Scientists and Experts Statement on Protection of Czech Forests

Despite the reduction in air pollution during the 1990s, the condition of Czech forests remains poor. The key problems have been already summarized in the 2001 expert report on forest soils carried out on the behalf of government by a team of specialists (Hruška et Cienciala 2001). As scientists and experts dealing with forests and their conservation, we believe that the government and lawmakers should implement the necessary changes to improve this situation. Our appraisal of the present situation and crucial suggestions for resolving it are summarized in this statement. It is based on the knowledge and expertise experience of authors who work in the fields of ecology, botany or zoology, soil geochemistry and other related disciplines. We believe it will facilitate public discussion on this theme.

Significance of the Czech forests

Forests cover 33% of the Czech Republic. They are essential in various aspects, creating natural habitat for a great number of native plant and animal species, thereby playing a crucial role in the conservation of biological diversity. Forests are an important landscape feature that to a great extent determines the character of the country from mountains to lowland regions.

Forests are the source of timber on which local economies in number of communities and towns (in submontane regions particularly) as well as entire industries are dependent. They markedly influence local climate: their location, expanse and condition influence the location and amount of precipitation. They also increase the retention capacity of the land, thereby helping to secure supplies of drinking water and the steady flow of rivers, contributing to flood protection. They prevent erosion on steep slopes and provide an important environment for recreation.

Forest condition

The fulfilment of these important functions is limited by the poor condition of Czech forests. This condition is caused not only by the former pollution which resulted in the acidification of the soil and consequent forest dieback in some of the Czech mountain regions between the 1960s and 1980s.

Forests continue to die back. There are continually cases of forest dieback caused by fungal diseases, windfall and bark beetle attacks. Salvage cuts have contributed to wood production in the past years with dozens of percent (Ministry of Agriculture 2005).

But even larger tracks of forests are damaged. The health condition of forests in the Czech Republic has been monitored since 1986 by the ICP – Forest program. This monitoring is organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) and European Union. The basic indicator of this investigation is the extent of defoliation (needles or foliage loss). Over 70% of the coniferous and 34% of the deciduous trees presently show the loss of foliage or needles (Ministry of Agriculture and FGMRI 2004).

This problem will probably grow worse over the coming decades due to [MP1]warming of climate. Climate conditions unsuitable to spruce will shift its habitat to higher altitudes, reducing available spruce habitat (Kalvová et al. 2003). Although the amount of stress to which trees are exposed will be reduced by the higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a shift of vegetation zones is expected. This is expected to result in the gradual dieback of spruce stands in the higher altitudes where conditions have been favourable for their growth so far. Dieback is caused mostly by the inability of spruce to resist insect and fungal agents in drier climate. (Kalvová et al. 2003).

Clearcutting and spruce monocultures lead to forest soil degradation, the run-off of nutrients, the disappearance of important soil organisms, soil structure changes and loss of soil by erosion.

Insufficient attention paid to soil protection in forest conservation and management is a major problem. Soil is crucial not only for wood production, but also for all life on the earth’s surface. This is the reason why we stress aspects of soil protection in this statement. Soil life must be protected to the same extent as the above-ground elements of the ecosystem.

Natural biodiversity has declined considerably in the forests. Intensively managed monocultures (of spruce in particular), which form the majority of forest stands, do not provide the habitat necessary for many native forest plant and animal species. A large number of them are ranked among the highly endangered species and a lot have already gone extinct.

A great part of forests is heavily damaged as a result of browsing by hoofed game.

Spruce monocultures also suffer from surplus nitrogen. This is deposited in forest soils mainly from industrial and transport emissions. Production of nitrogen oxides has even increased in the last few years, in contrast to emissions of sulphur which were damaging the forests the most in the past. Sulphur emissions declined in the 1990s due to the desulphurisation of power plants. Nitrogen is in excess in forest ecosystems and leads to overgrowth and, as a result, spruce is easily splintered and a higher relative amount of nitrogen in woody tissues makes the trees more susceptible to various insect pests and fungi.

The uneven distribution of forests in the Czech Republic (lack of forests in fertile lowlands) leads to the dessication of land and soil erosion at lower altitudes. At the same time, the ability of forests to prevent floods has declined. Floodplain forests have almost vanished from lowlands along the rivers, where they used to provide space for high water without causing any significant economic damage. 

Causes of forest degradation

The poor condition of forests – forest dieback, decreased resistance to pests and weather extremes, increased frequency of disturbances, biodiversity loss, reduced water retention capacity, soil erosion – is due to a number of factors. Most of them are connected to the forest management. The Czech forestry insists on traditional, even-aged forest management.

 
Clearcutting

 The consequences of clearcutting are serious. The uncovered layer of humus is quicky mineralised and is washed away by the rain.

At the same time particular soil bacteria, fungi and soil fauna (crucial for forest ecosystems and soil functions) die off. Species more suited to a drier and warmer climate take over. The change disrupts important decomposition processes within the soil and leads to a change in soil microstructure. Soil generating ecological processes, which were under way in original forest, are interrupted. Clearcutting leads to a dieback of indigenous soil fauna which facilitate the transport of symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi to the roots of planted trees, which in effect makes forest regeneration more difficult. Mycorrhizal fungi are extremely important for saplings by helping them to extract nutrients from the soil.

Soil chemical complexes, to which water and nutrients are bound, are also affected by clearcutting. Soil compaction due to heavy machinery causes soil to lose porosity and thus its capacity to retain water.

Even young seedlings, which were able to grow in the shade of the forest, do not survive. They suffer from over-exposure to the sun and are damaged by the heavy logging machinery.

In such a degraded environment, saplings of climax tree species (spruce, fir, beech and others) are usually planted. This is wrong for two reasons: these species are very sensitive to the adverse conditions of clearcuts, and it leads to changes in genetic structure of the population. [i2]SeedSeedlings of the so-called climax genotypes require shade in the early stages of growth and die in clearcuts, while saplings of the pioneer genotypes are usually able to survive and succesfully establish in the harsh climate. This leads to a shorter lifespan, decreased resistance to pests and a reduction in variability and adaptability to environmental change amongst the population. Trees planted in the clearing tend to be more vulnerable to pests and wind or they simply die earlier, sometimes under the age of eighty years.

Forest plant and animal species disappear temporarily or permanently from clearcuts. In their place species adapted to open habitats (grasses and herbs) expand, which makes the re-establishment of the native forest species more difficult. Soil organisms, some soil animals in particular, will not return to a newly reforested clearing because they lack the ability to migrate.

Species composition

The majority of forest stands suffer from an unnatural tree species composition. Under natural conditions, the majority of the Czech forests would be of mixed or deciduous composition, the most frequent species being oak and beech. The percentage of spruce would be only 11% (Ministry of Agriculture 2005), which would be concentrated in mountain regions or exceptionally cold habitats of medium altitudes. Mixed forests are native to mountains as well, while pure spruce groves have been very rare. Today spruce accounts for 53% of Czech forests (Ministry of Agriculture 2005).

However monocultures of spruce, pine and other species, including the deciduous tress (for example poplar monocultures along rivers in lowlands, and beech monocultures in places), still dominate forests. The problem is that spruce continues to be almost half (44%) of the newly planted saplings (Dept. Agr. 2005). Particularly alarming is massive planting of spruce monocultures even in high conservation value deciduous forests, for example in Křivoklátsko.

Monocultures and monoculture-like stands are ecologically less stabile. This is, particularly true in the case of spruce. A mountain tree species, it is exposed to excessive stress at medium and lower altitudes. That is why the trees are more susceptible to diseases, pest attacks, extreme weather events and windfall.

Unnatural spruce monocultures degrade the forest soil. The decomposition of needles, unlike the decay of foliage or wood, is an acidic process and leads to the acidification of the soil. Even though acid deposition from industrial emissions of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides has been reduced, spruce monocultures keep the soil acidic. Acidity is caused by several factors: the low nutrient content of needles, slower nutrient cycling in coniferous forest soils, the greater interception by needles of ambient sulphur and nitrogen (in comparison to deciduous leaves), the slower the decay of needles (which further reduces the amount of nutrients in the soil), as well as poor ability of conifer forests to process excess amounts of nitrogen in the air. If during the decomposition process coniferous needles are not mixed with leaves, the decomposition process itself is slowed and layers of soil accumulate, which leads to soil compaction.

At the same time, spruce monocultures generate their own problems when planted in habitats to which they are not suited. Spruce is a mountain tree species with a shallow root system, adapted to a cold climate and heavier precipitation. When planted at the lower and medium altitudes, its roots are unable to locate water found in the deeper levels of soil. Ill adapted to this environment, spruce health declines and it dies off because it is easily susceptible to various pests. This situation will grow worse if climate change progresses.

Age and spatial structure

Forest plantations consist of trees of the same age, which is unnatural. The number of organisms depends on, for example, the development stage of the forest or tree hollows that disappear completely under even-age management. Forest plantations become spatially unified and variations in forest structure vanish, variations which would under natural conditions allow light (and shade) to penetrate at different levels of intensity. Also a mosaic of microenvironments disappears from the unified forest. This leads to the extinction of specially adapted plant and animal species, typically insects and soil fauna, for which this diversity of habitats is essential.

Even-aged forests are also more prone to damage resulting from disturbances. Bark beetle, for example, attacks mostly older spruce. If it breaks out in mixed forest, only some trees will die; in even-aged forests, all trees stand to perish.

Biological diversity and deadwood

Practically all woody biomass is taken away from the forest during timber harvesting. Neither old trees nor deadwood is retained in the forest, even though in natural conditions there would be dozens or hundreds of snags or deadwood per hectare. Nearly 40% of all plant and animal species that make up the forest’s biodiversity are dependent on deadwood (standing snags or fallen deadwood). A number of species of birds, insects, fungi, soil fauna, mosses, lichens and other species vitally depend on it. Lost when deadwood is removed form the forest are the cavities used for nesting as well as decaying wood where woodpeckers and other birds find their food and which provides shelter and habitat for development for many invertebrates.

For similar reasons, it is important for the forest that a certain portion of so-called ‘overmature trees’ are retained. Because these old trees provide for different kinds of humus than do younger trees, they enable the development of rare soil fauna species which are important for functioning of the forest. After two or three cuttings without leaving any trees on site, these species will disappear from the ecosystem.

At the same time, the loss of deadwood leads to a reduction in important forest nutrients. Naturally they would cycle back into the forest after the decomposition of deadwood and would supply nutrition to forest plant species. But these nutrients are removed with the timber and do not return back. Without a balance between the quantity of timber taken away and the quantity left in the forest to decompose, the supply of nutrients in the soil will diminish as nutrient stocks are gradually leached away from the soil without replenishment. A succession of felling cycles over acidic bedrock generally leads to shortage of calcium, phosphorus and other nutrients which can result in forest decline.

The deer overpopulation

High numbers of deer (European deer and roe deer in particular) are retained in Czech forests for hunting. In many regions the numbers are several times higher than the natural level would be and which forest would be able to sustain. Game are known especially for damaging saplings of deciduous trees and fir; browsing also reduces the diversity of the herb and shrub vegetative layer. It also prevents natural regeneration – growth of saplings from natural seed fall. Artificially planted saplings must be protected by game-proof fences, plastic tubes and other means, which is very costly and limits the natural regeneration of forests significantly. What is more, the mechanical protection of the saplings is not very effective. The high number of hoofed game is at the present time the crucial barrier to the revitalization of Czech forests and their return to close-to-nature conditions.

Few unspoilt places

Almost all of the Czech forests were changed significantly by the economic activity in the past, mostly by harvesting and agricultural exploitation. Because of this, they are lacking important pieces of information about natural evolution, which would improve the management of commercial forests.

Sites that have not been affected much by human activities or those which were left untouched for a long period of time are described as ‘primeval forests’. There are only a few such sites left and they are under careful protection now, sometimes even almost concealed to the public. Primeval forests of Boubín, Mionší, Bílá Opava, Ranšpurk, Žofín, Trojmezí, and a few others are regarded as the gems of Czech nature and important objects of scientific research. Their number is not quite enough to keep all the required information about the natural condition and a recent evolution of the forest. Management of the national parks and nature reserves should be aimed at leaving the forests to its own course. But this contrasts sharply with reality as timber harvesting is taking place in a number of these sites. Allocation of some forests in which no economic interference will take place is also important for biodiversity conservation.

Recommended measures

Systematic change of management system is necessary in order to improve the condition of Czech forests. Minor improvements are not enough. It is essential to abandon the management model of even-aged forests and clearcutting and move towards sustainable, close-to-nature forest management, which ensures a constant wood supply as well as continued function of all elements of the forest ecosystem. To achieve this, it is necessary to change the forest management, especially forestry planning. Also, education at forestry schools needs to be changed so that education and science return to the European level and lead the reform.

We believe that the government and lawmakers must act in order to improve the state of forest. As experts working in this field we recommend in particular that the following steps be taken:

1. Elimination of clear-cutting

Legislation must significantly reduce or eliminate clearcutting. Small area shelterwood felling and selective harvesting methods should be preferred. At the same time, regulations should ensure that clear-cut areas which were created in the past (or which will emerge as a result of future salvage cuts) will be reforested with pioneer species. By reforesting with pioneer species, the climax tree species favoured by the forest industry will be able to grow in the shade and protection of pioneer species

2. Restoration of the natural species composition

It is crucial to gradually restore the species composition in the forests to one close to the natural, i.e. to plant tree species which correspond to the given habitat. The change in composition will certainly take at least one hundred years, taking into account the duration of rotation periods. Nevertheless it is necessary to start it consistently. The government should, in the first place, eliminate any subsidies for planting tree species unsuitable for the specific habitat (of spruce at medium altitudes, for example). It is also necessary to eliminate the harvesting or thinning of pioneer species (aspen, birch, etc.) in forests where natural regeneration is underway.

3. Retaining old trees and deadwood in the forest

Legislation and subsidies should ensure that a portion of the trees in managed forests is left to die and decompose. These should be at least several trees per hectare, preferably more. This will preserve the important habitats of numerous species and maintaining a portion of the nutrients in the forest. Wood waste resulting from timber harvesting should not be removed from site, burned nor – if possible – chipped.

4. Liming and fertilization

Liming and fertilization need to be significantly limited if not abandoned completely. They are not only extremely expensive, but lead to the creation of artificial ecosystems which subsequently show symptoms of damage (mostly the yellowing of needles)-the very symptoms that were the original reason for liming. The measure causes a decrease in soil faunal diversity and also leads to important changes in the decomposition of soil organic matter, in the creation of humus and in nutrient cycling.

Many areas, mostly in Ore Mountains (Krušné hory) and Eagle Mountains (Orlické hory), have been repeatedly limed for several times since the 1970s. Despite this, they show similar signs of damage as they did in the past. Liming is completely ill-suited under present conditions in mountain regions with high nitrogen deposition. Regardless, liming is the most often carried out in these regions and leads to the destabilization of the mountain forests. Fertilization is acceptable only if it is followed by forest management system that is significantly different compared to the present practice (including a high proportion of broad-leaved trees and low tree density). It should not be used in order to retain high timber production in areas where the condition of soil is the limiting factor of growth. Liming and fertilization should be forbidden completely in protected areas of all categories.

5. Reduction of deer populations

It is necessary to adjust the number of deer to a level which the forest is able to sustain. Seedlings and natural rejuvenation of priority tree species, including deciduous trees and fir, must have the opportunity to grow without costly artificial protection. The maximum permissible rate of young trees damage resulting from game should be set to around 10%, which is the seedling mortality rate under natural conditions. Authorities responsible for game management must not tolerate deer overpopulation by hunting associations. They should impose legal sanctions on hunters for game-related damage above a given limit and also ensure a reduction in game populations to a level which enables the natural recovery of all tree and herb species in the forest. To undertake such a revitalization programme in some critically endangered areas, it will be necessary to use very dramatic measures, particularly for deer and non-native species.

6. Protection of nature reserves

Strict protection of natural processes must be safeguarded in the core zones of national parks and national nature reserves or nature reserves in forests. Any interference must be prevented in forest stands where the tree species composition is not significantly different from natural conditions. In sites where the tree species composition is different from the natural state, only short-term actions which lead to the improvement in terms of native forest composition should be undertaken before leaving the forest stand to follow its own course. The size and quantity of forest reserves should be extended to cover an area sufficient to provide the necessary habitat for species and the natural ecosystem dynamic, and to sufficiently protect all types of native forest habitats. Their mutual contact needs to be facilitated by functional ecological corridors between them.

7. Regulation of afforestation and reforestation

It is necessary to prevent afforestation of biologically valuable yet naturally unforested areas such as small enclaves of grassland within forest stands, flower-rich meadows etc. Over recent years, a large number of high conservation value habitats was destroyed by afforestation projects.

During reforestation of clearings and afforestation of farm agricultural land, the seedlings of climax species such as fir or beech should not be planted right away. Techniques to be favoured, through subsidies or otherwise, would use pioneer trees species.

Afforestation subsidies should be targeted on areas where there is low average forest cover.

Afforestation of the vast devastated areas of open-pit coal mining, sand excavation, mining tailing ponds and similar operations is usually expensive and leads to an unnatural species composition in the resulting growth. However, natural primary succession leads to valuable vegetation and local tree species composition, even in chemically extreme soils at climax. For this reason, afforestation of these areas should be left to pioneer species which should be allowed to follow natural successional patterns in order to create a healthy forest environment.

Summary

The recommendations to forest management discussed in this statement are the result of current scientific knowledge and research carried out in the Czech Republic. They are based on up-to-date forestry practices as part of the wider European context. European forest policy is based on principles of sustainability, multi-purpose forest exploitation and biological diversity, based on close-to-nature management. These practices are still not widely accepted in Czech forestry. Similarly to other European countries, forestry in the Czech Republic needs to respond to important changes that have occurred in Czech society and move away from ensuring only primary timber production towards the sustainable provision of economic, environmental and social needs which would create benefits for both  present and future generations.

The new forest legislation will determine which form the Czech forest management will take at the beginning of the 21st century. It should create a framework in which the Czech forest management will follow the principles of the European forest policy and which will make sure that it can fulfill the social responsibilities of the present and the future.

References

Hruška, J., et Cienciala, E. (eds.) (2001): Dlouhodobá acidifikace a nutriční degradace lesních půd – limitující faktor současného lesnictví [Long-term acidification and nutritional degradation of forest soils – limiting factor of the current forestry], Ministry of Environment, Prague

Kalvová, J., Kašpárek, L., Janouš, D., Žalud, Z., et Kazmarová, H. (eds.) (2003): Scénáře změny klimatu na území České republiky a odhady dopadů klimatické změny na hydrologický režim, sektor zemědělství, sektor lesního hospodářství a na lidské zdraví v ČR [Climate change scenarios for the Czech Republic and estimates of impacts of climate change on hydrological regime, agriculture sector, forestry sector and human health in Czech Republic], National Climate Programme of the Czech Republic, Prague

Ministry of Agriculture (2005): Zpráva o stavu lesa a lesního hospodaření České republiky [Report on forests and forestry in the Czech Republic], Prague

Ministry of Agriculture et FGMRI (2004): Monitoring stavu lesa v České republice 1984–2003 [Monitoring of the health state of forests in Czech Republic, 1984–2003], Ministry of Agriculture and The Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Prague

Prof. Em. Josef Fanta, Wageningen University and University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Doc. Dr. Jan Farkač, CSc., Faculty of Forest and Environment, Czech University of Agriculture, Prague

Dr. Jakub Hruška, Ph.D., Czech Geological Survey, Prague

Ing. Milan Košulič, Sr., forester, Město Albrechtice

Prof. Dr. Karel Prach CSc., Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice

Prof. Dr. Josef Rusek DrSc., Institute of Soil Biology, Biological Centre of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic 

This statement is also supported by:

Bc. Robert Albín, botanist
Mgr. Josef Albrecht, botanist, Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic
Mgr. Roman Andres, biology and chemistry teacher
Jiří Antl, DiS., ecologist
Mgr. Tomáš Balcar, teacher
RNDr. František Bárta, ecologist, head of the Železné Hory Protected Landscape Area Administration
RNDr. Dana Bartošová, zoologist, Beskydy Protected Landscpe Area Administration
Mgr. Marek Bastl, botanist, Department of Botany, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice
PhDr. Jaromír Beneš, archeobotanist, University of South Bohemia , České Budějovice
RNDr. Luboš Beran, Ph.D., zoologist
Mgr. Václav Beran, zoologist, Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic
Mgr. Jana Beranová, Biologist, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague
Ing. Aleš Bezděk, Ph.D., Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice
RNDr. Alois Bilavčík, Ph.D., plant physiologist, Research Institute of Crop Production, Prague
RNDr. Ondřej Bílek, ecologist and geobotanist, GeoVision company, Plzeň
Ing. Jan Bílovský, forester and phytosanitary expert, State Phytosanitary Administration, Opava
Doc. RNDr. Pavla Binarová, CSc., scientist, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Dr. Jaromír Bláha, head of the Forest Programme, Hnutí DUHA/Friends of the Earth Czech Republic
Martin Bláha, forester, Volary Town Forests
Ing. Pavlína Bobková, State Phytosanitary Administration
Ing. Jaromíra Borešová, forester
Mgr. Jan Borovička, Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague
RNDr. Milan Boukal, Ph.D., Department of the Environment and Agriculture, Regional Authority of the Pardubice Region
Mgr. Jana Božková, botanist, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno
Mgr. Jitka Božková, biology teacher, Brno
RNDr. Jiří Brabec, botanist, Cheb Regional Museum
Doc. RNDr. Martin Braniš, CSc., Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague
RNDr. Václav Braun, Šumava National Park and Protected Landscape Area Administration
Mgr. Jiří Brázda, ecologist, Ministry of the Environment
Petr Brussmann, Impact Resource Group, San Francisco
Prof. RNDr. Jan Buchar, DrSc., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague
Ing. Jiří Bureš, Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic
RNDr. Václav Cílek, CSc., director, Institute of Geology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague
RNDr. Pavel Cudlín, CSc., forest ecologist, Institute of Systems Biology and Ecology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Dr. Fatima Cvrčková, Department of the Plant Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague
PhDr. Vladimír Czumalo, CSc., Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, Charles University, and Center of Audiovisual Studies, Film and TV School, Academy of Performing Arts, Prague
Mgr. Karel Černý, mykologist, fytopatologist, Silva Taroucy Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening, Průhonice
Mgr. Rostislav Černý, CSc., head, Department of Biology, Pedagogical Faculty, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice
Ing. Helena Deckerová, mycologist, Czech Scientific Society for Mycology
Ing. Adam Diviš, agricultural engineer
Mgr. Jiří Doležal, Ph.D., botanist, Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic  and University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice
Mgr. Michal Ducháček, botanist, National Museum, Prague
Ing. Luděk Dušek, chemist
Mgr. Daniel Dvořák, botanist and mycologist, Institute of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno
Mgr. Libor Ekrt, botanist, Šumava National Park and Protected Landscape Area Administration
Bc. Jitka Farská, Institute of Soil Biology, Biological Centre of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Mgr. Martin Fejfar, ecologist, landscape ecology engineer, Prague City Development Administration
Mgr. Kamila Filipová, botanist, Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic
Mgr. Pavel Foltán, ecologist, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice
RNDr. Daniela Fottová, Czech Geological Survey
Mgr. Michal Gerža, botanist, Orlické hory Protected Landscape Area Administration
Doc. RNDr. Vít Grulich, CSc., Institute of Zoology and Botany, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno
Dr. Milan Gryndler, CSc., Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Mgr. Jiří Guth, ecologist
Mgr. Michal Hájek, Ph.D., Institute of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno
Ing. Josef Hájek, zoologist, Orlické hory Protected Landscape Area Administration
Mgr. Petra Hájková, Ph.D., Institute of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno
Mgr. Jana Halúzová, botanist, Lipka – The House of Ecological Education, Brno
Mgr. Zdeněk Hanč, zoologist
RNDr. Ladislav Háněl, CSc., Institute of Soil Biology, Biological Centre of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice
Ing. Jan Hartl, CSc., ecologist
Mgr. MgA. Radim Hédl, Ph.D., vegetation ecologist, head, Department of Ecology, Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Brno
RNDr. Martin Hejda, Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic 
Ing. Stanislav Hejduk, Ph.D., forest owner and Faculty of Agronomy, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry in Brno
RNDr. Jiří Hejkal, entomologist, head of the Environment Department, Kraslice Town Council
Arch. Jan Hendrych, GCLD, LIAAHU, head, Department of Historical Cultural Landscape, Silva Taroucy Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening, Průhonice
Mgr. Petr Heneberg, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
RNDr. Jeňýk Hofmeister, Ph.D., biogeochemist, Czech Geology Survey
Ing. David Horal, ornitologist, Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic
RNDr Jan Hovorka, Ph.D., Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague
RNDr. Jan Hošek, Agnos – ecological expertise laboratory
Bc. Jana Hradečná, ecologist, Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic
Ing. Milan Hron, forester
Mgr. Petr Hrouda, Ph.D., mycologist, Institute of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno
Ing. Zdeněk Hrubý, Ph.D., forest ecologist, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry Brno
RNDr. Iva Hůnová, CSc., Air Quality Control Division, Czech Hydrometeorological Institute
Ing. Jan Hřebačka, forester, Krkonoše National Park Administration
Mgr. et Mgr. Hana Chalupská, geographer, Ecological Institute Veronica
Mgr. Eva Chvojková, ecologist
RNDr. Josef Chytil, zoologist
Doc. RNDr. Milan Chytrý, Ph.D., botanist, Institute of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno
Mgr. Alice Janečková, zoologist
Doc. Dr. Ing. Libor Jankovský, CSc., Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry Brno
Ing. Rastislav Jakuš, Ph.D., forest entomologist, forest ecologist, Institut of Forest Ecology, Academy of Sciences of the Slovak Republic
Ing. Josef Jaroš, Institute of Entomology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice
Ing. Václav Jaroš, forester
Ing. Petr Jelínek, Ph.D., Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry Brno
Petr Ješátko, forester
Bc. Kristýna Jínová, Institute of Soil Biology, Biological Centre of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice
Mgr. Magda Jonášová, Laboratory od Forest Ecology, Institute of Systems Biology and Ecology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Ing. Jan W. Jongepier, botanist
MUDr. Michal Kahle, Department of Cell Ultrastructure and Molecular Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Ondřej Kalný, M.S., engineer
Mgr. Petr Karlík, geobotanist
Doc. RNDr. Jan Kirschner, CSc., FCBS, director, Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
RNDr. Karel Klaška, ecology and chemistry teacher
RNDr. Helena Knappová, Ministry of the Environment
RNDr. Petr Kočárek, Ph.D., entomologist, Department of Biology and Ecology, University of Ostrava
Mgr. Martin Kočí, Ph.D., geobotanist
Mgr. Tomáš Kočí, VVP Biche, Minerva Private Grammary School
Petr Kohout, Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Jan Kolář, Ph.D., biologist, Institute of Experimental Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Mgr. Hana Kolesová, researcher, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague
Mgr. Martina Koloničná, botanist, Povodí Labe (Labe Basin Administration)
Doc. RNDr. Drahomír Kondělka, CSc., zoologist
Mgr. Ondřej Konvička, zoologist, Bílé Karpaty Protected Landscape Area Administration
Aleš Kopecký, forester, Železné Hory Protected Landscape Area Administration
Ing. František Kopeček, agricultural engineer, lepidopterologist
Mgr. Libor Kotouč, botanist, Moravský kras Protected Landscape Area Administration
RNDr. Věra Koutecká, ecologist and botanist
Bc. Aleš Kovář, ecologist
Prof. RNDr. Pavel Kovář, CSc., dean, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague
Václav Kovář, Department of Environment, Plzeň 3 District Council
RNDr. František Krahulec, Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Mgr. Štěpánka Králová, Botanist, Institute of Botany and Zoology, Masaryk University, Brno
Ing. Josef Krása, Ph.D., GIS Specialist, Department of Hydromelioration and Landscape Engineering,  Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University, Prague
Mgr. Karla Kretschmannová, Ph.D., Institute of Physiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Ing. Václav Krištůfek, CSc., Institute of Soil Biology, Biology Centre of Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice
Doc. Ing. Václav Krpeš, Ph.D., forest ecology and plant ecophysiology, Faculty of Science, University of Ostrava
Mgr. Martin Kubeš, Institute of Experimental Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and aculty of Science, Charles University, Prague
RNDr. Svatava Kubešová, botanist, Department of Botany, The Moravian Muzeum
RNDr. Štěpán Kubík, Ph.D., Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Doc. RNDr. Jarmila Kubíková, CSc., geobotanist, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague
RNDr Jana Kubizňáková, CSc., researcher, Czech Hydrometeorological Institute
Mgr. Eva Kučerová, lecturer, Lipka – The House of Ecological Education, Brno
Ing. Alena Kulasová, hydrologist, Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, Jablonec nad Nisou
Mgr. Petr Kulíšek, landscape ecologist
Mgr. Tomáš Kuras, Ph.D., Department of Ecology and Environment, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Olomouc
Doc. RNDr. Jaromír Kutík, CSc., Department of the Plant Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague
RNDr. Jiří Kvaček, CSc., botanist, Scientific Secretary, National Museum, Prague
Ing. Dalibor Kvita, ecologist
RNDr. Milan Kvíz, teacher
Daniel Křenek, zoologist
RNDr. Zdeňka Křenová, Ph.D., head, Science and Research Department, Šumava National Park Administration
Ing. Václav Křivan, zoologist – entomologist, Podyjí National Park Administration
Mgr. Martin Křivánek, Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Silva Tarouca Research Institute for Landscape and Ornamental Gardening
RNDr. Pavel Lebduška, Institute of Molecular Genetic, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic Prague
RNDr. Zuzana Lenochová, Department of the Plant Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague
Anna Lepšová, CSc., researcher, authorised expert and lecturer in mycology, plant phytopathology and forest ecology
Mgr Zuzana Letovská, biology teacher
Ing. Jiří Lhotský, DrSc., forest soils – degradation and cultivation, retired
Mgr. Eva Kučerová, lecturer, Lipka – The House of Ecological Education, Brno
RNDr. Jiří Liška, CSc., Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Průhonice
Mgr. Radek K. Lučan, zoologist, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice
Ing. Petr Lumpe, zoologist, District Museum, Mělník
RNDr. Jan Máca, PhD., biologist, Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic
Mgr. Marcela Mácová, Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Ing. Aleš Máchal, lecturer, Lipka – The House of Ecological Education, Brno
Miloslav Mag, forester
Ing. Libor Malý, journalist, Sysifos – environmental education newsletter
Mgr. Martin Mandák, zoologist
Mgr. Michal Maňas, hydrobiologist
Prof. RNDr. František Marec, CSc., Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice
Prof. RNDr. Ing. Michal V. Marek, DrSc., director, Institute of Systems Biology and Ecology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Mgr. Pavel Marhoul, zoologist, Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic
RNDr. Mgr. Milena Martinková, CSc., Institute of Forest Botany, Dendeolgy and Geobiocenology, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry Brno
Mgr. Ivona Matějková, botanist
Mgr. et Mgr. Michal Medek, lecturer, Lipka – The House of Ecological Education, Brno
Ing.arch. Jana Mejzrová, architect, Jizerské hory Protected Landscape Area Administration
Mgr. Břeněk Michálek, ecologist
Doc. RNDr. Martin Mihaljevič, CSc., geochemist, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague
Mgr. Ondřej Mihola, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
RNDr. Blanka Mikátová, zoologist, Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic
RNDr. Ladislav Miko, Ph.D., soil zoologist, ecologist, European Commission
Ing. Lenka Mládková Ph.D., soil scientist, Czech University of Agriculture, Prague
Mgr. Pavel Mojžíš, biologist and geographer, Environment Department, Prague City Council,
RNDr. Filip Moldan, Ph.D., hydrogeologist and geochemist, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Göteborg, Sweden
Ing. Ivo Moravec, forest engineer
Mgr. Tomáš Mráček, biochemist, Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Ing. Martina Munstrová, chemist, Roper Engineering g.m.b.h. Ostrava
Ing. Tomáš Myslikovjan, forester
RNDr. Zdeňka Neuhauslová, CSc., Institute of Botany, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Průhonice
Renata Neužilová, BSc., Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Ing. Lenka Niklová, botanist, Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection of the Czech Republic and Jeseníky Protected Landscape Area Administration
Mgr. Iva Němečková, zoologist, Poodří Protected Landscape Area Administration
Mgr. Jan Novák, geobotanist and archeobotanist, LAPE and Department of Botany, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia
Mgr. Gabriela Novotná, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic 
Mgr. Filip Oulehle, biochemist, Czech Geological Survey
Mgr. Vendula Palatová, Department of Environment, Liberec Region Regional Council