5th Field-Map International User Conference

October 3, 2014

FIELD TRIP to the floodplain forests of the Lower Morava Biosphere Reserve

Departure 8:30 - Arrival approx.15:00

The floodplain forests of the Dyje and Morava rivers floodplains belong to the richest ecosystems of Central Europe. However, the value of a floodplain landscape does not lie only in the diversity of its plant and animal species, but also in the enlightening history of the development of the floodplain landscape.

At first sight, a floodplain forest reveals an ecosystem full of life, which bears witness to the forces of natural processes. Yet, the character traits of forests with dominant giant oak trees are a result of economic designs of foresters. Since the 18. th century, places with clearings and young stands have been an integral part of floodplain forests. Floodplain forests´ enduring beauty and ecological stability is safeguarded only by an ample supply of water and an even composition of young, middle-aged and oldest age categories. Floodplain forest management is thus a prerequisite for its preservation for the future.

Stops:

1. Hunting manor Pohansko - built by the noble family of Lichtenstein in 1810–1811 according to a project by the architect Josef Hardmuth. The Empire style, one-story building with its characteristic front facade segmented by Corinthian columns is decorated with an ancient motive bas-relief. The manor decorations made by Joseph Klieber are dedicated to goddess Diana. The remnants of old Great Moravian fortress can be found in the vicinity of the manor. The fortress has been archaeologically explored since 1958. Today, the first floor of the manor hosts an exposition exhibiting excavations finds and artifacts of the Great Moravian era.

Map of field trip

2. Lany meadows and stands - The dominant communities in the hardwood floodplain forest are oak-ash and hornbeam-elm-ash communities. The characteristic main tree species in both types of communities are pedunculate oak, the narrow-leaved ash and the European white elm. In the drier hornbeam-elm-ash communities we can also find the field maple, the European hornbeam and the small-leaved linden. The rich shrub layer is dominated by the English hawthorn, the European spindle, the Guelder rose and the common dogwood, among others. Specific categories on its own are alluvial meadows, which evolved into a number of types, depending on underground water levels.

3. Ranšpurk National Nature Reserve (19.2 ha, established in 1949) is situated south of Lanžhot, in the area of the Soutok Game Preserve. The reservation is an outstanding example of a floodplain forest, which has been left to develop spontaneously since the 1930s. Owing to this, rare insect species and wood-destroying fungi occur here.

4. Confluence of the Morava and Dyje rivers - gave the name to the whole region ("soutok" is a Czech word for confluence). Owing to its bad accessibility in the past, this tri-state border location has kept its typical floodplain character with all its positive and negative aspects. It is our duty to conserve and protect this area and its natural beauty. Some 200 meters northwest of the confluence can be seen a historical border stone, erected in 1755 on orders issued by the empress Maria Therese to mark the border of the Margraviate of Moravia.

Recommendations: Although no difficult hikes are planned, comfortable sport/walking shoes are recommended. The tour will take part in floodplain area, therefore mosquito repellent may become handy. The weather in October is usually pleasant, but occasional rain showers may occur.

Tour guides: Jan Vybiral - director, Lower Morava Biosphere Reserve, Petr Čupa - project manager, Lower Morava BR

LOWER MORAVA BIOSPHERE RESERVE (The Czech Republic)

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Environmental characteristics:

Major ecosystem: Temperate broad-leaf forests, Pannonian steppes
Elevation: 148 - 548 meters above sea level
Climate: warm region
Average annual temperature: 9,5°C
Average annual precipitation: 500 mm

The biosphere reserve is located in the region, that has been formed by human activity for centuries and every remnant of the original habitat is precious. The biosphere reserve consist of unique combination of limestone cliffs of the Palava Hills, the rare Central European lowland floodplains along the lower reaches of the Kyjovka, Dyje and Morava rivers covered by hard-wood alluvial forests and continental flood-plain meadows (some 8 000 ha) and the largest European man made landscape - Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape. Amongst other various types of habitat within the BR you can find karst, dry grassland, oak-hornbeam forests, thermophilous oak forests, scree forests, hard-wood and soft-wood flood-plain forests, flood plain meadows and psammophilous vegetation, oak forests and scots pine plantations, fishponds and other standing water habitats, saline meadows, marshlands, vineyards and other mostly intensively farmed agricultural land. BR is an important bird nesting area and migration stop.

M  M Designation date: July 8, 2003

Surface area: 349 km2

Human activities:
Agriculture, Wine production, Fish-farming, Forestry, Small scale industry and services, Tourism & recreation

BR management

As from August 2004 the Lower Morava Biosphere Reserve, Public Benefit Company, became the administrative authority responsible for meeting the objectives and fulfilling the functions of the BR.


In the Czech Republic it is for the very first time that a biosphere reserve is administered by a non-governmental organization. This concept of an independent stakeholder- based management is unique as the rest of the Czech biosphere reserves are linked to official government protected areas and share the management.


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