Kopaonik Mt. National Park
National Park “Kopaonik” comprises the highest and most preserved parts of the Kopaonik Mt., which is positioned in the central part of the southern Serbia. It was established and proclaimed in 1981, covering an area of 11,809 ha, with the surrounding protective zone of 19,985 ha.
The National Park starts at the altitude of 800 m and it ends on the mountain ridges that are interconnected with high saddles, over which dominates the tallest peak, Pančićev Vrh (2,017 m). The largest surface of the park stretches over the central and most forested part of the Kopaonik Mt. massif – a relatively flat area around 1,700 m high, known as Ravni Kopaonik. It is distinguished by the beauty and diversity of the landscapes. It is made of mountain peaks, pastures, dense coniferous and mixed forests, plateaus with springs, ravines, brooks and peat bogs. Twelve geo morphological, 6 geological, and 8 hydrological geo heritage objects add particular value to the rich landscapes.
The Kopaonik Mt. is distinguished with a high level of biodiversity. It has many different ecosystems with numerous species, among which there are many endemic and relic species. More than 1,600 species of vascular plants are found on the Kopaonik Mt., and the high-montane flora is composed of 825 species. Of this number, 91 species are endemic, and 82 species are sub endemic. Furthermore, there are three stenoendemic species that grow only on the Kopaonik Mt.: Kopaonik house – leek (Sempervivum kopaonikensis), Kopaonik violet (Viola kopaonikensis), and Kopaonik bitter cress (Cardamine pancicii). Regarding the endemic high-montane flora of the Balkan Peninsula, 11.9% of endemics grow on the Kopaonik Mt., and for this reason, it is one of the most important centres of the Balkan endemism. Thirty species protected as natural rarities also grow on this mountain. Fifty species are on the Red List of the Flora of Serbia, and four plant species are on the European Red List. The vegetation is characterized by all high mountains belts of the central Balkan. Thermophilous oak forests are at the foothills, followed by climatogenous communities of various types of montane beech forests. Dense Norway spruce forests grow above the beech belt, followed by sub alpine shrubby vegetation. The highest parts of the Kopaonik Mt. are covered with high montane pastures and grasslands. The vegetational richness and diversity of the National Park are also reflected in the presence of 65 plant communities, which indicates that this area is the centre of both floristic and vegetational diversity, in Serbia as well as in the Balkan Peninsula.
The ecological diversity induced the richness of animal world as well. Six species of amphibians and six species of reptiles were found in the National Park “Kopaonik”, of which 8 are protected as natural rarities. The bird fauna includes more than 170 species, of which 90% are nesting birds. Some of the present species include the shore lark (Eremophila alpestris), woodlark (Lullula arborea), common crossbill (Loxia curvirostra), rock thrush (Monticola saxatilis), rock partridge (Alectoris graeca).
The mammal fauna comprises 39 species. Frequently present are the marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna), Alpine shrew (Sorex alpinus), red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris), wild cat (Felis silvestris), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), grey wolf (Canis lupus). Besides the scientific, ecological, and educational significance, this National Park has a tourist value as well. It is the largest and the most beautiful winter tourism centre in Serbia. Scattered villages, old water mills, and shepherds’ summer huts add a particular charm to the National Park “Kopaonik” where the traditional way of living is preserved. Furthermore, there are 15 immobile cultural assets on this mountain massif. For their age and cultural-historical values, particularly distinct are the remains of the Church of St. Procopius from the 7th century at the locality Nebeske Stolice, the old churchyard in Meto|e and the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Kriva Reka. Furthermore, there are numerous remains of medieval mines and melteries. At the peak of Nebeske Stolice there is a mausoleum where the remains of Josif Pančić, the greatest Serbian botanist, rest.
