Croatia Forum

[Filip]

Nature Park Kopacki rit is one of the largest natural marshlands in Europe situated in the north-east of Croatia in the corner made by the mouths of the Drava River into the Danube River. The basic ecological feature of Kopacki rit is given by the flood-dynamics so that the landscape of the whole region depends on the flood intensity. The parts of the swamp land and water, arranged mosaically, change its size, form and function depending on the quantity of the risen water, namely from the Danube River and less from the Drava River.

In spite of the monotonous flat-land sight, the micro-relief structure of Kopacki rit is very complex. Very significant are the lakes (large saggings permanently filled up with water), as well as periodically flooded areas and waterways. The largest lake is the Kopacevo Lake and the deepest one is the Sakadas Lake. The channels are a link between the Danube and the Drava and here is a network of the channels which make water links within marshland.

Due to its state of preservation as the rare marshland ecosystem, great biological diversity and exceptional scientific and ecological values, Kopacki rit was protected in 1967 through the status of the Managed Natural Reserve on the area of 17,730 ha. In 1976, the proper reserve area of 7,220 ha received the status of the Special Zoological Reserve and the wide area of 10,510 ha received the status of the Nature Park. The international significance of Kopacki rit was confirmed in 1993 by its registration in the list of internationally significant marshlands in accordance with the Ramsar Convention.

http://kopacki-rit.vip.hr/

Amazing picture from http://www.croatianewsonline.com/