Current view: Text account
Site description (2018 baseline):
Site location and context
Gatačko polje is a flooded karst polje that is a part of Trebišnjica river basin, with a potential flood zone of 38,17 km2. It is 11.5 km long and 6.5 km wide. In economic sense polje is mostly used for livestock grazing.
Main kastic phenomena are Gareva cave and meanders of temporal karstic streams.
In ornithological sense this polje is most valuable for the presence of migratory flocks of cranes Grus grus and lapwings Vanellus vanellus. Breeders include Bird Directive Annex I species, Barred Warbler Sylvia nisoria. Two species of fish, 129 species of fish and 20 species of dragonflies have been recorded in this polje. Floristic value of Gatačko polje is demonstrated through 274 species of recorded plants. Plants are additionally forming 11 vegetation types, from wetland vegetation types of Caricetalia fuscae, Illyrian Molinietums from the order Trifolio-Hordeetalia, to the termophyle meadows Brometalia erecti. Most important bird habitats are dry grasslands and all types of occasionally or permanently flooded grasslands, peat and boggy wetlands and complexes of reed and rush that thrive in shallow natural water puddles.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Main threat factor is operation of the thermo power plant Gacko and pollution caused by this facility.
Site access / Land-owner requests
Gatačko polje is located in Eastern Herzegovina, close to the border with Montenegro. In the North-South direction a regional road Foča- Gacko – Trebinje passes this polje, and from West it is connected to Mostar– Nevesinje – Gacko.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Gatačko polje (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/gatačko-polje-iba-bosnia-and-herzegovina on 23/11/2024.
