In this issue, we feature an article by Professor Jiří Drahoš, president of the Academy of the Sciences of the Czech Republic. The article focuses on a current situation of in the Academy. He emphasises that the ASCR is the most efficient institution in the field of science and research in Czech Republic. What's more, the Aca demy was 99th among 2000 institutions evaluated by Clmago Institutions Ranking: 2009 World Report. In December 2009 at the Academic Assembly, the Czech Science Academy head. Censured the Government Council for Research and. Development and Innovation for downgrading its funding system of support for science. In his speech at the Assembly he also stressed that Academy as a consequence of its research continuously returns to society what it has received for its scientific endeavours from public finances. and Jiří Drahoš.
We feature an interview with Pavel Kindlmann, professor of ecology at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, who performs research on various aspects of biodiversity as head of the Biodiversity Research Centre in Šumava National Park in the Bohemian Forest. Bark beetles, which have become a heated issue with a political dimension, are the focus of his study. On one side, some experts demand that natural processes be allowed to take their course, even if that menas the bark beetle would destroy most of that forest. On the other side, experts are insisting on intervention. Anti-intervention forces are supporting the Biodiversity Research Centre. and Luděk Svoboda.