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Proteus anguinus (Laurenti, 1768), or the "Olm"  is a endemic and aquatic species in the Dinaric mountains . It is the only exclusively cave dwelling vertebrate species.  The croatian term form the Olm is "Čovječja ribica" which translates to "human fish" for its pale color of skin. The skin color is one species adaptation for the environment in the underground habitat. Other adaptations include reduced eyes, keeping its larval characteristics such as gills. On the national level the Olm in categorized as endangered species (EN).
One of the main reasons for its conservation status is destroying of Karts habitats where the olm lives. Bad waste management, pesticides and other pollutants are reasons for pollution of waters and underground waters which have a negative effect on the olm habitat.

(Source: Red book of amphibians and reptiles of Croatia 2015)

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Croatia is situated in the Southeast part of Europe, on the Balkan pennisula.  It spreads from the Adriatic sea to the Danube river in the Panonian basin. The landscape in Croatia is diverse, such as coastal, mountain and lowland landscape.

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The shape of our county reminds of a dragon, so see for youself! :)

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The coastal region extends from Istria to Dubrovnik. It has a mediterranean climate with warm and dry summers. The main characteristic of Croatia's coast is the numer of islands which is over 1000 islands and reefs!

The mountain region consist of the Dinaric mountains and a diverse topography such a Karst.

Lowland Croatia is situated in the Pannonian Basin, and has large planes and river valleys.

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Different landscapes in Croatia also have different kind of climate, depending on their location. According to the Köppen classification most of Croatia has temperate humid climate with warm summer. The rest, and primarily the coastal part, has temperate humid climate with hot summer and Mediterranean climate with warm or hot summer. Some of the highest parts of the country also have humid boreal climate.

Source: Šegota, T., Filipčić, A., 2003. Köppenova podjela klima i hrvatsko nazivlje. Geoadria 8, 17–37.

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Degenia velebitica ((Degen) Hayek) is a plant that grows only on certain habitats and localities on Velebit mountain. The species is endangered (EN).

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The red eyed slider is a more aggressive spices that the local species. It chooses better habitats, basking spots and resources, thus making it a better competitor from the other turtle spices. Significant drop of local fauna has been observed in places where the red eyes slider was observed. One of the main distribution reason is human interaction. The slider is well know pet species and is bought all over the world. However people often leave them in the local habitat when they don't want them anymore, making the slider a threat to the local fauna.

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The surface of Croatia is 56 538 km 2  and has a diverse geological landscape.  The highest parts of Croatia are part of the Dinaric mountain range or the Dinaric Alps which formed in the Mesosic and Cenozoic, around  50–100 million years ago. Made mosty of dolomite, limestone and other carbonate sediments they make a diverse landscape with Karst topography. Karst topography is formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks, which creates a diverse landsape with sinkholes, valleys, streams, underground waters and caves.

https://www.dinarskogorje.com/dinarski-krscaron.html

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The coastal/Adriatic reagion of Croatia is situated in the Mediterranean hotspot.
(Source www.iucn.org)

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Croatia's (Mediterrenean)  hot spot area goes from the sea level up to the lower parts of the Dinaric mountain in the south part of Croatia. The Kvarner region and Istria in the north and the whole coastal region is also included in the Biodiversity hotspot.

Islands and the coastal part have diverse types of habitats such as underbusch, garigue and dry stone landscape. National parks, Nature parks and NATURA 2000 habitats are also included in this rich and diverse habitat.

Source: http://www.bioportal.hr/gis/

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In Croatia there are 8 National parks, and most of them are in the Mediterranean hotspot while the rest are close by.

(National Park Kornati in the picure

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Herpestes auropunctatus or the small Indian mongoose is a invasive mammal species in South Croatia (on Island Mljet for example). The rodent was introduced to the island for it preys on venomous snakes like the nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes (Linnaeus, 1758)). Eradicating the venomous snake population, the mongoose has become an predator for local reptiles, amphibians and poultry making him a threat to the local fauna.
Source: Barun, A., Simberloff, D., Budinski, I., 2010. Impact of the small Indian mongoose on native amphibians and reptiles of the Adriatic islands, Croatia: Mongoose impacts on herpetofauna of the Adriatic. Animal Conservation 13, 549–555. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-1795.2010.00374.x

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National Park Mljet is situated on island Mljet and is one of the first conserved areas in the Adriatic sea. It has a unique landscape with indented coastline, rocks and numerous islands, collapsed caves, rich Mediterranean flora and fauna and cultural content such as old churches and settlements. National Park Mljet Mljet is often called the „Green island“ due to its rich flora. Such as preserved forests of Holm oak, and endemic species as Centaurea ragusina (L. 1756) and other. Other animals include large mammals such as wild boars and the fallow deer, lizards such the european green lizard and sharp-snouted rock lizard, birds such as  eurasian eagle-owl and other. The National park has a problem with an invasive mammal species with will be discussed later.

Source: http://www.mljet.hr/?l=hr

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Negative human activities for the environment in Croatia include fragmentation of habitat, overuse of pesticides, bad water management and air pollution. Bad waste regulation results in illegal landfills which makes a continuing problem for the environment. Increasing tourism each year makes the problem even worse with even more habitat fragmentation with new building or houses and more waste.