Localities In Slovakia Research Articles

REGIONÁLNE KLIMATICKÉ SCENÁRE FREKVENCIE VÝSKYTU DNÍ SO ZRÁŽKAMI NA SLOVENSKU

We present scenarios of how frequency of days with precipitation may change over the territory of Slovakia by 2050 and 2080 in the article. Climatic scenarios were created from three regional climate models EURO-CORDEX for the pessimistic emission scenario RCP8.5. We analysed the occurrence of the number of precipitation days for class intervals: 5 – 9.9 mm, 10 – 19.9 mm, 20 – 29.9 mm, 30 – 39.9 mm, as well as for open intervals ≥ 5 mm, ≥ 10 mm, ≥ 20 mm, ≥ 30 mm, and ≥ 40 mm. To correct systematic errors in climate models, we used data (daily precipitation totals) from the national network of rain gauges. The RCM models were corrected in two steps: first in terms of excessive occurrence of so-called “drizzle days”, and then in terms of systematic underestimation of daily sums across the entire distribution function (bias correction). The occurrence of days with daily rainfall exceeding 40 mm for the horizons of 2050 and 2080 is presented in the form of maps. As our analyses revealed, the annual frequency of days with daily rainfall exceeding 40 mm is expected to increase by approximately 20% by the middle of the 21st century and by up to 60% by the end of the century compared to the present. The paper also includes tables with relative changes and absolute frequencies of wet days for 75 selected locations in Slovakia.

Taxonomy of European Damaeidae (Acari: Oribatida) XII. Trimetabelba Miko gen. nov. with redescription of T. propexa (Kulczynski, 1902) comb. nov. description of two new species and proposal of Prometabelba Miko gen. nov.

ABSTRACT Trimetabelba Miko gen. nov. a new genus of damaeid mites within Metabelba sensu lato is proposed after redescription of the species T. propexa (Kulczynski, 1902) comb. nov. based on topotypical material from High Tatra Mountains (Carpathians). Two further new species are described: T. proxima Miko sp. nov. from multiple localities in Slovakia, Czechia and Switzerland, and T. prolixa Kolesnikov et Murvanidze sp. nov. from Georgia. Generic concepts of Metabelba sensu lato are discussed, and another new genus – Prometabelba Miko gen. nov. – is proposed with P. centurion (Miko et al., 2014) as its type species. An identification key is provided for all known genera and subgenera of the generic complex Metabelba sensu lato, as well as all species of Trimetabelba. http://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:EB176C50-C71A-49BA-AE8D-208323CCA4C5

Coccinellidae on native and introduced spruce in central Europe: conservation implications in urban areas

The abundance and species composition of adult ladybird communities (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were investigated on two congeneric trees, native Norway spruce (Picea abies) and the introduced blue spruce (Picea pungens), at four locations in Slovakia (central Europe). For two years (2021–2022), coccinellid adults were sampled using a standard method involving beating branches at monthly intervals from April to November. Although the species composition of the communities on both spruce species was similar, the abundance of the entire coccinellid community as well as the abundance of individual species was significantly greater on Norway spruce than on blue spruce. With the current decline of Norway spruce as a result of several negative factors, blue spruce has emerged as a suitable substitute host plant for coccinellid communities in urban areas.

Development of Pilgrimage Tourism in Slovakia over the Past Decades: Examples of Selected Pilgrimage Sites

Pilgrimage tourism, among the earliest forms of tourism with a tradition spanning centuries, stands as a steadfast global attraction. This article delves into the significance, diversity, and historical roots of this tourism type, recognizing the contemporary surge in interest in pilgrimage sites. Offering an overview of globally prominent pilgrimage destinations and highlighting key locations in Slovakia, the article emphasizes the country’s considerable potential for the utilization and development of these sacred sites, despite its compact size. It stresses the need to foster this historically significant tourism sector and the necessity for attention and support from the government sector to maximize its potential. The relevance of pilgrimage became particularly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, with observable visitor participation despite challenging conditions at various pilgrimage sites. The article examines the pilgrimage’s evolution before, during, and after the pandemic, using Levoča and Šaštín in Slovakia as illustrative cases. One of the main objectives of this study was to clarify the development of pilgrimage tourism in Slovakia over the past decades and the factors influencing it. The attendance analysis unmistakably reveals a significant upward trend at these specific locations, emphasizing the need to establish collaborative efforts to support this sector. Such collaboration is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of historically significant sites, fostering local development, and increasing the visibility of less-visited pilgrimage destinations.

The importance of female reproductive history on self-reported sleep quality, mood, and urogenital symptoms in midlife.

This study investigated the importance of reproductive history on somatic and psychological symptoms in midlife women. A total of 503 women from 39 to 65 years of age were recruited from different localities in Slovakia. These were interviewed about their reproductive and menstrual history, sociodemographic background, and lifestyle and health status after submitting pretested questionnaires. All variables were measured by self-reporting, and multivariable logistic and ordinal regression analyses tested the associations. Women who experienced miscarriage had a greater likelihood of waking early and then sleeping poorly, and they also felt unattractive in midlife. Moreover, women with two or more miscarriages were four times more likely to experience this sleep symptom than those without miscarriage (odds ratio [OR], 4.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.70-10.38; P = 0.002). In addition, women with one or two children suffered significantly less often with severe depressed mood and lack of enjoyment than women with three and more children (lack of enjoyment: with one child, the OR was 0.39 [95% CI, 0.16-0.96; P = 0.041]; with two children, the OR was 0.47 [95% CI, 0.23-0.97; P = 0.040]; depressed mood: with one child, the OR was 0.32 [95% CI, 0.12-0.84; P = 0.021]). Finally, the premenopausal and perimenopausal women were less likely to experience severe vaginal dryness than those in postmenopause. This cross-sectional pilot study suggests that women's reproductive history, as determined by parity and miscarriage, may be relevant to their midlife health and well-being. Future research is warranted.

Rodents as Sentinels for Toxoplasma gondii in Rural Ecosystems in Slovakia-Seroprevalence Study.

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous intracellular parasite with felids as definitive hosts and a broad range of intermediate hosts. Rodents are considered suitable sentinels for prevalence studies of many infections, including toxoplasmosis. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii in rodents from different localities of Slovakia and investigate the correlation between the seropositivity and the species, age, sex, and sexual activity of animals. Altogether, 1009 wild rodents belonging to 9 species were trapped in 2015 and 2019, and antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 6.7% of the animals. Seropositivity was detected in seven species, ranging from 0.0% in Micromys minutus and Apodemus sylvaticus to 7.7% in A. flavicollis. The females reached significantly higher seropositivity (9.7%) than the males (3.8%), and the adults were positive significantly more often (9.2%) than the subadults (4.9%). The seropositivity differed also among localities, with significantly higher positivity detected in suburban and touristic areas (12.2%) than in localities with a lower level of human activities (5.5%). This study showed that the occurrence of T. gondii varies significantly in rodent species and habitats with various environmental conditions and different levels of anthropic use. Several biological and ecological factors, e.g., soil contamination, soil conditions, the susceptibility of rodent species etc., may influence this variability.

Age and Depositional Temperature of Quaternary Travertine Spring Mounds from Slovakia

Travertine spring mounds are common in Slovakia; however, their age and depositional temperature are still poorly known. Our study is the first multimethodological investigation involving stable carbon, oxygen, and clumped isotope (Δ47) analyses and U-Th age determination of travertine mounds from different locations in Slovakia (Santovka, Dudince, Čerin, Bešeňová, Liptovský Ján, Liptovské Sliače, Vyšné Ružbachy, Gánovce, and Sivá Brada) to provide information about their age, origin, precipitation conditions, and temperature. The positive δ13C values imply that the parent water was charged with heavy CO2 of deep origin. The δ18O values of spring waters range between −11.4‰ and −8.9‰, whereas the δ2H values vary from −80.5‰ to −58.3, indicating a meteoric origin for spring waters. Clumped isotope compositions (Δ47) correspond to a deposition temperature between 4 °C and 32 °C. The U-Th age data of the studied travertines vary from 1.2 (Liptovské Sliače) to 301 ka (Dudince). Our results can serve as a basis for further detailed geochronological and geochemical studies to reconstruct the paleoclimate and paleoenvironment during travertine deposition periods in Slovakia since the mid-Pleistocene transition.

Detection of Blastocystis spp., Cryptosporidium spp. and Encephalitozoon spp. among wild animals from Eastern Slovakia.

The aim of this study was to draw attention to the risk of transmission of Encephalitozoon, Cryptosporidium and Blastocystis infection due to high animal migration and to point out that even wild animals can be a source of many zoonotic diseases. Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Cryptosporidium spp. and Blastocystis spp. are frequent microscopic organisms that parasitise humans, domestic and wild animals. Two hundred and fifty-five faecal specimens were collected from wild boars, badgers, wolves, bears, foxes and deer from 15 locations in Slovakia. Sequencing of positive PCR products and subsequent sequence comparison with GenBank sequences identified Blastocystis spp. in five wild boars. The ST 5 (n = 4) and ST 10 (n = 1) subtypes were determined by genotyping. We identified Encephalitozoon cuniculi in five wild boars, and genotype II (n = 5) was determined on the basis of ITS repeat sequences. Cryptosporidium scrofarum was sequenced in wolves (n = 4) and wild boars (n = 1), while Cryptosporidium suis only in wild boars (n = 2). None of the wild boars had a mixed infection.

Contribution of environmental factors and female reproductive history to hypertension and obesity incidence in later life

Background Hypertension (HT) and obesity, which are important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, are complex traits determined by multiple biological and behavioural factors. However, the role of female reproductive history in evaluating HT and obesity is still unclear. Aim To investigate the long-term effects of reproductive factors on the probability of obesity and HT in later life after adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle behaviour factors. Subjects and methods A total of 503 women (39 − 65 years) were recruited from different localities in Slovakia. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to test the associations. Results Early menarche age of 11 years and under was associated with twice higher probability of obesity at midlife, independent of environmental confounders (OR = 2.27, CI = 1.35 − 3.81, p = 0.002). Breastfeeding (Bf) women had a lower likelihood of obesity in later life than non-Bf parous women, independent of environmental confounders (OR = 0.35, CI = 0.17 − 0.72, p = 0.004). Finally, age at menarche was associated with obesity-associated HT. Conclusion Reproductive factors are significantly associated with obesity and obesity-associated HT in later life. The age at menarche and Bf can be risk factors for early identification of women with increased likelihood of adult cardiovascular risk.

Diversity and fungicidal resistance of Cercospora beticola

The fungus Cercospora beticola Sacc. belongs to the most important pathogens on sugar beet. The Cercospora leaf spot disease is important problem for growers in all growing areas of sugar beet. This study was focused on the morphological diversity of C. beticola isolates and occurrence of their fungicidal resistance in Slovakia. Isolates involved in this work were collected from sugar beet leaf during 2016-2018. Average growth rate of the tested C. beticola isolates on five different media showed the major role of cultivation temperature. The fastest growth was measured by 30°C on TE medium, followed by PDA, SBLEA, AWSBL, and V8. The colour of aerial mycelium varied from olive-green to grey with white powdery appearance, per grey colour with wrinkled texture, to black colour. There is no significant correlation among isolates origin, colony morphology parameters and growth rate. The highest sporulation rate was recorded at cultivation temperature 25°C by using of TE growth medium, the lowest one by V8 medium. The inhibition effect of azoxystrobin + cyproconazole was significantly different among the tested isolates from different localities and years. The results showed reduced sensitivity of C. beticola population in Slovakia strictly depending of the locality. The most reduced sensitivity was measured on localities Hronovce and Nové Zámky, followed by localities Mojmírovce, Senec, and Dolné Saliby with similar values. There is no positive correlation between inhibition effect and mycelial growth rate. The results showed increasing fungicidal resistance of C. beticola to azoxystrobin + cyproconazole in some localities of Slovakia.

Antimicrobial effects of essential oils from Tanacetum vulgare L. and Salvia officinalis L., growing in Slovakia

Possible antimicrobial properties of essential oils isolated from Tanacetum vulgare L., and Salvia officinalis L., harvested from five different locations in Slovakia, were examined using the disc agar diffusion method and by the microdilution method. GC/MS analysis of the essential oil from Tanacetum vulgare L. resulted in the identification of 16 compounds constituting 82.1% of the total oil. Gram-positive bacteria, mainly Bacillus subtilis, were more susceptible to essential oils from both plants than were gramnegative species. Tested essential oils posses also anti-yeast activity. The shares of the constituents in the essential oils as well as their antimicrobial activity differed in dependence on the locality.

ARSENIC, CADMIUM AND MERCURY IN THE MACROLEPIOTA PROCERA (SCOP.) SINGER FRUITING BODIES

In this study, the content of As, Cd and Hg in fruiting bodies was determined. These three elements were determined in 94 Macrolepiota procera (Scop.) Singer samples (separately for caps and stems) and their corresponding soils/substrates collected from 8 different localities in Slovakia. Arsenic and cadmium were analyzed by Optical Emission Spectrometry with Inductively Coupled Plasma (OES-ICP), and mercury by Advanced Mercury Analyzer (AMA-254). In the soil/substrate As content varied from ND (not detected) to 11.9, Cd from 0.66 to 22.9 and Hg from 0.02 to 0.28 mg kg-1 DW (dry weight), respectively. In fruiting body stems arsenic content varied from ND to 4.77, cadmium from ND to 5.96 and mercury from 0.03 to 2.83 mg kg-1 DW. In the caps, As content varied from ND to 13.0, Cd from ND to 19.8 and Hg from 0.04 to 4.00 mg kg-1 DW. After comparing obtained results with the EU limits, for As in mushrooms 6.6% (cap) of analyzed samples exceeded the limit value, while for Cd, 4.7% (cap), 2.0% (stem) of analyzed samples exceeded the limit value. Regarding the background values in the soils/substrates of selected elements in Slovakia only Cd exceeded the limits (though almost 82% of samples). Regarding Hg content, all analyzed samples (fruiting bodies and soils/substrates) did not exceed the limit value. The selected monitored localities in Slovakia have been contaminated with trace elements. Some of the analyzed mushroom samples exceeded EU limits, and as such, they can pose a risk to human health.

Mercury in Macrolepiota procera (Scop.) Singer and Its Underlying Substrate-Environmental and Health Risks Assessment.

Wild-growing edible mushrooms are valuable food with a high content of proteins, fibers, antioxidants, and they are characterized by their specific taste and flavor. However, from an ecotoxicological point of view, they are a risk commodity because of their extremely high bioaccumulative capacity to accumulate the risk elements and contaminants from the environment. In the present study, we examined mercury (Hg) contamination in 230 fruiting bodies of Macrolepiota procera (Scop.) Singer and 230 soil/substrate samples, which were collected in foraging seasons 2015–2019 from 22 different locations in Slovakia. Total mercury content was determined by cold-vapor AAS analyzer AMA 254. The level of contamination and environmental risks were assessed by contamination factor (Cf), index of geoaccumulation (Igeo), and potential environmental risk index (PER). Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was calculated for individual anatomical parts of M. procera. Mercury content in the soil/substrate samples varied between 0.02 and 0.89 mg kg−1 DW, and in mushroom samples between 0.03 and 2.83 mg kg−1 DW (stems), and between 0.04 and 6.29 mg kg−1 DW (caps). The obtained results were compared with the provisional tolerable weekly intake for Hg defined by WHO to determine a health risk resulting from regular and long-term consumption of M. procera.

Birds Belonging to the Family Paridae as Another Potential Reservoir of Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68.

Ecology and epidemiology of murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) have been intensively studied since the isolation of the virus from murid rodents in 1976. This virus was detected in various mammalian species that share the biotope with rodent reservoirs of MHV-68. However, a survey of MHV-68 in birds has not so far been performed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of MHV-68 in blood samples from two bird species captured at four localities in Slovakia. Using the nested PCR targeting ORF50 gene of MHV-68, we confirmed the presence of MHV-68 DNA in 9 out of 57 blood samples from Great tits (Parus major) (prevalence 15.8%, confidence interval [95% CI]: 8.5-27.4) and in 3 out of 43 blood samples from Eurasian blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) (prevalence 7.0%, 95% CI: 2.4-18.6). Our results suggest that not only mammals but also birds may serve as reservoirs for MHV-68, providing further evidence that MHV-68 is capable of frequent cross-species transmission.

Mercury Content in Three Edible Wild-Growing Mushroom Species from Different Environmentally Loaded Areas in Slovakia: An Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment.

Three edible mushroom species (Imlera badia, Boletus subtomentosus, Xerocomellus chrysenteron) sampled in 60 different localities of Slovakia were evaluated to determine health risks (associated with mercury content) arising from their consumption. Total content of mercury in soil and mushroom samples was determined by an AMA-254 analyzer. Soil pollution by mercury was evaluated by contamination factor (Cf), pollution load index (PLI), and geoaccumulation index (Igeo). Bioaccumulation factor (BAF), translocation factor (Qc/s), provisional tolerably weekly intake (%PTWI), estimated daily intake (EDI), and target hazard quotient (THQ) were used to describe and compare uptake and transition abilities of mushrooms, and the health risk arising from mushroom consumption. Mercury content in soil significantly influences the content of mercury in mushroom fruiting body parts. Caps and stipes of Boletus subtomentosus were found to be the best mercury accumulator. According to the EDI, consumption of the evaluated mushroom species represents a serious threat for adults and children. The lowest values of THQ were found for Xerocomellus chysenteron.

Transformation of the Landscape in the Conditions of the Slovak Republic for Tourism

Tourism is one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy in Slovakia. With the orientation of localities to tourism, the landscape transformation is reflected in several positive and negative changes in the landscape. The aim of the contribution is to highlight the transformation processes leading to the creation of a tourist landscape in six selected localities in Slovakia. When selecting sites, we applied criteria such as the diversity of the original use, size or attractiveness. The environmental, socio-cultural and economic impacts of tourism on the landscape of localities were valuable in terms of sustainable development principles. From the methodological point of view, the primary methodology was the drivers–pressures–state–impact–response (DPSIR) model, used for integrated environmental assessment and the life cycle methodology of a tourism center with integrated sustainable development indicators. In the work results, based on the analysis of the historical development and the current state of localities, we evaluate their phase of the life cycle and the effects of tourism on the environment. We also present the possibilities of further development and heading direction of localities from point of view of tourism while pointing out the benefits and risks connected with the planned development.

Microbial Features Indicating the Recovery of Soil Ecosystem Strongly Affected by Mining and Ore Processing.

Tailings-derived soils formed from waste materials produced during mineral processing often exhibit extremes of pH, low content of organic matter and limited nutrient availability. The success of site revitalization depends mostly on the ability to maintain natural soil functions. We analyzed technogenic sediments from four selected localities in Slovakia defined as environmental burdens: Slovinky (SLS, SLD), Markušovce (MAS, MAD), Lintich (LIS, LID), Horná Ves (HVS, HVD) in the presented research. None of these sites has long been used for its original purpose. In all localities, the concentrations of several risk elements (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) still significantly exceed the statutory limit values. Besides the content of risk elements, the amounts of organic carbon, total nitrogen, pH value and moisture level in technogenic substrates were determined. We evaluated selected microbiological parameters, including microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial respiration and cellulolytic activity to determine how soil organisms tolerate long-term pollution. In general, the values of microbiological parameters were not as low as one would expect. The results confirmed a negative correlation between MBC content and concentrations of several toxic metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn). The values of assessed microbial indicators were in several cases comparable to those in natural soils. We noticed the lowest metabolic quotient values (qCO2) in the heavily polluted locality HVS. The microbial quotient (qMic) was low in every locality except HVS, where the substrate availability index (SAI) was highest. The soil microbial community properties have shown that, despite adverse conditions, these emerging soils allow the growth and development of microorganisms to such an extent that they can adequately use available (although limited) nutrients. The data obtained suggest that these severely impacted soil ecosystems can restore their original environmental functions in time.

The first step towards a DNA barcode reference database for mayflies (Ephemeroptera) of Slovakia

Mayflies (Ephemeroptera) represent a small but diverse order of amphibiotic insects, whose larvae contribute to several essential processes in freshwater habitats, such as bioturbation and bioirrigation, decomposition, nutrient cycling, and also serve as a primary source of nutrients for numerous organisms. Due to their cosmopolitan distribution and high-quality water requirements, they are also important indicators of ecosystem health and an integral part of biomonitoring protocols. Although the Slovak mayfly fauna is well researched, studies on genetic diversity, including DNA barcoding, are still lacking. The absence of the comprehensive DNA barcode reference libraries from various biogeographical regions and the presence of so-called cryptic lineages may prevent further efficient use and application of new approaches to aquatic ecosystem biomonitoring (Biomonitoring 2.0) based on eDNA analyses. Therefore, in the initial stage of our research, we bring the first insight into the genetic diversity of mayflies (based on mtDNA COI-5P barcoding fragment) from 47 localities of Slovakia mostly situated in the biogeographically significant Western Carpathians' territory. A total of 403 sequences of 42 morphologically determined species were added to the BOLD (Barcode of Life Data System) database, representing more than 1/3 of the mayfly fauna of Slovakia and covering 10 of 16 families. Sequences of these species were finally assigned to 62 BINs (Barcode Index Numbers) in BOLD (Fig. 1), whereby sequences of 12 species were divided into more than one BIN, indicating the presence of cryptic lineages. The largest number of BINs was represented by widely distributed species such as Baetis rhodani Pictet, 1843-1845 (6 BINs), Habroleptoides confusa Sartori & Jacob, 1986 (4 BINs) and Ecdyonurus venosus (Fabricius, 1775) (3 BINs). The sequences of the remaining nine species were split into two BINs. Maximum intraspecific variability (calculated by K2P) of some representatives was surprisingly high [e.g., E. venosus – 27.1 %; Baetis muticus (Linneaus, 1758) – 23.6 %; Caenis luctuosa (Burmeister, 1839) – 23.34 %, Baetis rhodani – 18.66 % and B. vernus Curtis, 1834 – 15.25 %] and far exceeded the level of intraspecific variability of the COI fragment based on the BOLD standards. The sequences of 23 individuals determined as Habroleptoides confusa, Baetis rhodani, B. buceratus Eaton, 1870, Caenis beskidensis Sowa, 1973 and Torleya major (Klapálek, 1905) created seven unique BINs, which represent the distant phylogenetic lineages of already existing BINs, that are currently unique to Slovakia. The coexistence of Baetis rhodani individuals of two different BINs was confirmed at five localities. Our study indicates clear importance of more detailed sampling and DNA barcoding due to the presence of unexpected intraspecific genetic diversity of mayflies captured in a relatively small area of the Western Carpathians.

NNutričná kvalita semena konopy siatej (Cannabis sativa L.) pestovanej v rôznom prostredí

Hemp seed (Cannabis sativa L.) is rich in many substances beneficial in human nutrition, especially proteins, lipids, and total dietary fibre. Contents of these primary metabolites were analysed in seeds of hemp cultivar Finola grown at three locations in Slovakia (Borovce, Vígľaš-Pstruša, Milhostov) within two years (2013, 2014). The average content of total dietary fibre was 36.10 ± 1.92%, lipids 32.05 ± 0.42%, and proteins 24.66 ± 0.55%. The main fatty acids in oil were linoleic, α-linolenic, and oleic acids. About 75% of all fatty acids were polyunsaturated ones. The content of lipids and fatty acids such as γ-linolenic, stearidonic, linoleic, α-linolenic, oleic, cis-vaccenic, stearic, and gadoleic acids, as well as total dietary fibre were significantly affected (P≤0.05) by the year of cultivation. Content of proteins, gadoleic and arachidonic acids were significantly (P≤0.05) influenced by maturity of seeds. The growing location significantly influenced the content of lipids, total dietary fibre, proteins, fatty acids, and the ratio saturated:polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Model of the Balance of Fuel Wood Consumption and Emissions Production During Building Heating Depending on the Climatic Conditions of Slovakia

The paper presents a model of the influence of the climatic conditions of Slovakia on the consumption of firewood and the production of emissions in creating thermal comfort in a heated building. The temperature of atmospheric air in the range from -11°C to -18°C in winter and the number of days of the heating period in the range of 202-253 in individual localities of Slovakia is reflected in the size of heat losses of the heated building, fuel consumption and emissions production. The presented model allows to balance the consumption of firewood and emission production for individual localities in Slovakia based on the climatic conditions of the locality, the size of the heated object, the thermal efficiency of the boiler and the type of firewood.