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The aim of this study was to evaluate the total mercury content in selected tissues (muscle, spleen, kidney, liver, scales, brain and gonads) of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Thirty individuals of market carp caught in three ponds (Jaroslavicky, Strachotin, Vrkoc) located in the Morava River basin in the Czech Republic were used for this study. Total mercury was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry on AMA 254 device. The highest total mercury content was found in the muscle of carp (7.6 ± 2.8 µg·kg-1 in Jaroslavicky, 6.8 ± 2.3 µg·kg-1 in Vrkoc, and 12.9 ± 4.3 µg·kg-1 in Strachotin), followed by levels in caudal kidney, liver, spleen, and brain; the lowest mercury content was determined in gonads and scales. The comparison revealed that individual localities significantly differ in the mercury content in muscle, caudal kidney, liver and spleen samples. However, in all cases the values of the mercury content in muscle complied with the hygienic limit of up to 0.3 mg·kg-1, which means that mercury does not pose a risk to the consumers of these pond farmed fish and that the benefits of eating fish meat outweigh the potential risk in terms of mercury content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Caspian gull (Larus cachinnans) has recently spread from Ukraine (northern coast of the Black Sea, River Dnipro) to Poland, Germany and other European countries. The first breeding birds in the Czech Republic were recorded in 1990 at the Nové Mlýny Reservoir (NMR), since when the number of breeding pairs has increased to 248 (2020). As there is little available information on the dispersal and spread of Caspian gulls from Central European breeding populations, pulli Caspian gulls hatched at the NMR were tagged to reveal dispersal patterns and habitat selection. By combining the recovery of ringed birds and data from telemetry loggers, we found that gulls from the NMR dispersed in all directions, with the main destinations being within the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Hungary; however, dispersal intensity and distance travelled differed depending on the direction taken, with the farthest dispersal distance being 1714 km to Spain. Telemetry recordings indicated waterbodies (including water courses, seas and oceans) as the most selected environment, followed by landfill sites, mineral extraction sites, industrial or commercial units (including roofs of buildings) and arable or other agricultural land. Extensive aquacultural fish ponds, open landfill sites or large areas of managed arable land all represent important food sources and are likely to be key factors enabling the spread of Caspian gulls within the Czech Republic and elsewhere around Central Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intensively farmed fishponds of the Třeboň Basin in South Bohemia, Czech Republic, host a substantial number of Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) pairs that nest later than the expected spring season. This may be associated with fishpond farming. Our work found no substantial difference between spring and summer egg characteristics and no differences between the number of eggs in spring and summer clutches. The high number of eggs in spring nests was significantly related to both decreasing distances between nests and decreasing number of nests on the fishpond. The increase of the number of eggs in summer nests was significantly related to the distance to the edge of littoral vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we describe the nest size characteristics and the breeding attempt of Little Crake (Zapornia parva) in the abandoned nest of Common Coot (Fulica atra) at the small mid-field pond in the Masurian Lake District, northeast Poland. Based on the 6-year study during five breeding seasons, we found 123 nests of Little Crake, but such an instance was observed only once. To the best of our knowledge, this observation is the first record of the use of the same nest by two species of rallids. We discuss what could force crakes to make such a decision, why this breeding attempt failed and why such instances are so rare in marsh-nesting species. The nest size in mid-field ponds localized in northern Poland was slightly smaller than that recorded in fishponds in the Czech Republic, but larger than the records obtained in lakes in Germany and Russia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fishponds play a key role in current pondscapes in many developed countries. They provide multiple ecosystem services affected by trade-offs mediated by different types of fishpond management. Many fishponds were impacted by the shift towards more intensive aquaculture and widespread eutrophication in the 20th century. These changes can undermine various ecosystem functions including the maintenance of aquatic and riparian biodiversity in the littoral areas, but their extent is not well documented. Here we use aerial photographs to investigate the changes of littoral areas of 46 protected and 20 unprotected fishponds in the Czech Republic between the years 1950 and 2019. Protected fishponds had initially larger littoral areas than the unprotected ones, and the difference persisted over time. However, littoral areas decreased markedly in 38 protected (mean area decrease by 22.5%) and all unprotected (mean area decrease by 16%) fishpond categories, especially during the second half of the 20th century. Within protected fishponds, the trend was unaffected by the reserve establishment year, fishpond area and conservation target. Our results suggests that legal protection did not prevent the initial catastrophic loss of littoral areas and facilitated at most minor recovery in the last two decades, with negative implications for long-term maintenance of aquatic diversity. We attribute the losses of fishpond littoral areas to high fish stocks and eutrophication resulting from additional feeding, pond manuring, and ongoing nutrient inputs from the pond catchments. We conclude that littoral areas of fishponds urgently need effective protection. This would require a paradigm shift towards less intensive fish stock management, more frequent summer drainage, and effective reduction of all nutrient inputs to increase the water quality. Such measures could help recover the littoral areas and the associated biota. [Display omitted] • We evaluated long-term changes in the littoral areas of fishponds in Czechia. • The areas decreased markedly in both protected and unprotected ponds since 1950. • Reserve duration, fishpond area and conservation target did not affect the trends. • Changes in fishpond management are recommended for recovery of littoral areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lednické rybníky fishponds are among the most important bird localities in the Czech Republic with more than 140 recorded species of fishpond ecosystems and several forms of nature conservation areas being declared. The aim of the map presented in the paper is to introduce the locality and present data on observed numbers of selected important species and their changes during the last several decades. The main topographic map brings information about touristic infrastructure and general geography of the area. Several smaller thematic maps then show (i) forms of nature conservation, (ii) water levels during summer drainage of fishponds, (iii) migration of birds, (iv) extent of reed vegetation in the years 1933 and 2009, and (v) distribution of selected species within the Czech Republic. The maps are accompanied by short texts dealing with the presented issues, including the illustrations of selected important bird species (Northern Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Greylag Goose, Pied Avocet, Black-crowned Night Heron and Grey Heron) and graphs of observed individuals and nesting pairs in the years 1973–2014. The map is intended to serve as introductory material for birdwatchers and other visitors of the area as well as to supplement a brochure of the same title. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term development of water bodies is investigated in this article using the cases of two river basins with similar natural conditions: the Kyjovka and Trkmanka River Basins in the Czech Republic. Using old topographic maps, land use development was assessed and the analysis of driving forces of land use changes was carried out. The essential land use changes in these areas are connected with the processes of agricultural intensification and urbanisation. The largest area of water bodies was recorded in both river basins in 1763. In the second half of the 19th century, the disappearance of most water bodies in the two basins was significantly affected by the above-mentioned driving forces. After World War II, some of the water bodies in the Kyjovka River Basin were restored and new ponds were established. In contrast, no significant water bodies were restored in the Trkmanka River Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous organisms that have been isolated from a variety of environmental sources. Several NTM species are responsible for diseases in humans and/or animals known as mycobacterioses. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of NTM in the sediments and plants of five fish ponds in the Czech Republic using culture and quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). Additionally, we investigated if there was any link between environmental samples from the fish ponds and the fish occupying them. A total of 8 NTM (14.0%) were cultured from the aquatic environment. qPCR analysis showed that Mycobacterium avium hominissuis was most frequently present (54.4%), followed by Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (42.1%). The least frequently isolated NTM was Mycobacterium avium avium (5.3%). Thus, in this study we confirm the presence of mycobacteria in sediments and aquatic plants in fishponds, which are occupied by fish intended for human consumption. We successfully isolated NTM from the tissue of one fish and confirmed a possible transmission of mycobacteria from the aquatic environment to the fish. Consequently, the consumption of such fish represents a possible risk for consumers, particularly immunocompromised individuals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tillaea aquatica (Crassulaceae) is considered as annual wetland species threatened by changes in land use and progressing eutrophication in large part of its European distribution range. We summarised the historical and recent data on this species, and analysed its distribution and associated habitat changes in the Czech Republic. We used permanent plots as well as seed bank and seed dispersal studies to obtain better insight into the plant's survival strategy. During the second half of the twentieth century T. aquatica disappeared from most historical localities situated mainly in large fishponds. After 1999, altogether 18 new populations were found in small fry ponds and other fish-farming ponds. The largest populations of Tillaea were found in ponds with long-term bottom exposure where the vegetation of perennial herbs was eliminated by herbicides or grazing. Propagules easily dispersible by water, on gumboots or tyres of vehicles, and long-term soil seed bank also might contribute to persistence of the species in the habitats, diminishing the chance of extinction. As the fishpond management has changed, and so have done the original habitats of Tillaea, the species could survive in habitats different from those in the past. In this article, we suggest management measures aimed at promoting survival of Tillaea under new circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uniparental auxosporulation was observed in a monoclonal culture of a Sellaphora clone isolated from the epipelon of a fishpond in the Czech Republic. The cox1 sequence for the clone confirmed that it belonged to the Sellaphora pupula-bacillum species complex but showed significant differences from all previously characterized Sellaphora species, and it is therefore described as S. marvanii sp. nov. Protoplast, valve, and girdle structure resembled those of other Sellaphora species, but a novel finding for all diatoms was a change in girdle structure during the life cycle: the most advalvar girdle band (valvocopula) bore a single line of pores in enlarged postauxospore cells but was entirely plain in small cells and gametangia. The young auxospores were covered by incunabula containing large, delicate, ± circular scales, resembling those of centric diatom auxospores; similar scales have been reported in a few other raphid diatoms ( Pseudo-nitzschia multiseries, Diploneis sp.) but contrast with the strip incunabula of some Nitzschia and Pinnularia and the helmet-like caps of Neidium. The scales persisted during auxospore expansion, mostly as two caps over the auxospore poles. The transverse perizonium comprised a very wide, closed primary band, flanked by numerous secondary bands whose open ends were strongly incurved toward the center. Initial valves were differentiated from their immediate descendants by the very strong external demarcation of the raphe sternum, irregular shape, and curved transapical profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although epipelic diatoms play a key role in primary production of many ecosystems, many aspects of their biodiversity, ecology and geographical distribution are poorly understood. The present study is based on sampling of 45 man-made fishponds in the Czech Republic covering an environmental gradient from oligo/dystrophic highland ponds within protected areas to the eutrophic/hypertrophic lowland ponds used for intensive fish production. Diatom distribution patterns assessed using biomass and species composition variables were assessed along environmental and geographical gradients. In total, 185 epipelic diatom taxa were found in the investigated samples. The differences in species composition between sites were correlated with environmental parameters, but not with the geographic distance of the localities. This pattern might suggest that niche-based control, rather than the effect of dispersal limitation, is the main driving force in the species composition of epipelic diatoms in fishponds. The alpha-diversity of sites correlated with altitude, nitrogen and chlorophyll a concentrations but did not correlate with the area of the ponds. The significant relationships between local abundance of species and their regional occupancy were very similar to previous studies of diatoms in boreal streams. In addition, these data concur with patterns known for multicellular organisms suggesting that in this respect diatoms may not differ from groups of organisms with larger body sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Man-made freshwater habitats are an important part of the European landscape, especially in areas with mostly absent or degraded natural habitats. To assess the role of different man-made standing waters in anthropogenic landscapes, we surveyed adult odonate communities in a cluster of 20 water bodies including fishponds and sandpit ponds in early and ongoing successional stages. We found 35 odonate species (i.e., 47% of the fauna of the Czech Republic), but their presence differed significantly among the three habitat types. The highest species diversity, driven mainly by the presence of generalists, was found in fishponds. Sandpit ponds in an early successional stage hosted the least diverse communities dominated by pioneer and vagrant species. Specialist species occurred in both types of sandpit ponds, especially those in an ongoing successional stage, more than in fishponds. Although the dragonfly biotic index did not differ among the three types of localities, all four species from the national Red list recorded during the study occurred only in sandpit ponds. The main environmental drivers of local odonate communities included the coverage of shoreline by emergent vegetation, water depth and bottom substrate; the latter two characteristics largely corresponded to the distinction between sandpit ponds and fishponds. We conclude that both sandpit ponds and fishponds play an important role in maintaining freshwater biodiversity that requires a mosaic of habitats in different successional stages. [Display omitted] • We compared odonate communities in sandpit ponds and fishponds. • Community composition differed between habitat types despite similar diversity. • Aquatic vegetation, water depth and bottom substrate shaped local communities. • Diverse habitats beget diverse odonate communities in man-made standing waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The littoral zone of shallow water bodies in the Czech Republic has been studied quite consistently at several fishponds. The use of algae, especially diatoms, for the monitoring of the state of lotic freshwater also has a long tradition. The main objective of the presented paper is to validate the feasibility of the use of littoral periphyton comunities for the biomonitoring of standing waters. At the investigated sites, littoral periphytic diatoms were studied together with selected enviromental variables (pH, conductivity, nutrients – especially total phosphorus) on three types of natural substrates (epilithon, epiphyton, epipelon). The evaluation of the diatom community was performed on the basis of the checklists of algal indicator species published by authors from the Czech Republic, Austria and the Netherlands. The data were subjected to statistical software NCCS 2000 (GLM Anova and ``Ward's minimum'' variance cluster analysis). Littoral periphytic diatoms appear to be good indicators of the fishpond water quality. The selected substrates show non-significant differences therefore the average values from all substrates were used. The best indicatory system for evaluation of Czech fishponds was van Dam's index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish ponds in central and eastern Europe are artificial lakes of less than 1 ha to several 100 ha in size. Some of them were created around 900 years ago. These fish ponds form an important part of the hydrological system in the landscape; they also serve as water purification systems and sediment traps, provide habitat for many plant and animal species, as well as being used for recreation purposes—but above all, they are dedicated to fish production. The original oligo- or mesotrophic character of these fish ponds has been altered to one of eutrophic or even hypertrophic conditions due to the nature of the intensive management for high fish production, as well as agriculture practices within the catchment area. It can also be due to other uses of fish ponds, such as wastewater recipients. A thick layer of black anaerobic sediment invariably develops and serves as an uncontrolled internal source of nutrients. In order to stop the development of water blooms and restore the lake to reasonable healthy conditions, both the external and internal loading has to be reduced. An example of such a fish pond restoration within the Czech Republic is described. The phosphorus budget of the Vajgar fish pond (40 ha, S Bohemia) was evaluated and the dry matter, organic matter, nutrients, heavy metals and other metals content were estimated in the vertical profile of the fish pond''s sediment. A precision suction dredger was designed, constructed, and used for the selective removal of 330 000 m3 black sediment from the Vajgar fish pond. The sediment was pumped to settling ponds at a distance of 2.5 km. Later, the suction dredger was used for sediment removal from other fish ponds. In one case, 40 000 m3 of eutrophic sediment was directly applied on an agriculture field. In another case, sediment containing oil products was decontaminated by using a biocatalyst and bacterial culture. Sediment removal from Vajgar fish pond resulted in a temporary negative phosphorus budget (lower concentrations in the outflow than the inflow). The temporary absence of cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp.) blooms was the result of the removal of the black sediment layer. The improvement of water quality after sediment removal was, however, temporary. A more holistic approach, aimed at the reduction of matter losses from the fish pond''s catchment area, is therefore being adopted. The principles of such an holistic approach are described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There have been some arguments concerning supplementary feed (cereals) based common carp production in fishponds and water pollution, mostly in Central Europe. Using Czech Republic (top producer in EU) as a benchmark and combining data on nutrient digestibility of feedstuffs used combined with analyses of literature data, we have assessed – nutrient footprint (∼9.4–10.8 kg N ha−1, ∼2.7–3.2 kg P ha−1; 1.5–4 × < EU crop-livestock sectors); nutrient utilization efficiencies (NUE N ∼36%, NUE P ∼50%; 1.5–1.7 × > EU livestock average); autochthonous nutrient removal (∼8–9.2 kg N ha−1, 1.4–1.6 kg P ha−1); eco-cost burden (13–29 × ≪ positive services); eco-services (∼74.5–100.6 million € country−1; ∼2375 € ha−1) of carp production in Central Eastern European Region (CEER). Digestible nutrients offered by natural prey (7.9% N, 1% P on dry matter basis) to carp are ∼5–8 times higher than those provided by cereals and remains the key determinant for production. Despite this, 70–90% of nutrient footprint from feeding is contributed by cereals. Neutral footprint (∼374 kg ha−1) and exclusively natural (up to 300 kg ha−1) carp production intensities were identified, following which, commercial interest of carp farming may falter (costing intangible losses >56.5 million € in CEER), despite achieving 'greener-goals'. Per production cycle, carp aquaculture in CEER fishponds offer at least 579 million € worth of services. Our results show that carp production in ponds have lesser nutrient burden than crop and livestock productions in EU. Existing management of fishponds 'barely meet' optimum P requirements of common carp and present production intensity should not be vilified as a pollution causing activity. Risks and solutions for achieving both environmental (minimized footprint) and aquaculture goals (uncompromised production) are discussed. • Arguments concerning carp production & water pollution in Central Europe. • Political lobbying between environmentalists & fishpond managers for legislations. • Carp production in fishponds 'cleaner' than other food production sectors in EU. • Footprint < EU crop-livestock; NUE > EU livestock; Eco burden ≪ positive services. • Downscaled production for greener goals ≈ intangible losses >56.5 mill € in CEER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Various spectral band and spectral indices were used to model Chl-a and TSS. • Sentinel-2 coupled with machine learning is a promising tool for fast and cheap monitoring of inland waters. • Data-driven methods for predicting water quality parameters improves the overall predictive accuracy for complex spectral relationships and interactions. Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) are both key indicators of the biophysical status of inland waters, and their continued monitoring is essential. Existing conventional methods (e.g., in situ monitoring) have shown that they are impractical due to their time and space limitations. The recently operated Sentinel-2A satellite offers the potential to have higher temporal, spatial, and spectral resolution images with no cost for monitoring water quality parameters of inland waters. The main aim of this study was to develop a semi-empirical model for predicting water quality parameters by combining Sentinel-2A data and machine learning methods using samples collected from several water reservoirs within the southern part of the Czech Republic, Central Europe. A combination of 10 spectral bands of the Sentinel-2A and 19 spectral indices, as independent variables, were used to train prediction models (i.e., Cubist) and then produce spatial distribution maps for both Chl-a and TSS. The results showed that the prediction accuracy based on Sentinel-2A was adequate for both Chl-a ( R 2 = 0.85 , RMSE p = 48.57) and TSS ( R 2 = 0.80 , RMSE p = 19.55). The spatial distribution maps derived from Sentinel-2A performed well where Chl-a and TSS were relatively high. The temporal changes in both Chl-a and TSS could be seen in the distribution maps. The temporal changes are showing that The values of TSS dramatically changed in fishponds compared to sand lakes over time which might be due to indifferent management practices. Overall, it can be concluded that Sentinel-2A, when coupled with machine learning algorithms, could be employed as a reliable, inexpensive, and accurate instrument for monitoring the biophysical status of small inland waters like fishponds and sandpit lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]