Project Leader

Katka studied landscape architecture and currently focuses on the potential and use of hemiparasitic plants. Plants have always been both her work and her passion. In her work, she combines knowledge and approaches from horticultural practice with basic botanical research. This led to the interdisciplinary project PannFlora, which she leads.

Event and PR manager

Martin studied Ecology and Environmental Protection at Palacký University in Olomouc, followed by a PhD in Botany at Masaryk University. He is passionate about nature, landscapes — even urban ones — and seeks ways to protect and use them sensitively and respectfully. He considers public outreach and communication an inseparable part of nature conservation.

Management of pilot sites

Tamara studied plant ecology at the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, where she focused on native orchid species, their ecology, and their relationships with mycorrhizal fungi. At Masaryk University, she is currently working mainly on the use of hemiparasitic plants in ecological restoration. She is passionate about nature even in her free time, participating in the Brontosaurus environmental association and leading a nature club for children. Within the PannFlora project, she is responsible for managing pilot plots sown with regional seed mixtures.

Use of brush harvester, restoration ecology

Luboš works at Masaryk University. He focuses on plant ecology and nature restoration in areas disturbed by mining. He chairs the non-profit organisation Pozemkový spolek Hády, which has been professionally restoring dry grasslands in South Moravia for 25 years. After many years organising hand-collection of seeds of native dry-grassland species, he is now an indefatigable advocate of brush seed harvesting. Within the PannFlora project, he passes on these valuable experiences.

Project manager

Valérie studied Ecology and Environmental Protection at UPOL and continued with a Master’s in Nature Conservation – Botany at MUNI. She enjoys finding practical ways to apply scientific knowledge in nature conservation and landscape restoration. As a project manager in the PannFlora project, she coordinates team activities and ensures the smooth execution of the entire implementation.

Methodological guidance for experiments, data analysis

Jakub works as an Associate Professor at Masaryk University. His research focuses on plant ecology and biostatistics. He is particularly interested in parasitic plants, especially their effects on community structure and ecosystem functioning. Within the PannFlora project, he designs ecological experiments and monitoring schemes, develops seed mixture compositions, and explores the use of hemiparasitic plants to enhance the diversity of urban grasslands.

Botanical monitoring of pilot sites

Helena studied botany at Masaryk University and viticulture at Mendel University. After her studies, she worked in nature conservation. Her professional interest – and at the same time her passion – lies in supporting plant diversity in cultural landscapes by optimising the management of dry grasslands and meadows and by creating new landscape elements. Alongside her work at Masaryk University, she works freelance in ecological consulting and viticulture. She is also active in the Mikulov Beautification Association, which enhances agricultural landscapes around the town by restoring field paths and creating green belts with fruit trees.

Development of seed production technologies for panonian species, testing of mixtures

Tomáš is a postdoctoral researcher at Agricultural Research Ltd. in Troubsko. He is a member of the Czech Botanical Society, the Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, the Legume Society, and the EUCARPIA association.
His research focuses on genetic resources of Fabaceae species and their use in agriculture and landscape restoration; on grassland studies; fallow land ecology; and research of selected rare and endangered species of the Czech flora. He aims to connect botany, nature conservation, and agriculture in his research.
His work includes both scientific publications and practical outcomes such as patents, utility models, and certified methodologies. He also places strong emphasis on communicating results to the public.

Development of seed production technologies for panonian species, testing of mixtures

Ivana graduated in Garden and Landscape Management at Mendel University in Brno. Her work focuses on cultivating components for regional seed mixtures, studying genetic resources of Fabaceae species and their use in agriculture and landscape, as well as on grassland restoration in both agricultural areas and protected landscapes. In the PannFlora project, she is responsible for seed collection, establishing seed production stands, and growing species for regional mixtures.

Development of production technologies for Panonian species, production of hemiparasitic plants

Stanislav graduated in Crop Science and focuses on grasses, legumes, and permanent grasslands – not only in terms of agricultural use, but also for their ecosystem services (soil fertility, biodiversity, erosion control, etc.). He specializes in seed production of grasses and legumes. In previous projects, he has developed and tested propagation technologies for hemiparasitic and other meadow species. He advocates for the essential role of grazing animals, especially ruminants, in sustainable grassland management, aiming to reduce reliance on subsidies and restore their productive function. In PannFlora, he focuses on agricultural technologies for propagating selected meadow species, including seed cleaning and establishing wildflower meadows.

Monitoring of soil indicators

Jana graduated in Agroecology from the Mendel University of Agriculture and Forestry (now MENDELU). The main driver of her academic work is supporting sustainable practices in agriculture. As a researcher, she focuses, among other things, on implementing and evaluating field experiments. In PannFlora she measures nitrogen and phosphorus losses using flat horizontal ion-exchange resin discs.

Monitoring of soil indicators

Jaroslav graduated from the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology at the University of Agriculture in Brno (now MENDELU). He studies plant–microbe relationships, especially in the context of nitrogen and phosphorus cycling. His motivation is to bring diverse life back to agricultural soils. In PannFlora he evaluates shifts in key qualitative parameters of the soil environment at the start and end of the experimental period by comparing defining physical, chemical and biological soil characteristics.

Coordinator of the Austrian part of the project

Christine studied Plant Production at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna. Her main motivation as a researcher is to support ecological and resilient agriculture. At the institute, she focuses on the implementation and evaluation of field trials. In the PannFlora project, she coordinates the activities of the Austrian project partner.

Monitoring of pilot sites, cultivation of Panonian species

Christoph graduated from the horticultural school in Schönbrunn and has been working as a test technician at Bio Forschung Austria since 1991. Thanks to his passion for natural gardens, he transformed the institute's roughly one-hectare area into a center of biodiversity. In this environment, he shares his extensive knowledge of wild plants, vegetable varieties, fungi, birds, and amphibians with visitors interested in nature. In the PannFlora project, he is responsible for the harvesting and propagation of native plant species on the Austrian side.