Bryophytes, with their more than 860 species, represent more than a quarter of higher plants native to the CR. They can reveal much more about the ecosystems they live in than we would expect, as their physiological contact with the surroundings is much closer than that of the vascular plants. and Jan Kučera.
In contrast to the typical Central Bohemian landscape, the Sedlčany region is characterized by quite a high concentration of wet meadows; most of them discovered during the last few years. Though it is only a fragment of their original extent. Suitable management is absent at most localities, but a restoration of farming on selected meadows has recently been started. and J.Malíček.
Recent research in isolated Bulgarian mires has discovered many unknown disjunct populations of boreal vascular plant and bryophyte species. These findings draw attention to these recently endangered mires which represent a source of very important scientific information. and Michal Hájek, Petra Hájková.
The Wheat (Triticum aestivum) – Intermediate Wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) – Couch Grass (Elymus repens) species complex is a potential case of gene flow between crop and wild relatives in the Central European area. Understanding the genomic constitutions and evolutionary histories of both polyploid Wheatgrasses and the assessment of frequency of their hybrid formation are basic prerequisities for understanding the gene flow within the whole species complex. and Václav Mahelka.
Anthoxanthum odoratum (Sweet Vernal Grass), is a widespread grass species native to Eurasia and common also in the Czech Republic. Its name is derived from distinct scent, particularly strong in dry state, caused by coumarins. Eight other Anthoxanthum species can be found in Europe, one of which (A. alpinum) occurs in the Czech Republic. It replaces A. odoratum at higher altitudes. The genus encompasses both di - ploids and polyploids that have complex evolutionary history. We used DNA flow cytometry together with molecular markers to gain detailed insights into evolutionary processes shaping the genus. and Zuzana Khodlová, Pavel Trávníček.
Flóra velkých měst je ve srovnání s okolní krajinou druhově bohatá. Cílem výzkumu, který proběhl ve 32 velkoměstech střední a západní Evropy, bylo zjistit, které faktory ovlivňují výskyt rostlin ve městech a kolik druhů a které rostou v sedmi vybraných sekundárních městských biotopech. Ukázalo se, že garnitura zavlečených druhů, zejména archeofytů, je ve všech městech velmi podobná, a to bez ohledu na klimatické podmínky. Synantropizace flór tedy vede ke vzrůstající podobnosti mezi flórami měst; hlavní rozdíly ve složení jednotlivých městských květen tak způsobují ostrůvky přirozené a polopřirozené vegetace., The flora of large cities is very rich in species. During our research in 32 central and western European cities in four climatically defined zones, we aimed at the floristic inventories of 7 largely man-made habitats, such as historical squares, main boulevards, recently disturbed ruderal sites, abandoned sites with perennial vegetation, city parks, residential areas with blocks of flats or with family houses. Based on the data collected, we tried to identify factors responsible for the high species richness and taxonomic composition of city floras. Our results show that the pool of alien species is quite similar in all cities studied and that introductions of alien species reduce the differences between the floras of particular cities. Consequently, the differences are mainly due to remaining patches of natural and semi-natural habitats, which harbour indigenous species., and Zdeňka Lososová, Jiří Danihelka.
In the CR located on the bio-geographical crossroads of Central Europe, several vegetation types reach their distribution limit here, whereas only three vegetation types and complexes unique or significantly concentrated here are identified: grasslands in the White Carpathian Mts. (the world’s highest number of vascular plant species per certain areas smaller than 50 m2); sandstone pseudokarst landscapes (sharply contrasting vegetation at very short distances); fishponds (specific vegetation especially on their exposed bottoms when drained). and Milan Chytrý, Handrij Härtel, Kateřina Šumberová.