The South Bohemian landscape and Upper Austria conceal some of the most precious natural treasures of Central Europe – a mosaic of meadows, forests and wetlands where hundreds of plant species have found their home for centuries. Yet this wealth is silently disappearing. Over recent decades, plant species diversity in this region has declined at an alarming rate, and with it fades the face of the landscape that generations before us knew. This is precisely why the cross-border project "Plants Along the Border" (ATCZ00182 Cross-border plants CZ-AT, INTERREG Austria – Czech Republic 2021-2027) was created, with the aim of halting this worrying trend. The University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice and OÖ Landes-Kultur GmbH in Linz are joining forces of scientists, conservationists and passionate volunteers on both sides of the border. Together they focus on an extensive territory stretching from Český Krumlov to Linz – from the southeastern ridges of the Šumava to the Weinsberg Forest, which adjoins the Novohrad Mountains.
Biodiversity Under Pressure
The main challenge is the continuing decline of vascular plant species – and with them, the animals that depend on them. The cause is particularly the intensification of land management, the abandonment of traditionally managed sites and, not least, climate change. While some specialized and rare species are rapidly disappearing, competitively strong and often invasive plants are spreading. These create species-poor stands that have lost their original function (e.g., water retention in the landscape, shelter and food for animals).
Shared Data, Shared Solutions
"Organisms do not respect state borders. If we truly want to protect biodiversity, we must cooperate across borders," emphasizes Milan Štech, head of the Department of Botany at the Faculty of Science of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. A crucial step is the creation of a unique Czech-Austrian data platform that links previously incompatible national databases on plant occurrence. Experts simultaneously supplement missing data through targeted field research combined with the use of modern molecular methods for precise identification of significant species. The project focuses on so-called "flagship species" – rapidly declining plants whose protection helps preserve other species and their valuable habitats. The Czech Republic and Austria have different approaches to species and habitat conservation in many cases. The project will result in a joint strategy for protecting plant diversity in the region and concrete proposals on how to save the most valuable habitats with rare species and how to limit the spread of invasive ones.
Open Science for the Public
Today's landscape is fully intertwined with humans, and many valuable communities depend on management. Therefore, plant diversity cannot be preserved without human involvement. The project thus also aims at direct communication with farmers, landowners and their connection with nature conservation. The project offers excursions, workshops, lectures and citizen science activities in which people from the general public, local residents, associations, schools, etc. can participate. The public data portal https://www.floravltavadonau.eu/ provides current information about project activities and contains up-to-date maps of the distribution of all plants recorded in the studied territory for interested parties.
The border region of South Bohemia and Upper Austria has exceptional natural and cultural value. The project sets an ambitious goal: to slow down the rapid disappearance of plant species and create a long-term plan that will help preserve a diverse, vibrant and functional landscape for future generations. "Let us together discover and save what remains of the original plant species richness," Milan Štech calls on the public to participate.
