Volume 5 (2012): Issue 3 (December 2012)

The EBONE (European Biodiversity Observation Network project) asked the Israel Nature and Parks Authority to test methodology correlating patterns of species distribution with habitat in arid regions. A test of this methodology was conducted at the Avdat LTER site in the Negev Desert. Four square kilometers were mapped using the EBONE system of structural habitat mapping. Samples of vegetation, reptile and arthropod communities were taken using stratified random sampling of the mapped habitat polygons. Habitat type correlated poorly with species richness, but correlated well with community composition across all the taxonomic groups. We also found that the correlation of species composition to habitat type coincided with a gradient of substrate texture, from fine silt, sand, gravel and stones to large boulders and bedrock outcrops.

Landscape typologies are widely recognised as useful tools for landscape management and planning. However, there is wide range of different approaches producing diverse outputs, which makes the usage of landscape typologies sometimes difficult or confusing in general practice (Wascher ed., 2005). The same situation is found in the Czech Republic, where a number of holistic, expert-based and quantitative approaches were developed. These differences could be explained by different objectives of landscape classification, different input data and methods used, and by the particular author’s experience and erudition. Nevertheless, landscape typology should be clear both for scientists, landscapeplanners and policy makers. It is necessary to create valid landscape-planning documents which have to reflect regional, cultural and natural landscape specifics, for as effective and sustainable land use as possible. For such a strategic planning, clearly defined and characterised spatial units seem to be an essential base. This paper aims to introduce the fundamental methodological approaches, provides basic comparison of different Czech typologies, and discusses an optimal method for landscape planning.

Anthropogenic changes in a landscape create new cues for birds, which must permanently adapt to these. If landscape changes occur too quickly, individuals have insufficient time to develop adequate reactions. They may, therefore, preferentially nest in low-quality habitats, which can lead to diminished nesting success and to reduction of their population size. This is usually termed the ecological trap hypothesis. We reviewed 38 studies investigating this phenomenon and analysed whether relationships exist between ecological trap occurrence and geographical region, habitat type, and/or life strategies of bird species. Ecological traps were most often associated with the presence of exotic species. Exotic species can modify environmental conditions in ways to which native communities are not adapted. They have been mainly detected in open habitats. Such open habitats as arable fields and meadows are under greater human pressure, and rapid changes probably occur there more frequently. Although more studies from North America were investigated, the hypothesis was supported more frequently in European studies. This is possibly due to higher human population density and, hence, more frequent habitat changes. Our results show that an ecological trap is not likely associated with migration. Ground nests suffered fewer consequences of such traps than did other nest types. Although the implications of the ecological trap hypothesis in species conservation are undisputable, a more detailed approach is still needed. For instance, some habitat types, such as suburban areas, have been neglected in the context of ecological traps, as has been the phenomenon’s appearance in pristine habitats.

This article examines the consequences of a fire (August 1994) which burned the vegetated surface of abandoned tailings containment in mosaic pattern, in Chvaletice (Eastern River Elbe basin, Czech Republic). Vegetation succession with adjacent processes (such as leaf litter decomposition) was then monitored in comparisons on burned and unburned plots. The influence of the introduced plant organic matter by mulching on the biological soil crust was also investigated. Apart from the naturally burned plots, some plots were also experimentally burned. The soil moisture and surface temperatures in different temporal distances from the fire experiment were measured. There were no significant differences in decomposition rate between the plots that were affected and/or unaffected by fire. The daily temperatures of the burned soil surface increased after the fire, while its night temperatures decreased. The moisture content of the soil surface was reduced after the fire. Addition of dry local aboveground plant biomass on the substrate surface suggests that substrate roughness provides retention to seeds transported by wind, and protects the rhizosphere against extreme heat, drought and salt incrustation. Furthermore, it positively modifies the hydrological regime of microsites and stimulates the creation of a humus soil layer and enrichment of the substrate by nutrients. Finally, it facilitates colonisation by plant seedlings from seeds transported by anemochorous or zoochorous mechanisms.