The Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences of the CZU Prague is involved in a project focused on adaptation of forests to climate change in the border regions of the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The project is characterised by an innovative approach, which consists in the application of close to nature solutions and measures. The main objective is to exploit the natural potential of forest ecosystems and their processes, with an emphasis on protecting and enhancing the uniqueness of the natural environment. The project is coordinated by the State Enterprise Forests of the Slovak Republic, other partners are the Slovak National Forest Centre, the Forests of the Czech Republic and the Czech University of Agriculture in Prague.
The project entitled "Close-to-nature solutions for adaptation of forests to climate change" (acronym: LESYpreKLÍMU, No. 403201DJP9) is implemented under the Interreg Slovakia-Czech Republic programme for two years. The total budget of the project amounts to € 1 551 816,73, of which the budget of CZU is € 200 110.
The project addresses the common challenges of adaptation to climate change and prevention of associated risks. "By drawing on the existing experience and expertise of partners from both research and practice, the project will contribute to addressing climate challenges at a transnational level. The project also includes the development of a joint adaptation strategy for forests on the Czech-Slovak border, the preparation of which represents our main professional contribution," adds Professor Marušák, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences at the CZU Prague.
The key activities of the project are the exchange of scientific and practical experience between the partners, the development of a forest adaptation strategy for the project area and the implementation of specific measures. The strategy includes forest management and water retention measures. The project will create four demonstration sites that will serve as pilot examples of the measures implemented.
The project was officially launched with an introductory field trip on 21–22 November 2024 at the Duchonka Forest Administration in western Slovakia. During this excursion, the participants were introduced to the project objectives, the locations of the measures and the planned research activities. The programme also included discussion and exchange of experiences between experts and other stakeholders.
"The LESYpreKLÍMU project is a unique example of multi-country cooperation of experts in addressing climate challenges. Through nature-based approaches and pilot measures, it brings concrete solutions that contribute to the long-term resilience of forest ecosystems in border areas. I am pleased that this project is not only a step towards nature conservation and mitigation of climate change impacts, but also an inspiration for other initiatives aimed at sustainable development and cooperation in the Central European region," said the project co-leader from the Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, CZU Prague, Assoc. Bílek.
