Project
Institute of Forest Ecology
International Projects
Behavioural ecology of species Lanius minor
Behaviorálna ekológia druhu Lanius minor
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2006 - |
| Program: | Medziústavná dohoda |
| Project leader: | RNDr. Krištín Anton DrSc. |
| Annotation: | Foraging ecology, habitat selection, breeding and pairing strategies, population trends, migration strategies and threat factors are studied on this endangered species in Europe with a strongly negative population and range trend. |
BOTTOMS-UP - Biodiversity of temperate forest taxa orienting management sustainability by unifying perspectives
Biodiverzita lesov mierneho pásma orientujúca udržateľnosť hospodárenia unifikáciou perspektív
| Duration: | 13. 11. 2019 - 12. 11. 2023 |
| Program: | COST |
| Project leader: | Ing. Ferus Peter PhD. |
NutRisk Centre - Centre of the investigation of synthesis and transformation of nutritional substances in food chain in interaction with potentially risk substances of anthropogenic origin
Centrum pro studium vzniku a transformací nutričně významných látek v potravním řetězci v interakci s potenciálně rizikovými látkami antropogenního původu
| Duration: | 1. 11. 2018 - 31. 12. 2023 |
| Program: | European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) |
| Project leader: | Ing. Kuklová Margita CSc. |
EUVEN - European venom network
Európska sieť jedov
| Duration: | 6. 10. 2020 - 5. 10. 2024 |
| Program: | COST |
| Project leader: | Mgr. Černecká Ľudmila PhD. |
MARGISTAR - A European forum for revitalisation of marginalized mountain areas
Európske fórum pre revitalizáciu horských marginalizovaných oblastí
| Duration: | 16. 9. 2022 - 15. 9. 2026 |
| Program: | COST |
| Project leader: | Mgr. Brnkaľáková Stanislava PhD. |
| Annotation: | Cost Action MARGISTAR reflects collaboratively on natural, environmental, social and economic inter-relationships and interactions in mountainous areas, and identifies a range of environmental, social, economic, and political challenges. It enables innovation through a range of physical and virtual meetings to co-design innovative pathways for the transformation of marginalized mountainous areas towards their green, digital and healthy futures. It establishes an online society-science-policy platform in Europe to stimulate the dialogue between scientists, policy makers, mountain actors, NGOs, SMEs, public bodies and private organizations |
EUdaphobase - European Soil-Biology Data Warehouse for Soil Protection
Európske úložisko údajov o pôdnej biológii na ochranu pôdy
| Duration: | 13. 7. 2019 - 9. 9. 2023 |
| Program: | COST |
| Project leader: | Ing. Michalko Jaroslav PhD. |
An integrated approach of botanical garden and citizen science in the threatened plants conservation
Integrovaný prístup botanických záhrad a ´občianskej vedy´ pre záchranu ohrozených druhov rastlín
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2022 - 31. 12. 2023 |
| Program: | Bilaterálne - iné |
| Project leader: | Ing. Ferus Peter PhD. |
COEVOLVERS - Coevolutionary approach to unlock the transformative potential of nature-based solutions for more inclusive and resilient communities
Koevolučný prístup k odomknutiu transformačného potenciálu prírode blízkych riešení pre inkluzívnejšie a odolnejšie komunity
| Duration: | 1. 11. 2022 - 31. 10. 2026 |
| Program: | Horizont Európa |
| Project leader: | prof., Mgr. Kluvánková Tatiana PhD. |
| Annotation: | The main mission of the project is the development of innovative solutions to effectively support the implementation of nature based solutions in the protection of biodiversity. Special attention is paid to the integration of natural science and social science approaches using coevolutionary principles. The project aims to achieve an innovative approach to the integration of actors in the planning and decision-making process in nature and landscape management, including nature actors. The project develops and tests its approaches on 7 case studies. |
CLEANFOREST - Join effect of Climate Extremes and Atmospheric deposition on European FORESTs
Kumulatívny vplyv klimatických extrémov a atmosférickej depozície na európske lesy
| Duration: | 28. 10. 2022 - 27. 10. 2026 |
| Program: | COST |
| Project leader: | RNDr. Ditmarová Ľubica PhD. |
New approaches in detection of pathogens and aeroallergens
Nové prístupy v detekcii patogénov a vzdušných alergénov
| Duration: | 13. 7. 2019 - 20. 11. 2023 |
| Program: | COST |
| Project leader: | Ing. Michalko Jaroslav PhD. |
Urban Tree Guard - Safeguarding European urban trees and forests through improved biosecurity
Ochrana európskych mestských stromov a lesov prostredníctvom zlepšenej biobezpečnosti
| Duration: | 26. 10. 2021 - 25. 10. 2025 |
| Program: | COST |
| Project leader: | Mgr. Jánošíková Zuzana PhD. |
PEN-CAFoRR - Pan-European Network for Climate Adaptive Forest Restoration and Reforestation
Paneurópska sieť pre klimaticky adaptívnu obnovu lesa a zalesňovanie
| Duration: | 8. 10. 2020 - 7. 10. 2024 |
| Program: | COST |
| Project leader: | Ing. Ferus Peter PhD. |
iSBio Consortium - International soil biogeography consortium for biodiversity studies & conservatorium of soil comunities
Pôdna biogeografia pre štúdie biodiverzity pôdnych spoločenstiev
| Duration: | 23. 7. 2018 - 30. 9. 2024 |
| Program: | Medziústavná dohoda |
| Project leader: | Ing. Barna Milan PhD. |
| Project web page: | https://home.uni-leipzig.de/idiv/isbio/ |
SmartWaterDomain - Framework for Organisational Decision-Making Process in Water Reuse for Smart Cities
Rámec pre organizáciu rozhodovacieho procesu pre opätovné využívanie vody v inteligentných mestách
| Duration: | 1. 4. 2020 - 31. 1. 2024 |
| Program: | European Interest Group (EIG) CONCERT-Japan |
| Project leader: | prof., Mgr. Kluvánková Tatiana PhD. |
| Annotation: | This project focuses on designing an effective system for decision organisation in waste water management, as a part of smart city concept. The main objective is to pursue institutional and social innovations that will ensure successful implementation of technological solutions in selected countries, with the use of case studies. The core is using a trans-disciplinary approach and designing a process for incorporating key actors from Japan and Europe into the different stages of the project. |
- - Influence of abiotic and biotic stresses on properties of plants
Vplyv abiotických a biotických stresorov na vlastnosti rastlín
| Duration: | 11. 11. 2016 - 11. 11. 2026 |
| Program: | Medziústavná dohoda |
| Project leader: | Ing. Kuklová Margita CSc. |
NERVE4 Action - Network establishment for V4 wetland forest protection
Vytvorenie pracovnej siete pre ochranu mokraďových lesov v krajinách V4
| Duration: | 16. 5. 2022 - 15. 11. 2023 |
| Program: | International Visegrad Fund (IVF) |
| Project leader: | Ing. Slezák Michal PhD. |
National Projects
ForGenRes - Adaptive variation of genetic resources of forest trees under climate change
Adaptívna variabilita genetických zdrojov lesných drevín v podmienkach klimatickej zmeny
| Duration: | 1. 7. 2022 - 30. 6. 2026 |
| Program: | APVV |
| Project leader: | Ing. Jamnická Gabriela PhD. |
| Annotation: | The project focuses on the choice of appropriate genetic resources of forest trees (with primary focus on secondary resources, i.e., seed stands) relying on integrated assessment of phenotypic and physiological traits and adaptive genetic variation based on provenance research, manipulative experiments and simulation of the effects of sylvicultural measures on genetic structure of forest stands. The project is oriented towards the identification of geographical variation of forestry-relevant traits on one side and physiological parameters potentially correlated with these traits on the other side, as well as assessment of their genetic background. Correlations of phenotypic and physiological traits with the climates of the sites of origin, climatic conditions of the sites of plant ation and acute climatic stress will also be addressed. Knowledge about trends of responses of tree species to shifts of geographical position and climate, physiological response to stress, adaptive genetic variation, and effects of stand management on genetic structure will serve as a basis for recommendations for forest reproductive material transfers under clilmate change and active management of tree genetic resources. |
How are adaptive traits of physiological resistance of trees affected by climate, intra- and interspecific variability?
Ako sú adaptabilné znaky fyziologickej odolnosti drevín ovplyvnené klímou, medzi- a vnútrodruhovou variabilitou?
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2020 - 31. 12. 2023 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Ing. Jamnická Gabriela PhD. |
| Annotation: | The project is focused on enlightening how the physiological processes of trees are affected by climatic conditions, by intra- and interspecific variability. We intend to plant seedlings of six forest tree species and seven clones of poplar in five easily accessible plots differing in climate. We will combine two widely used approaches: (i) identifying differences between tree species and clones measured in situ within a climatic gradient. It allows to exclude differences caused by the adaptation of populations to the climate of their origin; (ii) measurements in provenance trials. This will enable us to measure physiological parameters sufficiently to create a response-model. We will assess several physiological processes, stress markers, morphological and growth traits. Deep knowledge of how mechanisms of resistance against stress factors work is crucial for a successful mitigation of climate change. The models of physiological processes can be used as a supportive tool of foresters’ management decisions. |
Accumulation of energy and mineral elements in the soil-plant system of nature-friendly and anthropically affected forest ecosystems
Akumulácia energie a minerálnych elementov v pôdno-rastlinnom systéme prírode blízkych a antropicky ovplyvnených lesných ekosystémov
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2021 - 31. 12. 2024 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Ing. Kuklová Margita CSc. |
What we (do not) know about the genus Crepidotus (Agaricomycotina, fungi)
Čo (ne)vieme o rode Crepidotus (Agaricomycotina, huby)
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2022 - 31. 12. 2025 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Mgr. Adamčíková Katarína PhD. |
| Annotation: | Fungi of the genus Crepidotus (Agaricomycotina) have pileate fruiting bodies with a lamellate hymnophore and a typically a reduced stipe. They grow on various dead plant substrates, especially wood. They are circumpolarly widespread and relatively common from tropical to hemiboreal regions. The genus Crepidotus was processed monographically several times, but the individual species were defined only on the basis of morphological features. Phylogenetic studies have confirmed the genus Crepidotus as a separate lineage of Agaricomycotina, but species delimitation and relationships are not sufficiently known and resolved. This project focuses on reconstructing of phylogenetic relationships in the genus, the identification of species diversity and the molecular delimitationof the species concept that was so far defined only morphologically. We will use traditional methods of statistically supported morphological observations in combination with phylogenetic analysis of several regions of DNA. A robust dataset of sequences, morphological observations and ecological data will make it possible to monitor evolutionary processes and the adaptive function of morphological structures. |
Diversity and pathogenicity of ophiostomatoid fungi in Scots pine stands infested by bark beetles
Diverzita a patogenita ophiostomatoidných húb v porastoch borovice lesnej napadnutých podkôrnym hmyzom
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2022 - 31. 12. 2025 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Mgr. Pastirčáková Katarína PhD. |
| Annotation: | Fungi transmitted by bark beetles (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) have suitable microclimatic conditions for their growth and development in bark beetle galleries. Most bark beetle species are closely associated primarily with ophiostomatoid fungi that cause a blue staining of wood, as well as serious diseases of the host trees. The proposed project is focused on the research of species diversity of ophiostomatoid fungi in populations of bark beetles damaging Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands, with the special emphasis on interactions between the fungi, Scolytid bark beetles and their hosts, including determination of pathogenicity of isolates of dominant fungal species and their possible impact on the pine forests dieback in Slovakia. |
Diversity of urban biota in the Carpathian-Pannonian region
Diverzita bioty miest v karpatsko-panónskej oblasti
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2021 - 31. 12. 2024 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Ing. Slezák Michal PhD. |
Ecological impacts of air pollution residues and forest management on mycological - phytopathological conditions in anthropically influenced forest ecosystems
Ekologické dopady imisných reziduí a lesného manažmentu na mykologicko - fytopatologické pomery v antropicky ovplyvnených lesných ekosystémoch
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2022 - 31. 12. 2025 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | RNDr. Mihál Ivan CSc. |
| Annotation: | The project includes mycological and phytopathological research of anthropically influenced forest ecosystems in relation to their health status. Synecological relationships (immissions - management - mycology - phytopathology) influencing the health of forests will be studied. The intensity of air pollution attack and various forest management measures in forests can also significantly affect their mycological - phytopathological status. Therefore, it is necessary to know the synergism of the effects of these factors on the health of forests and to define, on the basis of research, possible changes in the management of these forests. The aim should be to achieve the optimal intensity of human intervention in the longer-term development of these forest ecosystems. |
Ecological relationships in the system host-parasitoid
Ekologické vzťahy v systéme hostiteľ-parazitoid
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2020 - 31. 12. 2023 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Mgr. Černecká Ľudmila PhD. |
| Annotation: | Study of the relationships between organisms is a basic prerequisite for understanding of evolution. Host-parasitoid interactions are an attractive area of research for evolutionary biologists. Only a small proportion of known parasitoid groups are associated with a dangerous host type. The exceptions are wasps from Polysphincta group (Hymenoptera). The project will evaluate ecological and behavioural data in both organism. The research will be studied under the conditions of forest ecotones, where the impact of ecological factors (altitude gradient, habitat type and woody species, exposure) on spiders and their parasitoids will be evaluated. The impact of management (conventional vs organic farming) on arachnid communities and their parasitoids in orchards and viticultural landscape will be investigated. The host spectrum and parasitoid manipulation will be tested experimentally. New knowledge about their biology and ecology is expected to allow a better understanding of the evolution of interactions between. |
Evolutionary potential and survival of fragmented animal populations from a genomics perspective
Evolučný potenciál a prežívanie fragmentovaných populácií živočíchov z pohľadu genomiky
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2021 - 31. 12. 2024 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Mgr. Kaňuch Peter PhD. |
Phenological response of plants to changing environmental conditions and spatio-temporal dynamics of selected macroelements and pollutants in forest ecosystems
Fenologická odozva rastlín na meniace sa podmienky prostredia a časovo-priestorová dynamika vybraných makroelementov a polutantov v lesných ekosystémoch
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2021 - 31. 12. 2024 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Mgr. Schieber Branislav PhD. |
| Annotation: | Attention will be paid to the research of phenological responses and vitality of selected forest trees and herbs in changing environmental conditions. The results should help clarify the potential relationships between these changes and the subsequent reactions of plant components throughout the phenological response and their vitality as an important bioindicator. Research will also be focused on the acquisition of knowledge about spatio-temporal dynamics of the contents of selected essential chemical elements - macroelements (C, N, S, P, K, Ca, Mg) and heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Hg, As) in soil and biomass of some forest trees and herbs in relation to their stage of development (phenological phases) and vitality, respectively. In addition, we will analyze selected components of biogeochemical cycle (water - deposition of sulfur, air - ozone concentration), which are considered to significant pollutants with a negative impact on living ecosystems. |
The gene bank of selected Cornus L. taxa containing bio-active substances with important therapeutic effects
Genobanka vybraných taxónov rodu Cornus L. obsahujúcich bioaktívne látky s významnými terapeutickými účinkami
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2022 - 31. 12. 2025 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Ing. Konôpková Jana PhD. |
| Annotation: | Rising interest in natural medicaments in the past decades was an impulse for gathering complex information on bioactive compounds in Cornus L. taxa growing in the Mlyňany Arboretum and their therapeutic effects on human health. The obtained results may be beneficial for further research focused on the prevention and treatment of such major diseases of civilization as diabetes, oncological and cardiovascular diseases. To ensure a sufficient production of plant material, methods of micropropagation in in vitro conditions will be used. The aim of this project is to increase the content of pharmacologically active substances in monitored taxa by optimizing the culture condition during in vitro regeneration. Genotypes with an interesting content of these substances will be the basis for the creation of gene bank with a further potential use in research, education, or pharmaceutical and food technologies. |
Management of global change in vulnerable areas
Manažment globálnej zmeny v zraniteľných územiach
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2021 - 31. 12. 2024 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | prof., Mgr. Kluvánková Tatiana PhD. |
Unravelling of functional diversity and ecological role of fungi of the family Clavariaceae
Objasnenie funkčnej diverzity a ekologickej úlohy húb čeľade Clavariaceae
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2022 - 31. 12. 2025 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Mgr. Adamčíková Katarína PhD. |
ForEdge - Norway spruce response to acute stress in relation to bark beetle attack
Odozva smreka na akútny stres vo vzťahu k náletu podkôrneho hmyzu
| Duration: | 1. 7. 2020 - 31. 12. 2023 |
| Program: | APVV |
| Project leader: | Ing. Blaženec Miroslav PhD. |
Spatial components of taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of orthopteroid insects in relation to ecological and evolutionary drivers
Priestorové zložky taxonomickej, funkčnej a fylogenetickej diverzity ortopteroidného hmyzu vo vzťahu k ekologickým a evolučným faktorom
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2023 - 31. 12. 2026 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Ing. Jarčuška Benjamín PhD. |
| Annotation: | The project will assess orthopteran diversity and its scale components (alpha, beta, zeta and gamma diversities) and aspects (taxonomic, phylogentic and functional diversity) in relation to ecological and evolutionary drivers while taking into account operating scale of potential drivers. Assessing quantitative information on habitat and other environmental requirements and preferences of orthopterans will enable us to use orthopterans as bioindicator species for grassland ecosystems. Understanding distribution patterns of orthopterans diversity in regions according to a scale-dependent manner will have conservation implications. Functional and phylogenetic approach could improve explanation of differences in distributional pattern of species of European and national importance in comparison to ubiquitous species. |
GROPECO - Growth and production of mountain ecosystems under conditions of climate aridization
Rast a produkcia horských ekosystémov v podmienkach aridizácie klímy
| Duration: | 1. 7. 2019 - 30. 6. 2023 |
| Program: | APVV |
| Project leader: | RNDr. Ditmarová Ľubica PhD. |
Life strategies - Reproductive strategies and relation to acoustic parameters and migration strategies: studies on Reed Warbler and Lesser Grey Shrike
Reprodukčné stratégie vo vzťahu k akustickým parametrom a migračným stratégiám: štúdie na trsteniarikovi bahennom (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) a strakošovi kolesárovi (Lanius minor).
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2020 - 31. 12. 2023 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | RNDr. Krištín Anton DrSc. |
| Annotation: | Song of passerines have several functions, like territory defense and mate attraction. By using of reproduced song of higher and lower quality in the Reed Warbler we will simulate occupied territories by males of different quality. We will determine the male strategy of territory choice affected by simulating quality of neighbor song, the female mate choice in relation to quality of neighbor song and evaluate the maternal investment of females into eggs in terms of clutch size, egg yolk testosterone and egg white lysozyme, in dependence on quality of neighbor song. Long-distance migrant songbirds are among the most endangered species. Their migration strategies are almost unknown and their relation to reproductive strategy, population trend and endangering factors is being not explained sufficiently. Using geolocators we will study the migration strategies and routes of selected individuals of the Lesser Grey Shrike and analyze their breeding success as well local and global factors of endangerement. |
Norway spruce (Picea abies) resistance to bark beetle attack in condition of changing climate
Rezistencia smreka obyčajného (Picea abies) voči náletu podkôrneho hmyzu v podmienkach meniacej sa klímy
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2022 - 31. 12. 2025 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Ing. Jakuš Rastislav DrSc. |
| Annotation: | The project is focused on researching the resistance of spruce (Picea abies) to the infestation of bark beetles, especially the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) in conditions of a changing climate. The activities are planned on two levels. The first level will be represented by the research plots of IFE SAS and the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences CULS in Prague. The second level will be represented by selected model areas affected by the gradation of bark beetles. The first goal will address the issue of the initiation and spread of damage to forest stands, especially with remote sensing methods (drone, satellites). In solving the second goal, we will analyze the role of primary and secondary metabolites using methods of analytical chemistry. We will use dendrochronological and isotope analyses to meet the third goal. |
Impact of climate change on the distribution of selected pathogens of Pinus sp. trees
Rozšírenie vybraných škodlivých patogénov Pinus sp. vzhľadom ku klimatickej zmene
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2022 - 31. 12. 2025 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Mgr. Jánošíková Zuzana PhD. |
| Annotation: | Climate change and increasing average annual temperatures, impose requirements for pathogens to shift their ranges to remain within environmentally tolerable areas, spreading to the areas where they have not been reported previously. The project is focused on determining the temperature tolerances of selected harmful pathogens of pine trees (Dothistroma pini, Dothistroma septosporum, Lecanosticta acicola and Fusarium circinatum) and on the study of the temperature adaptation of different populations of quarantine needle cast species D. pini. Predictive maps of potential distribution and the comparison of the genetic relations of these fungal species will be made. The virulence of selected populations of D. pini from different climatic regions of the world will be determied, and the American continent with the European will be compared. The susceptibility of selected proveniences of Pinus sylvestris to D. septosporum will be estimated. |
STRAKA - Tree and country – influence of trees on diversity of soil microorganisms in agricultural land
Strom a krajina – vplyv drevín na diverzitu pôdnych mikroorganizmov v poľnohospodárskej krajine
| Duration: | 1. 7. 2021 - 30. 6. 2025 |
| Program: | APVV |
| Project leader: | Mgr. Adamčíková Katarína PhD. |
| Annotation: | Solitary tree standing out of continual forest vegetation has well-known positive and negative impacts on grasslands and arable cultures. Close vicinity of tree causes light and wind interception resulting in change of herbal diversity of grasslands or inhibited growth of crop plants in arable agricultures. Positive influences of tree presence are local enhancing of biological diversity associated with improved ecosystem function. Soil fertility, stability of ecosystem and sustainable land management essentially depends on soil quality. Soil microorganisms are very susceptible to changes in soil characteristics and play the fundamental role in nutrient recycling and stability of ecosystem. Changes in microbial communities connected to presence of trees are underexplored but very actual with current effort to improve landscape structure. Trees are associated with specific groups of fungi; among them are highlighted ectomycorrhizal fungi. Soil of semi-natural grasslands is often dominated by probably biothrophic basidiomycetes and ascomycetes known as CHEGD fungi. In arable soils, special importance is attributed to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and presence of parasitic fungi. This project aims to study representation of fungi with symbiotic, saprophytic, parasitic or other trophic guilds resulted from interaction of tree presence in agricultural land. In addition, we will evaluate selected abiotic and biotic soil characteristics to estimate changes in functional diversity. Project uses advances methods in sequencing of environmental DNA, soil analyses and computer modelling of special influence of ecological factors. |
CALTER - Soil carbon fluxes in dominant forest ecosystems along elevation gradient in the Western Carpathian
Toky uhlíka v pôde hlavných typov lesných ekosystémov na výškovom gradiente Západných Karpát
| Duration: | 1. 7. 2022 - 30. 6. 2025 |
| Program: | APVV |
| Project leader: | Ing. Barna Milan PhD. |
| Annotation: | Forest stores more than 70% of global soil carbon (C) and plays a central role in soil surface-atmosphere exchange of greenhouse gases. Due to the amount of C stored in the soil, it is essential to recognize that even a small change within this pool could significantly feedback the earth system. Soil organic carbon occurs in diverse forms, which according to the stability, can be divided into an active (labile) fraction, whose persistence time varies from a few weeks to a few months, and a stable fraction, which can persist in the soil for many years or even centuries. Soil loses C by two main processes - respiration and leaching. Both of them show complex spatio-temporal biophysical controls that vary on different scales as a consequence of changes in biotic (plant or microbial community) and abiotic (e.g., soil temperature, soil moisture, soil texture) factors. Soil respiration (Rs) consists of the two main components - heterotrophic (Rh) and autotrophic respiration (Ra), which respond differently to changes in influencing factors. The elevation is a key driver of climate properties playing an essential role in soil carbon content and fluxes. The main aim of our project is to identify C loss by respiration and leaching and to identify their driving factors along an elevation gradient representing the main forest communities in the Western Carpathians. Study plots are located in sites dedicated to long-term ecological research (LTER Slovakia). Possible impact of elevated temperature on soil C fluxes will be studied in open-top greenhouses. For reliable estimation of naturally very variable soil C fluxes we will optimize sampling strategy for each studied ecosystem by spatial stratification and by adjustment of measuring frequency. The project is proposed by 5 institutions running long-term ecological research for 3 years and consists of preparatory, verification, implementation and interpretation phases. |
PLANTin - Aliens among us: Spatio-temporal dynamics of plant invasions and their adverse impact on ecosystems
Votrelci medzi nami: Časovo-priestorová dynamika rastlinných invázií a ich nepriaznivý dopad na ekosystémy
| Duration: | 1. 7. 2020 - 30. 6. 2024 |
| Program: | APVV |
| Project leader: | Ing. Slezák Michal PhD. |
Developmental dynamics and mortality in spruce and mixed old-growth forests and their implications for the close-to-nature silviculture
Vývojová dynamika a mortalita v smrekových a zmiešaných pralesoch a ich implikácie pre prírode blízke pestovanie lesa
| Duration: | 1. 1. 2022 - 31. 12. 2024 |
| Program: | VEGA |
| Project leader: | Ing. Mezei Pavel PhD. |
| Annotation: | The project is focused on the analysis of long-term dynamics in spruce and mixed natural forests and identification of structural parameters that can be utilized in development of concepts based on the close-to-nature (CTN) forest management. Research object is represented by the network of long-term investigated localities in old-growth forest reserves as well as the network of research plots managed according to the principles of CTN silviculture. Main goals in old-growth reserves are the analysis of temporal variability of stand characteristics and the evaluation of relative stability of structured identified during the developmental cycle. The database of long-term measurements enable to quantify the mortality rate as basic demographic process important for modelling of natural forest development. Based on the repeated measurements in forest stands managed by CTN principles, the database will be build that finds its application in development of models for effective management of these forest stands. |
Projects total: 39