Our scientists are studying how the temperature of watercourses is rising as the climate of southern Moravia gradually changes to Mediterranean

South Moravia: the most drought-prone region of the country

Thanks to our scientists, you will learn how non-native species that are favoured by a warming climate are entering our landscape in the Czech TV Events (Události) of 20. 7. 2023 at the timing 16:20 (available in Czech language only). In fact, in drying streams, these species have been registering recently. According to our scientists, we are heading towards an almost Mediterranean climate in South Moravia in the near future. Moreover, our region is the most drought-prone area of the country, due to the highest temperatures and the drainage of the landscape by man through land reclamation and stream regulation. According to our experts, climate change is visible in the extremes, when heat waves that heat up the water in the pools to 40°C alternate with extreme rainfall and cooling. In fact, several seasons change within a month, said our hydrobiologist, Petr Pařil, in an interview.

Due to the rising temperature, there is little oxygen in the water

Both scientists also appeared in the report (available in Czech language only), where at 34:12 you can see their research on the Loučka River in the Brno region, where on this day only 20 % of the water was flowing compared to normal. The current water temperature can be borderline for sensitive species like trout, and there is also a lack of oxygen in the water due to the rising temperature. According to our scientists, water temperatures are rising for many reasons. Not only are air temperatures rising, but the decreasing volume of water is causing streams to warm up much faster. The composition of animals in streams and rivers is therefore changing dramatically.

Support our video in the Czech All-Science competition with your vote

Petr Pařil is also the protagonist in this short video (in Czech language), where he reveals the secrets of working as a hydrobiologist when watercourses are drying up. He also introduces you to the DryRivers app, which you can use to map dry streams. You can vote for the video by Peter Pařil from our faculty until 15 October 2023 here.