Origin of diversity of Central European landscapes

Project aims: Based on a comparative study of diversity of recent pollen assemblages and vegetation, we will formulate an algorithm for reconstruction of past vegetation diversity changes. This will be used to compare Holocene biodiversity changes in two regions with contrasting environmental conditions.

Abstract: This project aims to reconstruct Holocene changes in vegetation diversity in two contrasting landscapes: the Pannonian part of southern Moravia with high species richness and the Bohemian-Moravian Highlands with low species richness. We will employ modern quantitative methods based on comparison of diversity of recent pollen assemblages and species richness of recent vegetation. The inferred relationships will be then used to construct an algorithm that will be employed in interpretation of past changes of vegetation diversity in the two compared landscapes using pollen profiles covering whole of Holocene. This can help us also to better predict the biodiversity changes following the ongoing climate change. The project will include a methodological study comparing suitability of different sources of recent pollen (moss pollsters, lake sediments) for pollen productivity studies.

Team:

Jan Roleček (head of the project, Botanical Institute AS CR, v.v.i.)

Vojtěch Abraham (co-applicant, Charles University in Prague)

Team members in the Botanical Institute AS CR: Jan Roleček, Zuzana Plesková, Ondřej Vild, Eva Jamrichová, Helena Svitavská, Dušan Lekeš

Team members in the Charles University in Prague: Vojtěch Abraham, Petr Kuneš