National Biodiversity Strategy of the Czech Republic. 2016–2025

Strategie ochrany biologické rozmanitosti České republiky 2016–2025 National Biodiversity Strategy of the Czech Republic 2016–2025 Ministry of the Environment 2016 National Biodiversity Strategy of the Czech Republic 2016–2025 National Biodiversity Strategy of the Czech Republic 2016–2025 The Strategy was prepared by a team of authors consisting of staff from the ME, the MA, the NCA CR, and other outside experts and consultants, under the supervision of the ME. The Strategy was also discussed and amended by the members of the Committee on Landscape, Water and Biodiversity to the Government Council for Sustainable Development. Editors: Jiří Mach, František Pojer, Jan Plesník, Michael Hošek, Jan Dušek, Romana Trubačíková Dictionary of Key Terms compiled by Jan Plesník Published by the Ministry of the Environment, based in Vršovická 1442/65, Prague 10. All Rights Reserved. Quoting without proper citation, commercial reproduction, or any other use of any part of this publication without permission of the Publisher (the Ministry of the Environment), will be regarded as violation of copyright. © Ministry of the Environment, 2016 ISBN: 978-80-7212-609-5 Contents Introduction 5 Structure of the Strategy 6 Strategy Financing 7 Strategy Evaluation 8 Summary 10 Priority 1 - Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources 11 Objective 1.1: Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources 12 Objective 1.2: Public Administration 16 Objective 1.3: Private Sector 20 Objective 1.4: Tourism 25 Objective 1.5: Economic Instruments and Financial Support 30 Priority 2 - Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection of Natural Processes 35 Objective 2.1: Genetic Diversity 36 Objective 2.2: Species 40 Objective 2.3 Invasive Alien Species (the IAS) 44 Objective 2.4: Natural Habitats 48 Objective 2.5: Landscape 52 Objective 2.6: Settlements 56 Priority 3 - Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 59 Objective 3.1: Agricultural Landscape 60 Objective 3.2: Forest Ecosystems 64 Objective 3.3: Water Ecosystems 69 Objective 3.4: Soil and Mineral Resources 75 Objective 3.5: Ecosystem Maintenance and Restoration 79 Objective 3.6: Sustainable Utilisation of Genetic Resources 83 Priority 4 - Strategic Planning and Policy 87 Objective 4.1: Providing Up-to-date and Relevant Information 88 Objective 4.2: Ecosystem Services 93 Objective 4.3: International Cooperation 96 Sources of Financing of the Strategy Objectives 100 Conformity of the Strategy Objectives and Measures with the State Environmental Policy and with Other Sectoral Policies 103 List of Abbreviations 105 Glossary of Terms 108 Annex 1 - Strategic Plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity 2011-2020 (the Aichi Targets) 118 Possibilities to Implement the Strategy at the level of Local Administration, the Private Sector and other Interest Groups 122

3 The Bohemian Paradise, photo: Z. Patzelt Introduction The National Biodiversity Strategy of the Czech Republic The main objective of the Strategy is to prevent the continued (hereinafter the “Strategy”) represents a fundamental overall biodiversity loss within the territory of the Czech conceptual document defining the priorities in the field Republic and at the same time to implement the measures of conservation, and the sustainable use of biodiversity and activities that will lead to the improvement of the status within the territory of the Czech Republic. It follows up the of biodiversity and its sustainable use. In accordance with comprehensive evaluation of the previous document from the main objective of the Strategy, there is a significant effort 2005, on the basis of which, priority areas and objectives to increase awareness of the importance of biodiversity and were identified. It also takes into account the current its adequate conservation, and to ensure sustainable future international commitments, in particular, the EU Biodiversity development of the Czech Republic. The overall decline Strategy to 2020 and the Strategic Plan of the Convention in biodiversity has long been pursued at a European level, on Biological Diversity (CBD) to 2020. At the same time, the confirmed by the mid-term review of the EU Biodiversity Strategy follows up on the measures defined by the State Strategy to 2020. All EU Member States, on the basis of those Environmental Policy, and it is also linked to other conceptual unsatisfactory findings, agreed that it is necessary to make a documents which span across all sectors. significantly greater effort by developing a more effective use of existing instruments for the conservation of biodiversity The main role of the updated Strategy is to create a basic within all key sectors which significantly affect the status conceptual framework based on the existing legislation of biological diversity. Particularly in Western European and the existing instruments, which will contribute to countries, the conservation of biological diversity is taken the improvement of the overall situation and sustainable into account to a much larger extent across all sectors and use of biodiversity within the territory of the Czech at all levels of decision-making, which in turn contributes Republic. Favourable conservation status of biodiversity to greater knowledge about the long-term economic impact is a prerequisite for the ecosystem’s ability to provide of biodiversity loss. The European Commission has at its essential goods and services to human society. Therefore, disposal a comprehensive analysis of the available economic it is necessary to understand that the conservation and risks associated with the European biodiversity loss, and it is sustainable use of biodiversity is one of the key pillars of estimated that the failure to fulfil the main objective of the sustainable development in the Czech Republic. In this abovementioned EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 causes an respect, the Strategy represents a conceptual document, so annual loss of € 50 billion to the EU economy. that the objectives defined in the area of the protection and conservation of nature and natural resources in the updated A similar analysis has not yet been made in the Czech Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development in the Republic; but it is obvious that the findings presented abroad Czech Republic to 2030, are met. The Strategy reflects the are relevant for the territory of the Czech Republic. Here current international objectives, which are closely linked however, public and political interest in the conservation with the objectives of sustainable development, which of biodiversity is lacking; there is little awareness of the contributes significantly towards the interoperability of risks and economic consequences of biodiversity loss. The the Strategy Objectives with other conceptual documents presented Strategy should in this respect provide relevant at the national level; through the Strategic Framework for and sufficient information for adequate integration of the Sustainable Development in the Czech Republic.

5 issue of the conservation of biological diversity across all the Report of the Czech Republic to the Convention on Biological sectors concerned. Diversity (2014), documentation for the Assessment Report on the Status of Species and Natural Habitats in the Czech To achieve the abovementioned objective, it will be necessary Republic (NCA CR, 2016), Report on the State of Nature in to ensure that the conservation of biodiversity is recognised the EU (2015) and the mid-term review of the EU Biodiversity as a prerequisite for the sustainable development of the Strategy to 2020, within the Working Group for the preparation Czech Republic; and in this respect it must be regarded as a of the Strategy update. Based on all of the relevant information, matter of public interest. the Working Group decided, in the view of the complexity and scope of all of the documents that have been evaluated, that the updated Strategy will not contain a specific analytical part which would collectively present the abovementioned Structure of the Strategy information. Instead, it was decided that an analysis of the status quo, which is also based on the abovementioned The structure of the updated Strategy was the subject information, will be incorporated into individual component of discussions made by the Working Group, which was objectives of the Strategy established by the Ministry of the Environment in order to prepare an update on the National Biodiversity Strategy for the Based on the abovementioned analytical foundation, the period 2016-2025. The decision about the overall structure 4 following priority areas were defined for the updated of the Strategy is based on the basic analytical data from Strategy: two studies developed for the Ministry of the Environment in 2014 - “The Analysis of the Implementation of the National 1. Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources Biodiversity Strategy in the Czech Republic 2005-2015 (Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences This area is mainly focused on the integration of the conservation (GCRI), 2014)“ and „The Analysis of Sources of Proposal of of biodiversity in the public and private sectors, the increase in Structures: National Biodiversity Strategy of the CR for the awareness of its importance in a global context, the issues of period 2015-2025 (Hošek et al., 2014)”. The first analysis conservation of biodiversity in the context of tourism, and also is a comprehensive assessment of the previous Strategy the provision of adequate financial support. (2005-2015), more specifically of its two thematic parts; when the absence of indicators monitoring the component 2. Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection objectives is replaced by a total activities research and the of Natural Processes overall development of the state in each of the areas. The second analysis was focused on the relevance of the existing This part is aimed at sufficiently ensuring the protection of objectives with regard to the current needs and trends in the selected biodiversity components at all levels (even in the field of biodiversity conservation at the national level, and also form of its sustainable use), and also at supporting natural with regard to the current objectives set at the international processes in open landscape and settlements. level. At the same time, the second analysis provided a basic framework for determining the priority areas and objectives. 3. Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources

These documents were discussed and evaluated, as well as Here the Strategy focuses in particular on the improvement the up-to-date information contained in the Fifth National of practices in the area of economic management and the 6 use of biodiversity components and natural resources in and strategic documents across sectors which deal selected ecosystems. predominantly with the issue of biodiversity conservation. The list of abbreviations used in the text is followed by a 4. Providing Up-to-date and Relevant Information dictionary of key terms, in which the key terms from the field of biodiversity conservation are defined and explained. The In the last area, the Strategy is focused on securing the annex to the Strategy then provides a list of so-called Aichi relevant information in the field of knowledge, monitoring Targets of the Strategic Plan to 2020 of the Convention on and research of biodiversity, the establishment of the Biological Diversity (CBD), which are referred to in the text of procedure for national assessment of ecosystem services the Strategy refers. and the definition of priorities in the involvement of the Czech Republic in international biodiversity conservation. The Strategy does not contain a partial Action Plan which would elaborate on the proposed measures in detail, and In those 4 priority areas, there is a total of 20 objectives set more specific tasks. This role, in particular in the context which describe the general context and relevance of the of the Priority Areas 2 and 3 of the Strategy, will be fulfilled minor issues of biodiversity protection. It is followed by a by the State Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection description of the current state which always ends with a Programme of the Czech Republic (SNCLPP), which will be table of the most important pressures on biodiversity in the updated by the end of 2017. region and current threats which may have a significant impact in the area in the future. The text part of each Following the adoption of the Strategy by the Government, objective is followed by a table of component sub-objectives the Ministry of the Environment will notify other departments and each of them defines measures and activities that should concerned with a request to determine a focal point, through be implemented in the following period. For the purpose of which the Ministry will further communicate with regard to monitoring the implementation of component objectives, the implementation of the Strategy sub-objectives and their an indicator, deadline, verification source and responsible subsequent assessment. authority for each measure was determined. This should facilitate significantly the continuous overall Strategy assessment, which will make it possible to determine, for each component objective, whether or not and to what Strategy Financing extent it is implemented and then set the performance of the whole Strategy accordingly. The Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the majority of the proposed measures and will identify the The Strategy therefore provides a set of priority objectives possibilities to increase the financial resources allocated and measures, which create a conceptual framework for for their implementation after the Strategy adoption. It is specific activities in the field of biodiversity conservation in possible to use the resources from the European Structural the territory of the Czech Republic during the period 2016- and Investment Funds (ESIF), where the conservation 2025. of biodiversity is consistent across most programmes (Operational Programme Environment for 2014-2020, the The specific objectives are followed by a summary of Rural Development Programme for the period 2014-2020, identified sources of funding for each of the objectives and Operational Programme Fisheries for the period 2014- comparison of the Strategy with other selected conceptual 2020, Operational Programme Enterprise and Innovation

7 for Competitiveness, Integrated Regional Operational The assessment of the Strategy will take place in two Programme, the Operational Programme Transport, etc.), stages: until 2020. Together with the use of funds from the ESIF, it will be necessary, considering the need for continuity in 1. The mid-term review of the implementation of the the financing of nature conservation after the end of the component objectives of the Strategy in the middle of the programming period, to „prioritise“ the conservation of period (the end of the year 2020). biological diversity even at the level of specific departments, including the question of financial resources. In order to 2. Overall evaluation of the Strategy in 2025. include the issue of the conservation of biodiversity to a larger extent within other sectors, specific departments Both assessments will be carried out by the Ministry of the were assigned as responsible for the component objectives, Environment, as the main responsible Strategy authority, in which in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture. The evaluation should ensure that under the current options of the state system will be based on the collection of relevant data budget of the Czech Republic, the necessary financial (defined verification sources), which will represent the resources are available for their implementation. The basis for quantitative determination, in relation to the set proposed measures may be partially implemented within indicator, on whether or not the specific measure has been the already existing measures and instruments or within implemented, has been partially implemented, or has not their extension (especially in the Priority Areas 2 and 3). The been implemented at all. On the basis of the evaluation main responsibility for the implementation of the Strategy of the implementation of the individual measures, it will and its component objectives lies with the Ministry of the be then possible to, once again, express the degree Environment. However, it is essential that both the adequate of implementation of individual objectives, framework consideration and inclusion of proposed measures within objectives, and the overall Strategy. the framework of other sectors, and the identification of financial resources for their implementation, involve also the support of the Government and all relevant departments. In the mid-term evaluation, the attention will be focused primarily on those measures with a deadline of the year 2020; general evaluation of activities that have been implemented in that area will take place in case of other measures. A review Strategy Evaluation of component objectives is not expected on the basis of the mid-term evaluation. The emphasis is put, in particular, on The Strategy contains a total of 20 framework objectives the identification of problem areas, where the expected within 4 priority areas, which in addition to the assessment changes were not achieved within the set deadline. In this part of the current state and description of pressures and respect, it may be possible to make a minor modification or threats, also define the component objectives and specific add specific measures. measures for their implementation. The Strategy contains a total of 68 component objectives and 123 follow-up measures. Each measure was assigned its own indicator The proposed set of indicators (123 in total) was chosen for which will make it possible to assess the implementation the evaluation of the implementation of individual measures of the measure. Verification sources of individual measures and objectives. Where possible, the indicators from the Set are assigned to all indicators, including the deadline and of National Indicators (SNI), which is in effect from August 1, responsible authority. 2014 (total individual numbers linked to the 49 indicators,

8 which are listed in the SNI) were assigned to these indicators. The Strategy has been prepared by a team of authors, under These indicators are listed under individual measures as the guidance of the Ministry of the Environment, comprised additional, mainly due to the fact that they are associated of staff from the ME, the MA, the NCA CR, and other outside only with the financial resources provided from the ESIF, experts and consultants. The Strategy was also discussed while the implementation of the proposed measures should and amended by members of the Committee for Landscape, be in most cases from multiple sources (see Sources of Water and Biodiversity of the Government Council for Financing of the Strategy Objectives referred to on page Sustainable Development. 83). Other indicators contained in the Strategy have been created on an ad hoc basis for each action without a single required format. These specific indicators will make it possible to evaluate at a basic level the implementation of each objective and measure. Monitoring of the overall state of biodiversity in the Czech Republic is greatly underdeveloped. Only in the case of species protection, there are several indicators with longer data series that can be used in the Strategy. These few available indicators have been used for a long time to inform the public about the status of biological diversity; for example in the Report on the Environment of the Czech Republic which is released annually by the Ministry of the Environment. Because it is not possible to consider the current set of indicators to monitor the status and trends of biodiversity in the Czech Republic as sufficiently representative, it is one of the objectives of the Strategy „to create a comprehensive set of indicators of status, changes and trends of biological diversity in the territory of the Czech Republic“ (Objective 4.1.1). Those indicators will be used for the Strategy evaluation and for better communication with the public about the issue of biodiversity conservation. As mentioned above, the adoption of the Strategy should be followed by an update of the State Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection Programme of the Czech Republic (SNCLPP, 2009, which will further elaborate on measures which the Strategy imposes, in particular on the Priority Areas 2 and 3 (Objective 4.1.3). Component objectives and SNCLPP measures will be established in these specific areas so as to make it possible to carry out mutual evaluation of the Strategy implementation and the State Programme. 9 Summary i The main objective of the Strategy is, in accordance with disturbance of its balance (as a result of homogenisation the Convention on Biological Diversity in the territory of the and fragmentation of the landscape), contamination by Czech Republic, to maintain, and in some selected cases foreign substances, and conversion of originally natural to improve, the state of biodiversity through the proposed areas to developed or intensively agriculturally cultivated measures. territories. Not only has the loss of biodiversity occurred, but it is also directly related to the deterioration in how i The proposed objectives of the Strategy are based on the well the ecosystems and ecosystem services function. current state of biodiversity, its present trends, and on Partial improvement of the selected components of the the modern approach to its protection. It is necessary to environment unfortunately fails to reverse the overall cooperate on this issue within the framework of the public trend. administration, but above all, to invite the wider public, including those from the private sphere, to engage with it. i One of the main priorities for the upcoming period will The division and focus of the chapters correspond to this. be the preservation of funding for the conservation of biodiversity, nature, and the landscape after 2020, when i The number of objectives and measures is relatively the current operational programmes of the EU (which are low, especially with regard to the previous version of the the main economic instruments involved in the practical Strategy. The effort of the team of authors was to focus on implementation of the policies for the conservation of the real priorities, which are, in terms of solutions, urgent, nature and landscapes) end. and to set goals that are achievable for the duration of the Strategy. More detailed measures will be the subject of the i The improvement of the situation is crucial for the implementation of Action Plans; in particular the updated successful involvement of all who affect biodiversity State Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection through their activities. A prerequisite for the fulfilment Programme. of the Strategy and the achievement of its objectives is, therefore, the common responsibility for the fulfilment i The protection of biodiversity in the Czech Republic is still across all sectors. not sufficiently effective. Despite the main objective (not to worsen the current state), the overall state of biodiversity continues to deteriorate and improves only in some cases. Care for biodiversity is a multi-disciplinary activity, with the greatest threats to its success being intensive agricultural management and inappropriate use of natural resources. This trend is similar to those in neighbouring countries. i Among the main causes of the current state of biodiversity there are two principal factors; the growing intensification of agricultural production, and the development of urban and transport infrastructures. Because of this, irreversible changes to the natural environment occur, for example;

10 Priority 1 Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources Prokopské údolí, photo: J. Plesník, NCA CR Objective 1.1 Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources Photo: Z. Machová Development of the society (which harmonises the adults (both within the family home and within educational consistency of economic and social progress, the institutions), providing information, and targeted media management of society, with full conservation of the campaigns. Similarly important is environmental consulting environment, including the conservation of biological that provides professional advice and recommendations to diversity) is referred to as sustainable development. Among the public, presents the results of science and research its main objectives is the transmission of natural and cultural for the benefit of the environment, brings environmental heritage to following generations in the best possible friendly standards closer to the requirements of the condition. Human activities must, therefore, respect the public and educates the public in terms of sustainable limits of the capacity of ecosystems and in an appropriate development. way manage the natural capital. The Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development of the For the successful adoption of the principles of sustainability Czech Republic from 2010 (updated until the end of 2016 (and the effective identification with them), it is absolutely under the name “Czech Republic 2030”) is the supreme essential to educate society accordingly. Lifelong learning conceptual document of the Czech Republic, which is essential for the success of the Environmental Education, summarises the key issues in this area. In addition to the Training and Public Awareness (EEPA) programme. The economic and social dimensions, it puts the environment on aim of environmental education in the Czech Republic is an equal footing across the full range of areas. Education for to develop competences (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) sustainable development is then, at the Government level, required for environmentally responsible behaviour, it is enshrined in the document of the Strategy for Sustainable behaviour which is paramount for the current and future Development Education in the Czech Republic (2008-2015). prosperity of the state of the environment. The aim of the For the EEPA and environmental consulting, it is a key EEPA is to gain support from target groups to conserve document of the State Program of Environmental Education biodiversity. Voluntary involvement on the behalf of the and Public Awareness in the Czech Republic in effect since general public is crucial. This is based on the awareness of 2000 and updated in 2016. Important documents are also the importance of the environment for humans; supported the State Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection by the long-term education of children, teenagers and Programme (managed by the ME), and the regional 12 conceptions of nature conservation, which are regularly authorities, who create their own EEPA concepts, play an processed and updated by the regional authorities. important role at the regional level. The Czech Republic has committed itself, within the The EEPA’s success is dependable on the joint efforts of international community, to strengthen the social State institutions, long-time professional workplaces, environment for sustainable development. By adoption organisations, and non-governmental non-profit of the Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development, organisations (NGOs). Support for environmental the Czech Republic supports the conclusions of the UN education and counselling is provided mainly in the form of Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 and legislative standards, differentiated financial resources, the the Rio+20 Conference in 2012 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It’s development of methodologies and topics, informing and most important result is the formal approval of the plan to educating the public and target groups of the population adopt the global objectives of sustainable development, and communicating with them via functional networks of which are linked to the Millennium Development Goals of the educational institutions. MEYS is significantly involved in UN Millennium Declaration of 2000, and which have been this aspect at both a conceptual and practical level. The approved by the United Nations in September 2015. The specialisation of the EEPA is to inform visitors and the local aim of society recognising the value of natural resources is population directly in areas of conservation with the use of associated, in particular, with the Aichi Strategic Goals 1, 2 visitor infrastructure through its administrators (mainly NCA and 17. The EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 touches upon CR), the administrations of NP, and the Cave Administration the topic in Objective 1 (Action 3). of the Czech Republic. For this purpose, nature houses have been gradually formed in the protected areas, which apply proven methods of education when in contact with the CURRENT CONDITIONS public, such as the interpretation of the natural heritage.

The Ministry of the Environment, in accordance with section There is currently a developed system of education about 13 of the Act No. 123/1998 Coll. as amended by later the environment in the Czech Republic which is based on all regulations, handles the State Program of Environmental relevant components existing in other countries: Education and Public Awareness in the Czech Republic; it guarantees, coordinates and updates the State Program • Legislative basis and documents from laws to the subordinate through the Action Plans for relevant years and supports legislation and documents of departments and regional the development of education, leading to the preventive authorities, including anchoring in the school system for conservation of the environment. The Ministry of Education, EEPA Youth and Sports is responsible for the inclusion of • Institutional and personnel capacity, including specialised environmental education (in the sense of sustainable workplaces and visitor infrastructure. development) into the basic pedagogical documents, and • Established funding from public sources. supports the advanced training of teaching staff in the area of • Well-developed range of objectives, topics, methods, forms, environmental protection and sustainable development. ME and educational programmes. (in cooperation with MEYS and other central administrative authorities, regions and autonomous municipalities), is required to promote environmental education and awareness based on the principles of sustainable development provided by both state and non-governmental organisations. Regional Priority 1: Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources 13 PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION Grant-based EEPA leads to a low level of stability and sustainability of the EEPA system. Biodiversity One-time funding and a big education is therefore not ensured in the necessary continuity. The newly created SEF grant program - dependency on foreign sources State Environmental Program - is an opportunity. The tendency of only formally including EEPA in some EEPA institutions and a shift to the principles of sustainable EVVO a posun k principům udržitelného rozvoje obecně jsou v některých případech jen proklamovány development in general, means a nemají v organizacích očekávaný dopad, který by mohl napomoci i ochraně biodiverzity. that often there is not the expected impact on the organisations that could also help the conservation of biodiversity. The facilities allowing direct contact with the natural environment, where pupils can personally observe Raising barriers for learning outside biodiversity (see decreasing of number of school gardens and the loss of the semi-natural areas in large of school cities), are worsening. THREATS EVALUATION Support only for selected areas of Less support for informal education and the dissemination of information on biodiversity and its awareness importance and threats, is a possible danger. Dependence on funding from It is not clear how the EEPA and other awareness and responsibility raising instruments will be financed temporary resources after the reduction of resources from European Structural Funds.

COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES Comprehensively addresses the EEPA and environmental consulting State Program EEPA CR, which is dedicated to school and extracurricular education and training, formal and informal adult education, etc. The updated State Program elaborates on the specific topic of children and adults in direct contact with nature. Therefore a set of EEPA system measures in the State EEPA Program and in the National Biodiversity Strategy of the Czech Republic specifically contribute to the formation of education and materials focused on biodiversity. 14 Component Verification Measure Indicator Deadline Responsibility Objective Sources Support of education and training in diversity, and Potvrzení o převzetí possibilities for learning Materiály předané do MŽP ve spolupráci 2022 vč. zpětné vazby in nature within the všech MŠ s MŠMT učitelů framework of pre-school education Preparation of (interactive) materials on biodiversity, Potvrzení o převzetí Materials delivered to MŽP ve spolupráci 1.1.1 Support EEPA and the possibility of 2020 vč. zpětné vazby all kindergartens s MŠMT teaching ‘in nature’ for učitelů elementary schools Preparation of materials for the extension of Potvrzení o převzetí knowledge on biodiversity Materials delivered to MŽP ve spolupráci 2022 vč. zpětné vazby and the possibility of all elementary schools s MŠMT učitelů teaching ‘in nature’ for elementary schools Preparation of educational materials about the Potvrzení o převzetí Materials delivered to importance of biological 2020 vč. zpětné vazby MŽP all high schools diversity for the network of poradců 1.1.2 Develop civil consulting centres Environmental Preparation of educational Consulting materials about the Materials distributed Potvrzení o převzetí importance of biodiversity MŽP ve spolupráci to the network of civic 2022 vč. zpětné vazby for advisors collaborating s MZe consulting centres. poradců with enterprises and farmers Public awareness of the importance of biodiversity 1.1.3. Create Evidence o realizaci at both global and national Materials distributed to Campaigns for the 2025 kampaní vč. MŽP levels, targeted campaigns environmental advisors Public EVALUATION efektu on the importance of individual ecosystems

Priority 1: Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources 15 Objective 1.2 Public Administration Management of pools for amphibians, photo: R. Studený, AOPK ČR Public administration is an activity related to the provision military domain authorities. The State and use of biodiversity of public services, which serve to fulfil public (State also fundamentally affects the performance of other central and municipal) interest. In other words, State and local authorities in the State administration (especially MRD, governments achieve their objectives, and at the same time MA, MH, MC, MIT, MD, MT), and national authorities in their they provide services through the public administration. respective areas of competence. The specialised national This also applies to the conservation of biodiversity. In the supervisory authority of State administration in the field of Czech Republic the public administration contains two the environment, including the conservation of biodiversity, subsystems - State and local governments. Concerning local is the CEI. governments, not only territorial, but also interested parties need to be included (e.g. professional associations). Public administration is primarily governed by the legislation of the Czech Republic. Its entities are established through The central administrative body for the protection of legal standards, and their competences and responsibilities nature and landscape is the Ministry of the Environment. are defined. Part of the law is also formed by ratified Performance of the State administration in the area of nature international treaties, conventions and protocols, which are and landscape protection is provided by the Government from a hierarchical point of view superordinate to laws. and by the municipal authorities at all levels and also by regional authorities. Currently, the regional authorities and Judicial control of the performance of public administration municipalities with extended competency (municipalities of in the area of nature and landscape conservation is applied 3rd category) have a significant impact on the conservation by the means of administrative justice. It is ensured by of biodiversity across most of the territory of the Czech regional courts. There is only one possibility of making an Republic. An important position in terms of the conservation appeal against decisions of regional courts in administrative of biodiversity is the so-called “Special State Administration” proceedings, and that is to the Supreme Administrative (especially the NCA CR and NP Administrations) which is Court. there to ensure the conservation and care of sites of national importance. In the military domain, the State administration At the international level, this objective is associated, in is provided by the Ministry of Defence and the respective particular, with the Aichi Targets 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 13. The 16 EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 touches upon the topic in is the authorities of the municipalities of all categories and Objective 1 (Action 3) and also in Objective 3. regions as well as territorial self-governing units, who ensure the performance of the state administration in the area of nature and landscape conservation. CURRENT CONDITIONS The establishment of the State administration with special The supreme State inspection authority, which deals with competences in the conservation of nature and landscape the operation and coordination in matters of nature and and ensuring the performance of State administration in landscape conservation, is under the responsibility of the nationally important and specially protected areas (NNR, Ministry of the Environment. In addition to ME, however, other NNP, NP, and SPA) is important in the area of the conservation central authorities fundamentally affect the conservation of of biodiversity. There are four national parks with their own biodiversity as well; MA affects water and forest management, administration and protected landscape areas (in addition to agriculture, hunting, and fishing outside the National Parks, the protected Šumava area, where the State administration MRD the area of spatial planning, MH the area of public is executed by the NP Šumava Administration), in which the health, MD the military domain, the Czech Mining Office the NCA CR is the nature conservation authority (except for in the area of mining administration, etc. The fragmentation of the military domain or concerning land intended for the defence Strategic Objectives of individual government departments of the State). NCA CR executes the State administration for and local authorities is a significant problem for the effective the conservation of nature and landscape in the territory of conservation of biodiversity. Although the right to a ‘quality national natural reserves, national natural monuments and environment’ is ensured in the Constitution and further for the protection of specially protected areas( except for elaborated in Regulations, the conservation of biodiversity the military domain or land intended for the defence of the is not regarded as a priority. On the contrary, the priorities State, or on the territory of national parks and their buffer of government departments concerning issues which zones). have a direct economic impact on society are regarded as more important. Their development objectives, however, Municipalities and regions assist the performance of the are often in conflict with the conservation of biodiversity. State administration based on the Act on Nature and Unfortunately, these contradictions (as the consequence of Landscape Protection. The execution of the aims of the so-called ‘departmentalism’) are not effectively addressed State administration in the concerned regions is ensured and policies of the departments remain in contradiction. by the ME; and in municipalities by the individual regional The fragmentation of competences and the frequent authorities; while its motivation is the implementation of fragmentation of the priorities of the central authorities (in State administration at the first instance level. A special particular in the field of spatial planning, water conservation, supervisory authority in the field of the environment, forestry, and when setting up subsidy programmes) are fully (therefore also during the exercise of State administration in reflected in the lower structures of State administration. the field of the conservation of nature and the landscape), Specific regime exists in the military domain, where MD is the CEI. As is evident from the abovementioned facts, and military authorities ensure the performance of State the organisation of inspection and supervisory activities administration, and ME exercises the State administration should be clarified, in particular, through the means of a on land intended for the defence of the State. Outside the more efficient provision of methodological and technical protected areas of national importance, military domains documents, otherwise it will not be sufficiently effective and territories important for the defence of the State when unifying the State administration, and it will continue (constituting most of the territory of the Czech Republic), it to be impossible to ensure its sufficient predictability.

Priority 1: Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources 17 PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION The lack of support for the The conservation of biodiversity is largely perceived as a non-priority agenda without direct benefits, conservation of biodiversity as an in the worst case, as a „brake“ for economic development. Therefore, it is within the portfolio of the essential public interest activities of public administration, mostly overshadowed and other agenda is preferred. Reduction of the capacity of public administration in the field of nature conservation has been already a Reduction of the capacity of public long-term process. Agenda relating to the conservation of biodiversity is in this case affected more often administration than other agenda, and that is regardless of the obligations arising from the legislation. THREATS EVALUATION Already at the level of strategy and concepts of the individual departments, the Strategic Objectives Disrespect of the Strategic of the conservation of biodiversity are not respected in most cases. It is not possible to take them into Objectives and the legal limits account during the implementation of activities based on such strategies and concepts. In certain cases, when there may be a conflict of interest of nature conservation with other interests, Possible weakening of special it is possible to identify special efforts to weaken the legislation for the conservation of nature and the statutory provisions landscape with the intention of removing the obstacles that the legislation exposes to this aim. It is no exception, that the decisions of public administration are affected by political will, regardless Political decisions in specific of possible serious consequences for the environment, which mostly stems from the generally low cases in conflict with the factual awareness of the importance of the conservation of biodiversity and the economic losses caused by its arguments and legal limits unsustainable use. 18 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES The identification of legal provisions that The final revision and are in conflict with the Amendment number of identified ME in cooperation with biodiversity protection 2019 proposals / revision 1.2.1 Harmonise the and proposed MT, MRD, MA and the examination of of legislation Legal Provisions amendments the possibility of their and Strategic amendment Objectives with Other Departments Examination of Harmonisation of the possibilities of selected documents Relevant concepts ME in cooperation with harmonisation of selected 2020 (number with regard to and plans MT, MRD, MA strategic documents with the previous measure) the indicated incongruity Implementation of a unified public administration support Unified public Established functional system including particular 2020 administration ME system regional authorities support system 1.2.2 Ensure Quality and municipalities with Methodological extended competency Support Established system, Thematic work meetings records of the of employees of the public System (concept) of implementation of administration concerning 2018 ME regular meetings meetings including the conservation of the feedback of the biodiversity participants Introduction of a system of lifelong professional 1.2.3 Establish education of public Established system Specific Training administration workers with the support of the Support of the Programmes in the field of the regional authorities system from regional for Students 2020 ME conservation of biological and central institutions authorities and and Public diversity, taking care of it in accordance with the central institutions Administration and the sustainable use of Act on Civil Service Staff its components and long- term support of the system

Priority 1: Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources 19 Objective 1.3 Private Sector Kozmické ptačí louky, photo: Z. Kučerová The private sphere represents all types of business without programmes approved in the Czech Republic at the the majority representation of the State. It includes both governmental level and implemented by the Ministry of the multinational corporations, domestic bodies, including small Environment. Increasingly, it also develops the concept of tradesmen. Also private businesses in the Czech Republic the so-called corporate social responsibility. in terms of volume significantly predominate over business activities of the State and local authorities and it has greater The objective is associated, in particular, with the Strategic impact on the State of biodiversity. An important argument Objectives 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 13 and 16. The EU Biodiversity for the importance of the role of the private sector is that it Strategy to 2020 touches upon the topic in Objective 1 substantially uses natural resources to create profit. In other (Action 3) and also in Objective 3, 4 and 6. words, it is dependent on the availability and the State of natural resources with regard to the business plan. CURRENT CONDITIONS Czech or international legislation, in principle, do not distinguish between the rights and obligations of the private The continuity of private businesses in the Czech Republic and public sphere. Anyone, who intends to implement a was interrupted in the second half of the last century by specific project with potential impacts on the environment, the Communist Regime, which had essentially prohibited is bound by the same obligations and conditions, and the it. In the 1990’s, there was a recovery of private businesses institute of public interest can be used in legitimate cases, and their subsequent development. One of the causes i.e. possibilities of the implementation for the purpose of of political, economic and social change in 1989 also social benefit, while accepting certain negative impacts on significantly impaired quality of the environment, which, some of the components of the environment. however, quickly improved in some aspects with the development of technologies in the industry in the 1990’s. In practice, the application of voluntary instruments in the That is why certain private entities may have not felt, as field of biodiversity conservation in the practice of business opposed to economically developed countries in the 1990’s, entities is supported not only by the State Environmental greater environmental responsibility, than the one that was Policy, but also through the means of individual national imposed by the rule of law. The State organised efforts to 20 improve the State of the environment are focused mainly important role played the so-called voluntary instruments. on the technical elements of the environment, in particular Voluntary instruments refer to such business activities those related to human health, and their clearly measurable or activities of other entities, which seek to reduce their parameters. negative impact on the environment, and these entities introduce and implement them on the basis of their free It simultaneously greatly increased the pressure of private (voluntary) decision and go beyond the requirements of the sector on the use of natural resources. On the one hand, applicable legislation. there was the newly formed liberal market with lots of opportunities for new forms of entrepreneurship, on the other Basic Principles of the Voluntary Instruments are: hand, there were natural resources used for most business activities. The atmosphere of the changed social system that • Voluntary Approach - there is no obligation in the legislation wanted to negate the previous decades of restrictions and to apply the principles; formal planning has resulted in another extreme, excessive • Prevention - focuses on the removal of causes of liberalisation of the market economy and the lack of emphasis environmental problems rather than their effects (damage on the conservation of natural and cultural heritage in the removal); public interest rather than personal benefit of individual • Systematic Approach - deliberate actions in those areas and entities. This was reflected in the often insufficiently regulated activities of organisations that have a negative impact on authorisation of inappropriate land use, regardless of the the environment. negative consequences for the species, habitats and natural processes. The authorities of nature conservation often failed The use of voluntary instruments (or voluntary environmental to negotiate projects with significantly smaller impacts or activities) at the corporate level is therefore of great only with slight effects, or rejected them completely based importance both for the company itself and for the society on evidence that could not be challenged. An example is as a whole. The preventive focus of voluntary instruments the use of land for construction in inappropriate locations, leads to recovery of the environment and greatly contributes due to which thousands of hectares of high-quality, often at to the implementation of sustainable production and least semi-natural, areas have so far declined every year. This consumption and sustainable development. There are also approach has so far greatly contributed to the consumer’s other benefits at the corporate level, for example increase approach, which focuses on economic growth and increase of competitiveness, building of a better image or cost in living standards. On the other hand, however, in the savings. In practice, the application of these instruments is case of obviously problematic activities, the State has supported not only by the State Environmental Policy, but instruments to regulate them and it is able to take advantage also through the means of individual national programmes of the power of public opinion with a quality argument. This approved in the Czech Republic at the governmental level applies, for example, to possible future mining of shale gas and implemented by the Ministry of the Environment. on the territory of the Czech Republic, when geological exploration of possible bearings was not permitted on the Amongst the voluntary instruments belongs in particular: basis of a political decision (Resolution of the Government No. 508/2014) due to the probable negative consequences i “National Environmental Labelling Program”, in the to the environment. framework of which are labelled products with a lower impact on the environment and human health; in addition The approach of the private sphere started to change. An to the environmental impacts of products some health

Priority 1: Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources 21 aspects are also reviewed (for example, products must Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was discovered. The not contain known substances identified as hazardous or aim of this concept is to integrate social and environmental dangerous to human health, bio-accumulative, etc.). Clear aspects of business into its business strategy. In practice, indication through the means of symbols at the same time it is a voluntary significant consideration of social and helps increase the demand for products and thus their environmental business impacts in addition to the primary supply. focus on making a profit and of efforts targeted to prevent damage or negative effects on the society and on the i “EMAS – Eco-Management and Audit Scheme” is one of the environment, including biological diversity. So far there has environmental management systems, which is based on the been in particular developed the social pillar in the Czech inclusion of environmental conservation requirements into Republic. This is determined by the preferred orientation of the overall strategy of the organisation and its activities. the companies to customers and their opinions. Consumers are interested in voluntary support of companies in the social i “Cleaner Production” - supports more efficient use of input sphere, which is so far more visible and comprehensible, sources and reduces risks for humans and the environment rather than in the impact on the environment. There is a in enterprises; it is not concerned only with environmental prevalent misunderstanding of companies concerning issues but also with the economic aspect of production and what and why should be actually protected with regard to it is looking for an economical way of reducing the negative biodiversity. Cooperation between private entities and non- impacts of production or services on the environment (the governmental organisations rather than institutions of public so-called “win-win” solution). administration represents first successful examples. i “Green Public Procurement” is an instrument to guide the The creation of profit will be, of course, always the primary decision-making of public institutions (which include one interest and a perfectly legitimate need of private entities. of the largest consumers in Europe, about 16% of GDP) so Therefore, the emphasis on the promotion of biodiversity as to take advantage of their purchasing power to select protection from their side should be always harmonised goods and services which respect the environment; this also so that similar activities do not cause competitive serves as an example for other institutions and individuals, disadvantages. The result of corporate social responsibility and can significantly affect the market of such goods or in relation to biodiversity should be their future competitive services. advantage not only on the market but also with regard to the customers, who should be motivated to give preference to i “Voluntary Agreements” are characterised as contractual products of socially responsible companies. agreements or commitments concluded between a public authority and private entities that go beyond the scope of the obligations arising from the applicable legislation or replace it in case of its absence. Sometimes they become the foundation of new legislation, or they are used to alleviate its economic impact. Indeed, thanks to the negotiations, more efficient, faster and less costly solution of the problem can be found.

In addition, in the last decade, the concept of so-called 22 PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION Unclear State concept of the use of The state concept of the use of natural resources (resource policy, energy conception) are frequently natural resources updated and in some cases do not respect the interests of the environmental protection. THREATS EVALUATION There have been efforts to weaken legal regulations in order to use natural resources, which result Effort to weaken legislation from the low awareness of economic losses that are caused by such biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, more freely. For the most part the lack of communication between the public administration and private sector Insufficient communication entities applying for an authorisation of certain activities leads to misunderstandings and often between the private and the public interruption or complete failure of the negotiations. This condition has not been improving over the long sphere term. Priority 1: Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources 23 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES Establishing communication platforms (even regarding the biodiversity conservation The establishment of Website platforms, issues) among the ME in cooperation with the platform, annual 2020 reports from relevant departments and MT, MRD and MA 1.3.1 Support meetings from 2020 meetings representatives of the the Cooperation private sector (commercial between the and industrial association Private and the for biodiversity) Public Spheres The methodology for Access to information the private sector / Conceptual concerning the benefits economic analysis of ME in cooperation with 2020 document / that the biodiversity the benefits arising MF and with MIT methodology protection brings from the biodiversity conservation Number of concluded voluntary agreements Support of voluntary and number of Voluntary instruments, including ME in cooperation with voluntary instruments 2025 agreements, 1.3.2 Develop certification and eco- MIT, MRD and MA used from 2020 certification Corporate Social labelling onwards (+ additional Responsibility indicator NČI 21205) Promotional activities Support of activities of the by 2020 (target value: 2020 Media analysis ME responsible companies 4 per year)

24 Objective 1.4 Tourism Jizerka Educational Trail, photo: M. Němec The Czech Republic is located in the centre of Europe which organisations consider appropriately regulated tourism is itself exposed to a significant impact of increasing tourism beneficial for nature and landscape protection. (it is one of the fastest growing economic sectors of today). The Czech Republic has, when taking into account the size of its territory and geographical position in the middle of CURRENT CONDITIONS the most altered continent, above-average natural, cultural and scenic potential for its development. At the same time, After 1989, there was acceleration and radicalisation of the however, the most attractive natural sites of the Czech impacts on the landscape and ecosystems of the Czech Republic are often very vulnerable also within the tourist Republic due to an increase in the number of foreign visitors activities. to the Czech Republic and tourism in general. The most important problem in terms of direct effects on biodiversity The sustainability of tourism deals with the State Concept is interference via noise and light pollution, expansion of of Tourism Policy, which puts the emphasis on the support invasive species into the territory, treading and creation of development of its innovative forms. The Czech Republic of parallel or new trails and related increased erosion. is also a signatory country of the Protocol on Sustainable Regulation of the movement and behaviour of visitors in Tourism to the Framework Convention on Protection and SPAs and their education gradually improves thanks to the Sustainable Development of the Carpathians, which was administrators of the territory and certain non-governmental the basis for the Strategy of sustainable tourism in the organisations (even international), among others as a Carpathians, which also emphasised the development of the result of sensible and sensitive explanation of necessary abovementioned biodiversity sensitive and friendly forms of restrictions. However, there are also secondary impacts of tourism. tourism on biodiversity and the environment represented by new constructions as well as operation of accommodations, Tourism deals with a number of international organisations transport and other infrastructure and its expansion. Key specialised in nature and landscape protection, for example opportunities for improving the sustainability of tourism are IUCN, WWF, UNEP or EUROPARC Federation. These in the development of a partnership approach of nature and Priority 1: Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources 25 landscape protection services to all participants of tourism visitor centres has been being built. The NCA CR gradually and to the promotion of the development of the responsibility carries out the programme “House of Nature”, which offers for the environment for the general public. visitors a complete information service and quality facilities. In the Czech Republic there is a number of programmes Another option to promote sustainable tourism is the supporting the implementation of projects to increase the use of network called geo-parks, which seek to develop sustainability of tourism, in particular in departments of environmentally friendly tourism focused on learning the ME, the MRD, the MC and the MA. There is currently about inanimate nature, landscapes and a series of human monitoring of attendance in many Czech destinations, activities related to the use of natural resources. The area especially in the special protection landscape areas and in of the existing geo-parks sometimes partially overlap with NP. Within the quantitative data belongs the tracking of the the SPAs, but they are usually substantially larger and can number of visitors, their spatial and time distribution, etc. significantly contribute to an effort to lighten the most Monitoring of attendance is accompanied by qualitative visited tourist sites from the perspective of the biodiversity monitoring, which is mostly done in the form of questionnaire conservation, and dispel the visitors into a larger territory. investigation to discover more details about the visitors (the structure of visitors, their opinions and service preferences and the status of the territory, the economic impact of traffic, etc.). The Czech Republic is, however, unlike many countries with advanced tourism management, significantly lacking systematic and long-term monitoring of the impacts of visitors on various landscape and natural elements. The weak spot is also the coherence between the data obtained from monitoring and their use in the care of the territory. There is missing a uniform methodology and coordination of the monitoring of the impact of various aspects of tourism in the Czech Republic.

Tourism is regulated by statutory limitations (e.g. entry into protected areas) and strategic plans (sustainable) tourism destinations. However, a comprehensive methodological approach for the collection and evaluation of information, on the basis of which it would be possible to determine the parameters of the sustainability of tourism both in SPAs, as well as in otherwise vulnerable territories, taking into account aspects of nature protection, is missing. The ME, the management of NP and NCA CR provide information to the public at national, regional and local level in many forms, the most effective are according to the visitors the off road information systems. Since 2008 a network of 26 PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION The construction and operation The occupation of the land and damage of the vegetation cover lead to disturbance of the animals, of the accommodation and other damage to the habitats of the species, including soils, have impacts on aquatic ecosystems, etc. The tourism infrastructure at the habitats of wild species may be significantly changed (migration routes, places of hunting, nesting sites, expense of valuable habitats and etc.) through the creation of tourism infrastructure. species Soil compaction due to transport and treading in the heavily visited areas and removal of soil cover of the Transport and movement of parallel paths and related erosion that may continue even after the end of the impact, have a negative persons in the territory of SPAs, effect on soil and vegetation, including the spread of undesirable species. Visitors also disturb animals Natura 2000 Network that are present at the site (in particular vertebrates) and as a result affect their behaviour. The increase in consumption of In particular, the water and wetland ecosystems affect the increase in consumption of water for industrial water for industrial purposes, purposes (e.g. irrigation of golf courses, snow) and discharge of sludge and waste water treatment plants discharges of sludge and waste from the tourism infrastructure into the streams, rivers, lakes, dams and reservoirs and groundwater. water THREATS EVALUATION Exceeding the capacity of the Very striking is the increase in (domestic and foreign) tourism in the Czech Republic and even faster (especially protected) territory as a growth of tourism in protected areas. It is necessary to ensure the sustainability of tourism in SPAs due to result of tourism their current capabilities. Simplified economic perceptions The role of tourism in protected areas is reduced by some actors only to the economic role, the role of of the role of tourism in protected the environmental awareness and educational role is overshadowed. This leads to political pressures on areas the development of undifferentiated tourism in protected areas. The Czech Republic is experiencing development of outdoor/off-road activities in protected areas, those Development of outdoor/off-road are often activities that are not respecting limitations resulting from the basic and detailed conditions of activities in SPAs protection specified for the SPAs as well as other protected areas (off road quad bikes, mountain bikes, etc.). Priority 1: Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources 27

COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES Creation (update) and the approval of the regional strategy of sustainable The website and 1.4.1 Unified Plan development of tourism in accordance information systems, MRD in / The Concept of with the biodiversity protection, in Approved Strategies 2020 regional offices, the cooperation with Sustainable Tourism collaboration with the NCA CR and the NCA CR and the ME administrations of NP situated on their administrations of NP territory. Database of 1.4.2 Supporting destinations, Czech the Certification of Certified entities Republic Guides MRD in Sustainable Nature- Support of the certification and (the number of 2020 Association, system cooperation with Based Tourism certified operators, training guides relative to the year of qualification ME (primarily in NPs 2016) standards „Nature and PLAs) Guides“ 1.4.3 Support NP Strategy ensuring administration and Systematic motivation of actors NP and NCA CR the sustainability of NCA CR as partners of tourism in SPAs to prefer the administration ME in cooperation tourism in SPAs as a 2025 in the field of the environmentally suitable forms of documents, travel with the MRD basis for policy and sustainability of tourism agents and agencies care plans tourism All NP and NCA CR Developed 1.4.4 Develop The creation of a methodology for reports monitoring methodology for a System of the monitoring of impact/effects of the influences/ the monitoring of Monitoring of the ME in cooperation tourism on SPAs and other natural impacts of tourism 2020 influences/impacts Sustainability of with the MRD vulnerable territories as a basis for the according to the of various activities Tourism (priority of creation of strategies and concepts methodology from of tourism in SPAs SPAs) 2020 onwards and NPs Visitor infrastructure Annual NP AND NCA 1.4.5 Establish and information Creation of valuable visitor CR administration and Maintain centre infrastructure information system reports and Quality Visitor (+ additional 2025 ME including the demonstration and reports of visitor Infrastructure in indicators NČI information centres infrastructure SPAs 45601 45610, operators NČI 91001, 91002)

28 Photo: Depositphotos Priority 1: Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources 29 Objective 1.5 Economic Instruments and Financial Support Nezabudice Fish Passage, photo: J. Hodač The purpose of economic instruments in the field of Targets 3 and 20. The EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 nature and landscape protection is the accumulation touches the topic in Objective 1, 2, 3 and 5. and subsequent allocation and redistribution of financial resources. The aim is to influence the behaviour of economic actors and to secure the resources to help protect and CURRENT CONDITIONS enhance the biodiversity status in the Czech Republic. The economic instruments fulfil the compensatory, fiscal, The current nature and landscape protection in the Czech incentive, redistribution and comparative functions. The Republic offers a wide range of economic instruments. compensatory function represents e.g. the compensation of These include, in particular, compensations, subsidies (aid additional costs or losses caused by the limitations of the from public funds) as well as liability insurance. They are activity or required activity (including the compensation, completed with the instruments of tax policy and direct when the owner or landlord is being compensated for the management within the state administration. loss of profit for different measures, taking into account the requirements of the OP). The fiscal function represents the Among the most important steps in the process of setting state budget revenues (or SEF), that are used on the subsidies up the economic instruments in the Czech Republic include and securing of the nature and landscape protection. The the SEF establishment in 1991 and the adoption of the Act incentive function supports the behaviour of economic on Nature and Landscape Protection (NCA) in 1992. When entities in favour of the interests of the nature and landscape creating a system of subsidies, it was important to establish protection. The redistribution function allows guiding of national landscape-forming programmes from SEF extra- the flows according to the policy priorities in the field of budgetary resources, in particular from the Landscape nature and landscape protection. The comparative function Care Programme in 1996 and a the Programme of River contributes to the balancing of various economic conditions, Revitalisation in 1992 (it was replaced by the Programme of economic entities, for example landlords in SPAs. Renewal of the Natural Functions of the Landscape in 2009). They have become major financial resources from its funds The objective is associated, in particular, with the Aichi after the Czech Republic’s entry into the EU, i.e. instruments 30 for the implementation of the Strategy of economic and been already often lack of suitable areas for replacement social cohesion of the EU (mainly Operational Programme plantings. Noticeably missing within negatively stimulating Environment), but also through the means of the Common economic instruments is the legal setting of fees for damage Agricultural Policy (CAP), in particular its second pillar, or destruction of habitats, while the theoretical preparation which is focused on the area of rural development and is generally established. Economic tool, that is not being environmental protection (Rural Development Programme) used in the field of the biodiversity protection in the Czech and also LIFE. They are also used by other possible sources Republic yet, is an environmental insurance, otherwise of support, such as EEA and the Norwegian funds. After the functional for other components of the environment since end of the planning period 2014-2020, thus operational the 1980s. programmes financed by the EU funds, the landscape- forming programmes financial allocation should be increased Specific economic instruments that aim to increase the level from the state budget. of acceptance of nature protection interests and reduce the influence of the economic activity of the entities concerned, State grant programmes (in particular ME), regional and represent compensation for losses caused by difficulties with municipal programmes, programmes of voluntary sector agriculture and forestry management (Article 58 of Act No. were created and in the recent years the corporate donation 114/1992 Coll.) and compensation for damages caused by has also developed for the involvement of the public and specially selected protected animals (Act No. 115/2000 Coll.). certain target groups in the biodiversity conservation. Within the compensation for difficulties with agriculture and forestry management there is about 80 million CZK paid out There is also an established system of fees for environmental with and increasing trend from the state budget every year. damage, while the recipient is for the most part SEF, This instruments since its inception (within the Amendment partially also self-government. From the point of view of to the Act on the Nature Protection in 2004) is accompanied the biodiversity protection the most important fees are by a series of application ambiguities – a system of those for the discharge of waste water into surface water compensations for losses has not been fixed yet and has a and groundwater, the payments for removal of agricultural number of legislative and methodological shortcomings. On land resources, fees for withdrawal of land intended for the the basis of separate legislation compensations for damage performance of the functions of the forest, for sampling caused by selected kinds of specially protected fauna are groundwater and air pollution fees. The SEF is also the provided in the total annual amount of about 30 million CZK recipient of most of the fines imposed for damage or (or up to nearly 70 million CZK in the past with the addition of destruction of protected areas of nature and landscape damages caused by great cormorant). Even in this case, even protection in the Czech Republic. Its revenues are not a part if the deficiencies are less severe, the methodological and of the state budget, and it is therefore a major source of off- other ambiguities limit the total effect of the instrument. budget funds for improving the state of the environment. There are also taxation instruments that are partly used in In addition to the abovementioned fees, there have been the field of nature protection, specifically Act No. 337/1992 established fees for cutting of trees in the Act on Nature Coll., on Administration of Taxes and Fees, which allows the and Landscape Protection since 1992, but because of exemption of land tax in the specially protected territories. the lack of follow-up legislation this provision has not been usable, although it would be welcomed by both the In the case of grant programmes, there is in general the need public authorities, the obliged entities, because there has for assessment of the impact of the supported measures on

Priority 1: Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources 31 biodiversity in relevant cases. In particular, the operational subsidy programmes, including the programmes managed programmes managed by the MA and some other grant by the MA. programmes coordinated by other than ME government departments, e.g. the Flood Prevention Programmes (MA), The system of financial support from the state budget and the Operational Programme Transport Infrastructure (MD) European funds is supplemented by a number of grants in report increased risk of so-called “environmentally harmful the framework of the non-governmental sector which are subsidies” with a negative impact on biodiversity. In the important for the increase of public participation in the case of subsidies directly aimed at promoting measures biodiversity protection, for example the grant programme for biodiversity protection and strengthening administered of the Partnership Foundation. Corporate donations and by the NCA CR there has been set a system of monitoring joint donor programmes with NGOs financed by commercial and assessment. It is appropriate to extend it also to other entities have been developing as well. PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION Charges for the removal from the agricultural land resources are relatively low and the real value of Low effectiveness of the use of habitats and species is not taken into account in their amount. Financial contributions are not fixed as a the ecological compensation compensation instrument for ecological loss according to the NCA. There is construction growth outside instruments. of the existing settlements. National programmes enable to target the care of specific sites, which supports diverse management Reduction of the volume of and the biodiversity. At the same time it is possible to perform a special care for targeted species. The financial resources from national lack of financial resources has led to the fact that most of the selected volume is focused on the specially programmes protected areas and the allocation of care outside of those areas was significantly limited. The application of agricultural subsidies, development of Due to the unified application of agricultural subsidies that support the implementation of the unified intensive technologies in management, the biodiversity of rare species particularly associated with grass communities is at risk. agriculture THREATS EVALUATION End of the Operational Programme After the end of the current programming period OPE 2014+ there is not an adequate substitute for the Environment 2014+ without area of the nature and landscape care. adequate compensation Growing administration of grant, Current demands on administrative preparation and securing of the projects from the European especially European programmes programmes are high. In case of further increasing of the administration they may be a limiting factor. Reduction of the allocation of financial resources to the nature Providing care for nature and landscape in protected areas including free landscape care requires and landscape protection in favour sufficient financial resources. If the availability or, rather, the volume of funding for the nature and of politically more interesting landscape care drops below the critical limit, the objects of protection may be endangered. topics

32 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES Concept; information The creation of an concerning ME in cooperation interdepartmental concept the financial with MA, MF and Multi-source financing concept 2017 of multi-source financing of performance of other relevant nature and landscape care the implemented ministries projects Information The amount of resources used to Effective use of existing EU about the use of support the biodiversity from EU funding instruments (OP 2020 programmes and ME financing instruments (ESIF OPE and ENVIRONMENT, LIFE) financing of specific more)/positive trend (CZK) projects Extension of the titles of the national subsidy programmes for non- financed nature and 1.5.1 Ensure Rules for the use landscape care (e.g. New titles of national subsidy Sufficient 2020 of national subsidy ME the care of specially programmes Funding titles protected species in the Intended for open landscape, the care the Nature and of Natura 2000 Network Landscape locations etc.) after 2020 Care Increase of the financial resources from the state Information budget to the ME national Amount of the resources utilised for about the use of ME in cooperation subsidy programmes for biodiversity support from the state 2020 programmes and with MF the nature and landscape budget/positive trend (CZK) financing of specific care as a follow-up after the projects end of the OPE in 2020 Legislatively-economic analysis of the damage compensation system Analysis of the damage and damages for overburdened Analysis and possible compensation system and management in the conditions of ME in cooperation 2018 proposal of the damages for overburdened the Czech Republic and the context with MA and MF optimisation management of the neighbouring countries and the possible optimization within the existing or new legislation

Priority 1: Society Recognising the Value of Natural Resources 33 COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES Significant adjustment of funding programmes, Assessment of in particular agricultural the impact of the (ESIF – Rural Development MA in cooperation 1.5.2. Harmonise Modified subsidy titles 2018 funded measures on Programme – agro-enviro with ME the Funding selected species and measures), in order to Programmes their habitats sufficiently take into account between ME and the protection of biodiversity MA Departments Targeted focus of agricultural Approved methodology of Registration of subsidies on the biodiversity MA in cooperation creation of farm plans, custom 2020 developed farm protection - amendment of with ME farm plans plans under the RDP targeted farm plans 1.5.3. Get Establishment of a single information about information platform the impact of concerning the nature and funding policy landscape care for the Feedback on ME in cooperation on biodiversity planning, administration, Information platform 2020 the accuracy of with MA, MRD and and assess the implementation, control, proposed measures MF effectiveness of monitoring and assessment of the measures measures in the framework of financed by the established monitoring of public sources operational programmes Preparation and approval of 1.5.4 Prepare the the Strategy, the mobilisation Implementation Overall Financing of resources (RSM) for the of the proposed ME in cooperation Biodiversity Adopted strategic document 2018 biodiversity protection in measures and steps with MF Conservation accordance with the Aichi in the RSM Concept Target 20 CBD

34 Priority 2 Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection of Natural Processes Polom Natural Reserve, photo: F. Bárta, NCA CR Objective 2.1 Genetic Diversity Dianthus moravicus, photo: P. Slavík, AOPK ČR Genetic diversity remains the least known aspect of biological attention to genetic diversity is paid in the text of the Nagoya diversity. Despite the rapid development of its knowledge, Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and relatively less attention has therefore been, and still is given Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization, to the protection of genetic diversity. New information ratified by the Czech Republic in 2016. In the EU Biodiversity clearly shows the vital importance of genetic diversity for the Strategy to 2020, the protection of genetic diversity is survival of viable populations of many organisms. In addition addressed in relation to agriculture, specifically by Target 3, to its value for the natural stability, the genetic component Action 10. of biodiversity is of great importance for humans and their economic activity, since it is a natural source of diverse Despite the above mentioned facts, the legislation of the genotypes for possible use in breeding and agricultural Czech Republic almost does not deal with the issue of production, in biotechnology and in the food, cosmetic and protecting genetic diversity of wild organisms yet. Regarding pharmaceutical industries. wild organisms, this issue is addressed only by the Act No. 114/1992 Coll. on nature and landscape protection. On the At the international level, the issue of genetic diversity other hand, the agriculture deals with the conservation of protection is addressed primarily within the framework of the genetic diversity of organisms for food and agriculture in CBD. In order to protect the biodiversity and its sustainable the Act No. 148/2003 Coll., on plant and microorganism use, the Czech Republic, as a Party to the Convention, genetic resources, in Act No. 154/2000 Coll., on cultivation, has committed itself to determine the components of breeding and registration of livestock (the Breeding Act), biodiversity that are in this context key or significant, and and in a number of related regulations. In relation to this to monitor them with an emphasis on the current need for legislation, the Ministry of Agriculture manages the National protection. This necessarily concerns also genetic diversity, Program on Conservation and Utilization of Plant, Animal the utilization of which is explicitly referred to in the third main and Microbial Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture objective of the Convention. The issue of protecting genetic (see Objective 3.6). diversity is also addressed to in the CBD Strategic Plan 2011- 2020, specifically by the Aichi Target 13. Furthermore, great 36 CURRENT CONDITIONS is apparent from the CBD requirements. Specific measures, such as ex situ protection or transfer of individuals, are Territorial protection creates the basic conditions for entirely dependent on high-quality information from the forming and conservation of the natural genetic diversity perspective of the gene pool. Therefore, it is essential for of populations and species. In situ protection includes the nature conservation to also conceptually monitor the protection of habitats and individual species in their natural genetic diversity of species that would allow for the creation habitats. Concerning the genetic diversity protection, it is of targeted measures to prevent the diversity reduction. important to conserve and create the greatest permeability The rapid development of genetic methods in recent years and connectivity of the landscape also outside the SPAs provides a large amount of data. However, research activities In the case of the low population density of organisms or are not in any way systematically supported or coordinated other threats, the protection may be carried out also with the in the Czech Republic at the moment, and they are deriving transfer of individuals between populations (which can be only from the research focus of each of the scientific teams particularly effective for protection against negative effects and their success in obtaining financial support. Therefore, of fragmentation of biotopes) or their introduction to new the majority of species significant for protection has not sites (repatriation, introduction, the strengthening of the been genetically examined yet and uniformly coordinated populations). In situ protection can be supplemented by ex biorepositories of genetic samples with long-term guarantee situ protection when individuals bred or raised in human that would enable systematic research of genetic diversity do care are used to support the original population or for the not even exist. The study of genetic variability and population introduction to the new site (e.g. recovery programme or structure is a part of only a few recovery programmes and breeding). Maintaining the diversity outside the original care programs. habitats in nature (ex situ) is an important and legitimate method, especially if the organism is on the verge of Unlike most wild species, the question of the conservation disappearing in the wild and the ex situ conservation is the and sustainable use of potentially important plants, animals last resort, or if the taxon/population is at risk of a substantial and micro-organisms for forestry and agriculture is relatively decline in genetic diversity and ex situ breeding can prevent well handled in the Czech Republic. The National Program its further loss. A clear legal framework relating to the ex situ on Conservation and Utilization of Plant, Animal and protection is a set of regulations for Zoos. Out of these the Microbial Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and most important are Act No. 161/2003 Coll., on conditions for the National Program on Conservation and Reproduction of the operation of zoos and amendments of certain Acts, and Forest Tree Species Gene Pool are managed by the Ministry the Council Directive 1999/22/EC relating to the keeping of of Agriculture. Specialised collections, gene banks, gene wild animals in zoos. In addition to other important features, reserves, seed orchards, specific reproduction material, it is an explicit statutory mission of zoos to contribute to the farmed animals, and in some cases, populations of wildlife conservation of biological diversity of wild fauna through are supported under these programmes systematically and the means of keeping in human care. In the Czech Republic on long-term basis. there are currently more than 25 zoos with licenses that are managed by municipalities, regions or private entities. The case of the conservation of natural biotopes and of wild species bound to them within the competence of ME of the General protection of genetic diversity through the protection Czech Republic is different from economically important of habitat and species protection, however, is not sufficient, plants and animals. A significant shift in the field of the since it does not allow for monitoring of genetic erosion, as it protection of genetic diversity of wild organisms was reached

Priority 2: Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection of Natural Processes 37 by the establishment of the National Animal Genetic Bank biodiversity. The Bank operates as a network of institutions in 2015 under the project financed from the funds of the that have their own collection of genetic samples and share EEA 2009-2014. The founding institutions are the Institute of data about them in a common database, and institutions that Vertebrate Biology AS CR, and the Faculty of Science of the are willing to collect and provide samples. The preservation Charles University in Prague. The aim of this genetic bank is of samples is, however, still only guaranteed by the current to acquire, process, store and provide samples of tissues of ability of specific institutions to support the storage of the animals (or DNA) for genetic research and the protection of samples. PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION Intense development of linear structures and other types of migration barriers leads to landscape connectivity decline and large-scale fragmentation of the wildlife species habitats. Consequence is Biotope Fragmentation the gene flow reduction, changes in the population-genetic structure as a result of the decline of the efficiency of natural selection and increased risk of inbreeding, with a consequent loss of genetic diversity. In the context of the introduction and management of animals (e.g. fish and forest animals) the origin of Discharge of animals and the discharged or garden subjects, with subsequent effects on the gene pool of the species is very often not introduction of alien populations addressed. This change may result in the loss of local adaptation and, where appropriate, in a gradual of plants demise of the original wild species. THREATS EVALUATION Lack of knowledge about genetic Protecting biodiversity does not include sufficient genetic biodiversity level. There is not any national diversity and structure of the programme of genetic diversity protection of wild organisms that would coordinate its research and population other activities. Introduction of geographically alien individuals or populations with an unknown origin bred in captivity Reckless introduction and may significantly distort the original genetic diversity of populations and possibly affect their viability. repatriation During the planning of all repatriations and introductions, it is necessary to identify the most suitable source population on the basis of the study of genetic diversity of the original population. 38 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES The concept of a national 2.1.1 Create genetic diversity protection The existence of a a National of wild organisms in detail national program to Programme to identifies the priorities for Concept / National 2018/ 2020 protect the genetic ME Protect the Genetic genetic diversity research and Program diversity of wild Diversity of Wildlife application of its results, the organisms Organisms identified research priorities CRDI / TA CR Creation of a National Existence of a Creation of a National Genetic Genetic Biodiversity 2020 National Genetic ME 2.1.2 Create an Biodiversity Bank. Bank. Biodiversity Bank. Infrastructure for Research and Linking the databases of Involvement of the Conservation of genetic banks with other Sharing data about Czech Republic in GBIF Genetic Diversity relevant national (e.g. genetic diversity in and the involvement of of Wildlife Finding database for nature 2020 the Czech Republic ME the National Genetic Organisms conservation) and international on international data Biodiversity Bank in databases (e.g. GBIF and portals GGBN GGBN) Support communication Survival/recovery 2.1.3 Apply between researchers and users Increase in practical programme, Knowledge of of research results within the conservation work programs of care, Genetic Research nature protection, taking into stations, taking into 2025 ME projects including to Practical Species account information on genetic account the results of repatriation and Protection variability and structure in genetic research introduction conservation measures

Priority 2: Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection of Natural Processes 39 Objective 2.2 Species Common kingfisher, photo: P. Mückstein, AOPK ČR Types of species (animals, plants, fungi, unicellular organisms Directive (92/43/EEC) and the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). and viruses) remain the basic unit for the definition of nature The protection of species or species richness is one of the diversity. Species protection is in addition to territorial main objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity. protection, and protection of essential natural processes Across the majority of the Aichi Targets of the CBD Strategic industrial pillar of care for natural and landscape heritage. In Plan can be found in topic of species diversity. In the national addition, species protection has relatively higher potential to Strategy documents, the protection of species is dealt with present appropriately the need for protection of biological mainly in SEP and also in SNCLPP (2009). diversity to the public. High or low abundance of populations of individual species CURRENT CONDITIONS and species richness of different ecosystems have a variety of causes. Some of them are few in number as a result of natural The Czech Republic is due to its location on the interface of processes, so-called environmental factors (naturally rare four bio-geographical sub-provinces (Hercynian, Polonian, species such as the specific substrate or climatic conditions) the Western Carpathian and the North Pannonian) and the or their abundance influence factors as a result of which the geological diversity of the relatively species-rich, especially presence and abundance of populations may often change compared with Western Europe. Almost 80,000 species dramatically. The main cause of significant changes in the is known on the territory of our country. Some gradually number of species and the size of their populations in the grow (e.g., alien species or deliberately planted or naturally last decades are, however, in particular processes related spreading due to the changes in the spreading area), others directly or indirectly to human activity. It is sometimes very are disappearing for different reasons, particularly as a direct complex to separate natural and anthropogenic factors or indirect result of human activity. from each other, in particular, with regard to the overall development of the cultural landscape in Europe. The legal protection currently refers mainly to populations or individual species, the protection of their biotopes is from The Basic Law of the species protection is NCA, including the legislative and practical perspective limited. This is an the requirements of EU legislation, namely the Habitats important factor contributing to the fact that one third of 40 the species in the Czech Republic is evaluated in the context however, limited due to the financial costs. At the same of the red list as “vulnerable”, while hundreds of species time the species protection is done by the means of special in our country have already disappeared. Types of species protected areas including the Natura 2000 sites. demanding better environments, especially tied to the presence of traditional, extensively used mosaic agricultural One of the prerequisites for effective species protection landscape, predominate between retreating or no longer remains a regular, recurring monitoring carried out through existing species. Both the trend of decrease in population standard methods of the target species and the environment and the shrinking of the spreading range are unfortunately they inhabited. The Monitoring of species diversity in the possible to notice in previously common species. The Czech Republic is quite extensive and includes: main cause of the current state is change in the approach of society to care for landscape and its exploitation, which • Monitoring of the state of the species in accordance with quickly results in loss of natural and semi-natural biotopes the Habitats Directive (since 2005), among others includes and species. Native species are also more increasingly monitoring of bats (implemented since 1969), monitoring threatened by expansion of dozens of new alien invasive of large carnivores, floristic records obtained in the habitat species whose removal or at least control tends to be very mappings, etc. challenging (see Objective 2.3). An important aspect, which • Breeding Bird Census Programme in the Czech Republic adversely affects the current state, is also out of date list (since 1983), the mapping of breeding distribution of birds of specially protected species, which has been valid only (in approximately 10-year cycles), monitoring of birds in with minority changes since 1992 and it does not reflect accordance with the EU Birds Directive (from 2004, from the current state of knowledge. It includes, in some cases, 2014 methodically changed and following the mapping of species that already do not need legal protection, and on the breeding distribution of birds), monitoring of water birds in contrary, it does not include species that according to the the Czech Republic (since 1973), international water bird current knowledge should be included on this list, i.e. they census (since 1967). shall be protected through legal instruments. • Projects of civic science: BioLog, BioLib. • Data from phytosociological images: Czech National Species occurring in the Czech Republic are those that Phytosociological Database depend on human activities (targeted care or economic activities), and those whose existence requires a minimum The current statutory framework for species protection intervention. Although the first group significantly (protected are the populations and individuals of selected predominates, for effective protection it is necessary to species, including their habitats) tends to rather focus on the ensure sufficient mosaic of habitats including the territory knowledge of species than on the knowledge of the changes intended for the protection of natural processes and at the of the quality of their habitats. In this respect, the monitoring same time provide adequate landscape permeability and focused on the changes in quality of habitats in relation to the connectivity of each type of the environment in order to needs of the species is nog sufficiently developed either. avoid isolation and degradation of individual populations.

Very important and successful activities under the species protection are survival/recovery programme and plans of care of selected species that are aimed at the most vulnerable and “umbrella” species (i.e. those whose protection ensures also protection of other phenomena). Their number is, Priority 2: Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection of Natural Processes 41 PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION Due to the current pressure on the intensification of the landscape exploitation, habitats valuable for species are disappearing, such as differentiated forests, hedgerows and rows of trees, species-rich Homogenisation of Landscapes meadows and pastures or extensively used bodies of water, etc. This causes a decrease or disappearance of significant quantities of wildlife species. Landscape fragmentation caused by the development of transport infrastructure, along with its Fragmentation of Species Habitats homogenisation the most important factor for species reduction, as the isolation of individual and Migration Barriers as a Result populations occurs. Also the high level of fragmentation of water courses persists in cross buildings and of the Development of Transport inappropriate longitudinal adjustments. Problematic is the high mortality rate of animals on roads and Infrastructure other infrastructure (including the impacts of birds into glass surfaces), and also disturbance by noise or animal light smog. In the framework of the construction activities, reclamation after mining and quarrying and other activities that affect the state of the landscapes, habitats and animal species, the procedures that will Construction Interventions and minimise the adverse effects (use of semi-natural reclamation methods, etc.) are not sufficiently used. In Technical Modifications of the the framework of the construction activity, large terrain modifications with subsequent homogenisation Landscape of the environment occur. The current management of water flows, including maintenance of excessive number of insurmountable migration barriers for fish makes it essentially impossible to maintain the populations of species bound to aquatic environment in a favourable conservation status. There is an increase in the occurrence of weather extremes spreading in combination with fragmentation of the landscape, the spread of invasive species and some species disappear, fragmented landscape Climate Change does not allow for natural migration and other factors increase the risks for individual populations and entire species. THREATS EVALUATION Targeting of the state policy in the field of property management and in the framework of the subsidy Inadequate ownership and subsidy policy with the priority of the production and economic effects can lead to a prolongation of the existing policy of the state adverse trends in populations of endangered species. The spreading of invasive alien Extrusion or disappearance of native species as a result of the spreading of the IAS. species (the IAS) The lack of data on the species, undetected changes in populations, lack of knowledge of the causes of Insufficient data endangerment.

42 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES An objective evaluation of the Analysis of the efficiency effectiveness of the current of the species protection species protection is still largely 2017 Published analysis ME in the Czech Republic for based on the protection of 2.2.1 Revise the the period 1993-2015 individuals System of Species Protection Design and implementation of a new concept of species Adopted amendments Legislation, species protection, taking into account of legislation, the new 2022 ME protection system the protection of the species system applied in practice habitats Introduction of a system of regular monitoring and Publication of the Regularly updated red lists 2020 ME evaluation of the state of the red lists 2.2.2 Monitor and species through red lists Evaluate the State Updates of the list of of the Species Introduction of regular updates specially protected of the list of specially protected Updated regulation ME in cooperation species in the form of 2022 species on the basis of regular in effect with MA decrees (+ additional evaluation of their state indicator NČI 45404) The number of Development and Regular evaluation implemented survival/ implementation of survival/ of the effectiveness ME in cooperation recovery programmes (+ 2025 recovery programme and related of survival/recovery with MA 2.2.3 Develop and additional indicators NČI measures programme Promote Special 45201, 45400) Instruments of Permanent Species Protection Implementation of cross- implementation of Reports on the border projects concerning the projects in cooperation 2025 progress and ME protection of targeted species with neighbouring outcome of projects populations countries 2.2.4 Guide the Preparation of methodology and Management of Rules, ME in cooperation management rules with regard Existing methodology and State Assets so 2020 implementation with MA, MF and to the protection of endangered list of management rules as to Promote the evaluation MD species and their habitats Species Protection

Priority 2: Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection of Natural Processes 43 Objective 2.3 Invasive Alien Species (the IAS) Zlatobýl, Kokořínsko, photo: J. Pěknicová Invasive alien species pose a threat to the native species, Fishery, etc.). The requirements of Council Regulation (EC) communities and ecosystems around the world. They No. 708/2007 concerning use of alien and locally absent globally occupy a second place in the ranking of main factors species in aquaculture, which has not been fulfilled in the (driving forces) endangering the existing biodiversity. There Czech Republic yet, will be introduced in practice as well. is also economic damage caused by these species, some Regarding the requirements of the regulation of the EP invasive alien species (the IAS) may also affect negatively and of the Council No. 1143/2014, it will be necessary human health. The IAS are spreading easier and faster, to create a system of monitoring and control, to secure both through intentional and unintentional spreading, as a regulation to remove the IAS from the environment and to result of increasing mobility. The Czech Republic is due to adopt action plans to restrict the ways of unintentional IAS its location, dense settlement and dense network of rivers, spread. Creation of the conditions for prevention and rapid roads and railways as the main roads of the spread of these response, creation of a list of invasive alien species (black species susceptible to biological invasions. list), restrictions on geographically alien species in selected public land as well as in agricultural practices will in more The foundation of the legislation relating to the regulation detailed manner define and further develop an updated of the IAS spreading is now EP and Council Regulation No. SNCLPP. The IAS issue is dealt with in the SEP framework, 1143/2014, on the prevention and management of the specifically in the Objective 3.2.3, which sets to limit the introduction and spread of invasive alien species, which negative impact of invasive species on biodiversity. unites the EU approach in the management of the IAS and lays down limits for the species with a significant impact on The EU and Czech legislation, as well as both the the EU. In connection with the adoption of this regulation abovementioned conceptual documents, based on the the existing national legislation in the field of alien species commitments accepted within the context of international will be particularised, i.e., ACNL, Act No. 326/2004 Coll., multilateral conventions – in particular, Convention on on plant health and amendments to certain related acts, biological diversity. In the framework of the Convention on and other regulations, that are related to the use of alien the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats species or the terms of the regulation or the removal from (The Bern Convention), the European Strategy on Invasive the environment related to the IAS (Act on the protection Alien Species, which, inter alia, calls upon the Parties to of animals against cruelty, Act on Game Management, create and implement the national strategies dealing with 44 the IAS, was adopted in 2003. At the same time was within economically and epidemiologically serious species the framework of the Bern Convention adopted a number (parasites). Out of a total of 595 alien animal species on our of recommendations relating to the procedure in the case territory 113 of them are considered invasive in the Czech of specific IAS. In the context of the CBD, the IAS issue is Republic. The most serious threat out of invertebrates are directly addressed in the framework of the Aichi Target 9 North American species of crayfish, which carries crayfish and within the framework of the EU Biodiversity Strategy plague with fatal consequences on populations of native under the Objective 5. species of crayfish, Arion vulgaris or Harmonia axyridis. Out of vertebrates it is, for example, the Trachemys scripta elegans, some fish species (Carassius gibelio, Pseudorasbora parva, CURRENT CONDITIONS the genus Ameiurus), Cervus nippon and smaller carnivores such as Mustela vison, Procyon lotor and Nyctereutes Information about alien flora of the Czech Republic is among procyonoides. Many of these species will be in relation to the best in Europe. 1 454 alien plant species were recorded the EP and Council Regulation No. 1143/2014 subject to the in the Czech Republic, and 61 of them are considered to regulation throughout the EU. be invasive. The most commonly implemented measures concerning liquidation of the species of Heracleum In 2014, there was due to increased need to inform the mantegazzianum, Reynoutria and Impatiens. Other species public about this issue on the website of NCA CR created are removed from the environment locally as needed, e.g. a website concerning the IAS, including the pilot version Robinia pseudoacacia (steppe and rocky sites, e.g. in Podyjí/ of an Early Warning System. At the same time, there was in Thayatal River Basin NP), Lupinus polyphyllus (especially in the framework of the objectives fulfilment of the existing submontane areas, e.g. in Šumava/Bohemian Forest NP, Biodiversity Protection Strategy developed, as a basis for KRNAP), the IAS approach prioritising, a list of alien species that require special approach, so-called black, grey and white Pinus strobus (České Švýcarsko/Bohemian Switzerland list of species. The species are divided into four categories NP) or Rumex alpinus (KRNAP). With regard to the recently according to the severity of their impact, the degree of the adopted EP and Council Regulation spread and the possibilities of dealing with them. The white list includes species that are not represented in the Czech No. 1143/2014, it will be necessary to pay attention to the Republic very much, or they are completely absent, but species, which have not pose a threat so far in the Czech there is a danger of their spread. Republic, but their regulation is a of interest across the EU. Subsidies, such as Landscape Care Program (LCP) and Continuous monitoring of the IAS across the Czech Republic Support of the Recovery of the Natural Features of the is still non-existent. However, a number of component Landscape (POPFK), or projects of autonomous units, from activities arising from both the existing legislation the EU funds within the Operational Programme Environment (monitoring of some invasive plant species being executed or the LIFE Programme, can be used to intervene in the by CISTA), and factual needs associated with the care for limitation of invasive plant species. nature (e.g. monitoring of selected invasive species in the Moravian-Silesian Region, Heracleum Information System Data on invasive alien animal species and their spread are in in the Karlovy Vary Region). The data collection on the comparison with the plants available in much smaller scale, spreading and the activity of the IAS is carried out also in plus not too much complete and fragmented, particularly the framework of habitat mapping updates provided by NCA invertebrates, where information is gathered mainly for CR, in the framework of the activities of research institutes

Priority 2: Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection of Natural Processes 45 and universities (Botanical Institute of CZECH Academy of It can be assumed that as a result of the ongoing globalisation Sciences – including the preparation and updating of the list and the expected climate changes, the number and of alien plant species, and the monitoring of invasive and frequency of the IAS will not decline, rather on the contrary. expansive weeds provided by the Crop Research Institute, Models representing the scenarios of possible changes to etc.) or non-profit organisations (the Czech Union for the IAS range have been developed so far only for selected Nature Conservation, ALKA Wildlife – the methodology of invasive alien species of flora in the Czech Republic. monitoring, control and disposal of American mink in the Czech Republic). Part of the acquired data is collected in the Founding Nature Conservation Database managed by the NCA CR. PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION The current spread of invasive It occurs under insufficient monitoring and only local cases of systematic liquidation and eradication (in species and their negative impact particular plant species). on biodiversity The existing breeding and other ways of using alien species of plants and animals pose a significant risk of the spread of invasive species or the establishment of new ones. A number of invasive species is Breeding, planting and escapes not within their management or related economic activities sufficiently regulated (e.g. Cervus nippon, Carassius gibelio, etc.). There is currently an increasing interest in the use of non-traditional sources, and the introduction of The introduction of new, new species, for example, in the framework of the phytoenergetics and other sectors. Also, the volume inadequately tested species for of trade is growing steadily as well as the range of species for hobby breeding and horticulture. Risk farming and other purposes assessment system for the newly introduced species is not established and the public education and support of the preference for autochthonous species are not adequately ensures as well. Increase of un-kept areas The spread of invasive species occurs in abandoned and poorly maintained areas. The risk increases in (abandoned areas, unkempt case of areas connected to water flows and linear constructions (transportation) that makes the spread grounds, brownfields) much easier. THREATS EVALUATION Climate change may intensify the impacts of invasive species on biodiversity and the economy and at The consequences of climate the same time allow the establishment or the spread of other invasive species that have not had suitable change conditions in our county yet (reproduction of Trachemys scripta elegans, survival of Eichhornia crassipes, etc.). 46 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES Overall monitoring Monitoring of invasive species Continuous monitoring 2020 reports on the ME in the most affected areas occurrence of the IAS Number of the IAS, including Data on the occurrence Disposal of existing invasive their continuous removal in of invasive species, ME in cooperation species in SPAs as well as in the accordance with the action plans 2020 2.3.1 Limit elimination plans, data on with MA open landscape for each species (+ additional the Spread of the elimination indicator NČI 45101) Existing Invasive Species The methodologies in practice Creation and updating of the continuously used for all priority Elimination plans, ME in cooperation 2020 IAS disposal methodologies species (+ additional indicator elimination reports with MA NČI 45102 Grant programmes, Optimisation of the subsidy Optimized funding 2020 registration of projects ME titles for the IAS disposal using these subsidies Creation of a functional Early Early Warning System Warning System and places of Early Warning System and place website, register of cases 2017 ME 2.3.2 Prevent or rapid reaction responsible for of rapid reaction in the place of rapid Lower the Spread the disposal of new IAS response of New Invasive Restrictions on intentional Species introductions of potential IAS Legislation governing the use Legislation, register of its ME in cooperation 2020 (phytoenergetics, fisheries, and introduction of potential IAS application with MA public green areas) Amendments to the legislation Modified legislation, where of the Czech Republic by appropriate, new legislation in 2017 Statutory Instrument ME 2.3.3 Include the Regulation 1143/2014 this field EU legislation on the IAS in the Establishment of the ME in cooperation Czech legislation competence of various Described competency in the 2017 Relevant legislation with the ministries government departments and statutory instruments concerned public bodies to this issue 2.3.4 Establish Establishment of specific priority species species on the basis of EU and areas to and national lists, against List of species 2020 ME website MŽP regulate invasive which there will be priority species intervention and how

Priority 2: Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection of Natural Processes 47 Objective 2.4 Natural Habitats Křivé jezero National Natural Reserve, photo: J. Miklín, NCA CR Division of nature for the purpose of further examination law, i.e. habitats are protected only as objects of protection and conservation is carried out at different levels. In Central in the framework of SPAs, Sites of Community Importance or Europe, including the Czech Republic, a detailed classification to a limited extent in the framework of the TSES or significant through the means of habitats is most commonly used. landscape elements. Natural habitats are typically created by several similar types of habitats. In addition to natural, or semi-nature of nearby In the international context the habitat protection is, similarly habitats, can be very valuable habitats by man in different to the species protection, territorial protection and protection rates, thanks mainly to the settlement of endangered or rare of ecosystem processes, one of the fundamental objectives species. of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Aichi Target 5 of the CBD Strategic Plan is focused on the habitat protection. To obtain sufficient information, all natural and semi-natural The EU Strategy for the field of biodiversity significantly habitats are regularly mapped in the Czech Republic. There touches upon the habitat protection in Objectives 1 (Action are 157 types of habitats, which are included in the 60 types 1 and 4), and partially in Objectives 3 and 6. In the national of natural habitats, in the Czech Republic. Most of them are Strategy documents, the protection of habitats is included dependent on human activities (i.e. targeted care, or any mainly in SEP and SNCLPP (2009). other type of use, e.g., mowing). Unnatural habitats (which according to the classification of habitats includes, for example, intensely cultivated meadows, forests cultures with CURRENT CONDITIONS coniferous or deciduous tree species, etc.) are predominant (they occupy 83% of the country), i.e. natural or semi-natural As a result of the large geomorphologic diversity, geological habitats occupy only 17% of the land area of the country. evolution and relatively wide range of climatic conditions in the Czech Republic, there is a large number of different The basic legislation for the protection of habitats is the NCA, habitats. Some are typical for our Republic and can be which includes the requirements of the Habitats Directive found throughout the whole territory, but a significant (92/43/EEC). Unlike in the case of the species, there is not part has been developed only on smaller areas, often only an individual list of specially protected habitats protected by in specific regions. The reason is mainly the association to 48 specific conditions, or the fact that the habitat occurs only expand. There is therefore homogenising of nature, in which marginally, while the centre of gravity of their presence is in the diversity is disappearing and the areas of less common, other parts of the European continent, therefore, they are in terms of the quality of the average to below-average often compromised in the Czech Republic. natural habitats, increase. This is true even in the forests, which belong among the worst-ranked habitats. The stock Large single-purposely used homogeneous landscape of wood and the age of the forest stands are statistically features have been replacing the original lightly mosaic rising, but so far, this situation does not significantly affect cultural landscape since the middle of the last century. On the the state of natural forest habitats. It is also affected by the other hand, habitats heavily influenced, almost conditional species composition of forests (as a result of the low rates to human activity, disappear for the opposite reason, due to of application of natural regeneration of unstable conifer the lack of care, especially the absence of traditional, nature- monocultures still prevail) and the absence of aging stages friendly practices in the past bound to small agricultural and decay of vegetation (generally low age of differentiation activity (e.g. grazing land of small settlements, grazing a of vegetation) that are bound to the numerous types of lower variety of farm animals - geese, goats, etc.) which is currently and higher plants and representatives of many taxonomic necessary with regard to maintaining the state of habitats groups of animals. and rare species dependent on them. An important way to conserve the selected habitats (and So far, the legal habitat protection, of habitats which are species) is the definition of the selected territories as so- specifically protected only as objects of protection in called non-intervention, i.e. excluding the impact of humans. SPAs and areas of European importance, has not been The aim in such areas is to protect natural processes. This is developed, their protection is supported through ME and along with the habitat and species protection an important MA programmes. This, however, is not sufficient to sustain pillar of the biodiversity protection. Areas without human their quality. The state of the natural habitats in the Czech economic interventions are of fundamental importance, Republic is from almost 75% negative. Poor quality, mainly in particular for bird species linked to the formation of the caused by human induced pressures of the surrounding forest, saproxylic forest insects, fungi and also soil organisms. environment, adversely affects their ability to resist external Large natural areas, which are not directly influenced by disturbances and react to them quick enough. A number of humans, are the only places where the natural processes can factors adversely affect the habitat at the same time. The be in their natural form. Substantial is also their importance most endangered by termination or withdrawal are rare as a comparative territory with economic landscape. The habitats, which were preserved only residually on small acquired information is necessary for correct establishment areas, often bound to specific local conditions, for example of farming methods in the rest of the landscape. However, airborne sands or brownfields habitats or floodplain forests the management is necessary in order to maintain certain along river floodplains. These are the most endangered by types of habitats (e.g. in case of certain forest habitats, the change of the way landscape is used and by changes when it is necessary to restore or replace the traditional in its water regime. Important aspects causing this trend way of farming with the aim to optimise the species and are the change of agricultural cultivation and an increase of age-differentiated composition of vegetation). It is therefore developed areas in accordance with the established use of always necessary to search for the optimal solution (the areas in the territorial plan and at the same time the lack of preference of an appropriate farming method or support of compensatory measures in the case of the use of natural or natural processes) with regard to the locally defined target semi-natural habitats for construction. In contrast, common condition. habitats tend due to low demands on the environment to

Priority 2: Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection of Natural Processes 49 Monitoring of habitats is in the territory of the Czech Republic • Data from phytosociological images: Czech National extensive and regular. It includes: Phytosociological Database (vegetation data). • Monitoring of the state of habitats in accordance with the Habitats Directive (from 2001: first of all the mapping and monitoring of habitats); PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION With regard to the current way of farming in the landscape, the area of its segments is increasing. Homogenisation has also a time dimension (the implementation of care within a short period of time Homogenisation of landscapes and in a large number of areas). At the same time changes in the management of forest, field and fishpond intensification of farming cultures lead to still higher intensity, small natural areas in the landscape are disappearing (disposal of hedgerows, bushes). The increase in nutrients and over-use of chemical fertilisers occurs in the landscape (especially with Eutrophication of the environment high content of nitrogen and phosphorus). Urbanisation and excessive The ever expanding installation of peripheral parts of cities and villages, and the construction of logistic development and shopping centres contributes largely to the destruction of natural habitats. THREATS EVALUATION Introduction and expansion of crops with non-authenticated or adverse impacts on nature and the Expansion of the areas selected for landscape can have a significantly negative impact in sensitive areas in terms of taking care of the the cultivation of energy crops natural and landscape heritage. The prevailing technical recovery It may continue to occur as a result of the preference of purely technical ways of habitat restoration to solution post-industrial and the disposal of naturally created communities that host endangered species. otherwise damaged habitats Additionally conditional afforestation of non-forest land contributes to the homogenisation of the Afforestation landscape. Decline of wetlands in the The decline of wetlands has a direct correlation with the lack of water in the landscape, with a change in landscape the local climate and the biodiversity loss. 50 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES Examination of the effectiveness and feasibility of Elaborated analysis with Elaborated study / the potential future system of habitat protection identified options and 2018 draft of legislative ME 2.4.1. Ensure Legal beyond the existing legislation proposed procedure measures Protection of Natural Habitats Establish priorities in terms of the practical habitat Creation and approval of an Approved action ME in cooperation conservation and care for them in the form of an 2021 action plan plan with MA Action Plan in relation to the system of SPAs Higher surface area of habitats created or restored Monitor the 2.4.2 Maintain or Creation of a system of compensatory measure of when compensated (ha, fulfilment of Increase the Size 2025 ME the use of natural habitats in case of necessary use increase in % compared to conditions when of Natural Habitats the existing state + addition compensated indicator NČI 45510) Establishment of areas with Ensure regulation of the introduction and expansion restrictions on inappropriate of crops with non-authenticated or adverse impacts Layer of surfaces, energy crops planting, 2018 (FGT) ME in cooperation on nature and the landscape in sensitive areas in statistics on the use mapping basis (with regard 2025 with MA 2.4.3 Regulate terms of taking care of the natural and landscape of energy crops to the additional indicator the Targeted use heritage. NČI 44301) of Inappropriate Species The share of natural Binding conditions ME in cooperation Increase of the share of natural (created by reclamation (increase in % for reclamation, with the MIT and spontaneous succession) reclamation of post-mining compared to the current 2025 register of reclaimed the Czech Mining areas state + additional indicators areas Authority NČI 45415, 45711, 46500) Analysis of the issue defining visions of possible Analysis contained in the ME in cooperation future definition and development of areas of 2017 Elaborated analysis updated SNCLPP with MA spontaneous evolution of natural processes 2.4.4 Ensure Protection of Examination of feasible possibilities of the Natural Processes application of the concept of the development Analytical document with Analytical document ME in cooperation of significant areas that have been left to natural recommendations for 2022 available to the with the MT, MRD, processes in the conditions of the Czech Republic further progress public MIT, MD and MA through an expert interdepartmental discussion

Priority 2: Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection of Natural Processes 51 Objective 2.5 Landscape Peklo Natural Park, photo: Š. Mazánková, NCA CR Landscape is a widely used term with many meanings. It of the landscape, its purpose is to maintain or improve the generally indicates a part of an area – the area that man ecological stability of the landscape as a whole. perceives, in which different processes and events take place and its current state is caused by past natural and NCA ensures the conservation of biodiversity in the landscape human activities. Even though the landscape is defined as area using the special nature conservation instruments a selected part of the Earth surface with a combination of (large and small SPAs, Natura 2000 sites, special species natural and cultural features and distinctive character, it protection), general nature and landscape conservation should be seen rather as a holistic integrative concept at (general species protection, TSES, significant landscape a higher hierarchical level with its own history, dynamics elements, landscape, protection of trees growing outside and special features. The relationship between man and the forest, etc.). The most important legislative instrument landscape is an example of a direct feedback: the man is a from the perspective of the landscape, however, remains part of it, and at the same time significantly reshapes it. the Building Act (183/2006 Coll.), which regulates land use planning at all levels. The provisions in the field of agricultural, The landscape must be, therefore, seen as an interconnected forestry and water management are also significant. mosaic of mutually influencing areas, which is currently taking shape rather than natural processes of human activity. Objectives related to the biodiversity protection in open In addition to the globally most important agricultural and landscape are defined in the currently valid SNCLPP (2009) forest management, it concerns the use and management in Chapter 3.1 Landscape. The conservation of biodiversity of water resources (surface and groundwater) and the in the open landscape is also a Strategic Framework for development of infrastructure. There are currently also Sustainable Development of the Czech Republic (2010) in significant systemic nature protection activities, especially Priority Axis 4 Landscape, Ecosystems and Biodiversity and the care of specially protected areas, which cover about the State Environmental Policy. The Czech Republic also 16% of the territory of the country. In addition to the SPAs, ratified the European Convention on Landscape. the territorial system of ecological stability of the landscape (TSES) remains a significant instrument for the protection 52 CURRENT CONDITIONS whole is not under way due to its complexity. Part of the information is provided by the monitoring of protected areas An important milestone of the development of the landscape and species mentioned in the other chapters, which provide was the socio-political change at the end of 1989, which information about the individual aspects of the landscape. fairly quickly enabled the repeated functioning market mechanisms. The main driving force for quality and the landscape structure change was once again (as well as for the so-called First Republic) the market economy, and in the case of the Czech Republic it significantly affected the restitution of land property, transformation of large agricultural associations and the privatisation of state assets. In the 1990’s agricultural production has abruptly decreased, but it is now gradually increasing and intensifying. However, this trend is not uniform. The production is rather dropping in the peripheral and less fertile parts of the state, while in the central and lowland regions the pressure on the economic exploitation of the landscape rises. Due to the pressure on the intensification advances the qualitative degradation of the landscape as a whole (eutrophication, loss of soil quality, erosion, fragmentation). This has a direct impact on biodiversity.

The most visible manifestation of the social changes after 1990 was so-called suburbanisation (often unregulated expansion of urbanised areas - so-called “part-time development in the landscape in urban areas - urban sprawl”). There is under way the construction on so far undeveloped areas between existing settlements, the construction of new residential units, industrial buildings and storage unites in the open landscape on so-called greenfield. A related problem is the excessive removal of land from the agricultural land resources, its subsequent firming and covering with impermeable surfaces leading to its (often full) degradation and expansion of the developed area and areas for possible construction. This reduces the area of the Agricultural land resources and natural value of land cover and its functions, and thus the ability of the landscape to withstand external influences. Specific monitoring of biodiversity in the landscape as a Priority 2: Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection of Natural Processes 53 PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION As a result of intensive conventional way of agricultural and forest management occurs the Intensive farming in the landscape homogenisation of landscapes. The use of land for industrial and storage areas and for new residential construction reduces the total Suburbanisation area of the open landscape, its environmental stability and it is partially a reason for its fragmentation. Development of transport Linear transport constructions fragment the open landscape and negatively affect its basic features, both infrastructure in connection with the disruption of ecosystems, and the landscape within the meaning of NCA. THREATS EVALUATION The continuing pace of the use of If the present trend continues, there will be a significant reduction of the functions of the landscape and landscape for construction at the the subsequent accompanying phenomena (increased risk of floods, disappearing water resources for a expense of the natural, agricultural prolonged period of drought, fragmentation of the landscape, etc.). and forestry areas Land consolidation and alignment of the interface between forests and agricultural land or between Advancing unification of the individual forests significantly reduces biodiversity due to modifications of marginal or minority landscape communities or purely production land. Yet these areas are fundamental for the conservation of biodiversity in the landscape. 54 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES 2.5.1 Limit the Implemented Continuous use of industrial sites Expansion of The preference of the former industrial projects, MIT in cooperation for new construction (+ additional 2025 Construction in the sites (brownfields) to new construction documentation of with MRD and ME indicator NČI 23300) Open Landscape used areas Acceleration of the implementation Continuous annual increases in MA Register, the of complex land modifications MA in cooperation the volume of complex property 2025 Cadastre of Real with an emphasis on high-quality with ME alterations Estate implementation of social functions 2.5.2 Improve Implementation of the plans of Implementation of the missing parts Implementation Landscape the TSES components and their of TSES and the optimisation and 2020 plans and reports on ME Structure implementation from 2020 (+ improvement of its functionality their implementation additional indicator NČI 45501) Support the creation and maintenance Register of ME in cooperation of scattered greenery (areas of non- Appropriate subsidy programmes 2025 implemented with MA productive functions) projects, LPIS Support the implementation of measures Increasing permeability as a part Evaluation of the for the increase of permeability of the of the opening of the complex land implementation, MA in cooperation 2020 landscape within the complex land consolidation (+ additional indicators the Cadastre of Real with ME consolidation / replotting. NČI 46301, 46010, 45800) Estate Limitations of the landscape Creation of appropriate 2.5.3 Improve Application of fragmentation caused by the methodological instruments (+ ME in cooperation the Landscape 2020 methodological construction of new linear elements and additional indicators NČI 46301, with the MT and MRD Permeability for instruments settlements 46010, 45800) Biota Increase in the scope of the Implementation of measures to protect measures to reduce the mortality of Report on the MIT, MT in the animals against negative impact of animals in the context of the energy 2020 implementation of cooperation with the energy and transport infrastructure and transport infrastructure (+ the measures ME additional indicator NČI 46301)

Priority 2: Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection of Natural Processes 55 Objective 2.6 Settlements Reclamation of the park in Olomouc, photo: SEF CR archive Settlements represent a specific area in the context of the Conserving biodiversity in the settlements is partially conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, where it is addressed in the framework of local Agenda 21 and the possible to include the natural elements into more intensively National Network of “Healthy Cities” and also in SEF, urbanised environment and create very suitable conditions specifically in Priority 3.3 “Improve the Quality of Environment for the involvement of the general public and target groups in the Settlements”. The priority contains three proposals of the population in the issue of the conservation of for measures to improve the system of greenery in the biodiversity. Urban landscape allows under certain conditions settlements and its structure, to strengthen the regeneration the biodiversity protection at all three basic levels (genetic, of former industrial sites (brownfields) and ensuring frugal species, and ecosystem). It is important that the inclusion of management of water in the premises. These objectives natural elements in an urbanised environment significantly and measures at the national level can be supported by increases the quality of life of people and the opportunity for adequate programs and subsidies, specific implementation targeted and illustrative education about the importance of and solutions are fully within the competence of individual biodiversity. towns, cities and municipalities. The current rate of urbanisation reaches in Europe (the The EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 does not exclusively percentage of the population living in the city) approximately mention the issue of urban biodiversity, however, it can 70-80%, and in the last two decades it has rather seen an be included in Objective 2, Action 6b) – Preparation of a increase in surface area of cities and urban agglomerations Strategy for Green Infrastructure in Urban and Rural Areas than in the population growth in the cities. A similar trend of the EU. The CBD Strategic Plan also does not mention this can be observed in the Czech Republic, when mainly due issue directly in one of the Aichi Targets, but an Action Plan to suburbanisation the expanding and associating of for Biodiversity in and Towns and Cities was drafted in the urban construction with adjacent communities, occupying framework of the CBD. the territory for construction and contributing to the fragmentation of the landscape occur. 56 CURRENT CONDITIONS The issue of the need to conserve and enhance biodiversity in the settlements in the Czech Republic can be extended Evaluation of the current situation in the Czech Republic to almost all of the settlements with the compact urban concerning the conservation and support of biodiversity in structure, where there is a lower proportion of vegetation. In towns, cities and rural settlements is extremely difficult due to this respect, it is necessary to provide sufficient information the small feedback in this area. Integration of the Priority Area to local governments and examples of good practice, which 4.4 “Improve the Quality of Environment in the Settlement” should be the main objective of the National Biodiversity into the Operational Programme Environment for 2014-2020, Strategy in this field. which will make it possible to carry out a variety of projects and measures, which should encourage biodiversity in towns and cities, can be regarded as success.

PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION Communication strategy for the public oriented at the inhabitants of towns and larger settlements, which Awareness of urban biodiversity would provide basic information on how to conserve biodiversity in the urban environment and which and its possible support would identify options, how to engage wider public itself or with the use of state aid, is missing. An adequate support of civil activities such as establishment of community gardens, etc., is missing. Growing area of settlements The need to create green infrastructure, which would increase the potential development of biodiversity without the conceptual creation of in urban areas is not taken into account when planning in most cases. related green infrastructure THREATS EVALUATION The possibility to incorporate the Not incorporating the issue of the conservation of biodiversity in towns, cities and settlements into conservation of biodiversity into zoning and development plans may lead to under-utilisation of the potential that the urban environment the settlement planning is not offers, not only because of the biodiversity itself, but also due to the ecosystem services and to the utilised. overall quality of the environment. The continued reduction of natural The local government may, in an effort to reduce the costs of care for greenery, ignore the functions of areas including urban green areas these elements and their role in the settlements, which include, for example the reduction of temperature in agglomerations in the summer or the reduction in water outflow from hard surfaces. Priority 2: Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Term and Protection of Natural Processes 57 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES Introduction of relevant Updated methodology Established methodological standards MRD in cooperation in the field of spatial 2020 methodological in the area of spatial with ME 2.6.1 Establish planning standards planning Standards for the Percentage of Regular education Greenery in the seminars for Public opinion Urban Areas the responsible Annual seminars from survey, the records ME in cooperation 2025 representatives of the 2018 onwards of the seminars with MRD authorities and officials of including feedback the state administration Enable effective OPE Register, establishment/ Increase in feedback through restoration of functionally implemented projects 2020 contact points for ME interconnected surfaces to 2020 (+ additional the implementation and features of residential indicator NČI 45000) 2.6.2 Strengthen of the Strategy green areas Biodiversity in Towns and Cities Ensure methodological and other support for Number of measures to conserve and implemented ME in cooperation Methodological guide 2020 enhance biodiversity in the support by with MRD settlements and during the municipalities construction Published publication, Establishment of a distribution, methodological guide Methodological guide 2020 feedback through ME for municipalities with 2.6.3 Support Local contact points for examples of good practice Governments an the implementation Civil Activities of the Strategy and Initiatives that Establishment of a Contribute to the communication strategy Strengthening for the public and the of Biodiversity in Questionnaire survey authorities focused Applied Towns and Cities concerning the ME in cooperation on the importance communication 2020 application of the with county towns and possibilities strategy Strategy of development of natural elements in the settlements

58 Priority 3 Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources National Natural Reserve Pouzdřanská step-Kolby, photo: P. Holub, NCA CR Objective 3.1 Agricultural Landscape Landscape near Ondřejov, photo: D. Turoňová, NCA CR Continued deterioration of the state of biodiversity in and a number of other laws, which are listed in the other agricultural landscape, whether it is the abundance of the separately prepared objectives of this Strategy. species or the state of habitats, shows that it is necessary to make a significantly greater effort if the biodiversity is In the international context, with regard to the CBD Strategic to be preserved and enhanced. The agricultural policy of Plan to 2020, the issue of the protection of the so-called the Czech Republic, which is mainly determined by the agro-biodiversity is directly addressed in the framework common agricultural and common fisheries policies of the of the Aichi Target 7: “By 2020 areas under agriculture, EU, has a crucial role in this process. The main instrument aquaculture and forestry are managed sustainably, ensuring of the EU and CR Common Agricultural Policy remains the conservation of biodiversity” and also under Target 3 of Rural Development Programme with the main objectives the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020: “By 2020, maximise including reclamation, conservation and improvement areas under agriculture across grasslands, arable land and of ecosystems dependent on the agricultural sector, in permanent crops that are covered by biodiversity-related particular through the agri-environment-climate measures measures under the CAP so as to ensure the conservation of and the support of landscape infrastructure. In the case biodiversity and to bring about a measurable improvement of the EU Common Fisheries Policy then the Operational in the conservation status of species and habitats.” The mid- Programme Fisheries that shall among others promote forms term review of the EU Strategy, which was prepared by the of farming contributing to the maintaining or improving the EC in 2015, found out persistent decline in biodiversity in state of the environment and biological diversity. the agricultural landscape as well as at the European level. The main legislative instruments in the area of agriculture, This trend can be reversed only if the environmental which are related to the conservation and sustainable use of instruments, offered by the CAP, both in the framework of biodiversity include Act No. 252/1997 Coll., on Agriculture; rural development measures and conditions for direct aid, Act No. 242/2000 Coll., on Organic Farming; Act No. are used more effectively and to a higher extent. 337/1992 Coll., on the Protection of Agricultural Land Resources; Act No. 254/2001 Coll. on Waters (Water Act), 60 CURRENT CONDITIONS the conservation of soil structure, fertility and biodiversity enhancement in agricultural landscape. Species richness bound to the agricultural landscape shows in many indicators in the Czech Republic a steady decline. Seen as highly positive for biodiversity conservation can In the years 1982-2007 the abundance of bird species of the be the growing proportion of ecologically cultivated land agricultural landscape reduced almost in half. The indicator and integrated production of fruit and vegetables. Newly for common bird species of the agricultural landscape in entering small family farms with acreage in the tens of the Czech Republic (state in 2000 is considered as 100%) hectares are entering the organic farming. This trend should declined from 91% in 2007 to 75.9% in 2013,; the value of be supported to the greatest possible extent. the bird index based on a single species selection in the EU in 2008 was more than 97%. Similar negative trend can be It represents a specific area of the agricultural land in observed in other groups of organisms. Natura 2000 Network (there were 4.42% of agricultural land in 2013). Many of the Natura 2000 sites are valuable for their The area of agricultural land in the Czech Republic was good agricultural management, so far, and it is therefore 4.229 million ha in 2010 and it is declining over the long important to ensure that the friendly farming continued term. Half of the agricultural land is located in LFA (less well into the future. As agricultural systems with high favoured areas). nature value (HNV) that contribute to the conservation of biological diversity and ecosystem services are considered Enterprises of legal entities dominate in the less favoured to be particularly grasslands, which, given the natural areas in the Czech Republic, where there is a high proportion conditions, should be applied in a targeted manner. In the of land in agriculture in the long lease or tenancy. In 2013, Czech Republic the majority of grassland is located in less the share of 74% of the total area of the Agricultural land favoured areas (especially mountain LFA), where they make resources, which significantly limits the willingness and up 90% of agricultural land. practical options of farmers to introduce “lease” land long- term measures. In general it can be stated that the reduced It is clear that the most important current issue in terms incentives for long-term and sustainable management of of maintaining and enhancing biodiversity in agricultural agricultural land are the main cause of the unsatisfactory landscape is the large area of intense management of state of the agricultural landscape. agricultural land. With the abovementioned current preferences in farming on larger areas, which are preferred One of the consequences is the growing focus on large, in order to maximise the highest revenue, however highly mechanised crop production (mainly grains and unsustainable over the long-term, are directly related with oilseeds). In the period 2007-2011 the livestock has been other negative phenomena. It is, in particular, excessive declining fairly quickly. The trend of decline in the health use of nitrogen and phosphate fertilisers. In the context of farm animals has been observed in most countries of of farming there is more emphasis put on such use of the EU as a result of economic difficulties in the livestock fertilisers, which would prevent both N and P emissions sector. These facts have resulted in, inter alia, reduction into water, into the air, however there still is, inter alia, as a of the use of permanent grassland (lower need of fodder result of erosion wash off, excessive leaching of substances production and grazing), poor crop rotation practices (a (nutrients and pesticides in particular) from the soil, which small range of fodder plant cultivation on arable land) and in turn enter the river network, and water reservoirs. Areas the lack of manure, which in have overall adverse effects on

Priority 3: Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 61 of such vulnerable territories, which are defined according others the evaluation of the potential risks of GM crops for to the Nitrate Directive (91/676/EEC), are still expanding. human and animal health and the environment. In the Czech Republic there has been currently only grown GM maize for The cultivation and use of genetically modified organisms production purposes (since 2005), and it creates a minority (GMOs) is also related with the use of agriculturally cultivated share of the total area of agricultural production. It can be land. It can be stated that the issue of the use of genetically assumed that the interest of Czech producers regarding modified crops is a very controversial topic. In comparison the growing of GM crops will develop in proportion with with other parts of the EU, however, the genetically modified the degree of tolerance of GMOs by European consumers, (GM) crops are approached with considerable caution and and the related development of EU legislation. A similar while using the precautionary principle. In the Czech Republic risk could represent the introduction of new species/crops there can be only grown such GM crops, which have passed with invasive potential or effects on the gene pool of native a rigorous approval process at the EU level, involving among species. PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION The state of animal and soil burdening (the proportion of livestock units per hectare) is in the Czech Republic in the long term deeply below the EU average and has declined steadily in the recent years, which has negative consequences for both the state of agricultural land and for the biodiversity on agricultural Reducing the number of livestock land. A close link between breeding of animals and the conservation of biodiversity is, in particular, on the grazed habitats, but indirect links are evident even in the case of ruminants and the state of biodiversity on arable land. Lack of know-how of workers Generally low farm management willingness to introduce new innovative measures and procedures, in agriculture in the area of the including measures to support biodiversity. Part of the problem of knowledge transfer is the lack of conservation of biodiversity coordination of training of agricultural and forestry enterprises and the provision of advisory services. THREATS EVALUATION Permanent removal of agricultural land Acreage land removed from the Agricultural land resources is rather stagnant but reliable statistical from the Agricultural land resources basis for the evaluation are missing. Growing economy, the low level of development of the transport for purposes other than afforestation or infrastructure and the structure of the housing stock, however, suggest that the pressure on the permanent grassing removal of agricultural land from the Agricultural land resources will continue. There is expected, for example, the shift of production areas, the spread and growing intensity of new pests and diseases of plants and the associated pressure on the greater use of plant protection products Impacts of climate change (pesticides). The more frequent occurrence of extreme weather events in the form of droughts or floods will cause more intense pressure to conserve biodiversity, erosion and degradation of the agricultural land and pollution of watercourses and reservoirs.

62 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE VERIFICATION SOURCES RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE Nationwide training programme for farmers Continuously implemented Register of trained farmers and farm 3.1.1 Support Education MA in cooperation concerning the importance courses for farmers and 2020 advisors providing advice related to and Awareness of the with ME of the conservation of agricultural advisors from 2020 the conservation of biodiversity Farmers in the Area of biodiversity the Conservation of Biodiversity Agricultural consulting Register of consulting services relating Functional system of agricultural MA in cooperation relating to the conservation 2019 to the conservation of biodiversity, consulting with ME of biodiversity including the feedback from farmers Measures set according to the Agri-environment-climate effectiveness of the support Register of PARD subsidies, monitoring MA in cooperation measures outside the 2020 of biodiversity (+ additional and scientific research outcomes with ME integrated production indicators NČI 94103, 94411) Increase in the number of organic farms, continuous Register of environmental 3.1.2 Support the Organic Farming increase of agricultural land in 2025 entrepreneurs, LPIS, areas of MA Conservation organic farming (+ additional agricultural land in organic farming of Biodiversity indicators NČI 94103, 94411) in Agricultural Higher number of standards Landscape through Standards of good of good agricultural and Subsidy Programmes agricultural and environmental condition 2025 PARD Register MA environmental condition (increase in % compared to the current state) A higher number of landscape Landscape features and features and ecologically used 2025 PARD Register MA ecologically used areas areas (increase in % compared to the current state) Reduction of risks while using (Sub)legal Regulation, reduction Legislation, statistics on the application 3.1.3. Limit the fertilisers and pesticides in the consumption of fertilisers of fertilisers and pesticides in Eutrophication and the the agriculture and forestry and pesticides, fulfilment of agriculture and forestry, reports on the MA in cooperation 2020 Intensity of Farming in sector by setting limits and the National Action Plan for the implementation of the National Action with ME the Landscape the definition of the period reduction of pesticide use in the Plan for the reduction of pesticide use and method their use Czech Republic in the Czech Republic 3.4.1 Monitor the Coordination of the activities Management of of the supervisory bodies Continuously stable number of GMOs and the Newly Records of inspections, reports on the ME in cooperation and the national network of executed inspections, newly 2025 Introduced Species use of the detection methods with MA GMO laboratories, financial introduced detection methods that May Have Adverse insurance of checks Effects on Biodiversity

Priority 3: Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 63 Objective 3.2 Forest Ecosystems Beechwood at Třesíň, photo: J. Vrbický, NCA CR Forest ecosystems are significant landscape elements General Guidelines for the Sustainable Management of and also the carriers of biological diversity. Biodiversity is Forests in Europe at the Conference in Helsinki, Finland in important not only to the forest environment characteristic 1993. Forest biodiversity indicators have been designed for special forests stands, as well as individual trees (e.g. as to monitor and evaluate forest biodiversity in European species habitats) and rotting wood left to a gradual decay. countries. Czech Republic is a party to the CBD, within which Forest as a multilateral provider of ecosystem services is it was created quite a number of specific instruments and legislatively protected from degradation and destruction. Its methodologies, in the current Strategic Plan there are on the effective conservation and appropriate restoration remain issue of the conservation of biodiversity in forest ecosystems one of the basic prerequisites for biodiversity conservation. focused Aichi Targets 5 and 7. The Czech Republic is also a party to the FAO, which is involved in the Global Action The most important documents of the fulfilment of the Plan for the protection, sustainable use and development of objective are the National Forestry Programme (NFP), resources of forest reproductive material. The care for the which connects the concept of sustainable management biodiversity of forest ecosystems has also become a part of of forests and the need for long-term improvement of the EU Strategy in the field of the conservation of biodiversity the competitiveness of the forestry sector. The measures to 2020, specifically Target 3. proposed in the NFP, which was agreed upon in the framework of the expert discussions across all sectors involved, are still relevant and valid. Another document is the SNCLPP (2009) CURRENT CONDITIONS which sets out the fundamental framework of use, care and protection of forest ecosystems in SPAs in open landscape. The area of forest land was in 2014 almost 34% of the Czech Another important document is the National Program on Republic. This area increases every year by approximately Conservation and Reproduction of Forest Tree Species Gene 2000 ha. Unfortunately, afforestation of originally non- Pool. Some SEF parts are concerned with the support the forest areas, sometimes leads to the destruction of valuable conservation of biodiversity in forest ecosystems. habitats in the landscape. The area of coniferous trees has been gradually decreasing, in particular since the Act No. In the long term it was vital to adopt the Resolution on the 289/1995 Coll., on Forests entered into force. The area 64 covered by spruce decreased compared to the year 2000, areas, nature forest management with the preferences of by 77 279 ha, in contrast, the proportion of deciduous trees, natural regeneration of genetically and otherwise valuable especially oak and beech, is increasing. There is an increase crops and approximate potential natural forest composition in the proportion of natural recovery. The proportion of corresponding to the corresponding habitats. Normal deciduous tree species in artificial restoration has been farming forests have great potential, where in addition to around 38% for a long time. Another improvement is, the improvement in the species composition of the forest, however, weakened by inertia of farming methods, including it is necessary to conserve in the long-term the presence interference with the species and spatial compositions of of a minimum percentage of dead and trees grown over forest stands. The biggest risk of the sustainability of broad- common dimensions with a significant importance which leaved trees and fir trees in forest stands and the future is essential for the conservation of biodiversity. In terms of growth of their share is their damage and gradual liquidation biodiversity, the relics of the original stands harvested in the of long-term over manning cloven-hoofed game on most of past are traditional forms of low and middle grown forests. the territory of the Czech Republic. Reclamation or suitable replacement of these procedures can make a significant contribution to the conservation of a The total stock of wood in the forest has been increasing for variety of species of certain habitats. a long time as well. Timber harvest has never exceeded the overall average growth since 2008. The share of the highest age classes (older forest stands) is increasing and the area of the oldest stands, which are very important for biodiversity, is expanding as well.

The ongoing climate change increases the demands on the forest management, based on greater use of natural processes and the diversification of the structure of forest stands. At the same time, forests must still cope with the impacts of pollution, especially recently with the increase of the quantity of nitrogen in the atmosphere. Forests constitute one of the basic subject of conservation in all SPA categories and in Natura 2000 Network, with a wide range of measures from leaving forests without interference (part of the NP and NNR, NR) through semi-natural management (as a rule, I. and II. PLA zones and part of NPs), ad hoc management to normal sustainable management (usually III. PLA zones). The fulfilment of management plans for protected areas is one of the prerequisites for maintaining or extending the natural biodiversity in forest ecosystems. To maintain the biodiversity of the forest are also of vital importance in the territorial system of ecological stability Biocentre and the definition of forest tree species gene reserves. In both cases, the aim is to develop in these Priority 3: Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 65 PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION The key issues in forest management include decreasing the proportion of residues and wood retained to Reduction of the biological decay (standing and lying), harming the natural regeneration of forest tree species due to high states of functions of forests wild cloven-hoofed game Inadequate drainage of forest roads and adjacent forest stands. Fragmentation and the use of land forests, degradation of forest ecosystems affected by the changes Implementation of new linear of hydrological conditions as a result of the reduction of the areas’ natural retention and speeding of structures rainwater drains or surface water contamination by salting of highways can negatively affect the natural functions of forest ecosystems and soil in the vicinity. In many places in the forests of the Czech Republic, especially in mountain areas and along the borders, the procedure of eutrophication, chemical soil degradation and soil acidification and related flooding Soil degradation by air pollutants, of soil cation profiles, are occurring. Long-term acidification of forest soils, however, is evident in other forest health parts of the Czech Republic. Out of the recent pollutants growing nitrogen emissions, especially from mobile sources, are a big problem. THREATS EVALUATION It can be assumed that the numerical increase in the abiotic constraints and their increasing intensity Changes in forest communities and over time on habitat conditions raises unpredictable changes in the species composition, population populations density and the structure of forest communities, especially in the forests of lower forest vegetation levels. Significant changes in species populations can also be expected in naturally extreme habitats. In the area of forest tree species in the Czech Republic there is no loss of species, but the loss of genetic The loss of biodiversity at different diversity and ecosystem diversity of forests. Forest owners have no motivation to protect valuable levels – species, gene and ecotypes of forest tree species and populations, they do not preferentially use material from the same ecosystem natural forest area, but due to its lack they use more affordable reproductive material, and its use is enabled by the rules of transport given by applicable legislation. Invasive tree species for now cause to biodiversity just local or regional issues. A more distinct impact on the native species from the habitat perspective can be seen in the non-wood invasive species. However, The impact of invasive species on with the growing changes of the conditions of a variety of natural habitats, spreading of invasive species, forest ecosystems which causes a change in behaviour of native species and they will be also more accommodated to the changing habitat conditions and to the relaxed habitat, can be expected. The cases of extreme climatic events (droughts and increasing heat, extreme torrential rainfall, flash The Impacts of Climate Change floods, wind storms, etc.) that either accompany direct visible damage or destruction of affected forest stands, or having an indirect negative impact on forest ecosystems, are increasing.

66 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE VERIFICATION SOURCES RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE Pan-European indicator 4.7 of forest MA in cooperation Reducing forest fragmentation 2020 Records of acreage of forest land fragmentation with the MRD Records of acreage of forest Minimising permanent use of land, Spatial Development The area of forest land (%) + forest land or limitations caused by 2020 Policy of the Czech Republic, MA additional indicator NČI 94410 construction SDP, conceptual materials of concerned departments Support of biological forest The area leaving extraction functions, in particular by Statistical outputs, NCA CR residues to decay/retained MA in cooperation increasing the proportion of 2022 and other nature conservation volume of biomass (increase in % with ME residues and wood retained to authorities compared to the current state) decay (stationary and reclining) Friendly farming, which uses Area of natural reclamation, Records of acreage of natural natural reclamation of habitats representation of mixed forest reclamation, representation of and successively suitable types of stands, the Pan-European mixed forest stands, reports 2025 MA tree species and adequate farming indicators for sustainable forest from the National Programme of methods, e.g. prime, shelterwood management 4.2 and 4.4 (+ Conservation and Reproduction system additional indicator NČI 45900) of Forest Tree Species Gene Pool 3.2.1 Ensure Support of dynamic development The continuous increase in the Sustainable of biodiversity in forest ecosystems diversity of species composition Forest Utilisation of the corresponding stage of the of forests, the Pan-European Statistical outputs, NIL, MA in cooperation 2025 development cycle of the forest indicators for sustainable publication (Green Report) with ME in order to maintain the necessary management of forests 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, level of its ecological stability 4.8, 4.10 Development of a representative The extended total area of the system of protected forest areas protected forests compared NCA CR, other conservation 2020 ME and areas with the restoration of with the current status (2016) + authorities traditional farming practices additional indicator NČI 45711 The systematic reduction of the supernumerary state of cloven- hoofed game, including wild boar, limiting the success of natural States of cloven-hoofed game reclamation and negatively enabling natural reclamation Conclusive evidence of the state affecting the economy of forestry of adequate tree species from 2025 of cloven-hoofed game and MA management. Prepare a proposal the habitat and succession acreage of natural reclamation of a generally binding act with perspective. a system of deduction of level of hunting according to the ecosystem

Priority 3: Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 67 COMPONENT MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE VERIFICATION SOURCES RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE The existence of support and IS ERMA (the GENOFOND 3.2.2 Support management of gene reserves, Pan-European indicator of 4.6; module), an annual review of the Appropriate support of approved selected implementation of the National National Programme, information MA in cooperation Forest Tree reproductive material, support of Program on Conservation and 2018 on the management of forest with ME Genetic the establishment and activities Reproduction of Forest Tree reproductive material of the Resources of the National Bank of Forest Tree Species Gene Pool 2014 - 2018 Czech Republic Seeds and Explants Improving the state of the Outputs of the monitoring Processing balance sustainability degraded soil, anthrophically of forest soils, balance sheet MA in cooperation of the nutrients in the production 2025 3.2.3 Take Care burdened in the long-term, in outputs, information for forest with ME forest ecosystems of Favourable particular by pollution owners Conservation The number of implemented State of Soil and Support of water retention in measures/area in ha (forest stands Water in Forests forest catchments and improving MA in cooperation with optimal water regime and 2025 Existence of measures morphological and ecological with ME retention) (+ additional indicator status of water flows NČI 94414) 68 Objective 3.3 Water Ecosystems Baroch Natural Reserve, photo: Z. Růžičková, NCA The Czech Republic is situated in the watershed of three environment in the headquarters, target 3.3.3 Ensure the river systems -the Labe river basin, the Danube and the Oder. environmentally friendly water management in settlement Quantity of water strongly depends on the spatial layout and units). It concerns the conservation of the quality and the intensity of precipitation during the year. At the moment, quantity of surface water and groundwater in accordance the number and area of natural aquatic and wetland habitats with the legal requirements. The fundamental legislation of decreases, despite the fact that these habitats are crucial for the EU it the Water Framework Directive – WFD (2000/60/ biodiversity conservation. It concerns flowing and stagnant EC) transposed into the Act No. 254/2001 Coll. (the Water waters (including underground, both natural and artificial Act), which governs the conservation of waters in the Czech ones), specifically the watercourses, reservoirs, lakes, Republic, their use and rights to them. ME together with MA ponds, flooded quarries, sand pits and gravel pits, ponds, shall annually report to the Czech Republic Government springs, peat bogs, moors and raised bogs, the floodplains on the state of water resources in the Czech Republic, of the rivers, etc. The function of the natural standing waters which describes and evaluates the statue of the quality and has been mostly replaced by the artificially created ponds, quantity of surface water and groundwater and the related which currently count more than 22,000. The character legislative, economic, research and integration activities. An of all aquatic and wetland habitats is determined by the effective tool for the management of important and current specificity of the hydrological dynamics of surface water and water management issues and the improvement of the groundwater and their chemical and physical properties. state of water courses, including biodiversity, became the They are therefore very vulnerable to insensitive human planning in the area of water in accordance with the WFD, in interventions when a response of the present species to particular entrenched in the national and component river these listed changes tends to be very fast basin management plans. The Czech Republic is a Party to the Convention on Wetlands, of international importance, The aim of the SEF in the area of water is the creation especially as waterfowl habitats (The Ramsar Convention), in of conditions for sustainable forest management with the list of wetlands of international importance is recorded relatively limited water wealth of the Czech Republic. (SEF, 14 Czech wetland sites. In the CBD’s programme of work on priority 1.1 Ensure the protection of water and improving inland water biological diversity, the emphasis is given to the their status; but also priority 3.3 Improve the quality of integrated care of water ecosystems which would result in

Priority 3: Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 69 the sustainable use of valuable water sources and with the personal consumption, hormonal substances and other aim to conserve biodiversity. The basis for conservation of persistent organic substances) are detected. The Czech aquatic biodiversity lies in the ecosystem approach which Republic became a Party to the Stockholm Convention, includes monitoring and evaluation of biodiversity of water which calls for a ban in a long-occurring organic pollutants aquatic ecosystems, impact assessment, prevention of or their phasing-out of the production, use, export, or import. pressures in the framework of river basins and effective Key opportunities for the water quality protection are in the international cooperation in the area of management of water area of new technologies, research and adjustments to the sources. The objective of water and landscape conservation conditions of subsidy programmes. is associated, in particular, with the Strategic Goals 6, 7, 11 and 14. The EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 touches upon In the Czech Republic, the is conducted a number of the water conservation in its Target 1 (Action 1b) and Target programmes that support the revitalisation of watercourses, 3 (Action 8b). water retention in the landscape and the recovery of landscape structures that enhance the water regime: previously the Revitalisation Programme and now Restoration Programme CURRENT CONDITIONS of the Natural Features of the Landscape and, in particular, the Operational Programme Environment (ME). Nationally After 1989, the impact of industrial and agricultural pollution unified priorities are set out in the river basin district plans, significantly decreased. Thanks to the increase in the number in most cases, but they are not sufficiently implemented. of wastewater treatment plants the pollution of watercourses Updates of the river basin management plans for the second has declined significantly and there was a rapid and radical planning period has already been done. In the case of improvement in the quality of the water. Influences from increase of permeability concerning the migration barriers, point or non-point sources of pollution, however, have not the priorities are defined by the Concept of Clearing of River been limited to the level of guaranteeing the conservation of Network of the Czech Republic. The load level of aquatic biodiversity. However, due to the progressive intensification ecosystems as water resources by agriculture, industry of agriculture at the moment, the agricultural pollution is rising and other sectors is primarily reviewed within the EIA. In again. The most important issue in this context is the quality of recent years, the development of the construction of small surface waters, especially their eutrophication. This process hydroelectric power plants, where it is necessary always in is a result of the excessive enrichment of aquatic ecosystems each individual case to define the limits in terms of affecting by nutrients (especially nitrogen and phosphorus), which the character of the flow, flow rate, fragmentation etc., that support the development of primary producers, and there it is necessary to adhere to, can be also observed subsequently occurs either the overproduction of biomass phytoplankton or an increased development of water Other opportunities to increase the biodiversity of aquatic macro-vegetation. Eutrophication causes the combination ecosystems include the revision of the fish restocking plans of multiple factors, including area sources of nitrogen in running waters with regard to the current state of flowing (especially intensively used agricultural soil fertilisation) waters and further effective prevention, control of invasive and persistent accumulation of phosphorus in surface alien species and their removal from the environment. water from different sources (discharge of insufficiently purified waste water, agriculture). Also, the negative impact The current monitoring of biodiversity in waters is regular in of acidification on biodiversity still occurs, especially in the Czech Republic and includes: the oligotrophic mountain forest ecosystems. Gradually, the negative effects of micro-pollutants (pharmaceuticals,

70 • Monitoring of ecological state according to the Framework • Monitoring of aquatic birds in the Czech Republic (since Directive on Waters (since 2005) 1973) • Monitoring of the state of species and habitat types in • International water bird census (since 1967) terms of their protection in accordance with the EU Habitats • Winter water bird censuses in Central Bohemia (since Directive (since 2005) 2003) • Monitoring of the environmental conditions of wetlands of • The unified bird census programme in the Czech Republic international importance (from 2014) (since 1983) • Monitoring of birds in accordance with the Birds Directive (since 2004) PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION Problems persist in terms of morphological arrangement of the watercourse and its function as a habitat and a migration corridor. Primarily transverse structures on watercourses are interfering Technical adjustments to the with the continuity of the water flow, including the waste mode. Fragmentation of the waterways water flows increasing their greatly diminishes. Technical regulation of water flows are not significantly expanded, but historical fragmentation and deterioration of modifications prevent the improvement of ecological state. Technical modifications of small ecological conditions watercourses in forests and streams will continue to some extent. The newly built cross construction on rivers must allow compulsorily migratory manoeuvrability. Emissions of nitrogen and phosphorus from various sources are slowly decreasing (agriculture, the Eutrophication of surface waters discharge of untreated waste water). Their negative impact is noticeable due to sensitivity of the aquatic environment and becomes one of the limits for the conservation of the biological quality. Due to the influence of eutrophication and other environmental impact the change in communities, Changes in communities and which are exacerbated by the direct exploitation of aquatic ecosystems (fisheries and others), populations occurs. Intensification of farming threatens both the area planted sparingly so far towards the natural environment. The impact of invasive species in the Czech Republic is noticeable especially in the aquatic environment, The impact of invasive species on as it is a considerably dynamic environment with fast and well a response. Due to the nature of the aquatic ecosystems aquatic environment, the eradication or suppression of this kind, are often very complex. Intensive agricultural mass production leads to the pollution of water sources and wet and waterlogged Intensive farming habitats, distorts the retention ability of the landscape. Priority 3: Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 71 THREATS EVALUATION The planned construction of new waterways associated with the construction of major migration barriers, by modifying the troughs of water flows and affecting the connection of the tributaries and the Development of water transport hydrological regime, represents a significant threat in terms of degradation or destruction of natural habitats; from long-time perspective, it may result in the disappearance of some populations. Other water use can be critical for a variety of segments from the perspective of the functioning of flows Development of water energy and of local ecosystems, the existence of local populations of endangered species and the coherence of the need to snow-covering river network. This state will be deepened by climate change, particularly when due to uneven spread of the average annual rainfall. The effect of pharmaceuticals, personal consumption, hormonal substances and persistent organic Increasing the content of modern substances is rising and the degree of influence of the different components of aquatic ecosystems as municipal pollutants well as the effect of these substances in the aquatic environment as a whole are not fully demonstrated yet. In the Czech Republic a threat to the water regime and as a result also of aquatic ecosystems in particular time and space distribution of precipitation, i.e. prolongation of droughts or intense rainfall is expected. Climate Change In the context of climate change, we can expect a higher consumption of water flows in agriculture, household economy, energy and other sectors as the impacts of climate change can reduce the number of usable water resources and coverage of those remaining. In specific cases, the construction Some of the measures proposed to deal with the consequences of the drought may be in direct conflict of water tanks, recovery of ferry with the conservation of biodiversity. Drained wetlands, the ferry tanks or water reservoirs have less tanks, drainage of wetlands (soils in storage capacity than natural habitats, particularly in critical periods of drought, when the water level general) evaporation negatively impacts the balance of the flow, etc.

72 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES VERIFICATION COMPONENT OBJECTIVE MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY SOURCES The creation and approval of the Published strategic national strategy of revitalisation 3.3.1 Ensure a Holistic documents/integration and re-naturalisation of waterways, National and regional strategy or ME in cooperation Approach to the Use of 2020 of the results into the including the definition of significant concept with MA and MT Water in the Landscape updated River Basin water flows from the perspective of Management Plans nature conservation Data concerning the development of WWTP and reports on the Develop the network of sewage The share of sources of pollution measures about the ME in cooperation with tertiary cleaning (removal of covered by the WWTP (+ additional 2025 3.3.2. Limit the Pollution progress made in the with MA phosphorus and pathogens) indicators NČI 42206, 42207) and Improve the areas of the catchment Physically-chemical area for the period Water Quality 2015-2021 Research of the influence of micro- Research projects (target value: 5), Study on the influence ME in cooperation pollutants on ecosystems and legislation and technical measures 2020 of PPCPs and POPs on with the MH and human health, and the adoption of based on the outputs ecosystems and species MA relevant measures

3.3.3 Restore Methodological guidance and ME guidance designated to the Documents on the ME ME in cooperation Landscape Features, conceptual solutions of waste water water management authorities, 2018 website with MA Ensure Permeability management regional strategy and Environmentally Document fully respecting the Sustainable Hydrological Document on the MT MT in cooperation The concept of water transport interests of the conservation of 2018 Regime of Watercourses website with the ME biodiversity Priority 3: Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 73 COMPONENT MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE VERIFICATION SOURCES RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE Disposal of ineffective cross barriers Fulfilling the concept of clearing Data concerning the on rivers and the construction of the of river network of the Czech implementation of projects, ME in cooperation fish migration passages in accordance 2025 Republic (+ additional indicator the evaluation of the fulfilment with MA with the Concept of Clearing of River NČI 46010) of the Concept Network of the Czech Republic Landscape structures and support of the implementation of the elements restraining the water in the Adequately established subsidy MA in cooperation landscape and to prevent excessive Data concerning the rules, continuous increase of their 2021 with the ME and transport of nutrients and sediments implementation of the projects use from 2021 MRD 3.3.4 Restore into the streams in relation to the Landscape objectives and measures of the Rural Components, Development Programme Ensure Data concerning the Permeability of Reclamation of watercourses implementation of the projects the Waterways Re-naturalisation and revitalisation of (target value: min. 300 km) (+ and measures about the ME in cooperation 2025 watercourses additional indicators NČI 46301 progress made in the areas with MA and 46505) of the catchment area for the period 2015-2021 The number of implemented Data concerning the Support for the creation of conditions MA in cooperation measures/year, an upward trend (+ 2025 implementation of the projects for natural reproduction of fish with ME additional indicator NČI 96702) and measures Continuously implemented Maintain the existing water regime or Acreage of forest soil affected MA in cooperation measures for water retention in 2025 restore damaged forest ecosystems by drought with ME forest habitats Production statistics (Sub)legal regulation, from Support for non-productive functions Data concerning the drawing 2020, continuous increase in the MA in cooperation 3.3.5 Reduce the of ponds, especially the eco-stabilising 2020 upon subsidies proportion of ponds functioning with ME Negative Impact functions as semi-natural ecosystems The study of ecosystem of Intensive services of ponds Fisheries/Fish Farming in Revision and update of the fish The number of fish restocking The revised fish restocking Ponds restocking plans at the level plans, revised agreement with CFU plans and analysis of their MA in cooperation corresponding to the current and MFU beyond the modification 2025 contribution, the data on the with ME environmental state and needs in of their activities (target value of support of the state of the specific districts and their parts 1482) habitats and communities 3.3.6 Increase Statistical Yearbook, the used Support for the conservation and the Retention The area of wetlands in agricultural sources of subsidies for the ME in cooperation restoration of wetlands in the 2025 Ability of the landscapes rehabilitation of wetlands in with MA landscape Landscape the landscape

74 Objective 3.4 Soil and Mineral Resources Na Skalách Natural Monument, photo: S. Hospodková, NCA CR Soil is one of the key ingredients that create the basic area of priority interest. However, the major problem remains conditions for life on Earth. The type, composition and some of the impacts of mining and quarrying. other characteristics of soil significantly influence the structure, composition and functioning of all terrestrial The text of the Constitution of the Czech Republic, which ecosystems and the services they provide. In addition to the imposes to protect agricultural land as a natural resources, production functions of soil, it has a whole range of non- translates into a whole series of laws, such as Act No. 17/1992 productive functions – it is gene bank, and it is the habitat Coll., on the Environment, Act No. 337/1992 Coll., on the for numerous organisms (soil life), it has the ability to filter Protection of Agricultural Land, as amended, the law and retain rainfall, regulate the movement of water in the soil environment, remove foreign substances polluting No. 289/1995 Coll., on Forests, Act No. 44/1988 Coll., on the environment, in the event of favourable structure and Protection and Utilisation of Mineral Resources, Act No. chemistry significantly increase resistance and resilience of 183/2006 Coll., on Spatial Planning and Building Code. In ecosystems and, last but not least, hold more than twice as the Ministry of Environment protection of the soil is one of much carbon than is contained in the air. the key themes of the National Environmental Policy in the context of the Objectives 1.3 Protection and Sustainable Biota is significantly involved in most of the listed processes Use of Soil and Rock Environment. In the issue of mining and functions of soil. High species richness of the soil, in of mineral raw materials represents a key resource the which occur most species of micro-mycetes, actinomycetes document Raw Materials Policy and Strategy (currently- and bacteria, has a decisive influence on the overall cycle of approved version 6/2016), which imposes the determination substances in the soil environment. of spatial limits and deadlines for mining and quarrying in spatial development policy. Physical and chemical properties of the soil as the topmost layer of the Earth’s crust are (excluding e.g. climatic At the international level, some international multilateral conditions) significantly determined by soil-rock so-called conventions deal with the protection of soil (CBD, The parent rock. From the point of view of biodiversity and its UNCCD), international intergovernmental organisations, conservation, geological bedrock does not represent an notably FAO. A thematic programme of activities dedicated Priority 3: Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 75 to the agro-biodiversity was created within the CBD. Within prolonged drought and torrential rainfall associated with the the CBD Strategic Plan 2011-2020 is the protection of the soil floods, is decreased as a result. partially addressed in the framework of the so-called Aichi Targets No. 7, 8 and 15. Soil protection and soil biodiversity In the year 2015 the amendments to the Act of the are also subject to Objectives 2 and 3 of the EU Biodiversity Protection of Agricultural Land Resources No. 41/2015 Strategy to 2020. From the scope of the thematic Strategy Coll., which allows for a more consistent protection, both on Soil Protection referred to in The 7th Environment Action spatial and qualitative, was adopted. Obligation to carry out Programme implies the obligation for EU Member states to the subsequent reclamation of the removed agricultural accept the objectives in the area of soil protection. and forest land represents one of the major tools that alleviate surface soil decreases. To other instruments of ALR protection, in particular from the side of the Ministry CURRENT CONDITIONS of Agriculture, belong e.g. comprehensive landscaping, erosion control calculator, standards of good agricultural and The biggest threats to the sustainable use of the land as one environmental condition (GAEC), payment for the fulfilment of the key natural resources include the use of land, increased of the conditions of agricultural practices favourable for the erosion (water and wind), acidification, contamination of climate and the environment – greening, etc. land by alien substances and excessive nutrients and its overall deterioration and destruction due to inappropriate If the agricultural land is not sufficiently protected and management. The loss of humus and other organic substances the agricultural use of such land in accordance with the in the soil, the expansion of water erosion and technogenic principles of sustainable development is not maximally soil compaction using heavy machinery weaken the ability supported, developed areas will be growing at the expense of the soil to retain water as materia in the landscape and of it. Greater attention should be therefore given to the endanger the natural paedogenic processes. The area of creation of zoning plans - towns, cities and municipalities the agricultural land is constantly shrinking (approx. 4.5 should not change the plans within this process solely on thousand hectares per year), while the area of forest land is, the basis of the pressure of investors and developers. It is on the contrary, gradually increasing. The acreage of land essential to protect undeveloped areas and do not allow ad registered as other land is increasing. From the perspective hoc conversion of areas on the outskirts of the municipalities of biodiversity a significant negative phenomenon, in that are a part of the agricultural land resources, into a particular, the loss of soil organic matter and soil, remains. developed area. The content of humus in the soil significantly decreases with increasing intensity of agricultural management, since the In the field of mineral resources mining virtually all stages of increased aeration and intensified hydro-thermic processes the mining process (building of access roads, preparation in the soil absorb humification organic residues and improve of land, construction of infrastructure, mining itself, mineralisation. Most soil life is bound to a sufficient amount modification of the mined material and its transport, deposit of not decomposed or decaying organic matter. In the Czech of mining waste represented by waste rocks) have an impact Republic, about 40% of agricultural land is at risk through on the biodiversity. On the other hand, in the last decades compaction. Soil compaction reduces the potency of the it has shown that the sites affected by the mining (gold- soil profile, the cycle of substances and water is negatively bearing deposits, quarries, sand pits, clay-pits, etc.) can be affected and the ability of water infiltration and retention, highly beneficial for biodiversity and nature geodiversity which is manifested in extreme climatic events such as (see Objective 3.5).

76 ME when issuing a prior consent to the determination of the under the Act No 157/2009 Coll., on the management of area for the purpose of oil mining or combustible gas under mining waste and amending certain acts, after the end of the Mining Act has decided to lay down the conditions its operation. concerning the conservation of the environment including the conservation of natural resources. For other types of All of the above legislative instruments enable to take into bearings, the law does not allow such option. Effects of account the interests of the conservation of biodiversity, the natural resources mining on animals and ecosystems but this approach is not mentioned explicitly. The Act on and soil are evaluated under the Act No 100/2001 Coll., on the protection of agricultural land resources enables to environmental impact assessment. NCA lays down as the permanently withdraw the land from the agricultural land public interest the nature and landscape protection, which resources, if the protection authority of agricultural land provides, inter alia, reclamation and the creation of new resources found that this solution is the most advantageous natural valuable ecosystems, such as when recultivating in terms of the protection of agricultural land resources, the and during other major changes in the structure and use of environment, and other legally protected public interests. the landscape. Mining Organisation is required to ensure The utilitarian aspect of the conservation of agricultural land reclamation, which includes the reclamation pursuant to resources with the highest value does not outweigh so far Act No. 337/1992 Coll., on the protection of agricultural the requirement for the creation of new natural valuable land resources, or of law no 289/1995 Coll., on forests, of ecosystems during reclamations according to the NCA. all land affected by mining and monitoring of storage space PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION Inadequate intense forms of farming on agricultural land, leading to the reduction in the content of Inadequate management of soils, organic matter in the soil and soil compaction. The presence of organic matter is bound soil micro- leading to erosion and loss of organisms and other species of fauna that provide its breakdown, the improvement of the physical organic matter properties and increase in the potential of water retention. Guided technical reclamation of Reclamation of the mine dumps and other depots and exploited the quarries is costly and often all areas after mining activities implemented without regard to the aspect of the conservation of biodiversity. The unnatural ecosystems regardless of their secondary created are usually unstable and require additional expensive management for further maintenance (see succession stages Objective 3.5). THREATS EVALUATION In the Czech Republic, there are expected to be more weather extremes such as floods and drought. The consequences of climate For these reasons, the risk of disturbing the natural infiltration and water retention in soil and soil change degradation can be further intensified. Priority 3: Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 77 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES The data of the The completion of the State Land Office, Higher quantity and legislative process to situational and better composition of amend the Act on the prospective MA organic matter put into MA in cooperation with protection of agricultural 2020 reports on soil, the soil, implemented ME land resources and reports of the comprehensive consistent enforcement of Research Institute landscaping 3.4.1. Reduce the legislative obligations of Amelioration and Risk of Water and Soil Conservation Wind Erosion The number of realized and Increase the Implementation of anti- anti-erosion measures (+ Data of the State MA in cooperation with Organic Matter 2025 erosion measures additional indicators NČI Land Office ME Contained the Soil 44301, 46520) Records of Continuously implemented the measures measures against erosion Prevention of erosion implemented, the of forest soils (+ additional 2025 MA threats to forest soils acreage of forest indicators NČI 94414, soils at risk of 46520) erosion

78 Objective 3.5 Ecosystem Maintenance and Restoration Natural reclamation of the coast – The Cep II Sand Pit M. Hátle, NCA CR In recent decades there have been as a result of human for its continued existence to human society. In this respect, activity significant reshaping of landscapes with mostly the activities leading to the conservation and reclamation negative impact on ecosystems, their functioning and of ecosystem and the maintenance of their production ultimately on the services they provide, in the territory of functions shall be regarded as the public interest. the Czech Republic. This is directly related with significant reduction in biological diversity at all of its three basic levels. Legal support for adequate conservation and reclamation The current state of ecosystems has a part especially in the of ecosystems provides the largest range of NCA, which intensive agricultural production (associated with intensive creates the basic framework for the conservation of modifications of the landscape – drainage, amelioration, ecosystems through the instruments of a general and reclamation, changing to arable land), forestry management, specific nature and landscape protection, in particular surface mining and industrial development since the second through the conservation and the creation of the territorial half of the system of ecological stability, protection of important landscape components, large-and small-scale specially 20th century. In the last 30 years the suburbanisation protected areas or the protection of Natura 2000 sites. Next, and spatial development of settlements, increasing share the Act No. 17/1992 Coll., on the Environment, identifies of developed areas and the development of transport the principles of environmental conservation and giving infrastructure in particular have had a significant negative economic instruments for environmental conservation. A impact on ecosystems as well. truly effective ecosystem maintenance and restoration and ecosystem services are, however, issues which need to Nevertheless, a number of valuable parts of nature that be dealt with globally in the framework of all sectors and enable the conservation and recovery of natural processes policies (e.g. national and regional SDP). in the landscape remained in the Czech Republic, while the ability of ecosystems to perform a variety of functions The issue of ecosystem conservation is also dealt with in and services depends on the degree of anthropogenic several international conventions. The main concept or influence. It is entirely appropriate to emphasise that only a paradigm of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) healthy ecosystem provides goods and services necessary has become the ecosystem approach as a coherent strategy Priority 3: Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 79 for the integrated care of the land, water and living resources which it is possible to reclaim the ecosystems (e.g. LCP, that evenly supports their conservation and sustainable use. POPFK, OPE, RDP). Conservation, protection and restoration of ecosystems are the main subject of the Aichi Targets 14 and 15 of the Activities leading towards the conservation and reclamation CBD Strategic Plan 2011-2020. The EU Strategy in the field of ecosystems are relatively satisfactory SPAs, particularly in of the conservation of biodiversity to 2020 provides for the small-scale, and later in the first zones of NPs and PLAs, the conservation and restoration of ecosystems and their provided by the plans of care and regular inspections, and in services as Objective 2. the Natura 2000 sites. In the open landscape, if the objective is to conserve and ideally reclaim the species richness of the communities, plants, animals and other organisms, it is CURRENT CONDITIONS necessary to ensure as much as possible the traditional ways of management in secondary habitats (secondary meadows In the evaluation of the current state of conservation and and grasslands), and mostly rule out the intervention in restoration of ecosystems, it is necessary to at first define the (primary) natural habitats (e.g. rocky steppes, peat what exactly the term “restoration of ecosystems” in the bogs, some forests with natural species composition). A possibilities of the existing legislation can be applied to. The different situation occurs in heavily disturbed to devastated territory of the Czech Republic represents a considerable ecosystems (e.g. quarries, surface mines, etc.), where on the amount of different types of ecosystems with different state contrary, it is appropriate to leave a spontaneous succession, from the perspective of their stability, viability and integrity, together with appropriate interventions of care, with some extent of anthropogenic influence, or damage. From the exceptions. In current practice, however, this procedure is perspective of the conservation of biodiversity, it is possible not sufficiently used, which is to some extent due to the apply the evaluation of the state of the ecosystems to the existing legislation. Restoration of semi-natural or otherwise state of the natural habitats, it is more complex, however, in disturbed by mining territory certainly is not the only way to the case of unnatural habitats that have been significantly deal with the issue of the integration of the most disturbed modified by human activity. For this reason, there is a lack of areas to more naturally rich landscapes, however, it should information about the natural state of the ecosystems as the become, even if due to a prospective change of legislation, reference levels, which would have enabled to establish the a great alternative to the prevailing technical reclamation of target state, from which the summary of activities and actions land, as it has been the case in many developed countries that need to take place to achieve it could be derived. A very (e.g. Germany, where 20% of the area is by default allocated useful instrument for mapping of the state of all types of for semi-natural reclamation). ecosystems could be the evaluation of ecosystem services as part of the assessment of ecosystem integrity (see Objective 4.3). This concerns in particular the reclamation of those ecosystems that are affected by human activity (ecosystems at arable land, river ecosystems, degraded grassland vegetation or natural composition of forests etc.). Due to the fact that it has not been possible to use the concept of ecosystem services for this purpose yet, it is necessary to monitor and extend existing measures, including existing national programmes and similar EU programmes, within

80 PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION To the described important ways of the use of landscape in the recent years approach other groups of The continued trend in the use of intentions with a significant negative impact on the ecological stability of the landscape, or on individual the landscape ecosystems. THREATS EVALUATION The conservation of the ecological The application of the public interest in the conservation of the landscape is perceived as restricting of stability of the landscape covering the land ownership rights; there are not sufficiently identified benefits of the existence of semi-natural the protection of the ecosystem is ecosystems, or the exploitation rate of ecosystem services in the society. not perceived as public interest Insufficient use of expertise (scientific) information on the evolution of the status of The ever increasing amount of expert information and scientific outputs is not sufficient enough in ecosystems and the possibilities for practice. their conservation and reclamation or compensation Priority 3: Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 81 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES Continuous use of Implemented Preferential use of former industrial sites for new projects, MIT in cooperation industrial sites (brownfields) 2025 construction (+ additional documentation of with MRD and ME for construction indicator NČI 23300) used areas 3.5.1 Reduce Negative Effects of Precise by the means of Suburbanisation on methodological activities Ecological Stability the evaluation processes of of the Landscape effective use of developed Elaboration of adequate Adequate MRD in cooperation 2020 areas and assessment of the methodology methodology with ME need to define areas eligible for construction in zoning plans Examine the adequacy of legislation in the field of the conservation of meadows Finished revision and The results of ME in cooperation 3.5.2. Improve when implementing the eventual suggestions of 2020 the review of the with MRD the Protection construction and limiting the legislation amendments legislation of Significant area eligible for construction Landscape in diluvial areas Elements Unification of the access to ILF registration, the Methodological material 2020 ILF Register ME introduction of the ILF central register (Sub)legal regulation, 3.5.3 Increase Higher representation of provided for 20% of the the Share of semi-natural ways of the MIT in cooperation area for spontaneous Reclamation plans, Reclamation renewal in the reclamation with the Czech succession plans in 2025 the results of the after Mining by practice, the use of Mining Authority addition to reclamation of mapping Spontaneous spontaneous succession as and ME land temporarily removed Succession recovery instrument from the ALR Continuous revitalisation Zoning plans, 3.5.4 Improve Systematic revitalisation of of TSES database of Landscape dysfunctional (designed) 2025 ME (+ additional indicator NČI implemented Connectivity syntactic part of the TSES 45501) measures

82 Objective 3.6 Sustainable Utilisation of Genetic Resources Breed of a Czech pig – Přeštické černostrakaté prase, photo: ME archive The creation, utilisation and cultivation of genetic resources preserved as living individuals by livestock producers or in for food and agriculture makes up part of the national natural their natural environment. and cultural heritage. They include the part of biodiversity that was historically formed in agricultural systems by The issue of genetic resources for food and agriculture is intentional human activities, i.e. by the selection, and dealt with mainly by Act No. 148/2003 Coll., on plant and later by the improvement, of crops and livestock. They microorganism genetic resources. The Act does not apply also include related wild forms of agricultural crops and to genetic resources that form forest reproductive material. some of the species and subspecies of wildlife, such as The second piece of legislation is Act No. 154/2000 Coll., on some freshwater species of fish or bees. Micro-organisms the cultivation, breeding and registration of livestock, and and small invertebrates, which significantly contribute on the amendments to certain related laws (the Breeding to agricultural production and its protection, or directly Act). to its processing and utilisation, can also be counted among genetic resources. Genetic resources for food and The National Program on Conservation and Utilisation of agriculture are used in traditional and organic farming, Plant, Animal and Microbial Genetic Resources for Food conventional and modern breeding, in gene engineering, and Agriculture is a document of a conceptual character and in biotechnology. published by the Ministry of Agriculture every five years. The current Programme is in force for the period 2012-2016 Conservation and long-term preservation of genetic (hereinafter referred to as the “National Program”). resources is exercised in gene banks. Seeds, pollen or whole parts of plants; semen, embryos, animal tissues; micro- In the framework of the State Environmental Policy for the organisms and small invertebrates, etc., are preserved on a period 2012-2020, through the abovementioned documents, long-term basis in controlled conditions. Field gene banks the Objective 3.2.2 – Limitation of Loss of Native Species preserve individual plants (e.g. fruit and ornamental trees, and Natural Habitats, and measures to ensure the 3.2.2.2 grapevines or hops) in their living form. Genetic resources Conservation and Sustainable Use of Genetic Resources of of animals are somehow specific, as they are mostly Animals, Plants and Micro-organisms are met. Priority 3: Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 83 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the umbrella documentation, characterisation, basic evaluation, long- convention in the field of international law. Within the CBD term conservation and exploitation of those resources. the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and The expert guarantor and the coordinating institution of the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their the program is the Research Institute of Crop Production, Utilization (the so-called ABS) was negotiated in 2010. The Prague (hereinafter called the RICP). The number of items in Nagoya Protocol defines genetic resources and establishes the active collections in the Czech Republic has reached a basic principles for the provision between users. The total 53.2 thousand items at the end of the year 2014, which European Union is also a Party to the Nagoya Protocol and belong to 1,173 plant species. From the overall range of co- with the aim to implement its provisions, it has adopted the elections , the generatively propagated species represent Regulation No. 511/2014 on compliance measures for users 81% and vegetatively propagated 19% of plant genetic from the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources resources. A significant area of the use of genetic resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising within the framework of the National Plant Programme also from their Utilization in the Union and the Commission represents the research focused on the rescue, gathering, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1866 of 13 October conservation and utilisation of gene pool of plants to 2015 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of restore the landscape of the Czech Republic which is e.g. Regulation (EU) No 511/2014 of the European Parliament implemented by the Silva Tarouca Research Institute for and of the Council as regards the register of collections, Landscape and Ornamental Gardening (RILOG). monitoring user compliance and best practices. At the end of 2014, a total of 34 species and breeds As regards the area of plant genetic resources, since 1983, of farming animals was supported by the National the Czech Republic has been a member of the European Programme of Conservation and Sustainable Use of Animal Cooperation Programme (ECPGR) and it has been a Party to Genetic Resources (National Animal Programme) . The the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food cryopreservation was carried out in a standard manner as an and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) since 2004. The Czech Republic integral part of the conservation programme of the species is actively involved in the activities of the European Regional and breeds of animals. The reproductive material is kept – a Focal Point for Animal Genetic Resources (ERFP) in the area collection of insemination batches and embryos; and also of animal genetic resources. Collections of micro-organisms material designed especially for the characterisation and have become part of a series of international structures, such description of genetic resources, monitoring changes in as The World Federation for Culture Collection (WFCC), the populations and the study of the properties of the breeds in Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS), the molecular-genetic level, in particular blood, saliva, hair, European Brewery Convention (EBC), the European Culture and other tissues suitable for DNA isolation. Collection Organisation (ECCO), and many others. A National Programme on the Genetic Resources of Microorganisms and Small Animals of Economic Importance CURRENT CONDITIONS (National Micro-organism Programme) brings together 20 collections of micro-organisms and small animals that have The framework of the National Programme on kept in 2014, a total of 6,503 strains of tribes of genetic Conservation and Utilisation of Plant Genetic Resources resources. Samples provided from it are commonly used as and Agro-biodiversity (National Plant Programme) standards for expert services (identification of organisms, ensures the cooperation of 16 departments dealing with microbiological analyses and biochemical determination, genetic resources of agricultural crops in collections, training, and mentoring), as a source of infectious material

84 for breeding purposes, and quality control, and last but not expert guarantor and the coordinating institution of the least for the solution of scientific and research projects and programme is the RICP. as a study material at universities and high schools. The PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION Unstable and insufficient financing The National Programme on Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation of Genetic Resources of of the National Programme Plants, Animals and Micro-organisms is financed in the form of subsidies. The funds are approved as a on Conservation and Sustainable part of the annual budget of the Ministry of Agriculture. In the case of reduction or tying of public funds, Utilisation of Genetic Resources of there is a pressure on capping existing aid, which can lead to destabilisation of the Programme and the Plants, Animals and Micro- risk of devaluation of already invested funds and irreversible deterioration of the genetic resources held organisms in the long-term, is created. THREATS EVALUATION Working with genetic resources, in particular their systematic evaluation and characterisation should be a standard part of departmental research subsidy programmes. The National Programme begins The lack of support for research to, despite the undeniable successes, fall behind the rapid technological advances in more advanced countries, in particular in the area of systematic reviews of gene pools. Priority 3: Environmentally Friendly Use of Natural Resources 85 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES VERIFICATION COMPONENT OBJECTIVE MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY SOURCES Appropriate measures Legislative provisions, allowing the Czech continuous fulfilment 3.6.1 Ratify the Nagoya Collection of Laws of Republic to become of the measures ME in cooperation Protocol to the Convention on 2017 the Czech Republic, a Party to the Nagoya referred to in the with MA Biological Diversity Register of measures Protocol – national current Protocol from legislation 2017 Strengthening the capacity of national and departmental 3.6.2 Strengthen the research programmes Continuous increase in Research in the Area of Annual assessment in the field of genetic the number of funded Genetic Resources of Plants, reports of the resources, biodiversity, projects 2025 MA Animals and Micro-organisms research agencies and agro-biodiversity, (+ additional indicator Relevant for Food and and programmes the strengthening of NČI 20900) Agriculture inter-agency cooperation in the area of biodiversity research

86 Priority 4 Strategic Planning and Policies The Municipality of Litvínovice, photo: J. Hodač Objective 4.1 Providing Up-to-date and Relevant Information Monitoring of Palmate newt, photo: V. Ríš, NCA CR It is necessary to recognise the quality and value of biodiversity, biodiversity, including the subsequent use of the information not only for humanity, but also in order to ensure the life of all is not compact in the Czech Republic at the legal level. living organisms, in case of the conservation of biodiversity. Individual statutory provisions enumerate the activities Unlike the other components of the environment, it is partially, often without connections to other activities. possible to affect and quantify the biodiversity only to some Regardless, the fundamental legislation remains in this extent as a result of its overarching nature, complexity and area NCA. It has been transposed into the legal order of dynamics. The essential instrument to obtain the knowledge the CZECH REPUBLIC, the EU Habitats Directive (92/43/ is first and foremost the research focused mainly on species, EEC) and the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). This has legally communities, in both strict and wider meaning of otherwise established the so-called monitoring of the state of habitats defined parts of ecosystems. The research of genes gains and species. The Act on the provision of information on importance due to the development of technologies. the environment (No. 123/1998 Coll.) is important as well. Its effectiveness has greatly expanded with the Migration After obtaining the basic knowledge, it is time for a series Directive (Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe), of one-off collection of data on the target phenomena which imposes to the public sector an obligation to collect (inventory) or methodically uniform, periodically repeating, data in a standardised manner and share them with the public. long-term and standard methods for the carried out At the strategic level the SNCLPP (2009) is mainly focused on monitoring. In recent times the collection of information and the collection and relevant use of information and data. In data that are being executed by laics and known as civic or terms of research, the fundamental legislation provide the citizen science has been also increasingly implemented. The Act on science, experimental development and innovation aim of all these activities is to get enough information about from public resources (No. 130/2002 Coll.), establishing the the state, changes and development trends of selected/ Technology Agency of the Czech Republic, responsible for model components of biological diversity and on the basis the overall coordination of applied research and experimental of these findings, to correctly identify the priorities for their development. conservation. The Czech Republic has become a Party to a relatively large The strategy for research and monitoring of the state of number of international multilateral conventions, agreements 88 and protocols aimed at not only effective transnational conservation, in particular the creation of the Natura 2000 conservation of biodiversity, but also at the necessarily Network). Due to the preparation for this step, the first surface associated collection and evaluation of information. A good inventory of species and habitats was launched in 2000 example remains e.g. Convention on the Conservation of (completed in 2004). The results are updated on a regular European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (The Bern Convention), basis in the context of the monitoring of the state of habitats due to which the Parties not only in the EU but also in the wider and species, provided by the Ministry of the Environment. Europe share information about the state of selected species The territory of the Czech Republic has also, in this respect, and habitats and coordinate their international protection become one of the best studied and monitored throughout and care. Regarding the sharing of existing information with the EU. An important aspect of systematic data collection the public The Convention on access to information, public remains in electronic form through the Nature Conservation participation in decision-making and access to justice in Information System, operated by the NCA CR. environmental issues in the EU (the Aarhus Convention) is key, due to the Convention the public has not only ensured the The current national policy of applied research, experimental right to up-to-date information about the environment, but development and innovation favours applied research, also the right to participate in decisions about its condition. which has results usable in practice. Similar projects are The objective is associated, in particular, with the Strategic supported, in particular, by the Technological Agency of the Goals 19. The EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 touches upon Czech Republic, which assigns the selected topics mostly in the topic in Objective 1 (Action 3 and 4). agreement with the institutions of the public administration. In the case of basic research supported by The Czech Science Foundation (GACR) there is insufficient communication with CURRENT CONDITIONS the practice from the perspective of the needs of the state administration in the field of nature conservation. In general, In the Czech Republic there is a long and rich tradition of the research is, however, focused on the biodiversity in Czech biological research, which is confirmed by the relatively Republic rather on the edge of scientific interest. large number of experts in the field and in comparison with other European countries a significant number of institutions In addition to the activities of the public administration, there focusing originally mainly on research, newly on monitoring is, due to the development of technologies, an expansion of or the conservation of biodiversity. The Czech Republic is in the collection during the research activity, both in the form of the area of biodiversity research and monitoring a fairly well- remote sensing, as well as through special applications in the known authority abroad. field. A typical example is e.g. The National Forest Inventory, combining both approaches. At the same time, the interest The knowledge about biological diversity was increasing at the and involvement of the public in obtaining, maintaining, end of the last millennium. However, various activities at the evaluating, and disseminating data on selected folders of national level were not linked. It basically concerned, except biodiversity, is gradually developing. BioLib is an activity for a few exceptions, time-limited projects. The obtained data based on voluntary contributions (Biological Library, available remained in the awareness and ownership of individuals, in on the website at www.biolib.cz). a better case, of institutions. An important milestone was the entry of the Czech Republic to the EU in 2004 and the Although there is quite wide knowledge on biological newly introduced obligations of the state (especially the diversity in the Czech Republic, there has not been adopted fulfilment of EU legislation in the area of nature and landscape a relevant set of indicators at the national level, which could

Priority 4: Strategic Planning and Policies 89 standardised the way to measure the state, changes and 2. Academic and non-governmental sphere development trends and evaluate the success in achieving the objectives, target and goals set out in the legislation and • The unified bird census programme in the Czech Republic strategic or conceptual documents. The objectives which (since 1983) are often vaguely defined and difficult to measure are the • BioLib (since 2010) problem. That list includes only the most important activities. Monitor the state of biodiversity in the territory of the Czech Additional, specialised or only partial or biodiversity Republic is carried out mainly at two levels: marginally related activities are listed in the other chapters of the presented Strategy. 1. Public Administration • Monitor the state of species and habitat types in terms of their protection in accordance with the Birds Directive (since 2005) • Monitoring of ecological state of waters according to the Framework Directive on Waters (since 2005) PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION The biodiversity research is often underrated in favour of topics that have a direct effect on the economic The lack of material and financial prosperity of the society. There is often the reduction of financial assistance in the area of research and support of the adequate monitoring of the state of biodiversity below the level at which it is possible to get for listed resources biodiversity research biodiversity enough high-quality outputs. The budgets are raised disproportionately to it, e.g. the technologically interesting remote sensing of soil, which shall unrealistically replace field surveys in the future. The financially underrated Monitoring of the state of habitats and species is a key activity, through which the largest amount of monitoring of the state of habitats relevant data is received. Since its launch in 2005, the budget has dropped to a quarter of its original and species and other related amount. Among other things, the monitoring of birds and bird areas has been changed as well and the activities collection of data on some of the other groups of species has been significantly limited. 90 THREATS EVALUATION The Czech Republic is missing a single concept of the collection and use of information about biodiversity. All reached and very often successful results are based primarily on the initiatives „from below“ (bottom-up approach). The specified condition is caused by the existing fragmentation, and the Missing concept of collection and absence of biodiversity conservation objectives, goals and targets. One of the few available summary evaluation of data and information information sources is Founding Nature Conservation Database (NDOP), managed by the NCA CR, however without securing sufficient support, both financial and human resources will not be able to take advantage of its possibilities in the expected and desired range. Failure to respect the results of The results so far are not sufficiently used and respected in the evaluation of the current state and the the evaluation of the state of systematic planning of future activities. This happens regardless of the fact that the evaluation based on biodiversity existing data is feasible. Individual choice is preferred over systematic and data-based approach. A major weakness is an inability to adequately communicate the objective findings with the general The lack of sharing of information public. This is manifested in insufficient social interest in the support of nature conservation. The problem with the public is that technical information is often not translated into a comprehensible language, and there is also generally low willingness to perceive from the public as a key partner.

COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES Approved concept, The creation of a nationwide concept implementation ME in cooperation with the identified priorities for science Created concept 2018 of research R&D with MA and research in the area of biodiversity projects, CRDI, TA CR Functioning 4.1.1 Conceptually system of The coordination of the collection ME in cooperation Ensure and cooperation and sharing of data and information in Results of the with the Coordinate the between 2020 the form of platforms of cooperating cooperation departments Research and the involved institutions concerned Monitoring of departments and the State of institutions Biodiversity. Establishment of a set of indicators of the state, changes and trends of model components of biodiversity (including Assessment based ME in cooperation Created set of settlements) and related activities in 2018 on established with the MA and indicators relation to the strategic goals of nature indicators MRD conservation, the introduction into practice Priority 4: Strategic Planning and Policies 91 COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES Expansion of the chapter on the state of biodiversity in A survey focused on Regularly issued report on the state the Czech Republic public awareness of biodiversity in the Czech Republic in the framework of of the state 2020 ME for the broad public, publication the periodic Reports and problems 4.1.2 Communicate activity and promotion on the Environment of biodiversity the Result to the of Czech Republic, protection Public publication of national reports for the CBD Increase the Creation of opportunities for public 5 separate targeted number of regularly ME in cooperation involvement in the data collection 2020 projects contributing with MA (civic science) volunteers Update of the national natural and landscape protection programme in the Czech Republic on the basis Approval of the Updated SNCLPP CR 2017 ME of current knowledge, verified programme methodological procedures and 4.1.3 Decide and evidence Strategically Establishment of the list of priorities Plan on the Basis for short-term projects of applied of the Results Outcome of the ME in cooperation research in the field of biodiversity At least 5 projects a of the Research 2018 implemented with CRDI and with the aim to receive up-to-date year from 2018 and Monitoring projects TA CR information needed for decision- of the State of making Biodiversity System of creation and updating of Creation and plans for SPA care based strictly on updating of care Amendments to the existing data of the current state with 2020 plans carried out ME relevant Regulation sufficient specifications of the objects according to the new of care procedure

92 Objective 4.2 Ecosystem Services Photo: L. Vlasáková The processes of national, regional and local integrated the development of the System of Environmental Economic assessment of the state and trends of ecosystems, including Accounting – Experimental Ecosystem Accounting. National ecosystem services, therefore the benefits provided by evaluation of ecosystems also fits into The Economics ecosystems to human society, are in many countries at the of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) including national moment. Their aim is to provide a basis for decision-making applications. in the field of the conservation of biodiversity (its care and the sustainable use of its components) and a wide range of ecosystem functions. Evaluation of ecosystems and their CURRENT CONDITIONS services within each country represents a relatively complex process that uses experts and stakeholders from different In the Czech Republic there are various comprehensive disciplines and sectors of society. departmental and sectoral reviews of biodiversity, the state of ecosystems and the requirement of society on The Strategic Plan and the Aichi Targets to 2020 of the their use, including reviews from the perspective of nature Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provide in the conservation, the state of forest, water or agriculture. Strategic Goal 2 for the inclusion of the values of biodiversity into the national accounting and reporting by 2020 at the At the moment, it is possible to link the process of national latest. According to the Strategic Goal 14, the ecosystems reviews to the, national IPBES and TEEB evaluations or that provide basic services, including water-related services, the MAES mapping ecosystems. In the framework of the and contribute to the health and quality of human life, shall Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP), a national platform be reclaimed and conserved by 2020. for ecosystem services for the sharing of experience with approaches to the evaluation of the services of ecosystems At the same time, the above-mentioned activities shall (communities of practices) may be established. The aim of contribute to the mapping of ecosystem services within the national evaluation of ecosystem services is to bring the Member States in the follow-up to the process of the information relevant for effective management of ecosystems MAES European Commission, and also to the integration of and their conservation and reclamation. ecosystem services in national accounts in association with Priority 4: Strategic Planning and Policies 93 There were a number of pilot studies and projects on the The process of national evaluation of ecosystems should evaluation of ecosystem services in the Czech Republic. have a clearly defined scope of the structure by the ME So far, however, the process of the national evaluation of Coordinator and include all stakeholders including relevant the ecosystem services that would lead to the creation of government departments and sectors. There is sufficient a universally accepted, consistent and scientifically based experience with an integrated evaluation in some European information on the state, changes and development trends countries and in the USA. The continuity of other steps of ecosystems and the services they provide has not started leading to the fulfilment of each of the conclusions of the yet. There is also no capacity to start the process of a national evaluation and their political prospects is also important. evaluation of ecosystems. The evaluation will provide a solid It is also assumed that there will be certain response and information and data base for the use of knowledge about contribution to the scientific community. the state, changes and development trends of ecosystems and their harm for decision-making, inter alia, in the state The centre of the tasks is associated with the national administration and local governments It should also verify evaluation of ecosystem services in the period 2016-2020. or create a space for the preparation and use of scientifically Following its completion in 2020, an implementation plan based instruments (scenarios, models, toolkits, multivariate and next steps for the use of the outputs of the national statistical procedures, and other approaches for uncertainty evaluation of the ecosystem services shall be established. reduction) to support decision-making and strategic direction of conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems.

PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION The lack of information about the Currently provided information is not available in a usable form for effective decision-making. state of ecosystem services Inadequate use of available Available instruments for assessment, scenarios and simulation of ecosystem services to support the instruments for the evaluation of decision-making are currently not being used. ecosystem services 94 THREATS EVALUATION Without the integration of current knowledge, supplemented by using innovative available approaches Failure to comply with the strategic and instruments, failure to comply with the commitments in the area of risk assessment of ecosystem commitments for CBD and the EU services and their inclusion in national accounts may occur. Failure to start the process of The national evaluation is the process of a specific structure and progress. As such it cannot be national evaluation as „multi- entrusted to a single institution, but it should meet the requirements for an integrated assessment with a expert“ and „multi-stakeholder“ clear control structure and sufficiently transparent progress. process Key actors and relevant stakeholders should be involved in the process of national evaluation. This The lack of involvement of relevant applies also to traditional sectors such as agriculture, forestry and water management, but also to stakeholders in the process sectors such as finance or statistics. COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES 4.2.1 Start the Process The processing of the final of Valuation of Ecosystem valuation methodology of valuation 2018 ME website ME Ecosystems and Bring methodology of ecosystems it into Practice 4.2.2 Establish National integrated Evaluation of Final version of the evaluation of ecosystems Publication of the Ecosystem Services at national evaluation 2020 ME including ecosystem national evaluation the Level of the Czech report services Republic 4.2.3 Introduce the Inclusion of the evaluation National Evaluation Instruments of Methodical ME in cooperation with of ecosystem services into 2022 of the Ecosystem strategic planning documents the MRD and MF the strategic planning Services into Practice Priority 4: Strategic Planning and Policies 95

Objective 4.3 International Cooperation Discharge of the antelope Derby in Bandia Reserve, Senegal, photo: Derbianus Conservation International cooperation in the field of biodiversity in the field of nature conservation in the specific countries protection can be divided into three fundamental areas: at the national level. global, European (across the whole Europe and within the EU) and cross-border. The Czech Republic is a Party to The most important international instrument that addresses all major multilateral international treaties on the nature the conservation of biodiversity on a global scale is the conservation and a member of a number of international Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Czech intergovernmental organisations, such as the UN professional Republic has been a Party of the CBD since 1993. In the institutions and programmes, The Food and Agriculture framework of the CBD, thematic programmes aimed at the Organisation of the United Nations , the FAO, The United conservation and sustainable use of the biodiversity of the Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations basic types of ecosystems (e.g. forest, marine, coastal and Development Programme (UNDP), the Council of Europe or inland water, agricultural or mountain) have been gradually the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development accepted and addressed as well as cross-section activities, (OECD). Within the EU, the Czech Republic is bound by the concerning to a different extent basic types of ecosystems law and the EU Biodiversity Strategy; the Czech Republic mentioned, such as the issue of biodiversity in the context also established an intensive cooperation with neighbouring of climate change, ecosystem approach, indicators and countries, resulting in several cross-border agreements in monitoring, biodiversity, access to genetic resources and the area of nature and landscape protection and the care of sharing of benefits arising from their utilisation, including biological diversity. The general objective of cooperation at the contemporary biotechnology techniques, protected the international level is the fulfilment of the commitments areas, Plant Conservation Strategy, invasive alien species that are in the framework of the multilateral international or Resource Mobilisation Strategy for the Conservation of treaties adopted; the specific objective is to support foreign Biological Diversity. At present, the Parties to the CBD focus activities of the Czech Republic, which contribute to the on pursuing the Strategic Plan for the Period 2011-2020 and protection and conservation of biodiversity, in particular in its so-called 20 Aichi Targets. The Czech Republic is also a the developing countries. The main purpose of cross-border Party to all the multilateral international conventions relating cooperation with the neighbouring countries remains to to biodiversity at varying degrees, namely, the Convention ensure appropriate follow-up to the measures implemented on Wetlands of international importance especially as 96 waterfowl habitats (The Ramsar Convention), the Convention context, the Czech Republic has established commitments, on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural how many % of gross national income (GNI) should be set Habitats (The Bern Convention), the Convention on the aside for international development cooperation (IDC). In Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS, the context of the CBD were adopted also binding decisions The Bonn Convention) and in the framework of regional obliging the developed countries to the appropriate agreements and memoranda (AEWA - the African-Eurasian official assistance to developing countries in the field of Migratory Waterbird Agreement, EUROBATS Agreement the conservation of biodiversity: specifically, the Decision on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats ,The XI/4 COP of the CBD, which commits the economically Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Conservation developed countries to a doubling of all financial support and Management of Middle-European Populations of the Great for the conservation of biodiversity in developing countries. Bustard, The CMS Memorandum of Understanding on the In the area of international development cooperation, the Conservation of Migratory Birds of Prey in Africa and Eurasia Government of the Czech Republic approved the concept , etc.), Convention on International Trade in Endangered of foreign development cooperation of the Czech Republic Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, the Washington for the period 2010 – 2017, which, inter alia, sets the priority Convention), the Convention concerning the Protection of the development assistance in the given period, including of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (UNESCO Paris a reference to the CBD Strategic Plan and Aichi, which Convention), the Framework Convention on the Protection should support the implementation of projects in the field and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians (Carpathian of the conservation of biodiversity in the target countries. Convention) or the European Convention on landscape. In the From the point of view of the conservation of biodiversity, context of cross-border cooperation with the neighbouring and in context with the abovementioned commitment, it is countries, the Czech Republic has concluded an agreement essential that this issue was also taken into consideration in in the field of environmental protection with all neighbouring the upcoming IDC Concept for the following period. countries. There have been agreements concluded in the area of cross- border cooperation as well, respectively, the Declaration CURRENT CONDITIONS on cooperation between the ME CR and the Federal States of Saxony and Bavaria, which ensure a regular expert In early 1990s, the Czech Republic became a recipient of meetings and the exchange of information in the field of financial and professional assistance from abroad, aimed nature conservation. More intensive cooperation in the at the improvement of the state of the environment. It field of biodiversity conservation is also with Slovakia and usually concerned projects, training courses, development Austria, where joint selected projects funded by the EU LIFE of methodologies and the dissemination of experience that Programme are implemented. Smaller regional multilateral provided the States of the European Communities, the USA agreements, specifically, e.g. The Carpathian Convention, and other economically advanced countries, international which provides a platform for mutual cooperation in the non-governmental organisations, private funds or field of nature conservation and not only in this area at all foundations. With the accession of the Czech Republic to the levels (state administration, local government, the voluntary OECD and, eventually, the EU and in relation to the economic sector) have an important role in cross-border cooperation. development of the country, however, the position of the Czech Republic has changed the status of the beneficiary The Czech Republic is also involved in the activities associated of the given help, and it became its provider (donor) with a with the creation of measures to conserve biodiversity focus on developing and post-communist countries. In this through its membership in international organisations.

Priority 4: Strategic Planning and Policies 97 E.g. The Global Environmental Fund (GEF) prepared for the both the governmental and non-governmental sector of years 2014-2017 on projects in the area of biodiversity most countries of the world. 1.3 million USD, which makes the historical maximum. The biodiversity also covers the activities of several OECD Current evaluation of international cooperation: working groups dedicated to specific vocational issues. The Czech Republic is also a member of the International Union • Number of projects in the framework of cross-border for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the most prominent non- cooperation governmental organisation with a global reach, bringing • Monitoring of costs of international biodiversity protection together in a unique partnership, and the institutions from (within the CBD reporting) PRESSURES/THREATS PRESSURES EVALUATION Projects focused on other areas than biodiversity are in the concept of the foreign development Lack of support in the framework cooperation within the environmental sector given preference in the long-term, taking into account of international development existing capacities and comparative advantages, experience, the protection of biodiversity is not within cooperation the environmental sector sufficiently taken into account. Inadequate human resources capacity in the respective state institutions (ME, MFA) do not allow an Limited capacity of human effective use of all available financial resources and potential in the field of international conservation resources within the State of biodiversity, and also limit the involvement of Czech mediation experts and companies in the administration implementation of development projects and programmes. THREATS EVALUATION The generally low public awareness of the importance of biodiversity in the context of sustainable Low public awareness of the development is the cause of passive support of negative effects on biodiversity, e.g. in the form of biodiversity protection at the global demand/consumption of products containing soya or Palm oil, their production has resulted in a dramatic level loss of native tropical rain forests and biodiversity in the places where it is the world‘s highest. 98 COMPONENT OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES COMPONENT VERIFICATION MEASURE INDICATOR DEADLINE RESPONSIBILITY OBJECTIVE SOURCES The concept of 4.3.1 Emphasis international The increase in the on Support of the Integration of the issue of the development number of projects Biodiversity within the conservation of biodiversity cooperation, the and the volume of Environmental Sector in the updated version of reports on the ME in cooperation funds reported in the 2020 in the Implementation the Concept of the Czech conservation of with MFA context of reporting of the International International Development biodiversity, CBD, as the RIO marker 2 for Development Cooperation the Monterrey biodiversity by 50% Cooperation questionnaire, OECD database The continuous Reports on the costs 4.3.2 Mediate Contacts increase of projects of the conservation The number of projects with Local Partners for abroad aimed of biodiversity, abroad aimed at biodiversity MFA in the Implementation of at biodiversity CBD, the Monterrey conservation (see component 2025 cooperation with Projects through the conservation (see questionnaire, OECD objective 4.3.1), Creation of a the ME Relevant Authorities in component objective database, contacts Contact Database the Czech Republic 4.3.1), Contact database available at Database the ME and MFA The continuous Continuation of the projects increase in biodiversity implemented under the LIFE + conservation projects 4.3.3 Actively Promote Programme and support for the implemented in Joint cross-border 2025 Register of projects ME financing of new cross-border or cooperation with Projects multilateral projects (e.g. within neighbouring the Carpathian Convention) countries within of the Carpathian Convention Involvement in international 4.3.4 Engage in activities in the field of research Participation in Relevant International Activities and the conservation of genetic international activities international in the Field of Research diversity, introduction and (e.g. within the H2020 2025 ME programmes and and the Conservation of encouraging the use of the and subsequent activities Genetic Biodiversity most modern molecular-genetic instruments) technologies

Priority 4: Strategic Planning and Policies 99 Sources of Financing of the Strategy Objectives National Biodiversity Strategy Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3 Priority 4 Society Recognising the Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Environmentally Friendly Use of Strategic Value of Natural Resources Term and Protection of Natural Natural Resources Planning and Processes Policy 1.1 Society Recognising the Value 3.5 Ecosystem Maintenance and 3.4 Soil and Mineral Resources Funding sources of component 1.5 Economic Instruments and 4.3 International Cooperation 3.6 Sustainable Utilisation of 4.1 Providing up-to-date and objectives:

3.1 Agricultural Landscape 2.3 Invasive Alien Species 1.2 Public Administration 2.1 Genetic Diversity 2.4 Natural Habitats 3.2 Forest Ecosystems 3.3 Water Ecosystems 4.2 Ecosystem Services of Natural Resources 1.3 Private Sector 1.4 Tourism Financial Support 2.2 Species (the IAS) 2.5 Landscape 2.6 Settlements Restoration Genetic Resources relevant information ME Budget allocation 315 (ME) xxx xxx xx xx xxxx xxx xxx xxx xxxx xx xx x x xx x xx x xxx xxx xx ME (ESIF) OPE - Priority Axis 1 - Improvement x x x xxx x of Water Quality and Reduction of Flood Risks ME (ESIF) OPE - Priority Axis 3 - Waste and x xx xx x material flows, ecological burdens and risks ME (ESIF) OPE - Priority Axis 4 - Nature and x xxx xx xxx xxxx xx xxx x x x xx landscape protection and care MA Budget allocation 329 (MA) x xx x xx x xx x xx xx xx x x x xx MA (ESIF) RDP - Priority 4 – Restoring, x xx xx xx xxx x xxx xxx xxx x x preserving and enhancing ecosystems in agriculture and forestry MA (ESIF) PRV - Priority 5 – Resource efficiency x xx xx xxx xxx xxx xxx and shift to low carbon and climate resilience economy in agriculture, food and forestry sectors (sources of financing of the Strategy Objectives are marked in the Table with “x” to “xxxx” according to the potential of their use with regard to the number of component objectives)

100 National Biodiversity Strategy Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3 Priority 4 Society Recognising the Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Environmentally Friendly Use of Strategic Value of Natural Resources Term and Protection of Natural Natural Resources Planning and Processes Policy 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 4.1 4.2 4.3 MA (ESIF) OP F – Union Priority 2 and xx 3 – Supporting environmentally sustainable, resource-efficient, innovative, competitive and knowledge-based aquaculture; Supporting the implementation of common fisheries policy MRD Budget allocation 317 (MRD) xxx x x x MRD (ESIF) IROP - Priority Axis 3 - Good x x x territorial administration and improvement in the effectiveness of public institutions MRD (ESIF) IROP - Priority Axis 4 - xx Community-led local development MD Budget allocation 327 (MT) x MD (ESIF) OP T - Priority Axis 1 - xx Infrastructure for railway and other sustainable transport MD (ESIF) OP T - Priority Axis 2 - Road xx infrastructure in the TEN-T network and public infrastructure for clean mobility MD (ESIF) OP T - Priority Axis 3 - Road xx infrastructure outside the TEN-T network MPO Budget allocation 307 (MIT) x x xxx (sources of financing of the Strategy Objectives are marked in the Table with “x” to “xxxx” according to the potential of their use with regard to the number of component objectives) 101 National Biodiversity Strategy Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3 Priority 4 Society Recognising the Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Environmentally Friendly Use of Strategic Value of Natural Resources Term and Protection of Natural Natural Resources Planning and Processes Policy

1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 4.1 4.2 4.3 MIT (ESIF) OP EIC - Priority Axis 3 – xx x xxx Efficient energy management, development of energy infrastructure and renewable energy sources, support for the introduction of new technologies in the management of energy and secondary raw materials MEYS Budget allocation 333 (MEYS) x x MEYS (ESIF) OP RDE - Priority Axis 1 – x Strengthening capacities for high- quality research MEYS (ESIF) OP RDE - Priority Axis 2 – xxx xx Development of universities and human resources for research and development MEYS (ESIF) OP RDE - Priority Axis 3 – Equal xxx access to high-quality pre-school, primary and secondary education MF Budget allocation MF 312 (MF) x MFA Budget allocation 306 (MFA) xx (sources of financing of the Strategy Objectives are marked in the Table with “x” to “xxxx” according to the potential of their use with regard to the number of component objectives) European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) OPE – Operational Programme Environment; RDP - Rural Development Programme; OP F – Operational Programme Fisheries; IROP – Integrated Regional Operational Programme; OP T – Operational Programme Transport; OP EIC – Operational Programme Enterprise and Innovation for Competitiveness; OP RDE - Operational Programme Research, Development and Education 102 Conformity of the Strategy Objectives and Measures with the State Environmental Policy and with Other Sectoral Policies CC Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Czech Republic Priority Axis 3 - Spatial development and 4 - Landscape, ecosystems and biodiversity ME State Environmental Policy of the Czech Republic 2012-2020 Priorities: 1.1 Ensure Water Protection, 1.3 Ensure and Sustain Use of Soil and Rock Environment, 3.1. Protection and Strengthening of Ecological Functions of the Landscape, 3.2 Conservation of Natural Landscape Values 3.3 Improve the Quality of Environment in the Settlements, 4.1 Risk Prevention ME National Biodiversity Strategy

Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3 Priority 4 Society Recognising the Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Environmentally Friendly Use of Strategic Value of Natural Resources Term and Protection of Natural Natural Resources Planning and Processes Policy 1.1 Society Recognising the Value 3.5 Ecosystem Maintenance and 3.4 Soil and Mineral Resources 1.5 Economic Instruments and 4.3 International Cooperation 3.6 Sustainable Utilisation of 4.1 Providing Up-to-date and

3.1 Agricultural Landscape 2.3 Invasive Alien Species 1.2 Public Administration 2.1 Genetic Diversity 2.4 Natural Habitats 3.2 Forest Ecosystems 3.3 Water Ecosystems 4.2 Ecosystem Services of Natural Resources 1.3 Private Sector 1.4 Tourism Financial Support 2.2 Species (the IAS) 2.5 Landscape 2.6 Settlements Restoration Genetic Resources Relevant information ME Strategy for Climate Change Adaptation in x x xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx the Conditions of the CR ME The concept of environmental security x xx x xxx xx x x xx x xxx ME Environmental Education and Awareness xxx xxx Strategy MA21 Concept x xx xx xx x xx (association of the Strategy Objectives with other sectoral concepts and strategies in the Table marked with „x“ from the weakest to the strongest „xxx“) 103 National Biodiversity Strategy Priority 1 Priority 2 Priority 3 Priority 4 Society Recognising the Biodiversity Flourishing in the Long Environmentally Friendly Use of Strategic Value of Natural Resources Term and Protection of Natural Natural Resources Planning and Processes Policy 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 4.1 4.2 4.3 MA River Basin Management Plans xxx MA Growth Strategy – the Czech agriculture x x xxx x x x xxx and food industry in the framework of the EU Common Agricultural Policy after 2013 MA National Program on Conservation and xxx Reproduction of Forest Tree Species Gene Pool 2014-2018 MA National Forestry Programme to x x x xxx 2013 MA Action Plan for the Development of xx Organic Farming in the years 2011-2015 MA Biomass Action Plan for the Czech x x x x Republic for the period 2012 - 2020 MA Multiannual National Strategic Plan for xx xx xx Aquaculture (2014) MA The principles of State Forestry Policies xxx (2012) MRD The Concept of the State Tourism Policy xxx x x MRD Regional Development Strategy of the x x xx xxx xx x xx Czech Republic MRD Spatial Development Policy of the Czech x x xxx xx x x Republic, Act. No. 1 (2015) MRD Architecture and Building Culture Policy of x xxx the Czech Republic (2015) MT The Transport Policy of the Czech Republic x for 2014–2020 MIT The Raw Material Policy of the Czech x x Republic in the Field of Mineral Materials and Their Resources MIT NAP for the Corporate Social xx Responsibility in the Czech Republic MIT National Brownfield Regeneration Strategy x x xx xx xx xx (association of the Strategy Objectives with other sectoral concepts and strategies in the Table marked with „x“ from the weakest to the strongest „xxx“)

104 List of Abbreviations ABS – Access and Benefit Sharing The Aichi Targets — a total of 20 targets of the CBD Strategic Plan established on 1the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD in the Japanese city of Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture in 2010 NCA CR – Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic AS CR – Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic BioLog – the project of civil science focused on the species monitoring (administrator NCA CR) BioLib – species monitoring database CAP – Common Agriculture Policy CBD – Convention on Biological Diversity CFP – Common Fishery Policy CITES – Convention on International Trade with Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora CMS – Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility CEI – Czech Environmental Inspectorate WWTP – Wastewater Treatment Plan CFU – Czech Fishing Union GAEC – Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions EBC – European Brewery Convention ECCO – European Culture Collection Organisation ECPGR – The European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources EEA – European Economic Area EIA – Environmental Impact Assessment EC – European Commission ECT – Environmental Consulting ERFP – European Regional Focal Point for Animal Genetic Resources ES – Ecosystem services ESIF – European Structural and Investment Funds EU – European Union EUROPARC – Association of European National Parks EEPA – Environmental Education and Public Awareness FAO – Food and Agriculture Organization FEMS – Federation of European Microbiological Societies GBIF – Global Biodiversity Information Facility GEF – Global Environmental Facility GGBN – Gene Banks GMO – Genetically Modified Organisms GNI – Gross National Income 105 HNV – Agricultural systems with high nature value PLA – Protected Landscape Area PA – Protected Areas, areas and bird areas of EU importance IAS – Invasive Alien Species INSPIRE – EU Directive on Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community IPBES – The Intergovernmental Science–Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature ITPGRFA – The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture KRNAP – The Krkonoše Mountains National Park LFA – Agriculturally Less Favoured Areas LIFE – EU’s financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation LPIS – Geographic Information System (GIS), which is made up primarily of the records of the use of agricultural land MAES – Mapping and Assessing of Ecosystem Services MT – Ministry of Transport MK – Ministry of Culture MRD – Ministry for Regional Development MD – Ministry of Defence MFU – Moravian Fishing Union PS – Pre–schools MIT – Ministry of Industry and Trade MEYS – Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports MA – Ministry of Agriculture MH – Ministry of Health MFA – Ministry of Foreign Affairs ME – Ministry of Environment Natura 2000 Network – a system of protected areas established under the European Community legislation (Birds and Habitats Directives) NČI – National Indicators – a system of all central indicators, which are the carriers of information on the implementation of the relevant projects/programmes financed from the EU structural funds. NDOP – Founding Nature Conservation Database, managed by NCA CR NIF – National Inventory of Forests of the CR NFP – National Forestry Programme NGO – Non–governmental Non-profit Organisations NP – National park NNR – National natural reserve NNM – National natural monument OECD – Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development OPE – Operational Programme Environment UN – United Nations POPFK – Support of the Recovery of the Natural Features of the Landscape

106 POP – Persistent Organic Pollutants NM – Natural Monument PPCP – Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products LCP – Landscape Care Programme NR – Natural Reserve RDP – Rural Development Programme PUPFL – Land Intended for the Performance of the Functions of the Forest SDP – Spatial Development Plan RSM – Resource Mobilization Strategy FGT – Fast Growing Trees CRDI – Council for Research, Development and Innovation (an advisory body to the Government of the Czech Republic) CGCSD – Czech Government Council for Sustainable Development SNCLPP – State Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection Programme SEF – State Environmental Fund SEP – State Environmental Policy HS – High Schools CAP – Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union TA CR – Technological Agency of the Czech Republic TEEB – The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity UNCCD – United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification UNDP – United Nations Development Programme UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme UNESCO – United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation CISTA – Central Institute for Supervising and Testing in Agriculture TSES – Territorial System of Ecological Stability ILF – Important Landscape Feature RILOG – Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening RICP – Research Institute of Crop Production WFCC – World Federation of Culture Collections WFD – the EU Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) WWF – World Wildlife Fund SPS – Specially Protected Species SPA – Specially Protected Areas – NP, PLA, NNR, NNP, NR and NM NCA – Act on Nature and Landscape Protection (Act No. 114/1992 Coll., as amended) ALRR – agricultural land resources IDC – International Development Cooperation SDP – Spatial Development Principles 107 Glossary of terms The Glossary of Terms presents a selection of terms used in the Biological Diversity Conservation Strategy of the Czech Republic. Most terms were literally taken from Act No. 114/1992 on Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection, as amended later, as well as from the Convention on Biological Diversity. If there are more terms having been used for the same subject, all are included below. On the other hand, common synonyms are given in the glossary. Mark h refers to another term listed in the glossary. Abiotic – Non-living, applied to the physical and chemical aspect of an h organism’s h environment. Access and benefit sharing - one of the three objectives of the h Convention on Biological Diversity. It is the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of h genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant h technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and to technologies, and by appropriate funding. The CBD also has several articles (especially Article 15) regarding international aspects of access to genetic resources. The access and benefit s haring is implemented through h the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization. Acidification – Change in natural chemical balance caused by an increase in the concentration of acidic elements. Acid precipitation has a lower pH than normal as a result of acid-forming precursor molecules introduced into the atmosphere by human activities. Action plan/recovery programme – a set of various activities aiming at conservation of h the Specially Protected Species and at improving its conservation status. It is an important h species protection tool. Adaptative management – is a systematic process for continually improving h policies and practices by learning from the outcomes of operational programmes. It is a structured, iterative process of optimal decision making in the face of uncertainty. In other words, it is a quasi-experiment, flexible „learning by doing. A part of h ecosystem approach. Agri-environmental climate schemes - a key element for the integration of environmental and climate change mitigation and adaptation concerns into the Common Agricultural Policy in the European Union. They are designed to encourage farmers to protect and enhance h the environment on their farmland and to support climate change mitigation and adaptation by paying them for the provision of h ecosystem services. Farmers commit themselves, for a minimum period of at least five years, to adopt environmentally-friendly farming techniques that go beyond legal obligations. In return, they receive payments that provide compensation for additional costs and income foregone resulting from applying those environmentally friendly farming practices in line with the stipulations of agri-environment contracts. Also known as agri-environmental measures. Agri-environmental measures – see h Agri-environmental climate schemes Alien species - A h species, subspecies or lower h taxon, introduced outside its natural past or present h distribution range; includes any part, gametes, seeds, eggs, or other h propagules of such species that might survive and subsequently reproduce. Alpine zone – a part of mountains above the tree line where is too cold for trees to grow. In the Czech Republic, it was developed in the Krkonoše/Giant Mts., Králický Sněžník Mts. and in the Hrubý Jeseník Mts. only. Anthropogenic – human caused: describing a phenomenon or condition of the natural world, that results from, or is significantly influenced by human activity. Resulting from or produced by human beings. Bioinformatics – the use of computers and/or mathematics to analyse complex biological information. It is discipline of using computers to address information problems in the life sciences; it involves, inter alia, the creation of electronic data bases on genomes, protein sequences, etc. Biocentre – a site or area, usually harbouring high h biological diversity, particularly h species richness and habitat heterogeneity as a part of h ecological network. Within the h Territorial System of Ecological Stability of the Landscape, there are local, regional (=subnational), and supra-regional (national and supranational) biocentres in the Czech Republic. Also known as core areas.

108 Biodiversity – see h Biological diversity Biological corridor - a part of the landscape, linear or h stepping stones, connecting two or more h habitats, facilitating the movement/ h dispersal of h organisms between local h populations across the landscape. Biological corridors are elements of h ecological network. Within the h Territorial System of Ecological Stability of the Landscape, there are local, regional (=subnational), and supra-regional (national and supranational) biological corridors in the Czech Republic. Also known as habitat corridor, ecological corridor or migration corridor. Biological diversity - the variability among living h organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic h ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part. It includes diversity within h species, between species and of ecosystems. In other words, it is the variability in and among of biological systems of all the levels and is not a pure sum of system´s elements, but interrelations among them (the holistic approach). Usually, there are three biological diversity levels: h genes, organisms (species), and ecosystems. Some authors also recognize human (cultural) and molecular levels within biological diversity. More recently, attention has been paid to evolutionary aspects of biological diversity. Biological diversity is an overarching hierarchical concept: therefore, it cannot be expressed by a single variable. Thus, it is measured and quantified through various indicators. Also known as biodiversity. Bird Area – a site/area most suitable, from the point of view of the occurrence, state and levels of their populations, for the protection of the bird species occurring on the Czech Republic´s and specified by the European Union legislation, namely Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild bird (commonly known as the Birds Directive). As of September 20, 2016, there are 41 Bird Areas in the Czech Republic, covering 0.67 % of the country´s territory. Biosafety - the application of knowledge, techniques and equipment to prevent personal, laboratory and environmental exposure to potentially infectious agents or biohazards. It includes attitudes, behaviour, techniques and legislation intended to manage, reduce or eliminate risk from biological resources or to biological entities. Techniques include exclusion, mitigation, adaptation, control, and eradication. Biota – all of the living h organisms that are found in a particular area. A living part of the h ecosystem. Biotechnology - any h technology that is applied to living h organisms to make them more valuable to people. Black list - 1. a list of species which have become extinct in a given area, often a part of the h red list. 2. A list of h invasive alien species which should be controlled or eradicated in a certain area and whose import, spreading and releasing into the wild is banned there. Brownfield – an abandoned industrial or commercial site where expansion or redevelopment is compromised by the possibility that it may be contaminated with hazardous substances from operations on the site. Carbon sequestration – the process of removing carbon dioxide from the atmospheric pool and making it less accessible or inaccessible to carbon-cycling process. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety - an international agreement governing the movements of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern h biotechnology from one country to another. It was adopted on 29 January 2000 as a supplementary agreement to the h Convention on Biological Diversity and entered into force on 11 September 2003. As of September 20, 2016 there are 170 Parties to the Cartagena Protocol. Clade – a monophyletic group made up of ancestor and all of its descendants. Climate – sensu stricto, the average weather, or more rigorously, as the statistical description in terms of the mean and variability of relevant quantities over a period of time ranging from months to thousands or millions of years. The classical period for averaging these variables is 30 years, as defined by the World Meteorological Organization. The relevant quantities are most often surface variables such as temperature, precipitation and wind. Sensu lato, is the highly complex system consisting of five major components: the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the cryosphere, the land surface and the biosphere, and the interactions between them. The climate system evolves in time under the influence of its own internal dynamics and because external drivers such as volcanic eruptions, solar variations and anthropogenic factors such as the changing composition of the atmosphere and land-use changes. Climate change - a change in the state of the h climate that can be identified (e.g. by using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/

109 or the variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer. Climate change may be due to natural internal processes or external drivers, or to persistent anthropogenic changes in the composition of the atmosphere or in land use. Community – an assemblage of h species found together in a specific h habitat at a certain time, interacting with each other in this area. Convention on Biological Diversity - an international legally binding United Nations treaty. It has three main goals: the conservation of h biological diversity, h the sustainable use of the components of biodiversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of h genetic resources. By Parties, it is implemented through national biodiversity strategies and action plans, using thematic programmes of work (they cover biological diversity in main ecosystem or h land use types, e.g. forest, marine and coastal or inland water ones) and cross-cutting issues passing through thematic programmes of work (e.g., h ecosystem approach, h access and benefit sharing, or biological diversity h monitoring, assessment and indicators). It has developed and h the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the h Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization. As of September 20, 2016, there are 196 Parties to the CBD. Core area – see h Biocentre Cropland – land used for growing crops, including arable land (land under temporary crops or temporarily fallow) and permanent crops. Dispersal – movement h of organisms through the h landscape, often among local h populations in a larger population. Distribution range – the region within which a h species or a h habitat occurs. Disturbance – a short term effect that disrupts h populations, h communities, or h ecosystems by changing the h environment. An episodic event that results in a sustained disruption of an ecosystem´s structure and h functions, generally with effects that last for an extended time. This may be a physical disturbance, e.g. fire or flood, a biogenic disturbance (e.g. colonisation by herbivores), or h an anthropogenic h disturbance, e.g. deforestation. Nowadays, they are considered as a part of h nature, often having positive effects on h biological diversity. Ecological barrier – a natural or artificial feature that restricts movement and h dispersal of h organisms across the h landscape. Ecological corridor – see h Biological corridor Ecological integrity – see h Ecosystem integrity Ecological network - a system of representative core areas (h biocentres), h biological corridors and buffer zones designed and managed in such a way as to preserve h biological diversity, maintain or restore h ecosystem services and allow a h sustainable use of h natural resources through interconnectivity of its physical elements within h the landscape and existing social/institutional structures. Ecological restoration – the recovery of a damaged h ecosystem, either naturally or as a result of management that is designed to re- establish its structure and h functions. It is the process of re-establishing, to as near its natural condition as possible, the h structure, h functions, and composition of an ecosystem. In other words, it is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. An ecosystem has recovered when it contains sufficient biotic and h abiotic resources to continue its development without further assistance or subsidy. It would sustain itself structurally and functionally, demonstrate resilience to normal ranges of environmental stress and disturbance, and interact with contiguous ecosystems in terms of biotic and h abiotic flows and cultural interactions. Ecological restoration is not a h nature conservation tool, but a response to inappropriate human activities. Ecological stability – an ability of a certain h ecosystem to become resistant and resilient against changes caused by external factors through h disturbances and to maintain its features, patterns and h functions. Ecosystem – a natural unit consisting of all organisms in a given area (h biota), interacting with h abiotic h environment. It is a functional system of biotic and h abiotic components of the environment, which are mutually connected by exchange of matter, energy flow, and transfer of information, and which influence each other and develop in a certain space and time. Ecosystem accounting - a coherent and integrated approach to the assessment of h the environment through the measurement of h ecosystems, and measurement of the flows of h services from ecosystems into economic and other human activity. It is a relatively

110 new and emerging field dealing with the integration of complex biophysical data, use of those data to track changes in ecosystems and linkage of the changes to economic and other human activity. Considering the increasing demand for statistics on ecosystems within analytical and policy frameworks on environmental sustainability, human well-being and economic growth and development, advancing this emerging field of statistics has become increasingly urgent. Ecosystem approach - A strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes h conservation and h sustainable use in an equitable way. It is the comprehensive integrated management of human activities based on the best available scientific knowledge about the ecosystem and its dynamics, in order to identify and take action on influences which are critical to the health of ecosystems, thereby achieving sustainable use of ecosystem services and maintenance of ecosystem integrity. A leading principle for implementing the h Convention on Biological Diversity. Ecosystem function – internal features, patterns and characteristics related to conditions and processes, e.g. primary productivity, food web or biogeochemical cycles. It includes biological, geochemical and physical h processes and components that take place or occur within a certain h ecosystem. In other words, ecosystem function is process, product or outcome arising from the biogeochemical activities of living things as they absorb, transform, excrete and exchange materials and energy, delivered across the boundary of some nominally bounded system. Ecosystem functioning – a basic h ecosystem process contributing to provisioning humans with h ecosystem services, e.g. energy flow and nutrient cycling. They include interactions and exchanges between h organisms and their non-living h environment, within a nominally bounded system, involving but not limited to transformations of material or energy, gene flow and changes in gene frequency, population demography and dynamics, and behaviour. The interactions are typically subject to feedback and exhibit non-linear relationships with drivers and with the processes that they influence. Ecosystem integrity - the ability of a certain h ecosystem to maintain its organisation in the face of changing environmental conditions and to function healthily, continue to provide h ecosystem services and maintain h biological diversity. It is the state where in an ecosystem, h structure and functional relations maintained are similar to those when natural biodiversity has been present. In other words, it describes the ecosystem complexity. The integrity of an ecosystem does not only reflect a single characteristic of an ecosystem and therefore encompasses a wide set of criteria. Thus, ecosystem integrity is measured by various indicators. Also known as ecological integrity. Ecosystem process – the biogeochemical flows of energy, matter (including nutrients) and information within and among ecosystems. Ecosystem services – the conditions and h processes by which h ecosystems sustain and support human well-being. These are benefits people obtain from ecosystems. They include provisioning services such as food and water; regulating services such as regulation of floods, drought, land degradation, and disease; supporting services such as soil formation and nutrient cycling; and cultural services such as recreational, spiritual, religious and other nonmaterial benefits. Ecosystem structure - the biophysical architecture of h an ecosystem. The composition of h species making up the architecture may vary. Ecotone – a transitional area between two adjacent h communities, h habitats and h ecosystems. It is boundary or border zone which contains h species from both entities. It is a boundary or line of transition between neighbouring ecosystems. In other words, it is a habitat or ecosystem that characterises the transition zone between distinct ecosystems. Endemic – a h taxon confined to particular region, thus often having a comparatively restricted h distribution range. Environment – whatever surrounds and interacts with or otherwise affect a h population, h organism, or a cell. The totality of all the external factors, conditions and influences affecting the life, development and survival of an organism. Environmental education – formal and informal activities that are designed to promote people´s understanding of, appreciation, and care of nature and the environment. European habitat – a h natural habitat in the European territory of the European Union Member States, of the types which are in danger of disappearance in their natural h distribution range or have a small natural distribution range due to their decline or due to their natural features, or present exceptional examples of typical characteristics of one or more of the biogeographical regions, and which are set

111 out by the European Union legislation, namely Directive 92/43/ EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (commonly known as the Habitats Directive). Eutrophication - the increase in additions of nutrients to freshwater, marine or terrestrial h ecosystems. In aquatic ecosystems it leads to increases in plant, algal and cyanophyte growth (biological production) and often to undesirable changes in ecosystem h structure and h functions. Ex-situ conservation - the h conservation of components of h biological diversity outside their natural h habitats. Food web – the complete set of food links between h species in a h community. Gene – a unit of heredity, the unit of genetic function which carries the information for a polypeptide or RNA. It is a DNA sequence on a chromosome that codes for a specific protein. Genetic diversity - the variation in the amount of genetic information within and among individuals of a h population, a h species, or a h community. Genetic material - any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin containing functional units of heredity. Genetic resources – h genetic material of plants, animals, micro-organisms and other h organisms that is of actual or potential value as a resource for humans. Examples include cultivars and breeds, landraces and wild relatives of crop plants or domesticated animals. Genetically modified organism – an organism whose genetic code has been altered by humans. Any organism, with the exception of human beings, in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination. Grassland – short-structure vegetation dominated by grasses. Green infrastructure - a system/network of open space, consisting of natural, h semi-natural and man-made structures that provide directly or indirectly to human society h ecosystem services and support and improve h ecosystem processes and h functions. Therefore, it a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas with other environmental features designed and managed to deliver a wide range of ecosystem services. It incorporates green spaces (or blue if aquatic ecosystems are concerned) and other physical features in terrestrial (including coastal) and marine areas. On land, GI is also present in rural and urban settings. Green infrastructure links a protected area network, an h ecological network respectively, with the unprotected, non-reserved landscape including various green areas in human settlements, from green roofs and walls up to large-size urban parks. The GI concept emphasizes the importance of ensuring the provision of ecosystem services for society and the value of functionally and spatially connected, healthy h ecosystems, by improving their functional and spatial h connectivity. Habitat – the particular h environment in which an individual, h population, h species or h community/assemblage lives. In other words, the place or type of site where h an organism, population, species or community/assemblage naturally occurs. It is a complex of all h abiotic and biotic factors which, mutually effecting, form the environment of a certain individual, species, population, or community. A habitat is such local environment which meets the requirements characteristic of plant, animal and other species. Habitat corridor – see h Biological corridor Habitat fragmentation – a process whereby a continuous area of h habitat is reduced in area and/or divided into two or more fragments. It is disaggregation of a habitat into more or less isolated patches that are scattered in a matrix of other habitat types. In-situ conservation - the h conservation of h ecosystems and natural h habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable h populations of h species in their natural surroundings and, in the case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the surroundings where they have developed their distinctive properties. Invasive alien species – h alien species whose introduction and/or spread outside their natural past or present h distribution range threatens h biological diversity. Invasive alien species occur in all taxonomic groups, including animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms, and can affect all types of ecosystems. Land consolidation – see h Land replotting Land cover – a physical state of a land area in terms of its surface features. Land replotting - land replotting arranges, in accordance with public interest, lands both in spatial and functional manner, combines or splits them, ensures access to them and their use and modifies their boundaries in order to facilitate conditions for their rational

112 management by land owners. In this context, property rights/land ownership rights to land and related easements are arranged. At the same time, they provide the conditions for improving h the environment, land resource protection and reclamation h /ecological restoration, water management and improvement in h ecological stability at the h landscape level. Results obtained from land replotting are used for update of cadastral/land register operate and as a necessary basis for h land use planning. Also known as land consolidation or reparcelling. Landscape - a part of the surface of the Earth with a characteristic relief, formed by a complex of functionally interconnected h ecosystems and civilisation elements. It is an Earth´s cover, consisting of natural elements and man-made products. Landscape connectivity – the ability of a landscape to facilitate the flows of h organisms, energy, or material across h a landscape. Landscape fragmentation – the breaking up of h the landscape into smaller patches, most often by human activities, or the human introduction of barriers that impede flow of h organisms, energy, and material through the landscape. Land use – the purpose for which an area of land is being used. Land-use change – converting an area of land from one h land use to another, usually on purpose. Land-use plan – a plan which outlines proposed h land use and their distribution in a particular area. Land-use planning – development of a plan for the use and development of land within the specific boundaries (e.g., municipality, subnational administration units), taking into account existing h land use, land capability and the specific policies and strategic objectives. Also known as physical planning or territorial planning. Management plan – a statement of how to protect h biological diversity in a particular area, along with methods for implementation. A written that describes the overall guidelines within which an activity or project is organized, administered, and managed to ensure that agreed management objectives are achieved in a timely manner. In the Czech Republic, they are obligatory for h Specially Protected Areas. Metapopulation - a total h population system that is composed of multiple local populations geographically separated but functionally connected through h dispersal of h organism. It also can be described as a population of populations. Migration – Sustained directional movement by an animal that takes it out of one h habitat and into another. A part of h dispersal. Migration corridor – see h Biological corridor Monitoring – h technologies, procedures, and protocols for collecting, analysing, interpreting, and reporting environmental information including that on model h biological diversity components. More generally, it is the continuous or frequent standardized measurement and observation of the h environment (air, water, land/soil, h biota), often used for warning and control. It provides a time series of data on the state of and changes and trends in the measurable variables as well as baselines against which to evaluate rates and patterns of environmental change, and which can be used to give an early indications of adjustments and possible risk in h nature, h the environment and h biological diversity. Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization - an international agreement which aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of h genetic resources in a fair and equitable way. It is a protocol to h the Convention on Biological Diversity and it entered into force on 12 October 2014. It provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. As of September 20, there are 78 Parties to the Nagoya Protocol. National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans - the principal instruments for implementing the h Convention on Biological Diversity at the national level (Article 6). The CBD requires Parties to prepare a national biodiversity strategy (or equivalent instrument) and to ensure that this strategy is mainstreamed into the planning and activities of all those sectors whose activities can have an impact (positive and negative) on h biological diversity. National Nature Monument - a natural formation of a smaller site/area, particularly a geological or geomorphologic formation, mineral deposit or place of occurrence of rare or endangered h species in fragments of h ecosystems, having national or international environmental, scientific or aesthetic importance, including formations which were formed, besides by nature, also by the activity of man. A category of h Specially Protected Areas. As of September 20, 2016, there are 120 NNMs in the Czech Republic. National Nature Reserve – a smaller site/area of exceptional natural values, where h ecosystems important and unique at the national

113 or international scale are bound with natural relief having a typical geological structure. A category of h Specially Protected Area. As of September 20, 2016, there are 107 NNRs in the Czech Republic. National Park – an extensive area, unique at the national or international scale, a considerable part of which is covered by natural h ecosystems or ecosystems little effected by human activities, where plants, animals, other h organisms and h abiotic h nature are of an exceptional scientific and educational importance. A category of h Specially Protected Areas. There are four National Parks in the Czech Republic (the Krkonoše/Giant Mts., Šumava/Bohemian Forest Mts., Podyjí/Thaya River Basin and the České Švýcarsko/Bohemian Switzerland). Natura 2000 network – a coherent system of areas with specified level of h conservation being established in the European Union, which enables to maintain natural h habitats and habitats of h species in their natural h distribution range at a favourable conservation status, or optionally, will enable to restore such status. Thus, it is designed to conserve h natural habitats and h wildlife species of the European Union importance. In the Czech Republic, Natura 2000 consists of the h Bird Areas and the h Sites of European Importance, which are contractually protected or protected as h Specially Protected Areas. In the Czech Republic, as of September 20, 2016, there in total are 1,153 Natura 2000 sites, strongly overlapping Specially Protected Areas. Natural capital – the stock of h natural resources and environmental assets within an area, a country, or the world. It is natural assets in their role of providing natural resource inputs and h ecosystem services for economic production. Natural capital includes land, minerals and fossil fuels, solar energy, water, living h organisms, and the services provided by the interactions of all these elements in h ecosystems. Natural habitat - a natural or h semi-natural terrestrial or aquatic area, distinguished on the basis of geographic characteristics and characteristics of biotic and h abiotic h nature. Natural resource – any feature of h nature that is of value for meeting human needs, including h renewable resources (e.g., water, soil, wildlife) and non-renewable resources (e.g., oil, natural gas, coal, or iron ore). They are assets (raw materials) occurring in nature that can be used for economic production or consumption Nature - a real world surrounding us: it was not created by humans, but humans critically depend on it. Nature-based tourism - any type of tourism that relies on experiences directly related to natural attractions and includes ecotourism, adventure tourism, extractive tourism, wildlife tourism and nature retreats. Nature conservation - a range of human activities aiming at maintaining the natural world in a favourable status, i.e. in good conditions, particularly healthy, for a long time. Generally, as a public interest, it is a multi-disciplinary social branch trying to keep nature healthy. Nature Monument - a natural formation of a smaller area, particularly a geological or geomorphologic formation, deposit of rare minerals or place of occurrence of endangered h species in fragments of h ecosystems, having regional environmental, scientific or aesthetic importance, including formations which were formed, besides by h nature, also by the activity of man. A category of h Specially Protected Areas. As of September 20, 2016, there are 1.541 NMs in the Czech Republic. Nature Reserve - smaller site/area of concentrated natural values with occurrence of h ecosystems typical and important for the relevant geographical region. A category of the h Specially Protected Areas. As of September 20, 2016, there are 815 NRs in the Czech Republic. Organism – an individual animal, plant and other life form (fungal, algal or single celled ones) that is able to grow and reproduce. It is any biological entity capable of replication or of transferring genetic material. Permanent grassland – a h grassland, either natural or artificial/ h anthropogenic, consisting of perennial plants that are permitted to remain for a number of years. Phenology - the study of natural phenomena that recur periodically (e.g. development stages, h migration) and their relation to h climate and seasonal changes. Physical planning – see h Land-use planning Planning materials – documents used in h land-use planning consisting of planning analytical materials, which identify and evaluate the state and the development of territory, and of a planning study, which checks potentialities and conditions for changes in the area. They

114 are procured by law for the whole Czech Republic´s territory and continuously updated. Planning analytical materials serve particularly as data for procuring spatial development policy, planning documentation, their changes and for territorial decisions. They serve then as data for sustainable development impact assessment of planning documentation and strategic environmental assessment. Policy - is a deliberate system of principles to guide decisions and achieve expected, ideally rationale outcomes. It includes a broad range of issues paradigms & conceptual frameworks, strategies (setting priorities, targets and goals), programmes and projects, measures in practice including those in the field and h monitoring & assessment. Population – a group of individuals of the same h species occupying a certain geographic area over a specified period of time. Population density – the relative number of individuals of a given h species that are found in a certain area. It is number of individuals of a certain species in a unit area or volume. Propagule – a part of h an organism able to disperse and propagate. Protected Landscape Area – an area with a harmoniously formed h landscape, a characteristically developed relief, a significant proportion of natural h ecosystems of forests and h permanent grasslands, with abundant presence of woody plants, or, optionally, with preserved monuments of historical settlement. A category of Specially Protected Areas. At present, there are 26 PLAs, 25 of them are managed by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic. Red data book – a publication presenting a Red List for a subnational unit, country, region or the world as well as the information on the species or other taxa included including on their bionomics, distribution, conservation status or actions to be implemented and drawings, illustrations, maps and figures. Red list – the list of endangered h species or other h taxa within a subnational unit, country, region or the world. Most often, the IUCN criteria and categories are used for developing the RL. An importation information source for national legislation and prioritisation of species for implementing h action plans/recovery programmes, in the Czech Republic for h Specially Protected Species. Refuge – a safe site or an area that offers protection or shelter for h wildlife and other organisms. Renewable resources - natural resources that, after exploitation, can return to their previous stock levels by natural processes of growth or replenishment. Reparcelling – see h Land replotting Semi-natural – a part of the environment which has been affected in xxx extent directly or indirectly by human activity. Significant Landscape Element - an environmentally, geomorphologically or aesthetically valuable part of the landscape, providing the characteristic appearance of the landscape (landscape scenery/character) or contributes to its stability. Significant landscape elements are forests, peatlands, watercourses, ponds, lakes, floodplains. Further, significant landscape elements shall be other parts of the landscape registered by a State Nature Conservancy authority as significant landscape elements, particularly wetlands, steppe grasslands, wildlife refuges, balks, permanent grasslands, mineral and fossil deposits, artificial and natural rock formations, geological outcrops and exposures. The SLEs do not include Specially Protected Areas. Site of European Importance – a site/area that in the biogeographical region or regions, to which they belong, significantly contribute to: maintenance or restoration at a favourable conservation status of at least one type of h European habitats or of at least one h species of European importance, or to maintenance of biological diversity of the biogeographical region. As of September 20, 2016, there are 1,112 Sites of European Importance in the Czech Republic, covering 10.1 % of the country´s territory. Soil erosion – a group of natural geological processes by which soil and rock material are loosed or dissolved and then moved from their original location. It is detachment and movement of topsoil or soil material from the upper part of the profile by the action of wind or running water especially as a result of changes brought about by human activity (such as unsuitable or mismanaged agricultural methods). Specially Protected Area – an area which is highly important or unique from the point of view of natural science or from the aesthetic point of view. They are managed to maintain or improve their conservation status through h management plans. In the Czech Republic, there are six SPA categories: h National Parks, h Protected Landscape Areas, h National Nature Reserves, h National Nature Monuments,

115 h Nature Reserves and h Nature Monuments. As of September 20, 2016, there are 2,613 SPAs in the Czech Republic, covering 16.7 % of its territory. Specially Protected Part of Nature - a very important or unique part of biotic or h abiotic h nature. It can be a part of the h landscape, a geological formation, a tree, an animal, a plant, or a mineral, declared as specially protected by a State Nature Conservancy authority pursuant to the Act on Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection. Specially Protected Species - the h wild plant, h wild animal or other (e.g., fungal) h species which are endangered or rare, of high scientific or cultural importance. According to the degree to which they are endangered, the specially protected species shall be divided into the following groups: (a) critically endangered species; (b) highly endangered species; and (c) endangered species. Species – the base unit of taxonomic classification, consisting of an ancestor-descendant group of populations of evolutionary closely related, similar organisms. When applying the biological species concept, species is a group of actually or potentially interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups. The morphological species concept consider species as a group of individuals that look alike. Lineage species concept defines species as s branch of the tree of life, which has a history that starts at a speciation event and ends either at extinction or at another species event. A fundamental category for the classification and description of organisms. species of European importance - h species in the European territory of the European Union Member States which is endangered, vulnerable, rare or endemic, and which is set out by the European Union legislation, namely Directive 92/43/ EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (commonly known as the Habitats Directive). Species protection – a set of activities and measures aiming at maintaining numerous and therefore, genetically high-quality h wild plant, h wild animal and other (e.g., fungal) h populations which are viable in a long-term perspective and occurring in appropriately large and minimally degraded h habitats. Species richness – the total number of h species living in an area/region. Stakeholder - people or organisations which are vital to the success or failure of an organization or project to reach its goals. The primary stakeholders are those needed for permission, approval and financial support and those who are directly affected by the activities of the organization or project. Secondary stakeholders are those who are indirectly affected. Tertiary stakeholders are those who are not affected or involved, but who can influence opinions either for or against. Stakeholder are important players in h biological diversity h conservation and h sustainable use h policy. Stepping stones - an array of relatively small, non-connected patches of h habitat that support temporary occurrence of wildlife also outside h core areas, thus allowing them to move across the h landscape. As a type of h biological corridor, a part of h ecological network. Sustainable development – development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs, which includes economic growth together with protection of the quality of the environment. Sustainable use – the use of h organism, h ecosystem or other h renewable resource at a rate that is within its capacity for renewal. It is the use of components of h biological diversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline in biological diversity, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations. Taxon – a biological group (typically a h species or a h clade) that is given a name. A unit of any rank (i.e. kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species) designating an h organism or a group of organisms. Also known as taxonomic unit. Taxonomic unit – see h Taxon Taxonomy – the scientific discipline that is concerned with the naming and classification of organisms. Technology - the collection of techniques, skills, methods and processes used in the production of goods or services or in the accomplishment of objectives, such as scientific investigation. Technology can be the knowledge of techniques (e.g., integrated ecosystem assessment, h taxonomy, developing h red lists, etc.), processes, etc. or it can be embedded in machines, computers, devices and factories, which can be operated by individuals without detailed knowledge of the workings of such things. Territorial planning – see h Land-use planning

116 Territorial System of Ecological Stability of the Landscape – a multi-level h ecological network, being developed in the Czech Republic. It is a mutually interconnected complex of both natural and h semi-natural ecosystems, which maintain natural balance and ecosystem health. It includes local, regional (=subnational), and supra-regional (national and supranational) TSES. The TSES consist of h biocentres, h biological corridors, their buffer zones and interactive elements. Up to now, approx. 50,000 h biocentres and 85,000 h biological corridors of the supra-regional, regional and local importance, in total covering 21,525 km2 have been identified across the whole country (of them, the supra-regional TSES covers 12,612 km2, regional 5,867 km2 and local 3,046 km2. The TSES concept was developed in the former Czechoslovakia in the 1970s and the 1980s. It combines natural science approach (h biological diversity, representativeness, spatial parameters), at the supra-regional level improved by biogeographical classification of the Czech Republic, with development of the cultural man-made used landscape, i.e. with h land-use planning. TSES is an obligatory part of land-use planning in the Czech Republic. Urban sprawl – a growth of a metropolitan area, particularly the suburbs (the outer part of a city or urban area, close to the rural-rural boundary), over a large area. Viable population - a h population in a state that maintains its vigour and its potential for evolutionary adaptation. Wetland - land that is covered with water for at least of each year, and thus is transitional between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. It supports aquatic vegetation that is specifically adapted for waterlogged soil conditions. Wild animal - an individual of animal species which occurs in h nature and is not in direct care of man. As an individual in direct care of man, there is considered an individual of animal species originating from breeding in captivity, which is unmistakably marked or identified by an irremovable ring or microchip or another unmistakable way and registered by a State Nature Conservancy authority. Wildlife – a broad term for all uncultivated plants and undomesticated animals living freely in nature. Wildlife trade - any sale or exchange of h wild animal and h plant resources by people. This can involve live animals and plants or a diverse range of products needed or prized by humans— including skins, medicinal ingredients, tourist curios, timber, fish and other food products. Wild plant - an individual or a colony of a plant h species, including fungi, the populations of which are sustained spontaneously in h nature. It includes all its underground and aboveground parts. 117 Annex č. 1 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, including Aichi Biodiversity Targets Overview of Aichi biodiversity targets Strategic Objective A: other relevant international obligations, taking into Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss account national socio-economic conditions. by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society Strategic Objective 4 By 2020, at the latest, Governments, business Strategic Objective 1 and stakeholders at all levels have taken steps to By 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the achieve or have implemented plans for sustainable values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to production and consumption and have kept the conserve and use it sustainably. impacts of use of natural resources well within safe ecological limits. Strategic Objective 2 By 2020, at the latest, biodiversity values have been Strategic Objective B: integrated into national and local development Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and and poverty reduction strategies and planning promote sustainable use processes. And they are being incorporated into national accounting, as appropriate, and reporting Strategic Objective 5 systems. By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where Strategic Objective 3 feasible brought close to zero, and degradation and By 2020, at the latest, incentives, including fragmentation is significantly reduced. subsidies, harmful to biodiversity are eliminated, phased out or reformed in order to minimize or Strategic Objective 6 avoid negative impacts, and positive incentives for By 2020 all fish and invertebrate stocks and aquatic the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity plants are managed and harvested sustainably, are developed. The incentives are applied, legally and applying ecosystem based approaches, consistent and in harmony with the Convention and so that overfishing is avoided, recovery plans and measures are in place for all depleted species,

118 fisheries have no significant adverse impacts on ecologically representative and well connected threatened species and vulnerable ecosystems systems of protected areas and other effective area- and the impacts of fisheries on stocks, species and based conservation measures, and integrated into ecosystems are within safe ecological limits. the wider landscapes and seascapes. Strategic Objective 7 Strategic Objective 12 By 2020 areas under agriculture, aquaculture By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species and forestry are managed sustainably, ensuring has been prevented and their conservation status, conservation of biodiversity. particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and sustained. Strategic Objective 8 By 2020, pollution, including from excess nutrients, Strategic Objective 13 has been brought to levels that are not detrimental By 2020, the genetic diversity of cultivated plants to ecosystem function and biodiversity. and farmed and domesticated animals and of wild relatives, including other socio-economically as well Strategic Objective 9 as culturally valuable species, is maintained, and By 2020, invasive alien species and pathways are strategies have been developed and implemented identified and prioritized, priority species are for minimising genetic erosion and safeguarding controlled or eradicated, and measures are in place their genetic diversity. to manage pathways to prevent their introduction and establishment to prevent the introduction of Strategic Objective D: invasive species. Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services Strategic Objective 10 By 2015, the multiple anthropogenic pressures Strategic Objective 14 on coral reefs, and other vulnerable ecosystems By 2020, ecosystems that provide essential services, impacted by climate change or ocean acidification including services related to water, and contribute are minimized, so as to maintain their integrity and to health, livelihoods and well-being, are restored functioning. and safeguarded, taking into account the needs of women, indigenous and local communities, and the Strategic Objective C: poor and vulnerable. To improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity Strategic Objective 15 By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the contribution Strategic Objective 11 of biodiversity to carbon stocks has been enhanced, By 2020, at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and through conservation and restoration, including inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine restoration of at least 15 per cent of degraded areas, especially areas of particular importance for ecosystems, thereby contributing to climate biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved change mitigation and adaptation and to combating through effectively and equitably managed, desertification. 119 Seminar of botanists in the Jeseníky Mountains, photo: D. Hlinková, NCA CR Strategic Objective 16 Strategic Objective 20 By 2015, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic By 2020, at the latest, the mobilization of financial Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of resources for effectively implementing the Strategic Benefits Arising from their Utilization is in force and Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 from all sources, and operational, consistent with national legislation. in accordance with the consolidated and agreed process in the Strategy for Resource Mobilization, Strategic Objective E: should increase substantially from the current levels. Enhance implementation through participatory This target will be subject to changes contingent to planning, knowledge management and capacity resource needs assessments to be developed and building reported by Parties.

Strategic Objective 17 By 2015 each Party has developed, adopted as a policy instrument, and has commenced implementing an effective, participatory and updated national biodiversity strategy and action plan. Strategic Objective 18 By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation and relevant international obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels. Strategic Objective 19 By 2020, knowledge, the science base and technologies relating to biodiversity, its values, functioning, status and trends, and the consequences of its loss, are improved, widely shared and transferred, and applied. 121 Possibilities of Strategy Implementation at the level of Governments, the Private Sector and other Interest Groups The strategy is primarily focused on the national level, i.e. the objectives and measures are the responsibility and interest of Central Governmental Authorities. The Action Plan of the Strategy is the State Nature and Landscape Protection Programme of the Czech Republic (2009, hereinafter referred to as the State Programme), its update will take place following the selected goals of the Strategy by the end of 2017. The State Programme will logically contain specific measures, but even in this case, it will concern the achievement of the objectives, especially, at the national level, i.e. through the central authorities of state administration. At the same time, the State Programme is focused on a narrower portfolio of activities that are aimed primarily at nature conservation in practice. This means that some areas which are partially or fully addressed by the Strategy are left out (e.g. chapters Private Sector, Public Administration, etc.). The purpose of the Strategy is, therefore, to provide sufficient background and inspiration for the direction of policies and plans to conserve biodiversity created by other types of entities. Above all, it is the local authorities, private bodies and other interest groups – in particular the stakeholders in general. In the case of local authorities is relevant in particular the level of counties and municipalities with extended competency (MEC). The aim of this chapter is to specify an appropriate methodological framework for the harmonisation of regional and local concepts with the objectives and measures of the Strategy. Even if the consideration of the Strategy by local authorities is entirely voluntary, it is in the general interest, to implement it as broadly as possible; in this direction, this chapter should/could bring a positive effect, in particular in the following areas: i as an inspiration in the creation of regional and local concepts (focus objectives, measures and, where appropriate, indicators for measuring the success of the measures); i in ensuring follow-up to the conceptual documents of a higher level; i for coordination of activities with neighbouring local authorities; i for individual consultations of specific projects with the Central Government. The following text describes specifically a possible way how should/could regional authorities and municipalities with extended competency approach the Strategy. The aim is not to present a specific methodology, which is not possible due to the large number and diversity of approaches. Therefore, the identification of the possibility of continuation of the concepts and plans on objectives and measures of the Strategy demonstrated on individual examples that illustrate the implementation of selected measures.

122 The management of national parks and nature and landscape protection of the Czech Republic are not, regardless of their important role in the protection of nature, included into the enumeration. The first is the need for the harmonisation of their activities with the Strategy determined by their mission, and it will also be significantly controlled by the State Programme, which will be an Action Plan for the Strategy. Regional Authority Level In some countries with a larger area, the individual regions have their own “Regional” Strategies to conserve biodiversity. With regard to the size of the Czech Republic, it is not necessary to adopt such specifically targeted documents at the regional level. However, in its own way such level is created by regional concepts of nature and landscape conservation updated by the Regional Authorities regularly every ten years. The regional authorities shall elect a different structure and detail of these documents. Some are concentrated purely on nature conservation, others include a related field (e.g. tourism, sustainable development of natural resources). The National Biodiversity Strategy of the Czech Republic for the period 2016-2025 can give to the regional authorities the possibility to associate the priorities with the objectives laid down at the national level with the objectives that are being established at the regional level through regional concepts or other strategic documents. When updating the regional concepts, it can be recommended, following the objectives and measures of the Strategy, to prefer the harmonisation of objectives in the Priority Areas 1, 2 and 3. With regard to one of the main objectives of the Strategy – to a greater extent integrate biodiversity conservation across all relevant sectors, the aspect of the conservation of biodiversity and other strategic documents at regional level should be taken into account. Another important area, where it is possible to take advantage of specific objectives and measures of the Strategy, are subsidy programmes that the regional authorities include within their own budgets. Examples from many regions show that the subsidy programmes in the areas of the environment significantly expand the possibilities for implementation of measures to support or conserve biodiversity. With this respect, the Strategy can provide, when taking into account regional specificities, an instructional framework for the selection of areas of support. The following examples (here and in other parts of the chapter) show the types of measures that fully support the implementation of the Strategy at the regional level. 123 Example 1 Support for biodiversity in the area of Týnčanský kras, funded through Central Bohemian Fund for the Environment and Agriculture Central Bohemian Region within its own programme “Central Bohemian Fund for the Environment and Agriculture” provided a subsidy (95% of the total cost) on the implementation of the project called “Promotion of Biodiversity in the Area of Týnčanského kras”. The subject of the project were the implementations of two measures to support biodiversity. The first measure has been implemented because of the support of competitively weak plants and animals that are bound to a disturbed habitat. Typically, these are rare plants bound to limestone steppes, endangered insect species, e.g. butterflies and solitary bees. The area of Týnčanský kras has been selected as a place with simultaneous occurrence of these organisms. The involvement of thermophilic lawns and the reduction of the supply of habitats for these organisms occur due to the long-term abundance of areas from grazing. The disturbance was carried out in two ways. Firstly, during the formation of longitudinal strips with a blade excavator, which forms completely exposed sports of the surface, secondly during less intense disruption between these belts, which was carried out with the excavator bucket teeth and belts. This created diverse areas, which can be used with a different ecological niche organism. It was necessary to conserve the many nests of ants of the genus Myrmica, as there is occurring the wintering

Creation areas for organisms with a different ecological niche photo: project documentation, the regional authority of the Central Bohemia Region 124 of rare species of copper butterflies, who are at the sites, during the intervention. It was also necessary to take into account the occurrence of surface karstic phenomena, which are preserved outcrops of rocks and limestone pavement (see photos below). The second subject of the project was the restoration/modification of the cave, which is located to the East of the village of Týnčany on the Northern slope of the Křemenice Hill in Týnčanský kras. The cave is located in a rock mound in the middle of fields. It is a 12-metre-long fissure cave created in crystalline limestones of sedlčansko- krásnohorský metamorphic islet Breaking stone unfortunately harmed the original Ensure a stable morphology of the cave, which lost part of microclimate in the its roof. Therefore, it was freezing in winter. cave photo: project To ensure a constant microclimate in the cave, a ceiling was provided and a fly-in entrance was documentation, the created. The ceiling and the entrance to the cave will have a decisive effect on the stabilisation of regional authority of the microclimate of the cave area, and it is very likely that these areas will become winter quarters Central Bohemia Region for smaller species of bats who have not used the cave as a hideout during the spring and autumn yet. Near this cave (500 and 400 meters) are other caves, which are known as wintering quarters for smaller species of bats (e.g. Daubenton’s bat, the brown long-eared bat, the lesser horseshoe bat). 125 Example 2 Biodiversity support – the Nový rybník Natural Reserve, financed by the subsidy program “Support of Projects and Activities – Nature and the Landscape Protection” of the Pilsen Region Nový rybník Natural Reserve (NR) (near the village of Líně, near Pilsen) – in the location of originally planned construction of production areas and the high speed line the zoning plan was changed from the initiative of the Pilsen Region, the NR was declared, where it is intentionally and in the long-term increased biodiversity from the regional budget: i stabilisation of wetland levels, installation and maintenance of artificial islets for seagulls and terns, the construction of the ornithological observatory with detailed labels of species; i keeping the flow of water streams into a wetland in a state when the slow flow does not flood out all the nutrients and at the same time the area is not too eutrophic. Exposed alluviums are maintained for bogtrotters. Undesirable, spontaneously proliferated fish was taken aside to support the submersed vegetation and populations of amphibians. The construction of pools and nesting walls for bank swallows are in the stage of preparation in cooperation with NCA CR. The support concerns in particular the nesting and migrant species, but, as a priority, Black-headed gull, the Anseriformes, Black- necked grebe, Common tern, Little ringed plover, Western marsh harrier, 4 types of Acrocephalus, Grasshoppers, Bluethroat and others. The Level of Municipality with Extended Competency There is more than 200 municipalities with extended competency (MEC) in the Czech Republic. Their methodological guidance and local level of competencies takes place, in particular, at the regional level. The quality level of their methodological management varies according to region. In some of them there is regular consultation between the competent regional authority and the respective municipalities, in others such activity is missing. The role of MEC in nature conservation is, however, essential, because it influences the structure and hence biodiversity in so-called open landscape (excluding specially protected areas) within its competencies. It concerns mainly the registration and conservation of significant landscape components, defining the local level of the zoning system of ecological stability, review of the zoning plans and intentions in the landscape, etc.

MECs should in their activities inspire, in particular, by regional conceptions of nature and landscape conservation. In the framework of the Strategy, the Priorities 2 and 3 are particularly important. 126 Example 1 Activities of municipalities Care of peaty meadows with extended competency near Kardašovy Řečice, photo: P. Hesoun in the Eastern part of the South Bohemian Region Municipalities with extended competency in South Bohemian Region (in particular J. Hradec Municipal Office and Dačice Municipal Office Dačice) are actively using the NCA CR habitat mapping layer, the knowledge of terrain, or consultations with specialists on botany and phytosociology. In accordance with this, they shall cooperate with other municipalities, property owners and non-profit organisations, and initiate the care for the most important sites taking advantage of support from the Landscape Care Programme of ME. They inform about significant sites the listed entities, they acquaint them with the possibilities to obtain the subsidy from the Landscape Care Programme, often help them with the preparation of applications, communications between owners and non-profit organisations, etc. Several dozens hectares of the most important habitats, in particular, waterlogged and peaty meadows have been managed so far from the finance contributions from the Landscape Care Programme. The Level of Private Entity For private entities, the conservation of biodiversity is essentially a voluntary activity, if it does not address it as legal limits in its business activities, or their business activities are not linked to the use of natural resources (biotic and abiotic). In case of the voluntary activities, it is so-called Corporate Social Responsibility, which consists of three main pillars: economic, social 127 and environmental. Unfortunately, the companies have been rather focused on the first two pillars, and if they deal with the environmental one, then rather with regard to the quality of water, air, or waste recycling. Biodiversity so far does not stand too much in the most important of interests, and some companies are still trying to identify what measures and activities in the field of the conservation of biodiversity can be implemented. The planting of trees by the employees in the “green” activities of companies, in terms of the conservation of biodiversity, is in the sprout Czech landscape rather counterproductive. Companies also often tend to pass the greening of their areas (e.g. around business objects) off as nature conservation, but that is not true. There has, therefore, not been completed the space for cooperation between expert entities and companies yet, which clearly show the following examples. Example 1 Kozmické ptačí louky near Opava – restored nature The beginning of the Kozmické louky Project dates back to 2006. The implementation itself took place in 2014. It concerns the creation of wetland communities in the Opava district. The NET4GAS project was co-financed by SEF – Operational Programme Environment, Priority Axis 6, Areas of Support 6.4. Optimisation of the landscape water regime in the amount of 5.4 million CZK. The investor added from his own funds over 4 million CZK, in particular, for the purchase of land and the designing of the project, tenders and the application process. The action was carried out Kozmické meadows near Opava, in the framework of the program “Closer to Nature” (see the following example) and its photo: K. Lísal implementation did not bring any economic profit to the investor, on the contrary, the annual maintenance calls for other tens of thousands of private funds.

128 Example 2 NET4GAS: Closer to nature The conservation of nature is not understood only as the fulfilment of legal requirements, but primarily as a question of social responsibility by NET4GAS. This principle is based on its activities under the programme NET4GAS Closer to Nature. NET4GAs systematically and in a long-term helps projects for which the motto “Closer to Nature” is an important part of sustainable development. It is a long-term general partner of the Czech Union for Nature Conservation (ČSOP), which is involved in making the natural valuable sites accessible to the public. Often, it concerns places with the appearance of rare or endangered species of flora and fauna. They build nature trails, observatories, information boards, or interactive play elements, which aim to not only attract the public to nature and entertain, but also to arouse interest in nature conservation and respect for it. Additionally, it is a partner of national science competitions, Golden Leaf and Ecological Olympics, which are organised by the Association of Young Conservationists, the general partner of the Czech Association of Beleco and the main project partner of Our Nature in the publishing of the eponymous magazine. It also supports other organisations in smaller projects. The information are from the website www.blizprirode.cz. Example 3 Care for the extracted sites – HeidelbergCement Group Cep II Sand Pit, photo: Českomoravský Part of the strategy of the HeidelbergCement Group is to care for cement, a.s. extracted sites. Although each mining company has this obligation to the law, the given norm can be fulfilled beyond legislative regulations. The company Českomoravský štěrk and Českomoravský cement approach the issue of reclamation or revitalisation in a modern way. In addition to traditional reclamation procedures, which are agricultural or forestry reclamation, in appropriate cases, the method of controlled succession is preferred. This procedure represents the support of spontaneously emerging vegetation, its fine-tuning and strengthening, in particular, the additional planting of native plant species. An example of such quarry is Mašovice, located on the border of the National Park Podyjí. Close proximity of the protected area 129 increases the likelihood of spontaneous expansion of plant and animal species, including species at risk. Technical reclamation of this quarry was limited only to the security of the slopes and floors. The characteristic face of the quarry with rock walls and water surface on the bottom remained preserved, while biological reclamation is aimed at support and additional planting of strengthening and fast-growing wood. Specifically, the model reclamation site via semi-natural recovery represents the mining area of the company Českomoravský štěrk called Cep II near Suchdol. There have been marked areas for this type of reclamation since 1998. Those areas were subsequently, in the framework of the first year of Quarry Life Award competition, examined and further extended, until an actual laboratory of semi-natural reclamation was founded. Currently, thanks to the extra cooperation with the contestants of the South Bohemian University, PLA Třeboňsko and other institutions are building the largest area of semi-natural reclamation in the Czech Republic. The information are from the website www.heidelbergcement.cz

Stakeholder Level The stakeholder is anyone at individual or group level that may or may not have legal entity and may or may not be a public institution. It is in other words a voluntary or civic engagement. It can manifest itself as its own activity (nature-friendly behaviour, collecting garbage in the woods) or organised activities (e.g. within the land associations). In the case of public organisations, it is often their voluntary cooperation on improving the natural environment, which is also in accordance with their purpose (example 9). In terms of the impact, this group is essentially the most important with regard to the conservation of biodiversity, because it is in the general not just about the individuals but about the company and its general approach to nature conservation. Such activities can therefore count as well as teaching at all levels of schools, the so-called “Citizen Science”, etc. The concept of activities can be very diverse, and the abovementioned examples are just a part of the possible involvement of the region centred primarily on the Priorities 1, 2 and 3. Example 1 The non-profit organisation “Mokřady – ochrana a management z.s.” This non-profit organisation brings together people interested in protecting wetland habitats of the Czech Republic. In particular, it deals with the practical care, especially in territories that have not been managed in the long-term and sprout waterlogged areas in the Vysočina Region. After an agreement with the owners and tenants in those locations, the organisation tries to ensure appropriate long-term care or implement measures that will maintain or increase the biological value of the site, or 130 directly support specific target endangered species. It focuses in its activities, in particular, on the issue of the conservation of amphibians which are at risk of decrease in suitable habitats for reproduction in the current landscape. In the context of amphibians, it is trying to support through the implemented measures, in particular, the most endangered species, such as Natterjack toad, European fire-bellied toad , Yellow-bellied toad and Northern crested newt. Unprotected areas, particularly waterlogged and humid sites are in the centre of interest. These habitats are missing in today’s intensively used landscape and the existing ones cease to exist or disfigure due to the lack of care. It also significantly focuses on awareness-raising activities about the importance of wetlands, wetland care and everything else that is associated with them. It annually organises several events for the public, which seeks to involve the public into the practical care. Example 2 Lifelong learning course “Current Trends in the Nature Conservation” On the basis of the initiative of the practitioners, the Institute for Environmental Studies of the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, organises the course of lifelong learning. The course responds to the long-term absence of ongoing vocational training with an emphasis on current trends. The aim is to enable workers to conserve nature and provide systematic education with regard to current knowledge to other interested parties and at the same time allow a discussion with leading experts on given topics. It is designed for all those interested, from the ranks of professionals and nature conservation volunteers. Particularly, it is suitable for nature conservation workers who want to complement their practical experience with theoretical knowledge from nature conservation. Example 3 Sustainable tourism at Podblanicko Podblanicko district is a positive example of the territory with a long-term focus on the sustainable development of the local economy and, in particular, to environmentally friendly forms of tourism. It is a systematic approach to the development, in close cooperation of nature conservation, local authorities and local small business owners. One of the causes of the involvement of local people in the development of sustainable local economy is the long-term continuity of the cultural identity of this community. The existence of the PLA here does not raise the usual clashes between tourism and nature conservation – for both sides the landscape represents a significant heritage and challenge not only for the sustainable development of tourism. Currently, the Region of the Blanik Knights National Geopark develops innovative products of geoturism.

A specific example of such a product is the Roudný Educational Trail, which takes the visitors to the former gold mine in Roudný 131 grounds, a significant geological monument of Podblanicko Region. A number of interesting places has been maintained after extraction, which took place both in the Middle Ages, and in the 19th and 20th centuries in the gold mine. There was an educational trail going through the gold mine in the past, which was, however, completely non-functional. The trail has been made available for all ages, including the location of interactive stops, which guided the movement of visitors after the site. Example 4 Public service contract: the land owners and nature conservation in the Bohemian Paradise together The contract was signed by representatives of the Kinský dal Borgo, a. s., and the Agency for Nature and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic, it was closed in 2013 for a period of nine years and determines how should the land owner farm, if the interests of nature conservation are to be taken into account, and at the same time it determines what compensation for restrictions on the management belongs to the owner. The land is situated in protected landscape area of the Bohemian Paradise, a natural reserve and a site of European importance Údolí Plakánek, a site of European importance Podtrosecká údolí and a site of European importance Kost. A part of the public service The land owner is provided exactly what to do - what kind of exact care do contract is the protected species need, and at the same time, he/she knows what is the also an annual compensation for considerate farming – the care must not be loss-making mowing and for the owner. The natural conservation has a guarantee that the necessary other care care of the area will not change. Rules are laid down in the long term, it is not of the site of necessary to negotiate them each year. the Leucojum vernum in NR For example, the agreement stipulates how many trees per hectare will not and Plakánek be felled during extraction in the woods and that there will be a cableway SCI in the first used instead of the tractor when timber harvest, it further specifies in which zone of the places it will be beyond the legal obligation to plant firs, oaks, hornbeams and SPA Bohemian beeches, and it specifies how often it will be necessary to mow the meadows Paradise, photo: and how to protect bats. Z. Patzelt 132 133 Contact details for the provision of more information and any additional communications that support the fulfilment of the objectives of the strategy at all levels

The Ministry of the Environment established for the communication in the field of implementation of the Strategy a unified e-mail address: biodiverzita@mzp.cz. It is possible to ask at this address for more detailed information about how the Strategy and its objectives, targets and goals shall be implemented at the abovementioned levels. The Ministry of the Environment will also create an internal database where different entities (authorities, companies, stakeholders) can register in the form of sending of basic contact information (name, address, contact person, phone, email) to the abovementioned e-mail address. The advantage of a voluntary registration will be the reception of news from the Ministry of the Environment in the field of the implementation of the measures of the Strategy and the use of different supporting financial instruments. 134 National Biodiversity Strategy of the Czech Republic 2016-2025 Published by the Ministry of the Environment, based in Vršovická 1442/65, Prague 10 www.mzp.cz Prepared by a team of authors. Editors: Jiří Mach, František Pojer, Jan Plesník, Michael Hošek, Jan Dušek, Romana Trubačíková Graphic design and composition: Ministry of the Environment Printing: SITCON MÉDIA , s.r.o. Prague 2016 First edition Number of copies: 500 pieces ISBN: 978-80-7212-609-5 © Ministry of the Environment, 2016 ISBN: 978-80-7212-609-5 Strategie ochrany biologické rozmanitosti České republiky 2016–2025 National Biodiversity Strategy of the Czech Republic 2016–2025 Ministry of the Environment 2016