Tradiční tvarová analýza nožů přináší jen část dostupných informací o těchto nálezech, neboť nezahrnuje hodnocení ani konstrukčního typu, ani kvality celkového provedení. Na tyto otázky může odpovědět pouze archeometalurgický průzkum, zaujímající nezastupitelné místo v celkovém průzkumu před restaurováním. Cílem článku je ukázat úlohu a možnosti archeometalurgie ve spojení s restaurátorskými průzkumy středověkých nožů. Seznamuje čtenáře s metodou metalografického hodnocení bočních nábrusů čepelí a s vyhodnocováním získaných výsledků. and The traditional morphological examinations of knives yields only part of the information that can be deduced from these finds, as it contains no evaluation of either type of construction or of overall quality. Only an archaeometallurgical investigation can answer such questions, and therefore occupies a unique in the general preparations preceding restoration. The aim of this article is to set out the role and potential of archaeometallurgy in connection with the restoration survey of medieval knives; it introduces the reader to the method of metallographic evaluation of the lateral grinding of blades, and with the evaluation of the results obtained.
The Institute of Art History of the CAS held the third workshop in a series of annual two-week workshops from 13 to 24 July, 2015 that focused on specific topics relating to the conservation and preservation of photographic materials. The workshop took place at the facilities of the Film and TV School of Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU), Department of Photography. It examined the environment of photographic materials at several levels, starting from an overview of the building and its systems and progressing to specific exhibition and storage conditions, and the selection of appropriate housing and enclosure materials and techniques. Strategies for determining appropriate and sustainable environmental conditions were discussed throughout the workshop. and Cíglerová, Tereza.
Lokalita Kopčany byla v období 9. až 10. stol. pravděpodobně hlavním sídelním areálem ve slovenské části nivy řeky Moravy v širším zázemí hradiště Valy u Mikulčic. V blízkosti tamního kostela byli někdy ve 2. pol. 9. a v 1. pol. 10. stol. pohřbíváni příslušníci místní společenské elity. Část výbavy z těchto hrobů byla podrobena průzkumu zaměřenému na techniku a kvalitu řemeslného zpracování a na jakost užitých materiálů. Cílem bylo získat informace, které by napomáhaly ověřit vztah kopčanské nobility k centru mikulčické aglomerace. Bylo zjištěno, že sledované předměty (3 nože, sekera, 4 ostruhy a 4 šperky) mají kvalitu porovnatelnou s obdobnými nálezy z Mikulčic. Koresponduje to s předpokladem, že pocházejí ze stejných zdrojů, kterých využívala elita sídlící na moravské straně mikulčicko-kopčanské aglomerace. and In the 9th and 10th centuries located in Kopčany in the Slovak part of the Morava River basin was in all likelihood the main residential area in the hinterlands of the agglomeration near Mikulčice. Members of the local social elite were buried near the local church sometime in the second half of the 9th and first half of the 10th centuries. Several objects recovered from these graves were subjected to special research focused exclusively on the methods and quality of craftsmanship and the quality of materials. The goal was to obtain information that would help verify the relationship between the Kopčany nobility and the Mikulčice agglomeration. It was determined that the studied objects (3 knives, an axe, 4 spurs and 4 pieces of jewellery) are of a quality comparable to similar finds from Mikulčice which confirms the hypothesis that they come from the same sources used by the elite living on the Moravian side of the Mikulčice-Kopčany agglomeration.
Invasions by alien plant species significantly affect biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Investigations of the soil seed banks of invasive plant species and changes in the composition and structure of resident seed banks following plant invasions can provide valuable insight into the long-term implications of plant invasions. Soil seed banks play a major role as reservoirs of species and genetic diversity and allow for the persistence of a species at a locality, buffering environmental changes that may occur over time. Despite the emerging body of literature on ecological impacts of invasive plants on the diversity of resident communities, the long-term implications of impoverished soil seed banks for vegetation dynamics and ecosystem functioning have only recently begun receiving attention. Evidence has so far indicated that there is a correlation between the invasiveness of a species and the characteristics of its seed bank, and that changes in the seed banks of resident communities associated with plant invasions affect their biotic resistance to primary and secondary invasions. To promote the study of soil seed banks in the context of invasive species, we (i) summarize the functional roles of soil seed banks; (ii) describe how the capacity to form a seed bank may contribute to a species’ invasiveness using data from the flora of the Czech Republic, showing an increasing representation of species capable of forming long-term persistent seed bank from casual to naturalized to invasion stage; (iii) assess the impact of invasive plants on seed banks of resident communities, including the potential creation of conditions that favour secondary invasions by other alien species or native weeds, and long-term implications of such impact; and (iv) describe the potential effects of climate change on the soil seed bank in the context of plant invasions. We conclude with highlighting promising avenues for future research on invaded soil seed banks, and emphasize the importance of this knowledge in the development of control programs and restoration strategies.
This study was conducted at 17 peatlands in the Czech Republic mined either by the traditional block-cut method or industrially. Phytosociological reléves of 5 × 5 m were carried out in representative parts of successional stages in disturbed peatlands. Age and environmental characteristics were assessed for each relevé (position of water table, water pH, substratum chemistry, geographical area) or each locality (altitude, average annual temperature and precipitation). Phytosociological reléves recorded in natural vegetation, representing the respective target stages, were included into some analyses. Altogether, 210 relevés were analysed by the DCA ordination. Separately, relevés from milled and block-cut sites were elaborated by CCA with marginal and partial effects calculated. Despite the great variability in vegetation, especially among industrially harvested sites, there is a general tendency for peatland vegetation to recover spontaneously, especially at traditionally harvested sites, which all were, however, older than 50 years. The vegetation at the younger industrially harvested sites exhibited only a tendency to recover. All environmental variables investigated had at least some significant effect on the vegetation pattern, among them, soil pH, water table, nitrates, successional age and geographical location were most important. Abiotic site factors together and geographical location appeared to be more important in determining species composition than successional age.
Variability in vegetation, participation of target and non-target species and the role of the local species pool in the spontaneous succession on acidic bedrock were studied in quarries. The study was conducted in the Českomoravská vrchovina uplands (central Czech Republic). A total of 135 relevés, 5 × 5min size, were used to sample 41 quarries that were abandoned from 1 to 92 years ago. Three types of sites were distinguished: mesic, wet and periodically flooded. Species cover (seven point Braun-Blanquet scale) was visually estimated. The following characteristics were noted: steep rocky slopes, bottoms and levels, dumps and screes as habitat types; age; proportion of the main land-cover categories (arable land, ruderal and urban, grassland,woodland and wetland) in the surroundings up to 100 m and 1 km from each quarry; and the occurrence of target (grassland, woodland, wetland) and non-target (ruderal, alien) species up to 100 m from each quarry. Ordination indicates that the spontaneous succession of vegetation results in the formation of mixed woodland, Alnus and Salix carrs, or tall sedge and Typha beds with scattered Salix, depending on the wetness of a site, surrounding vegetation and land cover. Restoration of target vegetation in the quarries by spontaneous succession is possible and can occur within about 25 years, especially if the target species are present close by.
Previous work suggests that submergence of Lycaena dispar larvae during overwintering may play a significant role in this butterfly's population dynamics. Since potential re-introduction sites in eastern England are prone to regular seasonal flooding, we further studied the species' submergence tolerance with a view to formulating management protocols conducive to larval survivorship under periodic flood conditions. Simulated flooding regimes using captive-reared larvae showed that enforced submergence has a twofold effect: firstly, a direct increase in mortality after 28 days under water and, secondly, a longer term, post-diapause increase in mortality; manifest either as an inability of larvae to resume feeding, or a failure to complete development. Additionally, there was a marked difference in the response of "early" and "late" diapause larvae; the latter generally succumbing after shorter periods under water, and suffering higher total mortalities. Behavioural investigations suggest that, if afforded the opportunity, diapausing larvae can evade submergence by climbing onto the exposed sections of partially flooded host plants. Significantly, survival on partially flooded plants was found to be comparable to that on unflooded controls. Further re-introductions of L. dispar in the U.K. will probably necessitate a direct translocation of wild Dutch stock. As the flood tolerance of this source population remains largely undetermined, and given that re-introduction site hydrology will be generally unamenable to conservation-oriented manipulation, it is recommended that restoration management be directed towards creating structural diversity in the vegetation of overwintering habitats, thereby providing potential "flood refugia" for hibernating larvae.