The Karlstejn National Nature Reserve covers about 16 square kilometres of the Bohemian Karst Protected Landscape Area. The reserve forms part of the Karlstejn-Koda Natura 2000 site designated for its valuable habitats, plant and insect species, and large populations of bats. Some 400 million years ago, limestone sediments started to form from shells of molluscs and other sea animals. Palaentological profiles with numerous fossils of worldwide importance are well documented in the reserve. After the last glaciation limestone bedrock developped into a ragged karstic landscape featuring gorges, rock walls and caves. Although representing lowland cultural landscape inhabited continuously by humans for 3000 years large oak-hornbeam, Downy Oak (Quercus pubescens) and beech forest have been preserved.

Exceptional undisturbed river valley with adjacent complexes of more or less natural woodland and small areas of unique non-wooded communities, lying at the contact of two biogeographic regions. The territory is unique, above all, in geomorphological arrangement and considerable species diversity of higher plants and invertebrates.

The Dyje river valley in the National Park is an unusually well preserved example of the river valley phenomenon with all natural components, unparalleled in central Europe at present. The territory is the representative of similar landscape types in the European context. The Podyji National Park secures the territorial conservation of only a half of the river valley system. The other half lies in Austria and, thus, the necessary co-ordination of nature conservation strengthens the aspect of European co-operation.

The White Carpathians (Bilé Karpaty) are a mountainous area stretching out along the border between the Czech Republic and Slovakia over a length of some 80 km. It belongs to the westernmost part of the Carpathian range. The area is particularly valuable because of its high species diversity and well-preserved meadow and forest ecosystems. In 1980 a total area of 715 km² was designated a protected landscape area (PLA). In 1996 the Bilé Karpaty PLA was included in the UNESCO network of biosphere reserves for its rich culture and the important role of manin the conservation of the area.