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Change trajectories of wetlands in the landscape of lowlands and uplands in the Czech Republic
Richter, Pavel ; Skaloš, Jan (advisor) ; Dagmar, Dagmar (referee)
Wetland habitats are of great multifunctional importance in landscape. In particular, they have the capacity to retain water during its surplus and then in the dry season to release the water. In this work the dynamics of change in wetlands coverage was analyzed, including the representation structure of different categories of wetlands over the past 180 years in the landscape of lowlands and uplands in the Czech Republic. The historical maps of Stable Cadastre, current orthophoto and current GIS layers of localization and classification of different types of land use/cover and landscape types were used as data sources. The area of wetlands has dramatically decreased from 5 762 hectares in the period 1825-1843 (more than 9.5 % of the area) to 54 hectares in 2014 (0.9 %). Based on the study of available documents three types of wetland habitats were classified: wet meadows, wet meadows with trees and swamps . Although, the most of the historic wetlands were constituted of wet meadows (89 %) these days the swamps (48 %) form the largest part of the wetlands. Half of the historic wetlands were transformed to arable land because of increasing production of agriculture. According to the evaluation of monitored changes by predictors it was found that more pressure on the degradation of wetlands was in the areas with more suitable climatic conditions for agriculture (e.g. The Danube basin, Moravia, soil types in the lowlands, Corn agricultural production area etc.). In these areas the swamps were formed as new wetlands in places of historical watercourses localization more significantly than elsewhere in monitored area. The aim of this work was also to describe the main driving forces and pressures that have influenced the changes in wetlands. The outcome of the paper can be used in landscape planning with regard to the protection and management of wetlands.
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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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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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ICT support for regional development
Očenášek, Vladimír ; Havlíček, Zdeněk (advisor) ; Vostrovský, Václav (referee)
There are many of different rankings in the world, which relate to information and communications technology. For example, United Nations e-Government survey evaluates expansion of e-government administration in 193 countries in the world every two years and publishes worldwide ranking of EGDI (e-government development index). Since 2003 web portals of the capitals of the largest countries in the world are evaluated evaluated by - Digital Governance in Municipalities Worldwide (Holzer et al., 2014) every two years. This rating is organized by the "The E-Governance Institute" which is part of Rutgers University Newark. Prague (15 in) was included for the first time in 2007. Prague was ranked in excellent 2nd place in 2009, in the period 2011 - 2012 was in 4th place and in the period 2013 - 2014, Prague ranked 10th. Our methods of evaluation are based on methods of Digital Governance in Municipalities Worldwide, which is focused on regional web portals. We evaluated 6 regional web portals using 40 parameters in the area privacy, usability, content, services, citizen and social engagement. For instance, we evaluated if web portal provides: online publications, multilingual access, GIS, calendar of events, searchable database of articles, accommodation reservation etc. For evaluation of regional web portals, we chose two regional touristic headquarters (Centrála cestovního ruchu -- Jižní Morava (www.ccrjm.cz), Jihočeská centrála cestovního ruchu www.jccr.cz)), one regional touristic web (Posázaví - vítejte v turistickém regionu kolem řeky Sázavy (www.posazavi.com)), two Austrian web portals, which represents cross-border cooperation between Austria and Czech republic (Urlaub am Bauerhof -- dovolená na selském statku (www.agroturistika-v-rakousku.cz), Rakousko -- přijeďte a ožijete (www.austria.info/cz)) and official touristic web portal of Switzerland (Officielle Website von Schweiz Tourismus (www.mojesvycarsko.com)). As it turned out during our model usage, which took into account five important areas, level of regional web portals significantly differ. Some criteria are fulfilled across the all sites, but some of them are partly or completely missing. Individual solutions therefore often prefer different criteria, thus providing different perspectives on the region and its issues. If all criteria were met, the informational content and thus even usefulness of the individual portals would rise. Theoretically, this would lead to a "content compatibility" of individual solutions, which would ultimately bring profit to users and consequently the visitors of their respective regions.
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An analysis of the practical part of the final apprenticeship examinations at a particular apprentice-ship school
Mašatová, Kateřina ; Kříž, Emil (advisor) ; Hrušková, Eva (referee)
In my bachelor thesis I am focusing on the analysis of the final practical examination of students at vocational school ended by vocational certificate. The analysis was conducted in the school year 2014/2015 and 2012/2013. Aim of the study was to compare the quality and level of written, practical and oral exams.
In my work I compare results of original final examinations and examinations by a single task.
Final testing under a single task is for students easier and more acceptable.
The theoretical part focuses on the personality of the student, the typology of the teacher and on a parts of the final examinations.
The practical part focuses on the course of final examinations according to single task, as well as original assignment. This leads to a comparison of the results.
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Political aspects of management and the development of the chosen municipality (case study of Tmaň)
Ježková, Martina ; Čopík, Jan (advisor) ; Monika, Monika (referee)
This thesis deals with the influence of local administration on development of the municipality Tmaň, and with political aspects of the municipal management. The first part of this thesis defines the theoretical definition issues such as administration, municipality, municipal financing and local administration. The second part of this thesis is focused on particular aims of this thesis achieved, mainly aims like mapping of the local administration after 1989, the definition socio-economic indicators of the municipality Tmaň and the composition of the local government. The next part of the thesis includes the analysis of the decision process of the local government, which was monitored in 2015 by the method of observation. The thesis includes interest groups, local business entities and their cooperation and relationship with local administration. The substantial part of the thesis includes the clarification of the results of the municipal elections in the municipality Tmaň from 1990 to the last election in 2014 and simultaneously finding out their features with subsequent comparison with theoretical knowledge. Conclusion of the thesis is the generalization based on the participant observation and the continuous questioning, what influence does the local administration on the development of the municipality Tmaň and what the political aspects of the management of the municipality Tmaň are.
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