Ecosystem Services and Green Infrastructure (ESaZI)

The common subject of research for team members is the issue of mapping ecosystems, landscape structure, and processes as a basis for assessing the capacity to provide ecosystem services and create elements of green infrastructure in the landscape as well as in urban systems. Mapping is based on traditional and the latest remote sensing data (aerial, laser, and satellite data), and data collection in the field is carried out using state-of-the-art instruments, with the results of measurements processed using geoinformation technologies. The research focuses on the assessment of regulatory (climatic and hydrological) ecosystem services based on the analysis of abiotic characteristics of the landscape, measurement of physical parameters of the environment, and subsequent modeling of natural hazards in GIS, especially in relation to land use changes and climate change. The research results can be used for mitigation and adaptation measures resulting from climate change. The results of scientific and research activities are regularly published in scientific journals and presented at international scientific conferences at home and abroad. Team members collaborate with practitioners and provide consulting and research services for protected area administrations, self-governing regions and municipalities, as well as for the business sector and non-profit organizations.

The team is balanced in terms of age structure (average age 48) and professional focus. Young researchers and doctoral students under the guidance of team members achieve exceptional results even in the early stages of their research careers. The team has built a significant scientific school, and the work of their doctoral students is published in journals indexed in the CC, WOS, and Scopus databases. Several team members are scientists with numerous citations of their publications in the field of environmental sciences, many of which were produced through international collaboration. Team members have published 75 papers registered in the Web of Science database, which have received 1,660 citations and 1,590 citations without self-citations. The average citation impact per paper in the Web of Science database is 22.13, and the H-index of the entire team is 15. Team members generate and publish research results in collaboration with experts from abroad who also work in other scientific fields (forestry, agriculture, landscaping and spatial planning, etc.). International and interdisciplinary research enables a comprehensive approach to ecosystem services issues. Team members have participated in European projects (Center of Excellence for Decision Support in Forest and Landscape, INTEGRAL, HYSPED, CHARMED, ENVIHEALTH), the creation of strategic partnerships (FEAL, TRANSFARM), regularly lead projects funded by domestic grant agencies, and provide research and education in line with the objectives of the UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Network platform.