171. Soil mesofauna diversity in agricultural systems of Slovenia using the QBS index and its modificationsVid Naglič, Nataša Šibanc, Tine Grebenc, Irena Bertoncelj, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Soil mesofauna plays a key role in maintaining soil health by supporting the decomposition of organic matter, nutrient cycling and the maintenance of soil structure. In this study of Slovenian agricultural ecosystems, we used four modifications of the QBS index, a soil biological quality index based on soil mesofauna. We compared diversity in arable fields under different tillage intensities, a strawberry field and an orchard, managed with either organic or integrated pest management methods (IPM). The results show significant differences in the mesofaunal communities in the soil. Minimum tillage promoted higher biodiversity, especially of Collembola, compared to conventional tillage. In fruit production systems, the ratio of Collembola to Acarina differed from that of arable fields, skewing in favour of Collembola, possibly related to the use of copper-containing pesticides in organic orchards and systemic herbicides in IPM systems. The QBS index values for soil health varied considerably between systems. Only QBS modifications considering the abundances of organisms (QBS-ab and QBS-a) were able to distinguish between different system-management groups. This study provides insights into the limitations of the originally proposed QBS-ar index to discern the effects of farming intensity on the soil mesofaunal community. Results suggest that minimum tillage and organic management practices can promote healthier soil ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of sustainable soil management for the promotion of soil biodiversity. Future research should aim to incorporate a broader range of agricultural practices and assign fauna to a higher taxonomic rank to further explain the effects on soil mesofauna diversity. Keywords: soil health, soil microarthropods, biodiversity, agroecosystems, tillage intensity, organic farming Published in DiRROS: 03.12.2024; Views: 103; Downloads: 53 Full text (69,12 KB) This document has many files! More... |
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173. Genomic diversity and population structure of Carniolan honey bee in its native habitatBoris Lukić, Nikola Raguž, Marin Kovačić, Ino Čurik, Jana Obšteter, Janez Prešern, Jernej Bubnič, Ras Lužaić, Ivan Pihler, Goran Mirjanić, Marco Pietropaoli, Zlatko Puškadija, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Background Research into the genetic diversity of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) populations has become increasingly signifcant in recent decades, primarily due to population declines attributed to human activities and climate change. As a species of great importance, breeding programs that leverage understanding of genomic diversity could ofer solutions to mitigate these challenges. The objective of this study was to examine the genomic diversity and population structure of Carniolan honey bees (Apis mellifera carnica) using the Illumina SNP chip on a large honey bee sample collected from Central and South-Eastern European countries. The study also aims to ofer recommendations for future breeding programs Keywords: honey bee, Carniolian honey bee, genomic diversity, diversity, population structure Published in DiRROS: 02.12.2024; Views: 125; Downloads: 314 Full text (11,37 MB) |
174. Zakaj toliko besed o krompirju?Valentina Levak, Tjaša Lukan, 2024, popular article Keywords: krompir, zgodovina krompirja, krompirjevi škodljivci, krompirjeve bolezni, raziskave krompirja, Nacionalni inštitut za biologijo, sistemska biologija Published in DiRROS: 02.12.2024; Views: 82; Downloads: 447 Full text (1,69 MB) This document has many files! More... |
175. Forest beetles associated with cork oak and fomes fomentarius fungi in the Collo massif (Skikda), AlgeriaFaiza Marniche, Gahdab Chakali, Sabrina Laouira, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: A study conducted in an unburned cork oak forest located in the Collo Massif (Skikda), northwestern Algeria, resulted in the capture of 385 beetles in 2015 and 545 beetles in 2016 at three sub-stations, using Barber pitfall traps. The study lasted three months, from April to June, over two consecutive years. Additionally, using the carpophores method on Fomes fomentarius (Linné) (Fries, 1849), a total of 3,017 beetle specimens were obtained in 2015 and 3,107 beetle specimens in 2016, observed over the same three-month period around the three unburned sub-stations (Oued Agouf, Ain Fegoum and El Maktoua). The first observation concerning the Erotylidae family is that they are poorly known in North Africa, including Algeria, where published data on this subject is scarce. This study also revealed the presence of the species Triplax melanocephala (Latreille, 1804), which is rarely observed in Algeria. This species was recorded on the tinder fungus Formes fomentarius, with 30 individuals and 71 individuals counted in the Barber pitfall traps. Keywords: cork oak forest, Coleoptera, Erotylidae, Triplax melanocephala, tinder fungus, Formes fomentarius Published in DiRROS: 29.11.2024; Views: 335; Downloads: 1313 Full text (2,43 MB) |
176. Associative organisational models in Italian forests for addressing land abandonmentFrancesco Loreggian, Davide Pettenella, Laura Secco, Nicola Andrighetto, Giorgia Bottaros, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This paper investigates associative organisational models as a potential governance solution to the issue of land abandonment. Land fragmentation, along with inadequate or absent management, are key problems that hinder forest stability and resilience in many countries, particularly in Southern Europe. Land abandonment further exacerbates these issues, increasing climate change-related risks, such as forest fires. After reviewing the broader European context, the paper focuses on Italy, where this problem is particularly acute. Based on a qualitative content analysis of the literature and policy documents, the paper outlines the available solutions for promoting active forest management through associations, as outlined by Italian forest law. Several types of associative models exist, facilitated by recent policy initiatives, including forest consortia, forest associations and cooperatives, and various instruments for regulating partnerships and associative management. However, limited data on land abandonment and forest ownership, especially regarding private ownership, hampers effective implementation and monitoring, highlighting a significant research gap in this area. Keywords: private forest owners, associative solutions, associative forest management, land fragmentation Published in DiRROS: 29.11.2024; Views: 310; Downloads: 69 Full text (1,24 MB) |
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