The Relationship Between Geodiversity and Habitat Richness in Šumava National Park and Křivoklátsko PLA (Czech Republic): A Quantitative Analysis Approach

This paper focuses on the development of a quantitative method for evaluating the relationship between abiotic heterogeneity and habitat richness at the landscape level. The study took place in the Křivoklátsko protected landscape area and Šumava national park (Czech Republic). Our initial hypothesis was that habitat richness should be high in areas with high abiotic heterogeneity, and vice versa. GIS vector layers of habitat were used for the formulation of habitat richness. A geological layer, a digital terrain model and hydrographic layers were used to determine abiotic heterogeneity. The study areas were overlain by a grid square and habitat richness and abiotic heterogeneity were assessed in each study cell. The data obtained were used in a statistical model (multiple spatial linear regression, with maximum credibility). The results of the statistical model indicated a significant influence of abiotic heterogeneity on habitat richness.