Name: Cesky kras Protected Landscape Area
IUCN Management Category: V (Protected Landscape)
Biogeographical Province: 2.32.12 (Central European Highlands)

Geographical Location: Situated in central Bohemia immediately to the south-west of Prague lying along the valley of the Berounka river between the capital and the town of Beroun. 49°50'N, 14°15'E.

Date and History of Establishment: The area was created on l2 April l972 by Decree No 4.947/72. The decree refers to the need to preserve and enhance the quality of the landscape especially the subterranean karst phenomena and to control its exploitation.

Area: 12,800 ha
Land Tenure: State-owned
Altitude: 199 - 499 m

Physical Features: Part of a vast denudation platform with the deeply cut canyon valley of the Berounka river and other canyon valleys formed by Silurian and Devonian beds belonging to the Palaeozoic (Barrandien). The area is rich in surface and subterranean karst phenomena, and contains valuable palaeontological and archaeological remains.

Climate :

Vegetation: A part of the area is covered by thermophilous woods with oak Quercus sp., hornbeam Carpinus betulus and smaller areas of beech Fagus sylvatica; another considerable part by steppe plant communities. Among plant species protected by law in the Czech Socialist Republic, the following occur here: Cornus mas, Anemone silvestris, Dictammus albus, Orchia purpurea, Melittis melissophyllum, Iris aphylla, Pulsatilla pratensis subsp. nigricans, Saxifraga aizoon, Centaurea triumphettii, Dracocephalum austriacum, Antericum liliago, A. ramosum, Stipa ioannis, S. capillata and Anacamptis pyramidalis.

Fauna: Rare thermophile insects occur, such as Harpalus sabucicola and Ocypus biharensis, also an endemic mollusc Laciniaria sp.

Cultural Heritage: Archaeological remains

Local Human Population: There are four larger and some 12 smaller settlements within the protected landscape and the capital city, Prague, lies on the eastern edge of the area.

Visitors and Visitor Facilities: The area is regularly and extensively used for tourism and recreation.

Scientific Research and Facilities: Investigation have been carried out in speleology, palaeontology, archaeology, botany and forestry by the central scientifc organizations and universities.

Conservation Value: Area unique in the world in respect of its Silurian and Devonian stratigraphy and palaeontology with preserved extensive areas of rock steppe, forest steppe and deciduous forest communities with a very rich fauna and flora. For some plant species and particularly for several dozens of animal species, moustly insects and molluscs, this area is the only known site in Bohemia.

Conservation Management: The protection of exceptional values is assured by 18 nature reserves and natural monuments totalling 2 700 ha. Many natural and artificial exposures of Silurian and Devonian liemstone represent important stratotypes and world-famous palaeontological sites, for example the Early Devonian cliff of Zlaty Kun near Koneprusy and the unique stratotype on the boundary between Silurian and Devonian formations Klonk near Suchomasty.

Management Constraints: The Extraordinary nature and landscape values are threatened by limestone quarrying and processing. Also agricultural exploitation in more than half of the area, accompanied by water erosion and pollution pose a big threat.

Staff
Budget

Local Addresses:
Administration of PLA Cesky kras
267 18 Karlštejn I/85
Tel., fax: 0311/681713
E-mail: ckras@iol.cz

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