Catenas of Grain Size and Chemical Forest Soil Properties in Outer Western Carpathians of the Czech Republic Characterized by Principal Component Analysis

More frequent occurence of hillwashes in altitudinal‑differentiated landscapes causes changes of relationships among terrain, bedrock and soils. The aim of the study was to characterize catenas of the terrain‑bedrock‑soil relationships by PCA of forest soil properties generalized into 2 × 2 km grid in Outer Western Carpathians (OWC) of the Czech Republic. The spatial relationships of the soil catenas with terrain and rocks were verified by ANOVA. Typification of the catenas was carried out by frequencies in the presented terrain and bedrock types according to biogeographical division system. Base saturation, CaO and P2O5 divide forest soils in OWC to ten catenas. The catenas characterized by moderate correspondence of soils and bedrock are concentrated in Outer Depressions, while catenas with moderate correspondence of soils and terrain are concentrated in Flysch Range. The Outer Carpathian Depressions are covered predominantly by floodplains, flat waterlogged, loess‑covered and luvic hillycountries (67% of the grid). The Flysch Range is covered predominantly by proluvial slopes, broken hillcountries and submountain to mountain slopes (65% of the grid). The Floodplains, broken nutrient‑medium hillycountries and mountain slopes have medium to marked soil horizon properties heterogeneity. The flat landforms, proluvial and submountain slopes have moderate soil properties heterogeneity. The statistical significant differences between values of properties at A and B horizons suggest rate of an surface matter translocation effect on the soil catena heterogeneity.

Биоморфологическая структура флоры государственного природного заказника «Реликтовые дубы» (Забайкальский край)

<p>In this paper, we use Serebyakov's life-form classification to analyze the biomorphological structure of flora growing in Relic Oaks State Reserve (Trans-Baikal Territory). The reserve is located on the territory of Eastern Siberia that belongs to the Pacific Basin. In accordance with the established biogeographical division, this territory is at the boundary between two large floral regions of the Holarctic: Circumboreal and East Asian. It is notable for its phytodiversity and classified as a region with the dominating taiga, taiga-forest-steppe, and forest-steppe plant communities. The biomorphological analysis has shown the predominance of herbaceous plants over xylophytes in the flora of the reserve. Plants with fully or partially lignified shoots account for 11.8% and herbaceous plants, for 88.2% of the total number of flora species in the reserve. Shrubs are the dominating xylophytes on the territory of the reserve and dry-land polycarpous plants are the prevailing herbs. The Relic Oaks Reserve location at the boundary between the forest-steppe and steppe zones causes the predominance of short-rooted, long-rooted, and taproot herbaceous plants. </p>

Biogeographical provinces, subprovinces and bioregions of the Czech Republic

ABSTRACT Presented biogeographical division of the Czech Republic was elaborated initially for purposes of national and supra-national Ecological Networks. This division has its own hierarchy, consisting of both individual and typological biogeographical units. Higher units (biogeographical province, subprovince, and bioregion) are of individual character. Within the territory of the Czech Republic, two biogeographical provinces, four biogeographical subprovinces and 91 biogeographical regions have been distinguished. Hierarchically lower biogeographical units (biochora, group of geobiocoene types) have typological character; their characteristics in English are intended to be published later. All of the biogeographical units - with the exception of the group of geobiocoene types - are elaborated in maps of scale 1:50 000.