thesis - Theses

Cerna K. et al.
Lepidoptera in Sudetes Mts.: effect of area and isolation
The aim of this paper is (a) to quantify the differences in species composition of
the alpine islands in the High Sudetes Mts., (b) to test the effects of isolation and area on
species richness and (c) to propose conservation priorities concerning selected alpine
sites.
2. Materials and methods
The High Sudetes Mts. consist of three disjunct mountain systems, the Krkonose Mts.
(Riesengebirge/Giant Mts.), the Hruby Jesenik Mts. (Altvatergebirge) and the Kralicky
Sneznik Mts. (Glatzer Schneegebirges), and shape a natural border between the Czech
Republic and Poland. Geologically, their surface is rather uniform, build by granite,
gneiss, and mica schist (Treml and Banas, 2000). The alpine timberline is formed by
Norway spruce (Picea abies) and dwarf pine (Pinus mugo), which is however artificially
planted in the Hruby Jesenik Mts. and slowly overgrowing alpine grasslands dominated
by Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Avenella flexuosa,
Nardus stricta, Festuca supine and Molinia coerullea.
All available sources (Table 1) related to these mountain ranges were critically
reviewed and list of Lepidoptera species was compiled for each alpine site of the High
Sudetes Mts. (Table 2): Krkonose-West (Kotel Mt. – 1435 m), Krkonose-East
(Snezka/Schneekoppe – 1602 m), Kralicky Sneznik (1424 m), Serak (1351 m), Keprnik
(1423 m), Cervena hora (1337 m), Maly Ded (1355 m), Mravenecnik-Vresnik (1343 m),
Praded (1491 m) and Vysoka hole (1464 m); the last 7 alpine sites are parts of the Hruby
Jesenik Mts. (Fig. 1). The examined list (Table 2) includes only “diagnostic species”, i.e.,
species with an exclusive affinity for alpine habitats of the High Sudetes Mts. or
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