CroClimExtremes

Croatian climate and extreme conditions in urban and natural environments

The project entitled “Croatian climate and extreme conditions in urban and natural environment” (CroClimExtremes) is being implemented by the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb under the leadership of Professor Dr. Ivana Herceg Bulić. CroClimExtremes examines climate change and extreme weather conditions and their impacts on the natural and manmade environments. The project is financed by the Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ) and runs from 31 December 2023 to 30 December 2027. In addition to scientific research, the project activities include popular science events and workshops aimed at the transfer of knowledge and raising awareness among the general public on the impacts of climate change on the environment.

To execute the project activities, a multidisciplinary research team has been put together, including three departments of the Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb (Physics, Geophysics and Mathematics), with the strong support of associates from other institutions with research and professional competencies: Faculty of Science of the University of Split, Croatian Hydrology and Meteorology Institute, Public Institute of Biokovo Nature Park, Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, and foreign experts from renowned institutions: Faculty of Physics, University of Belgrade (Serbia); ICTP (Trieste, Italy); and the Wegener Centre for Climate and Global Change (Graz, Austria).

As part of the project and in cooperation with the Public Institute of Biokovo Nature Park, research on the impacts of extreme weather conditions on climate is being researched within the park area. This area is characterised by its highly complex topography and extreme climate conditions, making and it particularly vulnerable to climate change given its ecological, tourism, and natural values. Special attention will be focused on detecting and researching dangerous weather phenomena in mountain areas, and for this purpose, measurement devices have been installed across a longitudinal transect of Mt. Biokovo along the Veliko Brdo – Sveti Jure – Milići hiking trail, and in Makarska and Zagvozd. In total, 22 measurement devices were installed, containing sensors for measuring temperature and relative air humidity and a digital data recorder, with two rain metres and one automated weather station. The sensors are contained within housing to protect them from direct sunlight, and depending on the location and terrain, some are installed on trees, rocks or on a stand. The instruments will be visited once every two to three months to control their operation and collect data. All instruments and their parts will be removed from the environment upon completion of the project.

More about the project: PMF link