Projects

International

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
Emerald Balkan - Posilnenie účasti krajín západného Balkánu na práci Európskej environmentálnej agentúry 2020- 2021
Strengthening the participation of the Western Balkans in the work of the European Environment Agency 2020- 2021
Program: Other
Project leader: RNDr. Halada Ľuboš, CSc.
Annotation: The six Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia have ratified the Bern Convention and consequently have to select Emerald sites and to forward complete Standard Data Form for every protected area. Setting-up the Emerald Network at national level is considered as one of the main tools for the Contracting Parties to comply with their obligations under the Bern Convention.The overall project objectives of the project are to support and to facilitate the mobilization of SDF databases followed by submission to the Bern Convention via the Reportnet’s Central Data Repository by Western Balkan countries. In hands-on workshops for each Western Balkan Country, representatives of national or regional nature conservation administration as well as scientific are working together, supported by the project team, to mobilize and update the Emerald database. The project should improve also taxonomic consistency and consistency in interpretation of habitat types in reporting between the Resolution N° 6 (1998) of the Bern Convention and the annexes of the Nature Directives (Habitats Directive and Birds Directive.
Duration: 2.12.2021 - 31.12.2021
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

National

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
Demetra - Hodnotenie novodobých zmien a vývojových trendov poľnohospodárskej krajiny Slovenska (Demetra)
Assessment of recent changes and trends in agricultural landscape of Slovakia (Demetra)
Program: SRDA
Project leader: RNDr. Halada Ľuboš, CSc.
Annotation: The project responds to insufficiently known consequences of the current rapid and extensive changes of agricultural landscape (AL). The aim is to evaluate the extent and distribution of the recent changes in the AL use in Slovakia after r. 1990, their trends and impacts on main functions and depending ecosystem services. The project is based on the DPSIR concept that evaluates environmental context of human activities in the form of a causal chain, following the causes, conditions and consequences. The main original features of the project is a comprehensive approach with the analysis and evaluation of natural and socio-economic factors, with emphasis of internationally established indicators use, analysis of trends and formulation of possible future scenarios, interconnection of multiple spatial levels, the combination of analytical procedures with empirical knowledge and stakeholder involvement.The project is planned for 48 months (07/2018-06/2022). It will develop special methods, procedures and indicators to be applied at national level and in local case studies in all major types of AL. In addition to scientific contribution, the project will also propose measures, tools and procedures for decision-making and planning of the sustainable use of AL.
Duration: 1.8.2018 - 30.6.2022
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
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