Oecologia Montana

Seasonal concentration changes of trace elements in selected lichen and moss in protected areas in Slovakia

2026-02-09T13:46:28+01:00

In this study, we focused on trace element changes in the lichen Hypogymnia physodes and moss Sphagnum sp. during different seasons in two selected protected areas in the Slovak mountains, which represent a characteristic ecosystem type of Sphagnum spruce forests. Samples were collected during three summer and winter months. The main objective of this study was to determine the relationship of selected trace elements to the seasons and to compare these concentrations between the plant species studied, between areas (Hruštínka and Pavlova) and according to seasons. The results show that lichens accumulate lower amounts of trace elements than mosses. In most cases, pollution was shown to be higher in the winter season than in the summer season. During the winter period, we were particularly interested in sulphur, whose values were higher in the summer period at the Hruštínka site. Overall, the Pavlová site was more polluted, with trace elements mainly of anthropogenic origin.

Seasonal dynamics of element accumulation in highland rush (Juncus trifidus, L.)

2026-02-09T14:16:42+01:00

Seasonal variation influences the elemental composition of alpine plants yet remains understudied due to sampling challenges. This study investigates monthly changes in macro- and micronutrient concentrations in Juncus trifidus L., a stress-tolerant alpine species, across leaf blades and basal sheaths over one year in the Low Tatras (Slovakia). Using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, 14 elements were consistently detected and analysed. Results revealed clear seasonal and organ-specific differences. Leaf tissues showed higher concentrations of S, Ca, Mn, and Zn, reflecting their role in active metabolism. In contrast, sheaths accumulated more Fe, Pb, and Cl during specific seasons, suggesting storage or detoxification functions. Principal component analysis identified distinct multivariate patterns, with some factors showing inverse relationships between essential and potentially toxic elements, indicating physiological trade-offs and stress responses. Seasonal peaks in elements such as K and Rb in summer, and S and Ca in spring, corresponded with growth phases and environmental conditions. These findings underscore the importance of temporal dynamics in nutrient uptake and allocation, offering insights into alpine plant adaptation and supporting the use of J. trifidus as a bioindicator in ecological monitoring.

Seasonal and altitudinal variation of gut microbiota in Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris) in the Western Carpathians

2026-02-09T14:41:19+01:00

This study investigated seasonal and altitudinal variation in the gut microbiota of the Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris) in the Western Carpathians during 2022–2025. Fecal samples were collected from alpine breeding sites (1600–2600 m a.s.l.) and lowland overwintering sites in southern Slovakia (400–500 m a.s.l.). Samples were cultured on non-selective and selective media (CIN, ENDO, XLD, and blood agar) and evaluated using the ENTEROtest 24N kit. The most prevalent bacterial genera were Serratia spp. (27.14%), Enterobacter spp. (20.71%), Gram-positive bacteria (10.71%), Yersinia spp. (7.14%), and Pantoea spp. (4.29%). A significant seasonal variation was observed, with the highest bacterial occurrence in autumn. No statistically significant relationship was found between altitude and bacterial presence. These findings highlight the influence of environmental seasonality on gut microbiota composition in Alpine Accentor.

Water allocation in the Kyrgyz Republic: problems and prospects

2026-02-09T15:02:23+01:00

This article examines international legal aspects of water management in the context of transboundary water allocation issues in Central Asia. Geopolitical tensions, environmental degradation, the impact of glacier melt, and regional cooperation are considered. The need for a comprehensive and enforceable legal framework to ensure equitable water distribution and sustainable development in the region is emphasized.

From core protection to compromise: A critical assessment of zonation in the Tatra National Park (TANAP) and Low Tatras National Park (NAPANT), Slovakia

2026-02-09T15:13:21+01:00

Zonation is a fundamental conservation tool that determines whether national parks effectively protect biodiversity, ecological processes, and ecosystem services, or gradually erode them. This paper critically evaluates the current zonation proposals for the Tatra National Park (TANAP) and the Low Tatras National Park (NAPANT), which together encompass the two largest mountain ranges of the Western Carpathians. Although zonation is formally embedded in Slovak legislation, its consequences extend far beyond national borders, directly affecting transboundary ecological connectivity, regional water resources, and ecosystem stability in Central Europe. Our analysis shows that the proposed zonation lacks a solid scientific foundation and fails to establish spatially coherent and functionally connected core areas (Zone A). Key alpine habitats of endemic and threatened species – most notably the Tatra marmot (Marmota marmota latirostris) and the Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica) – remain insufficiently protected, as do extensive forest habitats of the western capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus), a protected umbrella species. Old-growth forests, primeval forests, and their remnants, which are essential for maintaining natural ecological processes, hydrological regulation, erosion control, climate resilience, and long-term forest stability, are systematically excluded from strict protection. Beyond the expansion of ski resorts, zonation is increasingly shaped by growing pressure for timber extraction and commercial wood sales, affecting not only communal land holdings but also state-owned forests. Private ownership interests often dominate zoning negotiations, while the long-term public value of intact forests, particularly for drinking water security, flood mitigation, and ecosystem resilience under climate change, is marginalised. Incomplete biodiversity data, limited integration of contemporary scientific knowledge, and the prioritisation of short-term economic interests have transformed zonation from a science-based conservation instrument into an administrative compromise. Given the ecological importance of the Western Carpathians, the current zonation of TANAP and NAPANT represents a transnational conservation risk and underscores the urgent need for a process-oriented, connectivity-based approach to core area protection.