NATURA 2000 is the world's largest coordinated network of nature conservation. The rich biological and landscape diversity of Croatia will be included in the network when Croatia joins the European Union.

NATURA 2000 and Ecotourism

Croatian sites of Natura 2000 network are the real jewels of the natural heritage, one of these is area of Loviste at the end of Peljesac peninsula from the bay Rasoha and to Cape Ošišac where there are settlements of Posidonia endemic species of the Mediterranean. Posidonia is a marine flowering plant and is important for high primary production: it allows food, shelter and reproduction for many organisms herbivores and carnivores, and those which feed by filtering.
The diversity of wildlife resorts posidonia constitute an important type of Mediterranean (Adriatic) habitats, posidonia settlements are inhabitat with endangered species Noble Periska, which also can be found in large numbers in Loviste area.

Loviste Area attracts many tourists for years, and for ecotourism still has much potential, especially as a candidate site for the Natura 2000 network. Ecotourism is one of the fastest growing economic sectors in Europe, but to realize this potential it is important not to destroy the natural value areas while fulfilling the needs of tourists, it can only be achieved by long-term planning and management so that a visitor could observe nature, explore, ride his bike ... without destroying the habitats or species. For such planning it is necessary that domestic community understands and supports, and also invests in the development of such projects to stimulate the local economy.