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Description
The project proposal is focused on the implementation of selected innovative measures in the pilot area of the Amálie. The measures implemented by the project are being developed within the Smart Landscape concept developed at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. The measures are aimed at supporting existing ecosystems and the development of biodiversity in the cultural landscape, negatively affected not only by agricultural but also by anthropogenic activities in general. In particular, it is a set of measures aimed at minimizing the erosion of agricultural land, water resources management taking into account climate change, support for the representation of trees in agricultural land as landscape elements (promoting non-production functions), concurrent tree cultivation, and agriculture in agroforestry systems (supporting tree production functions), improvement adaptation of the agricultural landscape to climate change, increasing biodiversity in agroecosystems, support for wetland ecosystems and floodplain biodiversity. Special attention is paid to measures on drainage systems to minimize their negative impacts on the deterioration of ecosystems and the loss of biodiversity. The submitted project expands the currently implemented innovative measures in Amalia pilot farm, intending to support their transferability in the conditions of the Czech Republic and more widely within the European landscape.
Summary of project results
The “Smart Landscape” project at the Amálie University Farm represents our innovative approach to addressing the impacts of climate change and promoting sustainable agriculture. This project, developed at the Czech University of Life Sciences (CZU), has become, over the course of three years, a model example of integrating modern technologies and scientific research into practice.
The importance of this project lies in its global significance. Amálie is one of the most closely monitored agricultural areas in the world and serves as an "open-air laboratory." Our goal is to observe the complex interactions between soil, water, climate, and organisms and find ways to mitigate the effects of climate change in the cultural landscape. We are also collaborating with partners from Israel, which gives the project an international dimension and allows us to use cutting-edge technologies, such as modern irrigation systems and a 5G network.
As part of the project, we have implemented a number of measures that contribute to sustainable farming. We have restored dysfunctional drainage systems and equipped them with features that now effectively retain water in the soil. We have created new irrigation systems, artificial wetlands, and flood prevention measures, and we have planted hundreds of trees and nectar-rich field strips that support biodiversity. Solar water-pumping systems, agroforestry planting, and hydrological modeling further improve our overall water management.
The main benefit of the project is the acquisition of comprehensive data on the state of the environment and the ability to monitor immediate responses to changes in the landscape. Thanks to dozens of sensors and measuring devices, we can precisely analyze hydrological and meteorological conditions and optimize irrigation or other measures in real time. Our findings will not only contribute to a better understanding of ecological processes but also to the development of precision farming and the successful management of risks such as droughts, floods, or soil erosion.
The project is also open to the public—visitors can explore our results through an educational trail equipped with interactive panels and QR codes, allowing them to take a closer look at this unique "laboratory" and better understand the importance of a sustainable approach to agriculture and natural resource conservation.