important plant areas in central and eastern europe - Plantlife

Czech Republic
Qualifying criteria for IPAs
Most of the 75 IPAs in the Czech Republic – 48 (64 %) qualify under both Criteria A
and C; 16 IPAs (21 %) were identified for Criterion A only, and 11 (15 %) for Criterion
C only.The selection of IPAs identified for fungi (5) and algae (3) was made on the basis
of high species diversity and of the occurrence of rare species.
Key threats to IPAs
Next steps and recommendations
The main follow-up tasks after IPA
identification have been proposed:
■ Potential identification of more IPAs
■ Monitoring of the status and
developments at IPAs
■ Ensuring protection for unprotected
IPAs and strengthening protection on
existing protected areas
No. of
IPAs
The IPAs on non-forest lands are threatened primarily by neglected cultivation or
complete land abandonment.This applies not only to meadows and steppes, but also to
wetland habitats. Most non-forest habitats are also threatened by an increasing
eutrophication resulting in a decline in oligotrophic plant species and communities.
Eutrophication also affects habitats that historically required no management
intervention, e.g. some bogs and fens are being vegetated by reed and woody plants.
Invasive plant and animal species, agricultural intensification, fisheries, and natural
disasters currently present only limited threats to IPAs on non-forested land.
■ Providing effective management at IPAs
by means of action plans and rescue plans
for the area and the species
■ Raising awareness of IPAs among the
public at large and involving local
stakeholders
These activities have been proposed for
inclusion in the plan of the Agency for
Nature Conservation and Landscape
Protection of the Czech Republic. If
endorsed, this would commit the Ministry
for Environment of the Czech Republic to
support these activities (although not
financially).
The coordinators also plan to publish an
accessible book on IPAs for the general
public and to develop signage to mark
IPAs in the countryside.
Forest habitats are primarily threatened by intensive, commercial forest management,
with the exception of some primeval forests in strictly protected nature reserves.A
considerable area of forest is also threatened by atmospheric emissions: air pollution
makes the forests less vital and more susceptible to insect-damage.
A considerable number of IPAs are located in regions that are very attractive for
tourism, and tourist activity should be regulated. Some threats, which have been
significant in the past (e.g. peat mining, habitat drainage), currently have a low or
negligible impact on IPAs.
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