|
|
Comparison of the occurrence of invertebrate communities on reclaimed and non-reclaimed heaps after uranium mining
Peterková, Alena ; Frouz, Jan (advisor) ; Reif, Jiří (referee)
This thesis deals with heaps after uranium mining, when not only the physical and chemical properties are affected, but also the biota. During last century in Czech republic uranium mining was important and it significantly affeted the landscape character, for example in Příbram region. Soil heaps after mining were partly reclaimed and partly left for spontaneous succesion. I fit is appropriare to reclaim these areas or leave them for spontaneous succesion or to combine both procedures is a long-standing problem. This paper deals with the comparsion of the occurrence epigeic invertebrate species on two reclaimed, two non-reclaimed spoil heaps and on one control site in their surroundings. Using pitfall traps were collected samples from all these sites during one year. Later they were sorted into classes, Carabidae, Aranea, Diplopoda, Chipoloda and Isopoda were determined into species. Also vegetation samples were made. The result of this work is a comparison of these different sites, founded species and number of individuals of defined groups. It was found, tat the communities od the reclaimed heaps are similar to communities of the control site, while not- reclaimed heaps communities are different. Some endangered, vunerable and near threatened species of Araneae were found. And also two species...
|
|
|
Population trends of forest birds in Czechia
Szarvas, Filip ; Reif, Jiří (advisor) ; Hofmeister, Jan (referee)
Currently, most scientific attention focused on bird population trends is centred on birds in the agricultural landscape. Forest bird research, on the other hand, is given far less space, despite the fact that forests in Europe often form a substantial part of the landscape in some parts. Moreover, it is undergoing drastic changes throughout Europe, and especially in the Czech Republic. In the second half of the 20th century, their quality deteriorated due to air pollution, later regenerated, but other additional challenges have emerged, such as global climate change and epidemics of wood-destroying insects. It is therefore possible to assume their fundamental influence on forest bird populations. However, most of the work examining the effects of the forest environment and forest management on bird populations is only very local, limited to ecologically valuable, and therefore quite specific, habitats, or covering only a small number of bird species. However, data on the evolution of forest birds vary across Europe. In Finland, for example, forest birds are declining, while in neighbouring Sweden the trend is the opposite. In this study, I aim to better map what characteristics of forests affect specific species of birds, in research conducted throughout the Czech Republic. I decided to explore...
|
|
|
Diversity of bird species along elevational gradient on Cameroon mountains
Dubský, Marek ; Sedláček, Ondřej (advisor) ; Reif, Jiří (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to describe the changes of bird species diversity along elevation gradient on six mounts in Cameroon and nearby Bioko island. The results of the analyses confirm most of the defined hypotheses, especially they show that species diversity declines with altitude and rises with area. The absolutely highest diversity was detected on mount Kupé and mount Cameroon, but above 2100 m above sea level mounts Oku and Manenguba are the most diverse. Other analysis showed that the biggest changes in beta diversity of bird assemblages along altitudinal gradients are on the lowest elevational belts which are on the edges of a degraded habitats and continuous undisturbed forests. Other important changes in bird assemblages happen around altitude 1200 m, where the assemblages of lowland rainforest change to assemblages of mountain forest. Analyses of affinity of bird species to forest habitat showed that the most affined assemblages to the forest are those found on mounts Kupé and Rata. On the other hand bird assemblages on mounts Manenguba and Oku are the one of least affined to the forest biotope. Analysis of habitat generalism and specialism did not show the expected outcome and for clearer results the design of analysis needs to be improved. The results of this thesis contribute to a...
|
|
|
Influence of food supply and habitat characteristics on the abundance of birds in intensively managed arable fields
Hološková, Adriana ; Reif, Jiří (advisor) ; Krištín, Anton (referee)
The decline of farmland birds is a well-documented phenomenon attributed to the impacts of agricultural intensification. However, the specific mechanisms responsible for population declines in individual species have not yet been satisfactorily elucidated. Most research has focused either on the influence of habitat characteristics or on the food supply. The aim of my thesis was therefore to link these two factors. The study was carried out in an intensively managed farmland of southwestern Slovakia. In the fields of winter wheat, winter rape and maize, I recorded the abundance of birds, namely Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) and Eurasian Skylark (Alauda arvensis), habitat characteristics and food supply. Yellow Wagtail avoided maize fields, but its abundance did not differ among the other crops significantly. However, the number of wagtails varied within fields, as they more often occurred closer to field edges, most likely due more abundant and diverse food supply found near the edges. A positive relationship between the number of wagtails and invertebrate diversity further supports this explanation. Skylark abundance did not vary across the focal crops, but it was negatively affected by the presence of woody plants at the field edge. Neither the abundance nor the diversity of the food supply...
|
|
|
Establishment and growth of spruces in reclaimed and unreclaimed plots on heaps after coal mining
Spurná, Veronika ; Frouz, Jan (advisor) ; Reif, Jiří (referee)
Coal is the most important raw material mined in our country. The mining acitivity creates huge impact on the landscape. The aim of the thesis is to compare the attachment of spruces on spoil tips created by coal mining and their growth during spontaneous succession and reclamation. The studied non-recultivated areas are overgrown with spontaneous vegetation consisting mainly of willow (Salix caprea), white birch (Betula pendula) and aspen poplar (Populus tremula L.). The reclaimed area only consists of planted Norway spruce (Picea abies). The density of localities, age and height structure, layout on terrain waves and distance from the edge of the dump were studied. Spruces were also mapped using GPS. The density of spruce vegetation on reclaimed areas is significantly higher than on succession, however, their growth is slower. On non-reclaimed areas, the growth of already attached spruces is significantly faster than on reclaimed areas. The results show a higher attachment of spruces on the slopes of the waves, especially on the northern leeward side, rather than in the troughs or on the peaks. The results show the possibility of undercutting succession areas with climax trees as a promising method of reclamation. Keywords: spruce, succession, reclamation, establishment of trees, density of trees
|
|
|
Factors affecting farmland bird abundance in different European regions
Bystřický, Václav ; Reif, Jiří (advisor) ; Hořák, David (referee)
Farmland is a very important habitat for many open-habitat bird species. It serves as a food source as well as a breeding and wintering ground. In recent years, however, there has been evidence of population decline in some of these species. This decline is caused by various factors linked to human activities. The aim of this work is to summarise these negative factors and create a comprehensive overview of farmland bird populations status in different parts of Europe. I found that in comparison with other parts of Europe, a much more significant population decline of farmland birds occurs in western and northwestern Europe, mainly due to more intensively cultivated landscapes over the last decades. Central and Eastern European countries are less affected as they show lower intensity of land use associated with numerous small farms as well as the cultivation of spring cereals. In contrast, the abandonment of farmland may be one of the most threatening factors for the whole Mediterranean region. From the perspective of biodiversity conservation, one of the possible solutions could be a lower application of different types of pesticides, cultivation of various kinds of crops or longer- lasting stubble fields. Key words: farmland, birds, biodiversity, population decline, Europe
|
|
|
Habitat characteristics accounting for the attractiveness of military training areas for birds: a case study from the Hradiště military training area
Hernová, Jana ; Reif, Jiří (advisor) ; Vojta, Jaroslav (referee)
Military areas are extraordinary biodiversity-rich due to limited economic activities and a specific way of using the areas for military training. Previous research has also revealed their positive influence on bird species diversity, this applies to endangered species in particular. However, the exact biotope characteristics attracting birds are insufficiently known. In this regard, I expected an important role of heterogeneity of the environment. The aim of the thesis was therefore: (I) to find out the difference of environmental heterogeneity between a military area (MA) and the surrounding landscape, both in a forest and a non-forest sites, (II) to find out what biotope characteristics attract birds in open landscape and (III) what characteristics attract birds in forest. Fieldwork took place in a still active MA of Hradiště and neighboring controls of Bochov and Ostrov. In total, 80 study plots were surveyed for representation of individual biotopes (39 types in total) and the number of fragments of woody vegetation. Data on bird species richness were taken from the thesis of Bušek (2015), surveyed birds at identical study plots and calculated total number of bird species and the number of endangered bird species at each plot. The open landscape of MA has, compared to the surrounding cultural...
|
|
|
Former common pastures: Biodiversity refugia in the changing landscape of Central Europe.
Vosmíková, Alžběta ; Křenová, Zdeňka (advisor) ; Reif, Jiří (referee)
The diploma thesis evaluates the current status of former common pastures of a study area in southwestern Bohemia. The thesis aims to demonstrate the high biological value of former common pastures and determine predictors of their preservation. For this purpose, a vector layer of former common pastures containing 668 segments was created. This layer was compared with other map layers (aerial images, consolidated layer of ecosystems, Natura 2000 mapping, species database) and various field observations. A database describing a current status of former common pastures was created and 49 preserved pastures were selected, according to predetermined criteria. Comparison of data from the common pastures and the sorrounding landscape confirmed higher biological value of the pastures. They have significantly higher habitat diversity, described by frequency and composition of Natura 2000 habitats. Several ecological and descriptive parameters were tested to find predictors of pastures preservation. The results showed that signifiant predictors of the pastures preservation are ecological parameters (i.e. number of Natura 2000 habitats, number of protected species recorded in database) and also descriptive factors (i.e. size of the pastures, shape, distance from municipality). Key words: common pastures,...
|
|
|
Diversity and abundances of birds along altitudinal gradients of Cameroon Mountains
Dubský, Marek ; Sedláček, Ondřej (advisor) ; Reif, Jiří (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to describe the changes of bird species diversity along elevation gradient on six mounts in Cameroon and nearby Bioko island. The results of the analyses confirm most of the defined hypotheses, especially they show that species diversity declines with altitude and rises with area. Cluster analysis shows the similarity of individual mountains in particular altitude zones. Despite the original hypothesis, mount Cameroon is found to be most similar to mount Kupé, although high mountain assemblages of mount Cameroon and Bioko island are very alike as well. The absolutely highest diversity was detected on mount Cameroon and mount Kupé, but above 2100 m above sea level mounts Oku and Manenguba are the most diverse. The results of this thesis contribute to a clearer notion about factors influencing species diversity; however, more thorough data (particularly from mount Nlonako) and data extension for e.g. bird abundance would enrich the study and it would enable us to perform more detailed diversity analysis, especially an analysis of competition relationship among species. Key words Species diversity, Cameroon, bird assemblages, elevational gradient
|
|
|
Habitat specialization as determinant of species response to the Global Change
Rivas Salvador, Javier ; Reif, Jiří (advisor) ; Riegert, Jan (referee) ; Skorka, Piotr (referee)
Human-induced global change is altering the environmental systems as we know them. Significant evidence has been acquired that suggests these changes are triggering the sixth mass extinction. This biodiversity loss seems to not be occurring at random, but it is targeting species differently according to their niche breadth. Species with a narrow habitat niche seem to be experiencing strong population decline, especially due to the intense natural habitat transformation. Therefore, we investigated the role of habitat specialization within species ecology and its conservation implications, obtaining the following key findings: Habitat specialists gathered in montane regions and in areas with harsh climate conditions (cold and highly seasonal) across the European continent. Furthermore, we found two specialization hotspots, one in northern Scandinavia and one in the steppe region north of Caucasus. Additionally, we found that specialists and habitat generalists merge in the same communities. Habitat specialization predicts population declines at European pancontinental scales. It brings further support for widespread process biotic homogenization, likely caused by current human-induced land use and climate changes. When we tested whether conservation benefits of mid-field woodlots were...
|
guest ::
