INTRODUCTION<\/h2>\n
The\u00a0aim of\u00a0this article is to provide information on the\u00a0site that is being analysed within\u00a0the\u00a0framework of\u00a0systematic research in\u00a0Polab\u00ed lowland. One of\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0objectives of\u00a0this research was to map landscape changes at sites of\u00a0current and disappeared ponds and wetlands, as well as changes in\u00a0the\u00a0location of\u00a0watercourses in\u00a0the\u00a0catchments of\u00a0the\u00a0tributaries of\u00a0the\u00a0Elbe in\u00a0Polab\u00ed lowland. The\u00a0research was based on the\u00a0interpretation of\u00a0archival maps and their comparison with contemporary sources, including field surveys at the\u00a0respective sites. Particular consideration was given to the\u00a0possibility of\u00a0restoring water retention features at suitable locations in\u00a0this landscape. Specifically, this article describes changes in\u00a0the\u00a0location of\u00a0watercourse channels and the\u00a0development of\u00a0the\u00a0pond system on the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka, i.e. in\u00a0the\u00a0intercatchment of\u00a0the\u00a0water body \u201cV\u00fdrovka from the\u00a0source to Osta\u0161ovsk\u00fd stream, inclusive<\/em>\u201d. Polab\u00ed lowland is currently experiencing a\u00a0significant groundwater deficit, and small watercourses are increasingly subject to seasonal drying, not only in\u00a0summer but also in\u00a0spring and autumn. In\u00a0most cases, these are straightened, paved and deepened watercourses with degraded floodplains. In\u00a0connection with the\u00a0expected continued occurrence of\u00a0extreme climatic events, it would be desirable to focus attention on the\u00a0restoration of\u00a0landscape elements with a\u00a0positive influence on the\u00a0water regime in\u00a0the\u00a0landscape, as well as on water management in\u00a0the\u00a0landscape as such.<\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0study area is defined by the\u00a0intercatchment of\u00a0the\u00a0surface water body HSL_2620\u00a0V\u00fdrovka from the\u00a0source to Osta\u0161ovsk\u00fd stream, inclusive, covering an area of\u00a057.364 km\u00b2. This water body, or rather its intercatchment, belongs to the\u00a0third-order catchment 1-04-06 V\u00fdrovka and is located on the\u00a0watershed of\u00a0the\u00a0sub-catchments of\u00a0Upper and Middle Elbe and Lower Vltava within\u00a0the\u00a0international Elbe River Basin\u00a0(Fig.\u00a01<\/span><\/em>). The\u00a0V\u00fdrovka rises in\u00a0Koch\u00e1nov at an elevation of\u00a0492.5\u00a0m a. s. l. The\u00a0total length of\u00a0this watercourse is 61.9 km, and it is a\u00a0left-bank tributary of\u00a0the\u00a0Elbe near the\u00a0village of\u00a0P\u00edsty in\u00a0Nymburk district at an elevation of\u00a0181\u00a0m a.s.l. From the\u00a0surface water body HSL_2620 V\u00fdrovka from the\u00a0source to Osta\u0161ovsk\u00fd stream, inclusive, the\u00a0stream flows into, or rather through, Vav\u0159ineck\u00fd pond at river kilometre 52.7, i.e.\u00a019.2 km from the\u00a0source. According to the\u00a0Strahler stream order system, the\u00a0river V\u00fdrovka is of\u00a0the\u00a0fifth order here [1\u20133].<\/span><\/p>\n From an administrative perspective, the\u00a0intercatchment of\u00a0the\u00a0water body is located in\u00a0Central Bohemian Region (Fig.\u00a01<\/span><\/em>) predominantly within\u00a0Kutn\u00e1 Hora District (cadastral areas Bl\u00e1to, Chmeli\u0161t\u011b, Janovick\u00e1 Lhota, Jindice, Koch\u00e1nov u\u00a0Mitrova, K\u0159e\u010dovice u\u00a0Onomy\u0161le, Man\u010dice u\u00a0Ra\u0161ovic, Milet\u00edn u\u00a0Onomy\u0161le, Mitrov u\u00a0Uhl\u00ed\u0159sk\u00fdch Janovic, Nepom\u011b\u0159ice, Onomy\u0161l, Opatovice II, Ra\u0161ovice u\u00a0Uhl\u00ed\u0159sk\u00fdch Janovic, Rozko\u0161 u\u00a0Onomy\u0161le, Sta\u0148kovice u\u00a0Uhl\u00ed\u0159sk\u00fdch Janovic, Sud\u011bjov, Uhl\u00ed\u0159sk\u00e9 Janovice, Vav\u0159inec, \u017dandov, \u017d\u00ed\u0161ov, and tiny parts of\u00a0cadastral areas Smilovice u\u00a0Sta\u0148kovic and Star\u00e9 Nespe\u0159ice), and to a\u00a0small extent in\u00a0Kol\u00edn District (cadastral areas C\u00edrkvice u\u00a0Kol\u00edna, and Skvr\u0148ov) [2, 3]. The\u00a0water body itself flows through cadastral areas Koch\u00e1nov u\u00a0Mitrova, Janovick\u00e1 Lhota, Uhl\u00ed\u0159sk\u00e9 Janovice, Chmeli\u0161t\u011b, \u017d\u00ed\u0161ov, and Vav\u0159inec (Figs. 2<\/em> <\/span>and 3<\/span><\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n From a\u00a0geological perspective, the\u00a0entire area of\u00a0this intercatchment belongs to the\u00a0Bohemian Massif. The\u00a0geological bedrock consists almost exclusively of\u00a0paragneisses and migmatites of\u00a0the\u00a0Kutn\u00e1 Hora crystalline complex. In\u00a0the\u00a0northern part of\u00a0the\u00a0studied catchment above Vav\u0159ineck\u00fd pond, gravels, sands, conglomerates and sandstones occur\u00a0[3].<\/span><\/p>\n Soil conditions in\u00a0the\u00a0entire catchment are heterogeneous, with eight soil types occurring in\u00a0the\u00a0area (Tab.\u00a01<\/span><\/em>). In\u00a0the\u00a0immediate vicinity of\u00a0watercourses, Gleyosols (with a\u00a0pronounced redoximorphic features gleyic properties resulting from long-term saturation caused by a\u00a0high groundwater table), Stagnosols (with a\u00a0pronounced mottling and redoximorphic features caused by alternating waterlogging and drying of\u00a0the\u00a0soil profile), and Luvisols Stagnic or Haplic (soils with the\u00a0presence of\u00a0a\u00a0luvic horizon with dark argillans) occur.<\/span><\/p>\n In\u00a0the\u00a0wider catchment area, these are mainly Cambisols (soils that develop predominantly under sloping conditions and are highly variable in\u00a0their properties) and, to a\u00a0lesser extent, Luvisols Chromic (soils with a\u00a0profile differentiated by a\u00a0slightly lightened eluvial horizon) [2\u20135].<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n A\u00a0total of\u00a0four types according to the\u00a0Typology of\u00a0the\u00a0contemporary landscape of\u00a0the\u00a0Czech Republic occur within\u00a0the\u00a0intercatchment. Two basic types of\u00a0natural landscapes can be found here. The\u00a0V\u00fdrovka source area belongs to the\u00a0moderately cool landscape of\u00a0uplands and highlands, while the\u00a0remaining areas are located in\u00a0the\u00a0moderately warm landscape of\u00a0basins and uplands. Two types of\u00a0functional landscapes also occur. The\u00a0V\u00fdrovka source area lies in\u00a0a\u00a0forest\u2013agricultural landscape, while the\u00a0remaining part of\u00a0the\u00a0intercatchment is situated in\u00a0an agricultural landscape\u00a0[6].<\/span><\/p>\n From the\u00a0perspective of\u00a0land cover, a\u00a0number of\u00a0classifications with varying levels of\u00a0precision or generalisation can be used. In\u00a0this area, LPIS, CORINE Land Cover (CLC), and ZABAGED\u00ae are applied. In\u00a0LPIS, only agriculturally used areas on which farming entities receive subsidies are recorded\u00a0[7]. As a\u00a0result, the\u00a0LPIS register does not cover the\u00a0entire area of\u00a0the\u00a0intercatchment. In\u00a0this case, it covers 3,644.56\u00a0ha (63.53\u00a0%). Within\u00a0LPIS, the\u00a0clearly predominant land use category is standard arable land (86.25\u00a0%), while 10.62\u00a0% consists of\u00a0permanent grassland; the\u00a0remaining land cover categories recorded within\u00a0LPIS are entirely negligible (Fig.\u00a02<\/span><\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n According to the\u00a0CLC classification, which is considerably more generalised compared with the\u00a0classifications mentioned above\u00a0[8], the\u00a0dominant class is non-irrigated arable land, covering 64.36\u00a0% of\u00a0the\u00a0intercatchment area. Other classes with a\u00a0more significant share are coniferous forests (18.09\u00a0%), land principally occupied by agriculture with significant areas of\u00a0natural vegetation (8.22\u00a0%), and discontinuous urban fabric (4.29\u00a0% of\u00a0the\u00a0area). Other classes (pastures, transitional woodland\u2013shrub, mixed forests, and industrial or commercial units) occupy only a\u00a0very small proportion of\u00a0the\u00a0area. Water bodies occur on only 0.03\u00a0% of\u00a0the\u00a0intercatchment area and, due to the\u00a0generalisation of\u00a0this land cover type, only Vav\u0159ineck\u00fd pond is classified as a\u00a0water body; however, it extends into the\u00a0study area only by a\u00a0very small part\u00a0[3] (Figs. 2 <\/span><\/em>and 3<\/span><\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n In\u00a0the\u00a0studied intercatchment, according to ZABAGED\u00ae\u00a0[9], the\u00a0dominant type is arable land and other areas\u00a0\u2013 3,390.48\u00a0ha (59.10\u00a0%). Other significant types include forest land with trees\u00a0\u2013 1,273.47\u00a0ha (22.20\u00a0%) and permanent grassland\u00a0\u2013 549.49\u00a0ha (9.58\u00a0%). A\u00a0smaller share is formed by orchards and gardens\u00a0\u2013 234.83\u00a0ha (4.09\u00a0%) and settlement areas\u00a0\u2013 108.58\u00a0ha (1.90\u00a0%). Water bodies occupy only 0.81\u00a0% of\u00a0this catchment. Shrub vegetation is represented only minimally (0.40\u00a0%), while marshes and swamps occurring on permanent grassland or forest land with trees are extremely rare (0.04\u00a0% and 0.05\u00a0%, respectively).<\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0methodology used here is similar to that applied in\u00a0other previously analysed sites in\u00a0Polab\u00ed lowland and is described in\u00a0greater detail, for example, in\u00a0the\u00a0article dealing with the\u00a0development of\u00a0the\u00a0pond system on the\u00a0Be\u010dv\u00e1rka\u00a0[10]. The\u00a0research was based on the\u00a0selection and subsequent comparison of\u00a0the\u00a0present and historical state of\u00a0ponds and watercourses in\u00a0the\u00a0intercatchment of\u00a0this water body, based on the\u00a0interpretation of\u00a0contemporary and archival maps and orthophotomaps. This was followed by verification of\u00a0the\u00a0current landscape conditions through field surveys. The\u00a0location of\u00a0historical water bodies\/ponds and watercourse floodplains was carried out using the\u00a0map of\u00a0the\u00a02nd Military Mapping, which is available for viewing on the\u00a0National INSPIRE Geoportal\u00a0[11], as a\u00a0WMTS service\u00a0[12], and on the\u00a0website of\u00a0the\u00a0Chartae antiquae project\u00a0[13].<\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0current state of\u00a0the\u00a0landscape is recorded on the\u00a0current Basic Topographic Map of\u00a0the\u00a0Czech Republic 1 : 10,000 (ZTM 10) and the\u00a0current orthophotomap of\u00a0the\u00a0Czech Republic. These are available as WMS services from the\u00a0Geoportal of\u00a0\u010c\u00daZK\u00a0[14]. For the\u00a0subsequent analyses, only historical water reservoirs\/ponds with a\u00a0minimum area of\u00a00.1\u00a0ha were considered. To refine the\u00a0interpretation of\u00a0landscape development between the\u00a0situation shown on the\u00a0map of\u00a0the\u00a02nd\u00a0Military Mapping (which records the\u00a0state of\u00a0this site around 1852) and the\u00a0present state, a\u00a0historical orthophotomap from the\u00a01950s was used. It can be viewed on the\u00a0National INSPIRE Geoportal\u00a0[11], where it is also available as a\u00a0WMTS service\u00a0[12]. In\u00a0addition, archival orthophotomaps available as WMS services on the\u00a0Geoportal of\u00a0\u010c\u00daZK were used, currently covering the\u00a0period 1998\u20132022\u00a0[14].<\/span><\/p>\n For a\u00a0more detailed analysis of\u00a0the\u00a0landscape before the\u00a02nd Military Mapping in\u00a0selected sites, maps of\u00a0the\u00a0stable cadastre from 1839 were used. These can be viewed and ordered on the\u00a0website of\u00a0the\u00a0Central Archive of\u00a0Surveying and Cadastre\u00a0[15]. To approximate the\u00a0landscape conditions prior to the\u00a02nd Military Mapping, particularly with regard to the\u00a0historical occurrence of\u00a0ponds and watercourse floodplains\u00a0\u2013 though not their exact location\u00a0\u2013 the\u00a0map of\u00a0the\u00a01st Military Mapping from 1763\u20131768 was used. This map is available from the\u00a0same source as\u00a0the\u00a0map of\u00a0the\u00a02nd Military Mapping\u00a0[13].<\/span><\/p>\n Changes in\u00a0the\u00a0intercatchment of\u00a0the\u00a0surface water body HSL_2620 \u201cV\u00fdrovka from the\u00a0source to Osta\u0161ovsk\u00fd stream<\/em>\u201d, inclusive, are substantial with regard to water bodies and watercourses and, apart from forested areas, have occurred across practically the\u00a0entire area of\u00a0this intercatchment. As regards changes in\u00a0water bodies\/ponds, the\u00a0analysis primarily involved a\u00a0comparison of\u00a0the\u00a0situation in\u00a0the\u00a0mid-nineteenth century with the\u00a0present state. According to the\u00a0applied methodology, 22 water bodies (ponds) with a\u00a0total area of\u00a057.53\u00a0ha were recorded on the\u00a0map of\u00a0the\u00a02nd\u00a0Military Mapping. Of\u00a0these, eight ponds with a\u00a0total area of\u00a019.11\u00a0ha have disappeared, while 14 ponds have been preserved to the\u00a0present day. Their combined historical area amounted to 38.42\u00a0ha; however, some of\u00a0them have a\u00a0smaller area today. On the\u00a0current map, 71 water bodies with a\u00a0total area of\u00a042.48\u00a0ha were recorded. The\u00a0area of\u00a0Vav\u0159ineck\u00fd pond was included only in\u00a0the\u00a0part that lies within\u00a0the\u00a0study area, i.e. 3.72\u00a0ha of\u00a0the\u00a0historical pond area of\u00a084.74\u00a0ha, or 1.72\u00a0ha of\u00a0the\u00a0current pond area of\u00a077.94\u00a0ha. The\u00a0reduction in\u00a0the\u00a0area of\u00a0Vav\u0159ineck\u00fd pond occurred primarily due to the\u00a0construction of\u00a0the\u00a0Kol\u00edn\u2013Lede\u010dko (\u010cer\u010dany) railway line at the\u00a0turn of\u00a0the\u00a0nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Other preserved ponds are Ho\u0159ej\u0161\u00ed u\u00a0Chmeli\u0161t\u011b (Oberchmelischter Teich), Pansk\u00fd pond, Ka\u010d\u00ed\u0159 (Kaczi\u0159), \u0160krobka (Skropka), Doln\u00ed Osta\u0161ov (Kohautek), Materna, Obora, Pan\u010d\u00e1k (Ho\u0159eyssi), Napajedla, Dubinsk\u00fd rybn\u00edk, Holoubek, Ho\u0159ej\u0161\u00ed in\u00a0Uhl\u00ed\u0159sk\u00e9 Janovice, and the\u00a0pond near the\u00a0former Luck\u00fd mill. The\u00a0largest historical ponds that have disappeared were Lawicker Teich near Chmeli\u0161t\u011b and Mleynsky near Jindice (Fig.\u00a03<\/span><\/em>, Tab.\u00a02<\/span><\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n For a\u00a0more detailed analysis in\u00a0this article, we selected the\u00a0source area of\u00a0the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka in\u00a0Koch\u00e1nov and the\u00a0straightened and deepened section of\u00a0the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka, including the\u00a0adjacent drained, agriculturally used areas near the\u00a0former Luck\u00fd mill on the\u00a0north-eastern edge of\u00a0Uhl\u00ed\u0159sk\u00e9 Janovice.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fig.\u00a04<\/span><\/span><\/em> shows the\u00a0development of\u00a0the\u00a0landscape in\u00a0the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka source area from the\u00a0mid-nineteenth century through the\u00a01950s to the\u00a0present. In\u00a0the\u00a0source area at Koch\u00e1nov, a\u00a0small water reservoir is currently designated as the\u00a0source, from which the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka flows out through a\u00a0paved channel (Fig.\u00a05a<\/em>, b<\/em><\/span>). The\u00a0watercourse then continues in\u00a0a\u00a0straightened, overgrown channel through three smaller ponds (Figs. 3 <\/span><\/em>and 6<\/span><\/em>), the\u00a0last of\u00a0which (Bobr pond) has a\u00a0dam located 2 km downstream from the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka source. Fig.\u00a07<\/span> <\/em>documents the\u00a0current state of\u00a0the\u00a0landscape in\u00a0this area.<\/span><\/p>\n Over the\u00a0next 4 km of\u00a0the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka, within\u00a0the\u00a0territory of\u00a0Uhl\u00ed\u0159sk\u00e9 Janovice, the\u00a0following water bodies occur: Nov\u00fd pond, the\u00a0bathing pond, Ho\u0159ej\u0161\u00ed pond, Holoubek pond, and the\u00a0pond at the\u00a0former Luck\u00fd mill (Fig.\u00a08<\/span><\/em>). The\u00a0landscape around the\u00a0former Luck\u00fd mill has undergone considerable changes from a\u00a0water-management perspective. Extensive drainage of\u00a0agriculturally used land has taken place, and the\u00a0watercourses have been altered, including their straightening and deepening. The\u00a0landscape development in\u00a0this site from the\u00a0mid-19th century through the\u00a01950s to the\u00a0present is shown in\u00a0Figs. 9 <\/span><\/em>and 10<\/span><\/em>. These sources indicate that significant interventions in\u00a0the\u00a0watercourses have occurred: the\u00a0location of\u00a0the\u00a0confluence of\u00a0the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka and Anensk\u00fd stream has been changed, floodplain\u00a0meadows have disappeared, and the\u00a0landscape mosaic has become generally simplified. It should be emphasised that all these changes have taken place within\u00a0the\u00a0first 6 km of\u00a0the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka, and similar changes have also affected the\u00a0tributaries of\u00a0the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka in\u00a0this intercatchment. Combined with current climatic conditions, the\u00a0above-mentioned changes in\u00a0the\u00a0landscape contribute to the\u00a0periodic drying of\u00a0the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka channel and its small tributaries. The\u00a0drying has a\u00a0long-lasting character; initially it occurred only during summer, but in\u00a0recent years it has begun as early as April and continues through September and usually also into October (Fig.\u00a011a, b<\/span><\/em>). In\u00a0this site, the\u00a0failure of\u00a0drainage systems has led to the\u00a0successional regeneration of\u00a0a\u00a0wetland headwater site on what is currently agricultural land (Figs. 12\u201314<\/span><\/em>). However, this development is not the\u00a0result of\u00a0targeted management but rather of\u00a0the\u00a0inability to cultivate such waterlogged land using modern agricultural machinery.<\/span><\/p>\n In\u00a0interpreting the\u00a0development of\u00a0water bodies, their specific use was not distinguished because definitions of\u00a0a\u00a0pond have differed between the\u00a0past and the\u00a0present. Today, there is a\u00a0wide range of\u00a0water body types in\u00a0the\u00a0landscape depending on their use, and there are also differences between the\u00a0uses of\u00a0water bodies that are designated as ponds. Historically, all artificially created water bodies provided with a\u00a0dam or excavated by human activity were regarded as ponds. In\u00a0the\u00a0mid-19th century, the\u00a0distinction between a\u00a0reservoir (e.g. for fire protection, economic purposes, etc.) and a\u00a0pond (a\u00a0water body intended exclusively for fish farming) was not yet clearly defined. From this perspective, all water bodies shown on the\u00a0maps of\u00a0the\u00a02nd Military Mapping and on the\u00a0Imperial Imprints of\u00a0the\u00a0Stable cadastre can therefore be considered ponds [16, 17].<\/span><\/p>\n When interpreting the\u00a0results in\u00a0terms of\u00a0the\u00a0temporal stability of\u00a0water bodies\/ponds, it is necessary to take into account that the\u00a0analysis compares only two reference states: the\u00a0period of\u00a0the\u00a02nd Military Mapping and the\u00a0present. Naturally, the\u00a0extent of\u00a0these areas has changed over time as a\u00a0result of\u00a0management; for example, a\u00a0water body may have become silted up and later been restored. Thus, when historical water bodies\/ponds are classified as disappeared or continuous, some of\u00a0those considered may have disappeared in\u00a0the\u00a0interim and subsequently been restored. A\u00a0continuous water body\/pond is also a\u00a0water body that is significantly smaller than it was in\u00a0the\u00a0past, but remains in\u00a0its original location.<\/span><\/p>\n Under current climatic conditions, given the\u00a0number of\u00a0water reservoirs along the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka, it is probably not possible to avoid the\u00a0drying of\u00a0stream channels; however, various landscape measures can increase water retention in\u00a0the\u00a0surrounding landscape. The\u00a0restoration (revitalizion or renaturation) of\u00a0watercourses appears to be necessary. In\u00a0considering landscape changes in\u00a0the\u00a0headwaters, the\u00a0historical locations of\u00a0water-retention elements (wetlands, floodplain\u00a0meadows, etc.) should also be considered, as their construction or restoration would be easier there and such elements would be more stable in\u00a0the\u00a0landscape. A\u00a0general problem in\u00a0the\u00a0landscape is drainage infrastructure, both functioning and non-functioning, and it would be necessary to address this situation from a\u00a0methodological or legislative point of\u00a0view so that its function is beneficial for the\u00a0water regime in\u00a0the\u00a0landscape. The\u00a0current situation in\u00a0the\u00a0studied catchment, with a\u00a0larger number of\u00a0water bodies used for fish production and straightened sections of\u00a0watercourses in\u00a0the\u00a0headwaters, is not particularly favourable for water retention in\u00a0the\u00a0landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n However, on the\u00a0map of\u00a0the\u00a01st Military Mapping, ponds near Koch\u00e1nov were located in\u00a0similar places to those today (Figs. 4 <\/span><\/em>and 15<\/span><\/em>), but that time the\u00a0watercourses meandered and were surrounded by floodplain\u00a0meadows, and climatic conditions were also different from those today. The\u00a0situation recorded on the\u00a01st Military Mapping along the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka in\u00a0the\u00a0area of\u00a0Uhl\u00ed\u0159sk\u00e9 Janovice shows more water bodies\/ponds than the\u00a02nd Military Mapping (Figs. 3 <\/span><\/em>and 16<\/span><\/em>). Here, near the\u00a0former Luck\u00fd mill (if we can rely on the\u00a0not entirely accurate depiction of\u00a0the\u00a0landscape), it appears that between the\u00a0two military surveys, the\u00a0watercourses within\u00a0the\u00a0floodplain\u00a0at the\u00a0confluence of\u00a0the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka and Anensk\u00fd stream were modified (Figs. 9, 10<\/em>, <\/span>and 16<\/span><\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\n Based on the\u00a0interpretation of\u00a0archival maps, it would be appropriate not only to propose but also to implement restoration measures with a\u00a0positive impact on the\u00a0water regime of\u00a0the\u00a0landscape in\u00a0suitable locations. In\u00a0particular, this should involve the\u00a0revitalisation or restoration of\u00a0small watercourses, including the\u00a0restoration of\u00a0their floodplains, where possible. Such measures should also form part of\u00a0the\u00a0response to the\u00a0challenges posed by ongoing climate change. The\u00a0above-mentioned measures should primarily lead to increased water retention in\u00a0the\u00a0landscape. They would also contribute to greater landscape biodiversity. In\u00a0particular, headwater areas and the\u00a0upper parts of\u00a0catchments (in\u00a0their natural state, without straightened and deepened channels) play an important role in\u00a0adaptation measures to ongoing climate change, by increasing the\u00a0landscape\u2019s\u00a0capacity to retain\u00a0water and slow the\u00a0onset of\u00a0floods, and this role will probably become increasingly important in\u00a0the\u00a0future.<\/span><\/p>\n These measures are consistent with the\u00a0EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030\u00a0[18], which is a\u00a0valid long-term plan for nature conservation aimed at halting ecosystem degradation and restoring biodiversity in\u00a0Europe. The\u00a0strategy includes a\u00a0commitment to place at least 30\u00a0% of\u00a0land and inland waters under legal protection. It also calls for increased efforts to restore freshwater ecosystems and the\u00a0natural functions of\u00a0rivers, including the\u00a0restoration of\u00a0at least 25,000 km of\u00a0free-flowing rivers compared with the\u00a0situation in\u00a02020, when the\u00a0EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 was adopted. As part of\u00a0this strategic plan, the\u00a0first-ever EU legislative document for the\u00a0long-term restoration of\u00a0nature in\u00a0both terrestrial and marine areas of\u00a0the\u00a0EU was proposed and adopted, establishing binding restoration targets for specific habitats and species. This is the\u00a0Nature Restoration Law 2024\/1991\u00a0[19], which represents the\u00a0first Europe-wide legally binding framework for ecosystem restoration. It responds to the\u00a0current situation in\u00a0which Europe\u2019s\u00a0nature is in\u00a0alarming decline, with more than 80\u00a0% of\u00a0natural habitats in\u00a0poor condition. Its objective is to reverse the\u00a0trend of\u00a0biodiversity loss, increase landscape resilience, and strengthen ecosystems in\u00a0order to support adaptation to climate change. In\u00a0the\u00a0area of\u00a0wetland and freshwater ecosystems, it requires, among other measures, the\u00a0restoration of\u00a0at least 30\u00a0% of\u00a0drained wetlands used for agriculture by 2030. Furthermore, each Member State is required to prepare its own National Nature Restoration Plan within\u00a0two years of\u00a0the\u00a0regulation entering into force, specifying the\u00a0timetable and scope of\u00a0measures up to 2050 [19, 20].<\/span><\/p>\n In\u00a0the\u00a0Czech Republic, strategic objectives in\u00a0the\u00a0field of\u00a0sustainable water management in\u00a0the\u00a0landscape are currently set out, for example, in\u00a0the\u00a0State Environmental Policy of\u00a0the\u00a0Czech Republic 2030 (with an outlook to 2050)\u00a0[21]. Within\u00a0Priority Axis No. 2, Protection of\u00a0Natural Resources, emphasis is placed on improving the\u00a0landscape\u2019s\u00a0retention capacity, restoring the\u00a0natural water balance, and implementing integrated river basin\u00a0management. The\u00a0document sets commitments to increase natural water retention by 10\u00a0% and to restore at least 500 km of\u00a0watercourses with natural channels by 2030.<\/span><\/p>\n Another related document is the\u00a0Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in\u00a0the\u00a0Conditions of\u00a0the\u00a0Czech Republic\u00a0[22]. The\u00a0main\u00a0declared objective of\u00a0this strategy is to maintain\u00a0the\u00a0availability of\u00a0water resources, increase the\u00a0landscape\u2019s\u00a0retention capacity, and minimise the\u00a0impacts of\u00a0drought on ecosystems, the\u00a0population, and the\u00a0economy. Drought is identified as one of\u00a0the\u00a0main\u00a0climate risks. This strategy is followed by the\u00a0National Action Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change\u00a0[23], which specifies measures for water retention in\u00a0the\u00a0landscape, the\u00a0revitalisation of\u00a0watercourses, the\u00a0restoration of\u00a0wetlands, increasing the\u00a0share of\u00a0permanent grasslands, and the\u00a0introduction of\u00a0soil-friendly land management practices.<\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0above-mentioned documents are largely theoretical in\u00a0nature. They declare \u201cuseful and commendable\u201d objectives, but without a\u00a0direct translation into practice and without legal enforceability. An exception is the\u00a0Nature Restoration Law of\u00a02024, which represents the\u00a0first Europe-wide legally binding framework for ecosystem restoration. In\u00a0preparation for meeting the\u00a0requirements of\u00a0this European regulation on nature restoration (concerning free-flowing rivers and functional floodplains), the\u00a0collection of\u00a0background data began in\u00a0advance within\u00a0the\u00a0project Passportization of\u00a0Watercourses<\/span> implemented from 1 May 2023 to 31 December 2025 and carried out by the\u00a0Nature Conservation Agency of\u00a0the\u00a0Czech Republic. Its main\u00a0objective was the\u00a0field collection of\u00a0hydromorphological characteristics of\u00a0selected watercourses and the\u00a0proposal of\u00a0measures\/management for watercourse sections to improve or protect their hydromorphological status. A\u00a0total of\u00a026,032 km of\u00a0watercourses were selected for the\u00a0passportisation, of\u00a0which 23,665 km had been mapped by 31\u00a0October 2025. As of\u00a0that date, the\u00a0V\u00fdrovka is not included among the\u00a0published outputs of\u00a0the\u00a0project, which are currently available through the\u00a0Watercourses and Wetlands portal\u00a0[24]. The\u00a0main\u00a0project output is a\u00a0map and datasets relating to watercourse sections verified in\u00a0the\u00a0field. These sections are divided, with regard to their potential or need for revitalisation or restoration, satisfactory natural conditions, and limiting factors, into eight groups of\u00a0\u201cmeasures on watercourses\u201d. During the\u00a0passportisation, permanently dry sections of\u00a0watercourses were also detected.<\/span><\/p>\n A\u00a0large amount of\u00a0data is therefore available that is suitable as an ideal basis for proposing specific measures in\u00a0watercourse channels or for supporting the\u00a0restoration or revitalisation of\u00a0watercourses in\u00a0the\u00a0coming years. It is therefore to be hoped that the\u00a0results of\u00a0this project will indeed be used in\u00a0practice and that further projects with a\u00a0practical impact on landscape restoration in\u00a0terms of\u00a0water retention will be implemented, such as the\u00a0revitalisation or\u00a0restoration of\u00a0watercourses, including the\u00a0restoration of\u00a0their floodplains, or the\u00a0restoration and establishment of\u00a0wetland habitats at suitable locations.<\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0article was written within\u00a0the\u00a0research of\u00a0the\u00a0Centre for Landscape and Biodiversity (TA CR No. SS02030018) with the\u00a0support of\u00a0internal grants of\u00a0TGM WRI No. 3600.23\/2024 and No. 3600.23\/2025 (Research support\u00a0\u2013 institutional support, Department 230).<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This article presents landscape changes in the upper part of the V\u00fdrovka river basin using a comparison of historical and current maps and or-thophotomaps, including verification of the current state of the landscape. On the map of the 2nd Military Mapping, 22 water bodies (ponds) with a total area of 57.53 ha were mapped. On the current map, 71 water bodies with a total area of 42.48 ha were recorded. Furthermore, significant changes in the location of watercourses were recorded; they were deepened, straightened, and their floodplains were drained. It is clear from the comparison of the map documents that these changes mainly occurred due to the intensification of agricultural use of the landscape.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[94,86,88],"tags":[1980,4072,2314,303,2566],"coauthors":[1421],"class_list":["post-38460","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-issue","category-hydraulics-hydrology-and-hydrogeology","category-informatics-cartography-in-water-management","tag-archival-maps","tag-floodplains","tag-landscape-changes","tag-ponds","tag-watercourses"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38460","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38460"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38460\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38469,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38460\/revisions\/38469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38460"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38460"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38460"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=38460"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}SITE DESCRIPTION<\/h2>\n
Hydrology<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vtei.cz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Richter-fig-1.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/h6>\n
Fig. 1. The study area in the context of hydrological and administrative divisions<\/h6>\n
Administrative divisions<\/h3>\n
<\/a>\nFig. 2. Land use according to LPIS 2023 in the intercatchment of the V\u00fdrovka water body basin from the spring to the Osta\u0161ovsk\u00fd stream including in the context of BTM 10 (2024)<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/h6>\nFig. 3. Landscape changes from a water-management perspective in the intercatchment of\u00a0the V\u00fdrovka water body basin (from the spring to the Osta\u0161ovsk\u00fd stream), from\u00a0the\u00a02nd\u00a0Military Mapping (1852) to the present in the context of BTM 10 (2024)<\/h6>\n
Geology and pedology<\/h3>\n
Tab. 1. Soil types in the intercatchment area<\/h5>\n
<\/a>\nTypology of\u00a0the\u00a0contemporary landscape of\u00a0the\u00a0Czech Republic<\/h3>\n
Land cover<\/h3>\n
METHODOLOGY<\/h2>\n
RESULTS<\/h2>\n
Tab. 2. Changes in the water bodies in the intercatchment between 1852 and 2024<\/h5>\n
<\/a>\n<\/a>\nFig. 4. Landscape changes in the V\u00fdrovka spring area, based on the 2nd Military Mapping (1852), historical orthophotomap from the 1950s, and BTM 10 (2024)<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/h6>\nFig. 5a,\u2009b. Current state of the landscape in the V\u00fdrovka spring area (July 2025)<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/h6>\nFig. 6. The first pond on V\u00fdrovka (July 2025)<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/h6>\nFig. 7. Landscape in the V\u00fdrovka spring area up to Bobr (Beaver) pond (May 2025)<\/h6>\n
<\/a>\nFig. 8. Pond at the former Luck\u00fd mill (July 2025)<\/h6>\n
<\/a>\nFig. 9. Landscape changes in the area of \u200b\u200bthe former Luck\u00fd mill, based on the 2nd Military Mapping (1852), historical orthophotomap from the 1950s, and BTM 10 (2024)<\/h6>\n
<\/a>\nFig. 10. Landscape in the area of \u200b\u200bthe former Luck\u00fd mill on Imperial Imprint of\u00a0the\u00a0Stable\u00a0cadastre (1839)<\/h6>\n
<\/a>\nFig. 11a,\u2009b. Dried-up riverbed of the V\u00fdrovka at the confluence with Anensk\u00fd stream (September 2025)<\/h6>\n
<\/a>\nFig. 12. Succession restoration of the drained site \u2018\u2018U Stratinek\u2019\u2019 shown on the Stable cadastre (1839), historical orthophotomap from the 1950s, and archival orthophotomaps<\/h6>\n
<\/a>\nFig. 13. Site \u2018\u2018U Stratinek\u2019\u2019 on a current orthophotomap (2023)<\/h6>\n
<\/a>\nFig. 14. Current state of the site \u2018\u2018U Stratinek\u2019\u2019 (November 2025)<\/h6>\n
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION<\/h2>\n
<\/a>\nFig. 15. Landscape in the V\u00fdrovka spring area on the 1st Military Mapping<\/h6>\n
<\/a>\nFig. 16. Landscape in the area of Uhl\u00ed\u0159sk\u00e9 Janovice village, including \u200b\u200bthe former Luck\u00fd mill, on\u00a0the\u00a01st\u00a0Military Mapping<\/h6>\n
Acknowledgements<\/h3>\n