Dunajské luhy Protected Landscape Area
The protected landscape area Dunajské luhy (Slovak Chranena krajinná oblasť Dunajské luhy, literally conservation area Donauauen ) is a conservation area along the Danube in the south-western Slovakia. It is the newest of the Slovak landscape protection areas and is made up of five parts not connected, starting from the city of Bratislava, by the (old ) river course of the Danube on the Slovak- Hungarian border to the river island called Veľkolélsky ostrov at Zlatná na Ostrove. The conservation area is 122.84 km ²; placed under protection are original floodplains, wetlands and small lakes, backwaters and creeks.
The seat of government is located in Dunajská Streda.
Geography
The conservation area is a total of three political districts: Bratislavský kraj ( Okresy Bratislava II, Bratislava V and Senec ) Trnavský kraj ( Okres Dunajská Streda ) and Nitriansky kraj ( Okres Komárno ). Up on the second and fifth part of the landscape protection area is located on the Great Rye Island, part of the Slovak Danube lowland.
The first part is located immediately south of the Slovnaft oil refinery in the district Podunajské Biskupice on the left bank of the Danube and extending to the top of the reservoir Gabčíkovo at Hamuliakovo. The second part is located southwest of it on the other side, in the districts of Rusovce and Čunovo. The third and largest part covers the land between the old course of the River Danube and at the same time state border Slovakia -Hungary and the dam of the reservoir Gabčíkovo. Exceptions are the villages Dobrohošť, Vojka nad Dunajom and Bodíky. The fourth part concludes immediately thereafter on the left bank of the Danube at Sap, borders the municipalities Medveďov, Kľúčovec and Číčov and ends at Kližská NEMA. The fifth and last part is between Veľké Kosihy and Zlatná na Ostrove and includes the island Veľkolélsky ostrov.
Flora and Fauna
The entire landscape protection area is under the number 605 of the Ramsar protected areas.
The location of the Protected Landscape Area is the representation of the aquatic plants of importance, with many protected or endangered species such as white water lily, yellow pond lily, water chestnut, European fringed water lily and water fern Common and more. On the meadows grow different orchids: Bug Orchid, military orchid, Green-winged Orchid, broad-leaved helleborine, Lesser Butterfly Orchid are some examples of it. In the floodplain alder, oak, ash, hornbeam, dogwood, poplars, elms and willows grow.
The wildlife is affected by various biotopes. There are 109 species of molluscs ( of which 22 are threatened ), and hundreds of species of beetles such as the endemic Thinobius korbeli from the family Rove. The root vole is one of the most important small mammals of the Protected Landscape Area.
The nature reserve is of great importance for nesting and breeding waterfowl. Some rare species that nest here, are eagles, egrets and purple herons.
In the waters of the Danube and the surrounding floodplain is home to most fish species in Slovakia. Some rarities from the world of fish are Caucasian dog fish, a wild form of carp, goat and marbled goby.
Recreation activities
Among the recreational activities in the conservation area include swimming, fishing, hiking and cycling. The Danube Bike Trail runs through the area.
Special Conservation
- Národné Prírodné rezervácie (NPR, National Nature Reserves )
- Prírodné pamiatky (PP, natural monuments )
- Prírodné rezervácie (PR, nature reserves )
- Chránené areály (CHA, Protected Areas )