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Croatian Forests - A Heritage of Diversity and Sustainability

The Republic of Croatia (4, 8 million inhabitants) covers an area of 56, 538 square kilometres and is situated between the Drava and the Danube rivers in the north and the Adriatic Sea in the south. Croatian coast is one of the most beautiful and the most diverse in the world ; with a thousand islands, it is 5740 kilometres long. Croatia is country of natural and cultural diversity: from fertile lowlands and picturesque hills with vineries and castles in the north, through the mountainous, ecologically pristine central belt, to the rocky karst regions and mediterranean rural and urban culture. The Croatia forests are one of the foundations of the natural resources of Croatia. Forest land in Croatia covers 43.5 % of the State territory. 84 % of the forest land is covered with forest vegetation while the rest comprises of different classes of non-covered land. In terms of timber production, it should be emphasised that a large part of the forest area belongs to the karst region (42 %). Having 0.51 hectare of forest per capita Croatia may be considered a European country with significant forest area. Forests in Croatia are primarily owned by the State. The State owns 82 % and private owners 18 %. Forests in Croatia are characterised by good preservation of their natural characteristics, and varied ecological conditions on a relatively small area. Forestland in Croatia include several vegetation zones with a great variety in natural conditions and in cultural heritage. In the continental part of croatia over 50 forest communities have been described, and in the Mediterranean part over 20 communities, with many endemic plants. The Republic of Croatia, signing the Rio Declaration, six Strassbourg and four Helsinki ministerial resolutions, has committed itself to a sustainable management with special regard to protection and conservation of forests. Croatia forestry sector koji ima over of two hundred years long tradition of sustainable forest practice/management should focus on sound environmental management of forests in general, incorporating special treatment for particularly valuable natural features and promoting biological diversity.

croatia; forestry; ecology; forest management; forest policy; sustainability

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