Naslov
The value of biodiversity of the north Adriatic archipelago depending on fresh water
(The value of biodiversity of the north Adriatic archipelago depending on fresh water.)

Autori
Sušić, Goran

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, pregledni

Izvornik
Advanced Study Course in Ecohydrology / Tropan, Ljudevit - Zagreb : UNESCO Venice Office – Regional Office for Science & Technology, 1999, 20-22

Skup
Advanced Study Course in Ecohydrology. International Hydrological Programme, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Italy

Mjesto i datum
Omišalj, Hrvatska, 07.09.1999. - 26.09.1999

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Pozvano predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
Biodiversity; flora and fauna of fresh water ponds; Island of Cres

Sažetak
Freshwater ponds are very important reservoars of genetical diversity as well as ecosystems of exeptional biological richness. There are about 300 of them on Krk and about 200 ponds on the Island of Cres. Freshwater ponds and pools are natural and man-made hollows in which precipitation water accumulates. The largest are about 100 m long and 50 m wide. There are three categories of pools on the islands: those used only for humans, those used for other household requirements - clothes washing, watering stock, spraying vineyards and those which are still being used today for watering stock at pasture, and which are often divided by dry stone walls into a number - even as many as ten - separate sections. That type of ecosystem is one of the main reasons why Island of Krk has the highest number of autochthonic species of amphibians and reptiles among all the islands in the Mediterranean - as many as 30 (in an area of 409.9 sq km); Sicilly follows with 27 species (In an area of 25 426 sq km); and Island of Cres is third with 25 species (area 405.1 sq km). Sardinia is next in line with 21 species (in an area of 23 813 sq km), and then follow all the remaining Mediterranean islands. Some of the species live only on Quarner islands: the Bufo bufo and Algyroides nigropunctatus species can also be found on Krk and Rab, Triturus vulgaris meridionalis, Bombina variegata, Rana dalmatina and Anguis fragilis live on Cres and Krk only, and only Cres, of all the Mediterranean islands is known to host the Podarcis muralis and Lacerta viridis species. The frog Rana dalmatina which does not live on any other island in the Mediterranean has been found on the island of Cres and it is also the only island in the Mediterranean where the Podarcis muralis lizard has been found. Today freshwater ponds are endangered. The Mediterranean climatic zone with its exceptional richness in plant species, variety of floral elements and vegetation communities, is permanently exposed to the influence of tourism and urbanisation, leading to the loss of plant species through habitat changes, and also to the introduction of alochthonic species. Reduction in the number of plant species also leads to reduction in the number of animal species depending on them. Increased urbanisation makes it essential that some regions be conserved in their natural state. Water quality, conservation of genetic materials, conservation of the aesthetic values of certain regions, together with the possibility of our respecting and enjoying our natural heritage - all depend on conservation of biodiversity through protection of natural regions. Natural and semi-natural ecosystems are the primary reservoirs of the Earth's biodiversity. Therefore, we have to act in a way to protect freshwater ponds and manage them so as to retain their natural and/or semi-natural state.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA