V Mezence

V Mezence is a small but ecologically significant nature reserve in the Vysočina Region, in the Pelhřimov district, close to the village of Mezná in the Czech Republic. Sitting at an elevation of roughly 614–618 metres above sea level, the reserve was legally protected on 15 June 1993 and is classified under IUCN category IV — a habitat and species management area, meaning conservation here relies on active management rather than strict non-intervention.

What makes this reserve worth protecting?

The reserve was established to safeguard a complex of peatland and wet meadow habitats, ecosystems that have become increasingly scarce across the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands due to drainage and intensive farming. The source springs of the Hejlovka river lie right within the reserve's boundaries, which explains the persistently wet, boggy character of much of the terrain.

Which species live here?

The peatland and meadow habitats support a distinctive set of species. V Mezence is home to the round-leaved sundew, an insectivorous plant typical of nutrient-poor, acidic bogs — in this part of the Vysočina Region, the reserve is one of the few places where the species still survives. Among the protected animals recorded here are a butterfly species associated with damp meadows and the edible frog, a common inhabitant of the region's wetland habitats. Together, these species reflect the specialised, fragile ecosystem that the reserve was created to preserve.

Who manages the reserve?

V Mezence falls under the administration of the Vysočina Regional Authority, which is the typical arrangement for smaller, regionally significant nature reserves in the Czech Republic — as opposed to large national parks or protected landscape areas, which are managed centrally by the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR).

What should visitors know before going?

The reserve covers a modest area centred on the Hejlovka's springs, so a visit here is best thought of as a short, quiet nature walk rather than a full day's excursion. Because peatland habitats are easily damaged by trampling, visitors should stick to marked paths and avoid stepping onto the wetter meadow sections where the sundew grows. Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, when water levels in the bog are highest and the characteristic vegetation and amphibians are most active.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the V Mezence nature reserve located? It lies in the Vysočina Region, Pelhřimov district, near the village of Mezná, at an elevation of about 614–618 metres above sea level.

When was the reserve established? It was granted protected status on 15 June 1993.

Why was this area protected? To preserve a complex of peatland and wet meadow habitats, including the springs of the Hejlovka river and a rare population of round-leaved sundew.

What protected animal species can be found there? A butterfly species tied to damp meadows and the edible frog, both linked to the reserve's wetland habitats.

Who is responsible for managing the reserve? The Vysočina Regional Authority.