2/2015

The role of suburban areas for biodiversity conservation: the case study of one of the biggest Southern Italian cities

Rocco Carella

Abstract

Suburban areas can sometimes reveal the presence of spontaneous coenoses and species important to biodiversity conservation. In the suburban area of Bari, one of largest city of Southern Italy have been observed sites with rare and endangered plants, endemic species, habitats of conservation concern. These sites are now exposed to numerous forms of anthropic disturbance and need to be preserved also considering the importance of these habitat patches for ecological connectivity.

Key words: suburban areas, conservation, management, ephemeral streams, orchid species, Quercus calliprinos, Plantago altissima.

Original research paper


 

Comparison of predicted and laboratory measured soil moisture retention curves from three experimental sites of South Moravia

Ivana Kameníčková, Lucie Larišová

Abstract

Soil hydraulic characteristics are crucial input parameters in any modeling study on water flow and solute transport in vadose zone. However, these models often require many soil related input data of which the soil moisture retention curve (SMRC) is one of the most important ones. Unfortunately, direct measurement of SMRC is time-consuming and expensive. Pedotransfer functions (PTFs) have been developed as an alternative indirect method to estimate SMRC from readily measurable soil properties such as particle-size distribution, dry bulk density ρd, and organic matter content. In this paper, the most commonly cited (Wösten et al. 1998, 1999) and one of recently derived PTFs (Miháliková et al. 2013) were applied to data from three experimental sites of South Moravia (Bohaté Málkovice, Neslovice and Damnice). The small data set related to those sites consists of 26 measured retention curves, and the information about basic soil properties (the soil texture, organic matter content, bulk density ρd, and particle density ρs) determined at the same time. In the last part of the study, our own continuous PTFs were derived and are based on Wösten´s model. The reliability and accuracy of selected PTFs were evaluated using coefficient of determination R2, root mean squared error RMSE, and mean error ME. The accuracy of newly derived PTFs according Wösten´s model was very good (R2 ranging between 0.958 to 0.994, and RMSE between 0.0058 to 0.0164 m3.m-3). Of the two PTF´s models tested in this study, the reliability of Wösten´s original PTFs was higher (R2 ranging between 0.936 to 0.977 and RMSE between 0.0258 to 0.0351m3.m-3) compared to the continuous parametric PTFs according Miháliková et al. (2013) (R2 ranging between 0.852 to 0.980 and RMSE between 0.0265 to 0.0824 m3.m-3).

Key words: multiple linear regression analyses, pedotransfer functions, soil moisture retention curve, soil hydraulic properties.

 
 

Original research paper

 
 

Evaluation of soil erosion at the catchments of small water basins in eastern Slovakia

Martina Zeleňáková, Vlasta Ondrejka Harbuľáková, Zuzana Kárászová

Abstract

Soil erosion is one of the major soil degradation processes, which greatly contribute to reducing of its quality. It leads to loss of the most fertile surface layer of agricultural land and it causes also to the loss of nutrients, humus (soil organic matter) and reduction of microbial activity. Long-term, intense impact on soil erosion processes can lead to a complete erosion of fine particles, which ultimately means the demise of the land itself. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the risk of soil erosion mainly for purposes of the spatial planning. The aim of the paper is evaluation of the erosion processes in the area of small water basins Hrcel, Nizny Zipov, Velke Ozorovce and Secovce. In consequence the proposal of erosion measures in the basin's water bodies are described. Paper presents determination of erosion – soil loss calculation using suitable methods for this assessment. The results are supplemented by using different methods of soil loss calculation.

Keywords: assessment of soil erosion, erosion degree, soil loss

Original research paper


 

Recreation values and the value of recreation demand modelling: The case of the Šumava NP

Kateřina Kaprová

Abstract

The article focuses at recreation demand modelling and the estimation of a single site travel cost model for the Šumava National Park. Particular theoretical and practical steps of the application and issues concerning the method are discussed and comprehensively revealed also to non-economists: from the definition of travel cost, sampling, modelling, estimation of recreation value and further use of the results in decisionmaking and policy assessment.

The final output of the article is the estimate of recreation value for the Šumava National Park in monetary terms. The consumer surplus associated with one average trip for an average visitor to the Šumava National Park is estimated at 399 CZK (23.2 EUR); yearly estimate of recreation surplus for an average visitor mounts to 773 CZK (44.9 EUR).

Key words: environmental valuation, nonmarket benefits, protected area, travel cost method, welfare analysis

Original research paper


 


Visitor monitoring methods for good management of protected areas

Markéta Braun Kohlová, Jan Melichar, Kateřina Kaprová, Hana Škopková, Vojtěch Máca

Abstract

Visitor monitoring is a well-established tool for protected areas management in many countries. The management of protected areas in the Czech Republic has also led to a growing demand for data on visitors. Even though there is a wide variety of methods of visitor monitoring, the most frequently applied ones in the Czech Republic are the automatic and personal counting – usually ignoring their limitations and complementarity of other alternatives. This study presents a systematization of visitor monitoring methods frequently employed in foreign protected areas and in the Czech Republic, together with a discussion on their limitations and strengths with respect to different visitor monitoring purposes. The aim of the study is to increase the portfolio of considered visitor monitoring options in the Czech setting. We hope to enhance the discussion on the application of monitoring methods and conditions under which they allow to produce high-quality data, considering the characteristics of the protected area.

Keywords: protected areas, visitor managament, visitor monitoring

Original research paper


 

Patterns of mast fruiting - a stochastic approach

Ciprian Palaghianu, Marian Drăgoi

Abstract

Mast fruiting represents a synchronous population behaviour which can spread on large landscape areas. This reproductive pattern is generally perceived as a synchronous periodic production of large seed crops and has a significant practical importance to forest natural regeneration in order to synchronize cuttings. The mechanisms of masting are still argued and models of this phenomenon are uncommon, so a stochastic approach can cast significant light on some particular aspects. Trees manage to get synchronized and coordinate their reproductive routines. But is it possible that trees get synchronized by chance, absolutely random? Using a Monte Carlo simulation of seeding years and a theoretical masting pattern, a stochastic analysis is performed in order to assess the chance of random mast fruiting. Two populations of 100 trees, with different fruiting periodicity of 2-3 years and 4-6 years, were set and the fruition dynamic was simulated for 100 years. The results show that periodicity itself cannot induce by chance the masting effect, but periodicity mathematically influences the reproductive pattern.

Keywords: mast fruiting, mast seeding, synchronous seeding, fruition dynamic, fruition model

Original research paper


 

Suburban recreation as a phenomen of modern lifestyle

Katarina Pavlickova, Viera Novanska Chrenscova

Abstract

Modern lifestyle has a number of advantages which includes easing peoples life. On the other hand different modern life style patterns have negative effects on health physically, psychologically, and socially. This is particularly marked in cities. One of the posibilities how to decrease those negative effects is the development of recreational zones around cities, known as suburban recreation. Within our research we turned the attention on 2 suburban recreational localities of Bratislava city. As the initial step the method of questionary with a goal to recognize visitors´view on main components of their satisfaction with the quality of provided services on attractive localities which are appropriate for trips, walks and whole day tourings was chosen. This contribution shows the results of the survey done in 2014 year.

Key words: suburban recreation, questionniare, Zelezna Studnicka, Devin

Original research paper


 

Quantification of local expenditures of the Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny

David Březina, Petra Hlaváčková

Abstract

The article deals with the intermediate results of a project of the Internal Grant Agency of Mendel University in Brno called: "The importance of the Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny for the local economy” which is being handled by the Department of Forest and Wood Products Economics and Policy and the Department of Landscape Management. The paper deals with the issue of quantification of local expenditures required for the calculation of the local multiplier score. The economic indicators analysed were the local expenditures of the Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny for the suppliers in the individual forest districts for 2014. The local multiplier is a specific microeconomic indicator allowing the quantification and evaluation of the socio-economic benefits of the selected entity especially for the local residents and entrepreneurs. Research in this area is a reaction to the as of yet unresolved problems of local economy in the area of forestry and nature and landscape conservation which stem from the goals listed in the strategic documents of sustainable development with national and international impact. The results of the project will allow the evaluation of the influence of a special-purpose forest enterprise and forestry on economic and social development, and the determination of potential financial flows associated with the fulfilment of socio-economic functions of forest ecosystems in the area of interest of the Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny.

Key words: cash flow, local suppliers, local expenditures, local multiplier

Original research paper


 

The evaluation of the recreational utilisation of the Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny

Petra Hlaváčková, David Březina

Abstract

The article presents selected results which are the part of research activities of the Internal Grant Agency of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno no. LDF_VT_2015010 solved by the Department of Forest and Wood Products Economics and Policy and the Department of Landscape Management in 2015. The aim of this part of the research was the evaluation of the area’s recreational utilisation. Forest Districts of the Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny were chosen as the interest area for evaluating the recreational utilization. The recreational function was evaluated from the perspective of the use of the territory by the visitors. This function is mostly fulfilled by forest roads and cycle paths. The survey of the visitors of the TFE Křtiny territory focused, among others, on determining the number of people using the forest roads and cycle trails and their characteristics. The research method was a personal interview with visitors at 5 localities. Based on the answers, it could be identified the majority visitor of the interest area.

Keywords: questionnaire, visitors, South Moravian Region

Original research paper


 

Making landscape features accessible to people in wheelchairs

Pavla Kotásková, Jitka Fialová

Abstract

The aim of the article is to define the basic parameters for the possibilities of making areas of the countryside accessible to people in a wheelchair. The parameters were defined based on the results of a questionnaire survey; the present article contains the initial information. Persons in a wheelchair need not necessarily use all the existing routes for pedestrians, but there is a number of sites which could be made accessible to wheelchair users, supposing appropriate adjustments are made. On the basis of the knowledge of the needs of wheelchair users and the parameters set by Decree No. 398/2009, on general technical requirements ensuring barrier-free use of buildings, suitable surfaces and parameters for tourist routes – which should also include sites intended for relaxation and enjoying the scenery – need to be proposed. For example, access almost to the edge of bodies of water requires the selection of banks, where stability can be ensured via biotechnical or technical adjustments. The information on the implemented barrier-free routes must be spread in detail on all possible levels.

Keywords: countryside, river side, parking places

Original research paper