scholarly journals The Effect of the Proportion of Adjacent Non-Crop Vegetation on Plant and Invertebrate Diversity in the Vineyards of the South Moravian Region

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1073
Author(s):  
Lucia Ragasová ◽  
Tomáš Kopta ◽  
Jan Winkler ◽  
Hana Šefrová ◽  
Robert Pokluda
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Cover Cropping ◽  
Invertebrate Diversity ◽  
Promising Practice ◽  
Negative Impacts

Increasing vulnerability of crops to pests and diseases, problems with soil erosion, a decline in biodiversity and a number of other negative impacts caused by agricultural intensification and monocultural production have been the subjects of many studies in recent decades. Today, cover cropping has become a promising practice to defuse these negative impacts, and it is emerging in many wine-producing regions, including the Czech Republic. However, the importance of permanent natural and semi-natural habitats in agricultural production should not be neglected. In this study, the effect of adjacent non-crop vegetation on plant and insect diversity was evaluated. The highest plant species richness of inter-row vegetation was found in vineyards with a high proportion (>40%) of non-crop vegetation within a 500-m radius. Regarding the agricultural impact of inter-row vegetation, the high proportion of non-crop vegetation could have been related to the higher presence of opportunistic and non-harmful weeds, compared with the presence of dangerous weed species. The number of insect families present in inter-rows was probably affected more by the vegetation coverage rate than by the proportion of adjacent non-crop vegetation. However, the occurrence of the Hymenoptera species, often representing beneficial organisms, was related to localities with a high proportion of adjacent non-crop vegetation.

scholarly journals Family graveyards form underappreciated local plant diversity hotspots in China's agricultural landscapes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Gong ◽  
Liangtao Li ◽  
Jan C. Axmarcher ◽  
Zhenrong Yu ◽  
Yunhui Liu
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Plant Species Richness ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Landscape Features ◽  
Habitat Islands ◽  
Local Plant ◽  
Ecological Functioning

AbstractIn the intensively farmed, homogenous agricultural landscape of the North China Plain, family graveyards form distinct cultural landscape features. In addition to their cultural value, these graveyards represent semi-natural habitat islands whose potential roles in biodiversity conservation and ecological functioning has remained poorly understood. In this study, we investigated plant species richness on 199 family graveyards of different ages and sizes. In accordance with biogeography theory, both overall and insect-pollinated plant species richness increased with area and age of graveyards. Even small graveyards show a strong potential for conserving local plant richness, and a mosaic of both large and small family graveyards could play an important role in the conservation of farmland biodiversity and related ecosystem functions. The launch of agri-environmental measures that conserve and create semi-natural habitats, in turn benefitting agricultural biodiversity and ecological functioning, has proven difficult in China due to the shortage of dispensable arable land. Given the great value of family graveyards as semi-natural habitats reflected in our study, we propose to focus preliminary efforts on conserving these landscape features as existing, widespread and culturally important semi-natural habitat islands. This would represent an effective, complementary policy to a subsequent re-establishment of other semi-natural habitats for the conservation of biodiversity and ecological functioning in agricultural landscapes.

scholarly journals Assessing Habitat Vulnerability and Loss of Naturalness: Applying the GLOBIO3 Model in the Czech Republic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5355
Author(s):  
Vilém Pechanec ◽  
Ondřej Cudlín ◽  
Miloš Zapletal ◽  
Jan Purkyt ◽  
Lenka Štěrbová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
New Equation ◽  
The Impact

Global and regional biodiversity loss is caused by several drivers including urban development, land use intensification, overexploitation of natural resources, environmental pollution, and climate change. The main aim of our study was to adapt the GLOBIO3 model to the conditions of the Czech Republic (CR) to assess loss of naturalness and biodiversity vulnerability at the habitat level on a detailed scale across the entire CR. An additional aim was to assess the main drivers affecting the biodiversity of habitat types. The GLOBIO3 model was adapted to CZ-GLOBIO by adapting global to local scales and using habitat quality and naturalness data instead of species occurrence data. The total mean species abundance (MSA) index of habitat quality, calculated from the spatial overlay of the four MSA indicators by our new equation, reached the value 0.62. The total value of MSA for natural and near-natural habitats was found to be affected mainly by infrastructure development and fragmentation. Simultaneously, intensity of land use change and atmospheric nitrogen deposition contributed primarily to the low total value of MSA for distant natural habitats. The CZ-GLOBIO model can be an important tool in political decision making to reduce the impact of the main drivers on habitat biodiversity in the CR.

scholarly journals Measuring costs of noise pollution generated by freight transport: Case of the Slovak and Czech Republic

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Břetislav Andrlík
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Freight Transport ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Negative Externality ◽  
Actual Measurement ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Marginal Costs ◽  
Negative Impacts

The paper focuses on measuring and quantification of the negative externality of noise pollution generated by freight transport in the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic. The paper describes negative impacts and significance of noise externalities, whereas it is established that noise causes psychological and physiological harm to affected persons. A separate part of the paper is dedicated to the current status of the European legislation dealing with the issues of the negative externality of noise pollution, in particular Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Communication COM(2008) 435. The actual measurement of the total, average and marginal costs of noise pollution is implemented in line with the defined methodology and using expert studies defined in the paper. The measurement results show that the costs of the negative externality of noise pollution are high in both countries. According to authors’ calculations, the total costs of the negative externality of noise pollution amount to EUR 100.8 mil in the Czech Republic and EUR 16.9 mil in the Slovak Republic. The paper contains a proposal of internalisation of these costs in the form of performance charges applied to operation of heavy goods vehicles.

scholarly journals Weed Species Diversity in the Czech Republic Under Different Farming and Site Conditions

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 741-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela Kolářová ◽  
Luděk Tyšer ◽  
Josef Soukup
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Organic Farming ◽  
Chenopodium Album ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Standard Size ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Winter Cereals

The aim of this study was to explore the composition of weed vegetation on arable land in selected areas of the Czech Republic and to determine the level of γ-diversity. Our survey was conducted at 27 conventional and 35 organic farms from 2006–2008. In each sampled field, one phytocoenological relevé of a standard size of 100 m2 was recorded in the central part of the field. The species cover was estimated. The total γ-diversity was expressed as the total number of weed species recorded. γ-diversity of different farming systems, altitudes and crops was calculated. Subsequently, the species were divided on the basis of their perenniality. In total, 172 weed species were found – 123 and 162 in conventional and organic farming, respectively. The highest number of species was found in winter cereals and at medium altitudes. Chenopodium album was recorded as the species with the highest constancy in both types of farming. In total, 89 annuals, 17 biennials and 15 perennials were observed in conventional farming, and 109 annuals, 23 biennials, 28 perennials and 2 semiparasitic annuals were found in organic farming.

scholarly journals Site wind right: Identifying low-impact wind development areas in the Central United States

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Hise ◽  
Brian Obermeyer ◽  
Marissa Ahlering ◽  
Jessica Wilkinson ◽  
Joseph Fargione
Keyword(s):  
Wind Energy ◽  
Great Plains ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Central United States ◽  
Rapid Transition ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Low Carbon Energy

AbstractTo help avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change, society needs to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century. Wind energy provides a clean, renewable source of electricity; however, improperly sited wind facilities pose known threats to wildlife populations and contribute to degradation of natural habitats. To support a rapid transition to low-carbon energy while protecting imperiled species, we identified potential low-impact areas for wind development in a 17-state region of the central U.S. By combining maps of sensitive habitats and species with wind speed and land use information, we demonstrate that there is significant potential to develop wind energy in the Great Plains while avoiding significant negative impacts to wildlife. These low-impact areas have the potential to yield approximately 1,099-1,832 GW of wind capacity. This is equivalent to 10-18 times current U.S. installed wind capacity. Our analysis demonstrates that ambitious low-carbon energy goals are achievable on sites with minimal risk of wildlife conflict.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF INFLUENCE OF TERRAIN RELIEF ROUGHNESS ON DEM ACCURACY GENERATED FROM LIDAR IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC TERRITORY

2016 ◽  
Vol XLI-B4 ◽  
pp. 25-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Hubacek ◽  
V. Kovarik ◽  
V. Kratochvil
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Vegetation Coverage ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
Lower Accuracy ◽  
Check Points ◽  
Elevation Data ◽  
Dem Accuracy ◽  
Elevation Model

Digital elevation models are today a common part of geographic information systems and derived applications. The way of their creation is varied. It depends on the extent of area, required accuracy, delivery time, financial resources and technologies available. The first model covering the whole territory of the Czech Republic was created already in the early 1980's. Currently, the 5th DEM generation is being finished. Data collection for this model was realized using the airborne laser scanning which allowed creating the DEM of a new generation having the precision up to a decimetre. Model of such a precision expands the possibilities of employing the DEM and it also offers new opportunities for the use of elevation data especially in a domain of modelling the phenomena dependent on highly accurate data. The examples are precise modelling of hydrological phenomena, studying micro-relief objects, modelling the vehicle movement, detecting and describing historical changes of a landscape, designing constructions etc. <br><br> Due to a nature of the technology used for collecting data and generating DEM, it is assumed that the resulting model achieves lower accuracy in areas covered by vegetation and in built-up areas. Therefore the verification of model accuracy was carried out in five selected areas in Moravia. The network of check points was established using a total station in each area. To determine the reference heights of check points, the known geodetic points whose heights were defined using levelling were used. Up to several thousands of points were surveyed in each area. Individual points were selected according to a different configuration of relief, different surface types, and different vegetation coverage. The sets of deviations were obtained by comparing the DEM 5G heights with reference heights which was followed by verification of tested elevation model. Results of the analysis showed that the model reaches generally higher precision than the declared one in majority of areas. This applies in particular to areas covered by vegetation. By contrast, the larger deviations occurred in relation to the slope of the terrain, in particular in the micro-relief objects. The results are presented in this article.

Natural habitats matter: Determinants of spatial pattern in the composition of animal assemblages of the Czech Republic

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. 7-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Divíšek ◽  
David Zelený ◽  
Martin Culek ◽  
Karel Št’astný
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Spatial Pattern ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
The Czech Republic

Landscape Fragmentation Around Us – Integrating the Issue into Educational Processes at Primary and Secondary Schools

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivo Dostál ◽  
Petr Anděl ◽  
Marek Havlíček ◽  
František Petrovič
Keyword(s):  
Landscape Fragmentation ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Educational Processes ◽  
Wildlife Migration ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Proposed Modification ◽  
The Given ◽  
History Classes ◽  
Impacts Of Human Activity

The steadily increasing landscape fragmentation and the reduction of permeability for wildlife are among the most negative impacts of human activity on the environment. In terms of education, theseproblems appear to be rather demanding, withthe difficulty corresponding tosecondary school standards. Considering the multiple interdisciplinary connections, the entire process cannot be sufficiently understood without a relevant amount of preliminary knowledge. Such a corpus of information is acquired especially through biology/ecology, geographyand history classes, but links to other subjects can be found too. The paper presents didactic methods facilitating the actual presentation of the theme to pupils/students; in this context, the authors discuss the possibilities of integrating the given problems into applicable schoolsubjects andoutline the risks arising from the proposed modification and/ or expansion of the teaching procedures. Also the links to data and supporting methodological materials are included that will allow the teacher to obtain enough information on the topicsto comprehend all the aspects and complexities of the innovated classes. In the corresponding sections, the papercharacterizes individual topics to be combined with selected teaching methods, especially as regards worksheets, project-oriented education, anda case study relating to afield trip targeting one of the areas of high importance for wildlife migration in the Czech Republic.

Crop protection.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynette Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Crop Protection ◽  
Early Agriculture ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Vertebrate Pests ◽  
The Many ◽  
Potential Food ◽  
Vast Range

Abstract Crop protection procedures have existed since the first attempts at early agriculture. While cultivation of a vast range of crops is vital our existence, these same plants are highly attractive to a diverse range of invertebrate and vertebrate pests, and disease pathogens. Competition from weed species also occurs on a worldwide scale. Even with the many forms of crop protection practised today, losses due to pests and diseases range from 10 to 90%, with an average of 35-40% for all potential food and fibre crops (Peshin, 2002).

scholarly journals Active surveillance for antibodies confirms circulation of lyssaviruses in Palearctic bats

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Veronika Seidlova ◽  
Jan Zukal ◽  
Jiri Brichta ◽  
Nikolay Anisimov ◽  
Grzegorz Apoznański ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rabies Virus ◽  
Central And Eastern Europe ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Active Season ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Public Health Protection ◽  
Bat Rabies ◽  
Palearctic Area

Abstract Background Palearctic bats host a diversity of lyssaviruses, though not the classical rabies virus (RABV). As surveillance for bat rabies over the Palearctic area covering Central and Eastern Europe and Siberian regions of Russia has been irregular, we lack data on geographic and seasonal patterns of the infection. Results To address this, we undertook serological testing, using non-lethally sampled blood, on 1027 bats of 25 species in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Russia and Slovenia between 2014 and 2018. The indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) detected rabies virus anti-glycoprotein antibodies in 33 bats, giving an overall seroprevalence of 3.2%. Bat species exceeding the seroconversion threshold included Myotis blythii, Myotis gracilis, Myotis petax, Myotis myotis, Murina hilgendorfi, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Vespertilio murinus. While Myotis species (84.8%) and adult females (48.5%) dominated in seropositive bats, juveniles of both sexes showed no difference in seroprevalence. Higher numbers tested positive when sampled during the active season (10.5%), as compared with the hibernation period (0.9%). Bat rabies seroprevalence was significantly higher in natural habitats (4.0%) compared with synanthropic roosts (1.2%). Importantly, in 2018, we recorded 73.1% seroprevalence in a cave containing a M. blythii maternity colony in the Altai Krai of Russia. Conclusions Identification of such “hotspots” of non-RABV lyssavirus circulation not only provides important information for public health protection, it can also guide research activities aimed at more in-depth bat rabies studies.

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