Site of Community Importance Tematínske vrchy

The Site of Community Importance Tematínske vrchy, with a total surface of 2 582.46 hectares, is declared to ensure the favorable condition of several habitats of European interest. In a Central European scale, the area is one of the most significant sites of rocky steppes and forest-steppes on dolomites. The occurrence of these habitats is conditioned by the crumbly and drying dolomites, which have demonstrably never been completely overgrown with forests since the last Ice Age and therefore host species that were present here tens of thousands of years ago. Dealpine elements, species that occur mainly in alpine zones today, coexist with thermophilic elements that have their distribution center in southern parts of Europe.

Endemic species such as Lumnitzer‘s carnation (Dianthus lumnitzeri), great pasque flower (Pulsatilla grandis), and many other rare plant and animal species can also be found in such habitats. The non-forest habitats are complemented by a diverse mosaic of rare xerophilous oak forests, which are an optimal habitat for the European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus). In the valleys and on the northern slopes, we can also find shady calciphilous beech forests, where one of our most beautiful beetles, Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina), develops in dead trees.

The expansion of non-native and invasive trees, such as black pine (Pinus nigra), manna ash (Fraxinus ornus), and also locationally non-native Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), intentionally planted in the past by humans, is a threatening factor for non-forest communities in Tematínske vrchy. Currently, they prevent the existence of native and often endangered species, ultimately transforming entire rare communities into a homogeneous, species-poor pine and ash forest.

To preserve rare and endangered plant and animal species inhabiting rocky steppes and sparse oak forests, the BROZ association, in cooperation with Matica ovocná s.r.o. (within project LIFE Subpannonic and LIFE Endemic PANALP), cleared several hectares of pine trees and manna ash, and the clearing continues at other sites. Native trees such as oaks, hawthorns, blackthorns, and roses are purposefully left, and their solitaires or smaller groups form a natural part of non-forest communities. Such interventions have created favorable conditions for the further existence of rare species at the site.

The restoration of the area’s habitats would not have been possible without the consent of the owners, who are aware of the area’s natural value and can be a model example of cooperation with nature conservation.