Dissertation topics

Školiteľ: Ing. Anna Kidová, PhD.

Large woody debris (LWD) significantly influences flow regime, channel morphology, and processes in gravel-bed rivers. Consequently, LWD plays a signigicant role in sediment transport and in-channel landforms formation. Especially logjams accumulation create conditions for channel planform adjustment and support channel narrowing, increase flow depths and pool frequency. PhD thesis will determine the geomorphic controls that influence logjam deposition. In addition, we will assess how geomorphic characteristics (e.g., valley confinement, slope) may influence logjam deposition on avulsion channels in comparision to clumps accumulation on main channel. Very recent hydrological data will provide analysis concerning to size and duration of the maximum discharges where the individual sequences of logjams accumulation were proven. The high-resolution LiDAR with combination of UAV data for volume calculation as well as the 3D model of logjams creation will be used.

Supervisor: Ing. Anna Kidová, PhD.

A detailed reach scale model will be created by a set of field measurements and analyzes of data from remote sensing of river channel evolution will capture its significant geomorphological changes due to the operation of a small hydropower plant since 2000. The consequences of human interventions on river flows and artificial structures in river channels can determine negatively affect its natural development in the form of back-erosion processes, rapid channel incision into the bedrock, or complete loss of the ability of lateral migration of the river channel. It is therefore necessary to include approaches that provide objective scientific evidence for the application of appropriate river management practices when researching the development of an increasingly human-dominated landscapes.

Supervisor: Mgr. Ján Novotný, PhD.

Georelief is the result of the opposing action of endogenous and exogenous factors. In the current morphoclimatic conditions in the Western Carpathians, the dominant organizational element of georelief are river systems. Based on their properties, it is possible to identify manifestations of neotectonics, which is one of the main control factors in the development of georelief. However, in a tectonic active environment, it is necessary to distinguish the influence of tectonic processes from other factors, especially from the influence of heterogeneous lithology. Therefore, the aim of the work will be to perform a comprehensive geomorphological analysis of the selected area, to extract data from available digital relief models and other sources (geological maps) and to analyze differences in rock resistance in the field. The resulting synthesis will provide knowledge about the development of the studied area, with an emphasis on distinguishing the main factors that contributed to its formation.

Supervisor: Mgr. Ján Novotný, PhD.

The development of information technologies such as the use of artificial intelligence and deep learning models brings new opportunities for identifying natural hazards that directly threaten human life and health and cause economic losses. The aim of this thesis will be to use artificial intelligence tools (machine and deep learning) to analyse accurate, high-resolution digital elevation models and test the possibilities of automated slope deformation detection based on texture and morphological image analysis. A detailed statistical analysis will evaluate the suitability of using different combinations of input layers (derived from the elevation model) for identifying individual landslides using pixel-based and object-based classification methods. The work results in the development of a tool for mapping and monitoring these natural hazards.

Supervisor: Mgr. Róbert Pazúr, PhD.

The loss of ecological connectivity in increasingly fragmented human-dominated landscapes threatens the long-term persistence of many species. The Northern Carpathians are a European hotspot of natural wildness harboring the umbrella species, e.g., brown bear or European bison. However, land-use changes such as infrastructure or settlement development, agricultural intensification, and forest harvesting put wildlife in the constant thread. This PhD aims to assess ecological connectivity and its changes based on GPS telemetry and remote sensing data. The successful candidate will integrate telemetry data for species movement, remote sensing imagery and stakeholder knowledge into a powerful, spatially explicit connectivity assessment. A successful candidate should be fluent in English and passionate about wildlife and remote sensing. This PhD position offers a great way to join international research projects. A good knowledge of the Slovak language is advantageous.

Supervisor: Mgr. Róbert Pazúr, PhD.

Nowadays, machine learning is reaching our everyday life. Remote sensing benefits from machine learning, besides others, by automating the classifications, identifying the patterns in the time-series, or identification of the landscape patterns. The goal of this PhD is to develop monitoring of biodiversity and management of the grassland areas in the Alps and Carpathians based on AI combining the Landsat and Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, Planetscope imagery, and orthophotos. The mapping will support the identification of grassland management and biodiversity and its documentation process. A successful candidate should be fluent in English and passionate about AI and remote sensing. This PhD position offers a great way to join the ongoing international research project funded by Biodiversa+.

Supervisor: Mgr. Róbert Pazúr, PhD.

Agricultural land may be used by humans in different ways and intensities. This PhD aims to investigate the availabilities of remote sensing instruments and other spatial/statistical data to map the land use intensities over agricultural landscapes. You will explore the time series of Landsat and Sentinel-2 imagery, in combination with additional data (e.g., Copernicus spatial data platform, aerial imagery) to identify the evidence of the specific land-use types in agricultural landscapes (e.g., moving, grazing, plowing, fertilizing). A successful candidate should be fluent in English and capable of working in spatial analysis, remote sensing and data science. This PhD position offers a great way to join international research projects.

Supervisor: Doc. RNDr. Matej Vojtek, PhD.

Fluvial and pluvial floods are among the most frequently occuring types of floods. Fluvial floods are characterized by water overflowing the channel and flooding the adjacent areas. Pluvial floods, or floods from surface runoff, are directly caused by extreme high-intensity rainfall, the amount of which exceeds the retention capacity of the given territory or the capacity of the drainage system. The aim of the dissertation thesis is to create a methodology for mapping and assessment of compound risk of fluvial and pluvial flooding. The risk of compound occurrence of these types of floods will be assessed from the point of view of the hazard itself, but also from the point of view of vulnerability segment using geo-spatial data and technologies and approaches based on rainfall-runoff and hydraulic modeling and remote sensing data analysis.

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Supervisor: Mgr. Kristína Bilková, PhD.

This proposed PhD. project delves into the multifaceted relationship between geography and gender inequality, aiming to unravel the spatial dimensions that contribute to and perpetuate disparities between genders. Here, gender inequality is defined as unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and power between men and women. The gender inequality is a pervasive global issue with nuanced manifestations across diverse geographical contexts. The primary objectives of this Ph.D. project are to map and analyze spatial patterns of gender inequality, investigate the underlying socio-economic and cultural factors that drive these patterns, and propose targeted interventions to address disparities at the regional and local levels.

Supervisor: Mgr. Daniel Michniak, PhD.

The character of the state border influences the development of the regions in its vicinity. On the one hand, the border can be a barrier or, on the other hand, an impulse for the development of border regions. Tourism is one of the economic sectors affected by border changes. The aim of the dissertation will be to analyse regime changes and other factors at selected state borders and other factors and their impact on tourism development.

Supervisor: Mgr. Daniel Michniak, PhD.

The character of the state border influences the development of the regions in its vicinity. On the one hand, the border can be a barrier or, on the other hand, an impulse for the development of border regions. The development of cross-border transport is one of the factors that point to the development of cross-border links and the integration of cross-border regions. The aim of this dissertation will be to analyse the changes in transport in selected regions.

Supervisor: Mgr. Daniel Michniak, PhD.

Uneven spatial development leads to the polarisation of space and the creation of peripheral and less developed regions. The aim of the dissertation will be to identify the factors influencing the formation of peripheral regions and to point out the possibilities of development of selected peripheral and economically lagging regions.

Supervisor: Mgr. Róbert Pazúr, PhD.

The goal of this PhD project is to assess the current ecosystem services of the national parks in Slovakia, trade-offs of their different future development and its hinterland, and their implementation into strategic planning. The successful candidate will integrate landscape ecology, remote sensing, and social sciences to provide a scientifically sound baseline about the different pathways of landscape development. A good knowledge of the Slovak language is advantageous.

Supervisor: Mgr. Róbert Pazúr, PhD.

The goal of this PhD project is to assess the current ecosystem services of the national parks in Slovakia, trade-offs of their different future development and its hinterland, and their implementation into strategic planning. The successful candidate will integrate landscape ecology, remote sensing, and social sciences to provide a scientifically sound baseline about the different pathways of landscape development. A good knowledge of the Slovak language is advantageous.

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Supervisor: Mgr. Michala Sládeková Madajová, PhD.