Býčí skála, the second largest cave in the Czech Republic, became another stop for foreign guests from Tanzania and Croatia, who are staying at Mendel University in Brno this week as part of the Erasmus+ program.
The visit was led by Professor Ivo Pavlík, who introduced the guests to the importance of ongoing biological studies. “In the cave, we observe unique ecosystem processes and, for example, the use of bat guano as a natural fertilizer,” he explained. “We show how the cave environment reflects the history of floods or the deposition of sediments that are full of DNA,” he added. Gabriel Mayengo, a lecturer at the College of African Wildlife Management in Tanzania, praised the opportunity for comparison: “We have similar caves at our university, but this one is unique in its biodiversity. Here I am comparing species that occur here and those that live here. I am looking forward to seeing other interesting places in the Czech Republic.”
From the Croatian side, colleagues from the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Zagreb joined the visit, who were interested in the use of guano in agriculture. “We want to better understand how to properly use guano in fertilizers and biostimulants. At MENDELU, they have very similar experience with this research,” he said during the tour. A postgraduate student involved in the Erasmus+ program was also present, who evaluated the entire week-long stay: “We visited laboratories, arboretums and experimental stations. But the cave was something completely different. It showed us how natural processes are connected to everything we learn.”
During his presentation, Professor Pavlík also drew attention to seemingly inconspicuous details: “The tap water in the cave is usually sterile. Life is brought into it by bats, more precisely by microorganisms from their feces. So even if it looks clear, never drink it,” he added with a smile. In conclusion, Priscilla Mcande from Tanzania also shared her impressions: “I came as part of an academic exchange so that we could improve our educational program. I was very impressed by the botanical garden and the way in which MENDELU presents teaching to students – it connects theory with practice and field experiences.”
The visit to Býčí skály thus brought together science, education and international cooperation and reminded us that even underground, a new perspective on life can be discovered.