Czech Republic - Overview

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

In spite of its relatively small size (78,866 square km), the Czech Republic (CR) is characterized by a high wild plant and animal species richness and diversity. This results from its geographical position at the boundaries between several biogeographical regions, morphological and geological diversity and also from historical and cultural developments... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

There are 4 National Parks and 25 Protected Landscape Areas in the Czech Republic, a third of which have been declared as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves or Wetlands of International Importance. Furthermore, there are more than 2,000 small-scale protected areas of national, regional and local importance. Overall, protected areas cover 15... More »

Percentage of Forest Cover

The Czech Republic is a county with an average forest area, which covers approximately 34%, or 2.6 million hectares, of the country (the OECD average was 34.4% in 2000). It is the 8th most wooded OECD country in Europe. Most forest land belongs to the State, which manages 60% of forest land, and the remainder belongs to municipalities and regions (15%), forest co-operative (1%) and private owners (23%)... More »

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The National Biodiversity Strategy is an ambitious document detailing 158 objectives, such as the publication of a binding list of species whose introduction or spread can be considered a risk from the standpoint of potential impacts in natural ecosystems, and to provide for genetic resource cryoconservation in the national gene banks... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Special protection of critically endangered species is legislated and species survival/recovery programmes and conservation plans for some species have been developed. For example the species survival/recovery programme for the Pearl Mussel has been approved and is being implemented, while those of the Peregrine and Saker falcons are prepared for approval... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

The expansion of protected areas is currently under way and coverage is expected to increase to 20.4%. 863 proposed Sites of Community Importance and 38 Specially Protected Areas have been approved in the Czech Republic and will become part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas of EU importance. Natura 2000, as the basic pillar of legally binding biodiversity conservation through territorial conservation in the Member States of the European Communities, is considered to be one of the key instruments for halting the loss of species and habitats and fulfilling the 2010 Biodiversity Target... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Mrs. Veronika Vilimkova	CBD Primary NFP
Mr. Jiri Mach	CBD Secondary NFP, Resource Mobilization FP
Mr. Vlastimil Zedek	CBD Secondary NFP, ICNP ABS NFP
Mr. Vaclav Burianek	ABS Competent National Authorities
Ms. Vera Matlova	ABS Competent National Authorities
Mr. Vladimir Brenner	ABS Competent National Authorities
Mr. Ladislav Dotlacil	ABS Competent National Authorities
Dr. Handrij Härtel	Protected Areas NFP
Dr. Jan Krischner	GTI NFP
Ms. Lenka Jandová	CHM NFP
Dr. Jan Plesnik	CHM Informal Advisory Committee, SBSTTA NFP
Ms. Veronika Vilimkova	ICNP ABS NFP
Dr. Evzen Kus	ABS Competent National Authorities
Dr. Petr Hanzelka	ABS Competent National Authorities

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Dr. Hana Jirakova

Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP, BCH NFP