The quiet settlement of Horná Pustá Ves is hidden away in the northern part of the Brezovské Karpaty, within the Prašník municipality. Surrounded by the limestone peaks of the Malé Karpaty, this area has a rich natural and cultural history. People settled here as early as the Paleolithic era, evidenced by the remains of an ancient hillfort on one of the local ridges. Over time, the region’s favorable conditions attracted various human civilizations, many of which engaged in agriculture. It is thanks to centuries of traditional land use that rare and species-rich xerothermic habitats—dry, sunlit grasslands—have survived in Pustá Ves. Though only small fragments remain compared to the past, they are incredibly valuable relics of ancient rocky steppes and forest-steppes. To protect these fragile ecosystems, we have partnered with a local farmer through the LIFE Endemic PANALP project to restore and preserve them with careful, sustainable management.
Our partner in Horná Pustá Ves is Roman Dobrovodský, who took over the family farm from his father. Along with his brother, he’s a passionate nature photographer and filmmaker—but his connection to this land goes even deeper. More than a decade ago, long before our project began, the two of them started clearing overgrown xerothermic habitats, which they also co-own. From our very first meeting, it was clear we were on the same page. The biggest challenge wasn’t deciding what needed to be done, but navigating the bureaucracy—getting approval from a majority of co-owners. Luckily, we managed to secure it (back when the land registry was still running smoothly), and by late 2023, restoration work above Pustá Ves was officially underway. This winter, the efforts continue.
A comparison of aerial photographs from the mid-20th century and today reveals just how much the Brezovské Karpaty have changed in a relatively short time. Sunlit rocky slopes that once defined the landscape have disappeared—replaced by pine plantations and quarries. Like in many other parts of Slovakia, rocky steppes here suffered from past generations’ misconceptions. They were seen as barren, overgrazed wastelands, and afforestation was celebrated as a major success for both people and nature. It wasn’t until later that scientists recognized their true value—these are among the richest ecosystems in our region, with a history stretching back to the Ice Age. Protecting them should be taken as seriously as preserving old-growth forests—but unlike forests, these habitats need active management to survive. The green areas on the current map highlight the sites undergoing restoration.
Our main goal is to fully restore approximately 10 hectares of land within the Brezovské Karpaty, a site of European significance. The parcel is divided by a ridge, creating a sunny, southwest-facing slope and a wetter, north-facing side. We began the restoration efforts on the southern part of the site, where, thanks to previous work by the Dobrovodský brothers, a diverse mosaic of thermophilic and xerophilic meadows, juniper stands, and oak forest-steppes has been preserved. These habitats are home to hundreds of orchids, as well as the endemic carnation (Dianthus praecox subsp. lumnitzeri), a target species of our project. On the edges of a nearby quarry, you can even find the greater pasque flower, so there’s hope that they may eventually expand into this area as well.
To support light-demanding species and habitats, local farmers, under our expert guidance, have carefully removed most of the black pines from the area. These pines spreaded from a neighboring plot, which had been afforested with a dense monoculture of this non-native tree. With the pines removed, the once-shaded areas, which had been acidified by pine needles for decades, can now allow rare herbaceous communities that thrive in sunny, dry, and alkaline limestone soils to flourish once again.
Black pines can destroy rare, millennia-old light-demanding habitats within just a few decades due to shading of the area and their acidic needles. They push out almost all the native species, including junipers. However, as shown in the middle photo, when we lend a helping hand to nature, the native species almost immediately start to find their way back.
This winter, after consulting with another key partner, the administration of the CHKO Malé Karpaty, we also began the restoration of the northern slope. Currently, there is a dense forest made up of a variety of deciduous trees. Our joint goal is to transform it into a traditionally European, yet nearly vanished habitat—the light, grazing forest. Under the partial shade of the trees, a farmer will graze a herd of cows, which already help maintain the neighboring meadow and, since last summer, a smaller part of the cleared xerothermic areas. The driest and steepest southern slopes of the site, however, will only be grazed occasionally to prevent damage to the habitats. Many larger farms might not find such practices economical, so we are very happy that in Pustá Ves, things are different. We have the opportunity to work with local allies who, like us, truly value the natural heritage of the landscape.
The northern part consists of a species-rich, yet dense deciduous forest, which is quite common in the surrounding area and throughout the Malé Karpaty. Over time, we will gradually transform it into a pasture-like woodland, which will have a positive impact on the local biodiversity.
Site inspections with local collaborators are an essential part of our work in restoring rare habitats.
What’s next? Since it’s in the shared interest of us, the farmer, and the LIFE program to not just clear the rare habitats once but also maintain them long-term, we’ve secured quality fencing and other infrastructure for livestock with the project funds. A tourist trail runs through the area, so we’ve also prepared an educational panel highlighting the natural values of the site and the importance of its maintenance. And of course, we’re very excited about the possibility of expanding the steppe and forest-steppe areas here in the future. The surroundings of Horná Pustá Ves still hold great potential in this regard.
While we prepare to install a permanent information panel at the site, we are informing visitors about the ongoing work and its significance with temporary signs.
We prioritize the sustainability of project activities, which is why we have provided the local farmer with high-quality, long-lasting fences made from acacia wood.
