Thve Bežnisko Protected Area is located in the western part of Slovakia, within the Záhorie Protected Landscape Area, on the territory of the Záhorie Military District. This area forms part of the Borská Lowland geomorphological unit, which is characterized by a flat terrain, river deposits, and extensive sand dunes. The sandy subsoil and dry conditions create a unique environment for rare species of flora and fauna.
The area is protected due to the presence of rare xerophilous (dry-loving) and forest-steppe communities, which are considered highly valuable in the context of Central Europe. The site features pine forests on sandy soils, natural grasslands, moss communities, and peat bogs.
Overview of Bežnisko
- Location: The Bežnisko Protected Area is located in western Slovakia, in the Bratislava Region, Malacky District, within the cadastral area of Záhorie.
- Area: Established on 2012, the monument covers approximately 922.3 hectares. (GPS)
Geography and Landscape
- Elevation: Ranges from 190 to 240 meters above sea level.
- Diverse Landscapes: The area is characterized by a remarkable variety of natural landscapes, including Pannonian inland dunes, heathlands, and thermophilous Pontic-Pannonian oak forests on loess and sand. These habitats are complemented by acidophilous pine and oak-pine forests, which are typical for sandy and nutrient-poor soils. This mosaic of ecosystems supports a rich diversity of plant and animal species, many of which are rare or endangered. The contrasting environments — from dry, sun-exposed dunes to moist, shaded wetlands — create unique ecological conditions that significantly enhance the biodiversity of the region. These diverse landscapes are not only ecologically important but also contribute to the scenic beauty and environmental value of the area.
Climate
- Weather Conditions: The Bežnisko Protected Area lies within a moderate continental climate that features hot, dry summers and cold winters. Annual precipitation in the region typically ranges between 500–600 mm, consistent with the generally dry characteristics of the lowlands in western Slovakia. Rainfall is most abundant in late spring and early summer (especially May through July), while autumn and winter tend to be relatively dry. The sandy soils and open terrain contribute to high evaporation rates and periodic summer droughts, favoring vegetation and wildlife adapted to arid conditions. Winters are usually cold, sometimes snowy, but snowfall rarely persists for long. These climate patterns play a key role in shaping the area's ecosystems, encouraging the proliferation of xerophilous species suited to dry, nutrient-poor habitats.
Flora and Fauna
- Flora: The flora of the Bežnisko Protected Area is shaped by a unique combination of Pannonian inland sand dunes, heathlands, and thermophilous Pontic-Pannonian oak forests on loess and sand, together with acidophilous pine and oak-pine forests. These distinct habitats support a rich assemblage of xerophilous species well adapted to the area’s dry, nutrient-poor soils.
The Pannonian inland sand dunes represent sparse, and species-poor plant communities on loose sandy substrates. In spring, certain ephemeral therophytes prevail, while during the dry summer grasses dominate, accompanied by a well-developed layer of lichens and mosses.
Characteristic psammophyte plant species include: Corynephorus canescens, Dianthus serotinus, Festuca vaginata, Gypsophila fastigiata subsp. arenaria, Jasione montana, Koeleria glauca, Spergula morisonii, Spergula pentandra, Stipa borysthenica, Teesdalia nudicaulis, Thymus serpyllum, Veronica dillenii, Viola saxatilis subsp. curtisii, Acetosella vulgaris, Ceratodon purpureus, Polytrichum juniperinum, and various Cladonia lichens.
Heathlands within the Záhorie military training area consist of open to closed stands of Calluna vulgaris on acidic sandy soils with very low humus content.
Other common heathland species include: Genista pilosa, Lembotropis nigricans, Acetosella vulgaris, and several Cladonia lichens.
In addition to these characteristic communities, the area also harbors rare and protected species such as Drosera rotundifolia, Trichophorum alpinum, Calla palustris, and the very rare Liparis loeselii.
- Fauna: The fauna of the Bežnisko Protected Area embodies a rich array of species, including those of both European and national conservation significance. Notably, it hosts the Scarce Large Blue butterfly (Phengaris arion), a species of European importance, and the Antlion (Zygaena cynarae), whose thriving populations here highlight the area's favorable habitat conditions. Also recorded is Noctua interjecta, a rare moth currently known to occur only at Bežnisko within Slovakia.
Beyond insects, Bežnisko supports a variety of other distinguished vertebrate species under protection. These include the Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca), European Green Toad (Bufo viridis), Green Lizard (Lacerta viridis), Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis), and several bat species—Barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus), Greater Mouse-eared Bat (Myotis myotis), Brandt's/Myotis myotis group, Whiskered Bat (Myotis mystacinus), Noctule (Nyctalus noctula), and Leisler’s Bat (Nyctalus leisleri).
Beetles
Stenoria (Stenoria) analis (Schaum, 1859)
Glaresis rufa Erichson, 1848
Polyphylla fullo (Linnaeus, 1758)
