The Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (CZU), through its Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences (FTZ), is leading a major European research initiative aimed at developing innovative financial instruments to support biodiversity conservation. The project, BIO-CAPITAL, brings together 17 research institutions and companies from 13 countries to connect private investment with nature protection.
As ecosystems face increasing pressure from climate change and human activities, the need to preserve biodiversity has become more urgent than ever. Biodiversity is not only essential for the stability of ecosystems, but also for securing the natural services that support human well-being and economic activity. The European Union aims to halt biodiversity loss and restore degraded ecosystems by 2030 — and the BIO-CAPITAL project could play a vital role in reaching that goal.
“Protecting and restoring biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring sustainability on our planet,” said Assoc. Prof. Hynek Roubík, Ph.D., coordinator of the project and researcher at FTZ. “We need innovative solutions that go beyond traditional funding models. That’s exactly what BIO-CAPITAL offers.”
The project uses satellite-based Earth observation to monitor changes in biodiversity across five pilot sites in Europe, including alpine forests along the Italy-Austria border, agricultural landscapes in southern France and Romania, grasslands in Slovenia, and river basins in southwest England. The data collected will inform the creation of financial tools and investment models that reward efforts to conserve biodiversity.
In early April, the international BIO-CAPITAL consortium gathered at CZU in Prague for its kick-off meeting. Over the coming years, the team will work closely with local stakeholders — such as farmers and conservationists — to co-develop practical tools and services that can be implemented on the ground.
With its leading role in this project, the Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences once again demonstrates its commitment to applied research that addresses global challenges and contributes to sustainable development.
Website: https://bio-capital.eu/
