White Carpathians - Protected Areas
DOLNONEMCANSKE LOUKY
This small-scale protected area has been designated to conserve the species-rich flower meadows on the western slope of the Lesna hill, the only treeless hill (on the Czech side) close to the highest peak of the White Carpathians – Velka Javorina. Its distinctive “bald” hilltop is the testimony of the once wide spread Wallachian sheepfold farming.
This type of farming had originated in Romania and was passed from area to area along the Carpathian Mountain Range. The shepherds who introduced sheepfold farming to this part of the range probably came from Slovakia sometime in the 16th and 17th centuries. They deforested the hilltops and built sheepfolds here.
Although parts of the Lesna hill are still grazed these days, the part of the protected area has not been grazed for a long time. Instead, the meadows have been regularly mown, which has helped to keep the high species diversity. The orchid species include the Early Purple Orchid (Orchis mascula), Military Orchid (Orchis militaris), Fragrant Orchid (Gymnadenia conopsea), and Pink Globe Orchid (Trausteinera globosa). Other rare species are the Grass-leaved Iris (Iris graminea) and a wild Gladiolus (Gladiolus imbricatus).
Type of protected area under CZ national legislation: Nature Reserve
Managed by: the state, through Bile Karpaty (White Carpathians) Protected Landscape Area Administration
Practical site management: state financed, conducted by local farmers (sub-contracted)
Contact
Vzdělávací a informační středisko Bílé Karpaty, o.p.s.
Marie Petrů
Bartolomějské náměstí 47, 698 01 Veselí nad Moravou
Tel.:518 322 545
e-mail:visbk@bilekarpaty.cz
http://bilekarpaty.cz/vis
