Contacts

Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre, Prague

Invasive species are among the greatest threats to forest ecosystems today, disrupting biodiversity, livelihoods and economies. Based at the Czech University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences — an inspiring academic environment we are proud to be part of — we investigate ecological and socio-economic aspects of invasions by plants, insects and pathogens in forest ecosystems. We apply a synthesis center model to integrate field data, global datasets, and models to clarify risks and inform decisions. We translate scientific evidence into actionable insights for managers and policymakers — protecting forests and the people who rely on them.

Research Ideas

Browse potential topics for future FISC working groups and explore emerging questions in forest invasion research. These ideas may inspire new collaborative synthesis projects.

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Call For Proposals Open

We have some good news – a new call for Working Group proposals is now open. Pre-proposals can be submitted until 1 July 2026. We’d love to hear from you!

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Experts on FISC

Connecting data, researchers and practice. Leading forest invasion scientists explain why FISC and the model of synthesis centers matter.

About us
Research Ideas

Browse potential topics for future FISC working groups and explore emerging questions in forest invasion research. These ideas may inspire new collaborative synthesis projects.

Discover more
Call For Proposals Open

We have some good news – a new call for Working Group proposals is now open. Pre-proposals can be submitted until 1 July 2026. We’d love to hear from you!

Explore more
Experts on FISC

Connecting data, researchers and practice. Leading forest invasion scientists explain why FISC and the model of synthesis centers matter.

About us
What’s happening

Latest news

Douglas-fir plantations face limited pest risk: New study by Aditya Ganesh in Forest Ecology and Management
07.04.2026

Douglas-fir plantations face limited pest risk: New study by Aditya Ganesh in Forest Ecology and Management

Forestry
Aditya Ganesh from the Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre, Prague (FISC) has published a new study in Forest Ecology and Management, examining the risk of pest damage to non-native Douglas-fir plantations worldwide. The study shows that although suitable conditions for pest establishment exist, the risk of large-scale damage remains low under current climates.
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Globalization is reshaping forests worldwide - and spreading their pests
06.04.2026

Globalization is reshaping forests worldwide - and spreading their pests

Lecture
In his presentation at the Northwest Science Association Annual Meeting, Andrew Liebhold explored how globalization and plantation forestry are breaking down long-standing biogeographic barriers between regions. As non-native trees spread globally, they are increasingly accompanied by herbivores, pathogens and other organisms that reshape forest ecosystems.
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Aditya Ganesh: Douglas-fir as a Global Experiment in Invasion Ecology
30.03.2026

Aditya Ganesh: Douglas-fir as a Global Experiment in Invasion Ecology

Meet Us
Meet Aditya Ganesh, researcher at FISC. In this video profile and accompanying interview, he explores Douglas-fir as a global model for invasion ecology, from insect herbivores across regions to hidden insect infestation inside cones.
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About FISC

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.

Advancing Global Understanding of Forest Invasions
Advancing Global Understanding of Forest Invasions
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.
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Andrew "Sandy" M. Liebhold, Ph.D.

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

Risk of co-evolved pest damage to non-native Douglas-fir plantations

Ganesh A., Pureswaran D.S., Liebhold A.M.

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.
Conferences & meetings

Upcoming events

FISC Talks: Bark beetles, fungi and stressed trees: from research to forest practice
15.05.2026

FISC Talks: Bark beetles, fungi and stressed trees: from research to forest practice

Climate change promotes bark beetle outbreaks in conifer forests. On Friday, 15 May, join Dr. Sigrid Netherer to explore interactions between bark beetles, associated fungi and host trees, and how field experiments and modelling approaches inform risk assessment and forest practice.
Event detail
What are we planning?

Event calendar

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Project HIVE 101187384. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

© Copyright FISC | Forest Invasion Synthesis Centre, Prague | 2026