Contamination of vegetation growing on soils and substrates in the unhygienic region of Central Spis (Slovakia) polluted by heavy metals.

The present paper aims at clarifying the long-term impact of mining activities on the contamination of biotic components of the environment. The research was conducted in during 2011-2014 at selected locations of the cadastral territory of former mining towns of Central Spis (Slovakia) with different ecosystems of permanent grassland, mine waste sites and bankside vegetation. The results of the analysis showed that considerably dominant species at contaminated locations such as Betula pendula, Silene vulgaris, Geranium sylvaticum, Petasites hybridus, Mentha longifolia could absorb high quantities of heavy metals. The observed contents of heavy metals, especially zinc, copper and mercury in plants significantly exceeded the threshold values determined by law. The highest contamination as compared to the threshold values was found in young plants of Betula pendula in the Slovinky tailing pond site, in which zinc content exceeded the threshold value 852 times. Excess of copper content also exceeded the threshold value 271 times. The highest concentration of mercury in all of the surveyed sites was observed in dry matter of Betula pendula in the area of heap in the Por?c Valley, where threshold value was 184 times higher. Statistically significant locations similar in relation to the characteristic species and monitored heavy metals was recorded on the locations of tailing pond and heap as the most important centres of contamination with the following dominant species Betula pendula, Pinus silvestris and Agrostis capilaris.

Phenological response of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) to climate change in the Western Carpathian climatic-geographical zones.

Introduction: The paper analyzes the results of 26 years (1996-2021) of phenological observations of the vegetative organs of European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) in the Western Carpathians. It evaluates the influence of the heterogeneity of this territory, including relief and elevation, based on climatic-geographical types. Methods: Phenological stages, including leaf unfolding, full leaves, leaf coloring, and leaf fall, were monitored at 40 phenological stations across eight elevation zones. The study assesses trends in the occurrence of phenological stages, the length of the growing season, and phenological elevation gradients. Results: The results indicate a statistically significant earlier onset of spring phenological phases and delay in autumn phases, resulting in an average extension of the beech growing season by 12 days. Our findings confirm that the lengthening of the growing season due to warming, as an expression of climate change, is predominantly attributed to the warming in the spring months. The detected delayed onset of autumn phenophases was not due to warming in the autumn months, but other environmental factors influence it. The trend of elongation of the growing season (p<0.01) is observed in all elevation zones, with a less significant trend observed only in zones around 400 and 600 m a.s.l, signaling changes in environmental conditions across most of the elevation spectrum. Moreover, the heterogeneity of climatic-geographical types within each elevation zone increases the variability in the duration of the growing season for sites with similar elevations. By extending the growing season, it is assumed that the beech area will be changed to locations with optimal environmental conditions, especially in terms of adverse climatic events (late spring frosts, drought) during the growing season. The phenological elevation gradients reveal an earlier onset of 2.2 days per 100 m for spring phenophases and a delay of 1.1-2.9 days per 100 m for autumn phenophases. Discussion: These findings highlight the specific environmental conditions of European beech in the Western Carpathians and their potential for anticipating changes in its original area. Additionally, these observations can aid in forecasting the further development of phenological manifestations related to climate change.