Prioritization of spatial protection of Sumava National Park, Czechia: comparing reality and the model

Natural processes and biodiversity are under pressure, especially in the human-dominated region of Central Europe. Therefore, an effective approach is needed for the conservation of the last fragments of valuable habitats. Sumava National Park is one of the biggest relatively natural forested areas within the cultural landscapes of Czechia and Central Europe. It has been protected since 1991 as a National Park, but management has been changed several times; thus, we would like to create a map with nature protection prioritization based on objective procedures and data to help manage the National Park with regard to its goals. We used occurrence data for 50 selected key fauna and flora species and made habitat suitability models; furthermore, data derived from the habitat mapping layer describing the quality of habitats were prepared. These data were inputs for prioritization ZONATION software resulting in a prioritization map, which could be compared with the current zonation of the National Park.

Automated summary

This article discusses the pressure on natural processes and biodiversity, especially in the human-dominated region of Central Europe. Sumava National Park is one of the largest relatively natural forested areas in Czechia and Central Europe. In order to manage the National Park effectively, researchers used objective procedures and data to create a prioritization map for nature protection.