UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY IN CZECH PUDDLE 

„It looked slightly exotic“, I had said back then... I visited the former military area Milovice. I sampled every shallow water spot with a plankton net, as is usual for me. The bottles were quickly filled with daphnids as the whole place was full of them. But I didn't really know what they were at that particular moment...

Currently I am working on the biology of Daphnia inopinata under the guidance of prof. Adam Petrusek. However, it was only recently that we determined the identity of this specie using molecular tools. It is not just another find, because the presence of this rare tiny crustacean highlights again the importance of human activities such as off-roading and motocrossing for the conservation of such places. In the same way acts large ungulates (bisons, exmoor ponies or aurochs), which were a common part of the fauna but have disappeared. These animals are very good at disturbing the turf and they also help to disperse zooplankton eggs in the countryside. For this reason, the keeping of large ungulates has become increasingly popular – to Milovice they were released at the beginning of the century. The deeper story about this Daphnia and the process behind it can be found in Peter Juračka's article in the November issue of National Geographic magazine.

SANDPITS AS THREATENED REFUGES 

In 2022, together with Ondřej Vaněk et al., we decided to study mined sandpits:

We focused on survey of larger arthropods and plankton that inhabit area of former sand-gravel quarry near  Planá nad Lužnicí (South Bohemia). The objective was to describe the diversity and community composition, as well as to evaluate potential environmental factors that could influence local species richness and constraints of colonisation. We attempted to define the valuableness of the sites based on the data we collected to identify suitable locations for protection. The knowledge we obtained from our analyses and other scientific studies enabled us to propose a strategy for ecological management that could support or restore the viability of local habitats. Furthermore, a summary popularisation film was produced for local citizens to make the public aware of the importance of the sandpit in Plana nad Lužnicí for local nature. Additionally, a multimedial virtual tour was created, allowing the public to visualise our sampling sites and sandpit area.

ONE, TWO, THREE and FOUR...

If I had to choose one milestone that has defined me, it would be the spectacular year 2021. That was when I first tried to catch and observe plankton. Initial insights led to the challenging task of counting tiny creatures in the reservoir over the course of a year... Tiny while breathtaking is something that is hidden in the student's activity:

Seasonal dynamics of selected zooplankton communities: Rotifer, Cladocera and Copepoda in the retention tank in Dolní Dobrouč.

This work aims to underpin the development of common zooplankton representatives during one season (Jan-Jan). I searched for environmental factors that could shape the seasonal distribution of each species and zooplankton groups. The research area was represented by a retention pond fed by peat bog water. Its character, acidic and nutrient-poor conditions, makes it a unique habitat.