Predeo izuzetnih odlika "Planina Rudnik" - vrednosti, zaštita i održivo korišćenje

In Western Pomerania, as in other areas of Europe, alien species play an increasingly important role. In particular, invasive plants tend to spread rapidly and in large numbers which may reduce diversity of native species, leading to the phenomenon of “trivialisation of flora”, and transform ecosystems. The list of invasive species (32 taxa) includes alien species occurring throughout Western Pomerania, and penetrating natural or semi-natural habitats. The second group consists of potentially invasive species (23 taxa), i.e. those distributed across the area under study and tending to increase the number of their localities in semi-natural and natural habitats, taxa invasive only locally, as well as species with missing data, which does not currently allow including them into the first group. Invasive weeds, as well as some epecophytes and archaeophytes occurring only on anthropogenic sites and tending to spread, were not taken into account. Among hemiagriophytes, the most common and troublesome ones are: Conyza canadensis, Erigeron annuus, Lolium multiflorum, Lupinus polyphyllus, Solidago canadensis, S. gigantea. Among holoagriophytes, i.e. the taxa which received the highest naturalisation status, very expansive species, successful in land colonisation, like Acer negundo, Bidens frondosa, B. connata, Clematis vitalba, Elodea canadensis, Epilobium ciliatum, Heracleum sosnowskyi, Impatiens glandulifera, I. parviflora, Padus serotina, Quercus rubra and Robinia pseudoacacia, should be given particular attention. Among the invasive and potentially invasive species, most taxa penetrate plant communities of the Artemisietea and Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class, followed by Querco-Fagetea, Vaccinio-Piceetea, Stellarietea mediae, Salicetea purpurae and Koelerio-Corynophoretea. The number of invasive species is twice as high when compared to the situation of these species in Poland; on the contrary, the number of species inhabiting anthropogenic, semi-natural and natural habitats is two times lower, while that of holoagriophytes and hemiagriophytes is 56.3% and 43.7%, respectively. It seems that in the case of some invasive and potentially invasive species, a decrease in the number of their locations may be observed from the west to the east (e.g. for Acer negundo, Bromus carinatus, Clematis vitalba, Helianthus tuberosus, Lycium barbarum, Reynoutria japonica, Rosa rugosa, Vicia grandiflora). Distribution patterns for some species (e.g. for Parthenocytisus inserta or Xanthium albinum) are indicative of a likely major role of the Odra River valley in the spreading of invasive species. It should be kept in mind that the area of the North-West Poland is poorly examined in terms of its flora, so the results provided in this paper are tentative. Nevertheless, the maps illustrate colonisation trends and directions and, moreover, have been so far the only attempt to synthesise this problem in NW Poland.

Information on the biology and ecology of Beauveria bassiana in different habitats could provide essential knowledge in their development as biocontrol agents of insect pests. In this study, phylogenetic and genotypic information was used to evaluate the genetic diversity of B. bassiana within semi natural and agricultural habitats in Karnataka State of South India and assessed their extracellular chitinase activity and pathogenicity against cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora. Multilocus phylogeny and microsatellite genotyping of B. bassiana conjointly resolved three phylogenetic species, Bb_1, Bb_2, and Bb_3, in semi natural and agricultural habitats. None of the three phylogenetic species of B. bassiana were associated with crop plants in agroecosystem or insect hosts in semi natural habitat. All the three phylogenetic species were detected with four genotypes each. All isolates of B. bassiana were pathogenic to A. craccivora in greenhouse bioassays. Isolate GKVK 01_13 caused a significantly high mortality of aphids and detected with an increased level of chitinase activity. The study results suggest that application of indigenous virulent strain of B. bassiana could provide effective control of native insect pest A. craccivora.

To Achieve Big Wins for Terrestrial Conservation, Prioritize Protection of Ecoregions Closest to Meeting Targets

Sustainable development is a key tool for the management of areas with natural and cultural wealth. Particularly in protected areas, the sustainable use of natural resources enables the rational use of environmental resources and environmental awareness, both for the protection from increased tourism and for mild development of downgraded areas. Land planning in such areas is a tool for controlling the intensive use of resources and for creating appropriate infrastructure. This paper explores the perceptions and attitudes of the local community of the region of Pantokratoras, in north Corfu, Greece, on the development of ecotourism and on environmental education, as well as the residents' general attitude towards sustainable development in an area, part of which is included in the Natura 2000 and is ideal for alternative tourism and environmental education. The strong development of tourism in Corfu and coastal areas will inevitably lead to an uncontrolled growth of the Pantokratoras mountain. Using questionnaires, this study investigates: a) the degree of awareness of the local community in protecting and preserving the environment, b) the knowledge of the local population on sustainable development, and c) the willingness of the local community to be active in sustainable tourism development plans. The analysis of the questionnaires shows the local community is interested in the protection and conservation of natural and cultural resources, while it also believes that sustainable tourism development is the ideal model for economic revitalizing and retaining local population.

trialspecies,therelativemeritsofdifferentapproachesto ensure the long-term persistence of those species remain highly contentious. Most would agree, however, that both establishing protected areas and exercising some form of restraint on extraction of forest resources are among the most effective of all viable conservation measures. Deforestation, wildfires, logging, and hunting are among the leading drivers of species losses in tropical forests, and de facto or de jure protection from these threats can be conferred by either effective enforcement of regulations or physical remoteness. Attempts to assess conservation success of protected areasatlargescaleshaverestedprimarilyonconventional use of remote sensing to quantify spatial or temporal differences in rates of change in land cover due to deforestation and wildfires, rather than on empirical demographic or community-level metrics (Gaston et al. 2008). Q2 However, the former approaches fail to detect most types of subcanopy anthropogenic disturbances that also result, directly or indirectly, in species losses (Peres et al. 2006). Moreover, the effects of habitat loss and degradation on population extirpations and declines are nonlinear, so vegetation cover alone is rarely a robust proxy for the viability of terrestrial biotas. Remotesensing data show vast tracts of apparently intact tropical forests, but in reality levels of hunting and other forms of extraction in these areas are often unsustainable (Peres & Lake 2003). Fundamental questions yet to be answered include whether ostensibly intact protected areas retain full complements of forest species and how the extent of cryptic patterns of disturbance is related to human population density in both protected and unprotected areas. I considered the global to regional emergence of sustainable-use reserves, emphasizing the world’s largest tropical forest region, Amazonia. Sustainable-use reserves often have intermediate levels of disturbance, so I examined the degree of use of natural resources by resident communities and used human population density as a proxy for level of extraction. In both protected and unprotected areas, I also estimated responses of game vertebrate assemblages to hunting on the basis of the relative biomassextractedfromasubsetoftheforestfauna.Iused analysesofcovariance(ANCOVA)toexaminetheassociationbetweenhumandensityandgamebiomassharvested across different reserve categories. Finally, I considered the long-term capacity of sustainable-use forest reserves to maintain populations of all resident species.

The dark side of the Common Agricultural Policy

The sustainable development of tourism in protected areas and the planning of its development is extremely important for mountain regions. The local population and tourists have a very important role in this process. Therefore, surveys of the local population and visitor satisfaction represent the basis of this research. The Vršac Mountains Outstanding Natural Landscape (ONL) could represent a significant destination for sustainable tourism. This mountainous area is characterized by a favorable geographical position, a diversity of natural and social factors, rare flora and fauna, and the rich ethno-social heritage of the local population. It is in a very favorable geographical position, and the proximity of the big cities Serbia and Romania, as well as many other factors, are important for tourism development in this area. A quantitative methodology was used for the purposes of this paper during our research. The purpose of this research was to investigate the influence of tourism development on the satisfaction of residents and visitors of the ONL by applying a survey technique, with the help of a questionnaire as a research instrument. A total of 1419 respondents were surveyed (789 residents and 630 visitors). The research results show that the ecological and socio-cultural dimensions of sustainability have the greatest importance for the respondents, and that these two dimensions of sustainability have the greatest impact on sustainable tourism in this protected area. Our main research hypothesis, which states that sustainable tourism has a positive impact on the satisfaction of residents and visitors, is fully confirmed. These data could be significant for tourism planning and the management of protected areas.

The article deals with the introduction of modern innovative management strategies, the improvement of agricultural production, particularly in the production and processing of horticultural products, the supply of raw materials for the industry, their integration, and the impact of factors affecting the production process. In mountainous areas, at an altitude of 2500 to 2800 meters above sea level, the availability of favorable climatic conditions for habitats creates more convenience than horticulture. Although they are relatively less fertile, they have the potential to use land resources to build fertilizers, walnuts, cherry trees and almonds. Developing proposals and recommendations on the mechanisms of economic, financial support for the development of the horticulture sector and the development of integrated horticulture based on investments, in the development of new sales, storage, transportation systems, as a matter of fact. Writing this article analyzed the scientific works and educational literature of foreign scientists devoted to the formation and development of management in agriculture and archeology. The methodology of the study was used as theoretical and statistical analysis, observation, etc. At the same time, the type and varieties of fruit trees need not only take into account the natural and climatic conditions of the region, but also the characteristics of the soil and its chemical and mechanical properties. Growth in productivity is largely a major factor affecting crop rotation. This is a serious basis for increasing productivity, seeking opportunities for intensive development of the sector, and enhancing the effectiveness of inputs on the basis of integration of enterprises in the industry.

Regional nature parks in Switzerland are, for the most part, protected areas that aim to promote sustainable development and residents’ well-being. In recent years, research on regional nature parks and comparable protected areas has focused on questions regarding local populations’ acceptance of such areas, their governance, and their economic effects. However, we know surprisingly little about the impact of protected areas on environmental resource use and life satisfaction, two essential ingredients of sustainable regional development. In this study, we survey people living in and around three regional nature parks in Switzerland on their resource use and life satisfaction (gross sample n = 3358). We propose a novel measurement of resource use based on vignettes describing different lifestyles, which we validate against the carbon footprint obtained for a subsample of our respondents. With these indicators, using multiple regression analyses, we test several hypotheses derived from the literature on the relationship between resource use and life satisfaction in and around protected areas. Contrary to our expectations, we do not find differences in resource use or life satisfaction, or the relationship between resource use and life satisfaction, across park and non-park regions. We discuss potential explanations for our findings and their implications for nature park authorities and future study designs.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the attitudes and level of knowledge towards sustainable tourism development among the locals and the students. The research was conducted in Primorsko-Goranska County in Croatia. The results between the two groups were compared in order to get a clearer picture on possible similarities or differences in attitudes and knowledge levels because both of them are very important stakeholders for sustainable tourism development and need to be involved in this process. The methodology used in the paper consists of two levels of analysis. The theoretical part is based on secondary sources in the field of sustainable tourism development while the research one is presented through results from quantitative research through a questionnaire among local inhabitants and students of tourism in the Primorsko-Goranska County. A survey was distributed online, with questions related to sustainable development in tourism, its relevant elements and the knowledge connected to it. The data was then collected and analysed using independent-samples t-test, correlation analysis and other methods relevant for this research. The stakeholders assessed elements and perception of knowledge related to sustainable development in tourism. The paper emphasizes potential differences in the level of knowledge and attitude between the students and the local population. The attitudes of the stakeholders towards the topic are mostly positive, but they also underline the need for further education in the field of sustainable development, both in theoretical terms and in terms of acquiring skills and habits needed to thrive in the era of sustainability. The contribution of the paper is in identifying the necessary knowledge for the implementation of sustainable development of tourism among the local population and students of tourism. In addition, the self-evaluation of the current level of knowledge was examined. This should be the basis for the further development of educational programs and other programs for the whole local population in the field of sustainable tourism development.

Enhancing conservation and management of mountain area through a biocultural diversity evaluation approach:A case study of Taishan Mountain Area, China

Territorial approaches are of crucial importance for the sustainable development and management of rural areas. The trend towards consolidating all stakeholders into a comprehensive understanding to enhance the territory's sustainability, and the idea of finding optimal solutions in the pursuit of opportunities for balanced territorial development, is a task with diverse answers depending on the resource potential and activity of local communities. The rural territories in Bulgaria have untapped potential, both in the use and protection of the available resources and their social economic development, as well as in the generation of additional income. Their sustainable development would contribute to achieving a balance between economic, social and environmental growth, as well as significantly improve the quality of life of the local population. The aim of the present study is to identify the integrated territorial approach for sustainable management and development of rural territories in the Republic of Bulgaria. Main groups of activities for achieving balanced territorial development are identified as factors for sustainable development of rural areas. The opinion is defended that an important condition for the integrated approach is for all participants in the process to be interested and successfully combine specific measures suitable for the integration and development of the territory. The implementation of appropriate tools and correct approaches for sustainable rural territory development requires careful analysis and selection of effective measures, depending on the specific characteristics of the location and the initiative of the local community. Although agricultural activity occupies a significant portion of the business in most of these areas, it is imperative to have an adequate policy for the development of additional activities that ensure economic prosperity and a higher standard of living for the local population and their employment. Therefore, in order to achieve three-dimensional sustainability (economic, ecological, social), it is more than necessary to have better interaction and coordination among all participants in the process and a holistic approach to the development and management of each specific territory, in accordance with its specific needs, opportunities, and optimal solutions. Each community can contribute to achieving the goals of sustainable development by 2030, and not only in a narrow scope, but also by contributing to the global challenges that modern society as a whole is facing. The choice of a model for increasing sustainability in the specific territory should be aimed at optimal utilization of regional resources, diversification in the functional use of the territory, optimal diversification of production and economic activities, environmentally friendly business practices and above all at effective interaction between institutions, local administration, business and local communities. Keywords: territorial approaches, rural areas, sustainable development and management JEL code – О13, О18, R13

Protected areas and tourism

This paper presents experimental research into the attitudes of tourists towards the significance of protected areas with regard to tourism in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, in the northern part of the Republic of Serbia. It is an area with significant rare plant and animal resources, as well as w?tlands, ecosystems, and hilly and mountainous areas. Several research methods have been used in the paper. The first method is to collect data using a written questionnaire that was completed by 215 visitors to different protected areas in AP Vojvodina. Their answers revealed their attitudes toward sustainable tourism in selected protected areas. After examining the differences in the answers using the Kruskal-Wallis test, the results of the survey conducted by the authors were examined by means of two comparative analyses of identical, related, and similar answers in selected case studies. Based on the results of the Kruskal-Wallis Test, it can be concluded that there is a statistically significant difference in the assessments of the importance of activities and the forms of tourism chosen when visiting protected areas. The most important forms of tourism are ecotourism and adventure tourism. Tourists also identified hiking, cycling, and wildlife watching as the most important activities.

Grey mountain Caucasian bees are of great interest for the selection, as a valuable gene pool of different populations of this race is supported by high mountains and inaccessible gorges of Dagestan, while serving as an isolated mountainous natural breeding areas. The studies were conducted in three different climatic conditions of the republic: the plains, foothills and mountainous areas. In the area of natural dispersal of gray mountain Caucasian bees in Dagestan released several local populations and different backgrounds. Characteristics of the main morphological features of honey bees are the length of proboscis, wing and width of the third tergite and others. These features bees vary, depending on the habitat population. Numerous studies of Dagestan honeybees showed, that the longest proboscis inherent in bees of mountain zone (6.85 ± 0.03 mm). The plain bees have a smaller proboscis (up to 6.71 ± 0.01 mm), and in the foothills bees the proboscis occupies an intermediate position (from 6.69 ± 0.01 to 6.83 ± 0.01 mm). Two other peculiarities (wing length and the third tergite) are subject to variation, depending on the altitude above sea level.