Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

The Geography of Slovenia pp 109–124Cite as

Biodiversity of Slovenia

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Part of the book series: World Regional Geography Book Series ((WRGBS))

Abstract

Slovenia is a biodiversity hotspot due to its location at the junction of four biogeographical regions with different ecological conditions. Because of this, 37.87% of Slovenia’s area is currently classified as Natura 2000 sites, the highest share among the 28 EU countries. Slovenian flora comprises 3472 vascular taxa and is rich in endemic species, but unfortunately also rare and threatened species. Especially distinctive is the Illyrian floral element—that is, plants with limited distributions along the Dinaric Alps from Slovenia to Albania, mainly thermophilic and heliophilic endemic species. The vegetation of Slovenia differs from that of neighboring regions because of its rich flora as well as its different vegetation history and development after the last ice age. Slovenia is known for its extensive forest cover (58.9%), mostly dominated by beech. Slovenian fauna comprises more than 21,500 continental taxa and at least 1600 marine taxa. Slovenia is known for its Karst region, with a rich subterranean fauna, of which many species were first discovered and described in Slovenia. Three out of five species of large carnivores found in Europe are present in Slovenia: the brown bear, gray wolf, and Eurasian lynx. The extensive forest cover also makes possible a great diversity of mesofaunal carnivores and other mammals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Aljančič G, Aljančič M (1998) Žival meseca oktobra. Človeška ribica (Proteus anguinus) [Animal of the month- October. The olm (Proteus anguinus)]. Proteus 61(2):83–87

    Google Scholar 

  • Aljančič M (1986) Grofov(sk)o povabilo v ljubljanski Deželni muzej [Counts invitation to Land museum in Ljubljana]. Proteus 48(7):250–253

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrič M, Willis KJ (2003) The phytogeographical regions of Slovenia: a consequence of natural environmental variation or prehistoric human activity? J Ecol 91(5):807–821. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2745.2003.00808.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bavcon J (2011) Franc Hladnik – Founder of the Ljubljana Botanic Garden. Botanični vrt, Biotehniška fakulteta, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Behrmann-Godel J, Nolte AW, Kreiselmaier J, Berka R, Freyhof J (2017) The first European cave fish. Curr Biol 27(7):R257–R258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.02.048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berginc M, Kremesec-Jevšenak J, Vidic J (2007) Sistem varstva narave v Sloveniji [The nature conservation system in Slovenia]. Ministrstvo za okolje in prostor, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Bilandžija H, Morton B, Podnar M, Ćetković H (2013) Evolutionary history of relict Congeria (Bivalvia: Dreissenidae): unearthing the subterranean biodiversity of the Dinaric Karst. Front Zool 10(5). https://doi.org/10.1186/1742-9994-10-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boitani L (1995) Ecological and cultural diversities in the evolution of wolf-human relationships. In: Carbyn LN, Fritts SH, Seip DR (eds) Ecology and conservation of wolves in a changing world. Canadian Circumpolar Institute, Edmonton, pp 3–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Brus R (2010) Growing evidence for the existence of glacial refugia of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in the south-eastern Alps and north-western Dinaric Alps. Period Biol 112(3):239–246

    Google Scholar 

  • Carnelutti J (1992) Pregled metuljarske dejavnosti na Dolenjskem [A survey of butterfly research in Dolenjska region]. In: Hudoklin A (ed) Dolenjski zbornik 1992. Dolenjska založba, Novo Mesto, pp 133–144

    Google Scholar 

  • Čarni A, Jarnjak M (2002) Analize gozdnih združb s pomočjo operacij GIS [Analyses of forest plant communities with GIS]. Hacquetia 1(1):129–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Čarni A, Marinček L, Seliškar A, Zupančič M, Puncer I, Marinček L, Wraber M, Seliškar A, Prešeren M, Žagar V, Accetto M, Tregubov V, Dakskobler I, Mršić N, Čarni A, Jarnjak M (2002) The vegetation map of Forest communities of Slovenia, scale 1:400,000. Institute of biology ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapron G, Kaczensky P, Linnell JDC, von Arx M, Huber D, Andrén H, López-Bao JV, Adamec M, Álvares F, Anders O, Balčiauskas L, Balys V, Bedő P, Bego F, Blanco JC, Breitenmoser U, Brøseth H, Bufka L, Bunikyte R, Ciucci P, Dutsov A, Engleder T, Fuxjäger C, Groff C, Holmala K, Hoxha B, Iliopoulos Y, Ionescu O, Jeremić J, Jerina K, Kluth G, Knauer F, Kojola I, Kos I, Krofel M, Kubala J, Kunovac S, Kusak J, Kutal M, Liberg O, Majić A, Männil P, Manz R, Marboutin E, Marucco F, Melovski D, Mersini K, Mertzanis Y, Mysłajek RW, Nowak S, Odden J, Ozolins J, Palomero G, Paunović M, Persson J, Potočnik H, Quenette PY, Rauer G, Reinhardt I, Rigg R, Ryser A, Salvatori V, Skrbinšek T, Stojanov A, Swenson JE, Szemethy L, Trajçe A, Tsingarska-Sedefcheva E, Váňa M, Veeroja R, Wabakken P, Wöfl M, Wölfl S, Zimmermann F, Zlatanova D, Boitani L (2014) Recovery of large carnivores in Europe’s modern human-dominated landscapes. Science 346(6216):1517–1519. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1257553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christiansen P (1999) What size were Arctodus simus and Ursus spelaeus (Carnivora: Ursidae)? Ann Zool Fenn 36(2):93–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Čop J (1994) Spremljanje naselitve risa (Lynx lynx L.) v Sloveniji 1973–1993 [Monitoring of Lynx (Lynx lynx L.) Re-Introduction in Slovenia 1973–1993]. Gozdarski inštitut Slovenije, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Crivelli AJ (2006) Salmo marmoratus. The IUCN red list of threatened species 2006: e.T19859A9043279. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2006.RLTS.T19859A9043279.en

  • Culver CD, Sket B (2000) Hotspots of subterranean biodiversity in caves and wells. J Cave Karst Stud 62(1):11–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Čušin B, Babij V, Bačič M, Dakskobler I, Frajman B, Jogan N, Kaligarič M, Praprotnik N, Seliškar A, Skoberne P, Surina B, Škornik S, Vreš B (2004) Natura 2000 v Sloveniji – Rastline [Natura 2000 in Slovenia – Plants]. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Dakskobler I, Praprotnik N, Wraber T (2008) Mt. Črna Prst, its first botanical visitors and its floristic features. Hladnikia 21:29–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Dakskobler I, Strgar P (2017) Flora of Črna Prst and its Botanical trail. Turizem Bohinj, Stara Fužina

    Google Scholar 

  • Dakskobler I, Vreš B (2016) Pedicularis julica E. Mayer × Pedicularis rostratocapitata Crantz = Pedicularis × mayeri nothosp. nov., a new spontaneous hybrid in the genus Pedicularis L. Wulfenia 23:241–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Diaci J (2008) Forest management by mimicking nature: close-to-nature forest management in Slovenia: how to conserve forests by using them. Zavod za gozdove Slovenije, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurostat (2017) European commission. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat. Accessed 28 Aug 2017

  • Gomboc S, Šegula B (2005) The finding of Zeuneriana marmorata (Fieber, 1853) in Slovenia (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae). Acta Entomologica Slovenica 13(2):81–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorički Š (2006) Phylogeographic and morphological analysis of European cave Salamander (Proteus anguinus) populations. PhD thesis, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorički Š, Stanković D, Snoj A, Kuntner M, Jeffery WR, Trontelj P, Pavićević M, Grizelj Z, Năpăruş-Aljančič M, Aljančič G (2017) Environmental DNA in subterranean biology: range extension and taxonomic implications for Proteus. Sci Rep 7:45054. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep45054

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hindrikson M, Remm J, Pilot M, Godinho R, Stronen AV, Baltrūnaité L, Czarnomska SD, Leonard JA, Randi E, Nowak C, Åkesson M, López-Bao JV, Álvares F, Llaneza L, Echegaray J, Vilà C, Ozolins J, Rungis D, Aspi J, Paule L, Skrbinšek T, Saarma U (2017) Wolf population genetics in Europe: a systematic review, meta-analysis and suggestions for conservation and management. Biol Rev 92(3):1601–1629. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hochkirch A, Kleukers R, Veenvliet P, Gomboc S, Tami F, Buzzetti FM, Tout P (2016) Zeuneriana marmorata. The IUCN red list of threatened species 2016: e.T44712377A101711740. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T44712377A101711740.en

  • UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Slovenia (2017) http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/SI. Accessed 28 Aug 2017

  • Natura 2000: Slovenia (2017) http://www.natura2000.si/en/. Accessed 28 Aug 2017

  • Jonozovič M (2003) Strokovno izhodišče za vzpostavljanje omrežja NATURA 2000. Medved (Ursus arctos L.) [Expert Basis of NATURA 2000 Network Establishment. Brown Bear (Ursus arctos L.)]. Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Kratochvil J (1968) Survey of the distribution of populations of the genus Lynx in Europe. Acta scientiarum naturalium Acadamiae scientarum bohemoslovacae 4:5–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Kupriyanova EK, ten Hove HA, Sket B, Zakšek V, Trontelj P (2009) Evolution of the unique freshwater cave-dwelling tube worm Marifugia cavatica (Annelida: Serpulidae). Syst Biodivers 7:389–401

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martinčič A (2016) Updated red list of bryophytes of Slovenia. Hacquetia 15(1):107–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mech DL, Boitani L (2003) Wolves: behaviour. In: Ecology and conservation. University of Chicago Press, Chicago

    Google Scholar 

  • Mršić N (1997) Biotska raznovrstnost v Sloveniji: Slovenija – »vroča točka« Evrope [Biodiversity in Slovenia: Slovenia – A »Hot Spot« of Europe]. Uprava Republike Slovenije za varstvo narave, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Myers N, Mittermeier RA, Mittermeier CG, da Fonseca GAB, Kent J (2000) Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature 403(6772):853–858. https://doi.org/10.1038/35002501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Natura 2000 Barometer (2017) European Commission. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/barometer. Accessed 28 Aug 2017

  • Polak S (2005) Importance of discovery of the first cave beetle Leptodirus hochenwartii Schmidt, 1832. Endins 28:71–80

    Google Scholar 

  • Potočnik H, Krofel M, Skrbinšek T, Ražen N, Jelenčič M, Kljun F, Žele D, Vengušt G, Kos I (2014) Spremljanje stanja populacije volka v Sloveniji (3). 1., 2. in 3. sezona – 2010/11, 2011/12 in 2012/13 [Monitoring of wolf population in Slovenia (3). 1st, 2nd and 3rd Season – 2010/11, 2011/12 in 2012/13]. Projektno poročilo za Akcijo C1 (LIFE08 NAT/SLO/000244 SloWolf). http://www.volkovi.si/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/porocilo_c1_koncno.pdf. Accessed 28 Aug 2017

  • Povž M, Jesenšek D, Berrebi P, Crivelli AJ (1996) Soška postrv Salmo trutta marmoratus, Cuvier 1817, v porečju Soče v Sloveniji: varstveni načrt [Marble Trout Salmo trutta marmoratus, Cuvier 1817 in Soča River Basin in Slovenia: A Conservation Plan]. Tour du Valat, Arles

    Google Scholar 

  • Praprotnik N (2015) The botanists, their work and herbarium collections of vascular plants in the Slovenian museum of natural history. Scopolia 83(84):1–414

    Google Scholar 

  • Pretner E (1968) Živalstvo Postojnske jame [The fauna of Postojnska jama cave]. In: Bohinec V, Gospodarič R, Savnik R (eds) 150 let Postojnske jame: 1818–1968. Zavod Postojnske jame, Postojna, pp 59–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Ripple WJ, Estes JA, Beschta RL, Wilmers CC, Ritchie EG, Hebblewhite M, Berger J, Elmhagen B, Letnic M, Nelson MP, Schmitz OJ, Smith DW, Wallach AD, Wirsing AJ (2014) Status and ecological effects of the world’s largest carnivores. Science 343(6167):1241484. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1241484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Šercelj A (1996) Začetki in razvoj gozdov v Sloveniji [The origins and development of forests in Slovenia]. Dela SAZU, vol 35. SAZU, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Šilc U, Čarni A (2012) Conspectus of vegetation syntaxa in Slovenia. Hacquetia 11(1):113–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sket B (2010) Biološko daleč najbogatejši jamski sistem na svetu [The biologically richest subterranean system in the world]. Delo, 18.03.2010

    Google Scholar 

  • Sket B, Gogala M, Kuštor V (2003) Živalstvo Slovenije [Fauna of Slovenia]. Tehniška založba Slovenije, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Skrbinšek T, Jelenčič M, Luštrik R, Konec M, Boljte B, Jerina K, Černe R, Jonozovič M, Bartol M, Huber Đ, Huber J, Reljić S, Kos I (2017) Genetic estimates of census and effective population sizes of brown bears in Northern Dinaric mountains and Southeastern Alps: Report. http://dinalpbear.eu/wp-content/uploads/DAB2015.C5.PopulationSizeEstimateFinalReport_Skrbin%C5%A1ek-et-al.2017.pdf. Accessed 28 Aug 2017

  • Soban D (1995) Linne’s letters to Scopoli 1761–1773. Prirodoslovno društvo Slovenije, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson RJ (1996) An introduction to algal ecology in freshwater benthic habitats. In: Stevenson RJ, Btothwell ML, Lowe RL (eds) Algal ecology, freshwater benthic ecosystems. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 3–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Strgulc Krajšek S, Martinčič A (2017) Potrditev uspevanja jetrenjaka Mannia triandra v Sloveniji [The confirmed presence of Mannia triandra (Aytoniaceae) liverwort in Slovenia]. Hladnikia 40:18–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Švigelj L (1961) Medved v Sloveniji [Brown bear in Slovenia]. Lovska zveza Slovenije, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • The Ramsar Sites: Slovenia (2017) The Ramsar convention on wetlands. https://www.ramsar.org/wetland/slovenia. Accessed 28 Aug 2017

  • Trinajstić I (1992) Contribution to the phytogeographical classification of the Illyrian floral province. Acta Bot Croat 51:135–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Trontelj P, Gorički Š, Polak S, Verovnik R, Zakšek V, Sket B (2007) Age estimates for some subterranean taxa and lineages in the Dinaric Karst. Acta carsologica 36(1):183–189. https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v36i1.220

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Arx M, Breitenmoser-Würsten C, Zimmermann F, Breitenmoser U (2004) Status and conservation of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Europe in 2001. KORA, Muri

    Google Scholar 

  • Vreš B, Seliškar A, Gilčvert Berdnik D (2014) Rastlinstvo življenjskih okolij v Sloveniji (z navodili za pripravo herbarija) [Vegetation of different habitats in Slovenia (with instructions for herbarium preparation]. Pipinova knjiga, Podsmreka

    Google Scholar 

  • Vrhovšek D, Kosi G, Krivograd Klemenčič A, Smolar-Žvanut N (2006) Monografija sladkovodnih in kopenskih alg v Sloveniji [Monograph on freshwater and terrestrial algae in Slovenia]. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Wraber M (1969) Pflanzengeographische Stellung und Gliederung Sloweniens. Vegetatio 17(1–6):176–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wraber T (1990) Sto znamenitih rastlin na Slovenskem [Hundred Notable Plants in Slovenia]. Prešernova družba, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Wraber T (1996) Rastlinstvo [Vegetation]. In: Enciklopedija Slovenije, vol 10. Mladinska knjiga, Ljubljana, pp 85–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Wraber T (2006) 2 x Sto alpskih rastlin na Slovenskem [2 x Hundred Alpine plant species in Slovenia]. Prešernova družba, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ZRC SAZU Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Urban Šilc, Branko Vreš, Tatjana Čelik & Matjaž Gregorič

Authors
  1. Urban Šilc
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Branko Vreš
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Tatjana Čelik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Matjaž Gregorič
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Urban Šilc .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Drago Perko

  2. Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Rok Ciglič

  3. Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Matija Zorn

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Šilc, U., Vreš, B., Čelik, T., Gregorič, M. (2020). Biodiversity of Slovenia. In: Perko, D., Ciglič, R., Zorn, M. (eds) The Geography of Slovenia. World Regional Geography Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14066-3_7

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation