Flora And Vegetation Of The Czech Republic

This book provides basic information on the botanical diversity in the Czech Republic and relates the patterns in flora and vegetation to environmental factors, biogeographical history and human impact. Focusing on vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens, it summarizes the data on taxonomic diversity and provides details of relict, endemic, rare, alien and other biogeographically important species. Main vegetation types are characterized in terms of their structure, distribution, ecology and dynamics, emphasizing the long-term vegetation changes since the late Pleistocene, historical impact of humans on vegetation and current changes in vegetation including the impact of alien species. Special attention is paid to the conservation of threatened plant species and their habitats and ecological restoration. An account of the history of botanical research in this country is also provided. The book is illustrated with numerous maps, graphs and photographs of plant species and communities. The book is an essential reference for any biogeographer, botanist and plant ecologist who is working in Central Europe or is searching for both general and more specific information on this part of the world.

In this interdisciplinary textbook, which bridges the gap between the natural and social sciences both, the scientific principles of restoration ecology and practical aspects of ecosystem restoration are comprehensively presented. The diversity of land-use types with a focus on Central Europe is highlighted and case studies of practical restoration projects are presented. The textbook offers students who deal with the environment as well as scientists and practitioners a profound and up-to-date, but also critical overview of the state of knowledge. This book opens up the broad spectrum of degraded ecosystems of Central European natural and cultural landscapes. In further chapters, marine ecosystems and their restoration as well as development potentials and the limits of restoration are discussed in more detail. The ecological fundamentals are expanded through an interdisciplinary perspective taking into account environmental ethics, sociology, anthropology, and economics. In addition to an up-to-date overview of the various areas and fields of activity in restoration ecology and ecosystem restoration, the textbook provides a valuable basis for studies, science, and practice. The students also receive assistance in searching for literature and critical fact analysis, and the lecturers on teaching formats and interdisciplinary approaches to discussion in restoration ecology.

Murophytes is a novel hybrid term, the original term “mural” stands for wall and the term “phytes” stands for “the plants” or the flora. Therefore, the term murophytes means “the plants growing over the walls or buildings”. The book deals with the various species of genus Ficus found growing over the buildings and playing a very dominant role in damaging the buildings. The three Ficus species, Ficus religiosa, Ficus benghalensis and Ficus glomerata are mostly growing over the buildings. These three Ficus species are mostly responsible for uprooting of plasters, widening of gap or cracks and crevices and deterioration of the upper surface of buildings and causing considerable and visible damage to the buildings. Seeds of Ficus species are produced by method of dispersal or by physical and biological agents. Ficus has proved to be the most successful murophyte because of its tendency of adaptability in adverse situations. Extremely high growth rate of roots of Ficus benghalensis growing murophyte was recorded. Most of the murophytes appear during the rainy season and winter seasons of the year. The study provides that the Asteraceae, Poaceae, Moraceae, Scrophulariaceae and Amaranthaceae families are represented exclusively by the most dominant murophytes. Similar to different serial stages in succession in water, and sand different serial stages are found to exist in the case of murophytes. Parallel to hydrosere and psammosere, murosere has its existence. Thus, the term “murosere” stands for different serial stages in succession and establishment of murophytes. The initial plants are ephemerals, i.e. having very short life span. Soon they die and decompose to add organic matter in the soil deposition in various points of collection. The mineral component is contributed by the deposited dust. Thus a healthy soil, rich in minerals and organic matter becomes the substratum of the second generation of plants over the buildings. Due to continuous addition of mineral and organic matters, the amount of soil accumulation shows exponential growth year after year. On some specific sites indicated in plate 2. The amount of accumulated soil forms the base and substratum to support the growth of higher plants. Thus, the primary community is algae, followed by a secondary community as bryophytes, grasses and lower angiosperms form the tertiary community and finally the higher angiosperms form the quaternary community. The point of special interest in Murosere is that one community does not replace the other; instead one community invites the other. Thus, in the final community all the communities, such as primary, secondary, tertiary as well as quaternary communities show co-existence.

This book gathers the proceedings of the 32nd Scientific-Experts Conference of Agriculture and Food Industry, held on December 1-2, 2022, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It reports on the application of molecular, nano- and engineering technologies for food sciences, and plant and animal production. It discusses important agricultural economics and social and environmental issues, proposings some answers to current and future challenges. The chapters reflect the special focus of this conference edition, which was on discussing strategies for developing a more resilient and sustainable agrifood systems. Offering a timely snapshot of cutting-edge and multidisciplinary research and methods, this book addresses researchers, professionals, and stakeholders in the broad field of agriculture and food sciences, biotechnology, and bio- and nanoengineering.

This book includes multi-national research studies (social and natural science research, as well as more directly practical university-based knowledge) about cultural heritage, land, and societal development in varied countries. The book is particularly about land use (as a fundamental aspect of the environment) and its role in development (especially sustainable development). Many of the studies are about topics concerning the transition from more rural to more urbanized land areas. However, some studies concern other types of changes. This includes general attention to globalization and nation-state dimensions of change. Nonetheless, there are interpretations communicated of unique histories at differing scales in the researches here. There is often a focus on more uniquely local and regional territories (including attention to smaller-scale land use) and an interest in future possibilities that conserve positive features of past terrain.

This book presents the results of a peer review of the Czech Republic's environmental policies and programmes. It covers environmental management of air, water, and waste; sustainable develoment; and international co-operation.

This handbook in two volumes synthesises our knowledge about the ecology of Central Europe’s plant cover with its 7000-yr history of human impact, covering Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia. Based on a thorough literature review with 5500 cited references and nearly 1000 figures and tables, the two books review in 26 chapters all major natural and man-made vegetation types with their climatic and edaphic influences, the structure and dynamics of their communities, the ecophysiology of important plant species, and key aspects of ecosystem functioning. Volume I deals with forests and scrub vegetation and analyses the ecology of Central Europe’s tree flora, whilst Volume II is dedicated to the non-forest vegetation covering mires, grasslands, heaths, alpine habitats and urban vegetation. The consequences of over-use, pollution and recent climate change over the last century are explored and conservation issues addressed.