Šumava and the Bavarian Forest together comprise the most extensive forest area in Central Europe.
The high degree of preservation of the natural environment with numerous natural or near-natural ecosystems in the typical, unique Šumava landscape led to establishing the Šumava Protected Landscape Area already in 1963.
- The Government Decree No. 163/1991 Czech Law Coll. of 1991 established the Šumava National Park within the ecologically most valuable part of the Šumava PLA.
- It is a vast territory (the largest Czech national park), unique in both the national and international context.
- A large part of the NP territory is occupied by natural or near-natural ecosystems of exceptional scientific and educational significance.
- The function of a buffer zone is fulfilled by the Šumava PLA surrounding the National Park.
- In addition to the presence of ecosystems of exceptionally high ecological value, the preciousness of the National Park territory and its high national and international significance is also emphasised and intensified by the fact that it is located amidst the densely populated cultural landscape of Central Europe. Therefore several types of protection overlap within the same territory.
- The huge importance of Šumava as a water source has been implied by establishing the Šumava Protected Area of Natural Water Accumulation within the PLA boundaries (since 1979).
- In 1990, Šumava was declared a biosphere reserve by the UNESCO Steering Committee. As part of the Man and Biosphere Programme, this platform represents a bridge between nature protection and regional development. This strategic symbiosis is beneficial for nature as well as humans.
- Šumava wetlands (especially peat bogs) rank among the most important subjects of protection. The Šumava Peat Bogs were declared a Ramsar Site in 1991.
- The Ramsar Convention is a global intergovernmental agreement on the protection and prudent utilisation of natural resources, protecting a certain type of biotope – wetlands of international importance.
Both the Šumava National Park and the Bavarian Forest National Park have, in the long term, endorsed Management Category II – National Park according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).
This fact is manifested through the nature protection strategy and goals within the NP. The IUCN, as a partner, interconnects states, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organisations. The Czech Republic has been a regular member of the IUCN since 2000 (Government Decree No. 190/2000 of 16 Feb 2000).
Therefore the long-term strategic goal of protection is allowing the bulk of the NP areas to develop spontaneously while respecting the existence of residential enclaves and their protection zones and the property of private owners.
http://www.nature.cz/natura2000-design-en/hp.php
