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Assessment of Human Pressure on Forest Ecosystems in the Czech Republic

Authors:
Helena Kaňková

Keywords: forest; human pressure; biodiversity; mean species abundance

Abstract:
Forest ecosystems play an important role for natural environment as well as for human society. With population and economic growth forests are put under increasing pressure leading to destruction of habitats and irreversible biodiversity loss. Quantification and interpreting the degradation of forest ecosystems can help raise public and political awareness needed for preserving the remaining species. In this study, human pressure on forest ecosystems in the Czech Republic and its impact on biodiversity loss were assessed. One of the main tools used is Mean Species Abundance indicator assessing human-induced changes in biodiversity including land-cover change, land-use intensity and fragmentation. Results are supplemented by statistical outputs of the National Forest Inventory and the Databank of natural forests of the Czech Republic. The results show serious decrease of mean species abundance in all landscape including forests. Most of the forested areas in the Czech Republic are affected by long-term human influence resulting in significant biodiversity loss and forest degradation.

Pages: 34 to 35

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2015

Publication date: May 24, 2015

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4154

ISBN: 978-1-61208-410-7

Location: Rome, Italy

Dates: from May 24, 2015 to May 29, 2015