Many areas along the border between the Czech Republic and Austria are rich in biodiversity and protected under the EU Habitats Directive.

One example is the area which includes the Podyjí National Park in the Czech Republic and the Thayatal National Park in Austria, both Natura 2000 sites.

Podyji and Thayatal National Parks res
Czech-Austrian Border. Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

Covering an area of 63 km², the Podyjí National Park is a stunning nature reserve known for its diverse flora and fauna and picturesque landscapes of forested hills, valleys and rocky cliffs. It is separated from the Thayatal National Park in Austria by the Dyje River, which forms the border between the two European countries.

Both the Podyjí and Thayatal National Parks are visible in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image acquired on 21 October 2024.

The Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites deliver essential information on areas with dense vegetation, helping to monitor and conserve biodiversity around the world.

Featured image credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

Satellite Image: Szczecin Lagoon, Poland and Germany
Image of the day: Ice and snow settle over the Szczecin LagoonNews

Image of the day: Ice and snow settle over the Szczecin Lagoon

The Szczecin Lagoon, where the Oder River meets the Baltic Sea, forms a broad and shallow expanse of water shared by Germany and Poland. Separated…
Muser NewsDeskMuser NewsDeskJanuary 13, 2026 Full article
Image: Flat lay of chocolate chunks on plate with cocoa beans and powder and copy
Study finds many cocoa products contaminated by heavy metalsNewsScience

Study finds many cocoa products contaminated by heavy metals

Dark chocolate lovers may want to limit their consumption to an ounce a day to stay on the safe side, GW researchers say. By George…
SourceSourceJuly 31, 2024 Full article
Satellite Image: The Gambier Islands, French Polynesia
Image of the day: Expansive new marine sanctuary in French PolynesiaNews

Image of the day: Expansive new marine sanctuary in French Polynesia

Far out in the South Pacific Ocean, the remote Gambier Islands lie scattered like emeralds across a wide turquoise lagoon. These volcanic islands, fringed by…
Muser NewsDeskMuser NewsDeskSeptember 18, 2025 Full article