ECCB 2009

a) The Šumava National Park

The Šumava National Park is the largest national park in the Czech Republic. It contains large areas of coniferous and mixed mountain forests, cirques with glacial lakes, widespread mountain peat bogs, alluvial valleys and remnants of former settlements in various stages of reintegration into nature. The excursion is planned as a day-long demanding hike through forested and rocky terrain between 800 and 1378 m above sea level and will include the national park’s highest peak Plechý and the Plešné jezero glacial lake.

b) Český Krumlov town

A short visit to the historical town of Český Krumlov. This lively, cosmopolitan town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a unique atmosphere set in unspoiled countryside. Dominated by a Castle stretching over the meandering Vltava River, Český Krumlov's narrow cobblestone streets wind along romantic nooks between patrician houses where you'll find attractive exhibits of world-renown artists, music festivals and concerts, and theatre performances.

c) Lipno reservoir and Boletice military training area – search for a balance between development and protection for people and nature

Within view of the historical jewel of Bohemia - Český Krumlov - lie two “different worlds”: Lipno reservoir, the largest aquatic recreational area in the Czech Republic and the military training area of Boletice, one of the best preserved Natura 2000 sites in the country. Along with the neighbouring Šumava National Park (Protected Landscape Area and Biosphere Reserve), Lipno reservoir is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Czech Republic.

d) The Třeboňsko PLA

The Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is the most important region for fish ponds and fish farming in the Czech Republic. In the “fish pond country” we can still find a unique combination of natural elements with cultural and economic use of the region's natural resources. The unique large wetland area (about 700 km2) provides habitat for a large range of valuable plant and animal species. There will be a lunch of regional fish specialties; it is possible to take a tour of a local brewery and sample the yeast beer.

a) The Bohemian Switzerland National Park

A wonderful landscape of the sandstone in the North of Bohemia. It was the sea’s sand bed that gave birth to the phenomenal world of sandstone after the sea receded; a world of rock towers, bridges and gates, a world full of miraculous stone shapes, canyons, brooks, streams and rivers.

b) The Czech Central Mountains PLA

A mountains complex of volcanic origin and a thermophilic steppe area situated to the northwest of Prague. You can see different management regimes, agro-environmental programs and also the problem linked with building a motorway through this valuable protected area. In this area there are many interesting species of the culture steppe and the excursion will highlight their management and protection.

c) The Krušné hory Mountains and the Lignite Basin under the Krušné hory Mts.

The wide opencast coal-mining area in the northwest of Bohemia is called “Black triangle”. In this area are interesting examples of a large scale landscape remodelling, devastation, the succession stages of spoil banks, and the protection and management of succession areas. The visit to the Krušné hory Mounntains provides a look at the large area of forests dying due to pollution, the forest stands regeneration and substitute tree species.

d) The chateau Krásný Dvůr

A beautiful baroque chateau rebuild in the 17th century is a perfect place for relaxation. The large park complex established in the 18th century is a place of great interest for botanists and zoologists.

a) The Podyjí National Park

The smallest national park in the Czech Republic, Podýjí represents the interesting scenery of Dyje river valley. The Dyje canyon forms unique river phenomenon with multiple meanders, deep checked valleys of rich rivers and streams, assorted rock formations, boulder fields and rock faces. Most of the similar areas within the Czech Republic were destroyed by dam development. These sites provide suitable conditions for many interesting plant and animal species.

b) The Pálava PLA

Pálava lies in the northwest promontory of the Panonská lowlands. It is the warmest and almost the most arid area in the Czech Republic. Because of this climate some plant species that do not occur anywhere else in the Czech Republic grow here. The colorful mosaic of arid rock grass, fringe communities, thermophilous bushes and thermophilous oak and pine woods on the Děvín slopes are a very specific habitat for many insect species.

c) The Lednice-Valtice Area

The Lednice-Valtice Area was included in the UNESCO list in 1996. The area combines both the unrivalled beauty of natural scenery with two spectacular chateaus. Over many centuries The Lichteinstein Family created an architectural masterpiece here which is considered to be the biggest man-made area in the whole of Europe. As well as the two chateaus the area is surrounded with a system of ponds, forests, parks as well as agricultural land, tree-lined avenues and many romantic buildings and pavilions. This is also an important wine area and there is a possibility of having a local wine tasting at the wine centre.

1. The Kokořínsko PLA + the Wine Centre of Czech University of Agriculture (CULS)

The Kokořínsko PLA provides a wonderful view to the sandstone rock town area with a specific weathering of the sandstone. Valuable valley wetlands (the Ramsar Site) with the wetland meadows management and extensive pool building are a good home for amphibians. There is also interesting folk architecture and harmonic landscape and this is an important wine area – there is the opportunity to have a rest at the CULS wine centre and take part in local wine tasting.

2. The Ralsko Former Military Area

A former military area occupied by the Soviet Army until 1990. Untouched nature includes large-scale succession stages and different management regimes in the area of the former military gun-range. There are also extensive beech and pine forest complexes, dilapidating military equipment and a former military airport.

3. The Křivloklátsko PLA

A UNESCO biosphere reserve linking extensive forests, the different types of forest ecosystems and the demonstration of forest protection and management. It is also the IBA for the forest bird species and is also included in the European important localities.

4. The Czech Karst PLA

The thermophilic karst area lies southeastern of Prague and includes many interesting associations – the rock steppes, xerothermic forests, strong valley effect of the Berounka River. It is an interesting visit to the karst features and cave systems (a well-known geological locality and paleontological site of discovery). The most valuable parts are endangered by limestone mining, the excursion includes a demonstration to the protection and management of this area.

5. The Bohemian Paradise PLA

The area is formed mainly of block sandstone, which was deposited on the seashore in the Mesozoic period. The current form of the rocks is the result of the long-term effects of forces risings the Earth’s core and of long-term erosion. The rock-column landscape and Tertiary uplands of volcanic origin make this countryside unique. Caves, pseudo-sinkholes, rock gates and windows are interesting aspects of this rock-column landscape.