Mendel University in Brno (MENDELU) has become the main coordinator of a major international project focused on the protection and conservation of the narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), one of the most endangered tree species in Central and Southern Europe. In the Czech Republic, the project primarily targets South Moravia, including the recently established Soutok Protected Landscape Area.

Protecting a Key Floodplain Species
The narrow-leaved ash plays a vital role in floodplain forest ecosystems across the Danube basin. However, the species is facing severe threats due to invasive pathogens, changes in water regimes, declining fertility, and the spread of root rot. The potential introduction of invasive pests such as the ash borer further increases the risk to its survival.

According to Libor Jankovský, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology at MENDELU, the project responds to the urgent lack of scientifically backed recommendations for forest management and nature conservation. The initiative enables participating countries to share expertise and jointly address the decline of this commercially and ecologically important tree species.

Innovative Monitoring Through IoT Technology
A key component of the project is the establishment of an international dendrometric monitoring network using advanced IoT technology. Sensors known as dendrometers are being installed on selected trees across Europe to collect real-time data on tree growth and vitality.

“These sensors allow us to continuously assess tree health and evaluate the effectiveness of forestry practices,” explained Jan Světlík from the Institute of Forest Ecology. The collected data will support comparative analyses between different forest locations and contribute to sustainable forest management strategies.

From Research to Practical Forestry Solutions
The data gathered through monitoring will be used to develop a practical guide for identifying tolerant or resistant trees, supporting their reproduction, and establishing new plantations. The project also emphasizes cooperation with experienced forest managers, including Lesy České republiky, which brings long-term expertise from the Židlochovice Forest District.

The proposed establishment of a clonal orchard will further support the systematic collection of high-quality reproductive material, strengthening conservation efforts.

International Collaboration for Biodiversity Conservation
In addition to MENDELU, the project involves the Czech Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape Protection, Lesy České republiky, and research and application partners from Austria, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia.

The project’s outcomes will be directly applied in the Soutok Protected Landscape Area and may also serve as a model for other protected regions where ash species are under threat.

The recommendations developed through this project will help ensure that narrow-leaved ash remains a part of our floodplain forests for future generations,” concluded Vladan Riedl, Director of the Soutok Protected Landscape Area.