RESEARCH PROJECTS
CURRENT PROJECTS
INTERNAL GRANT AGENCY (IGA)
Response of the soil environment to the calamitous decay of Norwegian spruce stands
Project summary
The aim of this project is to evaluate changes in the soil environment following the calamitous recent die-back of young spruce stands in lowland and upland sites due to bark-beetle infestation following droughts brought on by climate change. Under such conditions, it is important to monitor and evaluate changes in the soil environment as degraded soils could potentially influence forest habitat productivity. Analysis of changes in soil properties and processes will be implemented in four work packages (WP): WP1 - soil typology, WP2 - soil biology and biochemistry, WP3 - humus ratio and soil carbon content and WP4 - physical and hydrophysical properties. Each package has its own suite of hypotheses that complement each other overall. The study will take place on three research areas, each having three sub-comparison areas: (i) a healthy stand, (ii) a standing dry stand and (iii) a post-restoration area. Relationships established between the different soil environment components will be used to indicate processes of habitat change caused by the damaged spruce stands. Application of these relationships to wider areas, especially within forestry enterprises, will make it possible to estimate the extent of soil environment changes in forests after dry episodes and to project the results into possible proposals for cultivation measures.
Length of project: 2021–2023
NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AGENCY (NAZV)
Technical recommendations for water management within the forest transport network
Project summary
This project, in its entirety, responds to the research requirements of the Czech Ministry of Agriculture in the relation to “constructions for the fulfilment of forest functions and knowledge of the influence of forest roads and other routes for forest transport on the water regime in their vicinity”, the aim being to produce technical recommendations and standard (project) documentation for designing new, or modifying existing, forest transport network structures. The project itself will produce objective data on i) changes in the water regime before and during implementation of the proposed modifications, ii) changes in the form of erosion damage to forest land, iii) possibilities of increasing soil environment water retention, presently limited by the forest transport network, and iv) the response of trees and forest stands to implementation of the proposed construction modifications. In addition, we will quantify financial and non-financial benefits following the implementation of modification construction.
Length of project: 2022–2024
Project team
- Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague (principal researcher)
- Mendel University, Brno (project partner)
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS
Sustainable Resilient Ecosystem and Agriculture Management in Mongolia (STREAM)
Project summary
The STREAM (Sustainable Resilient Ecosystem and Agriculture Management in Mongolia) project is the largest MENDELU project in Mongolia to date. Implementation of the STREAM project is financially supported by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The project is being implemented under the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) development organisation and the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in cooperation with the Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET). MENDELU is leading a consortium of twelve institutions that will participate in the forestry part of the project led by GIZ. The aim of the project is to contribute to sustainable management in the Mongolian landscape by focusing on two key sectors, agriculture and forestry, with the ultimate goal of contributing to implementation of innovative and long-term sustainable landscape management principles, taking into account challenges associated with the local food system and climate change. MENDELU, in cooperation with GIZ, will concentrate on the forestry aspect, undertaking both research and education activities, including practical work. Ultimately, it is hoped that the knowledge and experience acquired will be implemented into legislation and forestry practice.
Length of project: 01/2021–04/2024
Project team
- United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
- Mendel University in Brno
COMPLETED PROJECTS
OP PIK – APPLICATION
Optimising treatment and processing of sludge from wastewater treatment plants in the production of growing substrates
Project summary
The project “Optimising treatment and processing of sludge from wastewater treatment plants in the production of growing substrates and their safe use” (reg. number CZ.01.1.02/0.0/0.0/20_321/0024778) was undertaken by the Department of Geology and Pedology at the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University. The aim of the project was to develop a certified methodology for processing sludge for use in two specific substrates, one for planting forest trees and the other for “greening” the urban landscape. Consequently, two prototype substrates were created protected by a utility model. The new proven technology developed included technology and procedures for using the waste sludge, and for recycling the nutrients contained in the sludge. Financial support for this project was provided by the European Union through the Operational Program “Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Competitiveness”. The project was implemented within the research and development capacities of Rašelina a.s. and Mendel University in Brno.
This project was co-financed by the European Union. Poster here.
Project outputs
TECHNOLOGY AGENCY OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC
Geodiversity within the city: perception, function, potential (ÉTA Program)
Project summary
The aim of this project was to evaluate and present the potential of geodiversity in the urban environment in terms of tourism, recreation and education and the protection and sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage. Furthermore, the project will promote geodiversity and its importance in urban spaces through promotional materials and audiovisual presentations and provide specific proposals for the rational and sustainable use of such geological features for tourism, recreational and educational. The project will focus on the design of geotourism trails as a tool for presenting natural and cultural heritage within cities, and workshops focused on the role of geodiversity in urban spaces.
Length of project: 01/2019–12/2021
Project number: TL02000219
Project team
- Mendel University, Brno (project leader)
- ARCHAIA Brno z.ú. (project partner)
- Technical university in Liberec (project partner)
- Institute of Geonics, Czech Academy of Sciences (project partner)
Project outputs:
- Brno centre Geotrail
- Geotourism map of the city of Brno
- 700 million years under our feet
- Geotourism activities in Liberec
Supporting the functional diversity of soil organisms by applying classic and modified stable organic matter to maintain the soil’s productive properties
Project summary
The goal of this project was to improve ecological and economic aspects of agricultural production through by supporting the functional diversity of soil organisms through the application of stable organic materials, primarily activated biochar and digestate, after having eliminated any potential negative effects on the soil. In doing so, the project will improve soil properties, support functional diversity, improve soil fertility and increase soil carbon stocks.
Project number: TH03030319
Length of project: 04/2018 – 03/2022
Project team
- Mendel University, Brno (project leader)
- Agroyzukum Rapotín s.r.o. (project partner)
- Agricultural Society Sloveč, a.s. (project partner)
- Agricultural research, spol. s.r.o. (project partner)
Growing maize for grain in a managed mixed culture system using clovers
Project summary
The goal of this project was to increase the efficiency of maize (Zea mays) grain production through a controlled mixed culture system using clovers. Experimental plots will be used to refine methodological procedures enabling the introduction of the method into agricultural practice.
Project number: TH03030236
Project TH03030236 was undertaken with financial support from the Technological Agency of the Czech Republic (TAČR).
Length of project: 01/2018 – 12/2021
Project team
- Agricultural research, spol. s.r.o. (project leader)
- P & L, spol. s.r.o. (project partner)
- Zemědělská společnost Devět křížů, a.s. (project partner)
- Mendel University, Brno (project partner)
Using the technology of growing maize in a mixed culture to produce silage usable in a biogas plant
Project summary
It is envisioned that the growing of maize (Zea mays) as a mixed culture with clover will i) be more economically advantageous and significantly more environmentally friendly than present systems, ii) will support the use of a renewable resource (biogas), iii) allow cultivation of one of the most important energy crops, maize, in a more environmentally friendly way.
Project number: TH02030681
Length of project: 01/2017 – 12/2020
Project team
- Agricultural research, spol. s.r.o. (project leader)
- agriKomp Bohemia, spol. s.r.o. (project partner)
- Mendel University, Brno (project partner)
The effect of applying biologically transformed organic matter and biochar on the stability of the productive properties of soils and the reduction of environmental risks
Project summary
The goal of this project was to i) experimentally verify and quantitatively define the best methods for applying biologically transformed organic matter (BTOH), i.e. manure fertilisers and biochar, ii) to provide recommendations for agricultural practice regarding optimal dosage, and iii) to increase and stabilise the soil’s production properties and its biodiversity while reducing any environment risks.
Project number: TH02030169
Project TH02030169 was undertaken with financial support from the Technological Agency of the Czech Republic (TAČR).
Length of project: 01/2018 – 12/2021
Project team
- Agricultural research, spol. s.r.o. (project leader)
- P & L, spol. s.r.o. (project partner)
- Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague (project partner)
- Sloveč Agricultural Society, a.s. (project partner)
- Z E P O BÚLOHRAD a.s. (project partner)
- Agricultural and commercial cooperative SLEZSKÁ DUBINA (project partner)
- Mendel University, Brno (project partner)
City parks as quality social and natural environment for life
Project summary
This project aimed to quantify traffic pollution and its perception by citizens in selected parks in Brno
by:
- Analysing soil and biomass pollution
- Taking seasonal measurements of air pollution
- Quantifying traffic in the neighbourhood
- Assessing the subjective perceptions of pollution by visitors, the degree of significance of real x perceived pollution, emotional reasons for visiting parks, and the importance of parks for life
- Assessing actual park attendance
- Evaluating the historical development of the park
Cross-comparisons of these variables will provide a multidisciplinary view linking environmental and social aspects that will enable us to produce results that could not be achieved through isolated research projects. The results obtained will be applied in partnership with the application partner, the Czech Ministry of Agriculture.
Project number: TL01000286
Length of project: 06/2018 – 5/2021
Project team
- Mendel University, Brno (project leader)
- Czech Centre for Transport Research (project partner)
- Masaryk University, Brno (project partner)
- ARCHAIA Brno z. u. (project partner)
Determining vertical mobility of heavy metals in forest soils as a basis for optimising tree composition to reduce the risk of transfer to edible mushrooms
Project annotation:
The aim of this project was to verify the hypothesis that the Czech Republic’s two main economic tree species, Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), influence the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil, enabling its spread within the soil profile and into fungi. Among other things, the proposed interdisciplinary and multi-institutional project was designed to allow the public to identify potentially risky areas for mushroom heavy metal contamination and to present proposals for adjusting forestry management that would help improve environmental quality in locations with known heavy metal pollution. The project represented a necessary step towards further research into measures aimed at reducing the level of environmental contamination by heavy metal emission fallout.
Project number: TJ02000128
Length of project: 06/2019 – 5/2021
Project team
- Mendel University, Brno (project leader)
- Brno University of Technology (project partner)
- Forest Management and Hunting Research Institute (project partner)
- Archbishop’s Forests and Estates s.r.o, Olomouc.
NATIONAL AGENCY FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (NAZV)
Possibilities for increasing soil and landscape water retention capacity under climate change conditions
Project summary
The main goal of this project was to design and verify methods and tools for evaluating and quantifying soil and the landscape retention capacity. The resultant data and methods would aid in the design of complex adaptation measures for improving water management efficiency and soil and landscape water retention, taking into account the increasing trend of hydrometeorological extremes (drought, torrential rainfall) and soil property degradation.
Project number: QK1720303
Length of project: 02/2017 – 12/2019
Project team
- Brno University of Technology (project leader)
- Palacký University in Olomouc (project partner)
- Mendel University, Brno (project partner)
- Research Institute of Land Reclamation and Protection (project partner)
INTERNAL GRANT AGENCY (IGA)
Evaluation of the effect of chronic accumulation of highly mineralised groundwater on the chemistry of the ecosystem and the character of the herbaceous vegetation of a floodplain forest
Project summary
The goal of this project was to map and describe floodplain forest salinisation, a unique European phenomenon, at the Plačkův floodplain forest Nature Reserve (PR Plačkův les), the hydrogeological regime of which has been affected by the inflow of highly mineralised groundwater from sediments of the Carpathian foreland (Bedřichův forest). We also determined soil loading levels, surface water retention and woody plant assimilation of sulphates, chlorides, iron, sodium and manganese, and compared these with an unaffected control site, and evaluated forest soil microbial activity and compared this with that at Bedřichův forest. Next, we determined the reaction of the phytocenosis to the altered habitat conditions and evaluated the effect of high soil mineralisation on herbaceous species composition using botanical mapping, with an emphasis on salinity indicator species. Finally, we assessed the risks of ongoing soil salinisation on the PR Plačkův les ecosystem in relation to changes in the hydrological cycle related to climate change and set out proposals for suitable forestry management.
Length of project: 2019 – 2021
Project outputs:
Valtera M., Volánek J., Holík L., Pecina V., Novotná J., Slezák V., Juřička D (2021) The Influence of Forest Management and Changed Hydrology on Soil Biochemical Properties in a Central-European Floodplain Forest. Forests, in press.
Determining vegetation protection factors for calculating forest soil erosion ratios
Project summary
The proposed project focused on determining factors defining the protective influence of vegetation, used for calculating potential erosion in forests at two sites in the Training Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny (ŠLP Masarykův les Křtiny). The factor values gained through these pedological and phytocenological investigations were then transformed onto a 0-1 scale, these transformed factors then being used to calculate potential erosion ratios. The results were then compared with calculations based on present procedures and principles. The calculation methodology is designed for use in monitoring and predicting erosion threats and providing anti-erosion protection for forest soils.
Length of project: 02/2017 – 12/2018
Project outputs:
The factor calculation methodology was published in an impacted professional journal.
Perception and assessment of geodiversity in the context of non-living nature conservation
Project summary
The goal of this project was to assess how geodiversity is perceived and evaluated by the wider public (i.e. not exclusively professional), whether they perceive geodiversity at all, whether they see any point in its protection and what potential, in their opinion, geodiversity has for human society. The results of the project were used as a basis for landscape protection planning, for the creation of geotourism and geoeducation activities related to landscape protection, and for widening and strengthening the importance and acceptance of geodiversity by the public. The project was unique and innovative in this respect and provided valuable data on the perception of geodiversity by non-experts that can be applied in future nature protection measures (e.g. VKP, ÚSES).
Length of project: 02/2018 – 12/2018