The Obora Soutok Protected Landscape Area (CHKO Obora Soutok) is a natural park located in the Břeclav District of the South Moravian Region in the Czech Republic, near the confluence of the Dyje, Morava, and Thaya rivers. This unique location creates a diverse wetland ecosystem rich in biodiversity, including extensive floodplain forests, meadows, and marshes. The area is important for water management, flood control, and conservation of rare plant and animal species. It serves as a valuable habitat for many bird species, amphibians, and fish, making it a popular destination for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and ecotourists.
Overview of Soutok
- Location: The Obora Soutok Protected Landscape Area is situated in the southern part of the Czech Republic, within the Břeclav District of the South Moravian Region. It lies near the towns of Břeclav and Lednice, close to the borders with Austria and Slovakia. The park is located at the strategic confluence of the Dyje (Thaya) and Morava rivers, which together form a rich floodplain ecosystem. Its location within the Lower Morava Valley makes it an important natural corridor and a vital area for wildlife migration and water management in the region.
- Area: Established on 1990, the monument covers approximately 1,900 hectares. (GPS)
Geography and Landscape
- Elevation: Ranges from 150 to 180 meters above sea level.
- Diverse Landscapes:T he Obora Soutok Protected Landscape Area encompasses a rich variety of interconnected natural landscapes shaped by the confluence of the Dyje, Morava, and Thaya rivers. Covering approximately 1,900 hectares, the area features extensive floodplain forests, dominated by species such as black alder (Alnus glutinosa), white willow (Salix alba), and common ash (Fraxinus excelsior). These forests provide vital habitats for many birds, amphibians, and mammals. The floodplains are interspersed with wet meadows and marshes, which support diverse plant communities, including rare and protected species like marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre) and water violet (Hottonia palustris). Seasonal flooding replenishes nutrients and maintains wetland ecosystems essential for fish spawning and amphibian breeding. The area also includes a network of slow-moving river channels and backwaters, creating ideal conditions for aquatic life such as European crayfish and various species of freshwater mussels.
Climate
- Weather Conditions: The Soutok Game Reserve Protected Landscape Area is located in a temperate continental climate typical of the South Moravian Region, characterized by warm summers and mild to cold winters. Average summer temperatures range from 20°C to 26°C, while winter temperatures typically range between -3°C and 3°C. The area has an average annual precipitation of around 500 to 600 mm, with most of the precipitation falling in late spring and early summer. Seasonal flooding of the Dyje, Morava and Dyje rivers plays a key role in maintaining wetland ecosystems, replenishing nutrients and preserving habitat diversity.
Biodiversity (Flora and Fauna)
- Flora:
The flora of the Obora Soutok Protected Landscape Area is rich and diverse, with several key species that play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance of the wetlands and floodplain forests. Among the most significant plants are black alder (Alnus glutinosa), which dominates the floodplain forests, along with white willow (Salix alba), common ash (Fraxinus excelsior), and European oak (Quercus robur). The wet meadows and marshes support rare and protected species such as marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre), water violet (Hottonia palustris), and yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus). Additionally, various species of reed beds (Phragmites australis) and sedges (Carex spp.) are vital for stabilizing the soil and providing habitat for numerous animal species.
- Fauna:
Among the most significant are birds such as the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), grey heron (Ardea cinerea), kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), and the black stork (Ciconia nigra), all of which rely on the wetlands and floodplain forests for nesting and feeding. The area also supports amphibians like the fire-bellied toad (Bombina bombina) and European tree frog (Hyla arborea). Mammals such as the European otter (Lutra lutra) and beaver (Castor fiber) are key indicators of the health of aquatic ecosystems here. Additionally, the rich insect fauna includes rare dragonflies and butterflies, which thrive in the diverse wetland habitats.
Interesting Beetles
Meloe (Meloe) proscarabaeus Linnaeus, 1758
Meloe (Meloe) violaceus Marsham, 1802
Meloe (Eurymeloe) scabriusculus Brandt & Erichson, 1832
Meloe (Eurymeloe) rugosus Marsham, 1802
Meloe (Micromeloe) decorus Brandt & Erichson, 1832
