important plant areas in central and eastern europe - hirc.botanic.hr ...

Czech RepublicQualifying criteria for IPAsMost of the 75 IPAs in the Czech Republic – 48 (64 %) qualify under both Criteria Aand C; 16 IPAs (21 %) were identified for Criterion A only, and 11 (15 %) for CriterionC only.The selection of IPAs identified for fungi (5) and algae (3) was made on the basisof high species diversity and of the occurrence of rare species.Key threats to IPAsNext steps and recommendationsThe main follow-up tasks after IPAidentification have been proposed:■ Potential identification of more IPAs■ Monitoring of the status anddevelopments at IPAs■ Ensuring protection for unprotectedIPAs and strengthening protection onexisting protected areasNo. ofIPAsThe IPAs on non-forest lands are threatened primarily by neglected cultivation orcomplete land abandonment.This applies not only to meadows and steppes, but also towetland habitats. Most non-forest habitats are also threatened by an increasingeutrophication resulting in a decline in oligotrophic plant species and communities.Eutrophication also affects habitats that historically required no managementintervention, e.g. some bogs and fens are being vegetated by reed and woody plants.Invasive plant and animal species, agricultural intensification, fisheries, and naturaldisasters currently present only limited threats to IPAs on non-forested land.■ Providing effective management at IPAsby means of action plans and rescue plansfor the area and the species■ Raising awareness of IPAs among thepublic at large and involving localstakeholdersThese activities have been proposed forinclusion in the plan of the Agency forNature Conservation and LandscapeProtection of the Czech Republic. Ifendorsed, this would commit the Ministryfor Environment of the Czech Republic tosupport these activities (although notfinancially).The coordinators also plan to publish anaccessible book on IPAs for the generalpublic and to develop signage to markIPAs 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.Aconsiderable area of forest is also threatened by atmospheric emissions: air pollutionmakes the forests less vital and more susceptible to insect-damage.A considerable number of IPAs are located in regions that are very attractive fortourism, and tourist activity should be regulated. Some threats, which have beensignificant in the past (e.g. peat mining, habitat drainage), currently have a low ornegligible impact on IPAs.41