NAME AND TYPE OF PROTECTED NATURAL AREA
Nature Park "Radan"
NATIONAL CATEGORY
Protection category I – protected area of international, national, that is, exceptional importance
AREA
41.312,66 ha
PROTECTION REGIMES
Protection degree I, II and III
MUNICIPALITY
Kuršumlija, Bojnik, Lebane, Medveđa and Prokuplje
LEGAL PROTECTION IN THE PAST
Without legal protection status prior to 2017
LEGAL ACT ON PROTECTION
Decree on the designation of Nature Park "Radan" ("Official Gazette of RS", No.91/2017)
MANAGING ENTITY
PE "Srbijašume"
SHORT DESCRIPTION (THE MAIN NATURAL AND CREATED VALUES)
Radan Nature Park is located in the south of Serbia and includes the area bounded by the Toplica river in the north, Jablanica in the south, Kosanica in the west and Leskovac structural basin in the east. It is situated in a place where the Dinarides meet the Rhodopes, which has significantly influenced the diversity of relief, the complexity of the geological composition and tectonic interactions. The highest peak of Radan is Šopot (1408 m). The bedrock is composed of magmatic and metamorphic rocks. The wider area of Radan has been the site of intense volcanic activity in the distant past (the andesitic complex of Lece), as evidenced by the various magmatic rocks, preserved remains of volcanic cones and craters, metal deposits and numerous thermo-mineral springs, among which the most famous sources of nitrogen -rich water are in the Prolom Banja (Prolom spa). The prominent hydrological features here include a rare hydrographic phenomenon of bifurcation on the Delivode river on the eastern slopes of Radan and a 8-m-high waterfall on the Borinska river.
Biological values of the area are expressed in the floristic and faunistic composition and the cenotic composition of the ecosystem. The great value of the area is reflected in the presence of diverse forest communities, among which the most significant are the forests of Hungarian and Turkey oak Quercetum frainetto-cerris, thermophyllic sessile oak Quercetum montanum moesiacum and sessile oak-hornbeam communities Querco-Carpinetum serbicum, polydominant forest communities with Turkish hazel and bigleaf linden, hilly and mountainous beech forests, as well as in the richness of plant species (751), among which stand out the endemics: Pulsatilla montana ssp. bulgarica, Pastinaca hirsuta, Armeria rumelica and Sedum stefco.
The Radan area is inhabited by numerous mammalian species, among which the endemic species of Microtus vole (Pitymys felteni) is of special importance. Radan is also characterized by a diverse bird fauna with species such as black stork (Ciconia nigra), lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), corn crake (Crex crex), Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) and European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus). The most important species of ichthyofauna in the area are: brown trout (Salmo trutta), bleak (Alburnoides bipunctatus), barbel (Barbus balcanicus), gudgeon (Gobio gobio), chub (Leuciscus cephalus), Balkan loach (Cobitis taenia) and European perch (Perca fluviatilis).
The diversity of landscape features of Radan, reflected in the richness of agricultural, forest, meadow (lowland, hilly, mountainous) and aquatic ecosystems, is complemented by cultural and historical values, among which stands out one of the most valuable cultural and historical sites of the early Christian world - lustiniana Prima (Empress's Town), which is located in the eastern part of the Park.
Nature Park "Radan"
NATIONAL CATEGORY
Protection category I – protected area of international, national, that is, exceptional importance
AREA
41.312,66 ha
PROTECTION REGIMES
Protection degree I, II and III
MUNICIPALITY
Kuršumlija, Bojnik, Lebane, Medveđa and Prokuplje
LEGAL PROTECTION IN THE PAST
Without legal protection status prior to 2017
LEGAL ACT ON PROTECTION
Decree on the designation of Nature Park "Radan" ("Official Gazette of RS", No.91/2017)
MANAGING ENTITY
PE "Srbijašume"
SHORT DESCRIPTION (THE MAIN NATURAL AND CREATED VALUES)
Radan Nature Park is located in the south of Serbia and includes the area bounded by the Toplica river in the north, Jablanica in the south, Kosanica in the west and Leskovac structural basin in the east. It is situated in a place where the Dinarides meet the Rhodopes, which has significantly influenced the diversity of relief, the complexity of the geological composition and tectonic interactions. The highest peak of Radan is Šopot (1408 m). The bedrock is composed of magmatic and metamorphic rocks. The wider area of Radan has been the site of intense volcanic activity in the distant past (the andesitic complex of Lece), as evidenced by the various magmatic rocks, preserved remains of volcanic cones and craters, metal deposits and numerous thermo-mineral springs, among which the most famous sources of nitrogen -rich water are in the Prolom Banja (Prolom spa). The prominent hydrological features here include a rare hydrographic phenomenon of bifurcation on the Delivode river on the eastern slopes of Radan and a 8-m-high waterfall on the Borinska river.
Biological values of the area are expressed in the floristic and faunistic composition and the cenotic composition of the ecosystem. The great value of the area is reflected in the presence of diverse forest communities, among which the most significant are the forests of Hungarian and Turkey oak Quercetum frainetto-cerris, thermophyllic sessile oak Quercetum montanum moesiacum and sessile oak-hornbeam communities Querco-Carpinetum serbicum, polydominant forest communities with Turkish hazel and bigleaf linden, hilly and mountainous beech forests, as well as in the richness of plant species (751), among which stand out the endemics: Pulsatilla montana ssp. bulgarica, Pastinaca hirsuta, Armeria rumelica and Sedum stefco.
The Radan area is inhabited by numerous mammalian species, among which the endemic species of Microtus vole (Pitymys felteni) is of special importance. Radan is also characterized by a diverse bird fauna with species such as black stork (Ciconia nigra), lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), corn crake (Crex crex), Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) and European nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus). The most important species of ichthyofauna in the area are: brown trout (Salmo trutta), bleak (Alburnoides bipunctatus), barbel (Barbus balcanicus), gudgeon (Gobio gobio), chub (Leuciscus cephalus), Balkan loach (Cobitis taenia) and European perch (Perca fluviatilis).
The diversity of landscape features of Radan, reflected in the richness of agricultural, forest, meadow (lowland, hilly, mountainous) and aquatic ecosystems, is complemented by cultural and historical values, among which stands out one of the most valuable cultural and historical sites of the early Christian world - lustiniana Prima (Empress's Town), which is located in the eastern part of the Park.
