Utjecaj ekoloških uvjeta na proizvodni potencijal sive johe

The aim of the study is to analyse the productive potential of grey alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench) along an altitudinal gradient to verify coincidence of productive and ecological optimum and to identify climatic factors that control the growth. Along the altitudinal gradient of the river basin, dendrometric data has been analysed on the eight permanent research plots at the altitude of 525–705 m. Correlations between standard chronology and average monthly climate characteristics were calculated for the period 1969–2015. Significant differences in the average basal area increments have been recognized among the investigated altitudinal zones. The highest basal area increment (1661±975 mm2y-1) was detected in the zone of altitude 605 m. and the average annual volume increment of the model grey alder stand was 4.59 m3. The radial growth of grey alder has been positively affected only by the temperature of the current April and negatively by precipitation of the previous growing season. Based on the pointer year analysis can be claimed that condition of the root system is the most influential factor in relation to the radial growth and is dependent on water stress in the previous year. Investigated relationships may significantly influence decision making process in the forest management focused on grey alder re- or afforestation.U radu se analizira produktivnost i osjetljivost rasta sive johe (Alnus incana (L.) Moench) u sastojini smještenoj na područja oko vodotoka u dolini Belianska, u orografskoj jedinici Velika Fatra Mts. (Slovačka). Cilj ove studije je na temelju dendrokronoloških metoda analizirati proizvodni potencijal sive johe uzduž visinskog uspona, kako bi se utvrdila uzročna veza proizvodnje i ekološkog optimuma, a u srvhu detektiranja klimatskih čimbenika koji utječu na rast sive johe. Uzduž visinskog raspona od 525–705 m n.v. na području istraživanja postavljeno je osam trajnih istraživačkih ploha (slika 1). Na svakoj plohi mjereni su prsni promjer (dbh) i visina stojećih stabala, čiji je dbh ≥ 8 cm te su odvojene jezgre pojedinih odabranih krošnji. Za mjerenje širine godova korišten je WinDENDROTM software. Pojedine serije godova sinkronizirane su tehnikom Skeleton crtanja i godišnji trend rasta određen je pomoću ARSTAN-a. Korelacija između standardne kronologije i srednjih mjesečnih klimatskih obilježja izračunata je za period 1969–2015 (slika 3). Značajna razlika prosječnom rastu temeljnice (BAIav) može se uočiti među različitim visinskim zonama (slika 2). Najveći BAIav (1661 ± 975 mm2y-1) uočen je u zoni na visini od 605 m asl (tablica 1). Konstantni pad srednje vrijednosti BAIav uočen je od te zone naviše, odnosno naniže s obzirom na nadmorsku visinu promatranih zona. Istraživanje osjetljivosti rasta na vanjske čimbenike pokazalo je generalno nisku osjetljivost promatrane populacije sive johe (tablica 3). Uopće, radijalni rast sive johe bio je značajno pozitivno uvjetovan jedino temperaturom tijekom travnja, a negativno uvjetovan količinom padalina prethodne vegetacijske sezone (tablica 3, slika 4). Na osnovi analize referentne godine može se ustvrditi da je promatrana populacija dva puta značajno pozitivno reagirala na klimatske uvjete (1970.g. i 1993.g.), a negativno samo jednom (2015.g.) (slika 5). Negativni rast u odnosu na referentnu godinu dogodio se za vrijeme vrućih i suhih vremenskih uvjeta, koji inače pogoduju rastu sive johe, ali je prethodna, ekstremno vlažna vegetacijska sezona izazvala oštećenja na korijenju. Iz toga slijedi da je stanje sustava korijena najznačajniji čimbenik glede radijalnog rasta te značajno ovisi o količini vode prethodne godine

Predictors of children´s successful defence against adult attacker

Background & Study Aim The paper is based on the presumption that the probability of successful defence of a child against an adult attacker is influenced by diversity of variables with different predictive values. The aim of the study is to find the best predictors and determine their impact on children’s chance to defend themselves. Material & Methods The research sample consisted of n=48 students (n=40 female, n=8 male) from three secondary schools. The average age was 16.6 years. Six self-defence experts performed ex-post evaluation of each video recorded scenario. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, Classification trees C&RT and Logistic regression were used for analysis. Results Correlation between increasing personal score obtained by evaluation of selected criteria and the probability of a successful defence was confirmed by the high correlation rs=0.735 significance level of p < 0,050. Active defence, Escape and Technical means respectively, were found the best predictors out of the total number of six evaluation criteria. Communication and Safe distance keeping varied in the fifth position depending on the selected statistical method. Guard position was found the weakest predictor. Conclusions There are 13.88 times higher odds of successful defence when children are dealing with an adult attacker actively. The activity should be aimed at looking for an escape route as there are 7.69 times higher odds of successful defence when the child is trying to escape. Finally, there are 3.75 times higher odds of successful defence when the child uses appropriate technical means to distract attacker’s attention

Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Kinanthropology

Proceedings of the 12th Conference of Sport and Quality of Life 2019 gatheres submissions of participants of the conference. Every submission is the result of positive evaluation by reviewers from the corresponding field. Conference is divided into sections – Analysis of human movement; Sport training, nutrition and regeneration; Sport and social sciences; Active ageing and sarcopenia; Strength and conditioning training; section for PhD students

Long-Term Changes in Dwarf Pine (Pinus mugo Turra) Cover and Growth in the Orava Beskid Mountains, Slovakia

Dwarf pine (Pinus mugo Turra) thickets are a substantial land cover in high-elevation mountain ecosystems in Europe, where they fulfill important functions in soil conservation and as wildlife habitat. In many areas across Europe these thickets have rapidly expanded over the past decades because of changing climate and land use, highlighting the need to better understand how species spread relates to growth traits and changing environmental conditions. We quantified changes in dwarf pine cover by elevation on 2 mountains in the Western Carpathians (Central Europe) over 64 years (Babia hora) and 40 years (Pilsko), and we linked them to species growth responses to climate using archival photogrammetry and stem length measurements. We correlated mean growth chronologies with mean monthly temperature and precipitation to assess the main climatic factors driving growth. The total expansion of dwarf pine cover was substantial (28.6% in Babia hora and 57.1% in Pilsko), but the rate of expansion varied with elevation, site, and intra- and interspecific competition. The largest expansion occurred in the open stands of the high elevations (1550–1650 m). Statistically significant positive correlations between growth and temperature were recorded for the most recent growing season and for the preceding growing season. However, despite rising temperatures over time, mean species growth during the last 20 years decreased slightly. The correlation of growth with precipitation was mostly positive but not statistically significant. Thus, the impact of changing climate appeared too weak to overcome other influential factors (eg decline in grazing and intra- and interspecific competition)

Irregular Shelterwood Cuttings Promote Viability of European Yew Population Growing in a Managed Forest: A Case Study from the Starohorské Mountains, Slovakia

The increasing probability of Taxus baccata (L.) decline given climate change brings forth many uncertainties for conservation management decisions. In this article, the authors present the effects of applying regeneration cuttings since the year 2000 on the viability of the understory yew population. By collecting data from a stand located at the centre of the largest population of European yew in Slovakia, containing approximately 160,000 individuals, and analysing tree-ring records from 38 sampled trees, the improved performance of yews, including stem growth, seed production, and number of regenerated individuals, was revealed. Thinning the canopy by removing 15% of the growing stock volume per decade, combined with the subsequent irregular shelterwood cuttings, was assessed as a useful strategy. Moreover, lower radial growth of females compared to males, but simultaneously their similar response to climate, suggests a possible trade-off between reproduction and growth. Release cuttings of up to 30% of the standing volume in the vicinity of the female trees, executed in the rainy summers following warmer winters, and consistent elimination of deer browsing, can further enhance the positive effects of applied cuts on yew viability. Overall, the suggested active measures could be considered as an effective option to preserve the unique biodiversity of calcareous beech-dominated forests in Central Europe