On Nature in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic probably does not have a more endangered species than the black grouse. The country hosts many birds which also face great problems and whose numbers are considerably lower than those of the black grouse, e.g. the little owl (Athene noctua) and the saker falcon (Falco cherrug). These have, however, a significant advantage as for survival: they manage to fly dozens or hundreds of kilometres and thus have at least a chance of finding suitable nesting grounds or new partners elsewhere, and mainly… they are within flying distance of their relatives in neighbouring countries.

The impact of industrialised agriculture on biodiversity and landscape ‘condition’ is presently a frequent topic of discussion with experts from various scientific fields. The media and the public are also very interested in the issue, particularly in connection with the drought and generally the ability of our landscape to retain the little moisture which our nature currently endows us with. This contribution will however not deal with rapeseed and maize fields, but with that what separates (or at least should separate) blocks of intensively farmed fields, i.e. increasingly rare dirt roads.

The Romans called the Elbe Albis, White River, apparently for its extensive light-coloured sand beaches in which the river could freely change its flow at the time. Since then, a lot of water has flowed through the Elbe river and it has significantly altered in many places. In the Central European context, however, the Elbe is still considered an exceptional river.

It took quite long eight years to re-declare and extensively enlarge the Kokořínsko Protected Landscape Areas (PLA) by the so-called Mácha´s country (Liberec Region, northern Bohemia).

The Šumava/Bohemian Forest Mts. Protected Landscape Area (PLA) was established in 1963 due to efforts made by enthusiastic amateur nature conservationists forming an informal non-governmental organization.

The first written references to the Výpustek Cave formed by underground activities of the Křtinský potok Brook had been made by quacks in the early 17^thcentury.

In the Czech Republic, the occurrence of 21 amphibian species, in various extents threatened by extinction, is confirmed at present. The fact has resulted, inter alia, from their amphibious way of life.

The Beskydy Mts. Protected Landscape Area (PLA), celebrating the 40^thanniversary of its establishment in 2013, is the largest PLA in the Czech Republic.

Five decades of the Krkonoše Mts. National Park (NP) – the first of the group of four national parks in the Czech Republic – provide a remarkable reflection of care and management of the national natural and historical entity.

In comparison with the 1970s and 1980s, numbers have been increased in some birds of prey, while populations of other species have been relatively stable in the Czech Republic. Some avian predators, e.g. the Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus), known also as the Northern Harrier in North America have been declining there.