Description
Czech nature is rich and diverse but there is a list of endangered species. An intense help is framed in documents giving basic information and instructions how to treat the most endangered species, called an “action plan” is a special tool which contains complex knowledge about species and recommends the measures how to support it. Gentians (Gentianella amarella subsp. amarella, G. obtusifolia subsp. sturmiana) are specially protected species therefore preparation of their action plan was recommended by the conceptual document. The project meets target of the state environmental policy of the Czech Republic for 2012-2020. The main objective of the project is preparation of the “Action Plan for Gentians”. As a part of the project historical and current occurrence of both species including field research and reproduction of the species will be studied. Project outcomes are the improving knowledge of occurrence of two species of Gentians and preparation their action plan as necessary basis for nature-conservation authorities, NGOs and other institutions how to maintain populations of the species. Majority of measures of the project consists of field research and three studies: seed production, life cycle and fitness of populations - leading to the action plan to be more precise and complex. Project outputs are review of information sources and to write down a summary of locations of the species occurrence throughout the country, monitoring of presence in the field and new knowledge from results of three studies. Target activity is writing and compilation of the action-plan text. Project includes part of publicity. The target group of the project is primarily the species and Ministry of the Environment. Secondarily, the protection and connected activities will carry out the influence over the general public via education. There’s no project partner from donor countries only a local partner Cheb Museum, contributing to the project by its expertise and experience.
Summary of project results
The objective of this project was to prepare a new action plan for two Dwarf Gentians – Gentianella amarella subsp. amarella and Gentianella obtusifolia ssp. sturmiana, aiming to preserve the populations of these declining species in the Czech Republic. Dwarf Gentians are annuals or biennials with similar ecological requirements. Their occurrence was always based on biotopes managed by pasture and naturally disturbed habitats, they seldom show a more prominent bond to the substrate and are probably dependant on endotrophic mycorrhiza. Gentianella amarella subsp. amarella used to be scattered over all Czech thermophyte and mesophyte sites and, much more rarely, in south-western Moravian sites, with isolated occurrence in the orophyte sites in the Krusne Mountains and the Zdarske hills. Isolated sites can also be found in central Moravia. As a result of a lack of adequate management, a greater decline of the species has been seen, with only 67 populations in the Czech Republic proven as part of preparation of the action plan. Gentianella obtusifolia ssp. sturmiana is similar as regards ecological and management requirements to Gentianella praecox subsp. bohemica for which the action plan is underway now. This species used to occur at approximately a hundred sites in western Bohemia. It has only survived in 10 sites. This project defined specific tools to secure stable populations at the most promising sites and suitable conditions to preserve and emphasise the populations at all the current sites. The proposed measures include biotope management, species management, monitoring and research. For the purposes of preparation of the action plan, the following underlying documents were prepared as part of this project: Historical occurrence of both species Recent occurrence of both species Long-term monitoring of populations Life cycle Seed production Fitness of the Gentiana amarella populations Comparative vegetation analysis of Gentiana amarella The findings obtained were also used in preparing an informative brochure briefly summarising the management of Gentian sites for the public, voluntary conservation associations and conservation offices.
Summary of bilateral results