2020 Czech Nature Conservation

Příští číslo vyjde 26. 8. 2014 ročník 71 číslo 2 2016 cena 39 Kč 2020 Czech Nature Conservation The unique Elbe Canyon Black Grouse in the Krkonoše Mts Šumava National Park Bird Migration Monitoring 60 Years of State Nature Conservation Kaziranga National Park Ochrana přírody • Czech Nature Conservation 2020 Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Preface 3

Nature Conservation Legislation to the present. The journal has always and communication with, education of and Tree veteranisation, pollarding and girdling vs tree conservation ��29 been aiming at professional and voluntary awareness among the general public and Contents Pavel Pešout, Jan Šíma, Linda Stuchlíková nature conservationists and at the general the target groups. Further, the journal re- Preface Influence of Fireworks on Birds �� 34 public interested in natural and landscape gularly provides possibilities to exchange František Pelc ��3 Pavel Jaška, Jiří Sikora, Věra Sychrová heritage conservation and management. experience from international nature conservation. In this issue in English, we pre- On Nature in the Czech Republic Of course, meantime the world has chan- sent the selected articles from the 2019 Albis – White River: The Elbe ged beyond recognition. Nature con- volume, reflecting the current topics in as a Central European phenomenon ��4 servation has become a sophisticated our branch. Special attention has been, Handrij Härtel branch of human activities with a strong is and will be paid to biological diversity position in public administration, non-profit conservation and management, protected sector, science, research and technologi- area management and landscape integrity cal development as well as in the human including water regime in relation to clima- Research, Surveys and Data Management society generally. That all, unfortunately te change. with something of a delay, reflects a hu- Records of Animals Admitted to the National Network man society´s response to increasing de- For Czech readers, the Ochrana přírody/ of Rescue Stations and What They Can Tell Us �� 39 gradation and destruction of nature and Nature Conservation Journal is issued Petr N. Stýblo the landscape surrounding us. In addition, six times a year with English summaries Dirt roads – biodiversity islets within an agricultural the Czech Republic also went through a of main articles. On the webpage desert on the example of forty-year experiment to build socialism www.casopis.nature.cz, all the articles from Pálava Protected Landscape Area ��8 where individual´s freedom and democracy this and each issue are available in the di- Pavel Dedek were absent while on the other hand, the gital and pdf format free of charge. In ad- Dear friends, landscape was massively damaged and dition to the Nature Conservation Agency Will black grouse survive in the Krkonoše Mts until 2040? ��12 destroyed. Despite all the positive changes of the Czech Republic and the Cave Admi- Jiří Flousek Allow us to introduce to you the Ochrana in the Czech Republic´s nature conservati- nistration of the Czech Republic, publishing přírody/Nature Conservation Journal, ha- on institutional framework since the Velvet the journal is also supported by all the four Červenohorské sedlo mountain pass: the History and Present ving been issued in the Czech Republic Revolution in 1989, there have been a lot of Czech National Park Administrations. of Watching (not only) Bird Migration in our Mountains �� 45 more than three quarters of a century. This problems to be solved yet and at the same Radek K. Lučan, Anna Lučanová, Martin Vavřík is because the first issue appeared during some difficulties have newly emerged. František Pelc, a post-World War II euphoria already in Director, Monitoring of Alpine Bells in the Macocha Abyss �� 50 1946. The journal has experienced a lot of Similarly to the whole nature conservation Nature Conservation Agency Karin Hustáková, Bohuslav Koutecký, Zdeněk Musil changes both in the formal and factual for- in the Czech Republic, the professional of the Czech Republic Sixty Years of History of State Nature Conservation mat since that time and it was issued most- journal is by the content based on four Chairman, Nature & Landscape Management Organisations in the Czech Republic �� 54 ly six or ten times a year. Surprisingly, many pillars, namely knowledge provided by Ochrana přírody/Nature Conservation Has a feasibility study on the Danube-Oder-Elbe Pavel Pešout principal bases have been maintained science, legal provisions, economic tools Journal Editorial Board Canal really been performed? �� 17 Petr Havel Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Administration, the Podyjí/Thaya River Basin Editorial Office Address: Orders from abroad are disposed by the Nature Update of the Strategy State Nature Conservancy of the Czech National Park Administration and the České Kaplanova 1931/1, CZ – 148 00 Praha 11 – Chodov, Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, for Unblocking the Czech River Network ��21 Republic Journal Švýcarsko/Bohemian Switzerland National Czech Republic phone +420 283 069 127, [email protected] Volume 75 Park Administration phone +420 283 069 247, +420 283 069 111, Zdeněk Vogl Special issue: Anthology of Articles from Vol. 74 (2019) fax +420 283 069 247 Lay-out and typesetting: Jan Mastný Price: CZK 49 (EUR 1.8) Translation into English: [email protected] Printed by Tiskárna Unipress, Ltd. Where is Šumava National Park heading? �� 25 Alan Leath, Jan W. Jongepier, Jan Plesník www.casopis.ochranaprirody.cz © Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech www.nature.cz This issue was issued on March 25th, 2020 Pavel Hubený, Martin Starý, Pavla Čížková Republic, 2020. All rights reserved. Suggested citation of the individual articles: Whole issues including references to the articles Focusing on the Public No part of the journal may be reproduced, Härtel H. (2020): Albis – White River: The Elbe On behalf of the publisher, distribution for are available in open access on distributed or utilized in any form or by any as a Central European phenomenon. Ochrana subscribers in the Czech Republic is carried www.casopis.ochranaprirody.cz The Elbe Canyon – Inspiration for Romantic Painters means, electronic or mechanical, without the přírody/Nature Conserv. J. 75, suppl.: 4-7. out by the Send Ltd. Prague, Czech Republic, and Cradle of European Tourism ��61 prior written permission of the publisher. All articles were peer-reviewed. Ve Žlíbku 1800/77, A3 Hall, CZ-93 00 Praha 9, ISSN 1210-258X Czech Republic; Zdeněk Patzelt Registered by the Ministry of Culture of the Editor in Chief: Zdeněk Patzelt phone +420 225 985 235, Czech Republic Prague (Register No. E 6001) cellular phone +420 777 728 757 International Nature Conservation Published by the Nature Conservation Agency Editorial Board: Libor Ambrozek ● Jiří Bašta [email protected], www.send.cz of the Czech Republic, Kaplanova 1931/1, CZ – ● Vladimír Bejček. ● Karel Drbal ● Svatava Kaziranga National Park – a Little Miracle in Overcrowded India �� 64 148 00 Praha 4 – Chodov, Czech Republic and Havelková ● Michael Hošek ● Jakub Hruška František Pelc, Vladimír Bejček the Cave Administration of the Czech Republic, ● Karel Chobot ● Ladislav Miko ● Svatomír Květnové nám. 3, CZ – 252 43 Průhonice, Mlčoch ● Jan Moravec ● František Pelc Summary Czech Republic, supported by the Krkonoše/ (Chairman) ● Pavel Pešout ● Jan Plesník Giant Mts. National Park Administration, the ● František Pojer ● Martin Starý ● Jakub Cover Photo: The unique Elbe Canyon. Photo Zdeněk Patzelt Summary of 2019 issues �� 70 Šumava/Bohemian Forest Mts. National Park Šafránek ● Martin Škorpík ● Karolína Šůlová 4 On Nature in the Czech Republic Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal On Nature in the Czech Republic 5

the water level falls. In some places, such Albis – White River: as between Torgau and Coswig (Anhalt), it has dropped two metres, and this deep erosion is observed further and further The Elbe as a Central European phenomenon downstream. This poses a major threat to the floodplain forests and is also a problem for the agriculture in the German Handrij Härtel segment.

Despite these adjustments, the greatest The Romans called the Elbe Albis, White River, apparently for water has flowed through the Elbe river and it has significan- natural value of this segment, consisting in its extensive light-coloured sand beaches in which the river tly altered in many places. In the Central European context, the absence of cross barriers in the flow, could freely change its flow at the time. Since then, a lot of however, the Elbe is still considered an exceptional river. has been preserved, retaining migration conditions and near-natural river dynamics. This situation is determined, just as in a range of similar cases (e.g. the unique nature of military grounds), by a historical though the Czech part of this most valua- paradox. As a result of the post-war divisi- Flusslandschaft Elbe Biosphere Reserve around Dessau. Photo Petr Bauer ble Elbe section is short in comparison to on of Germany and thus also the Elbe ri- the German part, it is important: the Elbe ver, the transport route saw no fundamen- an Highlands) and Labské pískovce (Elbe Rhine and Danube already in the mid- valleys in the Bohemian Highlands (České tal modernisations, so the river was, unlike Sandstones) Protected Landscape Areas, 19th century, and then also in large parts středohoří) and in the Elbe Sandstones part of the population, given freedom. Until while České Švýcarsko (Bohemian Swit- of Central Europe during the 20th century, (Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland) form a this day, the Elbe has remained the only(!) zerland) National Park marginally ex- nearly 200 beavers survived on the Elbe unique scenic coulisse, which is not seen large, freely flowing German river, where- tends to the Elbe valley as well. The lat- between the towns of Lutherstadt Witten- further downstream after the landscape as other watercourses, such as the Rhine ter connects to the Sächsische Schweiz berg and Magdeburg. As early as 1929, a definitively opens up behind the Saxon and its tributaries the Main and Moselle National Park and Sächsische Schweiz beaver reserve was established here and town of Pirna. It is exactly this landscape with its tributary the Saar, just as tributa- Protected Landscape Area (‘Landschafts- many conservationists were involved in that attracted romantic painters in the ries of the Danube like the Iller, Lech, Isar, schutzgebiet’) on the Saxon side. Further the rescue of the beaver. From this area, 19th century. Inspiration in the Elbe valley Inn, Altmühl, Naab and Regen, are today downstream, the 'Flusslandschaft Elbe' sometimes referred to as a ‘beaver ark’, was found by world-class painters, such technically significantly transformed rivers is situated, the largest German terrestrial beavers could also spread to other sec- as Caspar David Friedrich (1774–1840), Jo- with many weirs or dams, similarly to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (2822 km2, tions of the Elbe catchment basin (incl. han Christian Dahl (1788–1857) and Adrian Vltava in our country or most of the Czech since 1997), extending over five Federal the Czech Republic since the end of the Ludwig Richter (1803–1884), whose Über- Elbe river. After the political change in States (Saxony-Anhalt, Brandenburg, Lower 20th century) and was introduced to oth- fahrt am Schreckenstein (Gemäldegalerie Germany (‘Wende’), also here efforts were Saxony, Mecklenburg – Western Pomerania er rivers, such as the Oder and, after the Dresden) is probably the most famous made to revive plans for building a ran- and Schleswig-Holstein). This extensive Bio- change in regime, also to Western Europe- painting from the Elbe valley. ge of navigation locks in the Elbe. The- sphere Reserve covers more than 400 kilo- an countries (Saarland, Netherlands, Bel- se were however soon deferred ad acta, metres of the river Elbe and includes many gium, Denmark). It would be unjust to think that the mentio- because it was already then obvious that protected areas designated under legisla- ned 600-km long segment of the Elbe has the expenses would considerably exceed tion of the different Federal States, the most The story of the return of the salmon to fully kept its character known from ancient the profits and that realisation of these important of which is a Biosphere Reserve the Elbe river is just as remarkable. In this paintings and gravures. Anti-flood dams plans would cause unrepairable damage named ‘Mittelelbe’ (since 1990). This re- case, however, no indigenous population Elbe at Dolní Žleb, one of the most beautiful stretches of the river, combining high natural and scenic values: Kaňon Labe National Nature Reserve on the right bank and extensive gravel-sand alluvium on the left bank. (‘Deiche’ in German) have been built since to the unique natural heritage, eventual- serve protects not only the actual river, but was available. The extinction of the salmon Photo Petr Bauer as early as the Middle Ages, first to pro- ly protected under the European network also a large complex of floodplain forests. on the Elbe is well documented. Until the tect the villages, later also the land. In this of protected areas Natura 2000. 19th century, it was the most important fish Elbe: 600 km without weirs regardless of the state border. It then be- segment of the Elbe, also a range of islets The biodiversity of the habitats on the in the fishery business. With the transfor- From the Czech perspective, we may not comes clear that it is wrong to look at the were removed in the past, and regulatory Protected areas on the Elbe and Elbe river is of extraordinary importance. If mation of the Elbe to a waterway, salmon, appreciate the importance of the Elbe-as- 40 km long part between the Střekov lock measures in the form of stone fortificati- their exceptional diversity we had to select some so-called flag spe- just like the sturgeon, started to decline. In sociated nature, which is yet amplified by and the state border as the last, still in- ons or groynes (‘Buhnen’ in German) have The entire section between Střekov cies for the Elbe, they would be particu- 1896, a salmon hatchery was established the fact that our national emotions are sufficiently canalised section of the Czech been carried out with the aim of enlarging and Geesthacht is nearly continuously larly Eurasian beaver and Atlantic salmon, in Porschdorf, aimed at halting salmon much more linked to the Vltava (Moldau). Elbe. On the contrary, these 40 kilometres the navigation depth. A river adjusted this lined with sites of European interest (in and as for plants e.g. strapwort (Corrigiola decline in the river. However, its operation The uniqueness of the Elbe river will how- are part of an over 600 km long continuum way becomes narrower, deeper, but also Germany also called ‘FFH-Gebiete’) to- littoralis). The beavers on the Elbe have was stopped after just a few years. As of ever be recognised if we also know its of the Elbe between Střekov and Geesth- faster. This is not without consequences: gether with a number of bird areas (‘Vo- played a key role in the natural return of 1932, salmon was not recorded in the Elbe much longer segment on German territory acht, which is unique for it has remained a narrower and faster river works itself de- gelschutzgebiete’). In the Czech part, this rodent in Central Europe. Whereas with the exception of an isolated capture and see this river as one natural system, completely free of navigation locks. Al- eper and deeper into its bedrock, so that these are the České středohoří (Bohemi- beavers were exterminated on e.g. the near Pirna in 1947. In the year 1995, under 6 On Nature in the Czech Republic Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal On Nature in the Czech Republic 7

namics, i.e. on a periodic alternation of flooding and falling dry, which enables com- petitively weak species, such as strapwort, to survive. This is a critically threatened species in the Czech Republic, occurring only in the segment from Střekov downstream, and reliably indicates river parts of extraordinary value, i.e. without transverse structures (navigation locks). Potential for further renaturalisation of the Elbe Long periods of low river water levels in the summer months are natural in the Elbe, although we can recently observe a tendency to an even sharper polarisation during the year. In addition, the history During low water levels in the summer months, extensive sand beaches significant and course of floods, including the latest for biodiversity are created in the Elbe around Dessau in Flusslandschaft Elbe ones in 2002 and 2013, are very instruc- Biosphere Reserve. Photo Petr Bauer tive. It is quite evident that the basic prin- In Flusslandschaft Elbe BR on the middle Elbe in Germany, historic dikes were intentionally interrupted after the ciple is to provide the river space. In the 2013 floods in order to enable overflowing of the river into the landscape. This should increase flood prevention in German segment of the Elbe river, dur- lower lying river sections and prevent floodplain forests from drying. Photo Handrij Hartel ing a large flood in 1845, dikes (‘Deiche’) broke in more than 100 places. It was shown that the dikes had often been built too close to the river. The old dikes were therefore interrupted in some places and new dikes built at a larger distance from the river. This measure was also meant to help rescue the floodplain forest. In contrast to other large rivers, the German Elbe has large areas of former floodplain, which serve as farmland and are not built up. Thanks to this, a return to natural flooding is principally possible. It namely turns out that many so-called flood control measures, which must prevent the river from overflowing, actually accelerate its flow, Using historically created groynes (‘Buhnen’) to improve navigation, banks on Old oak trees on Elbe dikes are a characteristic feature in Flusslandschaft Elbe worsening the situation in lower lying river the German middle Elbe were cor-rected to their present form, here covered with Biosphere Reserve. sections, i.e. efforts to raise dikes against willows and oaks, with a sand bottom and pools. Photo Petr Bauer Photo Petr Bauer extreme floods often increase flood risk downstream. The 2013 flood on the Ger- Parks (http://www.danubeparks.org/) may similar principles, moreover because the 240 days, i.e. for two thirds of the year (at man Elbe was, compared to the Czech Re- be inspiring, just as the German Integrated approaches applied on the German part least in one of the sections between de Old oxbows of the Elbe river are highly valuable habitats in Flusslandschaft Elbe Biosphere Reserve. Photo Petr Bauer public, worse than the 2002 flood. Elbe Conception (‘Gesamtkonzept Elbe’) of the Elbe will always limit the transport state border with the Czech Republic and is. On the one hand, this text (2017) rejects connection of the Czech Republic with the Geesthacht). the Salmon 2000 project, salmons from a rich mosaic of habitats is found here. Concluding we can state that the collabo- further building up of the Elbe river but North Sea. These theses are of essential northern Europe were planted in the La- Besides the mentioned floodplain forests, ration between Czech and German conser- also notes that “measures on the Elbe will importance for the further protection of As stressed in the introduction, the fact chsbach (‘Salmon Stream’ in translation), also river sediments, otherwise known as vationists is important for the protection of be accepted if they serve environmental, the Elbe, especially in light of the con- that in comparison to the German Elbe only Saxon Switzerland. In the autumn of 1998, gravel sand or Muddy river banks, deserve the Elbe nature, particularly its 600 km long water management and transport objec- ditions that recently prevail on the Elbe a relatively short near-natural river section the first returning salmons were discove- protection. This type of habitat has seen segments without navigation locks. It is cer- tives at the same time, connecting these during the summer months. For example has remained in the Czech Republic, does red here. a strong decline in Central Europe during tainly appropriate to intensify cooperation goals in a meaningful manner”. I think in 2018, according to official data of the not reduce its value in any way. Rather the the 20th century, particularly as a result of between the different protected areas. For that the protection of the Elbe in the sec- Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital opposite is the case, and the greater is our Not only certain rare and endangered spe- river canalisation. It is namely dependent example, the international association of pro- tion downstream of Střekov and the state Infrastructure, a fairway depth of 140 cm responsibility for its protection, ideally in cies inhabit the Elbe in abundance, also on natural or at least near-natural river dy- tected areas on the Danube named ‘Danube border should be conceptually based on was not reached on the German Elbe for close Czech-German cooperation. 8 On Nature in the Czech Republic Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal On Nature in the Czech Republic 9

and wasps, like mining bee or mason bee. All Dirt roads – biodiversity islets within an these species take part in the pollination of plants. Some are specialised in particular plant species or genera; others take all that abounds agricultural desert on the example of Pálava in the landscape at a particular moment. In the past, varied and richly flowering field margins -of fered sufficient nectar and pollen and a dirt road Protected Landscape Area provided bare soil to build nests. Changes in the structure of the agricultural land- Pavel Dedek scape have meant a significant deterioration in the conditions for solitary bees and wasps. Easily accessible food as well as suitable plac- The impact of industrialised agriculture on biodiversity and ability of our landscape to retain the little moisture which es for nest building have declined. The remain- landscape ‘condition’ is presently a frequent topic of dis- our nature currently endows us with. This contribution will ing unpaved dirt roads in Pálava, however, still cussion with experts from various scientific fields. The -me however not deal with rapeseed and maize fields, but with host interesting hymenopterous species, al- dia and the public are also very interested in the issue, par- that what separates (or at least should separate) blocks of though there are undoubtedly not so many as ticularly in connection with the drought and generally the intensively farmed fields, i.e. increasingly rare dirt roads. in the past. One of the most remarkable ones is sweat bee Lasioglossum marginatum, which is not large or colourful, but their nests and the high activity around them can hardly be missed. Red poppies, blue cornflowers, pink corncock- Although sweat bees (Halictidae family) are les and white chamomiles are replaced by uni- solitary bees, the developmental cycle of their Lasioglossum marginatum workers. Photo Pavel Dedek form verdure, passing into the equally uniform nests of this species is different from all other yellow of ripening corn or flowering rapeseed. members of the family and approaches that of bees and e.g. paralysed spiders, caterpillars etc. paralyse but not to kill the larva. It lays a single That dense network of dirt roads has disap- true social insects. The development of a nest for wasps), lays one egg in each chamber, se- egg on the paralysed grub, from which a larva peared and also the diversity accompanying it takes a full six years and the number of work- cures the nest against intruders, and dies. hatches that will live from the tissue of the immo- has gone. Despite, or all the more, remaining ers in the nest increases year by year. Drones bilised grub for the whole time until it becomes unpaved dirt roads are important – for the land- and fertile females appear only in the last year. The much larger and colourful Scolia hirta can a pupa. scape itself as well as for species diversity. They then copulate and the fertilised females fly be observed on flowering field eryngo (Eryngi- away to found a new nest. Other solitary bees um campestre). Belonging to the wasps, their Members of the spider-hunting wasp family The migration permeability of our landscape is and wasps have a much simpler development. larvae demand ‘meaty’ food. It searches for (Pompilidae) choose a similar strategy. They like still declining. This is not only due to linear infra- A fertilised female builds a nest (e.g. a long cor- larvae of cockchafers (e.g. scarabs of the ge- visiting the flat inflorescences of plants of the structure like roads and motorways, most often ridor with chambers in the ground), supplies the nus Anisoplia). When it finds a cockchafer grub, carrot family and are not rare along well-pre- mentioned in this context. Dense, dark forests different chambers with food (mainly pollen for it stings just enough much poison into it as to served dirt roads. They build their nests on bare and vast land blocks are much more involved in the loss of connectivity. With the isolation of plant and animal populations inhabiting the last remnants of suitable environment, also the probability of their extinction is growing. Maya the Bee and her relatives Stacks of paper have been written about the im- Dirt road below Svatý kopeček hill at Mikulov. Photo Pavel Dedek portance of bees to humans. A great majority of The dense network of dirt roads, which has in- species, many of which we regard (despite neg- these works, however, concentrate on a single tersected our landscape since ancient times, ative connotations associated with the word species, the honey bee (Apis mellifera), while has not only served man and his needs. It has ‘weed’) as rare and disappearing species of our more than 1,300 species of various solitary bees also been a migration corridor and a perma- flora today. Bouquets of field flowers, overflow- and wasps (included in the group of so-called nent habitat of many animal and plant species. ing with colours and shapes, and evoking in sting hymenoptera) live in our country. It is a rich Particularly insects associated with bare and people feelings of harmony and unity with na- group of various shapes, colours and life strate- sparsely vegetated soil have found here exactly ture, used to be a frequent motif in paintings and gies. A large part of them is bound to bare or just what they need for their development. The mar- are a basic motif in ornaments in South Moravi- sparsely vegetated soil (not poisoned by pesti- gins of dirt roads, with transitions to arable land, an folk art. However, an artist would hardly find cides). Their association with bare substrate is Asproparthenis punctiventris, once a dreaded pest. The weevil Coniocleonus nigrosuturatus reappeared in the Czech Republic after 40 years. have thus provided refuge to all sorts of weed inspiration in the present agricultural landscape. often reflected in the vernacular names of bees Photo Filip Trnka Photo Filip Trnka 10 On Nature in the Czech Republic Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal On Nature in the Czech Republic 11

reach their destination and the remainder dies (hence also the seemingly unnecessary overproduction of eggs). The luckiest in the solitary bee nest undergo a complete recon- struction of their bodies. After the slender larva eliminates the bee foetus and occupies a honey chamber with accumulated food, it transforms into a barrel-shaped immobile larva which further feasts on the food which the bee has collected for its offspring. After it has used up all the honey, the larva transforms into another untypical stage, a pseudopupa, and hibernates this way. In spring, the larva transforms again, from a pseudopupa into a legless larva, which can then turn into a true pupa. This is followed by the last, stormiest stage of development: in the pupa, the lar- Black oil-beetle (Meloe proscarabaeus). Photo Pavel Dedek Triungulins – larvae of violet oil-beetle (Meloe violaceus). Photo Pavel Dedek va body dissolves into a pulpous substance soil and supply the chambers with paralysed Weevils – easy and fast from absolutely essential for this threatened which turns into a mature blister beetle, spiders. dreaded pests to dying species group of beetles. which digs itself out of the underground bee Weevils of the Cleonini tribe are another sig- nest to the surface. And the entire cycle can Solitary hymenopterous species often ‘suffer’ nificant group of inhabitants of dirt roads and Blister beetles then start again. Blister beetles thus need from nest parasites. Nearly every thrifty bee or other disturbed habitats with sufficient bare These beetles are a group which has been solitary bees. And the bees in their turn need wasp species has some thief wanting to obtain soil. These are rather large and particularly most affected by extinction over the past cen- non-poisoned bare soil and flowering plants. Fatal mistake by triungulins: instead of solitary bees, the larvae ‘board’ a chafer (Tropinota hirta). Photo Pavel Dedek some food without work. They let the honest attractive beetles with an interesting history. tury. Out of the total number of blister beetles No wonder our blister beetles are not doing bee or wasp build a nest, wait until the host spe- A vast majority of species have undergone (24 species) 11 have gone extinct, another six well. Not many remaining landscape structures was realised in the Nymburk region (https:// cies fills it with sufficient food and then, incon- a drastic decline in the last half century and are on the brink of extinction and only three meet the definition of ‘significant landscape www.spucr.cz/aktuality-z-kraju/archiv/stredo- spicuously, just as a cuckoo, puts its own egg some of them have gone extinct. can be regarded to be relatively safe. All the Conclusion element’ and the role of ‘territorial system of cesky/vystavba-kolejovych-polnich-cest-na- into the alien nest. The described thief scenario above-mentioned factors have contributed to Unpaved dirt roads are habitats and migra- ecological stability’ better than exactly un- -nymbursku.html) and shows that the National is just one of numerous possibly strategies. An interesting case is formed by As- this terrible decline: intensification of agricul- tion corridors, the importance of which is still paved dirt roads do. Despite, many dirt roads Land Registry (NLR) can also build such roads. proparthenis punctiventris. This used to be a ture, decline in landscape variety, the use of increasing in the present altered agricultural only exist on paper (but are in fact sown and On its website, the NLR states among others An example of such an unwanted coexistence dreaded pest of rapeseed. The fight against chemicals, yet completed by the dependence landscape. This landscape element is essen- farmed as arable land) and the remaining the following on this topic: “For practical rea- on one of the Pálava dirt roads is the rare sweat it was so successful that this weevil is now a of blister beetles on solitary bees, in whose tial for at least the biodiversity which has re- ones are systematically eliminated by paving sons, we utilise track paving in the realisation bee Systropha curvicornis, whose males have rare species threatened with extinction. Un- nests not only hymenopterous relatives para- mained. This is not only ‘weeds’, bees, weevils them with asphalt or other materials. of some subordinate dirt roads. Its advantage typical curved antenna tips. These bees nest fortunately, many other weevil species met sitise, but also many other insect species, in- and blister beetles. A sound dirt road is full of is lower costs, possible application on routes on bare sand or sandy loam and often collect a similar fate, even though they were not ac- cluding blister beetles. small predatory ground beetles, wolf spiders, Long discussions can be held on the effective- with steep slopes, minimal maintenance, high pollen and nectar on field bindweed (Convol- tively controlled. Changes in the landscape darkling beetles, tiger beetles and hundreds ness of this. An asphalt road looks good, at least durability, and better integration in the land- vulus arvensis). The roughly 1 cm large bee structure were sufficient: a decline in grazing, After a blister beetle successfully mates, it of other invertebrates. Insects provide people in the beginning. However, it is evident from as- scape”. However, neither this paving method is digs an up to 50 cm deep corridor with a foetal elimination of baulks, disappearance of fallow lays thousands of eggs in the ground, from and ecosystems with a whole range of servic- phalt roads built not long ago what these paved ideal. Without regular traversing, the space be- chamber at the end. Its ‘personal thief’ is the land, and paving of dirt roads. which small, slender and very mobile larvae es for which they request no other ‘salary’ than roads will look like after a few years of being tween the concrete tracks will grow over with bee Biastes brevicornis. It has a ‘prying’ flight, called triungulins hatch. These larvae quick- living space. Hundreds of species of hyme- used by increasingly heavy agricultural machin- vegetation, so that the necessary spots with searching for nests of its victims. Also these The most interesting species of dirt roads ly search for the nearest flowering plant and noptera, butterflies, beetles and other inverte- ery. The driveability of broken asphalt roads with bare soil disappear. bees like the flowers of field bindweed, where in Pálava include Pseudocleonus cinereus, settle right in the flowers, in great numbers. brates are involved in plant pollination, others ruts and torn roadsides is really far from ideal host and parasite meet each other. However, Bothynoderes affinis and Mecaspis alter- However, they do not head here for food, in decomposition of dead matter or dung, re- for cyclists, in-line skaters and even a personal * A positive exception in this respect is the re- they do not want to work and so rather rob the nans. While encountering these beetles in but wait for transport. Larvae of blister bee- turning nutrients to the soil. Insects also form car. A new asphalt road is free of costs thanks to cently designated Na cvičišti Nature Monument, nests of the poor sweat bee. Both species are nature reserves of Pálava Protected Land- tles are parasites in solitary bee nests, which the food base for countless birds, amphibians, subsidies, but their future maintenance will need which is managed by means of intensive distur- included the Czech Red list of invertebrates. scape Area* is a rare event, dozens of these they reach by massively climbing on a pol- reptiles and mammals. finances. And we really have to reach deep into bance and thus provides sufficient disturbed Systropha curvicornis used to be quite com- beetles can be observed on dirt roads within linator which has landed on the flower and our pockets for securing constant repairs. habitats with bare and sparsely vegetated soil. mon and distributed throughout the Czech a few hours. In 2019, the author of this article then takes the parasites home. This is how- Nevertheless, we still encounter efforts to Republic, but has disappeared from many sites managed to discover Coniocleonus nigro- ever a kind of lottery. The larvae get on any pave dirt roads (most often with asphalt). This In places where paving is truly indispensable, A list of the most significant species recorded and is now relatively common only in the south suturatus, a species which had been unac- insect which sits on the flower and by far not trend, together with industrialised agriculture, more suitable alternatives to asphalt exist. An by the author on a single dirt road below Svatý of Moravia. Biastes brevicornis is a distinct- counted for in the Czech Republic for more all taxi rides end there where the larva needs. has the potential to become the definitive example is a double-track dirt road, consisting kopeček Nature Reserve is attached to the ly thermophilous bee occurring only at South than 40 years (last seen in 1978), on two dirt Also butterflies, flies and other insects vis- gravedigger of the diversity and functionality of two strips (e.g. using prefabricated concrete web version of the article on www.casopis. Moravian localities. roads. Unpaved dirt roads are, as it seems, it flowers, so only a small part of the larvae of our landscape. elements) with a free space between them. This ochranaprirody.cz . 12 On Nature in the Czech Republic Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal On Nature in the Czech Republic 13

The black grouse misses this advantage. The (Šťastný et al. 2000, Hora et al. 2015, J. Flousek Brief ‚genetic‘ intermezzo Will the black grouse survive in the closest substantial populations can be found in unpubl.). Within 40 years, thus 80% of black Published studies state that a number of about 100 the Alps, Scandinavia, eastern Poland and Be- grouse have disappeared from our landscape! birds is considered to be the survival limit of viable larus, i.e. many hundreds of kilometres away. populations of the black grouse (e.g. Segelbacher Krkonoše Mts until 2040? Such a distance is an unsurpassable obstacle. The birds have vanished from all low-lying areas et al. 2014). If they are smaller, more or less related The fact is that most males spend their whole as well as the Vysočina region, the Jeseník Mts birds inbreed, the genetic quality of their offspring For the time being, this is realistic! But it is up to us, the people who live and work lives within one kilometre of their hatching site, and the Bohemian Forest. Only three mountain declines and the entire population inevitably faces while females move away for up to 5 km on populations have survived, in the Ore Mts, the extinction. in the Krkonoše (Giant) Mts, as well as the visitors to our highest mountain range. average, flights of over 10 km being an excep- Krkonoše and Jizera Mts, and the Šumava Mts tion. An isolated population, especially when in and Boletice region. We cannot speak of pop- If this limit is realistic, the situation of Czech black trouble, is a fundamental problem for every an- ulations in the Doupov Mts, where not more grouse is not bright. Šumava is exactly on the brink Jiří Flousek imal, which is particularly true for ‘settled’ spe- than 10 males live, nor the Libavá region, where (if we assume that both sexes are balanced, i.e. cies like the black grouse. If we do not solve two males only were found in 2018. In all ar- the 50 males are matched by the same number of this bird’s problems ourselves, the surrounding eas, black grouse are still declining, the most females). In the Ore Mts, with about four times the The Czech Republic probably does not have a more These have, however, a significant advantage as for nature will not help us. A strengthening of our dramatically in Šumava and at Boletice, seeing number of individuals, the situation is more hope- endangered species than the black grouse. The survival: they manage to fly dozens or hundreds of populations with black grouse flying in from the a decline of 95% in 40 years to the present num- ful. Also the joint population in the Krkonoše and Ji- country hosts many birds which also face great pro- kilometres and thus have at least a chance of finding Alps or northern Europe is namely impossible. ber of about 50 males. The species is slightly zera Mts, counting 220 individuals, looks optimistic And artificially increasing populations by re- better off in the Ore, Jizera and Krkonoše Mts, blems and whose numbers are considerably lower suitable nesting grounds or new partners elsewhere, at first sight, BUT … leasing birds does not help! where it has declined by 40–60% since the than those of the black grouse, e.g. the little owl and mainly… they are within flying distance of their year 2000 (see Box). Already 10 years ago, a genetic study indicated that (Athene noctua) and the saker falcon (Falco cherrug). relatives in neighbouring countries. Black grouse on the national level black grouse from the Jizera and Krkonoše Mts dif- Still in the mid-20th century, roughly 70 years Why is it declining so fast? fer slightly from each other, just as those from the In lek sites over 10 males can be encountered in a quality population (such grounds still existed in Krkonoše in the early 1980s, for example at the Elbe springs). ago, black grouse could be observed in most There are many causes. The main one is the western, central and eastern parts of the Krkonoše Dominant adult cocks fight for the most important position in the centre of a lek, while the others are waiting at its margin. Also females are hidden here, about 90% of which only mate with the male controlling the centre of the lek (e.g. Alatalo et al. 1996, Lebigre et al. 2007). Photo Ondřej Prosický areas of the Czech Republic. During a nation- loss of suitable habitats and landscape frag- Mts (Svobodová et al. 2011). It may thus be conclu- al bird survey in the years 1973–1977 it was mentation (e.g. Patthey et al. 2012, Geary et al. ded that Jizera and Krkonoše birds crossbreed very detected in only 15% of the original area, but 2015). Black grouse prefer open habitats, es- little, even though they live close to each other, at its numbers were still rather high, estimated at pecially waterlogged meadows, fens and peat sites just six kilometres in a straight line, separated 1,250–2,250 males (Šťastný et al. 1987). Then a bogs, heaths and clearings, with a rich herb by the Jizera valley and the Novosvětský pass. Si- dramatic decline followed: 800–1,000 males by layer, various Vaccinium species and scattered milarly, birds from the west, middle and east of the the year 2000, less than 600 males counted in stands of Betula, Salix and Sorbus (the fruits of Krkonoše Mts meet each other rarely, if at all (see 2005 and only 330–380 males by the year 2017 all these plants form an important component the map). If we add specific numbers to these four subpopulations (from west to east 70, 40, 80 and 140 30 individuals, respectively), a purely mathematic conclusion is, unfortunately, evident.

120 Slight optimism is provided by cases of recove- ring black grouse populations, although some- 100 times just temporarily, from relatively low numbers (e.g. Klaus 1994). However, availability of an increased number of suitable habitats was 80 always a fundamental condition.

60 In any case, it follows that a key step to save the local grouse is connecting subpopulations 40 and creating conditions to enable the birds to find each other again in the entire Krkonoše Mts and between these and the Jizera Mts! 20

0 of their food) (e.g. Svobodová 2005). Another 1995 1998 2000 2001 2005 2008 2011 2014 2015 2017 important condition is the presence of young woodland or shrubland patches in the vicinity, Numbers of lekking black grouse males in the Krkonoše Mts (red) and Jizera Mts (blue) in the years 1995–2017, in both ranges constantly declining since the turn of the century (intervals on the X-axis are not equal). (Hora et where black grouse hide and females build al. 2010, 2015 and 2018; Flousek et al. 2015; L. Dostál, J. Flousek and M. Pudil unpubl.) nests. This diverse mosaic of habitats should 14 On Nature in the Czech Republic Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal On Nature in the Czech Republic 15

Such an igloo protects them from unfavourable Alfrédka Zadní Plech, Lysá hora weather and from predators. They leave the : 0 : 0 burrows only in the morning and before the Kozelský hřeben evening falls in order to collect food, thus re- : 0 Lesní hřeben plenishing their energy supply. Each extra time Kapradník : 0 a black grouse leaves the burrows means a loss : 0 western of energy, the necessity to spend more time on 27 % Pomezní / Dlouhý the snow when looking for additional food, and hřeben an increased risk of being predated by a beast Mechovinec −64 % or a bird of prey. By disturbing a grouse, also the : 0 stress hormone level in its blood rises. Stress is eastern an important defence response of an organism Černá skála 20 % to danger, essential for the survival of animals, : 0 including human beings. However, if it lasts central long, it undermines the health of the stressed 53 % individual. A single disturbance of a black grouse increases the level of its stress hormone by 20–50%, while each other disturbance pro- longs the time of its decomposition. Permanent stress causes grouse health problems, increas- Žalý ing the risk of being surprised by bad weather : 0 or a predator. Studies from the Alps clearly show that the stress level of black grouse rises with Tetřeví / Jelení vrch decreasing distance to a ski area or frequented Black grouse have accustomed to frequented tourist trails between Výrovka and the chapel in the Modré saddle, : 0 used by thousands of visitors. However, the two skiers on the left, selfishly preferring their own experience to vul- cross-country trails. nerable Krkonoše nature, are heading straight for the site of overwintering black grouse. Three more tracks in the same direction show that they are not the only ones. Grouse buried in the snow do not withstand this. Three black grouse subpopulations on the territory of the Krkonoše Mts in 2017. Roughly a quarter of the birds live in the west, over a half in the central part and only a fifth in the north-east of the range. Abandoned leks on the periphery of the Krkonoše Mts and the year in which no grouse were detected anymore are indicated in red. On the Pomezní The mentioned predation is a common fea- and Dlouhý ridges, two thirds of lekking birds disappeared between the years 2011 and 2017. (J. Flousek unpubl.) ture in nature. If the population of a potential the amount of natural snow will decrease and konoše Mts: the last censuses of collectively prey (a grouse in our case) is favourable, it can so black grouse are expected to get difficul- lekking males ranged from 4 to 25%. also include exposed sites with sparse vege- ted by industrial air pollution in the late Leks are a key area for the black grouse’s en- cope with predator attacks. However, if that ties with building their winter shelters, while tation or even without, where they dig up and 20th century, the black grouse was one of the tire life and is the most important every spring. is not the case, any caught bird or destroyed birds overwintering outside the snow cov- In contrast to the remaining Czech popu- collect small stones (grit), helping their stom- few bird species benefiting from forest die- From late March to early May, a few hours af- nest may be a concern. It is obvious that there er are more vulnerable to weather and pred- lations, black grouse in the Krkonoše Mts achs to process food. back and the formation of large clearings (e.g. ter daybreak, males come together here, fight are enough natural enemies of black grouse ators. also have many advantages. Clearings cre- Šťastný & Bejček 1983, Flousek 1989). The for females and the most successful ones all around: the numbers of fox, wild boar and ated by air pollution revegetate also here Such habitats have however disappeared from emissions have fortunately decreased, the mate with them (e.g. Alatalo et al. 1992, 1996). martens (especially beech martens) have long And what about Krkonoše? but there are many mountain meadow en- our landscape in a rapid way since the mid-20th clearings are revegetating, and spruce forests If the birds are disturbed, they fly away and been increasing, and weasels and goshawks No glory! During the last survey of lekking claves and particularly habitats above the century, as mentioned. Wet meadows have are returning to sites where they used to grow when peace returns, they come back. If they predate on black grouse as well (e.g. Summers grouse in 2017, we counted 74 males (the upper treeline which offer the black grouse been drained, just as many lowland wetlands – certainly a favourable trend, which however are alarmed repeatedly, they only return the et al. 2004, Tornberg et al. 2016). inconspicuously coloured females cannot living space. Moreover, the entire mountain or peatbogs and waterlogged spruce forests does not benefit the black grouse. The rela- following day. And if such a situation, either be counted exactly) on the Czech side of the range is protected as a national park, which in the mountains, and intensive farming has tively untouched habitats beyond the upper disturbance by an early tourist, a supply car or Also ‘invisible’ obstacles, like cables of cable mountain range. Sixteen years before, 135 is the highest nature conservation category spread over originally unmanaged parts of treeline in the Krkonoše Mts are therefore all a careless photographer, happens every day, cars and ski lifts, electric wires and mesh fenc- males were observed lekking here, which in the country. Black grouse thus have ide- the landscape. This has caused black grouse the more valuable. this may cause the birds reproduction prob- es protecting tree plantings, are a danger (e.g. means a decline of 45% (see the graph). al conditions for survival in the Krkonoše to decline more and more, and their formerly lems. In extreme cases, mating does not hap- Bevanger 1995, Baines & Andrew 2003, Buf- Mts with their national park, subalpine and continuous population has shattered into small A very significant negative factor, probably pen at all, so the female lays unfertilised eggs fet & Dumont-Dayot 2013). A brusquely flying One of the characteristics of a black grouse alpine grasslands and peatbogs with scat- parts, leaving the birds only a few mountainous the most important at least in the present and the breeding of that year fails. One should black grouse cannot avoid them and after the population is the number of males lekking in tered mountain pine (Pinus mugo) stands areas. However, they still do not have peace to- Krkonoše Mts, is disturbance of black grouse realise that around 90% of females mate only collision it dies or gets wounded with a small a lek (e.g. Höglund & Stöhr 1996, Lebigre et on their ridges. day. For example, the very valuable extensive at their lek sites, nesting sites and places once during the entire breeding period (e.g. chance of survival. al. 2007). The more birds are lekking toge- bogs and open habitats in the Ore Mts, where where they overwinter by different, most of- Lebigre et al. 2007). ther, the higher the chance that the best of Unfortunately, everything seems to be currently nearly half of our black grouse popu- ten sport and recreation activities (e.g. Zeitler To date, we hardly know anything about the them will mate with females and their gene- overshadowed by the area’s very high vis- lation lives, are at the same time attractive sites 2000, Baines & Richardson 2007, Arlettaz Winter is a critical time for the survival of black impact of the ongoing climate change (e.g. tically high quality offspring will maintain the it rate. The latest census in 2018 showed for hundreds of wind farms planned there. et al. 2013). In the current landscape we will grouse (e.g. Patthey et al. 2008, Braunisch et al. Spidsø et al. 1997, Selås et al. 2011). Howev- population in a favourable condition. Conver- that nearly six million visitors spent some hardly find places where man has not set foot, 2011, Formenti et al. 2015). Most of the time they er, due to rising temperatures in the breeding sely, in leks with one male only even a young 12 million days of residence here (CE‑Traf- In the mountains on the border, particularly while the black grouse is very sensitive to any stay under the snow, into which they dig out time, hatching of the chicks will cease to over- or handicapped individual will assert itself. fic 2018). So even if just a small percentage in the Ore, Jizera and Krkonoše Mts, affec- disturbance. burrows and have themselves covered by snow. lap with the time of optimal food supply. Also Also this is apparently a problem in the Kr- of them does not follow the rules of the 16 On Nature in the Czech Republic Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Nature & Landscape Management 17 Has a feasibility study on the Danube-Oder- Elbe Canal really been performed?

Petr Havel

The preparation of large infrastructural works has long ration of a construction. Efforts for systematic changes been criticised for being time-demanding and ineffecti- in building permit procedures should therefore be pre- ve. Drafts of amendments to construction law have re- ceded by a comprehensive analysis of shortcomings peatedly been submitted in order to shorten and faci- already in the stage prior to the building permit proce- litate the approval process. Recently, a proposal for its dure. It is not an overstatement to say that the stage of integral recodification was submitted. The actual admi- project preparation and specification of the project at nistrative process aimed at realising a construction is different levels in spatial planning documentation have however to a great extent the final stage in the prepa- much greater margins than the building permit stage.

Morava river in Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area. Photo Zdeněk Patzelt

One of the created black grouse centres in the Krkonoše Mts including an open area for lekking grouse, solitary trees or small tree groups providing shelter to the birds, vegetation offering appropriate food (blueberries, birches, rowans) and also an exposed patch for the collection of grit. Photo Jiří Flousek.

National Park (such as keeping to marked the Krkonoše Mts or back, or gradually known routes. Any deviation from them is trails), there is probably no help for the ‘skip’ from the west to the east of the latter however a problem for the birds. And re- grouse. mountain range. member that in winter such a problem can be caused by just a few irresponsible indi- Is there anything we can do? The mentioned invisible obstacles can be viduals who enter inaccessible places left Certainly! Possible ways to solve the prob- removed with a simple technical solution: se- for a peaceful development of nature and lems are given by the abovementioned list curing cables of cableways and ski lifts with its inhabitants. of problems with the black grouse. We can hangers deterring the birds (the FireFly type – probably not return lost habitats to them, www.hammarprodukter.com seems the most There is no time to lose. We have some but we can preserve and try to connect appropriate for the time being), and either ten to twenty years to try and reverse the the still remaining suitable ones. A total of building mesh fences no longer or securing unfavourable population trend and main- 24 black grouse ‘centres’ with a total area them by visual elements (e.g. upper or lateral tain the black grouse in the Krkonoše and of 86 hectares have been created in the cross-bars). Jizera Mts as well as the rest of the Czech Jizera and Krkonoše Mts in the last four Republic in sufficient numbers, therewith years (Dostál & Kavková 2015, J. Flousek Also disturbance of black grouse can be preserving this fascinating and iconic bird unpubl.). By cutting woodland, open are- limited to an acceptable level. However, species for the next generations! as have been formed for completely new we cannot do here without a responsible or lost lek sites, moreover at flight dis- attitude of every inhabitant and visitor of A list of references is attached to the web tance in order to give at least grouse fe- our mountain ranges. Black grouse can version of the article at males a chance to fly from the Jizera to adapt to human movement along well- www.casopis.ochranaprirody.cz 18 Nature & Landscape Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Nature & Landscape Management 19

Why feasibility studies? Environmental legislation (especially require- A valuable instrument (especially with large ments of the Habitat and Bird Directives, the constructions) is also a feasibility study, the Water Framework Directive, the Nature and objective of which should be – besides as- Landscape Protection Act, etc.) has a funda- sessment of technical aspects of the reali- mental impact on the feasibility of the project sation – a complete examination of the fea- and should be thoroughly evaluated prior to sibility of a project with regards to all other further considerations on how realistic and interests protected by legal regulations and necessary a D-O-E is. Conflict with the objec- international conventions. Even though the tives of European nature conservation direc- compilation of such a study may be demand- tives is one of the most important limits of the ing, the resulting study should help prevent project, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. the investor from ineffective investments into There is no need to specify these conflicts or an inappropriately designed project. make prognoses (as has been done in parts of the study dealing with expected economic The project of a connection of Danube, Oder benefits of the project and the development and Elbe (D-O-E) for navigation has a truly rich of the demand for shipping, not always based history dating back to the Middle Ages, when on well-founded assumptions), as they are Charles IV first came with this plan. In 2016, determined by legislation. Nevertheless, they the Czech government, member state of the have not been evaluated in relation to the European Union (thus, among others, bound project’s feasibility. to obligations following from its environmen- View of the Elbe river from Dubeč, České středohoří Protected Landscape Area. Photo Zdeněk Patzelt tal legislation) and party to many environ- In this respect, international conventions mental conventions, adopted an update of Kaňon Labe National Nature Reserve downstream of Děčín. Photo Zdeněk Patzelt on environmental protection should not be the Spatial Development Policy, i.e. a top pri- overlooked either. Although these so-called ority document of the Czech Republic in the rious intervention in the natural conditions landscape manifests itself very negative- multilateral environmental agreements may area of spatial development planning. Under of a river ecosystem (Rulík et al. 2014). The ly now that the climate is changing. We be seen as instruments not reaching the Paragraph 180, the Ministry of Transport was natural process of drift and sedimentation should add to this the impact on the actual force of legislation, they form a full part of the assigned the task to “Examine the effective- of river deposits is disturbed, accompanied waterbodies, including the essential influ- Czech legal order. An example of an agree- ness and feasibility of the Danube-Oder-Elbe by a loss of valuable habitats, and it also ence on groundwater in floodplains and on ment with a direct link to the D-O-E project connection to assess its possible realisation leads to a reduction in migration permeabi- the connected drinking water resources, is the Ramsar Convention, but also the Bern in a complete European context (incl. en- lity of the waterbody and of the landscape which are of life importance, and further and Bonn Conventions and the Convention vironmental aspects), its transport efficien- for aquatic as well as some terrestrial ani- on water quality, sedimentation processes, on Biological Diversity must be mentioned. cy and the demandingness of the different mals (Krátký, Löw 2005). At the same time, bed-load regime and minimum and max- The mission of these documents should cer- branches” to be completed in 2018. This step the mentioned effects cannot be removed imum flowrates (drought, floods). These tainly not be interpreted in a way arguing on should have contributed to an end of the dis- by technical solutions and can thus de facto ecosystems should on the contrary be in the one hand that the Czech Republic as a putes between opponents to the project, not not be compensated for. Realisation of the the forefront of interest with regards to the contracting party has complied to them and knowing why there is still debate about the D-O-E connection would cause a change in conservation, support and restoration of on the other hand making steps leading to a project, and its proponents, regarding con- water regime and have a negative impact on their functions. In other words, our activi- realisation of the D-O-E connection. servationists as fanatic environmentalists not the natural functions of the rivers Morava, ty should primarily consist in a reduction in understanding the ‘environmental benefits’ of Bečva, Oder and Elbe and their floodplains, and compensation for the impact of water- Assessment of the feasibility water transport. including adjacent floodplain soils and ripa- course adjustments already conducted and study rian forest ecosystems, which are unique in of navigation already taking place. Aquat- The basic prerequisite for meeting the ob- The study was commissioned to the ‘D-O-E terms of extent and naturalness in the Euro- ic species and species of natural habitats jectives of a feasibility study is quality work- Association’, created for the needs of the ten- Riparian forests in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at the confluence of the Thaya and the Morava. Photo Zdeněk Patzelt pean context. bound to water have been assessed the manship and independency in its evaluation. der process realised by the Ministry of Trans- worst in national monitoring for years (Cho- The credibility of the compiled study detracts, port, being a conglomerate of the companies ion by their absence). The committee should What could be a barrier for its Watercourses and wetlands belong to the bot a kol. 2013). This means that they are among other things, from the fact that sep- Vodní cesty, a.s., Sweco hydroprojekt, a.s. and monitor, guide and provide feedback to the feasibility? world’s most endangered ecosystems, pro- the most affected by negative changes and arate parts are not interconnected, i.e. in Aquatis, a.s. The timetable for performing the material during its entire compilation. Howev- River navigation usually demands large viding many ecosystem services, and their that the Czech Republic should particularly different places often different information study (and the interdepartmental comment er, the fear of rather biased document compi- constructions adjusting the flow. These lead role in the landscape is irreplaceable (MŽP strive to improve this situation. It should not on the same subject can be encountered procedure) aimed at completion by the end of lation by the D-O-E Association turned out to among others to changes in the regime of 2015, Mach et al. 2016). Watercourse can- be forgotten that the idea of the D-O-E plan and the contents of some passages is rather 2017. At the same time, a monitoring commit- be justified, and members of the monitoring surface- as well as groundwater, in physical- alisation leads to a significant loss of their arose in times of different social priorities. surprising when compared to their titles. For tee including Polish and Slovak representa- committee not primarily interested in the con- -chemical features of the watercourse, to ecological functions and to a considerable Today however, the situation is completely example, Part A of the study, which should tives was established, but Austrian members struction did not have influence on the study a significant reduction in habitat diversity disturbance of the natural water regime, different, whether in terms of economy, the deal with the possible alternative ways of were not included (expressing Austria’s opin- to the extent necessary. of rivers and their floodplains, and are a se- due to which lower water retention of the environment or climate change. achieving the project objectives, is rather a 20 Nature & Landscape Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Nature & Landscape Management 21 summary of the project’s benefits for carri- ers and declarations of those involved in the Update of the Strategy realisation of the D-O-E connection, which does not answer the question whether and to what extent objectives in transport policy for Unblocking the Czech River Network can be achieved by other means than by realisation of the D-O-E project, which would irreversibly damage many components of Zdeněk Vogl the environment. The D-O-E project study promotes mostly ill-founded assumptions on flood prevention, recreation, and even wa- This year, already a second update of the Strategy For this reason, the length of corridors will generally ter management and adaptation to climate for Unblocking the Czech River Network, an impor- increase as compared to the present situation. These change. Neither the economic calculations tant water management planning document, will will be prioritised in the subsidy policy also in future. are very persuasive. On the contrary, its pre- be completed. At present, the Czech Nature Con- The objective of the updated version of the document fers documents which contain information on servation Agency is working on a proposal deline- is to implement measures providing free migration the D-O-E project and create the impression that the Czech Republic has committed itself ating watercourses which are primarily determined to fish and other water animals in an effective and to realisation of the river connection or has to be made passable for migration, at the same systematic way, especially on watercourses of inter- been imposed some kind of legislation or in- time respecting territorial and species protection. national and national importance. ternational agreement (European Agreement on Main Inland Waterways of International Im- portance, AGN). That is however a completely Cross barriers misguiding interpretation. Gravel deposits in the Oder river in Poodří Protected Landscape Area. Photo Zdeněk Patzelt Biocorridors of trans-regional priority Watercourse sections of national priority Another prerequisite for meeting the objecti- It is thus the question whether the study can project documentation, there is hardly any Watercourse sections of regional priority ves of a feasibility study is a thorough evalu- serve as a foundation for a government de- justification for a SEA process also because ation of all available information. By the way, cision on the meaningfulness and feasibility serious environmental impacts of the D-O-E we deal with a feasibility study, not a search of the project, now that it mentions the risks project are already known today, among of available literature, so it is not an exagge- which can essentially jeopardise the project others based on the observations in the rel- rated demand to expect qualified conclusions on the one hand, but does not find the will evant part of the feasibility study (although regarding the feasibility of the project. A part to accept and interpret this information in key not adequately evaluated from the perspec- indicated ‘B.5’ deals, on ca 1400 pages, with passages. If these environmental risks had tive of feasibility). Performing a SEA process the impacts of the D-O-E connection on the been taken into account, general conclusions at this moment would only be another waste environment. These are, although not ex- in favour of the D-O-E connection would have of public funds. hausting (e.g. an assessment of the impact on been practically impossible. farmland is missing; the aspect of ecosystem The most important thing is still services and the influence on them, neither An abstract of the feasibility study was sub- to come their inclusion into the economic balance mitted for an interdepartmental comment The task from the Spatial Development Policy are evaluated in the document; impacts on procedure in January 2019. Even on the ordering the Ministry of Transport to summa- e.g. Poodří Protected Landscape Area and significantly reduced number of 167 pages, rise and assess available documents on the the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at the con- the material has almost the same shortcom- feasibility of the D-O-E project still remains fluence of the Thaya and the Morava are not ings as the study itself: particular parts are unfulfilled three years after it was formulated. comprehensively described, only a conclu- again not interconnected and the environ- Although compiling a feasibility study was a ding assessment of the impact on the water mental impacts are rather mentioned as a logical and justified choice, the final study regime of the landscape, etc.), in many cases minor factor posing a certain risk in the form cannot be characterised this way, inter alia correctly evaluated as serious or even as of difficult enforcement with regard to the because it basically misses environmental non-compensable, and are thus a clear pro- professional sector and in permit proce- risks. It will now be essential which position to Borders of Czech regions of of the severity of the impacts of the D-O- dures. In a motion for a resolution, the Min- the study the Government will take after eval- Elbe catchment basin -E project on the environment. Nevertheless, istry of Transport has proposed performing uation of the interdepartmental comment pro- Danube catchment basin this part is not adequately reflected in the a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) cedure. But that is unknown at this moment. Oder catchment basin ‘Conclusions’ chapter or in the risk analysis process. Besides the fact that this material or SWOT analysis. The D-O-E Association has is dedicated to a single project and deals A list of references is attached to the web therewith omitted obvious conclusions which with reasons why the project should be real- version of the article at are essential for the realisation of the project. ised, and is thus not a strategy but de facto www.casopis.ochranaprirody.cz Figure 1. Delineation of corridors of international, national and regional priority in the updated Strategy. Compiled by Jan Vrba 22 Nature & Landscape Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Nature & Landscape Management 23

Current Strategy 3500 Database on Animal Movement/ Cross barriers The Strategy is a strategic document of the Migration Barriers in the Czech Republic Biocorridors of supraregional priority 3000 The Database on Animal Movement/Migration Barriers in Ministry of the Environment, aimed at setting Watercourse sections of national priority priorities which establish options for bidirec- 2500 the Czech Republic is a web portal managed by the Natu- re Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic gathering tional migration of water organisms on Czech 2000 data collected in the course of the project No. EHS-CZ02- watercourses by opening cross barriers. Par- 2014Koncepce Strategy 2014 1500 -0V-1-016-2014 entitled Developing a strategy to mitigate délka(km)

length(km) 2019Koncepce Strategy 2019 ticularly longitudinal continuity of watercourses river network fragmentation effects in the Czech Republic is one of the requirements to achieve a good 1000 and funded by the European Economic Area funds. More ecological state of a waterbody according to 500 precisely, migration/movement barriers, facilities to enhance the ‘Water Framework Directive’ (2000/60/ES) watercourse permeability, e.g. fish ladders, also known as 0 fish passes, fish steps or fishways, as well small hydropower implemented in the ‘Water Act’ (as amended). A B C plants, are documented there having been monitored on It is being realised thanks to, among others, a the selected watercourses across the country. In addition, water planning process. Graph 1. Comparison of changes in length of the river network in the Strategies of 2014 (currently valid version) it also presents other project´s outputs, inter alia an analy- and 2019 (updated version). A – Corridors of international priority, B – Corridors of national priority, C – Corridors sis on water management in the selected Sites of European In the presently valid Strategy, watercourses of of regional priority. Compiled by Zdeněk Vogl Importance (pursuant to Act No. 114/1992 Gazette on Nature Basic river network Conservation and Landscape Protection, as amended later, international (Category A) and national (Cate- Borders of Czech regions the term for Site of Community Importance, SCI under the gory B) importance are defined (see Fig. 2). The Elbe catchment basin 700 European Union’s Habitats Directive), fish ladder functiona- first ones are formed by corridors linked to ma- Danube catchment basin Oder catchment basin 600 lity assessment by the extensive method or data gathered rine environments intended for diadromous fish during migratory fish monitoring by advanced methods ha- 500 migration, in our conditions particularly eel (An- ving been a part of the national biological diversity monito- guilla anguilla) and salmon (Salmo salar). The Figure 2. Definition of trans-regional and national corridors in the currently valid version of the Strategy for 400 ring scheme. Unblocking the Czech River Network (Ministry of the Environment, 2014 update). Compiled by Zdeněk Kučera other ones have been defined according to 300 More information on the Database on Animal Movement/

po č et bariér bariéryOver 0.2 m nad high barriers0,2 m Migration Barriers in the Czech Republic is available on the priorities in territorial and species protection, pri- number of barriers 200 web portal itself (www.vodnitoky.ochranaprirody.cz) or in the marily with regard to threatened bivalve species. Transverse barriers mapped 100 bariéryOver 1.0 m nadhigh barriers1,0 m article published in this journal entitled River network fragmentation in the Czech Republic. The Database on Animal Supra-regional = national priority biocorridors 0 Movement/Migration Barriers as a tool to minimize their af- Why is the Strategy being updated Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) under 2014 2019 2014 2019 again? the European Union’s Habitats Directive fects (Ochrana přírody/Nature Conserv. J., 72, 6, 13-17, 2017). Before each stage in water management plan- A B ning, it is necessary to revise all relevant doc- confluence with the Elbe to its confluence with uments, add current knowledge and update Graph 2. Comparison of changes in the number of migration barriers of over 0.2 and over 1 m high in the Strategies of 2014 and the Ještědský potok stream) and the Oder (from 2019, using a dataset from the ‘Migration Barrier Database’ of the Czech Nature Conservation Agency. them with newly available data. Besides a se- the state border to the SW boundary of Poodří A – Corridors of international priority, B – Corridors of national priority. Compiled by Zdeněk Vogl lection of priority watercourses, especially for Protected Landscape Area). This category may distant migrants, the updated version of the Surveyed cross barriers be reduced in the negotiations to be followed by

Strategy takes territorial and species protection Watercourse sections of national priority excluding the upper sections of the Rožnovská based on national and European legislation into Watercourse sections of regional priority Bečva and Vsetínská Bečva streams as a result account in a comprehensive way (see Fig. 1). Sites of Community Importance of the relatively high number of cross barriers. For these reasons, nearly a doubling of national corridors and definition of a completely new Category B includes watercourses or sections of category, Category C, for watercourses (or sec- them inhabited by protected animals or animals tions of them) of regional importance have been of European importance with a high migration achieved. A numeric comparison of changes in demand of the species themselves or of species the currently valid and updated version of the existentially dependent on these migrants (a list Strategy is illustrated in Graphs 1 and 2. of species is given in Tab. 1). These species are al- Figure 3. According to the Strategy on Providing Watercourse Network with Permeability, the lower and middle ways the protection target of an SCI or nature re- Elbe River stretches with important tributaries are included among the international priority corridors suitable Trans-regional International? corridors were orig- particularly for diadromous migrants, e.g. the Atlantic Salmon. Elaborated by Jan Vrba serve. Category B watercourses are often short, inally selected with regard to their high ecologi- isolated sections which have been included for cal potential, absence of water reservoirs and the torical occurrence of salmon. In order to return courses, salmon is repatriated by the Czech An- the mosaic location of protected areas. An exam- abovementioned link to marine environments. this species, the Opava river – in connection to glers Union as part of the long-term programme ple is the Račinka stream, where Ukrainian brook The location of lake systems across these water- the Moravice river – was delineated up to the wa- Losos 2000. To preserve migration permeability, lamprey (Eudontomyzon mariae) is the reason courses and the excessive number of migration ter reservoir at Podhradí. In the Elbe catchment also the Dyje (Thaya) river from its confluence for protection. For European brook lamprey barriers were omitted. The update aims at taking basin, moreover, the Chřibská Kamenice river with the Morava river to Nové Mlýny waterworks (Lampetra planeri), watercourses on the territo- these factors into account. In Category A, the was included up to the village of Chřibská and was included in this category. On the other ry of e.g. SCI Olše, SCI Moravice and SCI Údolí most significant changes have been made in the in the Ohře (Eger) catchment basin, Liboc was in- hand, some river sections were shortened, e.g. Figure 4. Example of connection of the newly defined national corridor of the Jihlava river to the existing Rokytná Chrudimky have been included. The river Vlára Oder catchment basin, particularly given the his- cluded for this flag species. In both these water- the currently delineated Ploučnice river (from its corridor. Compiled by Jan Vrba in the Bílé Karpaty (White Carpathians) Protected 24 Nature & Landscape Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Nature & Landscape Management 25

Landscape Area is included for the occurrence Surveyed cross barriers of chub (Alburnoides bipunctatus) and provides Watercourse sections of regional priority Where is Šumava National Park heading? at the same time protection to other fish species, particularly the loach Sabanejewia balcanica. For pearly mussel Margaritifera margaritifera, Pavel Hubený, Martin Starý, Pavla Čížková e.g. Lužní potok stream in the Aš region has newly been included. In some cases, links to currently defined corridors have successfully been made. I believe in an authentic internationally recognized full of enthusiasm and great plans developed by For example, the Jihlava river, upstream of the national park, but the path to it is thorny, slow and fathers, mothers, uncles and aunts, grandmothers Nové Mlýny reservoirs, is connected to the pres- cautious… and grandfathers – and each person had a different ently defined Rokytna, intersecting SCI Mušovský The hitherto maturing National Park can easily be plan. But everybody agreed that it is necessary to luh and SCI Meandry Jihlavy, protected for the compared to the life of a human being. Its birth was put the best into the child's life. occurrence of white-finned gudgeon (Romano- gobio albipinnatus) (see Fig. 3). Forest at Medvědice in spring. Photo Zdeněk Patzelt The regional corridors have been defined by staff of the regional offices of the Nature Conservation Agency or national park authorities based on certain criteria according to a uniform methodology displayed on www.vodnitoky.ochranaprirody.cz. Figure 5. Classification of the Ohře river and selected tributaries upstream of the Nechranice Dam as a regional corridor. For classification into this category, in contrast Compiled by Jan Vrba. to national corridors, only species protection Table 1. List of fish, lamprey and bivalve species for the delineation of corridors of national and regional importance. has been taken into account. Other criteria Compiled by Zdeněk Vogl. were number of migration barriers, hydromor- Protection Category Class Species Habitats Directive phological and ecological quality of waterbod- (Act No. 114/92 Coll.) ies, and connection to corridors of higher pri- Leuciscus aspius ― Annexes II and V ority. This category includes among others the Gobio albipinnatus ― Annex II Ohře river with notable tributaries upstream of Romanogobio kesslerii Critically threatened Annex II the Nechranice Dam, which prevents inclusion Fish Leuciscus idus Threatened ― of the entire watercourse into the category of Lota lota Threatened corridors of international priority (Fig. 4). In the ― areas concerned, also the occurrence of inva- Alburnoides bipunctatus Strongly threatened ― sive crayfish species has been taken into ac- Lampetra planeri Critically threatened Annex II Lampreys count in order to prevent spread of the crayfish Eudontomyzon mariae Critically threatened Annex II plague. For these reasons, the Strategy does Margaritifera margaritifera Critically threatened Annexes II and V Bivalves not include e.g. the Stroupinský potok stream Unio crassus Strongly threatened Annexes II and IV in the Křivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area, where our native crayfish was affected by this Conclusions and expectations of should be chosen in the following order: (1) re- fungal disease last year. the updated Strategy moval of cross barriers, (2) near-natural solutions The updated Strategy should serve as a docu- such as boulder chutes, (3) fish ladders, optimally Financing of the proposed measures ment for the third water management planning accompanied by revitalised watercourse sec- Watercourses delineated as mentioned period, running from 2022 to 2027. Its objections linked to them, e.g. in the form of spawning above will be prioritised in the subsidy policy tive is to comprehensively define watercourses grounds, distributaries, groynes, etc. of the Ministry of the Environment, particularly significant from the perspective of nature and in the Operational Programme Environment landscape conservation, primarily securing the The document should further present the cur- (up to 100% of the expenses). The allocation continuity (migration permeability) of these wa- rent measures and novelties in this particular of finances is still considerable. We expect tercourses, thus implementing, among others, field in a comprehensive way, including funda- a substantial increase in submitted projects the ‘Water Framework Directive’. This requires, mental problems with solving migration permea- (or requests), with regard to the demanding besides securing migration permeability, also the bility, especially on corridors of international and preparation of the actual measures as well as preservation or restoration of other stream func- national priorities. The objective of updating the to the administration involved in subsidy re- tions like the stream load regime and self-purifi- Strategy is not only to delimit these corridors, quests, from a few per year at present to at cation functions. In accordance with these objec- but also to establish conditions to make them least dozens next year. tives, appropriate adjustments of the measures passable in a systematic and effective way. 26 Nature & Landscape Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Nature & Landscape Management 27

Free-flowing youth or farmland where we will take care of nature And so the National Park Authority got cont- in the following decades, concentrating on the rol over forests, minor watercourses, and the preservation of unique, protected or threate- Ministry of the Environment even provided ned species or species of European interest competences in land-use planning. But the pa- and also habitats of European interest. After rents got divorced. Land-use planning went to hearings with the municipalities, the Concen- the Ministry of Regional Development, forest- trated Management Zone could be expanded ry management to municipalities. And all of to almost 48%. a sudden, the child was supposed to grow up in alternating care and adapt to another relati- All settlements forming a spatially connectable ve in all aspects. It should conserve nature, im- whole, built-up areas and land intended to be plement the forestry act and develop the area built up in land use plans, have been included sustainably. Then adolescence started and the into the Cultural Landscape Zone. Although National Park slowly began to understand its the smallest part of the National Park area (1%, role in society. It distanced itself from parents 642 ha), it is important. Really built-up area and relatives, which caused problems. The (with gardens and yards connected to them) desire to fulfil the dream of an authentic natio- represents less than half of this area, so over nal park was impeded several times. One mo- 320 ha is still available for municipal development it looked like its future would be aligned ment in the National Park. Besides, scattered with the life of its mother, Šumava Protected Kamenná hlava. Photo Pavla Čížková in the other zones throughout the National Landscape Area, and that National Park would Mt. Blatný vrch. Photo Pavla Čížková Park, other buildings (mostly individual hou- just be its name, not its function. But now that ses) are found which cannot be included in the it has already passed the age of 25, it knows seed from local cones, out of which the seeds have occurred, despite what we already know Cultural Landscape Zone for their small size that rebellion does not get you anywhere. At were extracted at local seed-extraction plants. today. Firstly, we know that in the time of the and seclusion. Also cottages are part of some the same time, it has gained a clear idea of its Only about 35% of the present forests have bark beetle outbreak in Šumava NP, forests of the remaining three zones, but exempt from future, at least until its midlife crisis, i.e. until its its origin in a combination of natural and arti- where we had properly fought against the zone regulations. They cover roughly another 45th birthday… This clear idea is what we would ficial restoration or have been planted on far- beetle neither remained protected. Secondly, hundred hectares. It is important to note that like to discuss today. mland. Yes, there are hardly any virgin forests it was shown that during both massive out- the majority of legal restrictions in the most of in Šumava, but somewhere wilder, elsewhere breaks in Šumava NP, the population density the National Park area do not apply to areas Wilderness – a nasty word less wild offspring of the original virgin forests of bark beetles in intervention and non-inter- which are or may be built up. One may camp, There were times when the word ‘succession’ grows here. And since 2007, nearly a quarter vention areas changed at the same speed, so make fire or even salt roads or pavements (at least in the sense of spontaneous recovery (23%) of the National Park area has been left to that is was not demonstrated that harvesting here in winter. of a forest on abandoned land) was popular natural processes. In this area, we have once of infested spruce trees had a real effect on with staff of the Šumava National Park Au- again released the reins of ‘wilderness’. bark beetle reduction. Rather the weather and Zones and Natura 2000 thority. Then there was a short period when pests were the reason for its decline. Thirdly, Now and then, the idea that zonation should ‘wilderness’ was very popular, but also this Conservation experiment it can be seen in our entire country today that especially secure the conservation of spe- soon became a forbidden word. Well, every- Since the National Park was established, it has massive outbreaks can occur even despite cies and habitats of the Natura 2000 network body has a slightly different idea of wilderness. been a legitimate opinion that leaving a forest large and uncompromising interventions. And pops up among conservationists. This is inde- Some people see it as an untouched tropical to natural processes is an ‘experiment’ which fourthly, felling a forest is not the ideal start for ed one of the main tasks of a national park. It virgin forest, others as a long-abandoned gar- nobody has ever tried out. Yet it was already natural processes. And it is natural processes is therefore necessary to set up new zones in den where people go and have a smoke. In rather well known that before the arrival of in most of the National Park area which is our a way that natural processes take place mainly our National Park, the second option rather man, forests lived their own life and were up- present objective. Kamenné moře on Mt. Plechý. Photo Pavla Čížková there where it does not ‘bother’ Natura 2000, prevails. We do not have many virgin forests. rooted by storms and attacked by bark bee- The ‘Natural Zone’ will be the wildest zone. into wilderness – in a rather short term. The and to include Natura 2000 habitats which Although virgin forests still covered 70% of tles, and even also burned. From the perspec- Proposal for new zonation We designated to areas where natural pro- natural processes here play a main role alrea- demand our care into the Concentrated Ma- the National Park area in the early 19th century, tive of historical forest descriptions and results The new zonation model is fundamentally diffe- cesses can be given a free hand already now. dy today and we correct them just moderately nagement Zone. But also this approach has only one century was needed to reduce this of pollen analyses of lake and peat sediments, rent from the conventional one: whereas in the In truth, we are not completely revolutionary. or take action against the spread of spruce its shortcomings. For example, the minimum number to 15%. But why is it a national park at forest management rather than natural pro- zonation delimited in 1992, Zones 1 were auto- This zone is kept in about the same territory as bark beetle to surrounding forests. The expert acreage of one Concentrated Management all? Because after felling of the virgin forests cesses seemed to be an experiment. The way matically open to the public on marked routes, where natural processes have been allowed proposal also represents 27% of the National Zone segment is 2 ha, but non-forest Natura no cultural tree plantations were created, but in which (predominantly spruce) forests react and management interventions were not clearly hitherto. The Natural Zone is proposed for Park area, but after the hearings we are hea- 2000 habitats are often just about 0.5 ha lar- tree offspring from the original forests grew to thinning, following from natural processes, limited in them, the new zones do not deal with 27.7 % of the National Park area. To this zone, ding for 24%. ge. Natural Natura 2000 woodland habitats up and aged here. Historical records speak of has evoked passion – and still does. Quite a public access, but define management regimes a Near-natural Zone has been attached, inclu- and peatbogs should be included into the legions of young spruce trees growing in old number of people probably still believe that relatively strictly. Public access is not anymore ding especially forest ecosystems of which The largest proportion, 45% of the National Natural and Near-natural Zones, grasslands forests. And until the 1960s, artificial restora- if the bark beetle had been fought by forest- limited by zonation, but by a different measure, we are convinced that they can be transferred Park area, is to be included into the Concent- on secondary non-forest land rather into the tion, if any, was mainly carried out by sowing ers, such a massive tree death would never the designation of Quiet Zones. to the Natural Zone – in other words, turned rated Management Zone. This is mostly forest- Concentrated Management Zone. According 28 Nature & Landscape Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Nature Conservation Legislation 29 Tree veteranisation, pollarding and girdling vs tree conservation Selected issues of practical protected area management Pavel Pešout, Jan Šíma, Linda Stuchlíková

We are currently observing changes in the landscape at (Kučera 1994), the landscape was in many ways exploited an unprecedented rate. We do not have in mind here the more intensively, but at the same time in a much more often mentioned impacts of climate change, but particu- mosaic way. At present, only a tenth of them participate larly the consequences of changes in land use by man. in land management, while industrialised farming takes Morning at Želnava. Photo Zdeněk Patzelt Světlé hory. Photo Pavel Hubený A century ago, when a third of the inhabitants of the Czech place in large, consolidated areas and the management

to degree of naturalness, natural woodland with in No. 1/2019 of this magazine. For its con- territories which are permanently inhabited Republic still made a living from agriculture and forestry of economically marginal areas and traditional, more la- habitats are for 44% situated in the Natural servation we want to create, in collaboration by reproductive lynx females. These areas and the average farm size did not even exceed 5 hectares bour-intensive forms of farming have been abandoned. Zone and for 29% in the Near-natural Zone. In with Bavarian Forest National Park, a compact are sufficiently varied, rocky and inaccessible, Tree girdling has been maintained until today and is applied in many European countries. This traditional technology is now gradually being applied in the Czech Republic the next zonation delimitation (in 15 years) we joint area on both sides of the border to which and have game concentrations which lynxes again, not only by nature conservationists in special interventions for the benefit of saproxylic species, but in certain situations also by foresters. Photo Karel Kříž will thus be able to leave a full 73% of wood- the same rules will apply. We aim at maximum use for hunting. The territories include parts land habitats to natural processes. Two-thirds protection of the real core of the capercaillie of the Vydra and Křemelná canyons and the of all forest bogs, raised bogs and transitional population in the area of the Modrava moors scree forest at Medvědice. We further want bogs are also included in these zones. By con- and the border ridge between Prameny Vltavy to dedicate some small-scale quiet areas with trast, 85% of submontane Nardus grasslands (Vltava Springs) and Plesná. This area will have limited access restricted to the spring months are situated in the Concentrated Management time-limited access and the density of access to the protection of peregrine falcon (Falco Zone and Cultural Landscape Zone, just as roads will be minimal. At the same time, hunt- peregrinus). Moreover, the quillwort Isoëtes 66% of X-coded habitats (strongly influenced ing and forestry interventions will be banned echinospora in lake Plešné jezero will be pro- or created by man). on both sides of the border. tected by disallowing entry into the lake, similarly to the protection of some peatbogs and Will Quiet Zones bring peace? The second largest Quiet Zone area has been wetlands situated close to paths where visitor They certainly will, although there will certainly dedicated to the protection of the Eurasian numbers are extremely high. be a lot of fuss around them before their desig- black grouse (Tetrao tetrix). Its population is nation. As already stated, Quiet Zones are not markedly smaller than that of the capercaillie The 2017 amendment to Act No. 114/1992 has regulated by management – that is the task of and the situation is not yet improving. Grous- brought really revolutionary changes. The zonation – but by visit rate. Freedom of move- es are not concentrated in a coherent territo- separation of management, connected with ment is one of the basic civil rights, enshrined ry, but inhabit plains in marginal parts of the the system of Nature Conservation Zones, in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Free- National Park which are rather remote from from visitor regulation, which involves a sys- doms, so it can only be limited in justified cas- each other. This fragmentation of its popula- tem of Quiet Zones, is still strange and new. es. Our Quiet Zone proposal tries to get to the tions may be a great problem in preserving This has led to the creation of areas without core. This means that Quiet Zones, which are the species in the long term. At the moment, a human intervention which are however free according to law accessible only by routes and DNA analysis of individuals, based on collect- to visit, and on the other hand, managed are- paths reserved by nature conservation author- ed dung, is being completed. This year for the as with temporarily limited access to visitors ities, cover 16.7% of the National Park area and first time we will obtain detailed information (historical courting grounds of black grouse represent only the most sensitive and threat- on the real grouse population numbers, on re- on meadows). This change in the way nature ened minimum. We concentrate especially on latedness of individuals and also on the ques- is managed brings us closer to Western Eu- animal species, exceptionally also plants and tion how far individual birds fly. Protection of rope, where this approach is common, and peatbogs which are protected and easily dis- its courting grounds and nesting habitats is to- enables us to unify the practical approaches turbed. Conservation of the western capercail- day linked to the protection of nesting grounds on the Czech and Bavarian side of the state lie (Tetrao urogallus) will be the highest priority of common crane (Grus grus), whose numbers border, making Šumava National Park and of the National Park in this. The sensitivity and in Šumava have slightly increased over recent Bavarian Forest National Park speak a com- population density of this bird has been dealt years. We also have a plan to protect three mon language again. 30 Nature Conservation Legislation Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Nature Conservation Legislation 31

BOX: Methods of tree treatment for habitats Coppicing, high-stump felling which were being restored (Kozel 2010). In other similar to pollarding is applied in the modelling of Coppicing is one of the oldest methods of resto- countries it has been applied in oak forests as trees, e.g. lime trees, horse-chestnuts, plane trees, ring tree stands, in which stumps (often relatively well as other forest types for many years (Noel etc., in landscaping and urban areas (Kolařík et al. high) were left to rejuvenate. Many existing fo- 1970, Ford et al. 2012, Percival & Smiley 2015). 2003). rests on slopes, particularly those formed of oak, hornbeam, but also lime trees and other species, Dry twigs, branch trimming Veteranisation are former, so-called reserved coppices, where In the past, there was often a lack of forage, Veteranisation includes a set of measures carried coppicing was abandoned mostly after World particularly among small farmers and cottagers. out with the aim of accelerating the formation of War II. Stumps, especially the high ones, rapidly They therefore obtained fodder from all kinds microhabitats (cavities, cracks, barkless spots, became a habitat suitable for saproxylic insects of sources, one of them being dried twigs and fractures, etc.) important for the settling of here and other organisms. Coppicing is recommended trimmed branches including leaves, which were saproxylic and other groups of organisms bound in certified methodologies of the Ministry of the used directly to feed livestock or dried for the to such habitats (Krása 2015, Bengtsson, Hedin, Environment in order to maintain populations of winter. Dry twigs include cut vegetation on clea- Niklasson 2012). Also a combination of the abo- endangered species (Čížek et al. 2015 and 2016). rings consisting of brambles, shoots of non-target vementioned methods, such as pollarding and trees, graminoids, ferns, etc. The harvesting of girdling, is regarded as veteranisation. Since ap- Girdling (ring-barking) dry twigs maintained sunlit rejuvenating stumps plying these methods may mean a curtailing of High stumps were often left in coppices, so coppicing mostly fluently passed into Trimming of pollard willows is best carried out in regular, roughly five-year intervals pollarding. Restoration of a formerly trimmed oak. Photo Karel Kříž. in a way that the heads do not break apart under the weight of the branches. Girdling used to be applied particularly in con- and branch trimming increased the insolation of the tree’s lifespan or at least a deterioration of Pictured: willows in Křivé jezero National Nature Reserve. Photo Vladan Riedl nection with timber harvesting. The farmer or tree trunks and caused minor wounds, initiating its condition, veteranisation is used exceptional- shepherd removed a band of bark from a tree the creation of drywood habitats. ly at small sites of an endangered species, lac- The result is a progressing homogenisation of also mortuary lands and open-canopy forests, similar to the effects of large mammals, while trunk, interrupting the conductive tissue (phloem) king a tree generation able to replace senescent the landscape, changes in and loss of many ha- were used intensively for grazing. Commonly girdling and coppicing create habitats simi- and waited for the tree to dry. After that he cut Pollarding specimens after they decay, meaning a risk of in- bitats and communities, and an alarming ove- coppicing was practised here, branches were lar to fire. All the more problematic is the fact off the dry part, which he used as fuel. The dry This was the most common management method terruption in the continuity of the habitat. If such rall decline in and extinction of many species. If trimmed, etc. Also use was made of dry twigs that trees treated in this way gradually disap- wood was lighter and easier to transport. This in combination with coppicing in the past. Top bran- a site is isolated from other ones, veteranisation we want to face this trend, nature conservation and shoots and tree debris. In the case of trees pear from the landscape. Sites indispensable method of ‘gradual timber harvesting’ is practised ches or shoots were trimmed or cut, which was phy- of a required number of trees may be the only must make an effort to restore historical forms growing along roads, in hedges and on land for the survival of many endangered organ- until today in the Balkans. In the Czech Republic, sically easy and sustainable. However, not every way of securing occurrence of the species in the of management or their effects by realising boundaries, pollarding was often practised. isms inevitably decline due to this (Čížek et al. girdling is especially applied in the elimination of tree species withstands repeated trimming (Krása long-term. As isolated spots with species bound appropriate compensatory measures. By de- At the same time, trees were exposed to cat- 2016). Modern nature conservation is there- black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) (Pergl 2014). 2015). A common type of pollarding is the trimming to senescent trees are often found in castle parks fault, efforts to restore grazing at suitable sites, tle activity and, last but not least, also to fire. fore searching for ways to compensate for Recently it has locally also been applied in tree of willow twigs (‘rods’). When trimmed repeatedly, and other monumental gardens, careful prepa- mowing in a mosaic way (grassland cutting These activities, together with more age- and traditional management forms with the aim of (e.g. pine) stands which were being thinned in an trees react by making a dense head (as in pollard ration, consultation and compliance with monu- differentiated in time and space) attempting species-differentiated forests and a higher per- preserving conditions necessary for a favour- effort to prevent the stand from deteriorating, or willows) with many cavities. A trimming method ment care is always necessary. to compensate for the diversity that small-sca- centage of old-age solitary trees (incl. old fruit able development of populations of various le farming had naturally generated, etc. have trees) in the landscape, guaranteed permanent endangered species and communities. Such fortunately, such a threatening scenario can already been included into ‘conservation ma- suitable conditions for the presence of saprox- approaches include controlled veteranisation be expected in many cases and will often be nagement’. Also a wide range of other activities ylic insects and other organisms bound to sun- and other sorts of interventions on trees, which difficult to prevent (e.g. species associated take place in the landscape, including many lit trunks, cavities, cracks and other microhab- make it possible to accelerate the creation with allees and similar groups of trees, some of different forms of utilisation of trees and tree itats typical of senescent trees. Today, former of habitats linked to more advanced tree de- which fall under the Natura 2000 network). The parts. Measures for the support of biodiversity municipal pastures, tall standard-tree orchards velopment stages, i.e. aging and decay (for a more important is the implementation of meas- must include the restoration of these histori- and coppices densely encroached with trees detailed description of different methods, see ures in areas which have a potential for main- cal management methods and compensatory and shrubs, are often reclassified as woodland Box). With regard to the degree of threat of taining particular species and their habitats in procedures for the initiation and creation of and managed as clearings, or are protected different species bound to dying trees (or their the long term. In many states of southern and habitats for species (particularly saproxylic in- woodland left without deliberate felling. Pol- parts – cavities), their usually slow develop- western Europe, traditional management forms sects) specifically bound to such habitats. In larding and other ways of obtaining wood have ment and low population dynamics (e.g. in the have partly been maintained to this day, while this contribution, we will have a look at special been abandoned (Szabó 2010). beetles Cerambyx cerdo, Osmoderma barnab- in other (e.g. northern) countries, restoration of treatment of trees growing outside forests. ita and Lucanus cervus, having a development these forms, initiated by nature conservation, Compensatory measures for cycle of several years) and also with regard to has been practised for years (Alexander 2012, Before the advent of fossil fuels, wood was a habitat creation the uneven representation of trees of the ap- Cavalli, Mason 2003, Speight 1989, Read 1996, much demanded energy source. It was even Many animal and plant species are existential- propriate age and condition, it is necessary to Unrau et al. 2018, Vignon, Orabi 2003). obtained at remote sites and hardly accessible ly dependent on habitats through traditional create habitat conditions with a relatively long- places in the easiest possible way. At the same management forms (Šebek et al. 2013). This is term perspective. This cannot be limited to Creating habitats does not mean time, forests were exploited as a source of vari- apparently related to the fact that at least some just a preservation of the actual, often residual damaging trees ous materials, and all kinds of tree stands were of these forms are similar to natural processes condition, which would also mean the loss of Legal limitations concerning the protection of used as a source of complementary biomass. which used to have an impact on trees even populations of species bound to it after death A small-leaved lime tree can survive for centuries thanks to coppicing. Its stump may reach a diameter of even 10 m non-forest greenery in the Czech Republic are Particularly municipal pastures, somewhere without man. Tree trimming or pruning may be and decay of even well-maintained trees. Un- and is a suitable habitat for many species. The photo is from Děvín National Nature Reserve. Photo Vladan Riedl. based in the embellishment movement of the 32 Nature Conservation Legislation Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Nature Conservation Legislation 33 first half of the 20th century. It was a reaction ble because recommended approaches may to the then overexploited landscape (grazing, have to be modified or specified according to but also unregulated tree felling) aimed at ma- the needs of a particular species. ximum enforcement of tree preservation. Necessary change in approach Current legislation (Act on Nature and Land- Just as land use by man changes, also the tools scape Protection, since 1992) generally pro- of contemporary nature and landscape con- hibits the ‘damaging and destroying’ of trees. servation must develop. In this particular case At the same time, it empowers the Ministry of it is obvious that the conservative conservation the Environment to define in an implementing of trees outside forests and a range of wood- legal regulation which interventions are or may land conservation instruments from the times be ‘damaging’ or ‘destroying’ and must thus be of the Austro-Hungarian Empire have become regarded as ‘illegal’. This empowerment makes outdated in many aspects. It is necessary to re- it possible to define species or cases of such Pollarding in combination with coppicing used to be a common management method in which top branches and spond to the current state and utilisation of the interventions also ‘negatively’, i.e. to determine shoots were trimmed and cut. Delineated by Vladan Riedl landscape, the impacts of climate change, new in which cases an intervention may be legitima- challenges and current knowledge. tely considered permissible. The Ministry of the Environment has taken into account current ex- It is also clear that for reasons of capacity and pertise and conservation needs of endangered economy, planned tree habitat treatments as species and, in Act No. 189/2013, on the prote- indicated will always be realised to a very limi- ction of trees and authorisation of tree felling, ted extent and especially in protected areas. Girdling (ring-barking) consists in removing bark all around the tree trunk, thus interrupting the conductive tissue constitutes that “an intervention is permitted (phloem). Delineated by Vladan Riedl However, protected areas will not save the if it is performed with the aim of preserving or existence of many animal species even with improving particular functions – for the trea- the best care. Traditional land use forms, which tment of a protected plant or animal species, can be realised economically by farmers and as part of protected area management perfor- foresters, need to be supported by adjusting med in accordance with the management plan subsidy instruments or also by legislation to or management principles, or as part of the be applied on a larger area. Further, environ- management of a European Site of Communi- mental education can help improve the situ- ty Importance (SCI) or Special Protection Area ation by informing the public on the need of (SPA) performed in accordance with the set of leaving fractures and other tree damage not conservation measures.“ Thus, whereas plan- jeopardising its stability untreated. ning documentation, i.e. management plans or sets of conservation measures are the basis of A list of recommended literature is attached the management of protected areas, SCIs and Coppicing is one of the oldest methods of restoring tree stands. Stumps (often relatively high) were left to reju- to the web version of the article at SPAs, the regulation on the ‘treatment of a pro- venate. Delineated by Vladan Riedl www.casopis.ochranaprirody.cz tected plant or animal species’ is not bound to any other formal condition (not even that the Dry twigs are intended to feed livestock and are obtained by cutting vegetation on clearings consisting of bram- rescue programme), it is effective to make monument, agreement must be reached with Note bles, shoots of non-target trees, graminoids, ferns, etc. Delineated by Vladan Riedl protected species in question should occur at a project from which the objective of the mea- monument care authorities1. 1 Examples of areas where monument care and nature a site before an intervention). treatment of a certain species at a site) and certain that the interventions will not be eva- sures, the necessity and the way effectiveness conservation interests are concentrated and where the proportionate. The expert documents should luated as undesirable and disproportionate will be monitored are evident. It also needs to A project may be based on existing professi- methods of tree treatment had to be agreed on (incl. In the case of protected animal or plant spe- thus provide information to answer these ques- by supervisory bodies. It can therefore be re- be assessed if a project requires other apprai- onal methodologies, see e.g. ‘Conservation of treating senescent trees, restoring tree stands, secu- cies, procedures must be based on expert tions. It is, of course, also necessary to assess commended to pre-discuss a measure with the sals and permissions (e.g. exemptions in pro- saproxylic insects and measures for their pro- ring continuity of saproxylic insect habitats, etc.) are documents, which may not only be rescue the needed measures with regard to the trees Czech Nature Conservation Agency, being the tected areas or because of the presence of tection’ (Krása 2015) issued by the Czech Na- the horse-breeding farm at Kladruby nad Labem (Beneš programmes or regional action plans, but also in question. In most cases, the benefit of sa- official nature conservation authority, and with a protected species) and whether the trees in ture Conservation Agency and ‘Methodology et al. 2018) and the castle park in Vlašim (Hejda, Kříž, expert proposals as part of particular projects ving a species will be considered greater than the relevant regional authority responsible for question are not subject to heritage protection for the conservation of selected beetle spe- Pašek 2017). or measures (see below). Generally, in each in- the damage caused to common tree species, species conservation outside protected land- (e.g. in a castle park). As for tree protection, per- cies and their habitats’ (Konvička et al. 2017), dividual case it must be assessed whether the but opposite situations may occur (extraordi- scape areas and national parks. mission to perform particular inventions is not and on methodologies for saproxylic beetle Acknowledgements legal principle of proportionality is maintained, narily robust trees, trees of high cultural value, issued in accordance with Act No. 189/2013 (it species important in the European context We are grateful to Lukáš Čížek (Institute of Entomo- i.e. whether an intervention is appropriate (if it etc.). If the measure is not initiated by a natu- Do not underestimate project is not felling). It is however advisable to inform (Čížek et al. 2015), certified by the Ministry of logy), David Číp (Czech Union for Nature Conserva- can create the conditions necessary to enfor- re conservation authority, it is appropriate that preparation the local municipality and also the wider public the Environment. At present, a standard titled tion), Eva Mazancová (Ministry of the Environment), ce the populations of target species at a site), the need and expertise of the proposal be If a measure does not follow from nature con- of the interventions in an appropriate way, in ‘Treatment of trees as a habitat of rare spe- Radek Hejda and Vladan Riedl (Nature Conserva- necessary (no alternative measures can achie- approved by the relevant nature conservation servation planning documentation (mana- order to secure the necessary acceptance. In cies’ (Pešout, Štěrba 2013) is being compiled. tion Agency) for reading the text and comments on ve comparable objectives with regards to the authority, so that the initiator of the measure is gement plan, set of conservation measures, case a tree is located at the site of a protected Also consultations with specialists are advisa- the article. 34 Nature Conservation Legislation Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Nature Conservation Legislation 35

Biological aspect more sensitive (Stickroth 2015). The negative could fly many kilometres and spend more Influence of Fireworks on Birds Because firework displays usually take place impact of fireworks on birds is also demonstra- than 30 minutes in the air, which can be fatal in the dark, their immediate impact on wild- ted by telemetric research on griffon vultures under adverse weather conditions. life is difficult to observe, as evidenced by (Gypus fulvus), which experienced a threefold Pavel Jaška, Jiří Sikora, Věra Sychrová the limited number of scientific studies. The increase in heart rate, indicating strong stress Several specific events can be mentioned. effect on birds is well demonstrated by the (Bögel et al. 1998). Literally groundbreaking is The New Year firework display in 2013 in Pra- evaluation of observations from 133 firework a Dutch ornithological study (Shamoun-Bara- gue on the Vltava river, when the fireworks -fi Fireworks evoke mixed feelings across society. Part rent need to assess the harmfulness of fireworks to displays with 272 documented bird reactions, nes 2011) which monitored the effects of New red from a pontoon directly on the water cau- of the population welcomes fireworks as extraordi- wild birds from the perspective of their biology and especially waterfowl, birds of prey, crow fami- Year fireworks on bird movements using ra- sed injuries and deaths of birds, is well known, nary entertainment, whereas another part perceives the need to place specific cases within the legisla- ly, etc. (Stickroth 2015). Birds respond to both dar technology. The results were quite clear as the birds fell directly among the audience such entertainment rather negatively, for various in- tive framework of Act No. 114/1992 Coll., on Nature acoustic and visual stimuli, with the sound ef- as the fireworks caused massive movements (Anonymous 2013). Another case happened dividual reasons. This article originated from the cur- and Landscape Protection (“ANLP”), as amended. fect producing a stronger response than the of birds in a wide area, incl. surrounding around Beeb, Arkansas, in 2010, where about visual effect. Birds probably also perceive wetlands and water bodies. The most mas- 5,000 birds fell in a square mile at around the pressure wave of explosions. Physiologi- sive movements of birds occurred immedia- midnight on New Year’s Eve, specifically red- Birds may be exposed to the harmful effects of fireworks at a distance of several kilometres away from the fireworks. Illustrative photo. Photo Petr Lang cal reactions include increased heart rates, tely in the first minutes of the New Year, just -winged blackbirds, common starling, com- stress hormone production, increased atten- as the fireworks were let off. The birds flew mon grackle and brown-headed cowbirds. tion, anxiety, fear, escape reactions and panic. much higher (up to hundreds of metres) than Birds crashed into cars, trees and buildings. Restlessness, panic and escape reactions can in normal local flights (up to 100 metres). The Directly before the event there were strong be observed in birds at distances of hundreds decrease in flight activity occurred up to 90 explosions from the fireworks as part of the of metres to kilometres. Waterfowl seem to be minutes after midnight. During this time, birds New Year celebrations (Choi 2011). The nega-

In cities, the endangered common swift nests in cracks in walls and under roofs. The influence of fireworks on the swift is not sufficiently known. Photo Přemysl Tájek. 36 Nature Conservation Legislation Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Nature Conservation Legislation 37

were also disturbed. A video of the great tit, (e.g. the absence of migrants in winter, etc.). taken during a firework display, also gives an In doing so, the applicant may utilise the pro- insight into the impact of fireworks on small cedure in § 56 para. 1 of ANLP – request for birds. The video clearly shows the considera- provision of preliminary information on the ble stress the birds have to face in a firework harmfulness of the intended activity before display (web1). submitting an application for exemption pursuant to § 56 ANLP. The provision of § 56 From the above it is clear that holding fi- ANLP deals with granting exceptions for pro- reworks and pyrotechnic entertainment has tected species (§ 56 para. 1 of ANLP), and also a major negative impact on birds, which can granting exemptions for species that are fur- be felt hundreds of metres to kilometres ther protected in addition to special species away. It includes stress reactions, the con- protection under European Community law (§ sequences of which can be even fatal. Due 56 para. 1 and 2 of ANLP). Especially in birds, to fireworks, birds can abandon shelters, ne- all species protected by Czech law are also sts with chicks, collisions with obstacles can protected under European Community law occur, and subsequent excessive predation (Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Par- cannot be ruled out. The risks caused by fi- liament and of the Council of 30th November reworks are usually intensified by the night 2009 on the Conservation of Wild Birds, the time, when birds’ spatial orientation is less “Birds Directive”). Thus, when assessing an effective. It is practically impossible to defi- intention in a procedure for granting a generic ne a period when fireworks would not have exemption, it must first be assessed whether a negative impact on birds. Over the course the conditions under § 56 para. 1 of ANLP are Mute swan with a cut wound to the neck after flying into tram lines due to fireworks 2014. Fireworks can also have a negative effect on other, less observable animals. Injured leg of a roe deer after Photo Rescue Centre for Wild Animals of the Capital City of Prague of the year, birds are increasingly burdened met. In the case of a firework display, its reali- colliding with a car during New Year's fireworks 2019. However, it is difficult to prove the connection with with their energy-intensive biological needs sation would have to be other public interest fireworks. Photo Rescue Centre for Wild Animals of the Capital City of Prague (nesting, overwintering, migration or moul- prevailing over nature conservation interests. ting). Thus, fireworks always have a negative If these conditions are met, further steps must activity, from the responsibility for the offen- ment of the ‘intention’ in firework production effect on birds. be taken in accordance with § 56 para. 2 of ce in the fulfilment of the facts and of all the will probably only be inferred if the organiser ANLP. An exemption pursuant to the first sen- characteristics of the offence. An obligatory had a demonstrable knowledge of the harm- Legal aspect – specially protected tence (§ 56 (1) of ANLP) may be granted only if feature of the offence in the case of a legal ful effect of the organised entertainment on bird species one of the reasons listed in paragraph 2 (§ 56 entity (or a natural person as a business enti- the birds and, at the same time, the birds From the legislative point of view, dealing ANLP) is given, there is no other satisfactory ty) in the vast majority of cases is that there is would actually be affected. Indeed, the con- with fireworks we must primarily address solution, and the activity authorised will not no fault. A negative effect on the individuals dition of deliberate conduct may also be sati- the possible impact on species of animals affect the achievement or maintenance of the of the protected species present within the sfied in the case of indirect intention. Indirect protected pursuant to § 50 ANLP together species’ conservation status (insurmountable above collision distance (several kilometres) intent includes cases where the main purpo- with the Decree of the Ministry of the Envi- legal conditions that must be met). One of the is highly likely to be expected. se of the conduct was other than the killing ronment (MoE) No. 395/1992 Coll., where the reasons under § 56 para. 2, letter c) is “... for of the birds or damage to their nests (typical- species are listed in Annex III. We are of the other overriding reasons in the public interest, General protection of birds ly by way of fireworks), but the perpetrator, opinion that, when knowing of the occurren- including those of a social or economic natu- Birds have an exceptional position in law in his indifference, consciously risked inter- ce of any protected animal species for which re….” The nature conservation authority must compared to other species. In addition to ference with the legally protected interest, the firework display would disturb its natural address the question of whether all the condi- specific species protection (§ 50 ANLP) they even though he was aware of the potential biological activities, vital functions, manife- tions for authorising the firework display are are, like all animals and plants, protected violation. Awareness of risk is thus a decisi- stations, or existence itself, especially in bi- fulfilled and whether the intended event falls generally pursuant to § 5 ANLP, which ma- ve factor in assessing intention. Not every rds up to several kilometres away from the under that reason. Other legal grounds in § 56 inly addresses protection at the population disturbance is prohibited by § 5a of ANLP fireworks, the firework display is undoubted- para. 2 of ANLP for the case of fireworks and or species level. Beyond these provisions, (not within the framework of specific species ly a disturbing influence, which is prohibited protected bird species cannot be applied. birds, as the only group of organisms, enjoy protection, when it is completely prohibi- by the ANLP itself. protection according to § 5a and § 5b ANLP, ted). The disturbance must be significant in Of course, there may be a situation where due to the transposition of the Birds Directive a sense of keeping the species population at Common buzzard with physical injury after hitting an obstacle. Found in the forest after New Year celebrations In order to carry out harmful activities, in this the presence of protected species at the (Articles 5, 6, 7 and 9) into national legislati- an appropriate level. It is also necessary to 2019. Photo Rescue Centre for Wild Animals of the Capital City of Prague case firework displays, exemptions from the locality is not known in advance, is sub- on. These provisions deal with the protection take into account the abilities of the distur- prohibitions for potentially affected species sequently confirmed, and at the same time of individual birds. bed individual to deal with the disturbance tive impact of fireworks on nesting least terns nently. Temporary abandonment of the nest must be granted, in accordance with the the harmful impact of fireworks on them be- (compare with § 50 and § 56 of the Act). It is was described in New Jersey, when fireworks and stressed behaviour was observed in a co- procedure in § 56 of ANLP. Whether these comes known. The absence of knowledge of In § 5a, the law addresses the protection of therefore necessary to consider more strictly let off more than 250 m from the nesting colo- lony at 1.2 km from the fireworks (Anonymous species can actually be affected must be as- the occurrence of such species does not re- wild birds and clearly defines the deliberate the disturbance at the time of mating, nesting ny caused the nests to be abandoned perma- 1997). Piping plovers and black skimmers sessed by the nature conservation authority lieve the entity which carried out the harmful negative interference in their lives. The fulfil- or other extreme periods for birds. 38 Nature Conservation Legislation Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Research, Surveys and Data Management 39

the fireworks several hours before the planned event. A great turnaround in the issue of Records of Animals Admitted to the National fireworks is the abolition of New Year fireworks in Prague, which should be replaced by videomapping, i.e. light projection on buildings. Network of Rescue Stations and What They In August 2018 the Prague councillors deci- ded to do this. The negative effect on animals was given as a reason. Brno’s Liberty Square Can Tell Us is also scheduled to be without fireworks on New Year’s Eve 2019/2020 (web2). The use of fireworks, at varying degrees, is restricted by Petr N. Stýblo a number of generally binding decrees of municipalities and cities (e.g. České Budějovice, Česká Lípa, Hodonín, Mikulov, Pardubice). The National Network of Rescue Stations project brings, and locations, but also their fate – reasons why the injury in addition to thousands of saved lives of wild animals and occurred, time when they were admitted, number of Conclusion effective information for the education of inhabitants, also days spent at the station, etc. Up to 57 data items can Given the apparent negative impact of fi- interesting statistics. The central register of all animals be recorded for each animal received. The long-term reworks on animals, namely birds, a systematic received not only allows the monitoring of numbers of uniform methodology of record-keeping also enables the restriction on firework displays at the national level would be most appropriate. One of the species and individuals of injured animals and the dates monitoring of these parameters over the years. first steps may be, for example, a total ban on fireworks that have an acoustic effect. This may White storks nesting on chimneys in cities and villages are often the subject of disputes in connection with fireworks. PhotoPetr Lang Figure 1. Rare species of our fauna also reach the rescue stations. Photo ZS Rozovy be followed by measures to restrict pyrotech- Under the conditions for a different procedu- deals with harmful interventions that could en- nics and fireworks, e.g. limitation of the time re for the protection of birds laid down in § 5b, danger the existence of the species as such period of sale, definition of a narrow time pe- the Act specifically lists the activities for which or its entire population. The application of this riod of possible usage, or replacement by less a different procedure may be established. A dif- provision can be envisaged in the case of en- intrusive alternatives (e.g. videomapping). We ferent procedure may be established in the in- dangering a particular breeding colony of water see positive examples in many places in the terests of public health or public safety, in the birds, etc. In general practice, however, the ge- Czech Republic and abroad, when the issue of interests of air safety, in order to prevent serious neral protection of plants and animals pursuant fireworks is the subject of discussion and there damage to crops, domestic animals, forests, to § 5 of ANLP does not appear to be a suitable is a gradual increase in awareness of the nega- fisheries and water management, or for the pur- tool for legitimate legal restrictions on fireworks. tive effects of fireworks and in their restriction. pose of protection of wild fauna and flora, also It is becoming apparent that politicians and the for the purposes of research and teaching, of re- A little practical experience from public are increasingly aware of the dark side -population of a certain area by a population of the Czech Republic of costly firework displays, which are not so es- the species or re-introduction of the species in The Czech Society for Ornithology (CSO) has sential for citizens, who could quite easily live its original range, or for the breeding in human been informing on the negative impact of fi- without them. This is confirmed by the experi- care for these purposes. Since the Act does not reworks on birds for years. Ornithologists have ence of the Czech Society for Ornithology and offer the possibility of granting an exemption for practical experience in protecting birds from ANP CR, to whom more and more people are cultural events such as fireworks, the use of the fireworks, for example on the Vltava River in turning with their concerns over fireworks. authorisation process in the framework of bird the centre of Prague. In May 2019, the CSO protection under § 5a of the ANLP is virtually managed to get the planned fireworks on the Notes impossible. The use of the exemption procedu- Vltava, which was to be part of the Midsummer 1AOPK ČR, RP Správa CHKO Slavkovský les, re under § 5b of ANLP for generally protected celebration NAVALIS, cancelled. The ornitho- Hlavní 504, 353 01 Mariánské Lázně bird species in the event of disturbance, which logists pointed out the harmfulness of the fi- is significant for the conservation of the popu- reworks to the nesting birds and stressed that 2AOPK ČR, RP Správa CHKO Slavkovský les, lation of the species under the Birds Directive, there was a risk of the eggs and chicks in the Závodu míru 725/16, 360 17 Karlovy Vary is at the least highly questionable. As a result, if nests cooling off, if their parents left them alo- § 5a would be applicable to fireworks, it would ne as they escaped from the fireworks. They 3Česká společnost ornitologická, Na Bělidle never be possible to authorise fireworks. addressed objections to the Mayor of Prague 252/34, 150 00 Smíchov, Praha 5 Zdeněk Hřib and asked him to cancel the plan- General protection of plants and animals pursu- ned fireworks. Due to the pressure from the A list of recommended literature is attached ant to § 5 of ANLP in the case of fireworks is also public and the ornithologists, the organisers of to the web version of the article at very limited in its applicability, because it mostly the Midsummer Society completely cancelled www.casopis.ochranaprirody.cz 40 Research, Surveys and Data Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Research, Surveys and Data Management 41 400 Data summary Table 2: National Network of Rescue Stations – numbers of animals in particular legal categories, received in the years 350 Overall, the rescue stations received 233,797 2007–2018. Prepared by Petr N. Stýblo animals from the establishment of the Natio- 300 nal Network in 1998 to the end of 2018. Category of species Number of animals 250 Whereas, in 1998 it was 1,337 individuals, in Critically endangered 2,379 2018 already 23,779 individuals (increase of Severely endangered 42,347 200 1,778%) were received. The trend in the num- Endangered 38,664 ber of animals received in individual years is 150 shown in Graph 1. CITES 26,179 Non-huntable game 27,532 100 Since 2007, the National Network has kept Huntable game 23,714 50 a unified register of all animals received. Requiring special care 8,602 Thanks to this, data on received animals can 0 easily be processed statistically. At the end of What does the data indicate? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2018, a total of 196,987 individuals were re- For some of the received species, the long-term 2018 2017 2016 gistered in the unified register, including 1,701 statistics of the National Network allow us (with reptiles (11 species), 7,301 amphibians (13 spe- a great deal of caution) to comment on trends in Graph 2: National Network of Rescue Stations – numbers of admissions of blackbirds in different months in 2016–2018. cies), 114,253 birds (228 species) and 73,732 the abundance of their populations in our land- Prepared by Petr N. Stýblo mammals (74 species). The 15 most frequently Figure 2. ReptilesNSZS also reach- vývoj the rescue počtu stations. Photopřijímaných ZS Bartošovice zvířat od roku 1998 scape, their proximity to humans, and the emer- 50 received species in the period under review gence of a new factor that significantly affects 45 are shown in Table 1. With the exception of 25000 their population. For example, Graph 2 shows the common buzzard, these are all species li- a shift of maximum admissions of the blackbird 40 ving in the immediate vicinity of human settle- in 2018 from the traditional May, when most ad- 20000 35 ments, whereas the buzzard lives near human missions are of newly-hatched offspring, to July. transport arteries. The order of the most com- It can be assumed that this shift was caused by 30 mon species in individual years is virtually un- 15000 extreme food shortages due to drought in combi- 25 changed, with the exception of the common nation with the new USUTU virus, which has pri- 20 pipistrelle and the common noctule. These marily decimated the blackbirds since it arrived species are often, but not every year, recei- 10000 in Europe. 15 ved in whole, even several-hundred-member 10 colonies, so they are placed in the top ten, but Using Graph 3, we could document the in- 5000 5 in a very different order from year to year. vasion of the non-native coypu (nutria). In the first half of the period, the average number re- 0 Interesting and rare species 0 ceived by rescue stations reached 6 animals 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Interestingly, of 18 species only a single indivi- 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 per year. In the second half it was already 26 Graph 3: National Network of Rescue Stations – admissions of coypu to rescue stations in 2007–2018. dual was in the care of rescue stations in the coypu per year, which is an increase of more Prepared by Petr N. Stýblo Graph 1: National Network of Rescue Stations – numbers of animals received in 1998–2018. Prepared by Petr N. Stýblo monitored period 2007–2018: than four times. Similarly (a six-fold increase) is 800 Table 1: National Network of Rescue Stations – 15 most frequently received animal species in the National Network in the also recorded for our native woodpigeon. Its wheatear, garganey, scarlet rosefinch, pomeri- period 2007–2018. Prepared by Petr N. Stýblo urban population has been expanding signifi- 700 ne skua, Eurasian curlew, yellow-bellied toad, cantly in Europe over the last decade, and this 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Total steppe eagle, greater scaup, red-necked ‘migration’ towards people has also been re- 600 Western European hedgehog 931 1,186 838 1,171 947 922 1,533 1,517 1,876 1,957 2,320 2,269 17,467 grebe, black-legged kittiwake, lanner falcon, flected in an increase in admissions at rescue Common pipistrelle bat 715 491 1,089 970 1,523 2,582 1,610 644 1,109 2,368 814 1,341 15,256 500 Eurasian water shrew, Alpine shrew, griffon Eurasian kestrel 906 1,318 763 1,127 919 1,119 1,168 1,209 1,577 1,582 1,604 1,492 14,784 stations. This trend is illustrated in Graph 4. vulture, northern gannet, European grey wolf, Noctule bat 137 267 337 727 676 821 1,213 1,137 1,351 861 1,211 1,264 10,002 400 common redshank and common greenshank. Blackbird 252 327 251 504 324 500 637 887 1,077 1,172 1,310 1,735 8,976 Also, the admissions of the protected species Swift 368 435 341 662 450 605 924 702 1,018 787 796 893 7,981 Eurasian otter and European beaver may be 300 In terms of classification of the species into le- Eastern European hedgehog 173 291 383 526 532 418 788 594 543 1,034 898 838 7,018 indicative of growing populations approa- Buzzard 416 476 401 546 373 525 471 539 646 782 691 643 6,509 200 gal categories – Act No. 114/1992 Coll., on Na- ching humans, see Graph 5. However, the Mallard duck 146 146 129 325 207 304 691 431 436 767 971 721 5,274 ture and Landscape Protection; No. 449/2001 above conclusions cannot be adopted solely Mute swan 269 331 181 360 221 422 420 435 447 599 500 531 4,716 100 Coll., on Hunting; No. 100/2004 Coll., ‘CITES’; Red squirrel 155 201 154 267 258 269 375 298 524 509 581 703 4,294 on the basis of National Network statistics. No. 246/1992 Coll., on the Protection of Ani- Brown hare 95 176 119 273 234 271 397 362 499 571 558 630 4,185 These can always be taken only as a sup- 0 mals against Cruelty – rescue stations re- House martin 249 246 144 190 235 259 323 412 470 394 489 542 3,953 plement to the data obtained from the wild. 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 ceived the following numbers of animals in European roe deer 194 164 135 346 223 211 378 328 353 347 381 400 3,460 Moreover, it is necessary to compare them Graph 4: National Network of Rescue Stations – admissions of woodpigeon individuals to rescue stations in 2007–2018. 2007–2018, see Table 2. Collared dove 92 111 88 164 142 179 259 320 398 493 462 582 3,290 with the overall trend of increasing numbers Prepared by Petr N. Stýblo 42 Research, Surveys and Data Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Research, Surveys and Data Management 43

National Network of Rescue Stations the further fate of animal patients in the Central Thanks to voluntary nature conservation Animal Rescue Stations Register of the National Network. The registe- bodies, the Czech Republic has one of the borders of the regions (= sub-national administrative units) red causes of admissions are probably the least most elaborate systems of care for injured borders of the districts of municipalities with extended competence or otherwise handicapped wild animals. The meaningful value of the central records, becau- National Network of Rescue Stations has been se finding the cause is not always easy, as it is established gradually since 1998, today asso- often a combination of several causes or one ciating 33 rescue stations covering the whole can only guess what the cause was. For exam- Czech Republic. Approximately half of these ple, a bird sitting on the pavement and unable rescue stations are operated by local chapters to fly may be shaken by hitting a glass obsta- of the Czech Union for Nature Conservation, cle or exhausted due to climatic conditions or the other half by other entities – other non- parasites. But it may also suffer from some kind -profit organisations, but also by contributory of zoonosis. A bird with a broken wing on the organisations of municipalities and regions, or road may not have been hit by a car, etc. The- by national park administrations. refore, data on causes, with exceptions, such as Rescue stations associated in the National scorched birds found near electrical equipment, Network provide comprehensive care for han- predators demonstrably poisoned with carbofu- dicapped animals from admitting an injured ran or shot animals, are taken for reference only. animal through its examination, treatment Figure 4. Environmental education DES OP Plzeň 2018. Photo Taťána Typltová The reasons for admission of animals to the re- and rehabilitation to, ideally, being released Map 1. National Network of Rescue Stations. Data source www.zvirevnouzi.cz. Prepared by Jan Vrba scue stations of the National Network in the mo- back into the wild. Individuals with a perma- 50 nitored period 2007–2018 are shown in Graph nent handicap, for which release into the wild 6. In the category of young (22% of admissions), is not possible, then often serve the needs of 45 environmental education – demonstrating the 40 for example, the admissions of juveniles from destroyed nests, admissions of late-born young consequences of various human activities and 35 appropriate or inappropriate behaviour to- and juveniles unnecessarily captured by hu- 30 wards wild animals – which is the other major mans (which account for about 40% of all juve- component of rescue station activity. 25 nile admissions) are included. In the category of The Czech Union for Nature Conservation is 20 burns by electrical equipment (2%), the admissi- the coordinator and guarantor of the Natio- ons of live birds burned on high-voltage distri- 15 nal Network of Rescue Stations. Summary bution networks are included. The category of information on the National Network of Re- 10 injured animals received includes all injuries, ex- scue Stations can be found on the website 5 cept for young and burnt birds. Of these, about www.zvirevnouzi.cz. For quick contact, when 0 30% are injuries caused by traffic, 25% by hitting the finder does not know how to act or whe- 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 an obstacle, 20% are animals injured by another re to call, use the emergency phone line animal. Approximately 2% of all injuries are ani- 774 155 155. An application for ‘smart phones’ bobrEuropean evropský beaver vydraEurasian říční otter mals injured by agricultural machinery and less can also be downloaded. This gives advice on Graph 5: National Network of Rescue Stations – admissions of European beaver and Eurasian otter individuals to rescue than 1% are animals shot or damaged by traps. how to act when an injured animal is found, stations in 2007–2018. Prepared by Petr N. Stýblo and depending on the location of the finder Název grafuNázev grafu calls the appropriate rescue station. 22% 22% of admissions of all animals – by 300% in the Figure 3. An important activity of station workers is the protection of species and their habitats in the field. Photo Zdeňka Nezmeškalová given period. mláďJuveniles at a mláď at a the Vysočina Region. Combining both of these long-eared owl, it can be seen from Table 4 that popáleníBurnt by electricalel. zařízením popálení el. zařízením The frequency of admissions of individual species factors, the Pardubice Region is the richest regi- the maximum of admissions during the year is 45% 45% 2% 2% equipment zranění zranění can also be monitored regionally. Table 3 uses on in terms of long-eared owls received, followed almost always in the period of May to July, when Injured the example of the long-eared owl. This statistic by the Central Bohemian and Olomouc Regions, the long-eared owl raises its young. However, odchytCaptured odchyt shows that the highest numbers of long-eared and the Vysočina Region at the other end of the if the winter conditions are extreme, then the ostatníOther ostatní owls were received in the Central Bohemian Re- scale. However, the Central Register of Admissi- peaks of admissions are partially shifted to the- 20% 20% gion, the lowest in the Liberec Region. In terms of ons of the National Network makes it possible to se months – in the table especially in 2010. the number of inhabitants, however, the highest specify this statistic down to the district level. number of long-eared owls was recorded in the Causes of admissions to rescue 11% 11% vícemore jak than100 dní 100 days 5050-99 - 99 d ndays í 2020-49 - 49 d days n í 88-19 - 1 9 ddays ní 2 2-7 - 7 dnídays 11 denday aor mé less ně Pardubice Region. On the other hand, in terms Moreover, the admissions of individuals of each stations of the area of the region, the largest numbers of species can also be seen in terms of time – du- In addition to data on animal admissions, there Graph 6: National Network of Rescue Stations – causes of admissions of animal patients Graph 7: National Network of Rescue Stations – length of stay of the long-eared owl long-eared owls were from Prague, the lowest in ring the year. Again, using the example of the are also data on the causes of admissions and to rescue stations of the national network in 2007–2018. Prepared by Petr N. Stýblo (n = 1,502) in rescue stations in 2007–2017. Produced by Petr N. Stýblo 44 Research, Surveys and Data Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Research, Surveys and Data Management 45

Table 3: National Network of Rescue Stations – numbers of long-eared owls (n = 2,539) received in the years 2007–2018 Table 5: National Network of Rescue Stations – frequencies in different regions based on the population and area of the region. Developed by Petr N. Stýblo of causes of admissions of long-eared owls (n = 2,539) to rescue stations in 2007–2018. Produced by Petr N. Stýblo Average number Červenohorské sedlo mountain pass: Received Individuals Individuals of individuals Reason for admission Frequency Region individuals of per 100,000 2 per 100 km per population Young 1,100 long-eared owl inhabitants and area of region the History and Present of Watching Captured 69 Capital City of Prague 107 8,3 22,8 15,6 Poisoning 2 Central Bohemian 559 43,9 5,1 24,5 Exhausted, hunger 36 (not only) Bird Migration in our Mountains South Bohemian 119 18,7 1,2 9,9 Confiscated 1 Pilsen 94 16,4 1,2 8,8 Injured 727 Radek K. Lučan, Anna Lučanová, Martin Vavřík Karlovy Vary 35 11,3 1,1 6,2 Other 604 Ústí nad Labem 208 25,0 3,9 14,5 The length of time an animal stays in the re- The west-east oriented main ridge of the Jeseníky Mountains saddle. Since 2010, this site has been used for monitoring Liberec 27 6,1 0,9 3,5 scue station depends on several factors. Of is an important migration barrier for flying animals. The of migratory birds, to which the monitoring of the passage Hradec Králové 155 27,9 3,3 15,6 course, it depends mainly on the health and remarkable col of the Červenohorské sedlo mountain pass, of bats and selected groups of migratory insects has been Pardubice 295 58,4 6,5 32,5 condition of the animal received, the method visible from afar, allows them to cross this barrier with less added in recent years. Especially in connection with bird Olomouc 274 42,8 5,2 24,0 of treatment and convalescence, but also on effort than if they flew over the Jeseníky ridges, and it is no migration, this is currently the largest research project in the the weather or time of year. For the young of Moravian-Silesian 297 24,0 5,5 14,8 many species, the advantage is the knowled- wonder that especially during the autumn migration a huge Czech Republic and is the only locality where birds can be South Moravian 186 15,9 2,6 9,2 ge of the station staff and colleagues from number of birds, bats and various groups of migratory observed under appropriate conditions during both daytime Zlín 131 22,2 3,3 12,7 the field, because they allow the young to be insects are funnelled into the relatively narrow corridor of the and night-time migrations. Vysočina 52 10,1 0,8 5,5 placed with optimal adoptive parents, which of course shortens their stay in the station. The woodcock (Scolopax rusticola) is the emblem of the whole project at Červenohorské sedlo mountain pass, since the vast majority of birds recorded during the whole Table 4: National Network of Rescue Stations – numbers of long-eared owls (n = 2,539) received in the years 2007–2018 Graph 7 again illustrates, using the example history of bird ringing in the Czech Republic have been captured and ringed right here. Photo Radek K. Lučan. in different months. The three largest numbers in a given year are indicated in bold. Produced by Petr N. Stýblo of the long-eared owl, the length of its stay in Month 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 Total Average the National Network’s rescue stations. Since 1 15 9 8 14 7 24 5 14 36 9 9 7 142 11,8 this species is admitted to the stations mostly 2 13 21 19 13 9 14 8 10 50 15 10 7 176 14,7 due to complicated injuries or as chicks from 3 13 13 15 36 15 9 9 10 9 17 16 7 156 13,0 destroyed nests, it stays in rescue stations longer, an average of 39 days. In one case, an owl 4 14 25 30 45 18 14 35 13 12 14 23 7 236 19,7 was successfully released after its stay in a re- 5 47 78 53 104 76 53 64 41 62 18 47 67 663 55,3 scue station lasting 410 days. 6 46 48 57 39 42 22 32 22 12 31 54 25 384 32,0 7 19 28 21 31 36 17 29 6 13 20 20 23 244 20,3 The above, more or less randomly selected 8 9 7 13 21 10 11 9 4 7 5 7 13 107 8,9 information illustrates the vast amount of data 9 9 7 3 8 7 4 1 1 4 3 3 3 44 3,7 found in the records of animals received by 10 5 5 0 6 4 7 6 3 0 2 0 3 36 3,0 the National Network of Rescue Stations. The 11 8 10 3 11 3 8 4 3 6 3 4 1 56 4,7 Czech Union for Nature Conservation (CUNC) 12 4 9 8 10 9 2 5 8 19 2 5 5 82 6,8 as coordinator of the National Network estima- tes that it keeps more than 10 million records of Of course, the structure of the causes of their ad- of data. As many of the animals are kept in the almost a quarter of a million animals. This unique mission to the station varies from one species to stations through the winter, the recorded data data lies unused, though it could become the another. The following Table 5 lists the spectrum on animals in the stations have only a limited in- basis of many scientific studies. One cannot ex- of causes of long-eared owl admissions. formative value during one calendar year. This pect the activity of rescue station workers in this can be illustrated on the data from 2018, when respect. They are completely overloaded with Evaluation of success 45% of the animals received were released work taking care of thousands of animals and From the records we can also trace the fate of back into the wild the same year. Another 8% communicating with tens of thousands of peo- the animals received – the length of their stay overwintered at the stations and most of them ple who pass through the stations every year. In in the rescue station and the way that stay en- were released in spring 2019. A total of 36% of any case, processing the acquired data could ded. However, since the central register has the received animals died or were euthanized. reveal insufficiencies, differences in approaches not been able to transfer the numbers of kept The success of rescue stations in the care of and methodologies for animal care, which could animals from year to year until recently, it is diffi- animals – i.e. the ratio of animals released back make the actual work of the National Network cult to follow the fate of animals differently than to nature compared to all animals received is and individual stations more efficient. Therefore, in one calendar year with such a large amount 50–60% in the long term. this article is also a call for cooperation. 46 Research, Surveys and Data Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Research, Surveys and Data Management 47

Brief history It is interesting to note that this method was But let’s go back a few decades to the begin- discovered and used independently in at le- Average 2011–2017 nings of the study of bird migration in moun- ast two other, geographically very distant tain areas in our geographical space. The ob- places on our planet. Since 1969 in Kenya, 2018 servation of intensive daytime bird migrations in Africa, a large number (about 500,000 birds the Alpine passes, formerly mainly associated in 1969–2012) of mostly Palearctic migrants with trapping birds for food, led in 1958 to the have been regularly captured and individual- establishment of a research base in the Swiss ly tagged on foggy nights in November and Col de Bretolet mountain pass, where regu- December at the Ngulia Lodge in Tsavo NP. lar monitoring, including catching and ringing At the other end of the world, at Dalton Pass migratory birds, is performed. Every autumn, on the Philippine island of Luzon, since time around 20,000 birds are ringed on average immemorial the natives have used fires lit in and night-time catches have gradually been cave entrances to catch migrating birds. This

added to the daily catches. In the early 1970s, inspired British ornithologists around 2010, Number of birds caught the large concentration of migrating birds du- who subsequently managed to prove the ring the autumn migration in the western Krko- existence of the migration routes of a number noše Mountains, in the area between the peak of very rare bird species. For example, most 1 Aug 1 Sept 1 Oct 1 Nov of Tvarožník and the Trzi Świńki massif, was of the known individuals of the reed warbler noticed by a Polish team of ornithologists hea- Acrocephalus sorgophilus have been captu- Date ded by Prof. Andrzej Dyrcz of Wrocław Univer- red here, although its breeding sites are still With the use of a strong light source in combination with appropriately placed capture nets and voice reproduction, Long-term monitoring makes it possible to determine gross year-on-year changes in the abundance and phenology of migrating bird migration over Červenohorské sedlo mountain pass is monitored like a live broadcast. Photo by Martin Vavřík sity, who studied this phenomenon for several unknown and it is probably at the brink of ex- years. Gradually, in addition to visual observati- tinction. birds. Here the comparison of the numbers of captured birds in 2018 (red) with the average numbers for individual days in the period 2011–2017. The graph shows that in 2018, significantly fewer birds were caught than the average for previous years and ons, birds were also caught and ringed. During that the main peak of autumn migration was somewhat delayed compared to the average. Prepared by Radek K. Lučan 3 seasons (1971–1973), nearly 4,000 birds Krkonoše and Orlické Mountains were captured and over 130,000 individuals Phase of Research of 91 bird species were visually recorded. The In the beginnings of the systematic mo- results also showed the first laws on the nature nitoring of night-time migration, which of migration, its phenology and, thanks to the took place mainly at Šerlich in the Orlic- later observations of ringed birds, also about ké Mountains in the 1980s (M. Hromád- the origin or destination of some migrating ko, K. Čihák and others) and in the 1990s species. in the eastern Giant Mountains at Rýchory (P. Miles and others), in the course of au- Who discovered light? tumn migration only a few thousand birds The breakthrough in monitoring bird migration were captured, but the results were also in the mountains came with the discovery of ground-breaking, as many unexpected spe- the possibility of observing birds at night using cies such as reed warblers, grasshopper- a strong light source. In the early 1980s, inspi- -warblers, flycatchers, nightingales or whe- red by anecdotal reports of watching mass atears were caught as they flew over the night-time arrivals of birds to lighthouses or mountains. In many cases these were extre- ship lights on the seas of northern and western me phenological records from a time when Europe, Czech ornithologists began a series of the passage of these species was no longer experiments in the Krkonoše Mountains and expected. A significant quantitative shift oc- later in the Orlické Mountains using this possi- curred in the late 1990s, when a group of bility to observe bird migration under the so- Prague ornithologists (F. Zicha, L. Červa, -called Baltic Action, which was the first coordi- J. Jelínek, L. Hovorka, J. Rosmus and others) nated programme to monitor bird migration in focused on night-time capture in the area central, northern and eastern Europe. Gradual- of Vosecká bouda in the western Krkonoše ly, it was shown that by means of a strong light Mountains, that is, to a place with the previ- source, especially during nights with reduced ously known mass daytime migration. BBy visibility, migrating birds are not only attracted optimizing the combination of the light sour- to the vicinity of the light source, but when ap- ce used with suitably positioned mist-nets propriately positioned capturing devices, most and playback of bird voices, in 1999–2008 The European robin (Erithacus rubecula) is the most frequent species recorded during the nocturnal migration at the often traditional ornithological nets, are used; nearly 40,000 individuals of 87 bird species Concise map summarizing all the data on the origin and destination of birds captured and ringed at Červenohorské sedlo mountain Červenohorské sedlo mountain pass. In total, over 34,000 birds were ringed in 2010–2018. Photo Radek K. Lučan they can also be captured for ringing. were captured and ringed. These captures pass. The map shows where the birds passing over the saddle were flying to and from. © Martin Vavřík and Radek K. Lučan 48 Research, Surveys and Data Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Research, Surveys and Data Management 49

north or east of our country, such as the dusky warbler (Phylloscopus fuscatus, 1st record for Czechia), Radde’s warbler (Phylloscopus schwarzii, 2nd record for Czechia), Pallas’s warbler (Phylloscopus proregulus, 3 of 9 records for Czechia), yellow-browed warbler, half of all records for Czechia!), booted warbler (Iduna caligata, first two records for Czechia), pine bunting (Emberiza leucocephala, 3rd record for Czechia) and Siberian accentor (Prunella montanella, 2nd record for Czechia). The second group includes, for example, the emblem species of Červenohorské sedlo mountain pass, the woodcock (Scolopax rusticola), of which over 600 have been ringed so far, which is the vast majority of all woodcocks that have ever been Death’s-head hawk-moth (Acherontia atropos) and convolvulus hawk-moth (Agrius The common noctule (Nyctalus noctula) is a typical example of a long-distance convolvuli) – typical night moth representatives of long-distance migrants; their migrant which migrates over Červenohorské sedlo mountain pass in huge numbers, ringed in Czechia. Numerous data from the autumn passage over Červenohorské sedlo mountain pass is regularly monitored. especially in late September and in October. Photo Radek K. Lučan retrospective finds of the ringed woodcock Photo Radek K. Lučan here show, among other things, what great have already provided a relatively good mid-August to early November for the first particularly under specific climatic conditions hunting pressure this species is exposed to in idea of the composition and phenology of time. Since 2016, monitoring has been run- and for certain groups of species. The obser- its wintering grounds in southern and western The booted warbler (Iduna caligata) in the Czech Republic is only a very rare vagrant. Both of its previous records the daytime and night-time migrating bird ning continuously for 3 months from early vable daytime migration here is particularly Europe. come from Červenohorské sedlo mountain pass. Photo Radek K. Lučan communities, a lot of interesting information August to early November. Thanks to this, we spectacular, especially in October, when about the origin and destination of the mi- have managed to cover the migration peri- many tens of thousands of birds, especially Further aspects of bird migration cies, during the season, there is a shift in the locality. As a result, the migration of the grating birds and last but not least, records od of species, the migration of which peaks finches, often fly over during a single -mor The data on changes in the intensity of mi- migration activity from day to night or vice convolvulus hawk-moth is regularly recorded of very rare species which have only been at the turn of July and August, such as the ning. High quality data has been collected on gration, which does not occur all the time versa. in large quantities here every year, and the found in our country very sporadically. nightingale, Eurasian river warbler or marsh low-flying migratory species that fly through with the same intensity but is concentrated migrations of the very rare death’s-head ha- warbler. the vegetation and respond well to attracti- in significant migration waves, when after Migration of bats and selected wk-moth are regularly detected in our coun- Jeseníky Mountains on via the voice recordings (e.g. goldcrest, a longer quiet period there are certain days groups of insects try. For example, in 2016 the flight of the Me- After the research in the Krkonoše Mountains During the years 2010–2018, almost 100,000 dunnock, wren, tits), whereas most species when mass migration of most species typical Based on the netting activity, the site has pro- diterranean striped hawk-moth was recorded. was completed, based on previous systema- birds of 125 species were caught and rin- of daytime migrants flying through open spa- of the period takes place, and after that again ven to be important for another group of flying In 2018, monitoring of the daytime migration tic visual observation of mass daytime mi- ged at Červenohorské sedlo mountain pass, ce at higher altitudes are significantly under- followed by several days to weeks of relative vertebrates, bats. Since 2015, monitoring of of hoverflies was also started, which is a very grations, but also several attempts at night- about half of them during their night-time mi- represented. This is illustrated, for example, lack of activity. Studying the causes of these the flight activity of bats, using automatic flight striking phenomenon in the autumn period, -time captures in the mid-1990s (L. Doupal, gration. Such a large amount of data alrea- by the common chaffinch, which represents fluctuations will certainly yield a number of activity recorders (so-called ‘batcorders’), has but so far described only very inadequately. T. Pospíšil, L. Hajný), Červenohorské sedlo dy allows us to postulate a number of partial over 50% of the daytime migrating birds, but interesting findings, although many factors been added to the monitoring of bird migrati- The preliminary results are very promising. mountain pass in the Jeseníky Mountains ap- conclusions, and the heuristic potential of only makes up about 3% of the sample from have recently been well studied in other re- on, because even among bats there are more peared to be another suitable, comparative the whole research further increases with the daily captures. On the contrary, the most gions of the world through the development species of long-distance migrants and many The whole project is professionally backed locality. The very first experimental season in the length of the time series. At least since frequently caught nocturnal migrant, the Eu- of the use of radar tracking. Knowledge of others that carry out shorter-distance seaso- by the Department of Zoology, Faculty of 2010 aimed at verifying the suitability of the the methodological standardization in 2015, ropean robin (roughly half of all birds ringed the phenology of migration of foreign popu- nal movements. In total, at least 21 bat species Sciences, Charles University in Prague and site and methodological optimization con- the project has had the character of monito- here), is very likely to approach the real rela- lations across our territory is also very valu- were detected by a combination of captures takes place on a platform of cooperation be- firmed the correctness of this assumption, ring; besides the changes in the abundan- tive abundance of this species among night- able, as observation in other areas (typically and echolocation records at Červenohorské tween the Jeseníky PLA Administration, NCA as during 30 days of the autumn migration, ce, structure and phenology of migrating -time migrants, which also correlates with in the lowlands) often does not distinguish sedlo mountain pass, including the largest CR, Ringing Station of the National Museum more than 5000 birds of nearly 70 species communities, basic biometric data and data data from other bird monitoring localities in members of our populations from members European bat, the greater noctule (Nyctalus in Prague, Forests of the Czech Republic and were captured and ringed, about half of them on the fitness of migrating birds are also Europe. of populations from outside our country. Mo- lasiopterus), the regular presence of which Červenohorské sedlo Ski Area and would not during the night. Until 2014, the bird capture collected. Of course meteorological data is reover, in many species the autumn passage indicates the possibility of its permanent po- be possible without large numbers of volun- and ringing event was carried out between collected as well, because the current state Rarities and icons is very inconspicuous. This applies for exam- pulation in a wider area. teering collaborators such as bird ringers, August and November intermittently in the of the weather is directly reflected not only In addition to species that can commonly be ple to the nightjar, nightingale, grasshopper students and educators at several of our uni- range of 60–70 days and nights of capture, in the intensity of migration, but also in the recorded elsewhere during migration, at Čer- warblers, goldcrests, flycatchers, but also In order to complement the spectrum of flying versities and many other interested parties, as according to the time availability of several success of catching at least certain bird spe- venohorské sedlo mountain pass we also the tits and chaffinches. Equally interesting migrants with invertebrates, since the autumn well as volunteering contributors, who have ringers. Since 2015, thanks to the coopera- cies. In addition to the captures themselves, regularly record species of a very rare or are cross-species comparisons of circadian migration of 2015, selected groups of migra- played very significant roles in the course of tion with the Department of Zoology, Faculty the abundance of migrating birds is monito- hardly detectable nature, mainly due to noc- migration activity data, where many species tory moths (some hawk-moths and others), the research. The current activities and results of Sciences, Charles University in Prague, we red visually, as the trapping does not always turnal capture. The first type includes several migrate exclusively either at different times which are also known for their long-range sea- of the project can also be found on the websi- managed to cover the whole season from reflect the abundance of migrating birds, rare species straying from areas far to the of the day or at night. However, in many spe- sonal flights, have been regularly recorded at te www.fkcso.cz/chs 50 Research, Surveys and Data Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Research, Surveys and Data Management 51

merous overhangs and is heavily weathered. Monitoring of Alpine Bells It was absolutely necessary to select the route to be as close to all localities as possible, but so that the plants could not be damaged by in the Macocha Abyss the climber’s movements. The route consists of 5 interconnected sections; when climbing and descending it is necessary to switch from Karin Hustáková, Bohuslav Koutecký, Zdeněk Musil one rope to another. Throughout the event, the climber hangs from a rope. Given the diffi- Alpine bells (Cortusa matthioli subsp. moravica Soják) the help of ropes and for physically fit people with culty of access, it is imperative that the expert is undoubtedly one of the most famous plants of the the necessary experience. Previously, part of the studying Alpine bells is accompanied by an experienced climber on the other rope, who Moravian Karst, even though very few people have Alpine bells population also occurred on the debris in addition to auxiliary activities (photography, ever seen it. This is because it grows in the Macocha cone at the bottom of the Abyss, from where it was transport of necessary equipment, etc.), ensu- Abyss, high on the vertical rock walls. Access to first described. However, only three specimens now res the safety of the botanist on the rope. This the habitat is very difficult and only possible with survive here. is a life-threatening activity and without the assistance of a professional climber; a visit to this site is completely out of the question. Any Alpine bells is a glacial relict which occurs in the mistake with handling the ropes would result Czech Republic in only one place on the nor- in a long fall with fatal consequences. thern face of the Macocha Abyss. It is a small, isolated population; the closest localities of Monitoring methodology Marking Alpine bells plants with dots. Photo Karin Hustáková this species are in the Strážov Mountains and Monitoring of Alpine bells in the years Malá Fatra Mountains in Slovakia and in the 1992–2012 was focused on visual assess- Alps. The long-term existence of this montane ment of the state of the population, and very species is possible thanks to the cold and hu- rarely on sampling for various analyses. Se- mid climate under rocky overhangs. The site is eds were collected and attempts to grow without direct sunlight all year round, and it is plants were made. The seeds germinated under the constant influence of cold air from without problems, but the young Alpine bells the caves on the Punkva River, which are lo- soon died without apparent causes. In 2013, cated below it. The first reports of the occur- in cooperation with Palacký University in rence of Alpine bells at Macocha come from Olomouc, a detailed census was carried out, the years 1918–1921, with other authors menti- connected with the drawing of plants into oning this species later. However, data on the photographs of the rock wall. At the same size of the local population differ significantly. time, leaf samples were taken for the genetic It is almost certain that the experts who were laboratory. The drawings were made by a re- studying Alpine bells never visited all the sites searcher standing on the floor of Macocha, high on the rock face, but only investigated based on telescope observation, and at the the localities on the debris cone, and possibly same time a climber who was moving slowly above the upper pool, which can be seen from across the wall, using radio communication the floor of the abyss. to report the position of individual plants. The number of plants was easily counted Monitoring of Alpine bells was begun by staff with this method, but an accurate map could of the Czech Nature Conservation Institute not be made, as some parts of the Alpine (NCA since 1995) in 1992 by counting them bells habitat are not clearly visible from the Abseiling technique during Alpine bells monitoring. Photo Bohuslav Koutecký with a stationary telescope from the upper bottom and distortions occurred due to the rim and floor of the abyss (Řičánek 1994). This Alpine bells. Photo Leoš Štefka acute viewing angles. Therefore, in 2017, the location of each plant and records the whole group, and its fertility or sterility and method was insufficient for obtaining more the monitoring method was modified so that data radioed over by the first climber onto other additional data were recorded. Monito- detailed data because of the large distance Further research was carried out with the rock climber, as by combining these speciali- the climber on the wall with the Alpine bells his dictaphone. At the same time, he plots ring using this method was carried out twice between the observer and the sites, and the participation of specialists from the Institute zations, it was also possible for experts who shows all plants gradually with a long oran- everything in the background photo. After a year in 2017 and 2018, at first at the time of acute angle at which the plants were obser- of Botany at the Academy of Sciences of the would otherwise not have been able to visit ge-tipped pointer, while the other monitor the processing of this data, a very accurate flowering (June) and then at the time of seed ved. This led to inaccuracies in the surveying Czech Republic (ASCR) and other specialized the Alpine bells, to get there. Installation of (preferably a pair of climbers) descends the record of all individual Alpine bells was crea- ripening. This map of the distribution of all and over time it was no longer possible to institutes. Besides botanists, the former NCA the climbing route was very difficult as the rope along the opposite wall of the abyss to ted. Each plant thus received its registration Alpine bells individuals has become a quality identify individual clumps. branch in Brno also employed an experienced rock wall is 120 m high and is rugged, with nu- the same height, from where he photographs number, was plotted in a photograph of the basis for monitoring in the coming years. 52 Research, Surveys and Data Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Research, Surveys and Data Management 53

bottom. This group is then followed by the last, lowest place of occurrence: the edge of the talus cone at the bottom of the abyss above the pool, where there are now 3 plants.

The upper group flowers first, as it has the most light and warmth of all three. It often happens that the Alpine bells has already flowered at the upper level, while the bottom groups are still in bud. The lower part of Ma- cocha Abyss is strongly influenced by the cold and very humid air flowing from the caves, where the year-round temperature is around 8 °C. This is probably the reason why seed ripening has never been recorded at the lower localities. After flowering, the green seedhe- ads are always attacked by mould and die.

The first report on the occurrence of Alpine bells (Podpěra 1921) states that 50 clumps were found. In further reports, the frequen- During abseiling, a careful procedure is necessary to avoid damage to the plants. Photo Karin Hustáková cy varies considerably: Vaněčková (1973) listed 10 clumps; Kovanda (1992) recorded The disadvantage of this method is its extre- refore be led by an authorised speleological 35 clumps. It is clear, however, that these re- Monitoring probe on the Macocha Abyss cliff face. Photo Bohuslav Koutecký Former microclimate monitoring at the bottom of Macocha. Photo Petr Zajíček, CACR me difficulty. It is a dangerous activity and -ne instructor, who ensures that the ropes are tied searchers only recorded individuals directly at glecting even seemingly small things could safely, and takes care of all technical and sa- the bottom or clearly visible from the bottom. The Punkva river, which flows across the floor Protecting the sites falls, which do happen here spontaneously. easily end up tragically. The activity must the- fety matters. Surveyors must be qualified to Řičánek (1994) listed 120 clumps. This infor- of Macocha, also has a significant impact on The wall is entered only for the purpose of In March 2010, a single rockfall added about work at heights, have the necessary experien- mation can be considered reliable, since it the local climate. Under normal conditions, it replacing the recording sensors (3 times 100 m³ of rock, released from the unstable ce to do so, and be able to work independent- included the entire population of Alpine bells only dries up exceptionally during the sum- a year) and for the population census. Only parts of the wall above it, into the debris cone. ly in this extreme environment, where otherwi- and was first obtained by means of binoculars, mer peak. However, in 2017 and 2018 it did one person performs this activity. The rope is However, it is a natural process that cannot se ordinary activities (photography, writing, and then the actual condition was verified by not flow even in the spring and autumn mon- suspended so that the climber has the rope be prevented. In 2017, due to drought and etc.) encounter feasibility limits. Furthermore, two visits to the site, on the wall using ropes. ths. As a result, the air humidity in the abyss wrapped in a bag below him, to avoid the risk the bark beetle calamity, a group of 30 large a large amount of climbing material is requi- During the monitoring carried out in 2013, decreased significantly and the amount of of damage to the vegetation by swinging the spruces dried out on the steep slope above red (3 complete climbing sets, approx. 400 m a significant decrease in the number of plants condensation moisture supplying the plants loose rope along the wall. On the climb back the upper rim of the abyss, directly above the of climbing ropes and other aids). In spite of was recorded: only 63 specimens were found. in the lower parts of the rock walls was re- up the wall, the rope is immediately packed Alpine bells sites. It was obvious that over all these problems, however, it can be stated In the years 2017 and 2018, detailed monito- duced. The upper part of the wall is fed by back into the bag. If the participation of ano- time these dead trees would collapse into the that this method has proved its worth and has ring was carried out twice a year, for the first water running down a rocky trough below ther person is necessary, an optimal procedu- abyss and would damage the vegetation on enabled results to be obtained in a quality that time at the time of flowering (June) and then the upper rim of the abyss. This trough was re is always chosen so that no damage to the the wall in the fall. As some of them weighed would otherwise not be achievable. at the time of seed ripening (September). In previously filled with permanently wet mos- locality occurs. At the initiative of the PLA Ad- around 3 tonnes, there was a risk of major da- 2017, the occurrence of 42 clumps (of which 8 ses, but since 2015 it has been permanently ministration, the climbing route was modified mage, so the Moravian Karst PLA Administrati- Description of the Population were flowering) was confirmed; in 2018 a total dry and therefore mosses and other plants in 2010, and permanent stainless steel anchor on had these spruces expertly felled, to make Alpine bells occurs only on the permanently of 51 clumps (of which 17 were flowering) were are massively drying out. All of these pheno- points were installed to ensure safe suspensi- sure they could not fall into the abyss. shaded part of the northern wall of Macocha found. mena are very likely to affect the local Alpine on of the ropes. Their location is known only in 3 places. The first part of the population of bells population. by one climbing instructor who has been ac- Monitoring results about 14 individuals is located about 70 m abo- An interesting finding was that the number of companying individual research participants Detailed monitoring results (tables, photos) ve the bottom of Macocha Abyss. These are plants found can vary within one year. Some The Moravian Karst PLA Administration, in co- since the beginning of monitoring. It is not are presented in the final reports for 2013, the most vital specimens of the entire local po- plants were traceable only in the autumn cen- operation with the Czech Hydrometeorologi- possible to reach the Alpine bells by simply 2017 and 2018, and kept at the Moravian Karst pulation, only here ripening seeds were found sus, so their growth occurred with considera- cal Institute, placed temperature monitoring lowering a rope from the top of Macocha, as PLA Administration. Continued monitoring lin- repeatedly (only 3 times in 1993–2018). A se- ble delay. For example, the photo of the upper sensors at the three main Alpine bells sites. the rock overhangs above the Alpine bells ked to the results of climatic measurements cond group of about 13 plants grows on terra- group from September 2017 clearly shows Since 2012, we thus have an overview of local prevent access in this way. will certainly bring further interesting findings. ces on the rock wall at a height of about 30 m large vital plants that were not visible at all du- climatic conditions. The measurements will The data will be used as a basis for expert dis- above the bottom. The third group (20 indivi- ring the June monitoring. This phenomenon continue, as these data are very important for Due to total inaccessibility, the Alpine bells cussion with the aim of determining activities Biological survey of the wall above the upper pool. Photo Petr duals) is located slightly below it, on an inclined was probably caused by extreme drought, assessing changes in the Alpine bells popu- are protected from damage by accidental vi- leading to the conservation of the Alpine bells Zajíček, Cave Administration of the Czech Republic (CACR). rocky plate at a height of about 15 m above the causing some clumps to start growing later. lation. sitors. However, it could be damaged by rock- population at this unique locality. 54 Research, Surveys and Data Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Research, Surveys and Data Management 55

The beginnings of the history of Czechoslovak Sixty Years of History and later Czech state nature conservation are connected with the establishment of an independent republic in 1918. By a resolution of the of State Nature Conservation Organisations Ministerial Council of the newly established Ministry of Education and National Enlighte- nment (MENE) in Prague on 20th November, in the Czech Republic the competence of this office and subordinate bodies was extended to natural monuments. This important step was taken on the initiative Pavel Pešout of Zdeněk Wirth2, an important art historian, employed by MENE as section director respon- The so-called ‘Eight’ year (2018) was significant not only of the first national professional state institution for natu- sible for the organisation and management of for several anniversaries in Czech statehood (1918, 1938, re conservation in 1958 remained somewhat in their sha- monument care. Already in 1919, conservationists were appointed (both for the whole state 1948, 1968), but also for nature protection. The foundati- dow. After 1989, the overall preparedness of nature con- and for each county) for two years (Procházka on of our oldest forest reserves, Žofín Forest (1838) and servation institutions helped to enforce rapid changes in 1926). In the same year, Z. Wirth appointed an Boubín Forest (1858), was commemorated by the Year of the environment and to establish modern legislation and external expert for nature conservation, Rudolf Czech Primeval Forests.1 The anniversary of the founding nature conservation management in the Czech Republic. Maximovič, to MENE, and entrusted him with tasks in the protection of elements deserving protection in land reforms. In 1920, the Allo- Team of SIMCNP staff in the procession on 19/1/1989. Photo Dana Turoňová tment Act was passed, which heralded the Zdeněk Vulterin (during monitoring at Loužek SNR) led state nature protection in the years 1971–1980. Photo Václav Petříček emergence of a number of specially protected areas3. During the First Czechoslovak Republic, intensive efforts were made to adopt special legislation for the protection of nature, but all attempts, often conducted up to interdepartmental discussion, were unsuccessful (Anony- mous 1921, Procházka 1926, Klika 1946, Veselý 1954, Pešout 2013). In 1922, R. Maximovič joined the Ministry as officer for the protection of natural monuments (Maximovič 1934), where he worked until 1942, unfortunately until 1935 as the only officer of nature conservation (Ano- nymous 1941, Čeřovský 2012).

In 1939, the German Reich nature protection regulations were extended to the Sudetenland and at the offices of ‘government presidents’ in Karlovy Vary, Ústí nad Labem and Opava, ‘higher nature conservation authorities’ were established. In 1942, in accordance with the German Reich Nature Conservation Act of 1935 (Maximovič 1939 a, b, c), the nature and homeland protection agenda was transferred Field excursion of Brontosaurus members in Český ráj PLA in 1975. Photo Zdeněk Thoma to the competence of the ‘chief forester’, i.e. the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry4. conservation at MENE (from 1942, Stockmann Prague, which was led by Jaroslav Veselý until 2013). In 1946, the conservators were re-ap- 1958 (Veselý 1954, Čeřovský 1981). After the liberation, state nature protection pointed by the Minister, and the state nature returned to MENE, where R. Maximovič aga- and landscape protection gazette ‘Nature In 1956, Act No. 40 on State Nature Con- in led it until 1948 as the general conservator Protection’ was first published (Čeřovský & servation was finally adopted, in 1958 followed of nature protection5 (Stejskal 2006). After his Veselý 1970, Pešout 2012) and in 1951, the by the Act on Cultural Monuments, which con- retirement, Maximovič’s pupil and co-worker Department of Nature Conservation was es- stituted the State Institute for Monument Care Jaroslav Veselý became the head of nature tablished at the then State Heritage Office in and Nature Protection (SIMCNP). 56 Research, Surveys and Data Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Research, Surveys and Data Management 57

Selected Important Dates in the History of the Czechoslovak State Institute for Monument Care ment of 14 staff. This was led by Jan Tříska or Czech State Nature Conservation Organisations and Nature Protection (Skřivánek 1982a, 1986), Zdeněk Vulterin SIMCNP was established by the Ministry of (Skřivánek 1982b, Petříček 2017) and la- 1918 (20/11) MENE extends its scope to include natural monuments. Education and Culture by the Act on Cultu- ter by František Skřivánek (Kučera 1994). 1919 Appointment of the first conservationists in Czechoslovakia. ral Monuments No. 22/1958 Coll. (§19) from In addition to all assessment activities for 6 1920 (30/1) Approval of the so-called ‘Allotment law’ No. 81/1920 Coll. 17/4/1958 . Its mission in the field of state na- decision-making by the Ministry of Culture, ture protection pursuant to the aforementio- initial efforts were focused on the procla- 1922 Submission of the first bill on the protection of natural monuments. ned Act and the Statute7 issued in the same mation of the Krkonoše National Park, and 1933 (31/12) Decree of the former MENE (so-called ‘New Year’s Eve Decree’). year was to assess, elaborate, as appropri- in cooperation with the RCSMCNCs on the ate, professional documents for the procee- assessment and supplementation of the 1942 (15/1) Transfer of the nature and homeland protection agenda from MENE to the Protectorate Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. dings and decisions of state nature protec- Protected Landscape Area (PLA) system, as tion bodies, provide them with professional well as small-scale protected areas (nature Transfer of nature and homeland protection agenda back to MENE. 1945 and methodological assistance, organise reserves). Surveys of nature reserves were 1946 Start of the publication of the state nature and landscape protection bulletin and conduct research, exploration, and do- started, and a system of verification of their ‘Nature Conservation’. cumentation, in particular as regards nature condition was set up; gradually the basics 1955 (1/3) Designation of the first large-scale protected area, Český Ráj PLA. as a whole and parts thereof, intact or untou- of monitoring and documentation were ched by human activity, the impact of human laid out8. 1956 (25/8) Adoption of the first Act on State Nature Protection (No. 40/1956 Coll.). activity on nature and on countering the ad- 1958 (17/4) Enabling of the establishment of a state institute for monument care and nature verse effects of human activities, especially In the 1980s, active species protection pro- protection by Act No. 22/1958 Coll. on Cultural Monuments. research, exploration and documentation grammes were launched, in cooperation 1958 (1/7) Establishment of the State Institute of Monument Care and Nature Protection. of protected parts of nature, the biology of with regional centres, the Czech Union for protected organisms, and research into and Nature Conservation (CUNC) and others9 Jaroslav Hromas (right) and Václav Petříček in 1973 during the delineation of České středohoří PLA. Photo archive of Václav Petříček 1960 (1/1) Commitment and obligation of the state to comprehensive nature protection enshrined in the Constitution of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic. scientific documentation of large buildings and the first rescue facilities for injured and industrial areas. wild animals were built. The gene pool 1963 (17/5) Establishment of the first Czech national park – Krkonoše NP. conservation strategy was developed, Red 1978 National Nature Protection Concept approved by Government Resolution It was lucky for nature protection that Jaroslav Lists of Endangered Species were produ- (No. 243) Veselý, professional nature conservationist ced and 5 volumes of Red Books were gra- 1990 Establishment of the Ministry of the Environment. (Maršáková-Němejcová 1966, Tříska 1966, 1986, dually published. Toman & Tomanová 1976), became the first di- 1990 (1/7) Establishment of the Czech Institute of Nature Protection from the nature protection sections of SIMCNP and RCSMCNCs (including PLA administrations) rector of SIMCNP. Although some colleagues By engaging in the state electronisation under the auspices of the Ministry of the Environment. blamed him for anxious tolerance of heritage programme, a remote sensing laboratory preservation, as a result of which the field of na- (RSL) was set up10, later becoming the basis 1991 (1/7) Establishment of the Czech Nature and Landscape Protection Inspectorate by Act No. 282/1991 Coll. ture protection was not strengthened (Čeřovský for today’s Nature Conservation Informati- 2014). However, he was clearly under pressure on System department. In the early 1980s, 1991 (1/1) Incorporation of all existing administrations of show caves from the abolished from the real demands of that time. Thousands SIMCNP also began work on the new Natu- District National Committees and Regional National Committees into the Czech 11 Nature Conservation Institute. of heritage sites of unquestionable value, which re Conservation Act . In 1986, a partial but were under the administration of regions and substantial amendment to the State Nature 1992 (25/3) Approval of Act on Nature and Landscape Protection No. 114/1992 Coll. towns, required appropriate procedures, and of- Protection Act was adopted (No. 65/1986 1992 (16/12) Adoption of the Constitution of the Czech Republic containing a commitment of ten immediate solutions to ensure their rescue. Coll.), the so-called ‘sanction amendment’, the state to the sensitive use of resources and natural riches. The damage to heritage buildings was also more regulating sanctions for violations of the law 1995 (1/3) Separation of CNCI into Administration of Protected Landscape Areas -APLA CR pronounced than the gradual devastation of na- (Friedl & Damohorský 1987). (from 1/5/2004 Nature Conservation Administration) and NCA CR. ture and landscape. Nevertheless, it should be 1998 Government approved the first state Nature and Landscape Protection noted that this period was extremely important A certain problem was the lack of clarity Programme. for state nature conservation, through building of the competences of the independently the nature protection department in SIMCNP, operating SIMCNP and RCSMCNCs, which 2004 (8/4) Approval of so-called ‘Euro-amendment’ to the Act on Nature and Landscape Director of SIMCNP Bedřich Tykva and Vojen Ložek on a visit to the Zvířetice castle ruins in 1988. Photo archive of Václav Petříček Protection (No. 218/2004 Coll.) and also in the creation of nature conservation the Institute tried to counteract by holding units in Regional Centres of State Monument methodical meetings and consultations. In international cooperation, the work of Jan Regional Centres of State 2006 Merger of the NCA and NPA into one state nature conservation organisation Care and Nature Conservation (RCSMCNC). Ja- Bureaucracy was further increased after Čeřovský should be mentioned, who in 1969, NCA CR and separation of the cave agenda to the independent Cave Monument Care and Nature Administration of the Czech Republic. roslav Veselý also contributed to international 1980, when, in order to improve the care as a reward for his educational activities, beca- Conservation (RCSMCNCs) cooperation, including the IUCN membership of of monuments, the Headquarters of State me an employee of the IUCN Secretariat, from In the regions, the executive state bodies of 2015 (1/5) Anchoring of NCA CR as a nature conservation authority with a national competence in the Nature Conservation Act and its incorporation into the civil SIMCNP as early as 1958. Monument Care and Nature Protection was where he was withdrawn by our state for poli- nature protection were the Departments of service authorities. established, which only worsened the com- tical reasons in 1973. In 1988 he was elected a Education and Culture of Regional National All activities in nature conservation at SIM- munication between SIMCNP and the Minis- member of the IUCN Council and for one term Committees (DEC RNC). The staff member 2017 (1/3) Designation of all four Czech national parks by law. CNP were initially carried out by a depart- try of Culture. he was IUCN Vice President (Kučera 1990). (usually one in each region) was called a na- 58 Research, Surveys and Data Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Research, Surveys and Data Management 59

Directors of central organisations ction Department SIMCNP became the small changes were accepted. In connection of state nature and landscape protection since 1958 basis of the Czech Nature Conservation with the discussion of the twelve years post- Institute (CNCI). CNCI was established on poned Civil Service Act (No. 234/2014 Coll.), State Institute of Monument Care and Nature Protection SIMCNP (1958–1990) 1st July 1990 and on the same date the natu- finally a decision had to be made on the defi- re protection departments of the abolished nitive position of special state administration Director of the Institute Head of Department of Nature Protection* RCSMCNC, including PLA administrations, bodies in nature conservation. In the case of st RNDr. Jaroslav Veselý (1958–1964) RNDr. Jan Tříska (1958–1971) were integrated into it. From 1 January, national park administrations, economic and PhDr. Vladimír Novotný, DrSc. (1965–1975) RTDr. Ing. Jan Vulterin, CSc. (1971–1980) 1991, the newly constituted structure of economic reasons prevailed and they rema- state nature conservation was extended to ined outside the scope of the Civil Service JUDr. Otilie Svobodová (1975–1983) RNDr. František Skřivánek (1981–1990) PhDr. Bedřich Tykva (1983–1990) include all existing administrations of show Act, but in the case of NCA CR the choice was caves, in contradiction with the original idea clear. The management of the organisation Doc. PhDr. Josef Štulc (1990)** that, following the example of Slovakia, an sought to establish the NCA CR as a civil ser- Czech Nature Conservation Institute CNCI (1990–1995) independent cave administration would be vice office, which, through Act No. 250/2014 established in the institute (Hromas 2013). Coll. happened. The position of the civil ser- RNDr. Jaroslav Hromas (1990–1994) Although the separation of heritage care vice office brought higher bureaucratization Ing. Ivan Dejmal (1994–1995) and nature conservation into different in- of internal processes, but the benefits of long- Administration of Protected Landscape stitutions was undoubtedly the right step, it -term stable anchoring and the inclusion of Agency for Nature Conservation and Areas in the Czech Republic has become clear over time that interdisci- nature protection on a par with other institu- Landscape Protection of the Czech (1995–2004) plinary cooperation in the care of our com- tions of special state administration undoub- Republic (1995–2006) Nature Conservation Administration mon cultural and natural heritage is neces- tedly significantly prevail. (2004–2006) sary in many cases (Pešout 2011). Removal of trees and shrubs at Sluneční dvůr NM by SIMCNP staff in 1971. Photo archive of Václav Petříček Ing. Josef Novák (1995–1998) RNDr. František Pelc (1995–2002) Efforts to ensure institutional A fundamental change came with the new nature conservation RNDr. Jan Hošek (1998–1999) PhDr. Petr Dolejský (2002–2006) Act on Nature and Landscape Protection nistration. APLA CR had an amendment to of state administration and providing care In 2017, we managed to discuss the so-called RNDr. Jaroslav Hromas (1999–2003) No. 114/1992 Coll., which, from 1st June 1992, the Nature and Landscape Protection Act incl. financing and, last but not least, public ‘national park’ amendment to the Nature Pro- Ing. Martin Dušek (2003–2006) introduced the institute of special state ad- prepared, but despite two attempts it did education. In these years, both organisations tection Act and to designate all four national Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (2006–present)*** ministration in nature protection, incl. defi- not pass through the legislative process. - ANCLP CR and NPA – faced repeated seri- parks by law. Along with the NCA CR legislati- nition of the competencies of PLA and NP A further effort to remedy this in 2004 did ous dismantling proposals as part of efforts on, the sustained efforts of many professional Ing. Martin Dušek (2006) administrations. Adoption of a new modern not pass in the Chamber of Deputies by one to develop other forms of environmental go- and voluntary conservationists and natural RNDr. František Pelc (2006–2007) legal standard in nature and landscape pro- vote (Pelc 2016)12. However, this so-called vernance. scientists to ensure the long-term stabilisation RNDr. František Pojer (2007–2010) tection would not have been possible wi- ‘Euro-amendment’ ensured the transposi- of institutional nature protection in the Czech RNDr. František Pelc (2010–present) thout the previous decade of preparation tion of European Natura 2000 directives First, in 2006, the Minister of the Environment Republic over a quarter of a century have fi- and without the overall preparedness of sta- into Czech law, and, inter alia, shifted the merged the two state nature protection orga- nally come to fruition. It is good to remember * In the case of SIMCNP, especially after the removal of Jaroslav Veselý from the position of Director, leadership in nature conservation was primarily left to the heads of the nature conservation department, sometimes at the same time holding the te nature conservation to promote extensive granting of exemptions from prohibitions nisations into one organisational unit of the today that in the beginning, sixty years ago, position of deputy director; therefore, they are also listed. changes in ensuring environmental protecti- in the protection of protected species from NCA CR. At the same time, operation of pub- state nature conservation was lucky to have ** After the Department of Nature Conservation became an independent institute, he was the director of the State Institute for Monument Care (currently National Monument Institute) until 2002. on. However, the newly adopted Constituti- the Ministry of the Environment to the PLA licly accessible caves incl. their research and several personalities and nature conservation *** Director of the Cave Administration of the Czech Republic, separated in 2006 from NCA CR, was from 2006 to 2019 RNDr. on of the Czech Republic six months later and NP administrations. In this context, from documentation was entrusted to the newly teams at headquarters and regional centres, Jaroslav Hromas, currently Ing. Lubomír Přibyl. stipulated that administrative authorities 2004 APLA CR was renamed to Nature Pro- established contributory organisation Cave who were convinced of the necessity of their can only be established by law. Although tection Administration (NPA) (Moucha 2004). Administration of the Czech Republic (Hromas work and passionate about it. The readiness ture conservation inspector. Similarly, the Dist- the state of nature, cooperated on preparation the previously established PLA and NP ad- 2008). This clearly separated the performan- of state nature conservation to promote chan- rict National Committees included nature con- of new protected areas incl. PLAs (Eberhard ministrations did not cease to exist, their le- Nature Conservation Agency of ce of the state administration from the opera- ges after 1989 would not have been possible servation inspectors – often including other 1984, Kuncová 1984, Macák 1985, Podzemný gal status became constitutionally non-con- the Czech Republic (NCA CR) tion of visitor circuits, which was appropriate without the existence of joint professional in- agendas, such as the role of ‘church secreta- 1985, Polák 1984, Rivola 1985, Strejček 1985). forming and required revision. This should In 2006, following the changes in nature pro- not only from a nature conservation perspe- stitutions with monument care. In the period ries’). The years 1958–1961 saw the gradually Even though the number of RCSMCNC staff have occurred in a ‘reasonable time’. First, tection after the establishment of regional ctive, but mainly for operational and economic of building socialism, life was not a bed of emergence of RCSMCNCs, part of which were was increasing gradually, a substantial part of in 1995, the CNCI department managing the self-governing units (1st January 2000) and reasons. roses for either of the disciplines, but despi- the PLA administrations. The Krkonoše Natio- the field work was still dependent on voluntary PLA administrations was separated into a after the accession of the Czech Republic to te this the staff of SIMCNP and RCSMCNCs nal Park was also administered by the Regio- groups of district conservators and nature con- newly established organisation – Adminis- the EU (1st May 2004), steps were initiated to Even after the constitution of the NCA CR, managed to protect a significant part of our nal National Committee. servation reporters until the early 1990s (Tříska tration of Protected Landscape Areas in the establish a special state administration body efforts to enforce its establishment by law cultural and natural heritage. This is the right 1983, Čeřovský 2004). Czech Republic (APLA CR), while the other in nature conservation with nationwide com- continued. Unfortunately, the 2009 amend- place to thank all professional and volunteer Regional centres were methodologically led in part of the Institute became the basis for the petence. The aim was to strengthen state ment was again not approved. Only the admi- nature conservation workers, both contempo- their activities by SIMCNP and primarily provi- Difficult journey to consolidating Agency for Nature Conservation and Land- nature conservation as an institution conta- nistration of National Nature Reserves (NNR) rary, and especially our predecessors, without ded expert support for decision-making by re- state nature protection scape Protection of the Czech Republic ining all the necessary pillars – professional and National Nature Monuments (NNM) was whom we could not have raised the safegu- gional and district national committees, conduc- In 1990, the Ministry of the Environment (ANCLP CR), which provided professional background incl. monitoring and documen- transferred from the Ministry of the Environ- arding of nature and landscape protection to ted natural science surveys and assessments of came into being and the Nature Prote- support for the performance of state admi- tation, competence for direct performance ment (MoE) to NCA CR, and only a few other the level of the most advanced countries. 60 Research, Surveys and Data Management Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Focusing on the Public 61

preservation of landscape character and landscape specialties in buildings ... and so on.” The Elbe Canyon – Inspiration for Romantic 4 Under Government Decree No. 14 of 15th January 1942 on the new organisation of some central offices, Coll. Painters and Cradle of European Tourism Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia 1942, pp. 75– 80 and Government Decree No. 208 of 15th March 1942 on the new organisation of certain central offices (‘reor- Zdeněk Patzelt ganisation regulation’), Coll. Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia 1942, pp. 997–1003.4) The Elbe Canyon is unique not only for its landscape of the oldest tourist associations in Europe was esta- 5 After 1946, the title of his position was changed to and natural values, but also represents a huge poten- blished, and the Elbe Canyon became the cradle of “Central Conservator of State Nature Conservation” tial for tourist and recreational use. While the German European and world tourism together with the Alps. (Čeřovský 2004). side realised this long ago, on the Czech side there is The fascinating landscape of Bohemian-Saxon Swit- still an effort to transform the Elbe into an industrial zerland inspired renowned romantic artists. Today 6 Originally, two institutes were to be established; one for monument care and one for nature conservation. How- transport channel. The history of tourist use of this their works and later old postcards can tell us about ever, at a meeting of the ministry management, one com- landscape dates back to the 19th century, when one the natural appearance of the Elbe. mon institute was eventually promoted (Kučera 1998). Tourist restaurant at Großer Winterberg. Anonymous, mid-19th century, Hasse-Stiftung Foundation at the Saxon Switzerland NP Administration 7 Decree of the Ministry of Education and Culture of 28 August 1958, ref. 38736/1958-E 1, MSK XIV Journal, 277.

8 As of 1990, 1 NP and 17 PLAs were designated and 13.5% of the territory of the country was covered by protected areas.

9 In cooperation with the Research Institute of Audio and Video Technology, aerial photography was com- menced in 4 bands of the spectrum up to a scale of 1:25,000 and the production of derivatives for use at a Releasing a young male lynx near Horská Kvilda in November 1985. Photo Ivo Svoboda scale of 1:5,000. On the example of Jizerské hory PLA, Acknowledgments ed land (the so-called ‘Allotment Law’) in § 20 obliges possible evaluation of the degree of damage to spruc- I would like to thank my colleagues Bohumil land authorities “The allotment shall not disturb the es by emissions was verified from the produced deriv- Kučera, Jaroslav Hromas and Václav Petříček beauty of nature or the character of the landscape atives. At that time, no other organisation in Czechia for comments on the article. and not harm the natural, historical and artistic was able to do that. In the mid-1990s, other Protected monuments. The Land Office may authorise to this Landscape Areas and the Krkonoše and Šumava Na- A list of documents referred to is attached end the areas devoted to parks, nature parks, which tional Parks were photographed. In the 1990s, the RSL to the web version of the article at otherwise serve to embellish the landscape, or the was transferred to building the GIS system. www.casopis.ochranaprirody.cz purpose of which is to preserve an example of the original character of the landscape, or to secure and 10 Programmes Lynx (gradual repatriation of Eurasian lynx Notes: protect historical monuments and their surroundings to Šumava) and Haliaeetus (stabilization of white-tailed 1 A comprehensive series on annual excursions for the closely related to them, may be left in the ownership eagle in Třeboňsko), as well as the programmes Tetrao, Year of Czech Forests by Tomáš Vrška et al. was pub- of its original owners, in addition to the land area, Lutra, Otis, Falco and Margaritifera (Trpák 1989). 11 The lished in six issues of Živa magazine in 2018. which pursuant to § 11 of the Act of 16th April 1919, main activities of SIMCNP in the field of nature protection No. 215 Coll., may be left to its original owners and were described by the Deputy Director for Nature Con- 2 PhDr. Zdeněk Wirth remained at MENE until 1939, not confiscated, if the owner complies with the conservation at that time, František Skřivánek (1983). when on his departure; the President of the Republic ditions set by the Land Office in agreement with the thanked him for his merits (Anonymous 1939). participating ministries, as regards the accessibility 12 The only fully-fledged special nature conservation au- of those places to the general public, scientific and thority was the Bohemian Switzerland National Park Ad- 3 The Act of January 30th, 1920, which was issued in artistic staff, or uses them for humanitarian purpos- ministration, which was established by a separate Act accordance with § 10 of the Act of April 16th, 1919, No. es” and at the same time had the option according to (No. 161/1999 Coll., declaring the Bohemian Switzerland 215 Coll., the provision on the allocation of seized § 50, “to establish a special order on management National Park and amending Act No. 114/1992 Coll., on land and regulating the legal relation to the allocat- ... protection of natural and artistic monuments, Nature and Landscape Protection, as amended). 62 Focusing on the Public Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Focusing on the Public 63

most visited place among all national parks in Ger- many. The Bastei Bridge offers breathtaking views of the surrounding rock labyrinth and the panora- mic terrace near the tourist hotel offers spectacular views of the Elbe river. It was this view of the unfettered Elbe and its surroundings that inspired the artists of that time most of all. The first conservationists Tourist use of the landscape of Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland increasingly became a source of liveli- hood. So a century ago, the locals began to realise the need to protect the local nature, where many natural rock formations in the Elbe Canyon were irreversibly destroyed by sandstone quarrying. The- refore, on 31st March 1910, the Saxon Switzerland Historical postcard according to painting by Ludwig A. Richter, Ferry below Střekov (Über- Historical postcard of the Elbe near Střekov, c. 1910. White-sand beaches lined the river Protection Society (Verein zum Schutz der Säch- fahrt am Schreckenstein), original from 1837. Archive Zdeněk Patzelt where the locks stand today. Archive Zdeněk Patzelt sischen Schweiz) was established. Its mission was to preserve the unique local nature and above all, Visitors can see the unique collection of many National Park Administration in the gallery at Bastei. small boats creating dense traffic. The artistic rende- Děčín with Chateau. Anonymous, mid-19th century: Hasse-Stiftung Foundation at the Saxon Switzerland NP Administration to stop the quarrying. By 1917, the association had beautiful works of art from the Hasse-Stiftung Many of the depictions of the Elbe Canyon of past ring of the landscape of Bohemian-Saxon Switzer- managed to purchase most of the quarries, pre- Foundation’s collection at the Saxon Switzerland centuries show how the river was full of life and land compels us to preserve its values for the future. venting further destruction of the landscape. Si- milarly, tourist associations bought up dilapidated historical monuments and saved them in order to increase the attraction of the area for tourists. For example, the castle above the town of Wehlen was bought in 1882 by the Saxon Switzerland Mounta- in Association, which set up a vantage point here. Even today, it is clear that the preservation of nature is not only a concern for state nature conservation, but also for the local residents for whom tourism provides livelihoods, and for tourists who come here to admire the unspoiled nature. There- fore, the local history suggests that the potential of tourism income here far exceeds the real income from the Elbe as an industrial transport route. Romantic inspiration as a commitment for the future The mysterious attraction of the landscape of Bo- hemian-Saxon Switzerland has always tempted Vantage point at Bastei. Anonymous, mid-19th century: Hasse-Stiftung Foundation at the Saxon Switzerland NP Administration man to discover and portray it. It is no coincidence that centuries ago famous artists found inspirati- Cradle of tourism earlier period, as this historic act is considered to on here. The classical composer Carl Maria von The Bohemian Switzerland Mountain Association be the moment when the farmer Adalbert Hauff Weber set the story of his opera ‘Der Freischütz’ (Gebirgsverein für die Böhmische Schweiz) was provided accommodation to the first holiday-ma- (The Marksman) here and the territory also capti- founded in Děčín as early as 1878. Thanks to the kers in today’s resort of Kurort Göhrisch as early vated Hans Christian Andersen and Johann Wol- association and the owners of the local Clary-Al- as 1869. Thanks to its proximity to Dresden, Sa- fgang Goethe. After all, it was the Swiss painters dringen and Kinský estates, the most beautiful xon Switzerland became a very popular area for Adrian Zingg and Anton Graff, based at the Saxon destinations, such as the Pravčická brána Arch visitors. Already around the year 1800, tourists be- Royal Court in Dresden at the end of the 18th cen- and the Kamenice Gorges, were made accessible gan to visit Bastei, the most visited destination in tury, who apparently named the area Saxon, and in the wild landscape, attracting tourists from all Saxony, where a massive stone bridge was built later, Bohemian Switzerland – they were so en- over the world. On the Saxon side, the discove- for tourists in 1850–1851. Today, with a visitor rate chanted by the area that they named it after their ry of the landscape by tourists dates back to an of about 1.5 million people per year, Bastei is the homeland. Picture from Saxon Switzerland, steel engraving 14 × 18 cm, A. Tromlitz, mid-19th century, Hasse-Stiftung Foundation at the Saxon Switzerland NP Administration 64 International Nature Conservation Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal International Nature Conservation 65

India under a magnifying glass India, covering nearly 3.3 million km², is the Kaziranga National Park th 7 largest country in the world and, due to its geographical location, is sometimes referred – a Little Miracle in Overcrowded India to as the Indian subcontinent. Due to its huge area, a wide variety of environmental conditions can be found there, including tropical coasts František Pelc, Vladimír Bejček and wetlands in the deltas of huge rivers, savannah, semi-deserts, tropical and subtropical dry, rain and monsoon forests, as well as the As students, we read Zdeněk Veselovský's book Geographic (2010). With some worries but also highest mountains in the world – the Himalayas. ‘Voices of the Jungle’ describing his stay in Kaziranga hopes, we visited this area in March 2019. However, However, due to the long-term and extraor- National Park. In addition to numerous interesting the experience exceeded our expectations, despite dinarily high population (with nearly 1.4 billion inhabitants, it is a close second behind China); Kaziranga NP: Map showing the delimitation of the borders after the sixth and largest extension of the park to inclu- facts about wildlife bionomics, the reader will find many problems that persist in the national park. de the riverbed of the Brahmaputra, which consists of sandy sediments for part of the year. Compiled by Jan Vrba a number of notes on nature conservation half a After all, over a hundred of the symbolic Indian almost all natural communities have only been preserved in fragments. Indian population century ago. A very valuable article on the simplest rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) have been poached density reaches over 430 people per km², i.e. problems of biodiversity management in this Assam in Kaziranga in the last ten years, and the population almost four times higher than in the Czech Re- park was published by Douglas Chadwick in National around the park has grown by a third. public. Although the annual population increase has fallen to 1% in recent years, it still means an The population of Bengal tigers in Kaziranga NP reaches about 100 and is therefore one of the highest densities in India, but they are rarely observed by visitors. Photo František Pelc annual population increase of 14 million people. Almost 60 cities have more than 1 million residents; the largest are the metropolises of Delhi and Mumbai, both of which have populations close to 20 million. Despite the undeniable economic development observed in recent years, India is still a poor country. Kaziranga National Park: Location, Area, History Kaziranga National Park (KNP) is located in the north-east of India, in the state of Assam, on the border between the tropics and subtropics. Thanks to the local monsoon climate, however, Wetlands and lakes make up about a tenth of Kaziranga National Park. Photo František Pelc. we can find truly tropical nature there. The rain- fall is uneven, with most falling in June–Septem- ber, and the total exceeding 2,200 mm per year. This geomorphologically rather monotonous landscape lies at 40–80 metres above sea level.

KNP has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The roots of its protection date back to 1904, when the enlightened Baroness Mary Cur- zon, after visiting and finding the territory almost devoid of animals due to mass poaching, urged her husband, working in the colonial administration, to enforce the protection of this magical corner of India. At that time the rhinos and other animals had been hunted almost to extinction. And she succeeded. Already in 1905, a reserve of 232 km² was designated here, which was gradually extended. However, the latest, sixth expansion of the park to include the riverbed The sandy-muddy floodbanks of varying magnitude and the riverbed of the Brahmaputra, up to 10 kilometres and floodplain of the Brahmaputra was the lar- wide, make up more than a third of the area of the park. Photo František Pelc 66 International Nature Conservation Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal International Nature Conservation 67

bed of the giant river with massive alluvia, with only sparse vegetation. Tropical wet and semi- -deciduous forests form an important part of the landscape. Finally, we must not forget the permanent wetlands with lakes and pools of different sizes attracting many migratory and nesting birds.

Thanks to the high diversity of habitats, KNP is also very rich in avifauna. A total of 500 nesting and migrating bird species have been recorded here. In addition to dozens of exotic taxa, for example hornbills, parrots, barbets and flocks of Indian geese (Anser indicus), we had the opportunity to observe ‘our’ overwintering Eurasian snipe (Gallinago gallinago). This is one of the reasons why the park is classified by BirdLife International as an important bird area (IBA). KNP also hosts 56 reptile spe- Red jungle-fowl (Gallus gallus), the ancestor of the domestic Monsoon and semi-deciduous forests can be found in about 15% of Kaziranga National Park. Photo František Pelc cies, including 17 turtle species and 25 snake fowl, is a rather slender and shy bird. Photo František Pelc species. gest: Thanks to the new 350 km², the total area -scale disintegration and destruction. In order to There are six basic landscapes – vegetati- Despite other richly represented groups of ani- The Indian rhinoceros is out of immediate danger due to systematic protection in Kaziranga NP, and unlike its African relati- of the national park has reached 860 km², which be considered a “hot spot” of world terrestrial on formations – in the park. The vast area of mals, however, the extraordinary species diver- ves, it loves to stay in the water. Photo František Pelc is above average in Indian terms. biodiversity, at least 1,500 vascular plant species the Brahmaputra floodplain is largely covered sity and abundance of mammals plays an im- (i.e. more than 0.5% of all known species) must by flooded grassland communities, including portant role. Monkeys are represented by four Landscape and Biodiversity grow there, and at least 70% of the original habi- elephant grass growing up to 6 metres high, species, including the western hoolock gibbon KNP is part of the Indomalayan (Oriental) zoo- tats had to have been lost. whereas flooded savannahs, enriched with (Hoolock hoolock), one of the most endangered geographical region and one of the hot spots non-contiguous shrub and tree vegetation, primates of all. Four species of deer (sambar of global biodiversity. This term refers to areas The origin of the Himalayan hot spots is due to also appear in the adjacent areas. More than deer, barasingha, Indian hog deer and muntjac) with high species richness, a high number of several causes. They are points of contact be- a third of the park area is formed by the river- are important for the functioning of local ecosys- endemic species and a high degree of habitat tween the foot of the Himalayan ridge and the tems, both as grazers of vegetation and as prey damage by humans, mainly due to their large- lowland on the floodplain of the Brahmaputra for predators. Similarly to Africa, India also refers (translated as the Mother of Rivers), creating ex- to the ‘Big Five’, but with a slightly different com- tremely varied environmental conditions. In the position. Its representatives include the wild wa- India and Protected Areas Tertiary period, the Indian plate crashed into the ter buffalo (Bubalus arnee), sloth bear (Melursus Protected areas make an important contribu- Eurasian mainland, creating the highest mounta- ursinus), Indian elephant (Elephas maximus), In- tion to the protection of fragments of the na- ins on Earth along the line where the lithosphe- dian rhinoceros and the Bengal tiger (Panthera tural environment, including biodiversity, in ric plates clashed. A main reason contributing tigris tigris). India. There are currently 104 national parks to the high productivity of the local ecosystem in India with a total area of 40,500 km² (about is the massive flooding as the Brahmaputra Wild water buffalo are threatened not only by 1.25% of the country's area) and an average overflows onto its floodplain every year during habitat destruction and poaching, but also by area of 400 km². Not surprisingly, the most the rainy season, covering two-thirds of the hybridization with domestic buffalo. Neverthe- common size of national parks tends to be park, and making the whole park inaccessible less, the local buffalo population is thriving and dozens or a few hundreds square kilometres. to the public, but also bringing a huge amount already exceeds 1,800 individuals, representing Only a few of them exceed 1,000 km². The The Indian water buffalo in Kaziranga NP forms one of the last strong populations in the wild. Photo František Pelc of nutrients with it. Thanks to this source, we about two-thirds of the global population. largest is Hemis NP in Ladakh with an area of can also find population densities of various However, the hybridization has some limitati- The vital population of Indian elephants in the the largest terrestrial mammals after the ele- 4,400 km² and one of the largest is the world- -famous Corbett NP (1,300 km²). These pro- wild animals, apparently deviating from ecolo- ons because it appears that while the male wild park reaches about 1,300, and is a frequent cau- phant and its weight normally exceeds 2 ton- tected areas are also under enormous pressu- gical assumptions. Last, but not least, long-term buffalo is able to mate with the domestic buffalo se of conflicts between wildlife and nearby far- nes. KNP has a unique position in the protecti- re from surrounding human populations and protection of the local environment also contri- cow, female wild buffalo can only rarely mate mers, whose labour-intensive agricultural crops on of this archaic-looking species. After all, in are subject to frequent conflicts between na- butes to the preservation of high biodiversity. In with a male domestic buffalo, due to significant- can be significantly damaged by the elephants. the last census at Kaziranga, there were about ture conservation and rural agriculture. Natio- terms of diversity and abundance of fauna, KNP ly different body parameters, so the introduction 2,400 rhinos, or about 80% of the world po- nal parks are designated by generally binding can boldly compete with Africa’s most attractive The red-breasted eagle (Spilornis cheela) is a common re- of domestic animal genes into the wild popula- The Indian rhinoceros, along with the white pulation. We can say that observation of this regulations of individual federal states. parks on the savannah. presentative of the Indian avifauna. Photo František Pelc tion may not be so dramatic. rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), is one of species has been practically guaranteed for 68 International Nature Conservation Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal

it is one of the largest tiger population densities, not only in India, with each tiger occupy- ing 8 km² of parkland, ordinary tourists rarely encounter a big cat. Dangers from the Surroundings The densely populated area around the Nati- onal Park is covered by rice fields and tea plantations. Island-like remnants of declining forest formations only remain on the surrounding slopes. However, in times of flooding, when most of the park disappears underwa- ter, they are a very important refuge allowing many animals to survive for several months. That is why the Assam government is trying to protect them more consistently from further destruction. Wildlife populations must migrate through populated and intensively cultivated areas, and the number of conflicts is increasing. On the road along the northern edge of the park, we saw dozens of signs confirming this fact and urging drivers to significantly re- The Indian hog deer is the most common deer in the park. It is a frequent prey of the tigers. Photo František Pelc duce their speed to 20 km/h, which nobody adhered to while we were watching. Overall Impressions Kaziranga National Park is faced with many problems related to the surrounding dense population, intensive agriculture and poaching. Despite this, thanks to roughly 600 professional rangers, the park is managing to cope admirably. This is also due to the employment of a further 2,000–3,000 local people in ecotourism. Kaziranga NP is the destination of about 50,000 tourists annually, of which less than a tenth come from abroad, and many spend several days here. Rangers are armed and use an uncompromising approach against poachers.

What message can be found for nature and landscape protection in the Czech Republic? Although each comparison requires some simplification, following the way our hunters and farmers deal with the return of a few do- zen wolves to our country, the wilderness coexistence model between Kaziranga NP and the neighborhood in densely populated and The development of ecotourism is key to a good level of nature protection. Photo František Pelc poor India can be of inspiration. The existen- every ecotourist in recent years, which was total of 2,970 individuals are found in various ce, care and development of the environment not always the case. scattered Indian protected areas, called ‘tiger in Kaziranga NP are undoubtedly among reserve’. Nevertheless, the number of tigers the successes of not only Indian nature con- The Bengal tiger is another treasure of Asian in KNP has increased in recent decades, and servation; which is not such a common thing fauna. According to the latest official data, a now reaches around 100 individuals. Although at present. 70 Summary 2019 Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Summary 2019 71

ous ones can be found in the Alps, eastern issued. Just at the above time, Government of Summary of 2019 Issues Poland, Scandinavia or Belarus, at least hun- the Czech Republic´s Order No. 83/2019 Ga- dreds of kilometres away: the birds are not zette on Re-establishing the Moravský kras/ able to overcome such distances. Based on Moravian Karts PLA came into force. There On Nature in the Czech Republic In the Czech Republic, the stretch is only 40 ki- the outputs of surveys, 80 % of black grouses were some reasons for that step. Because lometres: moreover its natural and landscape have disappeared from the Czech Republic the PLA´s border had not been unambiguous- Rydlo J.: Contribution to the Knowledge of values are even greater. The Labe/Elbe flows during the last 40 years. The main driver of ly delineated, it had to be more precise. The Water and Wetland Plants in the Lužické through the České středohoří/Central Bohe- the decline is suitable habitat loss and land- previous PLA´s delineation into three zones hory/Lusatian Mts. Protected Landscape mian Uplands, also known as the Bohemian scape fragmentation (e.g., Patthey et al. 2012, according to their conservation, management Area Western Part Mittelgebirge Hills and the Labské pískovce/ Geary et al. 2015). Thus, relatively untouched respectively shifted into four zones and the habitats above the treeline in the Krkonoše/ Zone I, the strictest one, currently covers 18 % Water and wetland plants are very important Giant Mts. are of the utmost importance. Other of the total PLA´s area and includes not only water quality biological indicator. From a point small-size Specially Protected Areas, but also view of water plants, many areas have not land above caves there. Research has showed been well studied and a lot of water plants that management on the surface above caves have become extinct or have been declining, Areas network, inter alia, because the State significantly influences the environment in the particularly due to changes in agriculture and is not able to officially conserve or protected caves, particularly water quality. As a result in water regime in the landscape. Research everything. Thus, there has been a key role of the procedure, the Moravský Kras/Moravia of owners, particularly non-profit organizati- Karts has been better conserved and the le- ons specialized in seeking for and conserving gislation reflects the current knowledge. the Slapy water reservoir dam, Central Bo- such sites, most often land trusts. Within the hemia (49,82232913N, 14,43661106E) was campaign A Place for Nature, from a point of Slezák V., Štencl R. & Havira M.: A Half of discovered. The village of Třebenice can view of nature conservation valuable lands Century for the Jeseníky Mts. Protected be found across the river, on its opposite have been purchased to be owned by the Landscape Area or the Jeseníky Mts. Meta- bank. During the first check a mass win- Czech Union for Nature Conservation and are morphoses tering of the Common pipistrelle (Pipist- managed by local land trusts. During 16 years, rellus pipistrellus) was found, harbouring almost 150 hectares have been purchased. In 2019, the Jeseníky Mts. Protected Land- almost 4,000 individuals. In 2010–2019 num- Elbe Sandstones rocks creating a spectacular The article presents some examples of the scape Area (PLA) situated in northern Moravia ber of hibernating common pipistrelles scene for the canyon-like Labe/Elbe River Val- above activities. has been celebrating 50 years since its estab- fluctuated between 2,090–4,251 spe- ley. The whole stretch between Střekov and threats to black grouses include disturbance lishment. During that time, its nature and the cimens in the individual years. Moreover oth- Geesthacht is almost continuously covered by by humans or building invisible barriers, e.g. Štefka L.: The Oldest and the Youngest Pro- landscape as well as human´s attitude to both er eight bat species have been reported win- Sites of European Importance (pursuant to Act chairlift or funicular cables or tree seedling tected Landscape Area in Moravia tering at the site: Myotis myotis, M. dauben- No. 114/1992 Gazette on Nature Conservation fencings. It seems that otherwise favourable tonii, M. nattereri, M. mystacinus, Barbastella and Landscape Protection, as amended later, conditions for black grouses are beaten by At high midnight on March 31, 2019, the Mo- barbastellus, Nyctalus noctula, Vespertilio the term for Site of Community Importance, visitors´ high numbers in the Krkonoše/Giant ravský kras/Moravian Karst changed from carried out by the author aimed at the above murinus and Plecotus auritus. Occurrence of SCI under the European Union’s Habitats Di- Mts. and the Black grouse population has con- the oldest Protected Landscape Area (PLA) plants in the Lužické hory/Lusatian Mts. Pro- the cryptic Soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus rective). In addition, there are many Bird Areas tinually been declining there. There are only in Moravia into the youngest one, according tected Area western part (northern Bohemia). pygmaeus) has since the discovery been (pursuant to the above act, the term for Spe- about ten or twenty years to try to reverse the the date when the respective piece of law was Within a small area, there are a lot of water confirmed only by detectoring and netting to cial Protection Areas, SPAs under the EU Birds unfavourable trend in the Black grouse popu- bodies, namely fishponds and pools. In to- mistnest in front of the entrance portal during Directive) and in Germany, floodplain forests lation and to maintain the remarkable birds in tal, 46 water and wetland plant species were vegetation growing season. are also protected. The fact that on the Czech sufficient numbers in the Krkonoše/Giant Mts., found there, of them 11 being endangered. side there is a relatively short close-to-nature Jizerské hory/Jizera Mts. or in the Czech Re- The area under study provides a good exam- Härtel H.: The Albis – White River: The Labe/ river does not decrease its values. On the con- public as a whole. ple of effective habitat and species manage- Elbe River as a Central European Phenom- trary, our responsibility for its protection and ment. enon conservation optimally implemented in close Moravec J.: Spaces for Nature Czech-German cooperation is even greater. Hanzal V. & Kříž K.: Discovery of the Larg- The Romans called the Labe/Elbe River the Al- In the Czech Republic, there are a lot of sites est Hibernaculum of the Common Pipistrelle bis, the White River, probably due to extensi- Flousek J.: Will the Krkonoše/Giant Mts. where specially protected wild animal, plant (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in the Czech Re- ve bright sand beaches where it at that time Black Grouses Survive the year 2040? and fungal species occur, valuable natural of them has been changed. In the subalpine public. could freely change its flow. Nowadays, the or semi-natural habitats have been well pre- zone, there have been a lot of changes, not all river between Střekov and Geesthacht forms In the Czech Republic, there probably is no served or are from a point of view of nature of them being positive. On Mt. Praděd summit, In 2010, a mass hibernaculum (a bat win- an at the pan-European scale unique conti- more threatened species than the Black conservation in another way remarkable, but a broadcast transmitter tower and a wide as- tering site) situated on the right bank of nuum more than 600 kilometres long where Grouse (Tetrao tetrix). Its populations are from various reasons they have not become phalt road were built, the area without trees on the Vltava River approx. 300 meters under the Elbe has not been dammed by any weirs. small there and the nearest more numer- a part of the small-size Specially Protected Mt. Dlouhé stráně/Long Slopes peak was de- 72 Summary 2019 Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Summary 2019 73 stroyed by building a pumped-storage plant. stalagmites and stalactites, partially being long visitor paths are accessible from March free of charge. In addition to industrialized ag- Nature & Landscape Management Even in the early 1970s, the Dwarf mountain a show cave. The Hlinité jeskyně/Clayish to November. In December to February, only riculture, such a trend can become an under- pine (Pinus mugo) was planted there, most of Caves were discovered just 70 years ago and the Šošůvka part can be visited by tourists be- taker of heterogeneity, diversity and health in Jetenská E., Kopecký A. & Lustyk P.: The Ro- species-rich grasslands had been replaced by they have rather been overlooked, namely cause the Sloup part is closed due to bat hi- the landscape in the Czech Republic. hová Site – a New National Nature Reserve uniform growths with a few prevailing grass because their difficult accessibility. Probably bernating there: the tour is possible only with on the Bohemian-Moravian Boundary species only, having been overgrown by the that is why they have providing some wild torches. Moreover, the adventure path is open Kaděra M.: Ground Beetles of the Genus Ca- expanding European blueberry (Vaccinium animals with suitable habitats. The Javoříčko all year round in relation to the water level. losoma in Woody Plant Protection The Rohová National Nature Reserve (NNR) myrtillus). At present, active management has Caves is a significant bat wintering site (hiber- located in the District of Svitavy (the Par- again been applied in the PLA aiming at re- naculum), hosting the most numerous popula- Dedek P.: Field Roads – Biodiversity En- Finding a local butterfly pest plague in a woody dubice Region) was declared on January 1, turning the demised species: some areas are tion of the Lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus claves within an Agricultural Desert as plant growth within a specially protected area, 2019. It is a part of the Hřebečovský hřbet grazed and mown and dwarf mountain pines hipposideros) in the Czech Republic. In the Demonstrated by the Pálava/Pavlov Hills nature conservationists are sometimes quite Range Site of European Importance (pursu- are eradicated there. Hlinité jeskyně/Clayish Caves the wintering Protected Landscape Area surprised. They often consider that there is no ant to Act No. 114/1992 Gazette on the Nature bats have regularly been monitored since possibility to save the trees damaged. More- Conservation and Landscape Protection, as By the 1990s, forests had been managed in 1994. During that time, ten bat species have Industrialized agriculture impacts on biolog- over, nature is not so powerless. In addition amended later, the term for Site of Commu- a planting, management and cutover cycle. in total been found there and their numbers ical diversity and landscape health has at to many hymenopterans and dipterans, there nity Importance, SCI under the European Un- Later more attention was paid to coppice have been increasing. present been debated, particularly in relation also are beautiful carabid beetles – ground The mysterious, inhospitable and prohibited ion’s Habitats Directive). Unique conditions management, stressing maximum use of natu- to droughts and generally to ability of the beetles of the genus Calosoma, being also landscape – these are attributes to the most formed by geomorphological, geological and ral regeneration. Thus, the high proportion of Zajíček P.: The Sloup-Šošůvka Caves, landscape to retain such a little moisture that referred to as caterpillar hunters. recent Protected Landscape Area in the Czech climatic processes support the occurrence of extensive Norway spruce (Picea abies) planta- a unique natural and cultural phenomenon has recently been provided by nature. Un- Republic – the Brdy Hills The area neither be- tions has currently been displaying a mixture come a biodiversity hot-spot due to species of the European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Parts of an underground karst labyrinth near richness there. At the same time, comparison the Norway spruce in understorey. Nature in the Sloup pilgrimage site in the Moravský between the current and past state is often im- the Jeseníky Mts. has also been changing due Kras/Moravian Karst (South Moravia) have possible because there has been a lack of in- to climate and humans have to reasonably re- been known since time immemorial. They ventories, surveys and research, particularly on spond to the processes there. were a refuge for Pleistocene animals and a animals. Thus, considering changes and trends occurring there might be reasonable in plants. Koudelka M.: Seventy years since the Hlinité Resulting from man-made drainage and trans- jeskyně/Clayish Caves Discovery formation of original forests into Norway spruce monocultures/plantations, the former mar- The Hlinité jeskyně/Clayish Caves are the shes have disappeared from most of the area most continuous part of the lower, so-called and lichens communities significantly declined medium level of the Javoříčko Caves (Central in species numbers have only slowly been be- Moravia). Contrary to the upper corridor level, coming back. Thus, species preferring peat i.e. the Javoříčko Caves themselves and later waterlogged forests, e.g. the Lesser twayblade discovered Jeskyně míru/Peace Caves, less (Listera cordata), Early coralroot (Corallorhiza attention has been paid to them. The horizon- Although ground beetles of the genus Caloso- trifida), Creeping lady's-tresses (Goodyera re- rare and remarkable organisms with highly tal corridor level is located about 25 meters paved dirt field roads are a habitat as well a ma do not eradicate a significant proportion of pens) or others reported from the beginning different habitat requirements there. A cyclic below the extensive spaces ornamented by movement corridor and their importance has biological defoliants, these are biological con- of the 20th century, have disappeared. More- open treeless vegetation area on the steep- permanently been increasing in current trans- trollers importantly contributing to pest popu- over, a real nature treasure can be found there, est slopes really is an extraordinary habitat: formed farmland. The role of the landscape el- lation density decline. Unfortunately, they dra- e.g. the One-flowered wintergreen (Moneses the fact has been evidenced by a joint oc- ement in maintaining at least remnants of bio- matically suffer from old-fashioned insecticide uniflora), Slender St. John's-wort (Hypericum currence of the critically endangered False logical diversity is crucial, not only for “weeds”, applications. This is probably why that even pulchrum) or the Narrow-leaved helleborine baneberry (Cimicifuga europaea) together site inhabited by the prehistoric man. Since bees, weevils (Curculionidae) and blister bee- if some butterfly pest appears somewhere in (Cephalanthera longifolia). Recent breeding with the Rock ragwort (Senecio rupestris), the 17th century, the caves created by an un- tles (Meloidae). A healthy field road is full of enormous numbers, there are no calosoman of the Eurasian three-toed woodpecker (Pico- the latter was until recently considered as derground stream of the Sloup Brook have small predatory ground beetles (Carabidae), ground beetles, although they inhabited the ides tridactylus) as well as high numbers in the vanished in the Czech Republic. The NRR become a subject of interests of scientists wolf spiders (Lycosidae), darkling beetles respective area in huge numbers a short time Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum) is dominated by species-rich beech forest and researchers. At present, they are the (Tenebrionidae), tiger beetles (Cicindelidae) ago – they have become extinct due to insec- and Tengmalm's Owl (Aegolius funereus), also vegetation and virgin-like scree forests. Con- longest show cave in the Czech Republic, the and hundreds of other invertebrate species. ticides. known as the Boreal Owl, also provide reasons tinual forest development is supported by longest visitor path reaching 1,760 meters. Moreover, there have been efforts to change for optimism. Non-forested habitats within the occurrence of many important invertebrate At the same time, they are a part of the most field roads into paved ones, most often by Červenková Z., Vejrová H. & Fišer B.: Occur- military training area support occurrence of as well as vertebrate indicator species. The extensive cave system in the country. The asphalting the former, usually due to various rence of Species Important for Nature Con- crustaceans, namely the Branchipus schaefferi management in the Rohová NNR aims at Sloup-Šošůvka Caves are open to the public perverse subsidies. Because the subsidies, a servation in the Brdy Hills Protected Land- and the Tadpole shrimp (Triops cancriformis); leaving natural ecosystems left to sponta- year-round except Mondays outside the main new asphalt is seemingly free of charge, but scape Area. Outputs of Recent Monitoring the Yellow-bellied toad (Bombina variegata) neous development and at maintaining their season and some selected days. Short and its future maintenance shall definitely not be within the Area lives there, too. natural state. 74 Summary 2019 Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Summary 2019 75

Růžička M.: The Louky u Přelouče Site of Eu- time-consuming and non-effective. For large unusual and new. Areas without human in- with the association´s activities from a point of ropean Importance buildings, a feasibility study is a valuable tool terventions which can be freely visited are view of its financing as well as of nature con- aiming at in addition to evaluating technolog- being established as well as managed are- servation, research and data gathering in the The Louky u Přelouče site (eastern Bohemia) ical aspects of building the infrastructure also as with the limited time period for visiting by field. has not been included into the National List of at complete assessing a project´s feasibility tourists, e.g. historical Black Grouse (Tetrao Sites of European Importance (pursuant to Act taking into account all other interests pro- tetrix) leks (common display areas) on mown Chlapek J. & Servus M.: The Rejvíz National No. 114/1992 Gazette on Nature Conservation meadows. The changes in nature conserva- Nature Reserve in the Heat of the European and Landscape Protection, as amended later, tion measures are moving the NP to West Spruce Bark Beetle Outbreak – Training for the term for Site of Community Importance, SCI Europe where such approach has been quite Advanced in Nature Conservation common. In practice, the approach to nature has been streamlining both on the Czech Nature in the Rejvíz National Nature Reser- and Bavarian side of the mountains and both ve (the Jeseníky Mts. Protected Landscape national parks in the Šumava/Bohemian For- Area, northern Moravia) consists of a broad est Mts. and the Bayerischer Wald/Bavarian range of peat-bog habitats related to water, Forest Mts. have begun to speak a common water-logged spruce growths and spring al- compared to the current state: they will be language. der stands; rare bird species nest there. In ad- Lisal K. & Čižmár M.: Kozmice Bird Meadows preferred during subvention/subsidy distri- dition, remarkable plant species occur at the – A Private Nature Conservation Initiative bution. The updated strategy aims at effecti- Křivan V.: The Chaloupky Land Trust – More site, e.g. only recently described Averyanov´s ve and systematic implementation of measu- than Ten Years of Nature Protection, Con- The Kozmice meadows are located in the Mo- res for maintaining watercourses permeable servation and Management ravian-Silesian region: they are one of the last for fish and other water animals, particularly extensive floodplain meadow remnants which on watercourses of national and international The Chaloupky Land Trust similarly to many contrary to other part of the originally impor- importance. other land trusts across the whole Czech Re- tant floodplain ecosystem in the Opava River tected by legal regulations and international public has been involved in natural heritage floodplain have not become arable land. Mo- conventions. It unfortunately has not hap- Hubený P., Starý M. & Čížková P.: Where Is protection, conservation and management. In reover, the unique area had been reclaimed in pened when elaborating a feasibility study the Šumava/Bohemian Forest Mts. National south-eastern part of the Českomoravská vy- the 1960s to 1980s and it was damaged by un- under the European Union’s Habitats Directive), on intention to build the Dunaj/Danube-Od- Park Going? sočina/Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, it ma- friendly agriculture. Thus, the watercourse was but it displays a long and possibly hopeful his- er/Odra-Labe/Elbe Canal inter alia because straightened out and a dense network of recla- tory. Among nature conservationists, there is an it fundamentally leaves out environmental The 2017 amendment to Act No. 114/1992 mation canals and conduit pipelines was built. expert/technical agreement that the site should risks. Although the risks were found to be se- Gazette on Nature Conservation and Land- In addition, herbicides were applied there. The be listed in the above document, but up to now rious, without possibility to be compensated, scape Protection provided the Šumava/Bo- article describes an initiative implemented by it was blocked by an interest to make the adja- they have not been taken into account in the hemian Forest Mts. National Park (NP) with persons who have not resigned to the unfavou- cent Labe/Elbe River stretch navigable. Moreo- study´s outputs. After analysing the outputs rable state. Under the auspices of the Semic ver, there has been a development and thanks of inter-ministerial comment procedure, the private company and with its financial support, to rational co-operation among all the stake- opinion of the Government of the Czech Re- they purchase lands to establish an area ow- holders, the solution has been found. Nature public on the study will be crucial. Neverthe- heath spotted orchid (Dactylorhiza maculata ned by them as large as possible. The project´s conservation targets are the Dusky large blue less, it has at present been unknown yet. subsp. averyanovii). Moreover, cultural spru- first two phases was supported also by the Sta- (Phengaris nausithous, formerly Maculinea ce stands penetrated from the vicinity there. te Environmental Fund of the Czech Republic nausithous) and the Scarce large blue (Phen- Vogl Z.: Updating the Strategy on Providing In relation to the recent European spruce and the third one has been under preparation. garis teleius, formerly Maculinea teleius) there. Watercourse Network with Permeability in bark beetle (Ips typographus) outbreaks af- A wetland complex has step by step ben esta- A newly elaborated proposal consists of 19 in- the Czech Republic fecting a large part of the Czech Republic´s blishing at the site harbouring a huge range of dividual sites and at present conservation of territory, uprooted and broken tree stand wildlife species, particularly birds. some of them by declaring a Specially Protect- In 2019, the second updating the Strategy on management has been a serious issue the- ed Area, namely Natural Monument there, has Providing Watercourse Network with Perme- re. Possible application of the Vaztak bioci- Mayerová H.: The Brdy Hills Protected Land- been considered. Only such a broad proposal ability in the Czech Republic, an important nages dozens of from a point of view of nature de has been debated, because the chemical scape Area – Wilderness Management can guarantee a long-term survival of both the background document in water planning, conservation valuable sites. The land trust´s substance had until recently been applied butterfly species in the landscape there. shall be finished. At present, the Nature Con- activity combines traditional landscape ma- there and its use was blocked by environ- Each Protected Landscape Area (PLA) displays servation Agency of the Czech Republic has nagement techniques, e.g. grazing or mowing mental NGOs. For the further development, its specific features, determining management Havel P.: Has a Feasibility Study on the been developing a proposal delineating wa- meadows, with current nature conservation it is crucial whether the beetle spreading will there. The Brdy Hills PLA, declared almost four Dunaj/Danube-Odra/Oder-Labe/Elbe Water tercourses primarily intended for providing real revolutionary changes. Separating na- principles. The Chaloupky Land Trust ope- be prevent by forest owner in the Rejvíz´s vi- years ago, is located by its two-thirds on a for- Canal Really Been Elaborated? them with permeability for wildlife migration ture management carried out according to rates on the border among three regions (Vy- cinity as well as whether overpopulated deer mer military training area. The PLA is totally sit- and at the same time taking into account the respective nature conservation zones sočina, South Bohemia, South Moravia) and it will be controlled because the hoofed game uated in the central and southern Brdy Hills, i.e. Preparation of big infrastructure buildings species and territorial protection. That is from attendance control followed by estab- particularly aims at management of old pastu- affects forest habitats even more than the on an island of mountain character in the mid- has for a long time been criticized as being why the total length of corridors will increase lishing areas of tranquillity has been quite res and preserved meadows. The article deals European spruce bark beetle. dle of Bohemia. The above factors have to be 76 Summary 2019 Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Summary 2019 77 taken into account when identifying priorities in sites. Reviewing the habitat type No. T2.3B a third of population living in what is now the landscape management there. The Brdy Hills in the Beskydy/Beskids Mts. concluded that Czech Republic was employed in agriculture are almost entirely covered by forests, there and forestry and the average size of an agri- are only islands without forest growths and culture farm did not reach 5 hectares, the with farmland on their margins. On the other landscape was used in many ways more in- hand, due to its geological substrate and eleva- tensive, but such an approach was implemen- tion, they are nutrient-poor, cold and wet. The ted in the more patchy landscape. At present, the landscape is managed by ten times less people, industrialized agricultural production is carried out on extensive unified land plots, both management of economically marginal sites/area and traditional agricultural human- -labour consuming management ways have been abandoned. Thus, the article deals with necessity to specially manage woody plants and richness, ability to manage water and can be gathered across dozens or hundreds growing outside forests, because of other members. The article also highlights that Pu- its aesthetical values the latter having been of hectares. Despite many pros, use of UAVs species and ecosystem conservation. The au- blic Administration authorities are obliged to overlooked due to its subjectivity. At present, in environmental practice is often influenced thors conclude that it is necessary to respond prepare and to submit to the Ministry of the there are enormous agricultural land units in by inadvertent decisions made by their users, to the current state of the landscape and land Environment of the Czech Republic (MoE the Czech Republic, but a thumb miniature 50 % of the T2.3.B natural habitat type in the submitters of the respective tasks respective- use, climate change impacts, new challenges CR) data which are consequently included sketch of various landscape structures should highest quality disappeared while its area ly. UAVs are undoubtedly a step forward, parti- and fresh knowledge. Veteranization, pollar- into compulsorily publicly accessible list of be a real value to be further maintained and in the category “degraded” to “severely de- cularly regarding their time resolution - flexible ding and girdling of trees or tree ring-barking offences. The respective authorities shall restored. Unfortunately, the comprehensive graded”, increased by 90 % during the 8 to 17 usage, possibility to repeat imaging according are discussed as the appropriate manners. follow guidelines available on the MoE CR´s land replotting/land consolidation schemes last years. Due to high forest coverage in the to the need and additive generating height Communication and education on necessi- web pages. whole PLA´s area is only minimally inhabited by have not been very successful in this respect. Beskydy/Beskids Mts. more attention should models outside the mosaic. Nevertheless, it ty to leave breakings and other defects not humans, at least in comparison with the other also be paid to non-forested habitats there. is necessary to critically assess which details threating woody plant health without a care. Jelínková J.: New Building Act Draft Law or common landscape. Thus, nature conservation Ohryzek J.: Saving Mat-grass Grasslands or The project would result in elaborating a man- has been still reasonable for our application Revocation of the State Nature Conservancy aims particularly at habitats without forests, Shall We Overgraze the Beskydy/Beskids agement plan for mat-grass grasslands includ- and whether it would be more advantageous Nature Conservation Legislation Authority Competence or Power forests and water sites/areas there. The above Mts. without Sheep? ing a more detailed analysis of difficulties and to use an airplane or to buy a satellite image. approach is usual also in other areas where their solutions, also proposing optimal and Havelková S.: Two Notes on the Offence Act In early February 2019, an act draft or white management of many specially protected wild The LIFE project helped to manage 50 hec- alternative management measures applicable Pešout P., Šíma J. & Stuchlíková L.: Vetera- paper of the Building Act developed de fac- species populations is a key priority. Neverthe- tares of meadows covered by the EU Habi- within the natural habitat type. nization, Pollarding and Girdling of Trees vs. After a year and a half when the Offence Act to by the Czech Chamber of Commerce was less, nature conservation measures are target- tats Directive habitat type No. T2.3B, being their Protection. On the Selected Issues on had come into force, the piece of legislation submitted to inter-ministerial comment proce- ed particularly at landscape as a whole and one of the reasons to establish the Beskydy/ Komárek J. & Martin V.: Unmanned Aerial Protected Area Management in Practice II. was amended aiming at simplifying regulati- dure. In the fact this is not “only” intention to various habitats occurring in the Brdy Hills PLA. Beskids Mts. Site of European Importance Vehicles in Environmental Practice: Undoub- ons on dealing with offences on the spot change public building legislation, but it aims (pursuant to Act No. 114/1992 Gazette on Na- tedly Effective Tools for Gathering Data on In addition to climate changes impacts, there pursuant to Article 91 of the Act. Pursuant at preferring “quick” issuing permits for buil- Jarošek R.: The Comprehensive Land Replot- ture Conservation and Landscape Protection, Nature, but Are Their Users Realistic in their have been rapid land-use changes caused to the Act´s original text, Public Adminis- ding to protection of all public interests which ting/Land Consolidation Schemes from a as amended later, the term for Site of Commu- Demands? by humans. Even a hundred years ago, when tration authority could impose a penalty of can be influenced during building activities, point of view of Nature Conservation and nity Importance, SCI under the European Un- admonishment or a fine on the spot during including interest on nature conservation and Landscape Protection – Experience from ion’s Habitats Directive). The priority habitats Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly the offence procedure itself. The fine is im- landscape protection. It is no exaggeration to some Nature Conservation Agency of the No. 6230 often occur in mountain areas on known as drones, have becoming more and posed by the ticket, but the Act did not set say that the attempt intents to reduce compe- Czech Republic´s Regional Branches oligotrophic soils: therefore, they are among more popular in monitoring and assessing the the rules of imposing the admonishment: tence or power of the State Nature Conser- the first communities abandoned by owners. landscape, both in environmental research thus, the procedure was inferred only by vancy authorities. The Act No. 114/1992 Ga- The comprehensive land replotting/land con- The LIFE project aimed reviewing the state and among commercial subjects. They display interpretation of the text. Writing an order zette on Nature Conservation and Landscape solidation schemes, also called reparcelling, of the priority habitat, but also at seeking for high flexibility, better availability and decrea- on imposing the admonishment on the spot Protection, as amended later, would be invalid is an ambitious project of the Czech Republic: the most suitable management measure to be sing price. Both UAVs with more top sensors was too demanding from a point of view of in building intentions. moreover, it has recently not been providing implemented within five years. In the course with weight more than 10 kilograms and those bureaucracy. The Act´s application in practi- expected benefits for improving landscape of the project, the target management has able to take off from a hand cam be used. It ce also required legal setting a possibility to Svoboda P., Pašek O. & Kříž K.: The Truth on functions from a point of view of the hydrolog- improved the habitat type at many sites and depends on the respective aim of the flight deal with less serious offences on the spot Participation of the Public in Administrative ical cycle, soil erosion and biological diversity. has maintained biodiversity centres in the and the target application. Moreover, even by informal reproof. After changing the Act, Procedures A key factor in farmland is its heterogeneity landscape important as stepping stones for the tools of weight only a few hundreds of it is possible only to impose a fine using the necessary for its general health and providing many rare butterfly species. After four years grams are able to gather full-fledged data to ticket if the offence cannot be handled by In the Czech Republic´s legislation, there long-term economic contribution, expressed of the management, the critically endangered be applied in real practice. In addition, since the informal reproof. The amendment parti- has been a trend to reduce rights of civil by wild animal and plant species abundance Large blue (Phengaris ario) appeared at the flight time becoming significantly longer, data cularly facilitates work of the Nature Guard society associations to participate in admi- 78 Summary 2019 Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Summary 2019 79

velopment Plans (RFDP) and on Delineation Further, the Decree enhanced that for the both droppings showed that in the past ten years of Management Sets of Forest Types came application types, i.e. for issuing a decision on the population has slightly increased, from into force, replacing Decree No. 83/1996 Ga- woody plant permitting as well as for issuing 556 individuals in 2009-201111 to 605 in 2016- zette. There are no substantial changes in a binding opinion for woody plant felling pur- 2017: out of them, approx. a third lives outside the articulated version arranged according suant to Article 8, paragraph 6 of the above both the National Parks. The Hurricane Kyrill to sections. In Article 3, the RFDP context is act, it is not necessary for an applicant to sub- and the subsequent European spruce bark made more precise. In the framework of Ma- stantiate the property right on a parcel/plot or nagement Types (MT) also a selective MT is other user relation or an agreement from the again given, but no other recommendations parcel/plot owner, if woody plant felling has to on it are available now there. In Article 4, a ty- be implemented in relation to the purpose of pology system is mentioned and in Articles dispossession set out by a special law. 5, Articles 6 respectively ways of and updating land parcel classification into the system The article also deals with the issue which le- are presented. Article 7 aims at delineation gal regulations the purpose of dispossession of Management Sets of Forest Types (MSFT) is defined in and it proposes a practical pro- nistrative procedures dealing with nature while Paragraph 4 newly provides possibility cedure for the State Nature Conservancy au- ing entertainment, the other from various in- two dives a couple of divers succeeded in conservation or with environmental pro- to delineate MSFT characterized by different thorities, if the property right on a parcel/plot dividual reasons see them as a negative is- mapping more than 220 meters of branched tection. The trend aims at acceleration of habitat/stand conditions or different growth with woody plants or the agreement from the sue. The article is a result of urgent necessity corridors with superelevation of 43 meters. development but it is not well elaborated types during development of Forest Manage- parcel/plot owner is not substantiated. In the to assess impacts of fireworks on wild birds Activities on detailed assessment and deve- and its target is to possessive the legislati- ment Plans and Forest Management Guideli- end, the author highlights that felling woody from a point of view of their bionomics and to loping maximally accurate and precise virtual on process by business. The trend has four nes. Pursuant to Paragraph 5, for the National plants can be carried out only after the appli- put the issue into the legislative framework model of permanently flooded space in the phases. The two have passed and two have Park´´s territory, MSFT delineation is based on cant (the investor) has got private-law relation of Act No. 114/Gazette on Nature Conserva- Chýnov Cave have been continuing. been under preparation. At the end of the National Park management principles. The ar- (particularly ownership) on the respective par- tion and Landscape Protection, as amended process associations shall be allowed to ticle reviews the new decree and concludes cel/plot. later. The authors conclude that due to ev- beetle (Ips typograhus) outbreak did not have Bejček V. & Volfová E.: Mud deposits in the participate only in a low number of the big- that it can significantly contribute to improving ident negative effects of fireworks on an- a negative effect on capercaillies. Studies eva- Czech Republic and on the Labe/Elbe River gest building intentions under the Environ- tree species composition under current clima- Havelková S.: Restriction and Prohibition of imals, namely birds, it is suitable to reduce luating disturbing influences show that caper- mental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedure, te change and to forming diversified and long- Some Activities by Measures of General Nature fireworks displays at the national level. One caillies are pushed away from suitable habitats In the Czech Republic, mud deposits protected in addition under very strict conditions. The -term sustainable tree species composition in of the first steps to be taken would be total by tourism and intensive forestry activities. For as a natural habitat type under the EU Habitats article presents the most important aspects the Czech Republic. Regrettably, expectations Preventing damages caused to some parts of prohibition of fireworks pyrotechnics having effective conservation of the above iconic bird Directive occur particularly on the Labe/Elbe of the issue, showing what has happened of the State Nature Conservancy have been nature by humans is suitable. Therefore, Act an acoustic effect followed by measures to the administrations have to find a compromise River between the city of Ústí nad Labem and and what is intended and what is no doubt only partially met. No. 114/1992 Gazette on Nature Conservation reduce fireworks, e.g. reducing time for sales between nature conservation, park forests ma- the town of Hřensko, the latter being close to a dismantling of democratic public adminis- and Landscape Protection, as amended later, of the pyrotechnics, setting a short period nagement and tourism. the Czech-German border. Although it is a phe- tration decision-making in environmental Jelínková J.: Permitting Woody Plant Felling gives capacity to State Nature Conservancy where it can be used or replacement of fire- nomenon which is the subject of nature protec- issues after 1989. in Relation to the Purpose of Dispossession authorities to control human activities possi- works by less disturbing alternatives, e.g. by Šindelář J. & Krejča F.: A New Method on tion, it is also threatened by planned building a Set out by a Special Law bly threating nature by setting conditions or videomapping. Mapping Permanently Flooded Space in the weir with navigation lock, a long-term intention Dort M. & Kolibáč P.: New Decree on Forests to prohibit them. In addition to general restric- Chýnov Cave National Nature Monument of the Waterways Directorate of the Czech Re- On April 1, 2019, an amendment to Decree tion or prohibition of such activities included Research, Surveys and Data Management public. Therefore, mud deposits have repeat- On January 1, 2019 new Decree No. 298/2018 No. 189/2013 Gazette on Woody Plant Protec- in Article 66 of the Act, the legislator set out The Chýnov Cave (South Bohemia) is a mor- edly been studied by many experts. In 2018, Gazette on Elaborating Regional Forest De- tion and Permitting Felling came into force. some specific provisions, e.g. possibility to Bečka P. & Rösner S.: The Western Caper- phologically very comprehensive cave sys- The amendment responds to amendment to set out conditions for activities towards wild caillie without Borders tem. At present, there have been 1.5 kilo- Act No. 114/1992 Gazette on Nature Conser- plant and animal species and their populati- metres of corridors known there: approx. a vation and Landscape Protection, carried out ons during their general protection (Article 5, In the interwar years (1918-1938) the Western quarter of them is permanently flooded. In by the so-called Great Amendment to Act paragraph 1), possibility to limit or to prohibit capercaillies (Tetrao urogallus) had inhabited 2017, a new method on mapping permanent- No. 183/2006 Gazette on Urban and Territo- public access to Specially Protected Areas most of forests in the Czech mountains along ly flooded space had for the first time been rial Planning and Building Code (the Building (Article 64) or possibility to limit use a site/area the borders. Then its numbers began to decli- tested there. In partnership of the Cave Admi- Act) on January 1, 2018. It set out that an ap- declared a temporarily protected area (Article ne mainly due to the suitable habitat loss and nistration of the Czech Republic, Czech Spe- plication for issuing a binding opinion of the 13, paragraph 1). increased stress caused by various human leological Society and GEO-cz private compa- State Nature Conservation authority on felling activities. The last population in the Czech ny 3D scanning the flooded part of the cave woody plants for building purposes located Jačka P., Sikora J. & Sychrová V.: Effects of Republic has survived in the Šumava/Bohe- using videogrammetry was successful. Even by planning permission permitted in the plan- Fireworks on Birds mian Forest Mts. The administrations of the the first results confirmed the assumption of ning permission proceedings has to have the Šumava/Bohemian Forest and Bavarian Forest high quality of the above method how for do- same properties as those required into an Fireworks give mixed feelings among the National Parks cooperate in research on and cumenting the underground space. Modesty application for issuing a permit to fell woody society in the Czech Republic. A part of the conservation of the shared capercaillie popu- and particularly the time needed in the field plants in the administration procedure. population considers fireworks to be a strik- lation. Joint monitoring with DNA analysis from are method´s strong positive patterns. During 80 Summary 2019 Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Summary 2019 81 the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Navigation Lock (DWNL) which would increase (Castor fiber) is the subject of protection and cal Chapter carried out six-year monitoring sites and by protection. The Peregrine´s reco- elaborated a comprehensive study summariz- further degradation in river deposits as well as where negative effects of the Děčín Weir with in the course of research on the Greater very is also caused by present high nest-site ing up-to-date knowledge of muddy deposits risks of being loss. Therefore, on the contrary, Navigation Lock (DWNL) can be expected pasque flower (Pulsatilla grandis) near the and food availability. Thus, the Jeseníky Mts. and of the Strapwort (Corrigiola litoralis). It also it is necessary to deal with measures to restore when it shall be built. Namely, these are Lab- town of Plumov in 2008–2013 also including and their vicinity are among the most impor- dealt with patterns within the river continu- sediment natural movement and distribution ské údolí/Elbe River Valley Site of European grassland growth burning. In 2008–2012, tant nesting areas for the falcon species in the um and evaluation of possible compensation and to consider a comprehensive restoration Importance (SEI, pursuant to Act No. 114/1992 volunteers also aimed at the Bee orchid Czech Republic. measures. The study concluded that unfavour- also in bigger rivers. Gazette on Nature Conservation and Land- (Ophrys apifera) populations in the vicinity able impacts caused by the Děčín Weir with scape Protection, as amended later, the term of the town of Ždánice and in the Zouvalka Stýblo P.N.: Registration of Wild Animals Ta- Navigation Lock (DWNL) cannot be compen- Hanel M., Havlíček V., Heřmanovský M. & for Site of Community Importance, SCI under Nature Monument where impacts of vari- ken into Care by the National Network of Re- sated on the Czech Republic´s territory. Máca P.: Climate Change Impacts on Balance ous management measures on generative scue Centres and What Can Be Implied from in the Labe/Elbe River Basin up to Dresden reproduction in the wild vascular plant spe- That Statistics Hradecký J., Škarpich V., Galia T., Gurkov- cies were studied. Most of the projects were ský V. & Vaverka L.: Gravel, Gravel, Gravel… Climate change impacts on water regime are financed or co-financed by the CUNC pro- The National Network of Rescue Centres (non)Rolling Stones on the Labe/Elbe River a key background for planning water mana- gramme entitled Biodiversity Conservation, provides, in addition to thousands of saved gement infrastructure as well as for water re- supported by the Ministry of the Environment injured, sick, exhausted or orphaned wild The labe/Elbe River stretch between Střekov – source management itself. The article summa- netted, filiform and ledge structures on walls of the Czech Republic and the Forests of the animals and to effective communication, edu- the Czech-German border displays sediment rises results of a broader study dealing with and ceilings created by selective corrosion. Czech Republic, State Enterprise. cation and public awareness also interesting deficit and their grain quality has also been ef- climate change impacts on long-term water The lower floor is waterlogged and water- statistical data. The central registration of all fected by humans. Moreover, sediments are a balance and minimal runoffs in some Labe/ -bearing: thus, visitors can meet not only the Šaj P.: The Peregrine in the Jeseníky Mts. animals taken into care allows not only to mo- key component in the fluvial system. Long-term Elbe River sub-basins up to Dresden. Despi- Swan Pools, but also the most extensive un- and Current Technologies to Protect It nitor species and individual numbers and re- reduction in sediment movement results in ne- te large uncertainty, it is suggested that there derground lake in Bohemia. Although the gative balance and principal influence on their will possibly be stagnation or slight increase Bozkov Dolomite caves are not big and some The Peregrine (Falco peregrinus) is among distribution in a horizontal profile, thus limiting in the total runoff, decrease in minimal runoffs parts had to be enhanced by bricks or signifi- the most attractive species in the Jeseníky deposit creating and their dynamics. The de- cantly deepened they perfectly fulfil their key Mts. (northern Moravia). But it was not always posits are a significant and extremely value ha- mission: to present to visitors history, beauty the case. In the second half of the 20th centu- bitat for many critically endangered fauna and and patterns of unique and vulnerable under- ry, due to then use of DDT as an insecticide in flora species or other taxa, being a landscape the European Union’s Habitats Directive) as ground world there. agriculture and direct persecution by pigeon phenomenon of the Labe/Elbe River Valley. well as the Porta Bohemica SEI. In connec- The study made by the authors analysed grain tion to assessing the Water Transport Policy Podhorný J.: Conservation Botany in the Ho- size structure in Labe/Elbe River sedimentary of the Czech Republic under Article 6 of the řepník Czech Union for Nature Conservation riverbank types, their state was interpreted Habitats Directive which also includes the Local Chapter with respect to water management and water above DWNL, the possibility to compensate transport activities and their possible future negative impacts of the planned hydraulic The Hořepník Czech Union for Nature Con- development was outlined. It is clear that the structure on a beaver population occurring servation (CUNC) Local Chapter based in existence of deposits as a significant and very there was also assessed. In total, building the the town of Prostějov deals, inter alia, with specific habitat has been strongly influenced DWNL would negatively influence six beaver wildlife mapping in the field, particularly of and threatened. Another driver of their loss is territories. The negative effects were found wild plants mainly in Central and South Mo- building new barriers, e.g. the Děčín Weir with to be compensable. The suggested com- ravia. During fifteen years, the Hořepník Lo- cognize dates and sites of their findings, but pensation measures target at creating a new also to follow their fate – causes why they had habitat for one beaver territory in the Porta been injured or otherwise handicapped/disa- and sharp decline in soil water resources. Bohemica SEI and listing the Eurasian Bea- dvantaged, season of their taking into care, Thus, implementing climate change adaptati- ver among the subjects of protection for the number of days spent at a rescue centre, etc. on measures will push for water resource use Orlice and Labe/Elbe Rivers SEI. For each animal, there can be up to 57 data intensification with the river basin. Despite available. Long-term unified registration met- projected higher precipitation the Labe/Elbe Milka D.: The Bozkov Dolomite Caves– Fifty fanciers, falconers and hunters, the Peregrine hods can be used for seeking for the trend River navigability for big boats can be nega- Years from making them Show Caves had disappeared not only from the Jeseníky in the issue. As the network co-ordinator, the tively influenced, particularly due to decrease Mts., but also from almost all nesting sites in Czech Union for Nature Conservation has ga- in minimal runoffs by approx. 20%. Fifty years ago, on May 2, 1969, the Bozkov the Czech Republic. In the Jeseníky Mts. the thered more than 10 million records on almost Dolomite Caves were made accessible for the Peregrine´s recent breeding dated back to 250,000 individual animals. Moreover, the Uhlíková J.: The Eurasian Beaver on the public. Up to now, they are the only show ca- 2001 and since its population has been incre- unique information source has not adequate- Labe/Elbe River after 23 Years ves in northern part of Bohemia and the only asing both in the mountains and their vicinity. ly been used for further processing. Thus, the dolomite ones in the whole Czech Republic: In the Jeseníky Mts. humans have been stren- author highlights that the National network of On the Labe/Elbe River, there are two Na- at the same time, they are the only caves in gthening the raptor population by regularly Rescue Centres would be a remarkable data tura 2000 sites where the Eurasian beaver the country characterized by abundant silica monitoring it, reasonable enhancing nesting provider for a lot of scientific studies. 82 Summary 2019 Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Summary 2019 83

Křížek M., Uxa T. & Krause D.: Periglacial to study autumn migration in various wild animal Chvátal P.: 25 Years of Winter Bat Censuses created and regularly flooded by a river has Phenomenon and its Conservation groups and the value of the data gathered has in the Loupežnická jeskyně/Robbers´ Cave been significantly influenced by human ac- been increasing each research season. within the České středohoří/Bohemian Mit- tivities, particularly by contamination by lead Periglacial landforms above the alpine timber- telgebirge Protected Landscape Area (Pb), zinc (Zn) or cadmium (Cd). The authors line in the High Sudetes are unique because Hustáková K., Koutecký B. & Musil Z.: Mon- propose to maintain the river bed´s natural they have been well preserved there due to itoring the Moravian Alpine Bells in the There are some dozens of neovolcanites, character and do not implement extensive the specific climatic conditions in the moun- Macecha/Stepmother Abyss mostly not extensive, being long to 10 meters in technological interventions to avoid further tains. Some periglacial landforms (earth and the České středohoří/Bohemian Mittelgebirge contaminated sediment releases. The banks peat hummocks, sorted circles, some non-sor- The Moravian Alpine bells (Cortusa matthioli Protected Landscape Area. Therefore, the Lou- should be reinforced by big blocks of rocks subsp. moravica (Podp.) Soják) is admittedly pežnická jeskyně/Robbers´ Cave near the town complemented by stabilizing woody plants among the best known plants of the Moravský of Velké Březno (northern Bohemia) displaying aiming at keeping as much as possible the kras/Moravian Karst (South Moravia), although a main corridor reaching almost 100 meters in Litavka River in the current bed. At the same only few people have seen the plant with their length is extraordinary among them: the cave´s time, it is important to communicate with own- own eyes. It occurs only in the Macocha/Step- total length including branches is about 130 ers and users of land plots in the floodplain. mother Abyss, at great heights on vertical rock meters: therefore, it is the longest cave in neo- researchers since the beginnings of modern walls. Access to the sites of its occurrence is volcanites in the Czech Republic. Because the and dynamics have been gathered. For know- Chumanová E., Černý K., Havrdová L., research. In the 1980s, the discovery of using very difficult, even for experienced persons dis- cave is one of the most important bat wintering ing the real bat species richness at the site the Haňáčková Z., Strnadová V. & Zýka V.: Im- a strong light beam to attract birds migrating playing perfect physical condition: the only way winter census is completed by capturing the portant Alien Invasive Pathogens of Forest at night had resulted in an elaboration of tech- is to use a rope. In the past, a part of the Moravi- flying mammals in front of entrances into un- Woody Plants in the Czech Republic niques enabling effective sampling of night mian Alpine bells population grew also on a talus derground spaces outside the winter period. gration using a combination of light beam and cone on the abyss´ bottom where the sub- In their secondary distribution range, non-na- mist netting. The method was first applied in species was for the first time described from. Nováková T., Navrátil T., Žák K. & Elznicová tive pathogens of forest woody plants can the Krkonoše/Giant Mts. and the Orlické hory/ Nowadays, only three individuals occur there. E.: The Litavka River Floodplain: a Unwanted cause significant damages or massive dieback Eagle Mts. at the northern borders of the Czech The cave microclimate may be significantly in- Toxic Legacy of host woody plants and decline in the popu- Republic. After the cease of a pioneer work in fluenced by the Punkva River flowing in rapids lations of the latter. Consequently, the process both the mountain areas, a monitoring project on the Macocha/Stepmother Abyss bottom. The Litavka River rises in the most recent Pro- can change structure and species composition ted stripes, small nivation hollows, solifluction has been launched at the Červenohorské sed- tected Landscape Area (PLA) in the Czech in the invaded ecosystems, disturbing their lobes and ploughing blocks) are active, which lo Mountain Pass in the Jeseníky Mts. (northern Republic, i.e. the Brdy Hills, flows through the functions and generally threating biological di- is reflected in morphology or internal structu- Morava) in 2010, including standardization of Příbram region known for rich mining and in- versity there. The article aims at presenting to re changes, and they represent equivalents of capture techniques and elaboration of regular dustrial history, and at the town of Beroun, it nature conservationists the most important or- landforms occurring in Scandinavia or in the sampling schedule (continual day and night runs into Berounka River. Of 56 kilometres ganisms from this group living in the Czech Re- incomparably higher Alps. Many types of peri- mist-netting lasting for three months from Au- of its total length, the stretch up to village of public, diseases they cause on woody plants, a glacial landforms in the High Sudetes are criti- gust 1 to the beginning of November), visual Lochovice displays a submontane character, threat they pose on nature and the landscape cally endangered. Thus, the State Nature Con- counts of daily migration and meteorological while from that site the river´s longitudinal gra- servancy should pay more attention to them, data recording. Further, the monitoring pro- sites/hibernaculum in the České středohoří/ dient is reducing and the Litavka River entries including communication to, education of and gramme was supplemented by recording mi- Bohemian Mittelgebirge, it was declared as the into mostly canalized river bed stabilized and awareness among the general public and the gration of bats and several invertebrate groups Nature Monument (NM) in 2001. The bat moni- reinforced by concrete or big stones. In the target groups to prevent destroying the unique (migratory moths and howerflies Syrphidae) in toring has shown that bats, particularly horse- case of the Litavka River, a floodplain, a space and vulnerable landforms by tourists. later years. Since then, almost 100,000 birds of shoe bats prosper in the NM and their number 125 species have been captured and ringed, have been increasing there. Lučan R.K., Lučanová A. & Vavřík M.: The gathering a huge amount of valuable data on Červenohorské sedlo Mountain Pass: Histor- origin and/or destination of captured birds, Koudelka M. & Šafář J.: Bat Monitoring in the ical and Recent Research Projects Focused phenology and migration intensity, seasonal Javoříčko Karst Has Been Carried Out for 30 years (not only) on Bird Migration in Mountain Ar- dynamics in bird assemblage composition, vari- Due to drought, the river was not flowing even eas in the Czech Republic ability in biometric parameters and circadian in spring and autumn months in 2017–2018, The Javoříčko Caves is one of the longest rhythm of migratory activity in various species. causing a mass dieback of mosses and other monitored chiropterological sites in the Czech East-west orientated mountain ranges are bar- Rare vagrants, including some first records plants. The fact possibly affects also the Republic. The first notice on bats from “a cave riers to migrating birds and wherever possible, for the country were recorded there, some of Moravian Alpine bells population. In addition to near Bouzov” is dated back to the half of the birds use suitable corridors, such as mountain them even repeatedly. At least 21 bat species microclimate measurements, continuing moni- 19th century. Since 1989, wintering bats have passes, to cross them. At such sites, migrating have been recorded, of which rare but regular toring will definitely provide further interesting been monitored there, now along the whole birds are streamlined to narrow space and, occurrence of the Greater noctule (Nyctalus knowledge. The data gathered will be a back- underground corridor system being almost six across the country and tools having been consequently, high concentrations of individ- lasiopterus) suggests a possible presence of its ground for expert discussion aiming at setting kilometres long as well as in all known caves in elaborated to be applied for threatened forest uals could be recorded there. It is not surpris- permanent population in a broader region of the activities to maintain the remarkable subspe- the near vicinity. During the last 30 years, a lot ecosystem management. A special attention is ing that such sites have attracted the focus of site. The project provides a unique opportunity cies population at the unique site. of data on bat community species composition paid to Hymenoscyphus fraxineus causing ash 84 Summary 2019 Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Summary 2019 85 dieback, Phytophthora ×alni responisble for le- has significantly helped, inter alia, to promote was personally involved in natural and land- fact has been confirmed by the increasing num- thal root and collar rot in alders, Eutypella para- robust changes in the environment and to de- scape heritage conservation in former Czech- ber of recorded seizures of tiger specimen incl. sitica producing a large, distinguishable canker velop current nature conservation legislation oslovakia. Although he was among influential whole skeletons, teeth, claws and other tiger pro- in maple trees and Phytophthora cinnamomi and governance in the Czech Republic. persons in Czechoslovak nature conservation ducts in last years and also by quite low average causing root rot and collar necrosis in many after World War, his important contribution to survival age of tigers kept by private breeders host plants. Hrdinka T.: The T. G. Masaryk Water Re- the above branch of human activities has not (approx. 5 years) in the Czech Republic. Current- search Institute Celebrates 100 Years been assessed in the Ochrana přírody/Nature ly, there are 174 tigers bred in the Czech Republic, The Nature Conservation history Conservation Journal yet. Taking the possi- but only 44 can be found in the registered zoo- In 1919, the State Institute of Hydrology, a pre- bility when celebrating 130 anniversary of his logical gardens. Thus, the majority of tigers are Pešout P.: Sixty Years of the State Nature Con- decessor of the current T. G. Masaryk Water Re- birth, the author wants to redress a long-term kept by private breeders, circuses etc. In July servancy Institution in the Czech Republic search Institute (TGM WRI) was established by wrong. In his rich professional life, Professor 2018, customs officials, policemen and inspec- decision of the Ministerial Council. During the In 2018, the events important for the Czecho- century, water management passed a dynamic slovakia/Czech Republic were celebrated. In development, big water reservoirs were built, addition, it also was the year of significant an- lands were ameliorated and water manage- niversaries for the State Nature Conservancy in ment infrastructure has been improved. At pre- te-funded body as well as the most successful Bull Rock, Kostelík/Little Chapel and others be- the Czech Republic. Declaration of the oldest sent, special attention is paid to water retention research institution in geological sciences in the came the most popular themes. In the late 19th protected areas in the country, namely the in the landscape, effective water resource ma- Czech Republic. In 1995, a set of geological maps century, artwork of painters and graphic artists Žofín Primeval Forest (1838) and the Boubín/ nagement and strengthening water resources 1:50,000 had been completed: thus, the Czech began to be replaced by photographs. Moreo- Kubany Primeval Forest (1858) was reminded not only by building water reservoirs, but also Republic became the first country in the world ver, also since that time beautiful artworks have during The Year of Czech Primeval Forests. e.g. by artificial water filtration. In the last 100 having its territory geologically and hydrologically been made in the Moravský kras/Moravian Moreover, the anniversary of establishing the mapped at that scale. The CGS staff has deve- Karst, both from the surface and underground very first expert/technical governmental nature loped more than 10,000 expert opinions on vari- space. In 1922, a set of seven graphic artworks conservation institution in 1958 has been rather ous technical issues including land-use/territorial from the Moravský kras/Moravian Karst was neglected. Nevertheless, the event should be planning background documents or EIA studies. produced, but it gradually sank into oblivion. remembered not only because of its dedicated The institution has been involved in assessing mi- The artworks were made by František Süsser activities during the communist regime. At that neral raw materials across the whole country. The (1890–1956), a painter, draftsman and graphic time national heritage and nature conservati- GEOMON network consisting of 14 terrestrial mo- artist. His set of lithographs became a part of Klika was an excellent mycologist, Czechoslo- nitoring plots provides valuable biogeochemistry tors from the Czech Environmental Inspectorate the less known quite slight publication entitled vak geobotany organiser, nature conserva- data. As a part of the Czech Republic´s ODA, the assisted by the State Veterinary Administration simply The Moravský kras/Moravian Karst and tionist, landscape protectionist and a pioneer service has been supporting countries in South staff had seized a body of a killed tiger, four skins, the article reminds readers of it. in nature conservation application in land-use/ and Central America as well as in Africa (e.g. Ethio- tiger claws and further tiger products (bouillon territorial planning. Therefore, Professor Klika pia or Namibia) or Asia (Afghanistan, Iran, Mon- cubes and tiger wine) and equipment used in the Patzelt Z.: The Labe/Elbe River Canyon – An should for many reasons be remembered. golia). In the article, the state geological survey production of traditional Asian medicine made Inspiration of Romantic Painters and a Euro- development in Czechoslovakia, the Czech Re- from tiger parts. Consequently a private breeder pean Tourism Cradle Focusing on the Public public respectively is also outlined against the of tigers, a taxidermist and a Vietnamese trader backdrop of the political history. living in the Czech Republic have been under The Labe/Elbe River Canyon is unique not only Petáková Z.: The Czech Geological Survey in indictment. The Czech Republic authorities have because of its natural and landscape values. At years of the TGM WRI´s existence, experienced 2019 – One Hundred Year Anniversary Ucová S., Říhová P., Šafář J. & Plesník J.: Ti- suspended issuing CITES permits for (re-)export experts had to many times face up to compli- gers and the Czech Republic of live captive bred tigers from the Czech Repub- cated decision-making in water management The article describes the Czechoslovak/Czech lic to third countries (outside of the EU) for com- planning procedure. Currently, the mission and state geological service history and its most Despite an increase in numbers officially repor- mercial purposes and the rules for keeping large duty of this crucial institution having been in successful activities. The institution was esta- ted by some range countries, the Tiger (Panthera cats in captivity by private persons are debated charge of directing research in water manage- blished in July 1919 and since April 2002 it has tigris) is classified as globally Endangered (EN) by by key stakeholders. ment is even much more important for promo- been called the Czech Geological Survey (CGS). International Union for Conservation of Nature on had to work under difficult circumstances. ting rationale solutions than in the past. In 2012, the CGS merged other service – Geo- (IUCN), the main threats being poaching stimula- Zajíček P.: Neglected Set of Graphic Artworks Moreover, the State Institute of Care of Cultural fund of the Czech Republic. The Czech Geolo- ted by illegal trade as well as habitat fragmentati- from the Moravský kras/Moravian Karst Monuments and Nature Conservation and Care Pešout P.: Professor Jaromír Klika, a Leading Per- gical Survey aims at research on structure and on, degradation and loss. Recent findings gathe- of Cultural Monuments and Nature Conservati- son in Nature Conservation after World War II development in the Earth´s crust, biodiversity and red during a long term investigation has showed The Moravský kras/Moravian Karst first images on Regional Centres staff was able to maintain global changes in the past, geosphere-biosphe- that there is a link between the private facilities had begun to be created in the 1850s. During a huge part of the national cultural and natural Professor Jaromír Klika was one of the scien- re-atmosphere interactions and on geological breeding tigers in captivity in the Czech Republic next decades, particularly in the Romantic era, heritage. Since 1989, when significant political, tists who had realized needs to protect and to risks and at developing various geochemical and illegal trade in tigers and tiger products to be there were more and more paintings, drawings economic and social changes began, readiness conserve nature. Thus in addition to his aca- and mineralogical techniques. Recent analysis exported further to southeast Asia by Vietname- and graphic artworks. Among artists, the Ma- of the above nature conservation institutions demician, scientific and research activities, he showed that the CGS is the most successful sta- se community members living in the country. The cocha/Stepmother Abyss as well as Býčí skála/ 86 Summary 2019 Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Summary 2019 87 the same time, it provides great possibilities for Therefore, the NET4GAS´ Closer to Nature Pro- and Bird Area (pursuant to the above act, the found across the country. Moreover, there are tourism and recreation. Although the fact has gramme is a very good example of co-operation term for Special Protection Area, SPA under the carbon traces apparently resembling abstract been realised a long time ago on the German between a NGO and a corporation and the ef- EU Birds Directive) on the Czech side, Śnieżnicki drawings on walls in some caves. A prehistoric side, on the Czech Republic there have been forts of the NET4GAS in this field should be very Park Krajobrazowy, rezerwaty przyrody Śnieżnik origin of one of them found in the Býčí skála/ efforts to change the Labe/Elbe River into an in- much appreciated. Kłodzki and Jaskinia Niedźwiedzia on the Po- Bull´s Rock Cave was confirmed in 2005: its dustrial transport waterway. Moreover, history of lish one respectively. In the Morava River valley age is approx. 5,200 years. In 2019, when ap- using the landscape by tourists came back into Kučera J.: Young Nature Conservationists eight caves were discovered, totalling length of plying radiocarbon dating, lines older by 1,000 the 19th century where one of the first European Groups approx. 400 metres, the Tvarožné díry Caves years were identified in the Kateřina Cave (the tourist associations had been established there (245 metres) and the Patzelt´s Cave being of the Moravský kras/Moravian Karst, South Moravia). and the area became together with the Alps a Activities aiming at children and youth have greatest importance. On the Polish side in the The age of approx. 6,300 years fully corre- European and world tourism cradle. The fasci- been an important part of the Czech Union for Kleśnice River valley, there is the Medvědí jes- sponds to human settlement having been ev- nating landscape in the Českosaské Švýcarsko/ Nature Conservation´s portfolio. Its members kyně/Bear Cave show cave, reaching more than idenced from the Late Neolithic Period at the Bohemian-Saxon Switzerland region inspired fa- and particularly hobby classes, organizations 4.5 kilometres in length. In addition, there are a cave´s entrance. mous romantic artists. Their works and later also and schools can participate in national contests, lot of active swallows of karst waters and more old postcards have currently been presenting a than 20 karst water springs: the most important Zajíček P.: The Behind the Crumbled Por- then natural shape of the Labe/Elbe River. to the well-known Eurasian collared dove (S. de- things right. The theme, Healthy Planet, Healthy tal Cave, a New Cave in the Supíkovice caocto) there is another dove species, in Czech People, highlights the inextricable link between Highlands Karst Adámková K.: NET4GAS Closer to Nature – called “wild”. But it is the former which was ver- the environment and human health and well-be- a Corporate Social Responsibility for Nature sified by Karel Hynek Mácha, a famous poet of ing. The data gathered and analysed are crys- In karst areas in northern Moravia and Sile- Czech Romanticism and which has for centuries tal clear on the multitude of challenges humans sia new caves are not so often discovered The 12-year partnership between the Czech been considered as a symbol of love. Moreover, face, but also the small window of opportunity as e.g. in the Moravský kras/Moravian Karst. Union for Nature Conservation and NET4GAS the European turtle-dove displays other sym- having been still there to turn things around. In addition, most of karst phenomena had Company can be considered as unique. It had bols that are rather sad. It is one of the birds spe- been revealed during limestone mining the- been launched in 2007 when the first sites were cies most rapidly disappearing from the Europe- The Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech re and a lot of them disappeared because introduced within the Closer to Nature Program- an landscape evidencing that current landscape Republic was involved in preparing both the re- of that continuing activity. Nevertheless, new me aiming at awareness of from a point of view “management” causes an unprecedented de- ports. karst spaces, both new caves and extensions of nature conservation valuable sites among the cline in biological diversity. In addition, the bird of the existing ones, can be found there. The general public. Educational trails, lookout sites, species has been massively hunted: therefore, Zajíček P.: Prehistoric Carbon Drawing Trac- springs or wells, sites for resting, etc. These the turtle-dove became a face of the 2019 cam- es, the Oldest in the Czech Republic, Were paign on stopping migratory bird killing. As a re- Found in the Kateřina Cave sponse to the dramatic decline in the European namely the Gold Leaf (for elementary schools) turtle-dove numbers in Europe, the European In the Pleistocene Epoch, many caves were in- or the Environmental Olympics for high scho- Action Plan for the species has been elaborat- among the latter, the Mléčný pramen/Milk Spring habited by the prehistoric man, both by Homo ols. Long-term permanent activities in nature ed and the Czech Republic has joined it through can reach maximum yield of 100 litres of water neanderthalensis and Homo sapiens popula- conservation and landscape protection are the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Re- per second. Long-term hydrological monitoring tions as evidenced by a lot of archaeological carried out by Young Nature Conservationists public and the Nature Conservation Agency of and international speleological surveys have findings at cave portals. Contrary to similar Groups (YNCG). The Czech Union for Nature the Czech Republic. confirmed, that the Králický Sněžník Mts. geo- caves in the world, prehistoric cave drawings Conservation´s local chapters have established logical structure and related karst phenomena in the proper sense of the term have not been about 65 YNCG across the whole country invol- Ouhrabka V.: Karts Phenomena in the Mora- allow not only communication between karst ving more than 1,600 children. Thus, the Union va River Valley in the Králický Sněžník Mts. water swallows and springs within the individual is one of the most important organisations en- karst bodies, but also water exchange between couraging children in nature conservation ap- The Králický Sněžník Mts. is a mountain ran- Kleśnica River in the Baltic Sea drainage basin probated by the Ministry of Education, Youth ge on the border among Bohemia, Moravia and the Morava River belonging to the Black and Sports of the Czech Republic. and Polish Kladsko. The highest peak of the Sea drainage basin. same name reaches 1,424 m a.s.l. Parts of the article presents outputs of the surveys on a Havlíček J.: The European Turtle-dove – The mountain range along both the border sides Plesník J.: Two Reports on the State of the new cave in the Supíkovice Karst. Erosion ho- are only a few examples of visitor infrastructure Bird of the Year in 2019 are included into Specially Protected Areas Single Planet les of various size caused by whirpool water that have been built now at 92 sites across the and the EU Natura 2000 network, namely the processes, little erosion channels and facets whole Czech Republic´s territory. Nevertheless, The Czech Society for Ornithology (CSO) has Králický Sněžník Mts. National Nature Reserve, The sixth Global Environment Outlook (GEO-6) on walls are typically present but stalagmites the NET4GAS´ Closer to Nature Programme has been declaring carefully selected bird species Site of European Importance (pursuant to Act produced by the United Nations Environment and stalactites are totally missing there. Walls been becoming more diverse. During the last as The Bird of the Year since 1992. In 2019, the No. 114/1992 Gazette on Nature Conservation (formerly UNEP) and launched in March 2019 and ceilings of spaces have significantly been three years, the individual ecosystem restorati- symbolic but neglected European turtle-dove and Landscape Protection, as amended later, in Nairobi provides a clear prognosis of what damaged by crumbling, a bottom is formed on measures have also been supported by the (Streptopelia turtur) has been awarded. Some the term for Site of Community Importance, SCI will happen if people continue with business as usually by stone scree/talus. The total length Programme, providing remarkable outputs, too. can be surprised to recognize that in addition under the European Union’s Habitats Directive) usual and a set of recommended actions to put of all space accessible within the cave called 88 Summary 2019 Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Ochrana přírody/The Nature Conservation Journal Summary 2019 89 the Behind the Crumbled Portal Cave is 55 has been reached on digital sequence infor- depth of 19 meters planned by the Czech side in a workcamp for volunteers held in Portu- Pelc F. & Bejček V.: The Kaziranga National Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna meters, a vertical range being 7 meters. It is mation (DSI) on genetic resources under the has not been reached in more than 65% of gal in April 2019 as the first step for possible Park – A Little Miracle in Overpopulated India and Flora, CoP18) took place from 17―28 Au- supposed that space of the similar character Convention and the Nagoya Protocol: so the days throughout the year in the last five years involving in future LIFE ELCN project. At the gust 2019, in Geneva, Switzerland and was can be extended there. intersessional process on the topic shall be (2014–2018). Also after building the DWNL site, the organizers presented to participants India, covering almost 3.3 million square kilo- attended by approximately 1700 participants. continuing as well as that on synthetic biology the Elbe would be unnavigable during a great controlled burning management and other metres is the 7th largest country in the world Delegates considered 57 proposals (relating International Nature Conservation (SynBio). In a rapidly changing world, flexibility part of the year and the parameters planned related activities, e.g. soil erosion prevention and also due to its geographical location, it to more than 500 species) to increase or de- will be key, not only to adapt to the dynamic by the Czech side would not be reached. It is measures or invasive species eradication and sometimes is called the Indian subcontinent. crease controls on international trade in wild- Mach J. & Plesník J.: International Biologi- nature of the global environment, but also to clear that expectable impacts on nature and control. life and wildlife products, as well as 140 docu- cal Diversity Conservation again at a Cros- be able to take on board emerging opportuni- the landscape are serious and the so-called ments proposing new measures and policies sroads ties. Therefore, the future global biodiversity “robust credible evidence of overriding pub- Krása A.: Vietnam – A Country of Nature relating to international wildlife trade. The conservation directions shall be in detail de- lic interest” is not provable in connection with Conservation Paradoxes CoP18 adopted a proposal to exempt finished There are currently 196 Parties to the Conven- bated and negotiated at the next Meeting of the project on the DWNL. Thus, the question musical instruments (and finished musical in- tion on Biological Diversity: the multilateral the Conference of the Parties to the CBD to is who shall benefit from costs of building the Vietnam is a beautiful country enjoying all strument parts and accessories) containing agreement aims to promote the conservation be held in Beijing, China in 2020. facility and thus spending billions there. The travellers. It is a tropical and thus colourful Appendix II Dalbergia and Gibourtia rosewood of biodiversity, the sustainable use of its com- public shall do definitely not. species from CITES permit requirements. The ponents, and the fair and equitable sharing Brunar I.: The Myth of the Děčín Weir with conference also agreed to include giraffes in of benefits arising from the use of genetic re- Navigation Lock Kišelová M.: The ELCN Workcamp for Volun- Appendix II, meaning that permits will be resources. The UN Biodiversity Conference was teers in Portugal quired for international trade in giraffes for the held from 13―29 November 2018, in Sharm Due to dividing Germany after World War II, first time. Increased protections were given to El-Sheikh, Egypt and was attended by 3,800 the Labe/Elbe River escaped the fate of many Purchasing land to be privately owned by Asian small-clawed and smooth-coated otters, delegates. The event adopted a number of West German rivers: particularly, it has not non-profit organisations is one of the current with these two species being included in Ap- decisions on a series of strategic, administrati- been canalised and dammed. Nowadays, on ve, financial, and ecosystem-related issues of the stretch of 550 kilometres the Elbe natural- relevance to the implementation of the Con- ly flows through the unique river landscape, at vention and its Protocols, namely the Cartage- As a result of extreme high human popula- na Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Pro- tion density (India has with its 1.4 billion peo- tocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the ple been becoming very close to the Chinese Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits arising population size), almost all natural ecosystems have been preserved as fragments there. The Kaziranga National Park has been facing a lot of difficulties caused by intensive agriculture and state, offering a lot of remarkable cultural poaching. Nevertheless, they are admiringly heritage monuments, high mountains, the overcome by about 600 professional rangers. ocean as well as remnants of magnificent na- The NP is, inter alia, the global stronghold of the ture. Moreover, there are many nature con- Greater one-horned rhinoceros, also called the servation challenges there. Species richness Indian rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis). Ecotourism is really very high in Vietnam: from this point generates other 2,000 – 3,000 jobs for local of view, the country is ranked the 16th in the people. The Kaziranga National Park is annually nature conservation approaches. The Czech world. The fact is caused by a lot of factors, visited by approx. 50,000 tourists, of them one- pendix I due to threats from the international Union for Nature Conservation (CUNC) has particularly high variability in natural conditi- tenth comes from abroad: many of them spend pet trade. A number of reptile species, includ- been some years coordinating the land trust ons, topography and landform diversity and some days there. Rangers are armed and they ing rare lizard and tortoises, were also pro- many sites protected, also internationally. The movement in the country and manages si- distinct shape of the country´s territory from are tough on poachers. Also in other ways, a vided with additional protections. The meet- article critically assesses the Czech approach tes of significant importance for nature con- North to South. In addition, there are deltas model of co-existence of wilderness in the Ka- ing did not accept proposals to permit some to communicating and to developing the in- servation in its ownership. Land trusts ma- of two big rivers, namely those of Red River ziranga National Park and its vicinity in dense- limited trade in ivory from African elephants tention to build the Děčín Weir with Navigation nage land either having been purchased by in north and Mekong in south. Therefore, ly populated and poor India can inspire nature and in southern white rhino horns, live animals from their Utilization. Moreover, participants Lock (DWNL) as permanently non-transparent. them or having been rented out to them by Vietnam harbours both extensive lowlands conservation in the Czech Republic. and hunting trophies, which means that the did not agree the format and topic of the post- The parameters proposed are not compatible the owner aiming at maintaining or creating and high mountains, the latter reaching 3,144 existing trade bans remain in place. Samples 2020 global biodiversity framework which with the German Elbe stretch and the claim suitable natural conditions by the tailored metres a.s.l. Natural conditions sharply differ Plesník J., Makal J. & Klouček O.: The Global from inspected tigers in captivity, wild tigers, should set priorities for biological diversity that building the DWNL is sufficient to provide measures or keeping cultural traditions alive at small spatial scale and some species have CITES Conference Tighted up Conditions for suspicious seized products, etc. will be ana- conservation and sustainable use of its com- the Elbe with navigation is ill-founded. In the there. Because of those activities the CUNC is small distribution areas. Number of ende- International Trade in Endangered Species of lysed within the TigrisID project in the Czech ponents across the planet. Therefore, an in- Overall Concept/Master Plan of the Elbe, Ger- interested in the LIFE ELCN (European Private mics is very high in various taxa or ecologi- Wild Fauna and Flora Republic. Amendments to the CITES Appendi- tersessional open-ended working group was man federal and state authorities have clearly Land Conservation Network) putting together cal/functional groups, e.g. in plants, it is one ces, including new listings, entered into force established to deal with the significant stra- excluded building weirs and weirs with navi- organisations dealing with the issue. Therefo- tenth of species occurring in the country and The 18th meeting of the Conference of the for all Parties including the European Union tegic issue. At the same time, no consensus gation lock there. In Germany, navigation route re, the CUNC had been invited to participate known to science. Parties to CITES (Convention on International 90 days after the meeting. Příští číslo vyjde 26. 8. 2014 ročník 71 číslo 2 2016 cena 39 Kč 2020 Czech Nature Conservation The unique Elbe Canyon Black Grouse in the Krkonoše Mts Šumava National Park Bird Migration Watching 60 Years of State Nature Protection Kaziranga National Park Ochrana přírody • Czech Nature Conservation 2020