a. s. Mokrá - HeidelbergCement

Objective

The main priority is to protect and increase biodiversity of the whole ecosystem, to do targeted impacts to increase the presence of littoral zones by changing to soft flood plain and creating conditions for development of rare and endangered species. In this time 4 projects are being developed.

Since 2016, a project is conducted in partnership with BirdLife on biodiversity enhancing of silt lagoons along sandpit banks. Through this were dug 6 water pools of different size and shape with the maximum depth of 1 meter with the main goal to promote amphibians and water beetles. On 5 locations were transferred Equisetum variegatum from another gravel extraction site in autumn 2016. The project was conducted also in cooperation with colleagues from Protected landscape area of Litovelské Pomoraví. Equisetum variegatum is an endangered species in the Czech Republic and are very rare in Moravia. The Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic started an emergency programme to support existing populations of this species and to raise the population. Horsetail population has been established at chosen 5 sites within silt lagoons of Tovačov and these locations are monitored twice a year. Silt lagoons were chosen for their specific features of nutrient-poor habitat, open and wet substrates. The results from every management on biodiversity support will be included to our after use plans. These steps are carried out at present.

The second on-going project is bee support program conducted in cooperation with Czech bee organization from Tovačov. Beehives have been installed within the site and a children education program has been developed to increase environmental interest. The third project is Sterna Hirundo monitoring on our special developed artificial ponds on Skašov and Troubky lakes. On that project we cooperated with Komenskeho Museum of Přerov.

Within the last project we are preparing the “Bird island – Remízek”. A special island for birds with a non-intervention regime has been developed in cooperation with Forests of Czech republic and others stakeholders.

Context

The area consists of a group of 4 lakes which were created after gravel and sand extraction operations. The area became interesting from the point of view of nature protection after the creation of water areas and the development of plant and animal communities. The area is part of European important area Site of Community Importance Chropynsky luh CZ 0714085 and biocentre of supra-regional importance 104. Also it is nearby the National nature reserve Zástudánčí.

Solution

The care of rare biotopes and species is guaranteed by an expertly worked-up document Biodiversity management plan, where are described and suggested steps for further development of high-quality natural locations. Also the company prepares new after-use plan with financial sheet, where every environmental management interventions will be covered.

Result

This quarry gives important services to the community and cooperate with stakeholders and many organisations. Essential benefits from the Tovačov Lakes are the development of natural biotopes of high quality and biota connected to them (beavers, terns). Two lakes are also used as a source of water. Tourism is a specific branch and its soft form, connected with ecological education, is very desirable in protected areas.

Partners

An NGO called ’Pro Tovačovská jezera’ was founded for this partnership, gathering the Townhall Tovačov, conservationists, an ornithological club, associated communities and fishermen.