Prameniště Jankovského potoka

Prameniště Jankovského potoka is a protected spring and wet-meadow area in the Jihlava district of the Vysočina Region, spanning the municipalities of Vyskytná and Opatov, close to Branišov. The site protects the headwater section, floodplain and naturally meandering course of the Jankovský stream, surrounded by damp and boggy meadows of oligotrophic character — nutrient-poor, yet remarkably rich in species diversity.

Why is this site protected?

Since 1992, the area has formed part of the Jankovský potok National Nature Monument. The purpose of the protection is to preserve the natural character of the watercourse together with the surrounding plant communities and the habitats of numerous rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. It is precisely the combination of clean, cold spring water and extensively managed meadows that has allowed the area to retain a level of biodiversity now seldom found elsewhere in the region.

What species live here?

Prameniště Jankovského potoka is an important refuge for species tied to wetland habitats. Among birds, the common snipe (Gallinago gallinago) breeds here — a species increasingly rare across Central Europe's agricultural landscape due to the draining of wetlands. The meadows support the marsh fritillary (Melitaea diamina), a butterfly closely associated with damp, flower-rich grassland. The stream itself is home to the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), a predator whose presence signals a healthy aquatic ecosystem.

Of particular significance is the presence of the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) — a critically endangered mollusk that requires exceptionally clean, cold and well-oxygenated water. It is one of Europe's most sensitive bioindicators of stream quality, and its presence here confirms the high natural value of the Jankovský stream.

How is the area managed?

Active conservation management has been underway since 1993, focused primarily on maintaining the valuable wet meadows and the natural shape of the streambed. Regular mowing and removal of encroaching vegetation prevent the meadow habitats from overgrowing and degrading, while protection of the banks and riparian zone supports the stability of the aquatic ecosystem.

A key part of the conservation programme was support for the local pearl mussel population: in 2005, specimens raised in captivity on the Blanice river were introduced into the stream. This kind of reintroduction aims to strengthen the local population of this exceptionally sensitive species, whose wild populations across Central Europe have declined dramatically in recent decades.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Prameniště Jankovského potoka located? The site lies in the Vysočina Region, Jihlava district, on the border between the municipalities of Vyskytná and Opatov, near Branišov.

Since when has the area been protected? The territory has been part of the Jankovský potok National Nature Monument since 1992, with active conservation management in place since 1993.

Which species is most valuable here? The most valuable species is the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera), a critically endangered mollusk requiring very clean water, whose population has been supported through the reintroduction of individuals bred on the Blanice river.

What is worth seeing on site? The natural, meandering course of the stream, the boggy spring meadows, and — with some luck and patience — signs of otter activity or a glimpse of a common snipe among the grasses.