The Czech government has decided to declare the Soutok Landscape Protection Area, which will come into effect on 1st July 2025. The area, located at the confluence of the Thaya and March rivers, includes the largest floodplain forest in Central Europe and is of outstanding ecological and cultural importance.
The area at the confluence of the Thaya (Dyje) and March (Morava) rivers is of pan-European relevance due to its natural and cultural values. It is the largest floodplain forest in Central Europe, including wetlands protected under the Ramsar Convention. Water shapes the landscape – a network of river branches, wetlands, ponds, floodplain meadows, and forests characterises the area. With its exceptional biodiversity, Soutok provides a habitat for around 900 vascular plant species and hundreds of rare animal species, including the Danube crested newt and the imperial eagle. Now, this valuable ecosystem will be comprehensively protected and officially designated as a Landscape Protection Area (CHKO) from 1st July 2025.
“In the Soutok landscape, also known as the ‘Moravian Amazon’, water, river branches, wetlands, ponds, floodplain meadows, and forests play a key role. The importance of the local forests was most recently demonstrated during the flood in September, when the floodplains absorbed large amounts of water and mitigated the effects downstream. The confluence of the Morava and Dyje rivers also offers a unique habitat for hundreds of plant, animal, and organism species. 130 strictly protected animal species live here, and more than 50 protected plant species occur. It is an internationally important area that also includes wetlands under the Ramsar Convention,” explained Environment Minister Petr Hladík (KDU-ČSL) the reasons for the increased protection.
The Soutok Protected Landscape Area will help restore the water balance, revitalise meadows in Slovácko, combat invasive plant species such as ragweed, and prevent mosquito infestations. In times of increasing droughts and floods, such wetlands are invaluable, as floodplain landscapes play an indispensable role in both cases.
Planned measures include the construction of a water lifting station on the Thaya in Pohansko and changes to the water regime of the Nové Mlýny reservoir. Other measures to restore the water balance, especially in the Morava floodplain, are also part of the conservation plan for the protected area. In addition, an integrated system for preventing mosquito infestations will be developed, similar to other protected areas.
The declaration of the protected landscape area does not restrict local residents. Towns and villages are excluded from the protected area, so their development will remain unaffected. Local stakeholders were involved in the planning process, and the boundaries and protection conditions were adjusted to ensure that the everyday lives of residents will not be affected.
Additionally, a visitor centre, House of Nature Soutok, and information points in other municipalities are planned. The administration of the landscape protection area will be based in Lanžhot, in a former school building.
