NE Slovakia Research Articles

Traces of collisional and transtensional processes between the Carpathia and the European platform in the geoelectric image (NE Slovakia and SE Poland)

We present the latest magnetotelluric models on profiles in the northeastern part of Slovakia and the southeastern part of Poland. These models are focused on deciphering the tectonic structures at the contact of the Inner Carpathians with the European Platform in this area. For the Inner Carpathian block, we propose the term Carpathia. Profile SA-01 shows shallower structures and the parallel MT-05 profile shows deeper structures. These models are also correlated with the seismic profile CEL-05. All results are compatible and show an original subduction-collisional structure, which was later replaced by a transpressive-transtensional one. The most striking structures are thick highly conductive subhorizontal zones in the middle crust and a tectonically controlled deep vertical conductive structure—the Carpathian conductive zone. Other significant structures, which also appear in the seismic section, are back thrusting of Flysch Belt and the Klippen Belt basement (Penninic crust) uplift.

Changes in grassland management and plant diversity in a marginal region of the Carpathian Mts. in 1999–2015

The political change from socialism to democracy in countries of Central and Eastern Europe at the end of the 20th century induced broad changes in agriculture mostly due to land ownership changes and strong reduction of subsidies to agriculture. This resulted in agricultural decline, including grassland abandonment, which influenced grassland biodiversity and conservation. Between 1999 and 2015 we studied the grasslands in the area depopulated in the early 1980's in the Poloniny National Park (NE Slovakia, Carpathian Mts.). The aim of the study was to examine influence of environmental factors and grassland management driven by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to plant community structure and taxonomical diversity. We identified altitude and soil properties as the main environmental factors: altitude determines climate gradient and probably also management intensity gradient and soil properties express soil fertility via A-horizon depth. We identified remarkable increase of proportion of managed grasslands from only 8% in 1999 to 40% in 2012–2015; other 7% of sampled grasslands were recently restored and prepared for future management. The average species richness in grasslands managed in 2012–2015 increased from 47.5 species per record in 1999 to 54.2 species in 2012–2015, the increase was found statistically significant. In 2012–2015, we observed statistically significant difference in the average species richness between managed (54.2) and abandoned grasslands (46.3). The agricultural subsidies of the CAP drive the grassland management in the study area. Therefore, we conclude that CAP enabled grassland biodiversity maintenance in significant part of the Poloniny National Park following start of its application in 2004 and above provided figures can be considered as indicators of the CAP effectiveness in our study area. However, the conservation of mountain meadows remains a challenge because of their poor accessibility.

Assessment of environmental and health risks in former polymetallic ore mining and smelting area, Slovakia: Spatial distribution and accumulation of mercury in four different ecosystems

Former long-term mining and smelting of pollymetallic ores in the Middle Spiš area caused a serious contamination problem of the environment with heavy metals and metalloids, especially mercury (Hg). Several studies have reported concentration of Hg in the area but this paper provides first detailed characterization of Hg contamination of different environmental components in agricultural, forest, grassland and urban ecosystems. The ecosystems are in different distances from emission sources – former mercury and copper smelting plants in NE Slovakia. Total Hg content was studied in soil/substrate samples (n = 234) and characteristic biological samples (Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth, Macrolepiota procera (Scop.) Singer, Boletus edulis Bull., Cyanoboletus pulverulentus (Opat.) Gelardi, Vizzini & Simonini, Triticum aestivum (L.), Poa pratensis (L.)) (n = 234) collected in the above-mentioned ecosystems. The level of contamination and environmental risks were assessed by contamination factor (Cf), index of geoaccumulation (Igeo) and potential environmental risk index (PER). To determine the level of transition of Hg from abiotic to biotic environment, bioconcentration factor (BCF) was used. To determine a health risk resulting from regular and long-term consumption of the locally available species, the results of the Hg content were compared with the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) for Hg defined by World Health Organization. The results suggest that almost 63% of the area belong to the very high risk category and 80% of the sampling sites shown very high contamination factor. Geoaccumulation index showed that almost 30% of the area is very strongly contaminated and only 8% is not contaminated with Hg. Spearman's correlation relationship confirmed that the values of PER, BCF, Cf and Igeo decreased with an increasing distance from the pollution source. The percentage of contribution to PTWI ranged between 5.76–69.0% for adults and 11.5–138% for children. Mushroom M. procera showed the highest %PTWI among the tested biological samples. Studied ecotoxicological parameters showed high level of health risk for population living in the area. Consumption of the crops grown in the area and mainly edible wild mushrooms might negatively affect the health of the consumers in the long-term.

Jurassic red nodular limestone from NE Slovakia used as the Ľubovňa “marble” during the Renaissance in Slovakia and Poland

The Ľubovňa “marble” is red nodular limestone of Oxfordian to Tithonian age, which used to be extracted in several quarries near the town of Stara Ľubovňa in NE Slovakia. It replaced the Hungarian Gerecse “marble” which was extensively used in the Kingdom of Hungary and surrounding countries from the end of the 12th to the first third of the 16th century when its use was interrupted by the Turkish occupation of the area. The Ľubovňa “marble” was used as a substitution especially for Renaissance tombstones in today’s Slovakia and Poland and it was found also in Hungary. It reached the top of its popularity between the mid-16th and mid-17th century. To a smaller extent it was still used in the surrounding territories during the other styles in the 18th and 19th centuries. The “marble” production was probably affected by the political situation and wars. It is possible to distinguish the Ľubovňa “marble” from the Gerecse “marble” and the Adnet “marble” from Austria macroscopically on the basis of its distinct cleavage, and microscopically on the basis of microfacies with Saccocoma , Globuligerina and calcareous dinoflagellates. According to the stable isotopes of 18 O and 13 C, it is approximately similar to the Adnet “marble”.

Nest Site Selection and Breeding Success in ThreeTurdusThrush Species Coexisting in an Urban Environment

Abstract The process of establishing breeding populations of birds in small towns of Central Europe provides a unique opportunity to study them during synurbization in statu nascendi. Over the years 2006–2011, we investigated the breeding ecology of three coexisting thrush species Turdus spp. in the urban habitats of the town of Bardejov (NE Slovakia). We studied nest distribution, nest predation in relation to nest placement and the breeding success of the Common Blackbird T. merula, Fieldfare T. pilaris and Song Thrush T. philomelos. The study species differed significantly in terms of microhabitat characteristics and vertical spatial distribution, expressed as the nest location height (Blackbird < Song Thrush < Fieldfare), the distance from the town centre (Fieldfare < Song Thrush < Blackbird), the distance from the nest tree to human paths and buildings (Blackbird < Song Thrush < Fieldfare) and the average distance between breeding conspecific pairs (Fieldfare < Blackbird < Song Thrush). We also found...

Natural environment of human societies in Poprad Basin (NE Slovakia) from the Late Palaeolithic to the Mediavel Period: landscape character and vegetation changes

Natural environment of human societies in Poprad Basin (NE Slovakia) from the Late Palaeolithic to the Mediavel Period: landscape character and vegetation changes

New magnetic anomalies of the Outer Capathians in NE Slovakia and their relationship to the Carpathian Conductivity Zone

A hitherto unknown magnetic anomaly has been detected in the framework of assembling magnetic picture of the Slovakian territory. The impressive magnetic object was recognized in the northeasternmost part of Slovakia within the area which is created by sediments of the Flysch belt. This is certain rarity because the Flysch sequence is practically without magnetic rocks. Due to this was obvious that anomaly is caused by an exotic rocks complex, intruded into Flysch sediments. The shape and the character of anomalous body indicated that source of anomaly is located in the shallow depth under surface relatively. The anomaly has been modelled in the 2D. Source of magnetic anomaly was interpreted as the product of Neogene volcanism – neck of intermediate rocks. Besides of this there were found out other minor anomalies within this area which might be caused also by smaller subvolcanic bodies. The Carpathian Conductivity Anomaly is located in the proximity of new observed magnetic anomalies. Due to this fact it is possible to open new view on the importance of this zone. In the case of justification of such interpretation the area might be interesting for its potential prognosis of hydrocarbons occurrence, metallogenetic prominence, as well as possibilities for underground storage of carbon dioxide.

Sustainable Management Recommendations to Reduce the Loss of Agricultural Biodiversity in the Mountain Regions of NE Slovakia

With well-preserved nature and a geographical location at the border of the West Carpathian and the East Carpathian biogeographical regions, the Poloniny National Park (NP) ranks among the most valuable areas for biodiversity in Slovakia. The territory is a typical region with mountain agriculture (12% of the study area), where grasslands dominate in an agricultural landscape. Grasslands became the basis of traditional farming many years ago, when extensive agriculture was mainly focused on hay production and grazing, representing the lifestyle of the local people. This kind of sensitive human management contributed to the maintenance of valuable grassland communities and their rich biodiversity. In particular, the mountain poloniny meadows are characterized by large numbers of rare and threatened East Carpathian species. Intensification of agriculture from the 1970s and its decline after the massive political and socioeconomic changes of 1989 have caused substantial damage to species-rich grasslands in the region. Implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is now providing greater financial support to restart agricultural activities in the Poloniny National Park. Nonetheless, there is still concern about maintenance of the biodiversity of mountain grassland communities, where access is limited, and which require specific extensive management. This paper aims to identify the driving forces of agrobiodiversity change and the implications for habitats and species, and to predict possible future trends in the region. Emerging from the assessment of these trends, several recommendations are made regarding appropriate management measures for the maintenance of agrobiodiversity together with sustainable development in Poloniny National Park.

Patterns in the distribution of avian lice (Phthiraptera: Amblycera, Ischnocera) living on the great grey shrike Lanius excubitor

The lice parasite community of great grey shrike Lanius excubitor collected in NE Slovakia during 1962-1974 was quantitatively studied. Lice fauna comprised of three species: Docophorulus coarctatus, Bruelia cruciata (Ischnocera) and Lanicanthus camelinus (Amblycera). All these species were previously indicated as characteristic for that host. The prevalence of lice was high--lice were recovered from 96.3% (n=108) host specimens. Distributions of lice on the great grey shrike, a strictly territorial bird, were aggregated, indicating substantial variation in the abundance of lice. Sex ratios of lice were biased towards females and not correlated with the subpopulation size of lice on individual hosts.

Sedimentology and hydrocarbon habitat of the submarine-fan deposits of the Central Carpathian Paleogene Basin (NE Slovakia)

Sedimentology and hydrocarbon habitat of the submarine-fan deposits of the Central Carpathian Paleogene Basin (NE Slovakia)

Winter feeding ecology of male and female European wildcatsFelis silvestris in Slovakia

The study deals with the food spectrum of the European wildcat. It is based on the analysis of the stomach contents of 38 individuals, collected in NE Slovakia during the winters of 1959–1970. Morphometric analysis of wildcat skins revealed that males were significantly larger than females. We hypothesised, that due to their different body sizes, there should be some differences in food niche between the two sexes. Rodents, particularlyMicrotus arvalis andClethrionomys glareolus, were the dominant component of the diet, which is consistent with other European studies. There were no significant differences in diet composition between sexes. Similarly, we observed no season-dependent differences, that would point to seasonal shifts in foraging strategy. Thus, our results do not confirm the hypothesis of sexually segregated food niches in the European wildcat.

Sedimentology and hydrocarbon habitat of the submarine-fan deposits of the Central Carpathian Paleogene Basin (NE Slovakia)

The Central Carpathian Paleogene Basin accommodates a subsiding area of the destructive plate-margin. The basin history comprises marginal faulting and alluvial fan accumulation (E 2); transgressive onlap by shoreface sediments and carbonate platform deposits (E 2); glacio-eustatic regression induced by cooling (Terminal Eocene Event); forced regression, tectonic subsidence and growth-fault accumulation of basin-floor and slope fans (E 3); decelerating subsidence, aggradation and sea-level rising during the mud-rich deposition (O 1); high-magnitude drop in sea-level (Mid-Oligocene Event), retroarc backstep of depocenters and lowstand accumulation of sand-rich fans and suprafans (O 2–M 1); subduction-related shortening and basin inversion along the northern margins affected by backthrusting and transpressional deformation (O 2–M 1). The basin-fill sequence has poor (TOC≤0.5%) to fair (TOC<1.0%) quality of source rocks. Maturity of OM ranges from initial to relic stage of HC generation. Paleogene rock-extracts display a good correlation with scarce trapped oils. The presence of solid bitumens and HC-rich fluid inclusions indicates overpressure conditions during HC generation and migration. Potential HC reservoirs can be expected in porous lithologies (scarp breccias), in basement highs and traps related to backthrusting, fault-propagation folding and strike–slip tectonics.

Wood plant communities of the Bukovské vrchy Hills, NE Slovakia

Three shrub associations and 11 forest associations with 8 subassociations were found in the Bukovske vrchy hills. Three associations are described as new.

Pflanzengeographische Bemerkungen über die Berggruppe Bukovské vrchy in der NO-Slowakei )

Summary In the hills Bukovske vrchy in NE Slovakia were found more than 900 species of vascular plants. The phytogeographical boundary between W. and E. Carpathians seems to go W from the hill Cerniny. Linum trigynum and Clematis vitalba have their N boundary, Hacquetia epipactis its NE one in this area. Several species, common elsewhere, are lacking in Bukovske vrchy, like Calluna vulgaris, Avenella flexuosa or Bistorta major.