SDG 15: Life on Land

SDG 15 – Life on Land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss.

Our Contribution to SDG 15

The Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (SUA) contributes to the protection of terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management through education, research, campus operations and cooperation with local communities.

The university combines scientific expertise with practical activities focused on the conservation of plant species, restoration of natural habitats, sustainable agriculture and responsible management of green infrastructure.

Research and Innovation

SUA conducts research addressing biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, ecosystem restoration, soil protection and landscape management. Research activities include the conservation of threatened plant species, monitoring of invasive species, protection of genetic resources and the development of environmentally responsible agricultural practices.

Through its Botanical Garden and specialised research facilities, SUA cooperates with scientific institutions on plant conservation and biodiversity protection. Work with threatened species and living plant collections contributes to the preservation of valuable genetic resources and terrestrial ecosystems.

Education and Student Engagement

Biodiversity conservation, ecology and sustainable land management are integrated into SUA's educational and research activities. Students develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills through study programmes, field exercises, research projects and environmental activities.

The Botanical Garden, Demonstration Garden and university research facilities provide practical learning opportunities in plant conservation, landscape management, sustainable agriculture and biodiversity monitoring. Student involvement in environmental initiatives and volunteering also helps strengthen awareness of biodiversity protection and responsible use of natural resources.

Public Engagement and Community Activities

SUA promotes biodiversity awareness through public events, educational workshops, exhibitions, guided visits and cooperation with local communities. The Botanical Garden offers activities for school pupils, students and the wider public, connecting environmental knowledge with everyday practices.

Community engagement includes volunteering and landscape improvement initiatives. In 2025, SUA took part in the Naše mesto volunteering initiative and supported community planting, including green-space improvements at a social services facility. These activities contribute to environmental awareness and strengthen the relationship between the university and its surrounding communities.

Sustainable Campus Operations

SUA manages campus green infrastructure with an emphasis on biodiversity conservation, ecological stability and climate resilience. Activities include tree inventories, biodiversity-friendly planting, maintenance of green spaces and protection of valuable trees.

In 2025, the university continued systematic removal of invasive non-native species, including box elder (Acer negundo) and tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima). The measures follow a monitoring strategy prepared in 2024 and are intended to protect native biodiversity and improve the ecological condition of campus green spaces.

Additional activities include biodiversity meadows, climate-resilient planting, green roofs and other nature-based solutions supporting terrestrial ecosystems.

Key Achievements

1.5 hectares of biodiversity meadows established on campus in 2024.
111 invasive trees and 16 individual seedlings removed by November 2025.
2,010 m² of invasive vegetation removed by November 2025.
2,900 perennial plants planted on the Main Campus in October 2025.

Evidence and Further Information

Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management

Sustainable Campus and Green Infrastructure

Education, Research and Community Engagement