A process of suburbanization is currently a very much discussed topic. This phenomenon of population and human activities transfer from core cities to their background can have harmful effects not only on local inhabitants, but also on surrounding landscape and its function. Landscape ecology responds to this development by quantifying and evaluating its impact on landscape functions. This diploma thesis summarizes published results about effects of suburbanization on natural environment. The main objective of the thesis is selection of an appropriate indicator(s) (landscapes metrics) to evaluate rate and intensity of this process. These metrics are applied in the study area and the results are discussed. Key words: suburbanization, urban sprawl, landscape metrics

This thesis deals with theme of historical landscape structures which are the preserved relics of human activity. The structures participate in shaping the cultural, historical as well as ecological and aesthetical value. Literary section summarizes the basic knowledge of historical landscape structures with the attention to importance and possibility of their protection. The main output of this thesis is proposal of typology and procedure for evaluation of historical landscape structures. They were divided into seven basic types according to the purpose of their formation. Their evaluation is based on determining of result value which is derived from a seven parameters -- time of formation, the degree of preservation and utilization, visual impact of structure, influence on landscape composition and character and uniqueness of historical structure in a regional scale. The methodology was tested on two model areas - Svojanov and Hlásnice, in which historical landscape structures were identified, described and evaluated through the recording sheet. Considering achieved results, the methodical procedure seems to be used for determining of cultural and historical values in landscape and for creating of landscape plan.

The thesis deals with the analysis of landscape and the evaluation of the area. On the example model of the cadastral city Lázně Bohdaneč was made relevant landscape analysis of the primary, secondary and tertiary landscape structure. Natural , cultural and aesthetic values of the area were determined as well as limits of the use. An important part of the thesis was to evaluate the character of the landscape and the identification and evaluation of historic landscape structures. The proposed measure is based on the analysis and evaluation of that area. They focus especially on the reconstruction and maintenance of the important historic landscape structures, that are also the significant positive features of the landscape. Another proposal level is to ensure the protection of nature, improvement of recreational use, elimination of negative character of landscape and optimization of using that lan d including economic use. The output is the design of the territory arrangement in the form of spatial studies, that can serve as a basis for the detailed design of the landscape conservation area and the provision in it. It can also be an important basis for complex land adjustments.

The thesis deals with aesthetic value of the landscape and the way people perceive the landscape. The review of the literature contains the clarification of the basic terms, a summary of theoretical and practical knowledge, presents the results of international surveys that capture basic approaches of landscape assessment. The practical part contains the results of a sociological survey, which aimed to determine the visual preferences of the general public of the countryside and landscape features. There were evaluated photos of various landscape sceneries of the three regions in Czech Republic (Beskydy, Pálava and Moravian Karst) in the research presented. Results of the survey are summarized in tables, charts, and graphical elements and they are verbally commented. It was also found out which landscape features people consider as important to be preserved for future generations, and what the current threats to the country are considered as the most serious.

Hedgerows are elements in landscape, creating a landscape structure and influencing soil properties. This thesis is focused on the assessment of impact of the former landscape elements on current soil properties. Study area is located in the Central Bohemian Region, in the district of Pribram. Study plot area is 33 ha and is currently managed as a single large unit without any landscape elements. Assessment of the degree of impact on soil properties was mainly focused on soil depth, stratigraphic profile and organic carbon content. Sampling was carried out perpendicularly to the four selected hedgerows. The deepest soils, as well as the largest percentage of organic carbon were observed in areas of the original occurrence of hedgerows. Places above the hedgerows did not show significantly better soil properties, while at the locations below the hedgerows were identified deeper soils and increased organic carbon content. These findings confirmed the importance of hedgerows and their ability to influence soil properties.

This thesis pays attention to description of river developement, functioning, and their influence on the watershed landscape. It also focuses on the topic of relationship between rivers, riparian ecosystems, and human society. Those information showed the importance of river existence within the landscape and urban areas. The final part of the literary overview describes how rivers should be implemented into the spatial and landscape planning process in conditions of Czech republic. The methodology for river ecological quality assesment contains three basic levels: the level of the watershed, the level of dams or ponds, and the level of the river itself. This way it is possible to design stabilization and developement measures effectively and conceptually. Special attention has been payed to design a methodology that requires reasonable equipement, reasonable amount of time, and delivers useful high quality data. The methodology has been applied in chosen part of the Pšovka river. Chosen area has been analysed and evaluated accordingly to the designed methodology. Stabilization and developement measures have been designed on three basic levels described above. Those measures aim to stabilize and improve the quality of the watershed, and river including its riparian ecosystems. This is achieved by designing regulations, technical constructions, and vegetation elements.

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Aims: (1.) to evaluate the historical development of a selected area, using certain indicators computed by Patch Analyst and Fragstas, (2.) to critically evaluate the possibility of using these indicators for landscape planning, (3.) to define the main factors driving the historical changes of landscape structure and to characterize changes in landscape function, and (4.) to propose an improvement of the current state of the area. Map layers including current and past landscape structures were produced using ArcGIS 9.2. Proposed have also been extreme variants of land use, its variants with an increased occurrence of shrubs, and layers showing crops cultivated in the area in the years 2003 - 2009. Some metrics were computed simultaneously by Patch Analyst and Fragstats and the outputs of both programs were compared. The data obtained were treated using STATISTICA 8.