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In the projects of anti-erosion protection in the Czech Republic, USLE was used as a standard tool for evaluating the risk of water erosion. The precision of the resulting USLE values is defined by the quality of input data and algorithms used. Two methods for LS factor calculation are recommended for use in the planning practice in the Czech Republic: the computing method based on the USLE 2D software and the other computing methods. Various methods can assess the LS factor; however, their results differ. On the example of the Starovice – Hustopeče study area (Czech Republic), strongly threatened by erosion, this report aimed to show the differences brought using these differing methods of LS factor assessment, all in two variants before and after application of anti-erosion measures (retention grass belts, grassed thalweg). Changes in the calculation of the LS factor were directly reflected in the calculation of the long-term average soil loss by water erosion.

The aim of this study was to identify the tile drainage systems within the year (from spring to autumn) using the ground penetrating radar (GPR) geophysical method. The measurements were performed in the experimental locality Dehtáře in the Bohemo-Moravian Highland (Czech Republic) in the years 2016 and 2017. The profiles located in the drained area were repeatedly measured together with the drainage discharges, soil moisture and groundwater level. The best visibility of tile drains was observed during snowmelt (in March and April) when the drainage discharges usually reach their maximum. In other months, the visibility of the drains was variable, but mostly worse. For a reliable detection of individual drains, the measurements above the drainage must be performed in several profiles. Under the conditions of the Czech Republic, the best results were obtained by a 500 MHz frequency antenna.

The increasing risk of wind erosion in the context of climate change represents a highly pressing issue. This increase is a result of the growing occurrence of droughts and elevated temperatures in intensively farmed areas. Effective protection against the wind erosion can be provided by windbreaks, especially during the period when the soil is not protected by the vegetation cover of crops. In this report, we wanted to compare the methods defining the windbreak protection zones. The optical porosity and the windbreak height were the basic parameters for defining the protection area. The various methods differ among themselves by using or not using the windbreak height parameter. The optical porosity of the windbreaks was determined based on photographic documentation. For the comparison, we selected the cadastral area of Micmanice due to the wide network of windbreaks in this locality. We set up a database of windbreak height and optical porosity for each windbreak. Our report thus presents application of the new knowledge to updating the methods and procedures for assessing the vulnerability of the area by wind erosion. Use of the method involving parameters of the optical porosity and windbreak height resulted in significant reduction of the windbreak protection zone compared to the method omitting the windbreak height.

The agricultural land fund in the Czech Republic is strongly degraded by water erosion. The main reasons for this situation are changes in the landscape caused by large-area agricultural production in the second half of the 20th century. In the model locality Starovice – Hustopeče (223.5 ha) (South Moravia Region), we analysed changes in the landscape structure and land use for the period 1825 – 2018. In 1825, the mean size of a land block was 0.4 ha. In 1968, the studied locality consisted of just one land block of a size of 223.5 ha. This period marks the beginning of massive water erosion. In 2003, the locality was proposed for land consolidation. Its goal was to reduce erosion and risk of floods. To date, a number of protective measures have been applied in the locality. The risk of water erosion was assessed for the landscape state in 1968 and 2018 in GIS using the USLE method. The effect of the adopted measures was strongly manifested in reduction of the erosion risk (by 44 %). Transport of sediment out of the locality was assessed for 1968 and 2018 by the WATEM-SEDEM model. The protective measures resulted in a decrease of sediment transport out of the locality by 111 t/year (40% reduction). The economic balance of the soil loss showed a positive impact of the applied protective measures. Based on the mean price of arable land in the Czech Republic and costs of the soil relocation within the locality, the application of protective measures brought an economy of at least € 5,000 per year. This sum does not include losses caused by a potential decrease of agricultural crop yields due to the soil degradation, reduction of ecosystem services, and other factors in the past years. The real benefits of application of the protective measures aimed at reducing erosion and increasing water retention in the landscape are significantly higher.

Land consolidations represent a unique tool for managing problems of the rural space. They help to settle land property rights and meet the current requirements associated with protection and formation of a stable, permanently sustainable rural landscape. In the Czech Republic, complex land consolidations have been completed in 1,965 cadastral areas of the total number 13,100, and in 2,134 more they are in the preparation phase (up to 1st September 2015). It means that about 60 % of cadastral areas in CR still await land consolidation. Our study aimed to localize priority localities (cadastral areas and regions) for preferential implementation of land consolidation. We selected three thematic factors to determine the risk of their occurrence in particular localities and, consequently, the need to initiate the land consolidation. Our analysis is based on the assumption that cadastral areas where land consolidations have been completed or are under way have already dealt with the above-mentioned risk factors or will do so soon. Such areas have therefore not been included into our study. The key selected thematic factors relevant for preferential implementation of land consolidation include: the risk of water and wind erosion in arable land, water management, and water retention in the landscape. For each of these three factors we processed a map of preferential localities (based on the degree of risk/suitability) for initiation of land consolidation. At the same time, a simple multi-criteria analysis of the extent of the Czech Republic's erosion (water and wind) has been prepared. The result of this analysis is the ranking of regions according to the degree of risk of erosion. The most vulnerable regions of the Czech Republic's Jihomoravský (South Moravian Region), Středočeský (Central Bohemia) and Pardubice.

Water retention in the landscape is discussed in the context of conservation and improvement of both its productive and non-productive functions. We analysed the retention potential of a small agricultural catchment associated with the Bílý potok brook, investigating the possibility to improve its retention capacity and slow down the surface runoff, thus increasing the underground water resources. Method of curve numbers was used for that purposes. From results, it emerged that present maximum water retention in the Bílý potok catchment is 96.2 mm. It could increase by 101.3 mm in case of grassing about 20% arable land threatened by soil erosion. As next possibility to retain water from precipitations in landscape, capacity and transformation effect of reservoirs designed in master plans was analysed. The latest programming tools working in the GIS environment were used to assess the retention capacity of both the catchment surface and the reservoirs. Analysing master plans in the catchment, it was found that 16 designed water reservoirs (from 31) have a good potential to intercept water and transform flood discharges. In the result, priority for building of reservoirs was recommended according to their pertinence and efficiency in the studied catchment. Presented complex approach can be widely implemented, especially for better effectivity and cohesion of landscape planning and land consolidations processes.

In the Czech Republic, a significant amount of agricultural landscape nutrients is swept away by surface washes and leakages to subsoil. Subsequently there is a negative influence on surface water quality, where of course also point sources of pollution participate in. Flowing surface water often becomes stagnant while the certain self-purifying processes proceed both in the flowing and stagnant waters. It can be simultaneously stated that the self-purifying process is practically uncontrollable, primarily due to the impact of many entering factors. One of the environmental and technical elements providing quality improvement of water running off a water reservoir is deployment of constructed floating wetlands (CFW). The theoretical background, as well as the laboratory measurements carried out on the test land of the Brno University of Technology in experimental tanks, evidence the significant treatment efficiency of the CFW. Within the research activities, we focused on the general pollution parameters set for surface waters. The first results show that the total phosphorus concentration removal efficiency is 38.8 % after 22 days with employment of the CFW which is a considerably higher value compared to the lysimeter with no CFW where the removal efficiency was only 4.37 %. The results can be large-scale applied to most of the small water reservoirs situated in the agricultural landscape.

The article focuses on the issue of agricultural soil sealing in the Dolní Věstonice and Modřice cadastres (South Moravian Region). Available data and map resources were used for this purpose (historical and up-to-date). Data was processed using manual digitalisation which helped to generate the needed map output. The decrease in area of agricultural land is analysed in individual periods starting in the year 1824 (source of data stable cadastre - the first half of the 19th century) until the present, and the sealing of different types of plots and soil kinds is assessed according to Evaluated Soil-Ecological Units (ESEU). In most cases, agricultural land sealing is associated with municipal expansion. To compare future development, potential (forthcoming) agricultural land sealing proposed within the valid landscape plans was also explored. Likewise, the overall price of sealed plots in both locations was calculated. The results show that there was a significant change in the use of both model territories between 1824 and the present. In Modřice, the area of the built-up area was changed from 16 ha (1824) to 409 ha (2016). The area of the site has expanded from 90% to agricultural land. The most significant change in this area is the development of builtup areas on agricultural land. In the model territory of Dolní Věstonice, the area of the built-up area increased from 16 ha (1824) to 48 ha (2016). The area of the site has expanded from 70% to agricultural land. Due to the construction of water reservoirs “Nové Mlýny”, the area of water bodies increased by 569 ha (during the period 1824- 2016). The water reservoirs occupy 65% of the cadastral area of Dolní Věstonice. The most significant change in landscape is the increase in water areas in Dolní Věstonice. Should this trend persist, an extensive reduction in agricultural soil and ensuing problems associated with sustainable agriculture, potentially also deficient food resources must be anticipated.

Reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus inputs into surface waters from nonpoint agricultural sources requires targeted application of differentiated measures. In the study focused on soil and water conservation in the Jihlava river basin upstream of the Dalešice reservoir, we identified areas at potential risk of soil erosion, elevated infiltration and nutrient leaching, tile-drained areas and vulnerable riparian zones of water bodies. We then designed a system of complex protective measures for this river basin in more variants, and their effectiveness was estimated using simple empirical model calculations and research findings. Application of the measures defined by optimal variant 3 in the studied watershed could lead to reduction of the soil erosion effects on the surface water quality by 26.5 %, with simultaneous reduction of the amount of washed out total nitrogen by 22.8 %. The results of our study constitute a partial component of the Qualitative Model of the Jihlava River Basin and they were provided for use to the Vysočina Region authorities and the State Land Office.

The SCS-CN method is a globally known procedure used primarily for direct-runoff estimates. It also is integrated in many modelling applications. However, the method was developed in specific geographical conditions, often making its universal applicability problematic. This study aims to determine appropriate values of initial abstraction coefficients &lambda, and curve numbers (CNs), based on measured data in five experimental catchments in the Czech Republic, well representing the physiographic conditions in Central Europe, to improve direct-runoff estimates. Captured rainfall-runoff events were split into calibration and validation datasets. The calibration dataset was analysed by applying three approaches: (1) Modifying &lambda, both discrete and interpolated, using the tabulated CN values, (2) event analysis based on accumulated rainfall depth at the moment runoff starts to form, and (3) model fitting, an iterative procedure, to search for a pair of &lambda, S (CN, respectively). To assess individual rainfall characteristics&rsquo, possible influence, a principal component analysis and cluster analysis were conducted. The results indicate that the CN method in its traditional arrangement is not very applicable in the five experimental catchments and demands corresponding modifications to determine &lambda, and CN (or S, respectively). Both &lambda, and CN should be viewed as flexible, catchment-dependent (regional) parameters, rather than fixed values. The acquired findings show the need for a systematic yet site-specific revision of the traditional CN method, which may help to improve the accuracy of CN-based rainfall-runoff modelling.

The paper is focused on the current status of land consolidation in Czechia. The survey is based on a questionnaire distributed electronically to municipalities and related subjects (agricultural organizations, farmers) in areas where the land consolidation has been completed, is in progress, or is under preparation. Small farmers and municipality representatives perceive the land consolidation as a measure facilitating permeability of the landscape and protection from erosion and/or from flooding. Land consolidation is important for companies in clarification of the land ownerships and as a remedy for the landscape needs. About half of the respondents believe that the measures have rather brought benefits, whereas 41% of respondents mainly highlight problems. The negative side of the land consolidation is mostly seen in the time delays and demanding administration; agribusinesses also point out complications with land management. Nevertheless, 75% of small farmers and municipalities and 62% of agribusinesses are interested in land consolidation. The main differences between small farmers and large companies consist in their attitude to reduction of the acreage of large plots and their division by common facilities.

This study searched for associations between the extent of hydromelioration systems and the land use (in the past and at present), degree of nature conservation, and infiltration of water through soil profile in the Protected Landscape Area (PLA) Železne hory. According to the available evidence, 34.6% of arable land and 32.1% of permanent grasslands in this area are drained by the drainage systems. Analysis of the original design documentations of drainage structures indicate, that the extent of drained areas can actually be even higher. The hydromelioration systems were built namely in the second half of the 20th century. The drainage also affected alluvial meadows, wetlands, and ecologically valuable stations. After establishment of PLA Železne hory in 1991, the protected area was divided into four zones according to their significance and protection regime. This study has revealed the presence of areas drained by systematic drainage systems (101 ha of grasslands) even in the zones of highest landscape protection degree (1st and 2nd protection zones). The inadequately executed drainage systems should be eliminated and the character of the land should be brought closer to its natural conditions. On the model part of the PLA we also performed a study of historical changes in the landscape in three time horizons (1839, 1950, 2014) to show differences in land use before building of drainage, at the time of building, and at present.

Our project was focused on the investigation of attitudes and preferences of the rural population concerning landscape protection and use in the context of land use planning documentations - Land Consolidations (LC) and Land Use Planning (LUP). The survey was organized in the form of questionnaires distributed in four model localities. In total, we obtained 196 responses (almost 32%) out of 617 questionnaires distributed via elementary schools. The respondents are more familiar with the notion of land use planning (80% know the term of land plan) than land consolidations (known by 50% respondents only). The local population are not confident about the land-managing subjects (60% respondents do not believe that the subjects managing agricultural land e.g. protect arable land against erosion). Seventy % of respondents agree with restoration of balks, with reducing the acreages of agriculturally managed land tracts. More than 90% respondents perceive the landscape as a space for recreation, sports, and rest. Only 20% of inhabitants are employed in agriculture (over 60% respondents work in services or other specializations). The respondents prefer natural environment over the economic aspects of the rural areas.

The present paper contains the evaluation of rural landscape development in model territories by means of landscape structure analysis. Based on the computed values of landscape ecology indexes, development and typical and specific features of analysed territories are interpreted in defined time horizons. The territories differ in the intensity of their use, natural conditions and different social requirements. Two territories have intensive agriculture in different natural conditions, the third model territory is situated in the protective zone of a water resource, and the fourth model territory is a protected area. For all localities, the studied baseline period was that of the Stable Cadastre mapping (1825-1839), followed by the sixties of the 20th century and the present time. The method of processing and evaluation of four model territories is described and a detailed analysis and interpretation of one territory - Hubenov region is presented. Agricultural land formed the landscape matrix in Hubenov territory in the past and at present. There is a significant reduction in the number of plots of the landscape classes and the increase in the average size of agricultural and non-agricultural plots between year 1825 and 2009. Spatial distribution of agricultural land has changed. Area of arable land decreased after the construction of water reservoir Hubenov. The area of permanent grassland, forests and water bodies increased. It was reflected in an increase of ecological stability. In the context of the change of landscape structures decreased the length of ecotone edges of the categories arable land and PGL and categories arable land and forest.

Choosing of 25 model localities in Bohemia and Moravia was made in the frame of research project QI92A012 to evaluate efficiency of erosion control and water management facilities and evaluate their integration into the agricultural landscape. The main criterion of the choice was that there has been implemented at least one erosion or flood control measure in the cadaster in the frame of land consolidation. Model cadasters had to represent varied natural and anthropical conditions of the Czech Republic. The article is aimed at one of evaluation aspect – influence of the common facilities on the landscape aesthetic, its ecological function and patency. Methodic principles were applied in the locality of simple land consolidation in the Starovice cadaster. Implemented water management facilities have slightly increased aesthetic and ecological stability of the area, but it is necessary to finish implementation of all design of common facilities to achieve the optimal efficiency.

The industrial revolution and subsequent industrialization of society represented a fundamental change to the landscape of the Czech Republic or, more precisely, the whole of Central Europe. These changes are reflected in the change of landscape structure (the existence or absence of landscape features, ground shaping, and construction of artificial elements in the landscape) and can be read in historical maps, which have been preserved. Currently, the Research Institute for Soil and Water Conservation (Czech Republic), in the frame of resolving a scientific program of the Ministry of Agriculture CR, is carrying out an analysis of historical changes in landscape structure, including hydroamelioration structures, using remote sensing and evaluation of changes in rural areas arising from measures in land and land use plans. Solutions that require extensive preparation of input data to assess the development of primary and secondary structures of the chosen territories, variable in content and form (resolution, scale, color, size, surface range, etc.), will evaluate the nature of the landscape development with the formulation of the downstream effects of realized hydroamelioration structures, measures in land consolidation projects and land use plans in the context of the influence of forests on the landscape model areas. The article presents the chosen method of analysis of spatial and temporal differentiation of landscape structures.

Presently a demand of sustainable maintenance of water quantity and quality is more and more accented in context of population booming and actual climate change. A research project no. QJ1620040, supported by the Czech Agricultural Research Agency, has started in 2016 with the aim to assess the options for reduction of water pollution both from point and non-point sources with suspended solids, nitrogen and phosphorus in drinking water sources catchments.

The contribution presents the method of evaluation of rural landscape development in Hustopeče microregion by means of the analysis of landscape structure. Based on the computation of the values of landscape ecological indexes, development and typical and specific features in selected time horizons are interpreted. The time of the stable cadastre mapping (1825) was chosen as the initial period, other periods were the actual situation at present (2006) and the time between these two periods (the sixties of the 20th century). It is an agricultural landscape in southern Moravia used for intensive farming. Analysis results illustrate long-term continuing landscape utilization for agricultural production. All evaluative indexes indicate reduction of number of patches and edge effect, enlarging of patch area and, consequently, increasing of geometrical extent and coarse-grained landscape pattern.