Go Belowground! 2026
The Department of Experimental and Functional Morphology, Institute of Botany, Czech Academy of Sciences organizes the 8th annual
PhD course of functional ecology „Go belowground!“
13 – 19 September 2026, Pension Kamínek (near Nové Hrady), Czech Republic
The course will be focused on the theoretical background and practical assessment of plant functional traits which can be found on belowground plant organs in temperate herbs. It will focus on the description and analysis of clonal, bud bank, fine root traits using methods of plant morphology, architecture and anatomy. The course will be composed of lectures and practical trait assessments enabling application of taught methods.
Instructors: Jitka Klimešová (IBOT), Jana Martínková (IBOT), Renáta Schnablová (IBOT), Curtis Lubbe (IBOT) & guests
Course description: The course starts with lectures presenting the latest developments in the understanding of ecological functions of belowground plant traits which are mostly overlooked in contemporary functional ecology. Introduced topics: plant form and function, plant architecture as a demographical constraint, clonal traits and environmental gradients, bud bank and disturbance, anatomical traits in herb roots and belowground organs.
The lectures will be accompanied by field excursions, plant sampling and trait assessment in the laboratory. Methods of functional traits assessment which are presented include: clonal and bud bank traits, herb-chronological analysis using morphological and anatomical markers, and plant age assessment. A full agenda will be released as speakers are confirmed.
To apply for the course, please send your CV and a motivation letter (maximum one page) by the end of May 2026 to jana.martinkova@ibot.cas.cz.
The expected maximum course fee for 2026 is 750 EUR, in case we are not successful in obtaining project funding or other financial support. The final fee will be confirmed soon, in May/June 2026 at the latest.
The fee includes accommodation, full-board meals including coffee breaks, laboratory materials, and transport during the course.
For more information about the course, please contact jana.martinkova@ibot.cas.cz.
(information from previous editions of Go belowground! 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025)(In 2020 and 2021 the course was cancelled due to the pandemic)