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A general limitation of ecological investigations based on nematodes is related to the difficult and time-consuming taxonomic identification of species. Therefore, nematologists are investing many efforts to develop alternative approaches as proxies applicable in biomonitoring assessment. Recently, an alternative method that combines morpho-functional traits was proposed for detecting assemblage changes of marine nematodes. In view of the promising results, it was tested the same approach to document taxonomic structure changes of soil free-living and plant parasitic nematodes. Specifically, this attempt was carried out using three data sets that include studies from various European regions and different types of ecosystems: forests, grasslands and maize crops. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that the simple combination of the four traits (i.e., buccal cavity cuticularization occurrence, amphideal fovea size and shape, morphology of the cuticle and pharynx) in a single code number perfectly mirrors the taxonomic structure trends of the nematode assemblage at genus level. Therefore, we predict that similar results can be also obtained by directly encoding nematode specimens with the selected traits and we point to new important advances if this procedure can be coupled with advanced machine learning.

Integrated studies are required to better understand the relationships between groups of soil microfauna under the influence of various biotic and abiotic factors that drive and characterise ecosystems. We analysed soil nematode communities and microbial diversity and the properties of three soil types to assess the effect of these environmental variables on biological diversity in natural (forest), semi-natural (meadow), and managed (agriculture) habitats of the Slovak Republic. The type of ecosystem and soil and the interaction of both factors had considerable effects on most monitored abiotic and biotic soil properties. The forest with a Chernozem soil had the most nematode species, highest nematode diversity, highest abundance of nematode within functional guilds, best values of ecological and functional indices, highest microbial biomass, highest microbial richness and diversity, and the highest values of various soil properties, followed by meadows with a Cambisol soil. The agricultural ecosystem with a Stagnosol soil had the lowest biological diversity and values of the soil properties. Several nematode species were new for Slovak nematode fauna. Sampling date and the interaction of all three factors (ecosystem × soil × date) had minor or no effect on most of the parameters, except soil moisture content, microbial richness, nematode channel ratio, nematode maturity index, and plant parasitic index. Both the biological indicators and basic soil properties indicated that the natural forest with a Chernozem soil was the best habitat from an ecological point of view. This ecosystem is thus the most appropriate for ecological studies.

Nematode communities in a Norway spruce forest in High Tatra National Park, Slovakia were monitored for the period of several years (2006 and 2013). Unfortunately, in May 2014 natural windstorm damaged the forest. This disastrous event, together with preliminary obtained results allowed us to compare the direct impact of windstorm damage of forest habitat on soil nematode assemblages. The forest destruction by windstorm had a significant effect on the total nematode abundance, the abundance of omnivores and herbivores, as well as the nematode species diversity. The most dominant species, representing 55 % of the total nematode fauna, in the plot studied were Acrobeloides nanus followed by Malenchus exiguus, Filenchus vulgaris, Plectus communis, Plectus parvus and Tylencholaimus mirabilis. The abundance of bacterivorous signifi cantly increased after the windstorm, meanwhile the abundance of omnivores, fungivores, and herbivores ectoparasites and epidermal/root hair feeders showed an opposite trend. Of the evaluative indicators, Shannon species diversity (H’spp), maturity index (MI), maturity index 2-5 (MI2-5), sigma maturity index (ΣMI), enrichment index (EI) and structure index (SI) decreased significantly after windstorm. The EI and SI indexes characterized soil ecosystems before windstorm (2006 - 2013) as maturing with low or moderate disturbance, but soil ecosystems shortly after the windstorm (2014) were degraded and nutrient depleted. This also corresponded with graphical display of metabolic footprints characteristics of soil food web. Overall, the nematode communities differed significantly before and after forest damage. These results suggest the role of nematode communities as indicators of environment condition quality or its disruption.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Bt maize hybrid cultivation on soil nematode communities in two field trials, as well as to analyse other factors (fertilisation and moisture) responsible for the community structure of soil nematodes. Nematode communities were studied in maize plots at the locality of Borovce in western Slovakia. During 2012 and 2013, hybrids DK440 and DKC3871 (conventional) or DKC4442YG and DKC3872YG (Bt maize, event MON810) were sown in 10 repetitions each. Nematodes were extracted from soil samples collected at the maize flowering (July 11, 2012 and July 30, 2013). Altogether, 39 nematode species belonged to 35 genera were identified in two maize variants. The dominant taxa in both variants were Acrobeloides nanus, Ce-phalobus persegnis, Aphelenchoides composticola, Aphelenchus avenae, Eudorylaimus carteri and Filenchus vulgaris. Calculation of the maturity index, plant parasitic index, enrichment index and structure index did not confirm any clear influence of year or hybrid type on soil nematode communities. The proportional representation of cp-1, cp-2 and cp-3-5 groups of nematode fauna indicated conditions of low stability and high stress. Faunal profiles representing the structure and enrichment conditions of the soil food web showed an environment with a high C:N ratio and high levels of fungal feeders. Based on the calculation of the metabolic footprint of nematodes in the soil food web, a difference between the isoline maize variant and Bt maize variant in 2012 was found, but this difference was not readily apparent in 2013. The occurrence of nematodes, their abundance, proportion of feeding types and selected ecological indices did not depend on the type of maize hybrid (Bt or non-Bt). Thus, the cultivation of genetically modified maize did not directly influence nematode populations. The application of fertiliser at certain periods does not influence the nematode community. The observed significant higher abundance of nematodes was correlated with soil moisture.

The dataset presents comprehensive information on soil nematode genera distribution in ecosystems across Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, and Russia. Data were collected from invaded plots by invasive plants and non-invaded plots from grasslands, deciduous forests, and coniferous forest ecosystems in diverse geographical regions. Invasive plant species included in this dataset are Asclepias syriaca, Fallopia japonica, Heracleum mantegazzianum, H. sosnowskyi, Impatiens parviflora and Solidago gigantea. The soil properties such as pH, moisture content, carbon, and nitrogen levels were recorded, providing comprehensive information on soil conditions. The data collection process involved standardized soil sampling techniques across all sites, ensuring consistency and comparability. The dataset offers valuable insights into soil nematode biodiversity dynamics in response to plant species invasions in European ecosystems. Nematode genera were classified according to feeding types and colonizer-persister class. Researchers interested in soil ecology, biodiversity conservation, and invasive species management can use this dataset for various purposes. Potential reuses include comparative analyses of nematode community composition, ecological modelling to predict invasive species impacts and assessments of ecosystem health and resilience.

The main goal of this article is to present an overview of current knowledge about the subsistence strategy of Linear Pottery culture (LBK) in Moravia, Czech Republic. The main aspect of the subsistence strategy mentioned here will be the issue of dietary. Early Neolithic sites that in some way contributed to the knowledge about the dietary character (both meat and plant food) will be presented here. On this occasion, a case study of the Žádovice site, which belongs to the most recently analyzed settlements, will be presented. In addition, the methods used in the subsistence strategy of LBK in Moravia will be mentioned. The existing knowledge will be included in a broader settlement context and will be compared with each other. For the time being, it seems that in terms of the species spectrum of farmed animals, the area of Moravia does not differ from the situation known from Central Europe. Certain geographical differences are possible in Moravia, but this hypothesis must be verified in the future, depending on the expansion of the database. The study thus represents a springboard for further research in this area.

Land‐use intensification is often associated with a decline in functional diversity, potentially undermining the provision of ecosystem services. However, how changes in traits affect ecosystem processes remains poorly understood. Variation in trait values among species in a community may drive ecosystem processes. Alternatively, the mass ratio hypothesis proposes that trait values of the dominant species in a local community are related to ecosystem processes. Using data from 159 farms in six European countries, we quantified the impact of local and landscape‐level land‐use intensity on ground beetles as pest control agents. We then assessed the extent to which functional diversity and community‐weighted mean trait values relate to pest control and cereal yield. In addition, we assessed how the responses to land use and the effects of different species on pest control and yield varied with their traits to compare the relative impact of the traits studied. Functional diversity of ground beetles improved aphid removal, but did not translate into higher crop yields. Pest control of aphids was enhanced by a higher proportion of smaller, mobile ground beetles with a preference for the vegetation layer. Smaller, predatory ground beetles in communities improved crop yield. The magnitude of responses to land‐use intensification and the effects on pest control and yield were more strongly influenced by body size than other traits. Our study provides evidence that reduced management intensity can improve pest control by supporting small‐sized, macropterous ground beetles. In contrast to the claims of ecological intensification, our joint analysis of the direct effects of land use on yield and indirect effects via functional diversity of ground beetles and pest control suggests that ecosystem services by ground beetles cannot compensate for the yield gap due to a reduction in land‐use intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article addresses the critical safety risks posed by the use of frozen lakes, risks which are increasingly exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. In Slovakia, where numerous water reservoirs are legally designated for year-round recreational and sporting activities, safeguarding public health and safety necessitates innovative and sustainable approaches to risk mitigation in emergency management. Using the Jazero water reservoir as a case study, this paper demonstrates that the integration of comprehensive risk assessment, the strategic selection of rescue methods, and the deployment of advanced technical equipment for rescue teams are fundamental to ensuring a robust and efficient crisis management response. Through a comparative analysis of nine access routes, validated by tactical exercises and a detailed evaluation of three distinct rescue methods combined with different equipment types, this study reveals the critical role of optimized rescue strategies in reducing response times. Rescue operations were accelerated by at least 4.5 s, a significant reduction that could be the deciding factor between life and death in real-world scenarios. The proposed sustainable strategies for the Jazero reservoir are applicable to similar natural water bodies, underscoring the vital importance of proactive, data-driven, and adaptive crisis management systems in enhancing both immediate and long-term public safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of the invasive common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca L.) on soil nematode communities. The research was carried out in 2018 and 2019 in an ecosystem of permanent grassland in the basin of the Laborec River in land registries of Drahňov, a Vojany village in southeastern Slovakia. The ecosystem contained a total of 64 species of free-living and parasitic nematodes. The most prevalent trophic groups were bacterial feeders (Acrobeloides nanus), followed by plant parasites (Helicotylenchus digonicus and Pratylenchus pratensis), fungal feeders (Aphelenchus avenae), and omnivores (Eudorylaimus carteri). The number of nematode species, the composition of trophic groups and the structure of communities in areas with invasive plants were similar to those in areas with native vegetation during the two years of observation.

Summary: Solidago gigantea is one of the most problematic species of invasive plants in Europe, where its rapid spread threatens the stability of ecosystems. The effect of invasion by S. gigantea on soil ecosystems and food webs can be evaluated using nematode communities as suitable and useful soil bioindicators. We compared the effect of S. gigantea on nematode communities in plots invaded with S. gigantea and non-invaded grasslands across three sites with varying soil and climatic conditions. Our findings indicated that invasion by S. gigantea did not strongly affect nematode taxonomic diversity but negatively affected functional diversity. This effect was evident in the increased abundance of bacterivore and fungivore nematodes and decrease in values of ecological and functional indices. The evaluation of the soil food web using nematode communities confirmed that soil in plots with S. gigantea were less mature and more disturbed with a degraded or depleted food web indicated by lower values of maturity, enrichment and structure indices, compared with non-invaded grasslands. On the other hand, taxonomic diversity, abundance, biomass and the functional indices differed between three study sites, but site had little or no effect on the values of the maturity indices. The interaction between site and invasion status confirmed the effect of invasion on nematode biomass, with the abundance of bacterivore and fungivore nematodes and the functional indices more prominent at sites characterised by cold and humid climates. These findings underscore the importance of considering both taxonomic and functional diversity and the characteristics of the plants and sites when evaluating the impact of plant invasion on soil biota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive plants are capable of homogenizing both aboveground and belowground biota and, along with climate change, are recognized as one of the biggest threats to global biodiversity. Soil nematode communities reflect the surroundings they inhabit and are therefore frequently employed as biological indicators of soil condition. In this study, soil properties and nematode communities in Carpathian beech forest floor covered by dense vegetation of invasive Impatiens parviflora (small balsam) were investigated over two vegetation seasons. We assumed that the spread of invasive I. parviflora could influence soil fauna through litter accumulation when established and could also change several soil properties, consequently altering soil nematode communities. A total of 52 nematode species were found in the soil samples. The mean number of species varied from 18 to 31, but did not significantly differ between invaded and uninvaded plots across all sampling dates. However, redundancy analysis indicated that the nematode community in plots with small balsam differed significantly from that in uninvaded plots, reflecting different proportions of genera in the two communities. Invasion by small balsam significantly enhanced the relative abundance of bacterivores, whereas it decreased the abundance of plant parasites and root-fungal feeders, mainly in the spring and summer season. Ordination of nematode species along the structure index and enrichment index trajectories revealed a maturing food web, low to moderately disturbed in the I. parviflora invaded soils as well as in uninvaded forest plots. Decomposition channels of soil food webs in both plots were balanced and fungal–bacterial mediated, although low values of the channel index suggested prevailing bacterial decomposition. Our study reveals that the expansion of I. parviflora moderately influenced the composition of nematode communities and the soil food web, increased soil nitrogen, carbon and C/N ratio, but did not modify soil acidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employment represents a comprehensive field in the mining and quarrying sector. It is related to many aspects of the macroeconomic situation. The two fundamental indicators explored in the analysis are in the forms of the production value and the value added at factor cost. The main employed methodology is a regression analysis technique, where the explained variable is represented by the value added in the mining and quarrying sector. The explanatory variables are the following ones: employment, labour productivity, wage, labour input in industry, and turnover. The examined area includes all the 27 European Union member countries with the other selected European countries. The data set covers the time period from 2011 to the year 2020. The Discussion section offers a comparison with the other research studies. The elementary findings are confirmed in the outcomes related to the research hypotheses and the research questions. All the research hypotheses are rejected, so all the five explored indicators are proved to be statistically significant. Moreover, the research questions demonstrate the potential indicators that will play a key role in future development of the mining and quarrying industry. They will serve as a basement for policymakers in order to create the policies for enhancement macroeconomic area of the examined industrial sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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