Jelovica, the shelter of silence Jelovica, the shelter of silence

Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation
Celje Regional Unit
“Natura 2000 in Slovenia management models and information system”
LIFE04NAT/SI/000240 project
Jelovica, the shelter of silence
Jelovica and Ratitovec
Jelovica is a densely wooded karst plateau spreading in the eastern part of the Julian Alps. Its karst properties emerge from
the area’s limestone substratum. The plateau has thus been given its special character by numerous pitches, sinkholes and
caves, owing to which it is classified as a natural treasure of national concern.
In the distant past, Jelovica was overgrown by beech forests which, however, have been cut down through centuries owing
to charcoal burning. Today, the vast spruce forests provide shelter for numerous endangered species of birds. The plateau’s
biodiversity is further enriched by montane pastures, which present an important source of food for Jelovica’s birds, and
raised bogs, where specially adapted plants and animals have found suitable habitats. Extensive grasslands spread on the
slopes of Ratitovec, the southern margin of the plateau.
The nature-conservancy status
of Jelovica and Ratitovec:
• special protected area − Natura
2000 area (Decree on special
protected areas (Natura 2000 areas),
Official Gazette of the RS, Nos.
49/04, 110/04, 59/07);
• area of ecological concern (Decree
on areas of ecological concern,
Official Gazette of the RS, No. 48/04);
• natural asset (Regulations on
stipulation and conservation of
natural assets, Official Gazette of
the RS, Nos. 111/04, 70/06);
• the raised bogs Za blatom and Ledina
are protected as nature reserves
(Official Gazette of the Bohinj
Council, No. 5/1999, Official Gazette
of the Gorenjska region, No. 15/1999).
Map of the project area with marked Natura 2000 sites and drawn in localities of information
boards which were set up within the LIFE project.
Geographical position of Jelovica and Ratitovec in Slovenia
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Jelovica − friendly to birds
Owing to the limited anthropological influences and the
fact that the area is not populated, the fauna of Jelovica
has been very well preserved. A suitable shelter has been
found here particularly by several bird species that happen
to be highly endangered elsewhere, which is the reason why
the plateau has been included in the European Natura 2000
ecological network.
The precipitous rockwalls on the plateau’s fringes are
nest-sites of the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and the
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus). The montane forests
with diverse shrub layer and abundant blueberry shrubbery,
including glades and montane grasslands, are the habitat
of gallinaceous birds. Here, numerous woodpecker and owl
Golden Eagle
species can also be found, which are closely associated with
forests of specific structure and age.
Birds implicitly need a peaceful environment. Disturbances
of different kinds, caused by humans during their activities
in the forests, impede the birds’ life cycles (breeding, rearing
the young, feeding, etc.), which can in turn greatly reduce
their numbers.
Pygmy Owl
Peregrine Falcon
Black Woodpecker
Jelovica, as seen from Radovljica
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Grouse birds
Most suitable for the survival of these sedentary birds
is forest landscape in hilly and mountainous territories.
Slovenia is inhabited by several grouse species, Jelovica
alone by the Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), Black Grouse
(Tetrao tetrix) and Hazel Grouse (Bonasa bonasia).
Hazel Grouse
One of the trees chiselled by the Black Woo
They spend the greater part of their lives on the ground,
where they also nest. When performing their display calls,
they like to perch in a spruce or larch. Grouse birds feed on
berries as well as on buds and apices of forest trees.
Woodpeckers
The Capercaillie is particularly
fond of older coniferous
to mixed forests. Of great
importance for this bird are
individual forest openings
with well developed herb
layer, especially blueberries,
cranberries and raspberries.
The areas where these birds
perform their courtship
“dances” are called leks. In
the area of Jelovica, at least
34 leks are known, at which
about 50 males have been
singing in the last few years.
Some of them, however,
have been abandoned,
primarily due to disturbances
caused in the woods.
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Woodpeckers are birds that are directly associated with the
dying off wood in the forests. They feed on insects living
under the bark and in wood itself. When they detect the
insects’ movements in the interior of a trunk, they use their
powerful bills to chisel out the way to them.
The forests of Jelovica are home to the largest woodpecker
in Slovenia, i.e. the Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius).
Its abandoned nest-holes are popular with numerous other
breeding forest birds.
The Three-toed Woodpecker
(Picoides tridactylus) is one of
the smaller representatives of
these birds. Considering that
it inhabits only coniferous
montane forests with ample
dying but still standing trees,
it is rarer than the Black
Woodpecker.
Male Capercaillie at a display
ground
Three-toed Woodpecker
Owls
Owls are peace-loving birds. At night, they mark their
territories with hooting or they look for suitable partners.
At Jelovica, we can hear the Ural Owl (Strix uralensis),
Tengmalm’s Owl (Aegolius funereus) and our smallest owl,
the Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum).
The Ural Owl is amongst the largest owls in Slovenia. Owing
to its size, it needs big tree holes for breeding and large
territory for hunting small mammals (mice, voles), smaller
birds and insects, on which it feeds.
Raised bog Za blatom
Bogs, rare preserved wetlands
Bogs, which are rare habitats in our country, are highly
sensitive to any changes in their environment. This is why
even more should be done to protect them against any
possible detrimental influences.
Bogs have been created through millennia with gradual
silting and overgrowing of lakes. Apart from raised bogs,
fens and transitional bogs are also known. Owing to
the accumulation of peat, which is mostly composed of
various peat mosses, some fens can gradually lose (in a few
centuries) contact with groundwater and nutrients dissolved
in it. Such fens are called raised bogs.
The most characteristic raised bog at Jelovica is Za blatom.
Peat moss
Ural Owl
The largest, called Ledina, is a transitional bog, which means
that characteristics of raised bogs and fens interact here
with each other.
As the bog and fen grounds provide for very specific living
conditions, only those plants and animals can thrive here
that have adapted to this type of environment.
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Ratitovec
The southern margin of Jelovica ends with Ratitovec. Its
highest peak is Altemaver, which is situated at 1,678 m a.s.l..
During the summer, the barren peaks of Ratitovec and with
Dwarf-pine overgrown surrounding mountain grasslands turn
into true montane pastures.
Grazing prevents pastures from becoming overgrown with
herbage and at the same time preserves the grasslands, which
constitute a suitable habitat for the Black Grouse.
Black Grouse,
bird of the highest peaks
This bird is the Capercaillie’s relative. The Black Grouse, too,
is known for its plumage display during courting, when calling
with characteristic puffing and cooing sounds.
Black Grouse
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Most important for the survival of this bird is conservation of
Dwarf-pine and other dwarfish trees in the heterogeneous
tree-line area, and rich herbal sites especially with Ericaceous
species. Another important factor is peace in its environment
particularly during the bird's display and at winter time.
Jelovica - an open door to nature
Within the LIFE project framework, ten information boards
were set up in the area of Jelovica and Ratitovec. They help
the visitors to be acquainted with the characteristics of
surrounding nature in a greater detail.
Furthermore, we have organised several workshops and
lectures to present to the inhabitants of the area as
A detailed management plan documents for the project site Jelovica,
prepared within the framework of the project.
well as its visitors the significance of the exceptionally
well conserved nature in the area of Jelovica and of the
European Natura 2000 ecological network.
Within the framework of the project, we have also prepared
a sample document entitled A detailed management plan
for the project site Jelovica since we believe that the natural
treasures of Jelovica can be preserved for future generations
only with wise management.
Information board at Dražgoška gora
View from Ratitovec
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Jelovica, pilot area of the LIFE III − Nature project:
“Natura 2000 in Slovenia − management plans and information system”, LIFE04NAT/SI/000240
Boletina
LIFE III - Nature is a financial instrument of the European Union, which supports the nature-conservancy endeavours
to conserve the significant European species and habitat types, associated in the Natura 2000 network.
The project, which lasts from January 1st, 2005, to December 31st,
2007, is being implemented by the Institute of the Republic of
Slovenia for Nature Conservation with the following local partners:
Slovenian Forest Service − Regional Units Bled and Kranj and The
Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry Service − Unit Kranj.
Jelovica
Project activities in the Jelovica pilot area:
• preparation of the site’s management plan,
• setting up of information boards,
• publishing of a this brochure,
• other informative activities (lectures held at primary
schools, competition for the best poster at primary
schools, preparation of info-material, etc.).
Project
beneficiary:
Institute of the Republic of
Slovenia for Nature Conservation
Main financer:
Co - financer:
IN©TITUT
ZA VODE
REPUBLIKE
SLOVENIJE
Jovsi
Institute
for Water of
the Republic
of Slovenia
The project’s partners:
Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation
Kranj Regional Unit
TomšiËeva 9
4000 Kranj
Phone 04 201 94 60
Fax 04 201 94 66
LiËenca
(Petelinjek
ponds)
www.zrsvn.si
www.zrsvn.si/life
Text: Gregor Kalan, Jurij GuliË, Sonja Rozman Bizjak, Gregor Danev, Metod Rogelj, Nina UratariË, Tjaπa DjokiÊ
Photographs: Tomaæ MiheliË, Slavko Polak, Milan Vogrin, Martin Vernik, Boπtjan Kepic, Andrej Hudoklin, Metod Rogelj, Gregor Kalan, Jurij GuliË,
Lidija HoËevar Æager, Mirko Peruπek
Translated by Henrik CigliË
Map: Gregor Kalan
Design: Pristop, d.o.o.
Printed by »ukgraf, d.o.o.
Number of copies: 5,000
September 2007
The brochure was published within the framework of the LIFE III − Nature project: “Natura 2000 in Slovenia − management models and
information system”, co-financed by the EU. The text does not necessarily express the views of the European Commission.
Snežnik