Projects

International

PANGEOS - PANGEOS - Pan-European Network of Green Deal Agriculture and Forestry Earth Observation Science
PANGEOS - Pan-European Network of Green Deal Agriculture and Forestry Earth Observation Science
Program: COST
Project leader: Mgr. Halabuk Andrej, PhD.
Annotation: The sustainability of Europe’s green resources are threatened by climate change associated environmental changes. Agricultural systems and forests are among the ecosystems mostly interlinked with human health and wellbeing due to the socio-economic services they provide. Whether heat, drought, extreme weather, or biotic stressors, conventional agriculture and forestry today is unprepared for future climate scenarios, rising populations, changing consumption habits, and traditional management practices need re-thinking. The objectives set by PANGEOS are developed in the wake of the European Green Deal strategic goals. For agriculture, these include ensuring food security in the face of climate change, strengthening the EU food system’s resilience and reducing the environmental and climate footprint of the EU agricultural sector towards a competitive and sustainable use and management of resources. For forestry, these span the protection, restoration and enlargement of the EU’s forests to combat climate change, reversing biodiversity loss and ensuring resilient and multifunctional forest ecosystems. To support these goals, PANGEOS aims to leverage state-of-the-art remote sensing (RS) technologies to advance field phenotyping workflows, precision agriculture/forestry practices and larger-scale operational assessments for a more sustainable management of Europe’s natural resources. We propose to bridge the gap between state-of-the-art technologies and applied sciences, to directly serve and inform academics, Young Researchers and Innovators, Inclusiveness Target Countries and Near Neighbor Countries, end-users (e.g., farmers, foresters), and stakeholders in industry and policy-makers by bringing together RS experts and applications in (1) Field Phenotyping, (2) Precision and Regenerative Agriculture, (3) Sustainable Land Management of Complex European landscapes, and (4) Uncertainty Analysis and Standardization.
Project webpage: https://pangeos.eu/
Duration: 6.11.2023 - 6.11.2027
Restore4Life - Restore4Life - Obnova mokraďových komplexov ako systémov podporujúcich život v povodí Dunaja
Restore4Life - Restoration of wetland complexes as life supporting systems in the Danube Basin
Program: Horizon Europe
Project leader: RNDr. Halada Ľuboš, CSc.
Annotation: Restore4Life demonstrates the multiple socio-economic benefits generated by a holistic and transdisciplinary approach for the restoration of freshwater and coastal wetlands in the Danube basin that will contribute to new blue-green infrastructure supporting regional climate change resilience and mitigation. Restore4Life engages in 4 demonstration sites and 6 monitoring sites all across the Danube basin to make evident that increased delivery of key ecosystem services, as water and pollutant retention, carbon sequestration and tourism opportunities as well as improved resilience of water-dependent habitats will produce multiple socioeconomic synergies that also provide opportunities for sustainable businesses and investments.Implementation of activities basically aiming to restore lateral connectivity in riverine corridors will be supported by a Restore4Life long term wetland restoration service/ Restore4Life Wetland Reconstruction Accelerator that combines timely integrative wetland management with a novel level of societal engagement. The Accelerator will provide tested indicators, monitoring approaches and decision support to identify adapted and future-oriented restoration goals, techniques and holistic road maps. Citizens and stakeholders will be empowered to engage in the co-design of projects by establishing stakeholder communities of practice, by twinning of similar projects at different realization stage, citizen science, thematic mobile apps and the use of multiple communication channels with special focus on visual, hands-on interactive information flow that promotes emotional links to water shaped environment. The various tools generated by Restore4Life also including handbooks for business audiences and targeted restoration roadmaps will secure the efficient replication of restoration activities in associated regions. In collaboration with similar mission activities, Restore4Life thus efficiently supports integrative social and economic transitions.
Duration: 1.6.2023 - 31.5.2027
CHIME_NPV - CHIME_NPV - Kvantifikácia nefotosyntetickej vegetácie z budúcej misie Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment
CHIME_NPV - Towards quantification of non-photosynthetic vegetation from Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment
Program: European Space Agency (ESA)
Project leader: Mgr. Halabuk Andrej, PhD.
Annotation: The project activities represent a feasibility study of imaging spectroscopy\'s added value for NPV mapping in agricultural landscapes. Current state-of-the-art approaches are explored followed by set of empirical analyses and tests for effective retrieval algorithms and mapping using PRISMA and EnMAP products. In addition, NPV-relevant data are continuously collected through dedicated field campaigns of varying scales (plot to region wide).
Duration: 2.4.2022 - 1.4.2024
SatZones - SatZones - Identifikácia výnosových zón na poľnohospodárskych pozemkoch s využitím satelitných údajov
SatZones - Satellite-based delineation of yield productivity zones for Slovak crop fields
Program: European Space Agency (ESA)
Project leader: Mgr. Kenderessy Pavol, PhD.
Annotation: The delineation of "quasi homogenous" management zones is the basis of the precision agriculture (PA) practices, addressing the within-field variability of crop status and crop yield. Many ground-based methods exist for the delineation of management zones, though, due to the complexity and costs, they are not commonly applied in Slovak agricultural sector. On the other hand, cost-effective satellite-based approaches for identifying so-called yield productivity zones have been recently introduced. Yield productivity zones represent highly productive, respectively less productive zones within field parcels. In particular, the time-series approaches using satellite-based vegetation indices with relevant spatial and temporal resolutions (e.g. Sentinel2 or Landsat products) may identify stable recurring crop status patterns, resulting in identifying yield productivity zones. Though many services exist based on a user request basis, a "broad-scale full coverage" delivery of yield productivity zones in an automated manner is still rare. We aim to develop such a system to enhance satellite-based (later referred as EO based) agricultural services for "literally" 61 000 field parcels, a substantial number of Slovak farmers, and finally for the all ”digital farming” industry.The main technical objective of the project is development of the automated processor for creation of yield productivity zones at broader scale. Furthermore, EO-based service for farmers based on this processor will be designed. The end goal of the proposal is enhancement of the EO-based services for agriculture and precision farming.
Duration: 15.2.2022 - 31.7.2023
REGATA - Štúdium atmosférickej depozície ťažkých kovov v priemyselných regiónoch Slovenska pomocou biomonitorovacích techník, metód jadrovej fyziky a technológií GIS
Atmoheric Deposition of Heavy Metals in Industrial Areas of Slovakia Studied by the Moss Biomonitoring Technique Employing Nuclear and Related Analytical Techniques and GIS Technology
Program: Bilateral - other
Project leader: RNDr. Borovská Jana, PhD.
Annotation: The project is focused on research of chemical pollution of ground layer of the Slovak atmosphere with an emphasis on heavy metal pollution as part of the European mapping of heavy metals through selected groups of bryophytes within the ICP Vegetation program. The ILE SAS together with NFC in Zvolen ensures the collection and sorting of mosses from monitoring sites. The Radioanalytical Department of LNF JINR Dubna carries out an analysis of mosses in terms of the presence of selected heavy metals. The Department of Nuclear Physics and Biophysics FMFI UK Bratislava measures the radioactivity of moss samples from selected localities in order to map the annual dose of the population of the Slovak Republic from the inhalation of isotopes 137Cs and 210Pb. The results of the analyses will be published in the final report of the ICP Vegetation "Mosses as biomonitors of air pollution 2020-22 survey on heavy metals, nitrogen and POPs in Europe".
Duration: 1.11.2020 - 31.12.2022
DREAM SK-AT - Výskum a manažment rieky Dunaj na Slovensku a v Rakúsku
Danube River Research and Management in Slovakia and Austria
Program: European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Project leader: Mgr. Kenderessy Pavol, PhD.
Annotation: The aims are to establish joint research facilities, to enhance knowledge transfer and to develop innovative monitoring and modelling tools in the SK-AT border region. By enhancing knowledge transfer and capacity building between research bodies and universities, the project will lead to an improved cooperation and exchange of expertise between research and innovation actors using newly constructed and upgraded research infrastructures (RI). New monitoring stations as well as innovative monitoring techniques (e.g. operative boat) and modelling tools concerning hydrodynamics, sediment transport, morphodynamics, ecological parameters and remote sensing technologies in river and wetland science will lead to high quality and comparable data derived at the Danube River in the project reaches (cross border region and adjacent reaches). A guidance document of monitoring and modelling tools will be published and available for the target groups. In SK (VÚVH) the hydraulic engineering laboratory (discharge 1,5 m³/s) will be modernized and upgraded according to the state of the art together with laboratory of geoinformatics and advanced river remote sensing (ILE SAS). In AT a hydraulic engineering laboratory will be constructed with 10 m³/s free flowing discharge. By using these RIs, the scientific basis for improving the Danube river management between Vienna and Bratislava will be developed, being available for target groups working in navigation, flood risk management, ecology, hydropower and drinking water supply. Furthermore, a close exchange of undergraduate and doctoral students and teachers between BOKU, VUVH and ILE SAS will be initiated and the research facilities will be jointly used for common teaching and research activities, also beyond the lifetime of the project.
Duration: 1.1.2016 - 31.12.2022
SENSECO - Optické synergie pre priestorovo-časové snímanie škálovateľných ekofyziologických znakov
Optical synergies for spatiotemporal sensing of scalable ecophysiological traits
Program: COST
Project leader: Mgr. Halabuk Andrej, PhD.
Annotation: Timely information about the landscape and vegetation significantly determine the quality of decision making in agriculture and forestry sector. Furthermore, spatio-temporal modelling of response and adaptability of agro-ecosystems to climate change and weather extremes supported by remote sensing is high on the agenda because of its significant social impact at national, European and international level. An integrated approach involving various scientific disciplines is crucial for this kind of research. Based on the newly built laboratories (laboratory of field measurements, laboratory of UAV and Earth Observation) Institute of Landscape Ecology (ILE SAS) is focused on the development of innovative remote sensing algorithms and spatio-temporal modelling of status of agro-ecosystems and vegetation at different scales (from plot level through the farm level, region level to the entire territory of Slovakia). Its development has been especially pronounced after the availability of new optical satellite data with better spectral and temporal resolution (Landsat 8, MODIS, Proba-V, Sentinel 2 and Sentinel3) that allow timely nationwide indicators of the condition of vegetation and land surface. ILE SAS has a great tradition of applied remote sensing in relation to assessment of vegetation response to climate change. ILE SAS has the ambition of enhancing research on this topic, based on historical research in applied remote sensing and GIS in vegetation ecology, ecosystem research and spatio-temporal modelling of vegetation. Within the proposed COST action ILE SAS will be mainly focused in development of standardized operating procedures and quality assurance methodologies based on short term missions within WG1 and inter-comparison exercises in WG2 both at field sites and in referenced laboratories in order to close the both scaling gap (WG1) and temporal gap (WG2).
Project webpage: www.senseco.eu
Duration: 4.5.2018 - 23.10.2022
ETC BD - Európske tématické centrum pre biologickú diverzitu - 2019-2021
European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity - 2019-2021
Program: Bilateral - other
Project leader: RNDr. Halada Ľuboš, CSc.
Annotation: ETC BD is a project of the European Environmental Agency. EEA‐ETC/BD work over the period 2019‐2021 will be largely framed on global level by the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Strategic Plan for 2011‐2020 and at EU level by the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy. These policy elements are fully integrated in the EEA Multi‐annual Work Programme 2014‐2018 extended to 2020, which determine the ETC BD work plan. The ETC BD activities will be done in 5 work packages. WP1 (Monitoring, data, management and information systems) addresses the organisation of dataflows and the management of core datasets which will either directly feed the policy process or/and underpin the production of indicators and assessments. WP2 (Indicators) mainly addresses work to be done by ETC/BD as part of the SEBI collaborative process (Streamlined European Biodiversity Indicators). WP3 (Assessments) over the next period will be largely framed by targets 1 and 2 of the EU 2020 Biodiversity Strategy. The evaluation of progress towards target 1 and its supporting actions will make use of information reported by Member States under the Nature Directives. A major piece of EEA‐ETC/BD work will be the preparation of the State of Nature report, to be published by end 2020. WP4 (Networking and policy support) covers networking with national authorities and experts under policy processes, whether at EU, pan‐European or global levels. WP5 is focused to the ETC BD management, capacity‐building and cross‐ETC cooperation.
Project webpage: https://bd.eionet.europa.eu/
Duration: 1.1.2019 - 31.12.2021
eLTER - Európska infraštruktúra pre dlhodobý ekosystémový a socioekologický výskum - eLTER
European Long-Term Ecosystem and Socio-Ecological Research Infrastructure — eLTER
Program: Horizon 2020
Project leader: RNDr. Halada Ľuboš, CSc.
Annotation: The overall aim of the eLTER project is to advance the European network of Long-Term Ecosystem Research sites and socio-ecological research platforms to provide highest quality services for multiple use of a distributed research infrastructure.eLTER ́s major objectives and methods are to:(1) identify user needs for the research infrastructure in relation to major societal challenges through consultations with scientific, policy and business stakeholders and horizon scanning;(2) streamline the design of a cost-efficient pan-European network, able to address multiple ecosystem research issues, in collaboration with related global and European research infrastructures, e.g. LifeWatch;(3) develop the organisational framework for data integration and enable virtual access to the LTER data by enabling data publishing through distributed Data Nodes and by providing access to data on key research challenges through a Data Integration Platform;(4) foster the societal relevance, usability and multiple use of information, data and services through new partnerships with the providers of remotely sensed data, analytical services and scenario testing models, and via the adoption of new measurement technologies.The LTER-Europe network and the European Critical Zone community will collaborate to achieve these goals. 162 sites in 22 countries will provide data on long-term trends in environmental change, some reaching back 100 years. Test cases using these data will address a range of environmental and social issues to push innovation in network level services and steer conceptual developments. The envisaged “LTER Infrastructure” will enable European-scale investigation of major ecosystems and socio-ecological systems, and support knowledge-based decision making at multiple levels.
Project webpage: http://www.lter-europe.net/projects/eLTER
Duration: 1.6.2015 - 31.5.2019
ETC BD - Európske tematické centrum pre biologickú diverzitu
European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity
Program: Bilateral - other
Project leader: RNDr. Halada Ľuboš, CSc.
Annotation: The European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity (ETC/BD) is established to support the work of EEA in the field of biodiversity for the period 2014-18 and the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Biodiversity and related global strategies. Key priority areas included in the work plans established between the EEA and the European Commission include:• Support implementation of existing EU legislation relating to nature (Habitats and Birds Directives), including links to other key EU legislation concerning the sea and water, rationalization of the data collection, reporting and sharing of experience and knowledge;• Support for assessment and reporting in connection with the global- and the EU biodiversity strategies, while promoting the implementation of data and information aspects, in particular the mapping and assessment of the health of ecosystems and their services in Europe;• Work on specific tasks relating to the EU\'s biodiversity strategy in sectors that are not covered by other ETCs. These include agriculture and forestry. The cooperation with the JRC, DG AGRI, and other pan-European and global partners in these issues is needed.
Project webpage: http://bd.eionet.europa.eu/
Duration: 1.1.2014 - 31.12.2018
NBP - Podpora pre biogeografický proces Natura 2000
Support for the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process
Program: Multilateral - other
Project leader: RNDr. Halada Ľuboš, CSc.
Annotation: In this project, the consortium led by European Centre for Nature Conservation will continue supporting the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process. The support provided in this context will cover the continuation of the Natura 2000 Biogeographical Process and its expansion with two Kick-off Seminars for the Continental, Pannonian, Steppic & Black Sea Region, which takes place in Luxembourg in spring 2015, and the Macaronesian Region planned for autumn 2015. It will also cover the organization of Review Natura 2000 Seminars for the Boreal and Atlantic regions in 2016 and for other regions in 2017.Last but not least, as a part of the \'Natura 2000 Biogeographical Networking Programme\', the new contract will support the establishment and implementation of a number of networking events, in close cooperation with the Commission, Member States, conservation institutes, NGOs and stakeholder organizations. These events will be designed to take forward specific common priorities identified by Process participants. The aim will be to develop collaboration and cooperative actions on the management of Natura 2000. In particular, focus will be given to developing new insights and practical know-how about management approaches required to improve the condition and status of Natura 2000 habitats and species.
Project webpage: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/platform/index_en.htm
Duration: 1.1.2015 - 31.12.2017
OpenNESS - Funkčnosť prírodných kapitálov a ekologických služieb: od konceptu k reálnej aplikácii (OpenNESS)
Operationalisation of Natural Capital and EcoSystem Services: From Concepts to Real-world Applications (OpenNESS)
Program: FP7
Project leader: Prof. RNDr. Izakovičová Zita, PhD.
Annotation: The project is aimed at the evaluation of current state of research in the topic land management and definition of the needs for the next period. The main sub-objectives of the project are: 1) Identify social challenges related to land, especially land use, the management of land and soil protection, land use and utilisation of landscape resources, 2) Evaluate approaches to integrated land management, to evaluate the current strengths and weaknesses, define proposals to improve the situation, 3) Identify the need for research in the area land use and land management, 4) Identify the main groups of "stakeholders" and create a network of all groups "stakeholders" in the field, 5) Ensure the transfer of knowledge in practice and contribute to improving policy EU and research in this area.
Duration: 1.12.2012 - 31.5.2017
NBP - Nový biogeografický proces (NBP)
New Biogeographical Process (NBP)
Program: Multilateral - other
Project leader: RNDr. Halada Ľuboš, CSc.
Annotation: The overall objective of the project is to provide technical and scientific support to the European Commission in relation to the implementation of the new Natura 2000 seminars process, including the logistic preparation of the Natura 2000 seminars and the preparatory workshops. This includes the preparation of invitations, agendas, working documents, reports and guidance documents. The technical and scientific support will aim at achieving the following objectives:1. Preparatory workshops, Natura 2000 seminars, ad hoc expert meetings and preparatorymeetings between the main actors of the process are well prepared and organised.2. Appropriate technical and scientific information on the conservation status of species andhabitat types covered by the seminars, the major threats acting on these species and habitats,existing management instruments and measures for addressing threats and achievingfavourable conservation status, including best practice is compiled and made available inadvance of the workshops and seminars. 3. The appropriateness of existing conservation objectives and measures for species and habitattypes covered by the seminars is being assessed.4. Appropriate recommendations are prepared on the adaptation of conservation objectives andmeasures to changing conditions; including climate change, where necessary.5. High quality working documents are prepared and made available in advance of the workshopsand seminars.6. High quality seminar reports and guidance documents, interpretation notes or reviews onparticular issues are prepared and made available.7. A permanent internet-based communication platform of the Natura 2000 Seminars isestablished, promoted and maintained.8. Ad hoc expert meetings are organised on particular issues if necessary.
Project webpage: http://www.ecnc.org/projects/green-infrastructure/new-biogeographic-process/
Duration: 14.12.2011 - 13.12.2014
FC2012 - Forum Carpaticum 2012
Forum Carpaticum 2012
Program: Multilateral - other
Project leader: RNDr. Halada Ľuboš, CSc.
Annotation: The project supported organisation of the international conference Forum Carpaticum 2012 (FC2012) with the main theme “From Data to Knowledge, from Knowledge to Action” (Stará Lesná, 30.5.-2.6.2012). The FC2012 organised Institute of Landscape Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the network Science for the Carpathians Initiative (S4C). The S4C aims to integrate different fields of expertise to generate theoretical and practical knowledge for the Carpathian mountain region. The objectives of the Forum Carpaticum conference are: To link research and practice related to coupled human and natural systems in mountain regions; to scientifically support actions leading towards sustainability in the Carpathian region; to increase the visibility of the Carpathian region in the global change research agendas. The Forum Carpaticum 2012 reviewed current research in the Carpathian region, presented examples of knowledge generation and its successful application to practice and policy, and fostered networking and international cooperation within and beyond Carpathian countries.
Project webpage: www.forumcarpaticum.org
Duration: 1.1.2012 - 31.7.2012
Výskum a zachovanie biodiverzity v historických štruktúrach poľnohospodárskej krajiny Slovenska
Research and maintaining of biodiversity in historical structures of agricultural landscape of Slovakia
Program: Bilateral - other
Project leader: RNDr. Dobrovodská Marta, PhD.
Annotation: The historical structures of agricultural landscape (HSAL) represent mosaics of small-scale arable fields and permanent agricultural cultivations which were not affected by the process of agricultural collectivization. They have irreplaceable ecological, cultural and historical value. They are a result of a long term, mutual relationship between man and the landscape. As main sources of local biodiversity, they are linked mainly to balks, margins of cross fields tracks, original meadows and pastures and after collectivization abandoned grass-grown former arable fields. These areas are now becoming rare and thus highly valuable in the European space. Since these areas are not at present a subject of special protection, there’s a high risk that in the near future, due to abandonment and subsequent forest succession and urban pressure, their decline or even irreversible loss is probable. Our project aims to resolve this problem by carrying out a thorough inventory and typologization of HSAL on the territory of whole Slovakia, coupled with detailed interdisciplinary research (research of vegetation, animals, ecological conditions and human society) in 3 representative pilot areas (Svätý Jur town, Liptovská Teplička village Hriňová town) and implementation of an proposed Strategy for protection and management of HSAL in these territories as well.
Duration: 10.9.2009 - 30.4.2011
ETC BD 08 - Európske tématické centrum pre biodiverzitu - 08
European Topic Centre on Biological Diversity - 08
Program: Multilateral - other
Project leader: Ing. Oszlányi Július, CSc.
Annotation: The assessment of national reports on favourable conservation status of habitats and species represented the most important task in 2008. The EU member countries submitted these reports on the basis of Article 17 of the Habitat Directive, we prepared assessments for individual biogeographical regions. The final report was delivered to the DG Environment. We participated in the EEA task „EURECA – European Ecosystem Assessment“, the main output was the background document on ecosystem assessment of high mountains, presented in the EEA workshop in Copenhagen. In the framework of the Natura 2000 network assessment was prepared the manuscript of paper on habitats of the European importance, requiring agricultural management for their existence.
Project webpage: http://biodiversity.eionet.europa.eu/activities
Duration: 1.1.2008 - 31.12.2008

National

CALTER - Toky uhlíka v pôde hlavných typov lesných ekosystémov na výškovom gradiente Západných Karpát.
Soil carbon fluxes in dominant forest ecosystems along elevation gradient in the Western Carpathians
Program: SRDA
Project leader: RNDr. Halada Ľuboš, CSc.
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.
Project webpage: n/a
Duration: 1.7.2022 - 30.6.2025
Dlhodobé zmeny znečistenia ovzdušia a ich dopad na ekosystémy
Long-term changes of atmospheric pollution and their impact to ecosystems
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Halada Ľuboš, CSc.
Annotation: The project will assess long-term changes in air pollution and their impacts on selected ecosystems. The firstproject theme is study of changes in atmospheric deposition using bryophytes as pollutant accumulators. We willcontinue in former several decades lasting research using the ICP Vegetation methodology. We will developpollution maps for Slovakia and assess impacts on humans and ecosystems. At the Báb LTER site, we willcontinue the study of pollutants accumulation in bryophytes, tree leaves and soil of forest ecosystem. The secondtheme is an experimental study of impacts of elevated temperature and nitrogen and phosphorus deposition onthe ecosystem of alpine grasslands in the LTER sites Jalovecká dolina (since 2002; phosphorus and 3 nitrogenconcentrations; since 2009 also ecosystem regeneration) and Kráľova hoľa (since 2009; temperature rise,nitrogen deposition and their combination). We will repeat all previous measurements, assess changes andimpacts on the ecosystem structure and functioning.
Duration: 1.1.2021 - 31.12.2024
ENVIRO PLUS - Podpora výskumno-vývojových aktivít jedinečného riešiteľského tímu
Supporting the R&D activities of a unique research team
Program: Európsky fond regionálneho rozvoja (EFRR)
Project leader: Mgr. Kalivoda Henrik, PhD.
Annotation: The main objective of the project is to support research and development activities of the unique research team of non-business research organizations ILE SAS and Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra and the company ESPRIT Ltd focused on the knowledge area of environmental engineering. The project topics are focused on product lines in the domain of Healthy Food and Environment:1) Systems for the protection of agricultural and forest soils against degradation2) Systems and technologies for preventing the negative impacts of climate change in agriculture and forestry.
Project webpage: https://www.uke.sav.sk/veda-a-vyskum/projekty/strukturalne-fondy-2/enviro-plus/
Duration: 27.9.2022 - 31.12.2023
URANOS - Údajová a vedomostná podpora pre systémy rozhodovania a strategického plánovania v oblasti adaptácie poľnohospodárskej krajiny na klimatické zmeny a minimalizáciu degradácie poľnohospodárskych pôd
Scientific support of climate change adaptation in agriculture and mitigation of soil degradation.
Program: EU Structural Funds Research & Development
Project leader: Mgr. Halabuk Andrej, PhD.
Duration: 3.4.2020 - 30.6.2023
Ekologické analýzy akulturácie krajiny Slovenska od mladšieho praveku dodnes
Ecological Analyses of Landscape Acculturation in Slovakia since Early Prehistory until Today
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Mgr. Piscová Veronika, PhD.
Annotation: Human impact on landscape of Slovakia is manifested more markedly since the Neolithic period (New StoneAge). Acculturation processes such as mutual adoption and merging different cultures and process of social andcultural changes accompany people throughout their history and reflect on the environment (Škvarna, 2007). Thehuman impact on the landscape may appear at first positive, but it may have a negative influence on the natureitself and finally on people as well (Erten, Van Deb Berg, Weissing 2007). For this reason, it is important toanalyze the impact of landscape changes on people and also on natural ecosystems. The aim of this project is toreconstruct the landscape in several periods of historical and archaeological past and to evaluate theconsequences of human activity in the model areas. An important role will be played by the confrontation of theevolution of settlement and vegetation changes in the territories in the same chronological sections.
Duration: 1.1.2019 - 31.12.2022
Zmeny poľnohospodárskej krajiny Slovenska vplyvom politík Európskej Únie
Changes in Slovak Landscape Driven by European Union Agricultural Policy
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Mgr. Lieskovský Juraj, PhD.
Annotation: The project is focused on identification and evaluation of changes in agricultural landscape (AL), which were after 2004 affected by the EU legislation in fields of agriculture, water protection and nature conservation. It is based on analysis of the EU policies as drivers of changes in AL. It will study types and intensity of use of AL on regional and local levels. The project combines methods of remote sensing (RS) and field research. RS will be used for timely obtaining information on AL. Also will be developed and tested innovative approaches and methods with use of new satellite sensors. In local scale will be studied impact of changes in use in AL on biodiversity. For biodiversity study were selected indication groups of vegetation, invertebrates (spiders, dragonflies) and vertebrates (amphibians, birds). Studied will be sites from which exist data from previous research, wetlands and newly evolved biotopes in AL. The final phase will be synthesis of current state and changes in AL and biodiversity.
Duration: 1.1.2016 - 31.12.2019
Kanály - Nové možnosti využitia odvodňovacích kanálových sústav s ohľadom na ochranu a využívanie krajiny
New possibilities of use of drainage canal systems with taking into account the protection and use of a landscape
Program: SRDA
Project leader: Mgr. Kalivoda Henrik, PhD.
Annotation: Drainage canal system, as artificial multifunctional anthropogenic elements in a landscape have other specificfunctions which were not paid attention yet. The reason of construction of those canal systems was theintensification of agricultural production and discharge of inland waters. Their construction characters areanalogical to a stream. These characters must be re-evaluated from the point of their functional use under realconditions of an area.Due to the change of agricultural policy, further construction and maintenance practically does not exist and thelifetime of connected technical segments is getting to the end. Secondary drainage canals are graduallyovergrown, wood vegetation develops and canals stop fulfilling their main function. Similar situation appears incase of main canals, moreover, their use is bound to capacity of pumping stations. Primary and secondarydrainage canals are important connective landscape elements and serve also as a refugium, or biocentre forseveral kinds of organisms. There appear significant successive processes in the canal network. Based on reevaluationof present state of drainage canals there will be elaborated a proposal of measures of their primaryfunctions and proposal of their multifunctional use. New possibilities of use of drainage canals are important fromthe point of view of protection and use of the landscape, namely the development and stability of biodiversity.
Duration: 1.7.2015 - 28.6.2019
Diverzita poľnohospodárskej krajiny a jej ekosystémové služby
Diversity of agricultural landscape and its ecosystem services
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Ing. Špulerová Jana, PhD.
Annotation: The project was focused on the evaluation of diversity of agricultural landscape and its ecosystem services in different types of representative landscapes of Slovakia. Attention was paid to extensively cultivated farmland and traditional agricultural landscapes, which are characterized by higher diversity of landscape pattern and by the presence of semi natural habitats that significantly contribute to the provision of ecological functions in thelandscape and provide multifunctional ecosystem services to society. The most important results of the project are contained in two publication: the article of Lieskovsky et al. (2015) devoted to changes in landscape diversity and abandonment, and a monograph dedicated to the traditional agricultural landscape (TAL) (Špulerová et al., 2017). The monograph present diversity of TAL in Slovakia as a type of agricultural landscape with high landscape diversity. The second part of the monograph points to the importance of the ecosystem services assessment and benefits of these diversified landscape structures that provide to society. Result shows, that TAL provide more ecosystem services by their diversified patterns. The study of Lieskovský et al. is highly cited (22 WOS citation) and was aimed to analyse the driving forces behind the accelerated abandonment of traditional agricultural landscapes. The study showed that abandonment occurs most intensively on steep slopes and on less fertile soils. The distance from settlements and the financial profit are the other drivers of abandonment.References:LIESKOVSKÝ, Juraj - BEZÁK, Peter - ŠPULEROVÁ, Jana - LIESKOVSKÝ, Tibor - KOLEDA, Peter - DOBROVODSKÁ, Marta - BÜRGI, Matthias - GIMMI, Urs. The abandonment of traditional agricultural landscape in Slovakia - analysis of extent and driving forces. In Journal of Rural Studies, 2015, vol. 37, p. 75-84. ŠPULEROVÁ, Jana - ŠTEFUNKOVÁ, Dagmar - DOBROVODSKÁ, Marta - IZAKOVIČOVÁ, Zita - KENDERESSY, Pavol - VLACHOVIČOVÁ, Miriam - LIESKOVSKÝ, Juraj - PISCOVÁ, Veronika - PETROVIČ, František - KANKA, Róbert - BAČA, Andrej - BARANČOKOVÁ, Mária - BEZÁK, Peter - BEZÁKOVÁ, Magdaléna - BOLTIŽIAR, Martin - MOJSES, Matej - DUBCOVÁ, Magdaléna - GAJDOŠ, Peter - GERHÁTOVÁ, Katarína - IZSÓFF, Martin - KALIVODA, Henrik - MIKLÓSOVÁ, Viktória - DRÁBOVÁ, Monika - ŠATALOVÁ, Barbora - KRIŠTÍN, Anton - DANKANINOVÁ, Lenka - KALIVODOVÁ, Eva - MAJZLAN, Oto - MIHÁL, Ivan - STAŠIOV, Slavomír - ŠOLOMEKOVÁ, Tatiana - AMBROS, Michal - BALÁŽ, Ivan - HALABUK, Andrej. Historické štruktúry poľnohospodárskej krajiny Slovenska : monografia získala ocenenie Zlatý Kosák od ministerky pôdohospodárstva a rozvoja vidieka p. Gabriely Matečnej na Agrokomplexe 2017 v Nitre [Historical structures of agricultural landscape of Slovakia. Bratislava: Veda, 2017. 144 s.
Duration: 1.1.2014 - 31.12.2017
Priestorové a časové trendy akumulácie ťažkých kovov a dusíka v machoch na Slovensku za 25 rokov
Spatial and Time Trends of Accumulation of Heavy Metals and Nitrogen in Mosses in Slovakia in 25 years
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Ing. Maňkovská Blanka, DrSc.
Annotation: Objective of the proposed project is to continue in a survey of heavy metals and nitrogen loads in Slovakia using mosses as biomonitors and to keep on surveys that were realised within the International Cooperative Programme on Effects of Air Pollution on Natural Vegetation and Crops (ICP Vegetation) and VEGA (2010-2012) projects. The main objective of the project is to realize comparative analyses and to evaluate changes in loads in Slovakia after 25 years. Partial objectives are following: to evaluate actual spread of traced elements in mosses in Slovakia, time and spatial changes 1990-2015, correlation of contents of elements and factorial analyses, influence of factors of landscape (altitude), evaluation from point of hot spots, their cause and epidemiology importance of detection in Slovakia, long-term trends, comparing with neighbouring countries and construction of elements maps and time horizons. The project should bring new knowledge in all scientific disciplines represented in single thematic areas.
Duration: 1.1.2014 - 31.12.2017
Ex post - Ex-post hodnotenie Programu rozvoja vidieka SR pre obdobie 2007-2013
Ex post evaluation of Rural Development Program for the period 2007-2013
Program: Other projects
Project leader: Ing. Špulerová Jana, PhD.
Annotation: Elaboration of evaluation report for "Ex-post evaluation of the Rural Development Programme for 2007-2013", including answering the evaluation questions which provides an independent assessment of the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness and achievements, impact and success and failure factors.
Duration: 18.12.2015 - 31.12.2016
Hodnotenie stavu a dynamiky biotopov s využitím modelovania a diaľkového prieskumu Zeme
Assessment of status and dynamics of habitats using combination of modelling and remote sensing
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Halada Ľuboš, CSc.
Annotation: The main objective of the project is to develop consistent approaches and methods for assessment of status and dynamics of habitats using combination of gradient analysis of ecological data and remote sensing. Proposed methods will be thoroughly tested through case studies at different scales in order to demonstrate their possibilities in habitat mapping, detection of changes, identification of trends and assessment of the response of habitats to land use change and climate anomalies.
Duration: 1.1.2013 - 31.12.2016
Obnova a budovanie technickej infraštruktúry výskumu a vývoja Ústavu krajinnej ekológie Slovenskej akadémie vied
Renovation and construction of technical infrastructure for research and development of the Institute of Landscape Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences
Program: EU Structural Funds Research & Development
Project leader: Ing. Mojses Matej, PhD.
Annotation: The project aims to modernize and complete technical infrastructure of the Institute of Landscape Ecology - the branch in Nitra for research in the landscape ecology, landscape planning, landscape management and the long-term ecological research of ecosystems. The project has two major themes: 1) building and upgrading of local infrastructure supporting research and development in information technologies based on GIS technology to support research activities in the field of landscape ecology, through the server and mobile GIS application equipment and a comprehensive information system for the purpose of environmental planning and landscape management, 2) building and upgrade of the infrastructure for ecosystem research. Objectives of the project:1) Development of a system, consisting of technical infrastructure, standard and specialized software and spatial database, enabling a new quality of the landscape research for needs of the landscape planning and land management2) Addition of the equipment of institute in such way that will support and expand the possibilities of the ecosystem research focusing on the ecosystems of mountain meadows and forest ecosystems, including the impact of global change.
Duration: 1.11.2012 - 31.5.2015
Významnosť a úžitky ekosystémov v historických štruktúrach poľnohospodárskej krajiny
Significance and ecosystem services of historical structures of agricultural landscapes
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Ing. Špulerová Jana, PhD.
Annotation: Significance of natural, semi-natural and cultural ecosystems in agricultural landscape for biodiversity protection is multiplex. The unique islands of species-rich plant and animal communities are represented by historicalstructures of agricultural landscape (HSAL), that play an important role in water retention and the prevention of soil erosion – both important with respect to climatic changes. Many ecosystem services and function are provided by these ecosystems, which bring benefits for society. They have irreplaceable ecological, cultural andhistorical value.Due to deficient ecosystem valuation as well as scarce scientific data documenting significance and services of these habitats in agrarian landscape, decline or even irreversible loss of biodiversity linked to such specificbiotopes will be the result. The project is aimed to bring new quantitative and qualitative scientific knowledge, which can be applied in decision processes or for implementation of international convention
Duration: 1.1.2011 - 31.12.2013
Vplyv experimentálne zvýšenej teploty a zvýšenej depozície dusíka na zraniteľné ekosystémy alpínskych lúk
Effect of experimental warming and nitrogen deposition on sensitive alpine meadow ecosystem
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Mgr. Halabuk Andrej, PhD.
Annotation: In the proposed project, we focus on the effect of warming and nitrogen (N) deposition on carbon (C)sequestration, vegetation and N leaching in the model ecosystem of alpine meadows that are very sensitive tomentioned global change. Warming can exert a complex effect on microbial activity, nutrient availability and netecosystem production (NEP). Increased N deposition can further contribute to a complex interaction amongecosystem processes leading to many discrepancies in ecosystem responses and uncertain contribution to Csequestration. We would like to enrich the knowledge of warming and N deposition effects on key components ofNEP including net primary production, litter decomposition rates, soil respiration, N mineralization, N availability,plant N uptake as well as individual plant species response and impact on vegetation structure. The studiedeffects will be simulated using open top chambers and N fertilization in the field conditions.
Duration: 1.1.2009 - 31.12.2012
Model reprezentatívnych geoekosystémov na regionálnej úrovni
Model of the representative geoecosystems on the regional level
Program: SRDA
Project leader: Prof. RNDr. Izakovičová Zita, PhD.
Annotation: The basic goal ot he project is elaboration of the methodical procedure for evaluation of the representative geoecosystem of Slovakia on the regional level for elaboration of effective strategy of the nature protection, biodiversity protection and landscape stability.
Project webpage: www.ukesav.sk
Duration: 1.6.2008 - 31.12.2010
- - Zhodnotenie prínosu agro-environmentálnych programov k ochrane a udržaniu diverzity polnohospodárskej krajiny
Assessment of the agro-environment programs contribution to conservation and maintenance of rural landscape
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Halada Ľuboš, CSc.
Annotation: The assessment of the (AEP) influence on biodiversity, selected natural resources and character of the agricultural landscape represents the main focus of the project. The consequences of AE measures will be interpreted and quantified for respective species and habitats. In the case studies, the field research, preparation and realisation of the first phase of AEP monitoring represent the crucial issues. The sociological research will beperformed both in level of country and case studies The map of ecologically important agricultural regions of Slovakia will be prepared.The methodology for monitoring of AEP impact will be developed and tested; the methodology will be further developed into monitoring program of AEP for Slovakia. The project should result in proposal of measures and changes of the AEP and the Rural Development Programme and in development of the prognosis of futurebiodiversity of the study areas as well as prognosis for selected species and habitats in Slovakia.
Project webpage: -
Duration: 1.1.2008 - 31.12.2010
Dôsledky ťažby Nováckeho uhoľného ložiska na krajinnú štruktúru, sociálno-ekonomický rozvoj obce Koš a biodiverzitu
Brown coal mining in Novaky coal field and influence on landscape structure, socio-economic development of Koš village and biodiversity of Koš wetlands
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Doc. PaedDr. David Stanislav, PhD.
Annotation: Nováky coal field mining is realised by Hornonitrianske bane Prievidza a. s., with mining prognosis up to 2020. Mining consequences are demonstrated by undermined area dropping, therefore it was included to Hornonitrianska endangered area. Majority of Koš village inhabitants was evicted. A new landscape phenomena are flooded depressions (the largest with the area 6 – 8 ha) with macrophytic vegetation – so-called Koš wetlands. Depressions are important for the surrounding agricultural landscape biodiversity. This is confirmed by preliminary results of vegetation, dragonfly and ornitofauna research. There will be landcape ecological and socio-economical aspects of Koš cadastre solved in suggested project. Importance of flooded depressions as a creating biodiversity centres in agricultural landscape will be evaluated by abiotic components field work (geology, soil, relief changes, hydrologic conditions and above-ground water quality) and by chosen biotic components (vegetation, dragonflies, amphibians, birds, small ground mammals). Historical and present landscape structure analysis and socio-economical potential analysis will be used for limits defining and for optimal use of Koš cadastre proposition.
Duration: 1.1.2007 - 1.12.2009
Zmena biodiverzity a štruktúry lesného ekosystému za 30 rokov: výskumná plocha Báb
Changes in the biodiversity asnd the structure of the forest ecosystem after 30 years: The research site of BAB
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Gajdoš Peter, CSc.
Annotation: The restoration of the ecosystem research in research site Báb represents the theme of the proposed project, aiming in resumption of research that was performed in this site in the framework of Interantional Biological Programme (IBP, 1967-1974) and Man and Biosphere Programme (MaB). Identification and evaluation of biodiversity, structure and ecological processes changes after more than 30 years is the main objective of the project. To the partial target belong: revitalisation of the research site and ecosystem research; re-establishment of research teams; detection of changes in selected parameters during more than 30 years; preparation of partial syntheses; and development of concept of complex long-term ecological research in this ILTER site. The research will be based on the functional ecology with accent to structure-functional and quantitatiev-ecological approach. Following fields will be studied primary production; animals and the secondary production; distribution of elements and substances in the ecosystem; soil complex and microbes; structure and dynamics of plant populations; landscape structure. The project should bring a new knowledge in all scientific disciplines included in the thematic fields.
Duration: 1.1.2007 - 1.12.2009