The karstified limestone of the lower SW slopes of the Velebit mountains is mostly covered by sparse shrublands, standing in sharp contrast to the dense beech forests dominating the NE side of the massif. This pattern might be the result of deforestation in combination with the effects of the bora winds (soil degradation and warmer and drier conditions due to foehn effects). View in W direction to the island of Krk and, in the far background, the Učka mountains of Istria.