Vojtěch Barták from CZU Visited University Bonn: Research Collaboration and Insights
Purpose of the Visit
The primary goal of Vojtěch Barták’s stay was to advance his research on predicting canopy heights using data from the GEDI satellite altimetry mission and other remote sensing sources. He aimed to discuss his work with colleagues from Anna Cord’s Agro-Ecological Modeling Group at the University of Bonn, including Anna Cord, Stephanie Roilo, and Ruben Remelgado. Their applied expertise helped refine the design of a planned manuscript. Additionally, he sought dedicated time for data preparation and analysis, a fundamental aspect of the manuscript. Another important objective was to establish a structured workflow for the ongoing Synthesis project, which is a component of the EarthBridge initiative. This project, co-supervised by Anna Cord, Stephanie Roilo, and Barták, required clear planning to ensure its successful progress.
Achievements During the Stay
The visit was highly productive. Barták engaged in multiple discussions, particularly with Stephanie Roilo, but also with other researchers. Regarding the canopy height modeling study, their discussions highlighted the necessity of diversifying statistical models based on geographic locations and evaluating the relative importance of different predictors in various environmental conditions. Additionally, they explored an animal movement study led by Anna Cord and Stephanie Roilo, which investigates a protected cow species and its potential conflicts with forestry. Drawing from his experience in GPS-collar data analysis, Barták proposed possible analytical approaches for their dataset. Finally, they established a clear roadmap for the next phases of the Synthesis project, ensuring structured progress.
Research Activities During the Exchange
Barták spent a total of eight working days (seven full and two half-days) at the University of Bonn. His primary focus was on preparing and analyzing data from GEDI, Sentinel-2, and Sentinel-1 for a second study site in Switzerland, which is planned for inclusion in the canopy height modeling manuscript. Throughout his stay, several meetings (each lasting 1 to 2 hours) were held to discuss various research topics. At the conclusion of the visit, Barták and his colleague Dominika Prajzlerová presented their work during a 30-minute seminar within the research group.
Collaborators
- Anna Cord (Prof. Dr.)
- Stephanie Roilo (PhD)
- Ruben Remelgado (MSc)
Impact on Career and Research
This research exchange significantly enhanced Barták’s collaboration with the Agro-Ecological Modeling Group. He gained a more applied perspective on his research while contributing his expertise in data analysis to their projects. Additionally, the focused environment allowed him to work without the typical academic responsibilities, such as teaching and administrative tasks, which further fueled his motivation and progress in his research.