Water-lilies (the genus Nymphaea) are one of the most ancient groups of aquatic plants. Two species (N. alba and N. candida) are native to the flora of the Czech Republic, both are critically endangered. Morphological similarities, large phenotypic variation and putative interspecific hybridization pose difficulties for species identification. The amount of nuclear DNA was found to be a reliable characteristic that allows not only species but also their hybrids to be re - cognized. Native species are mainly threa - tened by the loss of suitable habitats and planting of garden cultivars in natural sites. and Klára Kabátová, Petr Vít, Jan Suda.
The Southern Urals are an inspiring place for Czech naturalists. This paper provides basic information on this seldom visited region and describes the impressions of the two Czech biologists from their excursion to this place. The nature of the Southern Urals captivated them with its wildness, unrivalled in present-day Central Europe, its intrinsic order and the similarities with Central European nature. and Jan Roleček, Jan Losík.
Charakter krajiny je v oblasti centrálních Apenin již na první pohled výrazně různorodý. Dynamicky formovaný reliéf pokrývá pestrá mozaika vegetačních typů. Zdejší lesy jsou od dávných dob obhospodařované pařezinovým způsobem, což je typ managementu, který byl na území bývalého Československa běžný až do minulého století. Typicky šlo o dubové a dubohabrové lesy, jejichž biodiverzita dlouhodbě klesá. Návštěva a studium lesů centrálních Apenin poskytuje hodnotné souvislosti pro řešení problému klesající druhové diverzity v někdejších pařezinách střední Evropy., The landscape of the central Apennines is markedly diverse. Dynamically formed relief is covered by a mosaic of different vegetation types. For centuries, local forests are managed as coppices - type of management common in former Czechoslovakia up to last century. Biodiversity of these oak and oak-hornbeam forests gradually declines due to the abandonment of coppicing. Thus, a visit to the central Apennines and study of their forests provide a valuable insight into the problem of species diversity decline in the former coppices of Central Europe., and František Máliš, Roberto Canullo, Radim Hédl.