Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
The north-western ridge of the Dinaric mountains. A flat to hilly limestone area, after which the term `karst' was named, with a rich diversity of karst features such as caves, sink-holes, dolinas and canyons. Rocky and sparsely vegetated until the beginning of the 20th century, the area is now partly afforested (
Pinus nigra). Land-use has been abandoned over vast areas which are now undergoing natural succession to shrubland and forest. The region is now a mosaic of dry and rocky meadows and pastures, shrublands in various stages of succession, and woods. There is a strong Mediterranean component to the flora and fauna.
Several species of European conservation concern (SPECs), typical of woodland, meadow and pasture, breed in important numbers, and numerous other SPECs breed in less significant numbers. Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site:
Carduelis chloris (min. 500 pairs). Nationally, Karst is also notable as a wintering site for many species because of its favourable climate (low snow-cover, etc.).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Intensive afforestation and agricultural abandonment of the rocky steppe-grasslands and open agricultural landscapes pose a high threat to these habitats and their associated birds. The long-term conservation of these areas will only be possible if traditional forms of land-use are maintained or reintroduced. For the landscape to support maximum biodiversity, a traditional mosaic should be maintained of the different habitats such as small woods, grasslands, pastures, vineyards and cultivated fields. A management plan exists for the site.
National Low
International None413 ha of IBA covered by Regional Park (Skocjanske Jame, 413 ha). 93 ha of IBA covered by Landscape Park (Vremscica, 93 ha).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Karst (Slovenia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/karst-iba-slovenia on 23/11/2024.
