engleski

Importance of Pag and Nin salinas for birds and need for their formal protection

Out of four Salinas in Croatia, three of them (Pag, Nin and Dinjiška) are situated in the north- western Dalmatia. From 2018-2022 we have carried out regular monthly bird monitoring counts in order to record their importance for waterbirds and human induced threats. Pag salina is the largest salina in Croatia covering 255 ha. During the study period we have recorded 113 bird species. It is important for wintering and migrating waterfowls and breeding of Himantopus himantopus (15-17 pairs), Tringa totanus (2-3 pairs), Charadrius alexandrinus (5-7 pairs), Tadorna tadorna (1-2 pairs) and Sternula albifrons (2 pairs). Nin salina is covering 55 ha and we have recorded 115 bird species. It is important for breeding of Sternula albifrons (8-10 pairs), Tadorna tadorna (1-2 pairs), Himantopus himantopus (15-20 pairs), Tringa totanus (2 pairs) and Charadrius alexandrinus (3 pairs) as well as resting and feeding area for Microcarbo pygmeus, Vanellus vanellus, herons, numerous duck and wader species. Main threats to Salinas include illegal hunting, uncertainty of salt production due to ownership change (Pag) coupled by dry saltpans throughout the year, and deposition of illegal waste at the salinas edges. Despite all salinas are included into NATURA 2000 network, lack of proper control and management threatens the existing biodiversity and ecological functioning. This can be clearly demonstrated by Dinjiška salina case. Dinjiška salina was the smallest one, covering only 33 ha, and out of production since the start of the project. During October 2018 outer wall of salina was purposely destroyed and nowadays is completely covered by sea water losing its purpose, habitats and biodiversity. Thus, we advocate the formal protection of Pag and Nin Salinas as managed special ornithological reserves

salina, bird fauna, threats, protection

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