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This paper investigates the logic of explanation according to which identity is an attribute or a feature of subjects like states and nations. Drawing examples from the scholarship on identity in Central Europe, especially Estonia, it argues that the story by which identity is customarily told is circular, presupposing the very subject for which it seeks to give an account. The puzzle, then, is how to overcome the perspective of a subject already formed in order to account for its becoming. The paper deploys the concept of performativity to address that puzzle. Performative approaches do not treat identity as an attribute or a property of the subject – something that subjects such as individuals or states express. It conceives subjectivity explicitly in processual terms, not as a source but as an effect of identity claims. Identity then is not something that states, groups or individuals have, but something that groups and individuals do. Reframing identity research from doers to deeds opens up the discussions of actor-ness and subjectivity without dictating what kind of subjects can be realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the ecology of species that were favoured by the development of the cultural landscape in central and NW Europe beginning in the Neolithic and the Bronze Age, with a focus on mechanisms behind species responses to this landscape transformation. A fraction of species may have maintained their realized niches from the pre- agricultural landscape and utilized similar niches created by the landscape transformation. However, I suggest that many species responded by altering their niche relationships, and a conceptual model is proposed for this response, based on niche construction, ecological opportunity and niche shifts. Human-mediated niche construction, associated with clearing of forests and creation of pastures and fields promoted niche shifts towards open habitats, and species exploited the ecological opportunity provided by these created environments. This process was initially purely ecological, i.e. the new habitats must have been included in the original fundamental niche of the species. Two other features of human-mediated niche construction, increased interconnectivity and increased spatial stability of open habitats, resulted in species accumulating in the habitats of the constructed landscape. As a consequence, selection processes were initiated favouring traits promoting fitness in the constructed landscape. This process implied a feed-back to niche shifts, but now also including evolutionary changes in fundamental niches. I briefly discuss whether this model can be applied also to present-day anthropogenic impact on landscapes. A general conclusion is that ecological and evolutionary changes in species niches should be more explicitly considered in modeling and predictions of species response to present-day landscape and land-use changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper evaluates the long-term effect of an ecological network of calcareous grasslands, a habitat type that experienced dramatic habitat loss and fragmentation during the 20th century, on species richness of habitat specialist plants. Calcareous grasslands are of special conservation concern as the habitat type with the highest diversity in plant and invertebrate species in central Europe. A baseline survey in 1989 established complete vascular plant species lists for all 62 previously abandoned calcareous grassland patches in the study area and assessed the presence of 48 habitat specialist plant species. An ecological network was initiated in 1989 to reconnect these patches with existing grazed pastures (core areas) through large flock sheep herding where feasible, as sheep are thought to be the primary dispersal vectors for calcareous grassland plants. An evaluation survey in 2009 showed significant increase in species richness of habitat specialist plants in patches reconnected by sheep herding, indicating successful colonizations by habitat specialist plants, while ungrazed patches showed no significant change. Observed increase in species richness between 1989 and 2009 was related to connectivity by sheep herding and the presence of a diversity of structural elements providing microsites for establishment. Baseline species richness of the patches, which had been abandoned since at least 1960, was associated with patch area, supporting the effect of ecological drift, and with vegetation type, which suggests that delays in extinction may be related to site factors governing the strength of competition with later seral species. The implementation of this ecological network represents a long-term 'natural experiment' with baseline data, manipulation, and evaluation of hypothesized effects on a clearly defined target variable. It thus provides much needed empirical evidence that species loss in fragmented calcareous grassland communities can be counteracted by restoring functional connectivity among remnant patches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Question: What is the variation in species composition of Central European semi-dry grasslands? Can we apply a training-and-test validation approach for identifying phytosociological associations which are floristically well defined in a broad geographic comparison; can we separate them from earlier described Associations with only a local validity? Location: A 1200 km long transect running along a gradient of increasing continentality from central Germany via Czech Republic, Slovakia, NE Austria, Hungary to NW Romania. Methods: Relevés with > 25% cover of Brachypodium pinnatum and/or Bromus erectus were geographically selected from a larger database. They were randomly split into two data sets, TRAINING and TEST, each with 422 relevés. Cluster analysis was performed for each data set on scores from significant principal coordinates. Different partitions of the TRAINING data set were validated on the TEST data set, using a new method based on the comparison of % frequencies of species occurrence in clusters. Clusters were characterized by statistically defined groups of diagnostic species and values of climatic variables. Results: Species composition changed along the NW-SE gradient and valid clusters were geographically well separated. Optimal partition level was at 11 clusters, six being valid: two clusters Germany and the Czech Republic corresponded to the Bromion erecti; two clusters from the Czech Republic and Hungary to the Cirsio-Brachypodion, and two clusters were transitional between these two alliances. Conclusion: The training-and-test validation method used in this paper proved to be efficient for discriminating between robust clusters, which are appropriate candidates for inclusion in the national or regional syntaxonomic overviews, and weak clusters, which are specific to the particular classification of the given data set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

10th Mediterranean Ethnological Summer Symposium (MESS), Piran, 15-20 September 2003 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim To determine relative effects of habitat type, climate and spatial pattern on species richness and composition of native and alien plant assemblages in central European cities. Location Central Europe, Belgium and the Netherlands. Methods The diversity of native and alien flora was analysed in 32 cities. In each city, plant species were recorded in seven 1-ha plots that represented seven urban habitat types with specific disturbance regimes. Plants were classified into native species, archaeophytes (introduced before ad 1500) and neophytes (introduced later). Two sets of explanatory variables were obtained for each city: climatic data and all-scale spatial variables generated by analysis of principal coordinates of neighbour matrices. For each group of species, the effect of habitat type, climate and spatial variables on variation in species composition was determined by variation partitioning. Responses of individual plant species to climatic variables were tested using a set of binomial regression models. Effects of climatic variables on the proportion of alien species were determined by linear regression. Results In all cities, 562 native plant species, 188 archaeophytes and 386 neophytes were recorded. Proportions of alien species varied among urban habitats. The proportion of native species decreased with increasing range and mean annual temperature, and increased with increasing precipitation. In contrast, proportions of archaeophytes and neophytes increased with mean annual temperature. However, spatial pattern explained a larger proportion of variation in species composition of the urban flora than climate. Archaeophytes were more uniformly distributed across the studied cities than the native species and neophytes. Urban habitats rich in native species also tended to be rich in archaeophytes and neophytes. Main conclusions Species richness and composition of central European urban floras are significantly affected by urban habitat types, climate and spatial pattern. Native species, archaeophytes and neophytes differ in their response to these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the genecology of forest trees is critical for gene conservation, for predicting the effects of climate change and climate change adaptation, and for successful reforestation. Although common genecological patterns have emerged, species-specific details are also important. Which species are most vulnerable to climate change? Which are the most important adaptive traits and environmental drivers of natural selection? Even though species have been classified as adaptive specialists vs. adaptive generalists, large-scale studies comparing different species in the same experiment are rare. We studied the genecology of Norway spruce ( Picea abies) and silver fir ( Abies alba), two co-occurring but ecologically distinct European conifers in Central Europe. For each species, we collected seed from more than 90 populations across Switzerland, established a seedling common-garden test, and developed genecological models that associate population variation in seedling growth and phenology to climate, soil properties, and site water balance. Population differentiation and associations between seedling traits and environmental variables were much stronger for Norway spruce than for silver fir, and stronger for seedling height growth than for bud phenology. In Norway spruce, height growth and second flushing were strongly associated with temperature and elevation, with seedlings from the lowlands being taller and more prone to second flush than seedlings from the Alps. In silver fir, height growth was more weakly associated with temperature and elevation, but also associated with water availability. Soil characteristics explained little population variation in both species. We conclude that Norway spruce has become an adaptive specialist because trade-offs between rapid juvenile growth and frost avoidance have subjected it to strong diversifying natural selection based on temperature. In contrast, because silver fir has a more conservative growth habit, it has evolved to become an adaptive generalist. This study demonstrates that co-occurring tree species can develop very different adaptive strategies under identical environmental conditions, and suggests that Norway spruce might be more vulnerable to future maladaptation due to rapid climate change than silver fir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its high tolerance to acid rain, the North American Colorado blue spruce ( Picea pungens) has been among the most frequent substitute tree species used in reforestation programmes in spruce mountain forests in the Ore and Sudeten Mountains in the Czech Republic after destruction by sulphur dioxide pollution in the second half of the last century. This species was planted on more than 8800 ha of destroyed mountain forest stands in the Ore Mountains alone. New plantations prospered until a massive outbreak of the gemmamyces bud blight, first identified in 2009. The causal agent, Gemmamyces piceae, induced massive bud blight in infected trees - bud loss progressively increased to 70-80% or more, and because the trees were not able to replace the natural loss of older needles, they quickly withered and died. Many plantations disrupted by the pathogen had to be cut down. Although several resistant genotypes have been identified, the cultivation of this species in forest stands has no future in this area. Because this disease was also identified in several ornamental plantations in the area, the bud blight epidemic haunts public green space administrators and nursery and Christmas tree plantation owners. Other pathogens and pests, such as Lophodermium piceae, Sirococcus conigenus and Elatobium abietinum, have also been identified as involved in the damage to P. pungens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using new data, this article examines the effect of employment protection legislation ( EPL) on aggregate and youth unemployment in advanced economies and Central and Eastern Europe during 1980-2009. The results offer no clear support for the argument that EPL is a cause of unemployment. Although EPL reaches statistical significance at conventional levels in some models, the results are sensitive to small changes in the sample or the use of alternative estimators. While the analysis suggests some scope for complementary reforms of EPL and the tax wedge in tackling youth unemployment, the findings on the whole indicate that government efforts to tackle unemployment by deregulating EPL alone may well be futile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Although numerous studies have reported advanced Northern Hemisphere spring phenology since the 1980s, recent studies based on remote sensing have reported a reversal or deceleration of this trend. This study aimed (1) to fully understand recent spring phenology shifts using both in situ observations and satellite-based normalized difference vegetation index ( NDVI) datasets, and (2) to test whether the NDVI methods capture the trends observed in situ. Location Western Central Europe. Methods Temporal spring phenology trends (leaf unfolding dates) were examined using 1,001,678 in situ observations of 31 plant species at 3984 stations, as well as NDVI-based start-of-season dates, obtained using five different methods, across the pixels that included the phenology stations. Results In situ and NDVI observations both indicated that spring phenology significantly advanced during the period 1982-2011 at an average rate of −0.45 days yr−1. This trend was not uniform across the period and significantly weakened over the period 2000-2011. Furthermore, opposite trends were found between in situ and NDVI observations over the period 2000-2011. Averaged over all species, the in situ observations indicated a slower but still advancing trend for leaf unfolding, whereas the NDVI series showed a delayed spring phenology. Main conclusions The recent trend reversal in the advancement of spring phenology in western Central Europe is likely to be related to the response of early spring species to the cooling trend in late winter. In contrast, late spring species continued to exhibit advanced leaf unfolding, which is consistent with the warming trend during spring months. Because remote sensing does not distinguish between species, the signal of growing-season onset may only reflect the phenological dynamics of these earliest species in the pixel, even though most species still exhibit advancing trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Limited data are available from Central and Eastern Europe on risk factors for severe complications of influenza. Such data are essential to prioritize prevention and treatment resources and to adapt influenza vaccination recommendations. Objectives To use sentinel surveillance data to identify risk factors for fatal outcomes among hospitalized patients with severe acute respiratory infections ( SARI) and among hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza. Methods Retrospective analysis of case-based surveillance data collected from sentinel hospitals in Romania during the 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 winter influenza seasons was performed to evaluate risk factors for fatal outcomes using multivariate logistic regression. Results During 2009/2010 and 2010/2011, sentinel hospitals reported 661 SARI patients of which 230 (35%) tested positive for influenza. In the multivariate analyses, infection with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was the strongest risk factor for death among hospitalized SARI patients ( OR: 6·6; 95% CI: 3·3-13·1). Among patients positive for influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection ( n = 148), being pregnant ( OR: 7·1; 95% CI: 1·6-31·2), clinically obese ( OR: 2·9;95% CI: 1·6-31·2), and having an immunocompromising condition ( OR: 3·7;95% CI: 1·1-13·4) were significantly associated with fatal outcomes. Conclusion These findings are consistent with several other investigations of risk factors associated with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infections. They also support the more recent 2012 recommendations by the WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization ( SAGE) that pregnant women are an important risk group for influenza vaccination. Ongoing sentinel surveillance can be useful tool to monitor risk factors for complications of influenza virus infections during each influenza season, and pandemics as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differences in texture and discovery location prompted us to analyze 16 irons from Morasko; one from Seeläsgen, known to have a similar composition; and a new mass found at Jankowo Dolne. These were analyzed in duplicate by instrumental neutron-activation analysis ( INAA). The results show that all 18 samples have very similar compositions, distinct from all other IAB irons except Burgavli; we conclude that they are all from a single shower. Eight of the samples were from regions with large amounts of cohenite (but were largely free of inclusions) and six were from samples with very little cohenite; we could find no resolvable difference in composition between these sets, a fact that suggests that the C contents of the metal phases were similar in the two areas. Although Morasko has been classified into the IAB main group ( IAB- MG), its Ir plots well outside the main group field on an Ir- Au diagram. We considered the possibility that the low Ir reflected contamination by a melt from a IAB region that ponded and experienced fractional crystallization; however, because Morasko has Pt, W, and Ga values that are the same as the highest values in IAB- MG, we rejected this model. We therefore conclude that Morasko formed from a different melt than the IAB- MG irons; the Morasko melt was produced by impact heating, but one or more of the main Ir carriers did not melt, leaving much of the Ir in the unmelted residue. Copper is the only element that shows resolvable differences among Morasko samples. Most (13 of 18) samples have 149 ± 4 μg g−1 Cu, but three have 213 ± 10 μg g−1; we interpret this to mean that the low- Cu samples have equilibrated with a Cu-rich phase, whereas there was none of the latter phase within a few diffusion lengths of the samples with high Cu contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant traits have been widely used to characterize different aspects of the ecology of plant species. Despite its wide distribution and its proven significance at the level of individuals, communities, and populations, the ability to form mycorrhizal associations has been largely neglected in these studies so far. Analyzing plant traits associated with the occurrence of mycorrhizas in plants can therefore enhance our understanding of plant strategies and distributions. Using a comparative approach, we tested for associations between mycorrhizal status and habitat characteristics, life history traits, and plant distribution patterns in 1752 species of the German flora (a major part of the Central European flora). Data were analyzed using log-linear models or generalized linear models, both accounting for phylogenetic relationships. Obligatorily mycorrhizal (OM) species tended to be positively associated with higher temperature, drier habitats, and higher pH; and negatively associated with moist, acidic, and fertile soils. Competitive species were more frequently OM, and stress tolerators were non-mycorrhizal (NM), while ruderal species did not show any preference. Facultatively mycorrhizal (FM) species showed the widest geographic and ecological amplitude. Indigenous species were more frequently FM and neophytes (recent aliens) more frequently OM than expected. FM species differed markedly from OM and NM species in almost all analyzed traits. Specifically, they showed a wider geographic distribution and ecological niche. Our study of the relationships between mycorrhizal status and other plant traits provides a comprehensive test of existing hypotheses and reveals novel patterns. The clear distinction between FM and OM + NM species in terms of their ecology opens up a new field of research in plant-mycorrhizal ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abundant centre hypothesis predicts that changing environmental conditions are detrimental to a species' abundance and performance towards the periphery of its range. We tested these predictions for the perennial grass Stipa capillata, a species that is commonly found in steppes of Asia but is rare at its north-western range edge, in central Europe. We compared 21 populations in dry grassland fragments in central Europe and 20 populations in steppe habitats of Kazakhstan. We studied 15 plant performance traits both in situ and under laboratory and common greenhouse conditions, including local density, plant size and biomass production, seed size, weight and viability. To assess environmental conditions, we assembled data on topography, soil properties and climatic parameters. Using variance components analysis and multivariate methods we analyzed whether plant performance and environmental attributes differed more, as predicted, between the core and peripheral regions or whether they differed more among their subregions or populations. Additionally, we tested whether performance was affected by the same set of environmental predictors in each region. Contrary to our expectations, plant performance traits were virtually unchanged between the range periphery and centre. As expected, macroclimatic conditions showed a significant difference between the two regions (annual mean temperature, annual precipitation). The only other measured environmental variable that differed significantly between the two regions was soil pH, which was lower in core-range populations. Our findings thus do not support the notion of reduced performance at the range edge. Instead, our data lend support to earlier theories of relative habitat constancy, suggesting that peripheral populations can shift to other habitats through plasticity or adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The taxonomic and nomenclatural histories of Viola elatior Fr. (1828), V pumila Chaix (1785) and V stagnina Kit. ex Schult. (1814) in central and western Europe are discussed. The names V. stagnina and V. elatior are lectotypified with specimens corresponding to the current use of these names. The neglected lectotypification in 1988 of V montana L. (1753) with a specimen referable to V elatior is briefly reviewed. The name V persicifolia Schreb. (1771), used in some floras instead of V slagnina, is analysed in detail, and we conclude that this name should be interpreted as referring also to V elatior. In addition the types of V. hornemanniana Schult. (1819) and V stipulacea Hartm. (1820) are conspecific with V elatior. The use of V persic(folia and V montana, representing earlier legitimate names for the species widely known as V. elatior, has been notoriously confused for two centuries, and we herein recommend these two names for rejection in order to assure nomenclatural clarity and stability. For similar reasons, we recommend conservation of V elatior against V hornemanniana and V stipulacea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The diversity changes that occurred in Central European forests during the early Holocene can be better understood using ecological knowledge of modern analogues of these forests, which occur in far Eastern Europe. Here we compare the diversity of vascular plants, bryophytes and snails among different forest types of the Southern Urals to provide insights into the palaeoecology of the vanished Central European forests. Location Southern Ural Mountains, Bashkortostan, Russia. Methods We recorded all species of vascular plants, ground-dwelling bryophytes and land snails, and measured biotic and abiotic variables, in 100-m2 plots located in four forest types dominated by different trees: Pinus sylvestris–Larix sibirica, Betula pendula–Populus tremula, Quercus robur and Acer platanoides–Tilia cordata–Ulmus glabra. These types correspond to the chronosequence of forest communities that occurred in Central Europe in the early Holocene. Results The species richness of herb-layer plants was most affected by the canopy-transmitted light. The former three forest types had open canopy and were rich in species, whereas the Acer–Tilia–Ulmus forests were darker and poor in species. The species richness of ground-dwelling bryophytes decreased from coniferous to broad-leaved deciduous forests. In contrast, the highest species richness of snails was in the Acer–Tilia–Ulmus forests owing to the higher calcium content in the litter of these trees. Main conclusions Based on the modern analogue of the Southern Ural forests, we propose the hypothesis that the late-glacial open-canopy pine and larch forests of Central European lowlands were rich in light-demanding species of vascular plants, many of which were also typical of tall-grass steppes or mesic grasslands. They also contained several species of ground-dwelling bryophytes. The spread of birch, aspen and oak in the early Holocene reduced the local species richness of ground-dwelling bryophytes but not of vascular plants. The subsequent spread of elm, lime, maple and ash caused canopy closure, a retreat of the light-demanding herbs and a decline in the local species richness of vascular plants. Besides the increased shading by these tree species, their litter enriched soils in calcium, and enhanced decomposition and nutrient cycling. This supported an increase in the species richness of land snails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Question: Which factors determine diversity of native and alien vascular plant species in semi-natural dry grasslands? Location: Northern limestone Alps to the southern rim of the Bohemian massif in northern Austria. Methods: In 70 randomly chosen dry grassland patches (0.008 ha - 7 ha) we sampled a complete inventory of vascular plant species at each site. We analysed the correlation between species diversity of natives, archaeophytes (pre-1500 aliens) and neophytes (post-1500 aliens). We used GLM to study the relationship of species number (natives, neophytes, archaeophytes) to five explanatory variables (altitude, within habitat diversity, habitat diversity of adjacent areas, within land-use diversity and land-use in adjacent areas). Orthogonal components of these variables were derived with a PCA and used in the models. We also tested the influence of minimum residence time (MRT) and the covariables origin, mode of introduction and life form on the number of grassland sites with neophytes with analogous GLMs. Results: Native species diversity species was positively correlated with the species diversity of new, but not old invaders. GLM explains 70% of the variance in the number of native species. Patch size explained the largest part of the variation in the number of native species. PCA axes 1 and 3 were significantly related to the number of native species. Axis 1was related to on-site habitat and land-use diversity. The GLM of the archaeophyte diversity explains 18% of the variance. Altitude and presence of fields and grassland in the neighbourhood mainly explained archaeophyte species diversity. The GLM of neophyte diversity explains 12% of the variance. The number of neophytes was positively related to that of archaeophytes. Only PCA axis 3, which is mainly influenced by adjacent land-use types, showed a relationship with neophytes. MRT, mode of introduction and region of origin (but not life form) were significantly related to the number of grassland sites invaded by neophytes, explaining 35% of the variance. Conclusion: Most factors governing native species diversity are not significantly related to alien species diversity. Additional determinants of the local scale diversity of alien species exist such as region of origin and historical factors (MRT, mode of introduction). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Interpretation of fossil pollen assemblages may benefit greatly from comparisons with modern palynological and vegetation analogues. To interpret the full- and late-glacial vegetation in eastern-central Europe we compared fossil pollen assemblages from this region with modern pollen assemblages from various vegetation types in southern Siberia, which presumably include the closest modern analogues of the last-glacial vegetation of central Europe. Location Czech and Slovak Republics (fossil pollen assemblages); Western Sayan Mountains, southern Siberia (modern pollen assemblages). Methods Eighty-eight modern pollen spectra were sampled in 14 vegetation types of Siberian forest, tundra and steppe, and compared with the last-glacial pollen spectra from seven central European localities using principal components analysis. Results Both full- and late-glacial pollen spectra from the valleys of the Western Carpathians (altitudes 350–610 m) are similar to modern pollen spectra from southern Siberian taiga, hemiboreal forest and dwarf-birch tundra. The full-glacial and early late-glacial pollen spectra from lowland river valleys in the Bohemian Massif (altitudes 185–190 m) also indicate the presence of patches of hemiboreal forest or taiga. Other late-glacial pollen spectra from the Bohemian Massif suggest an open landscape with steppe or tundra or a mosaic of both, possibly with small patches of hemiboreal forest . Main conclusions Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that during the full glacial and late glacial, the mountain valleys of the north-western Carpathians supported taiga or hemiboreal forest dominated by Larix, Pinus cembra, Pinus sylvestris and Picea, along with some steppic or tundra formations. Forests tended to be increasingly open or patchy towards the west (Moravian lowlands), gradually passing into the generally treeless landscape of Bohemia, with possible woodland patches in locally favourable sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To reconstruct the flora, vegetation, climate and palaeoaltitude during the Miocene (23.03–5.33 Ma) in Central Europe. Location Six outcrop sections located in different basins of the Central Paratethys in Austria. Methods Pollen analysis was used for the reconstruction of the vegetation and climate. The altitude of the Eastern Alps that are adjacent to the Alpine Foreland and Vienna basins has been estimated using a new quantification method based on pollen data. This method uses biogeographical and climatological criteria such as the composition of the modern vegetation belts in the European mountains and Miocene annual temperature estimates obtained from fossil pollen data. Results Pollen changes from Early to Late Miocene have been observed. The vegetation during the Burdigalian and Langhian (20.43–13.65 Ma) was dominated by thermophilous elements such as evergreen trees, typical of a present-day evergreen rain forest at low altitudes (i.e. south-eastern China). During the Serravallian and Tortonian (13.65–7.25 Ma) several thermophilous elements strongly decreased, and some disappeared from the Central European region. This kind of vegetation was progressively substituted by one enriched in deciduous and mesothermic plants. Middle-altitude ( Cathaya, Cedrus and Tsuga) and high-altitude ( Abies and Picea) conifers increased considerably during the Langhian and later on during the Serravallian and Tortonian. Main conclusions Pollen changes are related to climatic changes and to the uplift of the Alpine massifs. The vegetation during the Burdigalian and Langhian reflects the Miocene climatic optimum. The decrease in thermophilous plants during the Serravallian and Tortonian can be interpreted as a climatic cooling and can be correlated with global and regional climatic changes. This study shows that the palaeoaltitude of the eastern part of the Eastern Alps during the Burdigalian was not high enough for Abies and Picea to form a forest. Therefore, we inferred that the summits of most of the mountains would have been less than 1800 m. The substantial increase of middle- and high-altitude conifers in the pollen spectra suggests that the uplift rate increased during the Langhian in this region. Based on higher palaeoaltitude estimations for the pollen floras from the studied sections of Austria, we infer that the uplift of the easternmost part of the Alpine chain continued during the Serravallian and Tortonian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Questions: (1) What are the most important abiotic environmental variables influencing succession in central European man-made habitats? (2) How do these variables interact with one another and with variation in community properties? Location: Central, western and southern parts of the Czech Republic. Habitats included old fields, urban sites, spoil heaps after coal mining, sites at water reservoirs, extracted sand pit and peatland and reclaimed sites in areas deforested by air pollution. Methods: We investigated vegetation patterns on 15 successional seres, sampled by the same methods. Time of succession over which the data were available ranged from 12 to 76 years. The cover of vascular plant species (in %) was estimated in 5 m × 5 m plots. The relationships between vegetation characteristics (species composition, total cover, cover of woody species, species number and rate of dominant species turnover) and 13 abiotic site factors, including climatic and soil variables, were tested using CCA ordination and regression models. Results: Substratum pH, the only substratum characteristic, and climate were the environmental variables significantly affecting the vegetation patterns in the course of succession. The rate of succession, measured as the turnover of dominant species, was significantly more rapid in lowland than in mountain climates. On alkaline soils, species numbers in succession increased towards warmer climates. However, acid soils prevented any increase in species numbers, regardless of the climate. Surprisingly, forms of nitrogen and contents of C, P and cations did not exhibit any significant effect on the vegetation characteristics studied. Conclusions: Our approach, to compare a number of seres, can contribute not only to our understanding of succession, but also to help restoration projects to predict vegetation change because the crucial environmental variables, as identified by this study, are easy to measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim Niche theory emphasizes the importance of environmental conditions for the distribution and abundance of species. Using a macroecological approach our study aimed at identifying the important environmental gradients for spiders. We generated numerical values of niche position and niche width. We also investigated relationships between these niche properties as well as the degree of phylogenetic conservatism in order to draw conclusions about the evolution of the habitat niche. Location Central Europe: lowlands of Austria, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Methods We analysed 244 published spider communities from 70 habitat types by correspondence analysis. The resulting community scores were used to test for correlations with habitat characteristics. Species scores were used to derive niche position (mean scores) and niche width (standard deviation of scores). To test for niche conservatism we estimated variance components across the taxonomic hierarchy. Results The first two axes of the correspondence analysis were correlated with shading and moisture, respectively. Niche width had a hump-shaped relationship to both environmental gradients. β-diversity was strikingly higher in open habitats than in forests. Habitat niche conservatism was lower than phylogenetic conservatism in body size. Main conclusions Environmental factors are important drivers for the β-diversity of spiders, especially across open habitats. This underlines the importance of preserving the whole range of moisture conditions in open habitats. Narrow niches of species occurring at the ends of both environmental gradients indicate that adaptations to extreme habitats lead to constraints in ecological flexibility. Nevertheless, the habitat niche of species seems to evolve much faster than morphological or physiological traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To analyse the worldwide distribution patterns of Turonian marine biotas using a panbiogeographical approach. Location Turonian localities of southern and north-eastern Brazil, Mexico, Canada, central Europe, England and Morocco. Method Panbiogeographical track analysis. Results Nine generalized tracks and six nodes were found. The generalized tracks comprise two vicariant track patterns (one northern and one mid-southern) across the Atlantic. Main conclusions The generalized tracks show clearly two separate marine biotas, which were associated with the proto-South Atlantic and the proto-North Atlantic oceans. These generalized tracks, as well as the two vicariant track clusters between the north and south Atlantic, are identified by vicariant relationships shared by most of the taxa analysed, and illustrate the final break up of the Gondwana and Laurasia supercontinents and the consequences of vicariant events for the biogeography of the Atlantic Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The relative frequencies of functional traits of plant species show notable spatial variation, which is often related to environmental factors. Pollination type (insect-, wind- or self-pollination) is a critical trait for plant reproduction and provision of ecosystem services. • Here, we mapped the distribution of pollination types across Germany by combining databases on plant distribution and plant pollination types. Applying a new method, we modelled the composition of pollination types using a set of 12 environmental variables as predictors within a Bayesian framework which allows for the analysis of compositional data in the presence of spatial autocorrelation. • A clear biogeographical pattern in the distribution of pollination types was revealed which was adequately captured by our model. The most striking relationship was a relative increase in insect-pollination and a corresponding decrease of selfing with increasing altitude. Further important factors were wind speed, geology and land use. • We present a powerful tool to analyse the distribution patterns of plant functional types such as pollination types and their relationship with environmental parameters in a spatially explicit framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To test whether species groups (i.e. assemblages of species co-occurring in nature) that are statistically derived at one scale (broad, medium, or fine scale) can be transferred to another scale, and to identify the driving forces that determine species groups at the various scales. Location Northern Bohemia (Czech Republic, central Europe) in the Ještědský hřbet mountain range and its neighbourhood. Methods Three data sets were sampled: a floristic data set at the broad scale, another floristic data set at the intermediate scale, and a vegetation data set at the habitat scale. First, in each data set, species groups were produced by the COCKTAIL algorithm, which ensures maximized joint occurrence in the data set using a fidelity coefficient. Corresponding species groups were produced in the individual data sets by employing the same species for starting the algorithm. Second, the species groups formed in one data set, i.e. at a particular scale, were applied crosswise to the other data sets, i.e. to the other scales. Correspondence of a species group formed at a particular scale with a species group at another scale was determined. Third, to highlight the driving factors for the distribution of the plant species groups at each scale, canonical correspondence analysis was carried out. Results Twelve species groups were used to analyse the transferability of the groups across the three scales, but only six of them were found to be common to all scales. Correspondence of species groups derived from the finest scale with those derived at the broadest scale was, on average, higher than in the opposite direction. Forest (tree layer) cover, altitude and bedrock type explained most of the variability in canonical correspondence analysis across all scales. Main conclusions Transferability of species groups distinguished at a fine scale to broader scales is better than it is in the opposite direction. Therefore, a possible application of the results is to use species groups to predict the potential occurrence of missing species in broad-scale floristic surveys from fine-scale vegetation-plot data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the validity of previously developed risk assessment schemes in the conditions of Central Europe, we tested (1) Australian weed risk assessment scheme (WRA; Pheloung et al. 1999); (2) WRA with additional analysis by Daehler et al. (2004); and (3) decision tree scheme of Reichard and Hamilton (1997) developed in North America, on a data set of 180 alien woody species commonly planted in the Czech Republic. This list included 17 invasive species, 9 naturalized but non-invasive, 31 casual aliens, and 123 species not reported to escape from cultivation. The WRA model with additional analysis provided best results, rejecting 100% of invasive species, accepting 83.8% of non-invasive, and recommending further 13.0% for additional analysis. Overall accuracy of the WRA model with additional analysis was 85.5%, higher than that of the basic WRA scheme (67.9%) and the Reichard–Hamilton model (61.6%). Only the Reichard–Hamilton scheme accepted some invaders. The probability that an accepted species will become an invader was zero for both WRA models and 3.2% for the Reichard–Hamilton model. The probability that a rejected species would have been an invader was 77.3% for both WRA models and 24.0% for the Reichard–Hamilton model. It is concluded that the WRA model, especially with additional analysis, appears to be a promising template for building a widely applicable system for screening out invasive plant introductions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Question: We were interested if and how variation in frequency and/or size of disturbances affect the dynamics of a montane old-growth forest in Central Europe. Location: The forest, co-dominated by Fagus sylvatica, Picea abies and Abies alba, is located in Lower Austria and represents one of the few sizable virgin forests in Central Europe. Methods: We extracted cores from 100 trees using systematic grid sampling (grid cell size 10 m × 10 m) on each of four 1-ha plots distributed across the old-growth remnant of 300 ha. We inferred disturbance events from rapid early growth and release events. For defining release criteria, we applied the boundary line method. We investigated the spatial structure of current age and gap distributions and past disturbance events in grid cells, using a pair density statistic. Results: The disturbance histories indicate decades with peaks and also extended periods without disturbance. Some peaks occurred synchronously at three of the four plots (1910s, 1930s, 1960s and 1980s). Peaks and gaps in the disturbance chronologies widely agreed with peaks and gaps in the age distributions. Most disturbance events during single decades showed a random spatial distribution. Conclusions: There is considerable variation in disturbance frequency and/or severity over time. Most disturbance events will rather thin the stand than clear larger areas at once. Following scattered disturbance two pathways occur: (1) gap expansion leading to creation of larger gaps, and (2) gap closure by lateral encroachment or by subcanopy trees growing into the canopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published quantitative descriptions of local species assemblages represent a rich and little explored source of information exploring macroecological patterns. We used this source of data to estimate determinants of syrphid species richness in Central Europe. We examined the influence of three census-related covariates and five environmental variables on the observed or standardized (by rarefaction) species richness of 163 local syrphid assemblages. We also compared a large data set collected by a single author with a compilation of various sources. The covariates had mostly significant effects: increasing sample size and increasing sampling effort caused an asymptotic increase in species richness. The most effective collecting technique was entomological net, followed by malaise and colour traps. After taking into account the influence of covariates, the effects of geographical environmental variables (altitude, latitude and longitude) were more important than the effects of habitat variables. Syrphid richness exhibited a hump-shaped response to altitude and a latitudinal peak in the central areas of Central Europe. Our approach illustrates the potential of literature data for studying large-scale variation among local species assemblages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the analysis of the interplay between the radical economic and social transformations taking place in the former Communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe and involvement of adult population in learning activities. Patterns of participation in adult learning and the disparities among regions, sectors and groups; Returns on investment in education and training; Developments in the field of adult training.

This study analyses whether redundant workers are stigmatized in regional labor markets, and if so, examines the severity of the effects. Stigmatization, possibly an outcome of statistical discrimination, is assumed to obtain whenever likelihoods of long-term unemployment are systematically elevated among otherwise equivalent individuals, due to involuntary job-loss. Such effects are considered during early transition in the Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and Poland, and within a modeling framework whereby current search duration (likelihood of long-term unemployment) and benefit receipt are jointly-determined. Although econometric estimates of long-term unemployment indicate significant and persistent stigmatization within the Slovak Republic and Poland; underlying causation apparently differs between countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract. The clonal sedge Carex humilis forms rings of densely aggregated ramets in a dry grassland community in Central Europe. We describe the small-scale spatial variation, both in abiotic factors and vegetation, in relation to these rings. Compared to the surrounding vegetation the cover of plants, other than C. humilis, was significantly lower both in the central area of rings and within the rings themselves. The vegetation structure was also different. The soil was more fertile in the central area and within the ring than in the surroundings, measured both directly and by the abiotic response values of the vascular plants. We conclude that neither resource depletion nor competition from other plants were likely to be responsible for the low ramet density in the central area of C. humilis rings. Instead, we suggest that the ring form is caused either by the deposition of growth inhibiting substances or by intrinsic morphological rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzes the developments in teacher training and education in Central Europe. Similar level of these countries' educational indicators with Northern and Western Europe despite their economic similarity with Latin American countries; Description of the teaching profession in the region.

Analyzes the tracking radar measurements of winds at the flight levels of bird migration during several migratory seasons with regard to optimal migratory behavior in relation to wind. Need for birds migrating through central Europe and the Mediterranean area to cope with high windseed; Impact of favorable wind conditions on increasing flight speed up to 30 percent; Additional gain in flight speed from optimizing flight altitude.

Examines the day-active Lepidoptera faunas in different types of cultivated grassland in the subalpine region of Central Switzerland, in various stages in the development of abandoned grassland and in woodlands. Close correlation between butterfly fauna and vegetation type concerning species composition and species richness of Lepidoptera; Results in contrast to former studies in Central Europe and parallel studies in England.

Phytosiderophore (PS) release occurs under both iron and zinc deficiencies in representative Poaceac and has been speculated to be a general adaptive response to enhance the acquisition of micronutrient metals. We tested this hypothesis within an on-going study of the role of micronutrient metal nutrition for patterns of spontaneous vegetation in relation to soil pH and carbonate content. Hordelymus europaeus (L.) Harz, a negative grass species commonly found on soils rich in CaCO3 in Western Central Europe. was subjected lo deficiencies of Fe, Zn, Mn arid Cu using chelator-buffered nutrient solutions. PS release rates were determined at 3 5 d intervals during onset and development of deficiency symptoms. Plant dry matter yields and nutrient concentrations, measured at three time points were used to construct growth curves for calculation of PS release per unit root mass. In comparison with trace metal-sufficient control plants, dry matter production was markedly reduced in the Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu-deficiency treatments, with final relative yields of 6. 11. 15 and 31 % respectively. The phytosiderophore produced under Fe- and Cu-deficiency treatments was identified, using HPLC, as desoxymugineic acid. The highest rate of PS release (18 μmol g ¹ root d. wt in 2 h) was measured in the Fe-deficiency treatment, and there was substantial release in the Cu-deficiency treatment (725 μmol g ¹ root d. wt in 2 h) .No PS release above control levels (2.6 μmol g ¹ root d. wt in 2 h) was observed in the Zn- or Mn-deficiency treatments (1.5 and 26 μmol g ¹ root d. wt in 2 h, respectively). It remains to be clarified whether PS release in response to Cu deficiency is a primary reaction to the deficiency, or is caused by a chain of events similar to that observed in Zn-deficient wheat, which involves internal Fe deficiency. Our results suggest that PS release in the native plant species H. europaeus is a specific response to Fe and Cu deficiency arid is not significantly induced in response to deficiencies of Zn and Mn. Induction of the PS mechanism in different plant species might he more diverse than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The migratory routes along which the Central European species of dragonflies probably immigrated from their periglacial refuges into Central Europe are reconstructed. Due to the topographical configuration in Central Europe, the postglacial invasions were confined to only a few routes. Mountain chains and also small river valleys, i.e. the Rhine valley between Lake Constance and Waldshut, acted as barriers; while geotectonic depressions, such as the ‘Geneva Gate’, ‘Burgundian Gate’ and ‘Moravian Gate’, played an important role as ‘gateways’ in overcoming these obstacles, the wide river plains were used as corridors to invade the hinterland. The extent of the immigration into Central Europe by the dragonfly species depended on the one hand on the distances which had to be covered from the refugial areas, but, on the other hand, also on the distinct postglacial climatic periods (Preboreal, Boreal, Atlantic, Subboreal, Subatlantic). Depending on their thermal requirements each species started expanding from their refugial areas at different times. Due to variable postglacial climatic conditions, progressive migratory phases alternated with regressive phases. The very different recent distribution patterns of the Central European dragonflies can only be understood if all the climate history, landscape morphology, the thermal requirements of the species, their origin (refugial areas) and history of colonization are considered. Because many Central European dragonfly localities currently lie at the periphery of the range of many species, these species can only survive in these areas if individual ‘reinforcements’ from their centres of distribution are possible. They still take place mainly along the old routes. Thus, disruption of the migratory routes, especially at the gateways, due to anthropogenic actions may influence the fauna of large Central European regions. Due to many anthropogenic... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an analysis of reform efforts and the results of the effort in the field of schooling and education in Central European countries. Changes in society and the development of education; Role and value of education in the society; Economic constraints on the expansion of education.