Obsah/Content: ZLV 4/2025
ZLV, 70, 2025, Číslo 40-0.
Presented monitoring in the Hrubý Jeseník Mountains is part of a research project focused on the impact of large-scale clear-cuts carried out during the extensive bark beetle outbreak in 2015–2020 on hydrological processes in small forest catchments. During the 2022–2024 growing seasons, precipitation, soil moisture, and soil water potential were monitored in clear-cuts and Norway spruce stands. Soil moisture was the highest at the beginning of vegetation season, then declined as the evapotranspiration increased. In open areas, significantly higher soil moisture was generally measured compared to Norway spruce stands due to their relatively high interception (29–69 %) and transpiration. However, the drought stress episodes with the strongly negative soil water potential (≈ -1.5 MPa) were identified rather exceptionally and exclusively in forest stands and in upper 10 cm of mineral soil. We conclude that the loss of forest cover, which temporarily occurred because of the bark beetle outbreak, does not have a fundamental impact on the development of soil moisture – at least there is no “drying out of the landscape”. The potential issue is rather the reduction in the retention capacity of soils to absorb larger amounts of torrential rainfall due to higher water reserves in the soil in clear-cut locations and reduced interception.
Soil biodiversity reflects human impact on forest soils. It can be assumed that biodiversity will decrease with the increasing degree of soil disturbance compared to close-to-nature forests. This paper aims to compare the soil environment and soil microbial biodiversity in habitats with different degrees of disturbance within the Krkonoše National Park (KRNAP). A close-to-nature beech forest, a same-aged spruce monoculture and footpaths/roads were selected. Soil samples were taken from each area at 10 locations, based on the soil horizons present (mixture of organic horizons FH, organo-mineral A and mineral B). Basic soil characteristics were determined (organic C (Cox), active pH and base saturation). The composition of microbial communities and the reciprocal Simpson index were also determined for individual locations. Paths showed higher active pH and saturation of the sorption complex compared to forest habitats. No differences were found in the amount of Cox between habitats, apart from the FH horizon, where more Cox was determined in the near-natural stand. Prokaryotic and microeukaryotic communities are different in individual horizons and between habitats. Paths show a higher diversity of microbial populations in A horizons and B horizons showed higher numbers, even in prokaryotic microorganisms, compared to forest stands. Paths are an intrusion into the forest environment and are a significant element in the biodiversity of the forest environment of the KRNAP, most likely due to the differences in the soil environment, lower acidity and higher availability of nutrients compared to acidic and nutrient-poor forest areas.
Forest floor properties strongly reflect nutrient cycling, yet widely used rapid classifications may overlook important soil properties‘ variability. We described humus forms and quantified C/N ratios (0–5 cm) in four forest stand types – deciduous and coniferous monocultures, even‑aged mixed, and uneven‑aged mixed stands – distributed across lowland, mid‑altitude and high‑altitude conditions in the Czech Republic. A total of 122 soil pits across 5 localities were described. Field sampling followed a star‑shaped design with soil pits at fixed intervals; humus forms were assigned using the French classification (Brethes et al. 1995) as a basis for Humus Index (Ponge et al. 2002). Despite large contrasts in climate, bedrock and stand composition, three humus forms were described (dysmoder, eumoder, dysmull), indicating possible limited sensitivity of the classification. C/N ratios varied widely and were consistently lowest under broadleaved monocultures and highest under conifer‑dominated stands. Mixed stands often showed intermediate C/N values. Several differences were statistically significant within lowlands and mid‑altitudes. Our results suggest that stand composition can outweigh climatic setting in shaping topsoil organic matter quality. Moreover, the Humus Index may be a suitable tool for quick topsoil conditions assessment although, it is important to select and verify the correct classification of humus forms.
Large-scale forest disturbances caused by wind and bark beetle outbreaks have created extensive clearings that require efficient, site-specific, and climate-adaptive regeneration strategies. This study evaluates the effectiveness of artificial, combined, and alternative regeneration approaches on a 40-hectare experimental site in Heraltice, Czech Republic, established in 2019 after severe disturbances. Artificial regeneration consisted of pure and mixed plantings of Fagus sylvatica and Quercus robur, with Carpinus betulus used as an auxiliary species. The combined regeneration approach involved low-density planting of Picea abies and Alnus glutinosa (1,800 plants/ha), complemented by subsequent natural regeneration. The alternative variant applied a mixture of Prunus avium and Betula pendula at a density of 2,400 plants/ha. After five growing seasons, all regeneration variants met the legal criteria for an established plantation. While some pure plantations showed higher initial mortality, natural regeneration effectively compensated for planting losses. Pioneer species, particularly birch and alder, showed rapid height growth, exceeding 100 cm on average after five years, whereas oak and beech exhibited slower early development. Economic evaluation revealed significant cost differences between the regeneration methods: the combined regeneration method had total costs approximately one-third those of traditional artificial regeneration of broadleaves. The alternative Prunus–Betula mixture also substantially lowered establishment costs, though timely thinning remains essential to promote the target species. Overall, the results demonstrate that combining artificial and natural regeneration methods can accelerate reforestation, enhance structural and species diversity, reduce costs, and improve resilience to future disturbances. Such integrated strategies provide practical, cost-effective, and sustainable pathways for restoring large areas of disturbed forest under changing climatic conditions.
This research focused on comparing two spruce-dominated micro-watersheds with relatively similar natural conditions, located in different forest vegetation zones (FVZ). We followed two hydrologically different years 2023 and 2024, and observed differences in the amount and characteristics of extreme runoff events, which we primarily interpret as the effect of forest stands referring to their hydric functions. The local nature of the study and the short time period should be seen in the broader context of global climate change as contribution to the understanding of the changing role of forest stands in flood protection and also to the issue of extensive changes in tree species composition. Our results highlight the fact that spruce catchments in the lower altitudes (3rd FVZ) achieve significantly lower water management efficiency than spruce catchments closer to their ecological optimum (5th FVZ). This finding is important because it reminds us that challenges connected to spruce management cannot be categorically generalized but must be evaluated in local conditions. This applies, among other things, to extensive changes in tree species composition, which can have a significant positive effect on hydric conditions in the long term, but this effect can only be expected with a lag of several years.
Urbanization fundamentally influences mammalian behavior, yet quantitative data from Central European cities remain scarce. We deployed 60 camera traps across Brno (Czech Republic) from January 2024 to April 2025 along an urban–peri-urban–rural gradient, ranging from the historical city center to surrounding forests and agricultural land. In total, we collected 30,488 detections representing 23 mammal species; five species (European hare, roe deer, red fox, wild boar, domestic cat) accounted for over 75% of all records. Synanthropic species (cat, fox) were strongly associated with built-up areas, whereas hare, roe deer, and wild boar primarily used the peri-urban zone and connected green areas. Daily activity patterns corresponded with known ecological rhythms: hare and roe deer showed crepuscular peaks, wild boar and fox were mostly nocturnal, and cats exhibited activity distributed throughout the day. Seasonal shifts in activity were statistically confirmed for hare and fox. Three invasive species (nutria, muskrat, raccoon) were also documented. Our findings show that cities do not act as barriers but rather as heterogeneous mosaics enabling coexistence of species with different space-use strategies. Camera trapping proved effective for detecting early signals of wildlife and invasive species presence in urban environments.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of a modular wooden trap designed for wild boar (Sus scrofa) population management in Central Europe. The trap consisted of a pentagonal wooden structure 2 m in height equipped with a selective mechanical trigger and constructed to prevent visual contact with the surroundings, thereby reducing stress in captured animals. Camera monitoring and subsequent assessment of sex, age class and body weight demonstrated that the trap could capture a broad spectrum of age categories, including females with piglets. Capture success was significantly higher in spring and summer, reflecting increased foraging activity and the presence of larger family groups, whereas autumn captures included a greater proportion of adults and yearlings. The average body weight of captured individuals remained relatively low due to the predominance of piglets. Statistical analyses confirmed clear seasonal differences in capture efficiency, showing that trap performance is closely linked to group dynamics and food availability. Overall, the results indicate that the wooden trap is a functional, safe and welfare-friendly capture method suitable for forested and conflict-prone areas where conventional hunting methods cannot be used, and it can therefore substantially contribute to the sustainable management of expanding wild boar populations.
Climate change is a problem primarily driven by fossil fuel emissions, and mitigation strategies necessitate a shift to alternative energy sources. One potential source is bioenergy. Forest biomass is a widespread energy source favored for its renewability, abundance, and versatility. However, its carbon neutrality is debated. In their scoping review, Selivanov et al. (2023) identified eight carbon neutrality concepts, highlighting the lack of a unified definition and emphasizing the importance of temporal and spatial boundaries, feedstock origin, and production practices. A potential solution is to evaluate the environmental impact of bioenergy production across its entire life cycle using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, rather than simplistically labeling a biomass source as carbon neutral. Selivanov, Cudlín (2025) performed an LCA study to evaluate the environmental impact of heat production from wood pellets derived from sawmill residues in Northwest Russia. The goal of this short communication is to summarize the findings of these two studies, and conclude whether the use of forest biomass for bioenergy contributes to climate change mitigation.