From Drivers of Landscape Change to Pathways for Action in Landscape Ecology: Key Insights from IALE 2025 Bratislava in a Rapidly Changing World

The IALE European Landscape Ecology Congress, held every four years, is a key event for the European landscape ecology community, bringing together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, students, and stakeholders for knowledge exchange and collaboration. The 2025 congress in Bratislava was especially significant, taking place near Piešťany where IALE was founded in 1982, symbolizing the organization’s evolution from Cold War-era cooperation to a global network. The 2025 meeting continued this legacy by promoting dialogue and action. This editorial examines the 2025 congress, from IALE’s founding in Piešťany to its current role addressing environmental and societal crises. We review its historical context, in particular Eastern European contributions in former Czechoslovakia, and the ongoing influence of pioneers like Prof. Milan Ružička. We then analyze congress participants and their contributions using bibliometric analysis to reveal patterns and international trends. Finally, we reflect on the 2025 issue of Landscape Online, exploring how its publications align with and expand upon the key discussions and innovations that defined this year’s European Congress.