Czech botanists have studied the vegetation of Northern Biljefjorden (Central Spitsbergen) since 2007. Their activities include vegetation mapping of the whole area (repeated also after 70 years), assessment of vegetation development in deglaciated areas and analysis of clonal growth forms. and Jitka Klimešová, Karel Prach.
Two families of carnivorous plants have been described by Czech botanists: Byblidaceae Domin 1922 and Drosophyllaceae Chrtek, Slavíková and Studnička 1989. A history of the descriptions and some basic and interesting information about these families are presented. and Adam Veleba.
This article provides brief information on the history and prominent botanists exploring the surroundings of Prague. it is dedicated to V. Skalický, who intensively studied Prague flora in the second half of the 20th century. Two new sites of C. rivulare and C. heterophyllum in Prague are described. While the occurrence of C. rivulare can be found in numerous and vital populations in the Šárecký potok valley. and Jiří Hadinec.
Both molecular and palaeoecological methods enable us to study past changes in plant distribution. The results of recent phylogeographical studies have demonstrated that Central Europe was not only at a crossroads of postglacial migration routes, but also an area where many species might have survived during glacial periods. and Tomáš Fér, Karol Marhold.
The second part of this series presents information on the ecology, historical and recent distribution of Gentianella praecox subsp. bohemica, a subendemic species of the Czech flora. The effects of different management treatments on the establishment, survival and seed production of this biennial gentian was assessed at several sites. Creation of gaps in surrounding vegetation through regular mowing together with disruption of turfs through harrowing have been identified as optimal management strategies. Detailed knowledge of the biology of short-lived gentians allows the identification of critical stages of their life cycle and prediction of population dynamics. and Jiří Brabec, Anna Lampei Bucharová.
The presented species prefers intermittently wet meadows and pastures, and thus differs from other gentians that are able to colonize a wide range of habitats (broad-leaved dry grasslands, mesic and wet habitats, submontane and montane Nardus grasslands). The presence of gaps in the vegetation is the major prerequisite for plant establishment and survival. Regular mowing or grazing accompanied by disruption of turf can support the creation of open sward. our experimental data from 13 sites show that regular management can restore the gentians populations. and Jiří Brabec.