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Ecological biomonitoring of peatlands - the NCV index, acidification and eutrophication
Henková Mauleová, Lucie ; Neustupa, Jiří (advisor) ; Šťastný, Jan (referee)
Biomonitoring is a method of ecosystem properties determination based on its biological properties, especially composition of the biota. Based on various aquatic-oriented biomonitoring systems, it is possible to quantify, for example, water purity or trophic index for water management purposes or to characterize the ecological status of the ecosystem for scientific and conservation purposes. While water quality-oriented biomonitoring systems are widespread and routinely used, ecology state-oriented (quantifying qualities like succession stage or stability) are less exploited and their wider use in the future could help understanding and management of some aquatic ecosystems. One of the ecology-oriented biomonitoring systems is NCV index (natural conservation value index) oriented to wetlands which it evaluates through their desmid biota, measuring species diversity, rarity of represented species and ecosystem maturity for which they are typical, and rarity of represented species NCV index aims to describe the value of the ecosystem in terms of its replicability.
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The Bohemian Forest glacial lakes
MATĚJKOVÁ, Radka
Matějková R. 2018: Glacial lakes of the Bohemian Forest. Bachelor thesis. University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Faculty of Education, České Budějovice. 68 s. The bachelor thesis is to briefly and factually acquaint the readers - teachers of elementary schools - with the current problems of acidification and revival of the glacial lakes of Bohemian Forest.The growth of industrial production in Central Europe during the 20th century resulted in a gradual increase in the volume of industrial emissions.The result of the presence of industrial emissions in the air was acid rain.The acid rain has changed the chemistry of soil and lake waters alike, and thus has fundamentally influenced the communities of both terrestrial and aquatic organisms.Reduction of amount of industrial emissions at the turn of the 80s and 90s of the last century was a precondition for recovery from the acidification.Recovery is slow, but it is possible to see some positive changes after just twenty years.
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Mineralization of nutrients during the process of spruce dead wood decomposition in the mountain forest
Višňová, Anna ; Hofmeister, Jan (advisor) ; Choma, Michal (referee)
Summary: This thesis is focused on collecting information on the importance of dead wood on biogeochemical cycles of chemical elements in the mountain forest ecosystems of central Europe. The goal of this thesis was to determine the concentration of various elements(C, N, P, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Mn, Al, Fe) in the coarse woody debris of spruce samples of different age, stage of decomposition which were collected in different localities in the national park Šumava. Another goal was to determine the speed of which these elements are released from the dead wood. The information on the quantity of different elements and the speed of their release is currently lacking and could lead to better understanding of various biogeochemical cycles of elements in the mountain forest. During the decomposition the concentration of the elements N, P, Al and Fe increased whereas the Kalium concentration decreased. The other elements' (C, N, Ca, Mg, Mn) concentrations varied. Carbon constituted approximately 50% of weight in all of the samples analyzed. We carried out a laboratory experiment based on decomposition of dead wood samples in various stage of decay during a period of six months. The released concentration of CO2 was measured at two to four weeks intervals. The release of CO2 continually decreased during the experiment.....
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Zooplankton response to a change of water chemistry and amount of food during the recovery of lakes from acidification
Bartošíková, Martina ; Stuchlík, Evžen (advisor) ; Šorf, Michal (referee)
Anthropogenic acidification has affected assemblages in thousands of lakes in North America and Europe. It turned out that, during the acidification, the number of zooplankton changed and also the species composition of their assemblages, at some sites there was also the total disappearance. The main reason was a decrease of pH, wash out toxic aluminium and a change of trophic status. The rate and extent of biological recovery after restoring the pH in acidified lakes varies considerably across regions. Recovery of aquatic communities is significantly lagging behind the recovery in chemistry. Some zooplankton species are nonetheless able to quickly colonize recuperating ecosystems and in many acidified lakes again started to appear native species that have disappeared during acidification. The return of indigenous species, however, can be blocked acid-tolerant occurrence of species after species extinct occupied empty niches. Zooplankton can be affected by water chemistry directly, but also indirectly by the quality and quantity of food. An important factor is the possible spread of colonizing species. However, the relative roles of these factors in regulating recovery may be difficult to determine. Key words: zooplankton, acidification, water chemistry, aluminium toxicity, phytoplankton
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Taxonomic position, phylogenetic relationships and metal resistance of green algae dominating in phytoplankton of two acid lakes
Barcyte, Dovile ; Nedbalová, Linda (advisor) ; Hašler, Petr (referee)
The aim of this diploma thesis was to reveal the taxonomic position and phylogenetic relationships of the dominant planktonic algae in two acid metal-rich lakes (Hromnice Lake and Plešné Lake, Czech Republic) and to compare these isolates with other closely related strains with the focus on the tolerance to various toxic metals (Cr, Al, Cu, Mn, Zn, Hg). The phylogenetic analyses showed that both strains belong to species Coccomyxa simplex. It was the first evidence that specifically this species is capable to become the dominant phytoplankton alga in the extreme environment of acid lakes with increased supply of phosphorus. Based on 18S rDNA analysis, four independent phylogenetic lineages were revealed within the genus Coccomyxa with three of them containing isolates from acid freshwaters. Furthermore, new strains of the recently described species Coccomyxa polymorpha were found growing in various chemical solutions. The toxicity test revealed that Coccomyxa simplex strains isolated from Hromnice and Plešné lakes did not show any peculiar resistance to increased metal concentrations. A significantly strain-specific response was recorded in case of aluminum, however, it was not related to the concentration of this metal in the original habitat. The ability to thrive in extreme habitats is probably...
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Communities of terrestrial nematodes after different approaches to heathland restoration
Radochová, Petra ; Háněl, Ladislav (advisor) ; Tropek, Robert (referee)
Since the 20th century, the distribution of European heathlands rapidly decreased due to agricultural intensification, heavy use of artificial fertilizers or acidification. Therefore, various attempts of heathland restoration are under way in these days. Analysis of nematode community composition can be one of the tools suitable for succession evaluation. In 2011, 2013 and 2014, soil samples were collected from heathland restoration experiment (launched in 2011) where different restoration methods were applied in a 3 × 3 factorial experiment; existing heathlands were also sampled to identify the target community both in dry and wet heathland. A total of 60 samples of extracted nematodes were analysed for absolute abundance, trophic groups, and genera dominance. Various indices were calculated to describe the nematode community. We were able to proove faster development of wet heathlands towards the target community. However, because of large data variability, there was no significant difference between treatments. Development of wet and dry heathlands differed also in increased proportion of omniphagous nematodes in 2013 and predators in 2014 in dry heathlands. After three years of heathland restoration, nematode community has not yet reached parameters of the target community. Key words: Nematoda,...
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Biodiversity of chironomid fauna in mountain lakes and streams influenced by acidification and recovery from acidification.
Černocká, Veronika ; Stuchlík, Evžen (advisor) ; Frouz, Jan (referee)
This thesis examines the influence of acidification on the largest group of macroinvertebrates in mountain lakes and running waters - chironomids. The diversity of chironomids has been associated with temperature, the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the water, the amount of nutrients, and also with the ability to survive in conditions (e.g. extreme pH) that are not suitable for other taxa. Because of this the family Chironomidae has become a dominant group of macrozoobentos in many assemblages affected by acidification. The Bohemian Forest lakes and the Tatra Mountain lakes belong to the most frequently studied locations, which were affected by acidification. The peak of acidification was in the 1980s. It turned out that, during the acidification, the number of chironomids changed and also the species composition of their assemblages. The main reason was a change of trophic status, which chironomids reflected more than a change of pH. A decrease in the number of species occurred after the pH dropped below 5. Until then, only their relative abundance had been affected. Chironomids are also influenced by the toxic effect of Al. The most important factor affecting chironomids fauna is not the value of pH, but the change of food supply. Acid stream food webs are often viewed as being...
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Structure of zooplankton in reservoirs of the Jizera Mountains during the peaking anthropogenic acidification and recovery from acidification (1992-2011)
Bímová, Tereza ; Hořická, Zuzana (advisor) ; Seďa, Jaromír (referee)
Acidic atmospheric deposition and acidification of soil and water on the Earth's surface, due to emissions of sulfur and nitrogen into the atmosphere, have led to drastic changes in the composition of surface waters and their biota in many regions of the world over the last century. The number of species and biomass of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos were reduced, or some components (zooplankton, zoobenthos, fish) became extinct. In the Jizera Mountains (Northern Bohemia, Czech Republic), the man-made acidification has always been combined with a natural acidity (dystrophy) of waters, caused by a high amount of organic acids. Despite a strong recovery of water chemistry from acidification, that has started in the 1990s, biological recovery is delayed and much more complex. This master thesis is a study of the succession of zooplankton (crustaceans) in mountain reservoirs Souš, Bedřichov and Josefův Důl after decades of strong acidification. Biological recovery from acidification has been in progress differently in the drinking water reservoir Souš, which has long been limed, in the Bedřichov reservoir with naturally high content of organic material, and in the drinking water reservoir Josefův Důl, which is the largest and deepest one and which was most affected by acidification. Recovery of...
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Chironomid fauna of acidified mountain waters
Malá, Martina ; Tátosová, Jolana (advisor) ; Vondrák, Daniel (referee)
Acidification of freshwater ecosystems peaked in 1980. There were overall changes in the chemistry of surface waters. As a result, some fish and sensitive species of zooplakton and zoobenthos disappeared. After the peak, emissions of major pollutants (SO2, NOX a NH3) declined significantly, which started the process of recovery from acidification. Nevertheless, biological recovery proceeds very slowly and it is not clear whether it is a completely reversible process. Chironomids serve as a very useful tool to assess acidification and recovery processes, mainly due to their toletance and also sensitivity of species to low pH, concentration of dissolved oxygen, nutrient content and adaptability to changes in food supply. Chironomids have in general high adaptability of species to harsh conditions. Food supply and concentration of dissolved oxygen are likely the main factors which influence the assemblages of chironomids in freshwater ecosystems. Chironomids are suitable for use in surface water research and biomonitoring due to their world-wide distribution, high species diversity and density. In comparison to other families of zoobenthos there is far less studies of chironomid assemblages, because of demanding determination. The CPET method, which uses collection of pupal exuviae, has great potential...
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Phytoplankton of drinking water reservoirs in the Jizera Mountains, Czech Republic, in relation to treatability of water
Čermáková, Anna ; Hořická, Zuzana (advisor) ; Procházková, Lenka (referee)
The area of the Jizera Mountains (northern Bohemia) was significantly affected by acid atmospheric deposition in the second half of the 20th century. This mountain area has a very sensitive geology and is characterized by the predominance of spruce stands, naturally acidic shallow soils of podzolic type, large areas of peat bogs in the upper plateau, a rough climate, and a very high annual rainfall. The frequent heavy rains and a low infiltration capacity of soils brought about floods in the past, very dangerous for the populated foothills. , so in the early 20th century For that reason, a plan was proposed to construct a system of reservoirs for a flood protection of the area. In the 1970s, the need for new sources of drinking water increased in the area. The Souš retention and recreation reservoir was rebuilt to a drinking water reservoir in 1974, and a new drinking water reservoir Josefův Důl was bulit in 1982. Both the water bodies have had a dystrophic character since the beginning, and the Souš reservoir suffers from naturally high concentrations of aluminum. Due to the anthropogenic acidification, the reservoirs were fishless until brook charr (Salvelinus fontinalis) were successfully (re)introduced in the 1990s, and the diversity and numbers of the zooplankton were very low. The...
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