NAME AND TYPE OF PROTECTED NATURAL AREA
Special Nature Reserve "Klisura reke Trešnjice" (Trešnjica river gorge)
NATIONAL CATEGORY
Protection category Ι – protected area of international, national, that is, of exceptional importance
AREA
595,38 ha
PROTECTION REGIMES
Protection degree II and III
MUNICIPALITY
Ljubovija
LEGAL PROTECTION IN THE PAST
Decision on the protection of Landscape of Outstanding Natural Quality - Part of the Trešnjica river valley (No: 06-155/91-01 - Ljubovija Municipality Assembly)
LEGAL ACT ON PROTECTION
Decree on the designation of the Special Nature Reserve "Trešnjica river gorge" ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 50/1993)
MANAGING ENTITY
Center for Natural Resources NATURA, Belgrade
SHORT DESCRIPTION (THE MAIN NATURAL AND CREATED VALUES)
The Trešnjica river gorge has been protected in order to conserve one of the last habitats and populations of the natural rarity, the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus Habl.), as well as the habitats of other rare and endangered animal species of the picturesque gorges of Trešnjica and Tribuća rivers. The attractiveness of this area is complemented by the conserved watercourses, the remains of two medieval fortifications and ethno-architecture objects in the center of the village.
The gorge is located in Podrinje (Azbukovica area), about 10 kilometers southeast of the Municipality of Ljubovija. It is situated in the lower part of the river stream and extends in east-west direction for several kilometers. The clear mountain river Trešnjica springs below Povlen Mt. in western Serbia and, after a 23-km-long stream, flows into the river Drina not far from Ljubovija. At the very place of merging with the Drina, Trešnjica carved a few kilometers long limestone gorge. About 500 m deep, with cliffs that rise upright over the stream, the gorge in some places takes on the features of a canyon valley, especially in the confluence area of Tribuća and Trešnjica rivers. The pronounced relief of the gorge is contributed by the lateral gorges of Dubrašnica and Sušica, the steep cliffs, screes, rock holes and shelters.
The largest part of the reserve is overgrown with forests and shrubs of Oriental hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis), Turkey oak (Quercus cerris), Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto), European black pine (Pinus nigra), cade juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus) and many other thermophyllic species.
Many birds of prey nest in the Trešnjica river gorge, such as golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) and common buzzard (Buteo buteo). Nevertheless, this gorge is distinguished, first of all, for the colony of the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), which is becoming more numerous and more stable due to the established feeding places.
Special Nature Reserve "Klisura reke Trešnjice" (Trešnjica river gorge)
NATIONAL CATEGORY
Protection category Ι – protected area of international, national, that is, of exceptional importance
AREA
595,38 ha
PROTECTION REGIMES
Protection degree II and III
MUNICIPALITY
Ljubovija
LEGAL PROTECTION IN THE PAST
Decision on the protection of Landscape of Outstanding Natural Quality - Part of the Trešnjica river valley (No: 06-155/91-01 - Ljubovija Municipality Assembly)
LEGAL ACT ON PROTECTION
Decree on the designation of the Special Nature Reserve "Trešnjica river gorge" ("Official Gazette of RS", No. 50/1993)
MANAGING ENTITY
Center for Natural Resources NATURA, Belgrade
SHORT DESCRIPTION (THE MAIN NATURAL AND CREATED VALUES)
The Trešnjica river gorge has been protected in order to conserve one of the last habitats and populations of the natural rarity, the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus Habl.), as well as the habitats of other rare and endangered animal species of the picturesque gorges of Trešnjica and Tribuća rivers. The attractiveness of this area is complemented by the conserved watercourses, the remains of two medieval fortifications and ethno-architecture objects in the center of the village.
The gorge is located in Podrinje (Azbukovica area), about 10 kilometers southeast of the Municipality of Ljubovija. It is situated in the lower part of the river stream and extends in east-west direction for several kilometers. The clear mountain river Trešnjica springs below Povlen Mt. in western Serbia and, after a 23-km-long stream, flows into the river Drina not far from Ljubovija. At the very place of merging with the Drina, Trešnjica carved a few kilometers long limestone gorge. About 500 m deep, with cliffs that rise upright over the stream, the gorge in some places takes on the features of a canyon valley, especially in the confluence area of Tribuća and Trešnjica rivers. The pronounced relief of the gorge is contributed by the lateral gorges of Dubrašnica and Sušica, the steep cliffs, screes, rock holes and shelters.
The largest part of the reserve is overgrown with forests and shrubs of Oriental hornbeam (Carpinus orientalis), Turkey oak (Quercus cerris), Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto), European black pine (Pinus nigra), cade juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus) and many other thermophyllic species.
Many birds of prey nest in the Trešnjica river gorge, such as golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) and common buzzard (Buteo buteo). Nevertheless, this gorge is distinguished, first of all, for the colony of the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), which is becoming more numerous and more stable due to the established feeding places.
