Established by Decree of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Socialist Republic No. 113/1989 Coll. of 10 October 1989, as amended by Act No. 287/1994 Coll. of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, and further amended by Decree No. 433/01 Coll. of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic of 03 September 2001
Address:
Správa CHKO Cerová vrchovina
(Administration of the Cerová vrchovina PLA)
Železničná ul. 31
979 01 Rimavská Sobota
Web:
https://chkocerovavrchovina.sopsr.sk
Tel.:
047 563 49 48
Fax:
047 563 49 48
HOT LINE:
0903 298 145
Area of operation: the Protected Landscape Area, the districts of Lučenec, Poltár and Rimavská Sobota
The Cerová vrchovina Protected Landscape Area is situated in the south of central Slovakia, directly on the border with Hungary. The territory of this protected landscape area includes, within the Mátra-Slanec Region (Matransko-slanská oblasť), the major part of the Hajnáčska vrchovina highlands section, the southeastern extension of the Fiľakovská brázda furrow section, and the central part of the Petrovská vrchovina highlands section.
The relief is characterised by the prominent basalt fillings of volcanic chimneys and cinder cones (Šomoška, Šurice, Hajnáčka, Ragáč). The highest peaks consist of basalt and andesite debris. Soil erosion is particularly evident on the deforested slopes.
Forests form a diverse mosaic ranging from forest-steppe, open communities on the ridge, to closed oak forests predominantly on southern exposures, and beech forests on northern slope exposures. The first three forest vegetation tiers are present.
The main tree species are Turkey oak, European beech, sessile oak, and common hornbeam. The oak forests are characterized by a diverse admixture of other deciduous trees and shrubs. One of the serious threats to the native forest habitats and the overall biodiversity of the area is the expansive spread of the non-native black locust.
The original natural plant communities include forest communities, thermophilic communities on rocks and rocky steppes, and wetland communities. Secondary communities include ecologically more or less stabilised steppe formations resulting from deforestation, scrubland and communities surrounding artificial water reservoirs.
Among the protected plant species found here are, for example, the Bohemian pasque flower (Pulsatilla pratensis subs. bohemica), which is also depicted in the logo of the Cerová Vrchovina Protected Landscape Area; then the large-flowered pasque flower (Pulsatilla grandis), the spring pheasant’s eye (Adonis vernalis), the hairy flax (Linum hirsutum subsp. glabrescens), the crown-leaved catchfly (Lychnis coronaria), the common orchid (Orchis morio), the three-toothed orchid (Orchis tridentata), the purple orchid (Orchis purpurea) and the dwarf iris (Iris pumila). Among the shrubs is the tree-like bladderwort (Colutea arborescens).
In terms of zoogeographical classification, the area belongs to the Pannonian steppe zone. Of the several rare groups of invertebrates found in the area, a large number of endangered species of beetles and butterflies have been identified to date. Vertebrates found here include, for example, the common frog, the green lizard, the short-toed snake, the golden bee-eater and the wood sandpiper. Several species of bat utilise the underground pseudokarst cavities.