by Pr. Aleksandra Bawiec, Małgorzata Biniak-Pieróg, Ewa Burszta-Adamiak and Magdalena Szymura from Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences

Wednesday 16th of April from 4 pm to 5 pm CET

Please register here

In the webinar, topics related to the use of Nature Based Solutions for cities as a response to problems related to water quantity and quality, climate change and biodiversity loss will be discussed. Speakers will present the essence of the problem, assumptions regarding the use of NBS and the results of conducted research on the use of Nature Based Solutions in practice. The results of the research will include green roofs, rain gardens and floating islands used for improvement of environment in urban area.

The aim of the webinar is to communicate the scope of the ongoing research to a wider range of researchers, and to encourage collaboration on the topic of using Nature-based Solutions as a multi-functional and provide a wide range of benefits measures to address urban challenges exacerbated by growing urban populations and the impacts of climate change.  In doing so, the UPWr team aims to increase networking between researchers, thereby improving collaboration and opportunities for collaborative research, with a view to applying for external funding for joint projects in the near future.

Speakers:

EWA BURSZTA-ADAMIAK

Research scientist and academic teacher at the Institute of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr), Poland

Her research area is related to sustainable stormwater management in urban areas, with particular attention to quantitative and qualitative aspects of functioning of green-blue infrastructure solutions (or Nature Based Solutions), including hydrological performance assessment of green roofs and rain gardens, technical feasibility analysis of rainwater harvesting system and blue–green infrastructure for water quality management.

For more information : 

ORCID: 0000-0003-3755-2047 

UPWr Base of Knowledge: http://bit.ly/3OaN89k  ; 

email: ewa.burszta-adamiak @ upwr.edu.pl 

MAŁGORZATA BINIAK-PIERÓG

Research scientist and academic teacher at the Department of Environmental Development and Protection, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr), Poland.

Hydrometeorologist,  conducts research and field experiments with the use of modern measurement apparatus allowing for precise recognition of issues in the field of water management of soils and plants, components of water balance in environmental monitoring, trends and causes of changes in extreme values of selected meteorological elements.

For more information : 

ORCID: 0000-0001-8704-5532 

UPWr Base of Knowledge: http://tinyurl.com/yc6kau5z 

email: malgorzata.biniak-pierog @ upwr.edu.pl 

MAGDALENA SZYMURA

Research scientist and academic teacher at the Institute of Agroecology and Plant Production, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr), Poland

Magdalena Szymura is a biologist with specialization in environmental biology, more specifically botany. She is working currently in the area of agriculture and horticulture sciences. She prefers field works, connected with vegetation analyses. Her research focuses on invasive species, particularly plants. She analyzes their environmental impact, methods of elimination, and possibilities of habitat restoration, particularly in case of grassland habitats. She also studies methods for preserving the biodiversity of meadows and pastures. She cooperates with farmers, as well as conduct her projects on protected areas: Karkonosze National Park and Stolowe Mountains National Park. Recently her research is connected with city greenery, and possibilities of enriching the ecosystem services served by city grasslands due to biodiversity maintenance and human well-being.

For more information : 

ORCID: 0000-0002-5726-7393; 

UPWr Base of Knowledge: https://tiny.pl/2_8bpy48  

email: magdalena.szymura @ upwr.edu.pl 

ALEKSANDRA BAWIEC

Research scientist and academic teacher at the Institute of Environmental Engineering, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences (UPWr), Poland.

Scientist with several years of experience in the field of wastewater treatment using semi natural systems, more commonly known as Nature Based Solutions. 

In her research, she focuses on the possibility of using macrophytes in sewage treatment processes. Together with a team of researchers from UPWr, she is developing the Extended Floating Island solution for improving the quality of water in urban reservoirs as part of the SYMBIOREM project (Symbiotic, circular bioremediation systems and biotechnology solutions for improved environmental, economic and social sustainability in pollution control).

For more information : 

ORCID: 0000-0002-9952-7886

UPWr Base of Knowledge: https://tiny.pl/7ck_m8h1 

email: aleksandra.bawiec @ upwr.edu.pl 

Biological invasions – what does it mean for European phytopathology?

Dr. Katarzyna Patejuk, Assistant professor at Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Plant Protection, Division of Plant Pathology and Mycology.

Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are a widely discussed topic in the scientific community. The intercontinental transport of plant material naturally leads to the transfer of pathogens, which can have devastating consequences for local crops and native flora.

The successful establishment of an alien species after its introduction depends on various factors, including its ability to overcome environmental resistance. Several hypotheses describe this phenomenon, but only a few – the Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability (EICA), the Enemy Release Hypothesis (ERH), and the Novel Weapon Hypothesis (NWH) – address the influence of local and alien pathogens on the establishment of invasions. Indirectly, these hypotheses also explain and predict phenomena such as spillover and spillback in phytopathogens.

Spillover is a process where an alien pathogen or pest, carried by an invasive alien species to a new area, infects local organisms. The impact on the invasive alien plant, with which the pathogen has coexisted for years, is usually smaller than on the new host plant. As suggested by Strauss et al. (2012), the spread of IAS pathogens can significantly affect native plants and may even drive the invasion process, promoting the advantage of IAS over native plants. In contrast, spillback describes the impact of native pathogens that find a niche on IAS and significantly increase their population in the environment, thereby negatively affecting their original native hosts. Given these dynamics, it is crucial to conduct research on the pathogens of invasive plants, the transfer of alien pathogens, and their impact on native and cultivated plants.

The aim of this presentation is to summarize various studies conducted by our team on invasive alien species (IAS) pathogens and to highlight the potential phytosanitary threats associated with the spread of invasive plants in Europe. We will cover key issues related to spillover and spillback phenomena, drawing on multi-year studies (2017-2024) of the mycobiota of boxelder maple, black cherry, and impatiens in Poland. The presentation will provide insights into the challenges and importance of accurately identifying fungi inhabiting alien plants, including species such as Taphrina spp. and Colletotrichum spp. Additionally, we will showcase the mycobiome of invasive alien plants as a source of previously undescribed fungal species of various origins. I will present our recent findings, highlighting cities as hotspots for the diversification of IAS mycobiota and their impact on pollination competition. Finally, I would like to discuss the topics we are currently researching and our anticipated next steps.

Keywords : phytopathogens, biological invasion, invasive plant species, Enemy Release Hypothesis, fungi, green agents

By Pr. Aleksandra Pawlak Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Leader of the Research Group "OncoVet":, DVM PhD Aleksandra Pawlak

Leading Research Group OncoVet information

OncoVet is an interdisciplinary research group bringing together researchers at various stages of professional careers and from various fields of science, whose main scientific interests focus on issues related to veterinary and comparative oncology.

The main goals of the Leading Research Group "OncoVet" include:

• Consolidation of researchers dealing with veterinary oncology

• Creation of a platform/environment for the exchange of experiences and ideas to create innovative research projects

• Creation of a common network of contacts with domestic and foreign partners

• Establishment of new scientific contacts in the country and abroad

• Creation of a research group carrying out current and competitive research in the field of veterinary oncology

• Establishment of commercial cooperation, cooperation with business

• Obtaining financial resources from external sources to implement the research directions chosen by the team

Keywords: veterinary oncology, animal cancers, experimental oncology, comparative oncology