Monitoring week kopacki rit
In July the pilot area for natural grazing in the Kopacki Rit Nature Park has been monitored for animal and plant species. Together with our Croatian partners, a botanicus of the University of Osijek and seven Dutch volunteers the area has been researched.
Large areas of the pilot area are covered with non-native plant species like the Giant goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) and Wood Small-reed (Calamagrostis epigejos). The first six Slavonian Podolian Grey bovines have been introduced in October 2009. The places where the bovines prefer to live are already less covered with above mentioned species. Thereby given more space for other plant species. Next to the bovines the area contains huge numbers of red deer and wild boar. Especially, the wild boar has a positive influence on the area by rooting hundreds of square meters of Solidago and Calamagrostis and creating on this way open places for other species.
In the pilot area we found populations of the Large copper (Lycaena dispar) and Large Chequered Skipper (Heteropterus morpheus) two endangered butterfly species. We also found some nice amphibians like the European tree frog (Hyla arborea), Fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) and Common Spadefoot Toad (Pelobates fuscus).
In the surroundings there are breeding pairs of Black stork (Ciconia nigra) and Black kite (Milvus migrans) which are regular seen. In the area bird species like the Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) and European stonechat (Saxicola rubicolo) are breeding. On term we expect the return of species like the Hoopoe (Upupa epops) and the European roller (Coracias garrulus).
For more sightings of the area please visit
www.kopackirit.observado.org
For ecotourism the area has a lot to offer. The forests around the formerly hunting lodge of general
Tito are very rich on animal and plant species, with a bicycle you will be able to travel for kilometers on a dike through alluvial forests and marshes, or maybe you enjoy a boat trip in the heart of the floodplain area.
For more information please visit the websites:
www.kopacki-rit.com (eco-center with a sleeping place in the forests),
www.zlatna-greda.org (canoeing and walking tours in the floodplain) and
www.biljeplus.hr (B&B’s, bicycles).
Area covered with Calamgrostis epigejos
Grazed by the bovines
