2.2.1. Sýkořská Hornatina Mountains
The Sýkořská hornatina Mountains are situated 30 km north from Brno city, which is the second largest city in the Czech Republic (approximately 380,000 inhabitants, but the real number of people living here is higher). The harmonious landscape with well-conserved natural resources proves the sustainable use of them and represents a good example of how the people exploited the landscape in the past (
Figure 3a). The part of the area is legally protected within the Svratecká Hornatina Natural Park (which represents the lowest category of general nature conservation) and there are 12 sites protected within the category of National Reserve or National Monument [
50]. Geologically, the area belongs to the northern part of the Svratka Dome [
48]. The basement is rather monotonous and it is formed by biotite-muscovitic, sericite-muscovitic gneisses of the Bíteš group (
Figure 3b) with limited occurrences of limestone and schists covered by quaternary sediments. In specific places, there are remnants of the marine sediments of the Ottnang age [
49]. Despite the relatively monotonous geological composition, the morphological diversity of the area is very high. The landscape has been affected by several geomorphological processes, but the most significant landforms were created mainly by periglacial and cryogenic processes: Tors, castle-koppies, structural ridges, block accumulations and flows, nivation depressions, cryoplanation terraces, frost-riven cliffs, isolated boulders or congelifluction scree talus cones (
Figure 3e). The anthropogenic landforms are present as well, especially those of agricultural origin (heaps, terraces, ramparts, and small walls). Due to the unique combination of geology and geomorphological landforms, the Sýkořská hornatina Mountains belong to the best-preserved areas with periglacial and cryogenic landforms in the Czech Republic [
24].
The study area is rich in cultural features. The historically and architectonically valuable objects in the Lomnice Township on the southern part of the area (e.g., the Jewish cemetery (
Figure 3c), synagogue, plaque column, castle, and church) and in the Lysice Township in the eastern part of the area (e.g., the chateau and church) are the most important. In the villages, sacral buildings, traditional agricultural buildings, and other objects of folk architecture can be found. In the open landscape, the small sacral objects, e.g., crosses or small chapels, are common (
Figure 3d). Usually, the local building stone was used there [
24].
Based on the literature review and fieldwork, the sites of geotourist interest were identified. Within the selected six sites (S1–S6, displayed in
Figure 1), the above mentioned geological and geomorphological features and their relationships to the biodiversity and cultural heritage of the area can be observed.
Site 1 (S1)—Dobrá studně represents a complex of cryogenic landforms, especially the solifluction ones: Solifluction streams of several generations, terraces and occasional wet depressions can be found here. Locally, the massive gneiss boulders can be observed here. The largest solifluction stream is over 100 m long and 50 m wide, and together with others, indicates the existence of permafrost in the Pleistocene. The landforms have a crucial role for the differentiation of the vegetation cover; some of the endangered species live there.
As mentioned in the description of the geological settings of the area, the Bíteš gneiss is the main rock that builds the southern part of the Sýkořská hornatina Mountains. It has a porfyroblastic structure and it is clearly stratified with the clearly distinctive layers and direction of the metamorphosis [
49]. The typical example of this rock can be observed on Hrušín (S2). The site is rich in cryogenic landforms (frost cliffs, boulder fields with plate boulders, debris accumulations, and cryoplanation terraces) and mezoforms of polygenetic origin: Small fissure caves, abris, mushroom rock, or bedding cavities. The block streams and debris accumulations are important from the ecological point of view: Thanks to the specific geomorphological and pedological settings, a natural debris forest with a high diversity of plants and the occurrence of protected species is conserved here.
The Sokolí skála Rock (S3) is a massive outcrop built of marginal facies of the Bíteš orthogneiss. The gneiss layers alternate with amphibolite beds there, which is important from the petrographic point of view. Besides this, the site possesses a significant geomorphological aspect: The outcrop was formed thanks to the erosional activity of the Svratka River which formed the deeply incised valley there. This valley is of epigenetic origin: During the tertiary uplift of the eastern margin of the Bohemian Massive, the Svratka River eroded the Miocene sediments, and then it continued to erode the gneiss bedrock. This is especially important from the paleogeographic point of view.
Synalovské kopaniny (S4) represents an example of congelifluction scree talus cones on the slopes of the Sýkoř Hill which are the result of Pleistocene cryogenic processes. Within the locality, the traces of recent slope movements can be observed. In the past, the site was used mainly as pasture land. Thanks to this, the typical mosaic of meadows, pastures, forests, and boulders has been conserved here until now.
Míchovec (S5) represents typical cryogenic landforms of the area: Tors, nivation depressions, and block streams. The cryogenic landforms are similar to those in other localities, but thanks to specific microclimatic conditions, the nivation processes were relatively intensive and strong here—there are several nivation depressions with abri with a height over 4 m. Besides this, numerous fissure caves can be found there, and recumbent folds are observable on the walls of frost cliffs. The site is also important from the ecological point of view: The occurrence of well-conserved debris forests with a massive population of endangered species Lunaria rediviva.
Veselský chlum (S6) displays specific aspects of the study area’s history and shows evidence of how the people in the past used the land and natural resources. Numerous anthropogenic landforms (especially agrarian terraces, ramparts, and unpaved walls made of flat gneiss stones collected from the surrounding fields and pastures) can be found here. The site is protected by law and the reason for protection is the well-conserved segment of the harmonious cultural landscape with a unique mosaic of pasture land, orchards, scattered greenery, and anthropogenic landforms with high aesthetic value. Moreover, the site is an important viewpoint geosite (as defined by [
51]): It offers a view on the Svratka River valley and its surroundings, so the geomorphological context of the study area can be studied and observed here.
2.2.2. Deblínská Vrchovina Highland
Deblínská vrchovina Highland lies about 25 km northwest from the Brno city. The area has a very varied geology, thanks to its position on the eastern margin of the Bohemian Massif. High lithological diversity implies a high diversity of landforms and processes. The area represents the harmonic landscape characterized by a mosaic of fields, forests, meadows, and ancient orchards. The southern margin of the area is a part of Bílý potok Natural Park [
50]. The only Nature Reserve situated in the study area is represented by beech forests at Slunná; however, numerous geological and geomorphological sites (rock outcrops and abandoned quarries) are included in the Database of Geological Localities [
25]. Currently, the area represents similar recreational and touristic background for the Brno City as Sýkořská hornatina Mountains (described in
Section 2.2.1 Sýkořská Hornatina Mountains); however, they both remain in the shade of popular, and geologically and geomorphologically spectacular Moravian Karst [
52] which is visited more frequently.
The area is situated in the southern part of the Svratka Dome, a structure which includes Svratka massif (composed of the oldest rocks of the area: Prepalaeozoic intrusive and metamorphic rocks, Devonian basal clastics and limestone, and Carboniferous siliciclastic), and the Moravicum nappe which is made up of a weak metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary complex with prevailing phyllites and orthogneiss (metamorphosed Cadomian granite) [
48,
49]. Neogene is represented by Miocene and Pliocene freshwater sediments that fill older valleys and depressions between the Maršov and Lažánky villages. Here, the lower Miocene sediments with abundant fauna are overburden with clays, sands, and gravels [
53]. Pleistocene is represented by fluvial sandy gravel, which often forms terraces at different heights above the present valley bottom. Loess sediments are also common and reach the thicknesses of up to 5 m. Holocene flood sediments are not very thick (maximum 2 m). The Holocene also includes anthropogenic sediments (heaps and dumps of the quarries) [
53].
The fluvial, karst and anthropogenic landforms, together with polygenetic rock formations modeled by slope and cryogenic processes, represent the most significant features of the study area [
23,
26]. The origin of the remarkable landforms is often linked to the lithology; e.g., the resistant rocks (limestone, basal clastics, quartzite, and gneiss) formed significant outcrops and elevations (
Figure 4a). The most important fluvial landforms are represented by the Svratka Valley (
Figure 4b); typical fluvial mezoforms can be observed in Svratka’s tributaries. Anthropogenic landforms are represented by the abandoned kaolin pit (
Figure 4c), limestone quarries (
Figure 4d), and remains from the medieval mining of ores (adits and heaps). The use of limestone can be traced back to the Middle Ages and until the present; the remains of old lime kilns are preserved (
Figure 4e) and represent an important part of local cultural heritage [
23]. Water management landforms are related to the streams and allow tracing the use of natural resources in the past (
Figure 4f). Other cultural features of the area are represented by historical buildings in the Tišnov city (situated on the border of the area) and Předklášteří village (especially Cistercian convent Porta Coeli) where the local building stone and material from nearby quarries were used.
Based on the literature review and fieldwork, the sites of geotourist-interest were identified. The selected sites (D1–D7, displayed in
Figure 1) allow observing and studying specific geological and geomorphological features, and their relationships to the cultural heritage and ecological aspects.
Site 1 (D1)— the rock outcrop Skalky, is built of resistant quartzite. Geomorphologically, it can be described as a monadnock. Similar outcrops are situated approximately 700 m southwest of the site, in the valley of Salašský potok Stream. There, they form natural steps and during the wet seasons, there are small waterfalls. The position of this lithological member of the parautochtonal Svratka Dome sediments is not clear yet, so the site is important as a study locality. Generally, these outcrops represent a typical example of selective erosion and on the surface; numerous meso- and microrelief phenomena (especially small caverns filled with calcite and baryte) can be seen.
The kaolin deposit in the old kaolin pit (D2) is situated on the contact zone of granodiorite and phyllites. Kaolin was exploited here at the beginning of the 20th century, but it was stopped in 1939 because of the bad quality of the material. During the active exploitation, several prospection shafts were dug there, and several lignite seams were discovered. Adjacent sediments (clays) are paleontologically rich and accompanied by gravels. They represent a relic of ancient valley fill. The site is interesting from the geomorphological point of view: Small abrasion cliffs and landslides can be observed on the pit slopes.
The evidence of limestone quarrying is represented by abandoned limestone quarry (D3). Within the area, there are several old quarries that are currently very well incorporated into the landscape, and increase landscape diversity. Slight karstification can be observed here, including karren, small caves, and cavities filled with calcite. The limestone extracted here was suitable for lime burning; near the site, an old lime kiln is situated. The site is thus important from the historical point of view as it brings forth the evidence of using the natural resources in the past.
Under the active limestone quarry (currently closed for public), on the right slope of Maršovský potok Stream, the karst spring is situated (site D4). It is probably connected with cave systems situated in the active quarry because during dry periods, the cavemen found the continuation towards the active quarry. In this quarry, (situated just several tens of meters north of the spring), several caves with were found and documented in the 1980s, but due to the progressive quarrying, these caves were destroyed. However, the existence of the spring, its hydrological aspects, and its continuation into the limestone massive suggest that there are uncovered cave systems situated beneath the current level of the lowest quarry bench.
The site D5 (Maršovský potok and Pejškovský potok streams) represents the complex of fluvial landforms. Both valleys are rich in meanders, empty oxbow lakes, cutoffs, alluvial ramparts, gravel banks, and other fluvial landforms. At Maršovský potok Stream, there is an observable alteration of floodplains and deeply incised segments of the valley, which follow the alteration of bedrock. Moreover, the traces of anthropogenic use of the watercourses can be seen here (old water races and small dams)
The Svratka Valley (D6) is an epigenetic valley where the relics of fluvial terraces in different heights above the present valley bottom can be found. Thus, the site has high paleogeographic importance. The site is also interesting from the geomorphological point of view: Numerous cryogenic landforms (frost cliffs, and boulder and debris accumulations) are situated here. Moreover, specific vegetation communities with the occurrence of rare and endangered species can be found here. Several thermophilic species have the northernmost border of their areal here thanks to the specific geomorphologic and climatic conditions (dry and steep southwestern slopes without forest).
The Vokoun’s viewpoint (D7) represents a viewpoint geosite which allows for the observing of the Tišnovská kotlina Basin (with the Svratka floodplain, Květnice Hill and Dřínová quarry which are important from an Earth-science point of view, but situated outside the study areas) and a southern part of the Sýkořská hornatina Mountains. The viewpoint is situated on the steep slope on the southern end of the village of Předklášteří, not far from an old gneiss quarry. The terrain was badly accessible and the view was obstructed by trees; however, thanks to the activity of local enthusiasts, the tourist facilities (steps, shelter, and information panel) were constructed and a newly marked tourist path leads there.
Both areas (Sýkořská hornatina Mountains and Deblínská vrchovina Highland) were recently the subject of several large-scale paintings of Adam Kašpar who introduced them at a temporary exhibition in Tišnov. They have also been the subject of other painters in the past (e.g., J. Jambor). An important social event related to geodiversity is represented by traditional mineral exhibitions which are held two times per year in Tišnov.