BioClima carried out an important field activity in Matějov, located in the Vysočina region of the Czech Republic, as part of its long-term pilot programme focused on integrated monitoring of climate change impacts on landscapes, soils and ecosystems.

During the field day, research teams installed a network of environmental and soil sensors at several carefully selected locations across the Matějov area. The sites represent different land-use types and terrain conditions, including agricultural land, forest edges and orchard landscapes, enabling comparative monitoring of local climate–ecosystem interactions.

Environmental sensors for long-term monitoring

The installed equipment includes autonomous weather stations and soil sensors that continuously record air temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind conditions and soil moisture at multiple depths. Data are transmitted automatically at regular intervals to central servers, where they will be analysed and visualised to support research on climate variability, biodiversity dynamics and land-use impacts.

This sensor network contributes directly to BioClima’s objective of linking in-situ measurements with Earth observation data and AI-based analytical methods, strengthening the scientific basis for climate adaptation strategies and biodiversity conservation.

Field explanations and local context

Scientists on site provided explanations of how the monitoring equipment works and how the collected data will be used within BioClima’s analytical workflows. Guided site visits demonstrated how environmental conditions and ecosystem responses differ across landscapes with contrasting vegetation structures, management practices and microclimatic conditions.

Participating organisations

The field activities were carried out in close cooperation between several BioClima partner organisations, including:

  • University of West Bohemia
  • Plan4all
  • Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Holovousy
  • Forestry and Game Management Research Institute (Opočno Station)

National media coverage by Czech Television

A key outcome of the field day was the national media coverage by Česká televize, which filmed the on-site activities for a report broadcast in its prime-time evening news. The feature brought BioClima’s scientific work to a wide public audience and highlighted the importance of long-term environmental monitoring for understanding climate change as a concrete, locally observable phenomenon.

The coverage helped translate complex scientific research into an accessible story for the general public, reinforcing BioClima’s role at the interface between cutting-edge research, practical monitoring and societal awareness.

Watch the Czech Television report

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