National projects

Present

Detekcia diverzity krajiny Slovenska a jej zmien na báze údajov diaľkového prieskumu v kontexte Zelenej dohody EÚ
Detection of landscape diversity and its changes in Slovakia based on remote sensing data in the context of the European Green Deal
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Ing. Szatmári Daniel, PhD.
Annotation: The Project is focused on the development of innovative approaches to the processing and visualisation of satellite data in the research of landscape diversity. The output of the Project will be the proposal of methodology for automated classification of landscape diversity by a set of indicators of the agricultural landscape composition, indicators of the agricultural landscape configuration, and indicators of changes in the landscape mosaic. The methodical procedure will be verified in selected experimental sites with various landscape types. Results of the Project will be applicable to monitoring the implementation of measures stipulated by the European Green Deal and other EU Strategy Documents.
Duration: 1.1.2023 – 31.12.2026
MEADOW – Druhovo bohaté lúky a pasienky Karpát: mapovanie, história, príčiny zmien a ochrana
Species-rich Carpathian grasslands: mapping, history, drivers of change and conservation
Program: APVV
Project leader: Mgr. Pazúr Róbert, PhD.
Annotation: European agriculture is at a crossroads. Continuing the industrial intensification of agricultural production and the associated abandonment of marginal land equals continuing the direct negative environmental impacts on landscape quality and further loss of biodiversity. The second available option is adopting the quality of the landscape and its sustainability as essential criteria for optimization and management of agricultural production. The main aim of our transdisciplinary project is to support this second option with practical scientific knowledge on environmental and societal potentials regarding sustainable grassland management in the Carpathians using traditional agricultural practices, as well as on which social and institutional features might help embedding such management within the modern Slovak economy. The main objectives of the project are: 1) to identify and map biodiversity-rich grassland areas in the Carpathians and related local environmental and social factors; 2) identify and map areas with high environmental and social potential for successful grassland restoration in Slovakia; and 3) propose a national strategy for state and non-governmental support regarding ecological restoration, conservation and management of the identified grassland areas. We intend to reach such a comprehensive and practical understanding through a collaborative combination of the latest available earth observation data for the Carpathian region, analytical methods and tools, but also pioneering field research; all in parallel on behalf of the scientific fields of botany, ecology, geography, remote sensing and social anthropology. The planned outputs of the project – scientific studies and the proposal of a national strategy to support species-rich grasslands – can, in addition to direct use by contracted domestic recipient organisations (MoE SR and BROZ), also serve as a template for applied research focusing on ecological grassland restoration in Europe and beyond.
Duration: 1.7.2022 – 30.6.2026
SUB-KIK – Suburbanizácia: Komunita, identita a každodennosť
Suburbanization: Community, identity and everydayness
Program: APVV
Project leader: Mgr. Šuška Pavel, PhD.
Annotation: The general objective of the proposed project is to expand knowledge about the current process of suburbanization in the hinterland of the capital. The study of suburbanization has so far been dominated by quantitative analysis of basic processes (migration, construction, changes in landscape structures), which are viewed from the perspective of the metropolitan area. However, this dynamic environment is characterized by social transformations, negotiation, and creation of new identities, reassessment of the relationship to the localities, and (re)definition of individual perception of a home. Therefore, the main objective of the project is to analyze the specific place-making processes and relations, realized by participants with different socio-demographic characteristics (such as age, gender, ethnicity, religious affiliation, social status and other) and related social and individual identities. These are further reflected in their individual preferences, ideas, or norms and confronted with the socio-cultural and institutional context in the suburbs. The suburban space has a specific position in terms of socio-cultural aspects. On the one hand, a heterogeneous flow of immigrants with different experiences, worldviews, and social status are evident, and on the other, it is a space where these incoming identities meet and interact. The output of this interaction can often be an indeterminate hybrid conglomerate, or the transition to some kind of neoplasm, an alloy formed by combining and remelting these initial cultural elements. There is a negotiation and creation of new identities, a reassessment of the relationship to the locality, community, and redefining the individual and collective experience of home. The central category of home is not a static, but on the contrary, a procedural – and variable phenomenon.
Duration: 1.8.2021 – 31.7.2025
JASKO – Jasle a škôlky pre každého? Predškolské vzdelávanie na Slovensku z aspektu priestorovej dostupnosti a sociálnej spravodlivosti
Nurseries and kindergartens for everyone? Insights into pre-school education in Slovakia from the perspectives of spatial accessibility and social justice
Program: APVV
Project leader: Mgr. Sládeková Madajová Michala, PhD.
Annotation: The project responds to the current topic of the introduction of compulsory pre-primary education. In such a necessary and socially sensitive area as pre-school education, authorities should be aware of spatial, temporal and socioeconomic consequences. The project identifies the main causes of low share of children included in pre-school education and the insufficient capacity of kindergartens, evaluates the measures taken so far and summarizes the problems that pre-school children, their parents and local governments will face from September 2021 when the law on compulsory pre-school attendance of 5-year-olds entered into force. Given the theoretical nature of the analysis carried out so far and given the fact that compulsory attendance in many regions is likely to be at the expense of younger (mainly 3-year-old) children, the project will focus not only on kindergartens included in the Network of Schools and Educational Facilities but on all care facilities, including those which facilitate the transition to pre-school education in kindergartens. The primary goal is to provide a comprehensive view of the issue of pre-school education in Slovakia from the aspect of spatial accessibility and social justice. Based on research into the heterogeneity of pre-primary education facilities, the environment in which they are located the project will present several concepts of commuting areas based on modeling both temporal and spatial accessibility by using more sophisticated mathematical methods, taking into account the travel-to-work commuting and individual decision strategies. The analysis of the current state, the design of solutions and the forecast of future development will create a comprehensive analytical document that will allow the adoption of effective and timely strategic measures at various levels (individual, local, regional, national).
Duration: 1.7.2022 – 30.6.2025
Georeliéf – zdroj informácií o tektonickom vývoji Západných Karpát v pliocénno-kvartérnom období
Land surface topography – a source of data on the tectonic evolution of the Western Carpathians in the Pliocene-Quaternary period
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Prokešová Roberta, PhD.
Annotation: Dynamics of the Western Carpathians landscape in the Pliocene-Quaternary period will be studied to identify the expression of neotectonics as one of the potential controls of the relief evolution. Methods of quantitative geomorphometry will be applied to extract data (topographic variables and morphometric indices) from digitalelevation models (DEMs) of various resolutions. Additional data (GIS layers and databases) for spatial and geostatistical analyses will be obtained by completing and adapting available digital data (geological and geophysical maps, climate maps), laboratory analyses and fieldworks. Analysis of multi-source data will be usedto specify the potential drivers of the Western Carpathians landscape evolution in various temporal and spatial scales. The results could be used as a template for effective sampling to quantify rates of uplift and erosion by numerical dating methods and assessment of geohazards (seismic hazard, landslide risks) or landscape sensitivity to future climate change.
Duration: 1.1.2021 – 31.12.2024
Hodnotenie ekosystémových služieb ich implementácia do strategického plánovania a budúceho vývoja národných parkov a ich zázemia
Assessment of ecosystem services and their adaptation into the strategic planning and future development of the national parks and their hinterland
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Mgr. Pazúr Róbert, PhD.
Annotation: The goals of the proposed project are to assess the current ecosystem services in the national parks in Slovakia, trade-offs of their different future development and its hinterland and their implementation into the strategic planning. We will particularly focus on the Tatra national park and its closest hinterland as this area is facing in recent years an uncontrolled development pressure related to the development of housing and tourism infrastructure and climate change. Integrating landscape ecology, remote sensing and social sciences we will provide a scientifically sound baseline about the different pathways of landscape development. Integrated knowledge will be provided to the stakeholder to facilitate the decision making process and define the sustainable development of the national parks and their hinterland. Proposed workflow, maps and models will be made available to serve as a template for the assessment of ecosystem services, future scenarios and spatial planning, which may be used elsewhere.
Duration: 1.1.2022 – 31.12.2024
Vplyv pandémie COVID-19 na zmeny v spotrebe a jej prejavy v nových vzorcoch správania spotrebiteľov na Slovensku
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes in consumption and its manifestations in new patterns of consumer behavior in Slovakia
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Mgr. Bilková Kristína, PhD.
Annotation: Consumption affects each of us and is constantly changing. It is influenced by various factors and currently the most important is the global COVID-19 pandemic. To stop the virus spreading, we were forced to change our typical activities and the consumption associated with them. The project monitors current trends in society and new challenges, such as the pandemic. One of the research topics are the regionally differentiated impacts of a pandemic on various areas of our lives. The project is focused on the evaluation and analysis of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research activities will be aimed at identifying and quantifying the effects of a pandemic in retail and services in Slovakia and will respond to changes in consumption patterns using several methods and unique data. The results of the research will find application in other crisis situations, which will certainly appear in the future. The question is not whether it will appear, but when another crisis will arise which affects consumption.
Duration: 1.1.2022 – 31.12.2024
Štipendiá pre excelentných výskumníkov ohrozených vojnovým konfliktom na Ukrajine
Scholarships for excellent researchers threatened by the war conflict in Ukraine
Program: Iné projekty
Project leader: Polyvach Kateryna, PhD.
Project web page: http://www.geography.sav.sk/veda-a-vyskum/projekty/next-generation_ua-22/
Duration: 12.9.2022 – 11.9.2024
ALTERCONSUM – Alternatívne potravinové siete: od konzumnej k udržateľnej spotrebe
Alternative food networks: a shift from consumerism to sustainable consumption
Program: APVV
Project leader: Mgr. Bilková Kristína, PhD.
Annotation: Consumption and consumer behavior are the subject of studies in various scientific disciplines, including geography. Consumption can prove to be conventional or alternative. Conventional consumption is currently more dominant and can lead to consumerism. The opposite is alternative consumption. It is consumption in the intentions of sustainable development. Alternative food networks can be characterized as a food system that is opposite to the conventional, mainstream. However, consumption cannot be considered as a simple expression of consumer demand for goods, but can be understood as an expression of consumer identity. The project will focus on consumption and consumer behavior research as a result of a changing society (shift from consumerism to sustainable consumption). An example is the discovery of a possible transformation from a utilitarian to a hedonistic consumer and vice versa. Or consumer reactions to the current pandemic situation. The authors will look for answers to the questions: How, where and why have consumers\’ shopping behavior changed in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic? The concepts of sustainable consumption will be explored: responsible and conscious consumption and anti-consumption in Slovakia. The contribution of the project will be new knowledge in understanding consumer behavior in Slovakia. From the point of view of producers (retailers), the added value will be recommendations for the use of academic knowledge in planning practice (eg the definition of the Farmers\’ Market Code). Despite the relevance of these research topics in geography, only marginal attention is paid to these topics in the Slovak academic community. We believe that the acquired knowledge will contribute to the development of issues in this research area. A relatively young research team is involved in the project, and the benefits of their cooperation are several research and publication activities focused on consumption, which will be followed by this project.
Duration: 1.7.2021 – 30.6.2024
METELCO – Mapovanie rozmiestnenia a mobility populácie na Slovensku s využitím lokalizačných údajov mobilnej siete
Mapping population distribution and mobility in Slovakia using mobile network data
Program: APVV
Project leader: Mgr. Rosina Konštantín, PhD.
Annotation: Despite the fact that we live in an era characterized by a massive development of information and communicationtechnologies current knowledge of population counts and distribution is still, paradoxically, very limited. There areseveral motives for challenging the relevance of conventional population datasets. In particular, both theoccupational and private activities of the population are less place-bound compared to the past. Furthermore, thegrowing fluctuation and individual mobility of the population have also decoupled the place of residence from the workplace and extended the commute distances. Existing spatial datasets refer only to ‘residential’ population distribution, and more complete datasets reflecting spatiotemporal population variations are still lacking. Exploring and combining new and unconventional datasets can be useful to map spatiotemporal population distribution and to fill data gaps. The mobile phone data has surfaced in recent years as one of the big data sources with a lot of promise for its use in official statistics. Although mobile data does not provide the accuracy of the census, a comparison of this new data source with the census and the population register shows a high correlation and much more dynamism in the aspect of rapid changes. So, in terms of timeliness, quick and short-time indicators could be derived from mobile phone data as an additional source of population information. The project aims at developingand implementing a consistent and validated methodology to produce multi-temporal population distribution for Slovakia by utilizing the localization data of the mobile network. Such datasets will expand the knowledge base of spatiotemporal population patterns across the country. Moreover, multi-temporal population grids can be a useful and straightforward input to several models, particularly transport, land use, economic and environmental models.
Duration: 1.7.2021 – 30.6.2024
Generational differences in shopping behavior of Slovak consumers during COVID-19 pandemic
Program: DoktoGranty
Project leader: Mgr. Čuláková Katarína
Duration: 1.1.2023 – 31.12.2023
Hodnotenie dopadov extrémnych hydrologických javov na krajinu v kontexte meniacej sa klímy
Assessment of the impact of extreme hydrological phenomena on the landscape in the context of a changing climate
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Ing. Kidová Anna, PhD.
Annotation: The project is focused on assessing the impacts of extreme hydrological events (drought/flood) on the riverine and rural landscape. In the analysis of changes in the riverine landscape, emphasis is placed on a comprehensive analysis of the processes between extreme hydrological phenomena and the bio-geomorphological response of river ecosystems. In relation to the rural landscape, the potential of river channels, land cover and land use to mitigate the effects of extreme hydrological phenomena is assessed and the ability of rural landscape communities to cope with the negative consequences of these phenomena is analyzed.The research applies multi-temporal analysis of remote sensing data, spatial analysis of individual components of the landscape, as well as field and questionnaire surveys. The obtained results will allow the evaluation of the development of these vulnerable ecosystems with regard to socio-economic activities as well as the design of development scenarios in the context of a changing climate.
Duration: 1.1.2021 – 31.12.2023
Hodnotenie nerovnomerného priestorového rozvoja: príčiny a dôsledky sociálno-ekonomického rastu, stagnácie alebo úpadku vybraných lokalít a regiónov
Evaluation of uneven spatial development: causes and consequences of socio-economic growth, stagnation or decline of selected localities and regions
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Székely Vladimír, CSc.
Annotation: Uneven spatial development, which is usually expressed by inter- and intraregional disparities, is a natural and dynamically changing phenomenon. "Conditio sine qua non" of its genesis and existence is an uneven spatial distribution of specific territorial capital, whose creation, perception and utilization is determined, in addition to thegeographical location itself, mainly by a particular historical moment and corresponding numerous global and local decisions of important actors of development. The object of research, spatial distribution and interaction of inhabitants and economic activities thus reflects the impact of political, economic, social, environmental and cultural changes of endogenous and exogenous nature, whose interaction causes objective changes in spatial organization and polarization of society. The aim of the project is to identify these changes and to critically evaluate the manifestations, causes and consequences of the uneven socio-economic development of localities and regions.
Duration: 1.1.2021 – 31.12.2023
Priestorovo diferencované dopady a prejavy COVID-19 na Slovensku
Spatially differentiated impacts and manifestations of COVID-19 in Slovakia
Program: VEGA
Project leader: RNDr. Michálek Anton, CSc.
Annotation: The global pandemic of COVID-19 has already caused major loss of life, a recession in the world economy and many other problems. In Slovakia, too, we will feel the consequences of a pandemic in all spheres of socio-economic life for a long time. It is already clear that the manifestations and impacts of the pandemic will be highly spatially differentiated and we assume that the underdeveloped regions with the largest proportion of vulnerable population groups will perform the worst. The project is focused on quantification of spatially differentiated manifestations and impacts of COVID-19 disease in regions and selected areas of Slovakia. The originality of the project is based on its focus on issues that have not yet been addressed in Slovak and worldwide research. It is clear from the specific focus and nature of the project that it will bring principally new knowledge and create a framework for further research into the issue.
Duration: 1.1.2021 – 31.12.2023
Relating grassland use intensity components to the temporal and phenological patterns of Earth observation data
Program: DoktoGranty
Project leader: Mgr. Opravil Šimon
Duration: 1.1.2023 – 31.12.2023
Vzťahy paradigiem v slovenskom geografickom myslení: konkurencia, indiferentnosť alebo kooperácia?
Relationships of Paradigms in Slovak Geographical Thought: Competition, Indifference or Cooperation?
Program: VEGA
Project leader: Prof. RNDr. Ira Vladimír, CSc.
Annotation: The project is based on identification of discontinuities in geographical thought in the world and their reception in geographical thought in Slovakia. Reflecting on the development of geographic thought in the world, Slovak geography has evolved into a multi-paradigmatic form. The main objective of the project will be to investigate the relationships between coexisting paradigms represented by paradigmatic communities) and the factors thatcondition them. The fundamental issue is the nature of the inter-paradigmatic relationship constellation along the axis: competitive – indifferent – cooperative. The main interest will be focused on the research of existing cooperation of paradigms in solving research problems in Slovak geography and on the analysis of objective andsubjective dimension of barriers / obstacles of inter-paradigmatic cooperation. The possibilities for productive interference of paradigmatic perspectives in Slovak geography will be evaluated.
Duration: 1.1.2021 – 31.12.2023