Vlasina Lake - Biodiversity and Protection

Biodiversity and Protection

The lake's flora and fauna are rich, and include several endemic species. It features over 850 species of flora and over 180 species of vertebrates, including rare species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. The lake's surroundings are a mixture of meadows and high-altitude forests, especially birch, beech, pine and juniper (the former two indigenous, and the latter chiefly introduced by afforestation of the western shore). The indigenous trees downy birch and yellow beech (characteristic for its ever-yellow leaf color) stand out among the species of trees. Sundew is the only carnivorous plant in Serbia and is unique to the Vlasina region. Birdlife includes gray heron, tufted duck and cormorant.

The lake is home to numerous species of fish. These include brown and Ohrid trout, perch, minnow, barbel, grass carp, common carp, crucian carp, tench, roach and others. Ohrid trout was stocked and it successfully adapted to the environment, making it a popular for fishing.

By the decision of Government of Serbia in 2006, the Vlasina region is protected as a nature preserve of special interest at category I. The total protected area is 12,741 hectares (31,480 acres), of which 9.6 hectares (24 acres) are in the 1st level of protection (islands of Dugi Del and Stratorija), 4,354 hectares (10,760 acres) in the 2nd level and 8,377 hectares (20,700 acres) in the 3rd level of protection.