Libický luh, Nature reserve in Oseček, Czech Republic.
Libický luh is a floodplain forest reserve with a network of oxbow lakes and dead river channels following the path of the Elbe River. The terrain features dense woodland interspersed with open water areas where older river bends have left behind shallow pools and waterlogged zones.
The area appeared on military maps of the late 1600s under the name Libitzer Au before undergoing major changes following the Elbe River regulation in 1819. This river channeling altered the water flow and created the landscape patterns visible today.
The site draws naturalists and birdwatchers who come to observe rare breeding and migratory species across its varied wetland habitats. The mix of open water and woodland creates spaces where visitors encounter wildlife that has become scarce elsewhere in the region.
The site is accessible by car from Prague via highway exit at Velký Osek and has marked walking trails throughout the reserve. Visitors can also reach the area by train to a nearby station and explore the paths from there.
The reserve hosts more than 600 species of mosses and liverworts that thrive in its damp woodland environment. This exceptional diversity of bryophytes is uncommon and draws scientific attention to a plant group often overlooked by casual visitors.
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