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, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: 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.
Ključne besede: Fagus sylvatica, decline, complex disease, drought, climate change, sustainability
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 23.12.2025; Ogledov: 219; Prenosov: 105
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2. Agents of European beech declineNikica Ogris, Ana Brglez, Andreja Kavčič, Janja Zajc Žunič, Maarten De Groot, Barbara Piškur, 2025, zaključena znanstvena zbirka raziskovalnih podatkov Povzetek: 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.
Ključne besede: research data, Fagus sylvatica, decline, damage, complex disease, fungi, insects, Phytophthora, endophytes, stress
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 25.09.2025; Ogledov: 477; Prenosov: 32
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4. Addressing the paradox of rest with innovative technologiesRado Pišot, Uroš Marušič, Luka Šlosar, 2025, drugi znanstveni članki Povzetek: The paradox of rest lies in its dual nature: essential for recovery yet potentially harmful when prolonged. Prolonged physical inactivity (PI) significantly contributes to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Studies show nearly a third of adults worldwide were insufficiently active in 2022, with the economic costs of PI projected to reach INT$520 billion by 2030. Bedrest models have illuminated the rapid onset of insulin resistance, general functional decline and muscle atrophy associated with PI, particularly in hospitalised older adults. Innovative technologies, such as extended reality (XR), offer promising solutions for mitigating the effects of PI and can enhance non-physical rehabilitation techniques such as motor imagery and action observation. These technologies provide immersive, personalised therapeutic experiences that engage multiple senses, transforming passive recovery into an active process and addressing both the physical and cognitive consequences of inactivity. Results of bedrest study showed significant preservation of muscle mass, improved strength and enhanced insulin sensitivity in the intervention group compared to controls. These findings highlight the potential of XRbased strategies in addressing structural and functional declines during inactivity. As part of the Interreg VI-A Italia-Slovenija project X-BRAIN.net, advanced XR-equipped active rooms were developed to aid post-stroke rehabilitation in acute care settings. XR technologies, particularly VR, have shown promise in providing dynamic and adaptable therapeutic environments that facilitate early and targeted interventions. Future advancements focus on integrating XR with brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and synchronised visual-haptic neurofeedback, enhancing sensorimotor cortical activation and improving rehabilitation outcomes. Comprehensive multimodal approaches, including nutritional, physical and non-physical interventions, are emerging as effective strategies to personalise and optimise patient recovery.
Ključne besede: physical inactivity, functional and cognitive decline, rehabilitation, extended reality, multimodal interventions
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 05.03.2025; Ogledov: 609; Prenosov: 370
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5. The transformative potential of the EU’s Nature Restoration LawJerneja Penca, Mihnea Tănăsescu, 2024, drugi znanstveni članki Povzetek: Restoration of nature is spreading as a practice and policy approach. The European Union (EU) has not only promoted restoration, but made it an obligation with the Nature Restoration Law. This Comment evaluates the law for its potential to achieve the needed transformation. The law is not inherently disruptive of established approaches to nature conservation that have largely failed to stop nature’s decline. However, its interpretation and implementation can become transformative by tackling root causes of nature’s decline, advancing the restoration of human relationships with nature, and incorporating democratic participation and justice. We hope to inform how legal restoration targets can be translated into concrete actions by countries within and beyond the EU.
Ključne besede: biodiversity loss, ecological restoration, causes of nature's decline, human-nature relation, participation and justice, EU environmental policy
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 07.01.2025; Ogledov: 839; Prenosov: 448
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6. Diversity and pathogenicity of Botryosphaeriaceae and Phytophthora species involved in emerging diseases of Fagus sylvatica in Italy and SloveniaCarlo Bregant, Massimiliano Marcolongo, Lucio Montecchio, Nikica Ogris, Barbara Piškur, Benedetto Teodoro Linaldeddu, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Extensive sunken and bleeding cankers, shoot blight, and root rot symptoms on European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees have recently been observed in several forest ecosystems in Italy and Slovenia. Since there is little information about the aetiology of these diseases and given the high economic and ecological relevance of these formations, a study was conducted from summer to autumn 2023 in ten sites to define the occurrence, distribution and impact of the main pathogens involved. A total of 116 symptomatic samples were collected and processed. Based on colony appearance, morphological features and DNA sequence data, six species belonging to the genera Botryosphaeria, Dothiorella, Diplodia, Neofusicoccum (fungi) and Phytophthora (oomycetes) were isolated and identified. Pathogenicity tests performed on potted European beech seedlings satisfied Koch postulates and highlighted that Diplodia corticola, Neofusicoccum parvum and Phytophthora plurivora are the main agents involved in the extensive decline affecting European beech ecosystems in Italy and Slovenia.
Ključne besede: Diplodia corticola, beech decline, invasive species, emerging diseases, co-infections
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 27.11.2024; Ogledov: 752; Prenosov: 1135
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7. Phytoplasmas associated with declining of hazelnut (Corylus avellana) in SloveniaNataša Mehle, Nejc Jakoš, Miro Mešl, Jože Miklavc, Boštjan Matko, Mojca Rot, Alenka Ferlež Rus, Robert Brus, Marina Dermastia, 2019, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) is cultivated on 118 ha and ranks eighth in Slovenian fruit growing production, representing 2.8% of the total area of fruit plantations in the country. However, decline of some of the trees appeared in 2012 in two plantations located in eastern Slovenia. Together these orchards cover 5 ha, with around 1600 trees planted 12 to 15 years ago. By October 2018, ~12% of these trees had died, and an additional 12% showed decay symptoms. The dead and dying trees were scattered throughout both orchards, with no apparent pattern. The most affected cultivar was ‘Istrska dolgoplodna leska’. Using molecular diagnostic methods, we showed infection of symptomatic trees with three unrelated phytoplasmas: ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma fragariae’, of the 16SrXII-E phytoplasma subgroup, and phytoplasma of the 16SrV and 16SrIX groups. In 2018, the presence of ‘Ca. P. fragariae’ and/or phytoplasma of 16SrV group were confirmed in decayed hazelnut trees in eastern, north-eastern, central, south-eastern and western Slovenia. ‘Ca. P. fragariae’ has also been detected in a forest in south-western Slovenia, for Acer campestre, Carpinus betulus, Crataegus laevigata, Fraxinus ornus and Quercus petraea. All infected forest trees showed unusual dense proliferation of sprouts from roots and/or trunks. Molecular characterisations of partial 16S rRNA, secY, map and ribosomal protein genetic locus of hazelnut 16SrV phytoplasma isolates show that they are identical to isolates that can cause grapevine flavescence dorée disease. Here, the results of our recent study and the open questions on this burning issue for hazelnut production are presented.
Ključne besede: Corylus avellana, ʼCandidatus Phytoplasma fragariaeʼ, 16SrV phytoplasma group, 16SrIX phytoplasma group, decline
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 24.07.2024; Ogledov: 1020; Prenosov: 631
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8. Climate change and disturbances will shape future temperate forests in the transition zone between Central and SE EuropeLado Kutnar, Janez Kermavnar, Anže Martin Pintar, 2021, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: It is expected that climate change as well as abiotic and anthropogenic disturbances will strongly influence temperate forests. Besides changes in the main climate variables, various disturbance factors may significantly worsen conditions for mesic Slovenian forests (SE Europe) dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and European silver fir (Abies alba). In Slovenia, the climate has warmed in recent decades, with an average annual rate of increase of about 0.4°C per decade or even more than 0.5°C per decade in summer. In addition, disturbances have caused considerable damage to trees in the most extensive forest types in Slovenia, starting with a widespread ice storm in 2014, followed by bark beetle outbreaks, windthrows and salvage logging interventions. After 2014, salvage logging increased from about one third to two thirds of the total annual felling. Over the last two decades, we have observed a decline in Norway spruce growing stock, with the highest rate of decrease in areas below 500 m a.s.l., and an increasing trend for European beech. Overall, the three dominant species (beech, spruce, silver fir), which together account for more than 70% of the total growing stock, have shown a declining trend over the last 20 years. The patterns observed are broadly consistent with earlier predictions developed for different climate change scenarios and with those reported in many other European countries. Adaptive forest management, which implements close-to-nature silviculture, has been traditionally practised in the region under study and has the potential to play an important role in reducing the risks associated with the impacts of climate change and disturbances in the future.
Ključne besede: climate warming, disturbance factors, ice storm, bark beetle outbreaks, spruce decline, salvage logging, tree species composition, temperate forest, Slovenia
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 03.01.2022; Ogledov: 1788; Prenosov: 1366
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