This study aims to evaluate the development of soil reaction values in 15 key localities of soil Partial Monitoring System from 1994 to 2023, and to identify the most important regional drivers of pH value development...This study aims to evaluate the development of soil reaction values in 15 key localities of soil Partial Monitoring System from 1994 to 2023, and to identify the most important regional drivers of pH value development. Soil samples were collected from the depth 0 - 0.10 m yearly in the spring (5 samples from each locality). In the dry soil, samples were determined actively and exchanged soil reaction. The most significant negative changes (decreases of soil reaction) were determined in Haplic Stagnosols group and Cambisols group. The pH value in topsoil is primarily controlled by soil type and soil substrate, soil management and land use, and to a lesser extent by climatic region.展开更多
Recreation and tourism are important for economic growth and human wellbeing. They are directly related to the cultural services provided by ecosystems. Recreational services, as part of tourism, have the greatest pot...Recreation and tourism are important for economic growth and human wellbeing. They are directly related to the cultural services provided by ecosystems. Recreational services, as part of tourism, have the greatest potential for development within the sector of services in the Slovak economy, and they are able to generate a significant number of new jobs especially in small rural regions. There is a gap in the literature providing assessments of geographically small regions in relation to their potential to provide different types of ecosystem services. The aim of the article was to evaluate and assess the recreational potential of ecosystem services in two small pilot regions of the Slovak Republic, Brezno district and Krupina district. Modified matrix of indices was used. Results showed that Brezno district has a higher area of ecosystems with a higher potential for recreation, therefore the conditions for recreation and tourism are much better in comparison to Krupina district. However, the use of recreation potential in Brezno district is negatively affected by the availability of sites and transport options, which is reflected in a lower ratio of visitors to the capacity of recreation potential. This finding opens up discussion about opportunities to create new jobs within sustainable tourism in Brezno district. This study provides an alternative view to the assessment and evaluation of the recreational potential of ecosystem services in small regions. Moreover, the methodology developed in this paper is replicable and could be applied by planners using geographical information systems.展开更多
The aim of the study was to assess the current state and development of the Soil Health Index (SHI) at 13 localities with various soil-ecological conditions in the Slovak Republic. The SHI was developed using a minimu...The aim of the study was to assess the current state and development of the Soil Health Index (SHI) at 13 localities with various soil-ecological conditions in the Slovak Republic. The SHI was developed using a minimum soil data set, physical and chemical soil parameters in combination with environmental parameters (land use, gradients). The SHI is one numerical value accumulates information about the state of soil health and its ability to provide soil functions and thus ecosystems in the optimal range. The highest SHI values were determined at model localities used as arable land (Haplic Chernozem, Fluvisol) located in a warm climate at altitudes up to 200 meters above sea level. Ecosystems with very low and low value are mostly grasslands with mildly cold climate (Cambisol) and considerable slope, agroecosystem on low organic matter (Arenosol). Arable ecosystem SHI is also reduced in areas of geochemical anomalies and areas with anthropogenic load, where there is a higher content of risk elements. The SHI changes are mainly the result of changes in dynamic indicators such as soil response and soil bulk density.展开更多
The aim of the study was to assess the effect of natural phytoremediation, impact of growing fast-growing trees on contaminated agricultural land on ecosystem services using a Matrix evaluation system. The Matrix syst...The aim of the study was to assess the effect of natural phytoremediation, impact of growing fast-growing trees on contaminated agricultural land on ecosystem services using a Matrix evaluation system. The Matrix system is a table that links an ecosystem to its potential to provide ecosystem services. To determine the monetary price of natural capital for the provision of ecosystem services, we chose the value transfer method, based on which it is possible to assign a price (1 point = 40.7 EUR) to point values. Monitoring of the study site Kuchyňa (Mollic Fluvisol) is running since year 2010. The fast-growing willow was planted (between 2006 to 2018 year) on an area of about 43 hectares. During the monitoring of soil parameters, we observed a slight decrease in the value of the active soil reaction, a negative trend in the content of available phosphorus and a positive trend in the development of the total content risk elements in the soil. The phytoremediation ability of willow regarding risk elements was manifested by an increase in the value and price of production and regulatory ecosystem services at the monitored location. The price of natural phytoremediation of fast-growing willow on the given area was 218762.5 EUR for production services and 171509.8 EUR for regulatory services.展开更多
文摘This study aims to evaluate the development of soil reaction values in 15 key localities of soil Partial Monitoring System from 1994 to 2023, and to identify the most important regional drivers of pH value development. Soil samples were collected from the depth 0 - 0.10 m yearly in the spring (5 samples from each locality). In the dry soil, samples were determined actively and exchanged soil reaction. The most significant negative changes (decreases of soil reaction) were determined in Haplic Stagnosols group and Cambisols group. The pH value in topsoil is primarily controlled by soil type and soil substrate, soil management and land use, and to a lesser extent by climatic region.
文摘Recreation and tourism are important for economic growth and human wellbeing. They are directly related to the cultural services provided by ecosystems. Recreational services, as part of tourism, have the greatest potential for development within the sector of services in the Slovak economy, and they are able to generate a significant number of new jobs especially in small rural regions. There is a gap in the literature providing assessments of geographically small regions in relation to their potential to provide different types of ecosystem services. The aim of the article was to evaluate and assess the recreational potential of ecosystem services in two small pilot regions of the Slovak Republic, Brezno district and Krupina district. Modified matrix of indices was used. Results showed that Brezno district has a higher area of ecosystems with a higher potential for recreation, therefore the conditions for recreation and tourism are much better in comparison to Krupina district. However, the use of recreation potential in Brezno district is negatively affected by the availability of sites and transport options, which is reflected in a lower ratio of visitors to the capacity of recreation potential. This finding opens up discussion about opportunities to create new jobs within sustainable tourism in Brezno district. This study provides an alternative view to the assessment and evaluation of the recreational potential of ecosystem services in small regions. Moreover, the methodology developed in this paper is replicable and could be applied by planners using geographical information systems.
文摘The aim of the study was to assess the current state and development of the Soil Health Index (SHI) at 13 localities with various soil-ecological conditions in the Slovak Republic. The SHI was developed using a minimum soil data set, physical and chemical soil parameters in combination with environmental parameters (land use, gradients). The SHI is one numerical value accumulates information about the state of soil health and its ability to provide soil functions and thus ecosystems in the optimal range. The highest SHI values were determined at model localities used as arable land (Haplic Chernozem, Fluvisol) located in a warm climate at altitudes up to 200 meters above sea level. Ecosystems with very low and low value are mostly grasslands with mildly cold climate (Cambisol) and considerable slope, agroecosystem on low organic matter (Arenosol). Arable ecosystem SHI is also reduced in areas of geochemical anomalies and areas with anthropogenic load, where there is a higher content of risk elements. The SHI changes are mainly the result of changes in dynamic indicators such as soil response and soil bulk density.
文摘The aim of the study was to assess the effect of natural phytoremediation, impact of growing fast-growing trees on contaminated agricultural land on ecosystem services using a Matrix evaluation system. The Matrix system is a table that links an ecosystem to its potential to provide ecosystem services. To determine the monetary price of natural capital for the provision of ecosystem services, we chose the value transfer method, based on which it is possible to assign a price (1 point = 40.7 EUR) to point values. Monitoring of the study site Kuchyňa (Mollic Fluvisol) is running since year 2010. The fast-growing willow was planted (between 2006 to 2018 year) on an area of about 43 hectares. During the monitoring of soil parameters, we observed a slight decrease in the value of the active soil reaction, a negative trend in the content of available phosphorus and a positive trend in the development of the total content risk elements in the soil. The phytoremediation ability of willow regarding risk elements was manifested by an increase in the value and price of production and regulatory ecosystem services at the monitored location. The price of natural phytoremediation of fast-growing willow on the given area was 218762.5 EUR for production services and 171509.8 EUR for regulatory services.
