University Forest Enterprise - special forestry living lab

1. Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services (BIODIV topics)

The University Forest Enterprise Křtiny (ŠLP) is a 10,000-ha forestry living lab enabling real-scale research and innovation in forest biodiversity, habitat conservation, ecosystem restoration and nature-based solutions. Its mosaic of forest types, long-term ecological plots, wildlife–forest interaction studies and restoration sites provides an exceptional environment for testing and upscaling evidence-based biodiversity measures, monitoring technologies, participatory conservation approaches and living lab methodologies. ŠLP Křtiny directly supports Horizon Europe BIODIV priorities by providing robust infrastructure for co-creation, multi-actor engagement and field validation of biodiversity and ecosystem services innovations.

2. Climate Action (CLIMATE topics)

ŠLP functions as a large-scale open-air laboratory for developing and validating climate-smart forestry, carbon-sequestration strategies, drought-adaptation strategies, and resilience-based forest management. With diverse stand structures, long-term climate monitoring and experimental silvicultural systems, ŠLP Křtiny enables high-quality research on climate risks, disturbance regimes, carbon dynamics and adaptive management pathways. The infrastructure supports Horizon Europe CLIMATE topics by providing a real-world environment for modelling, scenario testing, policy innovation, and the demonstration of forest-based climate mitigation and adaptation solutions.

3. Circular Bioeconomy & Sustainable Biomass (CIRCBIO topics)

ŠLP provides a fully operational, 10,000-ha forestry landscape ideal for research on sustainable biomass production, circular forest-based value chains, resource-efficient forest management and bio-based innovation. It serves as a living lab for testing timber harvesting systems, cascading use of wood, nature-friendly management practices and environmentally optimised value chains. ŠLP Křtiny strongly supports Horizon Europe CIRCBIO priorities by enabling data-rich biomass flow analysis, field validation of circular bioeconomy solutions, and demonstration of sustainable wood-based technologies and processes.

4. Sustainable Food Systems & Agroforestry (FARM2FORK topics)

ŠLP offers an integrated landscape with forest–agriculture interfaces, enabling research on agroforestry systems, plant health monitoring, pest and disease dynamics, perennial crop resilience, and ecosystem-based production strategies. With professional management, long-term datasets, and applied forestry operations, ŠLP Křtiny supports Horizon Europe FARM2FORK topics by providing a platform for innovative plant protection methods, climate-resilient perennial crop systems, biodiversity-friendly management and multi-actor demonstration activities.

5. Innovative Governance & Digital Solutions (GOVERNANCE topics)

ŠLP provides a real-environment testbed for Earth Observation–based forest monitoring, digital twins of forest landscapes, geospatial analytics, AI-assisted decision-making, and policy innovation in natural resource governance. Its combination of operational forestry, long-term datasets, and experimentation areas supports Horizon Europe GOVERNANCE topics by enabling co-creation of governance models, digital innovation, environmental data integration, and participatory decision-support tools.

6. Rural, Coastal & Urban Communities (COMMUNITIES topics)

ŠLP is a cornerstone of regional rural development, providing a living laboratory for rural innovation, community engagement, sustainable tourism, ecosystem services valuation and green jobs development. The Enterprise collaborates with local actors, municipalities, NGOs and stakeholders, making it an ideal platform for multi-actor living labs, rural resilience research and co-created nature-based solutions aligned with Horizon Europe COMMUNITIES topics.