Northwestern Bohemia Research Articles

Vodní měkkýši lomů ČSA a Vršany – počátek kolonizace [Aquatic molluscs of the quarries ČSA and Vršany – the beginning of colonization

In 2022 and 2023, aquatic molluscs were surveyed in brown coal quarries ČSA and Vršany, northwestern Bohemia, where mining is ending and reclamation is in progress. Most water bodies were artificially created and relatively young, though some older habitats were present at the quarry edges. In the quarry ČSA, 20 species (17 gastropods, 3 bivalves) were recorded at 40 sites, while 13 species (10 gastropods, 3 bivalves) were found at 39 sites in Vršany. Molluscan communities were generally species-poor, particularly in deeper waters without shallows or with dense reed growth. Shallow, vegetated areas were more favorable. Physa acuta was the most frequent species. Three non-native species (Physa acuta, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, Ferrissia californica) were confirmed, and no protected or endangered species were found.

First record of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum in north-western Bohemia, Czech Republic (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae)

A male greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferruequinum) was netted at the entrance to the abandoned Mauritius mine (50°23’32”N, 12°50’01”E; 1018 m a. s. l.) in the Krušné Hory Mts (Ore Mountains) on 2 September 2023. This is the first record of this species in north-western Bohemia and first record outside the hibernation period for the whole Bohemia. The site is situated beyond the northern limits of the continuous distribution range of the species. Mist netting campaigns during the swarming period have been taking place at the site regularly since 2005 (except 2006 and 2022) and Rhinolophus ferruequinum was never recorded there before.

Structures and transformations of aristocratic self-presentation in northwestern Bohemia in the Pre- and Post-White Mountain period. The example of newly arrived upper nobility

Structures and transformations of aristocratic self-presentation in northwestern Bohemia in the Pre- and Post-White Mountain period. The example of newly arrived upper nobility. Autorzy w swoim artykule odnoszą się do przemian obrazu arystokracji z północno-zachodnich Czech w dobie przed bitwą pod Białą Górą (1620) i po bitwie.

The Rise of the White Serbia in the Light of the Merovingians’ Thuringia Policy

The study offers an analytical overview of the international relations in the territory of the Middle Elbe basin from the 530s until the early 8th century, specifically concerned with the policy of the Merovingian kings towards the former Thuringian kingdom lands and the issue of the rise of White Serbia. The author considers Frankish policy as an influencing factor in slavisation of the discussed region while examining the impact of a wider spectrum of possible factors, in particular, the changes in ecology and the Avar presence in the Middle Danube region. The chronology of the Serbian settlers’ arrival into the Middle Elbe valley as well as their political & legal status in that land are specified. The author discusses the issue of the White Serbs’ initial foreign policy orientation and investigates the causes, direction, time & consequences of its change. The main research content is complemented by the excurses on the climatic crisis of the Late Antique Little Ice Age and chosen aspects of the Avars’ & the White Serbs’ early ethnic history.
 The author develops W. Fritze’s hypothesis of the Merovingians’ active involvement and support of the Serbian immigration into the Middle Elbe and Saale region together with an idea of anti-Avar direction of this measure. Whereas, the results of the study have rejected the assumptions, that the Elbe Germans abandonment of the area to the east of the Elbe and Saale at the end of the third quarter of the 6th century was caused by the Frankish-Avar agreement or Slavic pressure. The author concludes that the first group of the Serbian settlers arrived to the Middle Elbe and Saale from the North-Western Bohemia during the Austrasian king Theudebert ІІ’s reign, probably, at the invitation of the famous Brunhilda, receiving the lands in Thuringia’s border zone as the Frankish foederati. The interconnection between the initial successes of the Merovingians’ Serbian policy in the east of Thuringia during the first decades of the 7th century and the settlement of the Croats & Serbs in the Balkans by the emperor Heraclius is revealed. It has been demonstrated that further expansion of the White Serbia’s territory from the 630s was of spontaneous nature and took place under the circumstances of the collapsed Merovingian control over Thuringia.

Současný areál výskytu mývala severního (Procyon lotor) v České republice dle odlovu (Carnivora: Procyonidae)

Current range of Procyon lotor in the Czech Republic based on hunting statistics (Carnivora: Procyonidae). The common raccoon (Procyon lotor), introduced to Europe at the end of the first half of the 20th century, is included in the EU Black List of Invasive Alien Species. Due to its assessed high impact on the European biodiversity, research has been focused on the specific influence of its introduction and evaluating the intensity and direction of its invasion. In the Czech Republic, two separate raccoon populations are known – in northwestern Bohemia and central and southern Moravia. We used the bag records from the Annual reports on hunting grounds, game numbers and game huntings at the level of municipalities with extended competences (ORP) for the retrospective assessment of the raccoon distribution in the Czech Republic. The reports from the hunting years 2011/2012 to 2017/2018 were evaluated. In the first year (2011/2012), 234 individuals were caught in 23 ORP (out of a total of 205 ORP of the country). In the last year of the evaluation (2017/2018), 1,352 individuals were caught in 56 ORP. The highest density of the Bohemian population was recorded in the hunting year 2017/2018 (0.45 individuals per 100 hectares) in the Karlovy Vary ORP. In the Moravian population, the peak was reached in the hunting year 2013/14, when 0.59 individuals per 100 hectares were recorded in the Přelouč ORP.

Claiming the land or protecting the goods? The Duchcov hoard in Bohemia as a proxy for ‘Celtic migrations’ in Europe in the 4th century BCE

The paper presents a geochemical analysis of a remarkable assemblage from the early La Tène period (4th century BCE): the Duchcov hoard found in the late 19th century in north-western Bohemia. More than a thousand pieces of bronze jewellery (mostly brooches and bracelets) in a bronze cauldron were deposited in a natural spring. This possibly ritual offering of unknown purpose might have involved a large community whose origin and structure could be discussed using archaeometric data from the hoard. The typologically and chronologically highly homogeneous assemblage with stylistic parallels across western and central Europe offers a unique opportunity to study Iron Age bronze metalworking, for which scientific data in Europe are still sparse. The assemblage was studied using a range of methods to derive information on the composition of the alloys and to determine their provenance using trace element patterns and lead isotope analysis. The results show that this seemingly homogeneous assemblage contains several chemically distinctive groups that are compatible with the spread of the so-called Duchcov-Münsingen horizon in the 4th century BCE. Mobility patterns or economic networks that may have resulted in such diverse geochemical data are discussed. The paper also discusses the multi-statistical approach to evaluating data in order to determine provenance. The findings and their narrative are discussed in the historical framework of the ‘Celtic migrations’ in Europe in the 4th century BCE.

Castles of Northwestern Bohemia in the Middle Ages

Castles of Northwestern Bohemia in the Middle Ages

Forced settlement of Vlach Roma in Žatec and Louny in the late 1950s

Abstract The author of the study presents a micro-historical study of a family of Vlach Roma (Lovára) of western Slovakian origin, who were one of the few Romani groups still on the move in the mid-1950s and who in the late 1950s were forced to settle in the towns of Louny and Žatec in north-western Bohemia. Against this background the author focuses on some aspects of the Czechoslovak assimilation policy of the 1950s regarding ‘itinerant Gypsies’, designed to limit their mobility, which is represented mainly by the implementation of the Law on the Permanent Settlement of Itinerant Persons (No. 74/1958 Coll.). Using a combination of oral history methods involving Vlach Romani narrators and of archival research, the author clarifies some aspects of the local process of the implementation of the above-mentioned law and of selected impacts of the registration of travelling and semi-travelling people in February 1959. The forced sedentarization which occurred in the two localities under study is presented in the context of the regime of state socialism and the policies of central as well as local authorities towards so-called ‘travelling Gypsies’ in the late 1950s.

Regional effects of synoptic situations on soil drought in the Czech Republic

Soil drought has an important influence on plant development. The SoilClim model was used to investigate episodes of soil drought at the 0–100-cm profile during the 1961–2017 period for four selected regions of the Czech Republic (North-western Bohemia, Southern Bohemia, North-eastern Moravia, and Southern Moravia). It emerged that the frequency of soil drought significantly increases in the summer half-year (SHY) and exhibits insignificant trends in the winter half-year (WHY). The dynamic climatology of soil drought is based herein upon synoptic situations as classified by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, in terms of which changes in the occurrence and precipitation intensity of drought episodes in the four individual regions were studied. Drought episodes are generally related to decreases in the frequency of precipitation-rich situations and in their precipitation intensity. This is particularly true for situations C (central cyclone over central Europe), B (trough over central Europe), and Bp (travelling trough). Situations B and Bp, together with south-west cyclonic situations SWc1–3, appeared as the most relevant to regional differences in drought episodes during SHY in the four regions studied, while western cyclonic situations (Wc and Wcs) emerged as particularly important in WHY. Regional differences are clearly marked between the Bohemian and Moravian regions, especially in SHY. Discussion of the results obtained concentrates on the uncertainty of soil drought data, differences between SHY and WHY, the effects of synoptic situations, and the broader context of soil droughts.

Ke stavu péče o německé kulturní dědictví v českém pohraničí na příkladu Chomutovska

On the State of Protection of German Cultural Heritage in the Czech Borderlands: The View from ChomutovThis discussion highlights the unsatisfactory state of care for local German cemeteries in the Czech borderlands, a topic that deserves attention not only in the context of the Czech-German relations, but also in the context of the celebration of 2018 as the European Year of Cultural Heritage. The author served as a director of the Regional Museum in Chomutov (Komotau), a town in north-western Bohemia. Against this background, he reflects on the causes of this dire state, pointing to the insufficient performance of the relevant Czech authorities in the protection of cultural heritage. Furthermore, he presents positive examples of civic engagement towards Czech-German reconciliation.Keywords: Czech Republic; cultural heritage; cemeteries; Sudeten Germans; Czech-German relations; reconciliationDOI: 10.14712/23363231.2019.3

Kocuria Bacterial Isolates from Radioactive Springs of Jáchymov spa (Joachimsthal) as Sources of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids.

Four bacterial isolates, which produced polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), were isolated from water samples of radioactive springs collected from Jáchymov spa. Jáchymov (Sankt Joachimsthal) is a city in northwestern Bohemia, where Marie and Pierre Curie isolated radium in 1898 from the mineral uraninite. To date, four springs (Agricola, Behounek, C1, and Curie) have been used for spa purposes, that is for the treatment of nervous and rheumatic disorders by constantly produced radioactive gas radon (222 Rn) dissolved in the water. The radioactivity reaches 24 kBq/L. Using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, all four isolates were identified as members of the genus Kocuria, with two isolates designated 208 and 401 affiliated with Kocuria kristinae, while isolates 101 and 301 most likely with K. rhizophila. The content of fatty acids in polar lipids was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and two PUFA, that is arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic, were identified. The position of double bonds was confirmed by GC-MS of 3-pyridylcarbinol (formerly picolinyl) esters. We assume that all four isolates of Kocuria produce PUFA to increase the stability of cell membranes, which may be impaired by the reaction of the reactive oxygen species. These can arise, for example, because of α radiation during 222 Rn decay.

Determining Differences among Genders and Days of the Week in Adolescent Physical Activity Levels Using Pedometers in Northwestern Bohemia

Determining Differences among Genders and Days of the Week in Adolescent Physical Activity Levels Using Pedometers in Northwestern Bohemia

Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of Northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) in arid areas of North-Western Bohemia

The article analyses growth and quality of Northern red oak (Quercus rubra Linnaeus) based on 13 research plots (seven in red oak stands and six in sessile oak stands) with the ages between 17 to 159 years. The collected data includes height, DBH, crown diameter, stem and crown quality, health status of each tree on the plot. Analogous plots were chosen in sessile oak (Quercus sessilis Linnaeus) stands on similar sites to get reference data. The results proved the high wood production potential of red oak when compared to sessile oak being at the same or higher quality and health. The data propose the red oak to be a good additional species in lowland stands.

The endangered damselfly Coenagrion ornatum in post-mining streams: population size, habitat requirements and restoration

The damselfly Coenagrion ornatum represents a threatened species of lowland headwater streams. Although the species is threatened in Western and Central Europe, it is known at a system of post-mining drainage ditches in the Radovesicka spoil heap (northwestern Bohemia, Czech Republic). This study aimed to estimate its population size in this post-mining stream system, and to explore habitat preferences of both its larvae and adults with respect to various environmental factors. The adults were captured-recaptured along 5.2 km of the ditches in June 2012; larvae were sampled in 64 study sites (i.e., 27-meter-long sections of the same ditches) in April 2012. The adult population size was estimated via log-linear models with the robust design on 4544 individuals (1560 ± 391 females and 2983 ± 298 males). Larvae were present in a third of the sections. GLMs revealed that both larvae and adults required emergent vegetation with a high proportion of Eleocharis spp. plants. The adults preferred the slow-flowing and shallow streams with 2-meter-high banksides covered by intermediately tall vegetation (~40 cm), whereas the larval abundance was supported by a high in-stream vegetation heterogeneity and a patchy cover of rocks on the streambeds. These results indicate that the post-mining streams could represent a valuable secondary habitat for the complete life cycle of this relatively large population of the endangered headwater specialist. Therefore, we recommend consideration of the conservation potential of such ditches during post-mining sites restoration and their subsequent management.

Muséaliser le passé des Allemands en Bohême : enjeux de représentation géographique et sociétale

In 2006, the project of a permanent exhibition dedicated to the history and the cultural heritage of the German speaking Czechs have been launched in the City Museum of Usti nad Labem (North-western Bohemia). This article proposes to analyze the cognitive frame that support the narration of the exhibition’s project. Particular attention is paid to the societal issues of the making of a renewed heritage in Czech Republic that includes, more than 70 years after the mass population transfers, the traces left by the former German societies.

Aquatic mollusc fauna of the Ohře River – an important site of Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in northwestern Bohemia

Aquatic mollusc fauna of the Ohře River – an important site of Unio crassus Philipsson, 1788 (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in northwestern Bohemia

Gravettian lithics assemblages from Lubná (Bohemia)

The first excavated Palaeolithic site of Bohemia was Lubná, where J. Kušta in 1890 excavated station I. At least seven other sites (Lubná II to VIII) were discovered in its vicinity over time, making the Lubná area the richest site cluster in Bohemia. It is also the only place in Bohemia where several stations are located in a small area. All sites belong to the Upper Gravettian period, dated to 25 to 21 ka BP.For comparison of Lubná sites, there are 3646 artefacts from 6 sites in Lubná. The largest assemblage is Lubná III with 1442 artefacts; the second largest is the assemblage of Lubná II with 952 artefacts. Lubná IV has 566 artefacts and Lubná I 460 artefacts. The smallest assemblages come from sites Lubná VI and VIII (162 and 64 artefacts).Dominant raw materials are silicites of glacial sediments from the north (Silesia and Saxony). There are small amounts of quartzites of northwestern Bohemia and Bavarian plattensilex.All sites have very low amount of cores, and they show high stages of exploitation. Microchips, flakes and burin spalls demonstrate blade and tool production on sites. Tool composition is typical for the Gravettian with gravettian points and micropoints, domination of burins, and numerous microliths. Kostenki points are absent. Pavlovian microliths, triangles and segments, are present.

Diversity, taphonomy and palaeoecology of plant–arthropod interactions in the lower Miocene (Burdigalian) in the Most Basin in north-western Bohemia (Czech Republic)

An extensive collection of nearly 4200 fossil plants remains from lower Miocene deposits at Bílina and Břešťany were examined for signs of damage caused by arthropods. Determining the frequency and diversity of plant–arthropod interactions was the main objective, followed by a comparison of the level of damage to plant taxa for which there were at least 25 specimens. There were significant differences in the frequencies of the damage caused by the different functional feeding groups in the whole assemblage and individual taxa. Comparison of the diversity of the different types of damage by rarefying their five occurrences also confirmed the differences in the levels attained. The highest diversity was recorded for deciduous trees (Alnus, Nyssa and Populus). The organisms that caused some of the highly specific types of damage, such as mining and oviposition, were taxonomically identified on the basis of their unique morphological traits. There was one remarkable non-herbivore plant–arthropod interaction represented by a solitary record of a caddisfly case built exclusively of Taxodium needles.

Land snail diversity and composition in relation to ecological variations in Central European floodplain forests and their history

We explored patterns of land snail assemblages using 93 alluvial forest sites in six river floodplains of the Elbe drainage basin (northwestern Bohemia, Czech Republic). Differences in species richness and composition across the four floodplain forest types (i.e., alder carrs, ash-alder forests, willow-poplar softwood forests, and hardwood forests) were analysed using generalized linear models, multidimensional scaling and redundancy analysis with the Monte Carlo permutation test. The studied floodplain forest types did not differ in species richness, except for the alder carrs which were significantly poorer. The number of species expressed a significant unimodal response along with elevation and Ellenberg nutrients, and further significantly decreased towards the most humid sites. Contrary to species richness, the main forest types clearly differed based on land snail species composition, with the exception of the ash-alder and willow-poplar forest sites which became completely overlapped in the ordination space. The main changes in species composition were mostly associated with elevation and Ellenberg moisture on the first MDS axis: Ellenberg nutrients and light were fitted on the second and the third axes, respectively. These variables, along with calcium content estimated using Ellenberg indicator values for soil reaction, had significant effects on the variation and snail species composition in the final RDA model. No response of either species richness or compositional changes was found for the measured content of topsoil calcium, most likely due to the higher importance of other variables. On the basis of some recently published data we can conclude that historical development and long-term human activities on the succession of floodplain assemblages have resulted in a sharp impoverishment of strictly land snail species of several hardwood forest sites in the majority of lower river stretches. Whilst in most areas there are no exact palaeoecological data available, these historical influences were closely correlated with the site elevation in our dataset as the main difference in species composition was hard to explain solely using environmental predictors.

Mortality Rate and Activity Patterns of an Aesculapian Snake (Zamenis longissimus) Population Divided by a Busy Road

Abstract We studied a population of Aesculapian Snakes (Zamenis longissimus) living close to a 1,000-m stretch of busy road located in northwestern Bohemia. We monitored the extent of road mortality and related behavioral characteristics. A large number of snakes regularly inhabited the road's embankment during monitoring in June and September. Some individuals were observed to stay in exactly the same spot continuously for several days. Snakes were active starting between 0800 and 0900 h in the morning and ending by 1900 h in June and 1800 h in September. Activity was greatest during the morning. The most frequent type of observed behavior was related to thermoregulation. The snakes did not react visibly to passing traffic. The Aesculapian Snakes' activity was higher, and started at lower temperatures, in June than in September. The mean body temperature of the Aesculapian Snakes was 24.3°C. On average, it was higher than the ambient air temperature until the ambient air temperature exceeded 27.8°C. We d...