- Email: [email protected]
The engineering landscaping in an historical area of central Europe
Landscape
Planning,
0 Elsevier Scientific
1 (1974) 57-79 Publishing Company, Amsterdam - Printed in The Netherlands
THE ENGINEERING CENTRAL EUROPE
LANDSCAPING
VLASTIMIL
and ANTONIN HRABAL**
VANIeEK*
IN AN HISTORICAL
AREA OF
*Department of Soil Conservation and Land Consolidation, School of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Brno (Czechoslovakia) **Government Coordinating Commission for Water Conservancy Reconstruction South Moravia, Brno (Czechoslovakia)
Brno in
(Received January 8,1974)
ABSTRACT Vaniitek, V. and Hrabal, A., 1974. The engineering landscaping in an historical area of Central Europe. Landscape Plann., I: 57-79. The territory of Central Europe displays abundant natural and cultural values that have been transmitted from the past and now furnish evidence of the development of human civilization, the recent historical epoch included. Despite the high degree of cultivation attained in the countryside the varied pattern is still predominant in the greater part of the territory. Any metamorphic interference resulting from human activity with its general appearance, scenery, productive and inhabitable values should therefore be performed skilfully, on the basis of verified economic indicators and with due regard to ecologic principles. Should the environment serve well the needs of the coming generations it is highly imperative to preserve it in a healthy and valuable condition in both productive and aesthetical respects. In compliance with the complex concept as outlined above the planning, and even realization, of engineering landscaping in South Moravia, Czechoslovakia, has been carried out. On an area of about 1 200 km2 which extends to the north of the Danube River within the area between Vienna and Brno, between the Carpathians in the east and the Bohemo-Moravian Highlands in the west, some natural phenomena have accumulated that have no counterpart in other regions of Central Europe. Thus, there are large complexes of very old floodland forests; archaeological finds including the famous idol of womanhood - the Gstonice Venus; nature reserves with migratory species of the water fowl; world-known hunting grounds; and particularly the Pavlov Hills, a protected Iandscape area which, due to its geological and morphological character and typical coenoses, occupies a specific position in the region. But there is another feature typical of the entire territory -the unbalanced conditions of its water conservancy. On the one hand, the region is affected by spells of drought, while on the other, the waters of local rivers overflow the banks nearly annually to flood the nearby flatland on an area of as much as 25 000 ha. The territory under study is a region characteristic of a number of contrasting problems, and as human environment it is not yet fully under control. Therefore, a most important project of engineering landscaping has been initiated. It is expected that realization of the project will remove the two major contrasting problems - drought and excessive moisture (floods), which, subsequently, will create favourable conditions for a further intensification of the agricultural and silvicultural production, for a general recovery and accessibility of
the entire region and thus for its cultural, recreational, and inhabitable values. The key work in the entire complex of engineering landscaping is to be seen in the system of 3 dammed lakes to be constructed at the confluence of the Dyje, Jihlava, and Svratka Rivers, beneath the Pavlov Hills. This system of reservoirs is expected to hold roughly 120 million m3 water utilizable for irrigating the planned 54 000 ha of fields, meadows, orchards and vineyards, apart from the several thousands of hectares under floodland forests. Moreover, the number of people preferring recreation on the banks of the newly constructed reservoirs to other recreational opportunities is estimated to reach as much as 120 000 daily. To serve this purpose, construction of the reservoirs and regulation of the rivers are to be supplemented by plantations of attractive vegetation. All of the planned transformations of the landscape have been based on thorough scientific analyses and designs along the lines of which all subsequent activity associated with the construction is to be channelled. Among other things, a general project has been worked out indicating the principles of taking care of the landscape in the South Moravian region and, via competition, seven teams of specialists have been busy with treating this space in a complex way from the aspects of town-and-country and landscape planning, and even from the futurological point of view. Moreover, the preparation of a special statute is under way for this region to be gazetted as the model area of complex landscaping. This precaution is believed to provide conditions for implementation of a creative and protective managerial policy on the studied area, in a similar way as has been done for instance on the areas of National Parks; a difference being that not only the required conservation of Nature and natural resources will be channelled along indicated lines, also the development of new values in the landscape will be included, all based on the approach considered to be optimum in both economic and ecologic respects. The engineering landscaping as a whole is treated so as to be in harmony with both the long-term plan of the country’s national economic development and the principles of ecology, while duly respecting the ecosystems, and totality and conservation of the environment as well.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE REGION
The region of South Moravia, Czechoslovakia, whose complex landscaping is described and analysed below according to its history, present state, and near future, covers an area of about 1 200 km’ approx~ately 70 km to the north of the Danube River near Vienna and 25 km to the south of the town of Brno (Fig.1). In the south the region is geographically bordered by the Dyje River whose considerable size forms the frontier there between Austria and Czechoslovakia, and by the Morava River in the east where this water course follows the borderline between Moravia and Slovakia; but in the north and west there are no definite boundaries, and within the area of the towns of Znojmo and Brno the lowland gradually passes into higher elevations - the Bohemo-Moravian and the Drahany Highlands (Fig.2). When looked upon from the natural and cultural viewpoints, the region of South Moravia appears a very rich and varied territory. For on a relatively small area some phenomena have accumulated that have no parallel in other parts of Central Europe. The river flats or the slightly undulating areas are geological depressions between the two major mountain systems in Europe, viz., Hercynian-Alpine and Carpathian. The large plain is overlooked and
59
\ GDR
I’
‘\ L - \ .-_ POLAND
CZECH
SOCIALISTIC
Canal,
REPUBLk.
I
HUNGARY
Fig.1. Geographic situation of South Moravia in Central Europe.
dominated by the Massif of Pavlov Hills, the remnant of a huge block of Jurassic limestone. Gentle foothills of the Carpathians and the Hercynian Forest extend at the eastern, western and northern edges of the lowland, while to the south the region lies open to the Vienna Basin and the extensive lowlands of Pannonia and the Hungarian Danube Valley. The geographic and geologic conditions constitute a background accounting for the interesting conditions of climate, vegetation, soil, and hydrology. The climate shows features of transition between the marine and continental types, and it is influenced by the Pannonian semiarid type of climate. The mean precipitation in the region records 530 mm per annum, dropping in extremely dry years to 300 mm; during the growth season the region receives 340 mm
60
-
Roads
0
TOWE
Forests
c3 MORAVIA
cc3 -
lrrlgotlons
Dammed
lakes
Rwers
AUSTRIA
Fig.2. South Moravian area of complex landscape engineering.
precipitation with a drop to 200 mm. Even within the growing seasons of the years considered normal in respect of the amounts of rainfall received there are regular spells of drought which, occasionally, last for 2-3 months to be followed by rainstorms. It goes without saying that intensive wind and rainwater erosion results. The region under study displays a highly varied pattern of soils; these are largely of the medium-heavy type, well suited for specialized farming. As to the production of ~~~ultural crops, which has been traditional in the region for a period of over 1 000 years, mainly grain maize, wheat, barley, sugarbeet, early potatoes, and thermophilous vegetables are grown. The highly improved species of fruit and grape vine grown preferably on gently sloping grounds yield products of excellent quality.
PP. 61- 64
I
General VEW from above the Pavlov Hills, showmg the inundation places of the present floodland forests and waterlogged meadows an extensive artificnl lake (Photo Dr. M. Spurn$).
Plate area of the Dyle River; are to be submerged in
Showing part of the inundated area, within the area of the future Central Pavlov Hills are in the backeround (Photo Dr. M. SpurnG).
Plate II Reservoir;
the
69
The forest percentage in the territory is relatively low, about 15%. The existing forests, largely of the floodland type and consisting of old specimens of oak, ash, poplar, alder, and willow and with vigorous undergrowth of herbaceous and shrubby species, extend along the larger streams. These forest stands are accepted by the expert as a unique European phenomenon; some of them have therefore been gazetted as Nature Reserves. Moreover, the complexes of floodland forests mean unique opportunities for sportsmen hunters. The Pavlov Hills referred to above represent, due to the geologic and morphologic features, the other specific natural phenomenon of the region. The xerophilous forest passes there into the steppe forest and steppe with rich flora and fauna. This massif as a whole, together with the historical monuments dating back to the Middle Ages, and the preserved villages, has been gazetted as Protected Landscape Area. Hydrologically, there is a certain anomaly in this region. The untrained lower reaches of several rivers that originate either in the mountains or the foothills of the drainage basin pass through this low-lying and arid territory. Recurring floods in the spring and summer seasons are therefore the current feature; waters in the rivers overflow the banks and flood the fields, meadows, roads, and even villages, on an area of as much as 25 000 ha. On the other hand, the adjoining elevated land suffers from shortage of moisture. Accordingly, there are two features characterizing the region’s hydrologic conditions: unbalanced water management and drought. Therefore, an important project of engineering landscaping has been designed for the territory. Realization of the project, which is highly challenging, is expected to definitely solve and remove the contrasting problems of drought and excessive moisture in the region; moreover, it should provide favourable conditions for a further intensification of the agricultural and silvicultural production, for a recovery and accessibility of the entire area resulting thus in its improved inhabitable, recreational, and cultural values. HISTORICAL
VIEW OF THE REGION
The region under study was, to our knowledge, the first in this geographic area to serve as a home to inhabitants long ago. The Pavlov Hills referred to above were the place to offer shelter to the Paleolithic Neanderthal people hunters of mammoths who established their settlements there at a time dating more than 30 000 years back. The abundant finds excavated from under the layers of loess are witness to a continuous settlement by the people, besides showing their high level of culture, both material and aesthetical. From the foothills of the Pavlov Hills comes the unique idol of womanhood - the Vestonice Venus. The prehistoric settlement has been documented for this site by the continuous finds from all of the archaeological periods up to the historical time. On the banks of the Dyje River also the most northern fortified camp of the Ancient Roman Empire was located, at the time of its greatest expansion and glory; remainders of the fortified camp of the Xth Roman
70
Legion, excavated near the village of MuZov, are world-known, particularly by the commander’s building and a part of the bath-house. The settlements by Slavonic tribes are documented to a significant extent, too; their greatest expansion in this area dating back to the Great Moravian Empire, from the 9th to 11th centuries A.D. Municipal strongholds with a number of Roman Catholic churches were erected near the water courses. During the historical era of the Middle Ages the territory under study, being the borderland between the Bohemian Kingdom and the Austrian Empire, appeared in the forefront of interests shown by the rulers in either country. This doubtless accounted for why large towns failed to develop there during that period. Despite this, the preserved memorials of architecture, which include specimens of high artistic level and cover a period from the Gothic style up to Classicism, furnish enough evidence for the high cultural level attained in the smaller municipal centres, such as Mikulov, Valtice, and Lednice. Nevertheless, the tradition of cultivating this highly productive country is an item most important of all. Thus, for instance, the fish pond culture meant, during the Middle Ages, significant contributions in economic respects. The systems of pools and ponds now over 500 years of age have been influencing the appearance of the landscape until today. Fruit and grape-vine growing attained excellent results in the region as early as during the 15th century and was highly appreciated in many a royal court of Europe. In this respect, the present vine and fruit growers are not lagging behind, But what was most important in this region was the extensive landscaping undertaken within the area of the Lichtenstein Estates, between the country towns of Lednice and Valtice, during the 17th to the 19th centuries. This area, by that time an insignificant and largely waterlogged land with a neglected creek flowing through, was transformed over a relatively short period of time into a large territory that could rightly boast of the high levels attained in both economic and aesthetic respects in the sectors of agronomy, fruit growing, vine growing, parks, woodlands, and hunting grounds. The water regime in the area was treated using a cascade of large ponds, dykes, lagoons, and drainage and irrigation canals. Riverside vegetation and wide rows of trees were planted. Miniature chateaux and sculptures were erected on dominant situations. This area characterized by high productivity and aesthetical value also became the reserve of water fowl now of world significance (totalling 155 bird species) and the centre of tourism. Already in the 1820’s the Biological Station-Natural Laboratory still existing today was established there. Its biological research has expanded most recently also to items serving the world programme entitled “Man and Biosphere”. PRESENT
LANDSCAPE
PLANNING
Our society approaches again the region of South Moravia with the aim of developing, on a much larger area, qualitatively new conditions that would
Showing a natural section of the Dyje River; foothills of the Pavlov Hills are covered with vineyards, and orchards planted with peach and apricot trees, further up gradually passing into forests on limestone formations; these are also utilized by mountain climbers for training (Photo Dr. M. Spurn?).
Plate III
72
provide for an optimum use of the water resources, highly productive farming and an extensive use of the territory for recreation. However, the long-term tradition in developing a cultural landscape together with the interests of nature conservation have been the cause of numerous collisions and thus also of the important requirements for a technical and biological approach in treating the territory.
Plate IV Showing space of the future artificial lake, now with numerous stands of floodland forests (Photo Dr. M. Spurnq).
river branches
and natural
13
Attractive scenery, interior will be protected as Nature Commission).
Plate VI of a floodland forest in South Moravia; some of the localities Reserves (by courtesy of the Government Coordinating
75
If we consider the relatively extensive region of South Moravia from the viewpoint of use of its natural resources and care for the landscape we find the existing state far from satisfactory in both ecologic and economic respects. It is a land full of contrasts, and as human environment not yet fully under control. The basic and most dynamic factor in the region has always been water, and this factor is also the background for the present solution. It is true that newly trained river-beds and systems of dammed lakes, and largescale irrigation will affect the local ecosystems and essentially change the appearance of the land; on the other hand, these treatments will enrich it by pe~anent water surfaces, irrigated fields, meadows, orchards, vineyards as well as by new forest plantations, park plantations, and recreation facilities. The following requirements are therefore to be met: to determine in a scientific and complex way to what extent the e_xisting natural conditions should be modified and altered and, conversely, prttserved; further to evaluate in an analytical way the complex course of preparatory work including the aspects of engineering, policy and organization; to draw prognostic conclusions from the above development and the present state of realization as related to the rational needs of civilized man and the conservation of environment. It is far from easy to decide what ways to follow in developing further this countryside which is so varied in natural character and rich in cultural monuments. For the potential modes of managing it are not simple, on the contrary. Among other things one must take into consideration that an appreciable portion of the area which, in the near future, will have changed its face is now occupied by wetlands of international importance, especially as waterfowl habitats. This explains why all of the human activities planned for the landscape environment of South Moravia have been based on a number of specific scientific analyses made by Czechoslovakian and even foreign experts (e.g. from France). During 1973-1974 several variants of the Complex Landscape Plan were thus produced, showing various concepts for prospective development of the entire South Moravian territory. These landscape projects were based on economic and ecologic analyses, and they were the products of teams of workers invited directly to compete, or of an anonymous competition of tenders, It was specified in the Conditions for Competition that only such concepts should be proposed which the team(s) of workers consider optimum for further development of the territory. In connection with the concept it was necessary to solve, both separately and in relation to one another, such items as: water management, agriculture, forestry, transportation, town and country planning, fisheries, game management, recreation, nature conservation, landscape architecture, and complex care of the landscape. The partial proposals that were found most convenient by the panel of judges and subsequently approved by the due autho~ties of administration as complying best with the latest trends will be included, in the course of 1974, into the Final Territorial Plan. This will be considered
76
binding for all morphogenic treatments to be made in the future in the regional space of South Moravia. The necessity of treating the drainage conditions in South Moravia had already been felt in the 18th century. From the beginning of the 19th century, all those interested in further development of the region, particularly in removing the menace of floods, were busy with solving this problem on the basis of engineering treatments. Thus, in 1827 a project for controlling the lower reach of the Dyje River was worked out and submitted; unfortunately, this project was not realized. Controlling of the Morava River did not occur until the beginning of the 20th century, and even this project was limited to its upper course, mainly to sections where the waters meant potential danger for the larger towns and local industries. As a result, the inundations in its lower reach, South Moravia, were the more intensive. It was not until most recently that respective authorities resumed realization of the water regime treatments to a full extent. If, in the former projects, the concept of controlling the rivers together with speedily draining off their waters was the predominating feature, the high requirements for water supplies at present have made it change to the effect that a large reservoir for water retention and accumulation has become the key work in the complex landscaping. Construction of the system of such reservoirs has been supplemented by projects for the control of rivers together with the important plantations of vegetation in the vicinity. Moreover, the region of South Moravia is also an integral part of the territory included in the planned water transport interconnection of the Black, Baltic, and North Sea, through the Danube-Oder-Elbe system of canals. In this way the territory will be incorporated into the all-European water system. As may be gathered from the aforegoing outline, there are essentially four basic problems of landscaping, the solutions to which are to be found for the South Moravian region. First, the key problem is seen in the control of regularly recurring floods and in the accumulation of sufficient amounts of water for irrigation. Second, the land improvement and reclamation treatments are involved, consisting partly in the irrigation of fields, orchards, vineyards, meadows and woodlands, partly in the recultivation of unproductive meadows liable to inundations and in the counter-erosion measures. Third, the land consolidation and a steep intensification of the vegetable and livestock production. Fourth, the implementation of aesthetic principles to make the landscape attractive for both short- and long-term recreational uses and fully valuable as human environment for the local population. Solution of all the above problems is supposed to result in the development of an engineering, economic, biological, and cultural landscape complex which might serve as a model project for similar undertakings not only in the territory of Czechoslovakia but also in other countries with analogous natural characteristics. Realization of this extensive programme has not progressed as yet beyond the stage of planning and the main preparatory work of engineering. The construction alone is planned to be under way in stages until 1995.
77
The challenging nature and complexity of this landscaping programme concerning its principal solution, the wider all-society aspects, and the impacts on the landscape and human environment, made the Government of Czechoslovakia adopt a decision on the necessity of coordinating all these activities. To this end, the Government set up a special body, the Government Coordinating Commission for Water Conservancy Reconstruction in South Moravia and, subsequently, its Territorial Advisory Office, their affiliations being the Ministry of Forests and Water Management and the Regional National Committee of South Moravia, respectively. PLANS
AND PROJECTS
FOR
THE LANDSCAPING
The set of engineering landscaping measures in the South Moravian region constitutes an ecological, technical, and economic whole. For reasons of a more operative working, when the preparatory work and realization are being carried out, the entire complex has been divided into separate actions. Thus, in the sector of water management, progressive construction of individual parts of controlling the Morava and Dyje water courses is being prepared, or its realization has already commenced; preparation of the project for controlling the confluent of these two rivers, within the area of the last remnants of extensive Central European floodland forests, is under way, too. However, the key work of the landscaping is seen in the construction of a dammed lake on the Dyje River, beneath the Pavlov Hills. This reservoir, the water surface of which has been calculated to cover an area of about 35 km’, will have a retention capacity of c. 120 X lo6 m3 water available for irrigating an area of some 54 000 ha. In view of the experience gained from the construction and working of other irrigation systems, it seems preferable to realize these by stages; thus, in the first period of construction, by 1980, irrigation should be possible on an area of c. 15 000 ha, apart from the present 8 000 ha under irrigation already. Construction, use, and organization in general of the irrigation systems under the conditions of socialist agriculture feature a high degree _ of flexibility, for respective planning and management can be concentrated in large units in the territory. Thus, for instance in the South Moravian region, which occupies an area equalling roughly one-half of the territory of Luxemburg, 95% of the total of agricultural land is farmed by 60 Co-operative and 4 State Farms, the remaining 5% by small farmers. The plans for agricultural development of the region assume only 13 large agricultural co-operative units to farm the entire acreage in the coming 15 years. Moreover, the construction and reconstruction of towns and villages in the region has been included as an integral part of the landscaping; designs have already been made up for the town-and-country development. Mass recreation is expected to become a new element in this region. The new dammed lake will be situated roughly in the centre of the country’s territory, near important international roads and railways and not far from Austria and Hungary. The project for recreational use of the reservoir includes all kinds of water sports,
78
fishing, and game management. The draft for recreational use assumes the peak number of recreationists, as many as 120 000 daily, to concentrate within a space of the Upper and Lower Reservoirs, where there are suitable natural banks and hinterland, and in the vicinity of villages with a concentration of the necessary services. The space of the Central Reservoir forms a zone of rest and is to be reserved for the aims of nature conservation and game management. It goes without saying that the intense use of natural resources and the extensive building activity will produce inconsistent situations, above all to the detriment of nature conservation. For this reason, once all of the engineering concepts for the landscaping have been treated, it is felt urgent to further channel all of the partial building actions along lines of a biological plan for the landscape. In this connection it has been decided to develop a general programme of care for the landscape in South Moravia. Seven teams of specialists representing a variety of professions, such as landscape architects, experts in the field of town-and-country planning, biologists, foresters, agronomists, experts in the fields of water management and nature conservation have been invited to make a harmonious synthesis of all of the engineering and biological interferences within the landscape. As a parallel item, the same teams are to produce a futurological study on the landscape’s long-term development. Moreover, detailed photographic and film documentations of the natural and local amenities is a routine work, for these will be carried out during construction of the reservoirs, training of the water courses, development of the farming, construction of the recreation facilities etc. The data on the basis of which a scientific prognosis is to be made, and the creative, qualitatively higher and complex approach to the problem of landscaping in the studied region are to be utilized as model items. The draft of a special statute is therefore being prepared by respective bodies of the Public Service, and it has been suggested to gazette the South Moravian region as a model territory of complex landscaping. By this statute conditions will be created for directing policy in this region, similar to those already existing for instance in the National Parks; a difference being that not only the required conservation of nature and natural resources would be channelled along indicated lines, also the development of new values in the landscape would largely be included, all based on the approach found optimum in both ecologic and economic respects. The region of South Moravia is the centre of extensive civilization activity which, on the one hand, means an affirmative item for Man in making the landscape civilized, while on the other, it adversely affects, in some places, the ecologically balanced environment. Efforts are therefore made to channel the engineering landscaping, whether planned or realized, not only in agreement with the long-term plan of the country’s national economy development but also along ecological principles while duly respecting the ecosystems, and totality and conservation of the environment as well. The region under study, which is situated within space of a biologically balanced to partly affected,
79
civilized countryside of Central Europe, is expected to furnish evidence that further, gradual exploitation of natural resources is possible with no damage caused to the natural and inhabitable values of its landscape. The attached scheme of principal areas indicates this condition from the view of natural and civilization factors in the territory of Cze~hosiov~ia, together with the proportion of South Moravia in this condition (Fig.3).
Fig.3. Czechoslovakian territory shown as an outline of principal areas on the basis of natural and civilization factors.
Planning,
0 Elsevier Scientific
1 (1974) 57-79 Publishing Company, Amsterdam - Printed in The Netherlands
THE ENGINEERING CENTRAL EUROPE
LANDSCAPING
VLASTIMIL
and ANTONIN HRABAL**
VANIeEK*
IN AN HISTORICAL
AREA OF
*Department of Soil Conservation and Land Consolidation, School of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Brno (Czechoslovakia) **Government Coordinating Commission for Water Conservancy Reconstruction South Moravia, Brno (Czechoslovakia)
Brno in
(Received January 8,1974)
ABSTRACT Vaniitek, V. and Hrabal, A., 1974. The engineering landscaping in an historical area of Central Europe. Landscape Plann., I: 57-79. The territory of Central Europe displays abundant natural and cultural values that have been transmitted from the past and now furnish evidence of the development of human civilization, the recent historical epoch included. Despite the high degree of cultivation attained in the countryside the varied pattern is still predominant in the greater part of the territory. Any metamorphic interference resulting from human activity with its general appearance, scenery, productive and inhabitable values should therefore be performed skilfully, on the basis of verified economic indicators and with due regard to ecologic principles. Should the environment serve well the needs of the coming generations it is highly imperative to preserve it in a healthy and valuable condition in both productive and aesthetical respects. In compliance with the complex concept as outlined above the planning, and even realization, of engineering landscaping in South Moravia, Czechoslovakia, has been carried out. On an area of about 1 200 km2 which extends to the north of the Danube River within the area between Vienna and Brno, between the Carpathians in the east and the Bohemo-Moravian Highlands in the west, some natural phenomena have accumulated that have no counterpart in other regions of Central Europe. Thus, there are large complexes of very old floodland forests; archaeological finds including the famous idol of womanhood - the Gstonice Venus; nature reserves with migratory species of the water fowl; world-known hunting grounds; and particularly the Pavlov Hills, a protected Iandscape area which, due to its geological and morphological character and typical coenoses, occupies a specific position in the region. But there is another feature typical of the entire territory -the unbalanced conditions of its water conservancy. On the one hand, the region is affected by spells of drought, while on the other, the waters of local rivers overflow the banks nearly annually to flood the nearby flatland on an area of as much as 25 000 ha. The territory under study is a region characteristic of a number of contrasting problems, and as human environment it is not yet fully under control. Therefore, a most important project of engineering landscaping has been initiated. It is expected that realization of the project will remove the two major contrasting problems - drought and excessive moisture (floods), which, subsequently, will create favourable conditions for a further intensification of the agricultural and silvicultural production, for a general recovery and accessibility of
the entire region and thus for its cultural, recreational, and inhabitable values. The key work in the entire complex of engineering landscaping is to be seen in the system of 3 dammed lakes to be constructed at the confluence of the Dyje, Jihlava, and Svratka Rivers, beneath the Pavlov Hills. This system of reservoirs is expected to hold roughly 120 million m3 water utilizable for irrigating the planned 54 000 ha of fields, meadows, orchards and vineyards, apart from the several thousands of hectares under floodland forests. Moreover, the number of people preferring recreation on the banks of the newly constructed reservoirs to other recreational opportunities is estimated to reach as much as 120 000 daily. To serve this purpose, construction of the reservoirs and regulation of the rivers are to be supplemented by plantations of attractive vegetation. All of the planned transformations of the landscape have been based on thorough scientific analyses and designs along the lines of which all subsequent activity associated with the construction is to be channelled. Among other things, a general project has been worked out indicating the principles of taking care of the landscape in the South Moravian region and, via competition, seven teams of specialists have been busy with treating this space in a complex way from the aspects of town-and-country and landscape planning, and even from the futurological point of view. Moreover, the preparation of a special statute is under way for this region to be gazetted as the model area of complex landscaping. This precaution is believed to provide conditions for implementation of a creative and protective managerial policy on the studied area, in a similar way as has been done for instance on the areas of National Parks; a difference being that not only the required conservation of Nature and natural resources will be channelled along indicated lines, also the development of new values in the landscape will be included, all based on the approach considered to be optimum in both economic and ecologic respects. The engineering landscaping as a whole is treated so as to be in harmony with both the long-term plan of the country’s national economic development and the principles of ecology, while duly respecting the ecosystems, and totality and conservation of the environment as well.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE REGION
The region of South Moravia, Czechoslovakia, whose complex landscaping is described and analysed below according to its history, present state, and near future, covers an area of about 1 200 km’ approx~ately 70 km to the north of the Danube River near Vienna and 25 km to the south of the town of Brno (Fig.1). In the south the region is geographically bordered by the Dyje River whose considerable size forms the frontier there between Austria and Czechoslovakia, and by the Morava River in the east where this water course follows the borderline between Moravia and Slovakia; but in the north and west there are no definite boundaries, and within the area of the towns of Znojmo and Brno the lowland gradually passes into higher elevations - the Bohemo-Moravian and the Drahany Highlands (Fig.2). When looked upon from the natural and cultural viewpoints, the region of South Moravia appears a very rich and varied territory. For on a relatively small area some phenomena have accumulated that have no parallel in other parts of Central Europe. The river flats or the slightly undulating areas are geological depressions between the two major mountain systems in Europe, viz., Hercynian-Alpine and Carpathian. The large plain is overlooked and
59
\ GDR
I’
‘\ L - \ .-_ POLAND
CZECH
SOCIALISTIC
Canal,
REPUBLk.
I
HUNGARY
Fig.1. Geographic situation of South Moravia in Central Europe.
dominated by the Massif of Pavlov Hills, the remnant of a huge block of Jurassic limestone. Gentle foothills of the Carpathians and the Hercynian Forest extend at the eastern, western and northern edges of the lowland, while to the south the region lies open to the Vienna Basin and the extensive lowlands of Pannonia and the Hungarian Danube Valley. The geographic and geologic conditions constitute a background accounting for the interesting conditions of climate, vegetation, soil, and hydrology. The climate shows features of transition between the marine and continental types, and it is influenced by the Pannonian semiarid type of climate. The mean precipitation in the region records 530 mm per annum, dropping in extremely dry years to 300 mm; during the growth season the region receives 340 mm
60
-
Roads
0
TOWE
Forests
c3 MORAVIA
cc3 -
lrrlgotlons
Dammed
lakes
Rwers
AUSTRIA
Fig.2. South Moravian area of complex landscape engineering.
precipitation with a drop to 200 mm. Even within the growing seasons of the years considered normal in respect of the amounts of rainfall received there are regular spells of drought which, occasionally, last for 2-3 months to be followed by rainstorms. It goes without saying that intensive wind and rainwater erosion results. The region under study displays a highly varied pattern of soils; these are largely of the medium-heavy type, well suited for specialized farming. As to the production of ~~~ultural crops, which has been traditional in the region for a period of over 1 000 years, mainly grain maize, wheat, barley, sugarbeet, early potatoes, and thermophilous vegetables are grown. The highly improved species of fruit and grape vine grown preferably on gently sloping grounds yield products of excellent quality.
PP. 61- 64
I
General VEW from above the Pavlov Hills, showmg the inundation places of the present floodland forests and waterlogged meadows an extensive artificnl lake (Photo Dr. M. Spurn$).
Plate area of the Dyle River; are to be submerged in
Showing part of the inundated area, within the area of the future Central Pavlov Hills are in the backeround (Photo Dr. M. SpurnG).
Plate II Reservoir;
the
69
The forest percentage in the territory is relatively low, about 15%. The existing forests, largely of the floodland type and consisting of old specimens of oak, ash, poplar, alder, and willow and with vigorous undergrowth of herbaceous and shrubby species, extend along the larger streams. These forest stands are accepted by the expert as a unique European phenomenon; some of them have therefore been gazetted as Nature Reserves. Moreover, the complexes of floodland forests mean unique opportunities for sportsmen hunters. The Pavlov Hills referred to above represent, due to the geologic and morphologic features, the other specific natural phenomenon of the region. The xerophilous forest passes there into the steppe forest and steppe with rich flora and fauna. This massif as a whole, together with the historical monuments dating back to the Middle Ages, and the preserved villages, has been gazetted as Protected Landscape Area. Hydrologically, there is a certain anomaly in this region. The untrained lower reaches of several rivers that originate either in the mountains or the foothills of the drainage basin pass through this low-lying and arid territory. Recurring floods in the spring and summer seasons are therefore the current feature; waters in the rivers overflow the banks and flood the fields, meadows, roads, and even villages, on an area of as much as 25 000 ha. On the other hand, the adjoining elevated land suffers from shortage of moisture. Accordingly, there are two features characterizing the region’s hydrologic conditions: unbalanced water management and drought. Therefore, an important project of engineering landscaping has been designed for the territory. Realization of the project, which is highly challenging, is expected to definitely solve and remove the contrasting problems of drought and excessive moisture in the region; moreover, it should provide favourable conditions for a further intensification of the agricultural and silvicultural production, for a recovery and accessibility of the entire area resulting thus in its improved inhabitable, recreational, and cultural values. HISTORICAL
VIEW OF THE REGION
The region under study was, to our knowledge, the first in this geographic area to serve as a home to inhabitants long ago. The Pavlov Hills referred to above were the place to offer shelter to the Paleolithic Neanderthal people hunters of mammoths who established their settlements there at a time dating more than 30 000 years back. The abundant finds excavated from under the layers of loess are witness to a continuous settlement by the people, besides showing their high level of culture, both material and aesthetical. From the foothills of the Pavlov Hills comes the unique idol of womanhood - the Vestonice Venus. The prehistoric settlement has been documented for this site by the continuous finds from all of the archaeological periods up to the historical time. On the banks of the Dyje River also the most northern fortified camp of the Ancient Roman Empire was located, at the time of its greatest expansion and glory; remainders of the fortified camp of the Xth Roman
70
Legion, excavated near the village of MuZov, are world-known, particularly by the commander’s building and a part of the bath-house. The settlements by Slavonic tribes are documented to a significant extent, too; their greatest expansion in this area dating back to the Great Moravian Empire, from the 9th to 11th centuries A.D. Municipal strongholds with a number of Roman Catholic churches were erected near the water courses. During the historical era of the Middle Ages the territory under study, being the borderland between the Bohemian Kingdom and the Austrian Empire, appeared in the forefront of interests shown by the rulers in either country. This doubtless accounted for why large towns failed to develop there during that period. Despite this, the preserved memorials of architecture, which include specimens of high artistic level and cover a period from the Gothic style up to Classicism, furnish enough evidence for the high cultural level attained in the smaller municipal centres, such as Mikulov, Valtice, and Lednice. Nevertheless, the tradition of cultivating this highly productive country is an item most important of all. Thus, for instance, the fish pond culture meant, during the Middle Ages, significant contributions in economic respects. The systems of pools and ponds now over 500 years of age have been influencing the appearance of the landscape until today. Fruit and grape-vine growing attained excellent results in the region as early as during the 15th century and was highly appreciated in many a royal court of Europe. In this respect, the present vine and fruit growers are not lagging behind, But what was most important in this region was the extensive landscaping undertaken within the area of the Lichtenstein Estates, between the country towns of Lednice and Valtice, during the 17th to the 19th centuries. This area, by that time an insignificant and largely waterlogged land with a neglected creek flowing through, was transformed over a relatively short period of time into a large territory that could rightly boast of the high levels attained in both economic and aesthetic respects in the sectors of agronomy, fruit growing, vine growing, parks, woodlands, and hunting grounds. The water regime in the area was treated using a cascade of large ponds, dykes, lagoons, and drainage and irrigation canals. Riverside vegetation and wide rows of trees were planted. Miniature chateaux and sculptures were erected on dominant situations. This area characterized by high productivity and aesthetical value also became the reserve of water fowl now of world significance (totalling 155 bird species) and the centre of tourism. Already in the 1820’s the Biological Station-Natural Laboratory still existing today was established there. Its biological research has expanded most recently also to items serving the world programme entitled “Man and Biosphere”. PRESENT
LANDSCAPE
PLANNING
Our society approaches again the region of South Moravia with the aim of developing, on a much larger area, qualitatively new conditions that would
Showing a natural section of the Dyje River; foothills of the Pavlov Hills are covered with vineyards, and orchards planted with peach and apricot trees, further up gradually passing into forests on limestone formations; these are also utilized by mountain climbers for training (Photo Dr. M. Spurn?).
Plate III
72
provide for an optimum use of the water resources, highly productive farming and an extensive use of the territory for recreation. However, the long-term tradition in developing a cultural landscape together with the interests of nature conservation have been the cause of numerous collisions and thus also of the important requirements for a technical and biological approach in treating the territory.
Plate IV Showing space of the future artificial lake, now with numerous stands of floodland forests (Photo Dr. M. Spurnq).
river branches
and natural
13
Attractive scenery, interior will be protected as Nature Commission).
Plate VI of a floodland forest in South Moravia; some of the localities Reserves (by courtesy of the Government Coordinating
75
If we consider the relatively extensive region of South Moravia from the viewpoint of use of its natural resources and care for the landscape we find the existing state far from satisfactory in both ecologic and economic respects. It is a land full of contrasts, and as human environment not yet fully under control. The basic and most dynamic factor in the region has always been water, and this factor is also the background for the present solution. It is true that newly trained river-beds and systems of dammed lakes, and largescale irrigation will affect the local ecosystems and essentially change the appearance of the land; on the other hand, these treatments will enrich it by pe~anent water surfaces, irrigated fields, meadows, orchards, vineyards as well as by new forest plantations, park plantations, and recreation facilities. The following requirements are therefore to be met: to determine in a scientific and complex way to what extent the e_xisting natural conditions should be modified and altered and, conversely, prttserved; further to evaluate in an analytical way the complex course of preparatory work including the aspects of engineering, policy and organization; to draw prognostic conclusions from the above development and the present state of realization as related to the rational needs of civilized man and the conservation of environment. It is far from easy to decide what ways to follow in developing further this countryside which is so varied in natural character and rich in cultural monuments. For the potential modes of managing it are not simple, on the contrary. Among other things one must take into consideration that an appreciable portion of the area which, in the near future, will have changed its face is now occupied by wetlands of international importance, especially as waterfowl habitats. This explains why all of the human activities planned for the landscape environment of South Moravia have been based on a number of specific scientific analyses made by Czechoslovakian and even foreign experts (e.g. from France). During 1973-1974 several variants of the Complex Landscape Plan were thus produced, showing various concepts for prospective development of the entire South Moravian territory. These landscape projects were based on economic and ecologic analyses, and they were the products of teams of workers invited directly to compete, or of an anonymous competition of tenders, It was specified in the Conditions for Competition that only such concepts should be proposed which the team(s) of workers consider optimum for further development of the territory. In connection with the concept it was necessary to solve, both separately and in relation to one another, such items as: water management, agriculture, forestry, transportation, town and country planning, fisheries, game management, recreation, nature conservation, landscape architecture, and complex care of the landscape. The partial proposals that were found most convenient by the panel of judges and subsequently approved by the due autho~ties of administration as complying best with the latest trends will be included, in the course of 1974, into the Final Territorial Plan. This will be considered
76
binding for all morphogenic treatments to be made in the future in the regional space of South Moravia. The necessity of treating the drainage conditions in South Moravia had already been felt in the 18th century. From the beginning of the 19th century, all those interested in further development of the region, particularly in removing the menace of floods, were busy with solving this problem on the basis of engineering treatments. Thus, in 1827 a project for controlling the lower reach of the Dyje River was worked out and submitted; unfortunately, this project was not realized. Controlling of the Morava River did not occur until the beginning of the 20th century, and even this project was limited to its upper course, mainly to sections where the waters meant potential danger for the larger towns and local industries. As a result, the inundations in its lower reach, South Moravia, were the more intensive. It was not until most recently that respective authorities resumed realization of the water regime treatments to a full extent. If, in the former projects, the concept of controlling the rivers together with speedily draining off their waters was the predominating feature, the high requirements for water supplies at present have made it change to the effect that a large reservoir for water retention and accumulation has become the key work in the complex landscaping. Construction of the system of such reservoirs has been supplemented by projects for the control of rivers together with the important plantations of vegetation in the vicinity. Moreover, the region of South Moravia is also an integral part of the territory included in the planned water transport interconnection of the Black, Baltic, and North Sea, through the Danube-Oder-Elbe system of canals. In this way the territory will be incorporated into the all-European water system. As may be gathered from the aforegoing outline, there are essentially four basic problems of landscaping, the solutions to which are to be found for the South Moravian region. First, the key problem is seen in the control of regularly recurring floods and in the accumulation of sufficient amounts of water for irrigation. Second, the land improvement and reclamation treatments are involved, consisting partly in the irrigation of fields, orchards, vineyards, meadows and woodlands, partly in the recultivation of unproductive meadows liable to inundations and in the counter-erosion measures. Third, the land consolidation and a steep intensification of the vegetable and livestock production. Fourth, the implementation of aesthetic principles to make the landscape attractive for both short- and long-term recreational uses and fully valuable as human environment for the local population. Solution of all the above problems is supposed to result in the development of an engineering, economic, biological, and cultural landscape complex which might serve as a model project for similar undertakings not only in the territory of Czechoslovakia but also in other countries with analogous natural characteristics. Realization of this extensive programme has not progressed as yet beyond the stage of planning and the main preparatory work of engineering. The construction alone is planned to be under way in stages until 1995.
77
The challenging nature and complexity of this landscaping programme concerning its principal solution, the wider all-society aspects, and the impacts on the landscape and human environment, made the Government of Czechoslovakia adopt a decision on the necessity of coordinating all these activities. To this end, the Government set up a special body, the Government Coordinating Commission for Water Conservancy Reconstruction in South Moravia and, subsequently, its Territorial Advisory Office, their affiliations being the Ministry of Forests and Water Management and the Regional National Committee of South Moravia, respectively. PLANS
AND PROJECTS
FOR
THE LANDSCAPING
The set of engineering landscaping measures in the South Moravian region constitutes an ecological, technical, and economic whole. For reasons of a more operative working, when the preparatory work and realization are being carried out, the entire complex has been divided into separate actions. Thus, in the sector of water management, progressive construction of individual parts of controlling the Morava and Dyje water courses is being prepared, or its realization has already commenced; preparation of the project for controlling the confluent of these two rivers, within the area of the last remnants of extensive Central European floodland forests, is under way, too. However, the key work of the landscaping is seen in the construction of a dammed lake on the Dyje River, beneath the Pavlov Hills. This reservoir, the water surface of which has been calculated to cover an area of about 35 km’, will have a retention capacity of c. 120 X lo6 m3 water available for irrigating an area of some 54 000 ha. In view of the experience gained from the construction and working of other irrigation systems, it seems preferable to realize these by stages; thus, in the first period of construction, by 1980, irrigation should be possible on an area of c. 15 000 ha, apart from the present 8 000 ha under irrigation already. Construction, use, and organization in general of the irrigation systems under the conditions of socialist agriculture feature a high degree _ of flexibility, for respective planning and management can be concentrated in large units in the territory. Thus, for instance in the South Moravian region, which occupies an area equalling roughly one-half of the territory of Luxemburg, 95% of the total of agricultural land is farmed by 60 Co-operative and 4 State Farms, the remaining 5% by small farmers. The plans for agricultural development of the region assume only 13 large agricultural co-operative units to farm the entire acreage in the coming 15 years. Moreover, the construction and reconstruction of towns and villages in the region has been included as an integral part of the landscaping; designs have already been made up for the town-and-country development. Mass recreation is expected to become a new element in this region. The new dammed lake will be situated roughly in the centre of the country’s territory, near important international roads and railways and not far from Austria and Hungary. The project for recreational use of the reservoir includes all kinds of water sports,
78
fishing, and game management. The draft for recreational use assumes the peak number of recreationists, as many as 120 000 daily, to concentrate within a space of the Upper and Lower Reservoirs, where there are suitable natural banks and hinterland, and in the vicinity of villages with a concentration of the necessary services. The space of the Central Reservoir forms a zone of rest and is to be reserved for the aims of nature conservation and game management. It goes without saying that the intense use of natural resources and the extensive building activity will produce inconsistent situations, above all to the detriment of nature conservation. For this reason, once all of the engineering concepts for the landscaping have been treated, it is felt urgent to further channel all of the partial building actions along lines of a biological plan for the landscape. In this connection it has been decided to develop a general programme of care for the landscape in South Moravia. Seven teams of specialists representing a variety of professions, such as landscape architects, experts in the field of town-and-country planning, biologists, foresters, agronomists, experts in the fields of water management and nature conservation have been invited to make a harmonious synthesis of all of the engineering and biological interferences within the landscape. As a parallel item, the same teams are to produce a futurological study on the landscape’s long-term development. Moreover, detailed photographic and film documentations of the natural and local amenities is a routine work, for these will be carried out during construction of the reservoirs, training of the water courses, development of the farming, construction of the recreation facilities etc. The data on the basis of which a scientific prognosis is to be made, and the creative, qualitatively higher and complex approach to the problem of landscaping in the studied region are to be utilized as model items. The draft of a special statute is therefore being prepared by respective bodies of the Public Service, and it has been suggested to gazette the South Moravian region as a model territory of complex landscaping. By this statute conditions will be created for directing policy in this region, similar to those already existing for instance in the National Parks; a difference being that not only the required conservation of nature and natural resources would be channelled along indicated lines, also the development of new values in the landscape would largely be included, all based on the approach found optimum in both ecologic and economic respects. The region of South Moravia is the centre of extensive civilization activity which, on the one hand, means an affirmative item for Man in making the landscape civilized, while on the other, it adversely affects, in some places, the ecologically balanced environment. Efforts are therefore made to channel the engineering landscaping, whether planned or realized, not only in agreement with the long-term plan of the country’s national economy development but also along ecological principles while duly respecting the ecosystems, and totality and conservation of the environment as well. The region under study, which is situated within space of a biologically balanced to partly affected,
79
civilized countryside of Central Europe, is expected to furnish evidence that further, gradual exploitation of natural resources is possible with no damage caused to the natural and inhabitable values of its landscape. The attached scheme of principal areas indicates this condition from the view of natural and civilization factors in the territory of Cze~hosiov~ia, together with the proportion of South Moravia in this condition (Fig.3).
Fig.3. Czechoslovakian territory shown as an outline of principal areas on the basis of natural and civilization factors.