Croatia boasts an impressive array of life, with around 37,000 identified species and a potential total exceeding 100,000. This richness stems from its diverse terrains, spanning mountains, plains, coastline, and over 1,000 islands. Croatia’s varied geography significantly contributes to its biodiversity, with each region, from the Pannonian basin and the Dinarides mountain range to the Adriatic coastline and islands, hosting unique ecosystems and species.
Despite its high level of conservation compared to Western and Central Europe, Croatia still faces a trend of biodiversity and landscape loss. The country’s coastal location along the Adriatic Sea is divided into 16 distinct landscape units, featuring karst fields, rivers, mountain ranges, and limestone plateaus.
Four pillars elaborated:
Croatia is home to 8 national parks, among them the famous Plitvice Lakes, celebrated for its stunning waterfalls and azure lakes. Additionally, the country boasts 2 strict reserves like Hajdučki and Rožanski kukovi, offering pristine natural environments. With 11 nature parks spanning diverse landscapes such as the Velebit mountain range and the Lonjsko Polje wetlands, Croatia emphasizes conservation efforts. These areas, alongside numerous Natura 2000 sites, play a vital role in preserving the country’s biodiversity. Croatia’s marine protected areas, covering around 1.97% of its territorial sea, protect crucial ecosystems and marine biodiversity, essential for sustaining fish populations and promoting responsible fishing practices.
Land Management
The loss of biological and landscape diversity in Croatia is primarily driven by various human activities, including habitat destruction and fragmentation caused by agriculture and infrastructure development, invasive alien species, pollution, urbanization, and climate change. Urban expansion along the Adriatic coast exacerbates the loss of landscape diversity. Threats to mammals stem from habitat degradation, poaching, and pesticide use, though measures like constructing green bridges mitigate risks from highway construction. Vascular flora faces significant threats, with about 62% of threats linked to habitat loss due to human actions. Forests suffer from pollution, improper water management, conversion for agriculture and infrastructure, deforestation, fires, and excessive logging. Grasslands are at risk due to the abandonment of traditional agriculture.
Threats to Biodiversity
Marine and coastal ecosystems face pressure from overexploitation of resources, habitat degradation, invasive species, excessive fishing, and inadequate protection measures. Freshwater ecosystems are threatened by hydroelectric projects, habitat alteration, pollution, and invasive species. Tourism infrastructure development poses a major threat to coastal areas, while caves, submarine springs, estuaries, saltwater lakes, and coralligenous communities are also vulnerable to anthropogenic activities such as pollution and overuse.
Established in 2002, the State Institute for Nature Protection is tasked with coordinating inventorying and monitoring biodiversity. Within this scope, the Institute gathers, analyzes, and organizes data on nature’s status, prepares reports, maintains databases, and develops expert resources for protecting various aspects of biological and landscape diversity. These resources include databases like Habitats distribution map, Natura 2000, Cro Fauna, Cro Speleo, and Cro Habitats, which will eventually be integrated into a comprehensive Nature Protection Information System (NPIS).
Capacity and Governance
The creation of such a system is mandated by the Nature Protection Act (Article 196), which requires the Institute to establish and manage the NPIS according to globally recognized standards and obligations. Efforts are underway to enhance the NPIS, making its data publicly accessible and aligning its components with the Croatian National Spatial Data Infrastructure and EU INSPIRE regulations.
Croatia’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) articulates the country’s vision for conserving and sustainably utilizing biodiversity. The plan targets key threats like habitat degradation, climate change, and invasive species. Croatia is proactively establishing green infrastructure, comprising natural and semi-natural areas that offer ecological and societal advantages. This infrastructure facilitates habitat connectivity, enhances water quality, and mitigates climate change effects. Croatia is striving to harmonize biodiversity conservation with economic progress by introducing initiatives to encourage sustainable tourism, agriculture, and forestry practices.
Future Trends
Biodiversity
Croatia, located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, boasts a rich biodiversity and a variety of ecosystems, from the Adriatic Sea’s coastal regions and islands to the inland forests, rivers, and mountainous areas. This diversity is due to the country’s varied topography and climate, which range from Mediterranean along the coast to continental inland. The Adriatic coast and its islands are among Croatia’s most biologically diverse areas. The coastal and marine ecosystems support a wide range of marine life, including over 400 species of fish, numerous mollusks, crustaceans, and the critically endangered monk seal. The waters are also home to the loggerhead sea turtle and various dolphin species. The Kornati Archipelago and Brijuni National Park are notable marine protected areas that help conserve these species and their habitats.Inland, Croatia features extensive forests that cover nearly half of the country’s land area. These forests are primarily composed of beech, oak, and pine trees, providing habitats for a diverse array of wildlife. The Dinaric Alps and Velebit Mountain range are particularly significant for forest biodiversity, hosting species such as the brown bear, wolf, and lynx. The birdlife in these forests includes species like the golden eagle, capercaillie, and various woodpeckers.
In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Croatia only):
| Species (World rank) |
Threatened | % Threatened | Endemic | % Endemic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mammals | 104 (#107) | 9 | 8.7% | ||
| Birds | 306 (#121) | 15 | 4.9% | ||
| Reptiles | 41 (#126) | 4 | 9.8% | ||
| Amphibians | 18 (#109) | 2 | 11.1% | ||
| Fishes | 423 (#131) | 77 | 18.2% | 8 | 1.9% |
| Plants | 4,290 (#81) | 8 | 0.2% | 11 | 0.3% |
mammals
Brown bear
The second largest bear, right after the polar bear. Sadly, it well might top the list soon
Eurasian lynx
Once widespread throughout most of Europe, by now extinct in most of Western and Central Europe
Etruscan shrew
Meet the world’s smallest mammal but a fierce predator
birds
Eurasian Griffon
Most social vultures with 12 distinct types of vocalization
Atlantic puffin
This incredible bird can hold up to 30 fish in its beak at once
European roller
Loves trees! Only member of its family breeding in Europe
reptiles
European cat snake
With the agility of a nimble climber, it effortlessly slithers up trees and through tangled vegetation
Mediterranean house gecko
Resilient creature that can thrive in human-dominated environments
European pond turtle
At the first sign of danger, it will quickly dive into the water and hide
amphibians
Common frog
It is one of the most widespread and familiar amphibians in Europe
Alpine salamander
Swift, enjoys harsh weather, adores the mountains, and is toxic to its predators
Common spadefoot
Can produce a peculiar garlic-like smell when threatened, which acts as another line of defense to deter predators
National Animals
European pine marten
Sometimes called the “squirrels of the weasel family” due to their impressive arboreal abilities
Common nightingale
Often called the “singer of the night,” it produces a complex and beautiful melody that has captivated people for centuries
Croatia
Known for its stunning coastline and rich natural heritage
Score:
62.4 100
