Velká a Malá olšina

Velká a Malá olšina is a nature reserve straddling the border between the Vysočina Region and the Central Bohemian Region, northwest of the village of Dobrnice in the Havlíčkův Brod district. The protected area consists of two separate patches of floodplain forest covering a combined 3.8 hectares and has held protected status since 1982.

What is being protected here?

The reserve exists to safeguard a near-natural ash-alder floodplain forest belonging to the Alnion incanae plant association, together with a rich population of spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum) — a bulbous plant with white early-spring flowers. This species, now under specific protection, is closely tied to the wet, nutrient-rich alder woodland where it thrives, which is why both forest patches carry "olšina" (alder grove) in their name.

How do the two parts of the reserve differ?

The reserve's name reflects its division into two distinct sections. The larger part, Velká olšina, is crossed by the Chlumský stream, which keeps the soil consistently moist and supports the growth of typical floodplain vegetation. The smaller part, Malá olšina, is an old alder stand left entirely to natural succession — without human intervention, the forest here ages and regenerates on its own terms, making it a valuable reference point for studying the natural dynamics of floodplain woodland.

What plants and animals live here?

The forest floor is notably rich in species. Alongside spring snowflake, the reserve is home to marsh betony, bitter cress and several fern species typical of damp, shaded floodplain habitats. Steady soil moisture, shade cast by the mature alder canopy, and the presence of running water together sustain a flora characteristic of the region's least-altered river valleys.

The Chlumský stream, flowing through the larger of the two sections, harbours the brook stickleback, a small freshwater fish considered an endangered species in the Czech Republic. Its presence indicates good water quality and a largely unmodified streambed — a rarity in the farmed lowlands of central Bohemia.

Why is it worth a visit?

Velká a Malá olšina appeals to anyone interested in nature left largely untouched by intensive forestry — a compact but valuable enclave of floodplain forest where, in early spring, visitors can see carpets of blooming spring snowflake, and throughout the year observe the natural life cycle of an old alder stand. It also illustrates how small, well-preserved fragments of landscape can serve as refuges for species tied to wetlands and floodplain forests.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the reserve located? Northwest of the village of Dobrnice, within the cadastral area of Leština u Světlé, in the Havlíčkův Brod district, on the border between the Vysočina and Central Bohemian regions.

When was the area given protected status? The reserve was established in 1982.

When is the best time to visit? Early spring, when spring snowflake blooms and covers the forest floor in white flowers.

What fish lives in the Chlumský stream? The brook stickleback, a freshwater fish considered endangered, whose presence points to the stream's good ecological condition.