Forest Ecosystems Dynamics Research Group

Ing. Rastislav Janík, PhD.

Research Group Head

Areas of research

The department is engaged in studying of the dynamics of ecological processes in forest ecosystems, biology and ecology of native and non-native animals associated with tree species in forest ecosystems, relying on an ecosystem approach. The main areas of research are:

  • Revitalization processes of woods in forest ecosystems in relation to the emission pollution and also to ongoing climate change
  • Mycocoenological and phytopathological research of temperate forest ecosystems
  • Phenological response of selected forest species (woods and herbs) on changing environmental conditions
  • The analysis of temporal-spatial dynamics of nutrient content, risk elements and energy in a soil and plant biomass
  • The study of the translocation of selected risk and toxic elements in the soil-plant system and the risk of contamination of food chains
  • The evaluation of productivity, energy and succession processes of plant species as a condition for preserving their biodiversity
  • Spatial and temporal changes in assemblages and communities of animals in forests modified by different intensity of natural disturbances and anthropogenic factors. Long-term dynamic of bark beetle (Coleoptera, Scolytinae) in mountain spruce forests disturbed by the wind and/or other abiotic factors.
  • Potential of insects, birds and mammals as indicators of local and global changes in forest ecosystems.

Objectives

  • To explore the ability of forest ecosystem to self-revitalize after removal or reduction of emissions from emission source
  • To clarify the impact of changing environmental conditions on the growth and production processes of woody forest ecosystems
  • To identify changes in mycoflora and determine the phytopathological manifestations of temperate zone forest trees affected by ongoing anthropogenic activity
  • To evaluate the phenological response of selected forest trees and herbs to the global changes of the environment over the last 20 years
  • To develop a model of temporal-spatial dynamics of nutrient content, risk elements (e.g. Heavy metal content, ozone concentration, sulfur deposition) and energy in soil and plant biomass
  • To identify current translocation values ​​(transfer coefficients) of selected risk and toxic elements in a soil-plant system and potential contamination of food chains
  • To determine the model values ​​of combustion heat of basic components (wood, bark, needles) of above-ground dendromass in selected forest tree species
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