The effect of tourism and different landscape management on beetle communities using pitfall trapping in the Šumava mountain area (National Park and Protected Landscape Area) was studied. The pitfall traps were arranged on left side plots of the Lipno dam with a different man-made pressure. The beetle communities of parking lots, dam shores and bushes were studied. The lowest number of species discovered by pitfall trapping was on plots strongly affected by man (parking lot). The highest number of species was found on plots of dam shores in consequence of ecoton effect. The community structure of the parking lots and dam shores was formed in 60 per cent by eurytopic species. Stenotopic species were dominant only on habitat of bushes. A regular and intensive management in the dam shores and the parking lots (mowing, herbicide application, fragmentation ) was the main factor affecting the epigeic beetle communities.

The main aim of my thesis was to evaluate natural regeneration status of Norway spruce on three research plots with different forest managment after windstorm disturbance in January 2007. In addition, evaluation of micro-site conditions and shade effects on germination and surviving of spruce seedlings and assessment of crown conditions in forest research plot was performed. Research work was carried out on the Černá hora Mt. in the Šumava Mts. in 2009 - 2010. Obtained results could provide information to help to decide the choice of management of forest stands after disturbance in protected areas.

The consequence of the differentiation of a care of forest ecosystems in NP Šumava is the existence of localities where timber harvesting causes damage to forest ecosystem. One of the most affected ecosystems is the soil ecosystem. The surface is usually disrupted by numbers of passing over the same path the machines. Forwarders are the harvesting machineries that execute the largest number of passes in the forest. The aim of the diploma work is to gain and analyse data dealing with harvesting technologies, and to evaluate their impact on soil ecosystems. The impact was determinate from measuring of the recessing of the track in the surface, of the soil compaction and of the soil sampling for determination of an amount of the water in the soil. The data were measured in different selected localities in NP Šumava. The negative influences of the harvesting technologies were defined for both {--} water and air regime of soil. Recommendation for reduction of negative consequences of the harvesting on soil are parts of diploma work as well.

This research project explores ways in which place-based Indigenous perspectives can inform national park ‘visitor experience’ planning, management, and information delivery. Engaged in collaborative processes with Tseshaht First Nation, this project explores knowledge of Tseshaht-identified places of cultural significance in Tseshaht traditional territory, discussed in the context of creating a web-based digital map. In attempting to explore Nuu-chah-nulth-informed ways in which to more widely share cultural history and knowledge in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, I learned of the many dynamics that are revealed when the depth of Nuu-chah-nulth connections to place are made visible. This research project examines knowledge, power, and place in the context of Indigenous self-representation. Informed by Indigenous ways of knowing and Indigenous principles of knowledge-sharing, this thesis is an ethnography of knowledge-sharing in modern contexts fraught with issues of state power, commodification, and colonialism. / Graduate

In what can be characterized as a period of rapid ecological change, the global community has now reached an agreement on the importance of protecting what remains of the world’s biological diversity. In 2011, world governments pledged to extend protected areas (PAs) to 17% of the earth’s surface. Although, accumulated research documents the role PAs areas play in coping with environmental change, much of conservation practice remains at odds with the actual purpose of conservation: to enable natural and human systems to adapt and sustain life. Challenges in PA planning and management, and their connections (or lack thereof) to wider socio-economic and institutional frameworks have made environmental governance a leading concern in the study of PAs. This research examined the nature and dimensions of environmental governance affecting adaptive capacity and the sustainability of protected landscapes, particularly for PAs deemed to have been established and/or operating through ‘participatory’ governance. These issues are explored through comparative research based on case studies of two coastal PAs: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in Canada, and Saadani National Park in Tanzania. Methods utilized included gathering qualitative and spatial data through interactions with decision-making bodies and representatives of agencies at the village/First Nations and park levels, interviews with state authorities at district and higher levels and document research. The research findings on the two PAs and adjacent communities unravel the nature and dynamics of steering institutions, institutional interplay and spatial interconnectedness as they relate to cooperation, agency and adaptability within and around protected landscapes. An examination of spatial and institutional arrangements within national frameworks, and an examination of governance and management practice at the level of individual parks reveal significant mismatches between policy discourses on multi-level cooperation and actual practice in state-based conservation. This research also reveals ways in which sustainability can be conceived and addressed through institutions and institutional interplay among park and community actors. The research analyzed ways in which encompassing frameworks shaped institutions, relationships and activities on the ground, and spatial interconnectedness and interdependence shaped the actions and agency of grassroots actors. The findings also demonstrate that there are critical differences between participation and the exercising of agency. While it is important to achieve a fair distribution of burdens and benefits across levels, it is shared jurisdiction and fair institutional interplay, rather than economic benefits, which can better enable all levels of social organizations to contribute to sustainability. In this regard, enhancing agency is essential to enabling adaptability and goes beyond addressing disruptive power relations; it also entails redefining perceptions of human nature and of spatial interconnectedness among communities and natural landscapes in the design of environmental institutions. It is through institutionally-driven processes, such as giving full political and financial support to states fixed on gaining spatial control of culturally diverse landscapes through restrictive conservation approaches, that conservation has become an instrument of oppression, and it is only through institutionally-driven means that acknowledge the importance and role of indigenous approaches to preserve ecological diversity that PAs can be made to serve their purpose: to preserve nature and cultural heritage for present and future generations. / Graduate / 0534 / 0366 / aleja@uvic.ca

Master thesis deals with the transparency in decision-making process and with the openness to citizens in local politics. It focuses on the policy of municipal councils, with the emphasis on Municipal district Prague 10 during the election period 2010 -- 2014. Main objective is the analysis, description and evaluation of the transparency of decisions-making process in Prague 10. The theoretical part of the thesis is dealing with definitions of terms: municipalities, Prague, the capital, its districts and decision-making process. The stress is given to the question of the level of transparency and on the openness of town halls to their citizens. In the practical part, the thesis analyzes the concrete decision-making processes in Prague 10 related to an analysis of the Council's statement about the anti-corruption strategy. In the end, it analyzes the decisions-making process about the procurements in Municipal district Prague 10 namely to the analysis of procurements "Revitalization of Malešice Park".

The theme of the work is the management of the Sumava National Park. Publicized problems concerning the intervention rate, zoning, construction, management and status of local communities are conceived in the context of state ownership of the park and its public administration. Institutional change is possibly the logical solution. The cause of conflict in the SNP is searching with the use of stakeholder analysis. The method takes the form of interviews with representatives of interested parties, followed by a synthesis of observed attitudes and opinions. Despite some differences and divergent views on specific issues they see as the main obstacle agreements failure and legislation disregard, so it is a socio-political problem. The following is an economic aspect (lack of funds and poor management of them) and environmental (especially the form of zoning). Regime management change, however, they do not evaluate as a solution of the existing disagreements.

The diploma thesis deals with the implementation of entrance fee to national parks in Slovakia. In the first part, it describes the entrance fee as an economic tool of environmental policy, considers its features and application. Thereafter, the organization and financing of nature protection in Slovakia is explained. From the presented analysis of revenues and expenditures it is obvious that the national park administrative units are exposed to the lack of financial resources. As a solution of this situation, the thesis suggests increasing of revenues by the implementation of the entrance fees. Subsequently, each Slovak national park is characterised. The aim of the thesis is a proposal of the entrance fees system in Slovak national parks, which is divided into particular steps. The activities concerning the collection of the fees are preceded by rearranging the ownership relations and adjustment of legislation. The next steps of the proposal deal with the way of fees collection, the extent of the fees and with potential revenues for the national park administration that would be generated by the fees. The final steps of the proposal consider control together with modification of the entrance fees collecting system and its potential expanding.

The diploma subject was to design a new synagogue, jewish community centre and kosher restaurant in Gustav Mahler Park in Jihlava. The new synagogue respects location of the foundations of the former synagogue. The buildings are arranged to create elevated square, where people can rise up to synagogue which was inspired by rising up to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Water reflecting pool is designed above the foundations of the former synagogue to create water reflections on the facade and interior of the new synagogue. The new jewish community centre take care of the whole jewish community in Jihlava. The jewish garden in atrium of the jewish community centre serve as a place to celebrate jewish holidays. Kosher restaurant is designed for the public and jewish community in Jihlava and creates atractive place to enjoy free time at Gustav Mahler Park with the view towards historical city walls and the Gate of Holy Mother.

The diploma project handles the design of the synagogue and other buildings of the Jewish community in Jihlava. The project is formed as an architectural study. Apart from the synagogue, the proposed set of buildings also includes a kosher restaurant, which is characteized by a specific cooking convention, and the administration of a Jewish community with a lecture hall and a community library. The entire complex is complemented by underground parking and the necessary technical facilities. The area is located on the edge of the historical center of Jihlava and the character of the place is strongly determined by the presence of fortifications and fortification greenery. The concept is based on legible urbanism, which copies the line of fortification. Between the proposed building complex and the walls of fortification the park is preserved and valorises the urban potential of the site. The functions are divided into separate objects. A uniform architectural language of simple cubic volumes was chosen for all buildings. The principles of the construction and inner disposition of individual buildings vary according to their characteristics.