There are several types of protected areas of the Czech Republic. The main form of landscape protection is delimitation of special protected areas. All the types of protected areas are determined by law.

Special protected areas There are six types of special protected areas distinguished by their size and importance. The types of large-scale protected areas are national park and protected landscape area; the types of small-scale protected areas are national nature reserve, nature reserve, national nature monument, and nature monument.

National park National park (, abbreviated as NP) are defined as a large areas with a typical relief and geological structure and a predominant occurrence of natural or man-made ecosystems, unique and significant on a national or international scale in terms of ecology, science, education or awareness. They are established by the Czech Government. As of 2025, there are four national parks in the Czech Republic, with a total area of , which is 1.50% of the Czech Republic's area. Short nameFull nameEstablishedAreaProtected zone area KrkonošeKrkonošský národní park (KRNAP)1963 PodyjíNárodní park Podyjí1991 ŠumavaNárodní park Šumava1991 Bohemian SwitzerlandNárodní park České Švýcarsko2000 The Šumava Protective Zone constitutes the Šumava PLA

Protected landscape area

Protected landscape area (abbreviated PLA; , abbreviated CHKO) is a large area of harmonic landscape with a typical relief, with a considerable share of natural forest and permanent grassy ecosystems, there can also be preserved human settlement monuments. They are established by the Czech Government. As of 2025, there are 27 protected landscape areas in the Czech Republic, with a total area of , which is 14.59% of the Czech Republic's area. Czech name English translation Established Area Český rájBohemian Paradise1955 Moravský krasMoravian Karst1956 Šumava Bohemian Forest1963 Jizerské hory Jizera Mountains1968 Jeseníky Ash Mountains1969 Orlické hory Orlické Mountains1969 Žďárské vrchy Žďár Hills1970 Český kras Bohemian Karst 1972 Labské pískovce Elbe Sandstone Mountains1972 Beskydy Beskids1973 Slavkovský les Slavkov Forest1974 České středohoří Central Bohemian Uplands1976 Kokořínsko – Máchův kraj Kokořín Area – Mácha's Region1976 Lužické hory Lusatian Mountains1976 Pálava Pálava1976 Křivoklátsko Křivoklát Area1978 Třeboňsko Třeboň Basin1979 Bílé Karpaty White Carpathians 1980 Blaník Blaník1981 Blanský les Blanský Forest1989 Litovelské Pomoraví Litovel Morava Basin1990 Broumovsko Broumov Area1991 Poodří Oder Basin1991 Železné hory Iron Mountains1991 Český les Upper Palatine Forest2005 Brdy Brdy 2016 Soutok Confluence 2025

National nature reserve National nature reserve (, abbreviated NPR) is a smaller area of exceptional nature value, where a typical relief of typical geological composition is combined with ecosystems important on an international or national level. They are established by the Czech Ministry of Environment. As of 2025, there are 109 national nature reserves in the Czech Republic, with a total area of , which is 0.39% of the Czech Republic's area.

Nature reserve Nature reserve (, abbreviated PR) is a smaller area with concentrated nature features and ecosystems typical for a given geographical region. They are established by the appropriate Regional Government () or Management of a National Park or Landscape Protected Area. As of 2025, there are 825 nature reserves in the Czech Republic, with a total area of , which is 0.56% of the Czech Republic's area.

National nature monument National nature monument (, abbreviated as NPP) is a nature formation of a smaller area, usually geological or geomorphological formation, mineral or fossil collection locality or a habitat of endangered plants or animals in parts of ecosystems with a local environmental, scientific or esthetic importance. They are established by the Czech Ministry of Environment. As of 2025, there are 126 national nature monuments in the Czech Republic, with a total area of , which is 0.14% of the Czech Republic's area.

Nature monument

Nature monument (, abbreviated as PP) is a nature formation of a smaller area, usually geological or geomorphological formation, mineral or fossil collection locality or a habitat of endangered plants or animals in parts of ecosystems with an international or national environmental, scientific or esthetic importance. They are established by the appropriate Regional Government or Management of a national park or protected landscape area. As of 2025, there are 1623 nature monuments in the Czech Republic, with a total area of , which is 0.44% of the Czech Republic's area.

Other forms of landscape protection

Nature park

Nature park () is usually a large area serving the protection of a landscape against activities that could decrease its natural and esthetic value. They can be established by any State Environment Protection body.

Memorable tree, group of trees or alley Memorable tree, group of trees or alley () can be established by any State Environment Protection body.

Notable landscape feature Notable landscape feature () is usually a natural, cultural or historical feature typical for a given locality or region. They can be established by any State Environment Protection body.

Specially protected species of plants and animals Specially protected species of plants and animals () are those species or subspecies which are very rare, generally endangered, scientifically or culturally important. They are listed in a Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic regulation. As of 2025, there are 505 plant species, 27 mushroom species and 309 animal species on the list.

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Further reading