Protect Czech park from development

0482405 - ÚVGZ 2019 RIV GB eng J - Journal Article
Kindlmann, Pavel - Křenová, Zdeňka
Protect Czech park from development.
Nature. Roč. 531, č. 7595 (2016), s. 448-448. ISSN 0028-0836. E-ISSN 1476-4687
Institutional support: RVO:86652079
Keywords : Protect Czech park
OECD category: Environmental sciences (social aspects to be 5.7)
Impact factor: 40.137, year: 2016

The Czech Republic's parliament will vote this month on a bill that sets new rules for national parks. In eastern Europe's push for economic development, biodiversity is again under threat (see also P. Chylarecki and N. Selva Nature 530, 419, 2016, P. Michalak Nature 530, 419, 2016). Šumava National Park is a unique complex of peat bogs, wetlands and primeval forests in southern Bohemia. It is a refuge for many endangered species, including the remaining few viable populations in central Europe of capercaillies (Tetrao urogallus) and freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera). The bill, a reasonable compromise for conservation, is under attack from regional politicians. They object to the proposed transparency in setting and implementing conservation rules, and seek to restrict protected core zones to 23% of the national-park area. They also want to open up large areas for logging, tourism and privatization. Their arguments are similar to those used to justify logging in Białowieża Forest on the Poland–Belarus border (see Nature 530, 393, 2016). However, if Šumava's rare species are to survive, core zones need to cover about 50% of the park (I. Dickie et al. Eur. J. Environ. Sci. 4, 5–29, 2014).
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0277816