Visegrad Fund
Research network for impact of land-use changes in V4 countries assesed on butterfly genetics
Aims of the project
Since mid-20th century, dramatic land use changes, augmented by changing climate, have eroded the biodiversity and affected our environment. Declines of insect populations, including loss of their genetic diversity, are ultimately threatening crucial ecosystem services, such as plants’ pollination. Whole-continental conservation efforts, most prominently the EU Habitat Directive (Natura 2000), offer powerful tools to block the insect declines by targeted conservation and management of selected habitats and species. Our project focuses on the HD-protected butterfly species occuring in V4 countries. It searches the answers regarding the recent history of the studied species, main reasons of their decline and possible solutions for their future.
Network members:
Institute of Entomology, Biology Centre CAS, České Budejovice, Czech Republic
People: Hana Konvickova, Martin Konvicka, Zdenek Faltynek Fric
People: Marcin Sielezniew
People: Gábor Sramkó
People: Adam Malkiewicz
Training visit to Debrecen
Students and researchers from Poland and Czech Republic visited The University of Debrecen between 2nd and 9th March. The main goal was to acquire knowledge about sdRAD sequencing. They were shown by experienced Hungarian researchers how to create a sequencing library on one of the species targeted by the project. More info at https://hirek.unideb.hu/cseh-es-lengyel-vendegkutatok-ttk-n.
Public talks
30.6.-1.5. Marcin Sielezniew attended the Lepidopterological Symposium of Polish Entomological Society. He held the talk "Nie porzucaj starych znajomych dla nowych – markery mikrosatelitarne w badaniach genetycznych „naturowych” gatunków motyli" about the current results of the project.
24.7.2025 Gábor Sramkó gave a talk about the results on Euplagia quadripunctaria on the seminar of University of Debrecen, available online https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoJBr4zI7nY.
