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Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) has been at the centre of controversy for many decades. Recent evidence of its profound disturbance-induced damage and consequent stock depletions across forest landscapes in Europe has reinforced doubts regarding the sustainability and prospects of this tree species in the future. Like many other European countries, Slovenia has experienced significant Norway spruce mortality and a decrease in growing stock primarily as the result of several disturbance agents (bark beetle outbreaks, an ice storm, windthrows). We investigated a countrywide spruce growing stock decline based on data between 2010 and 2018. Particular focus was placed on identifying the main ecological drivers of this decline, namely geological conditions, climatic parameters, soil attributes, topographic factors and forest stand characteristics. The effects of potential predictors on the relative change (%) in spruce volume (m3 ha-1) during the period 2010-2018 were analysed with Generalized Additive Models. Based on a national dataset including forest compartments (n = 6355) with a spruce growing stock decline > 10%, we found mixed support for ecology-based hypotheses. While spruce decline responded to bedrock type as predicted (i.e., greater relative decline in carbonate compared to silicate compartments), higher forest naturalness (preservation of tree species composition) was not associated with a lower decline. Spruce decline was amplified by higher potential evapotranspiration and soil clay content but showed a strong negative relationship with spruce proportion in the year 2010. General trends along the gradients of other selected predictors (stoniness/rockiness and heat load index) were less pronounced. The results suggest that most of these ecological predictors interact with geology and forest naturalness in affecting Norway spruce decline. Our analysis reveals that bedrock type can play an important role due to its mitigating effects. However, forest naturalness is of secondary significance as intensified large-scale forest disturbances likely override its buffering potential. Nasl. z nasl. zaslona. Opis vira z dne 5. 4. 2023. Bibliografija: str. 114-115. Abstract.

In environments with high precipitation, eluvial–illuvial processes play a key role in pedogenesis. Vertical translocation of clay leads to the formation of an argic horizon. Such soils are of global importance and formed on different rock substrates under different climatic conditions. However, the pedogenesis of clay-rich soils developed on limestone in humid temperate climates has not been sufficiently investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the geochemical and mineral compositions and properties of Luvisols (10 profiles) from the Dinaric karst region and identify the geochemical indicators of eluvial–illuvial processes. The geochemical and mineral differences between the A, E, and Bt horizons could be explained by the pedogenic processes of biorecycling, migration, isomorphic substitution in minerals, surface adsorption to clay or Al/Fe oxide minerals, and precipitation from the soil solution. Illuviation is evident in the downward increase in Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, K2O, Ba, Co, Cr, Ga, Ni, Sc, Th, U, V, Y, and REE. Despite differences in the geochemical characteristics of the 10 studied profiles, eluvial–illuvial processes outweighed the heterogeneity of the soils from different sites and the probable contribution of allochthonous material to the soil. We established new textural and geochemical indicators that could explain the differences among horizons and profiles in light of the polygenetic origin of soil material and pedological processes. Article no.: 116266. Bibliografija: str. 13-15.

Analiza in vzorčenje tal sta ena od pomembnejših dejavnikov za uspešno rastlinsko pridelavo, pri tem je pomembna izbira prave metode vzorčenja, saj s tem dobimo natančne in reprezentativne rezultate založenosti in lastnosti tal. Diplomsko delo predstavlja pregled domačih in tujih virov s področja vzorčenja tal v preciznem kmetijstvu. Osnovni namen dela je predstaviti informacije o izbiri in razvoju strategij vzorčenja tal, ki se uporabljajo v današnjem kmetijstvu, ter predstavitvi informacij o sodobnih merilnih napravah za zaznavanje talnih lastnosti. V delu so tudi predstavljene informacije o najpogostejših parametrih rodovitnosti tal, kot tudi priporočila za odvzem talnih vzorcev. Soil analysis and sampling are important factors for successful crop production. The choice of the appropriate sampling method is important, to obtain representative results on soil properties and nutrient content. The thesis presents an overview of national and foreign literature in the field of soil sampling in precision agriculture. The main objective of the work is to present information on the selection and development of soil sampling strategies used in today's agriculture, as well as information on modern measuring devices for analysing these properties. In addition, the work gives information on the most common soil fertility parameters as well as recommendations for soil sampling.

The aim of our study was to clarify the use of the term “acric” in the Slovenian soil classification and its relation to the Acrisols of the World reference base for soil resources. A comprehensive review of Yugoslavian and Slovenian soil literature from 1960 to the present revealed that the term “acric” was first introduced into the classification of Yugoslav soils in 1973, based on FAO Legend (1968). “Acric” properties were most often associated with Illuvial soils (soils with argic horizons) of the Dinaric karst region. A detailed review and analysis of soil properties of 81 profiles with argic horizons from the Slovenian Soil Map database were done. Results clearly showed that soils with argic horizons are neither Acrisols nor Lixisols according to the latest WRB soil classification, as no soils with low activity clay in argic horizons have been proved so far. The base saturation and some recent measurements of effective base saturation indicate that Luvisols are the predominant Illuvial soils in Slovenia, with possible development to Alisols. Inconsistent use of the term “acric,” especially in the context of its translation to WRB reference group Acrisols, can lead to misunderstandings about the properties of such soils.

Opisani su čimbenici postanka i razvoja tla petrinjskog i glinskog kraja, uključujući geološko litološku podlogu, klimu, vegetaciju, ljudske aktivnosti, elementarne nepogode i ratne štete na poljoprivrednom zemljištu. Tekstom i na pedološkoj karti su navedeni i opisani tipovi i niže pedosistematske jedinice poljoprivrednog zemljišta. Procijenjena je sadašnja pogodnost poljoprivrednog tla/zemljišta za obradu. Za utvrđene vrste ograničenja pogodnosti korištenja tla, preporučene su agro ili/i hidrotehničke mjere. Detaljnije raspravljamo o preporukama za održavanje plodnosti tla., Factors of soil origin and development of Petrinja and Glina region are described, including geological lithological background, climate, vegetation, human activities, natural disasters and war damage to agricultural land. The types and lower pedosystematic units of agricultural land are listed and described in the text and on the pedological map. The current suitability of agricultural soil / land for cultivation has been assessed. For the identified types of soil limitations for cultivation, agro and / or hydrotechnical measures are recommended. We discuss in more detail the recommendations for maintaining soil fertility.

Tla so za človekov obstoj zelo pomembna naravna danost. Predstavljajo geokemični vzorčni medij, s katerim določimo vsebnosti prvin, ki so lahko naravnega oz. geogenega izvora ali so posledica človekove dejavnosti. Sestava tal je zelo podobna sestavi kamnin, zato je matična podlaga najpomembnejši dejavnik pri zastopanosti kemičnih prvin v tleh. Zaradi širokega razpona namenov vzorčenja je nemogoče podati enotne smernice pri načinu vzorčenja tal, saj je način vzorčenja odvisen od namena raziskave. Različni pristopi k vzorčenju med seboj žal niso popolnoma primerljivi. Na številnih tipih matične podlage smo tla vzorčili iz talnih profilov po horizontih (pedološka stroka) in zgornjih 15 cm tal (geološka stroka). Želeli smo ugotoviti, kako se razlikujejo podatki o kemizmu tal. Izračunali smo in grafično prikazali razlike med obema pristopoma. Zelo dobro ujemanje smo zaznali pri večini oksidov SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, CaO, Na2O in K2O. Pri potencialno toksičnih elementih (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) vzorčenje po globini poda nekoliko nižje vrednosti, v primerjavi z vzorčenjem po horizontih, največje razlike zaznamo pri Cd. Največja odstopanja smo ugotovili pri P2O5 in TOT/C, zaradi vezave na organsko snov. Povečana vsebnost organske snovi v vzorčnem materialu v vseh primerih povzroči slabo ujemanje med pristopoma, kar je najbolj izrazito v kraju, ki vsebuje največ organske snovi (Osankarica – Kebelj). Oba pristopa dobro odražata geokemične in mineralne značilnosti matične podlage ter tudi opozorita na povečane količine potencialno strupenih prvin. Ugotovili smo, da je pri vsakem vzorčenju zelo pomembno dobro sodelovanje med pedološko in geološko stroko, saj je določanje in poznavanje horizontov ključno pri interpretaciji rezultatov. Soil is a very important natural feature for human existence. It represents a geochemical sample medium, which determines the contents of soil components that can be of natural or geogenic origin, but they can also be a result of human activity. The composition of soils is very similar to the one of the rocks. Therefore, parent material is the most important factor for chemical composition of soil. Due to the wide range of sampling purposes, it is impossible to give uniform guidelines on the method of soil sampling, as the method of sampling depends on the purpose of the examination. Unfortunately, the different sampling approaches are not completely comparable. Using several types of parent material, soils were sampled from soil profiles by horizons (pedological sphere) and from the upper 15 cm of soil (geological sphere). Our goal was to find the differences in soil chemistry. We used calculations and graphs to represent the best characteristics of both approaches. A very good match was observed for most oxides (SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, CaO, Na2O and K2O). The depth sampling method for potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) gave us slightly lower values compared to the horizon sampling method. The largest differences between the two approaches were noticed for Cd. The most significant deviations were found in P2O5 and TOT/C due to binding to organic matter. The increased content of organic matter in the sample material results in a poor match between the approaches in all cases, but most visibly in the sampling point with the highest amount of organic matter (Osankarica - Kebelj). Both approaches correctly reflect the geochemical and mineral characteristics of the parent material and also point out the increased amounts of potentially toxic elements. We found that good cooperation between the pedological and geological departments is key in any sampling, as determination and knowledge of the horizons is crucial in interpreting the results.

Baker (Cu) je pomemben esencialni element za rastline in človeka. Kljub temu je v prevelikih koncentracijah toksičen za živa bitja. V modernem kmetijstvu se izvaja najrazličnejše kmetijske prakse s katerimi se v okolje v tla vnaša preveč bakrovih spojin. Na svetu je vedno manj vode. Ta problem prisili kmete na sušnih območji v uporabo industrijskih in urbanih odplak za namakanje. V intenzivnih kmetijskih pokrajinah uporabljajo gnojevko bogato s bakrovimi spojinami. Te se namreč dodajajo v krmo. Tradicionalna uporaba fitofarmacevtskih pripravkov na osnovi bakra predstavlja velikega onesnaževalca kmetijskih tal. Pripravke se uporablja predvsem za nadzor glivičnih in bakterijskih bolezni. Dostopnost bakra za rastline je pogojena s talnimi in okoljskimi lastnostmi. Baker se absorbira v rastline, saj je nujno potreben za normalen potek biokemijskih procesov. Ob nagnjenosti rastlin k pretirani absorbciji se v rastlinskih delih lahko začnejo akumulirati prevelike koncentracije bakra. Pomembno je nadzorovati koncentracije bakra v tleh in v užitnih delih rastlin, saj preko prehranjevalne verige prehaja tudi v človeka. Prevelike koncentracije bakra so lahko škodljive za človekovo zdravje. Z namenom zmanjšati nevarnosti za človekovo zdravje raziskovalne in državne institucije predpisujejo priporočene in toksične dnevne vnose bakra za človeka in mejne vrednosti za vsebnost bakra v tleh. Zaradi prevelikih koncentracij bakra v tleh je pridelava kmetijskih rastlin lahko onemogočena. Copper (Cu) is an important essential element for plants and humans. Even so, in too high concentrations it is toxic to living organisms. In modern agriculture, a variety of agricultural practices are being implemented, which bring too much copper into the soil. There is less and less water in the world. This problem is forcing farmers in arid areas to use industrial and urban sewage for irrigation. In intensive agricultural landscapes, they use copper-rich slurry. These are added to the feed. The traditional use of copper-based plant protection products is a major contaminant of agricultural soils. These preparations are mainly used for the control of fungal and bacterial diseases. The availability of copper for plants is conditioned by soil and environmental characteristics. Copper is absorbed into plants as it is essential for the normal course of biochemical processes. With the tendency of plants to over-absorb, excessive concentrations of copper begin to accumulate in the plant parts. It is important to control copper concentrations in soil and in edible parts of plants, since it can enter the human body through food chain. Excessive copper concentrations can be detrimental to human health. In order to reduce human health hazards, research and state institutions shall prescribe recommended and toxic daily intakes of copper for humans and limit values for soil copper. Excessive concentrations of copper in soil limit the production of agricultural crops.

Vijest da nas je zauvijek napustio prof. dr. sc. Matko Bogunović, istaknuti nastavnik, znanstvenik, stručnjak i nadasve plemeniti čovjek, tužno i s nevjericom je odjeknula u srcima njegovih najbližih, brojnih prijatelja, kolega i svih koji su ga poznavali. Umro je čovjek koji je svojim neumornim radom na razvoju i unapređenju pedološke znanosti, nastave i struke u Hrvatskoj ostavio neizbrisiv trag., The news that Professor Matko Bogunović, a distinguished teacher, scientist, expert and true gentleman, had left us forever, was received with sadness and disbelief by his many friends, colleagues and acquaintances. He left an indelible mark on Croatia through his tireless work on developing and improving pedological science in teaching and the profession.

The paper describes the system for measuring and logging of data on soil water content and soil temperature profile. The system was tested in a field and shows great potential for performing continuous measurements. It has several benefits including ease of manufacture, low cost, reliable performance and the ability to download the data without specialized software.

Macesnovje ali macesnovi gozdovi so bili pri nas prvič sistemsko opredeljeni šele s Tipologijo gozdnih rastišč Slovenije (2012), saj so bili do tedaj obravnavani kot različni sukcesijski stadiji ali sintaksoni znotraj drugih asociacij oz. združb (največkrat v okviru ruševja). V tej publikaciji so na osnovi dosedanjega znanja in dostopnih virov v skladu z znanstvenimi fitocenološkimi principi utemeljili obstoj macesnovja pri nas, ki je po sintakosonomskih principih uvrščeno v asociacijo Rhodothamno-Laricetum Willner& Zukrigl 1999. Opisali so njegove ključne značilnosti, kot so razširjenost, geološke, pedološke, reliefne in podnebne značilnosti, rastlinske vrste, gozdnogospodarski in gozdnogojitveni vidiki, naravovarstvenipomen in ogroženost. Publikacija je ilustrirana s slikami značilnih rastiščnih, sestojnih razmer in diagnostičnih vrst.

Slovenske gorice so ena največjih regij v Sloveniji in so splošno znane kot regija vinogradov in sadovnjakov. Regija Slovenskih goric je preobširna, zato smo se omejili na Slovenske gorice med reko Muro na severu in Pesnico na jugu. Vinogradništvo in sadjarstvo imata v Slovenskih goricah večstoletno tradicijo, vendar je v zadnjih 113 letih opazen upad teh panog. Na ti panogi pa ima velik vpliv tudi klima. Razgiban relief Slovenskih goric je dejavnik, ki spreminja klimo na omenjenem območju. V diplomskem delu smo se osredotočili na spreminjanje klime glede na topografske dejavnike (absolutne višine, relativne višine, nakloni, ekspozicije, globalno sončno obsevanje), proučili smo tudi vpliv te tako imenovane topoklime na vinogradništvo in sadjarstvo. S primerjanjem večletnih meteoroloških podatkov postaj Zgornja Ščavnica in Polički Vrh, ki ležita v našem območju, smo ugotovili spreminjanje klime glede na relativne višine. Povprečne temperature na višje ležeči postaji Zgornja Ščavnica so bile višje, kar kaže na obstoj večkratnih temperaturnih obratov in posledično termalnega pasu. Prav pojav termalnega pasu je ključen za razmestitev vinogradov in sadovnjakov nad dolinami potokov in rek v Slovenskih goricah med Muro in Pesnico. Z maršrutnimi meritvami na treh relacijah smo dokazali pojav temperaturnega obrata. Prav tako smo z meritvami na Slateniku in Tratah dokazali obstoj termalnega pasu. Temperaturne podatke smo analizirali tudi glede na vremenske tipe in ugotovili, da je najpogostejši in najintenzivnejši temperaturni obrat v anticiklonalnem vremenskem tipu, ko je vreme stabilno in jasno. Nasprotno se temperaturni obrat in termalni pas ne pojavljata v nestanovitnem deževnem, oblačnem in vetrovnem vremenu, predvsem ju ni zaslediti v ciklonalnem vremenskem tipu. Pri proučevanju temperaturnega obrata in termalnega pasu smo proučevali topoklimo le z vidika relativnih višin. Raziskali smo še povezavo med ostalimi topoklimatskimi dejavniki in razmestitvijo vinogradništva in sadjarstva, dotaknili smo se tudi vpliva kamninske podlage in prsti na rabo tal. S klasifikacijo območja glede na primernost za vinogradništvo in sadjarstvo smo ugotovili, da še obstaja možnost širjenja teh dveh panog na najboljše lege. The Slovenske gorice region is one of the largest regions in Slovenia and it is also known as the region of vineyards and orchards. Due to the extensive region we focused on the area between the Mura River in the north and the Pesnica River in the south. Vineyards and orchards have a centuries-old tradition, however in the past 113 years a large decline can be noticed. The climate has a major influence on the vegetation in this area. A diverse terrain in the Slovenske gorice region has an important role in changing the climate. In this thesis we focused on the changing climate according to topographical factors (altitude, relative height, gradient, exposition, global solar irradiation) and considered the impact of the topoclimate on vineyards and orchards. By comparing the data of two meteorological stations, Zgornja Ščavnica and Polički Vrh, we determined the changing of climate according to relative heights. The average temperatures in Zgornja Ščavnica, situated on a higher altitude, are showing temperature inversions and, consequently, thermal zone. The occurrence of the thermal zone above the valleys of streams and rivers is a key factor for the deployment of vineyards and orchards in the Slovenske gorice region. By the measurements in three different locations we proved the occurrence of temperature inversions. Furthermore, in Slatenik and Trate the existence of thermal zone was also found. The temperature data were analysed according to weather types. The analysis showed that the most frequent and intensive temperature inversion was in the anticyclone weather, when the weather is stable and clear. On the contrary, the temperature inversion and thermal zone do not appear in the unstable, rainy, cloudy and windy weather, primarily they do not occur in cyclone weather. The temperature inversion and thermal zone were now studied only in the aspect of relative height. Therefore, the connection between other topoclimatic factors and the location of vineyards and orchards was further studied and, finally, the impact of rocky ground texture and soil on land use. The classification of the area suited to growing vineyards and orchards showed the possibility of spreading these two sectors on the best possible locations.

The paper describes the system for measuring and logging of data on soil water content and soil temperature profile. The system was tested in a field and shows great potential for performing continuous measurements. It has several benefits including ease of manufacture, low cost, reliable performance and the ability to download the data without specialized software.

The transition of grasslands to forests influences many ecosystem processes, including water and temperature regimes and the cycling of nutrients. Different components of the carbon biogeochemical cycle respond strongly to woody plant encroachment as a consequence, the carbon balance of the invaded grasslands can change markedly. In our research, we studied the response of soil respiration (RS) to natural succession of calcareous grassland. We established two research sites, called grassland and invaded site, at each of which eddy flux measurement were also performed. Within these sites, triplicate plots were fenced for soil flux measurements. At the invaded site, measurements were performed for forest patches and grassy spaces separately. Soil respiration was strongly dependent on temperature and reached 8–12 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1 in mid-summer it was greater at the grassland than at the invaded site. RS dependence on temperature and soil water content was similar between the different vegetation covers (grassland, gaps and forest patches). At a reference temperature of 10°C, the average RS was 2.71 µmol CO2 m−2 s−1. The annual sums of RS were also similar between years and sites: 1345 ± 47 (2009) and 1150 ± 37 g C m−2 year−1 (2010) for grassland and 1324 ± 26 (2009) and 1268 ± 26 g C m−2 year−1 (2010) for the invaded site, which is at the upper range of the values reported in the literature. Cumulative RS peaked in July, with about 200 g C m−2. Large mid-summer RS rates rely on strong biological activity supported by high, but non-extreme soil temperatures and by regular summer precipitation. A coupling of photosynthesis and RS was revealed by a 24-hour measurement, which showed asymmetrical clockwise hysteresis patterns.