Rybník Pařez

Rybník Pařez is a small but ecologically significant nature reserve located near the village of Kaliště in the Pelhřimov district, part of the Vysočina Region in the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands of the Czech Republic. Sitting at an elevation of roughly 568 meters, the reserve covers just 4.37 hectares — a compact area that nonetheless packs in a remarkable variety of aquatic and wetland habitats.

Why was this reserve protected?

The reserve was established to safeguard a well-preserved complex of aquatic and wetland ecosystems surrounding a single pond. These include reed beds, sedge stands, and wet peat meadows — habitat types that have become increasingly rare in Central Europe due to drainage and agricultural intensification. The fact that such a diverse mosaic of habitats survives intact on such a small footprint is precisely what gives the site its conservation value.

What species live here?

The reserve is best known for its thriving population of the noble crayfish (river crayfish), a species that has disappeared from many European waterways due to pollution and competition from invasive crayfish species. Alongside the crayfish, the wetland meadows and reed beds provide breeding grounds for several specially protected amphibian species. The plant life is equally notable: critically endangered species such as needle spike-rush and bogbean (also known as buckbean) grow here, both indicators of a healthy, undisturbed peatland ecosystem.

What conservation work has been done?

Between 2014 and 2015, the reserve underwent significant restoration work funded by the Vysočina Region with support from a regional environmental programme. The project included desilting the pond and reinforcing its embankment with stone riprap. These measures directly benefited the crayfish population by creating new shelters along the reinforced banks and improving overall water quality. Local reports following the project noted a clear recovery in crayfish numbers in the years afterward.

Who manages the reserve?

Rybník Pařez falls under the administration of the Vysočina Regional Authority, fitting into a broader network of small but valuable nature reserves scattered across the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands, many of which protect similar peatland and wetland habitats.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is Rybník Pařez located? The reserve lies near the village of Kaliště in the Pelhřimov district, within the Vysočina Region, at an elevation of about 568 meters.

How large is the reserve? It covers 4.37 hectares, making it one of the smaller but ecologically dense reserves in the region.

What is the main reason for its protection? The preserved wetland and aquatic ecosystems — reed beds, sedge stands, and wet peat meadows — along with populations of rare and protected plant and animal species.

Which species is the reserve particularly known for? The noble crayfish, whose population benefited significantly from restoration works carried out between 2014 and 2015.

Can visitors explore the reserve? As a protected natural area, visitors should stick to designated paths and avoid disturbing the wetland habitats to protect the reserve's sensitive plant and animal communities.