On Nature in the Czech Republic

Uranium Spoil Heaps near the Town of Příbram as a Part of Cultural Landscape Heritage and a Threaten

On Nature in the Czech Republic

authors: Jiří Malíček, Linda Trunečková, Rudolf Hlaváček

Uranium Spoil Heaps near the Town of Příbram as a Part of Cultural Landscape Heritage and a Threaten

Mineral mining has had a long tradition as an important national economy sector in the Czech Republic. Sites disturbed by mining have become an integral part of the landscape in many regions. The most altered sites include quarries, dumps and heaps, sand- and gravel pits, kaolin mining sites, and slag and fly ash tailing ponds. The traditional negative view of sites affected this way has rapidly been changingamong experts. Early successional (development) stages and diverse habitats with extreme conditions and low productivity, common at such sites, often serve as substitute habitats for many species disappearing from the landscape in the Czech Republic. Several studies demonstrating the considerable conservation potential of these sites come from the Czech Republic.

Nature Conservation 2022 25. 5. 2022 On Nature in the Czech Republic Print article in pdf

The Jizerskohorské bučiny / Jizera Mountains Beech Forest National Nature Reserve – A Part of the Wo

On Nature in the Czech Republic

authors: Jan Plesník, Jiří Hušek, František Pelc

The Jizerskohorské bučiny / Jizera Mountains Beech Forest National Nature Reserve – A Part of the Wo

It would not be far from the truth to say that in summer 2021 the Jizerské hory/Jizera Mountains Beech Forest National Nature Reserve (NNR) became the most often mentioned Specially Protected Area in mass media in the Czech Republic. In July 2021, the NNR was inscribed on the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List becoming a new component of the serial World Heritage Site Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe (Plesník & Hušek 2021). Because in previous articles we have provided only a brief description of the NNR and have paid attention more to its nomination and approval (Plesník & Hušek 2020, Plesník 2020) it is quite appropriate to present the extraordinary site not only from a point of view of nature and landscape heritage protection, conservation and management in more detail.

Nature Conservation 2022 25. 5. 2022 On Nature in the Czech Republic Print article in pdf

Is the hydrological balance in forest catchment areas influenced more by climatic or vegetation driv

On Nature in the Czech Republic

author: Jakub Hruška, Filip Oulehle, Anna Lamačová

Is the hydrological balance in forest catchment areas influenced more by climatic or vegetation driv

Between 2014 and 2019, Central Europe experienced unprecedented drought and heat. However, what was an unpleasant episode for most people and for ecosystems made it possible to answer some questions related to the hydrological regime in the Czech Republic´s landscape and, together with climate models, to outline the expected future.

Nature Conservation 2021 10. 6. 2021 On Nature in the Czech Republic Print article in pdf

The Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mts.  Mining Region as a World Heritage Site

On Nature in the Czech Republic

author: Věra Kučová, Karel Kuča

The Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mts.  Mining Region as a World Heritage Site

In July 2019, the selected parts of the Bohemian and Saxon Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mts., also known as the Ore Mountains, were inscribed onto the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage List (World Heritage List). The area has long been associated in the public consciousness with the impacts of lignite/brown coal mining on the landscape and on forests at the foot of this extensive mountain range; we thus encountered a number of questions and doubts at the time of preparing the documents for nomination. Therefore, the article additionally contributes to clarifying how the cultural and historical values of the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mts. stand out, and it is an inspiration for deepening interdisciplinary cooperation. Simultaneously, it is a contribution to the reflection on how to deal with these border mountains from the point of view of national protection in the future. Despite the high proportion of interesting landscapes, unlike other border massifs the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mts. are, paradoxically, a mountain range which has been declared neither a national park nor a protected landscape area.

Nature Conservation 2021 10. 6. 2021 On Nature in the Czech Republic Print article in pdf

European Transboundary Protected Areas: Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland

On Nature in the Czech Republic

author: Handrij Härtel

European Transboundary Protected Areas: Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland

With this article we start a series on transboundary protected areas certified under the Transboundary Parks programme of the EUROPARC Federation. The programme was a follow-up of initiatives taken earlier in the IUCN, inter alia, at the launch of the Parks for Life programme (1994, Priority project 22), and started soon after the fall of the Iron Curtain in Central and Eastern Europe, opening up previously unimaginable possibilities. Jan Čeřovský was a Czech representative strongly engaged in these activities. 

Nature Conservation 2021 10. 6. 2021 On Nature in the Czech Republic Print article in pdf

Will the black grouse survive in the Krkonoše Mts until 2040?

On Nature in the Czech Republic

author: Jiří Flousek

Will the black grouse survive in the Krkonoše Mts until 2040?

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.

Nature Conservation 2020 25. 3. 2020 On Nature in the Czech Republic Print article in pdf

Dirt roads

On Nature in the Czech Republic

author: Pavel Dedek

Dirt roads

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.

Nature Conservation 2020 25. 3. 2020 On Nature in the Czech Republic Print article in pdf

Albis – White River:  The Elbe as a Central European phenomenon

On Nature in the Czech Republic

author: Handrij Härtel

Albis – White River:  The Elbe as a Central European phenomenon

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.

Nature Conservation 2020 22. 3. 2020 On Nature in the Czech Republic Print article in pdf

Pořízek L.: The New and Old Kokořínsko-Máchův kraj/Mácha´s Country Protected Landscape Area

On Nature in the Czech Republic

author: Ladislav Pořízek

Pořízek L.: The New and Old Kokořínsko-Máchův kraj/Mácha´s Country Protected Landscape Area

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).

Nature Conservation 3/2014 24. 8. 2014 On Nature in the Czech Republic Print article in pdf

Hubený P.: The Šumava/Bohemian Forest Mts. Protected Landscape Area Fifty Years Old!

On Nature in the Czech Republic

author: Pavel Hubený

Hubený P.: The Šumava/Bohemian Forest Mts. Protected Landscape Area Fifty Years Old!

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.

Nature Conservation 6/2013 27. 1. 2014 On Nature in the Czech Republic Print article in pdf