Just as humans have carved their own paths through nature, nature, too, has created its own unique routes. The southern edge of the Javorníky Mountains is home to the Pieniny Klippen Belt, a stunning limestone ridge that stretches from Myjava, across the Polish Tatras, through Humenné, and all the way to Romania. These rocky formations served as stepping stones for plant and animal species that depend on calcium-rich habitats. In the past, these areas were within reach of each other, easily accessible. But while they were once open and connected, many are now overgrown by forests and dense vegetation—or have disappeared altogether.
Klapy, serving as the gateway to the Mariková Valley, have a rich history, with evidence of ancient Celtic settlements in the area. Likely used as a refuge in times of danger, this strategic location has long been a place of shelter and protection for those who sought safety in its natural surroundings.
Overlooking the Nosice Dam in Stredné Považie, Klapy Mountain is part of the limestone ridge system. In the past, various calcium- and light-demanding species migrated here, but as their connection to the surrounding landscape faded, so did their populations. The once-thriving rocky peak became an isolated island in a sea of vegetation, causing a steady decline in rare species like the Slovak pasque flower and the Apollo butterfly. With each passing year, the sunlit rocky habitats shrank, and so did the populations of rare species. Without proper management, the very ecosystems and protected species that define this nature reserve would have eventually disappeared.
The larvae of the Apollo Butterfly rely on the succulent white stonecrop, a plant that thrives in open, unshaded areas. Both species require these sun-drenched, uncovered spaces to survive.
The Slovak pasque flower, an endemic species of Slovakia, is capable of surviving in a dormant state for several years when shaded, but will eventually perish if the conditions do not improve.
Together with the Strážovské vrchy Protected Landscape Area, we worked on restoring Klapy as part of the LIFE Endemic PANALP project. Over 18 days in late November and early December, we cleared 8,000 m² of overgrown habitat in steep, rugged terrain—at times using climbing gear. We carefully removed invading pines and hazels while preserving native oaks, wild apple and pear trees, and rowan-trees, helping to revive this precious landscape.
The weather didn’t exactly cooperate with us either. One week, we were surrounded by blooming spring flowers and battling ticks, while the next, we were wading through half-meter of snow in freezing temperatures. Some days started with a magical, sun-drenched frost, only to end in harsh, gusty conditions where staying on our feet became a challenge. Despite the tough conditions, the effort we put in over those three weeks will benefit the open-land species for years to come.
Why did we take action instead of letting “nature take its course”? Unfortunately, many similar locations have been left to overgrow on their own, and what was once a vibrant, diverse ecosystem has been overtaken by invasive trees. Some may argue that this is simply nature’s way, but it’s not that simple. Over time, humans have removed critical natural processes—such as fires, floods, and large herbivores—that once helped shape and maintain these ecosystems. Other areas were intentionally degraded by quarrying, planting non-native trees, and, indirectly, by the decline of grazing and pasturing. While we can’t know what the Earth will look like in the future, it’s possible that the state of nature will improve, and rare species could spread once more. But right now, we are deciding whether there will even be places left for them to spread from. That’s why it’s crucial to protect and manage xerothermic habitats like Klapy, which serve as important oases of biodiversity.
The Váh River, cutting through the limestone formations of the klippen belt, sped up the weathering processes, contributing to the formation of steep cliffs at Klapy and other nearby locations such as Holíš near Nimnica, Skalka by Nosice, and the cliff beneath Považský Castle. However, this dynamic natural force has been controlled by river regulation and dam construction.
Why did we take action instead of letting “nature take its course”? Unfortunately, many similar locations have been left to overgrow on their own, and what was once a vibrant, diverse ecosystem has been overtaken by invasive trees. Some may argue that this is simply nature’s way, but it’s not that simple. Over time, humans have removed critical natural processes—such as fires, floods, and large herbivores—that once helped shape and maintain these ecosystems. Other areas were intentionally degraded by quarrying, planting non-native trees, and, indirectly, by the decline of grazing and pasturing. While we can’t know what the Earth will look like in the future, it’s possible that the state of nature will improve, and rare species could spread once more. But right now, we are deciding whether there will even be places left for them to spread from. That’s why it’s crucial to protect and manage xerothermic habitats like Klapy, which serve as important oases of biodiversity.
