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Genetic Diversity of Semi-captive Population of Western Derby Eland (Taurotragus derbianus derbianus) in Senegal and Phylogenetical Relationships between Western Derby Eland (T. d. derbianus) and Eastern Giant Eland (T. d. gigas)
Zemanová, Hana ; Lukešová, Daniela (advisor) ; Jarmila, Jarmila (referee)
Representatives of family Bovidae are subjects of many studies concerning with their phylogeny, phylogeography, time of divergence or genetic diversity. Taxonomy is solved by comparison of morphological characteristics or by genetic approaches, genetic diversity could be solved by pedigree or by genetic analyses too. Tragelaphinae number nine species of two genera, Tragelaphus sp. and Taurotragus sp. The antelopes of the genus Taurotragus (T. derbianus and T. oryx) belong to the largest antelopes of the world. Derby eland (Taurotragus derbianus) has two subspecies, Western Derby eland (T. d. derbianus) and Eastern Giant eland (T. d. gigas), which are distinguished on the basis of morphological characteristics. Western subspecies (T. d. derbianus) is classified as critically endangered. There lives the only population in Niokolo Koba National Park in Senegal, which numbers fewer than 200 individuals. For the conservation, the semi-captive breeding programme has been established in 2000. It was created by six founders (one male and five females), which are presumed to be non-related. The population within this programme had 95 living individuals in 2013, living in seven herds in Bandia and Fathala reserves in Senegal. The population is under breeding management, which efforts to minimize kinship of the individuals. Studbook was established for the Western Derby eland (T. d. derbianus) in 2008 and is published annually. It acts about small population with low number of founders and no gene flow, which is threatened by inbreeding and genetic drift. Genetic diversity of the population was evaluated by means of microsatellite markers and the results were compared with the results of pedigree analysis. Pedigree analysis showed the highest genetic diversity in the generation of founders (FOUNDERS). It decreased in the generation of founders' offspring (OFFSPRING 1; born in season 2007/2008), due to the fact, that the only male took part in the reproduction. And it increased again in the generation of offspring of founders' offspring (OFFSPRING 2; born in the season 2009/2010), because more individuals were included into the reproduction. Fifteen individuals and five polymorphic microsatellite loci (from the total number of 13 tested loci) were chosen for the genetic study. The parameters of genetic diversity (HE and HO, Ar and deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and FIS and FST) were evaluated. Not any deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were found out. The results of genetic analysis confirmed the highest genetic diversity in the population of founders (Ar = 2.79; HE = 0.664; HO = 0.750; FIS = --0.154). In both generations of offspring values of allelic richness and observed and expected heterozygosity decreased (Ar = 2.15; HO = 0.580; HE = 0.586 in OFFSPRING 1 and Ar = 2.14; HO = 0.370; HE = 0.480 in OFFSPRING 2). Contrary to the results of pedigree analysis, there was not been observed any improvement in OFFSPRING 2. The resultant values of genetic diversity parameters were quite satisfactory, despite of the low number of founders and mating of related individuals.
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Biotransfer of selected risk metals into plants and their accumulation and distribution in plant organs
Le Minh, Phuong ; Lachman, Jaromír (advisor)
Contamination of soils with heavy metals is one of the serious environmental problems threatening human being. Heavy metals are considered as the special hazard of soil pollutants because of the adverse effects on the plant growth, the amount, activity of useful microorganisms in soils and the quality of food. Regard to the persistent and toxicity, the heavy metals are toxic when we consider different kinds of pollutants in soils. In the soil, zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) toxicities frequently occur than the other metals because of their precipitation and sorption by the soil. It is a very dangerous situation because when these metals are taken up by plants, they can be transported to the food web and food chains.
In the present study, the accumulation of four heavy metals (mercury, zinc, lead and cadmium) in the whole grain of spring accessions of emmer, einkorn and common spring wheat cultivars and potato (Solanum tuberosum) is reported. Heavy and essential elements were monitored in potato cultivars in the exact field experiments and in hydroponically grown plants. The elements were determined by methods FAAS, ET AAS, and AMA (Advance Mercury Analysis). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 9.0 with the Tukey HSD (Honestly Significant Difference) test (alpha equal to 0.05).
In our study, the concentration of heavy metals decreased in the order zinc (Zn) > lead (Pb) > cadmium (Cd) > mercury (Hg) in the wheat grain. The comparison between three varieties of investigated wheat revealed that the emmer wheat was rich in zinc content (62.12 mg kg-1 dry matter), while the spring wheat had the lowest average concentration of zinc in the grain (40.99 mg kg-1 dry matter). Generally, the values of lead concentration in grain wheat varieties were low (ranging from 0.1268 mg kg-1 dry matter to 0.2950 mg kg-1 dry matter).
The concentrations of mercury in four typical growth stages of wheat (boot stage 10, heading stage 10.2 1/4 of head emerged, leaf-stage 10.2 and stage ripening 11 according to Feekes) were also determined. It has been shown that the concentrations of mercury in different wheat varieties were absorbed differently at different growth stages of plant. Stage 10.2 and leaf stage 10.2 showed the high mercury content (0.0152 mg kg-1 dry matter and 0.0214 mg kg-1 dry matter, respectively). Among individual varieties significant differences were determined.
Amounts of toxic and potentially toxic elements detected in investigated potato tubers are characterized by a large variability within investigated groups. Performing statistical analysis (one way ANOVA) showed that there were no significant differences between two investigated groups of samples (samples from Uhříněves and Valečov in the year 2013 and 2014) considering either one of investigated metals. Measurable levels of mercury were found in smallest amounts in all investigated potato samples comparing to other metals (Cd, Pb).
Plant cells compared to animal cells are characterized by the formation of cell walls. Plasma membrane or cell membrane is a biological active membrane separating the interior of cell from the outside environment. An adjusted method for isolation of protoplasts was developed and adapted for isolation of protoplasts from plant material (potatoes). In our experiment, the plants were grown hydroponically in the Research Institute of Plant Crops Prague-Ruzyně. If we examine the plant membrane, one option is to remove the cell wall by means of special mixture enzymes. Protoplasts were released in the dark at 25 degrees of Celsius for 18 hours. The 70 and 90 microns sieve was used to filter and then centrifugation for 5 minutes at 100 x g. All the steps were carefully carried out to prevent the damage or breakage of protoplasts.
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The spatial final cut optimisation
Kašpar, Jan ; Marušák, Róbert (advisor) ; Lstibůrek, Milan (referee)
For more than 150 years, timber indicators have been used for forest harvest scheduling in the region of current Czech Republic. With social changes and increased importance of forest yields and functions, there has been significant changes in forest management during this time. The changes in ownership structure after 1989 are most problematic from a sustainability standpoint. Also, the timber indicators cannot consider forest age structure, which is not ideal because even small changes related to abiotic and biotic disturbances may inhibit forest planning efforts. These changes to forest ownership and structure combined with current timber indicators make it difficult to ensure sustainable harvest levels over long time horizons. Methods of operations research, such as mathematical programming and heuristic methods, provide alternatives to historical harvest scheduling methods because they can account for forest age structure and spatial relationships over long scheduling horizons.
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Effect of climatic and environmental variables on changes in numbers and migratory behaviour of wintering and migrating waterbirds.
Adam, Matyáš ; Musil, Petr (advisor) ; Bejček, Vladimír (referee)
Waterbirds with their specific habitat and food requirements varying during their annual cycle (Riffell et al. 2003; Taft and Haig 2006) are able to indicate the wetland diversity and quality due to their rapid responses on changes in environment (Delany 1999; Fernández et al. 2005; Amat and Green 2010). Remarkable land cover changes and climate warming led to significant shifts in distribution and abundance of many waterbird species across Europe in recent decades (Delany et al. 2006; Fox et al. 2010; Lehikoinen et al. 2013; Pavón-Jordán et al. 2015). To understand the dynamic of migratory birds in space and time and to assess effects of global conditions as well as local conditions of individual sites during their annual cycle there is need of international monitoring and research. Since the start of International Waterbird Census in 1967 both increasing and decreasing trends have been recorded in nearly fifty percent of waterbird species in Western Palearctic (Delany et al. 2006, Wetlands International 2016) and they consequently have affected trends in particular countries, including the Czech Republic. Wetland sites in the Czech Republic are generally situated on the edge of wintering range of most waterbird species (Gilissen et al. 2002), however the prevailing increase in abundance of waterbird species has been recorded here in recent decades (Musil et al. 2011). Though, the considerable growth of winter temperatures has not been noticed in the Czech Republic (Klein Tank et al. 2002; Musilová et al. 2009; Dušek et al. 2013), and the accessibility of the wetland sites, due to their freezing, varies year to year. Hence, we can assume that waterbirds have likely began using the alternative habitats with available food resources, i.e. cold-weather refuges, probably regardless of their conservation status (Musilová et al. 2015). Special protection areas were implemented to Czech legislation in 2004 to protect migratory birds (Birds Directive 2009/147/EC). So far there has not been tested the effectivity and impact of legislative protection on wintering waterbird species. Moreover, some previous studies indicated that SPA network do not match the species distribution pattern (López-López et al. 2007; Briggs et al. 2012; Albuquerque et al. 2013), so this issue urgently calls for scientific research.
The second part of the thesis focused on Greylag Geese, whose abundance has rapidly grown across the Europe in recent decades (Madsen et al. 1999; Fox et al. 2010), and that have become ideal model species to observe their responses to habitats and climate changes as well as their reactions to human disturbance (Fox and Madsen 1997; Ramo et al. 2015). This requires appropriate knowledge of geese distribution, abundance and their behaviour. Since 1930s, when the geese started to be ringed in the Czech Republic, the ringing intensity have markedly varied and have been reflected in numbers of recoveries. In last ten years the intensity have increased (Podhrazský 2010). However, complex of the historical data until 2002 (Cepák et al. 2008) and recent data have not been analysed so far. In the light of recent shifts in wintering ranges and migration phenology of many goose populations these analyses require increased attention. Furthermore, the satellite monitoring of geese is coming to detect more detailed information about behaviour of individuals.
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Testing of bioeffectors on phosphorus mobility in soils
Holečková, Zlata ; Balík, Jiří (advisor)
Crave for increase in agricultural production over the past sixty years reflects in widespread use of mineral fertilizers. Due to the growth of the world population an increase of overall demand for feed and food is expected. Limited availability of cultivatable soil and increasing dependance on mineral fertilizers can be also anticipated. It is therefore important to find alternative strategies for plant nutrition. In 2012, the project of cooperation between several universities in Europe was revealed. This project examines the use of bioeffectors in crop production. Use of these substances should help to reduce the input of mineral fertilizers used in agriculture and improve land usage. Thesis will perform testing in real conditions of different geographic locations. The main objective is to develop new approaches to the use of so-called bioeffectors based on the mechanism of action of living microorganisms and active natural substances. Bioeffectors may be, depending on soil and climatic conditions, a key factor for overcoming limitations in the availability of nutrients. They can contain microorganisms (bacteria, fungi) and active natural compounds (digest from soil or compost, microbial residues, plant extracts, metabolites from biological processes, dried herb material or seaweed). These substances are developed for a wide variety of crops (e.g. corn, wheat and tomatoes). Their effectiveness consists in nutrients mobilization from less accessible forms in the soil. The thesis is mainly focused on the impact of bioeffectors on various forms of phosphorus in the soil. Phosphorus in the soil belongs to essential elements necessary for the growth and development of plants. Despite its necessity in plant metabolism is its content in the soil relatively low. A higher phosphorus content is in most samples of soil mainly in the surface area because an increased biological activity occurs there causing the accumulation of organic material. Some influence can be also observed in connection with application of organic and mineral fertilizers. Amount of phosphorus in soil may vary depending on parental rock type, texture and land management (the ratio of P supplied and type and method of land cultivation). Above mentioned influences even have an effect on relative amount of organic and inorganic forms of phosphorus. Three basic groups of phosphorus contained in the soil can be described: inorganic phosphorus compounds, organically bound phosphorus and exchangeable absorbed phosphorus. The amount of phosphorus bound in the fractions depends mainly on the time of fertilizer application, including the impact of earlier interventions. For these reasons, it is necessary to execute detailed analysis of the various forms of phosphorus in the soil after application of mineral fertilizers together with bioeffectors. In this dissertation variety of pot and field experiments will be set up, where samples from each variation of soil and plant will be separated and researched. Samples will be analyzed and amounts of phosphorus will be measured.
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Impacts of corruption and fiscal evasion on selected sectors of the economy
Rodonaia, Elizbar ; Šrédl, Karel (advisor) ; Kopecká, Lenka (referee)
Corruption is one of the most famous and also the most serious problems of the contemporary world. The aim of the processing of the dissertation is to create the actual characteristics of corruption and fiscal evasion, both from theoretical and practical point of view, specify their manifestations in economies of Georgia and Czech Republic in conditions of contemporary globalization, as well as to express the effects of corruption and fiscal evasion on selected sectors of the economy. The international organization Transparency International compared corruption in different countries based on the values of the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), which measures the degree of corruption perception from a subjective point of view. Every year the index captures the current view on corruption in the public sector and surveys used for the compilation include issues related to the misuse of public power for private benefit. The Czech Republic has 51 points and is on the 53th position in the rankings, right behind her at the 54th position ranked Slovakia with 50 points. This placement reflects very bad situation in the state administration, poor functioning of political parties and the lack of anti-corruption policy of the state. From the collected data and time series was concluded a conclusion about the high correlation and the correlated indicators of corruption CPI and GDP per capita in PPP. Although among the least corrupt countries in the world in 2014 ranks developed economies such as Denmark, New Zealand and Finland, less sophisticated Georgia was able to stay 50th position ahead of Czech Republic and Slovakia. It is due to the fact that with the advent of the Governments of President Saakashvili and Prime Minister Ivanishvili underwent a major reform of the state administration, including the security forces. This testifies to the fact that the underdevelopment of the economy is far from being the main factor for the elimination of corruption and fiscal evasion in a particular country. Reducing scope of tax evasions and departures of companies to tax havens are aims of the electronic records of sales and changes in the procurement system. Transparency of decisions on the allocation of public contracts should be solved and carry out an inspection utilization of public funds. Limitation of the influence of officials in the public service would undoubtedly help to eliminate small (petty) corruption. More than the total elimination of corruption endeavour currently states on its reduction or elimination of its consequences.
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Effect of anthelmintic baits on prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis at red fox in CR
Brožová, Adéla ; Jankovská, Ivana (advisor) ; Bejček, Vladimír (referee)
In 2012 the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis in naturally infected red fox were investigated in selected regions of Karlovy Vary. From January to December 2013, in areas with the highest prevalence, delivery baits containing the anthelmintic (80 g of fish flesh + 50 mg Praziquantel- Drontal plus flavour) in an amount of 50 baits per km2. In 2014 the inspection was carried out investigations and subsequent comparison prevalence of tapeworm in the monitored areas between 2012 and 2014, ie. before and after the delivery of anthelmintic baits. The observed prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in foxes before delivery baits was 80% (12/15), after delivery baits was 10.5% (2/19). Furthermore, an analysis of infected intestinal tissue foxes and foxes uninfected with Echinococcus multilocularis for determining the concentrations of selected elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn). Foxes with this tapeworm exhibited in the intestinal mucosa higher levels of the following elements: chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn). Conversely concentration primarily toxic elements (Cd and Pb) in the intestine infected foxes with Echinococcus multilocularis was lower than in the intestine foxes without this parasite.
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Dynamics of mountain spruce forest focused on natural regenaration development
Červenka, Jaroslav ; Svoboda, Miroslav (advisor) ; Tomáš, Tomáš (referee)
Disturbances have a major impact on the dynamic of forest ecosystems. However, there is lack of its exact consequences for mountain spruce forests in Central Europe. In 2007 heavy windstorm damaged a lot of stands in Šumava NP, subsequent bark beetle outbreak resulted in a large-scale dieback of spruce stands in this area. We took advantage of this opportunity. This study is focused on disintegration and structure of stands after the severe disturbance and in next step is focused on density and structure of natural regeneration in these stands. In addition we dealt with spruce regeneration (Picea Abies (L.) Karst.) on decaying logs. We compared two localities, disturbed (NP Šumava) and undisturbed site (CHKO Jeseníky). We concentrated on the change in saplings densities and on impact of decaying logs characteristic on this change. Finally we wanted to determinate impact of decaying logs characteristic on density of spruce regeneration. In area of Trojmezná we recorded 99 % mortality of parent stands. We founded only a few of adult tress which survived the disturbance, in addition we found several new trees, most of them with diameter about 10 cm. Live trees (DBH > 7 cm) reach density 16 trees per ha. The amount of dead wood was 2.5 times higher than before 10 years, one third were lying logs. Only natural regeneration of Norway spruce and rowan (Sorbus acuparia L.) was founded. Regeneration recruitments occurred in sufficient numbers, mostly on mosses (32 %), dead wood (27 %) and the nearest neighbourhoods of living mature trees or snags (28 %). Advance regeneration occupied 88 % of all regeneration. The density of individuals was similar along the elevation gradient. But in lower elevation of study area was situated higher regeneration recruitment then in the higher parts. With increasing elevation gradient regeneration was more homogenous in height and was lower. Best conditions for spruce regeneration provides logs with the largest diameters and logs with presence of white fungi Armillaria spp. or Phellinus nigrolimitatus. On the other hand logs with presence of Fomitopsis pinicola do not provide a suitable microsite for saplings. When we compare change in regeneration density on dead wood between the disturbed and undisturbed site, our results show significant increase in regeneration density at disturbed site (by 33 %). The increased regeneration density observed at the disturbed site was mostly associated with the smallest saplings on logs with the largest diameters. Three years after death of the parent stands no significant effect was recorded on the growth rate and survival of established spruce saplings on dead wood.
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Qualitative and quantitative changes of agricultural land resources in the Czech Republic after 2000.
Gebeltová, Zdeňka ; Boháčková, Ivana (advisor) ; Jarmila, Jarmila (referee)
The main aim of the dissertation is to quantify changes in agricultural land use and propose some solutions to reduce or compensate for quantitative and qualitative degradation of the agricultural land resources in the Czech Republic. Data (WTO, FAO, CIMSC, RISWC, CSO, FADN) are processed by the geographic associations index, environmental stability index, regression and correlation analysis and multi criteria analysis. The quality of the agricultural land is decreased in southern Moravia and central Bohemia (Voltr, 2012).
The quality farmland is mainly reduced in agriculturally valuable soils, i.e. for soils with higher average official price. There is the largest quantitative loss of farmland above all in South-Moravian region and Zlín Region. A distinction of five soil quality classes is made. The large amount of land falls from the highest classes of protection in those two regions. The cultivation of certain crops (wheat, barley, canola, corn, perennial forage, permanent grassland) is located without scant regard for the production of soil conditions. It is not a good way from the agronomical perspective in the Czech Republic. Homogenization of arable crops and their range adversely can affect the long-term productive ability. Although above average high percentage of leased farmland is in the monitored regions, its influence on the GARE change was not statistically confirmed. The irrigation systems should affect the quality of agricultural land. However, the construction of new irrigation systems and the usability of many existing systems is economically limited and influenced by form of ownership too. Subsidies for the sustainability of the production capabilities of agricultural land (Rural Development Program) are paid not for prevention, but as result of erosion processes only. In the dissertation was created multi criteria analysis includes criteria, which can be potential causes reduction of the soil quality. They can simultaneously act on the degradation of agricultural land.
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Possible solutions to the restoration of overmature forest stands in the Lány game enclosuregame-park
Ambrož, Robin ; Vacek, Stanislav (advisor) ; Igor, Igor (referee)
Possible solutions to the restoration of overmature forest stands in the Lány game enclosure -- this is a problem that generations of foresters in the Křivoklátsko region have been faced with. The restoration has often been postponed; as a result, there has been a remarkable increase in the number of such stands in the game enclosure. Currently, almost a third of the game enclosure is covered by stands, predominantly beech, older than 160 years, and the suggestions on how to restore these stands are by no means unified, not only within the framework of the relevant authorities, but also among the management of the Lány forestry administration. In the past, the disintegration of stands in the highest age class was dealt with by a massive planting of large-sized plants in the whole area of the game enclosure, which has brought and will continue to bring about a remarkable increase in the forest protection costs. The aim of this PhD thesis is to answer the questions concerning the restoration of the local beech stands and to propose a solution that would be efficient in the long term. The basic questions have been phrased as follows: In what condition are the extensive large-sized plant plantings? What is the number of overmature forest stands in the Lány game enclosure and what will their future development be? Are these stands still capable of producing a sufficient number of beech seeds to ensure successful natural regeneration? In what way should we restore these overmature forest stands? How should we protect them from the game damage? It was necessary to find some of the answers within the framework of intermediate scientific tasks; however, the finding of a conceptual solution to the restoration of the game enclosure remained the main goal of this work. To fulfil the goals of this thesis, it was necessary to perform the inventory of large-sized plant plots; it was found out that the total number of individuals planted in the Lány game enclosure until the end of 2011 was 28,994 at 840 plots. The plantings established in 2011 were surveyed as to their vitality and height increment between the years 2011 and 2014. In 2015, a sample was selected on which the condition of the root system was analysed according to the type of a container used for the raising of large-sized plants. It is evident from the results that despite considerable investment in fencing, the large-sized plant plantings are very often damaged by game and have to be repeatedly reinforced. The root system analysis revealed that a significant number of individuals show serious root system deformations. Consequently, the optimization of large-sized plant planting was proposed. The condition of the beech stands at PRP was ascertained with the aid of the FieldMap technology; the stand development prediction was carried out by the growth simulator SIBYLA. The verification of the fertility of the overmature beech stands took place at smaller plots demarcated within PRP. The results show that the occurrence of game eliminates natural regeneration in these stands; thus, it is necessary to find a way which will not be only efficient, but also economical. The fertility verification proved that despite their advanced age, the beech stands preserve their ability to produce seed material, which could be used for regeneration under a shelterwood. Finally, a model regeneration block presenting two possible reproduction methods (with maximum utilization of natural regeneration and accelerated one) was designed on the basis of both the differentiation of the game enclosure and the localization of stands with the highest degree of regeneration urgency.
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