Institute of Landscape Ecology
Topic
Analysis of nature restoration approaches using data-model fusion
PhD. program
Environmentalist
Year of admission
2026
Name of the supervisor
Dr.nat.techn. Ing. Katarína Merganičová
Contact:
Receiving school
Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra
Annotation
The aim of the dissertation is to comprehensively evaluate approaches to nature restoration through modern methodological procedures that link empirical research with process-based models of vegetation dynamics and assess their potential to improve the condition, structure, and functions of ecosystems in the context of climate change. The work builds on research results obtained at the Institute of Landscape Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, which include an extensive database created through an inventory of the current state of ecosystems and a classification of historical land-use changes in selected study sites from the late 18th century to the present.
Existing data will serve as a basis for assessing vegetation dynamics in the context of both historical and future climate through a combination of empirical research and modeling. Using simulations with a process-based model, the impacts of both passive and active nature restoration scenarios will be tested, including spontaneous development and close-to-nature management, in comparison with current management practices. Simulations of historical ecosystem development will utilize time series data from remote sensing and field research conducted on a representative sample of selected ecosystem types.
Existing data will serve as a basis for assessing vegetation dynamics in the context of both historical and future climate through a combination of empirical research and modeling. Using simulations with a process-based model, the impacts of both passive and active nature restoration scenarios will be tested, including spontaneous development and close-to-nature management, in comparison with current management practices. Simulations of historical ecosystem development will utilize time series data from remote sensing and field research conducted on a representative sample of selected ecosystem types.