Book Applied ecology by Jan Frouz and Jaroslava Frouzova, published in Czech by Karolinum Press, Charles University, has been published in English by Springer. The book discusses specialized aspects of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, addresses how provisioning food and renewable resources shapes our planet and offers an accessible reference on ecological principles for students,...
A new Open Access book "Measuring Emission of Agricultural Greenhouse Gases and Developing Mitigation Options using Nuclear and Related Techniques" was published by Springer in the beginning of 2021. On of the 41 co-authors was prof. Miloslav Šimek from the Institute of Soil Biology, Biology Centre CAS.
The theme of the United Nations World Soil Day on 5th December 2020 is "Keep soil alive, Protect soil biodiversity". Soil scientists of the Biology Centre CAS are joining this year's appeal of the Day, since the appeal is closely correlated with their research results. It is therefore no coincidence that one of their papers was highlited by the Soil Biology & Biochemistry journal as an example...
The article in Biological Reviews highlights the importance of ants and termites for ecosystem processes and summarize the available literature about the interactions between these two insect groups. Predatory ants seems to be able to regulate termite populations and thus affect decomposition of plant-derived organic matter.
For 40 years (1979 - 2019), we have been engaged in soil research. The Institute of Soil Biology is part of the Biology Centre, one of the major institutions of the Czech Academy of Sciences . We apply our knowledge systematically to different branches of soil biology from the level of single molecules up to the entire ecosystems. Through this we hope to get an insight into this complex living...
The increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotic drugs is one of the major challenges facing human and veterinary medicine in the 21st century. Both research and practice recognize that antibiotic resistance (ATB-r) is a complex environmental and evolutionary problem, demanding a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in ATB-r spreading in the environment.
Tree species with high amounts of nitrogen, and low amounts of calcium and poorly decomposable compounds (e.g., lipids, lignin) in their root tissue increase the stability of carbon (C) stored in soil.
Soil is an amazing organ of the planet, all living creatures die one day and they become completely recycled for future uses. Only thanks to this constant recycling can our body can consist of the same atoms as the bodies of dinosaurs and other ancient creatures. Soils, or specifically soil organisms, represent the most important recycling station in the earth.
Soils play a key role in climate regulation, nutritious diets, agricultural livelihoods, and biodiversity. But soils have dropped down the EU policy agenda, despite their importance for society and nature. There are many opportunities for policy to safeguard the future of Europe’s soils and play its part in reversing global trends in soil degradation, says a new report of EASAC. One of the...
At the end of June 2017, Václav Pižl finished the second term of office in the position of the Director of the Institute of Soil Biology. The leading of the Institute he handed over to his successor and current deputy, Karel Tajovský, but he will continue to research in the field of soil zoology focused on biology and ecology of earthworms.
