Inventory and conservation of fruit tree landraces as cultural heritage of Bohemian Forest (Czech Republic), indicators for former settlements of ethnic minorities

Abstract

Old landraces are usually specific for a county or region and represent cultural heritage and national identity. Their use is often connected with local traditions and habits. Long-lived cultures such as fruit trees were good indicators of former settlement. Some cultivars can be considered as indicators for past settlement by national minorities. Fruit trees have been planted often along roads in the country, between fields and as orchards around villages forming typical Czech rural cultural landscape. The inventory database of landraces and obsolete cultivars was collated in from Lists of registered cultivars 1941–2000 and analysed. Historical literature data served for their localization. Historical and current distribution of fruit landraces was verified and mapped in Bohemian Forest (Sumava) region where Czech and German minority coexisted for hundreds of years. The most valuable materials were marked and recommended for in situ conservation. Selected materials were grafted for the use in ex situ plantations—for rejuvenation of old orchards, road and countryside plantations and demonstration orchards, especially within national parks and protected landscape areas.