Oecologia Montana

Concentration of chemical elements in willow gentian (Gentiana asclepiadea), Javorová valley, Tatra mountains

2025-01-31T09:34:25+01:00

Plants, as a basic component of the trophic pyramid, are a source of nutrients and health promoting substances, but also of dangerous or toxic substances such as heavy metals. Chemical elements were studied in the plant Gentiana asclepiadea in the Javorová Valley, in the High Tatras. Plant samples were regularly collected at sampling sites varying in altitude and habitat. Concentrations of biogenic and potentially toxic elements in ﬂowers, leaves, stems, roots, and soil were detected by an INNOV-X spectrometer. In G. asclepiadea, more pronounced concentrations of Rb, Hg, and Pb were measured in leaves and ﬂowers. A tendency for the elements to accumulate in plant tissues from the beginning to the end of the growing season was observed. Signifcant contamination of the surface soil and dry plants was observed in the spring months. This phenomenon is observed in the behaviour of Rb, Sr, Ba, and Hg, as well as biogenic or trace elements such as Zn, Cu, Cr, Ca, Cl and S. In the mountain vegetation stage, there is a tendency to more strongly sequester Rb, Ba, Pb and Hg. This research illustrates the distribution and contamination of chemical elements in the high mountain environment.

Comparison of seasonal accumulation by mountain stream algae Hydrurus foetidus and Oscillatoria sp.

2025-01-31T09:43:23+01:00

In the process of biomonitoring, it is crucial to be aware of how species behave and how their metabolic needs inﬂuence element accumulation. In this study, we monitored two mountain stream species, Hydrurus foetidus and Oscillatoria sp. to determine their individual seasonal bio-accumulative abilities and their individual seasonal metabolic traits. Research was carried out at three sites in the foothills of the High Tatras between 2020 and 2023. Samples were collected at monthly intervals and subsequently processed with a ﬂuorescence spectrophotometer. Seasonal changes were largely inﬂuenced by the metabolic needs of algae and cyanobacteria. For Oscillatoria sp., an increase in S and K was observed during summer, when they reach their metabolic maximum. The metabolic maximum of H. foetidus was determined to occur in autumn, based on increased concentration of Cl and Cr. Concentration of Ca and Sr present in Oscillatoria sp. exhibited a seasonally dependent pattern of accumulation of these elements during the colder months. The lowest concentrations were found during summer.

Variability of surface temperatures in various development stages of mountain forest (Belianske Tatras)

2025-01-31T10:17:08+01:00

Our research was conducted over a period of two years, with a focus on microclimate conditions of the dominant forest stand in the Tatra Mountains. Several types of forest stands have been studied, including young mixed forest - mountain alluvial forest, mixed forest, young spruce forest, old natural spruce stands, and calamity areas (mixed forest and spruce forest) left for natural development. The primary aim of this study is to analyse the temperature differences of the surface temperature in individual forest stands as well as observe daily and seasonal changes, including humidity. We continuously monitored surface temperature and surface humidity in selected forest stands with an infrared camera from October 2021 to October 2023. We also focused on increases or decreases in surface temperature over time. We have examined the inﬂuence of local climate characteristics and the type of forest stand, considering naturality or management practices. Results confrmed higher surface temperature variations in young and calamity forests, than in well-preserved forests. In addition, coniferous forest (Pod Muráňom) had higher surface moisture levels conferring the ability to dampen temperature variabilities more than broadleaf or mixed forests. Coniferous forest maintains warmer conditions in winter and cooler conditions in summer. These results are especially important when contemplating future climate change and adaptation mitigation strategies implemented by forest management in protected areas.

Selected elements in fruits of Sorbus aucuparia in the Tatra Mountains and urbanized areas of its foreland

2025-01-31T10:33:46+01:00

Sorbus acuparia is an important pioneer tree for the ontogeny of forest stands, and its fruits can be an important food source for animals during periods of scarcity of their primary food. In the present work, we focused on different elements (trace and nutrient) in rowan fruits in 11 Tatra valleys. Fruits were also collected in urban areas around the Tatra Mountains. A total of 150 samples were collected and evaluated. We analyzed the relationship of element accumulation with altitude and compared sites and fruits from urban centers. The whole process may be inﬂuenced by anthropogenic human activities that increase these concentrations in the air. Clear representatives of such activities are enterprises and factories located in the adjacent parts of large cities such as Poprad, Liptovský Mikuláš, Ružomberok and others. Increased concentrations of metals such as Cl, Ca, and Hg were found in these cities and, conversely, metals such as S, Mn, Rb, and Pb were predominant in the mountains. When comparing the northern and southern parts of the valleys, it was the valley samples from the northern parts of the mountains that were more contaminated with pollutants than the southern ones. Finally, we also showed a relationship between the contaminated samples obtained along major roads and hiking trails.

Notes to physical properties of Zhongar Alatau waters, Kazakhstan

2025-01-31T10:46:24+01:00

Over the course of one month, the group of scientists and students from the Institute of High Mountain Biology, Žilina University and from Zhetysu University in Taldykorgan visited several mountains resorts in Zhongar Alatau mountains and collected samples for ecotoxicological research. The core of our research took place in the feld, with the majority of our time spend in Zhongar-Alatau National Park ...