Male-male amplexus between two amphibian families

The amplexus between two different anuran males is observed very rarely. Therefore, here we provide the first documented observation of a long-lasting male-male amplexus between Bombina bombina (Bombinatoridae) and Hyla arborea (Hylidae) together with an overview of the data published in literature. The observed mating pattern is reported from Southern Moravia, the Czech Republic. The possible reasons for its occurrence during the mass breeding season are discussed.

Using the equation for computing the wind erodible fraction of soils in the conditions of the Czech republic

The erodible fraction (EF) of soil (soil aggregates and particles <0.84 mm) is one of the basic factors according to which the susceptibility of soil to wind erosion can be assessed. The standard method for determining the EF content is the use of a rotary sieve. Nevertheless, its availability is limited by its price and the fact that it is not mass-produced and is necessary to build the sieve to order. An alternative method of determining the EF content is to use an equation based on knowledge of the content of sand, silt, clay, organic carbon, and calcium carbonate. However, this equation has only been tested for US conditions. Therefore, the research focuses on the validation of the equation for the conditions of the Czech Republic, specifically in the territory of Southern Moravia. The results show that the equation validated for the USA cannot be used to determine the EF content in soils of the Czech Republic. Using the statistical program Unistat©, a new equation was proposed with correlation coefficient R = 0.8238 which means good applicability of the equation for the local soils at least in the area of Southern Moravia.

Cultural Tourism as a Driver of Rural Development. Case Study: Southern Moravia

The main aim of the study was to find out whether cultural tourism could be a driver of rural development in the selected area and in general. In case yes, to what extent and under what conditions. Three districts in the South-Moravian Region, Znojmo, Břeclav, and Hodonín, situated in the rural borderland with Austria and Slovakia represented the study area. Both geographical and sociological methods were used to gather evidence for cultural tourism in that study. Firstly, attractiveness analysis of the area defined for cultural tourism took place. Next, factors influencing the potential for cultural tourism affecting rural development in South Moravia were evaluated. Finally, synergistic relations were discussed. In the territory, many forms of tourism intersect. Based on the results, it can be stated that cultural tourism can hardly be the main driver of rural development after the decline of agriculture because the region’s economy has branched out in several directions. However, it can be an important complementary activity that yields both economic and non-economic benefits.

Cultural Tourism as a Possible Driver of Rural Development in Czechia. Wine Tourism in Moravia as a Case Study

The paper connects culture, tourism and rural development. It tries to make an overview of various forms of cultural tourism in Czechia. Attractions of cultural tourism are identified and ranked according to their cognitive function. Their list includes cultural heritage in spheres of archaeological sites, architecture, arts, folklore, pilgrimages, technical works, cultural events or protected landscape areas. The culture of wine in Southern Moravia has been chosen as an example. Its analysis was elaborated using the Importance/Performance Analysis. Czechia has great potential for the cultural tourism development in rural areas but it seems to demand a great deal of work when one needs to be constantly reconciling the changing interests of tourists with the potential of the regions. One of the important goals is to attract tourists into rural areas and thus limit their concentration in the most attractive places. Rural cultural tourism seems to be a significant aspect in this respect. The part of the study is the example of the adaptation of the current situation with COVID-19 to properly support the development and cultural potential of domestic tourism in South Moravian region in relation to the economic impacts on international tourism.

Vincenc Vinko Hlavinka and his Significance for Croatian Geodesy and Czechoslovak-Croatian Relationships

The civil engineer and geodesist Vincenc Vinko Hlavinka (1862-1934) worked in Zagreb for 23 years after studying in Vienna. His pedagogical activities and projects are described, along with his significance for the development of geodesy and technology in Croatia and his activities after he returned to Czechoslovakia, where he was a professor at the Higher Technical School in Brno, among other things. Hlavinka was actively engaged after his return in the development of Czechoslovak-Croat relationships, and his efforts for the Czechoslovak-South Slavic League were particularly noted. As its president, he organised trips to Yugoslavia for individuals and groups, initiated the establishment of the South Slavic College in Brno, and helped the Croatian minority in southern Moravia.

Die Runeninschrift auf dem Rinderknochen von Břeclav, Flur Lány (Südmähren, Tschechische Republik)

During recent excavations at Břeclav-Lány (southern Moravia, Czech Republic), archaeologists have found a fragmented bovine rib with runes. The rib was unearthed in an early Slavic pit-house and is radiocarbon- dated to ca. 600. The inscription begins at the break line and reads xbemdo (probably tbemdo), representing six of the last eight runes of the older fuþark – it seems that the lost piece of the rib exhibited the preceding part of the rune row. There is reason to believe that the carver was a Langobard who did not join the migration into northern Italy in 568 (or, alternatively, a Slav who learned and used the Germanic script?).

Smart Village and Sustainability. Southern Moravia Case Study

The paper is aimed at an attempt to define a smart village in the Czech conditions. It argues that the principles of smart villages are very similar to the concept of sustainability. The analysis deals with preventing rural exclusion, promoting digital technologies for the management of the rural infrastructure, teleworking in rural areas and using ICT for participation and governance. This approach is documented in the case of the South-Moravian Region. It was concluded that it was not so much coverage or accessibility of digital technology that was the main barrier of more intensive use of the smart village concept but rather the lower qualification level and conservatism of rural population is. It is suggested that more attention should be paid to increasing the digital literacy of rural people.

Assessing Geotourism Resources on a Local Level: A Case Study from Southern Moravia (Czech Republic)

In the last decades, the geotourism has shown a considerable growth all over the world and it is appreciated and accepted as a useful tool for promoting natural and cultural heritage and for fostering local and regional economic development, especially within rural areas. Geotourism focus especially on the geological and geomorphological aspects of the landscape; however, according to the current holistic approach, it also builds on the close relations between geodiversity and other assets of the territory, such as biodiversity, archaeological and cultural values, gastronomy or architecture. Currently, geotourism activities are promoted mainly within geoparks, but other regions also possess an important geotourism potential. A complex assessment of the geotourism resources of a particular area is crucial for geotourism-development. The paper presents two case studies from Southern Moravia (Czech Republic) where the assessment of geotourism’s potential was made by using the geomorphosite concept and extended SWOT analysis. Results show that these areas (situated outside the geoparks or large-scale protected areas and not far from a big city) have considerable potential for geotourism development, and geodiversity can be considered an important resource for local and regional development. Based on this, conclusions about the possibilities of geotourism development outside the geoparks are outlined.