FISC | Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre, Prague

What’s happening

Latest news

21.10.2025

In the Spotlight: New Interview with Andrew Liebhold Out Now

FISC in Media

A new interview with our Chief Scientist Andrew Liebhold has just been published. He speaks about his move from the US to Europe and shares his perspective on strengthening research links across continents. Liebhold also highlights how Europe can attract top scientific talent in times of global change.

FISC Contributes to the Brussels Research & Innovation Conference

Conference

Our scientific leader Dr. Andrew Liebhold shared in Brussels his experiences as a scientist transitioning from the US to Europe and provided an overview of the work at FISC.

FISC at the EFI Annual Conference 2025

Conference

FISC joined the EFI Annual Conference 2025 hosted by the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences. It was a truly inspiring event and we would like to thank our colleagues at FLD for the excellent organization and the opportunity to share our work!

Advancing Global Understanding of Forest Invasions

The Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre, Prague (FISC) at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague advances the understanding of biological invasions in forests. Its mission is to establish a leading research group, strengthen capacity in invasion ecology, and foster innovation. The centre is led by Dr. Andrew M. Liebhold, a globally recognized leader in forest invasion science.

At FISC, we aim to apply the most efficient scientific methods to maximize the value of existing data. By synthesizing global evidence and fostering collaboration, we seek to accelerate discovery and produce high-impact results that inform real-world forest management and policy.

Explore Outputs

Andrew "Sandy" M. Liebhold, Ph.D.

Having spent most of his career as a research scientist in the USA, Liiebhold has joined the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague to lead its newly established Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre and to advance cutting-edge research on forest ecosystems. The Centre has assembled an interdisciplinary team to conduct research and facilitate synthesis research on various aspects of biological invasions in forests.

Core team

Strong record of research on forest insect population ecology and biological invasions
Long history of international collaboration and leadership in the International Union of Forest Research Organizations
Extensive experience organizing and participating in working groups at synthesis centres such as NCEAS, SESYNC and NIMBios

Featured Outputs

Research

The known unknowns in international border interceptions of non-native insects.

Turner, R.M., Liebhold, A.M., Nahrung, H.F., Phillips, C.B., Yamanaka, T. & Brockerhoff, E.G.

Island biogeography theory and the assembly patterns of native versus non-native forest insects.

Mech, A.M., Liebhold, A.M., Trombik, J., Björkman, C., Gandhi, K.J.K., Lyytikäinen-Saarenmaa, P., Pureswaran, D.S., Synek, J., Klapwijk, M.J.

Conferences & meetings

Upcoming events

21.11.2025

Open Day

We’re excited to be part of the FLD Open Days on 21 November 2025. Stop by and learn how we study forest invasions. Ever wondered how scientists can tell how many beetles are hiding inside a single pine cone? Visit the FISC to explore real research tools and ask all your curious questions.

Event detail

What are we planning?

Event calendar

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Join our team

How can you get involved?

We welcome ideas and initiative. Even if no position is currently open, feel free to send us your CV and a short note about your interests. We´re also excited about connecting research with practice and collaborating across disciplines. Get in touch – great ideas often start with a simple conversation.

Join our core team

Become part of an international group advancing forest invasion research. Work closely with leading experts, shape new ideas, and contribute to real-world impact.

See open positions

Join our working group

Collaborate with researchers and practitioners across disciplines. Our working groups tackle key questions in forest invasions—your expertise and ideas are welcome.

Explore more

Suggest new working group

Have a research idea you’d like to develop? Suggest a new working group and bring together people with shared interests to tackle emerging challenges in forest invasions.

Discover Research Ideas

Got another idea?

Thinking of a different way to collaborate? Whether it’s outreach, data sharing, or joint projects—we’d love to hear from you and explore the possibilities.

Send suggestion