The Pannonian Region: Where is it and what makes it unique?

The Pannonian region is one of the most valuable biogeographic areas in Europe. However, climate change, decreasing rainfall and intensive land use are fundamentally transforming its landscape.

What makes the Pannonian region unique? And why are we looking here for inspiration for the future of wildflower meadows?

14 Jul 2025

Pannonian region of the Czech Republic and Austria

The Pannonian Region – Where is it and what makes it unique?

The Pannonian Region is one of the most valuable biogeographic areas in Europe. It spans Hungary, Slovakia, Serbia, and Romania, and reaches into the southeastern part of the Czech Republic and eastern Austria. Compared to most of Europe, it has a continental climate – hot summers, low precipitation, and prolonged droughts. The landscape includes steppe and forest-steppe habitats, wide river floodplains, and salt marshes – environments that are rare at the European scale. Its location at the crossroads of several biogeographic zones makes it exceptionally rich in species. At the same time, it is one of the most fertile parts of both countries, and therefore heavily farmed and densely populated.

Climate change in the Pannonian Region

Climate change is affecting the Pannonian Region more rapidly than other parts of Europe. Annual precipitation often does not exceed 400–500 mm, while in western parts of the Czech Republic or Austria it can be twice as much. Average yearly temperatures have long remained above 9 °C and continue to rise. In 2023, the Czech Republic recorded an average temperature of 9.7 °C – the highest since measurements began. In Austria, the same year ranked among the five warmest in history. By 2030, the average temperature in the northwestern Pannonian area is expected to increase by another 1 °C, and the number of days above 32 °C may nearly double. Meanwhile, the number of rainy days is decreasing, and dry periods are becoming longer. As a result, the region faces more frequent heatwaves, soil desiccation, and urban overheating, making it one of the most threatened parts of Central Europe.

Landscape transformations

The Pannonian landscape is under dual pressure: on the one hand, from intensive agriculture and urbanization; on the other, from the overgrowth of areas that were once extensively managed. Wildflower meadows are giving way to arable land, construction, or are becoming overgrown, often with invasive species. Typical habitats are disappearing or survive only in protected areas. In the Czech Republic, Pannonian wildflower meadows can be found mainly in Pálava, Pouzdřany Steppe, the Dunajovice Hills, or the Znojmo region. In Austria, examples include the Weinviertel, the lower Danube region, or the Donau-Auen National Park. These sites are often the last remnants of once extensive and diverse landscapes. As a result, habitat loss threatens many plant and animal species, including pollinators and endangered flora. Both urban and rural areas lack functioning wildflower meadows that could mitigate climate extremes.

Native species as a solution for the future

Yet at the heart of the Pannonian Region lies great potential. Local species from dry meadows and steppes are naturally adapted to heat, drought, and nutrient-poor soils. They are more resilient than commonly cultivated species and require less maintenance. In addition, they support biodiversity, improve water infiltration, store carbon in the soil, and create functional green areas even under extreme conditions. Their use in meadow restoration – in cities and landscapes – offers a promising pathway to adapt to climate change and restore a vibrant and healthy environment.

Original Pannonian wildflower meadow, Dunajovické kopce, CZ

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