Flora and fauna in Montenegro

The interweaving of climate types on the territory of Montenegro, the constant alternation of southern and northern air currents, has made these areas a suitable habitat for as many as 3,600 plant species, and among them are a large number of endemic and relict ones. As many as 212 endemic species in the Balkans and 22 endemic species in Montenegro. Especially significant is the richness of medicinal and aromatic herbs, wild fruits and edible mushrooms. Dark coniferous forests (spruce, pine, fir) are also responsible for the country's name – Montenegro. It is also home to one of Europe's two primeval forests, Biogradska gora.

In Montenegro, 2880 species and subspecies of higher plants such as ferns and flowering plants grow wild, among which 212 are endemics of the Balkan Peninsula, and 22 species are endemic to Montenegro. The territory of Montenegro can be divided into three ecoregions: Illyrian deciduous forests, Mediterranean vegetation on the coast, as well as two subtypes of mixed forests. 

On the territory of Montenegro, as a percentage compared to Europe, there are 70% of mammal species, 75% of bird species, 50% of freshwater fish species. Also, 79% of marine fish species, 30% of plant species, as well as a significant number of relict and endemic species. On the territory of Montenegro, 430 animal species are under protection, of which the following can be found in the forests of national parks: brown bear, wolf, wild lynx, wild cat, wild boar, chamois, several species of eagles, grouse and partridges. Lake Skadar, which is the largest bird reserve in Europe, is home to three-quarters of Europe's ornithofauna. Colonies of pelicans can be found here, as well as cormorants, herons, water bull, black ibis and many other birds.

 

Prokletije National Park is the youngest park in Montenegro. It was founded in 2009. The area of the park is 1,660 ha. It is located on the territory of the municipalities of Plav and Gusinje. In the Park there are a large number of springs, sources of drinking water, smaller watercourses, but also numerous glacial lakes, the most beautiful of which is Hridsko Lake, which is popularly known as the Lake of Happiness because there is a belief that swimming in it brings happiness, beauty and health. Also, it is believed that your wish will come true if you insert a metal coin into it. Prokletije is said by many to be "the Alps in the south of Europe". The rocky sea of peaks with mystical names: Rosni vrh, Dobra i Zla Kolata, Trojan, Gvozdeni, Karaula, Očnjak, Volušnica, Popadija, Talijanka, race with heights and the beauty of the landscape experience they provide.

 

 

The Prokletije National Park is characterized by the richness and diversity of the animal world. About 60 endemic species of insects and about 130 species of butterflies have been registered. 161 species of birds have been recorded in the area of Prokletije. Their habitats are high mountain regions, the valleys of Ropojana and Grebaja, forest ecosystems, mountain lakes and rivers. The most important bird species are: gray heron, spoonful heron, harrier, bearded vulture, griffon vulture, snake eagle, hawk, sparrow, mousetrap, swallow falcon, peregrine falcon, hazel grouse, crossbill, etc. The fish fauna consists of autochthonous species such as: brown trout, bream, grayling, fry, chub, river hellebore, etc. Prokletije are the most important center of herpetofauna diversity. Of the 40 species of amphibians and reptiles in the wider area of Prokletije, 9 species are endemic. In the massif of Prokletije there is the extreme southeastern part of the island range of the species of black salamander (Salamandra atra), protected at the national and international level. The only find in Montenegro is on the mountain Bogicevica, at an altitude of 1,952 m. A significant number of species are represented by bats and rodents, and other species of mammals: rabbit, wolf, brown bear, wild cat, wild boar, chamois and roe deer.

More than 1,600 species of plants have been registered in the Prokletije National Park, which represents 1/2 of the flora of Montenegro. In the high-mountain regions of Prokletije, the presence of about 180 endemic Balkan species has been determined. In addition to endemic, species that are protected nationally and internationally stand out for their importance. A variety of medicinal, melliferous and aromatic plant species are also significant. There are plants that can be used in food as spices. The most important edible species are: dogwood, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, hazel, mountain currant and many others, while melliferous: clover, catnip, wild rose, wild mint...

 

In 1952, Durmitor National Park was granted the status of a national park. The area of the park is 34,500 ha. The territory of the park belongs to the municipalities of Mojkovac, Pljevlja, Plužine, Šavnik and Žabljak. It includes the massif of the Durmitor Mountain, the canyons of the rivers Tara, Sušica, Komarnica and Draga. The highest peak on Durmitor is Bobotov kuk 2,525 m above sea level, while around them 48 peaks reach a height of over 2,000 m above sea level. Durmitor is adorned with 18 glacial lakes that are known as mountain eyes. The largest and most famous is the Black Lake. The Black Lake consists of the Great and Small Lakes, which are connected by a narrow isthmus. An interesting fact is that the water from it flows into the rivers Tara and Piva, which is an exceptional rarity in nature.

  

 

In addition to the exceptional beauty of the landscape and fascinating geological heritage, Durmitor National Park is home to impressive biodiversity. The richness of flora and fauna, the complexity of the ecosystem and the representation of over 1,300 species of vascular plants, have enabled Durmitor to be on the UNESCO list of World Natural and Cultural Protected Areas since 1980.

In Durmitor National Park, the animal world is very diverse. So far, we know that there are about 52 species of mammals such as: bear, wolf, rabbit, hedgehog, chamois, roe deer, wild boar, fox, weasel, marten, ferret, badger, otter, squirrel, forest mouse, dormice and many others.  The park is home to 172 species of birds, of which 125 are species of nesting birds such as: the snake eagle, the meadow lizard, the Mosor lizard, the blue lizard, the greenfinches and the snake: the slender eagle, the aesculapian swordfish, the white-eared snake, the fisherman, the viper, the shark and the karst scorpionfish. So far, about 1000 insects have been registered in the Durmitor National Park, many of which are protected by law. The most important protected species are: red deer, forest ant, Apollo butterfly, swallowtail butterfly and swallowtail butterfly.

In the Durmitor National Park, forests occupy 34.5% of the total area of the park. One of the exceptional values of the park is the black pine forest at the site of Crna poda, whose magnificent trees up to 50 m in height resist time for over 400 years. Of the 1,600 species of plants of Durmitor and the surrounding canyons, 898 species belong to the high mountain flora. Over 40 species of wild edible mushrooms grow on Durmitor, which makes it a special reserve in Europe. Especially significant is the richness of medicinal and aromatic herbs as well as wild fruits.

 

Biogradska Gora National Park was founded in 1952. It is located in the north-eastern part of Montenegro, in the central part of the Bjelasica mountain. It covers an area of 5,650 ha. Bordered by mountain heights, crisscrossed by streams and bays, decorated with beautiful lakes, decorated with centuries-old forests and gentle meadows, the Biogradska Gora National Park represents a magnificent gift of nature. However, the most important natural value of this national park is the Biogradska Gora rainforest, which occupies an area of 4,500 ha and is one of the last primeval forests in Europe. It has the character of a strictly protected reserve. The rainforest was donated to Prince Nikola in 1878 and has been under state protection ever since. It is unanimously shared by 26 plant communities, more than 200 species of birds, and many wild animals have found a home in it.

  

 

In the heart of the rainforest lies the beautiful Biograd Lake, the largest and most famous in a series of glacial lakes in the area of the national park. The clear water of the lake reflects all the beauty of the ancient forest, giving it a blue-green color and making the landscape such that it leaves the impression of a deep impression. In addition to Biograd, the following can be distinguished with their beauty: Pešića Lake, Ursulovac Lakes (Malo and Veliko) and Šiška Lakes (Malo and Veliko). It is also important to note that there are a large number of mountain peaks over 2,000 m high. Of these, the highest mountain peak on Bjelasica is Crna Glava at 2,139 m above sea level.

The Biogradska Gora National Park is characterized by the diversity of animal life. An interesting fact is that in this park the roe deer is an indigenous species and is protected by law. Biogradska Gora National Park is the only habitat of a small species of bat known as the Water Evening Mouse. Mammals include: common and forest dormouse, field and forest mouse, hare, squirrel, hedgehog, blind mole, mountain shrew, water shrew, badger, weasel, marten, roe deer, deer, fox, wolf, bear. Protected species of reptiles in the Park are: pond turtle, wall lizard, mountain lizard, gray lizard, marsh white-eared lizard, river white-eared lizard and smuk.

  

 

It is also worth noting the presence of a globally important species of snake sargan snake. Of the registered birds in the Park, the following can be singled out: golden eagle, peregrine falcon, swallow falcon, kestrel, eagle owl, forest owl, grouse, duck, woodpecker, while, as far as amphibians are concerned, it is important to mention some of them such as: Greek frog, colorful salamander, large toad, green toad, fortune teller, mountain groundhog and small groundhog. In the area of the park, protected insects are: forest ants, red deer, rhinoceros, and butterflies: Apollo's butterfly, swallowtail and swallowtails.

 

Skadar Lake National Park is located on the border between Montenegro and Albsnia. Montenegro owns two-thirds of the lake, while one-third is in the territory of the Republic of Albania. The park covers an area of 40,000 ha, of which 25,400 ha is water. The Montenegrin part of the lake with a coastline, with an area of 40,000 ha, was declared a national park in 1983. With an area of 370 to 530 km², depending on the water level, it is the largest lake in the Balkans. The average depth of the lake is 5m and the maximum is 60m. The lake itself consists of spatially recognizable units such as: Veliko blato, Malo blato, the submerged valley of the Crnojević River, the Hotski bay and the Gorgnje Blato basin. Until 1858, the lake was just a large pond, which people called Veliko Blato. That year, the Drim River dragged a large amount of sand and silt from the Albanian mountains to the mouth of the Bojana River, while the riverbed itself did not move. This is how the largest lake in the Balkans was created. Skadar Lake got its current name from the Albanian town that lies on its shore. The lake is filled with landscapes of exceptional beauty and surrounded by ancient monasteries, churches and surreal fishing villages. The lake is of a karst type, with many islands where there are traces of the historical and cultural heritage of Montenegro. The ecosystem of Lake Skadar is unique. It is built of swamps, forests and rocks, and is popular with a variety of flora and fauna.

   

 

The wildlife of Lake Skadar National Park is very diverse. 281 species of stories live, nest, winter and migrate on the lake. Among them, the Dalmatian pelican stands out. It has even become a trademark of the National Park. In addition to the Dalmatian pelican, the following birds can be distinguished: herons, storks, cranes, marsh hens, cormorants, oysters, woodcocks. Ecologically related to wet areas and not belonging to the fauna of waterfowl are the following protected species: fishing eagle, kingfisher, water warbler and white-tailed eagle.

In the lake basin, 33 domestic and about 15 introduced species of fish have been registered. The sum of 48 species in a single European lake is very large and rare. The most famous species of fish in Skadar Lake are: tusk, huchen, silver crucian carp, Ohrid scorpionfish, carp, chub, grasshopper, perch, eel, white bream. Of the amphibians that reside in this park are: green toad, large toad, fortune teller. However, one of the endangered species that lives in the lake zone is the Skadar green frog.

In the area of Skadar Lake National Park, about 50 species of mammals have been registered so far. Especially distinguished: fox, rabbit and quite numerous wild boar, squirrel, nutcracker, hedgehog, mole. It is characterized by a rich fauna of small forest rodents, including the rare endemic Dinaric mouse, as well as the otter, which is the most represented mammal in this area and is a legally protected species. The reptile fauna consists of the following species protected by law, among which there are a large number of endemic species: shark, blind owl, common smut, slender, marsh white-eared, river white-eared, gray lizard, greentail lizard, marsh turtle, land turtle, karst lizard, coastal lizard, brown lizard, blavor, variegated swordfish, striped spurge, black-tailed, viper. The sharp-headed lizard stands out as a unique Montenegrin endemic.

Numerous islands are not only cultural and historical monuments of past times, but also represent a true bird paradise. On the island of Beska, visitors can often see flocks of wild pigeons or a pair of small owls. On the island of Omerova gorica, you will often find herons. Among the laurel trees, there are about 40 nests of gray herons, which are considered to be the only species of herons that live on laurel. In addition to these gray herons, you will also come across small white herons, and both of these species of herons belong to endangered and legally protected species.

The flora of the Skadar Lake National Park is very rich. Swampy vegetation is a distinctive feature of the National Park. White and yellow water lilies are the most numerous wetland species that cover large bodies of water in the summer months. They are followed by large and dense populations of cattails and reeds. Below the water surface lives a bladder that is completely submerged in water. Various species of willows are present on the mainland part of the park.

Skadar Lake is known for its many medicinal, aromatic, melliferous and endemic flower species. Among them are Dalmatian green grass, rosemary, saffron, tame snake's head, wild yellow tulip, moon carrot, laurel, pomegranate, etc. Also, in this area, endemic flora is represented by: zanovijet, modro lasinje, Serbian ramonda, Huter's wild pepper. In the northern part, you can also find trees such as the Skadar oak. It is a protected endangered species. The lake is often covered with the famous carpet of water lilies and reeds, bordered by the rocky Montenegrin coast. This view gives you an extraordinary visual experience.

 

Lovcen National Park was granted the status of a national park in 1952. The area of the park is 6,220 ha with the central and highest part of the mountain, which is a symbol of freedom and a "holy altar" for the inhabitants of Montenegro. The highest peaks on Lovcen are Stirovnik at 1,749 m above sea level and Jezerski vrh at 1,657 m above sea level. Njegos's mausoleum in the Lovcen National Park is considered a masterpiece of sculptor Ivan Mestrovic, who combined architecture with art. It is the tallest mausoleum in the world and the final resting place of Petar Petrovic II Njegos. Petar II Petrović Njegos is the author of the most famous epic called "The Mountain Wreath", which has become the most widely read book among the South Slavs. He built a church on Lovćen, dedicating it to his famous uncle Peter I, later St. Peter of Cetinje. In 1916, Njegos's remains were secretly transferred to a monastery in Cetinje.  During the war, the Austro-Hungarian army greatly damaged the church, and a few years later, in September 1825, the then Yugoslav authorities built a mausoleum and decided to transfer the remains of Petar II Petrovic Njegos to it.

 

 

From the top of Njegos's mausoleum in the Lovcen National Park, there is a beautiful view of the Bay of Kotor and Katun Nahiya. The mausoleum is one of the most visited locations in Montenegro. To get to the mausoleum, you have to climb 461 steps. A statue of Petar II Petrovic Njegos, which weighs 28 tons, was placed in the chapel of the mausoleum.

Thanks to its geographical position and climate, the Lovcen National Park has a rich wildlife. Lovcen has over 200 species of birds that nest here. We single out some of them such as: robin, black-tailed bush, black-headed herb, rocky yarrow, small nightingale and many others. Of the birds of prey, the most famous are: golden eagle, peregrine falcon, bird sparrow, various species of owls... Of the mammals in this area can be found: wolf, roe deer, wild boar, bear, squirrel, hedgehog, dormice and many others. There are numerous representatives of insects: flower flies, deer, ants, diurnal and nocturnal butterflies...

 

 

Natural values, rich flora and fauna in Montenegro, deserve today's man to pay full attention to them, to protect them from endangerment, various forms of degradation and especially to preserve them from complete destruction, and also to enable their study, improvement, preservation and protection. It is difficult to find a smaller country in Europe, and probably in the world, with more diversity, such plant and animal wealth as Montenegro has. It is up to us to preserve its beauty and natural and cultural values.

 

 

 

 

Part of the text taken from the site: http://nparkovi.me/edukativni-kutak/