These are parts of the lake, patches of open water surface without vegetation, which are entirely surrounded by a wide belt of lush lake vegetation, mainly reeds. They represent a valuable habitat for many animal species – on the one hand they nest in the reeds, and they feed at the lake windows. Among them stand out two target species of our project – Chestnut teal and Brown-headed pochard.
To better understand what happens in these hidden-from-view environments at different times – when there is plenty of water, when it slowly drains away and when the lake becomes completely dry – we decided to place camera traps in some selected lake windows.
These special cameras are unobtrusive, quiet and weather-resistant, and they allow us to continuously monitor happenings in nature without disturbing wildlife. Their job is to reveal who dwells in these water bodies, what their behavior is and how the environment changes over time.
We are particularly interested in how biodiversity changes with respect to the presence or absence of water. Our hypothesis is that the events will be most varied when the water recedes – when it remains only in depressions and streambeds, and it retreats from the rest of the karst field. The first footage from camera traps has already shown wonderful results. We captured a pair of great crested grebes, a pine marten, and a tailed polecat, which fills us with optimism and confirms that these are exceptionally important microhabitat areas within the wider Lake Cerknica area.
With the collected data, we will be better able to plan measures to conserve these sensitive habitats, which are threatened by inappropriate mowing up to the edge of depressions and streambeds. At the same time, we will more easily present to visitors of Notranjska Park how rich and dynamic life hides in these seemingly simple bodies of water. Lake windows are not merely a beautiful backdrop in the landscape – they are a precious natural treasure that deserves our attention and protection.
Notice
Data collection is intended solely for observing wildlife in the lake. The camera traps are mounted on a special mechanism that allows the camera to move with the swaying of the water surface. The locations are chosen to be away from the usual visitor paths, but you may still encounter one of them during your visit to Lake Cerknica. On the ground they are marked with stickers of the LIFE TRŠCA project and the Notranjski Park. We kindly ask you not to move them or approach them.
The implementation of extensive nature conservation projects exceeds the financial capacity of the local community, therefore Notranjska Park regularly applies for projects with the possibility of co-financing by the European Union.
The implementation of large-scale conservation projects exceeds the financial capabilities of the local community, therefore Notranjska Park regularly applies for projects with the possibility of co-financing from the European Union.
