3. Mined peatland and stream restoration route

7. Soumarský most peatland

The Soumarský most peatland was an ombrotrophic bog with bog pine (Pinus rotundata) situated in the floodplain of the Vltava River in the Šumava Mts. National Park. Hand mining and then industrial extraction continued until 2000 when it was stopped due to the intervention from the Šumava National Park authorities. Restoration of the site began in 2000, except for a small part of the peatland afforested byPinus sylvestris in the 1980s.The first part of the restoration was blockage of the drainage system. Mulch from surrounding peaty meadows was spread over the peatland to facilitate species introduction and for improving the microclimate.

Due to the increase of the water table, there is a massive spread of Eriophorum vaginatum, while Eriophorum angustifolium and Carex rostrata locally occur in wet sites. The species were locally reintroduced by transplants, but also partly established spontaneously. Bare peat is slowly colonized by Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium uliginosum and V. myrtillus. Juncus effusus, Carex canescens andMolinia caerulea. and Sphagnum mosses are growing on less than 10% of the area due to their reintroduction and spontaneous colonization.

15. Restoration of the Borová brook valley

The Borová brook flows through the western part of the Blanský les Protected Landscape Area (20 km SE from České Budějovice). It is 6.3 km long (current state) and the catchment area is 17.8 km2. In 1982 - 1984 the surrounding grasslands were drained and, because of that, the stream was canalized and narrowed. Its length was reduced by up to 3.5 km. The restoration of the Borová brook valley was realized in 1998-2000. During restoration, the canalized watercourse was partly meandered again, two basins were created and native trees were planted above the stream banks. The project also included reconstruction of the old local roads and plantation of accompanying alleys.

20. Holašovice, the village of UNESCO Heritage

One of the best preserved villages in the country represents a unique complex of rural baroque houses. Most of them were built during the 19th century. The village survived the communist era and in 1995 was declared as a historical monument under Czech legislation and in 1998 as a UNESCO Heritage site.