Applied research

The applied research focused on consultancy in the analysis and modeling of risk processes for insurance and re-insurance market and on the development of methodologies for state administration and support of the decision-making processes in water management. 

There was developed a set of methodologies HEM for monitoring and assessment of the hydromorphological status of streams, which was accepted as national standard and the methodologies for the delimitation of surface water bodies. Based on HEM protocol, there were developed methodologies for assessment of flood effects in relation to stream hydromorphology (HEM-F) and methodology for assessment of sediment management risks in relation to hydro-morphological changes (HEM-S).

Consultancy in the analysis of complex reinsurance risk models for coverage of different natural perils, applied by international reinsurers for the Czech Republic and Central Europe, technological audit, analysis and identification of the potential for improvement of model accuracy within the insurance portfolio for the areas of flood, windstorm and hailstorm hazards.

Typology of streams 

Typology of surface water bodies in the Czech Republic

Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic (2010)

Methodology and delimitation of typological categories of streams in the Czech Republic for applications related to the Water Framework Directive. The methodology defines a set of 21 core and 43 fine types of streams, based on four key criteria - ecoregion, elevation, geology and stream order. The methodology was tested against the results of the long-term monitoring of hydrobiological and hydrochemical indicators to ensure relevance of the categories. The methodology and resulting delimitation are applied as core typology for water management in the Czech Republic.

Typology of surface water bodies of the Czech Republic [in Czech]

Decree 49/2001 on delimitation of surface water bodies  [in Czech]

Delimitation of surface water bodies in the Czech Republic

Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic (2011)

Methodology for delimitation of surface bodies of running waters in the Czech Republic for the purpose of the Water Framework Directive. The methodology defines principles, methods and workflow for GIS-based delimitation of surface water bodies, based on the typology of surface waters. 

Methodology for delimitation of surface water bodies in the Czech Republic [in Czech]

HEM - Assessment of hydro-morphological status of streams

Development of methodologies for mapping and quantitative assessment of the hydro-morphological status of streams and for the assessment of hydro-morphological reference status of water bodies. The HEM methodological framework was developed and accepted by the Czech Ministry of Environment as a national standard in 2008. 

In 2014 there was prepared a major update of the methodology, enabling type-specific assessment of the hydromorphological status, the definition of reference conditions and application of remote sensed data in hydromorphological monitoring. The 2014 version keeps the backward compatibility of data prepared by previous versions, enabling their application for type-specific assessment.

HEM - methodology for hydro-morphological assessment

Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic (2008, 2014)

HEM Methodology for field mapping of hydro-morphological status of streams [in Czech]

HEM-D Methodology for application of distance data for assessment of the hydro-morphological status of streams [in Czech]

HEM Field survey prototol for field mapping of hydro-morphological status of streams [in Czech]

HEM Methodology for type specific assessment of hydro-morphological status of streams [in Czech]

Definition of type-specific reference status of streams

Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic (2014)

Methodology for definition of type-specific reference status of streams  [in Czech]

HEM-F Methodology for assessment of flood consequences

Charles University and Ministry of Environment (2009)

Methodology for field mapping of flood effects in channels and floodplains in relation to stream hydromorphology. The methodology complete the structure of HEM hydromorphological mapping by the indicators of flood consequences and identification of structures, affecting the course and consequences of floods. The methodology is used for identification of potential risk elements of streams, at potential risk stream elements, aggravating the flood effects [in Czech].

HEM-F Methodology for field mapping of hydro-morphological status of streams [in Czech]

HEM -F Field survey prototol for field mapping of hydro-morphological status of streams [in Czech]

HEM-F Methodology for type specific assessment of hydro-morphological status of streams [in Czech]

HEM-S Hydromorphological aspects of sediment management

International Commission for the Protection of the Elbe River (2013)

Methodology for identification and assessment of indicators of the hydromorphological status of streams in relation to the sediment management for rivers in the Czech part of the Elbe River basin.

Insurance risk model consultancy 

Analysis of complex reinsurance risk models for coverage of different natural perils, applied by international reinsurers for the Czech Republic and Central Europe. Technological audit, analysis and identification of the potential for improvement of model accuracy within the insurance portfolio for the areas of flood, windstorm and hailstorm hazards.

Definition of damage curves that are specific for the Czech Republic based on the individual loss data from the extreme flood in August 2002. The experimental study evaluating selected samples of damage data from an extreme flood event on the basis of a geostatistical and field work combination, the analysis of unusual course and spread of the flooding for the purposes of calibration of damage functions.