan area, from Tudorevo to Lubenovac, and west of Dundović pod to Donja Branjevina. Trace fossils and brachiopod coquina stand out among the macro-fossil communities (wider area around Alan and Lubenovac).

The lower Cretaceous sediments are located in the Park’s north-western boundary in Rogić Valley.

The Park’s remaining territory is composed of Paleogene/Neogene rock consisting of Jelar breccia made of unsorted fragments of Jurassic, Cretaceous and Paleogene sediments. Their origin is tied to intense tectonic activity during the course of post-Eocene orogenetic movements.

Štirovača is the most valuable region in hydrogeological terms, as here one can fi nd springs with a capacity of q= 0.10 to 10 l/sec.

In predominantly dolomite zones, one can fi nd pools in which the bottom is mostly fi lled with clay/marl matter. Such ponds are fed by drainage from the surrounding terrain.

Furthermore, lower volume springs can most likely be found in fi ssure zones with diff ering hydrogeological features, such as Modrić dolci and Žive vodice.

At individual locations in the Park, the water supply can be secured by upgrading already existing wells (known locally as šterna) or constructing new ones, and limited use of water at the Štirovača springs.

Soils in the Park’s territory are exceptionally variable: the ecologically highly contrasting soils often alternate across very small surfaces. Research has determined the following types of soils: lithosol, colluvial soil, limestone–dolomite black soil, brown soil on limestone and loessial soil.

Stream at Štirovača


232.3.2. ClimateIn terms of climate, Velebit straddles the boundary between the Cf climate (type C, sub-type f – moderately warm damp climate) and Cs climate (type C, sub-type S – Mediterranean climate) zones. Velebit in fact forms this boundary, for it separates them with its height and length. The National Park is situated in one of Croatia’s rainiest parts. The wind from the Adriatic Sea brings huge amounts of moist air that ascends undergoes condensation along the Velebit mountain barrier, causing rich orographic rainfall. The average annual amount reaches up to 2,500-3,000 mm.

The geomorphological diversity caused by karst phenomena is the main reason for the strong microclimatic variability. The microclimate of sinkholes is of great interest because of temperature inversion – it is warmer at the top than at the bottom.

The low annual average temperature (4-6°C) and temperature inversions in depressions means that snow stays on the ground a long time (40 to 100 days of snow cover over 30 cm). The climate is characterized by wind, especially the bora winds. The mixture of diff erent air pockets leads to the sudden appearance of fog.

The Zavižan weather station operates in the Park, situated at an elevation of 1,594 m, near the Zavižan mountain lodge. It is the highest (and oldest) mountain weather station in Croatia, where meteorological measurements and observations have continued since 1953. The employees of the Croatian National Weather Bureau (meteorologists/monitors) also perform maintenance and upkeep at the mountain lodge.

2.3.3. LandscapeNorthern Velebit National Park encompasses the northern, wider section of the Velebit massif, characterized by more jagged peaks and ridges. Its eastern, continental slopes are forested while its western, coastal slopes form open, rocky landscapes that were more exposed to historical human impact (cutting, grazing) due to proximity of coastal settlements.

The Park is situated in Velebit’s peak belt, which contains an immense wealth of karst relief forms: from bizarrely shaped crests, pillars and various high solitary crags to deep karst valleys, pit-caves and other karst depressions. One of the most impressive parts of the Park is the strict reserve that contains the hardly accessible Rožanski and Hajdučki crests, a group of jagged peaks, separated by the deep sinkholes and precipices. The Rožanski crests are more accessible to visitors because the Premužić Trail passes through them.

The wider Zavižan area stands out in particular in the Park’s northern section. It is characterized by numerous peaks from 1,600 to 1,676 meters high and a vast valley situated between them with the lowest sinkholes at elevations of 1,400 m. This area’s landscape value is encapsulated in the picturesque shift from open grasslands to forests from which rocky peaks jut, creating scenic panoramas, especially those in the western chain overlooking at sea and islands.

Besides crests and peaks, the landscape value is also enhanced by the dark, wooded fi elds called dulibe and verdant grasslands. Perhaps the most beautiful are those found inside the lush evergreen forests, such as Veliki Lubenovac, Veliki Lom and an array of elongated valleys called padeži along the route to Veliki Alan (Bilenski padež, Šergotski padež, Dundović padež). Since they are closed and deep, those areas are exceptionally exposed to frost, with an inverse vegetation sequence.

The Park’s southeastern edge is the location of Velebit’s best known forested zone, Štirovača (only the northern part of Štirovača is inside the Park’s boundaries). Although this is primarily a forested area, the forests here have exceptional landscape value because they cover around fl attened depression that is 8 km long and 1-2 km wide at an elevation of 1,100. These are mostly evergreen spruce forests, with unique


24

grasslands the central area. Štirovača is also the only area in the Park with a permanent spring and a short surface stream.

In the Park, the remains of numerous seasonal mountain settlements, huts, wells, ponds, reservoirs, stacked-stone walls, chapels and overgrown trails are present, thus interweaving the natural and cultural heritage.

2.3.4. Land coverThe land cover and habitat types of the Northern Velebit National Park have been defi ned at a scale 1:100,000. As a part of the Karst Ecosystem Conservation Project activities, a land cover map has been developed with a scale 1:25,000. This map shows the distribution of each land cover type and is based on Corine land cover classifi cation. For the development of this map, two sets of Landsat TM satellite images were used (spring and autumn 2000) were used based on the Corine classifi cation. This map represents a tool for monitoring the Park’s development in forthcoming years.

2.3.5. HabitatsWithin the framework of the KEC Project, the Northern Velebit National Park habitat map was made at a scale of 1:25 000. In compliance with the National Habitat Classifi cation, 25 diff erent habitat types were ascertained classifi cation level III, of which 18 are threatened and protected at the European or national levels (Appendix 2). Threatened and/or rare habitat types cover almost 100% of Northern Velebit National Park’s surface area.

Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) in bloom


25

Fig. 3. Northern Velebit National Park habitat map (1:25 000), according to National Habitat Classifi cation (NHC). The codes for individual habitats are explained in Appendix 2.

Legendpark border


262.3.5.1. Plant communities

The Park’s territory is characterized by a large number of plant communities and their exceptional articulation by elevation. The vegetation in this area can generally be divided into forest, grassland (pasture) and rocky terrain communities. The National Habitat Classifi cation is in fact based on plant communities.

Forest communities

· Dalmatian white oak and hornbeam forest and underbrush (Querco-Carpinetum orientalis), E.3.5.1.; on the coast-al face and southern exposures, generally degraded by intense use, important to preventing soil erosion.

· Mixed dalmatian white oak and hop hornbeam forest and underbrush (Ostryo-Quercetum pubescentis), E.3.5.3.; generally on carbonate soils as fragmentary forests and underbrush; vital to soil preservation.

· Illyrian coastal beech forests with autumnal moor grass (Seslerio autumnalis-Fagetum), E.4.6.3.; cha rac te-rized by the thermophilous species Sesleria autumnalis; at elevations of 700 –1300 m.

· Black pine and cotoneaster forest (Cotoneastro-Pinetum nigrae), E.7.4.4.

· Dinaric beech/fi r forest (Omphalodo-Fagetum), E.5.2.1.; at elevations of 1,200-1,400 m.

· Subalpine beech and sycamore maple forest (Polysticho lonchitis-Fagetum), E.6.1.2.; at elevations between 1,100 and 1,500 m, the trees are characteristically bent in lower sections due to long-lasting snow and winds.

· Subalpine spruce forests with forest agrimony (As. Aremonio-Piceetum) E.7.3.1.; moist type, most developed at Štirovača area.

· Dinaric fi r forests on limestone blocks (As. Calamagrosti-Abietetum) E.7.1.1.; one of the most striking Croatia forests, develops on large, often frightfully loose limestone blocks.

· Mountain spruce forest with twayblade (As. Listero-Piceetum abietis) E.7.3.2.; in steep, cool and closed sinkholes and depressions under conditions of high and long-lasting snow, at elevations of 950 to 1,450 m; (Smrčeve doline or Lubenovac).

· Subalpine spruce forest with Adenostyles (Adenostylo alliariae-Piceetum), E.7.3.3.; in wider sinkhole fl oors that are damper and cooler due to longer lasting snow cover; Veliki Lom.

· Subalpine spruce forest with Alpine clematis (Clematido alpinae-Piceetum), E.7.3.4.

· Beech forest with giant deadnettle (Lamio orvalae-Fagetum), E.4.5.1.; occupies a belt at elevations ranging from 400 to 800 m on the continental face and very rich in species; occupies a very large surface in the Dinaric montane zones.

· Dwarf pine and honeysuckle forest (Lonicero borbasianae-Pinetum mugi), D.2.1.1.1.; covers the highest peaks of Northern Velebit; the dominant species is Pinus mugo which, under the infl uence of a harsh climate, grows very long branches that lay low and forms large impassable areas.

Forest edges and cut zones

In all vegetation communities, located along forest roads and in small clearings of peripheral communities, in which some more heliophilous species than in forests can be found, as well as somewhat more sciophilous species than in open grasslands.

· Moon-carrot and cow parsley community (As. Libanoto-Laserpitietum sileris), C.5.1.2.2. – rare.

· Viper’s grass-alpine clover community (as. Scorzonero villosae-Trifolietum alpestris), C.5.1.2.5. – rare, on southern slopes.


27· Zigzag clover and common agrimony community (as. Trifolio medii-Agrimonietum), C.2.1.2.5. – rare.

· Forest clearing greenery – fi reweed community (as. Epilobion angustifolii), C.5.2.1.2. – in the beech forest zone, grows ribbon-like at edges of clearings.

· Wood-like vegetation in forest clearings (Sambuco-Salicion association), C.5.2.1.3. – bushes of Rubus idaeus, Sambucus racemosa and Salix caprea growing along forest roads.

Grasslands and heaths

Numerous grasslands are also present in the Park, and these are quite essential to the preservation of biological and landscape diversity therein. The abandonment of livestock husbandry and the almost complete absence of domesticated animals to graze in the Park’s territory means that all types of grasslands have been exposed to overgrowth and natural vegetation succession (Fig. 10).

· Narrow-leaf blue grass and carnation grass turf (as. Seslerio tenuifoliae-Caricetum fi rmae), C.4.1.1.1., grows on the exposed and coldest ridges of Velebit’s peaks: Carex fi rma, Edraianthus graminifolius, Arabis scopoliana, Androsace villosa, Oxytropis dinarica.

· Mountain turf consisting of evergreen sedge and narrow-leaf blue grass (as. Carici sempervirenti-Seslerietum tenuifoliae), C.4.1.1.2. – at places less exposed to the wind, on slightly deeper soil.

· Mountain turf consisting of Kitaibel’s sedge and alpine rockrose (as. Carici kitaibelianae-Helianthemetum alpestris), C.4.1.1.3. – the most picturesque of the turfs of the Seslerion tenuifoliae association due to the abundance of alpine rockrose (Helianthemum alpestre), grows on the skeletal soils of exposed peaks.

· Mountain turf consisting of Kitaibel’s sedge and Balkan rockrose (as. Carici kitaibelianae-Helianthemetum alpestris) C.4.1.1.4. – grows on similar habitats as the previous association but at somewhat lower, warmer positions.

· Sharp fescue turf (as. Festucetum bosniacae), C.4.1.2.1. – found within the belt of pre-alpine beech forests and mountain juniper stands, constituting the most widespread turf on Velebit. Grows in more

Mountain grassland near Alan


28sheltered positions than the previous communities and in the summertime it is notable for the variety of species: Senecio doronicum, Dianthus velebiticus, D. integer, Scorzonera rosea, etc. These surfaces most often emerged due to human activity, i.e. grazing and mowing, when livestock husbandry was a major activity on the slopes of Velebit. Since the last cow left Velebit in 1971, these communities are now being overgrown with wood-like shrubs, transforming them into mountain heaths dominated by Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Juniperus nana or Genista radiata.

· Grasslands of bromegrass and hoary plantain (as. Bromo-Plantaginetum mediae), C.3.3.1.1. –occupies small surfaces along the Park’s peripheries.

· Hard mat-grass fi elds (as. Nardetum strictae), C.3.4.2. – growing on acidy, deep soil, most often at the bottom of depressions; dominated by mat-grass itself (Nardus stricta). Other acidophilic species grow with it: Potentilla erecta, Antennaria dioica etc., although many species of similar grasses from lower elevations are absent.

· Rocky tract pastures of red sedge and yellow knapweed (as. Carici-Centaureetum rupestris), C.3.5.2.1. – this rich, colorful grass grows in hop hornbeam zones, and reaches the coastal periphery in the Park. It is characterized by a variety of colors of Centaurea rupestris, Inula hirta, Inula ensifolia, Satureia subspicata and others. Since they are no longer used as pastures, they are becoming overgrown with shrubbery and small groves of hop hornbeam.

· Heather and grassy bell community (as. Saturejo-Edraianthetum), C.3.5.2.11. – only rare assemblages in the sub-Mediterranean zone on exceptionally skeletal soils. Recognizable by the species Satureia montana, Edraianthus tenuifolius, Crepis chondrilloides.

· Genista radiata heaths – appear in the natural vegetation succession when grassy fi elds become overgrown.

· Juniperus nana and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi heaths – appear in the natural vegetation succession when grassy fi elds become overgrown.

Peatlands

Within the Park there is only a small basophile peat bog in Štirovača.

· Central-European fen of Carici-Blysmetum compressi community C.1.1.1.3 – only a small ribboned surface on which fl at (Blysmus compressus) and yellow sedge (Carex fl ava) grow.

Tall greenery

· Dinaric community of Adenostyles and Austrian viper’s grass (as. Adenostylo-Doronicetum austriacae) C.5.3.1.1. – found in most small sink-holes and even in forests, on moist humus soil on which snow persists. Due to the rainbow of fl owers (Adenostyles alliariae, Doronicum austriacum, Cicerbita alpina, Aconitum vulparia), it is often referred to as the “mountain garden.”

· Thistle and wolfsbane community (As. Carduo-Aconitetum), C.5.3.1.2. – rare.

· Mountain knapweed and victory onion community (As. Centaureo-Allietum victorialis), C.5.3.1.4. – rarely present on small surfaces at the bottom of sinkholes and depressions, dominated by the victory onion (Allium victorialis).

Scree and rocks

The plant communities of scree and rocks grow on poor soils, under extreme climatic and epaphic conditions, and more than any other they characterized the peculiarity and uniqueness of Velebit plant


29

life. Many endemic species grow here, such as the Croatian barberry (Berberis croatica), Kitaibel’s columbine (Aquilegia kitaibelii), Croatian micromeria (Micromeria croatica), gentle sandwort (Arenaria gracilis), Scopoli’s rock cress (Arabis scopoliana), Croatian rock cress (Cardaminopsis croatica) and rare Croatian plant species, such as the mountain avens (Dryas octopetala) and edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum), very rare and protected species, etc.

· Mossy sandwort and white fumewort community (as. Moehringio-Corydaletum ochroleucae), B.1.3.2.2. – grows on shaded scree and in beech forests, recognized by the species Moehringia muscosa and Corydalis ochroleuca.

· Kitaibel’s primrose and cinquefoil community (as. Primulo kitaibelianae-Potentilletum clusianae) – rare on Velebit.

· Spleenwort community (as. Asplenietum fi ssi) – most often the community is found in fi ssures in solid rock, consisting of Asplenium fi ssum, Aquilegia kitaibeli, Cardaminopsis croatica and others.

· Grassland-rue and bellfl ower community (as. Thalictro-Campanuletum fenestrellatae), B.1.4.1.3. – only a few small stands containing Campanula fenestrellata.

· Aromatic fern assemblage (as. Dryopteridetum villarii), B.2.1.1.1. – small stands of aromatic ferns.

· Mountain Drypis spinosa community (as. Drypetum spinosae), B.2.1.1.2. – rare.

· Scree with Petasites paradoxus – small assemblages.

· Screes with geraniums (Geranium macrorrhizum) – rare.

Spring at Štirovača


302.3.5.2. Subterranean habitats

Following very intense speleological research over the past fi fteen years, it was ascertained that speleo-logical phenomena and their subterranean ecosystems, although hidden from the view of most visitors, represent one of the most prominent features of Northern Velebit National Park.

Out the total of 201 registered speleological phenomena, there are only seven mainly horizontal caves (Fig. 4). All of them are small, and the longest, a cave in the Štirovača area, is 94 m long. The rest of the registered caves (194 or 97%) are mainly vertical, i.e. pit-caves. Fifteen are deeper than 100 m, six are deeper than 200 m and seven are deeper than 500 m, therefore they may be deemed exceptionally large speleological phenomena. Among them, there are three pit-caves deeper than 1,000 m. The average depth of the researched pit-caves is 78 m, while the overall depth of the speleological phenomena explored so far is 13,994 m. Out of the registered number of speleological phenomena, it should be noted that so far only about ten have only been simply recorded, and they are still awaiting future exploration.

One of the main speleological characteristics of the Park is the presence of remarkably deep pit-caves. In this sense, the wider area of the Hajdučki and Rožanski crests is deemed among the most important areas in the world. The Lukina jama-Trojama system, 1,392 m deep, is the sixteenth deepest pit in the world. Lukina pit-cave (-1,355 m) alone is considered the most vertical pit-cave so far known. Patkov gušt, vertical from its very entrance and 553 m deep, is the second most vertical pit-cave in the world. The Velebita-Dva Javora system, explored down to 941 m, contains the world’s largest vertical expanse (513 m deep) inside a cave. Although some smaller caves may be considered to be of geomorphological and speleological value, here only the largest are mentioned, as follows (the fi rst number in the parenthesis indicates the cave’s depth, while the second its length):

· Lukina-Trojama system (-1,392 m, 1,078 m);

· Slovačka pit-cave (-1,320 m, 2,519 m);

· Velebit-Dva javora pit-cave system (-1,034 m);

· Meduza (-679 m, ~220 m);

· Patkov gušt (-553 m, 40 m);

· Olimp (-531 m, 137 m);

· Lubuška pit-cave (-521 m, ~550 m);

· Xantipa (-323 m, 112 m);

It should be noted here that most of the speleological phenomena in the Park are not suitable for visits by tourists. This is understandable, since almost all of them are vertical pit-caves. Nonetheless, two are interesting from the hiking and tourism point of view: Varnjača (-120 m, ~100 m) and Vukušić snježnica (21 m). Besides geomorphological features, both are interesting because of their permanent snow and ice. They are accessible by trails and the decent into Varnjača is additionally secured by cables and caving ladders.


31

Fig. 4. Speleological objects in the territory of Northern Velebit National Park

LegendType of speleological objectCavePit-cavePark boundary


322.3.6. Species2.3.6.1. Fungi

In the course of the Fungus Inventory Project conducted in Northern Velebit National Park, so far approximately 240 fungi taxa have been recorded in the Park’s territory, of which eleven are strictly protected, while the remaining are protected (Table 2). The Amylocorticium subincarnatum and Entoloma catalaunicum (a variety of pinkgill mushroom) are endangered species (EN), the olive-brown waxy cap (Hygrophorus hypothejus), orange peel fungus (Caloscypha fulgens), Limacella guttata, Marasmius collinus (a variety of parachute mushroom) and Tetraea dumbirensis are vulnerable (VU), while the Kuehneromyces lignicola (a variety of woodtuft mushroom), Gymnopilus picreus (a variety of rustgill mushroom), Pseudoomphalina kalchbrenneri and dung dome (Stropharia semiglobata) are deemed data defi cient (DD).

Table 2: Brief overview of fungi diversity in Northern Velebit National Park

Group FUNGI

Taxa

Total 244

Field observations 216

Literature consulted 42

Bern Convention -

Habitats Directive -

RED LIST STATUS

CR -

EN 2

VU 5

NT 1

DD 3

LC -

2.3.6.2. Plants

The diversity and wealth of plant species on Velebit are exceptional at the European level. Due to its specifi c location at the boundary between two immense vegetation zones, Northern Velebit hosts numerous plant taxa which vary from sub-Mediterranean to alpine fl oral elements. Also, there are many rare, protected and endemic plant species in the Park. A considerable number of them may be seen in the Velebit Botanical Garden, situated inside the Park.

Another characteristic of the Velebit’s vegetation is the appearance of temperature inversions in sinkholes, a typical karst phenomenon. The temperature inside the sinkhole is sometimes several degrees Celsius lower than on its edges, which eff ects the vertical gradation of plants, so that species which usually grow at higher altitudes live at the bottom, and vice versa.

The plants so far confi rmed in the Park consist of 952 species and sub-species (Table 3). Given the Park’s location and features, the share of endemic taxa is high (4.4 %), which can be expected. A total of 2.3% of

Gem-studded puff ball (Lycoperdon perlatum)


33plant species are endangered based on national criteria, while 5.1% of taxa are encompassed by the Bern Convention and the Habitats Directive.

Table 3: Brief overview of plant diversity in Northern Velebit National Park

Group VASCULAR PLANTS

Species

Total 856



Species and sub-species

Total 952



Endemic species and sub-species (s. l.)

42

Bern Convention 41

Habitats Directive 8

RED LIST STATUS

CR 0

EN 9

VU 13

NT 34

DD 17

LC 12

The area of Hajdučki and Rožanski crests is exceptionally rich in plant species, many of them endemic and protected such as Kitaibel’s primrose (Primula kitaibeliana), Waldstein’s bellfl ower (Campanula waldsteiniana), Scheuzcher’s bellfl ower (Campanula scheuzcheri), dwarf bellfl ower (C. cochlearifolia), Croatian grassy bell (Edraianthus graminifolius var. croaticus), etc. The Park already includes the Visibaba Botanical Reserve (80 ha), with a rich habitat of the endemic Croatian sibirrhaea (Sibiraea altaiensis ssp. croatica), the Zavižan-Balinovac-Velika kosa Botanical Reserve (118 ha), with its outstandingly rich alpine plants species, and the aforementioned Velebit Botanical Garden.

2.3.6.3. Animals

The Park’s boundaries generally encompass only a part of the central mountain range: on the continental face the boundary lies at an elevation of approximately 1,200 m, while on the coastal face the Park only encompasses only a periphery of the lower southern slopes at an elevation of roughly 500 to 800 m in the northern part. The Park’s boundaries therefore evidently do not cover the characteristic fauna features of this part of Velebit, rather only of its central section (Tables 4 and 5).

Waldstein’s bellfl ower (Campanula waldsteiniana)

edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum)


342.3.6.3.1. Invertebrates

Systematic invertebrate research in the territory of Northern Velebit National Park has not yet been conducted. Based on current knowledge, the Park’s territory contains 61 registered spider taxa, 28 beetle taxa, 5 dragonfl y taxa and over 100 butterfl y species. Biospeleological research has ascertained 32 subterranean taxa.

Among the recorded butterfl y species, most belonging to the Nymphalidae family, there are nine species on Croatia’s Butterfl y Red List and on the European Butterfl y Red List: the Apollo (Parnassius apollo) is vulnerable (VU), the Clouded Apollo (Parnassius mnemosyne), Green-underside Blue (Glaucopsyche alexis), Checkered Blue (Scolitantides orion), Purple-edged Copper (Lycaena hippothoe) and Southern Festoon (Zerynthia polyxena) are near threatened (NT), while the Large Blue (Maculinea arion), Woodland Ringlet (Erebia medusa) and Lulworth Skipper (Thymelicus acteon) are deemed data defi cient (DD).

Biospeleological research I the Park was mostly conducted in deep pit-caves and in caves in which ice is present, in the Park’s highest zones, including the strict reserve of the Rožanski and Hajdučki crests. The rest of the Park is relatively under-researched, but very interesting in biospeleological terms. The already great wealth of species grows with almost every new research project. According to data from roughly 20 speleological phenomena, 32 subterranean taxa have been ascertained.

Beetles are the most widespread group. Most are endemic, such as the species Redensekia likana kosiniensis, endemic to northern Lika and northern Velebit, the Astagobius angustatus, endemic to the northern Dinaric Alps and the Spelaeodromus pluto, endemic to Velebit and Lika. In 2004, two new coleopteran species were described, Croatodirus casalei and Velebitodromus smidai. They are both ultra-specialized cave dwelling species, living in so-called “cave hygropetric” (steep or vertical surfaces in caves, where a thin layer of water seeps down), adapted to fi ltering organic matter from the water. They have been found in one (Croatodirus) and two (Velebitodromus) localities so far, and are endemic to northern Velebit.

Troglobiotic snails are represented by the genera Lanzaia and Hauff enia and fi ve species of genus Zospeum, including Z. subobesum, an endemic species to Velebit.

Millipedes are represented by two troglobiotic species, endemic to Velebit and Lika, Hassia stenopodium and Egonpretneria brachychaeta. Egonpretneria has so far only been found at three localities, and is registered in the Red List of Croatia as data defi cient (DD). Troglobiotic species of the genus Brachydesmus were also found.

Among the pseudoscorpions, two troglobiotic species of the genus Neobisium, the widespread species Neobisium stygium and a species endemic to Velebit, Neobisium svetovidi, were found. Potentially new species of the genus Chthonius were also discovered. Spiders are represented by several diff erent species, including two cavernicolous species of the genus Troglohyphantes and probably a new troglobiotic genus and species of the family Dysderidae. Among the harvestmen, the most interesting is probably the genus Hadzinia, which is not common in the wider area.

There are four diff erent species of subterranean crustaceans in the Park: one amphipod stygobiotic species, Niphargus croaticus, endemic to Croatia, and three species of terrestrial isopods from the troglobiotic genera Alpioniscus and Titanethes and a troglophile species of the genus Androniscus. The most interesting is probably a new species of the genus Alpioniscus.

A ringlet butterfl y (Erebia sp.)

Velebit leech (Croatobranchus mestrovi)


35The polychaete species Marifugia cavatica is a tertiary relict, endemic to the Dinaric Alps, registered on the Red List of Croatia as vulnerable (VU).

Probably the most famous subterranean species in the Park is the stygobiotic leech Croatobranchus mestrovi, endemic to northern Velebit. It lives in water but it is also cave hygropetric, fi ltering organic matter from the water. It has been found in four localities so far.

At one locality, half of a cave clam shell was found. It belongs to the species Congeria kusceri, the only stygobiotic bivalve in the world. It is endemic to the Dinaric Alps and is a common species in southern Dalmatia and Herzegovina. It is registered on the Red List of Croatia as endangered (EN), and is also registered in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive.

Table 4: Brief overview of invertebrate diversity in Northern Velebit National Park

Group SPIDERS DRAGONFLIES BUTTERFLIES BEETLES SUBTERRANEAN FAUNA

Species species species species/+genera species/+genera

Total 61 5 113 35 32

Field observations 61 5 57 35 32

Literature consulted - - 53 0 -

Bern Convention - - 4 -

Habitats Directive - - 4 1

Endemic - - - - 11

RED LIST STATUS

CR - - - - -

EN - - - - 1

VU - - 1 - 1

NT - - 5 - -

DD - - 3 - 1

LC - - - - -

2.3.6.3.2. Amphibians

Under research conducted in the Park as part of preparation of the Management Plan, so far fi ve species of amphibians have been confi rmed. Amphibians are scarce in the northern Velebit area, and the most common species are the European common toad (Bufo bufo) and alpine newt (Triturus alpestris), while the European green toad (Bufo viridis) and the fi re salamander (Salamandra salamandra) are rarer. Two older fi nds of the Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) and smooth newt (T. vulgaris) (from the beginning of the twentieth century), were recorded in Štirovača, but these can no longer be confi rmed.

Among the species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive, the Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) is cited, while in Annex IV, the European green toad (Bufo viridis) is cited.

2.3.6.3.3. Reptiles

Under research conducted in the Park as part of preparation of the Management Plan, so far sixteen species of reptiles have been confi rmed. Among the reptiles in the central mountain range (from elevations of 1,000 m and higher) there are only fi ve more common species: the lizards Anguis fragilis, Iberolacerta horvathi and Lacerta

Horvath’s rock lizard (Iberolacerta horvathi)


36agilis, and the snakes Coluber viridifl avus and Vipera ammodytes. For this part of Velebit, fi nds of the common lizard (Lacerta vivipara), smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) and grass snake (Natrix natrix) are rare, while the Aesculapian snake (Elaphe longissima) has also been found. On the coastal belt at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,220 m, the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) is widespread.

Among the species registered in Annex II of the Habitats Directive, the Elaphe situla is cited, while Annex IV includes the lizards Algyroides nigropunctatus, Lacerta agilis, L. trilineata, Iberolacerta horvathi, Podarcis melisellensis and P. muralis, and the snakes Coluber gemonensis, C. najadum, Coronella austriaca, Elaphe situla and Vipera ammodytes.

Table 5: Brief overview of vertebrate diversity in Northern Velebit National Park

Group AMPHIBIANS REPTILES BIRDS MAMMALSspecies species species species

Total 5 16 103 43

Field observations 5 16 - 43

Literature consulted - - - -

Bern Convention 5 16 69 32

Habitats Directive 2 12 11 26

Endemic - 1 - 1

RED LIST STATUSCR - - - -

EN - - 2 -

VU - - 2 -

NT - - 11 11

DD 1 1 - 3

LC - - 18 1

2.3.6.3.4. Birds

So far, 103 bird species have been recorded in Northern Velebit National Park and its immediate vicinity, of which 85 species regularly or occasionally nest in the Park.

Among the nesting birds, 33 of them are registered on Croatia’s Red List of Birds. Two species, the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and Bonelli’s warbler (Phylloscopus bonelli) are endangered (EN), while the honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) and the Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum) are vulnerable (VU), 11 species are near threatened (NT), while 18 species are in the least concern (LC) category.

At the European level, seven nesting bird species have at-risk status, while seven species have declining population status in Europe. Among the nesting birds, 69 are registered in Annex II to the Bern Convention. Eleven species listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive regularly or occasionally nest in the Park.

2.3.6.3.5. Mammals

Under research conducted in the Park as part of preparation of the Management Plan, so far forty species of mammals have been confi rmed.

The insectivores Sorex alpinus, S. araneus, S. minutus, Crocidura leucodon, and Talpa europea are frequent, as are the rodents Apodemus fl avicollis and A. sylvaticus, Chionomys nivalis, Clethrionomys glareolus, Microtus liechtensteini, and Myoxus glis. Sightings of the Crocidura suaveolens, Erinaceus concolor, Dinaromys


37bogdanovi, Dryomys nitedula and Muscardinus avellanarius are quite rare. A relict population of the Dinaric vole, Dinaromys bogdanovi, is a part of the westernmost known meta-population of this species.

Among the eleven recorded bat species, the most frequent are the Plecotus auritus and Hypsugo savii. Nursery colonies of neither species have been found. Among the species found are four exceptionally migratory varieties: Nyctalus leisleri, Pipistrellus nathusii, Eptesicus nilssonii and Vespertilio murinus. During September and October, V. murinus uses the limestone crests for its “courtship dance” prior to mating, and the many pit-caves and crevices as wintering habitats. Other species also winter here, such as Myotis myotis, M. blythii oxygnathus, M. mystacinus and M. brandtii. Common wintering grounds are not known, but some examples of these species have been found deep inside the Lukina and Slovačka pit-caves.

Among the species recorded in Annex II to the Habitats Directive, the following are cited: Barbastella barbastellus and Myotis myotis, while Annex IV includes all bats, Muscardinus avellanarius and Dryomys nitedula. Besides these, Croatia’s Red List includes as data defi cient (DD) although probably endangered the Barbastella barbastellus, Dinaromys bogdanovi and Plecotus macrobullaris, and as near-threatened (NT) the Chionomys nivalis, Dryomys nitedula, Eliomys quercinus, Muscardinus avellanarius, Myotis myotis and Nyctalus leisleri.

The three species of large carnivores of Central and Eastern Europe inhabit the Park: the brown bear (Ursus arctos), lynx (Lynx lynx), wolf (Canis lupus), as well as the wild cat (Felis sylvestris). The number of brown bears in the Park is considerable. Movement of populations and restoration of vegetation have had a positive impact on its survival, especially on the coastal slopes of Velebit. The wolf, an endangered species on the IUCN Red List and legally protected in Croatia, is not regularly present in the Park due to its wide radius of movement. Both wolves and bears use the entire territory of Northern Velebit National Park, as well as Velebit Nature Park and beyond.

Thirty years ago, Velebit was stocked with chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra). The most common of the other herbivores are the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus), wild boar (Sus scrofa) and others.

Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)


382.3.7. Specially protected areas within the National ParkFour specially protected areas have existed within Northern Velebit National Park even before (Fig. 5).

2.3.7.1. Hajdučki and Rožanski Crests Strict Reserve

The Hajdučki and Rožanski crests have been under protection since 1969 under the Act Proclaiming Hajdučki and Rožanski Crests a Strict Nature Reserve (Narodne novine, no. 4/69). The reserve encompasses the Hajdučki and Rožanski crests massif, including the mountain pass called Lubenska vrata between the crests, covering a total surface of 1,220 ha. They are protected due to their geomorphological features and the almost untouched local wilderness: sub-alpine spruce, sub-alpine beech and dwarf pine forests with elements of high-alpine plants. Just the very word crests evokes the large, bare stone masses which jut out of the local terrain, so that their principal features are ruggedness and articulation into isolated peaks or groups of peaks divided by deep and impassable chasms. The Premužić Trail already passed through the strict reserve even before it was proclaimed, and the Rossi Hut already existed as a shelter for hikers and mountain-climbers. Today it is located in the National Park’s eastern section.

2.3.7.2. Special Zavižan-Balinovac-Zavižanska Kosa (Botanical) Reserve

The area along the slopes of Zavižan, Balinovac and Velika Kosa have been under protection since 1971 based on the Decision to Proclaim the Zavižan-Balinovac-Zavižanska (Velika) Kosa Area on Northern Velebit into a Special Botanical Reserve (Narodne novine, no. 13/71) covering a total surface of 118 ha. All major forms of pre-alpine and alpine vegetation have developed in this area of exceptional botanical value: dwarf pine (Pinetum mughi croaticum Horv. 1938.); pre-alpine beech forests (Fagetum croaticum subalpinum Horv. 1938.); thin pre-alpine spruce forests (Piceetum croaticum subalpinum Horv. 1950) and alpine grassland and turf vegetation. The special reserve also encompasses most of the Botanical Garden.

2.3.7.3. Visibaba Special (Botanical) Reserve

This area has been under protection since 1986 under the Decision to Proclaim Visibaba Peak on Northern Velebit a Special Botanical Reserve (Narodne novine, no. 13/86) covering a surface of 80 ha. The rocky Visibaba peak (1,341 m) is located in the National Park’s northern section in the wider Zavižan area. The endemic Croatian sibirrhaea (Sibiraea altaiensis ssp. croatica) can be found hear in black pine forests with cotoneaster.

2.3.7.4. Velebit Botanical Garden – Landscape Architecture Monument

Based on a resolution issued by the Republic Nature Protection Bureau in Zagreb, the Botanical Garden in Modrić dolac, below Zavižan, covering a surface of 50 ha, were placed under protection as a natural monument (landscape architecture monument – Botanical Garden) in 1969. It was established in 1967 for the purpose of research into plants and vegetation, conservation and knowledge of rare and threatened plant species of Velebit.

2.3.8. Habitats from the Ecological Network and Natura 2000The territory of Northern Velebit Nature Park is entirely encompassed within the Ecological Network. The entire area has been assessed as an Important Area for wild taxa and habitat types, and has been placed within the potential area of the EU ecological network Natura 2000. An additional nine smaller areas have been defi ned within it (Fig. 5): the pit-cave at Velike Brisnice, the Lukina Jama-Trojama pit-cave system, the Slovačka pit-cave, the Zavižan-Balinovac-Velika kosa Special Botanical Reserve, the Hajdučki and Rožanski Crests Strict Reserve, the peat-bog at Štirovača, Štirovača, the Visibaba Special Botanical Reserve and Borovi vrh.


39

Fig. 5. Areas under special protection and ecological network areas in Northern Velebit National Park

LegendEcological Network - points

Velebit Botanical Garden

Ecological Network - areasVisibaba Botanical ReserveZavizan-Balinovac-Velika kosa Botanical ReserveHajducki and Rozanski kukovi Strict ReserveStirovacaBorovi vrhNorthern Velebit National Park


40

2.4. Population and cultural valuesSince the territory of Northern Velebit National Park has not permanent residents, the residents of the Park’s peripheral settlements and their external peripheries are crucial to the Park’s long-term functioning (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6. Administrative boundaries of settlements in and around Northern Velebit National Park

Legendsettlement boundaryPark boundary


41The wider Park area is best by intense depopulation, aging and demographic extinction. Depopulation is a result of long-term, occasionally very intense emigration, due to insuffi cient local socio-economic development. Hence, the development of the Park as a prospective area for tourism should include measures for the revitalization of this particular part of Velebit. A decrease in the population of settlements in the wider Park area in the period between last two censuses (1991 and 2001), is evident from Table 6.

Table 6. Change in population in settlements in the National Park’s wider environs, 1991-2001

Territorial unit 1991(1) 2001(2)

A) Park’s peripheral settlements

BiljevineJablanacKladaKrasno PoljeLukovoStarigradStinicaVelike Brisnice

75 158 49 674 57 29 145 1

55 118 33 535 36 11 105 1

Total: 1,188 894

B) Settlements on external periphery

Sveti JurajPriznaKuterevoBakovac KosinjskiDonji KosinjGornji KosinjLipovo PoljeDonje PazarišteKalinovačaMala PlanaPodastranaPopovača PazariškaVelika Plana

691 79 808 372 1,025 344 321 307 243 113 86 175 134

692 56 634 187 678 192 185 170 164 14 76 102 59

Total: 4,698 3,209

C) Central regional settlements

SenjOtočacGospićPerušićLički OsikKarlobag

5,998 5,404 9,025 1,316 2,885 467

5,491 4,354 6,088 957 1,772 510

Total: 25,095 19,172

Overall total (A + B + C): 30,981 23,275(1) 1991 census, Dokumentacija 881, National Statistics Bureau, Zagreb, 1992.(2) Census of population, households and homes, 2001, National Statistics Bureau, Zagreb.

Negative demographic processes infl uence changes in the appearance of settlements. On the western, coastal face of the Park, directly along or inside the Park’s boundary, the settlements are mainly deserted (e.g. Dundović pod, Brisnice). Currently, 60% of the residents of the Park’s boundary area live in Krasno, and although the data presented in Table 6 indicate a decrease in Krasno’s population, it should be noted that


42

Krasno is not depopulated but rather a promising village with almost zero unemployment rate. The major-ity of its residents work in the local forestry industry and two saw mills. In addition, there is dairy (that pro-duces the famed Krasno cheese), a few restaurants and accommodation facilities, several shops, a forestry museum, a ski area, a primary school and a post offi ce.

Traditionally, forestry and hunting, as well as gathering of medicinal herbs, mushrooms, forest products, etc. were the main activities of the local population. Summer grazing of livestock in the past helped maintain the grasslands in the Park which are now becoming overgrown. Proclamation of the National Park has meant a ban on commercial activities in its territory. Forestry is still one of the principal activities in the surrounding area, along with agriculture (livestock husbandry and farming). Horse breeding is also present sporadically on the coastal slopes.

The Park acknowledges the active involvement of the local population in the Park’s management as one of its priorities. A portion of the Park’s staff is from the narrower or wider environs. Also, Krasno is recording growing numbers of visitors, which is partially due to the presence of nearby National Park, so local hospitality establishments also benefi t. Additional opportunities for local involvement are seen in the development of sustainable tourism (traditional accommodations, traditional cuisine, traditional souvenirs, production of local food and other products, and recreation) and additional full-time or part-time employment (for example as guides, assistant workers). There is also the possibility of using the Park’s resources (livestock grazing).

There are no archeological sites registered in the Park’s territory. The main cultural attraction is the remains of summer residences in the Park’s peak zone (particularly the Mirovo and Lubenovac areas). These are old summer huts which demonstrate the traditional life in this region. Besides these huts, there is also an entire series of other buildings here – several springs and ponds, numerous wells, etc. – many of which have been proposed as protected cultural items.

Krasno in springtime


43

2.5. Visitors and tourism

Northern Velebit National Park is just beginning to develop its visitor system. An essential function of the Park will be to expand its attractions to visitors both in the narrower and wider environs.

For now, there is only one offi cial entrance into the National Park, at which visitor can receive information and are changed for admissions passes. There are several other entrances to the Park where admissions passes are not sold nor is any visitor information available. A certain number of visitors come to the Park without any prior information on it and/or they have diff erent expectations from their visits.

The number of visitors to the Park is growing every year (Fig. 7), and it has doubled in a three-year period. In 2005, 10,862 admissions passes were sold, while in 2006, 9,724 were sold. It is assumed that the actual number of visitors is higher due to the impossibility of checking every entrance to the Park, and there are those who enter without admissions passes. Passes can be purchased at the Park entrance at Babić Siča, and at the information centers in Krasno and Senj. At other sites, admissions are charged by rangers in the fi eld.

Out of the total number of visitors in 2006, 89% were adults, and 11% children. Approximately one third of the guests (30%) visited the Park in groups. Most visitors are domestic (73%), but their number varies seasonally – e.g. as a result of visits by school groups in May and June and September and October, domestic visitors predominate, while during July and August, the share of domestic and foreign visitors is the same.

There is as yet no organized visitor system that would regulate daily or seasonal peaks in visits. Visitors arrive at the Park by their own automobiles, on foot or by bus, in organized groups. In 2007, the Institution launched a pilot project of organized transport for visitors along the Senj-Krasno-Zavižan route twice weekly, and during the season this service was used by 95 visitors.

Krasno – hamlet of Dujmišići

Remains of shepherd summer huts


44

The Zavižan area and the Velebit Botanical Garden are visited most often. This primarily pertains to organized visits by bus, Also popular is the Premužić Trail, as well as the Alan and Lubenovac areas, particularly among hikers. The Štirovača area is a traditional gathering place for the local population. The Park has an educational/presentation center in the Headquarters building in Krasno, and a multimedia information center in Senj.

Park visitors can go sight-seeing, take photographs, stroll, hike, ride bicycles and go horseback riding (on occasion). In 2006, the Premužić Trail was enhanced with educational content, i.e. info-panels were installed on which the Park’s natural treasures are presented to visitors. In 2007, the circular path in the Velebit Botanical Garden was also enhanced with info-panels, an restroom facilities were installed in the immediate vicinity of the Botanical Garden.

Accommodation in the Park is possible in mountaineer/hiker facilities: a mountain lodge, mountain cottage and mountain shelter (Fig. 8). Accommodation capacity is modest, and the food on off er is quite basic. There are several more mountaineering facilities nearby, in the Nature Park, and it is also possible to fi nd accommodations in nearby Krasno, Sveti Juraj, Jablanac, and Senj.

In the summer of 2004, a survey of visitor needs, expectations and satisfaction was conducted as part of the Karst Ecosystem Conservation Project. Although the number of visitors who fi lled out the questionnaire was small (158), the results provided a clear indicator of the views of visitors. The results indicated that most visitors were satisfi ed with the pristine landscapes (over 90%), and the wealth of plants and animals (over 80%), while most were not satisfi ed or only marginally satisfi ed with access to the Park, accommodations, cuisine and presentation of the cultural heritage (Fig. 8). In a second study conducted in 2006, the Park’s primeval and untouched natural beauty and the wealth and diversity of plant and animal life were indicated as the elements that most impressed visitors (about 65% of responses), while potential areas for improvement included transportation (40%) and amenities in the Park (26.3%). It is interesting that a large number of visitors obtained information on the Park through recommendations from friends and relatives (approximately 40%) or based on previous stays in the Park (approximately 40%), while the share of those who were informed by the media, promotional materials and travel agencies was relatively small.

Fig. 7. Number of visitors to Northern Velebit National Park, 2002-2007 (admissions passes sold)*For 2007, data up to July 15 are shown.

num

ber o

f vis

itors

(adm

issi

ons p

asse

s sol

d)

number of visitors (admissions passes sold)


45The development of tourism infrastructure must fi rst be located in the area of the surrounding settlements, while in the Park itself attempts should be made to improve the conditions of existing accommodations, hospitality and educational options, and secure conditions to reduce the negative impact of the increased number of people (the problem of sanitation, waste disposal, etc.).

Fig. 8. Principal visitor infrastructure in Northern Velebit National Park

LegendPark boundaryPark headquarters - Krasno Info-centerBuildings used by the ParkMountaineering buildingsForestry buildingsRoadsPremuzic TrailHiking trails


46

2.6. Threats to the value of Northern Velebit National Park

Based on the reports of expert teams and the negative phenomena so far observed, as well as the main trends and problems observed throughout Croatia, several basic treats to the biological and landscape diversity and cultural value of Northern Velebit National Park have been identifi ed. Although the situation in this area is still not alarming, these threats must be addressed as potential reasons for the endangerment of the Park’s biological and landscape diversity.

• Lack of traditional livestock raising

Due to the end of traditional seasonal livestock raising, an entire series of anthropogenic habitats (grasslands, ponds) and the associated plant, animal and fungal species, are threatened, because such habitats are exposed to succession. This is the greatest problem in protecting the Park’s biological and landscape diversity, and the Park’s cultural heritage is also threatened, because shepherd’s huts, hiking trails and stacked-stone walls are not being maintained.

• Poaching

During the period since the Park’s establishment to the establishment of supervision over the region, several cases of poaching in the Park’s territory and its immediate vicinity were registered. It can be assumed that these activities are more extensive, but it is exceptionally diff erent to confi rm this due to the inaccessibility of the terrain and the small number of rangers.

Forest succession of grasslands


47• Regulated hunting in surrounding areas

Although hunting is prohibited in the National Park, active hunting does proceed in the surrounding areas (Fig. 9). Some species with larger ranges which spend their summers in the Park, descend to lower elevations in the winter, outside of the Park’s boundaries, where they are treated as game in the surrounding hunting zones. Animals are also lured with food in these hunting zones, which alters their behavior. Moreover, allochthonous species are brought to hunting zones, and there is the possibility of their spread into the Park’s territory.

• Visits

The increasing number of visitors to individual sites (Zavižan, Alan, Štirovača) leads to several negative eff ects. The environment is increasingly burdened with sewage, while in some places erosion is spurred by excessive trampling. Direct pollution is also caused by discarded plastic and metal, and in some places occasional dump sites emerge, which can lead wild animals to become accustomed to frequenting such locales. The increased number of visitors in the Park may also lead to disturbance of some species.

• Traffi c

The increased presence of motor vehicles in the Park’s territory has increased harmful gas emissions, and contamination of vegetation along roads. The possibility of traffi c accidents has also increased, which can lead to seepage of motor oil and fuel into the surrounding soils. There is also an increased danger of direct collisions with large animals and the disturbance of their natural habitats.

• Illegal gathering of medicinal herbs

The Park is home to numerous species of medicinal herbs. Their illegal gathering for commercial purposes is a possibility.

• Illegal collection of animal species

The Park is home to numerous animal species, and their attractiveness lures collectors, particularly those from abroad (e.g. in search of reptiles such as the leopard snake, rare butterfl ies like the Apollo, etc.). It is possible that the illegal collection of such species may proceed in the Park for their illicit sale. Also, there is the possibility that samplings are collected by foreign researchers without the proper licenses from the relevant authorities and permission from the Park’s management.

• Construction of hydroelectric plants in the Velebit hinterland

The construction of hydroelectric structures in the Kosinj area (accumulation reservoir and power plant), which is a component of the increase of accumulation zones along the Lika River, creates the danger of changing the existing regime of underground water even in the Park’s territory, thus impacting the entire subterranean ecosystem.


48

Fig. 9. Hunting zones around Northern Velebit National Park

Legend

IX/14IX/17IX/6

Number of hunting zones

Park boundary


49

Subalpine beech forest – Premužić Trail


50

Premužić Trail

3 . ZO N I N G A N D F U N DA M E N TA L O B J E C T I V E S O F PA R K MA N A G E M E N T

51

3. ZONING AND FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVES OF

PARK MANAGEMENT

Based on the Park’s vision and an assessment of the Park’s biological, geomorphological, socio-economic and tourism resources, the zoning for the Park has been developed and conservation policies have been elaborated and these form the core of the Management Plan.

This Plan is valid for ten years, with revision after fi ve years. The details of implementation in the diff erent zones will be covered by specifi c action plans, which are integral components of the Management Plan. The action plans are operative documents with diff ering timetables, subject to revision and updating during implementation. During development of the Plan, intensive consultations were held with interest groups (Appendix 3), tourism studies and surveys were conducted, biological inventories were taken and deliberations were held within the National Park. All issues identifi ed as relevant were taken into account during formulation of objectives and measures.

3.1. Zoning conceptDuring the establishment of zones for the needs of the Management Plan, an entire series of workshops, meetings and consultations were held, and international zoning guidelines for protected area management were taken into consideration and analyzed. It was on this basis that the zoning system was established, applicable to the parks included in the Karst Ecosystem Conservation Project (Table 7). Areas with high natural value and little need for management have been proclaimed strict conservation zones (1), which are further classifi ed as strictest conservation zones (1a) and very strict conservation zones (1b). Active conservation zones (2) have been defi ned as those which require a special type of management, i.e. intervention to preserve their natural or cultural value. This zone is divided into sub-zones, as needed. Areas with existing or planned visitor infrastructure or areas of lower natural value and a great need for management have been proclaimed usage zones. This includes settlement zones (3a) and recreation and tourism infrastructure zones (3b).

3.1.1. Zoning in Northern Velebit National Park and management by zonesNorthern Velebit National Park has been divided into several diff erent zones, defi ned according to natural value and management needs. Zoning in Northern Velebit National Park is based on the values described in the second chapter, on appreciation of the problems and proposals ascertained during public hearings and on plans for local tourism development. A precise location on the map has been determined for each zone, as well as the size of the zone, the zoning criteria, management objectives and possibilities, and the necessary type of monitoring. When considering zones, it must be stressed that Northern Velebit National Park must be observed with regard for Velebit Nature Park and Velebit as a whole.

Three basic zones have been defi ned for Northern Velebit Nature Park, with sub-zones (Fig. 10, Table 7, Appendix 4):

· strict conservation zone (1a and 1b)

· active conservation zone (2)

· usage zone (3b).


52Strict reserves are strictest conservation zones (1a) without human intervention, where access is permitted only for research purposes and to conduct monitoring. Areas with existing tourism infrastructure are placed in active usage zones (3b). All other areas of the Park are placed in the strict conservation zone (1b), with the exception of the sites classifi ed in the active conservation zones (2a), and these are sites at which intervention is required, either for the purpose of ecosystem conservation (e.g. grasslands) or preservation of the cultural heritage (e.g. old huts). When more data becomes available, and if the need arises, certain areas will be exempted, and others placed under conservation regimes.

86.7% of the Park’s surface has been placed in the strict conservation zone, which corresponds to the highest internationally recognized standards (Fig. 11). Impact areas (“buff er zones”) around the Park’s boundaries have not been specifi ed since the entire territory of the National Park lies within Velebit Nature Park. Thus, special measures for this area should be determined in cooperation with the Nature Park.

Fig. 10. Zoning in Northern Velebit National Park.

LegendPark boundary

ZONES1a - Strictest conservation zone1b - Very strict conservation zone2 - Active conservation zone3 - Usage zone


533.1.1.1. Zone 1a – Strictest conservation zone

Description: This zone includes the area of the existing Hajdučki and Rožanski Crests Strict Reserve. The reserve is traversed by the Premužić Trail, which has been placed in category 1b at a width of 25 m from both edges and the hiking trail from Rossijeva koliba to Škrbina draga, from Škrbina draga to Dulibice (Lubenovačka vrata) and the ascent to Gromovača peak in the same zone.

Criteria: The area was proclaimed a strict reserve due to the exceptional geomorphological karst phenomena. The area is rich in deep pit-caves, and is also biospeleologically signifi cant.

Objective: Complete natural development of the ecosystem.

Permitted activities: Surveillance, monitoring, research.

Visitor access: Restricted.

3.1.1.2. Zone 1b – Very strict conservation zone

Description: This zone includes forests in the Park and grasslands that are not actively managed, as well as the aforementioned trails in the strict reserve.

Criteria: Valuable preserved ecosystems and degraded forest ecosystems that emerged due to centuries of human activity under natural succession.

Objective: Preservation of natural characteristics and monitoring of natural processes.

Permitted activities: Surveillance, monitoring, research, limited visits. Minimum intervention to improve the visitor system (removal of potentially dangerous logs from trails, installation of benches and arrangement of viewpoints, installation of educational and interpretative facilities).

Visitor access: Possibility of individual and group visits exclusively along marked trails.

3.1.1.3. Zone 2 – Active conservation zone

Description: This zone includes grasslands which must be revitalized and the area of old shepherds’ huts.

Criteria: Area requiring intervention to preserve and/or renew the ecosystem or cultural heritage.

Objective: Preservation of habitat and landscape diversity and cultural heritage.

Permitted activities: Surveillance, research and monitoring, mowing, grazing, traditional farming, removal of tree species from grasslands, renovation of shepherds’ huts, installation of protective canopies and barns for livestock, maintenance of ponds Minimum intervention to improve the visitor system (installation of benches and arrangement of viewpoints, installation of educational and interpretative facilities).

Visitor access: Possibility of individual and group visits exclusively along marked trails.


543.1.1.4. Zone 3 – Usage zone; sub-zone 3b: Recreation and tourism infrastructure zone

Description: This zone includes a part of the Zavižan area with the Velebit Botanical Garden, a part of the areas of Alan, Štirovača, Lubenovac and Veliki Lom, and the narrow area around Rossijeva koliba.

Criteria: These are areas of intense visits and long stays by visitors, including overnight stays. There already is a certain level of infrastructure here which should be renewed, improved and/or supplemented.

Objective: Ensure quality amenities for Park visitors with maximum application of conservation measures.

Permitted activities: Surveillance, research and monitoring, mowing, grazing, removal of tree species from grasslands, renovation of shepherds’ huts, maintenance of waterways and catchments at Štirovača. Interventions to improve the visitor system and tourism product in compliance with physical plan and installation of benches and arrangement of viewpoints, installation of educational and interpretative facilities, etc. At Štirovača in the summer months, possible accommodation of forestry workers for the needs of the national forest management company.

Visitor access: Possibility of individualnog I grupnogal visits and recreation within the limits of certain carrying capacity for individual and group locations.

Fig. 11. Share of individual zones in total Park’s surface area

11,3%

75,4%

12,8%0,5%

34

1a - Strictest conservation zone

1b - Very strict conservation zone

2 - Active conservation zone

3 - Usage zone


55Table 7. Areas of various management zones in the Park.

Zone Area (m2) Total (m2) Percentage (%)

Zone 1 – Strict conservation zone

1 a) Strictest conservation zone 1 – Hajdučki and Rožanski crests a) 12,581,447 b) 12,581,447 c) 11.3

1 b) Very strict conservation zone 2 – Northern Velebit (other) d) 84,088,278 e) 84,088,278 f ) 75.4

Zone 2 – Active conservation zone

3-Dundović Pod 1,524,009 14,324,214 12.8

4-Tudorevo 2,175,902

5-Bilenski padež 2,038,625

6-Alan 234,582

7-Veliki Lubenovac 560,056

8-Mali Lubenovac 132,093

9-Struge-Zelengrad 325,883

10-Vujinac 123,562

11-Ripište 110,721

12-Vukušić duliba 181,879

14-Veliki Lom 182,318

15-Miškulinska duliba 470,641

16-Jukić duliba 135,878

17-Legačka duliba 222,061

18-Borove vodice 114,713

19-Modrić dolac 70,824

20-Paljež 198,655

21-Žive vodice 54,779

22-Ječmište - Podstina 1,979,574

23-Mali Lom 92,961

23-Zlatkina njiva 81,784

24-Markov kuk 41,703

25-Zavižan 555,066

26-Grgaševo selište - Vukušić kantunište

86,189

27- Debela kosa 104,811

28-Štirovača 758,117

29-Alančić 1,766,828

Zone 3 – Usage zone

3 b) Recreation and tourism infrastructure zone

30-Mali Lom 5,225 525,939 0.5

31-Veliki Lom 9,572

32-Alan 147,437

33-Rossijeva koliba 6,698

34-Botanical Garden 128,299

35-Zavižan 156,285

36-Štirovača 50,482

37-Veliki Lubenovac 21,941

OVERALL TOTAL 111,519,878 100


56

3.2. Objectives and measures

In the course of development of the Management Plan, ten priority themes were identifi ed as crucial to management of Northern Velebit National Park. Strategic objectives, measures and indicators were defi ned for each. The action plans ensue from these ten themes as specifi c enabling management documents. Some themes, due to their complexity, are divided into several sub-themes.

3.2.1. General problemsDue to the unclear demarcation between public and private property and within privately-owned lots, all activities within the Park are very complex. What is needed is to clarify property rights relations in the cadastre and land register so that the Park can perform the planned activities on a legal basis.

Objective: Clarify property rights within the Park

Measures: · Conduct inventory of real estate (land, buildings) in the Park.· Ascertain title to all real estate.· Examine all legal solutions to convey authority over a portion of real estate to the Park.

Indicators: Clarifi ed title within the Park, unambiguous cadastral maps and orderly land registers

3.2.2. Scientifi c research and monitoring

Objective: Enrich knowledge on the Park’s overall value in order to improve management capacity and monitor changes in order to allow timely response (in order to avoid negative impact on ecosystems, species and habitats and improvement of the visitor system).

Measures: · Organize and support scientifi c and technical research based on the Park’s management needs and scientifi c need.

· Improve public knowledge and awareness of the Park’s overall value.· Establish regular monitoring of all relevant biodiversity indicators.

Indicators: Continual infl ow of new vital scientifi c knowledge, monitoring system established, management activities adapted.

3.2.3. Biodiversity conservationGiven the high biodiversity of the Park and the diff erent objectives and measures identifi ed for the diff erent components, this area has been divided into several subordinate sections.

Overall objective: Maintain and improve the existing high biodiversity in the Park.

Indicators: Maintenance of indicator species population and their stability.


573.2.3.1. Grasslands

Objective: Maintain the various important and representative grassland ecosystems mainly through incentives for traditional use practices.

Measures: · Analyze the existing condition of grasslands in the Park.· Defi ne the priorities of grasslands for conservation.· Establish permanent monitoring of grassland ecosystems and various management approaches

and activities tied to grasslands.· Participate in the preparation of projects to establish traditional agricultural practices in the

Park’s territory.· Organize various events with the aim of promoting traditional practices for grassland use.· Renew and maintain sub-Mediterranean grasslands in the western end of the National Park.

Indicators: Clearly defi ned surfaces with priority grasslands and permanent maintenance of these areas.

3.2.3.2. Forests

Objective: Ensure the natural and undisturbed development of forest ecosystems where they do not endanger other important ecosystems as defi ned by the Management Plan.

Measures: · Develop a forest conservation program based on conservation legislation;· Undertake no management activities in the Park unless specifi c situations emerge which

seriously endanger forest ecosystems. Such situations and the relevant management activities are formulated by means of the forest conservation program;

· Establish permanent monitoring of forest ecosystems as part of the forest ecosystem conservation program.

Indicators: Unimpeded natural development of forest communities enabled.

3.2.3.3. Water ecosystems

Given the very low number of springs, ponds and other water ecosystems within the Park, the existing ones are very important to biodiversity conservation. Additionally, ponds are a vital component of the cultural heritage and are used in case of wildfi res.

Objective: Preserve and maintain ponds and surface waterways.

Measures: · Maintain existing ponds in the Park through active management.· Monitor and maintain Štirovača’s existing hydrological system.· Establish permanent monitoring of water ecosystems.

Indicators: All existing ponds in the Park functional, hydrological system in Štirovača does not change for the worse.

3.2.3.4. Subterranean ecosystems

Water is the key factor infl uencing subterranean ecosystems. The quality and quantity of water directly determines biodiversity and specifi city of subterranean ecosystems. In the karst zone, in terms of hydrogeological features, fi ssured porous rock and complex hydrogeology predominate. Water fl ows are most often turbulent and fast, so the sensitivity to pollution of the subterranean ecosystems within the Park’s territory is much greater.


58In karst areas, the fl ow of underground water is very complex and the water comes from a large area surrounding the Park.

Objective: Conserve existing pit-caves and caves from direct or indirect human impact.

Measures: · Secure underground water quality in the Park’s surrounding area in cooperation with Velebit Nature Park and the national water management company, National Water Forest Management Company;

· Ensure regular monitoring of underground ecosystems with special emphasis on hydrogeology.

Indicators: Underground systems are systematically monitored, ground water quality remains high.

3.2.4. Cultural heritage

Objective: Maintain the typical architectural heritage and restore select traditional buildings (summer lodges, stacked-stone walls, trails, ponds) for presentation and interpretation.

Measures: · Appreciation of the existing architectural heritage and initiation of formal protection of select buildings in compliance with the Cultural Treasures Preservation Act.

· Purchase a certain number of old buildings and restore them for interpretation purposes.· Participate in projects to preserve and restore the cultural heritage.

Indicators: Existing cultural heritage appreciated and partially revitalized.

3.2.5. Public participation

Objective: Ensure partnership and transparency of Park management.

Measures: · Involve representatives of interest groups in Park activities;· Involve the local community in Park activities in various ways;· Inform the wider public at the national level of Park activities;· Inform international, scientifi c and professional circles of Park activities.

Indicators: Stakeholders involved in Park’s management, public informed with signifi cant ability to communicate with the Public Institution.

3.2.6. Publicity and other marketing activities

Objective: Promote Northern Velebit National Park as an integral component of Velebit characterized by the sense of primeval wilderness.

Measures: · Improve promotion of the Park at all levels by various means;· Improve joint marketing activities with the Nature Park for promotion of Velebit at the national

and international level;· Work on promotion of the National Park in the nearby coastal tourist destinations;· Develop integrated tourism products with the local tourism sector in Senj, Otočac and

Krasno and the local communities around the Park (Klada, Lukovo, Jablanac, Karlobag, Kosinj, Pazarište...).

Indicators: Park recognized as a quality visitor destination in its surroundings and beyond.


593.2.7. Visitor system

Objective: Develop a well-organized, sustainable, non-invasive, educational and cultural tourism, based on the area’s natural value.

Indicator: Satisfi ed visitors, nature conserved.

3.2.7.1. Visitor management

Objective: Ensure safe and enjoyable stays for all visitors by facilitating a pristine wilderness experience while assuring minimum visitor impact on nature.

Measures: · Assure safe and well marked access to the Park and quality information on the possibilities of Park visits;

· Organize adequate spatial and time distribution of visitors;· Ensure safety for visitors during their stay in the Park;· Raise the percentage of visitors that arrive by public transport or by foot or bicycle;· Set up new recreational amenities for visitors;· Create systematic and complete solutions for the most visited locales in the Park – Zavižan with

the Botanical Garden, Štirovača, Alan, Premužić Trail, Lubenovac;· Raise the environmental standard for visitors;· Regularly monitor visitor impact and their satisfaction with the Park’s services.

Indicators: All visitors able to experience of the Park in quality fashion via organized routes or the Visitor Center.

3.2.7.2. Interpretation and education

Objective: Design and implement a comprehensive program to raise knowledge and understanding of the Park’s natural and cultural value and thus increase positive experiences and environmental awareness of visitors and local residents.

Measures: · Develop a comprehensive interpretation and education program in the Park;· Cooperation in the development of a comprehensive “Nature School” program for the Krasno

area;· Develop the necessary interpretative and educational infrastructure in Krasno;· Promote interpretation and education as vital Park activities.

Indicators: Major features of the Park presented to diff erent visitor target groups appropriately and understandably.


603.2.8. Road infrastructure

The majority of roads at the Park’s boundaries and within the Park are public roads at the local or county level. Accordingly, responsibility for maintenance of these roads lies with the owner. A part of the roads, some of them on the boundaries, are not classifi ed, but they are used as if they were public. The responsibility for these roads has not yet been defi ned.

Objective: Minimize motor vehicle traffi c in the National Park to the greatest possible degree..

Measures: · Establish specifi c regulations for traffi c on roads in and around the Park;· Discourage private motor vehicle traffi c in the Park;· Promote valid transport means for visitors as an alternative to individual motor vehicle transport.

Promote organized transportation for groups in the Park;· Promote recreational visits by walking or bicycle;· Set up and maintain access roads and parking lots at the Park boundary.

Indicators: Alternative traffi c system elaborated and functional, motorized traffi c in the Park mitigated.

3.2.9. Other infrastructure

Objective: Improve sanitary conditions, accommodations and hospitality for Park visitors.

Measures: · Support the quality improvement of accommodations and hospitality in Zavižan and Veliki Alan in cooperation with partners;

· Construct the building at Lubenovac as a ranger station with basic accommodations;· Design a program for visitor infrastructure development in cooperation with partners in

Štirovača that is of particular importance to the Park;· Reconstruction of the existing building in Veliki Lom as a ranger station with daily amenities for

Park visitors and as a base for scientifi c research.

Indicators: Buildings serving Park functions meet strict contemporary environmental standards.

3.2.10. Enhancement of institutional capacity

Objective: Increase the Park’s institutional capacity to carry forward numerous tasks to improve management activities, lower costs and raise staff motivation.

Measures: · Provide regular education for Park staff related on their responsibilities;· Special training for staff for monitoring;· Ensure adequate technical means needed to implement tasks;· Install and equip a laboratory in the Park headquarters in Krasno.

Indicators: Park staff is motivated, educated and equipped to perform all necessary Park management tasks.


61

Large rockery in Velebit Botanical Garden


62

Speleologist on an expedition

4 . I M P L E M E N TAT I O N O F MA N A G E M E N T P L A N

63

4. IMPLEMENTATION OF MANAGEMENT PLAN

4.1. Action plans

Action plans are specifi c management documents that arise from the Park’s defi ned strategic objectives and management policies. They are an integral part of the management plan and thoroughly defi ne activities, timetables, and the human and fi nancial resources required for their implementation.

During the elaboration of zoning and overall management objectives, 48 action plans were defi ned. Northern Velebit National Park Public Institution will implement these action plans for 2008-2017 period (Table 8). By the end of 2009, the Public Institution will elaborate each action plan in detail, in accordance with a previously agreed format. Action plans will be implemented trough annual Programs of conservation, use and promotion of the protected area.

Table 8. Overview of scheduled action plans for the 2008-2017 period

Objective 1: General problems

Action plans 1. Clarify property rights within the Northern Velebit National Park.

Objective 2: Scientifi c research and monitoring

Action plans 2. Organization of scientifi c and expertise-based research in Northern Velebit National Park.

3. Establishment of comprehensive monitoring in Northern Velebit NP, including commitments ensuing from the Directive proclaiming the National Ecological Network.

Objective 3: Biodiversity conservation

Sub-objective: Grasslands

Action plans 4. Ascertain existing condition of grasslands in the Park.5. Revitalization and maintenance of grasslands organized by the Institution.6. Introduction of traditional farming in the Park’s territory.7. Monitoring of grasslands.

Sub-objective: Forests

Action plans 8. Forest ecosystem conservation program.9. Monitoring of forest ecosystems.

Sub-objective: Water ecosystems

Action plans 10. Maintenance of ponds in the Park.11. Maintenance of springs and streams at Štirovača.12. Monitoring of water ecosystems.

Sub-objective: Subterranean ecosystems

Action plans 13. Minimization of indirect harmful impacts on Park’s subterranean ecosystems.14. Monitoring subterranean ecosystems.

Sub-objective: Species and individual habitat types

15. Conservation and monitoring of capercaillie.16. Conservation and monitoring of large carnivores.17. Conservation and monitoring of chamois.18. Monitoring of migratory and allochthonous species.


64Objective 4: Cultural heritage

Action plans 19. Restoration and maintenance of shepherd huts.20. Maintenance of cultural heritage (traditional trails, wells, stacked-stone walls).

Objective 5: Public participation

Action plans 21. Public participation in Park management.

Objective 6: Publicity and other marketing activities

Action plans 22. Promotion using printed materials.23. Promotion using the electronic media.24. Promotion by means of multimedia presentations, exhibitions, etc.25. Installment of Park info-spots for tourists in Croatian cities.26. Creation of common local tourism products for the Park and its environs.

Objective 7: Visitor system

Action plans 27. Monitoring the visitor system(common to both sub-objectives of the visitor system).

Sub-objective: Visitor management

Action plans 28. Determination of carrying capacity of individual sites in the Park.29. Improvement of accessibility of the Park to visitors.30. Improvement of visitor safety.31. Establishment of organized transport around the Park.32. Opening of speleological sites to tourists.33. Improvement of recreational possibilities for visitors.34. Organization of Velebit Botanical Garden as a visitor site and educational zone.35. Organization of Zavižan area as visitor site and educational zone.36. Organization of Štirovača area as visitor site and educational zone.37. Organization of Alan area as visitor site and educational zone.38. Organization of Mirovo area as visitor site and educational zone.39. Organization of Lubenovac area as visitor site and educational zone.40. Raising the environmental standards of visits.

Sub-objective: Educationa and interpretation

Action plans 41. Interpretive trails and panels.42. Programs for children.43. Outdoor presentation area in Krasno.44. Visitor Center in Krasno.

Objective 8: Road infrastructure

Action plans 45. Minimization of traffi c inside the National Park.

Objective 9: Other infrastructure

Action plans Contained in action plans for other objectives.

Objective 10: Institutional enhancement

Action plans 46. Staff education and training.47. Improvement of Institution’s technical capacity.48. Reconstruction of Institution’s administrative building.


654.1.1. Overview of action plansDuring preparation of the Management Plan, the following priority action plans with specifi ed objectives, principal activities, timetables and cost estimates were identifi ed:

An overview of scheduled action plans, with specifi ed objectives, principal activities, responsible authorities and costs estimates, are provided below.

Explanation of terms and abbreviations:

· AP: action plan;

· ODG: Offi ce of the Director General;

· CPUD: Conservation, Promotion and Use Department;

· RTSD: Ranger and Technical Services Department;

· partners: persons or institutions which whom or which the Northern Velebit National Park Public Institution (NVNP PI) works to implement action plans;

· associates: persons or institutions which whom or which the Northern Velebit National Park Public Institution implements action plans by means of contract.

4.1.1.1. General problems

AP 1 Settlement of property rights in Northern Velebit National Park

Objective(s) of AP · determine precise property rights status in Park by 2008;· place real estate of interest to the Park under Institution’s authority by 2012;

Principal activities 1. Obtain cadastral maps and land register lists for all real estate in Park (land register fi les, possession and title deeds….).

2. Draft list of real estate with title status.3. Selection of real estate of interest to Park.4. Locate and contact owners of real estate of interest to Park.5. Purchase of real estate, conclusion of contracts, concession approvals, etc.

Budget (HRK) 1,000,000.00

Timetable 2008-2013

Responsible authorities

NVNP PI - ODG, CPUD, RTSDPartners: owners and users of land.

4.1.1.2. Scientifi c research and monitoring

AP 2 Organization of scientifi c and expertise-based research in Northern Velebit National Park

Objective(s) of AP · gather the most possible relevant data on the Park’s natural and cultural value which can be used to improve management activities in the Park;

Principal activities 1. Establish Park scientifi c/expert council as an advisory body.2. Identify research priorities.3. Draft a list of necessary research for a fi ve-year period, with cost schedule.4. Contracting, organization and implementation of scientifi c research.

Budget (HRK) 4,250,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Partners: PP Velebit:Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions;


66

AP 3 Establishment of comprehensive monitoring system in Northern Velebit National Park

Objective(s) of AP · Gradually establish monitoring of natural and cultural resources and all Park management activities.

Principal activities 1. Based on current knowledge and activities conducted in Park, compile list of necessary monitoring for each objective set in the Management Plan.

2. Identify monitoring priorities.3. Draft detailed protocols for individual monitoring.4. Train Institution staff to implement activities for planning monitoring.5. Establish cooperation with individual experts and institutions that will conduct a

portion of monitoring.6. Contracting, organization and implementation monitoring programs.

Budget (HRK) 1,300,000.00

Timetable 2008-2016


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Partners: PP Velebit;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions;

4.1.1.3. Biodiversity conservation

4.1.1.3.1. Grasslands

AP 4 Ascertain current condition of grasslands in the Park

Objective(s) of AP · conduct precise inventory of grasslands in the National Park by 2009, ascertain the degree of succession and revitalization possibilities;

Principal activities 1. Procure cadastral platform, aerial and satellite photographs, historical data (historical maps, data from local population on use methods).

2. Establish cooperation with experts – botanists, agronomists, GIS experts.3. Draft plant lists, plant maps and habitat maps.4. GIS analysis and interpretation of photos to ascertain degree and pace of succession.5. Evaluation of grasslands with regard to biological value and revitalization needs.

Budget (HRK) 450,000.00

Timetable 2008-2010


NVNP PI – CPUD;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions;


67AP 5 Revitalization and maintenance of grasslands organized by Institution

Objective(s) of AP · launch revitalization at not less than three coastal and three alpine grasslands by 2011;

Principal activities 1. Defi ne criteria for grassland selection > preliminary: succession level, presence of rare and endangered species or habitat types, road accessibility, attractiveness of space related to other Park management – primarily related to the visitor system (e.g. Lubenovac and Mirovo are envisaged as educational zones).

2. Analysis of relevant legislation and available state incentives to engage in traditional agriculture.

3. Contact owners of selected grasslands > negotiations on use methods > conclusion of contract or purchase of land.

4. Develop a detailed 5-10 year plan for each grassland (depending on the grassland inventory data and in cooperation with experts) to determine number and type of livestock, grazing/mowing tempo, rearing modes, possible use of chemicals or prohibition of certain interventions (e.g. use of artifi cial fertilizers, treatment with certain chemicals), compensation for livestock losses, etc.

5. Secure the necessary infrastructure > purchase the necessary machinery/tools, construct barns, purchase herds (or convey them in other manner, by contract, etc.).

6. Grazing and mowing, based on regime established in point 4.

Budget (HRK) 790,000.00

Timetable 2008-2012 > ongoing


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions, relevant state authorities;Partners: local livestock farmers, interested land owners.

AP 6 Introduction of traditional farming in Park’s territory

Objective(s) of AP · Support and implement various traditional agriculture practices in the Park by 2011;

Principal activities 1. Cooperate with relevant state authorities2. Analyze relevant legislative/available state incentives for traditional agriculture3. Analyze local farmers on the slopes of Velebit – Park boundary, to count head of

livestock in the Park’s vicinity4. Examine possibilities for traditional agricultural incentives5. Contact individuals/institutions potentially interested in traditional agriculture in the

Park > through public meetings, direct contacts, visiting villages, etc.6. Establish partnerships with interested stakeholders7. Draft grassland revitalization project in cooperation with experts, relevant

governmental institutions and stakeholders,8. Develop a detailed 5-10 year plan for each grassland (depending on the grassland

inventory data and in cooperation with experts) to determine number and type of livestock, grazing/mowing tempo, rearing modes, possible use of chemicals or prohibition of certain interventions (e.g. use of artifi cial fertilizers, treatment with certain chemicals), compensation for livestock losses, etc.

9. Provide assistance in securing necessary infrastructure > purchase of needed machinery/tools, barn construction.

10. Develop marketing plan for agricultural products11. Grazing and mowing, following regime defi ned under point 8.

Budget (HRK) 320,000.00

Timetable 2009-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD, ODG;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions, relevant state authorities;Partners: local livestock farmers, interested land owners.


68

AP 7 Monitoring grasslands

Objective(s) of AP · Establish comprehensive monitoring of grasslands by 2010;· Establish suitable parameter for monitoring on grasslands;

Principal activities 1. Determine signifi cant/typical grassland communities at which monitoring will be established based on the results of ascertainment of status of grasslands, regardless of whether or not a grassland will be encompassed by revitalization; certainly monitor managed grasslands, but also similar non-managed grasslands.

2. Select parameters to monitor, based on prior research, certainly take into account:a. monitor plant composition,b. monitor rate of succession,c. monitor select species.3. Train Park staff for monitoring.4. Formulate separate data entry protocol for each grassland.

Budget (HRK) 260,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions;

4.1.1.3.2. Forests

AP 8 Forest Ecosystem Conservation Program

Objective(s) of AP · Draft and implement Forest Ecosystem Conservation Program in compliance with Nature Protection Act;

Principal activities 1. Analysis of existing data, contacts with experts.2. Development of Forest Ecosystem Conservation Program in compliance with

guidelines set by the relevant Ministry and the Management Plan objectives.3. Implementation of the Forest Ecosystem Conservation Program (monitoring described

as separate action plan).

Budget (HRK) 800,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Partners: owners of plots within Northern Velebit National Park;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions;


69

AP 9 Monitoring forest ecosystems

Objective(s) of AP · Establish comprehensive monitoring of forest ecosystems by 2010;· Determine suitable parameters to monitor forest ecosystems;

Principal activities 1. Establish signifi cant/typical forest communities at which monitoring will be conducted in cooperation with experts.

2. Establishment of monitoring in compliance with ICP program. 3. Phenological research. 4. Monitoring system and quality of precipitation and seepage waters. 5. Monitoring of bark beetle population movements. 6. Monitoring the composition of soil fauna. 7. Monitoring populations of select bird species. 8. Monitoring indicator fungal species. 9. Monitoring plant composition of forest plant communities.10. Formulate separate data entry protocol for each monitoring instance in cooperation

with experts.

Budget (HRK) 520,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions, Velebit Nature Park;

4.1.1.3.3. Water ecosystems

AP 10 Maintenance of ponds in the Park

Objective(s) of AP · Maintain all ponds in Northern Velebit National Park;

Principal activities 1. Compile list and map of ponds in Northern Velebit National Park.2. Gather data on age of ponds, their features and previous maintenance methods.3. Determine dynamics of maintenance and necessary works for each pond > removal of

sludge and macro-vegetation, trampling (livestock).4. Restore ponds and maintain them.

Budget (HRK) 60,000.00

Timetable 2009-2011


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD:


70AP 11 Maintenance of springs and streams at Štirovača

Objective(s) of AP · Secure health standards of water sources;· Secure water fl ow to valuable wetland habitats;

Principal activities 1. Gather historical data on maintenance of sources and waterways at Štirovača.2. Thoroughly determine hydrology of individual parts of Štirovača (with special emphasis

on methods to secure water fl ow to wetland habitats – grassland on sawdust).3. Determine possible necessary maintenance on stream beds (cleaning, possible stone

wall construction).4. If necessary, undertake specifi c interventions.5. Landscape works in area of current sources.6. Determine minimum fl ow at which water may be taken from sources for the needs of

the national forestry company or other needs tied to the visitor system.7. Establish the rules of conduct for all stakeholders tied to Štirovača (Park, National Forest

Management Company, visitors) > waste disposal methods, removal of remaining waste, cooperation for spring cleaning of stream beds from fallen branches, garbage, etc.

Budget (HRK) 110,000.00

Timetable 2008-2011


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Partners: Velebit Nature Park, National Forest Management Company, National Water Forest Management Company;

AP 12 Monitoring of water ecosystems

Objective(s) of AP · Establish comprehensive monitoring of water ecosystems by 2010;· Determine suitable parameters to monitor change in water ecosystems;

Principal activities 1. Measurement of physical/chemical parameters of all ponds, sources and streams at Štirovača and wells in Velebit Botanical Garden (chemical composition, temperature, conductivity, pH, water fl ow, source capacity, microbiological analysis...).

2. Monitoring plant and animal systems in ponds and streams at Štirovača.3. Monitoring pace of succession on sawdust at Štirovača.

Budget (HRK) 195,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;


714.1.1.3.4. Subterranean ecosystems

AP 13 Minimization of indirect harmful impacts on Park’s subterranean ecosystems

Objective(s) of AP · Infl uence increase in quality of protection of subterranean habitats in the wider Park environs;

Principal activities 1. Contact potential partners and scientists (Velebit Nature Park, National Water Forest Management Company, State Institute for Nature Protection, relevant Ministry, hydrologists)

2. Defi ne a wider area of potential infl uence on the Park’s subterranean ecosystems3. Conduct overview of all potential sources of pollution and developmental plans related

to the area defi ned in point 2 > determine potentially harmful consequences for the Park’s subterranean ecosystems

4. Develop pollution prevention plans for subterranean ecosystems5. Participate in development of intervention plans in case of pollution in the area defi ned

under point 2.6. Suggest changes to certain regulations, lobby against plans potentially harmful for the

Park’s ecosystems – as needed


Timetable 2008-2017

Responsible authorities NVNP PI - ODG, CPUD;Partners: Velebit Nature Park, National Water Forest Management Company, State Institute for Nature Protection, relevant Ministry;

AP 14 Monitoring subterranean ecosystems

Objective(s) of AP · Establish comprehensive monitoring of subterranean ecosystems by 2010;· Establish suitable parameters to monitor subterranean ecosystems;

Principal activities 1. Monitor physical and chemical parameters in caves and pit-caves (humidity-temperature, pressure, water fl ow).

2. Monitor composition of subterranean fauna.

Budget (HRK) 210,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions, Velebit Nature Park


724.1.1.3.5. Species and individual habitat types

AP 15 Conservation and monitoring of capercaillie

Objective(s) of AP · Monitor capercaillie population on Northern Velebit and implement conservation measures as needed;

Principal activities 1. Establish cooperation with research institutions.2. Field work > determine distribution of capercaillie in Park.3. Compile expert studies for conservation and protocol to monitor capercaillie status.4. Implement monitoring and establish conservation measures.

Budget (HRK) 145,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions, Velebit Nature Park, National Forest Management Company;

AP 16 Conservation and monitoring of large carnivores

Objective(s) of AP · Monitor populations of wolves, brown bears, lynxes and wildcats on Northern Velebit and implement conservation measures as needed;

Principal activities 1. Continue cooperation with research institutions.2. Field work.3. Compile expert studies for conservation and protocol to monitor the status of large

carnivores, in compliance with national programs.4. Implement monitoring and establish conservation measures.

Budget (HRK) 190,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions, Velebit Nature Park, National Forest Management Company;

AP 17 Conservation and monitoring of chamois

Objective(s) of AP · Maintain and monitor chamois on Northern Velebit and implement conservation measures as needed;

Principal activities 1. Establish cooperation with research institutions.2. Field work.3. Compile expert studies for conservation and protocol to monitor chamois status.4. Implement monitoring and establish conservation measures..

Budget (HRK) 170,000.00

Timetable 2009-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions, Velebit Nature Park;


73AP 18 Monitoring of allochthonous species

Objective(s) of AP · Ascertain presence of allochthonous species in the Park;· Devise and implement measures to remove allochthonous species as needed;

Principal activities 1. During regular fi eld tours, dedicate particular attention to the presence of allochthonous species with particular emphasis on whether allochthonous species are entering the Park from surrounding hunting zones.

2. Monitor the direction and speed of spread of allochthonous species.3. Cooperate with State Institute for Nature Protection > if needed, propose measures to

remove allochthonous species from Park.4. Conduct measures to remove allochthonous species.

Budget (HRK) 0.00 (cannot be estimated at this time)

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions, State Institute for Nature Protection, Velebit Nature Park, local hunting concessionaires;

4.1.1.4. Cultural heritage

AP 19 Restoration and maintenance of shepherd huts

Objective(s) of AP · Restore complex of huts at Mirovo;· Renovate three huts at Lubenovac;· Enrich attractions for Park visitors;

Principal activities 1. Ascertain sites at which old huts will be restored > suggestions:- Mirovo – restore 1 complex of huts and accompanying walls, wells, terraces, etc.- roughly to ‘hamlet’ level, an estimated 5-10 structures involved;- Lubenovac – restore several huts, maximum of 3;- Legačko kantunište – restore or partially renovate 1-2 huts;

2. Specify a location for restoration of a hut in Park’s coastal side.3. Ascertain title and contact owners.4. Reach agreement with owners (permission to restore and use, purchase, contracts).5. Compile study in cooperation with restoration experts to restore huts for the purpose

of visits.6. Commence restoration of huts, in compliance with study.Note: the above suggestions are based on the following criteria: attractiveness and interest, vicinity of the “main visiting points” and planned “educational zones”. Based on further research and expert opinions, other sites suitable for restoration might be determined as well.

Budget (HRK) 1,000,000.00

Timetable 2010-2013


NVNP PI – CPUD, ODG;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions (colleges, museums), professional units of the relevant governmental agencies;Partners: owners of huts;


74AP 20 Restoration and maintenance of cultural heritage

Objective(s) of AP · Preserve typical examples of wells, stacked-stone walls and traditional trails;

Principal activities 1. Highlight structures/facilities which represent the Park’s cultural heritage based on expert and scholarly analysis

2. Select structures/facilities requiring renovation and maintenance.3. Develop professional platform for maintenance of each individual type of structure/

facility, including suggestions for possible tourist use.4. Ascertain title to individual structure/facility and contact owners.5. Reach agreement with owners (permission to restore and use, purchase, contracts).6. Commence restoration, in compliance with study.

Budget (HRK) 250,000.00

Timetable 2009-2013


NVNP PI – CPUD;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions (colleges, museums), professional units of the relevant governmental agencies;Partners: owners of huts;

4.1.1.5. Public participation

AP 21 Public participation in Park management

Objective(s) of AP · Improve communication with the Park’s stakeholders and allow them to become actively involved in Park activities;

· Reinforce ties with local community;

Principal activities 1. Establish a body composed of the Park’s stakeholders (land owners, local authorities at diff erent levels, schools, relevant ministries, National Forest Management Company, hunting associations, mountaineers, travel agencies, journalists). The role of this body is to facilitate the information fl ow towards stakeholders and vice versa.

2. Organize annual meetings with local community > suggestion: organize them during winter, when preceding year’s results may be presented as well as plans for the next year

3. Organize “open door day” once a year > suggestion: organize it during summer, when there is many visitors in the Park – this may constitute part of some village celebration (e.g. St. Anthony’s in June), open to everybody

4. Organize annual celebration of “International Mountain Day” 5. Install a box for suggestions, comments and queries in the Park’s Headquarters 6. Develop joint projects with local institutions, NGOs, farmers and entrepreneurs

related to the improvement of the regional tourism product, improvement of the environment, etc.

7. Cooperate with local schools related to fi eld of education and culture 8. Initiate newsletter for local community > suggestion: 4 issues/year. – themes would be

related to the Park’s activities and the surrounding area 9. Launch the Park’s journal > proposal – 1 issue/year – journal would be more thematic

and at a higher level of expertise10. Regularly inform regional and national media of the Park’s activities11. Become part of the international network of protected areas and inform them of Park

activities through exchanges of experience12. Initiate forum with diff erent themes from the range of the Park’s activities, polls, etc..

Budget (HRK) 480,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – ODG, CPUD;Partners: stakeholders tied to the Park’s operations;


754.1.1.6. Publicity and other marketing activities

AP 22 Promotion using printed materials

Objective(s) of AP · Print a minimum of 3 fl iers and 2 posters per year;· Print a tourist map;· Regularly print promotional calendars;· Develop several natural history guides to the Park;· Reprint existing materials on the Park;

Principal activities 1. Develop timetable for a fi ve-year period to print the following materials:- General informative brochures on the Park;- Thematic brochures/fl iers – diff erent natural and cultural treasures, sites, management-related themes;- Park guides;- Tourist maps;- Promotional calendars;- Posters;

2. Contact sponsors to print materials, primarily for the tourism sector.3. Develop materials.4. Distribute materials.

Budget (HRK) 1,200,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD;Associates: design studios, photographers, scholars;

AP 23 Promotion using the electronic media

Objective(s) of AP · Develop promotional materials suitable for presentation by the electronic media;

Principal activities 1. Develop timetable for a fi ve-year period for promotion by the electronic media.2. Issue promotional DVDs.3. Develop promotional fi lm about the Park.4. Constantly update and improve the Park’s website.5. Develop materials for info-kiosk.6. Contact sponsors to develop materials, primarily tourism sector.7. Contact sponsors to print materials, primarily for the tourism sector.8. Develop materials.9. Distribute materials.

Budget (HRK) 475,000.00

Timetable 2008-2016

Responsible authorities NVNP PI – CPUD;Associates: design studios, photographers, fi lm-makers, scholars;


76AP 24 Promotion by means of multimedia presentations, exhibitions, etc.

Objective(s) of AP · Tour a minimum of 5 cities/towns annually and present the National Park;

Principal activities 1. Devise several types of presentations and mobile exhibitions, depending on the target group and theme:- Based on age;- Theme (geology, living world, cultural heritage, etc.);- Travel agencies.

2. Promotion of the Park at trade fairs, and through direct contacts with the tourism industry.

Budget (HRK) 200,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, ODG;Partners: tourism sector;

AP 25 Installment of Park info-spots for tourists in Croatian cities

Objective(s) of AP · Establish a network with a minimum of 6 info-spots in larger Croatian cities by 2013 (Zadar, Rijeka, Zagreb...);

· Establish network of small info-centers in smaller towns along the coast and islands;

Principal activities 1. Contact tourism boards, agencies, etc. > check interest in info-spots in their areas.2. Work out schedule for establishment of info-spots by year.3. Install info-spots.4. Update content.Note: encompass all of Velebit!

Budget (HRK) 190,000.00

Timetable 2008-2014


NVNP PI – CPUD, ODG;Partners: tourism sector, Velebit Nature Park, Paklenica National Park;

AP 26 Creation of common local tourism products for the Park and its environs

Objective(s) of AP · Align the Park’s program with the wider tourism product of the surrounding area;· Create a joint tourism product for Velebit (a brand);

Principal activities 1. Actively participate in the work of the Tourism Board and Tourism Association of Krasno and the tourism boards of smaller towns.

2. Draft a list of essential participants in the creation of the area’s tourism product.3. Establish cooperation with all relevant tourism product stakeholders in the wider Park

environs.4. Develop a joint tourism program for the area > work out several specifi c itineraries for

various types of visits.5. Joint participation at fairs.6. Analysis of regulations governing product certifi cation.7. Initiation of procedures to obtain quality product seals.

Budget (HRK) 100,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, ODG;Partners: tourism boards and tourism associations, local associations, hospitality establishments, health food producers, Velebit Nature Park, local governments, relevant ministries, farm consulting services;


774.1.1.7. Visitor system

4.1.1.7.1. Visitor management

AP 27 Determination of carrying capacity of individual sites in the Park

Objective(s) of AP · Ascertain each site’s carrying capacity and integrate this into the Park’s comprehensive visitor system;

Principal activities 1. Establish cooperation with experts in this fi eld.2. Jointly formulate criteria to determine carrying capacity of individual sites - suggestions:

- Velebit Botanical Garden;- Zavižan;- Štirovača;- Alan;- Premužić Trail;- Lubenovac;

3. Conduct professional assessment of visitor carrying capacity, given the characteristics of each site.

4. Based on a study and other elements, devise a visit regime and verify it through the necessary Park documents (Visit Program, Rules on Internal Order in the National Park).

Note: particular attention should be accorded to content in the environs and the product in Velebit Nature Park, and incorporate them into a unifi ed system.

Budget (HRK) 300,000.00

Timetable 2009-2010


NVNP PI – CPUD;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions, Velebit Nature Park;

AP 28 Improvement of accessibility of the Park to visitors

Objective(s) of AP · Secure clear information for visitors on arrival to the Park from the wider environs and during movement about the Park itself;

· Improve access to the Park by means of road maintenance;

Principal activities 1. Formulate a scheme for directions to the Park and for the wider area (“brown signalization”)

2. Contact relevant services and secure permits for installation of “brown signalization” 3. Install markers 4. Formulate a scheme for signalization needed in the Park and its immediate vicinity

(directions to the Park, marking of trails, bike trails, valuable sites in the Park) 5. Secure permits to install signs, as needed 6. Create and install signs 7. Open additional entrances and/or ranger stations (Lubenovac, Štirovača, Veliki Alan,

Veliki Lom, Mali Lom) and increase effi cacy of admissions purchasing by the Park’s visitors according to annually adopted rates

8. Provide additional information points (Velike Brisnice, Mrkvište, Grabarje, Gornja Klada, Begovača, Jablanac, Prizna)

9. Print leafl ets with detailed information and rules of conduct in the Park10. Prepare a plan for maintenance of access roads and trail leading to the Park, in

cooperation with other relevant stakeholders

Budget (HRK) 1,080,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – ODG, CPUD;Partners: County Roads Bureau, local government, National Forest Management Company, National Water Forest Management Company, Velebit Nature Park;


78

AP 29 Improvement of visitor safety

Objective(s) of AP · Minimize possibility of mishaps in the Park;· Increase sense of visitor safety during Park tours;· Increase speed of response time in emergencies;

Principal activities 1. Maintain trails, viewpoints and other infrastructure (in cooperation with mountaineering associations)

2. Establish a network of marked foot paths and inform visitors of the rules of movement and conduct in the Park

3. Establish cooperation with the Emergency Center4. Secure daily presence of mountain rescue teams during the season5. Sign an agreement with National Forest Management Company and County Road

Bureau regarding the transportation regime of heavy vehicles in the visiting season, the notifi cation regime in case of closure of public roads due to works and regarding road maintenance and repair of damage

6. Equip ranger stations/info-spots with adequate fi rst aid kits7. Provide park employees with fi rst aid training8. Print informative fl iers for visitors with special warnings to avoid accidents and

appropriate behavior in the case of accidents, with all contact numbers9. Include accident insurance in the admissions fee as an additional option

Budget (HRK) 515,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Partners: mountaineering associations, Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, Notifi cation Center, National Forest Management Company, County Road Bureau, Velebit Nature Park;

AP 30 Establishment of organized transport around the Park

Objective(s) of AP · Raise the share of visitors who arrive to the Park by organized transport by 50% in the next two years and 80% in the next 4 years;

Principal activities 1. Develop a system of bus lines to the Park and within the Park, based on previous experience

2. Research and analyze all options for establishment of organized transport (purchase of bus, renting, concessions...)

3. Develop a project on organized transport in the Park (organized by the Institution) and seek funds from international donors

4. Introduce bus lines through concessions based on tenders or application5. Establish contacts with travel agencies and approve organized entry and guidance

through concessions for Park guides

Notes:- modify this action plan subsequently, based on results of carrying capacity study and initial

experiences.- conduct planning in close cooperation with Velebit Nature Park.

Budget (HRK) 150,000.00

Timetable 2008-2011


NVNP PI – CPUD, ODG;Partners: concessionaires, travel agencies, tourism boards, Velebit Nature Park;


79

AP 31 Evaluation of speleological objects for tourist visits

Objective(s) of AP · Arrange, insofar as possible, the cave at Štirovača and one pit-cave for visits by tourists or extreme sports enthusiasts;

Principal activities 1. Ascertain possible pit-cave potentially suitable for organized visits.2. Conduct detailed scientifi c and expert research of selected pit-caves and the cave at

Štirovača.3. If it is determined that organized and limited visits would not threaten subterranean

ecosystems, formulate plan for organized visits to the cave at Štirovača and only one pit-cave.


Timetable 2009-2012


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Associates: caving clubs;Partners: Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, Mountain Guide Federation;

AP 32 Improvement of recreational possibilities for visitors

Objective(s) of AP · Introduce additional recreational content in Park’s visitor product;

Principal activities 1. Mark and organize bicycling trails > suggestions:a) Krasno – B. Siča – Zavižan – Lomska duliba – Krasno;b) (Jablanac) – Alan – Tudorevo – Lubenovac – Mrkvište – Štirovača – Alan.2. Examine possibility of recreational horseback riding > possible marking of trails.3. Examine possibility of paragliding > possible arrangement of take-off pads.4. Examine possibility of free climbing > possible organization of climbing zones.5. Examine possibility of marking trails for cross-country skiing > marking trails >

suggestion: Krasno > road above ski slopes > Babić Siča > Krasno; Krasno – circular.

Notes:- conduct planning in close cooperation with Velebit Nature Park.

Budget (HRK) 240,000.00

Timetable 2008-2011

Responsible authorities NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Associates: clubs involved in individual sports;Partners: County Road Bureau, Velebit Nature Park, local government, National Forest Management Company;


80*The following set of plans pertains to the select sites and some activities partially cross-cut into other action plans. This group of action plans may be further developed only after the carrying capacity study is completed for individual sites – with the results incorporated into these plans. Therefore, detailed activities are not mentioned here (except for the Velebit Botanical Garden). Also, it should be noted that the budgets are only very rough estimates.

AP 33 Velebit Botanical Garden

Objective(s) of AP · Organization of Velebit Botanical Garden as a visitor site and educational zone;

Principal activities 1. Technical, botanical tasks.2. Constant upkeep.3. Publicity.4. Educational programs and trails5. Landscaping of gardens – technical operations.6. Observance of anniversary of Garden.

Budget (HRK) 1,250,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Associates: Zagreb University Botany Department, Pharmacy and Biochemistry Faculty, National Forest Management Company;

AP 34 Zavižan

Objective(s) of AP · Organization of Zavižan area as visitor site and educational zone;

Principal activities 1. Assist in renovation of mountaineering building and raising level of hospitality services.2. Install sanitary plumbing.3. Arrange Vučjak peak as a viewpoint.4. Install informative panels on meteorology.

Budget (HRK) 1,550,000.00

Timetable 2009-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, ODG, RTSD;Partners: Croatian Mountaineering Association, National Weather Bureau, trades owners;

AP 35 Štirovača

Objective(s) of AP · Organization of Štirovača area as visitor site and educational zone

Principal activities 1. Open entrance, with ranger station and souvenir shop.2. Arrange learning trail for the disabled.3. Landscape the springs.4. Install sanitary plumbing fi xtures.5. Set up camp-fi re sites.6. Organize small children’s playground.

Budget (HRK) 3,100,000.00

Timetable 2009-2012


NVNP PI – CPUD, ODG, RTSD;Associates: Organizations dealing with the problems of the disabled;Partners: National Forest Management Company, National Water Forest Management Company;


81AP 36 Alan

Objective(s) of AP · Organization of Alan area as visitor site and educational zone;

Principal activities 1. Open entrance, with ranger station and souvenir shop.2. Assist in renovation of mountaineering building and raising level of hospitality services.3. Install sanitary plumbing fi xtures.4. Arrange Buljma peak as a viewpoint.

Budget (HRK) 930,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, ODG, RTSD;Partners: Croatian Mountaineering Alliance, trades owners;

AP 37 Mirovo

Objective(s) of AP · Organization of Mirovo area as visitor site and educational zone;

Principal activities 1. Organize learning trail throughout Mirovo Valley.2. Renovate several shepherd huts and arrange them as visitor sites.

Budget (HRK) 1,100,000.00

Timetable 2010-2015


NVNP PI – CPUD, ODG, RTSD;Associates: Cultural heritage preservation institutions;Partners: owners of buildings;

AP 38 Lubenovac

Objective(s) of AP · Organization of Lubenovac area as visitor site and educational zone;

Principal activities 1. Set up ranger station with souvenir shop.2. Install informative panels (ponds, quarry).

Budget (HRK) 940,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, ODG, RTSD;Associates: Cultural heritage preservation institutions;Partners: Croatian Mountaineering Alliance, owners of buildings;

AP 39 Raising the environmental standards of visits

Objective(s) of AP · Minimize negative impact of visitors on the environment;· Maximize enjoyment of stays by Park visitors;

Principal activities 1. Construct/install sanitary infrastructure (restrooms).2. Construct system to drain sewage from buildings.3. Modernize solid waste collection system.4. Introduce alternative sources of energy and energy savings system and use of natural

resources in Park buildings (solar cells, low consumption taps, etc.).5. Raising visitor awareness and education.6. Encourage improvement of accommodation and hospitality quality in the Park > work

with trades owners and concessionaires.

Budget (HRK) 1,300,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD; ODG;Partners: National Water Forest Management Company, National Forest Management Company, owners/users of buildings;


824.1.1.7.2. Interpretation and education

AP 40 Interpretive trails and panels

Objective(s) of AP · Plan a minimum of 4 learning trails in the Park over the next 3 years;· Establish tight supervision of visits to the Hajdučki and Rožanski Crests Strict Reserve;

Principal activities 1. Learning trail for the disabled at Štirovača (themes: water, forestry).2. Learning trail at Lubenovac (theme: livestock raising on Velebit, strict reserve), including: a) Arrangement of former borrow-pit at Lubenovac – fi eld geology with preservation

measures; b) pond > life in the pond, importance of ponds to karst;3. Learning trail at Mirovo (theme: traditional architecture, life of people).4. Installation of several informative panels on the B. Siča-Zavižan-Žive vodice-B. Siča trail >

goal is to encourage people in the Park to use the trail.5. Informative panels along trails through the strict reserve, which are connected to

learning trail on Premužić Trail: a) Rossijeva koliba – Škrbine drage – Lubenovačka vrata.6. Installation of individual interpretative panels at interesting locations, e.g.: a) Viewpoint at Vučjak, b) Weather station at Zavižan, c) Vukušića sniježnica, d) Legačko kantunište,7. Devise and conduct targeted visitor guidance programs.

Budget (HRK) 200,000.00 (only learning trails not encompassed in actions plans for the comprehensive organization of individual sites)

Timetable 2009-2012



AP 41 Programs for children

Objective(s) of AP · Increase the share of children who will pass through some form of education in Northern Velebit National Park;

Principal activities 1. Conduct and further develop the ‘Little Green Workshop’ children’s program.2. Design mascot for the Park’s educational programs.3. Formulate full curriculum for Nature School, in cooperation with other stakeholders.

Budget (HRK) 500,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017

Responsible authorities NVNP PI – CPUD;Associates: ministry in charge of education, schools, Velebit Nature Park, agencies that will conduct education programs;


83

AP 42 Outdoor presentation center in Krasno

Objective(s) of AP · Arrange multi-purpose outdoor presentation area near Headquarters, in compliance with the already completed design;

Principal activities 1. Install educational panels.2. Install children’s playground (didactic toys, climbing gear).3. Install other content (canopies, small botanical garden, 3D model of Velebit).4. Landscape area around building.

Budget (HRK) 300,000.00

Timetable 2009-2011


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD; ODG;

AP 43 Visitor Center in Krasno

Objective(s) of AP · Construct modern educational/interpretation center, which will allow visitors in the region to experience the Park even outside of the visiting season;

Principal activities 1. Formulate content.2. Select site.3. Acquire title to land.4. Draft preliminary design.5. Draft fi nal and enabling designs.6. Secure necessary licenses.7. Draft external fi nancing project, based on preliminary and enabling designs.8. Construction of building.9. Include amenities in wider regional tourism product (Nature School, etc.).

Budget (HRK) 7,300,000.00

Timetable 2008-2010


NVNP PI – CPUD, ODG;Associates: interpretation experts, ministry in charge of education, museum exhibit installation experts;


84

AP 44 Monitoring the visitor system(pertains to all of 4.1.1.7)

Objective(s) of AP · Determine visitor interest in Park’s services and programs;· Ascertain visitor satisfaction with individual Park amenities;· Ascertain environmental impact of visitors;

Principal activities 1. Monitor number of visitors who opt to use individual Park services and programs.2. Monitor change in interest in individual Park services and programs.3. Devise and apply standard methods to determine visitor satisfaction with the Park

(questionnaires, interviews, registration logs at lodges, direct contact in fi eld, web forums).

4. Ascertain and monitor the impact of visitors on the environment. a. Monitor the degree of erosion along main trails; b. Monitor quantity of waste left behind at main visit points, c. Monitor number of visitors to individual visit points and their movement about the

Park (detect “bottlenecks”/over-crowding, noise...).


Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – CPUD, RTSD;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions;

4.1.1.8. Road infrastructure

AP 45 Minimization of traffi c inside the National Park

Objective(s) of AP · Determine responsibility for management and maintenance of roads in the Park and establish optimum traffi c regime for all stakeholders;

Principal activities 1. Initiate regular discussions and agreements with the relevant stakeholders (Velebit Nature Park, National Forest Management Company, County Road Bureau, National Weather Bureau, T-Com) tied to roads; in meantime arrange conditions for use and management of roads with County Road Bureau and National Forest Management Company.

2. Propose that all existing roads in the Park and at its boundaries be proclaimed roads with special traffi c regimes.

3. Introduce additional charges for entry in Park by motor vehicle.4. Install off -ramp to Park on local roads.5. Promote alternative ways to visit the Park via the internet, fl iers and direct contacts.6. Activities specifi ed under action plans concerning organized transportation and

improvement of visitor safety in the Park.


Timetable 2009-2017


NVNP PI;Partners: Velebit Nature Park, National Forest Management Company, County Road Bureau, National Weather Bureau, T-Com;


854.1.1.9. Other infrastructure

Problems broken down through a series of other action plans.

4.1.1.10. Enhancement of institutional capacity

AP 46 Institutional enhancement

Objective(s) of AP · Continual education of Institution staff ;

Principal activities 1. Participation in professional training seminars.2. Participation in scholarly seminars and expert meetings.3. Organization of thematic training, in line with institutional needs.4. Improvement of knowledge of foreign languages and GIS.5. Training to implement monitoring.

Budget (HRK) 950,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017


NVNP PI – all departments;Associates: scientifi c and scholarly institutions, international organizations;

AP 47 Improvement of Institution’s technical capacity

Objective(s) of AP · Procure equipment necessary for eff ective work;

Principal activities 1. Procure equipment and vehicles for fi eld work and laboratory work, in compliance with annual plans.

2. Maintenance of ranger stations.

Budget (HRK) 1,775,000.00

Timetable 2008-2017



AP 48 Reconstruction of Institution’s Headquarters

Objective(s) of AP · Completion of reconstruction of Headquarters building in Krasno;· Establishment and equipping of laboratory in the Headquarters building in Krasno;

Principal activities 1. Set up offi ces, library, warehouse and living units for staff .2. Landscape around building, with parking lot.3. Arrangement of laboratory.

Budget (HRK) 1,400,000.00

Timetable 2008-2009


NVNP PI – ODG, CPUD;


86

4.2. Financial aspects and cost estimate

According to the Nature Protection Act, fi nancing conservation and preservation of natural resources of international and national signifi cance is secured through the central state budget. The same applies to fi nancing of Velebit Nature Park, in compliance with the needs specifi ed in the annual operating plan. Additional funding to fi nance conservation may be generated by the Park itself, by collecting charges for the use of natural resources and protected areas through the sale of admission passes and/or by means of a concessions system.

Based on conceived and thoroughly formulated action plans, the Institution will attempt to gather additional funds from domestic and foreign organizations and endowments which should supplement the Park’s revenues and enable implementation of said action plans.

In conclusion, the funds to implement the action plans will be secured by Northern Velebit National Park Public Institution from the following sources:

· Central state budget of the Republic of Croatia;

· Own revenues (admissions fees, souvenir sales, concessions);

· Donations and sponsorships by domestic organizations and companies;

· Donations and sponsorships through international projects.

Each detailed action plan will also contain a detailed budget for its implementation and it will be included in the annual operation plan and thus also planned in the Park’s budget.

The estimated total funds needed for quality implementation of the Management Plan for the 2008-2017 period are HRK 81,192,000.00 (Table 9 a-c). Action plans account for HRK 39,770,000.00 of this, which, on average, is roughly HRK 4 million per year.

Table 9a: Estimate of current costs of the Public Institution for the 2008-2017 period

DescriptionYEAR

2008. 2009. 2010. 2011. 2012. 2013. 2014. 2015. 2016. 2017. Total

Staff costs 1,300,00.00 1,500,000.00 1,600,000.00 1,680,000.00 1,780,000.00 1,880,000.00 2,000,000.00 2,200,000.00 2,400,000.00 2.500.000,00 18.840.000,00

Supplies and services

800,000.00 880,000.00 970,000.00 1,065,000.00 1,170,000.00 1,300,000.00 1,420,000.00 1,560,000.00 1,715,000.00 1.890.000,00 12.770.000,00

Procurement of non-fi nancial assets

300,000.00 330,000.00 365,000.00 400,000.00 440,000.00 485,000.00 532,000.00 565,000.00 643,000.00 707.000,00 4.767.000,00

Other costs 400,000.00 420,000.00 445,000.00 465,000.00 490,000.00 510,000.00 540,000.00 565,000.00 590,000.00 620.000,00 5.045.000,00

Total 2,800,000.00 3,130,000.00 3,380,000.00 3,610,000.00 3,880,000.00 4,175,000.00 4,492,000.00 4,890,000.00 5,348,000.00 5.717.000,00 41.422.000,00


87

Tabl

e 9b

: Est

imat

e of

act

ion

plan

cos

ts fo

r the

200

8-20

17 p

erio

d

Am

ount

(HRK

)/yr

.TO

TAL

(AP)

No.

Act

ion

plan

2008

.20

09.

2010

.20

11.

2012

.20

13.

2014

.20

15.

2016

.20

17.

1C

larif

y pr

oper

ty ri

ghts

w

ithin

the

Nor

ther

n Ve

lebi

t N

atio

nal P

ark

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0,00

0.00

200,

000.

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0,00

0.00

200,

000.

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0,00

0.00

1,00

0,00

0.00

2

Org

aniz

atio

n of

sci

entifi

c

and

expe

rtis

e-ba

sed

rese

arch

in N

orth

ern

Vele

bit

Nat

iona

l Par

k

200,

000.

0025

0,00

0.00

300,

000.

0035

0,00

0.00

400,

000.

0045

0,00

0.00

500,

000.

0055

0,00

0.00

600,

000.

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0,00

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4,25

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0.00

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tabl

ishm

ent o

f co

mpr

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sive

mon

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g in

Nor

ther

n Ve

lebi

t NP

100,

000.

0010

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0.00

100,

000.

0010

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150,

000.

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0,00

0.00

150,

000.

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0,00

0.00

150,

000.

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0,00

0,00

1,30

0,00

0.00

4A

scer

tain

exi

stin

g co

nditi

on

of g

rass

land

s in

the

Park

150,

000.

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150,

000.

0045

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8933

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90Table 9c: Estimate of total costs of Public Institution for the 2008-2017 period

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 ALL (HRK)

Totalcurrent (HRK)

2,800,000.00 3,130,000.00 3,380,000.00 3,610,000.00 3,880,000.00 4,175,000.00 4,492,000.00 4,890,000.00 5,348,000.00 5,717,000.00 41,422,000.00

TotalAP (HRK)

2,967,000.00 8,138,000.00 8,783,000.00 4,416,000.00 4,011,000.00 2,711,000.00 2,201,000.00 2,241,000.00 2,121,000.00 2,181,000.00 39,770,000.00

OVERALL 5,767,000.00 11,268,000.00 12,163,000.00 8,026,000.00 7,891,000.00 6,886,000.00 6,693,000.00 7,131,000.00 7,469,000.00 7,898,000.00 81,192,000.00

4.3. Monitoring

The Management Plan will be implemented over a period of 10 years, during which an entire series of monitoring activities will be carried out to ensure that the objectives of the Plan are met.

Monitoring entails the ongoing observation of changes in the environment (habitats, indicator species populations) and assessment of management activities within the Plan. Based on the data recorded through monitoring, the achievements of the Plan can be assessed and specifi c corrective actions be taken. Adaptive management loops must be created between fi eld actions, monitoring measurements, checking against expectations and adjusting future actions, with each reiteration of activity based on past experience and new information.

Monitoring activities can be classifi ed into diff erent types, according to the level of monitoring:

· Monitoring habitat status, in compliance with the NEM;

· Monitoring selected taxa;

· Monitoring the status of activities foreseen under the Plan.

The best instrument to monitor performance is the annual operating plan and the annual report, since they contain all Public Institution activities. Once the Management Plan is approved, the annual operating plan should be structured to comply with it and contain a list of activities tied to objectives, measures and action plans as specifi ed in the Management Plan, with an indication of the estimated resources to accomplish these activities (staff and fi nances).

In order to facilitate monitoring activities, the KEC GIS system will provide the necessary data to record and analyze the diff erent parameters recorded in monitoring activities. The KEC Information System has been set up for parks participating in the KEC Project to store and analyze all biological, environmental, social and economic data on the National Park. This system will be the main tool to compare indicator data over space and time, and evaluate the results against the objectives and strategies set forth in this Management Plan and in the action plans. Through user-friendly data entry forms, all information will be entered by the Park staff or by the scientists engaged in monitoring of plants and animals as authorized by the Public Institution. All entered data will be geo-referenced through GPS readings, allowing for spatial analysis and representation of the results on maps. The same data can be used for general monitoring purposes at the national or regional level.

A portion of the data gathered as part of monitoring will be placed at the public’s disposal.


91

4.4. Adaptive management

Management planning is an ongoing process. As situations change over time and new information becomes available, it is essential that the Management Plan be reviewed to ensure that it is addressing current needs and to ensure that it remains relevant and applicable to evolving situations.

The review process is periodic (one to fi ve years) and is used to determine the extent to which overall objectives and results have been achieved. It should also identify the reasons for success or failure and areas for improving the plan, including redefi ning goals and objectives, reviewing policy alternatives and management practices.

The Nature Protection Act requires a formal review of the Plan every fi ve years to assess whether the objectives have been achieved and assess the adequacy of management measures.

The fi ve-year review should ensure that the strategic direction is still relevant to the current conditions, e.g. available resources, potential threats, land use trends and prevailing social and economic circumstances. The review may result in the continuation of the Plan, amendments to sections or a complete overhaul.

Normally the Plan will be reviewed on annually, when the operating plan and annual report are being developed, when achievements are set against the targets of the previous annual plan. Most of the objectives are long-term and cannot be achieved in a single year.

Adaptive management will be achieved by modifi cation of action plans based on new scientifi c and expert knowledge, which is particularly important in light of the fact that numerous research projects in Northern Velebit National Park have only just begun, and there is still insuffi cient input data on the Park’s natural and cultural value.

4.5. Cooperation between the Park and other parks on Velebit

Northern Velebit National Park is entirely surrounded by Velebit Nature Park which, in its southern section, similarly encompasses Paklenica National Park. This is a unique case among Croatia’s parks. This is a unique instance among Croatian parks. All three parks are under the authority of the Ministry of Culture. Each park is simultaneously managed by a separate public institution.

Cooperation between the parks has been exemplary so far, although it has been observed that cooperation can nonetheless be improved, particularly in the following areas:

· The Velebit mountain as a UNESCO biosphere reserve (Man and Biosphere Program);

· Joint marketing eff orts to promote Velebit to the domestic and worldwide public;

· Supervision of the entire region (poaching, visitors, etc.);

· Joint monitoring programs;

· Creation of joint tourism products (mountain trails, bicycling trails, etc.);

· Coordination of scientifi c research programs;

· Conservation of large carnivores and other species with extensive ranges and/or mobility.

In the interest of improving cooperation and coordination between Velebit’s parks, meetings of directors, conservation managers, chief rangers and heads of publicity departments will be organized every three months. Organization of these meetings will be mandatory components of annual park operating plans.


92

Veliki Zavižan in winter

5 . B I B L I O G R A P H Y

93

5. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Agriconsulting, S.p.A (2007): Izvješća ekspertnih timova za izradu Plana upravljanja Nacionalnim parkom “Sjeverni Velebit” - Projekt “Očuvanje krških ekoloških sustava”, Ministarstvo kulture, Zagreb

Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode (2004): Crveni popis ugroženih biljaka i životinja Hrvatske, Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Zagreb

Gajić-Čapka (urednica) (2003): Zavižan između snijega, vjetra i sunca - monografi ja, Državni hidrometeorološki zavod i Hrvatsko meteorološko društvo, Zagreb

Javna ustanova Nacionalni park “Sjeverni Velebit”: Izvješća suradnika o obavljenim istraživanjma i stručnim poslovima u Nacionalnom parku “Sjeverni Velebit”, Krasno

Majić-Skrbinšek, A. (urednica) (2005): Plan upravljanja risom u Hrvatskoj, Ministarstvo kulture RH, Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Zagreb

Mudrovčić, S (koordinator): Pripremni radovi za izradu prostornoga plana Nacionalnog parka “Sjeverni Velebit”, Ličko-senjska županija - Zavod za prostorno planiranje, razvoj i zaštitu okoliša, Gospić

Nikolić, T. (glavni urednik) (2006): Biološka raznolikost Hrvatske - priručnici za inventarizaciju i praćenje stanja, Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Zagreb

Nikolić, T. i Topić, J. (2005): Crvena knjiga vaskularne fl ore Hrvatske, Ministarstvo kulture, Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Zagreb

Povjerenstvo za izradu Plana gospodarenja smeđim medvjedom u Republici Hrvatskoj (2005): Plan gospodarenja smeđim medvjedom u Republici Hrvatskoj, Ministarstvo poljoprivrede, šumarstva i vodnoga gospodarstva - Uprava za lovstvo, Ministarstvo kulture - Uprava za zaštitu prirode, Zagreb

Radović, D. i suradnici (2005): Nacionalna ekološka mreža – važna područja za ptice u Hrvatskoj, Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Zagreb

Radović, D., Kralj, J., Tutiš, V. i Ćiković, D. (2003): Crvena knjiga ugroženih ptica Hrvatske, Ministarstvo zaštite okoliša i prostornog uređenja, Zagreb

Radović, J. (urednica) (1999): Pregled stanja biološke i krajobrazne raznolikosti Hrvatske sa strategijom i akcijskim planovima zaštite. Državna uprava za zaštitu prirode i okoliša, Zagreb

Radović, J. (urednica) (2007): Ekološka mreža na području Velebita, Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Zagreb

Štrbenac, A. (urednica) (2005): Plan upravljanja vukom u Hrvatskoj, Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Zagreb

Tkalčec, Z., Mešić, A i Matočec, N. (2005): Crveni popis ugroženih gljiva Hrvatske, Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Zagreb

Tvrtković, N. i suradnici (2006): Crvena knjiga sisavaca Hrvatske, Ministarstvo kulture, Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Zagreb

Tvrtković, N. i suradnici (2006): Crvena knjiga vodozemaca i gmazova Hrvatske, Ministarstvo kulture, Državni zavod za zaštitu prirode, Zagreb

Vukelić, J. (glavni urednik) (2005): Šume i šumarstvo Sjevernoga Velebita, Hrvatske šume d.o.o. Zagreb - Uprava šuma podružnica Senj, Hrvatsko šumarsko društvo - podružnica Senj, Senj - Zagreb


94

View of Park’s southern section from Balinovac

6 . A P P E N D I C E S

95

6. APPENDICES

6.1. Appendix 1: Principal relevant laws, regulations and

documents governing the management of Northern

Velebit National Park.

· Nature Protection Act (Narodne novine, no. 70/05)

· Physical Planning Act (Narodne novine, no. 30/94, 68/98, 35/99, 61/00, 32/02 and 100/04)

· Forests Act (Narodne novine, no. 140/05)

· Agriculture Act (Narodne novine, no. 66/01)

· Organic Farming and Foods Act (Narodne novine, no. 12/01)

· Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry State Subsidies Act (Narodne novine, no. 87/02)

· Waters Act (Narodne novine, no. 107/95, 150/05)

· Environmental Protection Act (Narodne novine, no. 82/94, 128/99)

· Environmental Impact Assessment Directive (Narodne novine, no. 34/97)

· Fire Protection Act (Narodne novine, no. 58/93)

· Mountain and Highland Regions Act (Narodne novine, no. 12/02, 32/02, 117/03, 42/05, 90/05)

· Hunting Act (Narodne novine, no. 140/05)

· Air Protection Act (Narodne novine, no. 78/04)

· Animal Husbandry Act (Narodne novine, no. 70/97)

· Farmlands Act (Narodne novine, no. 66/01)

· Republic of Croatia Biological and Landscape Diversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (Narodne novine, no. 81/99)

· Republic of Croatia Physical Planning Strategy

· Croatian Tourism Developmental Strategy (Narodne novine, no. 113/93)

· Directive Proclaiming the Ecological Network (Narodne novine, no. 109/07)

· Rules on Habitat Types, Habitat Maps, Threatened and Rare Habitat Types and Habitat Maintenance Measures (Narodne novine, no. 7/06)

· Rules on Proclamation of Protected and Strictly Protected Wild Taxa (Narodne novine, no. 7/06)


96

6.2. Appendix 2: Habitats in Northern Velebit National Park

according to the National Habitat Classifi cation (NHC).

NHC code NHC description Surface (ha)

B.1.3. Alpine-Carpathian-Balkan limestone rocks 7,8

B.1.3./C.4.1. Alpine-Carpathian-Balkan limestone rocks/Mountain turfs 62,1

B.1.3./D.2.1. Alpine-Carpathian-Balkan limestone rocks/Subalpine juniper groves 37,4

B.1.3./E.6.1. Alpine-Carpathian-Balkan limestone rocks/Subalpine beech forests 22,9

B.1.3./E.7.1. Alpine-Carpathian-Balkan limestone rocks/Calciphilous fi r forests 39,2

B.1.3./E.7.3. Alpine-Carpathian-Balkan limestone rocks/Spruce forests 58,5

B.1.4./C.3.5.Tyrrhenian-Adriatic limestone rocks/Sub-Mediterranean and epi-Mediterranean dry grasslands

26,9

B.1.4./E.3.5.Tyrrhenian-Adriatic limestone rocks/Littoral thermophilous Dalmatian white oak woods and underbrush

146,2

B.1.4./E.7.3. Tyrrhenian-Adriatic limestone rocks/Spruce forests 18,9

C.2.2./C.3.3.Vlažne livade Srednje Europe/Sub-Atlantic mesophilous grasslands and mountain meadows

7,0

C.3.3. Sub-Atlantic mesophilous grasslands and mountain meadows 17,7

C.3.3./E.3.5.Sub-Atlantic mesophilous grasslands and mountain meadows/Littoral thermophilous Dalmatian white oak woods and underbrush

31,9

C.3.3./E.6.1.Sub-Atlantic mesophilous grasslands and mountain meadows/Subalpine beech forests

3,2

C.3.4./C.3.3.European dry heaths and hard mat-grass fi elds/Sub-Atlantic mesophilous grasslands and mountain meadows

32,4

C.3.5. Sub-Mediterranean and epi-Mediterranean dry grasslands 145,0

C.3.5./B.1.4.Sub-Mediterranean and epi-Mediterranean dry grasslands/Tyrrhenian-Adriatic limestone rocks

5,6

C.3.5./D.3.1. Sub-Mediterranean and epi-Mediterranean dry grasslands/Jerusalem thorn groves 3,2

C.3.5./E.3.5.Sub-Mediterranean and epi-Mediterranean dry grasslands/Littoral thermophilous Dalmatian white oak woods and underbrush

213,7

C.3.5./E.3.5./B.1.4.Sub-Mediterranean and epi-Mediterranean dry grasslands/Littoral thermophilous Dalmatian white oak woods and underbrush/Tyrrhenian-Adriatic limestone rocks

9,8

C.3.5./E.4.6.Sub-Mediterranean and epi-Mediterranean dry grasslands/Southeast alpine/Illyrian thermophilous beech forests

17,4

C.3.5./E.6.1. Sub-Mediterranean and epi-Mediterranean dry grasslands/Subalpine beech forests 12,1

C.3.5./J.4.3. Sub-Mediterranean and epi-Mediterranean dry grasslands/Površinski kopovi 3,2

C.4.1. Mountain turfs 134,1


97NHC code NHC description Surface (ha)

C.4.1.-E.6.1. Mountain turfs-Subalpine beech forests 15,3

C.4.1.-E.6.1./E.7.3. Mountain turfs-Subalpine beech forests/Spruce forests 1,6

C.4.1./C.3.4. Mountain turfs/European dry heaths and hard mat-grass fi elds 207,1

C.4.1./C.3.4./D.2.1.Mountain turfs/European dry heaths and hard mat-grass fi elds/Subalpine juniper groves

22,0

C.4.1./D.2.1. Mountain turfs/Subalpine juniper groves 31,4

C.4.1./E.4.6. Mountain turfs/Southeast alpine/Illyrian thermophilous beech forests 7,8

C.4.1./E.5.2. Mountain turfs/Dinaric beech/fi r forests 3,0

C.4.1./E.6.1. Mountain turfs/Subalpine beech forests 24,5

C.4.1./E.7.3. Mountain turfs/Spruce forests 4,5

C.5.1./C.3.3./E.4.6.Forest edges/Sub-Atlantic mesophilous grasslands and mountain meadows/Southeast alpine/Illyrian thermophilous beech forests

3,1

D.2.1. Subalpine juniper groves 91,4

D.2.1./C.4.1. Subalpine juniper groves/Mountain turfs 7,5

D.2.1./C.4.1./C.3.4.Subalpine juniper groves/Mountain turfs/European dry heaths and hard mat-grass fi elds

4,2

D.2.1./C.5.3. Subalpine juniper groves/Subalpine and alpine high green vegetation 9,6

D.2.1./E.5.2. Subalpine juniper groves/Dinaric beech/fi r forests 3,6

D.2.1./E.6.1. Subalpine juniper groves/Subalpine beech forests 40,1

D.2.1./E.7.1. Subalpine juniper groves/Calciphilous fi r forests 11,4

D.2.1./E.7.3. Subalpine juniper groves/Spruce forests 49,8

D.3.1./E.3.5. Jerusalem thorn groves/Littoral thermophilous turkey oak forests and underbrush 25,7

E.3.5. Littoral thermophilous Dalmatian white oak woods and underbrush 1672,4

E.3.5./B.1.3.Littoral thermophilous Dalmatian white oak woods and underbrush/Alpine-Carpathian-Balkan limestone rocks

233,5

E.3.5./B.1.4.Littoral thermophilous Dalmatian white oak woods and underbrush/Tyrrhenian-Adriatic limestone rocks

43,6

E.3.5./C.3.3.Littoral thermophilous Dalmatian white oak woods and underbrush/Sub-Atlantic mesophilous grasslands and mountain meadows

14,6

E.3.5./C.3.5.Littoral thermophilous Dalmatian white oak woods and underbrush/Sub-Mediterranean and epi-Mediterranean dry grasslands

473,0

E.4.6. Southeast alpine/Illyrian thermophilous beech forests 760,1

E.4.6./B.1.3.Southeast alpine/Illyrian thermophilous beech forests/Alpine-Carpathian-Balkan limestone rocks

17,5

E.4.6./B.1.4.Southeast alpine/Illyrian thermophilous beech forests/Tyrrhenian-Adriatic limestone rocks

31,7

E.4.6./C.3.3.Southeast alpine/Illyrian thermophilous beech forests/Sub-Atlantic mesophilous grasslands and mountain meadows

38,9


98NHC code NHC description Surface (ha)

E.4.6./C.3.4.Southeast alpine/Illyrian thermophilous beech forests/European dry heaths and hard mat-grass fi elds

5,0

E.4.6./C.3.5.Southeast alpine/Illyrian thermophilous beech forests/Sub-Mediterranean and epi-Mediterranean dry grasslands

15,0

E.4.6./C.4.1. Southeast alpine/Illyrian thermophilous beech forests/Mountain turfs 3,2

E.4.6./D.2.1. Southeast alpine/Illyrian thermophilous beech forests/Subalpine juniper groves 5,8

E.4.6./D.2.1./C.5.3.Southeast alpine/Illyrian thermophilous beech forests/Subalpine juniper groves/Subalpine and alpine high green vegetation

6,7

E.5.2. Dinaric beech/fi r forests 557,9

E.5.2./C.4.1./C.3.4.Dinaric beech/fi r forests/Mountain turfs/European dry heaths and hard mat-grass fi elds

3,1

E.6.1. Subalpine beech forests 2441,8

E.6.1./C.3.5. Subalpine beech forests/Sub-Mediterranean and epi-Mediterranean dry grasslands 3,2

E.6.1./C.4.1. Subalpine beech forests/Mountain turfs 23,0

E.6.1./E.7.3. Subalpine beech forests/Spruce forests 183,5

E.7.1. Calciphilous fi r forests 805,0

E.7.3. Spruce forests 1472,0

E.7.3./C.4.1. Spruce forests/Mountain turfs 2,6

E.7.3./D.2.1./B.1.3. Spruce forests/Subalpine juniper groves/Alpine-Carpathian-Balkan limestone rocks 776,1

Stacked stone wall in the Park’s peak zone


99

6.3. Appendix 3. Summary of stakeholder problems and

proposalsProblem Group Descripton Next steps

Dry logs 1 There is a need to occasionally gather dry wood; dry wood is deemed a potential fi re hazard.

Regulate gathering dry wood and other sources of fi re wood as part of the Management Plan.

Grasslands 2->1 Grasslands are not regularly grazed, so they are succumbing to overgrowth.

Additional research is required; the problem will be addressed under the Management Plan.

Road maintenance 2,1 All activities pertaining to roads must be discussed and arranged with the participation of all stakeholders (National Forest Management Company, local road management authority, the Park). These activities include, among other things, the removal of fallen branches from roads.

Establish a task force that will regularly discuss current road maintenance and long-term development and responsibilities.

Souvenirs 1 There are no authentic local souvenirs The Park will deal with the problem and formalize it under its Management Plan.

Sale of beverages 3 Sale of food and beverages is not allowed in mountain lodges.

The Park will attempt to intervene with the relevant authorities to amend the relevant legislation.

Price of admission 1 The price of admissions passes should be set for special groups.

There is a price-setting strategy and it will be further developed and formalized in the Management Plan.

Waste disposal 1 Waste is already collected in mountain lodges and this practice should be continued.

Visitor information There are no information points at Park entrances.

Visitor management by rangers

1 There are only a few rangers in the Park who cannot be present in the fi eld at all times.

The Park has already undertaken measures to solve this problem by setting up two ranger stations in the fi eld. This problem will be further addressed under the Management Plan.

Expansion of the Park to Štokić Duliba

3 The area around Štokić Duliba has special fl oral and landscape value.

No activities have been planned since this area is already protected under the aegis of the Nature Park.

Regulation of construction 3 Regulation of new construction and legalization of existing buildings.Use of shingles should not be mandatory due to use of precipitation run-off as drinking water.

Specifi ed by physical plan. No further construction in the Park is allowed.

Consultation with stakeholders

1 No regular consultations with the local community

Regular meetings with stakeholders.

New trails 1 The making and marking of new trails should not be allowed. Existing trails are suffi cient.

Visitor management will be an integral component of the Management Plan. The number of trails has been reduced under the physical plan.

Septic tanks and wells 3 Houses formally do not exist, so installation of septic tanks and other infrastructure is not allowed

To be addressed by the Management Plan. The details can be specifi ed in the Management Plan.


100Problem Group Descripton Next steps

Eco hotels in the Park 3 There is a need for several hotels within the Park.

The law does not allow for construction within the Park. Also, this does not comply with the Park’s vision. The Park’s policy is to encourage local initiative in settlements adjacent to the Park.

Promotion of the Park and signposts

1 The Park should be better promoted along the main road and signpost in general require improvement.

Part of the visitor management strategy under the Management Plan.

Access roads 3 Off -ramps from the main road for the Park The Park has acknowledged this problem and will lobby the relevant institutions with the goal of improving the relevant off -ramps.

Park boundaries 3 Boundaries do not take into account land ownership nor the morphological features of the terrain in the west. Also, boundaries are not physically marked.

This problem cannot be addressed under the Management Plan and constitutes a problem for the Park itself.

Parking lot for Zavižan 1,3 A vehicle parking lot is required to avoid unregulated traffi c to the lodge and in the Park itself.

Regulation of parking will be addressed in that part of the Management Plan pertaining to visitor management.

Diff erences between the National and Nature Parks

1 The diff erence is not clear to local residents A bulletin will be launched with the goal of informing local residents of the Park’s activities and other topics of interest.

Lack of information on Park opportunities

1 A bulletin will be launched with the goal of informing local residents of the Park’s activities and other topics of interest.

Increased supervision More rangers and more sanctions.

The road from Otočac to Krasno

3 The road from Otočac to Krasno should be reclassifi ed into a state road.

Not in the Park’s authority, but the Park supports the initiative.

Lack of public transit to Zavižan

1 There is no public transit to the beginning of various hiking trails.

The Park’s management is already dealing with this problem.

Construction license in Krasno

3 Pertains to physical plan for Krasno

Camp and/or recreational facility

3 The Park may align activities with Velebit Nature Park and specify this in that section of the Management Plan pertaining to visitor management.

Possibility of construction in Krasno

3 Residents of Krasno are complaining that the new physical plan does not allow expansion of tourism facilities.

Promotion of tourism infrastructure development is in the Park’s interest as well.

Access to Krasno Lakes 3 Residents of Krasno no longer allowed to graze livestock there.

This area is outside of the Park and the problem cannot be resolved by the Park.

Investment in the local community

1 In the Park’s interest and will be addressed by the Management Plan.

Bark beetles 2 Bark beetles are spreading throughout the region and foresters believe they come from the Park.

The Park has established monitoring under which a lower intensity of bark beetles in the Park was ascertained.

Investments 3 The Park should invest in development. Not the Park’s responsibility. The Park may help in creating a suitable investment environment.



The Park wants Krasno to become a weekend destination

3 The cessation of lumber production is leading a greater tourist orientation in Krasno

Responsibility of the physical plan

Waste collection and waste receptacles on Premužić Trail

1 Hikers and tourists leave waste along the trail. Rangers collect waste; posting of special signs at the Park’s entrance and at trail heads.

Rest-stops along roads 3 No rest-stop on road to Krasno. Cooperation with the responsible institutions, entrances to Krasno already in installation phases.

Lack of clear development vision for Krasno

3 Will Krasno be a tourism or industrial settlement?

It is in the Park’s interest for Krasno to have a clear vision for future development.

Landscaping around Park headquarters in Krasno

1 Since the headquarters building is also Krasno’s cultural center, residents have an interest in it.

The Park has already launched activities that will be conducted in spring 2006.

Lack of enhanced tourism product

1,3 Insuffi ciently diverse tourism product. Enhanced cooperation with local and regional stakeholders in tourism.

Bicycling trails on forest roads

1,3 Roads used to extract logs which may imperil visitors.

Plan bicycling trails in cooperation with Nature Park and other stakeholders.

Local travel agencies do not actively promote Velebit

1,3 Agencies in Senj generally promote the coast. Enhanced cooperation with local and regional stakeholders in tourism.

Complicated cooperation and coordination of activities

1 Diff erent institutions have diff erent levels of accountability

Improve cooperation and horizontal coordination

None of Park staff charged with cultural heritage

1 Cultural heritage within the Park not adequately recognized and valued.

Draft cultural heritage action plan.

Cooperation with museum during organization of nature school

3 Joint activities in organization of nature school. Responsibility of Ministry of Science, Education and Sports; local government cooperates in drafting curriculum.

Extraction of gravel along road

3 Gravel needed to maintain gravel roads. All exploitation of mineral resources in national and nature parks is prohibited by law. Action plan as part of Velebit Nature Park Management Plan must be drafted

Inadequate cooperation with Park management

1 Hold regular meetings with key stakeholders.

Change Park’s boundaries 3,1 Certain valuable forest tracts should be excluded from the Park, while certain typical karst areas (Štokić Duliba) should be included.

The Park’s boundaries may be altered exclusively by offi cial parliamentary procedure. Prior to each decision on changes in the boundaries, natural resources must be studied and the importance of these areas to the Park ascertained.

Unresolved property relations for buildings and land in the Park

1 Buildings in the Park are generally owned by the National Forest Management Company.

Joint meetings and agreements with the aim of ascertaining property relations and ways to use buildings.

Maintenance of peripheral roads

3,1 Road maintenance costs must be shared. Agreement with relevant authority.

Poaching 1 Cooperation in struggle against poaching is required.

Introduce joint supervision and better mutual information-sharing

Buff er zone area along Park boundary

3 Hunting zone IX/17 encompasses a narrow belt between the Park and road.

A buff er zone is stipulated in the Hunting Act.



Installation of weather station for snow and ice at Zavižan

3 Currently there are no such stations in Croatia. The Park endorses this initiative but the fi nances and other resources are lacking.

Promotion of National Weather Bureau in publications in the Park’s premises

1 The National Weather Bureau publishes a regular informative bulletin and other publications.

Secure a place for NWB publications at the Park’s information points.

Representative of hikers in Governing Board

3 Hikers are the among the key stakeholders and should be represented in the Park’s Governing Board.

The Governing Board is appointed by the Minister of Culture.

Services in the mountain lodges not resolved

3 Mountain lodges lack permission to render and charge for services.

The issue must be discussed by the Mountaineering Federation and the relevant ministry, but the Park upholds the idea.

Joint activities to supervise visitors on hiking trails

1 Formulate action plan for hiking trail supervision and safety.

Abandonment of unused “wild” hiking trails

1 There are series of unnecessary unregulated trails which constitute a risk to visitor safety.

Close unnecessary hiking trails, prepare a cooperation plan in cooperation with hikers.

Include compensation for Croatian Mountain Rescue Serve in price of admissions passes

2 Admissions pass prices should include a small sum for the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service

Examine legal possibilities for cooperation

Groups:1. may be addressed under Management Plan;

2. requires further study;

3. cannot be addressed under Management Plan but will be referred to the relevant institution or stakeholder;


103

View from Veliki Zavižan: Velika Kosa and Zavižan Mountain Lodge below Vučjak.

LegendPark boundary

1a - Strictest conservation zone1b - Very strict conservation zone2 - Active conservation zone3 - Usage zone

Zoning map of Northern Velebit National Park

ZONES

Documents

The Management Plan (in English) - Nacionalni park Sjeverni Velebit