Stretching across the lowlands where the Morava and Dyje Rivers intertwine, a vast floodplain forest thrives at the crossroads of Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. This dynamic wetland ecosystem, protected under the Ramsar Convention, is a sanctuary for a rich variety of plant and animal species, shaped by seasonal floods and winding waterways.

In a major step for conservation, the Czech government approved the creation of the Soutok Protected Landscape Area on 15 January 2025. This designation safeguards a large portion of the floodplain, ensuring the protection of 130 specially protected animal species and over 50 rare plant species. Alongside conservation efforts, the plan includes restoring the area’s natural water balance while accommodating traditional land uses such as fishing.

Satellite image: Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia (s. forest)
Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia. Credit: European Union, Copernicus Sentinel-2 imagery

This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, taken on 21 October 2024, offers a detailed view of the Soutok Protected Landscape Area, highlighting the intricate river networks and forested terrain that define this unique region. Satellite data from the Copernicus Sentinel program continues to play a crucial role in monitoring fragile ecosystems, helping to preserve biodiversity and support sustainable land management.

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

Satellite Image: Hurricane Erin Spirals North of the Caribbean
Hurricane Erin douses Caribbean, menaces US coastNews

Hurricane Erin douses Caribbean, menaces US coast

Washington, United States | AFP | Muser NewsDesk Hurricane Erin's massive footprint battered Caribbean islands with heavy gusts and downpours Monday, as it threatened rip currents…
SourceSourceAugust 19, 2025 Full article
Satellite Image: Agricultural landscape, Romania
Image of the day: Rapeseed fields in bloom color Romania’s spring landscapeNews

Image of the day: Rapeseed fields in bloom color Romania’s spring landscape

Each year in late April, the farmland of southern Romania turns brilliant yellow as rapeseed plants come into flower. Captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite…
Muser NewsDeskMuser NewsDeskMay 2, 2025 Full article
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