Laboratory of Conservation Ecology and Genetics (Lukáš Drag)
Our team uses a variety of modern approaches in conservation science, utilizing diverse insects and other arthropods as model systems. Our aim is to connect various ecological and environmental information (e.g., demography, dispersal ability, changes in distribution, habitat preferences, impact of disturbances such as fires or pest outbreaks, community compositions) with conservation and landscape genetics, genomics, and phylogeography of target species. Combined, we seek to understand how both historical processes and contemporary drivers shape arthropod populations. We aim to provide evidence-based guidance for insect conservation and sustainable management of their ecosystems.
Projects
1) Brouci starých stromů a mrtvého dřeva – ochrana a tvorba stanovišť
(Beetles associated with old trees and deadwood - conservation and management)
Project number: BYCZ06-212
Program: INTERREG Bavorsko – Česko
Main beneficiary: Biology Centre CAS
Principal investigator: RNDr. Lukáš Drag, Ph.D.
Project duration: 01/2025 - 12/2027
The aim of the project:
The project will contribute significantly to the preservation of saproxylic beetle diversity, an ecologically important but endangered component of biodiversity that is essential for the proper functioning of forest ecosystem services and functions. The project will introduce the latest scientifically based approaches and measures to support biodiversity in both legally protected and privately managed areas.
Cross-border cooperation (Šumava NP and Bavarian Forest NP) consisting of a set of activities that can be divided into three thematic groups will contribute to achieving these goals:
- Collection and evaluation of information on the occurrence and requirements of five umbrella species of beetles and the response of the entire beetle community to various types of interventions implemented in previous years. The project will improve knowledge about the requirements of endangered species, evaluate the long-term impact of different approaches to forest management on saproxylic beetles, and contribute to targeting the management of old trees, which are important carriers of biological heritage and cultural memory of the landscape.
- Support for green infrastructure through active interventions that will ensure the continuity of microhabitats typical of old trees and thus strengthen populations of endangered beetle species. The set of planned field measures will lead to the creation of new habitats, improve the condition of existing habitats, and accelerate the natural processes of their formation, resulting in an immediate positive impact on biodiversity as well as in the coming years.
- Involvement of relevant target groups (private forest owners, nature conservation institutions, the public) and dissemination of results. The information obtained from field research will be reflected in a cross-border, coordinated concept for the protection of important beetle species and in the development of green infrastructure for their maintenance and spread in the landscape, in which all relevant players will be involved.
2) The effect of fire on biodiversity and forest ecosystems in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park
Project number: SS06010261
Main beneficiary: Biology Centre CAS
Other beneficiaries: Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem / Faculty of Environmental Science
Principal investigator: RNDr. Alena Sucháčková, Ph.D.
Project duration: 01. 04. 2023 - 31. 03. 2026
The aim of the project: 1. To document the direct effect of fire on biodiversity of plants, insects, spiders and birds, and vegetation structure in Bohemian Switzerland NP, using modern methods (multi-taxa study, LIDAR). To assess the fire influence on different organisms, and impact on important groups (pollinators, pyrophilous, endangered species). To assess the succession development of biota during the following three years. 2. To evalulate the influence of fire intensity and forest type (deciduous or coniferous) on biodiversity and vegetation structure when compared to unburned areas. 3. To provide recommendations on biodiversity monitoring of burned areas, to assess their future development and recommend conservation management of burned protected areas based on biodiversity monitoring results.
3) Genomics and distribution modelling of woodland butterflies
(The project VEDA FELLOWSHIPS CZ.02.01.01/00/22_010/0008117)
The past climate changes shaped the distribution of biota on Earth. Plenty of phylogeographic studies targeting Europe confirmed that species of temperate deciduous woodlands experienced range size changes during their history. However, only a few studies covered the entire Palearctic. We aim to explore the biogeographic history of large, attractive, yet understudied, brush-footed woodland butterflies of the genera Apatura, Limenitis and Neptis. The project adopts an interdisciplinary, integrative approach in phylogeography by combining genomics, classical sequencing, microbiology and species distribution models, and sample woodland butterflies across their entire ranges. The project explains the formation of different range types: size-limited, wide transcontinental and disjunctive. It explores the climatic and historical determinants of species distribution, past and future dynamics, dispersal routes, timing, as well as genetic diversity, connectivity and population sizes.
4) Phylogeography and genetics of saproxylic beetles
Genetic diversity is one of the three essential levels of biodiversity which has a direct relevance to conservation efforts. In the last decade, various genetic approaches have become more accessible and been applied to address a wide range of ecological questions. Phylogeographic patterns (including the assessment of genetic diversity), however, were surprisingly rarely considered in studies focused on threatened saproxylic insects. Our work is thus focused on assessment of the population genetic structure and variation of several species of endangered saproxylic beetles in Europe (e.g. Rosalia alpina, Cerambyx cerdo, Osmoderma eremita/barnabita). For this purpose different molecular markers have been applied (usually a combination of mitochondrial DNA and microsatellites). We expect that our findings will contribute to better understanding of ecology and the evolution history of studied species as well as they will be of great importance for designing more efficient conservation strategies.
Related publications:
Drag et al. (2018), Phylogeography of the endangered saproxylic beetle Rosalia longicorn, Rosalia alpina (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae), corresponds with its main host, the European beech (Fagus sylvatica, Fagaceae). Journal of Biogeography.
Drag et al. (2015) Genetic differentiation of populations of the threatened saproxylic beetle Rosalia longicorn, Rosalia alpina (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Central and South-east Europe. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society.
5) Population ecology and dispersal
Habitat fragmentation threatens especially species with poor dispersal abilities, as their isolated, small populations are prone to extinction as a result of environmental, demographic and genetic stochasticity. Studying animal movement and demographic parameters thus become important issues in conservation biology and landscape management. There are several methods to assess the dispersal. In our studies, we have employed direct methods of mark-release-recapture (MRR) and radio-tracking providing us with information about the real dispersing individuals. Such methods can be further used to obtain information about the beetles’ demography (MRR) or even behaviour (radio-tracking). So far, we have focused on species with high conservation value such as Rosalia alpina, Carabus hungaricus, Tragosoma depsarium (MRR) or Cerambyx cerdo (radio-tracking). We believe that despite the certain methodological drawbacks of each method, our results can still provide novel information about these strictly protected species of beetles.
Related publications:
Drag and Cizek (2018), Radio-Tracking Suggests High Dispersal Ability of the Great Capricorn Beetle (Cerambyx cerdo), Journal of Insect Behavior.
Elek, Drag et al. (2014) Dispersal of individuals of the flightless grassland ground beetle, Carabus hungaricus (Coleoptera: Carabidae), in three populations and what they tell us about mobility estimates based on mark-recapture. European Journal of Entomology.
Drag et al. (2011) Demography and Dispersal Ability of a Threatened Saproxylic Beetle: A Mark-Recapture Study of the Rosalia Longicorn (Rosalia alpina). PLoS ONE.
