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Impacts of deforestation of west African mountains on biodiversity
Stříbrská, Eliška ; Hořák, David (advisor) ; Reif, Jiří (referee)
The high rate of deforestation is a global problem with negative impacts on species biodiversity and it also contributes to global and local climate changes. This problem is much more urgent in hotspots of biodiversity and endemism like west African mountains. Moreover, these locations are now recognized as the most fragmented and the most deforested mountains on the African continent. Impacts on local organisms is mostly negative. The organisms are facing habitat loss and the inability to migrate between the isolated regions. The bond between associated animals and plants, that are life depend on each other, is being broken and the whole ecosystem is being changed. In general, the ecosystem is less stable and all these changes make deforestation a chain reaction. Although there are some positive impacts on the biodiversity too, it does not influence the endemic species. It has more positive consequences for the generalist species occupying wide range of habitats and utilizing various food resources. Local communities are also facing the impacts of the ecosystem changes, their lives are negatively influenced by longer and more intensive periods of drought, landslides and they are not able to rely on the supply of the forest products. To be able to change current situation, financial support and...
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Evolution of PTC bitter taste receptors in West Africa
Holoubková, Tereza ; Černý, Viktor (advisor) ; Macholán, Miloš (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to determine whether the TASR38 gene is under selection pressure in West Africa and if its diversity varies within populations practicing different modes of subsistence. It further focuses on polymorphisms occurring in the gene and their association with sensitivity to the bitter tasting compound PTC. The thesis analyses 147 samples of saliva from three Mauritanian populations in order to sequence the DNA of the TAS2R38 gene exon. Ten polymorphic sites conditioning 16 haplotypes were observed in TAS2R38 gene. Mutations in amino acid positions 49, 262 and 296 occurred in all three populations; all eight possible haplotypes were observed. 94 % of them constitutes major PAV and AVI haplotypes and AAI haplotype, all of which were detected in each of the three populations. Additionally, 14 genotypes were identified in our sample; the most common being those created by a combination of the three haplotypes. Kruskal-Wallis test showed that TAS2R38 genotypes are strong predictors of PTC response in the examined African populations. PAV haplotype is associated with sensitivity to PTC (taster haplotype); conversely, AVI is a nontaster haplotype. At the same time, it was confirmed that PAV is an ancestral haplotype evolutionary closest to the chimpanzee TAS2R38 gene and it probably...
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Geophysical and remote sensing methodologies applied to the analysis of regolith and geology in Burkina Faso, West Africa
Metelka, Václav ; Ježek, Josef (advisor) ; Miller, John (referee) ; Martelet, Guillaume (referee) ; de Kemp, Eric (referee)
The oldest parts of continents, so-called cratons, are the focus of worldwide research not only because they represent primary constraints for our understanding of the early evolution of the Earth, but also because of their significant mineral potential. This work contributes to the understanding of the geological and geomorphological evolution of the West African Craton, by an integrated analysis of airborne geophysical and satellite remote sensing data constrained by field structural, lithological, geophysical, and geomorphological observations acquired around Houndé, Boromo and Banfora greenstone belts and associated granitoid domains in western Burkina Faso. The results of this integration suggest that the granitoid domains of western Burkina Faso are formed by numerous small- to medium-sized plutons, and the magnetic data provided a better definition of the actual pluton shapes. Airborne gamma ray spectrometry data aided in the mapping process in areas with less regolith cover. Three deformation events (D1-D3) can be distinguished in western Burkina Faso. A megacrystic tholeiitic basalt unit allowed us to establish stratigraphic correlations between the two belts and propose a crustal scale anticline (D1). The D1 penetrative structures, resulting from an E-W to WNW-oriented compression are...
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Dynamika agrárního obchodu mezi Evropskou unií a zeměmi v regionu západní Afrika
Křížová, Rea
This thesis aims to identify and subsequently analyse the agrarian foreign trade dynamics between the European Union and the countries of West Africa. All data are monitored over the last two decades and show the development trends of the agrarian sector in the relationship between EU 28 and West Africa as a whole; the author subsequently described selected countries of West Africa in detail. The first part of the thesis presents basic starting points for further analytical work. It is presented in the form of a literature review and includes theoretical insights into international trade and its development, points out the influence of globalisation and regionalisation and their impact on the agrarian trade. The first phase of the practical part deals with the territorial and commodity structure of trade where the development and position of the European Union in relation to the countries of West Africa is defined. The key product groups are identified and are evaluated in terms of selected attributes. Both the West Africa as whole and individual countries of the West African region were analysed from the point of view of being a global partner in the foreign trade. A retrospective assessment shows the importance of ongoing market liberalisation and the importance of the European Union as a trading partner for the area in question. In the last part, the possibilities of Czech foreign trade were analysed in the context of cooperation with the West African countries.
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Spreading ebola virus from primary sources through the bush meat and its impact in west Africa
Kremláčková, Romana
This presented bachelor thesis is focused on the spreading of the Ebola virus (EBOV) from the primary sources through the bush meat and its impact on the society. This impact can have this disease, mainly if the Ebola virus disease (EVD) can extend to other areas. In the thesis an analysis of socio-economic environment is included, the latest biggest outbreak of the disease between the years 2013 and 2016, monitoring the period of the outbreak by World Health Organization (WHO) and Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The questionnaire survey on the African cultural eating and hygiene habits that could be related to bush meat and EVD spreading, was also carried out. Questionnaire was used as an additional material. In general was found out that most of the respondents have a good hygiene habits and buy meat mainly from informal sector. The main goal of the thesis is to find out the initial appearance of the EBOV and its spreading through the different possible ways. Gained knowledge could be used by WHO and other organizations for evaluation of the next outbreaks.
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Food security problems in West Africa - case study Mali and Senegal
Strolený, Martin
The aim of this thesis is to analyze the food security problems in West Africa together with further analysis of Mali and Senegal. Furthemore, this thesis provides an insight into geographic positions, agricultural development and overall hunger situations of chosen areas as these all named aspects have both direct and indirect impacts on food security. To measure the food security in chosen regions two different indexes were used in order to ensure maximal accuracy of the analyzed criteria (the Global Hunger Index and the Global Food Security Index). Moreover, the thesis analyzes main geographic and demographic challenges in the region and their correlations wtih food security issues. Next, different regional organizations and policies focused on the development of the areas are described. Based on the theoretical and analytical research and results of the thesis, recommendations for sustainable development and improvement of food security are eventually provided.
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Fylogeneze vybraných druhů letounů Afriky na základě cytogenetického a molekulárního přístupu
Koubínová, Darina ; Zima, Jan (advisor) ; Macholán, Miloš (referee) ; Martínková, Natália (referee)
Phylogenetic relationships of a sample comprising 248 bats belonging to 19 species and four families (Hipposideridae, Rhinolophidae, Molossidae and Vespertilionidae) from Senegal (Western Africa) were investigated with the use of multi-locus sequence data and non- differentially stained chromosomes. The karyotypes of Hipposideros ruber, H. tephrus, H. jonesi and H. cyclops were described for the first time. The standard Hipposideros formula was recorded in H. tephrus, H. jonesi and H. ruber (2n = 32, FNa = 60, FN = 64). The karyotypes of H. cyclops (2n = 36, FN = 66) and H. gigas (2n = 52, FN = 64) substantially diverged from this typical chromosomal complement. Rhinolophus landeri and R. fumigatus shared the same diploid number (2n = 58), but differed in the chromosome morphology (R. fumigatus - FNa = 60, FN = 64; R. landeri - FNa = 64, FN = 68). Rhinolophus landeri was found karyotypically distinct to other African populations, thus signalling a possible presence of cryptic forms within this species. The karyotypes of Chaerephon pumilus and Mops condylurus had a 2n = 48, FN = 54 and were similar to other previously studied species of this chromosomally conservative family. Chromosomal, Bayesian, maximum likelihood and genetic distance analyses revealed an indication for the existence of cryptic...
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Contemporary Francophone Music in West Africa: An Outline of musicians and styles of the countries where French is the official language
Reslerová, Monika ; Klinka, Tomáš (advisor) ; Jančík, Jiří (referee)
anglicky Title of the thesis: Contemporary Francophone Music in West Africa: An Outline of styles and musicians of the countries where French is the official language Key words: West Africa, music, francophonie Abstract: The thesis is focused on West African music sang in French from the year 2000 up to the present. The musical scene of eight former members of the French Western Africa (Niger, Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin) is depicted through an overview of contemporary french-singing artists. The first chapter outlines four main tendencies in the traditional West African music and the modern music styles which were adopted in the countries we describe. Each of the following chapters is focused on a particular country which is characterized from the linguistic and socio-cultural point of view if the latter can influence the local musical scene. Information about cultural traditions and individual artists follow. Several musicians' work is described in more detail and biographical facts that could have influenced their personal style are mentioned.
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Geophysical and remote sensing methodologies applied to the analysis of regolith and geology in Burkina Faso, West Africa
Metelka, Václav ; Ježek, Josef (advisor) ; Miller, John (referee) ; Martelet, Guillaume (referee) ; de Kemp, Eric (referee)
The oldest parts of continents, so-called cratons, are the focus of worldwide research not only because they represent primary constraints for our understanding of the early evolution of the Earth, but also because of their significant mineral potential. This work contributes to the understanding of the geological and geomorphological evolution of the West African Craton, by an integrated analysis of airborne geophysical and satellite remote sensing data constrained by field structural, lithological, geophysical, and geomorphological observations acquired around Houndé, Boromo and Banfora greenstone belts and associated granitoid domains in western Burkina Faso. The results of this integration suggest that the granitoid domains of western Burkina Faso are formed by numerous small- to medium-sized plutons, and the magnetic data provided a better definition of the actual pluton shapes. Airborne gamma ray spectrometry data aided in the mapping process in areas with less regolith cover. Three deformation events (D1-D3) can be distinguished in western Burkina Faso. A megacrystic tholeiitic basalt unit allowed us to establish stratigraphic correlations between the two belts and propose a crustal scale anticline (D1). The D1 penetrative structures, resulting from an E-W to WNW-oriented compression are...
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