New publication: Forest-steppe meadows of the Carpathians
A monograph entitled Karpatské lesostepní louky (Forest-steppe meadows of the Carpathians) focusing on one of the richest and, at the same time, least understood Central-European ecosystems has just been published by Academia publishing house. The authors are Jan Roleček and colleagues from the Institute of Botany, CAS, Masaryk University and a number of Czech universities.
The publication provides a comprehensive overview of the vegetation, species diversity, and development of forest-steppe meadows on the edge of the Carpathian Mountains from the end of the ice age until today. It is based on vast field research, long-term data, and a critical synthesis of current knowledge.
The authors focus not only on the current state of the biotopes, but also on their dynamics in time – including the role of natural disturbances, grazing, wildfires, and the impact of human activity. Significant attention is given to the relationship between open treeless areas and forests, which is one of the key characteristics of the peri-Carpathian forest-steppe.
The Forest-steppe meadows of the Carpathians are intended for specialists in botany, ecology, and nature conservation, as well as for all readers interested in biodiversity and landscape development. It serves as an important reference source and an incentive for further discussions at a time, when these biotopes are facing significant changes and are under threat.