Abstract: The production of woody energy crops may offer a real alternative for the utilisation of unfavourable cropping sites during the coming years. An experiment with woody energy crops on rustbrown forest soil was set up in 2007 at the Crop Production and Biomass Utilisation Demonstration Centre of Szent István University in the town of Gödöllő. The experiment was aimed at studying five willow varieties (Tora, Tordis, Inger, Sven, Csala) at three different nutrient levels (control, fertilisers, compost). We were seeking for the nutrient treatment and the variety that would produce the best results in a two-year harvesting schedule.In 2009 the average (50.8 t/ha) of the plots where fertilisers were applied exceeded the control yield (38.6 t/ha) by 31.6% which was even exceeded by the plots where compost was applied (40.6 t/ha) by 5.2%. In 2011 the yields after the application of fertilisers (51.0 t/ha) and compost (49.2 t/ha) exceeded the control yield (37.5 t/ha) by 36.0% and 31.2%, respectively. In 2009 a 22.9% while in 2011 a 49.7% difference was found between the average yields of the two different groups of varieties, respectively. The Tordis and Sven varieties fell short of, while Csala, Inger and Tora exceeded the 40 t/ha two-year biomass yield in both 2009 and 2010. In view of the impacts of the different growing seasons further studies will need to be carried out in order to be able to choose the variety that is best suited to the given site.

Keywords: short rotation coppice, biomass, willow, fertilizer, compost

Abstract: The aim of this paper was to study the effects of climate induced phenomena occurred in arable soils in the first half of year, 2013. The problem was investigated in a long-term trial on a preserved Chernozem soil and further assessments were performed on Luvisols and a Gleysol which have seriously suffered from climate extremes. Eight types of the soil deterioration were studied from the formation to the state that has changed for the worse. These phenomena were as follows (1) dust formation in the soil surface as the effect of the periodic frost, (2) silting of the dust, due to the periodic and heavy rains, (3) dust leaching into the soil and extending the former compacted layer, (4) soil settling due to the repeated rainfall, (5) strong crust formation in the silted surface both in soils to be unsown and in the rows of the crops. (6) remaining the crusty structure in long-term, (7) over compacting of the seedbed-base, (8) limited crop rooting in the over settled soils. Soil condition improvement may be expected to take place after the passage of 2-3 years, in the wake of soil conservation tillage practices.

Keywords: Dust formation, surface silting, crusting, dust leaching, soil settling

Abstract: Bare metal mine tailings are prone to erosion as the very young top soils develop on unstable materials with low cohesion and also cause environmental pollution through leaching of toxic metals to surroundings. An appropriate vegetation cover may reduce the erosion and immobilize toxic metals through phytostabilization. The abandoned copper mines in Mosaboni (Jharkhand, India) left huge amount of untreated tailings containing high concentration toxic metals and became a source of metal pollutants. So, through a pot scale study an attempt was made to determine the potential of Cymbopogon citratus in phytostabilization of copper tailings with and without amendment. Although, limited plant growth was observed on pure tailings (T); addition of chicken manure (M) or soil-manure mixture (MS) caused manifold increase in plant growth. Application of M caused more accumulation of toxic metals in aerial parts indicating possible threat of entry of toxic metal into the food chain. However, use of MS reduced metal accumulation in plant tissue. So, in the present case, where there is no option for continuous harvesting and disposal of plant biomass in the secured landfill, phytostabilization is more appropriate than phytoextraction, and lemon grass could be used in combination with MS to stabilize bare tailings.

Keywords: Copper tailings, phytostabilization, pot experiment, heavy metal

Abstract: The presence, distribution and antibiotic profile of staphylococci was determined in River Ganga in Uttarakhand region (India). A total of 128 staphylococcal strains were obtained from 32 sites which corresponded to three species namely S. aureus, S. hominis and S. aegilis. S. aureus dominated the staphylococcal population comprising of 68.75% of the total staphylococci. The sensitivity of staphylococcal isolates against twelve antibiotics was determined. Majority of the isolates were resistant for erythromycin, while 17.6 % of S. aureus were resistant to methicillin. Interestingly, 93% of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was observed to be in the lower regions of river Ganga of Uttarakhand, facing severe anthropological activities. Water of the River Ganga is extensively used for drinking, religious bathing and cleaning purposes. However, the presence of pathogenic multiple drug resistant staphylococci indicate that direct consumption of untreated Ganga water and bathing in this stretch poses a great health risk.

Keywords: S. aureus, Ganga, antimicrobial resistance, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Abstract: The plant adaptation to climate trends appears as a main research field in the recent past. In the Mediterranean environment a 14-year (1997-2010) phenological study was realized inside a phenological garden to investigate the climate/ plant relationships. The average phenological data thus obtained provide a mean model of development for the different species in relation to the 14-year period of observation (1997-2010). Meteorological recordings showed June and July as the months with the highest temperature increases during the central period of the study period. The phenological data showed a double-trend behaviour during the historical series considering the first two growth phases (V3, V5) that was not seen for the later phases (V7, V8). Moreover, different leaf presence periods on the tree were calculated for some of the plant species, and commonly the clearest trends were seen for V3 to V7 with a decreasing period length from 1997 to 2002-2003 and a successive quite constant behaviour. The lowest correlations between annual vegetative phases and temperature variations were manifested above all by two species (Sambucus nigra L. and Robinia pseudoacacia L.) for which the first leaf development phases appeared probably influenced by photoperiod.

Keywords: central Italy, climatic trend, phenological garden, phenology

Abstract: Strong seasonal variability in African carbon source/sink relationship is considered the continent’s most significant contribution to the global carbon cycle. Alternating dry and wet periods dictate ecosystem carbon exchange and productivity of tropical African savannah. We examined the seasonal and daily trends in ecosystem CO2 exchange in the herbaceous layer of a humid Kenyan savannah devoid of grazing. Microclimate, soil moisture, soil and tissue nitrogen, aboveground biomass and carbon dioxide fluxes were measured. The ecosystem carbon dioxide fluxes followed the seasonal rainfall pattern and were strongly correlated to soil water content. Peak mean carbon dioxide fluxes were 3.21±0.99, 8.21±1.02 and 4.67±1.06 umolm-2s-1 during drought and -13.86±1.48, 15.03±0.98, and 27.73±1.47 umolm-2s-1 during wet periods for net ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange, ecosystem respiration and gross primary production respectively. At daily scale, net ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange increased with increasing photosynthetic photon flux density under wet but decreased with increasing vapour pressure deficit under dry conditions. Ecosystem respiration increased with increasing soil temperature during wet but decreased with increasing soil temperature during drought. Our results point to the overriding role of soil moisture in the ecosystem carbon dioxide exchange processes of this savannah.

Keywords: African savannah, CO2 chambers, ecosystem respiration, net ecosystem exchange, soil moisture

Abstract: Taxonomic composition and abundance of summer phytoplankton were studied in 78 lakes in Bulgaria. The Hungarian Assemblage index was applied for the first time on various Bulgarian lake types and 27 phytoplankton functional groups were identified. The dominant functional groups differed based on lake type and trophic status. Functional groups’ frequency distribution showed that high relative abundance of assemblages L0, Y, MP, N, E, X3, Xph indicated high or good status, regardless of lake type. Simultaneously undesirable assemblages, linked to the declined water quality, were LM, J, M, S1 and H1. We also examined the relationship between the Assemblage index and a number of phytoplankton metrics: Total biomass, % Cyanobacteria, Transparensy, Chlorophyll a, Algal bloom and Algae Group Index. The two applied indices (Hungarian Assemblage index and Algae Group index) were highly correlated (p 0.01) . The Assemblage index had also strong relationship (p 0.001) with Total biomass, % Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyll a, as well as with the assessed overall ecological status. Assemblage index and Algae Group Index resulted in similar assessment and were applicable to all three Alpine and mountain, Deep semimountain and Small and middle sized lowland lake groups. Assemblage index is recommended especially for lentic ecosystems in extreme cases, e. g. hyperhaline lakes, for its flexibility and more adequate assessment.

Keywords: Assemblage index, Q index, Algae Group Index, Functional groups, Biomass

Abstract: In this study the concentrations of metals were investigated in Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. eh Steud. 1841 and sediment samples from the bed of the River Tisza in Serbia. Al, As, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr and Zn levels were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectrometry. The sediment samples contained elevated concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel and zinc. The increased concentration of these metals had no significant effect on wildlife of the river Tisza as the determined concentrations of the metals tested in the comon reed do not exceed the threshold of phytotoxicity. The research proved a strong positive correlation between the concentrations of metals in the sediment and all common reed organs (rhizome, stem and leave). Accumulated metals in the common reed are not distributed evenly, but there are target organs for bioaccumulation. Concentrations in belowground organs were usually higher than aboveground organs, and the general decreasing trend of element content was rhizome>leaves>stems.

Keywords: metals, sediments, plant organs, River Tisza

Abstract: Ecosystem level nutrient use efficiency (NUE) generally increases with the richness of species or life forms in a community, though, discrepancies may exist at species level. Existence of such discrepancies, phosphorus acquisition efficiency (PAE), phosphorus internal utilization efficiency (PUTIL), phosphorus use efficiency (PUE), quotient of phosphorus utilization (QUTIL) and phosphorus harvest index (PHI) were assessed at species (Corchorus depressus) level with various spatial and temporal factors within the arid area of the Thar Desert, India. These P variables were ordinate and regressed with various bottom up (species richness, relative importance of C. depressus, Shannon and Wiener index, Simpson index, evenness, seed output, percent cover of C. depressus, root length and root collar diameter) and with top down factors (soil organic carbon, nitrogen, moisture, pH and electric conductivity). The relative importance of PAE and PUTIL in the PUE as well as the QUTIL and PHI in the PUTIL were also assessed. ANOVA analysis revealed that all the factors undertaken in the present study (i.e. spatial and temporal events and their interaction) brought significant variation (P 0.001) in PAE, PUTIL, PUE and QUTIL. However, for PHI spatial and temporal events individually brought significant variations, their interaction was non-significant. It emerged that for PUE at low P environmental conditions, PAE was 10-37 times more important than PUTIL. Similarly for PUTIL, QUTIL was 17-56 times more important than PHI. Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test (0.597) and Bartlett’s test of sphericity indicated appropriate use of factor analysis (PCA) and significant correlation between variables in the present study, respectively. Ordination analysis showed lack of correlation between PAE and PUTIL, indicating that selection of one of these should not affect the other. Percent cover of plant, seed output, root length and root collar diameter exhibit various relationships with different P variables. Regression analysis between P variables and community factors revealed that at species level dominance of C. depressus reflects its higher P acquisition efficiency; however as the community diversity (richness, Shannon and Wiener index and evenness) increases the P internal utilization and PUE were inhibited. It can be concluded that P internal utilization and PUE of C. depressus are largely influenced by temporal factors (increase and decrease of community diversity during pulse and non-pulse events, respectively). As a result this species achieved effective nutrient use through temporal partitioning, through which it fulfilled P requirements during low resource availability. Among the soil variables soil nitrogen supported PUTIL, PUE and QUTIL, while soil moisture and soil pH favoured PHI and soil N and PHI showed negative relationship.

Keywords: Nutrient Use Efficiency, Ecosystem level, Species Level, Ordination, Species Diversity, Plant and Soil Factors

Abstract: The article deals with the problem of ecological quality of rivers in relation to catchment-scale threats. We aimed to detect the reaction of the river plants to the land use in a catchment in different spatial scales. The response of different ecological groups was considered as well as specific reactions of individual species. The study was based on surveys of 116 river sites in Poland representing three major European lowland river types: small sandy siliceous, stony siliceous and large siliceous. Field surveys were undertaken according to the standard monitoring approach including assessment of macrophyte abundance within 100 m river stretch. Land use was estimated for each survey site in five different spatial scales. The results showed that macrophytes strongly react to land use. The observations revealed that the width of a river corridor that is most strongly connected to macrophytes composition is related to an analysed river type. In small sandy and large siliceous this was a 500 m and 1000 m corridor, in stony – a 100 m and 500 m corridor. Several river type-specific reactions of macrophyte functional groups’ development, as the reaction to catchment deterioration, were also revealed. Moreover, a relation between development of individual species and land use was found based on canonical correspondence analysis.

Keywords: macrophytes, monitoring, Water Framework Directive, ecology, aquatic plants ecology, river types, River Habitat Survey

Abstract: Landscape modification can alter the distribution and abundance of wildlife, which can result in irruptions of native species causing significant impacts on economically and ecologically valuable systems. This study investigated the applications of the Spatio-Temporal Animal Reduction (STAR) model, originally designed for the management of feral ungulates, by adapting it for the management of a native pest herbivore (the Tasmanian pademelon, Thylogale billardierii) within an agricultural-forest mosaic, typical of Tasmanian (Australian) agricultural landscapes. Empirical data of habitat and demographic features of a pest population were inputted into STAR to test the cost-effectiveness of three simulated density reduction models. Compared with the projected population growth under no management, simulations demonstrated that low, medium and high density reduction all reduced population abundance over 10 years. Cost increased with the level of population reduction due to increasing difficulty with locating individuals. The revenue gained from a simulated harvest was greatest for medium-intensity density reduction. We propose STAR can be used as a decision support tool to guide situations considering resource availability, browsing intensity and site-specific management objectives. The application of STAR highlights the model’s adaptability across diverse pest populations, landscape features and where there is competition for resources between domestic and native populations.

Keywords: decision support tool, native herbivore, pest species, spatio-temporal model, wildlife management

Abstract: The effect of the support tree species and the seasonal and altitudinal variations on the physical-chemical characteristics of the water and soil accumulated in plants of the epiphytic bromeliad Tillandsia violacea were studied in “El Chico” National Park, a temperate forest from Hidalgo, in Central Mexico. The relationship of these factors with arthropods living in theme was also studied. It was found that the tree support species influenced the ions concentration in water and soil. The highest values of ions were found in plants from Abies religiosa. Altitude and the season of sampling affected calcium concentrations, as well as pH of soil and water accumulated on epiphytic Tillandsia. Electrical conductivity, calcium and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in epiphytic water accounted for more than 60% of the variation in the density of arthropods. In the accumulated soil pH (among 3.4-8.3), organic carbon content (17.16-30.07 mg g-1), sodium and potassium concentrations (0.26-1.43, 0.49-34.87 cmol + kg-1, respectively) were the most important factors correlated with the total fauna abundance. These results showed the role of epiphytic plants as refuges and nutrient source for arthropod communities and their influence on energy flow in this ecosystem.

Keywords: Altitude, dissolved organic carbon, ions contents, nutrients, suspended soils.

Abstract: On the basis of detailed floristic survey the level of invasion in various EUNIS habitat types identified in NW Poland was assessed. In a data set of 2131 floristic lists the mean number and mean proportion of native species, archaeophytes and neophytes was calculated for each of 25 habitat types. Relationships between this three groups of species were analysed using Pearson correlation. A total of 840 vascular plant species, including 77 archaeophytes and 114 neophytes were recorded. The most invaded habitats were: arable land, fallows and field margins, trampled areas, gardens and parks, lines of trees, anthropogenic tall-forb stands (they contained on average 20-67% alien plants). Most of mean numbers and mean percentage numbers of both alien plants groups in particular habitat types were higher compared to the results obtained from phytosociological databases, therefore the level of invasion assessed on the basis of phytosociological data can be underestimated

Keywords: alien species, archaeopytes, EUNIS, level of invasion, neophytes

Abstract: Distribution of the most diverse groups of insects is highly related to the structural complexity of the plant community, and increasing complexity, in turn, correlates with increasing diversity, richness and abundance of insects. As such, this study aims to examine the relationship between environmental heterogeneity and the richness, abundance and trophic guilds of insects. The study was conducted in the Serra da Bodoquena, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Samples were collected using an entomological net, and analysis of the distribution of functional groups along the environmental gradient was performed by direct ordering. The richness and abundance of insect species differ among the different vegetation types, such as clean pasture or cerrado. Using a functional Heterogeneity Index (HI), generalist groups showed a wide distribution, while more specialized groups were restricted to more structurally complex environments.

Keywords: structural complexity, environmental gradient, functional groups

Abstract: Surveys aiming at analysing spatial and temporal changes of the fish stock of Lake Balaton have an almost 100 year history. Drastically low water levels which could be observed in the past years and which were most probably caused by global climate change provide a good reason to study population dynamic changes induced by water level fluctuations. The present study attempts to give a historical description of changes in the catch data of economically utilised fish species in relationship with water level fluctuations, based on catch data of the Balaton Fish Management Non-Profit Ltd. (predecessor: Lake Balaton Fishing Ltd.) and its predecessors, covering a 110-year period.

Keywords: Lake Balaton, fisheries and anglers catch data, water level fluctuations, non-indigenous species

Abstract: Alpha diversity of mesic grasslands of the Arrhenatheretalia order was related to the surrounding landscape structure. The following questions were addressed: i) Does structure of surrounding landscape affect local species richness? How important is the influence of surrounding landscape in comparison with influence of climatic-topographical and soil-geological variables? ii) Do the landscape effects differ in climatically distinct regions (Pannonian, Carpathian colline-submontane and Carpathian montane-subalpine)? iii) Which of the surrounding habitats contribute to species richness and which species immigrate to grasslands most frequently? Species data were extracted from Slovak vegetation plot database. Surrounding land-use (in terms of cover and diversity of various habitat types in plot neighbourhood of 4 km2) was derived from CORINE land cover maps and National Grassland Inventory. Both, percentage cover and diversity of different habitat types in plot neighbourhood affected local species richness. In the Pannonian Basin, mesic grasslands had the lowest species richness but the landscape factors explained the highest proportion of its variance. In the montane-subalpine Carpathian region, the effect of landscape factors was least pronounced. The surrounding landscape affected number, proportion and cover of satellite species in plots. Mesic grasslands of the Pannonian Basin hosted the largest number, proportion and cover of archaeophytes and neophytes

Keywords: geology, land use, natural habitats, target species, satellite species

Abstract: Fire as a natural disturbance has been present in most European grasslands. Controlled burning was also an important component of the traditional landscape management for millennia. It was mainly used to reduce litter and woody vegetation and to maintain open landscapes suitable for farming. Due to socio-economical changes traditional and sustainable use of fire was ceased and replaced by arsons and technical fires in Europe. Despite its wide application in the past and the considerable extension and frequency of current grassland fires, the impact of fire on the grassland biodiversity is still scarcely documented in Europe. The aim of this study is to offer a perspective on the issue of fire impact on grasslands, by overviewing published information and practical experiences from Hungary. Our results suggest that fire can be detrimental for several taxa (e.g. insects or ground-dwelling birds), but can also promote population growth of several endangered species by reducing litter or by creating and maintaining open habitats. We also found that fire may be effective in controlling invasive plant species. The effect of fire on grassland biodiversity may be rather context-dependent. There is a critical need for developing robust evidences on the context-dependence of fire effect on biodiversity. For this, well designed prescribed burning experiments are crucial.

Keywords: wildfire, prescribed burning; nature conservation management, invasive species, grazing

Abstract: Carici humilis-Centaureetum rupestris association is one of the most widespread types of pasture in Istria and of great environmental and economic interest. The research aims were to test if forage quantity, nutritive value and functional composition (grasses and grass-like, legumes, and forbs percentage) of these pastures change significantly in relation to: time of the growing season, management type (low use intensity grazing/grazing abandonment) and topographic variables. During 2008, phytomass samples were collected in grazed and ungrazed pastures of Ćićarija (Croatia), in May, June, and September. Their composition in dry matter, ash, crude protein (CP), neutral and acid detergent fiber (NDF, ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were determined and net energy for lactation (NEL) and yield NEL were calculated. These variables followed a double trend, linked to the phenological phases of grasslands and to a land use/topographic gradient. Yield, yield NEL, dry matter, NDF, ADF and ADL increased during the growing season, while CP, NEL and IVDMD decreased. Yield, yield NEL, grasses and forbs, ash, and IVDMD were tied to the ungrazed pastures spread on the slopes, while ADF, ADL and dry matter had stronger correlation with grazed grasslands spread on the flat lands.

Keywords: Carici humilis-Centauretum rupestris Horvat 1931, Brachypodium rupestre, productivity, functional groups, forage quality

Abstract: The aim of study was to investigate the effect of grazing on the nutritional quality, such as composition, vitamins and fatty acids content of dairy goat milk. Before vegetation period, all goats were kept indoors and nutrition based on hay diet. After turn-out to pasture, all goats were grazing. Bulk milk samples were collected on 12 consecutive days at two sampling periods: in indoor and in grazing months and analysed for milk compositions and vitamin A, E and D3, as well as for fatty acid contents. The milk from grazing goats had significantly higher fat, protein and total solids non-fat than goats kept indoors. Grazing caused higher concentrations of vitamin A (0.026 vs. 0.036 mg/100ml; P0.01) and D3 (0.075 vs. 0.089 mg/100ml; P0.05) compared to feeding hay. During the grass diet the rumenic acid (0.56 vs. 0.66 g/100g fatty acids; P0.05) and n-3 fatty acids (0.36 vs. 1.19 g/100g fatty acids; P0.001) contents in milk significantly increased. In this study, n-6/n-3 ratio of 10.17 and 1.82 were found in milk samples of goats that fed indoor and grass, respectively. It can be concluded that the milk from grazing goats is more advantageous for human nutrition, than the milk produced by animals fed hay based diet.

Keywords: goat, grazing, milk, vitamins, fatty acids