1. Adaptation Strategies of Small Farms in Short Food Supply Chains during the Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Crisis : A Case Study from the Czech RepublicEliška Svobodová, Kristina Somerlíková, Ivo Zdráhal, Libor Grega, 2015, published scientific conference contribution Abstract: The Short Food Supply Chain (SFSC) strategy offers an alternative to conventional (long) food supply chains. It can be an effective strategy for small farmers to establish closer connections with consumers. This closer proximity to consumers allows for faster strategic decision-making and actions on consumer needs. SFSCs are also praised for their contribution to sustainable economic, social, and environmental development. The policies of the European Union also endorse the SFSC model. Small farms constitute a significant share of the total number of farms in the Czech Republic and play important social roles in rural areas. In 2020, the Czech Republic had a total of 28,910 farms, comprising 16,000 farms (55.3%) with an area of less than 20 hectares. The pandemic and subsequent postpandemic crisis affected the entire Czech economy and firms in all sectors. Farmers in SFSCs had to find ways to deal with such a disruptive event. The article aims to evaluate farmers' perceptions of the impact of the pandemic and post-pandemic crisis on the functioning of SFSCs and their impact on farming operations, as well as to discuss the adaptation strategies of small farms in SFSCs in the Czech Republic during the recent crisis period. The article answers two questions: 1) How did the pandemic and post-pandemic crisis affect the functioning of SFSCs and farming operations in the Czech Republic? and 2) What adaptation strategies did small farms in SFSCs in the Czech Republic use during the pandemic and post-pandemic crisis? The data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 73 small farmers involved in SFSCs in the Czech Republic during the years 2024 and 2025 and were analysed using statistical methods. Results indicate that, despite farmers’ perception of the impact of the crisis on their farming operations, their perception was rather negative. In the case of the functioning of SFSCs during the crisis period, their perception was slightly more positive than negative. The reason is that farmers in SFSC often implemented strategies to cope with the situation, e.g. by improving their online sales, e-shops, and social media presence. We argue that changes in marketing practices during the crisis period will enable farmers to improve their SFSC operations in the future.
Keywords: agriculture, pandemic and post-pandemic crisis, short food supply chain, Czech Republic
Published in RUP: 04.03.2026; Views: 317; Downloads: 11
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2. Rodent damage to natural and replanted mountain forest regenerationMarta Heroldová, Josef Bryja, Eva Jánová, Josef Suchomel, Miloslav Homolka, 2012, original scientific article Abstract: Impact of small rodents on mountain forest regeneration was studied in National Nature Reserve in the Beskydy Mountains (Czech Republic). A considerable amount of bark damage was found on young trees (20%) in spring after the peak abundance of field voles (Microtus agrestis) in combination with long winter with heavy snowfall. In contrast, little damage to young trees was noted under high densities of bank voles (Myodes glareolus) with a lower snow cover the following winter. The bark of deciduous trees was more attractive to voles (22% damaged) than conifers (8%). Young trees growing in open and grassy localities suffered more damage from voles than those under canopy of forest stands (X2=44.04, P < 0.001). Natural regeneration in Nature Reserve was less damaged compared to planted trees (X2=55.89, P < 0.001). The main factors influencing the impact of rodent species on tree regeneration were open, grassy habitat conditions, higher abundance of vole species, tree species preferences- and snow-cover condition. Under these conditions, the impact of rodents on forest regeneration can be predicted. Foresters should prefer natural regeneration to the artificial plantings
Keywords: forest regeneration, mountain forest, small rodents, Czech Republic
Published in RUP: 15.10.2013; Views: 5814; Downloads: 99
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3. Genetic structure and evidence for recent population decline in Eurasian otter populations in the Czech and Slovak RepublicsPetra Hájková, Cino Pertoldi, Barbora Zemanová, K. Roche, B. Hájek, Josef Bryja, Jan Zima, 2007, original scientific article Keywords: otter, Lutra lutra, population structure, microsatellites, effective population size, genetic sampling, conservation management, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic
Published in RUP: 15.10.2013; Views: 5758; Downloads: 65
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