Diplomová práce Vztah obyvatel k místu 5 Abstract This thesis entitled "Relationship of inhabitants to their home place in Eastern and Western Ore Mountains (Krušné hory)" focuses on the issue of a relationship the current inhabitants have to the area they live in. This relationship is defined on the basis of several distinct theoretical areas. The first portion of the thesis covers the basic terminology key for understanding the relationship of inhabitants to their home place. It deals with the definition of the term "home place", its character and ways in which it may be perceived. It also contemplates the term "settlement" and focuses on "identity" which is further defined as biographical and regional identity. Identity may be studied in the context of a relationship to the countryside, local community and historical awareness. The paper also characterises the Sudetenland region and provides the historical context necessary for a comprehensive outlook at the area researched without marginalizing the issue of nationalism. The practical portion employs qualitative methodology to process eighteen semi-structured interviews with representatives of elites (mayors, businessmen and members of associations) of the selected are of the Eastern and Western Ore Mountains. Subsequent analyses point to identical and...

The aim of this literature study was to investigate the effects of biofouling in the Baltic Sea. This was done to increase environmental awareness and understanding of the importance of a sustainable marine environment. A systematic search in selected databases resulted in the study being based on tio research articles. The overall results of the study show that biofouling demonstrate negative effects, but the effects are not fully understood to date and the focus is still on economic aspects. Furthermore, it was observed that the studied organizations are currently focused on greenhouse gas issues, but they have also been paying attention to biofouling problems in recent time. The literature study provides important insights into the effects of biofouling.

Plastskräp har blivit ett global problem på grund av nedskräpning och otillräcklig avfallshantering. Användning av biologiskt nedbrytbart material kan underlätta problemet, även om det inte är en universallösning. Produkter gjorda av biologiskt nedbrytbart material skall ändå till avfallshantering eftersom nedbrytningen kan vara långvarig och variera mycket beroende av omgivningen. Därmed är användningen av biologiskt nedbrytbart material endast berättigat då det är svårt att samla in materialet eller avskilja det från organiskt material. Studiens mål var att undersöka biologiskt nedbrytbara material som kan användas i produkter som fungerar under många olika driftsförhållanden och inte kan återställas efter användning. I den litterära delen av denna studie definieras nedbrytning genom egenskaper och förhållanden som påverkar nedbrytningsprocessen. Nedbrytning av polyestrar och cellulosa och de standardprocessarna som används i nedbrytningsexperimenten betraktades. Standardprocesserna för nedbrytning studerades för att få en klarare inblick i den eftertraktade nedbrytningsgraden och de standardiserade förhållandena för nedbrytningen i olika miljöer. En sammanfattning av olika nedbrytningsexperiment och analysmetoder är också inkluderade för att försäkra att experimenten som utfördes är både giltiga och jämförbara med andra forskningsresultat inom fältet. I detta forskningsprojekt utfördes nedbrytningsexperiment i färskvatten- och hemkompostmiljöer. Målet med projektet var att bedöma ifall materialen kunde brytas ned i ett brett spektrum av miljöer, ifall de var mindre skadliga för naturen än konventionella material som används av dagens industri och för att uppskatta nedbrytningstakten. Nedbrytningstiden var 140 dagar och experimentet utfördes med 10 olika material: betecknade som A-J. Materialen analyserades 8 gånger under nedbrytningsperioden förutom materialen I och J som analyserades en gång efter 140 dagar. Materialen analyserades mekaniskt, strukturellt och termiskt med hjälp av dragprovning, FTIR och DSC. Provernas viktförändring bestämdes också. Nedbrytning observerades visuellt från provernas yta och genom mekaniska prover. Materialen som placerades i hemkomposten visade klara tecken på nedbrytning då färgen hade förändrats och förstärkningsfibrerna hade blivit synliga. Materialen som placerats i hemkompostmiljö visade också klara tecken på tillväxt av mikroorganismer och biomassa som uppstått på ytan av materialen. Sammanfattningsvist, visade materialen B, C och G de mest lovande resultaten med klara tecken på biologisk nedbrytning och de hade en snabbare nedbrytningstakt än de andra materialen som undersöktes. Material D visade klara tecken på biologisk nedbrytning på ytan men dess nedbrytningstakt var uppskattad att vara mycket långsammare. Därmed rekommenderas det att använda material A, B, D och G istället för konventionella icke biologiskt nedbrytbara material. Dessa material har potential att sänka den negativa inverkan och de långsiktiga riskerna av plastskräp för miljön. / Plastic debris has become a global crisis due to littering and misplaced waste management. The use of biodegradable materials can ease the problem, but it is not always the answer. Products made of biodegradable materials are still to be waste managed since biodegradation can be a long process and is highly dependent on the environment conditions. Hence, the use of biodegradable materials is justified only when retrieving the product after use is impossible or prohibitively expensive or separating it from organic matter is difficult. This study was made to investigate biodegradable materials that can be used in products that are operating in broad range of operational conditions and cannot be retrieved back after use in most cases. In the literature part of this study the biodegradation is defined along with properties and conditions that affect the biodegradation process. Biodegradation of polyesters and cellulose, and standards used in the biodegradation experiments were reviewed. Biodegradation standards were studied in order to have a clearer picture of the pursued degree of biodegradation and standardized properties in the biodegradation experiments. Review of different biodegradation tests and analysis methods are included as well to ensure that the experiments performed in this work are valid and comparable with other biodegradation studies.  In this study, the biodegradation experiment was conducted in freshwater and home compost environments. The aim was to determine if the materials were able to biodegrade in wide range of environments, to make sure they are less harmful than the conventional materials used in the industry and to estimate the rate of biodegradation. The duration of the experiments were 140 days with 10 different materials: A – J. The materials were analyzed 8 times during the aging period, except materials I and J, which were analyzed only once after 140 days. The samples were analyzed mechanically, structurally, and thermally using tensile test, FTIR and DSC measurements, respectively. Also, the samples weight changes were analyzed.  The degradation was visually observed from the surfaces of the samples and from mechanical testing in both experimental environments. Home compost environment showed clear signs of biodegradation where reinforcement fibers became visible and changed the color of some of the samples. Also, home compost samples had microorganisms growing on them, and biomass was developing around them. To conclude, material B, C and G had the most promising results with clear signs of biodegradation and had faster estimated biodegradation rate compared with the other studied materials. Material D had signs of biodegradation on the surface as well. However, the biodegradation rate was estimated to be much slower. In conclusion, it is recommended to use the studied materials A, B, D and G instead of the conventional non-biodegradable polymers. These materials have potential to lower the negative impact and long-term risks of plastic debris to the environment.

1 online resource (181 leaves) / This study relies on ecocriticism as the discipline benefitting the analysis of the imagery of nature in Konstantin Paustovsky’s prose. The objective of this approach is to demonstrate that Paustovsky’s prose goes beyond of what was expected from a Soviet writer by the socialist realist dogma. This thesis attempts to prove that an ecocritical approach validates his prose as being universal in its message and thus relevant to contemporary readers. Scholars of ecocriticism ask the following questions when analysing a nature-orientated prose: what values are expressed in nature-orientated literature, does the portrayal of nature reflects the cultural values of a nation as well as the way in which a person’s interaction with his natural environment enhances or hampers his spiritual development. The timeframe, within which Paustovsky wrote his prose, should be taken into account, because it coincides with the Lenin and Stalin regimes, when any criticism of the government including its nature conservation policies was impossible. The analysis of attitudes of the Russian people towards nature in Paustovksy’prose demonstrates that it evolved from the acceptance of the official stand to the one of criticism. This research resulted in the following conclusions: Firstly Paustovsky’s view with regard to ecological problems and his solutions to these problems are on par with those of modern ecologists. The writer, for example, proposes a holistic way to undertake nature conservation, such as replacing ruined forests by the same type of trees, not interfering in the cycles of nature and stresses the importance of scientific information on how to care of the natural environment. Secondly, it is through his presentation of nature that the author familiarises the reader with the essence of the Russian culture, which is totally intertwined with the manifestations of Russian nature, such as folklore, superstitions, cultural traditions and values attached to certain animals and trees Thirdly, it has been established that the ‘external’ natural landscape of a person namely his environment, undoubtedly influences his ‘internal landscape’, his psyche. This implies that the natural environment of a person will have an influence on his psychological make-up. It is assumed that this study, in particular the use of ecocriticism as a tool to analyse literature where nature plays a role, will shed new light on the role of nature in Russian prose. This is especially the case with regard to the way in which ecological issues such as nature conservation are treated. / Classics & World Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (Russian)

My diploma work is concerned with the themes of outdoor preschools and pre-school education. It searches for and is stemming from the similar subjects in foreign countries and within the Czech Republic. It shows what the benefits of children being outside are. It also searches and points out liabilities which are necessery to be taken into account. The work presents the used resources, which can lead to the foundation of the other outdoor preschools and their maintanence. The empirical study is managed as an action research. The first part of the practical section shows experiences of the outdoor preschools in general and it presents interviews with their pedagogues. The second part of the practical section deals with the opinion of experts and the non-professional community. Moving on, one then investigates the ideal level of achievement in separate competences in an ordinary preschool, and outdoor preschools. Further more, the next section is targeted at the expert's expectations and apprehensions about children staying at an outdoor preschool, taking into account their views in relation to outdoor preschools. Focus groups are being used to question the experts. The important part of the work is to analyse the legal enactments in relation to outdoor preschools motherly school.

The thesis brings a global insight into the Prague's suburb of Bohnice. Captures the appearance since the first settlements until nowadays. Focusing mainly on both historical and socio-economical milestones, which created the city. According to the lack of written resources for the historical part of the theses and to the fact, that Bohnice are often reduced to the activities of the famous mental institution, the main target is the forming of Bohnice city in the 20th century. Concentrates on institutions of both social and health care, which can compete the famous mental institution. The thesis also supplies materials about the urban concept of the housing estate of Bohnice including the traffic solutions through the past century. Points out also outstanding architectural solitaires.

This research seeks to address the gap in the literature on women, health, and environments by exploring the factors that motivate Jamaican women farmers to practice organic agriculture and how these might relate to their understandings of environment and health. The experiences and decisions of women farmers are also positioned within wider historical contexts of colonialism and agricultural change. Integrating a variety of theoretical frameworks, including public issues anthropology, ethnoecology, rural sociology, and feminist political ecology, my own scholarly analysis is merged with the perspectives of the women farmers interviewed in this qualitative study. This research found that women organic farmers in Jamaica were motivated by various factors related to environment and health and impacted by the island’s legacy of slavery and industrialization. The findings of this thesis can be used to encourage the practice of organic agriculture and to improve human health and environmental wellbeing in Jamaica and beyond. / Richard and Sophia Hungerford Travel Scholarship, Yeandle Family Graduate Scholarship, Richard and Sophia Hungerford Graduate Scholarship, Registrar’s Research Grant for Graduate Students, Registrar’s Research Travel Grant

The work deals with theoretical research of basis of Environmental Psychology for Outdoor Education. It answers two questions ? why in the conceptions of Outdoor Education is nature the preferred environment and what are the benefits of nature for physical, mental and social health. The answers to theses questions are in the work described through theories of environmental preference and restorative effects of nature. There are three major sections of the work. The first part discusses the basis, principles and contents of Environmental Psychology and Outdoor Education, the core terminology of the work, and the nodal points of Environmental Psyhcology and the theory of Outdoor Education. Second part describes those theories and concepts of Environmental Psychology which are related to the primary and subsidiary research questions. The third part evaluates the impacts and relevance of environmental-psychological knowledge on concepts of Outdoor Education.

This diploma thesis aims to illuminate the issue of global climate change, its progression and describes the components of the climate system. The thesis addresses the impact of greenhouse gases on the climate system, the phenomenon of global warming, and the consequences along with their manifestations in the nature itself. The paper includes one chapter solely dedicated to the characterisation of environmental protection in historical context, with emphasis on the climate protection. The chapter also mentions a number of key international agreements and conferences. The second part of the thesis is concerned with the Indonesian legislation on climate protection in Indonesia. It also describes the global-scale impacts of selected activities and mentions number of international agreements and Indonesian regulation seeking to tackle the issue of climate change.

1 online resource (181 leaves) / This study relies on ecocriticism as the discipline benefitting the analysis of the imagery of nature in Konstantin Paustovsky’s prose. The objective of this approach is to demonstrate that Paustovsky’s prose goes beyond of what was expected from a Soviet writer by the socialist realist dogma. This thesis attempts to prove that an ecocritical approach validates his prose as being universal in its message and thus relevant to contemporary readers. Scholars of ecocriticism ask the following questions when analysing a nature-orientated prose: what values are expressed in nature-orientated literature, does the portrayal of nature reflects the cultural values of a nation as well as the way in which a person’s interaction with his natural environment enhances or hampers his spiritual development. The timeframe, within which Paustovsky wrote his prose, should be taken into account, because it coincides with the Lenin and Stalin regimes, when any criticism of the government including its nature conservation policies was impossible. The analysis of attitudes of the Russian people towards nature in Paustovksy’prose demonstrates that it evolved from the acceptance of the official stand to the one of criticism. This research resulted in the following conclusions: Firstly Paustovsky’s view with regard to ecological problems and his solutions to these problems are on par with those of modern ecologists. The writer, for example, proposes a holistic way to undertake nature conservation, such as replacing ruined forests by the same type of trees, not interfering in the cycles of nature and stresses the importance of scientific information on how to care of the natural environment. Secondly, it is through his presentation of nature that the author familiarises the reader with the essence of the Russian culture, which is totally intertwined with the manifestations of Russian nature, such as folklore, superstitions, cultural traditions and values attached to certain animals and trees Thirdly, it has been established that the ‘external’ natural landscape of a person namely his environment, undoubtedly influences his ‘internal landscape’, his psyche. This implies that the natural environment of a person will have an influence on his psychological make-up. It is assumed that this study, in particular the use of ecocriticism as a tool to analyse literature where nature plays a role, will shed new light on the role of nature in Russian prose. This is especially the case with regard to the way in which ecological issues such as nature conservation are treated. / Classics and World Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (Russian)