Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Annual Dynamics of Mycobiota in Symptomatic Century-Old Trees of Aesculus hippocastanum, Fagus sylvatica, Populus alba, and Quercus robur

  Aging trees within the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape exhibit dynamic and host-dependent mycobiota, challenging assumptions of static or neutral fungal communities. Research on century-old horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), copper beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Atropunicea’), poplar (Populus alba), and oak (Quercus robur) revealed significant temporal shifts in fungal diversity and composition, with Fagus sylvatica showing the most pronounced decline in richness. Saprotrophic fungi dominated across all hosts, indicating active wood degradation. The study employed ITS2 high-throughput sequencing to profile fungal assemblages from 40 wood cores collected in 2023 and 2024, highlighting host-specific patterns and potential implications for tree decline in managed historical landscapes.

  Spetik, M., Frejlichova, L., Cechova, J., Bulir, P., Miksova, L., Stefl, L., Simek, P., & Eichmeier, A. (2026). Annual Dynamics of Mycobiota in Symptomatic Century-Old Trees of Aesculus hippocastanum, Fagus sylvatica, Populus alba, and Quercus robur. Journal of Fungi, 12(1), 50. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12010050

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• Annual Dynamics of Mycobiota in Symptomatic Century-Old Trees of Aesculus hippocastanum, Fagus sylvatica, Populus alba, and Quercus robur

  Aging trees within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape exhibit dynamic and host-dependent fungal communities that significantly influence their decline. The study, conducted on century-old horse chestnut, Copper beech, poplar, and oak trees, revealed that fungal diversity and composition vary both among tree species and over time. Notably, Copper beech showed the most pronounced annual decline in fungal richness (-83%), while horse chestnut and poplar displayed significant increases (+65% and +42%, respectively). Ascomycota dominated across all hosts (72–89% of reads), with Basidiomycota contributing 8–24%. The research used ITS2 high-throughput sequencing to profile fungal assemblages, demonstrating that the wood mycobiome is neither static nor functionally neutral but actively shapes tree decline trajectories in managed historical park landscapes.

  Spetik, M., Frejlichova, L., Cechová, J., Bulir, P., Miksova, L., Stefl, L., Simek, P., & Eichmeier, A. (2025). Annual Dynamics of Mycobiota in Symptomatic Century-Old Trees of Aesculus hippocastanum, Fagus sylvatica, Populus alba, and Quercus robur https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202511.0150.v1

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• Management plán Lednicko-valtického areálu jako nástroj strategického rozvoje památky UNESCO

  A multi-category analysis reveals that the current Management Plan for the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning 143.37 km², faces significant obstacles and new challenges despite its role as a strategic tool for sustainable development. The study evaluates existing objectives of the plan, highlighting inconsistencies in regional development approaches by public and business actors that hinder organic growth. Recommendations derived from this analysis aim to guide future planning efforts, offering actionable insights for public administration professionals to enhance the site's preservation and development.

  Lněnička, L. (2022). Management plán Lednicko-valtického areálu jako nástroj strategického rozvoje památky UNESCO. Geografické Informácie, 26(2), 41–63. https://doi.org/10.17846/gi.2022.26.2.41-63

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• Perennial border reconstruction in the castle park in Lednice

  A meticulously reconstructed perennial border in the Lednice castle park, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape, reflects the original design principles and botanical aesthetics of landscape architect Markéta Roder-Müller. The project successfully documented the evolution of the flower bed over time, analyzed Müller’s design approaches, and provided a blueprint for renewal that was implemented in autumn 2010. This work preserves the historical integrity of the site while offering practical insights into sustainable perennial border restoration techniques.

  Kuťková, T. (2014). Perennial border reconstruction in the castle park in Lednice. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis, 59(6), 209–216. https://doi.org/10.11118/actaun201159060209

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