Slovenian Mountain Research Articles

Spatial changes in the Hungarian and Slovenian cattle sector before and after accession to the European Union

Abstract A comparative analysis of the spatial transformation of two different farm-size cattle systems, in Hungary and Slovenia, is presented in this paper. Concentration, mobility, and spatial autocorrelation measures are used to study spatial cattlestock distribution and their changes over time, as well as spatial cattle-stock clustering using data from two agricultural censuses. Results confirm the decline in cattle stock on large-size farms in Hungary and on small-size farms in Slovenia, with a relative increase in the importance of medium-size farms in both countries. The decline and spatial changes in cattle stock are greater in Hungary than in Slovenia. Hungarian cattle clusters are concentrated in flat areas with medium- and large-size largely commercial farms, whilst in Slovenia they predominate in mainly hilly grassland and partly cornsilage areas on small and some medium-size family farms. Such specific cattle clustering is linked to geographical and farm-size structural characteristics that can also be linked to agricultural-policy-measure-related support for cattle and dairy, associated with less-favoured or disadvantaged-area status linked to geographical and structural land and farm characteristics typical of Slovenian mountain and particularly hilly areas. These spatial changes in the cattle sector have socioeconomic, land use, and environmental implications in terms of ecological sustainability and rural livelihoods.

THE SLOVENIAN REGULATION ON MOUNTAIN TRAILS

2022 marks the centenary of the institution of the Knafelc Blaze (Svn. Knafelčeva markacija), one of the symbols of Slovenian mountaineering. This is a good opportunity to take a look at current Slovenian regulations regarding hiking trails. The Slovenian Mountain Paths (Trails) Act (Svn. Zakon o planinskih poteh) covers many aspects of the subject, such as the construction, maintenance and marking of mountain paths and the conditions for their safe use. This regulation can be an interesting contribution to the discussion which has been going on for many years in Poland, on the need for, and way to regulate issues relating to hiking trails.

Assessment of Concept between Rural Development Challenges and Local Food Systems: A Combination between Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis and Econometric Modelling Approach

This study investigates the influence of social, economic, and environmental impacts on the promotion and marketing systems of local food products from mountain areas in Slovenia. These impacts were assessed using an econometric modelling approach. Two econometric models were developed (one for production and one for marketing). The case studies of local food products were selected from Slovenian mountain regions, most of which were from less-favored areas (LFAs). A majority of the selected food commodities were of high quality, with or without protected designations. Data collection was carried out via interviews. Due to production limitation on mountain areas in Slovenia and other constraints in LFAs, the socio-economic and environmental impacts on success of production and marketing systems need to be clarified. These relations present a potential impact on the wider socio-economic development in the region. The empirical results, obtained using an econometric modelling approach, clearly show the importance of encouraging the socio-economic and environmental impacts in ensuring the marketing and production potentials of local food products. The result express good relationships, and cooperation between the actors in the food supply chains contributing to a successful marketing system and production system of local food products (small, average, large) is dependent on the available local labour in mountain rural areas.

Spomeniki v funkciji državne ideologije in poenotenja teritorija: primer spomenikov vladarske družine Karađorđević na Slovenskem

The article is about mountain huts in the Slovenian highlands. These buildings are specific according to: origin, purpose, time of use, etc. In these area of highlands there were practically no new project in the last few decades. There were only some small interventions in the field of energy efficiency and ecology. In most cases, these buildings are old. They need to be renovated or even replacement. It is interesting that some quality solutions for new bivouacs in the Slovenian mountains have been made. Considering the developments in the neighbouring Alpine countries, where they replaced some old huts with new ones, which they have both technological and architectural surpluses, we want to determine the condition of our huts. With the help of various categories such as elevation, year of construction and renovation, size, accessibility and design of buildings, we tried to extract some of the important features that are presented below.

Nacionalno markiranje slovenskih gora pred prvo svetovno vojno

Nacionalno markiranje slovenskih gora pred prvo svetovno vojno

Factors that contributed to recent eutrophication of two Slovenian mountain lakes

Increased eutrophication was recently observed in the 5th (5J) and 6th (6J) Triglav Lakes, two remote Slovenian mountain lakes. Sediment phosphorus (P) pools were analysed and potential external P sources affecting the lakes (atmospheric deposition, terrestrial export and nearby hut) evaluated, to assess the effects of internal and external changes on the lakes. A sequential extraction procedure was used to quantify five P fractions from the sediments: adsorbed (NH4Cl–P), redox-sensitive (BD–P), aluminium- (NaOH–P) and calcium- (HCl–P) bound, and refractory organic (Res–P) P. Total phosphorus (TP) contents in surface sediment of 5J and 6J were 1430 and 641 µg P g−1 dry weight sediment (dw), respectively. TP varied with depth in 5J sediments, but displayed no discernible pattern, whereas it decreased steadily downcore in 6J. Contents of all P forms were distinctly higher in 5J than 6J, but their rank order and relative abundances were similar in the two lakes. Res–P was the most abundant P fraction, followed by HCl–P. Together, the two P forms accounted for nearly 80 and 90% of TP in 5J and 6J sediments, respectively. BD–P and NaOH–P were less abundant, with each fraction accounting for 3 to 9% of TP, whereas NH4Cl–P was least abundant. Atmospheric deposition and terrestrial export were substantial sources of P for the lakes. Delivery of the former was estimated to be at least 7.5 mg P m−2 yr−1 and the latter around 20 mg P m−2 yr−1. We concluded that P was not retained in the catchment effectively, likely because of only slightly acidic soil pH (5.9), relatively low aluminium content and high organic matter content (53%) in soils, resulting in higher vulnerability of the studied lakes to eutrophication. The mountain hut could also be a significant source of P for the lakes. Each year, it could potentially contribute ~12 kg of soluble P to the environment, but the true impact of the hut on lake trophic status remains unclear.

Riding styles and characteristics of rides among Slovenian mountain bikers and management challenges

The increased interest in mountain biking on trails in natural areas necessitates the systematic management of mountain biking. In Slovenia, access to forest singletracks and signposted mountain trails, which are highly preferred by mountain bikers, is generally not legal. There is also a lack of mountain biking management and infrastructure at the national level. An important challenge for mountain biking management in natural areas is conflicts with other user groups, particularly hikers. This paper investigates the relationships between riding preferences and styles, conflicts, and attitudes towards mountain biking management among Slovenian mountain bikers. The survey results reveal four riding preference groups, largely consistent with three identified main riding styles of mountain biking in natural areas: gravity, all-mountain, and cross country. The identified key predictors for encountering a conflict with hikers are preferences for riding on hiking trails, the importance of downhill speed, and the frequency of practicing gravity riding in bike parks. Opinions about different management measures suggest the ineffectiveness of formal sanctioning, but a high willingness for volunteer participation in trail maintenance activities. The findings imply that the successful management of mountain biking in Slovenia should combine legislative measures for opening access to trails in natural areas, the establishment of single-use trails for specific riding styles, and indirect management actions to promote education in the fields of nature protection, responsible access, and trail tolerance. Mountain biking clubs and associations may offer a promising avenue for stimulating active involvement of mountain bikers and promoting education and bridge-building actions (e.g., volunteer work). Management implications•Riding on narrow trails in natural areas is a highly desirable experience among Slovenian mountain bikers.•Riding in natural areas is commonly practiced and largely tolerated despite legal restrictions. However, organized and commercial mountain biking activities are restrained.•Respondents are willing to voluntarily participate in trail maintenance, while increased fines would not substantially alter their riding practices.•An appropriate infrastructure for various riding styles is needed, including legal access to multiple-use trails, with an option to limit bike access to popular hiking trails.•Indirect management and bridge-building actions should be pursued, including nature protection education, responsible access, trail tolerance, and voluntary work.

Public Spaces and Private Spaces Open to the Public: Spatial Planning and Development Using Urban Design Guidelines

The continuing growth of urban populations has intensified the need for cities to provide conditions for a healthy and creative way of life, work, and leisure activities. From the aspect of spatial planning in cities, the key is to have a public space network of sufficient scope and quality. “In addition to public space, which is public in terms of ownership and use, private space open to the public is important” [1], i.e. space that is “privately owned, but in public use. It comprises parts of private structures and their external areas” [1], such as green areas, squares, atria, shopping centre arcades, movie theatres, and similar. The development of network of private space open to the public in Slovenian cities was not planned, but was driven by owners’ profit motivations. The study findings presented in this paper show that private space open to the public could complement and improve the city’s public space network to a greater extent than now, and that this should be pursued in a planned manner. “By analogy with Slovenian mountain trails that already constitute an extensive network” [1] of private space open to the public outside towns and cities, we suggest the planned development of the network of private space open to the public in urban areas as well. It is connected with, and complementary to, public space. The enforcement of this special spatial planning category can be achieved through urban planning practice, i.e. by using urban design guidelines and by working towards their gradual introduction into legislation.

Accurate modeling of harvesting is key for projecting future forest dynamics: a case study in the Slovenian mountains

Maintaining the provision of multiple forest ecosystem services requires to take into consideration forest sensitivity and adaptability to a changing environment. In this context, dynamic models are indispensable to assess the combined effects of management and climate change on forest dynamics. We evaluated the importance of implementing different approaches for simulating forest management in the climate-sensitive gap model ForClim and compared its outputs with forest inventory data at multiple sites across the European Alps. The model was then used to study forest dynamics in representative silver fir–European beech stands in the Dinaric Mountains (Slovenia) under current management and different climate scenarios. On average, ForClim accurately predicted the development of basal area and stem numbers, but the type of harvesting algorithm used and the information for stand initialization are key elements that must be defined carefully. Empirical harvesting functions that rigorously impose the number and size of stems to remove fail to reproduce stand dynamics when growth is just slightly under- or overestimated, and thus should be substituted by analytical thinning algorithms that are based on stochastic distribution functions. Long-term simulations revealed that both management and climate change negatively impact conifer growth and regeneration. Under current climate, most of the simulated stands were dominated by European beech at the end of the simulation (i.e., 2150 AD), due to the decline of silver fir and Norway spruce caused mainly by harvesting. This trend was amplified under climate change as growth of European beech was favored by higher temperatures, in contrast to drought-induced growth reductions in both conifers. This forest development scenario is highly undesired by local managers who aim at preserving conifers with high economic value. Overall, our results suggest that maintaining a considerable share of conifers in these forests may not be feasible under climate change, especially at lower elevations where foresters should consider alternative management strategies.

Active Sports Tourism in Slovenia: Preliminary Research

Researches from last years in the Alpine space and countries that develop active tourism, shows that tourist, that are interested into active holidays targeting sport oriented or relaxing holidays with elements of sports, are better consumers, higher on the social scale and live in bigger cities. At the same time this consumers spend their holidays several times a year, on a shorter base. Sport is also starting to be one of the main decision-making factors for majority of tourist in this region. This is proved by constant increase of Active sport holidays or Sport related holidays in development of successful tourist destinations in Europe. Goal of this work is to present preliminary research of potentials for active holidays in part of Slovenian mountain region. The research is made in the sample of tourists that are based in hotels and apartments of Slovenian tourist destination Kranjska Gora in the facilities of Hit Alpinea (HA) company. The habits, plans, consumption and type of accommodation related to active holidays were examined.

MODELS OF PARTNERSHIPS AND ORGANISATIONAL FORMS IN SHORT FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS IN THE SLOVENIAN MOUNTAINS

An important condition for the efficient production and marketing of local food products in mountainous regions is broadly recognised in cooperation between different partners along the food supply chain. Cooperation between different actors, organisational forms and sectors is especially important in mountains and less favoured areas characterised by limited conditions for agriculture and, consequently, where few raw materials are produced. This article presents a study aimed at identifying the positive effects of cooperation between actors, organisational forms and sectors in the production and marketing system of local food products in the Slovenian mountains. Ten products were included in the study. The results indicate that the presence of the private sector both in the production and marketing system is an important condition for creating a successful and solid food supply chain.

Atmospheric deposition chemistry in a subalpine area of the Julian Alps, North-West Slovenia

Wet-only precipitation was collected in Rateče, a remote village in the outskirts of the Julian Alps (Nort-West Slovenia) during 2003-2011, in order to characterise atmospheric deposition chemistry. The samples were collected on a daily basis and combined into weekly samples that were analysed for pH, conductivity and major anions and cations. Ammonium, nitrate and sulphate were the most abundant ions, exhibiting volume-weighted mean values (2003-2011) of 22, 17 and 17 µeq L–1, respectively. Furthermore, the trends of the major parameters in the precipitation were assessed using a simple linear regression. A significant downward trend of both nitrate and sulphate was observed, explained by evident reductions in NOx and SOx emissions in the region. The decline of nitrate and sulphate was also reflected in a significant and downward trend of conductivity. While the trend of ammonium could also be downward, the trends of other major ions were not significant. Atmospheric nitrogen deposition, representing inorganic forms of nitrogen (i.e., ammonium and nitrate), was calculated to examine potential threats that the deposition of nitrogen may cause on lake ecosystems. Nitrogen deposition in Rateče ranged from 5.5 to 9.5 kg N ha–1 yr–1. Although this was below the critical threshold that might cause an impact on surface waters, nitrogen deposition in the nearby Julian Alps, where sensitive mountain lakes are situated, might be higher and its impact on the ecosystem greater. In fact, several studies performed on water chemistry, sedimentary organic matter and stable isotopes in Slovenian mountain lakes have shown progressive changes in their water columns and sediments that can be attributed to nitrogen deposition.

Documentation of Triglav glacier, Slovenia, using non-metric panoramic images

AbstractTriglav glacier is situated on the northeast side of the highest Slovenian mountain peak, Triglav; it is a glacier remnant of the Little Ice Age. Next to Triglav glacier is the Kredarica mountain hut with a meteorological station. At 2514 ma.s.l., it is the highSest meteorological station in Slovenia, and has been in continuous operation since 1954. In this paper, the acquisition of three-dimensional data from archived, non-metric, panoramic, Horizont images is presented. The annual variations of Triglav glacier’s area are given for the period 1976–2010, together with monthly snow variations for the years 1977 and 1998. Additionally, theoretical and empirical volumes and an empirical thickness reduction are computed. The changes to Triglav glacier are compared with the summarized meteorological data from the Kredarica meteorological station. In 1976 Triglav glacier covered an area of 15 ha; by 1992 this had shrunk to 4.3 ha, and it reached its minimum of 0.6 ha in 2003, as measured from Horizont images. Since then the glacier has been mainly conserved by the snow cover from previous winters.

Southeastern-Alpine endemic Leontodon hispidus subsp. brumatii (Cichoriaceae) in the Sava valley (central Slovenia)

Southeastern-Alpine endemic Leontodon hispidus subsp. brumatii (Cichoriaceae) in the Sava valley (central Slovenia) In the spring and summer of 2010 a number of new localities of the southeastern-Alpine endemic Leontodon hispidus subsp. brumatii were found on temporarily flooded riparian rocks in the gorge of the Sava River between the village of Sava and Zidani Most (central Slovenia). The species has so far been known only in northeastern Italy and western Slovenia (the Soča valley). In order to obtain more specific information its sites were studied phytosociologically and the communities in which it grows in the Sava and the Soča valleys compared. Two new associations were described on the basis of these comparisons: Triseto argentei-Leontodontetum brumatii ass. nov. and Leontodonti brumatii-Seslerietum calcariae ass. nov. As this endemic taxon and its endemic communities are a characteristic of riparian flora and vegetation of some Slovenian mountain rivers and as its localities in the Sava valley are explicitly disjunct and the southeastern-most in the entire known distribution area, they deserve to be studied and protected.

Climate Change and the Future of Winter Tourism in Slovenia

Climate changes are affecting many activities in modern society all over the world. In Europe, the Alps are among the most affected regions, where rises in temperature and snow lines (Kohler, Maselli, 2009) and changed distribution of precipitation have already brought changes in society. Alpine tourism has undergone changes due to warmer and greener winters, so ski areas face lack of profit, some have even stopped operating, while others have changed their strategy and shifted their offer to all-year activities instead focusing only on winter (Vrtacnik Garbas, 2008). In Slovenia, most of the ski slopes lie at very low elevations compared with other Alpine countries, so most of these centres are even more endangered by global warming. The article focuses on climate trends in the Slovenian mountains, especially in the ski season months, from December to March.

The role and importance of owners’ perceptions and opinions in preserving continuity between generations on slovenian mountain farms

Family farms are characterized by the fact that they are passed down within the family from one generation to the next. In this way, the orientation of parents and especially farm owners is also passed on to children. With regard to this characteristic, this paper proceeds from the hypothesis that owners’ beliefs, opinions, and perceptions have an important impact on farm succession in Slovenia. It has been established that an owner’s positive attitude, encouragement, and positive opinion of a farm, its structure, and development can strongly influence the potential successor’s decision to take over the farm and continue farming, and thus preserve continuity between generations and consequently enable the farm’s further development and existence.

Sediment organic matter in mountain lakes of north-western Slovenia and its stable isotopic signatures: records of natural and anthropogenic impacts

Sediment organic matter (OM) and its stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were studied in 12 Slovenian mountain lakes in the Julian Alps. The lakes have different catchment areas and display a range of trophic states. Surface sediment atomic C/N ratios ranged from 8.4 to 13.2. Based on these C/N ratios, we concluded that autochthonous OM dominates in these lakes and constitutes approximately 65–92% of the total OM. Higher contributions of autochthonous OM sources were observed in lakes above the tree line. Relatively constant C/N ratios in the deeper sediments suggest that degradation processes are most intense in the upper few centimetres of the sediments and/or that remaining OM is relatively resistant to further degradation. Surface sediment δ13C and δ15N values ranged from −36.1 to −14.1‰ and from −5.2 to +1.1‰, respectively. In sediment cores from seven lakes, higher δ13C and lower δ15N values characterize oligotrophic lakes situated above the tree line, whereas the reverse is true for eutrophic lakes below the tree line that are also exposed to more anthropogenic impact. Carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycling differs considerably among the lakes. Stratigraphic shifts in carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratios and stable C and N isotopes in cores record changes in inputs, and hence water column processes, as well as alterations in loading to the lakes. The stratigraphic variations are also the result of post-depositional diagenetic changes in the upper few centimetres of sediment. All the lakes show impacts from recent increases in atmospheric deposition of dissolved inorganic nitrogen. Application of sediment OM analysis thus proved to be useful to reconstruct paleoecological changes in sensitive mountain lake ecosystems that are either natural and/or anthropogenically derived.

Thermal comfort trends and variability in the Croatian and Slovenian mountains

This paper deals with the climatic and bioclimatic conditions, trends and variability in the mountainous areas of Croatia and Slovenia. Two mountain meteorological observatories were chosen: Zavi˘ zan in the Croatian Dinaric Alps and Kredarica in the Slovenian Julian Alps. Both have the same monitoring protocol and similar instruments. The station’s natural environment remained u nchanged since 1955. Therefore, the data of both observatories are extremely valuable for studying changes in sensitive mountain ecosystems in Croatia and Slovenia. Data from the period 1955‐2004 were used to assess mountain climatic and bioclimatic variability and trends in both countries. The analysis of the bioclimati c conditions has been carried out using the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET), which is based on the human energy balance models. The prevailing thermal sensation at both stations is very cold, varying fro m very cold winters to cold and cool summers. Results of the trend analysis indicate a significant increase i n the thermal bioclimate index PET in both regions, mainly caused by rising air temperature, especially in spri ng and summer. The progressive trend test analysis indicated the beginning of positive PET trend in the 1980s ‐ in 1981 on Zavi˘ and in 1988 on Kredarica. In spite of the considerable increase in thermal comfort in t he last 50 years, the bioclimate conditions stayed within the range of the same class of thermal perception. Zusammenfassung Die vorliegende Untersuchung beschaftigt sich mit den klimatischen und bioklimatischen Bedingungen, Trends sowie der Variabilitat in den Gebirgsregionen von Kroatien und Slowenien. Zwei meteorologische Observatorien wurden gewahlt: Zavi˘ zan in den kroatischen Dinarischen Alpen und Kredarica in den slowenisch julianischen Alpen. Beide haben dasselbe Beobachtungs- und Datenerfassungsprotokoll sowie ahnliche Messgerate. Die naturliche Umgebung der Stationen ist seit 1955 unverandert. Infolgedessen sind die Daten beider Observatorien fur die Untersuchungen von Anderungen in den empfindlichen Gebirgsokosystemen in Kroatien und in Slowenien sehr wertvoll. Um gebirgsklimatische und bioklimatische Trends in beiden Landern festzustellen, wurden Daten aus der Periode 1955‐2004 verwendet. Die bioklimatischen Bedingungen sind auf der Grundlage der Physiologisch Aquivalenten Temperatur (PET) analysiert worden, welche auf der Energiebilanz des Menschen basiert. Das vorherrschende thermische Befinden an beiden Stationen ist sehr kalt und variiert von sehr kalt in den Wintern zu kalt bis kuhl in den Sommern. Die Trendanalyse deutet auf einen signifikanten Anstieg des thermischen Index PET an beiden Stationen hin, hauptsachlich verursacht durch ansteigende Lufttemperaturen, insbesondere im Fruhling und im Sommer. Die progressive Trend Test Analyse zeigt den Beginn des positiven PET Trends in den 1980er Jahren, in 1981 in Zavi˘ zan und 1988 in Kredarica. Trotz des betrachtlichen Anstiegs der thermischen Behaglichkeit in den letzten 50 Jahren bleibt das thermische Bioklima im Bereich der gleichen Bewertungsklasse des thermischen Befindens.

Changes in accumulation of organic matter and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in sediments of two Slovenian mountain lakes (Lake Ledvica and Lake Planina), induced by eutrophication changes

We measured accumulation rates of organic carbon (OC) and total nitrogen (TN) and stable carbon (δ13Corg) and nitrogen isotopes (δ15N) in the sediments of two mountain lakes (Lake Ledvica and Lake Planina, northwest Slovenia). Marked variations of these parameters were observed in both sediments. OC accumulation rates ranged from 4 to 23 g m−2 yr−1 in Lake Ledvica, whereas in Lake Planina they were one order of magnitude higher and increased substantially in the upper sediments. δ13Corg and δ15N decreased upward in Lake Ledvica, from ‐25.5‰ to ‐28.4‰, and from +2.1‰ to ‐3.4‰, respectively. In contrast, substantial variations in the δ13Corg profile, ranging from ‐30.9‰ to ‐37.4‰, but a quite uniform δ15N profile of approximately +1.8‰, was observed in Lake Planina. Elemental and isotopic changes of bulk sedimentary organic matter in the lakes were related to changes in the past trophic state of the lakes and their watersheds, inferred by natural development of the lake ecosystems, anthropogenic activities, as well as earthquakes and forest fires. Observed changes and differences in the δ13Corg and δ15N records could be attributed to global changes in isotopic composition of atmospheric CO2 and nitrate in atmospheric deposition, as well as to differences in organic matter, dissolved inorganic carbon, and dissolved inorganic nitrogen sources at various altitudes. Although Lakes Ledvica and Planina are remote mountain lakes, the sediment records showed severe eutrophication in Lake Planina, whereas in Lake Ledvica eutrophication is still moderate, thus reflecting a high sensitivity of these ecosystems to any external inputs.

Respiratory activity in sediments of three mountain lakes in the Julian Alps and in subalpine Lake Bled (Slovenia): effects of altitude and anthropic influence

AME Aquatic Microbial Ecology Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials AME 34:291-299 (2004) - doi:10.3354/ame034291 Respiratory activity in sediments of three mountain lakes in the Julian Alps and in subalpine Lake Bled (Slovenia): effects of altitude and anthropic influence Gregor Muri*, Tatjana Simcic National Institute of Biology, Ve<na pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia *Email: gregor.muri@nib.si ABSTRACT: Respiratory activity in sediments was studied in 3 Slovenian mountain lakes and 1 subalpine lake. Electron transport system (ETS) activity was measured in the sediments to assess the potential mineralisation of organic matter (OM), while oxygen consumption rate (R), induced under laboratory conditions, was used to assess the actual mineralisation of OM in these sediments. The lakes are situated at different altitudes, with different water temperatures. They also have different trophic status. It was found that higher lake water temperatures and more productive lakes, having higher contents of labile autochthonous OM, caused higher microbial respiratory activity, reflected in higher ETS activities and R. Subsurface peak values of ETS activity and R were observed in the mountain lakes, most probably indicating slower degradation of OM; in particular, the more refractory terrestrial OM, and the presence of anaerobic microorganisms. In the case of the lowland eutrophic Lake Bled, no such distribution was observed. In this lake, OM is effectively degraded in the water column and surface sediments due to high lake water temperatures and high content of autochthonous OM. A high correlation between ETS activity and R was observed in all the sediments, while correlations between ETS activity and organic carbon (OC) concentration, and between R and OC concentration were lower. KEY WORDS: ETS activity · Oxygen consumption rate · Mineralisation · Organic matter · Alps Full article in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in AME Vol. 34, No. 3. Online publication date: March 09, 2004 Print ISSN: 0948-3055; Online ISSN: 1616-1564 Copyright © 2004 Inter-Research.