Livno Field: Whisper of the Wind and the Scent of the Meadow
The Livanjsko Polje (“Field of Livno”) region is located in the central part of the outer Dinaric Alps. Situated at an altitude of 700 meters, it stretches approximately 65 kilometers in length with an average width of 5 kilometers, and is almost entirely surrounded by mountains that reach up to 2,000 meters in height. The field has a very rich network of surface and underground waters in both intermittent and permanent flows, which only have abundant water during the winter period. During the summer, all but the Bistrica, Sturba, and Žabljak rivers dry up, with water draining through numerous sinkholes and a network of underground karst cracks towards the Cetina River (Adriatic basin). Flooding regularly affects at least one-third of the field, covering more than 10,000 hectares. The field is crisscrossed by a network of canals that direct excess water during the autumn-winter period to Buško Lake, located in the southeastern part of the field.
Together with the surrounding mountains, the Livanjsko karst field forms a unique geomorphological and ecological unit with an impressive network of surface and underground water bodies, including rivers, springs, and lakes. The field has seasonally flooded agricultural lands and alluvial forests, seasonal wetlands, and basins.
Did You Know?
The loss and degradation of wetlands, rivers, and lakes significantly contribute to the problem of global warming. Their role is multifaceted: they supply us with water, protect us from floods, droughts, and other disasters, provide food and livelihoods for millions of people, support rich biological diversity, and store more carbon than any other ecosystem. Wetland habitats are of great importance due to their ecological properties, functions, and economic values, and they represent one of the greatest assets of biological and landscape diversity. Over
40% of plant and animal species are associated with them.
The Throne of Nature:
Ramsar i IBA status
of Livanjsko Polje
Since 2008, Livanjsko Polje has been designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, recognized as the largest karst field in the country with an exceptionally rich network of surface and underground waters, rivers, springs, sinkholes, and lakes. Livanjsko Polje ensures the survival of highly valuable populations of plant and animal species, as well as fungi.
The area is particularly significant due to its rich bird fauna, which led to its inclusion in 2011 on the list of Important Bird Areas (IBA), granting it international verification as one of the most crucial areas for biodiversity conservation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
