2. River floodplain route

16. Floodplain of the Lužnice River

A part of the Lužnice River and its floodplain has not been canalized and substantially altered by humans, thus, a mosaic of wet meadow, marshes, open water in back arms and pools, and willow carrs has been preserved. The main problem is that most meadows and marshes, earlier regularly cut for hay, are nowadays neglected which causes an expansion of competitive species such as Phalaris arundinacea and Urtica dioica; consequently, species diversity decreases. A large research project was conducted here in the 1980s and 1990s under which a part of the neglected meadows was restored by re-establishment of regular cutting, but later.

1. Pískovna u Dračice sand pit

The locality (7.5 ha, 48°53‘35“N, 14°56‘2“E) is situated in the southern part of the Třeboňsko Protected Landscape Area (45 km SE from České Budějovice).  Sand mining destroyed the original habitats, such as forest plantations, meadows, pastures and arable fields. Because of the intervention of the nature conservation authority the planned depositions of building wastes and forest reclamation were not realized. Instead, three small water bodies were created to increase habitat heterogenity. There are typical xeric habitats on exposed rocks and sands, including open sand grasslands with Corynephorus canescens. Many species are confined to the small lakes, being mainly the amphibians Epidalea calamita (with one of the largest population in the region). The locality is a nesting site for sand martins (Riparia riparia); nesting by the rainbow bird (Merops apiaster) was recorded in 2002. There were repeated records of hoopoe (Upupa epops) during its nesting time in 2008.

18. Třeboň, a historical town

The town, protected by national law, was founded in the 13th century and flourished especially in the 16th century. The centre is well preserved as a whole, with a beautiful central square, a large renaissance castle and a valuable gothic church with an attached monastery. The entrance to the town is possible only through the four historical gates. The town is located in the centre of the extensive fishpond system built mostly in the 16th century.