Kysuce Region Research Articles

Content of Biogenic Elements in Sheep Wool by the Regions of Slovakia.

The quality of nutrition and environmental pollution are crucial chemical indicators influencing animal health, reflected in element concentrations in animal tissues and coats. This study investigates the concentrations of biogenic elements (calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, copper, and iron) in sheep wool from various regions of Slovakia to compare concentrations and identify possible correlations between individual elements. Samples were collected from six different regions, and concentrations of elements were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in element levels among the examined regions. Calcium concentrations ranged from 729.2 to 4065ppm, with the highest concentrations in the Kysuce region and the lowest in the Šariš region. Potassium concentrations ranged from 2315 to 3282ppm, with the lowest values in the Zemplín region and the highest in the Liptov region. Magnesium, sodium, copper, and iron also exhibited varying concentrations across the regions. Correlation analysis identified significant associations between several elements. The findings suggest that regional environmental differences influence element concentrations in sheep wool, highlighting the importance of monitoring biogenic elements for assessing environmental pollution and animal health. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms driving element accumulation in wool and its implications for animal welfare and environmental management.

Comparison of Norway spruce artificial regeneration techniques tested in the area destroyed by spruce bark beetle in Kysuce Region (Slovakia)

Abstract Ongoing coniferous monocultures decline in Beskydy Mts. Slovakia, emerged into establishment of Demonstration object of reconstruction of spruce forests (DORS) Husárik, focused on various technological processes of regeneration of economically important tree species. For Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) assessment of less frequently used artificial regeneration technologies, including planting of containerized transplants (CRT) or direct seeding procedures (direct seeding DS, seeding into vegetation cell VCS) and commonly used planting of bareroot transplants (BRT) was carried out. Seven years after experimental plot establishment, the lowest survival rate was recorded for DS treatment with 42% survived seedlings, the highest for CRT treatment with 79% survived transplants. For germinated seedlings, average seeding spot occupation rate recorded for DS (72%) was significantly lower than for VCS (98%) one year after seeding and remained significantly lower also over further consecutive years. Average survival recorded for planted transplants over monitored period did not differ markedly and gradually decreased to 76% for BRT and 79% for CRT. Reflecting different ontogenetic stage of individuals assigned to selected treatment average height 134.6 cm for DS, 134.1 cm for VCS and 182.0 cm for CRT, 215.0 cm for BRT was recorded seven years after establishment. The results suggest that for spruce, less frequently used artificial regeneration technologies (VCS, CRT), that markedly curtail time period required for target tree species installation on planting sites, with survival and growth rate of plants recorded in this study, could provide reasonable alternative to commonly used planting of BRT.

Dynamika nadlokálneho a lokálneho v každodennosti života na hranici (na príklade regiónu Kysuce)

Border studies (currently also cross-border cooperation issues) is an interdisciplinary research specialization. The aim of the article is to present the spatial proximity influence of the state border on the everyday life reality of inhabitants of the Kysuce region in the 20th Century (overlapping with the present day) in both the local and supra-local context. With reference to the theory of the Irish sociologist Liam O'Dowd, it focuses on the Slovak state borders with Poland and the Czech Republic as a possible barrier, but also a bridge, a source of opportunities and a symbol of identity. It points out that in the villages bordering the Polish and Czech territories there has always been a relatively intensive mutual cultural transfer and contact of populations and therefore the borders cannot be perceived as an exclusively geopolitical phenomenon; their social and cultural dimension must be taken into account.

Excluding Large Wild Herbivores Reduced Norway Spruce Dominance and Supported Tree Species Richness in a Young, Naturally Regenerated Stand

Large wild herbivores are important and natural components of forest ecosystems, but through their browsing activities have the potential to influence the structure and composition of forest communities, thus timber production and ecosystem dynamics. To examine the effects of browsing by wild herbivores on a young post-disturbance forest in the Kysuce region of northwestern Slovakia, we established two sets of 2 m radius plots, 15 within a fenced area (5.12 ha) that excluded large wild herbivores, and 15 within an adjacent unfenced area. In each plot, we recorded the species, tree height, stem base diameter, and mutual geographic positions of trees. When we compared tree community characteristics between the unfenced and fenced plots, we found fewer and smaller broadleaved tree species, except silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) in the unfenced plots. Although common rowan (Sorbus aucuparia L.) was the dominant species within fenced plots, where some individuals were over 6.0 m tall, this species was rare outside the fenced area and usually did not exceed 1.5 m. In contrast, Norway spruce (Picea abies Karts L.) was more abundant and taller within the unfenced area, likely released from competition by suppression of broadleaved trees by herbivores. In addition, fenced plots also showed twice the tree species richness (Shannon index) of unfenced ones. Despite changes in tree communities, total aboveground biomass stock was only slightly but significantly lower in the unfenced than the fenced plots (29.6 kg per 10 m2 vs. 33.5 kg per 10 m2). Our study suggested that browsing pressure by large wild herbivores that focused on most broadleaved trees weakened interspecies competition and allowed the expansion of Norway spruce. As a consequence, converting spruce monocultures to mixed species stands is likely unrealistic when faced with heavy browsing pressure by wild large herbivores.

The influence of relief morphometric characteristics upon the occurrence of the species Cordulegaster bidentata in the particular conditions of the Western Carpathians

The study concerns a monitoring survey of Cordulegaster bidentata Selys, 1843 (Odonata, Cordulegastridae), which is considered near threatened in the European Red List of Dragonflies, in order to show its habitat preferences and clarify the influence of slope and orientation of slopes on the occurrence of the species. Investigations of water habitats were carried out during the period from 2019 to 2020 in the Kysuce Region in northwest Slovakia. The protocol consists of looking for larvae and characterizing larval micro-habitat of C. bidentata so as to show their habitat preferences and clarify the influence of slope and orientation of slopes on the occurrence of the species. We sampled 32 watercourses (epicrenal, hypocrenal, rheocren, heleocren, epirhithral, metarhithral) at altitudes 420–950 m above sea level. A total of 79 larvae and 10 imagines (7♂ 3♀) of C. bidentata were found at 12 streams. In the present study, C. bidentata clearly preferred first-order stream sections, the slopes were steep and the proportion of small sediment grain sizes was high. The results show that the number of C. bidentata larvae grew with the increasing percentage of forests around streams. We also confirmed the trend for the number of C. bidentata larvae to increase with increasing values of slope and altitude of watercourses. Most of the individuals were recorded at the south and southwest oriented streams; we did not record larvae on the north and northwest oriented slopes. We assume that more suitable conditions for development of population exist in the streams on the south and southwest oriented slopes. The preference for watercourses oriented south and southwest ensures optimal conditions for the development of the population of this dragonfly species. The finding of larvae at the stages of instars shows the permanent occurrence of the species in the Kysuce Region.

Traffic Volumes as a Modal Split Parameter

Traffic volume depends on several indicators. The most important are the degree of motorization, mobility, and especially the travel time and travel cost factor. The article presents an analysis of the possibility of using mobility surveys and traffic counts to achieve a balance between supply and demand. The frequency of congested traffic and over-capacity volumes are determined. By analyzing the trip information captured in the mobility surveys, we detected the strata causing the highest demand—economically active people with “job” as the purpose of their trip. The study area includes the Kysuce region and the city of Žilina in Slovakia. Three scenarios are processed in the article. Scenario 0 defines the current state, scenario 1 defines the situation with free-of-charge public transport, and scenario 2 represents a targeted modal split where saturation is not exceeded. The aim is to shift passengers to public transport and increase the share of public transport in the modal split. Scenario 2 is also presented in terms of saved emissions as an additional factor of relocating passengers from private to public transport. In terms of fare, we found a small change in the modal split with free-of-charge public transport.

The Evaluation of the Potential of Developing Tourism in Kysuce Region

Abstract Tourism is an industry with a strong long-term potential of becoming one of the key industries in securing the country’s economic growth. Tourists are nowadays interested in not only getting to know the cultural-historical peculiarities, but also the way of life and cultural traditions of the inhabitants of the individual regions. Kysuce region is characterised by scattered settlement, which used to be a significant type of settlement in remote and inaccessible parts of the area in the past. Nowadays, however, the majority of the objects of the scattered settlement either serve as holiday chalets or are uninhabited.The aim of this paper is to evaluate the recreational potential of tourism in Kysuce region. Based on the established methodology, the individual villages were divided into five categories: areas with less suitable potential of tourism development (PTD), areas with suitable PTD, areas with quality PTD, areas with PTD of high quality and areas with the most significant PTD. These categories have been established based on the point evaluation of the potential of input indicators – natural potential, cultural-historical potential, recreational infrastructure and environmental infrastructure. The most significant PTD in the monitored area is the village of Oščadnica (279 points), and the villages of Horný Vadičov (231 points), Raková (224 points) and Nová Bystrica (219.5 points) were evaluated as the areas with PTD of high quality. Agro-tourism in this region is, however, the least developed, despite the location of the region being very favourable for such an activity. Its development could lower unemployment and offer a source of income of the inhabitants, or reduce movement of the inhabitants into other regions of Slovakia. Subsequently, the character of the landscape with all its key functions for sustaining the quality of the environment could be preserved.

Investigation of the effect of a noise barrier on a railway track in the Kysuce region

Purpose of the noise barriers is to create an acoustically sufficient impermeable obstacle located on the sound wave propagation path, thereby creating a shadow of the sound pressure level behind the barrier. The paper is focused on the analysis of measured noise values at specific selected points of the railway track in the region of Kysuce without noise barrier and on the determination of noise barrier efficiency. The observed values are compared with the permissible noise values specified by the Slovak legislation

Landsliding as a Limit to Possible Territorial Development in the Kysuce Region

Abstract The growing development of settlements in mountainous areas and their sustainable development constantly requires new approaches to assess the land in terms of occurrence of landslides. The flysch zone, where the monitored area is located, is one of the most landslide prone areas in Slovakia. Landslides respond sensitively to the quality of the individual factors that form the landscape and to the change of natural conditions. Their occurrence is a geo-barrier that reduces or totally prevents the use of natural environment and negatively affects the life of population and territorial development. The reason for the increased hazard of landslides is not only demographic pressure on territories, but also its poor management. Consistent spatial planning addresses not only the spatial layout but also the functional use of the territory. Landslides represent one of the limits of land use. This study is based on the assessment of landsliding as a limit to possible territorial development. The input parameters for the assessment were elements of the current landscape structure (built up structure, forest stands, transitional woodland-shrubs, traditional agricultural land, permanent grasslands and arable land) and occurring landslides (active, potential and stabilized). On most of the determined elements of the landscape, landslides occur on about a quarter of their area. They have a smaller share only in areas of mixed forests, built up areas and have the smallest share on arable land. Potential landslides have the largest proportion on all landscape elements. They occupy the largest areas on coniferous forests (1578.93 ha) and on permanent grasslands (741.33 ha). By evaluating the overall endangerment of the area by landslides according to the degree of threat, we found that the greatest threat of landslides is in the Skalité and Svrčinovec cadastral areas, the smallest threat is in the Čadca cadastral area. In addition to the danger of landsliding in the individual elements of the landscape, we have also set limits for its development. Spatial planning limits have been divided into two categories according to the sectors they affect the most: limiting the development of an area assigned for residential building, or restricting the development of an area designed for agricultural and forestry purposes.

Naravne vrednote kot gradniki razvoja geoturizma: Kysuce, Slovaška

The paper analyses the origin and evolution of the Kysuce landscape from the Mesozoic era until the arrival of humans, identifying the relics of these historical evolutionary stages in the present-day landscape. It presents the most important relics from individual evolutionary time horizons as significant elements of geotourism offer. They are systematised and analysed chronologically, thus allowing geotourists to gain a broader picture of the surveyed region, and bringing them into the focus of geotourists as tangible proof that even a landscape that was formed millions of years ago can continue to stimulate our interest. The paper provides information on authenticity and the opportunity for a potential visitor to “touch” the landscapes’ millions-of-years-old relics in the area of the Kysuce region, Slovakia.

The identification of geosites as elements of geotourism offer in Kysuce region, Slovakia

The paper analyses the origin and evolution of the Kysuce landscape from the Mesozoic era until the arrival of humans, identifying the relics of these historical evolutionary stages in the present-day landscape. It presents the most important relics from individual evolutionary time horizons as significant elements of geotourism offer. They are systematised and analysed chronologically, thus allowing geotourists to gain a broader picture of the surveyed region, and bringing them into the focus of geotourists as tangible proof that even a landscape that was formed millions of years ago can continue to stimulate our interest. The paper provides information on authenticity and the opportunity for a potential visitor to “touch” the landscapes’ millions-of-years-old relics in the area of the Kysuce region, Slovakia.

The identification of geosites as elements of geotourism offer in Kysuce region, Slovakia

Prispevek se osredotoča na prepoznavanje razvojnega potenciala naravnih vrednot kot gradnikov geoturizma na severozahodu Slovaške (Kysuce). Naravne vrednote so predstavljene kot preostanki geološke in geomorfološke preteklosti v današnji pokrajini. Ključne naravne vrednote so kronološko sistematizirane in analizirane. Avtorji ugotavljajo, da je tovrstna pokrajina zaradi avtentičnosti in velike doživljajske zmožnosti izjemno zanimiva za geoturiste.

The identification of geosites as elements of geotourism offer in Kysuce region, Slovakia

The paper analyses the origin and evolution of the Kysuce landscape from the Mesozoic era until the arrival of humans, identifying the relics of these historical evolutionary stages in the present-day landscape. It presents the most important relics from individual evolutionary time horizons as significant elements of geotourism offer. They are systematised and analysed chronologically, thus allowing geotourists to gain a broader picture of the surveyed region, and bringing them into the focus of geotourists as tangible proof that even a landscape that was formed millions of years ago can continue to stimulate our interest. The paper provides information on authenticity and the opportunity for a potential visitor to “touch” the landscapes’ millions-of-years-old relics in the area of the Kysuce region, Slovakia.

Quantification of the Natural Factors’ Impact Effectiveness on Environmental Hazards – Slope Movements in the Flysch Areas of the Kysuce Region

Abstract The flysch areas belong to the territories with highest occurrence of landslides in Slovakia. Almost 67% of all landslides in Slovakia take place within the Carpathian flysch. It is a type of slope deformation that responds sensitively to the quality of individual factors that form the landscape and to the change in natural conditions. The occurrence of various geodynamic phenomena can be understood as a geological barrier that reduces or inhibits the use of natural environment and negatively affects the life of society and territorial development. In this paper, we evaluate the statistical significance of selected natural factors of the landscape in relation to the occurrence of unstable slopes in the Kysuce region. In addition, we also evaluated the expansion of unstable slopes in individual landscape factors. Significant linkages between the variables’ hydrogeological base_sandstones with thin clay layers (HB_s) and geological-substrate complex_loamy wastes to loamy-stony debris on sandy conglomerates (GSC_sc) (R = 0.95, p = 0.002) and secondary significant linkages between the variables soil type: Dystric Cambisols (S_CMd) and HB_s (R = 0.40, p = 0.002) (Klokočov and Zákopčie cadastres) were observed. Significant correlation of variables within the areas with unstable slopes was also observed between hydrogeological base_sandy flysch (HB_sf) and geological-substrate complex_loamy wastes on flysch stones (GSC_fs) (R = 0.81, p = 0.002) (Nová Bystrica and Kysucké Nové Mesto cadastres). The most unstable slopes occur in Nová Bystrica cadastre (34.62% of the area) and in the Klokočov cadastre (28.25% of the area). The inclination of slopes (especially slopes above 12°) plays an important role within the unstable slopes. Slopes with steep inclination cover up to 81.45% of the cadastral area of Nová Bystrica, of which almost 1/3 are unstable slopes.

Exceeding the permissible noise levels from rail transport in the Kysuce region

Rail transport is a source of noise that has disturbing effects on the environment. Adverse noise emissions must be observed and at the same time keep the permissible noise levels that depend on the type of protected area given by the Slovak legislation. The paper deals with compliance and analysis of these permitted noise values in some selected locations of the railway line in the Kysuce region.

Distribution of the Traditional Agricultural Landscape Types Reflecting Geological Substrate and Slope Processes in the Kysuce Region

Abstract Traditional agricultural landscapes (TAL) are landscapes in which primarily traditional sustainable agricultural practices are currently carried out and where biological diversity is conserved thereby. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the extension of traditional landscape structures and their relationship to geological substrate and slope processes (landslides). The evaluation was concentrated on two types of TAL (extended to Kysuce region): TAL with dispersed settlements (subtype 1a and b) and TAL of arable-land, grasslands and pastures (subtype 4a and b). Localities with typical dispersed settlements of subtype 1a mostly occur on Zlin formation and cover 707.9 ha. On the deluvial formation, this type extends to 531.8 ha and on the Solaň formation, to 403.6 ha. The active landslides are mostly represented in the TAL of subtype 4a (cadastral areas of Čadca and Oščadnica villages), of subtype 4b (cadastral areas of Riečnica and Svrčinovec villages) and of subtype 1a (cadastral area of Svrčinovec village). The largest representation of potential landslides is on the subtype 4a, subtype 1a and subtype 4b.

Influence of selected factors on bark beetle outbreak dynamics in the Western Carpathians

Abstract In the period from 1992 to 2013, more than 3.8 million m3 of spruce wood from an area of 55 thousand ha of forests in the Kysuce region (Western Carpathians) was affected by bark beetles. This region has had the highest volume of salvage fellings in Slovakia. While before 1991, bark-beetle outbreak usually occurred after snow and wind disturbances, since 1992 they have occurred in the years with extremely warm and dry growing seasons and the years following them. These years were also characterised by high volumes of wood affected by honey fungus (Armillaria spp.), which only rarely took part in the calamities before 1992. Extreme deterioration of the situation occurred after 2003. In fragmented and sparse stands, the volume of wood damaged by wind increased. Artificial origin of spruce stands, their high occurrence, high age and even-agedness are likely pre-disposing factors of spruce forest decline. Bark beetles have become the most important factor of spruce decline. The most important factors driving the bark beetle attack on forest stands in the period 1973–2013 were the amount of unprocessed wood in the previous year; the amount of wood affected by honey fungus, precipitation total, and average temperature in the current growing season. Another important factor that complicated the situation was also the inferior quality of forest management.

Assessment of landslide risk using gis and statistical methods in kysuce region

AbstractThe landslide susceptibility was assessed based on multivariation analysis. The input parameters were represented by lithology, land use, slope inclination and average annual precipitation. These parameters were evaluated as independent variables, and the existing landslides as dependent variables. The individual input parameters were reclassified and spatially adjusted. Spatial analysis resulted in 15 988 combinations of input parameters representing the homogeneous condition unit (HCU ). Based on the landslide density within individual units, the HCU polygons have been classified according to landslide risk into stable, conditionally stable, conditionally stable and unstable (subdivided into low, medium and high landslide risk). A total of 2002 HCU s were affected by landslides, and the remaining 13 986 were not affected. The total HCU area affected by landslides is about 156.92 km

A small-scale landslide susceptibility assessment for the territory of Western Carpathians

This study presented herein compares the bivariate and multivariate landslide susceptibility mapping methods and presents the landslide susceptibility map of the territory of Western Carpathians in small scale. This study also describes pioneer work for the territory of Western Carpathians, overreaching state borders, using verified sophisticated statistical methods. In the susceptibility mapping, digital elevation model was first constructed using a GIS software, and parameter maps affecting the slope stability such as geology, seismicity, precipitation, topographical elevation, slope angle, slope aspect and land cover were considered. In the last stage of the analyses, landslide susceptibility maps were produced using bivariate and multivariate analyses, and they were then compared by means of their validations. The validation of the bivariate analysis data was performed using the results of bivariate analysis for landslide areas of Slovakia containing five classes of susceptibility in scale 1:500,000. The validation area is the area of Western Carpathians within Slovakia. Eighty-two per cent of area does not differ in more than one class. The validation of the multivariate analysis data was performed using the results from the Kysuce region in the northern part of Slovakia in scale 1:10,000. The raster calculator was used to express the difference between each pair of pixels within these two layers. Seventy-seven per cent of the pixels do not differ in more than 25 %, 94 % of the pixels do not differ in more than 50 %. The maximal possible difference is 100 % (one pixel with value 0 and other with value 1, or vice versa). Receiver operating characteristic analysis was also performed, the area under curve value for bivariate model was calculated to be 0.735, while it was 0.823 for multivariate. The results of the validation can be considered as satisfactory.

Notes on the reproduction, breeding biology and ethology of the Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum) in Slovakia

Notes on the reproduction, breeding biology and ethology of the Eurasian pygmy owl (Glaucidium passerinum) in Slovakia