“DELIBLATSKA PEŠČARA” (DELIBLATO SANDS) SPECIAL NATURE RESERVE

“DELIBLATSKA PEŠČARA” (DELIBLATO SANDS) SPECIAL NATURE RESERVE

In the south-eastern part of the Pannonian Plain, in Banat, lies the largest continental sand area in Europe, covering nearly 35,000 hectares. Elliptical in shape, it stretches in a south-east to north-west direction. It was formed during the Ice Age from vast deposits of aeolian silicate-carbonate sand. In more recent times, the Košava wind has shaped a pronounced dune landscape, with elevations ranging from 70 to 200 metres above sea level. The moderately continental climate, absence of surface watercourses and sandy soils have created distinctive ecological communities, which have been classified as a separate phytogeographical region known as Deliblaticum.

This unique mosaic of ecosystems is home to characteristic species of flora and fauna, many of which are natural rarities of international significance. Its rich flora, comprising more than 900 species, subspecies and varieties, is particularly notable for its rare, relict, endemic and sub-endemic species, including the Banat peony, Pančić’s wormwood, Sherardia arvensis, Prunus tenella, sand everlasting and juniper – the only naturally occurring conifer in the Pannonian Plain.

As the last and largest oasis of the sand-steppe, woodland and wetland vegetation that once dominated the Pannonian Plain, the Deliblatska Peščara Special Nature Reserve is one of the most important centres of biodiversity in Serbia and Europe, and the most significant steppe area in Serbia. The Reserve therefore represents a unique field laboratory for scientific research.

Among the rare fauna are species characteristic of steppe habitats, including desert ants, antlions, the Banat falcon, eastern imperial eagle, European souslik, European ground squirrel, blind mole rat, steppe polecat and others. For some of these species, Deliblatska Peščara is the only, or one of the few remaining, habitats in Serbia. Another distinctive feature of the Reserve is its permanent wolf population.

The protected natural area also encompasses a section of the Danube with its wetlands and river islands. Fish-rich waters and spawning grounds provide an important gathering and mass wintering site for waterbirds, which is why Deliblatska Peščara was designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) in 1989. Many rare species breed here, including the little egret, squacco heron, ibis and sand martin. The Pygmy cormorant, a globally threatened species in Serbia, has its only stable breeding colony here.

The Čardak Education Centre was opened in 2010. Its purpose is to raise awareness among people using the area about the need for nature conservation and the prevention of biodiversity loss through presentations and organised education on the principles of sustainable management, monitoring and administration, thereby bringing the Reserve closer to European Union standards.

The typical villages on the outskirts of the protected natural area preserve the atmosphere of bygone times and complete the picture of this picturesque landscape.

Text source: www.vojvodinasume.rs

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