Ongoing projects
Flora of Slovakia – biosystematic study of taxa from the subfamilies Cichorioideae and Vernonioideae (Asteraceae) and from the genus Rubus (Rosaceae)
VEGA 2/0060/25 (2025–2028)
Annotation: The project is focused on taxonomic and chorological revision of taxa from the sufamilies Cichorioideae and Vernonioideae (Asteraceae) and taxa from the genus Rubus (Rosaceae) in Slovakia and in broader Central European area. The main result will be publishing of 2 volumes of the monograph series Flora of Slovakia: (1) volume VI/2, part 3, containing treatment of the tribes Cichorieae and Arctotideae (including 26 genera and ca 340 species) and (2) volume containing treatment of the genus Rubus (ca 60 species), which was excluded in the processing of the family Rosaceae (due to its difficulty) from Flora of Slovakia IV/3 (1992). Each taxon will be treated in terms of nomenclature, morphology, karyology, ecology, and chorology. Identification keys (Slovak and English), original drawings of plants (in the case of the genus Rubus colour photographs) and distribution maps will also be included. Within taxonomically complicated groups, deeper systematic studies will be published in special publications.
Finished projects
Unlocking Slovakia’s biodiversity through data publishing
CESP2023-005, GBIF (1. 10. 2023–30. 9. 2024)
Project website: www.gbif.org/project/CESP2023-005/unlocking-slovakias-biodiversity-through-data-publishing
Annotation: This project aimed to mobilize biodiversity data that had not yet been published in GBIF. Previously dispersed across universities, the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), private companies, and NGOs, these datasets were not readily accessible for research, conservation, or decision-making. By mobilizing these data and making them available through GBIF, the project sought to enhance the availability, accessibility, and overall quality of biodiversity information for researchers, policymakers, and the wider public. The project also provided training in essential data-management skills required for biodiversity data publication. Participants from various institutions learned how to organize and format datasets, create metadata, and use the Integrated Publishing Toolkit (IPT) to publish data in GBIF. In addition, the project focused on publishing data from a new collection-management system, PLADIAS-SK, including the development of data-processing workflows compliant with the Darwin Core (DwC) standard. To evaluate project impact, multiple indicators were tracked. These included the number of new records mobilized and published in GBIF, as well as the number of contributing organizations. The number of individuals trained in data carpentry and IPT usage was recorded, along with the number of datasets subsequently published by these trainees.
Flora of Slovakia – Asteraceae family (Part 2): biosystematic study of critical taxa
VEGA 2/0161/21 (2021–2024)
Annotation: The project focused on the taxonomic and chorological revision of selected representatives of the Asteraceae family (tribes Cardueae, Eupatorieae, Heliantheae, and Inuleae) in Slovakia. Its main outcome was the publication of Volume VI/2 (Part 2) of the book series Flora of Slovakia. Each taxon (approximately 140 species across 55 genera) is treated in detail, including nomenclature, morphology, karyology, ecology, and chorology. The volume also contains identification keys (in Slovak and English), original botanical illustrations, and distribution maps. The results of studies on taxonomically complex groups within the genera Centaurea, Colymbada, Cyanus, and Helianthus will be published in separate research papers. As part of the project, we also published a book presenting a revised list of Slovak vascular plant names (Slovak Nomenclature of Vascular Plants, ca. 25,000 entries) and an expanded electronic edition of the biographical dictionary Botanical Personalities of Slovakia (ca. 630 profiles).
Flora of Slovakia – Asteraceae family (first part): biosystematic study of critical taxa
VEGA 2/0154/17 (2017–2020)
Annotation: The project focused on the taxonomic and chorological revision of selected representatives of the Asteraceae family in Slovakia. Its primary outcome was the publication of Volume VI/2 (Part 1) of the multivolume work Flora of Slovakia. Due to the high species richness of this family in Slovakia, the project addressed only its initial tribes, namely Anthemideae, Astereae, Calenduleae, Gnaphalieae, and Senecioneae, comprising approximately 50 genera and 165 species. Each taxon was thoroughly examined with respect to nomenclature, morphology, karyology, ecology, and chorology. The volume also includes identification keys (in Slovak and English), original botanical illustrations, and distribution maps. Special attention was devoted to taxonomically complex groups within the genera Achillea, Aster s. l., Senecio s. l., Solidago, and Tephroseris.