Telašćica Nature Park Cliffs

On the open-sea side of Telašćica Bay, vertical cliffs rise forming the most distinctive cliffs on the Adriatic, the famous Stene of Dugi Otok. The cliffs spread from Cape Mrzlovica on the north-west to the slopes of Veli Vrh to the south-east, reaching a height of 161 metres at Grpašćak. This area has a rich and interesting flora and fauna and dolphins can be seen next to the cliffs. Beneath the cliffs, under the sea, there are different types of coral, including the endangered red coral. The steep cliffs are also interesting because Croatian centaury grows on them and they are also the most northerly habitat of spurge (Euphorbia dendroides). The cliffs are also the nesting place of the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). Eleonora’s Falcon (Falco eleonorae) can also be seen here. Thanks to the existence of a great number of individuals of this species, Telašćica has been designated an Important Bird Area.

Two endemic species of the snail family also live on the cliffs: Delima edmibrani and Agathylla lamellose. The Delima edmibrani has so far been found only within the boundaries of the Nature Park so it can be considered a stenoendemic species, i.e. it is found nowhere else.

The Croatian centaury is a rare endemic species. It can only be found in Croatia at several locations, but with sparse populations. It is found in the vicinity of Cavtat and on the central and south Dalmatian islands. Two subspecies can be found in the Telašćica Nature Park: Centaurea Ragusina ssp. Ragusina, situated on the cliffs and Čuška Dumboka Bay, and Centaurea Ragusina ssp. lungensis, which is only present on the face of the cliffs.

In the depths of the sea beneath the cliffs, gorgonian Eunicella cavolinii and Paramuricea clavata coral, and sponges like Axinella cannabina can be found. On the sea bed, at a depth of about 20 metres, there is an accumulation of photophyllic algae like Halimeda tuna, Acetabularia acetabulum, Padina pavonica and many others. At greater depths, colonies of the Corallium rubrum red coral, which is an endangered species, can be found. Several species of sea urchin, and a number of different fish and crab species live in the area around the cliffs.

In the underwater recesses of the cliffs in semi-dark caves, there are various sponges, cnidarians and types of coral.

Source: www.telascica.hr

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