Nahoru

Plants

Selection of species and preparation of Action Plans

Selection of species for which Action/Management Plans are prepared is done based on given criteria. Texts of the plans are written along a binding outline, the purpose of which is to ensure a uniform and thorough elaboration of each Action/Management Plan in question. All prepared Action/Management Plans are reviewed by at least two independent experts.

Logistic

According to the Act no 114/1992, Action/Management Plans for critically endangered and endangered species are guaranteed by the Ministry of the Environment. In practice it means approving the list of species for which an Action/Management Plan should be prepared, approving the binding outlines and the Action/Management Plans themselves. The Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (NCA CR) was authorized to prepare and coordinate the Action/Management Plans. All related tasks are shared by employees of the directorate of this organization and employees of its regional offices and Protected Landscape Area Administrations. Preparation of new Action/Management Plans as well as implementation of approved plans is guaranteed by experts for the given species (either from NCA CR or externs) under the coordination of the directorate of NCA CR. Employees of regional offices of NCA CR and of regional authorities also participate in the Action/Management Plans. They administrate the implementation of specific management measures, usually carried out by specialized companies, non-governmental organizations or other corporations or individuals. An advisory board is appointed for each Action/Management Plan: this is a broader group of experts and interested individuals, who meet at least once a year to consider and discuss the progress of the plan´s implementation.

Illustation author: Jan Hošek.

Accepted Action Plans

Bohemian Early Gentian

Bohemian Early Gentian

Gentianella praecox subsp. bohemica

Bohemian Early Gentian is a living example of how a relatively common species can become a critically endangered one and get on the verge of extinction in not even a whole century. This subendemic species of the Czech Republic occurred in the past sporadically almost everywhere in the country, in hundreds of sites: over 650 stations have been reliably documented. In the years 2000-2007 this species was recorded in only 65 sites. In most of these areas the flowering specimens occur very irregularly and often only in small number of individuals.

Gentians

Gentians

Gentianella amarella subsp. amarella, Gentianella obtusifolia subsp. sturmiana

Apart from well-known and critically endangered Bohemian Early Gentian (Gentianella praecox ssp. Bohemica), there are also other species of gentians occurring in Czech landscape, whose fate was in danger during the last few decades. These are closely related taxons Autumn Gentian (Gentianella amarella ssp. amarella) and Gentianella obtusifolia ssp. sturmiana that are among other things also connected by main reasons for decline of localities.

Bohemian Sand Pink

Bohemian Sand Pink

Dianthus arenarius subsp. bohemicus

„Among sites that, from a botanical point of view, deserve protection from cultivation by human hand, belong most of all the slopes near Kleneč at the foothill of the memorable hill called Říp, supporting characteristic stands of psamophilic plants. Such vegetation hardly would be found anywhere else, but due to bustling planting of False Acacia it is facing an utmost danger of destruction. The above mentioned hill slopes are of importance due to the occurrence of a particularly rare sand pink” (F.A. Novák, 1915).

Eastern Pasque Flower

Eastern Pasque Flower

Pulsatilla patens

If you want to see its loveliness you need to come to the right places early in the spring, when most other plants are only awaking to life. To avoid disappointment, choose a sunny day, otherwise you will find only closed flowers. When welcomed by first “hairy beauties”, you had better not caress them too much – not only are they protected by both Czech and European law, but are poisonous as well. When at its localities, please be careful, there are only about 20 of the “right places” left.

Marsh Angelica

Marsh Angelica

Angelica palustris

Its former scientific name “Ostericum” (in the past the name Ostericum palustre was used) is derived from the Greek word “hysterikos” – for its content of coumarins and essential oils the plant was used as a medicine in cases of hysteria or female difficulties. “Palustre” means marshy, thus characterizing the bond of this species to wetland habitats.

Long-stalked Pondweed

Long-stalked Pondweed

Potamogeton praelongus

Most people admire the beauty of tropical lakes, but hardly anybody knows that also many cold lakes in the Arctic host a rich vegetation forming an attractive underwater landscape. Endless water meadows made of rich population of Potamogeton preaelongus in lake Ferguson in Greenland may serve as an example.

Lilyleaf Ladybells

Lilyleaf Ladybells

Adenophora liliifolia

Ladybells (Adenophora liliifolia) was never a common species in the Czech Republic. Currently, however, are its light-blue bells set for alarm ringing. One can only smell them at last five localities. The species is not doing much better in other Middle-European countries either. Most likely, changes in forest management and also not negligible influence of gnawing by overpopulated herbivores are to be blamed for this situation.

Action Plans in Preparation

Bath Asparagus

Bath Asparagus

Ornithogalum pyrenaicum subsp. sphaeocarpum

Bath Asparagus (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum subsp. Sphaerocarpum) was till the first half of the 20th century in the area of Bílé Karpaty (White Carpathians) and Hostýnské vrchy considered a common weed in grain fields. Its good times, however, ended with the introduction of deep ploughing. Consequently, this exotic-looking bulbous plant found itself – due to overall changes in landscape management – on the list of critically endangered species.

Terminated Action Plans

Spring Gentian

Gentiana verna subsp. verna

A common herb or a critically endangered species?

“The plant has curative powers, and is therefore needed in medicine. A small dose aids digestion. It is usually utilized in tea, also boiled with spirit and wine it acts against gastric ailments, diarrhea and chlorosis. For animals is the Spring Gentian one of the best medicines, especially against bad digestion and cramps, against jaundice, fever, worms, and others.” (dr. V.K., Czech herbarium published by Alois Hynek in 1899).