The focus of this course is mainly the mutual relationship between organisms and abiotic factors, and disturbance in forestry ecosystems. The course also emphasizes a systematic approach to understanding the mechanisms influencing the spatial distribution of organisms, dynamics of populations, flux and transformation of energy and mass. A forest, in this sense, is understood not only as a producer of wood, but also as an ecosystem with the ability to sustain a high level of biodiversity, to fulfil soil-preservation functions, bind and store carbon on a long-term basis, favourably influence the climate and water regime of the landscape, resist disturbance, and even restore itself spontaneously. At the same time, there is a focus on the ecosystem, which, due to climate change and incorrect management, may become highly sensitive to different types of stress and even lead to its disruption.

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The graduate of the PhD study programme in Forestry Ecology is a specialist capable of evaluating the condition and development trends of forest ecosystems under different circumstances. They are able to elaborate conceptual measures for improvement in the state of forest ecosystems and suggest optimum means of maintaining production and non-production functions of the forest. Similarly, the graduate is able to work at the level of landscape ecology, especially with a focus on ecological links and interaction in the forest, in European conditions as well as in other areas, e.g. in subtropical or tropical areas. The complete spectrum of knowledge and skills will enable the graduate to achieve qualified solutions to specific situations, not only from the point of view of the current situation, but also in terms of prediction of forest ecosystem development, with the aim of achieving economic and ecological benefits, and their implementation at the optimum moment of time. The course in Forestry Ecology links together the beauty of the forest and ecology in the landscape.

Admission requirements:

• original validation (nostrification) document on recognition of university education in the Czech Republic according to binding Czech regulations;
• curriculum vitae (structured, EUROPASS format preferred);
• copy of foreign diploma or a document in lieu of the foreign diploma;
• list of publications and other creative activities;
  outline of topic of dissertation thesis (aim, hypothesis, general overview of the issue – essential publications list, all within one A4 page);
• average grades during master's (engineering) studies;
• any other reference documents (references from an employer, a specialist in the field, evidence of traineeships, etc.).