MOSPREMA: Prediction and management of mosquito calamity conditions for the conservation of biodiversity in floodplain forests

About this project

<p>The essence of the project is to use modern geo-information methods and current knowledge to create new procedures for integrated management to minimize annually recurring calamitous mosquito populations, with special attention to the conservation of biodiversity in Litovelské Pomoraví Protected Landscape Area (PLA). The project's objectives are following the State Environmental Policy of the Czech Republic 2030 with a view to 2050, as well as the Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change in the Czech Republic. An advanced landscape model, which will be created using continuously updated sensor and image data, will concentrate and evaluate knowledge about the landscape, record planned and implemented interventions, and predict the state of the territory in terms of the risk of calamity. With the precautionary principle in mind, the concentration of larvicides will be reduced. The application of larvicides will be more precise, thereby significantly reducing the input of foreign substances into the floodplain forest habitat. The selective application will maintain the necessary presence of mosquitoes in the floodplain forest ecosystem. They are part of the food chain for many important organisms (fish, birds, bats). The decrease of this group can lead to a significant impact on the life cycle of associated predators of other organisms. With developed management, it will be possible to control calamity conditions according to strategic documents. The Norwegian University of Science and Technology partner will help to implement contemporary knowledge about the Citizen Science approach and bring valuable experience in developing a prediction model responding to climate change.</p>

Bilateral cooperation results

The cooperation with the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) was crucial for the success of the MOSPREMA project. NTNU provided expertise in crowdsourcing, predictive modeling, climate data analysis, and geospatial visualization, all of which were integrated to improve the project's ability to monitor and predict mosquito calamities. This collaboration added an international dimension, offering new perspectives for applying the methods in the Czech context. NTNU also helped disseminate results and increase visibility, aiding the spread of good practices. Their cutting-edge technologies and methods were vital in achieving the project's goals, enhancing biodiversity and environmental protection in the Litovelské Pomoraví area. Key outcomes of the cooperation included the joint development of prediction models, which improved response to calamity dynamics, and a crowdsourcing methodology for better public engagement and data collection. Workshops and joint research deepened understanding of local ecological conditions, leading to strengthened ties between Czech institutions and NTNU, paving the way for future projects. Joint publications documented the project's international impact.

Project partners

• Norwegian University of Science and Technology Donor project partner· Norway
• Czech Society for Landscape Ecology IALE-CZ Project partner· Czechia
• Litovel municipality Project partner· Czechia
• Střeň municipality Project partner· Czechia
• Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice Project partner· Slovakia