Ploščiny

Ploščiny is a nature reserve situated on the cadastral territory of the village of Poteč, in the Zlín District, within the Bílé Karpaty Protected Landscape Area. The protected site covers just under 20 hectares and stretches along a mountain ridge running from southwest to northeast, taking in both mountain meadows and forested slopes around a peak that rises to 739 metres above sea level. The reserve was established in 1982.

Why was this reserve created?

The reserve was set up to preserve an example of extensive pastureland typical of the higher elevations of the Bílé Karpaty mountains. It is precisely this style of land management — grazing rather than intensive farming — that has allowed the site to retain such a rich and varied plant cover. Ploščiny is considered one of the most valuable areas within the protected landscape in terms of landscape character.

What grows in the Ploščiny meadows?

The meadows here stand out for their exceptional plant diversity. Among the species found is the sword-leaved helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia), a rare orchid protected across much of Europe, alongside the bastard agrimony (Aremonia agrimonoides) and the elder-flowered orchid (Dactylorhiza sambucina). The presence of these species is a strong indicator of the site's ecological value and shows how traditional, low-intensity meadow management supports biodiversity.

What does the reserve's landscape look like?

The landscape of Ploščiny is a mosaic of open meadows and woodland. A notable feature is the increased presence of birch trees, forming small stands locally known as "březiny", along with mixed forest patches. Juniper also appears on the meadows, a plant typically associated with extensively grazed mountain pastures. This mix of habitats — from sun-exposed open grassland to shaded forest edges — makes the reserve a favourable environment for a wide range of plant and animal species.

Who manages the reserve?

Ploščiny is managed by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic, specifically the administration of the Bílé Karpaty Protected Landscape Area. The reserve is also part of the Natura 2000 network, forming part of the Site of Community Importance known as "Podkrálovec", which falls under the same administration. Its inclusion in this European conservation network underlines that the site's natural values extend beyond regional significance.

Why are the meadows still grazed today?

To preserve the character and biodiversity of the meadows, sheep are brought in to graze the site every summer. This grazing is not an incidental feature of the landscape but a deliberately maintained practice — without it, the meadows would gradually be overtaken by shrubs and forest, and the rare plant species adapted to open, mown or grazed ground would lose their habitat. Ploščiny is a good example of how traditional agriculture and nature conservation can work hand in hand.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Ploščiny reserve located? The reserve lies on the cadastral territory of the village of Poteč in the Zlín District, within the Bílé Karpaty Protected Landscape Area, along a mountain ridge running from southwest to northeast.

How large is the reserve? The protected area covers just under 20 hectares.

When was the reserve established? Ploščiny was declared a nature reserve in 1982.

What rare plants can be found here? Notable species include the sword-leaved helleborine, bastard agrimony, and the elder-flowered orchid.

Why are sheep used to graze the meadows? Grazing is essential for keeping the meadows open and species-rich — without it, the site would gradually become overgrown with shrubs and forest.