The bark of a tree is like its skin, so we please don't carve it

The Krka National Park is celebrating International Day of Forests

The first day of spring, March 21, is also celebrated as International Day of Forests. This year, the Krka National Park would like to draw attention to the ugly habit of carving marks on trees, which remain on them permanently and are dangerous for their health. So, we made tarpaulins with a visual appearance of bark that can be drawn on, and placed them at fifteen locations throughout the Park (on three trails: Skradin  bridge – Skradinski buk, Skradinski buk, and Lozovac – Skradinski buk).

The bark of trees has a dual function because it consists of an inner and an outer part. The outer part has a protective function, and the inner part has a conductive function. The bark of a tree protects it from negative external (environmental) influences, such as extreme temperatures, plant diseases, or attacks by pests. Major mechanical damage to the bark leads to the physiological weakening of the tree and impairment of its vitality.

Although the bark of trees seems indestructible, it is important to educate children, as well as adults, about how important it is to the life of a tree and how a harmless game such as carving symbols into the bark of a tree can be fatal to it.

Forests in general need to be paid considerable attention as today they are globally threatened because of poor management, fires, disturbed water systems, insects, rodents, bacteria, fungi, and pollution of the air, soil, and water, acid rain, etc. On a global level, forest loss will continue due to climate change despite international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this sense, forest protection would imply an appropriate or continuous management, with protection from pests and fires, protection of forest soil and plants, and other preventive measures.