The Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology (LDF) MENDELU and University Forest Enterprise hosted the first Summer School of the Horizon Europe project EXCELLENTIA, focused on forest ecosystem research and structural changes in sustainable research and innovation. Fifteen students and young academics from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Serbia participated in the event.
The central part of the programme was situated in the University Forest Enterprise Masaryk Forest Křtiny (ŠLP Křtiny). “The diversity of the local stands allowed us to sample in different soil and microclimatic conditions. This diversity affects root growth dynamics and symbiotic relationships with soil fungi. We subsequently used the collected intact soil samples to classify and image roots, emphasising morphotyping of ectomycorrhizal root tips. Other parts of the summer school included genetic analyses of soil fungal diversity, which revealed the species richness and structure of fungi in different habitats of the university’s forest enterprise, “ described Pavlína Pancová Šimková.
The diverse natural conditions of the Mendel University forests also offered scientists valuable background for discussions on the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on root systems. This provided students with a holistic view of the influence of these factors, which is essential for a better understanding of how forest ecosystems respond to changing conditions, for example, in the context of climate change. “Participants included experienced young scientists who deepened their knowledge in the laboratory and during the sample collection. The practical part of the summer school interested them the most. They could try working with a root scanner and different microscopes and extracting DNA from the soil they collected during the field trip. These are all techniques they can use further in their work and studies,” said Aneta Bačová, one of the Summer School organisers.
“The Summer School, the course called The Hidden Half of Ecosystem, is part of the educational activities of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology. The course will be organised in an annual cycle within the EXCELLENTIA project, and the date for 2025 will be published on the project website at the beginning of next year,” concluded Alena Šamonilová from the EXCELLENTIA team.
Morphotyping is classifying organisms based on their morphological characteristics (appearance characteristics). Ectomycorrhizal root tips are structures at the ends of plant roots where ectomycorrhizal symbiosis occurs. Ectomycorrhiza is a symbiotic relationship between predominantly stem-rot fungi and woody plants. The fungi obtain organic matter from the plant, while the plants benefit from a better soil uptake of minerals and water. In ectomycorrhiza, the fungus remains in the intercellular spaces of the roots, forming an intricate hyphae network.
The event was held within the project EXCELLENTIA, receiving funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe. Views and opinions expressed are those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
