Agriculture in the Žatec region and its influence on environment in the conditions of EU

Protection biodiversity in terms of agricultural intensity: facts and plans

Map of the Czech republic and the Žatec region

Climatic conditions in the Žatec region annual average temperature: 9°C annual total rainfall: 400 to 445 mm moderate winter – ephemeral snow cover

First farmers settlement Moderate climatic conditions in the Žatec region was to be cause early first farmers settlement. Primary neolithic farmers settlement dates back to to years. Already perhaps seven thousands years agriculture changes landscape appearance of the Žatec region, hop is growing 700 years. Agriculture has been influencing landscape of the Žatec region essentially up to now.

Current data agriculture Agricultural production is oriented to: Cereals Corn Oilseeds Hop Farm animal breeding

Influences on single environment components and their restraint

Farmers entered to the EU with markedly better… surface water economy and ensured water cleanness protection, waste disposal and chemical fixturing management,

emission decrease and better atmosphere protection, improved care about wildlife and animals, … than was starting position after political authoritarianism change in the Czech republic…

…in conditions of non varying agricultural intensification.

Intensive agriculture and its characteristics Large farmland area is cultivated with high technologies. Erosion and soil contamination is growing. Keeping explicit negative influence over water, atmosphere and nature. Hazard diseases and pests increase. Traditional procedure recede (pasture, meadows mowing, orchard management, beekeeping etc.) – extensive farming disappears.

Nature and landscape conservation – main target farmers participation on the environment protection After the Czech republic accession to the European union habitats protection and agriculture vs. nature and landscape problem solving became preferred interest.

Diagram: land utilization in the Žatec region

Diagram: protected areas

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPE „The most valuable component units of Žatec nature were created or well-kept by human (farmer) work. Our first-rate duty is to conserve it in the best possible and high-quality form for future generations.“

Territorial system of ecological steadiness (EEC) – basic document for landscape creation and protection … is the basic official document to landscape ecological steadiness reservation. … has a high priority in Czech legislature. Projects are supported as amended with the law about nature and landscape protection from 2004, including law specification unified in EU countries. In the Žatec region there are collection of documents process in wide agreement between offices and farmers. European principles of nature protect are included to documents since 2000.

Protected areas – natural monument In the Žatec region there are established seven natural monuments, thereof 4 provide vegetations protection on areas of former extensive grasslands and orchards, 1 is a forest, 2 preserves palaeontology locality, total surface does 67,2 hectares. Their custody is ensured by Regional authority Ústí nad Labem.

Protected areas – protected locality In the Žatec region there are established twenty-three protected localities (significant landscape elements) thereof 17 are established in unattended agricultural area localities, their area is almost 360 hectares. Their custody is ensured by Municipality authority of the Žatec.

Protected areas – system Natura 2000 In the Žatec region there are preserved a range of non-forest habitats in representative form, which are fixed on vegetation region Žatecké Poohří, especially: Narrow-leaved dry grassland Broad-leaved dry grassland Festuca sand grassland Halophilous reed and sedge beds Inland salt marshes

RIVER OHŘE Sites of Community Interest RIVER OHŘE

Map of rare vegetation localities in the Žatec region

Factual care of nature: Problem of the Žatec region landscape is ingrowth with shrubs, undesirable vegetation and penetration with invasive and exotic species plants and animals. Rare and protected plants population occuring on unattended agricultural land require care supplying extensive management.

„Knowledge, cooperation, understanding…“ As well, to be the care of nature and landscape the most effectual, it is necessary to pass special knowledge to public and farmers in acceptable form. It is necessary to create a cooperation between offices, conservationists, soil proprietors and farmers. „In the Žatec region I have been farming since I always thought that is necessary seting tress and forest on hillsides. It is not long ago I have been given inside into required care and I am going to participate in it.“ Miroslav Naxera, private farmer

„compensation of farming,“ Traditional pasture and meadows mowing is substituted by hand mowing or light mechanization skiving without product usage (forage). Activity is designed to upheld development of all live components in habitat. It embodies high expertness elements. Compensatory farming is not profitable and needs support from public financial resources.

„money,“ In the year 2006 in the Žatec region it is funded to the protective gear nature and landscape from these resources: Department of the Environment CZK (7.930 EUR) Ústí nad Labem Region CZK ( EUR) Municipality of Žatec CZK (9.107 EUR)

„make-up big projects.“ In present Municipality of Žatec prepares nature and landscape protection projects of regional range, namely: Collection of documents: Strategy of nature and landscape common protection. Action plan of biological diversity protection. Projects: Revitalization of Liboc stream valley. Farming renewal on halophilous pastures in Chomutovka stream valley.

Landtrusts Landtrusts are project of Czech Union for Nature Conservation. These are NGO‘s, supporting compensatory management in locations, that are most valuable nature parts in given areas. Landtrusts activity is based on property affinity to piece of land in given range. In the Žatec region there is acting „Landtrust Milý“, which manages pieces of land in Holedeč and Nečemice. „Landtrust Milý“ arose in the year 1999 as one of the first in the Czech republic. Further in Žatec region there is acting „Landtrust Hasina“ solicitous about steppe sides and alluvial meadows in Hasina stream valley near Lipenec.

Protectionist activity Landtrust Milý Photos originate from protected locality „Nečemická lada“ established on piece of land unattended cattle pastures. Compensatory management effects, shots before and after.

Rare flora in the Žatec region

Invitation We would like to invite all colleagues and friends to the excursion in Žatec nature.

authors Petr Janda RNDr. Vlastistav Vlačiha and Municipality of Žatec Thank you for your attention