Mohelenská hadcová step
Mohelenská hadcová step is a serpentinite steppe in the Czech Republic . It is located on the banks of the Jihlava in the cadastral area of the communities Mohelno and Dukovany , about 30 kilometers west of the Moravian city of Brno . The 48 hectare area has been under nature protection since 1933 and has the status of a national nature reserve.
Serpentinite rock, which is only slightly weathered, forms the subsurface of the site. The existing soils have high concentrations of cobalt , chromium and nickel that have loosened from the rock. The microclimate is extremely dry and hot: the serpentinite rocks have a temperature up to 20 ° higher than the surrounding landscape.
On the rocky base, plant and animal species have settled that are adapted to these specific conditions and do not occur in other locations, such as the serpentine striped fern or the beach carnation (A. maritima subsp. Serpentini) . The invertebrate fauna is very species-rich: over 60% of all ants native to the Czech Republic can be found here, plus hundreds of butterfly species . The specific climate and the low nutrient content in the soil cause the dwarfism (nanism) of many species.
The steppe was used as pastureland until the 20th century; after 1933 it remained uncultivated for decades. Pine growth has been systematically eliminated since the 1980s , and grazing was resumed in 1997. The area is accessible on marked paths and has a nature trail.
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Coordinates: 49 ° 7 ′ 5 " N , 16 ° 10 ′ 53" E