What exciting projects are lined up for the conference? Get ready for a burst of innovation and inspiration!
Video recording of the conference (English)
Download the conference program: Conference 4.6.2024 – Ecosystems and biodiversity
Czech version: Konference 4. 6. – Ekosystémy a biodiverzita
- Innovation and application of the method of incubation of eggs of endangered fish and lamprey species in the environment of maternal streams/University of Ostrava
In our project, we focus on the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems. The project is related to the research project entitled: „The development of the methodology for the incubation of the selected salmon species and the innovation of the fish egg incubation boxes“ (TJ02000229), funded by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic. This project finishes in May 2021, and the main outputs are the methodology, which is unique in its ability to support and restore the rheophilic fish population directly in the natural river habitat and to assess the potential risks for selected species caused by the impact of climate and land use change. The receipt of funding for this project leads to further innovation of the methodology for other species such as Common barbel, Vimba vimba, Common nase, Ide, and lampreys. The project is proposed for 26 months (1.3.2022 – 30.4.2024), and there are four institutions involved in delivering the project outputs, which helps to share good practice with Norway and Great Britain. The incubation is held in ten selected localities in the Czech Republic and is actively supported by local fish communities, non-governmental organizations, and nature protection authorities.
- Nature-friendly fisheries management as a tool for protecting valuable pond ecosystems/ENKI o.p.s.
The main purpose of this project is to protect the fishpond ecosystem in nature protection areas and to combine nature conservation with sustainable fish management not only for professional fishing companies. We are proving alternative fish management and its sustainability on our own and partner ponds. This type of management fully meets the criteria of good functioning and biologically rich ecosystems. The process of alternative fish management provides a great opportunity to reproduce and release different species of fish back to their original habitats. This increases the impact of this project on the protection of ecosystems and regional species diversity of fish.
Presentation: Nature-friendly fisheries management as a tool for protecting valuable pond ecosystems
- Floating islands – support of biodiversity and water quality/Czech Society for Ornitology – South Moravian Brench
In the past, several projects have been implemented to support the breeding of the Common tern in South Moravia, particularly through the installation of wooden floating platforms and the care of natural islands in reservoirs. Our organization has been systematically working on the protection of this species since 2008. The aim of this project is to prepare more technically suitable and resistant islands that are more sustainable and safer. This ensures even more effective protection not only of this animal species. In addition, as part of the innovation, floating islands with living vegetation are being created, which will create more suitable conditions for baby birds. At the same time, vegetation platforms support nutrient reduction in highly eutrophic pond waters, create shelter for fish, and provide alternative habitat for other species. They can serve as nesting habitats for other bird species. This is an innovation that has not been tested in practice before, making this project unique.
Presentation: Floating islands – support of biodiversity and water quality
- Application of innovative procedures in the eradication of invasive crayfish in the Czech Republic/T. G. Masaryk Water Management Research Institute
The aim of the project is the practical verification of new results from applied research aimed at controlling and eradicating non-native crayfish species. The sub-objectives of the project are as follows: to carry out interventions against populations of non-native crayfish species in six selected sites of watercourses and reservoirs; to test the feasibility of the proposed measures in practice and thus provide an example of good practice for watercourse managers, waterworks owners, and nature conservation authorities; to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed regulatory and eradication interventions to control the population of non-native crayfish species; to improve the quality of the aquatic ecosystem and the conditions for the object of protection by reducing or eliminating the impact of non-native crayfish species by implementing measures at selected sites; and to communicate the experience of designing and implementing measures among domestic and foreign project partners, government, professionals, and the general public.
Presentation: Application of innovative procedures in the eradication of invasive crayfish
- Estonia: Prevention and control of non-indigenous species of crayfish in Estonian freshwaters/Estonian University of Life Sciences
The establishment and increase in abundance, distribution, and persistence of aquatic invasive species (AIS) is a source of concern in Estonia. The spread of AIS can have great ecological impacts on native communities and habitats. Our project “Eradication of aquatic invasive species in Estonian freshwaters” was funded through The European Economic Area (EEA) grants “Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption” call I “Ecosystem resilience increased”. The main goal of this project is to help protect and restore native communities’ resilience to climate change by eradicating and controlling the spread of AIS.
Presentation: Prevention and controle of non-indigenous species of crayfish in Estonian freshwaters
- Be plant wise, do not support invasive species/Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
Plant invasions are now considered one of the main threats to biodiversity worldwide. Horticulture, especially botanical and castle gardens, is considered the main source of invasive plant species. Native ornamental plants make up a high percentage of the European flora. In the Czech Republic, 54% of all plant species are of this type. Some of these taxa then spread uncontrollably into the wild and become dangerous and unwelcome aliens. Well-known examples are the hogweed, knotweeds, and Himalayan balsam. In addition to the loss of biodiversity, invasive species also cause changes in nutrient and moisture conditions in natural ecosystems. Specially protected areas of nature, such as nature reserves or Natura 2000, are at risk. Invasive species also often contain toxic or allergenic substances that affect human health. The aspect of introducing new species into ornamental crops is not yet emphasized in horticultural practice in the Czech Republic— invasive species are still commercially widespread. Therefore, it is advisable to highlight the issue of cultivation and spread of invasive species and influence horticultural practice to favor species that do not exhibit invasive behavior. The project is inspired by campaigns in Australia and New Zealand (Plant/Grow Me Instead) and the UK (Be Plant Wise, Plant Alert) which motivate gardeners to change their attitude towards invasive species. Given the different environmental and social conditions in the Czech Republic, the campaign needs to be adapted to local conditions. A local range of species to be grown is compiled, a list of safe alternatives is compiled, safe alternatives are planted, distributed, and shown in plantations.
Presentation: Grow safely – do not support invasive species
- Elimination of invasive species in practice/Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
The influence of invasive alien species on natural ecosystems is recognized as one of the major threats to biodiversity. Biodiversity decreases due to changes in the structural and functional characteristics of particular ecosystems. These changes are often irreversible, and their influence can be mainly observed in rare and endangered types of habitats protected as nature reserves or localities of European importance. The project objective is the elimination of invasive alien plant species (IAS) spreading by the application of Methodological Approaches of the Ministry of the Environment CZ. The monitoring of the IAS is applied where the monitoring and rapid IAS control will protect the site. The effectiveness of IAS control is applied at localities of IAS massive presence. Application of the methodologies is used as illustrative examples of a formalized approach to nature protection.
Presentation: Elimination of invasive species in practise
- Regional seed mixtures as an effective tool for protecting the diversity of grassland habitats/Czech Union for Nature Conservation
The project focuses on the restoration of damaged meadows and the establishment of new species-rich lawns using two innovative methods. The support for the use of regional seed mixtures across the Czech Republic contributes to increasing or maintaining the diversity of localities of conservation value as well as agricultural and anthropogenic habitats, thus improving the state of the Czech landscape. The development of the Database of Donor Grassland Sites facilitates the planning of seed harvesting by machines. It also helps the development of the green hay transfer method, which has more complex logistics (demanding timing of biomass transfer). Moreover, it leads to deeper cooperation between universities in the Czech Republic and abroad (project partners), the non-profit sector, professional companies, farmers, and state institutions.
Presentation: Regional seed mixtures
- Implementation of floating green islands to improve nesting conditions for waterfowl and strengthen the biodiversity of pond ecosystems/Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
Intensively managed fishponds are considered the most important breeding habitat for waterbirds as nesting sites and for rearing young. In recent decades, environmental change (including climate change) has deeply impacted waterbirds’ population dynamics. Most key drivers of population change, such as reproductive success, are strongly affected by environmental conditions at the breeding sites. Importantly, the lack of suitable nesting sites leads to competition for this critical resource. In this context, this project aims to increase the ecological value of man-made wetlands (mainly fishponds and post-mining water reservoirs) by creating new suitable nesting sites and enhancing the ecological conditions of fishponds to meet the breeding requirements of a group of selected waterbird species (ducks, gulls, and terns) of interest. The intervention proposed in this project consists of implementing floating artificial islands in intensively managed fishponds through Nature-Based Solutions. These islands directly provide space for waterbirds to breed on and enhance the entire local ecosystem by supporting macrophyte vegetation and providing suitable habitat for the development of other freshwater organisms.
Presentation: Implementation of floating green islands to improve nesting conditions
- Slovakia: Wetlands for Life and Prosperity: Restoring a Ramsar Site in the Alluvium of the Morava River/Green Foundation
The consortium team partnered with local landowners who decided to dedicate abandoned meadows and extensively used agricultural land to restore local wetland ecosystems. We want to believe that this positive precedent will support other landowners in the region to restore wetlands or switch to ecological and sustainable agriculture. Our common vision is to create a place suitable for relaxation and education about the importance of local wetlands. A place with rich biodiversity, full of synergies with other projects and activities in the vicinity, with a positive impact on residents and tourists. When planning the educational trail, we also think about people with autism spectrum disorders, for whom the sidewalk will be „friendly“.
Presentation: Wetlands for life and prosperity
Presentation: NINA – Norwegian partner of the project
- MOSPREMA: Prediction and management of mosquito calamities for biodiversity conservation in floodplain forests/Palacky University Olomouc
The essence of the project is to use modern geo-information methods and current knowledge to create new procedures for integrated management to minimize annually recurring calamitous mosquito populations, with special attention to the conservation of biodiversity in Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area (PLA). The project’s objectives follow the State Environmental Policy of the Czech Republic 2030 with a view to 2050, as well as the Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Czech Republic. An advanced landscape model, created using continuously updated sensor and image data, concentrates and evaluates knowledge about the landscape, records planned and implemented interventions, and predicts the state of the territory in terms of the risk of calamity. With the precautionary principle in mind, the concentration of larvicides is reduced. The application of larvicides is more precise, thereby significantly reducing the input of foreign substances into the floodplain forest habitat. The selective application maintains the necessary presence of mosquitoes in the floodplain forest ecosystem. They are part of the food chain for many important organisms (fish, birds, bats). The decrease of this group can lead to a significant impact on the life cycle of associated predators and other organisms. With developed management, it is possible to control calamity conditions according to strategic documents. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology partner helps implement contemporary knowledge about the Citizen Science approach and brings valuable experience in developing a prediction model responding to climate change.
- Pilot farm Amalia – application of the Smart Landscape concept/ Czech University of Life Sciences Prague
The project proposal focuses on the implementation of selected innovative measures in the pilot area of Amálie. The measures implemented by the project are developed within the Smart Landscape concept at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. The measures aim to support existing ecosystems and develop biodiversity in the cultural landscape, negatively affected by agricultural and other anthropogenic activities. In particular, these measures aim to minimize the erosion of agricultural land, manage water resources considering climate change, support the representation of trees in agricultural land as landscape elements (promoting non-production functions), and integrate tree cultivation with agriculture in agroforestry systems (supporting tree production functions). They also aim to improve the adaptation of the agricultural landscape to climate change, increase biodiversity in agroecosystems, and support wetland ecosystems and floodplain biodiversity. Special attention is given to measures on drainage systems to minimize their negative impacts on ecosystem deterioration and biodiversity loss. The project expands the currently implemented innovative measures in the Amálie pilot farm, intending to support their transferability within the Czech Republic and more broadly within the European landscape.
Presentation – Pilot farm Amalia
- Kosteliska: bird parks as a tool for biodiversity protection/Czech Society for Ornitology – South Moravian Brench
The goal of the project is to use traditional agricultural methods such as grazing or mowing to start effective care of the area and boost a wide selection of habitats ranging from the pond itself, the pond banks, wet meadows, and wetlands to dry sandy low hills. The principal activities of the project include the suppression of invasive plant species and setting up cattle grazing. In some places, slight landscape adjustments take place to achieve flooding of certain areas or to enhance biodiversity and support the elimination of invasive species. Although birds are considered the priority species of the project, it aims to influence the area so that there are the most favorable conditions for a broad spectrum of plants and animals. Further activities focus on finding environmentally friendly ways to open the bird park for visitors (both residents and nature-loving tourists). The anticipated outcome of the project is a significant improvement to the state of the area, including the suppression of invasive and expansive species, the expansion of naturally valuable habitats, the establishment of suitable care for the territory, and raising greater awareness of the protected area.
Presentation: Kosteliska – bird park
