engleski

Beyond the lakes – Aquatic vegetation of the streams of Plitvice Lakes National Park (Croatia

The main phenomenon of the Plitvice Lakes National Park is a series of 16 barrage lakes created by the growth of tufa barriers. However, of equal importance are streams that provide the lakes with a constant water supply. During 2021 and 2022 the aquatic vegetation of the six main tributaries (Crna Rijeka, Bijela Rijeka, Matica, Plitvica, Sartuk and Riječica) and the Korana River was investigated. In total 81 river sections were surveyed using standard Central European phytocoenological methodology. The dominant vegetation of the upper and middle reaches is species-rich bryophyte vegetation of the class Platyhypnidio-Fontinalietea antipyreticae Philippi 1956, associated with larger substrates, faster flow and frequent shade. By contrast, in the Korana River, the bryophyte vegetation is developed on tufa waterfalls and belongs to Cratoneurion commutati Koch 1928 alliance. In the lower reaches of the Bijela Rijeka, Crna Rijeka and Matica rivers, the herb vegetation with the domination of rare NATURA 2000 species Apium repens (Jacq.) Lag. belonging to order NasturtioGlycerietalia Pignatti 1953 occurs. The targeted NATURA 2000 habitat of Ranunculion fluitantis i Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation is localized to solely a few sections of the Crna Rijeka River, Plitvica Stream and Bijela Rijeka River. Finally, several river lagoons and slow- flowing sections of Plitvica Stream and Korana River are overgrown with stoneworts belonging to Charetea fragilis F. Fukarek ex Krausch 1964 class.

Apium repens ; aquatic vegetation ; Plitvice Lakes ; Ranunculion fluitantis ; supply streams

nije evidentirano