Southeastern Europe Research Articles

Inflation Expectations in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe: The Role of Sentiment and Experiences

Inflation Expectations in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe: The Role of Sentiment and Experiences

DigitalSEE: A Digital Repository for South Eastern Europe in the 18th–19th Century

DigitalSEE: A Digital Repository for South Eastern Europe in the 18th–19th Century

Groundwater stress in Europe—assessing uncertainties in future groundwater discharge alterations due to water abstractions and climate change

Groundwater sustains human well-being and ecosystems functioning. Many regions in Europe have experienced declining groundwater levels caused by decreasing groundwater recharge (GWR) or increasing groundwater abstractions (GWAs). These changes can lead to groundwater-related stress, threatening ecosystems and water supplies. Existing groundwater stress indicators estimate stress during a given period but do not address how stress changes or show the uncertainty of future stress. We propose a novel indicator of future groundwater stress (GWSI) due to changes in GWR and GWA and, thus, the alteration of long-term mean annual groundwater discharge (GWD). Groundwater stress is defined as any alteration in GWD since ecosystems are adapted to an equilibrium state. Focusing on decreasing GWD, which is generally more harmful than increasing GWD, we quantified the future GWSI in Europe by integrating scenarios of GWR and GWA in 2070–2099. GWR was evaluated using an ISIMIP2b multi-model ensemble of eight global hydrological models driven by the output of four global climate models under two greenhouse gas emission scenarios. GWA scenarios for irrigation, domestic and manufacturing sectors were combined with the GWR projections to generate an ensemble of GWSIs, simplified into three groundwater stress scenarios (high, intermediate, low). Projected GWSIs vary significantly among the scenarios. For the high-stress scenario, 58% of Europe’s land area is projected to experience a GWD decrease of at least 25% under RCP8.5 compared to 38% under RCP2.6, while the respective values are 26 and 1% for the intermediate-stress scenario. Groundwater demand management alone might not prevent GWD declines under the high-stress and intermediate scenarios, particularly under RCP8.5. Therefore, climate change mitigation might imperative for reducing the decline of GWD, especially in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, where changes in GWR are projected to be the primary cause of declining GWD (in the high abstraction scenario under RCP8.5). Under RCP2.6, reductions in GWAs by 25–75% might balance a GWD decline in parts of Spain and Italy where GWAs are high, even in the high-stress scenario. In line with the precautionary principle, we recommend adapting to the high-stress scenario to minimize harm to the beneficiaries of groundwater.

Bat-associated ticks as a potential link for vector-borne pathogen transmission between bats and other animals.

Potentially zoonotic pathogens have been previously detected in bat-associated ticks, but their role in disease transmission and their frequency of feeding on non-bat hosts is poorly known. We used molecular blood meal analysis to reveal feeding patterns of the bat-associated tick species Ixodes ariadnae, I. simplex, and I. vespertilionis collected from cave and mine walls in Central and Southeastern Europe. Vertebrate DNA, predominantly from bats, was detected in 43.5% of the samples (70 of 161 ticks) but in these ticks we also detected the DNA of non-chiropteran hosts, such as dog, Canis lupus familiaris, wild boar, Sus scrofa, and horse, Equus caballus, suggesting that bat-associated ticks may exhibit a much broader host range than previously thought, including domestic and wild mammals. Furthermore, we detected the zoonotic bacteria Neoehrlichia mikurensis in bat ticks for the first time, and other bacteria, such as Bartonella and Wolbachia. In the light of these findings, the role of bat ticks as disease vectors should be urgently re-evaluated in more diverse host systems, as they may contribute to pathogen transmission between bats and non-chiropteran hosts.

Ruminant microbiome data are skewed and unFAIR, undermining their usefulness for sustainable production improvement

The ruminant microbiome plays a key role in the health, feed utilization and environmental impact of ruminant production systems. Microbiome research provides insights to reduce the environmental footprint and improve meat and milk production from ruminants. However, the microbiome composition depends on the ruminant species, habitat and diet, highlighting the importance of having a good representation of ruminant microbiomes in their local environment to translate research findings into beneficial approaches. This information is currently lacking. In this study, we examined the metadata of farmed ruminant microbiome studies to determine global representativeness and summarized information by ruminant species, geographic location, body site, and host information. We accessed data from the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration via the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. We retrieved 47,628 sample metadata, with cattle accounting for more than two-thirds of the samples. In contrast, goats, which have a similar global population to cattle, were underrepresented with less than 4% of the total samples. Most samples originated in Western Europe, North America, Australasia and China but countries with large ruminant populations in South America, Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe were underrepresented. Microbiomes from the gastrointestinal tract were the most frequently studied, comprising about 87% of all samples. Additionally, the number of samples from other body sites such as the respiratory tract, milk, skin, reproductive tract, and fetal tissue, has markedly increased over the past decade. More than 40% of the samples lacked basic information and many were retrieved from generic taxonomic classifications where the ruminant species was manually recovered. The lack of basic information such as age, breed or sex can limit the reusability of the data for further analysis and follow-up studies. This requires correct taxonomic assignment of the ruminant host and basic metadata information using accepted ontologies adapted to host-associated microbiomes. Repositories should require this information as a condition of acceptance. The results of this survey highlight the need to encourage studies of the ruminant microbiome from underrepresented ruminant species and countries worldwide. This shortfall in information poses a challenge for the development of microbiome-based strategies to meet sustainability requirements, particularly in areas with expanding livestock production systems.

Herbarium specimens reveal a cryptic invasion of polyploid Centaurea stoebe in Europe.

Numerous plant species are expanding their native ranges due to anthropogenic environmental change. Because cytotypes of polyploid complexes often show similar morphologies, there may be unnoticed range expansions (i.e. cryptic invasions) of one cytotype into regions where only the other cytotype is native. We critically revised herbarium specimens of diploid and tetraploid Centaurea stoebe, collected across Europe between 1790 and 2023. Based on their distribution in natural and relict habitats and phylogeographic data, we estimated the native ranges of both cytotypes. Diploids are native across their entire European range, whereas tetraploids are native only to South-Eastern Europe and have recently expanded their range toward Central Europe. The proportion of tetraploids has exponentially increased over time in their expanded but not in their native range. This cryptic invasion predominantly occurred in ruderal habitats and enlarged the climatic niche of tetraploids toward a more oceanic climate. We conclude that spatio-temporally explicit assessments of range shifts, habitat preferences and niche evolution can improve our understanding of cryptic invasions. We also emphasize the value of herbarium specimens for accurate estimation of species´ native ranges, with fundamental implications for the design of research studies and the assessment of biodiversity trends.

Central-Eastern Europe as a centre of Middle Ages extractive metallurgy

Central-eastern to southeastern Europe, from Bohemia to Greece is home to some of the richest ore deposits on earth, with archaeological evidence suggesting a long history of metal use. However, the exact timing and extent of past metal processing activities remains unclear. The Middle Ages and Early Modern period (c. 500–1800 common era (CE)) in Europe, saw the expansion of metal use at an unprecedented scale, continent-wide. Here we analysed rates of past atmospheric lead (Pb) deposition in six peat bogs from Romania, Serbia and Greece. We show that after 1000 CE, the redevelopment of central European mining industry was synchronous with Pb pollution in southeastern Europe, with the onset of metal pollution occurring in the area prior to central Europe. Therefore, southeastern Europe may have led regional mining developments, with technological advances rapidly shifting from east to west through the Middle Ages. This indicates how southeastern Europe should be included in future discussions of Middle Age metallurgy not simply as a contributor, but at times as a leader in metal production.

Angiostrongylus vasorum in golden jackals (Canis aureus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from Northern Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In this study, we conducted post-mortem examinations of golden jackals (Canis aureus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from the northern region of the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) to detect the presence of Angiostrongylus vasorum. An epidemiological survey was conducted in the densest golden jackal population in the country. Over two time intervals, we examined a total of 30 jackals and 16 foxes. The presence of A. vasorum was confirmed in two jackals (6.6%) and one fox (6.25%). These findings strongly suggest that the spread of A. vasorum can be facilitated by the active expansion and migration of golden jackals in Southeastern Europe. The morphological and molecular detection of A. vasorum in jackals and foxes confirmed its presence and active circulation in wildlife, while the phylogenetic analysis of the ITS-2 gene indicated a low sequence distance from European isolates.

Travelling religion: dynamic processes of Orthodox religious education in Germany

ABSTRACT The Orthodox Church in Germany is characterised by its diaspora situation. Most of the Orthodox Christians are related with at least one other country from Eastern, South-Eastern Europe or the Middle East. This constellation has an impact on Orthodox religious education historically as well as in terms of structure and religious pedagogics. Beyond national backgrounds the curricula consider cultural diversity and a formation of an Eastern identity of a Western Orthodoxy in a fruitful dialogue with the concrete local surrounding. At the same time, it corresponds to the religious education models prescribed by the German federal states, which includes denominational religious education and expectantly forms of denominational cooperation. Orthodox religious education in Germany is characterised by a dynamic process that aims to the Orthodox identity, the contextual surroundings and current challenges.

Beziehungen des Schriftstellers Wulf Kirsten zur rumäniendeutschen Literatur

Abstract The poet and prose author, reviewer, and not least editor Wulf Kirsten (born June 21, 1934 in Klipphausen – near Meißen, also close to Dresden –, died December 14, 2022 in Bad Berka, south of Weimar) was a connoisseur of Romanian-German Poetry and its Bukovinian, Bucharest, Banat, and Transylvanian renditions. Throughout his life, he came in close contact with poets, prose authors, and literary scholars within this field. Family connections owing to his wife’s origins (whose parents came from the Hermannstadt/Sibiu area), constant travels to Romania and consistent contact with this literary phenomenon established and consolidated his knowledge and understanding of the country’s German-language literature. This is evident from statements made by the writer and cultural mediator, who was mostly based in Weimar, as well as from correspondence conducted with authors from southeastern Europe.

Die Donau als Lebensader in Harald Grills Reisebuch Hinter drei Sonnenaufgängen. Balkanstreifzüge durch Rumänien und Bulgarien bis Odessa (2018)

Abstract Harald Grill is a German author from Eastern Bavaria who predominantly writes poetry and travel books, as well as travel features for radio and television. He became known due to his project of a ‘returning home twice’, when he walked back on foot to his hometown of Regensburg, on the river Danube, two times, in 2000 starting from the North Cape, and in 2001 starting from Sicily. In 2015, he travelled to Southeastern Europe and wrote a book based upon the experiences and reflections during this voyage. In the following, it shall be demonstrated how the river Danube, to which Grill since his childhood has had close biographical ties, structures the text of this travel book and moreover serves as a medium of self-reflection and therapeutic remedy following the author’s loss of his mother.

THE TURKISH LANGUAGE IN THE POETRY COLLECTION COMPILED BY MIHO MARTELINI FROM DUBROVNIK

In the library of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo there is a manuscript poetry collection compiled by Miho Martelini from Dubrovnik. The collection was compiled in Dubrovnik in 1657 and consists of two volumes containing poems composed in Croatian, Turkish, and Italian. All of the poems were written down in Italian Latin script, except for one poem in both Croatian and Turkish, which was written down in Bosnian Cyrillic script. The eighteen Turkish poems in this collection all belong to the genre of Turkish folk poetry. This paper analyses the characteristics of the Turkish language in the poems from Martelini's collection. Since the poems were compiled in Dubrovnik, which had strong and lively ties with the Ottoman Empire, three linguistic layers could be expected in them: (1) the Ottoman language, or the language of the upper, educated classes of society in the Ottoman Empire; (2) West Rumelian Turkish, or the dialect of Turkish that we may expect to have been present on the territory of Dubrovnik; and (3) the so-called Bosnian variety of the Turkish language, which had developed under the strong influence of a South Slavic substratum, and which may also be expected to have been present in Dubrovnik, due to its geographical proximity to Ottoman Bosnia. This linguistic analysis of Turkish poems from Martelini’s collection complements the image we have of the linguistic, cultural, and societal conditions in the city of Dubrovnik, as well as the larger territory of southeastern Europe in the 17th century.

Unregulated Relations between Serbia and Kosovo as a Challenge for the Security of the Southeastern Europe Subregion

Unregulated Relations between Serbia and Kosovo as a Challenge for the Security of the Southeastern Europe Subregion

Land Tenure Reforms in the Area of Leskovac after the Treaty of Berlin (1878–1882)

After the Treaty of Berlin (1878), the area of Leskovac became a part of Serbia. With the fall of the Ottoman empire, the Muslim population also departed leaving their properties. Abandoned lands were taken by the local Christians, who had been in feudal relationships with previous owners. The article follows the politics of the Serbian government regarding the issues of ownership and compensation to Muslim landowners. Furthermore, concrete cases of land possession legal disputes between local Serbs and the former proprietors will be presented. The research compares different political and social structures before and after the Treaty of Berlin. Also, it points out the peasants' new economic situation after the liberation from the feudal system. Analysing the unpublished and published documents, with the help of periodicals and literature, the article provides the new insights and views into the studies of the rural history of Serbia and Southeastern Europe in the 19th century

An Overview of Social Marketing in Türkiye

Background of the Country The Republic of Türkiye, is a transcontinental country located in East Thrace in south-eastern Europe and on the peninsula of Anatolia in southwestern Asia. With the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, which was an immense power in Eurasia and Africa from southeast Europe to western Asia and North Africa, and the proclamation of the Republic in 1923, the Turkish people gained the right to self-government for the first time in centuries. With an amendment to the Constitution of the Republic, Türkiye became governed by a new system in which the president has executive powers. Türkiye ranked 48th out of 191 countries in the 2022 Human Development Index. Primary social Problems in the Country Unemployment has been a major socio-economic problem in Türkiye. Other important social issues include the integration of irregular migrants into social life, education inequality, violence against women, and forest fires. Use of Social Marketing Although they have not been found to be sufficient to solve the fundamental social problems there are projects that have been carried out in Türkiye for many years. These projects are corporate social responsibility initiatives that focus on market research to solve a fundamental social problem, in a select target market in a bid to change behavior through effective communication. Academic Stakeholders and Activities The few social marketing projects carried out in Türkiye have been funded by marketing academics and have focused primarily on the development of environmentally friendly behaviors. Social marketing courses are included in the curricula of a small number of universities in Türkiye. It can be stated that the concept of social marketing in Türkiye is not clearly understood by practitioners. However, efforts to develop behavior change for the benefit of society seem to have started with charity and evolved into corporate social responsibility projects. Discussion and Conclusions Despite not being deemed sufficient to solve the fundamental social problems, there are projects that have been ongoing in Türkiye for many years. These projects are corporate social responsibility initiatives aimed at addressing crucial social issues. Social marketing has been used in Türkiye for four decades but still has not achieved its full potential. Because social marketing is a concept similar to the understanding of the philanthropy that existed in Turkish culture many centuries ago, it can easily be adapted to the Turkish market. It is recommended that the government of Türkiye use social marketing to promote behavioral practices that benefit society.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Cervical Cancer Awareness and Prevention in Southern Eastern Europe: A Narrative Review

This narrative review examines the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to cervical cancer across Southeastern Europe, with a focus on disparities in awareness, prevention efforts, and healthcare access. A comprehensive search of PubMed over the past 12 years was conducted to assess gaps in KAP regarding cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV) prevention. The findings revealed significant gaps in KAP, including limited knowledge about cervical cancer risk factors, inadequate attitudes toward screening, and poor preventive practices, such as low participation in screening programs and HPV vaccine uptake. Economic challenges and inconsistent healthcare communication further hinder progress. The review emphasizes the need for targeted public health strategies, focusing on improving education, social mobilization, and access to essential services. Further research is necessary to address sociocultural and economic factors contributing to these gaps and to develop tailored interventions suited to the region's diverse populations.

Change detection of the Köppen climate zones in Southeastern Europe

AbstractThe study exploits the air temperature and precipitation data from ERA5‐Land reanalysis and E‐OBS gridded observations that are freely available from the Copernicus Climate Change Service. The objectives of the study are to analyze the distribution of Köppen climate zones and to detect the changes in the presence and coverage of the specific climate types in Southeastern Europe. The results are shown separately for the following reference periods: 1961–1990, 1971–2000, 1981–2010, and 1991–2020. In the period 1961–1990, the most dominant climate type in Southeastern Europe was fully humid temperate climate with warm summer (Cfb), while fully humid continental climate with warm summer (Dfb) was also highly present there, together with fully humid temperate climate with hot summer (Cfa). In the period 1991–2020, the shift of Köppen climate zones appeared in such a way that the area with Dfb continental climate, that is often called snow or cold climate, is significantly reduced and this type is replaced with Cfb temperate climate. At the same time, Cfa climate type with hot summer is spread across wider area, mainly instead of Cfb with warm summer, now reaching almost the same percentage of coverage as Cfb type.

Using Behavior Integration to Identify Barriers and Motivators for COVID-19 Vaccination and Build a Vaccine Demand and Confidence Strategy in Southeastern Europe

Introduction. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global health, with Eastern Europe experiencing notable excess morbidity and mortality and vaccine hesitancy. This study utilized the Behavior Integration (BI) framework to identify barriers and motivators for COVID-19 vaccination and develop strategies to increase vaccine demand and confidence in Moldova, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Methods. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys. The BI framework was used to integrate human behaviors with technical and operational considerations throughout the project. Results. A total of 2742 online surveys were collected in Moldova and Serbia, revealing significant barriers such as vaccine safety concerns (OR = 1.839, 95% CI: 1.328–2.547 in urban Moldova; OR = 1.990, 95% CI: 1.351–2.931 in urban Serbia), logistical challenges, and lack of institutional trust. Conversely, motivators included personal health concerns, recommendations from health care providers, and the desire to travel. The proposed social and behavior change strategy included a continuing medical education course that trained 2403 medical providers, with post-test results showing a 99% improvement in knowledge and confidence in applying the information, and collective engagement workshops for 3260 chronic disease patients and 842 pregnant women, of which 7% were vaccinated against COVID-19. Conclusions. The BI approach effectively identified and addressed vaccination barriers and motivators, leading to tailored strategies that increased vaccine uptake. Continuous stakeholder engagement, adaptive learning processes, and local organizations are crucial for refining program implementation, ensuring sustainability, and promoting public health.

Migrant Authors in Central and South-Eastern Europe: Problems of Integration and Identity Conference

Migrant Authors in Central and South-Eastern Europe: Problems of Integration and Identity Conference

NAVIGATING NEW CHALLENGES: WESTERN BALKANS AT THE CROSSROADS OF EU INTEGRATIONS

For several years now, European integration has been recognized as a key strategy to achieve dual goals in the Western Balkans: peace and stability. The European perspective is a commitment not only to the foreign policy of this region but also a great expectation of the citizens of these countries. The Western Balkans, as the European Union calls it after the integration of Bulgaria and Romania in 2007, is a political notion with more than a geographical definition. The Western Balkans, a region which includes: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Kosovo, throughout the Cold War period was the area where East and West were divided. After the fall of the communist regimes in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, which followed the signing of the Maastricht Treaty and the establishment of the European Union, euphoria and enthusiasm for joining a united Europe grew. Thus, the prospect of a common future of the Western Balkans in a democratic and prosperous Europe now seemed more than feasible. Today, the countries of the Western Balkans that have passed the transition period, still encounter the difficulties of their consolidation or the stability of bilateral agreements. Although they are located in the European continent with cultural diversity in a narrow space, they continue to remain out of place in the Euro-integration process. Economic development, commercial exchanges, investments, unemployment, etc., are another dimension of the countries of the Western Balkans, but also the initiatives of some countries for an opening within the area called a mini-Schengen, and then turned into “Open Balkan” which was specifically replaced by the “Berlin Process”, which began in 2014, as a proposal by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel to accelerate the European integration of the Western Balkan countries. The difficult economic situation combined with inherited political problems has created large discrepancies between countries of this region in relation to the benefits that come from the EU. The created situation has contributed to some states expanding and increasing their influencing power in this region, such as the influence of Russia. These issues represent some of the main points of view of the conference, which aims to bring together researches from the countries of the region to present their studies and views on the issues of the integration of Western Balkans into the EU and to exchange experiences, ideas and discuss other relevant issues related to the topics of the conference.