Biodiversity
BUT and biodiversity
At BUT, biodiversity is addressed both within campus areas and at the landscape scale. One example is an international project proposing nature-based solutions to restore biodiversity in the Dyje River system affected by channel straightening.
A research team from FEEC, in collaboration with Universität Wien, monitors the condition of grapevines in the WinOMICs project using multispectral sensors and drones to minimize chemical treatments and protect soil and pollinators.
At FCE, in cooperation with the company ConWe, a vegetative wastewater treatment system and wetland were created in ChlumÄ›tĂn—a natural treatment plant operating without electricity, discharging into a restored wetland with wetland vegetation and wildlife. The project received the Ecological Project of the Year 2024 award.
Biodiversity and landscape ecology are integrated into study programmes across several faculties. The interdisciplinary master’s programme Integrative Spatial Planning at FA connects architecture, urbanism, and green infrastructure—students design sustainable environments with an emphasis on ecological corridors and biodiversity in collaboration with municipalities. FAST also offers courses in landscape ecology, water management, and ecosystem protection.
Since 2024, FA has been a partner in the Brno Living Lab initiative, which connects research and the city in developing new approaches to public space and green infrastructure. Experts from BUT are also involved in advisory bodies of the South Moravian Region Climate Council in the fields of settlements and landscape.
Biodiversity on BUT Campuses
Green areas on BUT campuses are recorded in the BUT GIS system, where a green space inventory is available. Based on this, we plan green space management, identify areas with potential for biodiversity development, and manage maintenance according to the specific conditions of each site.
Grass areas are managed according to their function and ecological importance. Intensively used lawns are mowed regularly, while less frequented areas are left to develop naturally. Flower meadows are mowed in a mosaic pattern—ensuring insects and small animals always have refuge. The result of cooperation with campus managers is a set of ten principles for grassland care.
University Apiaries at BUT
We also support biodiversity through university apiaries—located at the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FCE), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering (FME), the CEITEC campus, and newly in the gardens of the BUT Rectorate. These apiaries contribute to supporting pollinators essential for ecosystem functioning and also have an educational dimension.
The hives at the Rectorate combine ecological practice with technology: using sensors and hive scales, we monitor bee behaviour and collect data through the ApiVÄŤelaĹ™ system, developed at BUT.
