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Centre for Scientific Tourism in Slovakia at the Institute of Forest Ecology in Zvolen (hereinafter referred to as CSTS) utilises the immense geo- and biodiversity uniquely concentrated within a small Slovak territory (approximately 49 000 km2). It comprises all vegetation belts ranging from lowland floodplain forests up to the mountain spruce forests and the alpine zone. Furthermore, Slovak territory features diverse relief forms shaped prior to, during and following the Alpine folding including famous Klippen Belt, flysch zone, karst areas, travertine piles, relict sand dunes, volcanic ranges, high mountains shaped by glaciers, a wide spectrum of soil types including andosols and chernozems, as well as rich wildlife, incl. bear, lynx wolf etc. CSTS collects, evaluates and disseminates information on these valuable landscape elements, natural objects and ecosystems in order to facilitate a seamless scientific information transfer. It offers foreign scientists and university students the opportunity to see or study natural phenomena directly in the field (e. g. field training for students) either because their countries have been shaped by different processes or they prefer to see or study them concentrated within a small area. CSTS's prime objective is to establish and strengthen general awareness of geo/biodiversity across Europe as well as to promote the recognition of both their intrinsic value and their importance for the quality of life. For this purpose, CSTS staff develops new, more effective ways of ecological, environmental and nature protection education (target groups: politicians, CEOs, journalists, young people, individuals who wish to contribute to nature conservation across Europe). CSTS draws on the outstanding expertise and research carried out by researchers from several renowned Slovak scientific institutions:
CSTS is a well established organisation. It was founded as a non-profit organisation affiliated with the Institute of Forest Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Zvolen (www.savzv.sk). British Know-How Fund (www.britemb.sk/khf) in 1998 helped to cover its start-up costs. Funding for CSTS research, publishing and educational activities have been provided for instance by Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation, British Know-How Fund, National Bank of Slovakia etc. The ultimate mission of the Centre for Scientific Tourism in Slovakia (CSTS) is to secure the lasting existence of intact nature segments despite the pressure resulting from the economic development. Therefore:
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