Excursion to the post-fire area of Bohemian Switzerland National Park

Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland National Parks, located on the border of the Czech Republic and Germany, are renowned for their breathtaking landscapes of sandstone formations. Natural forest communities in the area include acidophilous beech forests, Scots pine forests on steep slopes and rock outcrops, and shady, narrow gorges with Norway spruce. Several ancient fires have been documented in the pine stands during the Holocene. In the foothills, natural vegetation was partly replaced by Norway spruce plantations, a legacy of forestry practices from the 18th and 19th centuries. These plantations experienced significant dieback between 2016 and 2021 due to a bark beetle outbreak.

A wildfire, ignited by human activity, started on July 24, 2022, and burned for 20 days. It affected 1,060 hectares of forest in Bohemian Switzerland and 113 hectares in Saxon Switzerland National Parks. The fire impacted all vegetation types. Firefighters actively suppressed the fire, influencing its spread and severity. After the fire, the majority of the affected area was left to recover naturally, offering a unique research opportunity in a temperate region where wildfires are becoming more frequent.

During the excursion, we will visit the area to observe post-fire succession, as well as other beautiful landscapes in the region. Visitors will be informed about ongoing research activities and nature conservation strategies.