Contacts
Address
Studentská 1410/23, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czechia
Welcome to the University of South Bohemia (USB),
the Home of SWS Europe 2026
The University of South Bohemia (USB) in České Budějovice is a dynamic research university with a strong emphasis on natural sciences and environmental studies — making it an ideal host institution for the 21st SWS Europe Annual Meeting. With more than 9,000 students across eight faculties and over 200 degree programs, USB combines a vibrant academic atmosphere with a growing international reputation.
USB is ranked among the top young universities worldwide and is currently the highest-ranked young university in the Czech Republic, reflecting its quality in research, innovation, and education.
The modern campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including the Science and Technology Park, and offers an inspiring environment for collaboration and scientific exchange. The conference will take place in the newly reconstructed Aula Conference Center, located at the heart of the USB campus.
With strong traditions in ecology, hydrology, and environmental research — and surrounded by one of Europe’s most distinctive wetland regions — USB provides an exceptional setting for this year’s meeting of wetland scientists.
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Organizers
Keith Edwards
A wetland ecologist with a long-standing fascination for plant–soil interactions, plant productivity, and the ways ecosystems respond to changing environmental conditions.
moreTomáš Hájek
A plant ecologist/physiologist at the University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science and at the Institute of Botany of AS CR, Plant Ecology Section.
moreJitka Janová
Secretary of the SWS2026 meeting. Plant ecologist focused on leaf cuticles as archives of historical CO₂ supply.
moreTomáš Picek
Microbial processes, nutrient cycling, and greenhouse gas dynamics in wetland and peatland ecosystems.
morePetra Straková
Carbon dynamics in peatlands, decomposition, plant and peat/soil FTIR analysis, chemometrics.
moreColumba Martinez Espinosa
The current President of the European Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists.
moreMatthew Simpson
The former President of the European Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists.
moreScientific Committee
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Marta Baumane – Aarhus University, Denmark
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Marija Chobanová – Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, North Macedonia
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Keith Edwards – University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czechia
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Tomáš Hájek – University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czechia
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Jan Květ – University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czechia
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Andrea Kučerová – Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Czechia
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Luca Marazzi – Dep. for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), UK Government
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Tomáš Picek – University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czechia
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Petra Straková – University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czechia
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Zuzana Urbanová – University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czechia