Stavovi ispitanika o turizmu u zaštićenim prirodnim područjima: primjer Lonjskog polja

Protected areas have a primary role in preserving the biodiversity of a region and are often valorized as a resource in tourism. The paper is based on the results of an empirical study conducted on a sample of 160 respondents. The main research goal was to determine the opinions and attitudes of the respondents about the development of rural tourism and its impact on the conservation of biodiversity in the Lonjsko polje Nature Park (Park). The results show that 56.9% of respondents consider that pollution caused by human activity has the greatest impact on biodiversity loss, but also that informing visitors about responsible behavior is a way to preserve biodiversity in the Park. Respondents agree with the statement that rural tourism is "eco-friendly" and that a sustainable form of tourism contributes to nature conservation. It was found that age and level of education were not statistically significantly related to the respondents\u27 perception of the impact of rural tourism on biodiversity in nature parks. Respondents are moderate in the view that tourism should not be carried out in nature parks (M = 2.85) or that rural tourism in the park pollutes the environment and disrupts the landscape (M = 2.61). With a high degree of agreement (M = 4.04), respondents believe that the Park has the potential to develop ecotourism.Zaštićena područja imaju primarnu ulogu u očuvanju bioraznolikosti nekog područja, nerijetko su valorizirana i kao resurs u turizmu. Rad se temelji na rezultatima empirijskog istraživanja provedenog na uzorku od 160 ispitanika. Osnovni cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi mišljenja i stavove ispitanika o razvijenosti ruralnog turizma i njegovom utjecaju na očuvanje bioraznolikosti u Parku prirode Lonjsko polje (Park). Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da 56,9% ispitanika smatra da onečišćenja nastala ljudskom aktivnošću najviše utječu na narušavanje bioraznolikosti, ali i da je informiranje posjetitelja o odgovornom ponašanju način očuvanja bioraznolikosti u Parku. Ispitanici su suglasni s izjavom da je ruralni turizam „eco-friendly“ i da održivi oblik turizma doprinosi očuvanju prirode. Utvrđeno je da dob i stupanj obrazovanja nisu statistički značajno povezani s percepcijom ispitanika o utjecaju ruralnog turizma na bioraznolikost u parkovima prirode. Ispitanici su umjereni u stavu da se turizam ne bi trebao provoditi u parkovima prirode (M = 2,85) odnosno da ruralni turizam u parku zagađuje okoliš i narušava krajolik (M = 2,61). S visokim stupnjem suglasnosti (M = 4,04) ispitanici smatraju da Park ima potencijal za razvoj ekoturizma

The impact of climate change on biodiversity of freshwater insect

Vode na kopnu čine 0.8 % površine Zemlje, ali su stanište za otprilike 10 % poznatih vrsta čija je bioraznolikost stavljena na rizik u globalnoj razini. Veliku većinu takvih staništa sačinjavaju slatkovodni kukci. Najčesće susrećemo dvokrilce, vodencvjetove, vretenca, obalčare, polukrilce, muljare, tulare, opnokrilce, kornjaše i leptire. Oni su pod utjecajem abiotičkih uvjeta koji odražavaju gradijente širine, temperature i vlage te kemijskih karakteristika zraka i tla.Vodeni biomi se razlikuju po veličini, dubini, brzini protoka i morskom utjecaju (npr. jezera, potoci, rijeke, ušća). Uvjeti okoline nisu statični, već se mijenjaju sezonski i godišnje. Mnogi kukci imaju u velikoj mjeri neočekivanu fiziološku sposobnost za borbu s ekstremnim temperaturama i relativnom vlažnošću u najtežim ekosustavima planeta. Mnoge vrste pokazuju najmanje ograničenu homeostatsku sposobnost (tj. sposobnost reguliranja unutarnje temperature i sadržaja vode). Neke su vrste sposobne brzo regulirati tjelesnu toplinu ili sadržaj vode kontrakcijom mišića, uzdizanjem tijela iznad vrućih površina, traženjem sjene ili iskopavanjem. Biološka invazija vrsta toplijih područja, povišena koncentracija hranjivih tvari u vodama uslijed jačega ispiranja s kopna, povećana primarna produkcija i ostali poremećaji u hranidbenim lancima, pojačana eutrofikacija te smanjena koncentracija kisika u vodama su samo neki od poremećaja s kojima će se takvi ekosustavi u budućnosti boriti. Pred slatkovodnim ekosustavima dolazi velik izazov suprostavljanju klimatskim promjenama koje se događaju zadnjih 100 godina, a i nastavaljaju sve većim intezitetom kroz neodređeni period pod pretpostavkom povećanja temperature za 4 °C, abiotskog čimbenika na koji su kukci najviše osjetljivi.Onshore waters make up to 0.8 % of the Earth's surface, but they are home to approximately 10 % of known species whose biodiversity is at risk globally. The vast majority of such species are freshwater insects. Most often we find flies, mayflies, odonates, shorebirds, true bugs, megalopterans, casddisflies, hymenopterans, beetles and butterflies. They are influenced by abiotic conditions that reflect the gradients of latitude, temperature and humidity, and the chemical characteristics of air and soil. Aquatic habitats vary in size, depth, flow rate, and marine impact (e.g. lakes, streams, rivers, estuaries). Environmental conditions are not static, but change seasonally and annually. Many insects have a largely unexpected physiological ability to cope with extreme temperatures and relative humidity in the planet's most difficult ecosystems. Many species exhibit at least limited homeostatic ability (i.e. ability to regulate internal temperature and water content). Some of them are capable of quickly regulating body heat or water content by contracting muscles, lifting the body above hot surfaces, seeking shade, or excavating. Biological invasion of warm-area species, higher concentrations of nutrients in water followed by strong flushes with land, increased primary production and other disturbances in food chains, eutrophication occurred and decreased oxygen concentration in water are some of the disturbances that will such ecosystems face in future. Freshwater ecosystems face the great challenge of confronting climate change that has been occurring for the past 100 years, and continues to increase in intensity over an indefinite period with prediction of 4 °C temperature rise, abiotic condition that has most effects on insects

Problems and potentials of golf courses in environmental protection

Dok svjetska bioraznolikost postaje sve osjetljivija, broj golf igrališta raste. Golf igrališta danas zauzimaju velike prostore i zbog svoje uske povezanosti s okolišem važno je proučavati njihov utjecaj na ekosustave. U ovom radu iznesene su glavni okolišni problemi golf igrališta s posebnim obrađivanjem teme utjecaja na floru i faunu te kvalitete površinskih i podzemnih voda. Također, ponuđena su i moguća rješenja za te probleme kojima bi omogućila golf igralištima da postanu potencijalna mjesta očuvanja prirode. Osim toga, dan je i kratki osvrt situacije u Hrvatskoj u kojoj očito vlada neslaganje između antigolferskih stavova i ambicija da se golf napravi našim turističkim adutom.While biodiversity all around the world is getting more vulnerable, the number of golf courses is on the rise. Golf courses today are taking huge amount of space and because of their intense relationship with environment it is very important to provide scientific research about their impact on ecosystems. In this work, main negative effects that golf courses have on environment are being made with the accent on impact on flora and fauna and surface and groundwater quality. Also, possible resolutions for those problems are given which can then make golf courses potential places of nature conservation. In the end, there is a short review of the situation in Croatia where we have a strong disagreement between against golf opinions and ambitions to make golf our tourist advantage

Regional parks in Croatia

U radu se razmatraju svi regionalni parkovi u Hrvatskoj, bazirajući se na njihovoj georaznolikosti, bioraznolikosti i krajobraznoj raznolikosti. Opisani su problemi i zapreke daljnjem razvoju regionalnih parkova i mogućnosti koje se nude posjetiteljima tih lokaliteta.In this paper were analysed all Regional parks in Croatia, based on their geodiversity, biodiversity and on their landscape diversity. Problems and obstacles in further development of Regional parks and opportunities offered to visitors of Regional parks are, also, described in this paper work

How much is biodiversity worth?

Vrijednost bioraznolikosti teško je kvantitativno odrediti jer je duboko integrirana u svakodnevicu svih živih bića na Zemlji. Ipak, rezultati određenih metoda pokazuju da se nalazimo u kriznom razdoblju koje iziskuje promjene. Porast broja stanovništva uzrokuje još veći pritisak na bioraznolikost jer traži još više resursa koji se ne koriste održivo. Bioekonomija je odgovor na moderne probleme - kroz nove metode potiče razvoj održivog sustava i ostavlja prostor za daljnji razvitak uz znatno smanjen ili u potpunosti likvidiran štetan utjecaj na okoliš. Sve je više primjera dobre prakse koji pokazuju rezultate, no zasad samo lokalno. Potrebno je iste početi primjenjivati na globalnoj razini uz nastavak razvijanja novih tehnika i metoda kako bismo i budućim generacijama osigurali stabilne uvjete za život.It is extremely complex to quantify the value of biodiversity because it is deeply integrated into everyday life of all living beings on Earth. However, certain methods imply that we are currently experiencing a biodiversity crisis that requires action. Population growth requires even more resources that are not used sustainably. Bio-based economy is an answer to modern problems - it allows sustainable development through new methods that significantly reduce or completely remove negative effects on the environment. There are more and more examples of good practice that show results, but only on local levels. It is necessary to start using them globally while continuing to develop new techniques and methods to provide future generations with stable life conditions

Impact of climate change on the Adriatic sea

Klima se na Zemlji oduvijek mijenjala, no zbog antropogenog utjecaja klimatske se promjene ubrzavaju, a njihove su posljedice sve izraženije. Zbog velike emisije stakleničkih plinova došlo je do globalnog zatopljenja. U proteklih nekoliko desetljeća zabilježen je sve veći utjecaj klimatskih promjena na dinamiku i ekosustav Jadranskog mora. Opaženo je povećanje temperature, posebno izraženo u površinskom sloju do 20 m dubine. Zbog povećane količine antropogeno nastalih plinova (CO2, dušikovi i sumporni oksidi) te njihovog otapanja u moru došlo je do procesa zakiseljavanja. Ono, zajedno sa povećanjem temperature djeluje na sesilne organizme u moru, a posebno su izloženi koralji kod kojih dolazi do izbjeljivanja. Jadran sve više privlači različite termofilne vrste, poput riba, algi, bakterija i želatinoznih organizama. Dolazi i do promjene areala rasprostranjenosti vrsta unutar samog Jadrana te do promjena u dotoku vode i hranjivih tvari rijekama te posljedično do povećanja saliniteta. Sve se češće i ranije pojavljuju cvjetanja fitoplanktona, došlo je do povećanja razine mora, a mijenja se i cirkulacija vode u samom Jadranu. Brojne su druge posljedice koje će se u narednim godinama povećavati ukoliko se klimatske promjene nastave odvijati istim tempom.The Earth“s climate has always changed, but due to the anthropogenic impact it is changing faster. Global warming is an aspect of climate change and it is caused by increased concentrations of greenhouse gases. Adriatic Sea during the last few decades has been influenced by climate change. It has been observed an increasing of water temperature, especially expressed in the surface layer up to 20 m. Another change is an acidification of water due to the increase of atmospheric carbon, nitrogen and sulfur oxides. This, together with the increase of temperature, has an effect on sessile organisms. Coral reefs are especially vulnerable to climate change and they are affected by bleaching. The increasing seawater temperature facilitated the spreading of thermophilic species such fish, algae, bacteria and gelatinous organisms. There is also the change in the migration patterns of species that are native to the Adriatic Sea. A marked decrease of the freshwater outflow that caused a rise of surface salinity was observed during the last few decades. Phytoplankton blooms have been occurring more and more frequently. The sea level and the circulation of the Adriatic Sea is also changing. There are many other consequences that will be magnified in the coming years if temperatures continue to rise at the same rate

Applicability of MHC loci as markers for detecting hybridization between wolf (Canis lupus) and dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

Vukovi su česta pojava u blizini ljudskih naselja, koja naseljavaju i psi. Sve vrste roda Canis mogu stvarati plodno potomstvo, što znači da i vukovi i psi mogu stvarati hibride. Hibridizacija između divljih i udomaćenih vrsta, iako može imati i pozitivne posljedice, uglavnom se percipira kao prijetnja bioraznolikosti, najviše zbog introgresije alela domesticiranih vrsta, koji su nastali umjetnom selekcijom, u divlje populacije. Hibridi se ne mogu pouzdano identificirati samo po morfološkim obilježjima nego se koriste i molekularne metode. Uz uobičajenu genetičku analizu mitohondrijske DNA, Y kromosoma i mikrosatelita, 2012. godine prvi put je uspješno upotrijebljena analiza MHC lokusa kao metoda otkrivanja hibridizacije. U svrhu provjere primjenjivosti ove metode na hibride između vukova i pasa analizirani su aleli i haplotipovi DRB, DQA i DQB lokusa glavnog sustava tkivne podudarnosti 13 potencijalnih hibrida od kojih su tri bila ranije potvrđena kao hibridi nastali povratnim križanjem s vukom, i uspoređeni s podacima dobivenim za vuka i psa iz literature. U dva uzorka MHC lokusi nisu se pokazali informativnima za otkrivanje hibridizacije, dok su za jedan uzorak bili informativni. MHC lokusi mogu biti dobri biljezi za otkrivanje hibridizacije vuka i psa jedino u slučaju kad potecijalni hibridi nose privatne alele za pojedinu vrstu.Wolves can often be seen near human settlements, where dogs live. All Canis species are closely related and can produce fertile progeny. Hybridization between wild and domesticated species can have a positive outcome, but it is usually percieved as threat to biodiversity, mostily because of the possibility of introgression of artificially selected domestic alleles into wild populations. Hybrids can't be identified solely based on morphological features, so using molecular methods is necessary. In 2012, along with the usual analysis of the mithochondrial DNA, Y chromosome and microsatellites, MHC loci analysis was used to detect hybrids for the first time. In order to find out if this method is applicable in detecting wolf-dog hybrids, DRB, DQA, DQB alleles and haplotypes of 13 suspected hybrids, three of which were earlier confirmed as back – crosses with wolves, were analysed and compared to available data from existing literature. MHC loci were informative in detecting hybridization for one of those samples, but weren't for other two. MHC loci are effective markers only when potential hybrids are carrying private alleles for each species

Bacterial degradation of plastics

Sve veća proizvodnja plastičnih materijala dovela je do velikog problema otpadne plastike koja se zbog svoje inertnosti nagomilava u okolišu i smanjuje vijek trajanja odlagališta otpada. Da bi se riješilo taj okolišni problem, započelo se s proizvodnjom biološki razgradive plastike. U ovom radu dan je pregled najčešće korištenih biorazgradivih plastika, kako onih proizvedenih iz fosilnih izvora, tako i onih proizvedenih iz prirodnih izvora. Prikazan je pregled osnovnih mehanizama biološke razgradnje kao i uvjeti u kojima se ona odvija, te su definirani čimbenici koji utječu na tu razgradnju. Također, prikazan je pregled bakterijskih vrsta koje su do sada identificirane kao razgrađivači predstavljenih vrsta plastike. Na kraju, navedene su neke prepreke koje treba prevladati da bi široka upotreba biorazgradive plastike postala moguća, čime bi se riješio problem plastičnog otpada.Increasing production of plastic materials has led to big problem of waste plastics which, due to their chemical inertness, accumulate in environment and significantly decrease lifetime of waste landfills. To solve that environmental problem biodegradable plastics have been developed. This paper gives overview of the most common biodegradable plastics, the ones produced from fossil resources as well as the ones produced from renewable resources. Basic mechanisms and environments of biological degradation are clarified, and factors affecting biodegradability are defined. It gives an overview of bacterial species indentified up to now as degraders of enumerated plastics. In the end, it specifies some obstacles that need to be conquered to enable wide use of biodegradable plastics, leading to the solution of plastic waste problem

Do parasites matter? Infectious diseases and the conservation of host populations

Paraziti su organizmi koji žive na račun drugog organizma. Njihov najizravniji utjecaj vidljiv je kroz epidemije i bolesti koje izazivaju. Međutim to nije i jedini njihov utjecaj. Iako često zanemareni paraziti djeluju kao regulatori populacija i bioraznolikosti. Njihov učinak može biti pozitivan ali i negativan za domaćinsku populaciju. Oni su i jedinice bioraznolikosti pa će njihovo istrebljenje (kojem najčešće težimo) također izravno (ali i neizravno) utjecati na biorazolikost. Važno je naglasiti da je potreba za istraživanjem utjecaja parazita na domaćinske populacije velika, pogotovo ako se radi o parazitima koji “napadaju” ugrožene vrste. Najpopularniji pristup u konzervacijskoj biologiji za sada je istrebljenje samih parazita, no koje sve posljedice takav pristup ima ne znamo, kao što nismo sigurni ni kako paraziti konvergiraju s ostalim uzrocima smrtnosti u domaćinskim populacijama. S obzirom na toliko nepoznanica možda bismo trebali usvojiti neintervencijsku strategiju kada su u pitanju parazitske bolesti divljih populacija.Parasites are organisms that live on a cost of another. Their impact on host populations is visible due to epidemics and diseases they cause. They also act as population regulators. Aldo often neglected they play a big role in conservation biology and biodiversity. Sometimes their impact can be positive, causing increase in biodiversity but can also be negative, causing decrease in biodiversity. The affects on host populations can also be positive and negative, depending on numerous factors. Parasites themselves are units of biodiversity , as such their eradication is not the best way for us to be manipulating host populations. It´s important to say that the role that parasites play in regulating host populations (especially endangered species) and biodiversity is not clear, there are many questions yet to be answered. We are also unfamiliar with all consequences of interaction of parasitic disease and other factors of mortality. Considering all these unknowns perhaps conservation practitioners should adopt a noninterventionist strategy for managing disease outbreaks in wildlife populations

Invasive species in protected areas of Croatia

Invazivne vrste su agresivne i brzo se rašire staništem. Na takvim staništima broj autohtonih vrsta se smanjuje zato što im invazivne vrste uzimaju prostor i hranu, a nekima su predatori. To dovodi do smanjenja biološke raznolikosti koja je uvelike važna za zaštićena područja. U ovom su radu navedena glavna obilježja nacionalnih parkova i parkova prirode u Hrvatskoj i ukratko su opisane neke invazivne vrste koje su ih naselile. Navedeno je njihovo podrijetlo, način unosa, prilagodbe koje su im omogućile opstanak na novom staništu, razlog zašto se smatraju invazivnima na određenom području te mogući načini uklanjanja.Invasive species are aggressive and they spread rapidly in the habitat. In such habitats, the number of autochthonous species decreases because invasive species take their place and food, and some invasive species are predators to the autochthonous species. This lead to the reduction in biodiversity which is extremely important for protected areas. In this paper I mention the main features of national parks and nature parks in Croatia and briefly describe invasive species that have settled in them. I discuss their origin, the way of entry, adaptation that allow them to survive in a new habitat, the reason why they are considered invasive in a given area and the possible ways of their removal