The invisible architects of the magnificent waterfalls of the Krka left a strong impression on the young nature guards of the Krka National Park
The invisible architects of the magnificent waterfalls of the Krka left a strong impression on the young nature guards of the Krka National Park.
On Saturday, June 13, 2026, the Roški slap waterfall was the meeting place for Krka's superheroes, the youngest nature guardians and the tufa builders, tiny organisms that participate in the construction of the magnificent waterfalls. This is the term for the workshop of the same name in which the Junior Rangers were introduced to the tufa makers, the invisible architects of waterfalls: tufa-forming mosses, algae, cyanobacteria, and other tiny organisms. Tufa makers, together with water, build tufa, a porous limestone rock that shapes the waterfalls.
The Krka River has formed seven tufa waterfalls, which in the unique karst landscape form an ideal habitat for a large number of plant and animal species. The Junior Rangers carefully observed and listened to nature and diligently recorded their observations. They patiently built their knowledge of the natural wonders of the Krka River, discussed the importance of individual species, closely monitored the changes occurring in nature, and suggested ways in which nature can be protected and preserved for future generations.
Through various activities, games, and brain teasers, they learned in a creative manner about important concepts such as bioindicators, biomimicry, monitoring, adaptation, stenoendems, and national parks, and they also learned that a special Nature Protection Act exists. A visit to the exhibition on diatoms in the watermills at the Roški slap waterfall, which also displayed enlarged models of them, helped in visualizing these tiny, irreplaceable parts of nature.
The meeting of the superheroes of the Krka River at Roški slap waterfall brought them closer to nature from a different perspective, and inspired them to become even more interested in this miraculous segment of the natural ecosystems.