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| NATIONAL PARKS AND NATURE RESERVES IN THE CZECH AND SLOVAK REPUBLICS |
SLOVAKIA
TATRY National Park
Area: 74,111 ha
Tatry National Park is the most famous national park in Slovakia. It represents a unique area formed by ice during the quarternary period, with imposing and varied peaks, karst topography in dolomites and limestones, klippens, rock formations, canyons, sea stones, waterfalls and rare forms of soil. The glacial period resulted in the creation of moraines and more than 100 glacial lakes located 1,037 to 2,192 m above sea level. Tatry National Park is located on the top part of the Carpathian mountain range. The highest peak is Gerlachovský štít (2,655 m above the sea level), the lowest point is 615 m above sea level. The Bielovodský ľadovec used to be the longest glacier with a length of 14,4 km and a thickness of 330 m. Almost two thirds of the national park is covered by coniferous trees and dwarf pines, while the remaining part is covered by stones, alpine meadows and lakes. There is a wide diversity of flora and fauna, ranging from submontanous, mountanous, supramontanous, subalpine, alpine to subnival vegetation level with several relicts and endemics. In the High Tatras about 1300 botanical species can be found including rare species such as Erysimus wahlenbergii, Cochlearia tatrae, Ranunculus alpestris, Ranunculus glacialis, gentiana frigida, Primula minima, Pulsatilla alpina and many other interesting flowering plants. Interesting animals include chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), marmot (Marmota marmota), bear (Ursus arctos) and spectacular birds such as the wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria), and nutcracker (Nuctifraga caryocatactes). In 1993 the Tatry was declared a biosphere reserve.
PIENINY National Park
Area: 2,125 ha
This national park is the smallest one but it is unique due to its natural beauties. It has been developed in a klippen zone within a wide depression of the Dunajec River including five meanders. The area is of high vertical diversity which has influenced variable plant and animal species, both thermophilous and psychrophilous. Western Carpathians types of forest and stone habitats can be found here, from which several endemics and relict species are listed. Klippens, cliffs, canyons, karst topography and picturesque natural scenery are typical of this area. Other characteristic features are the remains of original small - scale agriculture farms. Local farming has developed the "Zamagurie" landscape type, resistant to soil erosion. Due to agricultural activities in past centuries, original forests were fragmented into patches. The highest point is Holica (824m). The wide variety of rocks provides different soils for the flora, for instance mountain species of thermophic flowers (e.g. Chrysanthemum zawadskii, Arabis corzmbiflora). Amongst the fauna, otter, black stork, eagles, etc. can be seen. The well-known cave in the limestone section of Haligovske Rock is called Aksamitka.
NIZKE TATRY National Park
Area: 81,095 ha
Nízké Tatry is the largest national park in Slovakia with diverse geographical conditions, wildlife (endemics and relict species including), silent sites, mineral springs and karst phenomena. The longest (approximately 23 km) and deepest cave system (- 432 m) has been created with the well known caves Demänovské jaskyne, which have a rich decoration. Because of its large territory, ecosystems of several vegetation types have been well - preserved at large scale. They vary from forest, dwarf pine to alpine meadows and rock detritus. Extent forests are not only habitats for populations of numerous species but also for several animals requiring spacific conditions (large mammals).
SLOVENSKY RAJ National Park
Area: 19,763 ha
The Slovenský raj National Park represents an extraordinarily valuable territory, unique in its location on an originally compact eroded benchland. The plateau is cut by deep canyons and valleys. Both surface and underground karst phenomena occurs here with ice and rock decoration. Altogether, 180 caves and abbysses have been registered in the park. From forests, covering 90% of the national park, relict karst pine and spruce are typical growing on karst cliffs and stone steps. A classical vegetation inversion can be found here, determining the occurance of fauna species. The wildlife of Slovenský raj is a typical representative of canyon and plateau species in the West Carpathians zone. The richness of wildlife can be illustrated using the example of some two thousand butterfly species living in this area.
MALA FATRA National Park
Area: 22,630 ha
The Malá Fatra montain range is famous for its rich and relatively well preserved nature. The richness of landscape and wildlife is determined mainly by the diverse geologic conditions and vertical zoning, with elevation between 358 to 1,709 m above the sea level. The mountain range is approximately 23 km long and 13 km wide. More than 70% of the national park is covered by forest, which is mostly mixed. The remaining part consists of meadows, peatbogs and other wetlands. Many of the plant and animal species have the limits of their territories in the national park. A majority of flora and fauna, however, are typical representatives of the region.
MURANSKA PLANINA (Murain Plain)
- a protected landscape created mostly from dolomite and limestone is 25km long and has a maximum width of 15km . The highest peak is Fabova hola (1439 m). This unspoilt area is known for its richness of flora as well as for its endemics and relics, and well-preserved parts of a beech forest. There are 1150 species of vascular plants- for example: Daphne arbuscula (found nowhere else in world), Lonicera alpigena, Gentiana clusii, Pulsatilla slavica, etc. Fauna is represented by the golden eagle, the saker falcon, and the highest density of bears in Slovakia.
VELKA FATRA (Great Fatra)
- a protected landscape 27km long and 20km wide. Ostredok (1592m) is the highest peak. The rock base is formed from granite, limestone and dolomites, and mineral springs lie below. Dianthus nitidus, Soldanella carpatica, Primula auricula, Cyclamen fatrense, Primula farinosa number among the rare plant species and falcon, golden eagle and wild cat among the rare animals.
VYCHODNI KARPATY (Eastern Carpathians)
- the largest proteced landscape (66 977 ha) in Slovakia. Kremanec ( 1221m)- the highest peak borders 3 states. This area is the boundary between west Carpathian and east Carpathian flora. The local mountain meadows called POLONINY offer the most typical botanical sites in this area. Amongst the plants represented are Helleborus purpurascens, Scilla bifolia, Ranunculus carpaticus, Blechum spicatum,etc., while amongst the local animals are owls ( including Ural owl), woodpeckers, other birds, otters, bears and wolves.
THE CZECH REPUBLIC
BILE KARPATY (White Carpathians)
- is a protected landscape on the Czech-Slovak border in which the highest peak is Velka Javirina (970m). The highlight of this area is a traditional settlement (KOPANICE), with its beautifully coloured orchid-meadows . The south west end of the Carpathian Mountain range, which covers the upland and mountain zones in the Moravian part of the White Carpathian Mountains range in the Zlin, Hodonin and Uherske Hradiste regions. Area 71.000 ha History Proclaimed a protected landscape area in 198The UNESO Biosphere Reserve was stated in 1996. Altitude 180 - 970 m above sea level Nature The relief is formed in two parallel mountain ridges with numerous sidelong ranges. The central part of the area belongs to the mountain zone. The mountain range is split up with valleys reaching a depth of 500 m with rivers, which flow into the Vah River. The whole area is formed by a few isolated mountain ranges such as the Radejovska highland, Javorina, Lopenik, Javornik and Vrsatec. No significant rock formations are situated in the Moravian part of the area. Rare and protected species The physique of the landscape is formed by hundreds of years of development of this area .The large English park, which extends over the area is unique in Europe. It contains forest growth (45%) alternate flowery meadows, solitaire ragged oaks and beeches. Due to the variety of the micro-relief, various species of flora reside in the White Carpathian Mountains; among them both steppe species and exclusively wet grounded. The gnat-flower species are the most well-known here, the most significant among them being the bee orchids, the trident gnat-flower, the dark-winged, the military and the common orchids. Also you can find here the bulbiferous lily, and the black hellebore. The black hellebore grows only in this area in Moravia and in the Slansko region in Bohemia. The northern lynx, the brown bear, the wildcat, the southern wood-pie, the red-breasted flycatcher, the redhead butcherbird, the black stork and the big raven are among the animal species that live here. You can also see the tree grass-snake or admire a large range of butterflies along with other insect species. Nature interests Certoryje, Cestiska, Porazky, Hrcanky, Kanoury, Mechnacky, Mravenci louka (Mravenci Meadow), Pod Horou (Below the Mountain), Pod Hribovnou, Svini hnizdo, Sumlatova, U Petruvky, Vapenky, Za lesem (Behind the Forest), Sidonie, Ve Vlci.
PALAVA Biosphere Reserve
The protected landscape area of Palava extends over the area of the Pavlovske Hills and over part of the riverine forests below the Dolni Novomlynska Dam in the District of Breclav. Area 7000 ha History Proclaimed a protected landscape area in 1976, the UNESO Biosphere Reserve was stated in 1988. Altitude 170 - 550 m above sea level Nature The upland part of the protected landscape area belongs to the outskirts of the Carpathian Mountains range and is formed by Jurassic limestone. The limestone, which has a pure chemical structure here, creates beautiful karstic formations, often in the shape of skraks, skrak fields, sink holes and small caves. The Turold cave is the biggest one. Sandstone, sandy marls, loess and sedimentary deposits of the Dyje River form the rest of the area. Due to a diversity of subsoil, the area has a large range of flora, the most valuable of which originates from steppe and steppe forests. The Krive Lake is a significant ornithology location. Rare and protected species Flora the Palava Lumnitzer feathered dianthus, the fleecy salvia, the sand iris, the marshy and others Birds the marsh harrier, the fish-hawk, the black kite, the night heronblack, the black stork, owls reptiles the lucid grass-snake, the green lizard Insect the saga locust and other rare species Nature interests Devin - Kotel - Souteska (Valley), Krive jezero (Krive Lake), Slanisko u Nesytu, Tabulova, Anensky vrch (Annensky Peak), Kienberg, Kocici kamen (Cat Stone), Kocici skala (Cat Rock), Ruzovy kopec (Rose Hill), Lisci vrch Fox Peak), Svaty kopecek (Small Holy Hill), Turold.
SUMAVA (Sumava Mountains)
The National Park extends on the most valuable area of the Sumava mountains. In the outskirts of the Sumava National Park, a protected landscape area of the same name is located. Area national park on 68.520 ha, protected landscape area on 94.480 ha. History Sumava was proclaimed protected landscape area in 196In 1991 the national park was established here. Since 1990 Sumava has been included in the UNESCO Biosphere Reservation list. Altitude Between 510 and 1378 m above sea level (Plechy Mountain) Nature The Sumava National Park presents the tectonic risen, tabulated mountain range with a highland and upland relief, with large plains even in altitudes about 1000 m above sea level. Consequences of the glaciation appear in the shape of reminders of glacial corries, glacial lakes, stones and boulders seas. The Sumava mountains belong to the largest areas covered by forests in central Europe. The longest Czech river, which is the Vltava River, springs even here. Rare and protected species Flora quillwort, floating bur-read, alpine below-roach, finny, foot-hill dusty miller, Austrian leopard's-bane, face-in-hood, Sumava gentian and others. Mammalia bob cat, and others. Birds big eagle owl, all kinds of heath-cocks, which live in our country Pearloyster riverine can be seen in the Blanice region, which is the most significant locality of this specie on the CR territory. Nature interests of the national park (NP) Borova Lada, Bukova slat (Bukova Peat-bog), Jeleni vrch (Jeleni Hill), Jezerni luh, Obri zamek (Giant Cateaux), Pramen Vltavy (spring of the Vltava River), Spaleny luh, Tetrevska slat(Tetrevska Peat-bog), Trojmezna hora (Trojmezna Mountain), Vltavsky luh, Zdarecka slat (Zdarecka Peat-bog), Bila strz (White Ravine), Boubinsky prales (Boubinsky virgin forest), Cerne a Certovo jezero (Black and Devil´s Lakes), Hazluv kriz (Hazl´s Cross), Svaty Tomas (St. Thomas), Velke bahno, Hamizna, Nebe or Zatonska hora. You can get more information about those localities in the Information Centre of the NP Administration. Zoning and visitors regulations The national park includes the landscape protected area and protected zones, which are marked by signs "II." and "I.". The I. protected zone is the most rigorous protected area. It is forbidden to camp, to bivouac, to make fires, to go and to stay by cars and to organise mass sport and tourism events, practise water sports on the river, to bike outside the roads and marked paths in the whole area of the national park. Additionally in the I. and II. zones, it is forbidden to walk outside the marked tourist paths, to swim in the rivers and lakes and to ski outside the marked paths.
TREBONSKO Biosphere Reserve
A flat fishpond basin, through which flows the Luznice River. Area 70.000 ha History Proclaimed a protected landscape area in 1979, the UNESO Biosphere Reserve was stated in 1977. The Trebon region is also an important Bird Area according to ICB (Bird Life International). Altitude 410 - 540 m above sea level Nature The inexpressive relief of the Trebon Region features tectonic, very flat depressed ground with stepped edges, mainly in the southern part of the area. Blown sands appear on some areas. A network of large fishponds has been constructed since the 16th century and due to this fact the former relatively very monotonous moor area became an area of great variety, which is unique in the Czech Republic. Large water areas alternate with agricultural areas, forests are also a typical feature of this countryside. Rare and protected species Forests occupy 42% of the surface and are mostly secondary growth. We can find very valuable pine trees here. Human intervention has not damaged the area, on the contrary, it has enriched the landscape by prompting the existing large range of fauna and flora, now living here. You can find the vernal pasqueflower and other rare plant species on sands, the longleaf pine in the peat-bogs and huge oaks at fishpond dams. The white water-lily, the yellow water-lily and the least yellow water-lily, the floating killick, the bladderwort and the pondweed, together with rare orchid species, can be found in fishponds and pools. The marshy fen-berries, bog-bilberries, cranberries, blueberries along with heather grow in peat-bogs. The dunes host a specific flora, such as the sand - everlasting flower, the least sabulous and others. Also various insect species, various species of amphibian and 25 fish species live here. Birds are the most valuable treasure of the Trebonsko Region, among them the egret and also the grey heron, the ravenous marsh harrier, the osprey and a number of singing birds. Most of the water and swamp species of birds, which live in our country, nest here. Also game animals, smaller carnivores, riverine castor and several couples of the riverine otter live here Endemic -cernys cesky Nature interests Vizir, Cervene blato (Red Marshland), Ruda, Stara reka (Old River), Hlinir, Kozi vrsek (Goat Peak), Slepici vrsek (Hen Peak), Bukove kopce (Beech Hills), meandry Luznice (Luznice Meandres), Horusicka blata (Horusicka Marshland), pisecny presyp u Vlkova, raseliniste Hovizna (Hovizna Peat-bog), raseliniste Pele (Pele Peat-bog), Vytopa Rozmberka, Zablatske louky (Zablatske Meadows).
KRKONOSE (Giant Mountains) National park
It extends on an area of the highest mountains of the Czech Republic and includes also a part of their foothills. The southern outskirts of that area and also the famous tourist centres belong to the protected zone of the national park. Area national park - 36.300 ha, protected zone - 18.600 ha. History Count Harrach was the first, who tried to protect the Krkonose nature. He make the hillside known as "Strma stran" with a rich high mountain flora the heart of the future national park. The national park was proclaimed in 1963 and its present form is stated in the government regulation from 199It has been stated in the UNESCO Biosphere Reservation list since 1992. National park in numbers The Krkonose National Park (KRNAP) was established in the year 1963. Population 26700 Bed capacity 72000 Visit rate 8-mil people per year Tourist routes 800 km of summer and winter marked paths Number of ski pistes 139 (total length 112) Number of chair-lifts and ski lifts 6/245 Altitude between 400 and 1602 m above sea level (Snezka Mountain) Average temperature between +6 and 0 oC Rainfall between 800 and 1600 mm/year, snow cover between 150 to 300 cm (up to 180 days a year) Flowering plants over 1300 kinds Vertebrates 240 kinds (57 kinds of mammals, 165 kinds of birds) Vegetative levels foot-hills 480 - 800 m above sea level, broad-leaved and mixed forests mountain 800 - 1200 m above sea level, pine forests, mountain meadows subalpine 1200 - 1450 m above sea level, dwarf pines, peat, glacial corries alpine 1450 - 1602 m above sea level, mossy, grassy and stony tundra Nature Krkonose National Park extends on an mountain, partly high mountain area, which was formed by a powerful rice of floe in several stages of pleistocene glaciation. Due to the fact that forests are affected by strong emissions, the Krkonose National Park is registered at the international list of most endangered national parks in the world. The rare species of fauna and flora are protected in the national park. Rare and protected spieces Flora white pasqueflower, Mammalia river otter, alpine shrew, lesse white-toothed, bats etc. Birds slenderbilled nutcracker, small woodpecker threetoes, pygmy owl, big eagle owl, black stork, eagle vociferous, capercaillie Reptiles lizard viviparous, viper and others Insect Jason dymnivkovy Endemit slug Vertigo arctica Nature interests national park Anenske Valley, Boberska Hillside, Cernohorska Peat, Herlikovicke Galleries, Klinovy Spring, Labe Valley, Mechove Lake, springs of the Labe River, springs of the Upa River, Rychory, Slunecna stran (Sunny Hillside), V bazinkach In the Small Morass). The KRNAP Administration provide you with more information. Zoning and visitors regulations The park includes protected zones, which are marked by signs "III.", "II." and "I.". The I. protected zone is the most rigorous protected area. It is forbidden to camp, sleep out, to make fires, to use motorised transport and to organise large sport and tourism events, practise water sports on the river, to bike outside the roads and marked paths in the whole area of the national park. Additionally in the zones I. and II., it is forbidden to walk outside the marked tourist paths, to swim in the rivers and lakes or to ski outside the marked paths.
PODYJI National park
The park is located along the central flow of the Dyje River between the towns of Znojmo and Vranov nad Dyji, close to the border with Austria. Area - national park 63 km2, protected zone 29 km2. History -It was proclaimed a protected landscape area in 197Because of the fact that a major part belonged to the border area with Austria, it was closed to the public till 198Due to the rare scientific qualities of the area, the Podyji National Park was established here in 199A similar protected area, the Thayatal National Park, with its centre in Hardegg, will be established in the Austrian border area on 1 January 200A unique bilateral protected area of European significance will then be established here. The highest point - Byci skala (Bull Rock) in Vranov nad Dyji (563 m above sea level) The lowest point -the Dyje River in Znojmo (207 m above sea level) Nature -The national park represents a rare preserved landscape in the valley, which is situated in the upland altitudinal zone of the central Europe with a large number of flora and fauna species and with native forest growth. The deep valley of the Dyje River with a number of meanders, along which stone seas, various rock formations and cliffs are located, marks the centre of this area. You can find here unique moor and steppe areas with rare thermophile plants and insect species. A so called "valley phenomenon", which results from a mutual infiltration of thermophile lowland flora and fauna from south-east with the foot-hills ones from the west, occurs here. Rare and protected species In total 65 mammalia and 152 bird species live on the territory of the Podyji National Park. Rare plant and wood species Cornelian cherry, cotoneaster, juniper, alpine rose, sycamore, viburnum, redolent daphne, yellowish oak, bladder-nut, Gallic rose and others. Protected plants in total 77 species, among them: hellebore black flag, ruby sow-bread, gorgeous golden-rod, large flowered pasqueflower, two-colour iris, martagon lily, several species of orchids. Podyji endemic jerab muk hardeggsky Protected mammalia species riverine otter, field vole and others Protected bird species black stork, hoopoe, bee-eater, big eagle owl, riverine kingfisher and others Protected reptile species tree grass-snake and green lizard Protected amphibian species spotted salamander, big eft and various frog species Protected fish species bull-trout, below-upper grayling, American ash-grey and fishes of the parm area - such as barbet Protected insect species coleoptera rhinoceros beetle, stag-beetle, gigantic wasp-beetle, karsts and ground-beetles and in total 12 species of protected butterflies Nature interests of the national park Braitava, Byci hora (Bull Mountain), Byci skala (Bull Rock), Cizovsky rybnik (Cizov Fishpond), the Dyje River, Hamerske vrasy, Havranicke vresoviste (Havranicke Moor), Hradistske terasy (Hradistske Ledges), Kravi hora (Cow Mountain), Ledove sluje (Ice Caves), Mloci potok (Salamander Spring), Novy Hradek (New Small Castle), opusteny meandr u Ledovych sluji (a deserted meander near the Ice Caves, Seasfielduv kamen (Seasfield Stone), Sobes. More information can be obtained in the Administration Office Information Centre. Zoning and visitors regulations The national park includes three types of zones - protected zones, which are marked by signs "II." and "I." (This is only two types - what is the third??). The protected zone I. is the most rigorous protected area. It is forbidden to camp, to sleep out, to make fires, to go and to stay by cars (what does this mean -is it forbidden to drive in the park or only to sleep in cars:??) , to organise large sport and tourism events, practise water sports in the Dyje River or to bike outside the roads, marked paths and cycle routes, in the whole area of the national park. Additionally in the zones I. and II., it is forbidden to walk outside the marked tourist paths, to swim in the Dyje River or in the fishponds and to ski outside the marked paths. Please be conscious of the environment and follow instructions in the national park. The zones are marked with panels and striped signs; stripes are red in the zone I. and blue in the zone II..
KRIVOKLADSKO Biosphere Reserve
A large complex of natural and semi-natural leafy and mixed forests is situated along the central flow of the Berounka River in the Beroun, Kladno, Rakovnik, Plzen-north and Rokycany regions. Area 63.000 ha History The area was proclaimed a protected landscape area in 197The UNESO Biosphere Reserve was stated in 1977. Altitude 215 - 616 m above sea level Nature The landscape has plain and upland relief; an old plain was split up by the deep valleys of the Berounka River and its inflows. Significant rock formations are located on the right bank of the Berounka River and on the whole territory of the protected landscape area. Rare and protected species Large continuous forests, which occupy almost 62% of the territory, have been a hunting-ground since ancient times and the forest-free area enclaves have been used for game keeping and hunting. Generic composition is slightly modified and corresponds to a variety of subsoil and expositions. Beechwood are often mixed with firs. The bulbiferous crowtoe and other rare species grow in the undergrowth. Rubble forests with sycamores, millings, hornbeams, lime trees, ashes and elms, with red yews grow on steep hillsides. Bushes such as hawthorn, blackthorn, cornel, cotoneaster, rose and buckthorn, along with meadow pasqueflower, porcupine grass and the rare alpine fern appear on rocks. In the oak and hornbeam groves you can find the white helleborine or the hurst cornflower. The fauna of the Krivoklatsko region is among the best preserved in our country Also the fauna is very interesting. A number of endemic species live among molluscs. Various fish species, among them trout and conger, riverine lobster and also Lewis bolt live in water reservoirs. You can find here also the gigantic wasp-beetle, the big stag beetle and rare butterfly species. Also amphibians and birds are domiciled here, such as the very rare moor-games, the black stork, the riverine kingfishers, the hoopoe and others. A few couples of fluvial otter live in the Krivoklatsko protected landscape area. Nature interests of the protected landscape area Kohoutov, Tyrov, Velka Ples (Great Bald Heat), Vuznice, Trubinsky vrch Turbinsky Peak), Valachov, Vrani skala (Crow Rock), Brdatka, Dubensko, Jezirka (Small Lakes), Jouglovka, Kabecnice, Na Babe, prameny Klicavy (Klicava Springs), Stribrny luh, Svata Alzbeta, U Eremita.
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