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Abundance of and threats to the snow leopard in various regions of its occurrence
Valentová, Kamila ; Kindlmann, Pavel (advisor) ; Hulva, Pavel (referee)
Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is an endangered species and its population size is steadily declining. This thesis attempts to introduce and analyse the main factors threating its survival with reference to each country of its occurrence: China, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia. To conserve the remaining snow leopard populations, it is necessary to detect its distribution in various areas. Here, recent data about its worldwide distribution are presented. Snow leopard has a very secretive lifestyle, which makes estimation of its abundance quite difficult. Therefore, I also present here an overview of methods, such as sign survey, capture-recapture, predator:prey biomass ratios, photo-capture rate and genetic analyses, used for estimation of abundance of snow leopard with reference to conducted studies. I discuss their advantages and disadvantages under different conditions. Key words: snow leopard, abundance, threats, worldwide distribution, conservation
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Decline of czech populations of the most threatened wetland birds: comparing evidence for drivers in the Czech and foreign literature
Ráslová, Pavlína ; Reif, Jiří (advisor) ; Kindlmann, Pavel (referee)
The theme of this Bachelor's Thesis is to find relevant sources about specific factors, which cause changes in the density of the 4 most threatened species of wetland birds living in the Czech Republic. Those are the species, whose density fell most within the last decades. Specifically, this work looks at lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), snipe (Gallinago gallinago), godwit (Limosa limosa) and curlew (Numenius arquata). The target of this thesis is to differenciate relevant sources against irrelevant ones, which are often present as vague information spread outside of relevant literature and lacking a scientific fundament. Accurate indentification of the reasons of decreasing densities of these species is a neccesary prerequisite for any effort for their preservation. That is why it was essential to draw specific factors, which are the source of decline of these species, mainly from studies based on research in other european countries. Keywords: Wetland, intensification of agriculture, breeding habitat, management, population decline, Vanellus vanellus, Gallinago gallinago, Limosa limosa, Numenius arquata
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Current condition and historical development of waterlogged meadows in the region of Říčany
Horina, Lukáš ; Münzbergová, Zuzana (advisor) ; Kindlmann, Pavel (referee)
During a cooperation on a project of the orchid protection in the Říčany Ecocenter number of questions arose. Firstly it is a question of an identification of orchid meadows. Then finding main parameters of an environment, which influence the occurence of Dactylorhiza majalis. Consequently finding factors that influence the size of population of Dactylorhiza majalis. And eventually finding a suitable management for the orchid meadows. I was trying to find the answers mainly via a comparison of orchid and similar non orchid meadows. I was comparing species composition, local conditions and historical use of the site. I decided for the method of phytocenologic snaps and Ellenberg numbers for detection of the local conditions. Historical maps were used for finding the historical use. Data were processed by statistic analytical methods (PCA,RDA) When comparing orchid and non orchid meadows I found out that they differ conclusively in species composition and in number of species. I found plant species according to which it is possible to determine a potentional orchid location. Furthermore I found out that orchid and non orchid meadows differ in values of parameters of an environment. Consequently I found that these parameters are continentality, humidity and trophy of the site. Then I found out that humidity...
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The impact of herbivores on plant population dynamics: The importance for biological control of invasive plants
Šulcová, Hana ; Dostál, Petr (advisor) ; Kindlmann, Pavel (referee)
Herbivory is one of the most important relations between plants and animals. The herbivores affect plant populations not only by grazing, but also by trampling and disturbing the vegetation. Herbivores have also great potential to affect the population dynamics of particular plant species. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the effect of herbivores on plant population dynamics and to interpret it in relation to biological control of invasive plants. When evaluating the effect of herbivores, it is necessary to keep in mind the fact that herbivores don't affect only plants but also each other through direct as well as indirect competition. The use of different herbivore species to supress the invasive plants may not necessarily be effective. The range of the effect of herbivores on plant population dynamics depends also on the environmental conditions. Habitats with infrequent disturbances and high competition levels among plants increase the effect of biological control, because high competition facilitates competitive exlusion of the target plant species. Different life-histories of plants play are also important in terms of biological control mainly the life-span and the endurance of the seed bank affect the results. Monocarpic species with short-lived seed bank can be relatively easily reduced by...
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Spatial correlations in population dynamics of spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus): Example of Mantel test usage
Šimera, Ondřej ; Kindlmann, Pavel (advisor) ; Ferenc, Michal (referee)
Spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus L.) is the most common and abundant beetle from the Scolytidae family in European forests. It is the most important biotic factor causing disturbances and affecting forest ecosystems. Thus, it recently became a subject of discussions, how to manage the forests properly in order to find an adequate equilibrium among economical, turistic and natural values of the forest. Many studies have shown a positive effect of bark beetle outbreaks on biodiversity and natural forest regeneration. It is hard to tell if these outbreaks are regular or not because there are many factors which can elicit them. However, just these factors can help us predict the probability of unforseen population outbreak. One of these methods can be monitoring of surrounding areas because these areas tend to be synchronised. For this purpose, multiple mathematical models can be performed, such as the Mantel test, which determines the correlation between two matrices. Keywords: Spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, population dynamics, spatial correlations, Mantel test
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Changes in ladybird communities along an altitudinal gradient
Matušová, Martina ; Kindlmann, Pavel (advisor) ; Martínková, Zdenka (referee)
Ladybugs are often used in biological control, because of their predatory way of life and potential ability to control many insect pests. So far, a number of studies was performed on this family, on their hunting strategies, other life history strategies, population dynamics, dependence of their distribution in time and space on the abundance of prey etc. However, the temporal changes in species composition and relative or absolute abundance of ladybugs were not yet examined along an altitudinal gradient. This is why I have focused my work on these dependencies. I tested the following hypothesis: overwintering sites in Coccinellidae are usually located at lower altitudes, where the individuals eventually attack their prey on the earliest budding trees; as season goes on, ladybugs follow the trends in environmental conditions and food and move to higher located sites; at the end of the season, ladybugs return back to their overwintering sites. In the research area in the Beskydy Mountains, 12 experimental sites were selected, evenly spaced along an elevational gradient of 350-482 m above sea level at each location. During the season, 12 measurements at two-week intervals were performed, each containing 2x300 sweeps. A total of 3064 of ladybug individuals were collected, belonging to 11 species. The...
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Protected areas, NP Šumava, PLA Český les, ANCOVA, socioeconomic development, border region
Pícha, Zdeněk ; Křenová, Zdeňka (advisor) ; Kindlmann, Pavel (referee)
Villages occur in many Czech and central European large protected areas (LPA). Some inhabitants and local politicians occasionally publish, that occurrence of the LPA can inhibit regional development and cause negative demographic and socioeconomic changes in the region. This diploma thesis tests this assumption and studies the effect of existence and establishment of the LPA on socioeconomic parameters of villages and their inhabitants. The case study was conducted in the south-west border region of the Czech Republic, the area of high o ser atio alue. The Šu a a Natio al Park i side of alread e isti g Šu a a Protected La ds ape Area, PLA a d Český les PLA ere esta lished 99 a d 5, respectively. Also Novohradské hory PLA was proposed several times but have not been proofed till now. Statistical analysis (ANCOVA) for selected socioeconomic and demographic parameters of 39 villages and their cadasters were used to study development of the region between years 1991 - 2011. The results found the village size (number of permanent residents living in the village) to be more significant predictor for most of studied parameters than occurrence of the village in/out of the LPA. The results are discussed with results of similar studies conducted in other protected areas. Peripheral character of the border...
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Determinants of orchid species diversity
Štípková, Zuzana ; Kindlmann, Pavel (advisor) ; Kull, Tiiu (referee) ; Whigham, Dennis (referee)
Natural environment has been significantly altered by human activity in past few decades. There is an evidence that we are now facing the sixth mass extinction and suitable areas for species are getting smaller. Therefore, many species of plants and animals are experiencing strong population decline and some of them even became extinct. We focused our attention on orchids because their distribution expresses one of the highest declines among all plant families. In this thesis, we investigated species richness and distribution patterns of orchids, the rate and causes of their decrease and extinction, and factors influencing their occurrence in the Czech Republic and Greece. In the majority of the presented papers, we used a dataset based on the database of the Nature Conservation Agency of the Czech Republic that includes more than 115 000 of orchid records in the country. We also analysed the patterns in the six different phytogeographical regions in the Czech Republic that differ in altitude and the composition of local flora. The key findings are as follows: The specialized pollination strategy of orchids, as well as type of rooting systems, both in the Czech Republic and in Greece, play a role in the distribution patterns of orchids in the two countries (Papers I, II and VI). Moreover, the...
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What aerial photographs can reveal about the state of habitats in Šumava National Park?
Hamarčák, Mário ; Křenová, Zdeňka (advisor) ; Kindlmann, Pavel (referee)
The utilization of remote sensing in the field of nature conservation and landscape management has recently increased tremendously. Possibility of implementing data obtained by remote sensing in GIS has created an increasingly powerful tool also for appropriate management of protected areas. This bachelor thesis delivers a brief overview of remote sensing methods, projects that use these applications and the possibility of their application in practice. Also examples of research activities in the field of remote sensing aimed primarily at protecting and monitoring the state of forests are presented. Finally, a draft methodology for the analysis of changes in habitat qualities in the area of interest, the Šumava National Park, is proposed. Keywords: Habitats, Management of protected areas, Habitats for Natura 2000, GIS, Aerial photographs, Remote sensing
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Ecology of orchids and other potential pharmaceutical plants in Nepal
Rokaya Timsina, Binu ; Kindlmann, Pavel (advisor) ; Whigham, Dennis (referee) ; Kull, Tiiu (referee)
In this thesis, I focused mainly on orchids and also carried out some research on different pharmaceutically potential plants in Nepal. I compiled both data from field and secondary data sources and one of my first outputs was complete checklist of orchids in Nepal. I also studied distribution patterns and affinities of orchids with different floristic regions in Nepal. My next work on epiphytic orchids is related to diversity, distribution and host- species associations and their future in the context of climate change in Nepal. In addition to this, I also worked on factors affecting epiphytic orchids along an altitudinal gradient in central Nepal. Working on population dynamics of terrestrial orchid species, Crepidium acuminatum, lasted for 6 years. Together with orchids, I determined secondary compounds present in a highly important Nepal endemic medicinal plant, Swertia multicaulis. I also compiled the information on uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of highly important Himalayan endemic medicinal plant, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora. The last research of my Ph.D. project ended up by gathering the information on uses of different medicinal plants, including orchids that were used to treat various gastrointestinal diseases in Nepal. The results of my doctoral thesis are presented...
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