NATURE RESERVES
The Deçani pines
There are historical and scientific facts proving extraordinary values of the Cursed Mountains, which have led to the current legal protection of certain areas belonging the area of the National Park. These areas have been mainly in the category of natural monuments and nature reserves. Within the territory of the Cursed Mountains National Park, the natural monuments and nature reserves are currently legally protected.
The Deçani pines occupy an area of 15 hectares, being under protection as a natural monument since 1968. Near the Monastery of Deçani, this natural monument is covered with black pines. The Deçani pines are a rare natural resource with healing properties and are used for health tourism.
Prilep Mountains
They are located northwest of Deçan. The surface of the area is 0.92 ha declared as a strict nature reserve in 1963.
The Prilep Mountain is an area of high limestone mountains with special phytocenological, geomorphological, geological and landscape values. The characteristic of the area is the pronounced biodiversity of dendroflora (wood species) among which the endemic species Heldreich’s maple (Acer heldreichii) and Macedonian pine (Pinus peuce) are distinguished. The area is dominated by forest communities and limestone cliffs in the higher parts of the area.
Other wood species include: White Pine (Pinus silvestris), European spruce (Picea abies), Silver Fir (Abies Alba), Mountain maple (Acer pseudoplatanus), Leaf maple (Acer platanoides), Beech (Fagus moesiacae), Birch (Betula pendula), Wild Poplar (Populus tremula), Wild Willow (Salix caprea) etc.
The most important species of fauna are: Brown bear (Ursus arctos), Beech marten (Martes foina), European badger (Meles meles) etc.
From the species of ornithofauna are distinguished: Stone partridge (Alectoris graeca), Wild pigeon (Columba oenas), Crow (Corvus corax), Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), White-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates leucotos), etc.
Kozhnjer Mountain
Kozhnjeri or Mountain of Kozhnjeri is a strict nature reserve, declared in 1955, and is located in the west of Deçan, Kosovo. The surface of Kozhnjer is 150 ha, while the altitude is 1,708 m.
Gubavci
It is a strict nature reserve since 1959. It is located in the western part of Peja, creating a very imposing view at the foot of Koprivnik. The surface of the area is 38 ha.
The most important values of the area represent some endemic species and endemic relics with special emphasis on Forsythia europaea. Other interesting species are: Centaurea kosaninii, Fumana bonapartei etc. According to the literature, the stenoendemic species Rubus ipecensis is also mentioned.
