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A methodology for assessing the impact of cattle grazing on soil properties, water quality and quantity, plant and invertebrates diversity
Fučík, P. ; Zemek, František ; Hakrová, P. ; Svobodová, M. ; Zajíček, A. ; Šlachta, M. ; Pikl, Miroslav ; Duffková, R. ; Mrkvička, J. ; Bystřický, V. ; Procházka, J. ; Skalický, M. ; Holubík, O. ; Moravcová, J. ; Novotný, Jan ; Skalická, J. ; Peterková, J. ; Musil, M. ; Šantrůček, J. ; Matoušková, V. ; Brom, J. ; Hanuš, Jan ; Novotná, K. ; Huislová, P.
This methodology introduces the approaches for assessment of soil, water, plant, forage and invertebrates characteristics of pastures as influenced by cattle grazing. These parameters are necessary to observe and evaluate in order to set the optimal grazing management of pastures for support of the sustainable land use and for mitigating the negative impacts of agriculture on the environment. Moreover, the proper management of pastures enables to improve livestock welfare, market challenges of foods, and strenghten and diversify various activities in rural areas. For the assessment of grazing-induced changes of aforementioned parameters, the focus is oriented towards different pasture geomorphological / hillslope zones, where grazing may exhibit in a distinct manner. The approaches are postponed based on literature survey as well as on knowledge acquired during a multi-branch research project. The methodology shows the principles for monitoring and evaluation of parameters regarding soil physics and chemistry, water quality and quantity, plant diversity and forage quality and ecology of selected invertebrate species. Beside this, approaches for application and interpretation of remote sensing methods and tools for detecting the changes in plant and soil pasture characteristics are introduced and discussed. The methodics is targeted on one hand for specialist from state administration offices (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of the Environment) as a background for evaluation of the effectiveness of subsidy programmes focused on grazing management. On the other hand, the approaches described in the methodics can serve the experts for an integrated assessment of grazing management on various pasture parameters or on the environment. The novelty of the methodics lies in the multi-level approach, which enables to assess the pasture parameters both individually or jointly, according to their mutual interrelatons and possible driving factors.
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Determination of recharge zones by means of vegetation water stress based on remote sensing and ground measurements
Duffková, R. ; Brom, J. ; Žížala, D. ; Zemek, František ; Procházka, J. ; Nováková, E. ; Zajíček, A. ; Kvítek, T.
The watershed recharge zones with high soil permeability are critical source zones of non-point agricultural pollution. Their delimitation is the condition of targeted agricultural management in protection zones of water resources. The accelerated water runoff from permeable soils of recharge zones reduces actual evapotranspiration and supports faster formation of vegetation water stress in comparison with other watershed parts. Recharge zones delimitation upon this theory was carried out on a small watershed (partially drained) by a combination of aerial photography in the infrared and optical spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, which provided a basis for modelling of surface energy balance components and crop water stress index (CWSI). The best indicators of vegetation water stress determined by statistical analyzes in order to define recharge zones (arable land with closed stand) were revealed evaporation fraction, CWSI and surface temperature. The results were supported by detailed pedological survey.
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Evapotranspiration of selected agricultural and forest species
Kučera, J. ; Urban, J. ; Trnka, Miroslav ; Fischer, Milan ; Krofta, K. ; Duffková, R.
The aim of this article is a comparison of evapotranspiration (ET) of different covers (turf grass, clover (Trifolium pratense), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum), hops (Humulus lupulus) and the high density poplar stand (J-105, Populus nigra x Populus Maximowiczii)) with the potential evapotranspiration (PET) and the general description the ET rates dynamic during the season. The second goal is to quantify the ratio of the transpiration and the whole evapotranspiration for the two contrasting cultures – the hops and poplars stand. The daily maximal sum of the grass ET reached, similarly like for the other species, up to 5–6 mm per day, which comprises 85–93 % of PET. Significantly higher ET was showed by the culture of clover. On the other hand, the lowest values were performed by the poplar stand in the first year after coppicing. The transpiration to evapotranspiration ratio resulted in 40–70 % by the hops and 80–90 % in case of the poplars.
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