The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Annotated Ramsar List: Czech Republic

The Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance

CZECH REPUBLIC / REPUBLIQUE TCHEQUE / REPUBLICA CHECA

The Convention on Wetlands came into force for the Czech Republic on 1 January 1993, following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. The Czech Republic presently has 12 sites designated as Wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 54,681 hectares.

site; date of designation; region, province, state; surface area; coordinates
site; date de désignation; région, province, état; superficie; coordonnées
sitios; fecha de designación; región, provincia, estado; área; coordenadas

Krkonoská raseliniste (Krkonose mountains mires). 02/11/93; Trutnov; 30 ha; 50º46’N 015º38’E. Biosphere Reserve, Important Bird Area; National Park. Raised, subarctic peatbogs (1440 m above sea level.) on a granite bedrock with a combination of arctic and alpine elements. Vegetation cover consists of moss, herbaceous and dwarf-pine communities supporting endemic and relic species. The site is important for breeding birds and the mammal Sorex alpinus. The area is used intensively for hiking. Ramsar site no. 637. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Krušnohorská rašelinište (Krušnohorska mountains mires). 22/12/06; Ústecký, Karlovarský; 11,224 ha; 50°31'N 013°10'E. Nature Reserves. Comprises about 30 mire islands of representative patterned mires and raised bogs, with neighbouring natural and artificial watercourses, fishponds and reservoir shores in the northwest of the country near the border with Germany. The biological diversity comprises huge mosaics of highly alkaline fens with scattered tree patches, preferred by grouse birds - Tetrao tetrix, Tetrao urogallus, Tetrastes bonasia - and of bog expanses occupied by krummholz stands of Pinus x pseudopumilio and Central European endemic tree Pinus rotundata, supporting high numbers of endangered plant species, such as Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Carex chordorrhiza and Drosera anglica. Ore mining had a long tradition in the mountain area, which affected the disappearance of alluvial fens since the 16th century. In subsequent centuries, as mining activities retreated, many bogs were affected by peat extraction and agricultural overexploitation. Presently the site is mainly used for game keeping and forestry - in a few localities, peat mining is being brought to an end and remains a critical conservation issue. A direct impact on the biota within mires is also caused by the high concentration of deer, which cause eutrophication of ombrotrophic sites and trampling disturbance of mire surface. The site provides various facilities for tourism, such as marked hiking and biking trails and cross-country skiing routes. Ramsar site no. 1670. Most recent RIS information: 2007.

Lednické rybníky (Lednice fishponds). 02/07/90; Breclav; 650 ha; 48º46’N 016º46’E. National Nature Reserve; Landscape Protection Area. Three separate wetlands located in the Dyje River floodplain, consisting of reedbeds, wet meadows, scrub and salt marsh. An important area for low numbers of various species of breeding, staging and wintering waterbirds. The site provides habitat for notable butterflies and nationally rare halophytic plants. The area is experiencing increasing recreation and tourism, and the ponds are subject to intensive fish production. Only the actual water bodies are protected and there are no buffer zones around them. Two research stations are available. Ramsar site no. 497. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Libechovka and Psovka Brook. 13/11/97; 350 ha; 50º25’N 014º30’E. A system of small, shallow calcareous wetlands consisting of alder carrs, reed swamps and flooded and wet meadows along two brooks. The calcareous fens support numerous rare, endemic and endangered species of flora and fauna. The site is most important as a refuge for extensive populations of relict invertebrate species whose declining populations are a result of climate change, hydro-engineering, forest management practices, agriculture and drainage. The area is an important groundwater reservoir for Central Bohemia. The wetlands are used for scientific research and the surrounding areas for tourism and recreation. Ramsar site no. 922. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Litovelské Pomoraví. 02/11/93; Olomouc, Sumperk; 5,122 ha; 49º42’N 017º05’E. Added to the Montreux Record, 26 February 1997. Protected Landscape Area, National Nature Reserve, Nature Reserve. A complex of riverine wetlands and floodplain forests along the Morava River. Habitats include wet meadows, oxbow lakes and fishponds subject to seasonal flooding which determines the vegetation communities present. The site supports numerous species of notable plants, provides habitat for various breeding amphibians, birds and fish. The site was added to the Montreux Record in 1997, because water abstraction for domestic supply "exceeds the recovery capacity of the natural ecosystem", causing adverse ecological impacts. Human activities include intensive agriculture, forestry, and recreation (tourism, hunting). Ramsar site no. 638. Most recent RIS information: 1993.

Mokrady dolního Podyjí (floodplain of lower Dyje River). 02/11/93; Breclav; 11,525 ha; 48º50’N 016º45’E. Biosphere Reserve, Important Bird Area; National Nature Reserves, National Nature Monument, Nature Reserves, Protected Landscape Area. Added to the Montreux Record, 6 June 2005. Mature floodplain forests representing the largest, remaining fragments of hardwood floodplain forest (of the Ulmenion alliance) in Central Europe. The site includes meadows, pools, backwaters, and a system of small fishponds. Originally a continuous complex of floodplain habitats along four rivers, today it is segmented by artificial reservoirs and altered by channelization and conversion to agriculture. A biocorridor of international importance, numerous important biocentres are present (a protected gene pool site of invertebrate species associated with old solitary oak trees). The site supports numerous rare plant species, and it is an important gathering, wintering and breeding area for numerous species of migratory birds. Human activities include timber extraction, hunting, water reservoirs, use of water for irrigation, recreation, and angling. Part of the "Trilateral Ramsar Site Floodplains of the Morava-Dyje-Danube Confluence" Transboundary Ramsar site. Ramsar site no. 635. Most recent RIS information: 2007.

Novozámecky a Brehynsky rybník (Novozámeckv/Brehynsky fishponds). 02/07/90; C. Lípa; 923 ha; 50º37’N 014º34’E. Added to the Montreux Record, 18 September 1994, removed 26 September 2002. National Nature Reserve. Semi-natural fishponds created by the damming of valley streams, and subject to a moderately intensive management regime. Habitat includes extensive reedbeds, wet meadows, peat bogs and wet, coniferous woodland. An important area for small numbers of breeding and staging birds, including the White-tailed sea eagle and Osprey. The site provides habitat for several notable plant species. The elimination of the submerged vegetation and input of sediment-laden runoff triggered hyper-nutrient-enrichment. For these reasons the site was added to the Montreux Record in 1994. Removed from the Montreux Record 2002. Ramsar site no. 496. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Poodrí. 02/11/93; Ostrava, N. Jicín; 5,450 ha, 49º42’N 018º03’E. National Nature Reserve, Nature Reserve, Protected Landscape Area. Added to the Montreux Record, 6 June 2005. Floodplain forests, fishponds and extensive wet meadows subject to fluctuating water levels along the meandering Odra River. Vegetation includes climax, hardwood forest communities. Situated along an important bird migration route, the site supports numerous species of staging and breeding birds. Because the river remains unregulated, its natural hydrologic regime persists today. Human activities include recreation, agriculture and intensive fish production. Eutrophication due to substantial concentrations of agricultural runoff, unsuitable agricultural management and intensive fishpond management are the primary threats to the site. Ramsar site no. 639. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Punkva subterranean stream (Podzemní Punkva). 18/03/04; South-Moravian Region; 1,571 ha; 49°25´N 016°44'E; Protected Landscape Area; Nature Reserve; National Nature Reserve.The subterranean system belongs to the most valuable karst area in the Czech Republic, and the 'Amateur Cave' complex with 34 km of known cave passageways is its largest cave system. The site includes springs, several sinkholes, permanent and intermittent subterranean tributaries to the Punkva stream that are connected to caves. Through the sinkholes, surface streams disappear underground where they flow into the caves, some of which are permanently filled with water, with open water surfaces or flooded throughout their whole profile. The site hosts the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus), the bats Myotis dasycneme, Myotis daubentonii, and characteristic communities of cave fauna. Several species of fauna new to science have been found, which may be either endemics or newly-described species with a wider distribution such as the springtails Onychiurus rauseri and Arrhopalites ruseki. At the surface, most of the site is forested and a small area is covered by extensively managed agricultural land. The installation of wastewater treatment plants in the areas above sinkholes, changes in agricultural practices, regulations imposed in the caves with public access and for cave research have improved site conservation. A management plan is under implementation. The site presents some archaeological and cultural values with remains of an old settlement (cave Kulna), ruins of castles (Holštejn and Blansek), and a wind mill designated as a cultural monument. Ramsar site no. 1413. Most recent RIS information: 2004.

Sumavská raseliniste (Sumava peatlands). 02/07/93; Klatovy, Prachatice; 6,371 ha; 49º05’N 013º25’E. Biosphere Reserve; National Park, Protected Landscape Area. A complex of disjunct peatlands, raised and valley bogs and montane and coniferous forest in the Vltava River wetlands. The peat bogs are of considerable entomological and botanical interest, supporting various notable, endemic or rare species. An important breeding site for birds. Nature trails exist, although most of the site is closed to the public. Subject of a Ramsar Advisory Mission in 2001. Ramsar site no. 494. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Trebonská raseliniste (Trebon mires). 02/11/93; J. Hradec, C. Budejovice; 1,100 ha; 48º32’N 014º49’E. Biosphere Reserve; National Nature Reserves, Nature Reserves. Mostly forested, disjunct transition peat bogs without large water bodies and situated in shallow basins fed by artesian waters. The site has unique island ecosystems with many protected and endangered plant and animal species. The bogs support a high species diversity of insect fauna unique for Central Europe. Berry picking is the only land use. Ramsar site no. 636. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Trebonská rybníky (Trebon fishponds). 02/07/90; J. Hradec, Tábor, C. Budejovice; 10,165 ha; 48º38’N 014º49’E. Added to the Montreux Record, 18 September 1994. Biosphere Reserve, Protected Landscape Area; National Nature Reserves. A highly complex and disjunct system of 180 interconnected, artificial fishponds excavated in the flood plain of two rivers and consisting of extensive reedbeds, coniferous woodland, wet meadows, agricultural land, peat bogs and freshwater marshes. The area is important for numerous species of breeding waterbirds, as a feeding ground for Black stork (5-10 pairs) nesting nearby, and an internationally important staging area for up to 20,000 waterbirds. The site supports several notable species of invertebrates and plants. Human activities include bird hunting (uncontrolled), agriculture and tourism. The site was added to the Montreux Record in 1994 due to possible threats arising from the privatization process. Since 1997 the adverse effects of intensive fish farming and hunting became more significant due to nutrient-enrichment and the destruction of littoral zones and surrounding habitats. Ramsar site no. 495. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Secretariat, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, e-mail ). Posted 19 January 2000, updated 19 November 2007, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.