Expertise in small-mammal ecology, with a focus on ecosystems and habitats, and rodent-borne zoonotic diseases.

Core expertise:
1. Long-term datasets: Time-series data on small mammal dynamics, community structure, and habitat relationships across Central European landscapes (forests, agricultural land, from lowlands to mountains).
2. Field monitoring & protocols: Standardized trapping, morphometrics, bio-sampling, and ectoparasite/vector collection along climatic and landscape gradients.
3. Pathogen screening: Diagnostic and molecular detection capabilities for rodent- and vector-borne pathogens (viruses, bacteria, and parasites).

Key Team & ORCIDs:

Our MENDELU (Mendel University in Brno) team – small mammal ecology:
Eva Jánová – 0000-0001-7069-1562
Luboš Purchart – 0000-0001-9958-2300
Ladislav Čepelka – 0000-0003-3354-5923
Martina Dokulilová – 0000-0002-2678-1947

Our colleagues – pathogen screening:
Jana Kvičerová – 0000-0001-8370-3008
Petra Straková – 0000-0002-3130-933X

Ecology
Epidemiology
Forestry and forest sciences
Landscape ecology
Mammalogy
Medical Parasitology
Parasitology
Population Biology
Zoology
Veterinary science

We are interested in international projects addressing the links between biodiversity, habitat and landscape, climate, small-mammal communities, vectors, and zoonotic diseases from a One Health perspective. We can contribute field-based data and expertise from the Czech Republic and are particularly interested in studies comparing different environmental conditions and climatic or geographical gradients across Europe.

Possible Benefits of a Potential Project in Response to the Call for Proposals:
- Evaluating how land-use intensity, landscape modification, and climate shifts affect small mammal population dynamics, biodiversity, and community shifts.
- Assessing disease ecology and spillover risks of vector- and rodent-borne pathogens from a One Health perspective.
- Conducting standardized biological field monitoring and sampling campaigns along environmental and latitudinal gradients.
We are looking for coordinators and consortia addressing the functioning of novel ecosystems, socio-ecological health risks, or biodiversity monitoring across Europe, who need a reliable Central European partner to cover field ecology, wildlife disease diagnostics, and long-term ecosystem data.

small mammals, biodiversity, landscape ecology, environmental change, vectors, ectoparasites, zoonotic diseases, disease ecology, one health, central europe

Open to online matchmaking meetings with interested consortium coordinators.