Mapping of Eurasian lynx habitat in the Czech Republic using Earth Observation

Aye Chan Myint Myat

Bakalářská práce

Abstract:

This thesis evaluates the habitat suitability of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in Šumava National Park using Earth Observation data and GIS-based multi-criteria analysis. Environmental variables, including vegetation productivity (NDVI), forest cover, and terrain characteristics, were integrated with anthropogenic factors such as distance to roads to construct a habitat suitability model using a weighted overlay approach. Spatial datasets from Copernicus services, OpenStreetMap, and ArcGIS Living Atlas were processed in ArcGIS Pro to generate a Habitat Suitability Index (HSI). The resulting map identifies areas of low, medium, and high suitability, with highly suitable habitats primarily located in interior forest regions characterized by high vegetation productivity and low levels of human disturbance. Tourism disturbance was analysed separately to further assess its influence on habitat suitability patterns. A temporal comparison between 2018 and 2024 indicates that overall habitat suitability remained relatively stable, although localized changes were observed. These findings highlight the importance of Šumava National Park as a key habitat for the Eurasian lynx and demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating remote sensing and GIS techniques for habitat assessment and conservation planning.

Keywords

Eurasian lynx, habitat suitability modeling, GIS, remote sensing, NDVI, Šumava National Park, spatial analysis

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 3. 4. 2026

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 26. 5. 2026
• Vedoucí: doc. Ing. Jan Komárek, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Eliška Šárovcová, Ing.

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta životního prostředí

Bakalářský studijní program:
Environmental Data Science