Project number: CH-V2-36
Project title: Non-native and Invasive Species in Changing Forests: the Need to Understand Both Risks and Opportunities
Biological invasions are among the most serious threats to the biodiversity and stability of forest ecosystems. Although non-native tree species are increasingly promoted as a forest management response to climate change, and non-native pest species continue to spread, the forestry community does not yet adequately recognise the associated invasion risks. This project aims to bridge that gap by raising awareness among forestry practitioners, providing evidence-based recommendations for the responsible use of non-native species, and developing management practices to limit their spread in forests.
The project covers non-native and invasive species across taxonomic groups: trees, herbs and shrubs, insects, fungal pathogens, and aquatic organisms. It builds on collaboration with a Swiss partner (WSL), whose experience with non-native tree cultivation serves as a model of good practice. Through the Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre, the project will be situated within the global and European context of non-native species spread.
Project outputs are aimed primarily at forestry practitioners, but also at policymakers and educational institutions.
Project team
Provider: Ministry of the Environment
Programme: Sustainable Tourism and Enhancing Biodiversity Programme financed by the Second Swiss Contribution of Swiss-Czech Cooperation Programme
Project coordinator: Czech University of Life Sciences Prague – Faculty of the Environment
Partners: Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre Prague, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences CZU, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources CZU
Project leader: doc. Ing. Kateřina Berchová, Ph.D.
Consultant: Thomas Wohlgemuth, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), Switzerland
Contact person: Ing. Kateřina Mikešová
Project duration: 13.4.2026 – 31.10.2028
Total project budget: 4 999 086 CZK
Project budget of FZP: 4 999 086 CZK
Key outputs
- Catalogue of model invasive species (trees, herbs, insects, pathogens, aquatic organisms) with risk assessments of spread and ecosystem impacts
- Practical guidelines for site selection and silvicultural measures to reduce invasive spread of non-native tree species
- Management and organisational practices for invasive insects and fungal pathogens in forest environments
- Practitioner-oriented articles in Czech forestry outlets and peer-reviewed publications in international scientific journals
- Awareness campaign and workshops for forestry practitioners, in cooperation with forestry organisations and secondary forestry schools
- Educational materials for forest pedagogy and environmental education for schools and families