Central Part Of Slovenia Research Articles

Agricultural landscape affects sex‐specific differences in the abundance of Drosophila suzukii in raspberry orchards

AbstractIn recent decades, the spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) (Drosophila suzukii), an invasive pest, has caused a great deal of damage to fruit crops. There is therefore an urgent need to develop strategies to control the populations of this species. It has been found that the landscape context can buffer or increase the severity of pest outbreaks in agriculture, and it is important to understand how this process works in SWD for all crops. Given this background, we investigated the influence of forest on SWD populations in raspberry orchards and surrounding agricultural land. We selected 10 locations in the central part of Slovenia, five of which were closer than 200 m from the forest edge and five of which were more than 200 m from the forest edge. We collected SWD adults in three habitat types per location from the end of June until the end of October 2020. The results showed that forest harboured a larger SWD population than orchards and agricultural land. Over the season, the number of individuals increased exponentially over time, and the difference between forest and other habitat types increased. The distance from the forest had a negative effect on the abundance of SWD. There was a difference in abundance observed between males and females, with males being less abundant farther away from the forest than females. However, the distance from the forest only had a negative effect on the abundance of females in September. Based on the results, we propose potential measures for the control of SWD in raspberry orchards.

Comparison of the modeling results of nitrate concentrations in soil water below the root zone in the local and regional scale

The article presents a comparative analysis of the modeling results of nitrate concentrations in water below the root zone of the soil in the local and regional scale. In this research, the field-scale DNDC (Denitrification – Decomposition) and the regional-scale GROWA–DENUZ (ger. Großräumiges wasserhaushalt – Denitrifikation im durchwurzelten Boden) models were applied to the study area of the shallow aluvial aquifer of the Spodnje Savinjska dolina in the central part of Slovenia. Using the concept of Hydrological Response Unit (HRU) and Cohen Kappa statistical analysis of the degree of agreement and assessment of the reliability of the results of spatial modeling of nitrate in soil water below the root zone, we determined and interpreted the areas of maximum agreement and disagreement of model results. A good agreement was found at the highest modeled concentrations of nitrate in soil water, whereas the greatest deviations were detected primarily in the lower part of the range. The main reasons for disagreement were differences in the estimation of the denitrification conditions in the anaerobic environments of gley-soils with the shallow groundwater and differences in fertilisation scenarios and agricultural practices.

Assessment of the influences of climate variability on nitrogen leaching rate into groundwater

Abstract This article presents preliminary model results of climate change impact on biogeochemical processes in soil. With the use of DNDC (DeNitrification-DeComposition) model, a simulation with climate data over seventy years period (1947-2016) from central part of Slovenia has been carried out. Amongst assessed sources of variability, time variability has been estimated to around 10% of the total annual nitrogen leaching. In some cases, a statistically significant downward trend was observed with a 5 kg reduction in nitrogen per hectare in seventy years period. This study represents the first quantitative assessment of nitrogen leaching variability due to precipitation and air temperature variability in three representative soil profiles in the central Slovenia. It offers a starting point for future regional research for the purpose of farming practice optimization, especially in catchment areas of major regional water resources in Slovenia.

The 1895 Ljubljana earthquake: can the intensity data points discriminate which one of the nearby faults was the causative one?

The earthquake (Mw 6 from the SHEEC defined by the MDPs) that occurred in the central part of Slovenia on 14 April, 1895, affected a broad region, causing deaths, injuries, and destruction. This event was much studied but not fully explained; in particular, its causative source model is still debated. The aim of this work is to contribute to the identification of the seismogenic source of this destructive event, calculating peak ground velocity values through the use of different ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) and computing a series of ground motion scenarios based on the result of an inversion work proposed by Jukić in 2009 and on various fault models in the surroundings of Ljubljana: Vič, Želimlje, Borovnica, Vodice, Ortnek, Mišjedolski, and Dobrepolje faults. The synthetic seismograms, at the basis of our computations, are calculated using the multi-modal summation technique and a kinematic approach for extended sources, with a maximum peak ground velocity value of 1 Hz. The qualitative and quantitative comparison of these simulations with the macroseismic intensity database allows us to discriminate between various sources and configurations. The quantitative validation of the seismic source is done using ad hoc ground motion to intensity conversion equations (GMICEs), expressly calculated for this study. This study allows us to identify the most probable causative source model of this event, contributing to the improvement of the seismotectonic knowledge of this region. The candidate fault that has the lowest values of average differences between observed and calculated intensities and chi-squared is a strike slip fault with a toward-north rupture as the Ortnek fault.

Serotypes and genotypes of invasive pneumococci in the central part of Slovenia.

To investigate epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in the central part of Slovenia in a population with no routine pneumococcal vaccination, we carried out serotyping of isolates by sequential multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genotyping by repetitive sequence-based PCR (rep-PCR) and some by multilocus sequence typing. IPD was confirmed in 134 (26.5 %) of 510 acutely ill patients, either by a positive blood culture or real-time PCR (rt-PCR). In 94 patients, isolates were available for typing (24 from blood and 70 from nasopharynx). They belonged to 12 different serotypes; the most prevalent were 14 (27.6 % isolates), 9V, 3 (12.7 % each), 7F (9.5 %), 19A, and 1 (7.4 % each) followed by 4, 6A/B, 19F, 23F, 18C, and 33F. Genotyping yielded 34 rep-PCR genotypes and 13 subtypes; six were found in serotype 14, one in 9V, four each in 3, 19A, and 6A/B, three each in 7F and 1, and two each in 4, 19F, 23F, and 18C. Serotype 9V was the most homogenous and 14 and 19A were heterogenous and had two divergent clonal groups each. The most common genotypes belonged to virulent widespread clones, like ST162, ST9, ST15, ST156, ST191, and ST1377; however, sporadic clones were also observed.

Are patients with erythema migrans who have leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia coinfected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum or tick-borne encephalitis virus?

Lyme borreliosis (LB), tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) are endemic in central part of Slovenia. We tested the hypothesis that patients with erythema migrans (EM) from this region, who have leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia (typical findings in HGA and in the initial phase of TBE but not in patients with LB) are coinfected with Anaplasma phagocytophilum and/or with TBE virus, i.e. that cytopenia is a result of concomitant HGA or the initial phase of TBE. Comparison of clinical and laboratory findings for 67 patients with EM who disclosed leukopenia/thrombocytopenia with the corresponding results in sex- and age-matched patients with EM and normal blood cell counts revealed no differences. In addition, patients with typical EM and leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia tested negative for the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies to TBE virus by ELISA as well as for the presence of specific IgG antibodies to A. phagocytophilum antigens by IFA in acute and convalescent serum samples. Thus, none of 67 patients (95% CI: 0 to 5.3%) with typical EM (the presence of this skin lesion attests for early Lyme borreliosis and is the evidence for a recent tick bite) was found to be coinfected with A. phagocytophilum or had a recent primary infection with TBE virus. The findings in the present study indicate that in Slovenia, and probably in other European countries endemic for LB, TBE and HGA, patients with early LB are rarely coinfected with the other tick-transmitted agents.

Seroprevalence study of antibodies against influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus after the second pandemic wave in Slovenia

The pandemic influenza (H1N1) 2009 virus, which combined genes from swine, human and avian influenza viruses, emerged in April 2009 and spread globally within the next month. The post-pandemic serological response to the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus in non-vaccinated individuals from the central part of Slovenia was studied. After the second pandemic wave, 226 serum samples from healthy preschool children, students, health care workers and blood donors not previously vaccinated with pandemic vaccine were investigated by use of microneutralization assays (MN). Data on previous vaccinations with seasonal influenza vaccine and recent acute respiratory infections were collected. The overall rate of seropositivity to the pandemic influenza virus was high: 76.9% of the participants had antibody titres of ≥20. A titre of ≥40 was detected in 54% of the serum samples tested, the highest prevalence being in the 15-17 age group. There was no statistically significant difference in MN titres between individuals who had never been vaccinated with influenza vaccine and those vaccinated at least once. History of ARI was not more frequent in subjects with MN titres ≥20, ≥40 or ≥80 (p-value 0.654, p-value 0.755 and p-value 1, respectively). High seroprevalence to pandemic influenza has been found in all age groups regardless of the absence of clinical picture compatible with acute respiratory infection. Previous vaccinations with seasonal influenza vaccines had no impact on serological response to the influenza A(H1N1) 2009 virus.

Networking of Public Passenger Transport Modes, a Step Towards Sustainable Mobility in Ljubljana Urban Region

Ljubljana urban region (LUR) with the capital Ljubljana is located in the central part of Slovenia and represents a strategically important traffic hub, where two major Trans-European corridors meet. LUR is the biggest Slovene region and because of Ljubljana, also an administrative centre of the country. Spatial development of the region over the recent years has been characterized by suburbanization and the intensive development of road infrastructure, which additionally stimulated and promoted the use of cars. On the other hand, public transportation in the capital and in the whole region has not been effectively adapting to the rising demand for mobility. This has created a great gap between public and personal transport, which is difficult to overcome. Having the above mentioned situation in mind, a modern, efficient and high-quality public transportation plan for LUR has been elaborated. The proposed system consists of intermodal hubs with the P+R services and high capacity public transport lanes that interconnect into a high performance regional public transportation network. A new public transport regime would benefit LUR residents as well as residents of the neighbouring regions by considerably improving the sustainability of their mobility. At the same time, the number of cars on the roads would decrease; having positive sustainable impacts on the environment and everybody who lives, works, studies or visits Ljubljana and the LUR region.

Lake or floodplain? Mid-Holocene settlement patterns and the landscape dynamic of the Ižica floodplain (Ljubljana Marshes, Slovenia)

The Ljubljana Marshes (Ljubljana Moor) is a large wetland in the southern part of the Ljubljana basin in the central part of Slovenia, with well-preserved archaeological evidence of settlements. The data have traditionally been interpreted as the remnants of the prehistoric pile dwelling settlements located in a shallow lake. In this paper, we present new data that challenge these interpretations. An aerial LiDAR survey of the Ižica floodplain on the Ljubljana Marshes has revealed a complex topography of stratified palaeochannels. The 14C dates of the channel infills suggest that the first phase of the palaeochannels can be dated to before 3770 cal. BC, which is contemporary with Eneolithic settlements located on its banks. We suggest that settlements were located in the floodplain, next to active rivers, and not in the lake as was traditionally hypothesised.

First record of Steinernema feltiae (Filipjev) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) in Slovenia

Abstract In October 2007 we examined 80 soil samples from 16 different locations in the central part of Slovenia (the Notranjska region) and confirmed the presence of entomopathogenic nematodes only in two soil samples. This represents the first recorded instance of an entomopathogenic nematode in Slovenia. In sample B30 we confirmed the presence of Steinernema feltiae (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) by means of a molecular technique. In Slovenia the application of entomopathogenic nematodes was hitherto possible only in laboratory experiments, while the Rules on Biological Plant Protection made the practical application of exotic organisms in the domestic environment entirely impossible. After the first record of the entomopathogenic nematode S. feltiae we expect the aformentioned agent to become an important alternative to insecticides in plant protection against pest insects.

Monitoring the impact of urbanisation on the Glinscica stream

Stream flow regimes are determined by watershed characteristics: climate, geology, topography, soil, vegetation and human activities. In the process of urbanisation, natural land surfaces are replaced by man made artificial coverage, such as paved roads, parking lots and roofs, which usually also implies vegetation clearing and soil compaction. Gutters, drains and storm sewers are built to accelerate the conveyance of runoff to stream channels, thus affecting the drainage system. The impact of urbanisation is complex and affects different elements of the hydrological cycle. The commonly observed hydrological responses of the watershed to urbanization are increased volume and peak of floodwaters. Concerning the ecological status of stream water, the intensified rainfall runoff induces increased pollution risks and diminishes the value of the stream water body as a habitat, especially during dry periods. In order to improve the flood safety, the regulations of the stream channel have further devaluated the ecological role of the urban streams. The magnitude of the impact is usually enlarged with the decrease in the stream size. The present paper aims at presenting the results of a two-year study monitoring the impacts of the urban environment on the watershed of the Glinscica stream situated in the central part of Slovenia. The study area of 19.3 km 2 represents a great complexity in terms of the land use pattern. The watershed was equipped with three rainfall stations, a Doppler velocity meter and a water quality multiprobe. In a short period of time more than 10 thunderstorm events were recorded and analyzed. The hydrological response of the watershed was analyzed and, interestingly, it did not show the “typical” urban impact on the runoff processes. The main water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, TDS, ORP, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and especially the concentrations of nitrate and ammonium, were measured to obtain an insight into seasonal and short time dynamics of the water quality. The results show substantial seasonal and along-the-channel variations of concentration of dissolved oxygen, nitrate and ammonium content due to biochemical processes in the channeled stream. The continuous tracing of nitrate and ammonium showed significant influence of stream regulation works on short time variations of the measured water quality parameters.

First Report of the East-Asian Type of Bursaphelenchus mucronatus in Pinus sylvestris in Slovenia.

Bursaphelenchus mucronatus Mamiya & Enda, a nematode associated with aboveground tissues of pine trees, is very similar morphologically to the pine wood nematode (PWN), B. xylophilus, a devastating pest that has caused widespread losses to pine woods in some parts of Asia since the early 1900s. During 1999, B. xylophilus was identified for the first time in Europe in Portugal (3), leading to concern that pines and other conifers all over Europe might be endangered. To protect forests from PWN and other pests, the European Union and other countries now regulate the importation of all coniferous chips, sawn wood, and logs and also have organized surveys to determine the extend of PWN infestation. Slovenia has approximately 1,227,832 ha of forest that makes up more than 60% of the surface of the country. The percentage of conifers within forests is 47.9% and comprised mainly of Picea, Pinus, Abies, and Larix species (2). During the summers of 2002-2004, approximately 100 ha of conifer forests in Slovenia were surveyed for the presence of PWN. In total, 170 wood samples from dead and dying pine (Pinus sylvestris L., P. nigra Arnold), spruce (Picea abies L.), and fir (Abies alba Miller) were analyzed. B. xylophilus (Steiner & Buhrer) Nickle was not found in the area, but a closely related nematode, B. mucronatus, previously shown to be pathogenic on conifer seedlings (4), was isolated from samples of P. sylvestris. Of 34 P. sylvestris samples analyzed, B. mucronatus was found in three samples. Samples were taken from a conifer forest located in the central part of Slovenia near the international airport of Ljubljana. The species was identified morphologically and also characterized by polymerase chain reaction restriction (PCR)-fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis on the basis of ITS-rDNA fragment patterns. According to RFLP patterns (1), the analyzed species was recognized as the East-Asian type of B. mucronatus. Beside these findings, the specimens of B. homanni (Braasch) and Bursaphelenchus sp. have also been found in Slovenia. The results of the survey show that PWN was not found in Slovenia, but three different species of the Bursaphelenchus genus were present.

Incidence of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne hapla in Slovenia

The root knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood, 1949 is one of the most harmful and most ubiquitous species in the genus Meloidogyne. It was detected very often in the greenhouses of northern Europe, but in the open field it is restricted to the southern parts of Europe. While this species has been recorded in almost all parts of the world and also in some parts of the former Yugoslavia, there is no data about its presence in Slovenia. M. incognita is able to parasitize about 700 plant hosts and varieties including the majority of economically important crops. In the late summer of 2002, nematodes of M. incognita were isolated from the roots of hot pepper plants, Capsicum annum L., from the greenhouse situated in Portorož at the Adriatic Coast, Slovenia. The nematode was morphologically identified as M. incognita and confirmed by isozyme gel electrophoresis (PhastSystem, Pharmacia). To our knowledge, this is the first report of M. incognita in Slovenia. Beside this finding, M. hapla was also found for the first time in the open field in Slovenia; until now it has been detected on different host plants grown only in greenhouses. In October 2002, M. hapla was isolated from galls of the sweet pepper grown in the open field in Ljubljana situated in the central part of Slovenia.

Microdistribution and high diversity of Copepoda (Crustacea) in a small cave in central Slovenia

The microdistribution and diversity dynamics of Copepoda (Crustacea) were studied in a 75 m long horizontal karstic cave in the central part of Slovenia from February to December 2000. The only water sources in the cave are drips from percolating water. The cave has thin roof, varying from 2 to 10 m. The period studied was characterised by long dry periods, interspersed with several intensive rain-storms and periods of moderate rain. Water bodies were of three different types: small basins on the walls, basins on calcareous sinter on the floor and puddles in the clay. The volume of basins varied from about 0.1 l to more then 50 l. In total, 1989 specimens of 12 taxa were collected from 19 puddles and basins on eight sampling dates. One cyclopoid and eleven harpacticoid taxa were collected, three of them being new to science. All taxa but one (Phyllognathopus vigueri) are stygobionts. The copepod community was dominated by Speocyclops infernus, representing about one half of all copepod specimens collected in the cave. Very few copulas or egg-carrying females were observed during sampling.

Clinical Distinction Between Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis and the Initial Phase of Tick-borne Encephalitis

Objectives: The aim of our study was to establish clinical and laboratory differences between patients with acute human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) and patients with the initial phase of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).Methods: Clinical features and laboratory results of four patients with acute HGE (established by the presence of the specific DNA sequences of the HGE agent in whole blood by polymerase chain reaction and/or by seroconversion to the HGE agent by indirect immunofluorescence assay) and 12 patients with the initial phase of TBE (demonstrated by the presence of serum IgM antibodies to TBE virus) were compared. All these patients were uncovered at the Department of Infectious Diseases, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia, during 1995–1996, in a prospective study on the aetiology of febrile illnesses occurring within 6 weeks after a tick bite.Results: Findings were similar for the majority of the examined parameters including severity of illness, level and duration of fever, presence of headache, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and liver – function test abnormalities. Statistically significant differences were found only for arthralgia (P =0.026) and elevated concentration of C-reactive protein (P =0.003); both variables were found more often in patients with acute HGE.Conclusions: In a patient residing in the central part of Slovenia, who reports a tick bite followed by a febrile illness with leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia, the presence of arthralgias and/or an elevated C-reactive protein value directs toward the diagnosis of acute HGE and against the initial phase of TBE.