Natura 2000 in Kozjanski park

Bohor and Vetrnik lie in the south-eastern part of the Posavje hills. Its steep northern slopes are covered in Illyrian beech forests along with acidophilic beech forests. These forests are a habitat for endangered beetle species (the Rosalia longicorn and longhorn beetle). Next to the streams where stone crayfish live, wet grasslands can also be found. Mushrooms from the Conócybe family are the most common inhabitants, along with the yellow-bellied toad, which prefers damp environments. On a smaller area of the region, wood white butterflies can be found on the edges of forests. The southern slopes are covered in arid extensively cultivated meadows inhabited by a wide variety of species, especially orchids.

Habitat types:

• 6210* – Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco Brometalia) (*important habitat for orchids)
• 6510 – Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis)
• 9110 – Beech forests (Luzulo-Fagetum)
• 91K0 – Illyrian beech forests (fagus sylvatica (Aremonio-Fagion))

Species:

• 1078* – Jersey Tiger moth (Callimorpha quadripunctaria)
• 1087* – Rosalia longicorn(Rosalia alpina)
• 1089 – Longhorn beetle (Morimus funereus)
• 1093* Stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium)
• 1193- Yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata)
• 4036 – Wood white butterfly (Leptidea morsei)

Orlica and Tisovec are the most eastern parts of the Posavje hills. The area is covered in Illyrian beech forests joined by acidophilic beech forests on the acid soil. The forests may be interrupted by small areas of dry grasslands that are home to several rare plant and animal species. Precipitous carbonate walls also provide an important habitat for vegetation growing from the cracks in the rock. The Orlica area is populated by the following representatives of the Natura 2000 species – the lesser horseshoe bat and the Jersey Tiger moth. Streams provide a habitat for stone crayfish, while the forests are populated by several endangered beetle species, such as the Rosalia longicorn and the longhorn beetle.

Habitat types:

• 91K0 – Illyrian beech forests (Fagus sylvatica (Aremonio-fagion))
• 8210 – Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation
• 9110 – Beech forests (Luzulo-fagetum)

Species:

• 1014 – Narrow-mouthed whorl snail (Vertigo angustior)
• 1078* – Jersey Tiger moth (Callimorpha quadripunctaria)
• 1083 – Stag beetle (Lucanus cervus)
• 1087* – Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina)
• 1089 – Longhorn beetle (Morimus funereus)
• 1093* – Stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium)
• 1303 – Lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros)

A horizontal cave as a solitary karst phenomenon consisting of lithothamnion limestone. The cave is an important habitat for two of the endangered bat species – the lesser horseshoe bat and the greater mouse-eared bat. In this area both Illyrian beech forests and beech forests can be found on this acid soil.

Habitat types:

• 8310 – Caves not open to the public
• 91K0 – Illyrian beech forests (Fagus sylvatica (Aremonio_fagion))
• 9110 – Beech forests (Luzulo-fagetum)

Species:

• 1323 – Greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis bechsteinii)
• 1303 – Lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros)
• 9110 – Beech forests (Luzulo-fagetum)

The surrounding areas of the original water channels and tributaries in the upper stream of the River Sotla are mostly covered in forest. Typically, these areas are quite steep, but then the slopes gradually level out. Right beneath the town of Rogatec, the river quickly changes pace – flowing fast where the riverbed is narrow and continuing peacefully again through the flood plains. Throughout its journey, with the exception of sections where the riverbed is narrow, the water meanders its way over the land. Along the whole length of the stream there are diverse water and waterside habitats, providing a favourable living environment for various species of fish, dragonflies, mussels, crabs, lampreys and mammals in the aquatic environment. Waterside vegetation is mostly interconnected, thus building a kind of natural wall in the majority of sections. Most of the tributary streams, which contribute relatively large quantities of water, flow into the Sotla from the right side. The lowland Sotla riverbed is partly regulated even in larger sections in order to protect agricultural areas and buildings located on the flood plains. The Vonarje dam is a challenging barrier for migrating water organisms.

Habitat types:

• 91E0* – *Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (softwood meadows), (Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, salicion albae))
• 91K0 – Illyrian beech forests (Fagus sylvatica (Aremonio-fagion))
• 9110 – Beech forests (Luzulo-fagetum)

Species:

• 1032 – Thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus)
• 1083 – Stag beetle (Lucanus cervus)
• 1088 – Great capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo)
• 1093 – Stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium)
• 1098 – Lamprey (Eudontomyzon spp.)
• 1114 – Pigo (Rutilus pigus)
• 1124 – White-finned gudgeon (Gobio albipinnatus)
• 1130 – Asp (Aspius aspius)
• 1134 – European bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus amarus)
• 1146 – Ray-finned Cobitidae fish (Sabanejewia aurata)
• 1149 – Spined loach (Cobitis taenia)
• 1160 – Streber (Zingel streber)
• 1163 – Bullhead (Cottus gobio)
• 1355 – Otter (Lutra lutra)
• 2511 – Kessler’s gudgeon (Gobio kessleri)
• 2533 – Balkan Loach (Cobitis elongata)
• 4046 – Cordulegaster dragonfly (Cordulegaster heros)

Jovsi is a vast flood plain by the River Sotla. Until the river was regulated, the area often flooded. Areas along the River Sotla are mostly covered in meadows and corn fields, while wet grasslands combined with riverside vegetation, bushes, solitary willows, alders and English oaks prevail in the central part beneath the Kapele village. The most swampy areas can be mown only once a year in late summer. This provides optimal conditions for the survival of numerous bird species that nest on the ground or feed here. Along with the forest Krakovski gozd, Dobrova is the largest remnant of the English oak floodplain forest. Meandering streams cut through the forest of ancient oaks and sedges (Carex brizoides). Middle spotted woodpeckers, black storks and Ural owls live in the trees, as well as the great capricorn beetle and stag beetles.

Habitat types:

• 6510 – Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis)
• 9110 – Beech forests (Luzulo-fagetum)
• 91K0 – Illyrian beech forests (Fagus sylvatica (Aremonio-fagion))
• 91L0 – Illyrian oak/European hornbeam forests (Erythronio-Carpinion)

Species:

• 1014 – Narrow-mouthed whorl snail (Vertigo angustior)
• 1032 – Thick shelled river mussel (Unio crassus)
• 1060 – Large copper butterfly (Lycaena dispar)
• 1078* – Jersey Tiger moth (Callimorpha quadripunctaria)
• 1083 – Stag beetle (Lucanus cervus)
• 1088 – Great capricorn beetle (Cerambyx cerdo)
• 1145 – Weatherfish (Misgurnus fossilis)
• 1167 – Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex)
• 1188 – Fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina)
• 1193 – Yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata)
• 1220 – European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis)
• 1355 – Otter (Lutra lutra)
• 4046 – Cordulegaster dragonfly (Cordulegaster heros)

Species:

• A295 – Sedge warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)
  A030 – Black stork (Ciconia nigra)
• A339 – Lesser grey shrike (Lanius minor)
• A290 – Common grasshopper warbler (Locustella naevia)
  A122 – Corncrake (Crex crex)
• A338 – Red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio)
  A238 – Middle spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius)

Species:

• 1093* – Stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium)
• 1098 – Lamprey (Eudontomyzon spp.)

Kozjansko is a hilly region with altitudes up to 500m. It gradually becomes lower as it approaches the lowland region by the River Sotla. The area is quite densely populated, but there are no large settlements. The landscape is a combination of pristine, untouched nature and places where the effect of human intervention is greater. The well-preserved extensive cultural landscape which provides a diversity of habitats is a typical feature of the region. These areas are scattered with small villages and homesteads with meadow orchards, meadows, individual fields, hedges and edges of the forest. Numerous species of birds inhabit the area in great numbers. Another traditional feature is the extensive meadows along the meandering River Sotla. Due to the high population density, Kozjansko is Slovenia’s most favourable area for common redstarts, Eurasian wrynecks and European scops owls. Furthermore, by Slovenian standards, this is a region where there are extremely dense populations of grey-headed woodpeckers, black woodpeckers and red-backed shrikes.

Species:

• A236 – Black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius)
• A234 – Grey-headed woodpecker (Picus canus)
• A274 – Common redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus)
• A338 – Red-backed shrike (Lanius collurio)
• A072 – European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus)
• A072 – Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo)
• A214 – European scops owl (Otus scops)
• A233 – Eurasian wryneck (Jynx torquilla)