Ječmeniště

South Moravia

Czech Republic

Ječmeniště Nature Monument [August 2013]

Ječmeniště is a natural monument located in the Znojmo District of the South Moravian Region, Czech Republic. It lies near the Austrian border within the Jaroslavice Uplands, a subunit of the Dyje-Svratka Valley. Ječmeniště Nature Monument is a significant conservation area, preserving unique steppe habitats and a rich assemblage of rare and endangered species, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological value of the South Moravian Region.

Overview of Ječmeniště

Location: Ječmeniště is a natural monument located within the municipalities of Slup, Strachotice, and Vrbovec in the Znojmo District of the Czech Republic. It lies near the Austrian border in the Jaroslavice Uplands, a subunit of the Dyje-Svratka Valley. The protected area consists of two separate sections: one situated in the cadastral territory of the now-defunct village of Ječmeniště (administratively part of Vrbovec), and the other on the border between the cadastral areas of Micmanice and Slup.
Area: Established on January, 2014, the monument covers approximately 61.77 hectares. (GPS)

Geography and Landscape

Elevation: Ranges from 207 to 289 meters above sea level.
Diverse Landscapes: The site is characterized by its thermophilous and xerophilous plant communities, including narrow-leaved steppe grasslands, broad-leaved dry grasslands, semi-natural shrub formations on calcareous substrates, and low xerophilous shrubs. These habitats support a range of protected and endangered plant and animal species.

Climate

Weather Conditions: The region exhibits a warm and dry continental climate, conducive to the development of xerothermic vegetation. The favorable climatic conditions support the growth of thermophilous plant communities and a diverse insect fauna.

Biodiversity (Flora and Fauna)

Flora:
Ječmeniště is home to a remarkable array of rare and endangered plant species, many of which are adapted to the dry, calcareous soils of the region. Among the most notable is Agropyron pectinatum (crested wheatgrass), which occurs nowhere else in the Czech Republic. Other critically endangered species include Amygdalus nana (dwarf almond), Taraxacum serotinum (late dandelion), and Thesium dollineri. The site also supports populations of Iris pumila (dwarf iris), Alcea biennis (biennial hollyhock), and several species of broomrape (Orobanche arenaria, O. coerulescens), all of which contribute to the area's high botanical value.

Fauna:
The site is equally important for its insect diversity. Over 495 species of beetles, 33 species of butterflies, and 7 species of orthopterans (grasshoppers and crickets) have been recorded here. Notable protected insects include Mantis religiosa (European mantis), the striking Saturnia pyri (giant peacock moth), and Proserpinus proserpina (willowherb hawk-moth). Beetles such as Brachinus crepitans and B. explodens (bombardier beetles), and ground beetles like Carabus scheidleri and C. ullrichi also thrive here. This high level of insect biodiversity makes Ječmeniště a critical site for entomological research and conservation.