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Dolní Šárka (Lower Šárka) Natural Monument

Principal data Three minor separated, mutually different areas situated in Dolní Šárka (Lower Šárka) on the slopes along the lower course of the Šárka Brook, called after adjacent farmsteads Duchoňsk (on the right-hand brook slope), Šatovka and Žežulka (both on the left-hand slope of the brook). Cadastre: Prague 6 - Dejvice. Area: 6.05 ha. Elevation: 200 - 270 m above sea level. Established by the Ordinance of Prague Municipality No. 4/1982 of May 27, 1982.

Reason of establishment, principal motive of protection Natural thermophilous plant and animal communities. Geomorphological formation Duchoňská .

Geology, geomorphology, pedology The valley cuts into Proterozoic rocks, includingespecially siltstones, greywackes, to a smaller extent lydites; further there are slope deposits (loams and sandy and clayey loams with fragments of Upper Proterozoic rocks). Shallow AC soils of ranker type, changing into mostly oligotrophic brown soils in shrubby margins.

Botany The landscape, deforested for centuries, has been covered with thermophilous communities of fescue grass and borders featuring bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum) and Peucedanum oreoselinum. The Duchoňsk (D) is a rocky ridge ofProteroroic shales. Its southern slope is covered with a fescue rocky steppe community, its northern slope with a hornbeam and oak wood. The Šatovka (S) is a rocky slope with a rocky steppe community and thermophilous shrubs. The Žežulka (Z) is a grassy and shrubby slope, becoming speedily overgrown with shrubs (hawthorn, dog rose). In connection with a rocky outcrop in the Duchoňsk a fragment of cow-wheat oak and hornbeam wood has been preserved with characteristic plant species, very rare in the northern part of Prague. Important for nature protection are e.g. Anthericum liliago, Allium vineale and Gagea bohemica.

Zoology Typical thermophilous communities of invertebrates, particularly insects. Interesting butterfly species, such asZygaena ephialtes f. peucedani, Zygaena angelicae, Larentia clavaria, Biston strataria and Satyrium acaciae, as well as beetles, such as Panagaeus bipustulatus and Amara litorea. From the steppe species of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) e.g. Coptocephala rubicunda (D, S, Z), Chrysolina hyperici (D,S), Longitarsus minusculus (D,S,Z), Psylliodes picina (D,S,Z),from the snout beetles (Curculionidae) Trachyphloeus alternans (D,Z), Omias rotundatus (Z), Ceutorhynchus rhenanus (D,S,Z) and Rhamphus subaeneus (S,Z). From the number of relic species of the natural broad-leaved wood in the Duchoňsk there are Brachysomus echinatus and Barypeithes mollicomus of the snout-beetle family. The Accalles family testifies to the continuity of local woods. From the number of flat-headed wood borers (Buprestidae) there are Trachys problematicus (D, Z) and Habroloma geranii (D). From the Hymenoptera there is the purely steppe species of Cephus pulcher (Z), from the number of cimbicid sawflies (Cimbicidae) there is Corynis obscura (on the bloody crabesbill - S). Vertebrate fauna does not differ much from that of the Wild Šárka. The number of more frequent birds includes the grey woodpecker (Picus canus), the grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea) and the short-toed tree-creeper (Certhia brachydactyla), further the barred warbler (Sylvia nisoria) and the turtle-dove (Streptopelia turtur), the number of minor mammals chiefly the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europeus) and the fat doormouse (Glis glis).

Forestry The northern part of the Duchoňsk is partly covered with hornbeam oak wood, otherwise there are planted false acacias with wind-swept ashes and oaks.

Economic exploitation, principal threats, proposed care of protected area Previously grazing, at present partly forestry. It is desirable to maintain the mosaic of wooded and woodless areas and eliminate shrubs.

Notes The protected area forms part of the Šárka - Lysolaje natural park.

Bibliography Kubíková (1982, 1986).


Aerial view
Aerial view of the Dolní Šárka natural monument from the southeast, with the Šatovka farmstead in the road bend on the left.

 View of a part...
View of a part of the Dolní Šárka natural monument above the Žežulka farmstead.


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