Pouzdřanská step

South Morava

Czech Republic

Pouzdřanská steppe Protected Area [June 2025]

Pouzdřanská steppe is a national nature reserve located in South Moravia near the village of Pouzdřany. It is one of the most important steppe habitats in the Czech Republic, known for its rich diversity of rare and thermophilic (heat-loving) plant and animal species. Thanks to its dry and sunny climate, the area resembles true European steppes. The reserve is part of the Pálava Protected Landscape Area and serves as an important refuge for many endangere

Overview of Pouzdřanská steppe

Location: Pouzdřanská Steppe is located in the South Moravian Region, in the Břeclav District, within the cadastral area of the village of Pouzdřany. It lies in the geomorphological unit of the Dyje-Svratka Valley, specifically in the subunit known as the Pouzdřany Highlands, at an elevation ranging from 250 to 390 meters above sea level. The area is part of the Pálava Protected Landscape Area and also belongs to the Dolní Morava Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO program.
Area: Established on 1946, the monument covers approximately 68.3 hectares. (GPS)

Geography and Landscape

Elevation: Ranges from 250 to 390 meters above sea level.
Diverse Landscapes: Pouzdřanská Steppe features a diverse landscape mainly composed of dry limestone slopes with prominent rocky outcrops and a varied terrain. The presence of limestone bedrock overlain by loess (wind-blown silt) creates different microhabitats with varying soil moisture and nutrient levels. The landscape is complemented by grasslands with thermophilic steppe vegetation, scattered shrubs, and sedge patches. This mosaic of habitats provides suitable conditions for a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered species typical of steppe and warm-loving communities.

Climate

Weather Conditions: Pouzdřanská step has a warm continental climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild to cold winters. The area receives relatively low annual precipitation, which contributes to its dry steppe conditions. The combination of abundant sunshine and limited rainfall creates an environment favorable for thermophilic (heat-loving) plants and animals typical of steppe ecosystems.

Biodiversity (Flora and Fauna)

Flora:
Pouzdřanská step is home to a rich variety of steppe flora, including many rare and endangered species. Typical plants include feather grasses (Stipa spp.), pasqueflowers (Pulsatilla spp.), various orchids, and other thermophilic (heat-loving) species adapted to dry, nutrient-poor soils. The vegetation is dominated by drought-resistant grasses and herbaceous plants, with scattered shrubs and occasional small trees, forming a unique and fragile ecosystem typical of Central European steppes.

Fauna:
Pouzdřanská step supports a diverse fauna typical of dry steppe ecosystems. It is home to numerous insect species, especially butterflies like the scarce swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) and various beetles adapted to warm, dry conditions. Reptiles such as the green lizard (Lacerta viridis) are common, along with small mammals and steppe-associated birds like the European roller (Coracias garrulus) and stonechat (Saxicola rubicola). This habitat provides refuge for many species that rely on open, sunny grasslands with sparse vegetation.