Ochrana přírody 5/2025 — 30. 10. 2025 — Summary — Tištěná verze článku v pdf
SUMMARY – Ochrana přírody 5/2025
Bílek L.: The Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise Protected Landscape Area Has Been in Existence for 70 years
The year 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of declaring the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise Protected Landscape Area (PLA). The first protected areas in this region were established even before the PLA. The Prachovské skály/Prachov Rocks has been in existence since 1933, and twenty years later, the Na hranicích/At the Border Nature Reserve was declared near the town of Turnov. Considerations about the need to protect the entire landscape had already emerged during the First Republic, i.e. in Czechoslovakia in 1918-1938. Shortly after World War II, the District National Committee of Mnichovo Hradiště approached the then Ministry of Education and National Enlightenment with a request to ensure the protection of the wider area around the village of Mužský with a number of archaeological sites. In 1947, the renowned physician Jiří Šolc was appointed as the District of Turnov Nature Conservationist, a person in charge of nature conservation in the respective district. It was he, who advocated for the Ministry of Culture to declare the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise a PLA in 1955. Thus, the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise became the first PLA in Czechoslovakia. This happened a year before the adoption of the Nature Conservation Act. Covering an area of 92 km2, the rock towns of Hruboskalsko, Příhrazské skály/Příhrazy Rocks, and Apolena, the valleys of Žehrovka Rivulet and Jordánka Brook below the Trosky Castle, Trosky itself, the Plakánek Valley, the Žehrovské lesy/Žehrov Forests, and the largest fishpond in the region, Žabakor, came under joint protection. In addition to these natural monuments, cultural monuments also became part of the PLA – the castles of Kost, Valečov and Trosky, the chateau of Hrubá Skála and later the village heritage reserves of Vesec u Sobotky and Mužský. ■
Luka V.: Wings above the Rock Towns: The Sstory of the Eagle Owl and the Peregrine Falcon in the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise Region
The Eagle owl (Bubo bubo) and the Peregrine falcon or Peregrine (Falco peregrinus) – two powerful predators that symbolize the wildness and resilience of nature in the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise region. In the past, both species had faced intense pressure from humans. Legal protection adopted in the 1920s had a positive effect on increasing the number of peregrines in the above region until the early 1950s. Both species thus found themselves on the brink of extinction, and peregrines did not nest in Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise for several decades. Over time, however, thanks to targeted conservation efforts, the situation has changed. Strict legislative measures, bans on harmful chemical substances, and targeted conservation programmes have helped both species to recover. Therefore, the first nesting of the Peregrine falcon in recent times was documented in 2001, after more than 35 years. Today, both the Eagle owl and the Peregrine falcon have stable populations in the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise, numbering in the low tens. The PLA Administration monitors both species annually. Falcons are observed as early as February, when they perform courtship flights, indicating their efforts to occupy nesting sites. Nesting itself is then confirmed when the young are fed, when the flight activity of both parents reaches its peak and the nest is relatively easy to spot. Eagle owl´s territories are identified during the winter months, especially in February, when their vocal activity peaks during mating and territorial defense. Unlike falcons, however, we have to rely solely on vocalizations, and due to their nocturnal activity, Eagle owl´s nests are not easy to be found even during the spring months and when the young are fledging. ■
Višinský J.: Scree Forests near the Town of Turnov – a New Nature Reserve in the heart of Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise
In 2025, a new Nature Reserve called Scree Forests near Turnov was declared in the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise region. Moroever, protection of the site did not begin with the declaration of the Nature Reserve, but the first significant step was taken in 2002, when it was included in Zone II of the extended Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise Protected Landscape Area. Two years later, it became part of a Site of European Importance (SEI, pursuant to Act No. 114/1992 on Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection, as amended later, the term for Site of Community Importance, SCI, later Special Area of Conservation, SAC, under the European Union’s Habitats Directive). The reserve covers an area of approx. 7.3 hectares, with a buffer zone covering an additional 5.6 hectares. It is located on the rugged slopes of the Jizera River Valley in the cadastral areas of Turnov, Bukovina u Turnova, and Bělá u Turnova. The dominant features of the area are scree slopes and rock outcrops formed by calcareous sandstones. The forest stands consist mainly of Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), linden (Tilia spp.), and European or Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) trees, while the herbaceous layer includes, inter alia, the Perennial honesty (Lunaria rediviva), Nine-leaved toothtwort (Dentaria enneaphyllos) and the Martagon lily (Lilium martagon). One of the unique geomorphological features found in the area is the Dolánecký vodopád Waterfall, also known as the Myšina Waterfall. It was formed as a suspended waterfall on a rocky defile of sandy marlstone, which was shaped by the lateral erosion of the Jizera River in the valley´s lower part. Originally reaching a height of up to 18 meters, today it measures approx. 12 meters, as erosion processes and frost weathering in waterlogged rocks are gradually reducing its profile. Although the area has been now protected by stricter regulations, it remains open to the public. Visitors can explore diverse habitats ranging from scree slopes to wet springs and rock faces, and experience nature that has retained its natural character. ■
In the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise Protected Landscape Area, meadows are an important element contributing to the picturesque landscape/scenic beauty there. Photo by Jan Višinský
Mareš J., Bruthans J. & Filippi M.: Bohemian Paradise – a Natural Geological Laboratory of Global Significance
From a geological point of view, the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise region is an exceptionally interesting and significant area, where rocks of various origins and compositions are concentrated in a small area. That is why we can see sandstone rock formations, volcanic remnants, and even well-developed karst formations there. In addition, there are many interesting and beautiful minerals to be found there. Thanks to its exceptional geological diversity, Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise was included into the European Geoparks Network in 2005 and has been part of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network since 2015. More than 200 geological and mineralogical sites can be found there within a relatively small area. The famous explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt even called Trosky Hill with its castle ruins the eighth wonder of the world. A significant part of Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise is made up of Hrubá Skála block sandstone. In the vicinity of the village of Troskovice, there is a special type of this sandstone, known as locked sand, which has no cement between the grains, giving it specific properties. The karst in the Turnov area suggests that karst channels may also form in other areas of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin where calcareous sandstones occur, which would make it the largest karst area in the country. The presentation of the discoveries described above has led to a significant shift in knowledge in the field of sandstone area studies, confirming the importance and renown of the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise. ■
Višinský J.: The Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise Region and Its Meadows
The Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise is a cultural landscape that has been shaped by human activity over centuries. An integral part of its appearance are diverse meadows that originated as secondary treeless areas and have been maintained for generations by mowing and extensive grazing. It is precisely the continuity of this farming having been given the landscape its distinctive character/scenery. Above the Věžák Fishpond, the Kosin family monument has been still standing today, commemorating more than three centuries of continuous farming by one peasant family on the “Na Budách” farmstead in the village of Krčkovice. Within the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise Protected Landscape Area, several Specially Protected Areas can be identified where meadow habitats are most prevalent and at the same time in their most preserved form. Three areas located in PLA´s different parts were selected as an example. The Podtrosecká údolí Valleys in the central part represent a complex of wetland and peat meadows. The Oborská luka Meadows in the eastern part are connected to a system of fishponds and represent traditional wet meadows. The Podloučky Meadows in the northern part preserve a mosaic of xerothermic grasslands and flower-rich beech forests. Together, they provide a representative picture of the variability in and ecological value of meadow habitats in the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise. ■
Večerík Z., Kizek K., Vašíček M., Líznarová E., Kotasová &Adámková M.: Slovácké lúky/Moravian Slovakia Meadows as a Model Site for Invertebrate Diversity Protection and Conservation
Slovácké lúky/Moravian Slovakia Meadows, part of the Soutok/Confluence, namely Morava and Dyje/Thaya Rivers Confluence newly designated Protected Landscape Area in South Moravia, represents an exceptionally valuable site for the conservation of terrestrial invertebrates in lowland Central Europe. A full-season entomological monitoring, conducted in 2024, recorded 821 species in total, including many threatened, stenotopic, and ecologically specialized taxa associated with a wide range of habitats. The findings evidence the presence of wetland, halophilous, and steppe-associated species co-occurring at a single locality, reflecting extraordinary habitat heterogeneity, microclimatic variation, and long-term ecological continuity. Particularly important is the presence of species dependent on open, early-successional and transitional habitats, which are increasingly rare in modern landscapes. Thus, the entomofauna of Slovácké lúky/Moravian Slovakia Meadows confirms the site’s conservation value and provides a strong foundation for future protection, conservation, restoration, and monitoring. ■
Pech P., Spitzer L., Konvičková H. & Konvička M.: Why Does the Dusky Large Blue Avoid Large Meadows?
The Dusky large blue (Phengaris nausithous), a species protected by the European Union´s legislation (Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive) and obligate myrmecophilous inhabitant of wet meadows, is one of the most widespread blue butterflies in the Czech Republic, despite its specialized lifestyle. It can be found everywhere except in the warmest lowlands and highest mountain areas, with wetland meadows harbouring the characteristic herb Great burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis) being a necessary but not sufficient condition for its occurrence. Entomologists have long believed that any species of the widespread ant genus Myrmica is sufficient for the development of blue butterflies of the genus Phengaris. Later, while searching for the causes of the mysterious extinction of the Large blue butterfly (P. arion) in Britain, a close link was found between individual blue butterfly species and individual ant species, which in turn were linked to specific microclimates. Blue butterflies are usually linked to the most abundant species or species of the genus Myrmica, which are predominantly found in their preferred habitat. The Dusky large blue, which is classified as near threatened (NT) on the Czech Republic´s Red List, shares its association with the Great burnet with another species of the same genus, the Scarce large blue butterfly (P. teleius), which is considered to be endangered (EN) in the Czech Republic. The differences in their preferences stem from their requirements for the quality of their host plant. The Scarce large blue butterfly prefers lower, younger great burnet plants growing in loose grassland, while the Dusky large blue prefers taller, more robust plants that have already flowered in denser vegetation. The two species also differ in their host ants – for the Dusky large blue, it is predominantly the Common red ant (M. rubra), and to a lesser extent the Common elbowed red ant and Woodland red ant (M. scabrinodis, M. ruginodis). The Scarce large blue butterfly, on the other hand, uses a wide range of ants (including species used by the Dusky large blue), in proportion to their occurrence in a particular location. ■
The village of Dolánky u Turnova is an important entry point for tourists visiting the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise region. Photo by Jan Juračka
Kušnírová T., Šikola M. & Klabanová P.: Changes in Sites of Community Importance in the Czech Republic
In December 2024, the Government of the Czech Republic adopted the eighth amendment to the national list of Sites of Community Importance bringing the issue of the sufficiency of the Natura 2000 network in the Czech Republic closer to the positive conclusion. The activities on the amendment took three years - from the developing the expert proposal by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (NCA CR) and its pre-negotiation with the stakeholders, through the preparation of the legislative proposal by the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic and its further negotiation with other ministries, inter-ministerial comment procedure to its approval by the Government. This had been preceded by three years of bilateral negotiations with the European Commission on the scope of the additions to the Czech Republic´s part of the Natura 2000 network. The amendment included the addition of target features in relation to the requirements of the European Commission, the addition of new sites and technical changes - refinement of the boundaries of the sites and de-designation of target features. Information on the amendment has been forwarded to the European Commission, which will now assess the fulfilment of the requirements, which are the subject of an ongoing infringement procedure. ■
Šoltysová L.: The Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise among the Most Visited Places in the Czech Republic
It is a well-known fact that the Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise region is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Czech Republic. The wildness and picturesqueness of the landscape have attracted pilgrims, romantics, and artists since time immemorial. The answer to the question of why Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise is one of the most visited places in the Czech Republic can be found not only in its distinctive morphology, but also in the landscape modifications carried out by humans since the beginning of the 17th century. The Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise´s landscape enchanted Albrecht von Wallenstein (1583–1634). His Italian architects had created the first early Baroque composition in the landscape around the town of Jičín, connecting the residence with farmyards with linear plantings of lime trees. Wallenstein’s targeted landscaping continued by architect Jan Baptista Mathey, who designed sacred buildings connected by sightlines and paths on the southern edge of Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise for Count Franz Joseph Schlik (1656–1740). In the 19th century, the western and northern parts of Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise were significantly influenced by the House of Rohan, who built a country residence in Sychrov. The central part of Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise, dominated by Hrubá Skála Castle and Trosky Castle, began to be developed by the Aehrenthal family in 1821. During this period, most of the churches were restored and rebuilt, chapels were built on the volcanic peaks – the dominant features of Ćeský ráj/Bohemian Paradise – and some even had Stations of the Cross added. The interests of public administration, the business sector, and non-governmental non-profit organizations intertwine in Český ráj/Bohemian Paradise. Systematic communication and cooperation using the Concept and the current Management Plan are prerequisites for preserving the region´s natural values. An example of good practice is saving the Sedmihory wetlands, where the excellent communication between the non-profit organization, namely Bukovina Czech Union for Nature Conservation Local Chapter and dozens of landowners and the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, including interpretation, led to the implementation of a large and successful ecosystem restoration project.dd. ■
Zajíček P.: The Na Pomezí Cave Became a Show Cave 75 Years Ago
The Na Pomezí Caves is the longest cave karst system in the Czech Republic formed in crystalline limestone. The first parts had been discovered in 1937 under circumstances that are not entirely clear. A substantial part of the cave system was then discovered during quarrying activities in 1949. A year later, some sections were modified, electrically lighted up, and made accessible for the public. Currently, the three largest caves – Na Pomezí, Liščí díra/Fox Hole, and Rasovna – form a continuous and interconnected cave system. Speleologically, the connection has only been verified between the Na Pomezí Cave and Liščí díra/Fox Hole Cave. The connection between the Rasovna Cave and Na Pomezí Cave is formed by an impassable system of fissures approximately 25 meters long. However, there is no doubt about the mutual connection between these caves. All of these caves are now important wintering grounds/hibernacula for bats. The Na Pomezí Cave has a total length of 1,320 meters with an elevation of 47 meters (including the Liščí díra/Fox Hole Cave). The cave is part of the Na Pomezí National Natural Monument, declared in 1965. In September 2024, the entire cave system was hit by extensive flooding. A substantial part of the cave was under water. Pumping, removing mud deposits and repairing electrical installations then took several months. ■
Plesník J. & Hanel L.: Coral Reefs in Various Parts of the World Are Again Experiencing Global Bleaching Event
Coral bleaching, i.e. the noticeable transformation of originally yellow-brown corals into pale, transparent organisms, has been known for more than a century. When corals are stressed by changes in conditions such as temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the symbiotic algae living in their tissues and providing them with nutrients, oxygen an vibrant colours, thus causing corals to turn completely white. The first extensive study of coral bleaching, caused by increased water temperatures in large sections of the Great Barrier Reef, dates back to 1929. Since then, the process has been recorded regularly in various parts of the world. Between 1998 and 2017, bleaching was reported from 3,351 sites in 81 countries. The first global coral bleaching event in 1998 affected reefs throughout the tropical and subtropical climate zones and claimed the lives of 16% of all corals living on Earth at the time, with as many as half of those in the Indian Ocean perishing. What triggers local coral bleaching? First, and foremost, changes in seawater temperature, high solar radiation intensity, heavy metals (especially copper and cadmium), changes in water salinity, pesticide pollution, excessive nutrient concentrations (eutrophication), fishing, cyanides, ocean acidification, and pathogenic organisms such as bacteria. Local meteorological conditions that warm the sea surface, such as clear skies, high humidity, and high air temperatures, also contribute to coral bleaching. El Niño causes global coral bleaching events by triggering marine heatwaves, which lead to elevated sea surface temperatures that stress corals starving to death. A serious problem remains the fact that corals live in symbiosis with algae, usually in habitats where the water temperature is only 1–2 °C lower than the temperature at which bleaching begins. Coral bleaching is more intense the longer the coral reef is exposed to higher temperatures. However, if corals that have resisted bleaching are able to produce new larvae, the seawater is of good quality, and suitable substrate is available, even severely damaged reefs can recover on. ■
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Introductionary photo:
New Scree Forest near Turnov Nature Reserve. Photo by Jan Višinský