Kristina Svobodová from the Department of Botany and Zoology was awarded the Jan Suda Prize (for authors aged 26–30). Her study shows that even a small amount of retained fallen deadwood can significantly increase the species diversity of land snails in managed spruce forests and bring these environments closer to more natural conditions. The co-author of the study is Michal Horsák.
A special award from Živa journal for the popularization of biological sciences in 2025 was granted to the author team of Mgr. Milan Vrtílek, Ph.D., RNDr. Bc. Jakub Žák, Ph.D., Mgr. Matej Polačik, Ph.D., and RNDr. Radim Blažek, Ph.D. for the series Laboratory Fish from Drying Pools (Živa 2024, issue 3 to 2025, issue 2).
Snails as Indicators of Forest Health
Terrestrial snails form an important component of forest ecosystems and respond sensitively to environmental changes. They are strongly dependent on moisture, calcium availability, and stable habitat conditions. For this reason, their presence and species diversity are good indicators of environmental quality.
However, in intensively managed spruce monocultures, there is a significant decline in their diversity. The main causes are acidic litter, drier conditions, and above all, a lack of deadwood.
The Key Role of Deadwood
The study focused on the effect of the amount of fallen deadwood and the presence of European beech on snail communities in spruce forests. The results clearly show that deadwood plays a crucial role:
Fallen deadwood proved to be the richest microhabitat for snails, especially in acidic and nutrient-poor conditions.
How Much Wood Is Enough?
The research identified two important thresholds for the amount of deadwood:
Not only quantity but also quality matters—the wood should be present in larger pieces.
A Marked Difference Compared to Natural Forests
When compared with natural reserves, managed forests host roughly half as many snail species:
This difference is mainly due to lower soil pH, reduced calcium availability, and lower moisture.
Beech Also Helps
In addition to deadwood, the presence of European beech also plays a positive role. Its inclusion can partially mitigate the negative effects of spruce monocultures and enhance environmental diversity.
Small Changes, Big Impact
The study shows that improving forest biodiversity does not always require major changes in management. Significant effects can be achieved through relatively simple measures:
Snails function not only as indicators of environmental change but also as so-called “umbrella species”—their protection helps conserve other organisms associated with soil habitats.
Importance in the Context of Climate Change
These findings are particularly important given the current problems of spruce monocultures, which are highly sensitive to climate change and bark beetle outbreaks. Supporting biodiversity can contribute to greater stability and resilience of forest ecosystems.
About the Author
Mgr. Kristina Svobodová studied ecological and evolutionary biology at the Department of Botany and Zoology, where she subsequently completed a Master's degree in Zoology. During her studies, she focused on research into the effects of deadwood and beech on snail diversity in spruce monocultures.
She is currently pursuing doctoral studies, focusing on the diversity of terrestrial snails in Central Europe, both in the present and in a historical context. Her interests include species distribution and the influence of microclimate on community formation.
She also completed a research internship at Stockholm University under the supervision of Prof. Kristoffer Hylander, where she contributed to research on climatic refugia. In her free time, she is involved in the initiative Černá křídla nad Brnem, which focuses on the protection of urban nature.
Laboratory Fish from Drying Pools: A Model for Research on Ageing and Extreme Adaptations
A special award from Živa journal for the popularization of biological sciences in 2025 was awarded to the author team of Mgr. Milan Vrtílek, Ph.D., RNDr. Bc. Jakub Žák, Ph.D., Mgr. Matej Polačik, Ph.D., and RNDr. Radim Blažek, Ph.D. for the series Laboratory Fish from Drying Pools (Živa 2024, issue 3 to 2025, issue 2). The award is given to contributions that exceed the scope of standard articles in both breadth and content and are valuable, for example, for teaching or for broader understanding of biological topics.
Fish Adapted to Life on the Edge
The series introduces the fascinating world of annual killifish—small, short-lived fish from the families Nothobranchiidae and Rivulidae. These species inhabit temporary pools in savannas that exist only during the rainy season.
Their key adaptation is the ability to survive long periods of drought in the embryonic stage. While adult individuals die when the pools dry out, their offspring persist in the substrate, waiting for the next rains. This extreme life cycle is also associated with a very short lifespan—often only a few months.
A Model Organism for Ageing Research
This short lifespan has made some species, such as the turquoise killifish, an important model organism for ageing research. Scientists use them to study biological mechanisms that influence lifespan, ageing, and reproductive strategies.
The series shows that the potential of these fish goes far beyond a single discipline—they can be applied in evolutionary biology, ecology, and biomedical research.
From Ecology to Laboratory Practice
The individual parts of the series gradually cover a wide range of topics:
The final part also addresses future research directions, such as the relationship between ageing and immunity and the need for standardization of laboratory conditions.
Significance for Science and Education
The award-winning series represents an outstanding example of connecting fundamental research with clear and accessible communication to the public and students. It offers a comprehensive view of a model organism that is not only scientifically important but also highly valuable for teaching.
It demonstrates how extreme conditions shape life-history strategies and how such insights can be used to understand general biological principles.
About the Authors
Milan Vrtílek studied systematic biology and ecology at the Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, where he also obtained his Ph.D. in zoology. He works at the Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences and focuses on the evolution of life-history strategies in short-lived fish, particularly ageing. He led a project funded by the Czech Science Foundation on the effects of ageing on offspring and participated in research expeditions in Africa and South America. He has also completed research stays abroad, including at the Australian National University and the University of Connecticut.
Jakub Žák works as an assistant professor at the Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University. He completed his Ph.D. at the Faculty of Science, Charles University. His research focuses on the relationship between nutrition and ageing, feeding behavior, and the influence of the environment on organismal activity, especially in fish of the genus Nothobranchius. He has completed research stays in Sweden and France and is the author or co-author of dozens of scientific publications.
Photo: Živa journal archive
Masaryk University was saddened to learn of the passing of Brigadier General RNDr. Petr Zeman, a graduate of MU’s Faculty of Science, a former leader of the Czech dissident movement, a security expert, and an educator.
This year, Karola Dillenburger received the Masaryk University internal grant, the MUNI Award in Science and Humanities. MU awarded seven additional grants to promising researchers from our faculty.
