Designated terrestrial protected areas

Czechia has a limited extent of valuable large-scale areas available for potential nature protection, which has led to the establishment of numerous small protected areas (median size < 9 ha). However, these areas suffer from isolation and, therefore, the focus in Czechia is on enhancing connectivity between protected areas. The Czech Natura 2000 network has been finalised. However, the plan is to establish new protected areas of national importance. Overall, the area of protected sites (21.9% of the total land area in 2023; see graph) should be increased by 1.1% of the total area of unprotected land by 2030. Further efforts will focus on enhancing the connectivity of the protected areas network by reinforcing the protection of natural areas currently safeguarded by other means. In total, it is proposed that 28.33% of the state’s area be protected by 2030. In recent decades, partial successes have been observed in the populations of endangered species thanks to management efforts in protected areas. In contrast, a significant decline has been recorded in farmland bird species, whose numbers decreased by 46.8% between 1982 and 2023 due to intensive agricultural practices.