Despite numerous evidence of severe tectonic and erosive disturbance, it is an old well-preserved peneplain from the Oligocene, often with altitudes of around 800 m (2,600 ft) above sea level.

Other notable towns include Horní Slavkov and Bečov nad Teplou, and partially Loket, Březová and Lázně Kynžvart.

The southwestern parts holds extensive raised bogs, a peculiar habitat with rare plants like bilberry willow trees (Salix myrtilloides) and the carnivorous round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) and common butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris).

Woodlands cover more than half of the protection, and they are dominated by spruce, with only small remnants of the original beech forest left.

Where serpentinite rock dominates for example, relicts of old-growth scots pine woods can be found in a mix with interesting plants like spleenwort ferns, including serpentine spleenwort (Asplenium cuneifolium), and flowering herbs such as winter heath (Erica carnea), box-leaved milkwort (Polygala chamaebuxus), and the rare sandwort-leaved mouse-ear (Cerastium alsinifolium) that only grows in these forests.

[2][3][4][5] The fauna is also diverse, but mostly with well-known animals such as deer, wild boar and several types of martens, but also wood grouse and ground squirrel, the westernmost location of this particular species.

The spruce are not doing well in areas with serpentinite rocks, which leaves safe spaces for the original scots pine.