|
|
Effect of Trampling on the Vegetation of Dry Grasslands
Vacková, Nikol ; Horčičková, Eva (advisor) ; Husáková, Iveta (referee)
1 It has been proved that the effect of vegetation trampling (Anthropogenic and animal) significantly changed. The aim of this study was to gather available information of these changes and effects of secondary factors, particularly focusing on the dry-grasslands (Festuco-Brometea). Vegetation on trampling disturbed areas is already much lower, it has less vegetation cover and there is more bare soil. On the bare soils increases temperature and greater evaporation of water. Due to changes of climatic conditions of microhabitats the diversity of species is changing. Vegetation is not changed only on the trampling trails, but also in the surrounding area, up to a distance of 2 meters from the trail. Most vulnerable to trampling and most susceptible for changes in vegetation are moist habitats, the most resistant type of vegetation is thermophilic dry-grasslands. The behavior, abundance and intensity of browsing animals have also effect on vegetation changes. Animals during their browsing vegetation disperse seeds and plants spread beyond their natural occurance.
|
|
|
Effects of wild ungulates on vegetation in an abandoned landscape
Horčičková, Eva ; Herben, Tomáš (advisor) ; Diekmann, Martin (referee) ; Tichý, Lubomír (referee)
Wild ungulates are considered one of the major drivers for shaping terrestrial ecosystems, which has been developing since the early Cenozoic. Understanding the effects of ungfulates on vegetation is necessary for qualified knowledge how European landscape looked prior to human habitation and how it would look like without human intervention. Further, such understanding is of practical importance as management information necessary for managing abandoned landscapes. While the present-day wild ungulate European fauna does not contain several large grazers like auroch (Bos primigenius) anymore, the landscape has long been affected by them. It thus possesses historical experience of response to large grazers, which has been further maintained by livestock grazing. Importantly, the European landscape is experiencing a steady increase of populations of deer (Cervidae) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) with major effects of vegetation and landscape structure. While the effects of these present-day dominants have been studied mainly in forest habitats, there is a growing evidence that they both promote species diversity of forest understory and, interestingly, preferably feed in open vegetation and thus can affect broader landscape heterogeneity. The main aim of this thesis is therefore to examine effects of...
|
|
|
The role of trampling trails of wild ungulates in the vegetation of semi dry grasslands
Vacková, Nikol ; Horčičková, Eva (advisor) ; Mládek, Jan (referee)
Animals affect vegetation in many different ways. In this thesis we have focused on the impact of wild ungulates in the Czech Republic (wild boar, red deer, sika deer, roe deer). These animals affect vegetation with grazing, defoliation, defecation, browsing and other activities. We decided to study the effect of browsing. The animal trails are formed by browsing animals. These trails can be easily recognized due to long-term browsing. They are especially caused by trampling, which affects vegetation in many ways. The aim of this study is to determine how the vegetation of dry-grasslands (Festuco-Brometea) responds to long-term trampling caused by wild ungulates. We found that on trails, there is more bare soil, less litter and lower vegetation. In its close proximity, there is also a slightly greater diversity of plants than in control samples. Species like Plantago media which are growing straight on the trail, have adapted to trampling, while smaller shrubs (eg. Rubus, Crataegus), start to appear 2 meters from the trail. Using Ellenberg values, we found out that heliophile species, which grow on the trails and the species in control samples need more moisture and more nitrogen. Using the experiment with transplanted blocks, we learned how vegetation responds to the introduction/exclusion of...
|
|
|
Effects of wild ungulates on vegetation in an abandoned landscape
Horčičková, Eva ; Herben, Tomáš (advisor) ; Diekmann, Martin (referee) ; Tichý, Lubomír (referee)
Wild ungulates are considered one of the major drivers for shaping terrestrial ecosystems, which has been developing since the early Cenozoic. Understanding the effects of ungfulates on vegetation is necessary for qualified knowledge how European landscape looked prior to human habitation and how it would look like without human intervention. Further, such understanding is of practical importance as management information necessary for managing abandoned landscapes. While the present-day wild ungulate European fauna does not contain several large grazers like auroch (Bos primigenius) anymore, the landscape has long been affected by them. It thus possesses historical experience of response to large grazers, which has been further maintained by livestock grazing. Importantly, the European landscape is experiencing a steady increase of populations of deer (Cervidae) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) with major effects of vegetation and landscape structure. While the effects of these present-day dominants have been studied mainly in forest habitats, there is a growing evidence that they both promote species diversity of forest understory and, interestingly, preferably feed in open vegetation and thus can affect broader landscape heterogeneity. The main aim of this thesis is therefore to examine effects of...
|
|
| |
|
|
The role of trampling trails of wild ungulates in the vegetation of semi dry grasslands
Vacková, Nikol ; Horčičková, Eva (advisor) ; Mládek, Jan (referee)
Animals affect vegetation in many different ways. In this thesis we have focused on the impact of wild ungulates in the Czech Republic (wild boar, red deer, sika deer, roe deer). These animals affect vegetation with grazing, defoliation, defecation, browsing and other activities. We decided to study the effect of browsing. The animal trails are formed by browsing animals. These trails can be easily recognized due to long-term browsing. They are especially caused by trampling, which affects vegetation in many ways. The aim of this study is to determine how the vegetation of dry-grasslands (Festuco-Brometea) responds to long-term trampling caused by wild ungulates. We found that on trails, there is more bare soil, less litter and lower vegetation. In its close proximity, there is also a slightly greater diversity of plants than in control samples. Species like Plantago media which are growing straight on the trail, have adapted to trampling, while smaller shrubs (eg. Rubus, Crataegus), start to appear 2 meters from the trail. Using Ellenberg values, we found out that heliophile species, which grow on the trails and the species in control samples need more moisture and more nitrogen. Using the experiment with transplanted blocks, we learned how vegetation responds to the introduction/exclusion of...
|
|
|
Interactions between animals and plants in urban forests
Dobešová, Jana ; Vojta, Jaroslav (advisor) ; Horčičková, Eva (referee)
INTERACTIONS BETWEEN ANIMALS AND PLANTS IN URBAN FORESTS ABSTRACT This Bachelor thesis focuses on the influence of big mammals (especially Cervidae, wild boars, badgers and foxes) on herb understory in urban forests. Cities are continuously expanding and thus occupy natural habitats of the animals. Therefore, these animals are habituating in urban forests. The specific conditions of both urban and forest habitats and their influences on animal and plant distribution are mentioned. From the possible influences of animals on herb understory, special emphasis is put on herbivory, which can affect individuals, populations and even whole plant assembly. The influence of trampling, urination and burrowing are also investigated. Finally there is a summary of big mammals' influence in relation to human influences. Key words: Urban forests, herbivory, herb layer, disturbation, nutrients, large mammals
|
|
|
Effect of Trampling on the Vegetation of Dry Grasslands
Vacková, Nikol ; Horčičková, Eva (advisor) ; Husáková, Iveta (referee)
1 It has been proved that the effect of vegetation trampling (Anthropogenic and animal) significantly changed. The aim of this study was to gather available information of these changes and effects of secondary factors, particularly focusing on the dry-grasslands (Festuco-Brometea). Vegetation on trampling disturbed areas is already much lower, it has less vegetation cover and there is more bare soil. On the bare soils increases temperature and greater evaporation of water. Due to changes of climatic conditions of microhabitats the diversity of species is changing. Vegetation is not changed only on the trampling trails, but also in the surrounding area, up to a distance of 2 meters from the trail. Most vulnerable to trampling and most susceptible for changes in vegetation are moist habitats, the most resistant type of vegetation is thermophilic dry-grasslands. The behavior, abundance and intensity of browsing animals have also effect on vegetation changes. Animals during their browsing vegetation disperse seeds and plants spread beyond their natural occurance.
|
|
|
Effect of wild boar on dry grasslands
Horčičková, Eva ; Vojta, Jaroslav (advisor) ; Hejcmanová, Pavla (referee)
The study was focused on disturbances by wild boar (Sus scrofa) and their impact on vegetation of semi-dry grasslands (Festuco-Brometea) dominated by Brachypodium pinnatum. The research was conducted in military area Hradiště in hilly region of the Doupovské hory. Wild boar rooting activities is main source of disturbances regime in this abandoned, previously agricultural area. The vegetation of artificial small scale soil disturbances was compared to undisturbed control plots and vegetation of natural disturbances by wild boar. Experimental plots were established during the summer 2007. Consequently a vegetation survey of these plots was carried out and soil was mechanically disturbed. Succession on disturbances was annually monitored. The surrounding natural disturbances were also mapped three times a year as a potential source of diaspores and to assess their frequency and effect on the landscape level. The list of species in the 2m, 4m and 16m distance from the experimental plot was also made. Results: Disturbances by wild boar increased species diversity and spatial heterogeneity of semi-dry grasslands. There were some species found on experimental plot, which were present not in the surrounding matrix. Most of them belong to hemicryptophytes and species with long-term persistent diaspores. Presence of...
|
guest ::
