// Clifs //

"STENE"

On the open-sea side of the Telašćica bay, vertical cliffs rise forming the most distinguished cliff on the Adria, the famous "Stene" of Dugi otok. The cliffs spread from the cap Mrzlovica on the north-west to the slopes of Veli vrh on the south-east reaching a height of 161 m at Grpašćak. This area has a rich and interesting flora and fauna and also dolphins can be seen next to the cliffs. On the cliffs under the sea level, live different corals including the already reduced red coral. The cliffs are interesting also above the sea because on steep cliffs grows the Croatian centaury and this is also the most northern habitat of the spurge (Euphorbia dendroides). The cliffs are also the nesting place of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) and next to it the Eleonora's Falcon (Falco eleonorae) can also be seen. Thanks to the existence of a great number of individuals of this species, Telašćica has been enlisted to the Important Bird Areas. Two endemic species of the shell snail family live also on the cliffs: Delima edmibrani i Agathylla lamellose. The Delima edmibrani has so far been found only within the boundary of the Nature Park so it can be considered a park’s endemic animal, i.e. a stenoendemic of the park.

The Croatian centaury is a rare endemic species. It can be found only in Croatia on several locations but with a rare population: in the vicinity of Cavtat and the central and south Dalmatian islands. Two subspecies of this species can be found in the Nature Park Telašćica: Centaurea Ragusina ssp. Ragusina situated on the cliffs and in the bay Čuška dumboka and Centaurea Ragusina ssp. lungensis which is present only on the steeps of the cliff.

Along the cliffs in the sea depths, the gorgonian corals Eunicella cavolinii and Paramuricea clavata, and sponges like the Axinella cannabina species, can be found. On the sea bed of the cliffs, at a depth of about 20 m, dominates an accumulation of photophyllic algae like the Halimeda tuna, Acetabularia acetabulum, Padina pavonica and many others. At greater depths colonies of the red coral Corallium rubrum, which is an endangered species, can be found here. On the area of the cliffs live several species of sea-urchins, a great number of different fish and crab species.

In the underwater recess of the cliffs in semi-dark caves live different sponges, stingers, corals….