1. European beech decline in Slovenia is caused by a complex diseaseNikica Ogris, Ana Brglez, Andreja Kavčič, Janja Zajc Žunič, Maarten De Groot, Barbara Piškur, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: In recent decades, the average crown defoliation of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) in Central Europe has been steadily increasing, resulting in a decline in tree vitality. This study aimed to identify the key factors contributing to this deterioration. Forty healthy and 40 damaged European beech trees were felled on a systematic 16 × 16 km grid, and all tree parts were sampled for fungi and insects. Additionally, soil samples were collected for Phytophthora testing. Of 6400 cultured samples, 5828 fungal cultures were classified into 251 morphotypes. The twenty most frequent morphotypes from each tree part were selected for further molecular identification, revealing 44 different fungal taxa. The most frequently isolated fungal species were Neonectria coccinea, Neohendersonia kickxii, Apiognomonia errabunda and Aureobasidium pullulans—all well-known and common endophytes. Surprisingly, Phytophthora species were detected in only three of the 80 soil samples. The most frequent insect species were Orchestes fagi, Phyllaphis fagi, Psilocorsis reflexella and Phyllonorycter maestingella. The results indicate that the decline of European beech in Central Europe is driven by a multifaceted interplay of biotic and abiotic factors, with fungi playing the most significant role. Analysis revealed distinct differences in fungal and insect communities across sampled tree parts, but not between healthy and damaged trees. This finding is crucial, as it shows that healthy trees host endophytes that can exhibit pathogenic traits under external stress factors. Therefore, resilience and sustainability of beech will depend on mitigation of stressors and implementation of adaptive management strategies that address the evolving environmental challenges.
Keywords: Fagus sylvatica, decline, complex disease, drought, climate change, sustainability
Published in DiRROS: 23.12.2025; Views: 189; Downloads: 76
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2. Agents of European beech declineNikica Ogris, Ana Brglez, Andreja Kavčič, Janja Zajc Žunič, Maarten De Groot, Barbara Piškur, 2025, complete scientific database of research data Abstract: Data collected in the project "Diseases, pests and drought stress of European beech at various climate change scenarios (V4-2026), Working package 2: Causes of the decline of European beech in Slovenia". Data was collected on 40 sampling plots, 39 plots on systematic grid 16 × 16 km and one additional plot in the Alps. On each sampling plot two trees were felled, altogether 80 trees: one visually healthy, and one damaged tree. Visual assessment of crown condition and damaging agents was evaluated following methods of ICP Forests. Rhizosphere soil was collected from each sampled tree for the Phytophthora baiting assay. For fungal isolations five parts of a tree were sampled: leaves, twigs (up to 20 mm in diameter), branches (over 20 mm in diameter), trunk, surface roots and root collar (up to 25 cm from the ground). Four samples from each tree part were collected. Finally, 20 samples per tree and 40 samples per plot were collected, yielding 1.600 samples in total. The samples were surface sterilized. Four subsamples were collected from one sample, altogether, 6.400 subsamples/tissue pieces. Four subsamples were plated on potato dextrose agar supplemented with streptomycin. Fungi and Phytophthora species were identified using molecular techniques, while insects were identified based on their morphological characteristics.
Keywords: research data, Fagus sylvatica, decline, damage, complex disease, fungi, insects, Phytophthora, endophytes, stress
Published in DiRROS: 25.09.2025; Views: 440; Downloads: 25
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4. Napoved ulova smrekovih lubadarjev (Ips typographus in Pityogenes chalcographus) v kontrolne feromonske pasti tipa Theysohn za leto 2016Maarten De Groot, Marija Kolšek, Andreja Kavčič, 2016, professional article Keywords: prenamnožitev, navadna smreka, napovedi, splošni linearni modeli, osmerozobi smrekov lubadar, šesterozobi smrekov lubadar, Ips typographus, Pityogenes chalcographus
Published in DiRROS: 07.04.2025; Views: 502; Downloads: 275
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5. Palomena prasina (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) vibratory signals and their tuning with plant substratesJernej Polajnar, Andreja Kavčič, Alenka Žunič Kosi, Andrej Čokl, 2013, original scientific article Abstract: Palomena prasina is interesting for the study of vibrational communication within the Pentatomid subfamily Pentatominae, because its host range is limited to woody plants, unlike the better known Nezara viridula, whose vibrational communication is commonly used as a model for the whole family. The vibrational repertoire of P. prasina was described several decades ago and is redescribed in this paper using modern methods for non-contact vibration recording. Additionally, we hypothesized that this species has retained the capacity for signal frequency variation necessary for tuning to resonance properties of various host plants of Pentatominae, but if the signals are emited in the absence of mechanical feedback, they are tuned more specifically to their native acoustic environment – woody plants. By recording live bugs signalling on different substrates and comparing spectral properties of their signals among substrates, we found that there is a match between the signals emitted on a woody branch and those emitted on a non-resonant surface, while spectral properties of signals emitted on herbaceous plants differ. Our findings provide evidence in support of the signal tuning hypothesis and shed further light on the crucial role of substrate in vibrational communication of insects.
Keywords: vibrational communication, signal propagation, frequency characteristics
Published in DiRROS: 12.03.2025; Views: 664; Downloads: 455
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6. The influence of storage conditions and DNA extraction protocol on the results of molecular analysis of the European spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus L.)Zina Devetak, Andreja Kavčič, Maarten De Groot, Barbara Piškur, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: One of the key steps of the molecular identification of bark beetles is obtaining a sufficient quantity of high-quality DNA extract. In this study, we investigated the influence of different storage procedures for Ips typographus (L.) specimens and various DNA extraction protocols on the quantity and quality of DNA intended for use in molecular diagnostics. Adult beetles were frozen at -20 °C, either dry or in ethanol. We tested four different protocols for DNA extraction. We compared the quantity of extracted DNA and assessed its quality with PCR and Sanger sequencing. Different storage protocols had no significant effect on the quantity of DNA extracted. However, freezing specimens in ethanol provided higher-quality DNA for molecular applications. Only two of the extraction protocols produced sequenceable amplicons, and the difference in the amount of extracted DNA between them was not significant. We propose the optimal combination of storing specimens in ethanol at -20°C and using the Nucleospin Insect DNA extraction kit from Macherey Nagel, enabling a timeefficient identification process.
Keywords: early detection, specimen storage, total DNA extraction, PCR, polymerase chain reaction, Sanger sequencing, molecular diagnostics
Published in DiRROS: 02.02.2024; Views: 2248; Downloads: 815
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7. Bolezni, škodljivci in sušni stres pri navadni bukvi v različnih scenarijih podnebnih sprememb (V4-2026) : Aktivnost 2.1: Vzroki hiranja navadne bukve v SlovenijiNikica Ogris, Andreja Kavčič, Janja Zajc Žunič, Ana Brglez, Maarten De Groot, Barbara Piškur, 2023, treatise, preliminary study, study Keywords: kompleksna bolezen, škodljiv dejavnik, hiranje, fakultativen patogen, endofit, sušni stres, stresni dejavniki
Published in DiRROS: 03.11.2023; Views: 1309; Downloads: 430
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8. First record of the northern spruce bark beetle, Ips duplicatus (Sahlberg, 1836), in SloveniaAndreja Kavčič, Zina Devetak, Barbara Piškur, Eva Groznik, Maarten De Groot, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The northern spruce bark beetle, Ips duplicatus (Sahlberg), has invaded Central Europe in the past century and continues to spread southwards and westwards. It has caused damage in some parts of Europe in recent decades and poses a serious threat to spruce forests across the continent. From 2018 to 2021, we conducted intensive monitoring to determine the status of I. duplicatus in Slovenia. We used different types of traps and pheromone lures that attract I. duplicatus beetles and took bark samples from bark beetle-infested trees. Of the 26 traps used during the four years of monitoring, I. duplicatus was found in 16 traps in the central part of Slovenia in 2020. Adult beetles were caught in traps containing both I. typographus and I. duplicatus lures. The identity of this species was confirmed using morphological keys and molecular methods. One to five I. duplicatus beetles were found per trap, totaling 25 specimens. However, we did not confirm any I. duplicatus in samples taken from trees in 2021. We conclude that I. duplicatus is present in Slovenia, but our results suggest that the species is only present locally and that the population is small.
Keywords: biological invasions, forest pests, temperate forests, conifers, damage, forest pest monitoring, confirmation
Published in DiRROS: 05.09.2023; Views: 1424; Downloads: 845
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9. Sušenje jelovih krošenj zaradi gliv povezanih s Pityokteines vorontzowiAna Brglez, Barbara Piškur, Andreja Kavčič, 2023, other scientific articles Keywords: gozdovi, varstvo gozdov, bela jelka, Abies alba, Vorontzowov jelov lubadar, Pityokteines vorontzowi, Geosmithia sp.
Published in DiRROS: 24.03.2023; Views: 1501; Downloads: 756
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10. Poročilo o preskusu št.: LVG 2022-220 : vzorec št. 2022/00712Andreja Kavčič, 2022, expertise, arbitration decision Keywords: varstvo gozdov, morfološke analize, Pinus nigra, žuželke, ličinke, Monochamus sp., črni bor
Published in DiRROS: 16.12.2022; Views: 1182; Downloads: 456
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