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Already
at the first encounter Rab will welcome you with the fragrance
of Mediterranean vegetation while woods of evergreen coniferous:
oak, ilex (Quercus ilex), pines and cypresses (Cypressus
sempervirens) prevent the island to be left deserted and
bare in winter.
Holly oak and pine forests on the Rab hills alternate with
myrtle (Myrtus communis), Spanish broom (Spartium junceum)
and other lower specifically Mediterranean macchia.
A
particular island preciousness is the wooded region Kalifront
and the protected wood Dundo in it, with the greatest holly
oak plantation on the Adriatic. Here also grow hollies or
mock privets (Phillyrea latifoia), Scots and Austrian pines
(Pinus nigra) and approximately a hundred cork oak trees,
while of deciduous trees here grows the flowering ash tree
(Fraxunus ornus). |
The
thick macchia at the foot of the secular trees is interwoven
with wild grape, ivy (Hedera helix) and other climbing
plants, while ferns and various mushrooms grow close to
the surface. The wood Dundo is famous also outside our
country as the destination of many excursions, particularly
of foresters and botanists.
In
1912 professor Günter from Graz wrote "Rab
is visited by numerous foreign tourists owing to the
richness of its woods, the Komrèar park in particular,
which was arranged by the head forester Belia...".
And really the luxuriant vegetation of Komrèar
is the pride of the islanders. In addition to already
known plant species, Belia tried to cultivate some completely
continental deciduous species but also some expressely
Mediterranean ones in the park.
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Thus
poplar trees, maple-trees and elms grow here, together
with umbrella pines (Pinus pinea), a pine species growing
only
in the hot Mediterranean environment. Here one can find
laurel and cypress- a characteristic of the Kvarner area
as well
as Dalmatian peculiarities: oleanders, rosemary, secular
agaves, the pittosporum torbira, Indian figs and cacti
of particularly beautiful blossom.
Promenades
along the sea
coast and other smaller parks are also adorned by well-grown
palms. The inhabitants of Rab have repaid Belia for his
good deeds, by erecting his bronze bust at the entrance
to the
park. |
In
addition to the Komrcar park, in the southwestern part
there is an abundance of varied vegetation: pine woods,
grassy valleys overgrown mostly with blackberry and whortleberry
bushes. The most beautiful field flowers grow here: poppies,
sweet violets, daisies, corn-flowers.
In
winter, owing to its mild climate, Rab is the dwelling
place of many bird species (about 40 of them) and since
everything is subject to tourism, the rich undersea world
has been preserved, too. It is the habitat of starfish,
sea urchins, sea cucumbers, sponges, corals, eatable
crabs, various types of fish, pen-shells, mussel shrimps,
scallops and other shellfish. |
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Weasels
and martens are the greatest predators in this area, they hunt
field mice, rats, hares or rabbits and are the biggest autochthon
mammals on the island, besides domestic animals. Does
and deer stick to the wooded Kalifront, while in the valleys
close to brooks and swamps frog concerts of tree-toads can be
heard. Among reptiles the most numerous are lizards, while the
green lizard is a rarity here. Curiously enough there are no
venomous snakes on the island. Many insect species live on Rab
but the most numerous are the varied multicoloured butterflies,
while in summer cicada
songs can be heard everywhere. |