|
|
Ecological characteristics of nivicolous slime molds with respect to climate change
Leshchenko, Yuliia ; Koukol, Ondřej (advisor) ; Man, Matěj (referee)
This diploma thesis focuses on nivicolous myxomycetes, a group of amoeboid protists widely distributed in terrestrial ecosystems, particularly in alpine, subalpine, and arctic zones. The main objective is to distinguish whether subgroups of nivicolous myxomycetes have distinct spatial requirements and to identify the key environmental factors influencing their distribution. I employed species distribution modelling (SDM) using three methods (MaxEnt, BIOCLIM, and Random Forest) to predict the habitat suitability of these subgroups. Three taxon experts validated the model predictions. This diploma thesis also explores the potential impact of climate change on their distribution using future climate projection scenarios. The results suggest that SDMs may not fully capture the complexity of habitat requirements for nivicolous myxomycetes in the European part of the Palearctic, however key bioclimatic variables for the study group were distinguished: temperature seasonality, precipitation of the warmest quarter, the maximum temperature of the warmest month. The evaluation by experts reveals some limitations regarding the research design, such as the need for accurate species categorization and consideration of fine-scale environmental variations in the study region. Keywords: nivicolous myxomycetes,...
|
|
|
Distribution, diversity and ecology of benthic desmids along local spatial scale
Svoboda, Pavel ; Šťastný, Jan (advisor) ; Řeháková, Klára (referee)
Besides spatial heterogeneity, an important component of diversity of the protist communities is also the variation in species assemblages through time (temporal turnover). Spatial and temporal variation in patterns of distribution and abundance of lentic microphytobenthos assemblages is often large and occurs at relatively small spatial scale. Desmids (Zygnematophyceae) often constitute a characteristic part of the microphytobenthos of peat bogs. Despite their important role in primary production and fact that they are useful indicators of ecosystem uniqueness, investigations of their seasonality and spatial distribution are scarce. In my thesis I have investigated if desmid epipelic communities are driven rather by neutral or niche-based processes, and I also focused on the factors affecting their diversity, seasonal dynamics and spatial patterns at the local spatial scale. The study was conducted at the two different types of biotopes - minerotrophic lowland peat bogs (Doksy region) and ombrotrophic raised bogs (Jizera Mountains region). Seasonal changes in species composition and diversity of assemblages were not evident. This may be affected by a monopolization effect and also that local abundance of species was positively correlated with population persistence, which suggests that high local...
|
guest ::
