History of IHMB UNIZA
The Institute of High Mountain Biology (IHMB) was founded in 2000 as a scientific institution of the University of Žilina with the aim and mission to develop and provide biological research for a better understanding of the unique biological and physical processes in the alpine ecosystems of the Western Carpathians.
The proposal to establish the institute as a part of a major university in northern Slovakia was made by prof. Marián Janiga in 1998. The main idea was to create a biological research centre in Slovakia that would be able to participate in international high mountain research projects. The establishment of the specialised scientific centre follows the legacy of associate professor Ján Futák, CSc. and Ing. Ladislav Kňazovický, who saw the need for such an institution in the High Tatras in the last century. The workplace is located on the northern side of the High Tatras in the village of Tatranská Javorina. The unique location allows year-round accessibility and the possibility of continuous field research.
During the first five years, the building of the original primary school was renovated, laboratories and premises for administrative and educational activities were set up. In 2006 the IHMB started educational activities within the accredited study programme of Nature Conservation (Bachelor´s programme) and since 2016 also within the Master's programme - scientific study programme: Alpine and High Mountain Ecology. The years 2009-2011 were an important milestone in the history of the IHMB. During this period the laboratories were fully equipped with instruments. The laboratories were equipped with funds from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, the European Structural Funds and other projects.
The current focus of the institute is on the impact of humans on alpine biota and the impact of climate change on alpine ecosystems. It deals with research on organisms living mainly in the alpine and sub-alpine vegetation zones. An integral part of the research is the training of new staff in high mountain research and conservation. Research is carried out not only in the high mountains of Europe, but also in Asia.
In addition to international scientific journals, the results of the research are published in the scientific journal Oecologia Montana, which provides new insights into the alpine and mountain biota of the Western Carpathians.
