Obsah/Content: ZLV 4/2024
ZLV, 69, 2024, Issue 40 - 0.
Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is one of the most important economic trees with deteriorating health conditions observed in recent years. The work aimed to compare and evaluate the regulation of gene activities involved in defense mechanisms under biotic and abiotic stress conditions in a group of healthy individuals of Scots pine and individuals damaged by the pine beetle (Phaenops cyanea). Determination of the relative gene expression levels of twelve selected genes was carried out by qPCR analysis in samples of Scots pine needles collected at two localities, Stará Boleslav and Podbrahy. At both monitored locations we noted the same trends in the regulation of the relative gene expression profile for seven genes (CHS, CH5B, PR_P2, PO12, PAAL, SUCSYN3 and USP A), including a significant increase in the relative gene expression level of the phenylalanine-ammonia lyase (PAAL) involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoids, phenylpropanoids and lignin in plants, in the group of damaged individuals compared to the control group at the locality Stará Boleslav. For both groups of samples (healthy and damaged individuals) we noticed considerable variability in the measured data related to many variable factors of the external environment and the genotype of each individual, even when comparing both habitats.
The effect of the first thinning in fir thickets 3–5 years after the intervention was evaluated at eleven sites. Two sub-plots were established at each site: one control and one thinned. One thousand promising fir trees per hectare in each plot were marked. These trees were then released from 1–2 competitors. The average annual increment of the mean stem diameter, slenderness ratio and crown ratio were evaluated on a set of target trees (1,000 silver-fir trees per hectare). The first thinning resulted in an acceleration of the diameter growth of the released target trees at most sites. Higher average diameter growth on the thinned treatment was recorded at ten of the eleven sites. On the thinned treatment, the mean slenderness ratio of the target firs was slightly more favourable at 82 compared to the control 87 (difference = -5.3; DF = 1,8; SE = 1.40; p = 0.005), and their mean crown ratio was also higher at 0.73 compared to the control at 0.68 (difference = 0.05; DF= 1,8; SE = 0.015; p = 0.02).
The increase in wild ungulate population density harms the dynamics of forest ecosystems. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the initial degree of damage, as a key factor in the secondary spread of fungal pathogens, and other parameters as a result of bark stripping caused by red deer (Cervus elaphus L.). The research focused on young Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) stands (7–26 years) in a total of 20 permanent research plots at four locations in the Klášterec nad Ohří and Rumburk Forest Service, each with an area of 100 m2 (10 m × 10 m). From the assessment of 783 spruce individuals, it follows that damage by bark stripping in particular stands amounted to 23.4–58.3%. Average circumferential damage ranged between 20.2–32.1% with a trunk wound length of 38.5–77.0 cm. Overall, a significant (p < 0.05) difference in dendrometric parameters (DBH and tree height) was found between undamaged “healthy” trees, and individuals with new and old damage in terms of attractiveness to game. The average DBH of undamaged trees varies between 2.0 and 3.7 cm, which is the size that wildlife prefers for initial damage. The lowest dimension of newly damaged trees starts from a DBH of 1.5 cm, and trees with a DBH > approx. 9 cm were no longer searched for wildlife. Effective hunting management and regulation of the abundance of ungulates to ecologically acceptable levels are the key to the protection of forest stands.
The aim of the paper is to evaluate the significance of linear strips of woody vegetation (biocorridors) in the agricultural landscape for the populations of mammals. Data on their occurrence were obtained using camera traps that were installed in 14 biocorridors in selected locations in South Moravia (Czech Republic). Data collection took place from October 2020 to June 2022. A total of 40 camera traps were used, which captured over 49,000 images of 16 species. The largest percentage was represented by roe deer (57%), followed by European hare (14%) and fallow deer (11%). Of the 16 species mentioned, 10 were found mainly at night. With the onset of winter (December–February), the nocturnal occurrence of the species in the biocorridors gradually decreased and increased in the morning hours. The phase of the day, the season, the character of the vegetation, the size and shading of the biocorridor had a significant influence on the spatiotemporal occurrence of mammals. Biocorridors proved to be an important landscape element especially in terms of the occurrence of smaller predators and common habitat generalists such as roe deer and hare. Both species used biocorridors very intensively, so can significantly support the survival of their populations in agricultural landscapes.
Red oak (Quercus rubra L.) is one of the most abundant non-native tree species in Czech forests. According to data from 2023, it occupies 6,719 ha, which represents 0.25% of an forested area. The average age of red oak in the Czech Republic is 52 years. The paper deals with the assessment of production capacity in 33 plots of 0.06 ha, established in 11 forest areas. The age of the plots ranged from 40 to 134 years at the time of the inventory, which took place between 2020 and 2023. The median height ranged from 18 m to 34 m, the median DBH ranged from 18 cm to 59 cm and the median stem volume ranged from 0.28 m3 to 3.20 m3. The standing volume per hectare ranged from 166 m3 to 1772 m3; the big difference is based on both the age and the number of trees per the plots. Almost all the plots showed an excellent health of red oak. Results of the investigation show a high production potential of red oak even in comparison with the average values for this tree species in the forest management records. Given that its adaptive potential to predicted climate change (especially drought and temperature extremes) appears to be higher than that of European native oaks, its importance is expected to increase in the future.
The paper deals with silvicultural models for transformation of one silver birch dominated, naturally regenerated, 22.5-year-old stand, which is situated in the central part of the Czech Republic and grows in an Abieto-Fagetum illimerosum mesotrophicum forest site. Field analysis comprised measuring of the DBH and qualitative analyses of birch trees in a permanent research plot 0.25 ha in size. High growing stock – 241 m3/ha (the best site index for birch) was accompanied by 48 of the best quality birch trees with a smaller DBH – only 17 cm. In total, 10 basic models combining forest management intensity and silvicultural system were designed for this experimental stand. The SWOT analysis was conducted to compare the silvicultural models.
In recent years, efforts to mitigate the effects of drought and ongoing environmental changes have focused on preserving and reproducing the unique native genetic resources of Norway spruce from the Ore Mountains. These selected variants have demonstrated remarkable resilience to pollution during periods of high immission load in the region. The successful preservation and vegetative propagation of these resistant variants of Krušné hory Norway spruce have been preserved and propagated vegetatively in ex situ conditions. This review summarizes available references regarding the use and improvement of vegetative propagation methods aimed at recovering and conserving selected clones of resistant variants of Norway spruce in the Ore Mountains, with an emphasis on their practical application in forestry practice. Improvements in vegetative propagation methods have led to the cultivation of secondary cuttings, which exhibit significantly higher vitality compared to primary cuttings. The paper also highlights a practical application of these methods through the revitalization and reconstruction of an old clone archive of resistant Norway spruce variants. This reconstructed clonal archive, having been established in the Krušné hory region under in situ conditions, has emerged as a key outcome of a recently concluded research project in the Ore Mountains.
Invasive mammalian species, which can pose a significant threat to biodiversity and ecosystem stability, are one of the most problematic threats for the protection worldwide. In the Czech Republic, nutria (Myocastor coypus) is one of the most problematic due to localized damage to agricultural crops and negative impact to riparian ecosystem vegetation. At present, however, there is no methodology available to systematically monitor nutria population density, distribution and new habitat colonization. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop a methodology for the accurate determination of nutria abundance that should allow the identification of risk areas and more effective control of agricultural damage. The proposed pilot methodology is based on a combination of direct counting using thermal cameras, indirect verification of residence signs and activity assessment by camera traps. Results from selected locality of interest in Central Bohemia and a control site indicated high nutria abundance, with highest mean abundance recorded along rivers (22.14 ind./km; 95% CI: 0–44.78) and streams (11.90 ind./km; 95% CI: 3.09–20.71), with lower abundance around other water bodies (6.24 ind./km; 95% CI: 0–16.53) and drainage canals (4.64 ind./km; 95% CI: 0.68–8.60).