Přísnotický les

Přísnotický les is a small yet ecologically valuable protected area south of Brno in the Czech Republic, combining a stretch of alluvial forest with adjacent ponds and wetlands. The reserve falls within the cadastral territory of Nosislav in the Brno-venkov district, close to the village of Přísnotice, from which it takes its name. The site has been under protection since 2012 and forms part of the European Natura 2000 network as a site of Community importance.

Why is this forest protected?

The main reason for the area's protected status is the presence of the great crested newt and its habitat: revitalized ponds together with the surrounding wetlands, plus the neighboring section of alluvial forest. These damp, seasonally flooded environments provide the breeding conditions the newt needs, making the site one of the more important amphibian refuges in the region.

What animals live here?

Besides the great crested newt, the ponds and wetlands of Přísnotický les support other protected amphibian species, including the fire-bellied toad and the European tree frog. The abundance of water bodies — ponds and flooded patches — also benefits other amphibians and water-dependent invertebrates, making the reserve an important link in the local ecological network that connects the river valley with the farmland surrounding Nosislav and Přísnotice.

What does the alluvial forest look like?

The tree stand of Přísnotický les is typical of alluvial forests — woodlands growing in river valleys that are periodically flooded. Alder, ash, hornbeam and poplar dominate here, species well adapted to wet ground and fluctuating water levels. Beech, oak and pine appear less frequently, mostly on the slightly higher, drier margins of the site. This mosaic of habitats, from waterlogged hollows to drier forest edges, gives the reserve a varied vegetation structure despite its modest size.

Where exactly is it located?

Přísnotický les lies south of Brno, near the villages of Rebešovice and Modřice, in the South Moravian region. Its approximate coordinates are 49.0092° N, 16.6233° E. The drive from Brno usually takes no more than half an hour, making the reserve an easily reachable destination for a short nature outing for anyone in the region.

Frequently asked questions

Is Přísnotický les open to visitors? The site has the status of a nature reserve protecting amphibian habitats, so visits should be limited to marked paths and should respect the area's quiet, especially during the amphibians' spring breeding season.

What makes this reserve stand out from others in the region? Above all, the combination of revitalized ponds with a preserved stretch of alluvial forest, which together create a comprehensive habitat for the great crested newt and other protected amphibians — a combination rarely found on such a small area.

Since when has the area been protected? Přísnotický les gained protected status in 2012 and has since been part of the EU's Natura 2000 network.

Which trees dominate the forest? Mainly alder, ash, hornbeam and poplar — species typical of alluvial forests growing on seasonally flooded land.