The restoration of tributaries of Cerknica Lake and Škocjan Caves ...

2.4. Karst ponds
Karst ponds contain practically the only standing waters in Kras. They visibly mark the
cultural landscape and testify to an extremely economical method of using rainwater. In the
regional sense, karst ponds create a network of marine biotopes that are important for the
existence of numerous animal and plant species. Because of their exceptional diversity, caring
for the preservation of every single karst pond is an important contribution to maintaining
biotic diversity.
In our filedtrip the karst pond in Lasatke will be visited, which was revitalised in the process
of Phare project: 1001 karst ponds. It was revitalised in 2006 with contributions of Local
Turist and Sport organisation, Local Hunting Association and The Institute of the Republic of
Slovenia for Nature Conservation and enthusiasm of deceased local biologist Igor Maher.
Figure 9. Karst pons in Lasatke (Photo: Nataša Smolar-Žvanut).
The supply of drinking water has always been a problem in karst regions, and ponds (kal) for
watering cattle were therefore constructed in almost every village, from which water was
originally taken for household use as well. As a rule, the ponds were located in the middle of
villages, at their edges, and only occasionally in the middle of pastures. Natural depressions
were used or basins were dug. These were coated with several layers of thoroughly trampled
clay that held water better than today's cement coating, which tends to crack. The ponds were
always constructed so that rainwater ran into them. If the ponds were located beside fields,
paths, or roads, they were additionally protected with a stone wall to prevent soil from
washing into them. Access to the water was adapted to use by animals, and the ponds were
lined with several ridges to prevent slipping. Cleaning was done during the dry season when
the accumulated mud from the bottom was removed and used as fertilizer. The cattle
themselves helped maintain the ponds since they waded in the ponds while watering and
further trampled the clay, thus sealing any cracks developing on the bottom.
Literature:
Notranjski regijski park 2009: LAYMAN’S REPORT Project LIFE 06 NAT/SLO/000069 Intermittent Lake
Cerknica.
Škocjan Caves Park (http://www.park-skocjanske-jame.si/)
Inžinering za vode 2007: Project on river restoration of strems Goričkui Brežiček and Tresenec.