Dinaric & Alpine Forests
The central and southern part of Slovenia is dominated by Dinaric forests, named after the Dinaric mountains, a chain running from central Slovenia down through most of the Balkans as far as Albania, in a northwest-southeast direction. The Dinarides are not very high (around 800-1500 m) and most of the area is covered by forests. The predominant forest type is an association of Beech Fagus sylvatica, Silver Fir Abies alba and Norway Spruce Picea abies, known as Abieti-Fagetum Dinaricum. Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus is also a very common tree species. The most notable examples of Dinaric forests in Slovenia are found in the Snežnik and Javorniki mountain ranges, the forests in the Kočevje region and the Trnovo forest (Trnovski gozd). Remnants of primeval (virgin) forest are still to be found in Slovenia and some of the best examples are in the Dinaric forests (e.g. Kočevje and Snežnik forests).Alpine forests in Slovenia are quite similar to Dinaric forests, except they exibit a greater abundance of Norway Spruce Picea abies and Mountain Pine Pinus mugo. The upper treeline in the Alps is formed by Larches Larix decidua, a specie not found in the Dinarides
Most famous and charismatic species :
White-backed Woodepcker Dendrocopos leucotos
Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva
Three-toed Woodpecker Picoides tridactylus
Tengmalm’s Owl Aegolius funereus
Pygmy Owl Glaucidium passerinum
Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus
Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus
Black WoodpeckerDryocopus martius
Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus
Common Treecreeper Certhia familiaris
Nutcrackers Nucifraga caryocatactes
Alpine Salamander Salamandra atra
Rosalia Longicorn Rosalia alpina
Beech Longhorn Beetle Morimus funereus
Thermophilous Forests
This forest type is found on relatively warm and dry sites, where beech Fagus sylvatica is replaced by other thermophilous tree species such as: Downy Oak Quercus pubescens, Hop-hornbeam Ostria carpinifolia, Manna Ash Fraxinus ornus, Sessile Oak Quercus petraea and Turkey Oak Quercus cerris. In certain sunny locations in western Slovenia (and more commonly in nearby northeast Italy) there are also evergreen Holm Oak Quercus ilex forests, typical of the Mediterranean. The largest areas of thermophilous forests are found in the sub-Mediterranean part, that is mainly in western Slovenia. Such areas include a good proportion of the Classical Karst area, Istria and the Vipava valley. These forests are not as old and well preserved as those in the Dinarides, but are rather the result of human land use through centuries. Many forests are coppiced and/or grow on abandoned farming areas (agricultural terraces, meadows and pastures). Despite the fact that thermophilous forests are of secondary formation, they are important habitats for some rare and protected animal and plant species.
Most famous and charismatic species :
Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos
Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes
Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius
Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor
Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius
Eastern Hedgehog Erinaceus concolor
Great Capricorn Beetle Cerambyx cerdo
Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala
Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans
Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Iduna pallida
Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus
Black Woodpecker Dryocopus martius
Red Squirrels Sciurus vulgaris
Lowland Riparian Forests
Lowland riparian forests can be found in the flood area of all major rivers of Slovenia, but are generally more widespread in the east. They are periodically flooded by nearby rivers (for example Sava, Krka, Mura, Drava) and support an interesting animal and plant community. The predominant tree species in these forests are Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur, Common Hornbeam Carpinus betulus, Common Alder Alnus glutinosa, European Ash Fraxinus excelsior and Narrow-leaved Ash Fraxinus angustifolia. Some of the most notable examples of riparian forest in Slovenia include Krakovski gozd, Dobrava and the forests along the river Mura.
Most famous and charismatic species :
Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius
Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis.
White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla,
Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes,
Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur,
Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla.
Fire-bellied Toad Bombina bombina
Yellow-bellied Toad Bombina variegata,
Fire Salamander Salamandra salamandra.
European Pond Terrapins Emys orbicularis
