Excursion of German students to the Czech Republic

A group of six students from the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany, recently participated in an educational field trip organised by the Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters in Vodňany. This week-long expedition, led by Antonín Kouba and Phillip J. Haubrock, aimed to deepen their understanding of freshwater ecosystems and provide insights into academic research practices beyond German borders.
The excursion commenced on Monday with a series of presentations by local experts. The day began with an overview of biological invasions, setting the stage for more detailed discussions on invasive crustaceans and fish species, and the significance of accurate terminology in the field of invasion science. The students also explored the behavior of aquatic animals and visited Faculty experimental and culture premisses. The day concluded with an electrofishing in the Blanice River, providing a firsthand look at the differences between native and invasive fish species.
On Tuesday, the group ventured to the Intitute of Botany in Třeboň, followed by a visit of the pond area to delve into local aquaculture practices. They toured ponds dedicated to carp cultivation, observing the processes involved in their storage and transport. A visit to the Červené blato bog added an intriguing ecological perspective. The students expressed their gratitude to the staff of ENKI o.p.s. (Dr. Marek Baxa and Assoc. Prof. Jan Pokorný) for their warm hospitality.
Wednesday's itinerary featured a visit to Pstruhařství Mlýny, a commercial farm specializing in rainbow trout cultivation and fish processing, capped off with a detailed discussion on the biology and management of salmonid fish, followed by a visit to the hatchery of the National Park Šumava in Borová Lada. The students then went on a hike to a natural refuge of the noble crayfish. This site remains one of the few locations in the region where these crayfish are still abundant.
Thursday was dedicated to understanding the river continuum concept under guidance of Assoc. Prof. Martin Bláha. This concept explains the changing environmental conditions of streams from their source to their confluence and the consequent impact on the resident organisms.
Despite the intensity all described activities, the students found the experience immensely valuable. This international educational journey highlighted the importance of cross-border academic collaboration and cultural exchange.