A group of three researchers from CZU, namely Vítězslav Moudrý, Kateřina Gdulová, and Jiří Prošek, visited the University of Bologna in April 2024. The main aim was to collaborate with Professors Duccio Rocchini and Roberto Cazzolla Gatti, along with Matilde Martini, on two common topics: the quality of input data in species distribution modeling and the usability of canopy height models (CHM) derived from remote sensing for biodiversity assessment. Firstly, in early April, we received reviewers’ comments on two papers related to the aforementioned topics, and thus we worked on revising them. Secondly, we developed ideas for short communications to follow up on these papers and worked on the initial draft versions. The first manuscript addresses the cumulation of error in the input data for modeling species distribution, an important topic that has surprisingly not received much attention so far. The second manuscript deals with an equally important and actual topic. It highlights the limitations of predicted CHMs, calls for caution in their use, and emphasizes the need to unify European airborne laser scanning data to produce accurate CHMs. This manuscript is also being prepared for presentation at the 7th European Congress of Conservation Biology, scheduled for June in Bologna. Additionally, Kateřina Gdulová is finalizing her PhD thesis under the supervision of Vítězslav Moudrý. Doing so at the oldest university in Europe, under the guidance of renowned professors, has been inspiring and crucial for her further career development.
