Polabská černava

Polabská černava is a small but remarkable nature reserve in the Central Bohemian Region, within Mělník District, spanning the cadastral territories of the villages Mělnická Vrutice and Jelenice. The protected area stretches along the course of the Pšovka River, right next to Mělnická Vrutice, and covers no more than 10 hectares. Despite its modest size, it holds considerable ecological importance — protected as a national nature reserve since 1946, and, thanks to its value, also included in the European Natura 2000 network of protected sites.

What makes this place special?

Polabská černava is one of the last preserved examples in the region of a "černava" — a calcareous fen fed by mineral-rich groundwater. This particular combination of soil chemistry and constant water supply has allowed a rare and specialized wetland flora to survive here. The landscape is a mosaic of wet sedge meadows, reed beds, willow thickets, and alder stands — habitat types that have largely vanished elsewhere across the Elbe lowlands (Polabí) due to drainage and land reclamation over the past century.

What plants and animals live here?

The site is known for its diversity of peat mosses and rare orchids, including the early marsh orchid, recognizable by its intensely pink flowers typical of damp meadows. Also present is the common butterwort, a carnivorous plant that supplements its nutrient intake in this nitrogen-poor, waterlogged environment by trapping small insects on its sticky leaves. Among the fauna, the reserve is particularly notable for two butterfly species facing severe decline nationwide: the marsh fritillary and the scarce fritillary, for which these surviving fen meadows represent one of the few remaining suitable habitats.

Why is it worth visiting?

For nature lovers and botanical photographers, Polabská černava offers a rare chance to see, in its natural setting, vegetation that has disappeared from most of lowland Central Europe under pressure from agriculture and development. It is also a striking example of how a small, well-protected patch of land can support a disproportionately large number of rare and endangered species. The surroundings along the Pšovka River are well suited to quiet walks and wildlife observation away from crowds, and the reserve's proximity to Mělnická Vrutice makes it an easily accessible stop for anyone exploring the wider Mělník region.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Polabská černava located? In the Central Bohemian Region, Mělník District, within the territories of Mělnická Vrutice and Jelenice, along the course of the Pšovka River.

Since when has the area been protected? It has held national nature reserve status since 1946 and is additionally protected under the European Natura 2000 network.

Which plants are worth looking for here? Mainly peat mosses, orchids such as the early marsh orchid, and the carnivorous common butterwort, all characteristic of calcareous fens known locally as "černavy."

Which animals can be spotted in the reserve? The site is a stronghold for endangered butterflies — the marsh fritillary and scarce fritillary — for which the wet meadows provide essential feeding and breeding habitat.

How large is the protected area? The reserve covers no more than 10 hectares, making it one of the smaller yet ecologically most valuable protected sites in the region.