Flora and fauna

That the flora and fauna are still preserved almost exactly as they were, despite the civilisation taking place around the park and within it, is a rarity worldwide. In the north-west of the park there even still grow trees that are by now 700 years old and older. In total there are over 1,200 plant species here, among them 55 different orchids alone. Many plant species are so rare elsewhere that they are under protection, although here they occur in masses. Among them are, for instance, the Siberian ragwort, the meadow squill and the narrow-leaved bellflower.
Yet even more important for the park than the flowering splendour are the mosses and algae, which support the development of the travertine barriers. By the plant the water running over it is slowed, atomised and provided with additional oxygen; together with the photosynthesis of the water plants, which reduces the carbon dioxide content in the water, the deposits crystallise. The crystals settle on the surfaces of the algae and the bacteria present on them, envelop them and over time colour them yellowish. Thus layer upon layer arises of the calcareous tufa studded with petrified plants that is so characteristic of this region and for which this park is so famous.

50 mammal species, 157 bird species, 321 different kinds of butterfly, uncounted fish species, 20 types of bat, 12 amphibian species and yet more reptiles live in the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Among them are the largest populations of the bears and wolves still living in the wild today, the rare long-eared bats, and in two lakes there are brown trout as well. These can be recognised in the upper lakes by the red spots on their backs and in Lake Kozjak by the black blotches.