The TransForMon project, led by Lucie Kupková from the Department of Applied Geoinformatics and Cartography of the Faculty of Science, Charles University, involves a team from the Faculty of Science of Charles University, TU Dresden and the administrations of Bohemian Switzerland and Saxon Switzerland National Parks. The workshop in Litoměřice focused on summarising this year’s results and discussing the steps planned for 2026.
“Forests in Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland form a single interconnected ecosystem, which is, however, divided by a state border and different approaches to monitoring and management. Our goal is to create a common methodology that will make it possible to monitor and assess the forests without being limited by the border,” the organisers explained to participants in the introductory session. The project therefore combines data from satellites, aerial and drone imagery with field surveys and monitors, among other things, the impacts of drought, bark beetle outbreaks and large-scale fires on the condition of the forests.
The project’s individual work packages focus on preparing and coordinating cooperation; collecting and archiving historical and current data on forests; analysing changes using aerial and satellite imagery; and field monitoring using drones and modern sensors. The outputs will include a comprehensive digital catalogue and project database that will provide a shared foundation for the long-term monitoring of forest development.
An important part of TransForMon is also an information system for both expert and lay audiences. A trilingual web portal is being developed, offering information on the history and current state of the forests, project results, educational materials and virtual walks. At the same time, a special data portal is being prepared for the national parks, enabling them to share data, better plan site management and coordinate approaches across the border.
The organisers are pleased that the workshop took place specifically in Litoměřice. “The city lies ‘halfway’ between Prague and Dresden, and the RINGEN Science and Research Centre offers suitable facilities for expert meetings as well as discussions with regional partners. During the afternoon sessions, we therefore also heard suggestions on how to involve schools, local action groups, tourists and other residents of the area more in the future,” said Lucie Kupková.
TransForMon and the SYNERGYS project, within which Litoměřice is preparing to use geothermal energy to meet the city’s needs, are linked by a number of elements, primarily data collection. While in the case of the national parks the focus is on long-term monitoring and protection of forest ecosystems, SYNERGYS is seeking a sustainable way to harness energy from beneath the Earth’s surface and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. “The common denominator of both projects is the emphasis on scientifically based data, modern technologies, international cooperation and public engagement,” said SYNERGYS project manager Antonín Tym in connection with the workshop.
The TransForMon project is funded by the Interreg Czech Republic – Saxony 2021–2027 programme, which supports cooperation projects between Czech and Saxon partners through the European Regional Development Fund. The workshop in Litoměřice was one of the key milestones on the way to creating a unified cross-border forest monitoring system, the results of which are expected to benefit not only the national parks, but the entire Czech–Saxon border region in the future.
