Dabarsko and Fatničko Karstic Fields (Bosnia and Herzegovina) IBA | Summary

BA005

Dabarsko and Fatničko Karstic Fields

Current view: Summary

Country/territory: Bosnia and Herzegovina
IBA Justification: A1, B1a, B3a (2018)

Area: 3,668 hectares (36.68 km²)

Site description (2018 baseline)

Dabarsko and Fatničko poljes are a complex of two neighboring, geographically closely connected karst poljes in Eastern Herzegovina, situated only 3 km from each other. Dabarsko, which is larger lies to the NW to the slightly smaller Fatničko polje. Poljes are naturally separated by small limestone ridge, what separated the two poljes into two hydrologically unique entities.
Both poljes are flooded annually and are part of Neretva and Trebišnjica water basin. Flood area of Dabarsko polje is 16,69 km2, and Fatničko polje 7,27 km2. Different small streams and rivers appear in springs, flow over the poljes and at then submerge into sinks on other sides of the poljes. In Fatničko polje natural Fatnica river was channeled into a dry riverbed and is usually only filled with water during heavy autumn rainfall. As the sinks cannot receive all the rain water, both poljes are usually flooded between November and May.

There is a number of caves in both poljes: in Dabarskom polje: Visibaba, Obodina, Ljelješnica, Danajlova p., Sušica, Ponikva, and in Fatničko polje: Velika pećina, Lepirnica, pećina-vrelo Obod; ponor Pasmica.
Poljes areas are mostly used for grazing of domestic animals, to a smaller extent for agriculture (cereals, vegetables) and orchards. The soil of Fatničko polje is reach with humus and very fertile. Cultural and historical values include Bogomile tombs/ necropolis Mandina gradina/ Madina fort in Fatničko polje from middle ages .

Key biodiversity
Both poljes have been largely neglected in ornithological sense. In Dabarsko polje 100 bird species have been recorded and in Fatničko 88 species. Important species of Dabarsko-Fatničko poljas are migratory populations of Common Crane Grus grus, Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, and Meadow Pipit Anthus pratenisis. Significant population of Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur and European Bee-eaters Merops apiaster breed on the poljes.
Five species of fish have been registered on Dabarsko and two on Fatničko polje, 27 dragonfly species on Dabarsko and 15 on Fatničko polje. The flora of Dabarsko polje is relatively well explored and so far 114 species of plants in 4 vegetation types have been recorded there, while Fatničko polje hasn’t been assessed in botanical sense.
Significant habitat types of poljes include submediterranean and epimediterranean dry grasslands (Scorzonero-Chrysopogonetalia) in flood ares reed beds and sedge grows that flourish in shallow water pools (Phragmitetalia). Wet habitats of Dabarsko polje are represented also by wet meadows and pastures (Molinietalia), that are submerged during significant periods of the year, peat wetlands and bogs (Caricetalia davallianae).

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Dabarsko and Fatničko Karstic Fields (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/dabarsko-and-fatničko-karstic-fields-iba-bosnia-and-herzegovina on 04/01/2025.