Slovak Carpathians Research Articles

Using the Relative Elevation Models to delimit the floodplain level development: The case of the braided-wandering Belá River, Slovakia

Abstract The Belá River is a specific submountain river running through the Liptov Basin in the Slovak Carpathians. Its transformation from a braided to a braided-wandering system and degradation including incision of the river system has been observed since the middle of the 20th century. These processes have created a complex system of floodplains with development stages. For their identification, the Relative Elevation Model normalizing absolute floodplain elevation to the river channel changes has been established. Three models have been prepared, from the channel bottom and water level elevation gauge by GPS, and the water level elevation by LiDAR. Based on the resulting models, the floodplain was identified and delineated to an active or potentially active floodplain, to an inaccessible floodplain spread behind artificial structures, and to a perched floodplain beyond the reach of the river. Spatial statistics, including “Hot spot analysis” and “Cluster and outlier analysis” have been used to identify recent river floodplain formation from 1949 to 2018, caused by simplification and incision of the Belá River. The unique aspect and contribution of the research lies in implementing and comparing the Relative Elevation Models and linking them to floodplain age.

What drives wolf preference towards wild ungulates? Insights from a multi-prey system in the Slovak Carpathians.

The wolf is a generalist-opportunistic predator that displays diverse and remarkably adaptable feeding strategies across its range with local adaptations to certain prey species depending on their availability and vulnerability. The multi-prey system of the Slovak Carpathians supports important portion of the European wolf population; however, it has been markedly understudied. We evaluated winter diet composition and prey selection of Slovak wolves based on 321 scat samples collected between September–April within four different study areas during 2015–2017. The winter diet of wolves in the Slovak Carpathians was characterized by a 98% occurrence of wild large-sized and medium-sized ungulates with red deer occurring in wolf scats most often, consistent with their highest density among other wild ungulates. However, by comparing the consumption with availability of wild prey, we found that wolves in fact selected for wild boar especially in areas with higher altitudinal range, while selected for red deer in areas with low altitudinal range where this prey species was more spatially predictable. Although wolves showed the potential to switch between red deer and wild boar when their density increases, we found that this variation can be rather linked to changing prey vulnerability, which is dependent on particular environmental conditions at local scale such as topography and snow accumulation. The present study provides valuable insights into the winter foraging ecology of Slovak wolves in a multi-prey system of the Carpathians and allows for practical implications in the management of the rapidly increasing populations of wild ungulates across Europe.

Eurasian lynx density and habitat use in one of Europe’s strongholds, the Romanian Carpathians

Abstract The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) faces population declines in the western part of its range, and its ecological requirements are poorly understood in the eastern part of its range. The Romanian Carpathians harbor an intact large carnivore community, in which lynx co-occur with bears (Ursus arctos), wolves (Canis lupus), and humans (Homo sapiens), with which they potentially compete for ungulate prey. We provide a science-based estimate of lynx density and habitat use, combining non-invasive monitoring techniques (camera trapping) with spatially explicit capture-recapture models (SECR) in the Southern Carpathians of Romania. We sampled 59 and 76 trap stations during two monitoring sessions (winter and autumn), identified at least 30 individuals, from which we reconstructed encounter histories for 23 individuals. SECR modeling resulted in similar density estimates between winter and autumn (1.6 ± 0.39 SE and 1.7 ± 0.38 SE lynx/100 km2, respectively), but the cumulative number of lynx detected reached the asymptote faster during autumn, suggesting that monitoring prior to the mating season is preferable. Density varied within and across sessions with topography (slope), percent forest cover, and landscape heterogeneity (i.e., agricultural mosaic). Density hotspots shifted between low-altitude agricultural mosaic during winter and more rugged, mid-altitude forest stands during autumn. Estimated densities of lynx in the Romanian Carpathians are higher than those reported in the Alps or Slovak Carpathians, highlighting the importance of this population as a source both for natural recolonization and recent reintroduction programs. When used in an SECR framework, camera trapping is an efficient method for assessing spatial and temporal variation in lynx population density in the remote Romanian Carpathians. We recommend this methodology for improving lynx population estimates and to monitor lynx population trends nationwide.

Genome size, chromosome counts and distribution of Homogyne alpina (Asteraceae) in the Slovak Carpathians

Homogyne alpina (L.) Cass. represents the only species of the genus Homogyne Cass. in Slovakia. This study characterizes H. alpina in terms of chromosome counts, genome size, reproduction mode and distribution in Slovakia. Three known cytotypes of the species are known, of which the cytotype 2n = 160 is represented in the Slovak mountains and has not been documented from other countries yet. Flow cytometric analyses showed the genome size 2C = 21.30 pg for petioles and 2C = 21.82 pg for seeds. Sexual reproduction mode was confirmed by flow cytometric screening method based on embryo to endosperm genome size ratio. The centre of the species distribution is in high mountains of the Slovak Carpathians, where it is frequent in the altitude above 1000 m a. s. l. from mountane to alpine vegetation zone. The full list of the data of its distribution and the distribution map are also presented.

The coat pattern in the Carpathian population of Eurasian lynx has changed: a sign of demographic bottleneck and limited connectivity

Highly heritable phenotypic traits become prevalent in small populations. We estimated the heritability of the coat pattern of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in captive individuals, and we explored changes in the proportions of three phenotypes (spotted, rosetted and uniform) in the wild-ranging native population in the Slovak Carpathians over the last six decades. Coat pattern was highly heritable in each geographically defined subspecies, as offspring greatly resembled their parents. In the last decades, we have recorded a significantly lowered proportion of spotted individuals in the native Carpathian population, which have represented a phenotype characteristic for this lineage (subspecies) and were predominant in the past. The proportion of spots and rosettes was equalised in the population during the most recent period, while the smallest, most depleted population sub-range was even dominated by the rosetted phenotype. The rapid change in the frequency of dominant phenotype may be attributed to the small population size with limited gene flow to marginal sub-ranges. High intensity traffic development and anthropogenic-induced mortality are suggested to be the primary factors that fragment the local population and reduce the number of reproducing lynx in the region. The Slovak lynx population is the main source for lynx reintroduction projects in Central Europe, and so the phenotype profile may be used as an effective indicator of potential genetic-based conservation problems in this autochthonous population.

Petasites kablikianus (Asteraceae) in the Slovak Carpathians: Distribution, chromosome number and genome size

The paper treats the distribution and ecological characteristics of the butterbur species Petasites kablikianus in the Slovak Carpathians (Central Europe). Study of herbarium specimens, review of published sources and results of field research show its wide distribution in northern and central Slovakia, mainly in wet biotopes such as gravel riverbeds and rocky banks of mountain streams. The majority of populations occur from the submontane to montane level (mainly at elevations of 600-1200 m a.s.l.) with the altitudinal maximum at ca. 1850 m a.s.l. Chromosome number analysis showed 2n = 60. The nuclear DNA content measured in leaves was 2C = 5.96 ? 0.17 pg, or 5828 Mbp. Characters used for determination are also discussed. A distribution map is attached.

Moving metals III: Possible origins for copper in Bronze Age Denmark based on lead isotopes and geochemistry

This article presents the results of a comprehensive provenance study based on a combined geochemical-isotopic and archaeological approach, comprising 98 analyses of 97 copper-alloy objects from the Danish Bronze Age. When it comes to the question of the origin of the metal, our interpretations diverge somewhat from earlier established theories about the origin of copper imported to Denmark, which mainly pointed to Central and Eastern Europe. Clear geochronological patterns in the Danish dataset are interpreted as being due to shifts in ore sources; reflecting varying areas of origin as well as the utilization of varying ore types. This again relates to shifting trade networks/suppliers and shifting technological trends. Plausible sources for Danish copper-alloys identified in the current study are ore regions in the British Isles, Alpine ore districts in Italy and Austria, as well as ore regions in the western part of the Mediterranean and to some degree the Slovak Carpathians. The comparison includes hundreds of recently published lead isotope data for ores in Slovakia, the Iberian Peninsula and the Italian and Austrian Alps.

Robust monitoring of the Eurasian lynxLynx lynxin the Slovak Carpathians reveals lower numbers than officially reported

AbstractThe Eurasian lynxLynx lynxpopulation in the Carpathian Mountains is considered to be one of the best preserved and largest in Europe and hence is a source for past and current reintroduction projects in central Europe. However, its status in Slovakia has been reported to the European Commission on the basis of hunters´ reports and expert estimates that have never been validated by a robust scientific approach. We conducted the first camera-trapping surveys to estimate the density of Eurasian lynx in Slovakia by means of spatial capture–recapture models in two reference areas during 2011–2015. We estimated population density per 100 km2of suitable lynx habitat (posterior SD) as 0.58 ± SD 0.13 independent individuals (adults and subadults) in the Štiavnica Mountains and 0.81 ± SD 0.29 in Veľká Fatra National Park and surroundings. These are the lowest densities estimated using spatial capture–recapture models so far reported for the species, suggesting the lynx population in Slovakia is below carrying capacity. We suspect that low densities may be attributable to undetected human-caused mortality. Our results imply that official game statistics are substantially overestimated. Moreover, the lynx population in Slovakia may not be at favourable conservation status as required by the EU Habitats Directive. We therefore call for a thorough assessment of the density and trend of the Slovak Carpathian lynx population, and the establishment of a scientifically robust monitoring system.

Spatial analysis of long-term land-use development in regard to physiotopes: case studies from the Carpathians

The influence of abiotic conditions on land-use development since the nineteenth century is assessed in case studies from the Czech and Slovak Carpathians. Hypotheses claim that significant land-use changes have occurred, but without pronounced differences because of similar abiotic conditions in the case studies. Abiotic conditions are expressed by physiotopes, which contain information on georelief, lithology, and soil. Our results indicate a high rate of land-use change in both case studies, and a detailed analysis of changes in two sequential periods reveals significant differences in five of the six periods compared in these case studies. Areas along state border seem to be more affected by anthropogenic changes as the proportion of plots with stable land use was only 25.7% in the Czech area (Starý Hrozenkov, Vápenice, and Vyškovec) compared to 47.6% in the Slovak area (Lietavská Svinná-Babkov). Repeated land-use changes occurred mostly in valley floors and adjacent slopes. Land-use changes in the study areas are only partly explained by the abiotic conditions in physiotope and morphometric attributes, as shown by multiple correspondence analysis. The crucial difference in land use is in different settlement structures, which reflect differences in historical development.

Channel migration inferred from aerial photographs, its timing and environmental consequences as responses to floods: A case study of the meandering Topľa River, Slovak Carpathians

Abstract The bank erosion area, rate of bank retreat and overall geomorphological and financial effects of channel migration due to recent flood events (over the time span 1987–2009) are identified using remotely sensed data and GIS. A 39 km-long reach of the meandering, gravel bed Topľa River (Flysch Slovak Carpathians) was selected as the study area. Based on the analysis of culmination discharges, two different flood periods are identified. The first one (1987–2002) is characterised by the dominance of low magnitude flood events, compared to the second one (2002–2009) with higher magnitude floods. Aerial photographs from 2002 and 2009 were chosen as a way to capture the morphological changes that occurred after the flood periods, while those from 1987 served as the reference point. In total, an area of 85.2 ha was eroded and 60.1 ha were deposited. The average channel shift per year doubled from 0.8 m/year (1987–2002) to 1.6 m/year (2002–2009). The most eroded land cover category in the riparian zone is floodplain forest, followed by arable land, grasslands and pastures and shrubs. From an economic point of view, the eroded floodplain with arable land and grassland (€ 29,924.02 in total) is a negative consequence of channel migration.

Geomorphic diversity in the braided-wandering Belá River, Slovak Carpathians, as a response to flood variability and environmental changes

Changes in the morphological pattern of the gravel-bed Belá River, Slovak Carpathians, were investigated to infer about the impact of flood events and environmental changes on the evolutionary trend of the river since the mid-twentieth century. The post-flood period serial geomorphic analysis (POPSEGA) approach coupled with GIS analysis was used to identify morphological changes that occurred during particular flood periods. The study focused on assessing how six flood periods (FP) with differing flood characteristics have influenced the evolutionary trend of the river. Several sets of aerial photos (1949, 1961, 1973, 1986, 1992, 2003, 2009) taken after the periods with the occurrence or lack of major floods provided data about channel landform changes in 227 river segments of 100-m length. A decreasing trend of the area of the river's active zone (from 2.5km2 in 1949 to 1.4km2 in 2009) was identified. The first FP (1949–1961), with a very high-magnitude flood in 1958 (RI50), was characterized by increasing total channel length, island number/area, and the number/density of confluence–diffluence pairs (nodes), and by decreasing bar area. During this FP the frequency of cores of channel dynamics as well as the Shannon's index of landforms diversity reached the highest values. The following FP (1962–1973) with four 5- to 10-year floods exhibited the inverse pattern of changes in channel form parameters, although the core frequency of channel dynamics and Shannon's diversity index were still high. The river system seems to have been relatively stable between 1974 and 1986 (third FP) with some decrease in the area of channel forms and in pattern metrics values. During the fourth FP (1987–1992) several 1.5- to 3-year floods occurred and were associated with a decrease in some channel forms and a further decrease of the pattern metrics values. An increase in all analysed channel parameters, especially bar area and pattern metrics values, occurred in the years 1993–2002 (fifth FP) as a consequence of two floods of moderate magnitude in 1997 (RI7) and 2001 (RI3.5). The lowest values of bar area and pattern metrics during the whole study period were recorded during the last FP (2002–2008), whereas island area increased at that time. The study shows that the occurrence of floods during the last six decades has not returned the Belá to its former state because of the overall decrease in flood magnitudes, changes in catchment sediment supply induced by the increasing forest cover in the catchment (from 22.7% in 1957 to 34.8% in 2008), and changes in channel boundary conditions (channelization, channel incision, small hydropower plant constructions).

Protected Areas in the Slovak Carpathians as a Contested Resource Between Metropolitan and Mountain Stakeholders

In Eastern Europe’s westernmost mountain region, the Carpathians, the Slovak State Nature Conservancy is preserving a unique biodiversity in line with directives of the European Union. This is being done in large protected areas (LPAs). In this paper, we discuss current challenges of LPA management with a particular focus on contradictions between local people’s views and nationally to internationally determined sectoral planning strategies. We take stock of the benefits LPAs offer local populations, analyse the reasons for conflict between conservation interests from outside the region and local people’s vital needs, and explore ways of uncovering, tackling, and solving land use conflicts at the interface of national or international conservation interests and sustainable local development. Slovak and Swiss universities (Banská Bystrica, Žilina, and Bern) and nature conservation partners adapted, tested, and analysed a transdisciplinary research approach to mitigate land use conflicts in and around LPAs. . A joint Slovak–Swiss financing mechanism enabled Slovak project partners to implement small innovative projects proposed by local stakeholders – so-called Seed Money Actions (SMAs). First results show that this might be a fruitful new form of cooperation between protected area managers and local populations, as it may ultimately lead to a higher acceptance of nature conservation among locals while offering Slovak mountain farmers more tangible benefits from nearby protected areas.

Variability of the baculum in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) from Slovakia

Despite a large number of studies on the variability of the baculum (os penis) in several orders of mammals, detailed data about the baculum of Vulpes vulpes are very few. The aim of this study was to investigate the data on quantitative characteristics of the size of the baculum and describe the variability of the baculum of V. vulpes from the transition region between the Eastern and Western Carpathians (Slovakia). The study presents the morphological variation in 10 traits of the baculum based on an analysis of 119 bacula of mature males collected in north-eastern Slovakia (near the town of Bardejov, Slovak Carpathians) during the years 1960–1981. According to descriptive statistics, bacula are variable in size. Moreover, a principal component analysis revealed strong positive correlation between several traits, mainly between the length of the baculum and the length of sulcus urethralis, dorsoventral thickness (proximal) and laterolateral thickness (proximal), dorsoventral thickness (distal) and laterolateral thickness (distal), dorsoventral thickness (middle) and laterolateral thickness (proximal), and the width of sulcus urethralis and laterolateral thickness (middle). These results of positive correlation between the length and width dimensions of the penis bone, especially of the proximal and distal end, could explain their relationship to protect the bone and urethra before fracture during copulation.

Occurrence of blood parasites and intensity of infection in Prunella modularis in the montane and subalpine zone in the Slovak Carpathians

The objective of this study was to obtain primary information on the occurrence of blood parasites and intensity of infection in the Dunnock Prunella modularis in the montane region of Slovakia. Altogether 109 birds were examined during the years 2006-2010. The occurrence of Haemoproteus sp., Leucocytozoon fringillinarum and Trypanosoma sp. was documented. Blood parasite prevalences of 45% by microscopic examination and 55% by PCR diagnostics were found. The prevalence of Leucocytozoon sp. was found to be dependent on host sex with males showing a significantly higher intensity of infection with Leucocytozoon. Adult birds showed significantly higher infection prevalence than subadults. The prevalences of both Leucocytozoon sp. and Haemoproteus sp. were significantly dependent on bird age. The intensity of infection with Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon was positively correlated and higher intensity of infection was confirmed in adult birds then in subadults birds. The prevalence of blood parasites in our samples was significantly higher in comparison to most other studies from different countries of Europe conducted at lower altitudes, indicating that the montane zone is especially favourable for the transmission of Leucocytozoon and Haemoproteus species.

Lawsonia intracellularis in wild mammals in the Slovak Carpathians.

Feces of wild mammals were collected in the Bukovské Vrchy Hills (north-eastern Slovakia) in January and February 2002. The feces were examined for Lawsonia intracellularis by means of nested polymerase chain reaction. A total of 194 samples of feces from red deer (Cervus elaphus), 46 samples from roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), 31 samples from red fox (Vulpes vulpes), 23 samples from gray wolf (Canis lupus), and 12 samples from brown hare (Lepus europaeus) were examined. Lawsonia intracellularis was found in two samples from wolves, in two samples from foxes, and one sample from red deer. This is the first description of L. intracellularis in these three species.

The Slovak Carpathians loess sediments, their fabric and properties: A. Klukanova & J. Frankovskka, in: Genesis and properties of collapsible soils. Proc. workshop, Loughborough, 1994, ed E. Derbyshire & others, (Kluwer; NATO ASI Series C, 468), 1995, pp 129–147.

The Slovak Carpathians loess sediments, their fabric and properties: A. Klukanova & J. Frankovskka, in: Genesis and properties of collapsible soils. Proc. workshop, Loughborough, 1994, ed E. Derbyshire & others, (Kluwer; NATO ASI Series C, 468), 1995, pp 129–147.

Geotechnical properties of the Danubian lowland loess soils in the Slovak Carpathians

The Slovak Carpathians in Pleistocene presented a very articulate territory, so that loesses, as well as loess-like deposits could occur here with various lithofacial types.

Effect of changing transit time on colonic microbial metabolism in man.

An investigation was made of the effect of changing mean transit time (MTT) by administration of drugs which affect colonic motility on faecal microbial mass in man. Senokot was used to accelerate and codeine and/or loperamide to prolong transit in subjects maintained on a constant high fibre diet. Doses of Senokot or codeine/loperamide were adjusted to halve or double transit time measured during a three week control period on diet alone. Stools were collected throughout and analysed for bacterial mass by a gravimetric procedure. Transit was measured by a continuous marker method. Senokot decreased mean transit time from 63.9 to 25.0 hours (n = 6), with increased stool weight from 148 to 285 g/day. Bacterial mass increased in all subjects from a mean of 16.5 to 20.3 g/day (dry weight) (p less than 0.025). Codeine/loperamide increased mean transit time from 47.1 to 87.6 hours (n = 5), with decreased stool weight from 182 to 119 g/day. Bacterial mass decreased in all but one subject from a mean of 18.9 to 16.1 g/day (NS). There was a significant correlation between transit time and bacterial mass in all three periods (r = 0.77, p less than 0.001). Changes in transit time are shown to alter microbial growth in the human colon and result in altered stool output, on a constant diet. Factors which affect transit may be as important as diet in determining large bowel function and hence susceptibility to disease.