Geomorphological Heritage and Geoconservation in the Czech Republic

Abstract

The high lithological and morphological diversity of the Czech Republic presents a basis for geoconservation activities. The conservation of geomorphological heritage has usually been included in general nature conservation, so it should be analysed within its context. Nature conservation and protection have a long tradition here; since the Middle Ages, the forests have been protected, primarily for the hunting reasons, and then for the aesthetic reasons. During the first half of the nineteenth century, first efforts of legal protection appeared (Velky a Maly Bezdez, established around 1833, Zofin forest, established in 1838), and during the second half of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century, conservation of abiotic features of the landscape became more important, but still unsystematic. The first law on the nature protection was adopted in 1956—at that time it was considered progressive legislative tool, but it allowed a lot of exceptions in the interest of mining or the construction of transport infrastructure. Today, nature conservation is covered by the Act 114/1992 Coll. that enables landscapes, karst features, minerals and fossils to be protected as well as the establishment of protected areas. In addition, there are many other geoconservation activities: The database of geosites, the database of karst forms or the network of national geoparks. Thanks to these activities, the development of geotourism and cooperation between scientists, authorities and local people, and the geomorphological heritage in the Czech Republic become more and more important and appreciated by the public.