1721 research outputs found
Sort by
Integrated Research Tools and Strategies for Sustainable Management of Health, Food Security, Natural Resources, Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Climate Change
Full text linkVulnerability of dynamic genetic conservation units of forest trees in Europe to climate change
No full textA transnational network of genetic conservation units for forest trees was recently documented in Europe aiming at the conservation of evolutionary processes and the adaptive potential of natural or man-made tree populations. In this study, we quantified the vulnerability of individual conservation units and the whole network to climate change using climate favourability models and the estimated velocity of climate change. Compared to the overall climate niche of the analysed target species populations at the warm and dry end of the species niche are underrepresented in the network. However, by 2100, target species in 33–65 % of conservation units, mostly located in southern Europe, will be at the limit or outside the species' current climatic niche as demonstrated by favourabilities below required model sensitivities of 95%. The highest average decrease in favourabilities throughout the network can be expected for coniferous trees although they are mainly occurring within units in mountainous landscapes for which we estimated lower velocities of change. Generally, the species-specific estimates of favourabilities showed only low correlations to the velocity of climate change in individual units, indicating that both vulnerability measures should be considered for climate risk analysis. The variation in favourabilities among target species within the same conservation units is expected to increase with climate change and will likely require a prioritization among co-occurring species. The present results suggest that there is a strong need to intensify monitoring efforts and to develop additional conservation measures for populations in the most vulnerable units. Also, our results call for continued transnational actions for genetic conservation of European forest trees, including the establishment of dynamic conservation populations outside the current species distribution ranges within European assisted migration schemes
The cultivation of oak seedlings inoculated with Tuber aestivum Vittad. in the boreal region of Finland
No full textDespite recent findings, truffles are rarely found in Finland. In 2006, we began to explore the cultivation potential of Tuber aestivum/uncinatum in Finland. In 2006–2008, roughly 1,200 Quercus robur seedlings and 200 Q. pubescens seedlings were planted in 20 orchards. We aimed to challenge the Southern European (France) tree provenances of oak seedlings in a boreal climate. Additional winter coverings made up of fabric or plastic and twigs prevented the seedlings’ mortality even when the air temperature was below −30 °C during the second winter. The results showed that the top soil temperature at 15 cm depth has to be above −5 °C to guarantee the survival of seedlings. Q. pubescens was more sensitive to low soil temperatures than Q. robur. Morphological and PCR analysis of root samples collected over 2007–2010 confirmed the presence of T. aestivum in all orchards despite unfavorable temperatures during the winter time. The first T. aestivum sporocarps were found under Q. robur in October 2012 in the orchards established in 2006 on old agricultural land, showing truffle cultivation to be successful in the boreal climate
Inclusion of forestry in smart specialization strategies and programming of European Cohesion Policy 2014–2020
No full textThe importance and impacts of crows, with empasis on hooded crow (Corvus cornix), in the (sub)urban environment
No full textIn recent decades, the increase in number of crows, particularly the hooded crow (Corvus cornix), in the (sub)urban environment has resulted in the ever-increasing conflicts with humans. Consequently, this has resulted in growing demands for solving problems with crows and for significant reductions in abundance of these birds (particularly in the urban environment), which happened also in Slovenia. However, Slovene professional-scientific literature does not provide any scientific data that would confirm or even evaluate possible negative impacts of crows on humans, society or ecosystems. For this reason, a comprehensive review of foreign studies on interactions among humans and crows is presented in this paper, which aims to contribute to a better understanding of conflicts with (especially hooded) crows in the urban and rural environment and therefore also to suitable management of species. Due to (rather stigmatised) opinion on negative impacts of crows on populations of other bird species, an overview of studies on the effects of (hooded) crows as predators is also provided. It is very evident from the literature that crows certainly play an important role in ecosystems, and are also involved in many conflict situations with human both on agricultural land (damages on crops and infrastructure) and in urban ecosystems (damage on property, attacks on humans, disturbing peace of residents, pollution in urban areas). In order to make suitable and reasonable management decisions, it would be necessary to systematically study comprehensive ecosystem values of (hooded) crows and their conflicts with humans both in agricultural and urban areas of Slovenia. Based on these findings, appropriate measures to reduce both the number and volume of negative interactions as well as to increase the tolerance of crows in public should be implemented
Mycorrhizal status of an ozone-sensitive poplar clone treated with the antiozonant ethylene diurea
No full textThe antiozonant ethylene diurea is proven to prevent growth reductions in forest trees induced by ozone. The community of mycorrhizal fungi could be useful indicator of environmental stress. In this study, response of mycorrhizal fungi and fine roots to a 4-year exposure to ambient ozone and treatment with antiozonant was investigated in ozone-sensitive poplar clone under field conditions. The community of ectomycorrhizal fungi and root length colonization with ectomycorrhizal, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and root endophytic fungi was analyzed in antiozonant-treated poplar plants and in poplar plants irrigated with water. In general, plants protected by antiozonant showed higher total number of fine roots, number of ectomycorrhizal types, Shannon–Weaver diversity index, and Species richness index compared to the plants treated with water. The ectomycorrhizal community shifted from contact exploration type in the trees irrigated with water to short-distance exploration type in ethylene diurea-treated trees. Ozone protectant may beneficially affect the belowground community of mycorrhizal fungi colonizing roots of ozone-sensitive poplar clone
Reproductive potential of Roe deer in Slovenia [er]
No full textEuropean roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) is the most important game species in majority of European countries, including Slovenia. Therefore, it is crucial to perform an effective management of this species, which should be based on the knowledge of its population dynamics. Systematic research on reproductive potential (e.g. fertility and potential litter sizes) of roe deer in Slovenia began in 2013. Reproductive organs (uteri with ovaries) of culled roe deer females, i.e. adult does (n = 392) and yearlings (n = 82), were sampled in 45 hunting grounds all around Slovenia during the hunting season, from 1 September to 31 December 2013. Fertility was determined by the presence of corpora lutea in ovaries, and potential litter size by counting their numbers.Results confirmed high fertility of roe deer females in Slovenia. Corpora lutea were present in ovaries of all except two adult does, and only 15.9% of yearlings was infertile, all of them in poor body condition (undressed body mass 16 kg had 2 corpora lutea). This has to be taken into account when making management decisions. Indeed, particularly selective culling of yearlings in poor condition, i.e. with low body mass, and preserving of heavier individuals, can have a significant impact on fawn production, and hence also on the reproduction of roe deer in the following year(s)