THE GORELJEK PEAT BOG NATURE TRAIL recently, the pokljuka plateau has been under The Goreljek Peat Bog Nature Trail gives the visitors a de- considerable pressure. in addition to tradi- tailed presentation of the features of Pokljuka and raised tional activities, pokljuka is used for an in- bogs. The trail is circular, spans about one kilometre and creasing number of recreational activities has five educational stops equipped with information boards. A surfaced path around the bog, supplemented which adversely affect the area's biodiversity. by an occasional floating floor or a bridge, ensures safe PLATEAU & other changes are climate-induced. extraor- walking. The trail welcomes visitors of all age groups. dinary weather phenomena such as storms, Guided tours of the trail can be arranged with the Triglav THE POKLJUKA floods, droughts and wind-throws, pest oc- National Park Authority. currence, changes in ecosystems and changed T + 386(0)4 57 80 200 E [email protected] ITS PEAT BOGS in the biorhythms are among the challenges which we will need to face in the future. in turn, this requires certain changes and adap- tations of management practices at national and european levels. in the framework of the HABIT-CHANGE project the triglav national www.tnp.si park participated in the preparation of reports on adaptive management in central europe. 0 5 10 km GPS E 4 6 ˚ 2 0 ’ 9 . 6 7 ” STARTING POINT N 13˚ 58’ 3.00” VEGETATION ON THE BOG FAUNA ON THE BOG ANT-HILL The leaflet was implemented through the habit-change project which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund HUMAN ACTIVITY (central europe Programme). text Tanja Menegalija, translation Darja Pretnar Urška Smukavec design Idejološka ordinacija, BOG FACT FILE photographs Aleš Zdešar, Silvija Černe Tanja Menegalija, Luka Markež, printed by Tiskarna knjigoveznica Andreja Papež-Kristanc, Drago Videmšek, Radovljica Jure Kočan, Urška Smukavec number of copies 10.000 0 75 150 m cartography Miha Marolt published by Triglav National Park, N language editing Mojca Zemljak May 2013 Source: si Public Info, smars, dof (2011). Cartography: jz tnp, 2013. info leaflet tnp THE POKLJUKA PLATEAU & ITS PEAT BOGS okljuka is the largest of the highland plateaus in charcoal for the iron industry, spruce is now the pre- clearings. Puddles and wet patches are home to several Most animals observed in a bog may otherwise be resi- the Julian Alps. It stretches at an altitude of 1200 to dominating tree species. Due to site characteristics and amphibian species. In the group of large predators, the dents of other wetlands, nearby forests or meadows. P 1500 meters, at the eastern edge of the Triglav Na- short vegetation period the spruce wood from Pokljuka wolf and brown bear are occasional visitors. Permanent bog residents include several species of tional Park. To the south, the plateau descends towards has specific resonating qualities (resonant wood). To- dragonflies, true bugs, butterflies, water beetles, and the Sava Bohinjka Valley, to the north-east it slopes to- day, beech wood is primarily used as fuel wood, while Extensive forests conceal a special ecosystem typical of mosquito larvae. wards the Radovna Valley, and in the north-west it ex- spruce is used as timber. Pokljuka – peat bogs. Bogs are areas of stagnant water, tends as far as the mountain ridge above the valley of covered with a layer of peat ranging in size from several Peat bogs are a very rare habitat in Slovenia, and can Natural bridge Krma. Although Pokljuka’s even relief resembles that of Norway spruce Alpine dairy farming has a long-standing tradition on Capercaillie decimeters to several metres and overgrown with bog Peat moss only be found in their pristine form on the plateaus dinaric karst plateaus, glacier activity and pastoral econ- wood for timber the Pokljuka plateau. Today most cattle stay on Pokljuka mosses. Jelovica and Pokljuka and in the Pohorje mountain range. omy have given it a distinct alpine appearance. Karst for- industry throughout the grazing season but in the past they only At lower altitudes peat bogs were dried up to obtain mations found on Pokljuka include shallow depressions grazed on the plateau for a short period of time before The process of bog creation began after the last glacial farmland or for peat production. A highly sensitive eco- (konte), pits and caves. Retreating glaciers deposited they were herded to high-altitude pastures. Pokljuka period. Glaciers receded, leaving small lakelets behind. system, peat bogs are protected under the EU legislation ground moraines on which hummocky meadows were pasturelands are also a grazing grounds for an autoch- Throughout the millennia, these filled with organic de- and included in the NATURA 2000 network. gradually formed. thonous cattle breed, the Bohinj cika. The reddish cat- bris of aquatic plants populating the lakes. Increasingly tle with a typical white spot are known for their adapt- acidic water promoted the growth and development Outstanding natural assets of Pokljuka give the plateau Fresh surface water is scarce due to limestone bedrock; ability, long life period, excellent maternal instincts, and of certain plants. The area was settled by bog mosses an important role in establishing a permanent balance most water sinks rapidly into the ground, flowing unseen stubborness. In summertime shepherds use cow milk to which are still the predominating species overgrowing between nature and man in the Triglav National Park along the vast underground systems. At the foot of the make delicious Bohinj cheese. the bog surface. Bog mosses take roots in the upper and wider, in Slovenia and Europe. • Lipnik spring plateau, hitting upon impermeable rock, ground water Bohinj Cika cattle Common frog layers, and carbonise in lower layers. The surface grows Round-leaved White-faced darter bubbles to the surface in numerous karst springs. The The floral and faunal diversity of Pokljuka is also impres- upwards steadily, creating a typical dome-shaped form sundew only surface water body on Pokljuka is the area of bogs, sive. Large forests are home to countless inhabitants. The of a raised bog. former glacial lakes created by receding glaciers. undergrowth is thick with species which prefer the acidic soil of spruce forests. Stag's-horn clubmoss, cranberries, Apart from acidic soil, peat bogs are also characterized A number of archaeological sites recall the rich history of blueberries, wood sorrel and greater wood rush are just by low nutrient supply and high differences in tempera- Pokljuka. Surface bowl-shaped depressions resembling several of the plants thriving in the shadow of spruce trees. ture between day and night. During evolution, plants lunar craters were long believed to be geological forma- The diversity and abundance of mushroom species is most have developed different methods to adapt to these tions. However, it was later discovered that these were evident in years when rain is plentiful. The variety of eco- conditions. Several species have developed the ability actually opencast pits for bog iron, which was melted in systems and bounty of food attract many animals. Tree to trap and eat animals, others obtain nutrients through foundries to produce pig iron. canopies host a myriad of birds, including treecreepers, their partnership with fungi. Plants store water in storage Bog iron ring ouzels, chaffinches, boreal owls, hazel grouses, caper- Shrubby lichen flasks, in tissue or in specially adapted organs. In order Peatbog Forests are the most important natural resource of caillies and several representatives of the Paridae family. to minimize water loss, several plants have developed mushroom Pokljuka. As nearly all available beech was cut to make Red and roe deer graze in the open grasslands and forest thick waxy leaf surfaces or extensive root systems. info leaflet tnp THE POKLJUKA PLATEAU & ITS PEAT BOGS okljuka is the largest of the highland plateaus in charcoal for the iron industry, spruce is now the pre- clearings. Puddles and wet patches are home to several Most animals observed in a bog may otherwise be resi- the Julian Alps. It stretches at an altitude of 1200 to dominating tree species. Due to site characteristics and amphibian species. In the group of large predators, the dents of other wetlands, nearby forests or meadows. P 1500 meters, at the eastern edge of the Triglav Na- short vegetation period the spruce wood from Pokljuka wolf and brown bear are occasional visitors. Permanent bog residents include several species of tional Park. To the south, the plateau descends towards has specific resonating qualities (resonant wood). To- dragonflies, true bugs, butterflies, water beetles, and the Sava Bohinjka Valley, to the north-east it slopes to- day, beech wood is primarily used as fuel wood, while Extensive forests conceal a special ecosystem typical of mosquito larvae. wards the Radovna Valley, and in the north-west it ex- spruce is used as timber. Pokljuka – peat bogs. Bogs are areas of stagnant water, tends as far as the mountain ridge above the valley of covered with a layer of peat ranging in size from several Peat bogs are a very rare habitat in Slovenia, and can Natural bridge Krma. Although Pokljuka’s even relief resembles that of Norway spruce Alpine dairy farming has a long-standing tradition on Capercaillie decimeters to several metres and overgrown with bog Peat moss only be found in their pristine form on the plateaus dinaric karst plateaus, glacier activity and pastoral econ- wood for timber the Pokljuka plateau. Today most cattle stay on Pokljuka mosses. Jelovica and Pokljuka and in the Pohorje mountain range. omy have given it a distinct alpine appearance. Karst for- industry throughout the grazing season but in the past they only At lower altitudes peat bogs were dried up to obtain mations found on Pokljuka include shallow depressions grazed on the plateau for a short period of time before The process of bog creation began after the last glacial farmland or for peat production.