engleski

Creation and development of the biospeleological database in Croatia

The hypogean fauna of Dinarides is one of the richest faunas in terms of the world subterranean biodiversity. When in natural state, caves in Croatia have high aesthetic and scientific value too, but unfortunately they can be all too easily damaged. The level of necessity of protection of the caves and cave life in Croatia against destruction is very high and at the present time we can recognise several potentially destructive anthropogenic factors: (1) dumping, spreading and discharge of a waste material ; (2) aforestation or deforestation ; (3) changes in land drainage ; (4) modification of the structure of water courses ; (5) water extraction, irrigation or other hydrological changes ; (6) extraction of minerals ; (7) construction, removal or destruction of roads, earthworks, walls and ditches, laying or removal of pipes, cables, etc. ; (8) storage of waste material in patholes, caves or their entrances ; (9) building of the man-made structures or engineering works in vicinity of the cave area ; (10) removal of biological and geological specimens from the caves for non-scientific reasons ; (11) recreation activities, which may damage cave features of interest. These facts previously mentioned are compelling arguments for designating important caves as sites of special scientific and public interest. Only through well-developed Biospeleological database we could properly analyse and evaluate the biodiversity of Croatian undeground and propose suitable conservation for the richest and/or most important caves. Mapping subterranean biodiversity in Croatia will bring new data concerning the geographical distribution of habitats and species as well as their ecological affinities, vulnerability and to modify human activities, which could be harmful underground. It will also serve as the base for design of protection measures concerning the Croatian hypogean fauna.

biospeleological database, hypogean fauna, underground habitats, Croatia

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