Scholarly record

PROTECTION OF REPRESENTATIVE LANDSCAPE ECOSYSTEM OF SLOVAKIA – NEW LANDSCAPE ECOLOGICAL APPROACH

J. Lieskovsky, P. Bezak, Z. Izakovickova

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to analyze the protection of Representative Landscape Ecosystem of Slovakia (RLES) on national, European, and global level. RLES (landscape types) are classified as homogeneous units considering landscape character, functions and current land-use. Each landscape type represents unique combination of land-use in different abiotic conditions and provides the unique environment for nature development. Therefore protection of the landscape is understood as maintenance of each landscape type. National level of nature protection in Slovakia is reflected in designated areas of 2nd – 5th degree of protection. Total area of protected areas is 11 438 km2, which represents 23,29 \% of Slovakia. Protection status prevails mostly at extensively used mountainous and alpine landscape types, poor protection is declared in lowland agriculture landscape types. European protection status in Slovakia is recognised by designation of NATURA 2000 network. The network consists of the Special Protection Areas (11 895 km2; 24,26 \% of Slovakia) and the Sites of Community importance (5 712 km2; 11,65 \%). The Natura 2000 protection sites are distributed more equally across the landscape types, though majority of them are extensively used mountain areas too. Besides, 4 biosphere reserves of the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme were declared in Slovakia (2473 km2; 5,04 \%) and also 14 Ramsar wetland sites (385 km2, 0,78 \%). Globally, the most valuable landscape types of Slovakia in the context of nature protection are considered subalpine and alpine landscapes on giant highlands relief, and the landcover types on karst plateaus. The basic principle of modern nature protection aims at preserving a maximal possible diversity of the living systems, upon assumption to preserve the maximum possible diversity of the conditions of their life. Considering that point of view and results of our research, improvement must be focused on the protection of landscape types of minimal or zero ratio of protection. Our assessment shows that these are mostly urban landscapes, less protected vineyard landscape types, partly agricultural-forest landscape types, and some mixed and coniferous landscape types.

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