The Bile Karpaty (White Carpathians) Biosphere Reserve is situated in the east of the Czech Republic along the border with Slovakia and covers an area of 715 km2.
Another neighbouring 435 km2 - not included in the Biospere Reserve - is a Protected Landscape Area on Slovak territory.
The main natural feature of the Bílé Karpaty mountains is the large area of calcareous grasslands with an exceptionally rich flora and entomofauna, the existence of which is completely dependent on man's activities. Remnants of the culture connected with the meadows are still celebrated but threatened by emigration.
The area is based on Magura flysh - impermeable sedimentary rock consisting of mainly calcareous clay and sandstone. The impermeability of these formations causes rapid surface run-off resulting in minor groundwater accumulation and the occurrence of many small flushes and some mineral springs. Almost the entire area is subject to water erosion and landslides.
The area generally shows a moderate relief with broad flat mountain ridges cut by stream valleys.
The predominant soil types are brown soils (Cambisol), with rare occurrence of Chernozem and Phaeozem soils. In floodplains Fluvisol and around springs Glaysol soils occur.
The hay meadow complexes, predominantly located in the South-West, are a Central European phenomenon for their high species diversity, particularly the richness in orchids and butterfly species.
The meadows are either traditionally managed (mowing and hay-making, sometimes followed by subsequent grazing in the autumn months) or maintained by NGOs (mowing and elimination of the biomass through removal or controlled burning, clearing of abundant shrubs).
The abandonment of management on steep slopes, in remote areas and in other difficult terrain poses serious threats to the biodiversity by strong scrub encroachment.
The Bile Karpaty Biosphere Reserve includes a considerable area of relatively well-conserved deciduous forests, mainly oak-hornbeam and near-pristine beech stands highly representative of the biogeographical region.
The central part of the area shows a mosaical landcover (Germ.: Rodeäcker), an attractive landscape pattern of small meadows, fields, orchards, woods and old farms. Agriculture is practised here with minimal use of fertilizers and pesticides. It forms a living example of the harmony between agriculture and nature and landscape.
The Core Areas consist of large meadow complexes in the South-West, adjacent near-natural deciduous forests including the pristine forest at Mount Velká Javořina, and an extensive area of beech forests in the North-East with adjacent grassland.
Management includes the continuation of low-input meadow management, grassland restoration and sustainable forestry (incl. a transformation of Norway spruce enclaves to deciduous woods).
The Buffer Zones include areas where small meadows and predominantly deciduous forests prevail. The central part, called Kopanice, is a patchwork of small farms, hay meadows, orchards, arable fields, forests and small villages.
Here sustainable agriculture and forestry are to be practised.
The Transition Area includes large arable fields and Norway spruce stands skirting the borders of the Biosphere Reserve and larger villages.
In these areas a transition to low-input agriculture and landscape restoration are the management aims.
The local population on both Czech and Slovak territory of Bílé Karpaty is of Slavonic origin. From the Middle Ages Walachians settled in the region. Gypsies form a small minority scattered across the area.
At present, several communities are affected by depopulation again or by part-time residents taking the place of farm families.
Habitation is mostly concentrated in villages situated in stream valleys. The central area shows a scattered habitation pattern.
Culture in all its forms is still rich and alive. The region can be divided into two ethnographical regions (Slovácko, Valašsko) differing in dialect, foods, costumes, crafts, music, and architecture. Many of these items reflect the close relationship with the natural environment.
One of the strongest traditions is the use of herbal medicine. Knowledge of medicinal properties is still wide-spread.
The area is one of the last to continue traditional celebrations on a regular basis and many villages organize well-attended yearly folklore festivals featuring regional music, dance and costumes.
The region counts about 200 officially designated historical monuments. Beside religious objects (churches, bell towers), most characteristic are farmhouses, haysheds and a complete wine-vault area. It is also rich in such objects as fruit-drying houses and smoking chambers.
Of biotic research inventories of flora, study of grassland vegetation and the occurrence of moths and butterflies form the highlights. A database on the occurrence of vascular plant species counts more than 100,000 data including 1400 species.
Other research programmes concern ex-situ conservation and reintroduction of endangered plant species, the restoration and renewal of species-rich grasslands and the preservation of regional fruit-tree varieties.
Monitoring projects concerns the impact of different management types on grassland vegetation at 5 different sites.
Development is best built on the image of a clean and picturesque environment with a simple, healthy lifestyle and rich cultural heritage.
At this time the anticipated base for development and income generation is a mixture of organic specialty agriculture (producing e.g. goat cheese, plum brandy, herbs), cottage industry and small scale agro- and nature- tourism.
There exist a few pilot farms and several other efforts in this direction have been made. The reintroduction of mountain cattle to graze the meadows in the southern part of the proposed BR is being studied. In the central part an Information and Development Office is working with local farmers on methods of organic agriculture. A sister office is actively working to develop small-scale agro-tourism options. Locally, craft products are being uncovered and programs exist to preserve and spread folk/craft traditions and sale.
Environmental education and training is an important item taken care of by NGOs. The activities include lectures, after-school education, summercamps, workcamps, professional training for teachers, conferences, field excursions, an information and development office, a tourist information centre, a regional periodical, noticeboards, and exhibitions.