Presented thesis examines possible environmental impact of the genetically modified (GM) maize expressing insecticidal Cry proteins. The impact was assessed from differences in the communities of the ground and above-ground arthropods in plots sown with the standard and the GM maize, respectively. The results revealed that neither the abundance nor the species richness of arthropods was affected. Laboratory experiments were used to study effect of maize expressing several types of Cry proteins on the arthropod predators. Despite the proven exposure of the predators to Cry proteins in the food, no Cry proteins accumulation and deleterious effects on predators were observed. The results confirm the importance of predators in insect resistance management using the GM maize seed blends method.

The thesis presents comparison anti-dustiness measures done on fly-ash deposits for several invertebrate groups colonising those deposits. To prevent dustiness, fly-ash is covered by a soil layer. The thesis compares number and abundance of species of any category of Czech Red List of Endangered Species, and species specialized on sandy biotopes on bare fly-ash, fly-ash patrially covered by a soil layer and fly-ash covered by soil layer completely. The consequence of results is that at least small patches of bare soil are crucial for rare species.

This diploma thesis analyses pupils' knowledge of invertebrate animals. Knowledge was tested through pupils' drawings and an educational test. An analysis was also made on the textbooks the students were taught from. The research took place on a total of 186 pupils in first-stage elementary education at two elementary schools. The research results show what knowledge the pupils have of invertebrate animals.

This thesis deals with the research of practical knowledge and skills of students of primary and secondary schools. It targets exploring of cognition of local common species of vertebrates (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals). This thesis is focused on education in the nature. The results are presented in graphs and chart tables. Key words: Knowledge of local vertebrates, questionnaire survey, primary school, secondary school, high school, hobby group, genus name, species name.

This thesis deals with teaching methods that can be used when working with pupils of primary school and it focuses on the possibilities to use inquiry-based science education (IBSE).The thesis analyses the literature and choice of topics that may be suitable for IBSE. The thesis proposes and presents four IBSE themes or comprehensive tasks respectively. All these tasks are focused on invertebrates occurring in the garden. Usability of one of these tasks was tested during science instruction in primary school. Results of this testing are presented. The individual teaching and learning procedures and particular tasks for pupils are prepared and arranged to develop their independence and desire to explore and discover. Proposed educational themes and tasks are available for IBSE in primary school.

Plants and herbivores influence each other for more than million years. Most studies are focused on interspecific variability in herbivory intensity, but little i known about intraspecific variability and what controls it. Environmental conditions can determine intraspecific variation. Goal of this thesis is to examine importance of environmental conditions and interspecific variation for invertebrate herbivory preferences. Plant material that was used in experiments comes from several species from subfamily Carduoideae. Preferences of invertebrate herbivores are tested in food-choice experiments. Plastic arenas are made for these experiments, in which leaves are put in small tubes that are placed along the periphery. After herbivores are placed in to arena, arena is covered by net to ensure that herbivores can't escape. Plant material for experiments was grown in experimental garden and was also brought from field. Plants from garden differ in productivity of soil and water regime. In experiments with field material, plant leaves were collected from eight localities, four fields and four grasslands. Leaves were scanted before and after each experiment. Scans were processed and the amount of consumed leaf tissue was determined. For plant characteristics I measured plant functional traits, specific...

The thesis aims for relationship between military-caused disturbance intensity and species richness, conservation value and composition of arthropods communities in the Brdy Mts. In the Brdy abandoned military area (MTA), a highly heterogeneous habitat mosaic developed by the long-term influence of military disturbances on two shooting areas of Jordán and Tok. The habitats range from strongly disturbed sites with sparse vegetation, through heterogeneous growths of Erica and Vaccinium in moderately disturbed sites, to sparse woodlands in the least disturbed sites. Based on the shooting areas history reconstruction, 24 study plots of 4 categories of different disturbance intensity were selected in both shooting areas together. Standardized sampling of seven groups of arthropods was performed in summer 2017 by pitfall traps, yellow pan traps, and light traps. More intensive disturbances positively influenced species richness of Aculeates and conservation value of spiders and beetles, but negatively affected species richness of moths. Simultaneously, the intensity of disturbances affected community composition of spiders, moths, beetles, Aculeates and Orthopteroids. Endangered species mostly affiliated to the more intensively disturbed plots. This results should be helpful in understanding of influence...

The thesis is focused on anatomy and implementation of dissections of 4 selected model invertebrates in school practice. The selected model species include swan mussel (Anodonta cygnea), stick insect (Medauroidea extradentata), cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) and sea urchin (Echinus esculentus). In case of the cockchafer, the text is based on this model species, but the supporting photographs of dissection are taken from the tropical cetoniid beetle Pachnoda, which has very similar internal anatomy with the cockchafer. For all selected animals, I describe external and internal morphology as well as recommended methods of obtaining the material, proper killing of specimens, and dissection techniques. The text is supplemented with original digital macrophotographs. The thesis includes also an overview of primary and secondary school textbooks with focus on anatomy of the selected animals. The text is supplemented by a glossary of morphological terminology used in this thesis. Attached is a photographic atlas of dissections, which is a combination of this master thesis and my bachelor thesis (defended in 2010), in which I dealt with five model invertebrates in the same way. This is Ascaris suum, Lumbricus terrestris, Helix pomatia, Procambarus aff. fallax and Archimandrita tesselata. The complete...

The thesis concerns studies on habitats utilized by insects associated with deadwood. It presents a review of current issues in the conservation of saproxylic biodiversity. The effects of active intervention on temperate lowland woodland habitats, such as pollarding or coppicing, are evaluated in terms of their suitability for saproxylic communities and other groups. Further, the importance of open-grown trees for saproxylic diversity is assessed.

This diploma thesis is focused on invertebrates' survival and activity during winter; and on methods of their capture. The first part of the theoretical section describes principles of cold hardiness, strategies of winter survival and activity in snow environment. Furthermore, different methods of invertebrates capturing are presented. The practical part of the thesis is focused on the verification of selected invertebrates capturing methods during winter. The results summarize the differences in the diversity and quantity of animals caught; and provide an overview and characteristics of selected captured taxa. Suggestions for a snow fauna excursion and a practical exercise focused on capturing invertebrates during winter are proposed based on the results of the study. KEYWORDS cold hardiness, winter survival, winter activity, snow fauna, invertebrate animals, catching methods, pitfall traps