Smrk
Do you like the mountain landscape with the original vegetation? Then you will only do well if you visit the second highest mountain of this mountain range, Smrk, during your stay in the Moravian-Silesian Beskydy. On its slopes there is a nature reserve, where you can observe various natural habitats - rocky or boulder rubble or springs. Remains of the original spruce and beech stands, firs and maples have been preserved here. These natural communities are the reason for the protection of this area.
Information for visitors
Interesting facts Smrk
Stone sea and caves
The boulder rubble on the slopes of Spruce is formed by rocky seas in places, and in other places there is a large amount of weathered rocks. On the northern side of Spruce you will see a 6 m high frost log cabin, a rock step created by frost and weathering. If you go to the opposite side, you can visit the fissure pseudo-karst cave. The corridor of the cave is 6.5 m long, but the cave is already outside the reservation area. At the top of Spruce you will also find a small monument dedicated to John Lennon and Jan Palach.
Rare plants and animals
In addition to the forest, you can also meet rarer herbs in the Smrk reserve. Very rare is the occurrence of hard thistle, you can also see plants of unusual names - tadpole, whip, bull, hanger, cane, daisy and various species of ferns and cranberries. Animals common in the forest community and less common species live here, such as the crane, grouse, woodpecker, woodpecker, spotted woodpecker, hawk, roe deer, owl, raven or black stork. The island lynx lives here permanently, if you are lucky, you can also see a brown bear or a wolf.
The reservation was damaged by human activity
Part of the Smrk hill suffered from immissions and had to be deforested. In addition, the forest was harvested and the original composition of the species changed. The air contaminated with exhaust fumes still threatens the vegetation, there are industrial enterprises nearby, such as Třinecké železárny. The area is being cared for and there is an effort to save natural tree species. Reservations are only allowed on marked paths.
Author: Helena Syslová