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The 3rd Dinaric Symposium on Subterranean Biology

The 3rd Dinaric Symposium on Subterranean Biology took place on 9th and 10th of April in Trebinje. More than 70 participants, including professionals, amateurs, students and naturalists, from at least 10 countries enjoyed the talks covering various topics on the research of the subterranean fauna in the Dinaric region.

Student workshop in Trebinje, 18th-20th March 2022

On 18th-20th March 2022 members of SubBioLab and CKS held a student workshop in Trebinje, where the participants learned about sampling techniques used in investigating life in subterranean habitats.

Autumn excursion to the project area in October 2021

We caught the last chance for extensive sampling before high waters. It was a successful trip, full of adventures and extraordinary findings of rare cave animals.

Popovo Polje welcomed us with its beautiful late summer view.

We visited Vjetrenica again. This time waters were low enough to sample beyond the first lake.

We were very satisfied with the findings, especially of the beetles Nauticiella stygivaga and Troglamaurops ganglbaueri that haven’t been found in Vjetrenica for ages.

After sampling in caves in Popovo Polje we moved to the Orjen mountains where we visited Vodena pećina u Braveniku.

Teo checking the cave hygropetric above a small lake. We found most of the taxa in such a habitat.

The cave Bravenik is very sporty. Lots of short pits and free climbs, meanders and a bit of rope to reach the bottom.

Group photo after a long day of caving (Ester, Hans, Beki, Teo, Branko).

Hans and Beki wondering if they caught any animals in the net in cave Mora where we met with the Hungarian divers.

We visited Vrelska which was flooded in the March. This time the waters were low enough to proceed beyond the first lake.

To reach the entrance of Vrelska, you must ascend for a few meters.

Hans and Teo paddling in the lake in Vrelska. After crossing the lake we could proceed deeper in the cave.

The impressive entrance of the Ponor Zalomke in Biograd. We hoped for successful sampling of water animals deep in the cave.

We had to use the boat already before the entrance.

Hans and Beki on the second lake looking a bit worried how to proceed into the cave. We ended giving up, because we ran out of rope before reaching the bottom of the entrance pits.

Entrance of the Novakuša cave near Nevesinje where we sampled terrestrial fauna.

Field work excursion to project area in March 2021

During an eight days long field work excursion in the project area we had a chance to explore astonishing biodiversity and meet many warm-hearted people.

Making plans to visit Vjetrenica cave, with Nikša Vuletić, director of PE Vjetrenica.

Špela looking for animals in the lake in Donja Vjetrenica.

Vjetrenica is used as a winter shelter by some bats, during our visit we found some individuals of greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) in the cave.

Teo sampling animals collected at the Lukavac spring below Vjetrenica cave.

Caves in the area around Nevesinje were harder to reach because of the winter conditions.

When returning from the fieldwork, we stopped by the road to admire the beautiful view over Trebinje.

Impressive entrance of the Dramešina cave, leading to completely flooded and therefore unreachable channels.

Winter landscape on the way to Dramešina cave.

Sampling at Jasenovik spring.

On the way to “Ratkovića pećina” that turned out is non-existing.

Exchanging information about the potential interesting springs we could visit, with the man living in the area of Dabarsko polje.

View of Zalomka river that runs along Nevesinjsko polje.

Sampling in Šnjetica cave.

Group photo with Jasminko from Center for Karst and Speleology and members of SubBioLab (Maja, Hans, Anja K., Špela, Anja P., Teo, Beki, Ester).

At the entrance to Muljska pećina cave.

Sampling tiny invertebrates on the water surface in Mrcine cave.

Exiting the Mrcine cave.

After checking the caves at Grebci area, we searched for our starting point and the car.

View over Ključko polje.

Teo descending in Jama u Tijaninom dolu cave.

Numerous isopods of the genus Proasellus, found in Jama u Tijaninom dolu cave.

Teo during sampling of the Proasellus isopods.

Descending to Novo Đatlo cave.

In the evening we made sure that all samples were properly labelled and stored.

Behind the scenes of making beautiful photos of live cave animals.

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Impressions from visit to Popovo polje in 2005

In 2005, there was an exploration camp of Croatian cavers from HBSD to Vjetrenica cave and other caves of Popovo polje. Here is a selection of some photos, as historical memory of the landscape of the time.