scholarly journals Changes in flood frequencies in Switzerland since 1500

2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1581-1594 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Schmocker-Fackel ◽  
F. Naef
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Solar Activity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Flood Events ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Northern Switzerland ◽  
The Past ◽  
Current Period ◽  
The Individual

Abstract. In northern Switzerland, an accumulation of large flood events has occurred since the 1970s, preceded by a prolonged period with few floods (Schmocker-Fackel and Naef, 2010). How have Swiss flood frequencies changed over the past 500 years? And how does the recent increase in flood frequencies compare with other periods in this half millennium? We collected historical flood data for 14 Swiss catchments dating back to 1500 AC. All catchments experienced marked fluctuations in flood frequencies, and we were able to identify four periods of frequent flooding in northern Switzerland, lasting between 30 and 100 years (1560–1590, 1740–1790, 1820–1940 and since 1970). The current period of increased flood frequencies has not yet exceeded those observed in the past. We tested whether the flood frequency fluctuation could be explained with generalised climatic indices like solar activity or the NAO. The first three periods of low flood frequency in Switzerland correspond to periods of low solar activity. However, after 1810 no relationship between solar activity and flood frequency was found, nor could a relationship be established between reconstructed NAO indices or reconstructed Swiss temperatures. We found re-occurring spatial patterns of flood frequencies on a European scale, with the Swiss periods of frequent flooding often in phase with those in the Czech Republic, Italy and Spain and less often with those in Germany. The pattern of flooding in northern Switzerland and the Czech Republic seem to be rather similar, although the individual flood events do not match. This comparison of flooding patterns in different European countries suggests that changes in large scale atmospheric circulation are responsible for the flood frequency fluctuations.

scholarly journals Changes in flood frequencies in Switzerland since 1500

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 529-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Schmocker-Fackel ◽  
F. Naef
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Solar Activity ◽  
Atmospheric Circulation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Flood Events ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Northern Switzerland ◽  
Atmospheric Circulation Patterns ◽  
The Past

Abstract. In Northern Switzerland, an accumulation of large flood events has occurred since the 1970s, preceded by a prolonged period with few floods (Schmocker-Fackel and Naef, 2010). How have Swiss flood frequencies changed over the past 500 years? And how does the recent increase in flood frequencies compare with other periods in this half millennium? We collected historical flood data for 14 Swiss catchments dating back to 1500 AC. All catchments experienced marked fluctuations in flood frequencies, and we were able to identify four periods of frequent flooding in Northern Switzerland, lasting between 30 and 100 years. The current period of increased flood frequencies has not yet exceeded those observed in the past. We tested whether the flood frequency fluctuation could be explained with generalised climatic indices like solar activity or atmospheric circulation patterns. The first three periods of low flood frequency in Switzerland correspond to periods of low solar activity. However, after 1810 no relationship between solar activity and flood frequency were found. Nor could a relationship be established between reconstructed NAO indices or reconstructed Swiss summer temperatures. We found re-occurring spatial patterns of flood frequencies on a European scale, with the Swiss periods of frequent flooding often in phase with those in the Czech Republic, Italy and Spain and less often with those in Germany. The pattern of flooding in Northern Switzerland and the Czech Republic seem to be rather similar, although the individual flood events do not match. This comparison of flooding patterns in different European countries suggests that changes in large scale atmospheric circulation are responsible for the flood frequency fluctuations.

scholarly journals Incidence of Characteristic Findings during Veterinary Carcass Inspections 2010–2019 in the Czech Republic and the Relation to the Level of Health and Welfare of Individual Classes of Cattle

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 537
Author(s):  
Michal Kaluza ◽  
Vladimir Vecerek ◽  
Eva Voslarova ◽  
Zbynek Semerad ◽  
Annamaria Passantino
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Pathological Findings ◽  
Pathological Changes ◽  
Great Intensity ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Stunted Growth ◽  
Liver And Pancreas ◽  
Systemic Disorder ◽  
The Individual

Pathological findings in individual classes of cattle were assessed from the viewpoint of their localization and category. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether there are differences in the range and number of findings made between the individual classes of cattle. The results of veterinary inspections on 2,514,666 head of cattle slaughtered in the Czech Republic in the period 2010–2019 were used for the assessment. In terms of localization, the most frequent findings in cows were in the liver and pancreas (46.13%), the urinary tract (40.76%) and the lungs (36.23%). These findings also predominated in heifers and bulls, though they were recorded at lower frequencies (p < 0.01) than in cows. The most frequent pathological changes in heifers and bulls were chronic findings in the lungs (16.09% and 12.27%, respectively). The range of findings in calves differed significantly from other classes of cattle, primarily as the result of respiratory and diarrheal syndrome being the most frequent diseases in calves. Calves were the class of cattle most frequently diagnosed with findings in the lungs (44.89%), as well as other unclassified changes (24.43%) and overall changes (21.55%), which point to a systemic disorder of the organism. The results of this study confirmed the differing states of health in the individual classes of cattle and the differing health issues to which treatment and the prevention of the most frequently occurring infectious and non-infectious diseases must be adapted. Cattle welfare is affected not only by the level of health but also by the herd management and economics. This is confirmed by the range of findings, and the deterioration of living conditions especially in cows, likely because of great intensity of farming, but also in calves which suffered from emaciation or stunted growth.

scholarly journals Spatial differentiation of ecosystem risks of soil pollution in floodplain areas of the Czech Republic

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (No. 1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Skála ◽  
R. Vácha ◽  
J. Hofman ◽  
V. Horváthová ◽  
M. Sáňka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Spatial Differentiation ◽  
Flood Frequency ◽  
Extreme Weather Events ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Local Pollution ◽  
Floodplain Soils ◽  
History Of ◽  
High Flood

Extensive soil sampling and screening assessment of ecosystem risks combined with a multidimensional statistical analysis were used to estimate and spatially characterize the ecosystem risks stemming from the contamination of floodplain soils in the Czech Republic. We proved structural differences in regional pollution patterns where different regional/local pollution sources led to various nature and extent of the environmental load of floodplain soils. The established spatial patterns helped reveal the areas where soils do not meet soil quality standards and where the ecosystem risks were elevated. Furthermore, the results allowed to establish priority contaminants of flood affected areas in various catchments in the Czech Republic. Combining both the magnitudes of estimated ecosystem risks and structural characteristics of pollution profiles, the highest estimated risks showed the localities with high contents of organochlorine pesticides, several samples connected to geochemical anomalies of metallogenic zones (deposits), and localities with a long history of industrial load. Since extreme weather events have recently become more frequent, our results highlight the importance of a continual monitoring of pollutant turnover in floodplain soils with a high flood frequency.

scholarly journals The development of regional differentiation of office construction in the Czech Republic: 1990–2010

2015 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-33
Author(s):  
Pavel Domalewski ◽  
Jan Baxa
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Regional Differentiation ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Dominant Position

Abstract The factors that were crucial for the construction of administrative buildings in the regional capitals of the Czech Republic are subject to examination in this article. One primary question is whether the development of office construction reflects the qualitative importance of the cities, or whether there are some other regularities in the spatial distribution of construction. To identify the key factors, controlled interviews with experts professionally involved in the construction of administrative buildings were carried out, and these data were then extended as part of a large-scale questionnaire survey with other experts on the issue. The results have confirmed the dominant position of the capital city of Prague in terms of its qualitative importance, as the remaining regional capitals have less than one-tenth of the volume of modern office building areas. The greatest differences in the construction of administrative buildings have been noted in Brno and Ostrava, despite the fact that they exhibit similar characteristics when considered in the light of respondent-determined factors.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Readiness and Resilience of Czech Society against Water-Related Crises

Hydrology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Štěpán Kavan ◽  
Šárka Kročová ◽  
Jiří Pokorný
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Multicriteria Analysis ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Comparison Method ◽  
Internal Environment ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Triangle Method ◽  
Czech Society ◽  
The Individual

This assessment of societal readiness and resilience to water-related situations in the Czech Republic focuses on an interdisciplinary approach in the Czech Republic for solving this problem. The goal of the article is to evaluate and characterize the preparedness for handling water-related crises. The analysis is carried out via a SWOT analysis, which is a universal analytical method used to understand and interpret strengths and weaknesses and to identify opportunities and threats. For the calculation of the weight factor of the SWOT analysis, an assessment was determined based on the multicriteria analysis. The pair comparison method was used to determine the relative importance of the parameters of the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The Fuller Triangle method was chosen for the system used to make the comparisons of the individual criteria. The uniqueness of the study consists of the issue of water management, which is thus reflected from a non-traditional perspective, being a contemporary model—the paradigm of the view on the preparedness of the planning documentation as one of the characteristics of societal resilience for water-related crises. The result of the research is the fact that a positive approach prevails in the researched area from the perspective of preparedness for water-related crises. For the creation of the conditions, the factors arising from the internal environment currently prevail slightly over those arising from the external environment.

Transitional Justice and Changing Memories of the Past in Central Europe

2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-44
Author(s):  
Roman David
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Transitional Justice ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Divided Societies ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Impact

Memories of wrongdoings are often viewed as an obstacle to reconciliation in divided societies. Is it due to the past or the present politics of the past? To examine the dilemma of essentialism versus presentism, this article investigates the impact of transitional justice on memories of wrongdoing. It theorizes that using different transitional justice strategies to deal with the same wrongdoing shapes memories in different ways. The theory is tested via vignette-based surveys in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, which adopted distinct lustration laws. The results show that wrongdoing is viewed through lustration laws, reflecting present power constellations, not history.

scholarly journals Lustration in Europe and Serbia: The motivation for passing the laws on lustration and their social functions

Sociologija ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-306
Author(s):  
Milan Cakic
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Transitional Justice ◽  
Liberal Democracy ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Social Functions ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
The Past ◽  
Historical Justice ◽  
Political Struggles ◽  
Opening Section

The main topic of this article are the motives that led to the adoption of lustration laws in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Serbia, and their social functions. In the opening section, lustration is placed in the wider framework of dealing with the past and two possible approaches to the phenomenon are discussed: to take it as part of the broader process of decommunization, or a measure of transitional justice. In the next section an attempt at defining the concept of lustration is made, with a view to eliminating some ambiguities surrounding it. Subsequently, two partially complementary theoretical models explaining the occurrence, form and severity of dealing with the past and lustration are presented. After that comes the description of the socio-political context at the time of the adoption of lustration laws in the three countries and identification of political and ideological forces that have supported or challenged it. Finally, the article attempts to answer the question whether lustration is a legitimate measure of settling historical justice, overcoming the legacies of socialism, a way to strengthen liberal democracy, or merely a tool in political struggles for power.

scholarly journals Assessment of Impact of Capital Acquisitions on the Economic Situation of Consolidated Entities in the Czech Republic

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 1335-1345
Author(s):  
Jaroslava Rajchlová ◽  
Anna Fedorová ◽  
Kristina Somerlíková ◽  
Libor Grega
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Consolidated Financial Statements ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Individual Assessment ◽  
Research Level ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Parent Companies

Business acquisition constitutes a fundamental aspect of business environment formation. Our research has focused on assessment of impact of capital acquisition on the economic condition of the company. Therefore, the second research level has been initiated, focusing on the individual assessment of the single companies to identify allocation of synergy between consolidated units and parent companies in the Czech Republic. For our research, taking into consideration availability of data and subsequent explanatory value of the results, we will consider synergistic effect as presented in the Ansoff’s concept. Consolidated financial statements of totally 719 groups of accounting entities – business concerns in the Czech Republic has been studied in the research. A composite indicator, as the modern tool for comparison and evaluation of development of entities, has been selected to compare individual economic indicators of parent companies and group of their companies. We believe that developed arguments allow us to formulate conclusion that capital acquisitions, resulting in the years 2008–2013 in the obligation to compile consolidated financial statement, have brought positive financial synergistic effects in majority of cases, and we can rank them among successful business activities.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document