The effect of mesoclimate on Collembola diversity in the Zádiel Valley, Slovak Karst (Slovakia)

In 2002–2004 an investigation of Collembola communities in the Zádiel Valley (Slovak Karst, Slovakia) was carried out. The karst valley is characterised by climatic and vegetation inversion. To assess the effect of mesoclimate inversion upon soil Collembola five sites were selected in hypsometric sequence from the karst plateau down the valley: (1) subxerophilous pasture – ass. Glechomo–Festucetum, (2) lime wood – ass. Mercuriali–Tilietum, (3) beech wood – ass. Dentario bulbiferae-Fagetum, (4) maple–hornbeam wood – ass. Aceri–Carpinetum, and (5) secondary oak wood. In total 152 soil Collembola species were collected, the numbers for particular sites ranging between 70 and 108. Evidently higher species richness was observed in soil of the beech wood compared to other selected forest plots. Thirteen species revealed affinity to inversed (wet and cold) stands of beech (3) and maple–hornbeam wood (4), four of them represented montane species, whereas five species clearly preferred thermophilous sites (1, 2, 5). The presence of 11 montane species at the bottom of the gorge (4) documented the inverse character of the site: Ceratophysella sigillata, C. silvatica, Friesea albida, Deutonura albella, D. stachi, Superodontella lamellifera, Tetrodontophora bielanensis, Heteraphorura variotuberculata, Kalaphorura carpenteri, Orthonychiurus rectopapillatus and Plutomurus carpaticus. Abundance of Folsomia quadrioculata significantly correlated with the soil microclimate – moisture (p < 0.01, r = 0.92). Distribution data on Collembola were performed by cluster (PC-ORD) and CCA ordination techniques. Collembolan communities of two neighbouring forest stands with identical soil type (rendzina) – lime (2) and beech wood (3) – were the most similar in species composition. Meso-/microclimatic gradients within a karst landscape play an important role in determining diversity and community structure of the soil Collembola.     

Fluoro‐mobilization of metals in a Slovak forest soil affected by the emissions of an aluminum smelter

Depositions originating from a central Slovak Al smelter may increase metal solubility in adjacent soils because they contain F (mainly HF). The reason for fluoro‐mobilization of metals may be the formation of soluble fluoro‐metal complexes or the mobilization of organic matter and subsequent formation of organo‐metal complexes. The objectives of our work were (1) to assess the extent of metal mobilization by fluoride in a Slovak Lithic Eutrochrept affected by the emissions of an Al smelter and (2) to model the dissolved metal species with the help of a chemical equilibrium model (MINEQL+). The O (Moder), A, and B horizons were equilibrated with solutions at F concentrations of 0, 0.9, 2.7, and 9.0 mmol l^—1. In the extracts, the concentrations of Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), free and complexed F, and the pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were determined. The heavy metal concentrations in the O horizon (Cd: 0.99, Cr: 18.0, Cu: 44, Ni: 26, Pb: 110, and Zn: 84 mg kg^—1) were 2.5 to 9 times larger than those in the A and B horizons. The concentrations of H₂O‐soluble F decreased from the O (261 mg kg^—1) to the A (103 mg kg^—1) and B horizon (92 mg kg^—1). In batch experiments increasing addition of F increased the equilibrium concentrations of Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, and DOC in all samples, of Cd in the A, and of K in the B horizon. At the same time the concentrations of complexed F and pH increased whereas EC decreased. Chemical equilibrium modelling indicated that the mobilizing effect of F resulted from the formation of fluoro‐Al complexes and organo‐complexes of all other metals.     

Spatial distribution of soil heavy metal concentrations as indicator of pollution sources at Mount Križna (Great Fatra,central Slovakia)

The objective of this study was to test the suitability of a simple approach to identify the direction from where airborne heavy metals reach the study area as indication of their sources. We examined the distribution of heavy metals in soil profiles and along differently exposed transects. Samples were taken from 10 soils derived from the same parent material along N-, S-, and SE-exposed transects at 0—10, 10—20, and 20—40 cm depth and analyzed for total Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations. The heavy metal concentrations at 0—10 cm were larger than background concentrations in German arable soils except for Cr (Cd: 0.6—1.8 mg kg^—1; Cr: 39—67; Cu: 40—77; Ni: 87—156; Pb: 48—94; Zn: 71—129; Fe: 26—34 g kg^—1; Mn: 1.1—2.4). Decreasing Cd, Cu, Mn, and Pb concentrations with increasing soil depth pointed at atmospheric inputs. Aluminum and Ni concentrations increased with soil depth. Those of Fe, Cr, and Zn did not change with depth indicating that inputs at most equalled leaching losses. The Pb accumulation in the surface layer (i.e. the ratio between the Pb concentrations at 0—10 to those at 20—40 cm depth) was most pronounced at N-exposed sites; Pb obviously reached Mount Križna mainly by long-range transport from N where several industrial agglomerations are located. Substantial Cd, Cu, and Mn accumulations at the S- and SE-exposed sites indicated local sources such as mining near to the study area which probably are also the reason for slight Cr and Zn accumulations in the SE-exposed soils. Based on a principal component analysis of the total concentrations in the topsoils four metal groups may be distinguished: 1. Cr, Ni, Zn; 2. Mn, Cd; 3. Pb (positive loading), Cu (negative loading); 4. Al, Fe, indicating common sources and distribution patterns. The results demonstrate that the spatial distribution of soil heavy metal concentrations can be used as indication of the location of pollution sources.     

Neospora caninum, potential cause of abortions in dairy cows: The current serological follow-up in Slovakia

Neosporosis is considered to be a contributing risk factor for abortions in dairy cows and other farm animals and has negative economic impact on their breeding. In respect of the rapid spread of neosporosis in herds throughout the world, our aim was to detect the prevalence of anti-Neospora antibodies in cows post-abortion (PA) (PA Group n = 716) and in cows without any reproduction problems (Control Group n = 247) on large breeding farms from Eastern Slovakia. The overall mean seropositivity in PA Group (20.1%) was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in comparison with the Control Group (2.3%), and this demonstrates the causal dependency of abortions on neosporosis. On farms from south-east region, 15.6% of cows were seropositive on average ranging from 7.8% to 25.8% in different districts. In the northern region, significantly (p = 0.0002) higher 26.2% mean seropositivity was detected. The seroprevalence in different districts ranged from 2.9% to 39.4%. In the PA Group a high seropositivity to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (41.5%) and sporadic occurrence of Q-fever, leptospirosis and chlamydiosis was also detected. From 11 Toxoplasma-seropositive cows, only one animal was simultaneously positive to Neospora. The relatively high prevalence rate in cows warrants the attention and a need of surveillance in Slovak herds. A better knowledge of epidemiology of this etiological agent and the mechanisms of its transmission may help in the introduction of more effective preventive and control measures.     

Soil Monitoring System as a Basic Tool for Protection of Soils and Sustainable Land Use in Slovakia

The purpose of soil monitoring system in Slovakia is better to protect the soils with regard to sustainable land use. The main objective is the observation of soil properties concerning the main threats to soil： soil contamination, salinisation and sodification, decline in soil organic matter （SOM）, soil compaction and erosion. Soil monitoring system in Slovakia is consistently running since 1993. Its importance consists of providing the information on changing spatial and temporal variations of soil parameters as well as the evolution of soil quality in topsoil and subsoil. Soil monitoring network in Slovakia is constructed using ecological principles, taking into account all main soil types and subtypes, SOM, climatic regions, emission regions, polluted and non-polluted regions as well as various land use. The results of soil monitoring of 318 sites on agricultural land in Slovakia have been presented. Soil properties are evaluated according to the main threats to soil relating to European Commission recommendation for European soil monitoring performance as follows： soil contamination, soil salinization and sodification, decline in SOM, soil compaction and erosion. The most significant change has been determined in physical properties of soils. The physical degradation was especially manifested in compacted and the eroded soils. About 50% of agricultural land is potentially affected by soil erosion in Slovakia. In addition, decline in SOM and available nutrients indicate the serious facts on evaluation and extension of soil degradation processes during the last period in Slovakia. Obtained measured data and required outputs are reported to Joint Research Centre （JRC） in lspra （Italy） and European Environmental Agency （EEA） in Copenhagen （Denmark）. Finally, soil monitoring system thus becomes a basic tool for protection of soils and sustainable land use as well as for the creation of legislatives not only in Slovakia, but in EU, too.     

Further investigation of risk elements content in the bones of wild rodents from a polluted area in Slovakia

Background

Wild rodents are suitable for monitoring environmental pollution and exposure risk assessment for people living in contaminated areas. The content of selected risk elements in the femora of bank vole (Myodes glareolus), yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) and wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) was estimated from the Kolíňany area of Slovakia, which is characterized by a high degree of environmental pollution. The rodents were trapped in February 2011 using standard theriological methods. All animals (n = 32) were adult males in good physical condition. The concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn and Ni in their bones were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Results

The highest concentrations of Fe and Cu were detected in the bones of yellow-necked mouse. Significant differences were observed for the content of Fe between A. flavicollis and M. glareolus (P < 0.05). The highest levels of Zn and Ni were found in the femora of wood mouse; however, significant differences were not detected between the rodents. Moreover, the concentrations of Cu, Zn and Ni were significantly higher in the bones of all three species (P < 0.05) in comparison with the values obtained in the same animal species at the same site in February 2007.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate an increased accumulation of Cu, Zn and Ni in the femora of M. glareolus, A. flavicollis and A. sylvaticus from the Kolíňany area and thus indicate towards ongoing contamination of this locality.     

斯洛伐克104份冬小麦种质资源农艺性状的分析及评价

为丰富我国冬小麦遗传多样性,为其遗传改良提供物质保障,对引进的104份斯洛伐克冬小麦种质资源的株高、株穗数、穗长、小穗数、穗粒数和千粒质量等主要农艺性状进行了调查分析。研究结果表明：引进的资源主要表现为株高偏高、穗子较大、千粒质量偏低的特点,且株高、穗长与千粒质量三性状均与对照品种存在极显著差异;6个性状变异系数幅度为0．08～0．37,变异系数的顺序为株穗数＞株高＝主茎穗粒数＞千粒质量＞穗长＞小穗数,表现了丰富的遗传多样性;64份冬性种质与40份春性种质的千粒质量差异达到极显著水平,株高和主茎穗粒数差异达到0．05显著水平,株穗数、穗长和小穗数差异不显著;株高与株穗数、株高与穗长、穗长与小穗数、穗长与穗粒数、小穗数与穗粒数呈极显著正相关,穗长与千粒质量、穗粒数与千粒质量呈显著正相关;聚类分析将104份种质分为4类;筛选出综合农艺性状优良的种质3份,可直接作为亲本材料应用于黄淮冬麦区的小麦遗传改良研究。     

Abundance, niche breadth, and niche occupation of Central European tree species in the centre and at the margin of their distribution range

How abundance, niche breadth and niche occupation of species change within the distribution range remains unresolved for tree floras. We compared populations of three common and three rare European tree species in the distribution centre and at the eastern margin with respect to abundance, niche breadth, and preferential occurrence along several soil-related niche axes. We hypothesised: (i) that abundance is higher, and niche breadth greater, in the distribution centre than at the margin, (ii) that the occupied niche differs between central and marginal populations with species being restricted to more favourable soils at the margin, and (iii) that common and rare species show different patterns.We characterised the occupied niche and niche breadth in a semi-quantitative way and discuss the role of human impact on tree abundance in the light of evidence from paleoecology and forest dynamics research.Five of the six species are more abundant in the centre than at the margin, at least in the natural vegetation prior to human intervention. In contrast to soil niche breadth, the preference for soil chemical and hydrological properties differed between centre and margin. Contrary to expectation, a shift to less fertile and partly also drier sites at the margin was observed, although bedrocks which give rise to the development of fertile soils were more frequent in Slovakia (ca. 49% of the total area compared to 20% in Central Germany) and bedrock types which produce infertile soils were more abundant in Central Germany (about 23% vs. 2% in Slovakia).While the abundant-centre-distribution hypothesis is supported by our data, we found no conclusive evidence of competitive displacement of weaker competitors and of a niche shift of superior competitors to more favourable sites at the range margin. Factors other than competition must be responsible for the observed niche shifts. Higher drought stress does not seem to be a limiting factor at the eastern margin, where dry sites were occupied more frequently compared to the centre.     

MODELLING THE EFFECT OF VEGETATION COVER AND DIFFERENT TILLAGE PRACTICES ON SOIL EROSION IN VINEYARDS: A CASE STUDY IN VRÁBLE (SLOVAKIA) USING WATEM/SEDEM

Vineyards represent one of the most erosion‐prone types of cultivated land. Because of this, cultivation practices are very important in reducing the soil erosion risk in vineyard regions. The aim of this paper was to assess the impact of various management practices on soil loss in vineyards. Effects of tillage, hoeing, rotavating and grass cover were evaluated in small vineyards located in southwestern Slovakia in the Vráble viticultural district. Erosion and deposition rates were estimated using the levelling method. This method is based on an evaluation of variability of the soil surface against vineyard poles measured between the year of pole insertion and the year of measurement. On the basis of the measured data, a WATEM/SEDEM distributed soil erosion model was calibrated, and the total soil loss from the vineyards under different management conditions was estimated. The model shows rather good performance in modelling soil erosion, but at the same time, it shows lower reliability in modelling soil deposition. Downslope tilled vineyards were the most eroded; the erosion in rotavated vineyards is somewhat reduced. The most protective tillage system is hoeing. Considerably lower soil loss was estimated with the use of vegetation cover between vine rows, which is in accordance with agro‐environmental schemes supporting use of grass cover as an erosion prevention measure in vineyards. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.