Projects / Programmes
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.03.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biology |
|
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B270 |
Biomedical sciences |
Plant ecology |
biodiversity, bioinvasion, bioassays, ecotoxicology, environmental monitoring, extreme habitats, interaction of plants with pathogenic microorganisms, mapping of Slovenian flora, mechanisms of tolerance, mychorrhizae, pollution, sugar metabolism, conservation of nature.
Researchers (25)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Biodiversity conservation is a base for a sustainable development, and a strategic goal and a challenge for the future in Slovenia. With the ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the provisions of the convention became a legally binding instrument obliging Slovenia to fulfill the objectives in a manner provided for in the Convention. A prerequisite for biological conservation is its understanding, on ecosystem, species and genetic level. In order to achieve these goals the program of Plant Biology involves studies of Slovenian plant biodiversity with emphasize on plants inhabit the extreme habitats, like salt fields, wetlands, heavily polluted sites. We continue the research on endemic plants and plants identified as globally threatened species according to IUCN Red List. Several plants from this list are not even threatened in Slovenia. Moreover, it could be that Slovenia is their only left growing place. For those we will suggest special treatment with the coordinate the in-situ and ex-situ measures, including the breeding of species for reintroduction into the wild and the establishment of suitable conditions for their reproduction in nature.
Monitoring of changes in ecosystem has revealed the marked human impact on a decrease of the biodiversity. Biodiversity components are affected, among others, with the introducing of non-indigenous species into the natural environment. At certain conditions they can become naturalized or even invasive. The ecological factors and genetic basis for making a species invasive are largely unknown and poorly understood, and at least some of them will be identified throughout the program activities.
Extreme habitats are populated by highly specialized organism, and are therefore even more vulnerable. Changes in plant communities in such habitats represent an early warning system for the recognition of disturbances on a larger scale. The program implements studies of adapting mechanisms to natural factors, like salinity and water regime, or to human activities, like introducing of pollutants or increased UV-radiation. The understanding of plant adaptation mechanisms may lead to the effective phytoremediation of disturbed habitats. We will enforce physiological and biochemical studies of plant interactions with mychorrhizal and pathogenic fungi in extreme habitats. The possible recognized compounds involved in these interactions could be valuable source for biotechnology. Furthermore, the recognition of specific plant stress responses could be a base for a permanent monitoring of changes in ecosystems.
Important part of the program includes studies on one of the most important crop - maize.
As support units for Plant Biology program are Botanical garden, Herbarium collection and fungal collection, which are all under the management of the program research team.
Significance for science
The economic value of biotic communities in extreme habitats is generally low, which often leads to their threatened status. In this regard the results of the program research on biology of plant species in such habitats has improved our understanding of their important ecological functions and adaptation mechanisms. Although most of seed plants have established mychorrhizal associations, such relationship is even more important in extreme growth conditions. Our research on mychorrhizae, together with high ability of some plants involved in mychorrhizae to hyper-accumulate heavy metals, will contribute to further phytoremediation of heavily metal polluted sites. According to the results of our studies we will suggest application of some parameters for the monitoring and evaluation of the ecosystem degradation level. Our results will also contribute to the evaluation of the threats to biodiversity, forecasting of community dynamics after different intervention in ecosystems, and planning of sustainable use of habitats. From the macro-mapping results we will evaluate the geographic distribution of Slovenian plants. Applying modeling approaches together with the biology research we will forecast distribution patterns and their dynamics affected by non-indigenous plant species or climate changes. Maize was once and still is one of the world's major crops. Results obtained from the functional genomic studies included in the program will contribute to improvement of already established cultivars and to the basic physiology of crops. All plant and fungal material used in the program is of known source and is available to other scientists for genetic, population or ecophysiological studies. Program Plant Biology included large international cooperation, in particular, one project inside the Sixth Framework Programme EU, bilateral projects between Slovene and European countries, and Slovene and USA, and several other informal international collaborations.
Significance for the country
Biological diversity is one of the most valuable resources of Slovenia and its conservation is a base for a sustainable development. Dynamical equilibrium in highly diverse landscape is fragile and in many cases disturbed. Only the understanding of extreme habitats, like wetlands, salt field or dry grasslands leads to their conservation and planning of proper sustainable use. It is important to note that such habitats are generally populated by specific plants and animals, most of them endemic or even threatened. Throughout program activities we have identified the plant species that are most tolerable to high concentration of specific ions in soil. These species could be potentially reused on other sites, especially those, which are polluted to the extent that already affect the health of local people. We determined several parameters related to plant stress responses, which could be applied for monitoring of changes in degraded ecosystems. We established some new plant bioassays and introduced some classic bioassays, but not yet tested on plants, for monitoring the heavy metal pollutants in the environment. Research and mapping of Slovenian flora and its exhibit in the Herbarium and Botanical garden has already contributed to its recognition and appreciation in public and culminated in a recognition of the Botanical garden as one of 10 % the most influencing botanical gardens worldwide.
Most important scientific results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Final report,
complete report on dLib.si
