ISBN online: 978-80-7701-024-5 | DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-024-5
Contemplating Earth …Soil and Landscape 2024
2.–4. 10. 2024 Křtiny
- Marie Balková (Ed.)
Proceedings of the ‘Contemplating Earth: Soil and Landscape’ conference held on 2–4 October 2024 in Křtiny, Czech Republic. The conference topics are from the fields of geology, soil science, soil environment protection, soil diversity, forest and land management, nature conservation and the use of geoinformatics in these fields.
online: 2025, publisher: Mendel University in Brno
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Conference papers
Recultivation after the Peat Mining at Branský les I.
Josef Janoušek
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-024-5-0008
The contribution describes a recultivation process after peat harvesting in the Bransky Les I. location. The recultivation of peat bogs is one way to increase the volume of water in nature. This practical experience shows how complicated it is to achieve this goal. Harvesting of peat was finished in 2018. The process of recultivation was started in 2019 and finished at the end of 2020. Nowadays, in 2024, the locality was visited to see what has happened in the last six years after the end of harvesting.
Hard and Resistant as a Rock? Threats to Geodiversity and How to Identify and Evaluate Them
Lucie Kubalíková
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-024-5-0013
Geodiversity is defined as the natural range (diversity) of geological (rocks, minerals, fossils), geomorphological (landforms, topography, physical processes), soil and hydrological features, including their assemblages, structures, systems and contribution to landscapes. As a whole, it represents a basis for biodiversity and it offers numerous benefits and services to human society. Currently, geodiversity is being intensively used and exploited, however, in the last decades, the geoconservation (an action of conserving and enhancing geological, geomorphological, hydrological and soil features and processes, sites and specimens) is continuously being implemented in regional, national and international nature conservation frameworks and policies. Nevertheless, despite the legislative measures, some threats and risks may still occur and endanger the sites of Earth Science interest. This contribution is focused on the main risks and threats that can endanger geodiversity and geoheritage. It also presents methodological approaches to risk assessment and evaluation of degradation risk which may contribute to the better understanding of the vulnerability and fragility of particular sites of Earth Sciences interest. Practically, the application of these assessment methods can serve as a basis for a more effective management and conservation of geodiversity and geoheritage.
Hydric Soil Properties of Agroforestry Coffee Plantations in Peru
Štěpán Neubauer
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-024-5-0024
Suitable hydric and aerial soil properties of the habitat are very important for its stable and sustainable development and significantly determine the state of current and future natural ecosystems. These are characteristics that can be modelled into a more desirable and favourable state through the appropriate application of management practices and overall management settings. Agroforestry systems combining the aim of balanced production while maintaining favourable microclimatic conditions appear to be a proper way of nature-friendly farming and a suitable adaptation of intensive agriculture to ongoing climate change. The aim of the research was to evaluate the soil properties in different depths of three landuse types in Peru. The research plots were in natural forest stands, pasture areas and agroforestry coffee plantations. Soil samples were collected and subsequently processed in the form of Kopecky physical cylinders for evaluation of hydrostatic soil properties. The evaluated soil hydrolimits were compared with the actual soil moisture state determined by a moisture sensor. Based on the evaluated results, the most favourable soil hydrophysical properties were found in the soil environment of natural forest ecosystems. Soil environments of pasture and agroforestry coffee plantations were comparable according to the mostly unfavourable results of the evaluated properties. Thus, the result of the conducted research clearly demonstrated the influence of landuse type on the state of hydrophysical soil properties. Similarly, the influence of landuse type on the amount of soil carbon content and its positive effect on the state of hydrophysical soil properties has been confirmed.
Assessing Repeatability and Precision of Dosing Techniques in Soil Particle Size Distribution Analysis Using Laser Diffraction
Stanislav Paseka
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-024-5-0033
This study investigates the precision and reliability of various dosing repeatability techniques for laser diffraction particle size analysis in soil samples, focusing on the impact of dosing methods on measurement reproducibility and accuracy. Three different dosing techniques (A) manual pipetting with a shaker, (B) a mash using a spatula, and (C) a dried sample using a spatula) were evaluated using a laser diffraction analyser. Soil samples representing sandy, loamy, and clayey types were analysed to assess the relative standard deviations (SD) for particle size measurements. The results were compared to traditional pipetting methods to identify discrepancies and evaluate the impact of dosing techniques on measurement precision. Significant variations in measurement precision were observed among the dosing techniques. Manual pipetting technique (A) exhibited higher relative SDs, with average values of 22.4%, indicating substantial variability and lower repeatability. In contrast, techniques B and C achieved lower relative SDs, averaging 8.1% and 7.9%, respectively. The study also confirmed that laser diffraction tends to underreport clay fractions and overreport silt fractions compared to pipetting. The results highlight the critical role of dosing technique in determining measurement precision for laser diffraction particle size analysis. Carefully optimized manual methods (such as techniques B or C) can still achieve high levels of precision, approaching those of automated dosing systems. These insights are essential for improving analytical practices and ensuring reliable soil particle size measurements in various applications.
Random Forest Algorithm and Convolutional Neural Networks for the Tree Species Classification in Remote Sensing Data
Zdeněk Patočka, Petr Strejček, Anton Malyshev
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-024-5-0047
This study deals with the classification of tree species using modern methods of machine- and deep-learning applied to satellite and drone date The aim of the study is to demonstrate the ability of these methods to accurately identify and classify different tree species. The first part is focused on the use of DeepForest and Detectree2 algorithms for tree crown delineation, which allow efficient segmentation and detection of trees in complex aerial images. The work with YOLO (You Only Look Once) algorithm is presented, the purpose of which is to train a model for specific detection and classification of selected tree species from drone data. The results of this algorithm is compared to the results of Random Forest machine learning algorithm. Second part of the study is focused on tree species classification in the large area of the University Forest Area by using of the Sentinel-2 and PlanetScope data. It was used the Random Forest algorithm and permanent sample plot to train the algorithm a to create map of the main tree species.
Spectroscopic Properties of Humic Substances in Permanent Grassland Soil
Jana Plisková, Lubica Pospíšilová, Pavel Nerušil, Tomáš Šimon, Ladislav Menšík
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-024-5-0053
UV-VIS and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used for humic substances quality evaluation. Both methods are widely applied because of their availability, sensitivity, rapidity, and affordability. The calculated spectral indexes assess the stability, hydrophobicity, and content of different functional groups in humic substances’ molecules. Humic substances and humic acids were isolated from Gleyic Fluvisol (locality Jaroměřice, Czech Republic). The soil is under permanent grassland, with intensive management (4 cuts/year) and fertilisation with high-quality farmyard manure (FYM – the cattle loading 2 DJ. ha-1). Soil samples were taken from a depth of 0–0.15 m from control and FYM variants during 2023–2024. Results were statistically evaluated (EDA, ANOVA /Tuckey’s test/). UV-VIS spectra indicated a higher total humic substances content after amending soil with FYM. FTIR spectra showed more aliphatic and hydrophilic components after FYM amendments. Linear correlation was found between humic acid content and organic carbon content.
Palaeogeographical Changes in Sedimentary Environment Extents on Area of the Czech Republic
Pavel Samec
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-024-5-0059
Palaeogeographical changes in geological environments, represented by extrusions and sedimentation, were assessed among vector models from the Czech Republic (CR) covering Bohemian Massif and Outer Western Carpathians. The vector models contained reconstructions of sedimentation extensions during culminant marine transgressions or regressions since Permian (299 Ma), Jurassic (152 Ma), Cretaceous (93.9 Ma), Eocene (56 Ma), Lower (23 Ma) and Upper Miocene (11.6 Ma) to Upper Pleistocene (18 ka). The assessment was carried out through comparison among changes of the sedimentary environment extension size between sequential layers and with present distribution of the selected stratas. Terrestrial surface during marine regressions extended 70% of the CR. The most spread marine transgression relinquished < 30% of the dry land. The terrestrial surface covered permanently 14.8% of the CR since existence of the Bohemian Massif. Pleistocene was characteristic by terrestrial environment diversification after conclusive sea regression. Permanent land occurrence suggested conditions for long-time ecosystem adaptation to environmental changes in contrast to mobile zones.
Current and Potential Phytopathological Problems of Silver Fir
Michal Samek
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-024-5-0072
In recent years, forest species with a small percentage of distribution are used more often than ever. Climate change and some serious biotic agents (especially bark beetles) are main reason why we can observe this phenomenon. The silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) is among the most valuable conifers in Europe for ecological and economic reasons. It has the largest distribution area of all the European species of fir. A lot of careful consideration and strategic adaptation within management practices of fir forests is necessary for succesfull establishment. It’s quite common that fir stands are affected by the competitive pressure of beech. This may be due to climate change, as well as biotic factors such as plant diseases. Most important diseases are wood decay fungi like Armillaria spp. and Heterebasidion spp., needle cast Herpotrichia needle browning or Lirula nervisequia and needle rust especially Pucciniastrum epilobii. For some pathogens like Herpotrichia needle browning seems it’s typical to be triggered by a complex disease resulting from synergistic interaction of several fungal pathogens. Climate change is intricately linked to the heightened prevalence of forest pathogens with significant damage potential in Europe.
Removing Soil Compaction by Deep Grouting
Luboš Sedlák, Lubica Pospíšilová, Aleš Kučera, Jakub Prudil, Vlastimil Skoták, Radomír Ulrich, ...
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-024-5-0079
Soil compaction causes many serious problems in agriculture and the environment. Mainly improper intensive farming, heavy machinery, and reduced organic fertilizer supplements increase soil ocompaction. It results in the compression of pores and impedes root growth, disturbing water and air transport, and yield decreases. The issue of soil quality and health cannot be solved without the determination of the soil’s physical parameters and penetration resistance. The study aims at the reduction of soil compaction using three technologies of deep grouting: (1) the control site; (2) the Vogt Geo Injector; (3) the Vogt Geo Injector enriched Diatomaceous earth; (4) the tractor with air injector. The soil injection was done with high-pressure air at 8,5 bar (123psi) and penetration resistance was registered by the electronic penetrologger Eijkelkamp 06.15.SA with GPS localization. The distances from the drilling point were: 0.10 m, 0.40 m, 0.70 m and 1 m. It was supposed, that after amending soil with Diatomaceous earth, voids were filled with low decomposable material, which improves the effectivity of injections. The obtained results showed that using the Vogt Geo Injector enriched with Diatomaceous earth gave the lowest values of soil penetration resistance. In both variants, the Vogt Geo injector decompaction area was about 1 m2 from the drilling point to a depth of 1 m. In both variants, the Vogt Geo injector decompaction area was about 1 m2 from the drilling point. The drilling depth was 0.80 m and the maximum effect of grouting was approximately 0.40 m.
Silver Fir (Abies alba Mill.), a Raising Queen of the Woods: a Brief Overview of Fir’s Ecology, and Impact on Soil and Silviculture
Petr Zapletal, Aleš Kučera, Pavel Bednář
DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-024-5-0085
Ongoing climate change is the main of many factors driving huge changes in forestry all over Europe. On one hand the rising temperatures allow higher volume increments of many tree species but on the other hand forest evapotranspiration is less and less often compensated by enough precipitation leading to stressing of trees. Huge dieback of allochthonous Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.) stands in central Europe is an example of insufficient soil water availability through recent growing seasons. Autochthonous stands show both better resistance and resilience and so do mixed stands. Silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) is one of Europe’s most important woody species both in ecological and economical aspect. It has gone through a significant change in its representation in Czech forests through last two centuries though, starting at around 20% and currently moving around 1,2%. Fir can effectively stabilize forest stands thanks to its deep root system and it can also lift water from deeper soil levels into topsoil making it available for itself and other trees even of different species. The roots can also improve the soil’s physical conditions and connect to many mycorrhizal fungi species. Fir can grow in mixture with many other commercial tree species (i.e. Fagus sylvatica L., Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.), positively affecting their seeds’ germination or volume increment. It is not yet known for sure what is the meliorative effect of fir as most science work focused on topsoil without studying mineral soil layer. As for topsoil, the fir creates significantly less litter but of very similar chemical and physical properties.