FOREST HABITATS AND SCRUBS
The forests of Velebit, extremely diverse, encompass several forest communities, including Illyrian beech forests (Aremonio-Fagion) (91K0). Particularly valuable are primeval beech forests, rich in deadwood that supports saproxylic insects and fungi. The relic species yew (Taxus baccata), noted for its slow growth and longevity, also occurs in the Velebit area. Yew grows singly or in groups in shaded forests on limestone and rock up to 1500 m. Due to its slow regeneration, it is protected as an endangered species. Oak-hornbeam and common hornbeam forests form the Illyrian oak-hornbeam forests (Erythronio-Carpinion) (91L0), occurring at elevations of 450 to 800 m and richer in species than Central European woodlands. Coniferous black pine forests (9530*), specific to the dolomitic substrates of Velebit, include black pine (Pinus nigra ssp. nigra) and Dalmatian black pine (P. nigra ssp. dalmatica). These forests are prone to fires and succession, transitioning into deciduous woodlands. Relict black pine forests with Cotoneaster padus (Cotoneastro-Pinetum nigrae) occur on dolomite and limestone but only in limited locations. Submontane and mountain spruce forests (Vaccinio-Piceetea) (9410) contain Norway spruce (Picea abies) and bilberry (Vaccinium sp.), forming acidophilous coniferous woodlands. In lower zones, Central European vegetation dominates, while in the submontane belt the boreal zone prevails. Forests on mires (91D0*), a priority habitat type, occur in peatlands with high, nutrient-poor water tables, supporting specific plant species. Mediterranean pine forests (5210), including Aleppo and maritime pines, develop on abandoned grasslands, often persisting as a stable vegetation stage without succession to forest. Mountain and boreal scrubs (4060) have arisen from the abandonment of alpine meadows. These scrubs contain low shrubs up to 40 cm tall and provide favorable habitat for the Croatian barberry (Berberis croatica), a rare endemic and relict. Particularly valuable are the scrublands of mugo pine (Pinus mugo) and hairy rhododendron (Rhododendron hirsutum) (4070*), which form the uppermost forest belt in the elevational vegetation. Located on inaccessible terrain, these forests are almost untouched by human activity and, due to fragmentation, are difficult to study and map.
GRASSLAND HABITATS
The mountain clearings in the Park area have naturally developed at the summit due to climatic and edaphic conditions on exposed ridges, while fragmented patches occur throughout the Park. The target habitat type Subalpine and alpine calcareous grasslands (6170) includes communities above the mugo pine forest belt. Strong winter winds remove snow, making these habitats resistant to vegetation succession. Clearings at lower elevations have originated from anthropogenic influence, namely forest clearance for pastures and meadows. Alpine sea holly (Eryngium alpinum), a plant important for genetic diversity, spreads through grazing and mowing. Yellow gentian (Gentiana lutea ssp. symphyandra), endemic to the Dinaric mountains, is endangered due to overharvesting. Dry grasslands, a priority habitat type (6210), are species-rich and adapted to adverse conditions. Montane grasslands between 300 and 800 m are home to the endangered Croatian carnation (Dianthus giganteus ssp. croaticus). The target habitat type European dry heaths (4030) occurs near Ričica, Štikada, and Brušani. Calcareous grasslands (6230) are a priority type, species-rich but degraded by grazing. Eastern sub-Mediterranean dry grasslands (62A0) are important for Pulsatilla vulgaris ssp. grandis. Near Rizvan and Papuč, grasslands of beak sedge (6410) form on wet soils and are maintained by mowing. Fens, wet grassland habitats poor in nutrients, are characterized by rare plant species. Peat layers form through the slow decomposition of plant material. Transitional mires (7140) are found along the Ljubica stream. Basiphilous fens (7230) host endangered plants such as cup tofieldia (Tofieldia calyculata). Moist meadows provide habitat for rare species like compressed bulrush (Blysmus compressus). Forest edges are important for the Jersey tiger moth (Euplagia quadripunctaria), while large-flowered anemone (Anemone sylvestris) is found in scrublands and dry grasslands. The Dinaric endemic Fritillaria messanensis ssp. gracilis grows at elevations up to 1600 m.
ROCKY AND SUBTERRANEAN HABITATS
The rocky habitats of Velebit include rock crevices and cliffs, characterized by limited soil and water. Plants are adapted to extreme conditions, and many habitats host endemic species. Carbonate cliffs with Thlaspietea rotundifolii vegetation develop in the cold climate of the mountain belt, where the Dinaric endemic Scopoli’s rockcress (Arabis scopoliana) thrives, also benefiting from traditional grazing and mowing. Kitaibel’s columbine (Aquilegia kitaibelii) occupies cracks in limestone cliffs, while the Dinaric mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium dinaricum) inhabits southern parts of Velebit, especially in the Bunio-Iberetum pruitii community. On southern Velebit grows the endemic Degenia velebitica*, strictly protected and a priority species, while carbonate rocks with hazmophytic vegetation (8210) unite communities across Croatia and cover 15% of this habitat’s area in the country. Karst edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum ssp. krasense) and Croatian sibiraea (Sibiraea altaiensis ssp. croatica) are strictly protected, while mountain avens (Dryas octopetala), a relict and medicinal species, also occurs. Fenster bellflower (Campanula fenestrellata) and Kitaibel’s primrose (Primula kitaibeliana) are endemic and rare. In the caves and pits of the Park, target habitats harbor endemic forms of subterranean fauna. The Park includes 31 such sites, crucial for global biodiversity conservation.
AQUATIC HABITATS
Flowing waters include rivers, streams, springs, waterfalls, and thermal vents, encompassing natural and semi-natural communities. In the Park, the Zrmanja and Ričica rivers are particularly notable, habitats of the target type Watercourses with Ranunculion fluitantis and Callitricho-Batrachion vegetation (3260), featuring species such as river water-crowfoot (Ranunculus fluitans) and water-starwort (Callitriche sp.). The critically endangered fringed sedge (Fimbristylis bisumbellata) grows on flood bars along the Zrmanja, where small populations have been recorded due to habitat loss. Travertine barriers, habitat type 32A0, are formed by algae and mosses depositing calcium carbonate in rivers such as the Zrmanja and Krupa, creating layered travertine over which expanded pools form. Travertine formation depends on preserved water flow and natural hydromorphology. Natural eutrophic waters (3150) with Hydrocharition and Magnopotamion vegetation have been recorded on the Ričica, while ponds such as Mile Voda are significant wetland habitats. The sensitive yellow-winged darter (Sympetrum flaveolum) is associated with these ponds, breeding in shallow standing waters rich in vegetation, and adults often forage on sunny meadows near aquatic habitats. MORSKA STANIŠTA The target habitat type Sandbanks permanently covered by seawater (1110) is present in the bays of Sv. Juraj and Vrulja in the Velebit Channel. It includes all sandy seabeds covered by seawater—raised, elongated, or irregular—down to 20 m depth. The sediment is composed of sand, but shell fragments and fine silt particles can also be found. The target habitat type Reefs (1170) covers habitats on hard substrates from the sea surface to the bathyal zone, including submarine springs (vrulje) as a karst phenomenon. Vrulje are freshwater discharges beneath the sea, formed along the karst coast due to sea level changes. The Plan area includes bays such as Sv. Juraj, Ivanac, Malina, Zavratnica, and Modrič. In the Plantaža Vrulja, at 60 m depth, there is a mussel bed, which is the deepest record of this species in the Adriatic. Small vrulje, where water emerges through small apertures often in sandy lagoons, are also integral to the ecosystem and are encompassed by the priority habitat type Coastal lagoons (1150*). Lagoons are shallow coastal expansions with variable salinity, connected to marine and terrestrial habitats. The habitat type Large shallow inlets and bays (1160) is important for fish spawning and birds, present in bays such as Ivanac, Zavratnica, and Jurišnica. Submerged sea caves (8330), characteristic of karst areas, include Markova Cave in Selina, one of over 200 known submarine habitats along the Adriatic, important for their specific conditions and sensitivity.