presentation krnap

Protected areas and National Protected areas and National Parks in EuropeParks in Europe

The Czech RepublicThe Czech Republic

The Czech Republic in EuropeThe Czech Republic in Europe

The Czech Republic – The Czech Republic – geomorphological mapgeomorphological map

Holice

KrkonKrkonošeoše

Czech Protected Areas Czech Protected Areas

Krkonoše Krkonoše NPNP

Krkonoše NP Krkonoše NP (KRNAP)(KRNAP)

KRNAP is one of the most important KRNAP is one of the most important protected landscape areas in the Czech protected landscape areas in the Czech Republic and is also one of the largest Republic and is also one of the largest parks inparks in central central Europe. Europe.

Location:Location: Krkonoše (The Giant Mts.) are situated in north-Krkonoše (The Giant Mts.) are situated in north-

eastern Bohemia. eastern Bohemia. The state border with Poland divides the entire The state border with Poland divides the entire

mountain range into two parts. mountain range into two parts. The Czech Giant Mts. over an area of The Czech Giant Mts. over an area of 454454 km2, km2,

cover about 2/3 of the whole area. Their slopes cover about 2/3 of the whole area. Their slopes are more extensive, more broken and milder than are more extensive, more broken and milder than those ones in their northern Polish part (with an those ones in their northern Polish part (with an area of area of 177177 km2). km2).

The Giant Mts. belong to the western part of The Giant Mts. belong to the western part of Sudetic mountain system.Sudetic mountain system.

KRNAPKRNAP

Total protected area: 605 Total protected area: 605 km²km²

Krkonoše NP – 549 Krkonoše NP – 549 km²km²

Karkonoski park narodowy - Karkonoski park narodowy - (POLAND) – (POLAND) – 56 56 km²km²

Altitude above sea level:Altitude above sea level: 400 to 1.602 m 400 to 1.602 m (Sněžka)(Sněžka)

The highest mountain:The highest mountain: SněžkaSněžka

Sněžka 1.602 mSněžka 1.602 m

Average temperature: Average temperature: +6°C - 0°C +6°C - 0°C Rainfall: Rainfall: 800-1600 mm a year, 800-1600 mm a year, snow 150-300 cm (even 180 days a year)snow 150-300 cm (even 180 days a year) Snow avalanchesSnow avalanches usually appear in usually appear in

January, February and March.January, February and March. There are There are springssprings of the biggest Czech of the biggest Czech

river - river - The ElbeThe Elbe (Labe), as well as of (Labe), as well as of other rivers other rivers – – Úpa, Jizerka and Úpa, Jizerka and Mumlava. Mumlava.

Rivers from the Czech side of the Giant Rivers from the Czech side of the Giant Mts. flow to the Mts. flow to the Nordic Sea.Nordic Sea.

There are more than 20 of There are more than 20 of waterfallswaterfalls (Labský, (Labský, MumlavskýMumlavský and Úpský). and Úpský).

Avalanches tracks in Labský Avalanches tracks in Labský Důl valleyDůl valley

Avalanches tracks in Pramenný Avalanches tracks in Pramenný Důl valleyDůl valley

Mumlavský waterfallMumlavský waterfall

HistoryHistory

1963 – 1963 – proclamation of the proclamation of the KKRRNNAAPP 1978 - 1978 - the KRNAP - a member of the the KRNAP - a member of the International International

Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 1984 – 1984 – IUCN added the KRNAP to the list of 12 IUCN added the KRNAP to the list of 12 the most the most

endangered national parks of the worldendangered national parks of the world 1992 - UNESCO Biosphere Reserve1992 - UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - it includes The - it includes The

Krkonoše National Park and its transition zone on the Krkonoše National Park and its transition zone on the Czech side of the borders and Karkonoski Park Narodowy Czech side of the borders and Karkonoski Park Narodowy on the Polish side.)on the Polish side.)

1992 - the project of the Netherland foundation1992 - the project of the Netherland foundation FACEFACE for the preservation and restoration of the Giant for the preservation and restoration of the Giant Mountains forestsMountains forests

2007 -2007 - the KRNAP - a member of the KRNAP - a member of EUROSITEEUROSITE ( a pan- ( a pan-European network bringing together governmental and European network bringing together governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as private bodies, non-governmental organisations, as well as private bodies, in active collaboration for the practical management of in active collaboration for the practical management of Europe’s nature)Europe’s nature)

Geological evolutionGeological evolution

The most important for the Giant Mts. were The most important for the Giant Mts. were processes of mountain formation during the processes of mountain formation during the Palaeozoic Age – Palaeozoic Age – 600 millions years ago600 millions years ago. The . The Giant Mts. belong to a group of very old Giant Mts. belong to a group of very old Hercynian mountain rangesHercynian mountain ranges. Only the . Only the Giant Mts. and the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. rose Giant Mts. and the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. rose above the alpine treeline, which lies between above the alpine treeline, which lies between 1200-1300m asl. Other similar mountain 1200-1300m asl. Other similar mountain ranges are hundreds or even thousands of ranges are hundreds or even thousands of kilometres far away (the Scottish Highlands, kilometres far away (the Scottish Highlands, Scandinavian mountains or the Urals).Scandinavian mountains or the Urals).

ZonesZones The territory of KThe territory of KRNAPRNAP is divided into the is divided into the

four categories according to quality and four categories according to quality and haleness of living environmenthaleness of living environment

1st zone = strictly virgin 1st zone = strictly virgin …………………………………………4.4.550033 ha ha 2nd zone = virgin-controlled2nd zone = virgin-controlled……………….………………. 33..416416 ha ha 3rd zone = marginal / buffer-like3rd zone = marginal / buffer-like………….…………. 2 288..408408

ha ha Protective zoneProtective zone…………………………….……………………………. 18. 18.642642 ha ha IN TOTALIN TOTAL ………………………………... ………………………………... 54.54.969969 ha ha

The bilateral Czech-Polish Biosphere The bilateral Czech-Polish Biosphere Reserve Krkonose/Karkonosze Reserve Krkonose/Karkonosze

FloraFlora is divided into four vegetation zones according to its is divided into four vegetation zones according to its

altitudealtitude

VVegetation levelegetation level with with specific biotops:specific biotops:o ssubmontane:ubmontane: 480 - 800 meters above sea level; 480 - 800 meters above sea level;

leafy and mixed forestsleafy and mixed forestso mmountain:ountain: 800 – 1800 – 1..200 meters above sea level; 200 meters above sea level; mixed and spruce mountain mixed and spruce mountain forestsforests,, flower-rich flower-rich

mountainmountain meadowsmeadows and mountain floodplain („tall herb and mountain floodplain („tall herb meadows“)meadows“)

o ssubalpine:ubalpine: 11..200 – 1200 – 1..450 meters above sea level450 meters above sea level (the area (the area above the alpine treeline);above the alpine treeline);

thickets of Swiss Mountain Pine, mattgrass meadows thickets of Swiss Mountain Pine, mattgrass meadows and subarctic peat bogsand subarctic peat bogs

o aalpine:lpine: 11..450 – 1450 – 1..602 meters above sea level602 meters above sea level (the highest (the highest and mutually-isolating peaks – Sněžka, Studniční hora, Luční hora, …)and mutually-isolating peaks – Sněžka, Studniční hora, Luční hora, …)

lichen, grassy and stony tundralichen, grassy and stony tundra

Flora – vegetation zonesFlora – vegetation zones

Basic characteristics of floraBasic characteristics of flora

more than more than 1300 species1300 species of vascular plants of vascular plants glacial relicts:glacial relicts: Arctic Saxifrage Arctic Saxifrage (Saxifraga nivalis)(Saxifraga nivalis), ,

CloudberryCloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus)(Rubus chamaemorus), Lapland Willow, Lapland Willow (Salix (Salix

lapponum)lapponum), Sudetic Lousewort, Sudetic Lousewort (Pedicularis sudetica)(Pedicularis sudetica) predominant trees:predominant trees: the Norway Spruce the Norway Spruce (Picea (Picea

abies)abies), Swiss Mountain Pine, Swiss Mountain Pine (Pinus mugo)(Pinus mugo), European , European BeechBeech (Fagus sylvatica)(Fagus sylvatica)

the most important botanical sitesthe most important botanical sites:: SchustlerSchustler´s garden ´s garden and and Krakonoš´s gardenKrakonoš´s garden

the emblem of the KRNAP is a stylised flower the emblem of the KRNAP is a stylised flower of the Milkweed Gentianof the Milkweed Gentian (Gentiana asclepiadea)(Gentiana asclepiadea)

Swiss Mountain Pine can live to more than Swiss Mountain Pine can live to more than 200 years200 years

Krakonoš´s garden Krakonoš´s garden – in the upper part of the – in the upper part of the

glacial cirque „Úpská jáma“glacial cirque „Úpská jáma“

FaunaFauna

also differs in accordance with the also differs in accordance with the altitude. altitude.

In mountain forests, there live red In mountain forests, there live red deer and roe deer, fox, pine marten deer and roe deer, fox, pine marten and stone marten, badger and and stone marten, badger and various species of birds. As for various species of birds. As for invertebrate, there are especially invertebrate, there are especially numerous species of insects. numerous species of insects.

Basic characteristics of faunaBasic characteristics of fauna

invertebratesinvertebrates –at minimum 1 –at minimum 15.5.000 species 000 species (for (for example 74 species of snails, 123 of ground beetles, 168 example 74 species of snails, 123 of ground beetles, 168 of spiders)of spiders)

vertebratesvertebrates - only one representative of - only one representative of cyclostomatouscyclostomatous

- two autochthonous fish species- two autochthonous fish species

- six amphibian- six amphibian

- six reptile species- six reptile species

- 250 bird species - 250 bird species

- 60 mammals species - 60 mammals species (the most (the most abundant are rodents – 15 species and batabundant are rodents – 15 species and bats – 18 species)s – 18 species)

The submountain zoneThe submountain zone

Dentaria enneaphyllosDentaria enneaphyllos

Lilium martagonLilium martagon

Salamandra salamandraSalamandra salamandra

Saturnia Saturnia pavoniapavonia

The mountain zoneThe mountain zone

Campanula bohemicaCampanula bohemica

Blechnum spicantBlechnum spicant

Glaucidium passerinumGlaucidium passerinum

Apodemus flavicollisApodemus flavicollis

The subalpine zoneThe subalpine zoneLacerta viviparaLacerta vivipara

Eriophorum angustifoliumEriophorum angustifolium

Rubus chamaemorusRubus chamaemorus

Tetrao urogallusTetrao urogallus

The alpine zoneThe alpine zone

Luscinia sverica svericaLuscinia sverica sverica

Coleotes atroposColeotes atropos Primula minimaPrimula minima

Pulsatilla scherfeliiPulsatilla scherfelii

Threat and helpThreat and helpFloraFlora The Red Data ListThe Red Data List – 244 species = 29% of the full number of – 244 species = 29% of the full number of

original (autochtone) vascular plant species of the Giant original (autochtone) vascular plant species of the Giant MounMounttainsains

The most critical threats to the flora:The most critical threats to the flora: o industrial emissions (since the end of the seventies of last industrial emissions (since the end of the seventies of last

century, the vegetation has been critically endangered as a result century, the vegetation has been critically endangered as a result of decline in air qualityof decline in air quality - - acid rainacid rains = s = soil and water acidificationsoil and water acidification

o changes in the composition of large areas of forest in the pastchanges in the composition of large areas of forest in the pasto draining and excessive manuring of the mountain meadowsdraining and excessive manuring of the mountain meadowso extensive building and assigment of agricultural land to non extensive building and assigment of agricultural land to non

agriculture useagriculture useo insufficient management of the mountain meadows (cutting)insufficient management of the mountain meadows (cutting)

help help = national and international conservation projects = national and international conservation projects (i.e. revitalisation projects in the most valuable parts, the (i.e. revitalisation projects in the most valuable parts, the

clearance of invasive alien plant species, the project of the clearance of invasive alien plant species, the project of the Netherland foundation FACE for the preservation and restoration Netherland foundation FACE for the preservation and restoration of the Giant Mountains forests, the World Bank project for the of the Giant Mountains forests, the World Bank project for the preservation of the biodiversity of the Giant Mountains and preservation of the biodiversity of the Giant Mountains and others)others)

Threat and helpThreat and help

FaunaFauna Biotops devastation (e.g. Biotops devastation (e.g. large woodlands were large woodlands were

extensively deforestedextensively deforested, …), …) non-forest species were affected by changes in non-forest species were affected by changes in

farming (no more traditional management on farming (no more traditional management on meadows in montane zone and above the meadows in montane zone and above the treeline)treeline)

increase of water acidityincrease of water acidity helphelp = consistent protection of whole = consistent protection of whole

ecosystemsecosystems and and habitat habitat protecprotectiontion – the best way – the best way to to conserve biodiversityconserve biodiversity

ActivitiesActivities tourismtourism thethe first explosion wave of tourism and sportsfirst explosion wave of tourism and sports in the second in the second

half of the 19th centuryhalf of the 19th century many many touristic and winter touristic and winter centres, foot and ski trails, centres, foot and ski trails,

hutcheshutches about 1 million of visitors a yearabout 1 million of visitors a year

educationeducation the Giant Mountains Ecological Education Centre (KSEV the Giant Mountains Ecological Education Centre (KSEV

Rýchorská bouda) - cooperation with schools and different Rýchorská bouda) - cooperation with schools and different organisationsorganisations

information centresinformation centres

researchresearch - conferences and workshops - i.e. from 1991 every - conferences and workshops - i.e. from 1991 every

three years the three years the conference “Geoecological problems of the conference “Geoecological problems of the Giant Mountains” (Czech-Polish cooperation)Giant Mountains” (Czech-Polish cooperation)

- theses and dissertations- theses and dissertations - projects- projects

Other interesting thingsOther interesting things KRNAP belongs to a group of the most visited national KRNAP belongs to a group of the most visited national

parks in the world (to its relatively small area)parks in the world (to its relatively small area) many animals migrate over the Giant Mountains, many animals migrate over the Giant Mountains,

therefore, many bird species, which normally breed far in therefore, many bird species, which normally breed far in the north, can be observed in the mountainsthe north, can be observed in the mountains

glacial relics are the oldest living memorial to the glacial relics are the oldest living memorial to the Glacial Glacial periodperiod (Ice-age) (Ice-age) of the Giant Mountainsof the Giant Mountains

the Giant Mountains are also unique among mountain the Giant Mountains are also unique among mountain ranges of similar altitude as to the number and size of ranges of similar altitude as to the number and size of snow avalanches (there are altogether 64 avalanches snow avalanches (there are altogether 64 avalanches fields, the longest avalanche track being 1400 m long)fields, the longest avalanche track being 1400 m long)

the Giant Mountains are a typical example of a structural the Giant Mountains are a typical example of a structural relief in which differences in the hardness of rocks in relief in which differences in the hardness of rocks in combination with high altitude influenced the evolution of combination with high altitude influenced the evolution of a prominent morphology (ridges, valley and rock forms)a prominent morphology (ridges, valley and rock forms)

the most endangered non-living part of the local nature are the most endangered non-living part of the local nature are stone polygons (stone rosettes), which were formed during stone polygons (stone rosettes), which were formed during thousands of yearsthousands of years

Gentiana asclepiadeaGentiana asclepiadea

Pulsatilla scherfeliiPulsatilla scherfelii

Veratrum lobelianum Neottia Veratrum lobelianum Neottia nidus-avisnidus-avis

Rubus chamaemorusRubus chamaemorus

Vipera berusVipera berus

Asio otus Cervus Asio otus Cervus elaphuselaphus