Projects / Programmes
Fauna, flora and vegetation of Slovenia and neighouring regions
January 1, 2004
- December 31, 2008
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.03.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B003 |
Biomedical sciences |
Ecology |
| B004 |
Biomedical sciences |
Botany |
| B005 |
Biomedical sciences |
Zoology |
archeobotany, biogeography, biomineralisation, botany, ecology, fauna, phylogeny, phytosociology, phytogeography, flora, horology, natural heritage, paleozoology, palynology, sinsytematics, systematics, taxonomy, vegetation, zoology, zoogeography.
Researchers (17)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Slovenia is distinguished by an extraordinary biotic diversity that is shown in abundance of plant and animal species, species richness in different ecosystems and a great landscape variety. The biotic diversity results in the diversified natural conditions and man's activity in the past and at present. It promotes the stability of the living environment and provides a basis for the long-term balanced survival of living beings. Like in the past years, the research will also be oriented to the knowledge of land ecosystems and their biotic diversity in the future, to the knowledge of individual animal and plant organisms (inventory of species, descriptions of new taxons, an atlas of the distribution of species), to the study of the development and the existence of different habitats (plans of habitat types) and to the study of interactions between organisms and interactions between organisms and the environment (lists and descriptions of taxons, zoocenocis, atlas of the distribution of biocenocis). The programme has been established using interdisciplinary and intradisciplinary approach. The complex research in the domain like taxonomy, biogeography, ecology and phylogeny, their mutual connections and taking into consideration up-to-date research methods (mathematical statistical methods, genetic sequencing etc.) will facilitate the appropriate comparison and response to results within a wider scientific context. On this basis, the results are expected that will enable the real evaluation of the biotic diversity of the researched area and the comparison of their importance within the European space.
(1) Floristic and taxonomic research will be oriented to the study of endemism and polymorphism of fern and seed plants, particularly in the families of Caryophyllaceae, Polygonaceae, Rosaceae and Asteraceae. The emphasis of floristic research shall be laid on the mapping of plant taxons of floristically less known areas of Slovenia. The data will be used for the preparation of the Atlas of Slovenian flora and Atlas Florae Europaeae. The horology and ecology of some families will be studied in a more detail. The review of the Register of Slovenian flora will be carried out.
(2) The zoological research will be oriented to the study of taxonomy, zoogeography and ecology of certain continental and freshwater animal groups (molluscs, beetles, and butterflies) and to the determination of phylogenetic connections and kin relationships. The emphasis of fauna research will be placed on the determination of distribution of endemic species (molluscs and beetles), on the inventarisation of fauna of less known areas and rare and endangered biotopes, on the study of populations of endangered species, their mobility, structures and dynamics of their population and ecological characteristics of their habitats. The influence of the present structuralisation of landscape and their change in the past on the present distribution of population of certain species of butterflies and beetles will be studied. The pedofauna of beetles and underground fauna of molluscs that have been taxonomically poorly studied so far will be studied.
(3) Within the framework of paleobotanic research, the research of vegetation during the last ice ages and in the Holocene will be continued. The area of research will be focused particularly on the Alps and Karst. The cooperation in archaeological excavations it will help us to assess by means of palynological, antracotomical and carpological analyses the extent to which man exerted influence on the natural development of forest vegetation from the Neolithic to the present time with the intensive cattle breeding and farming activities.
(4) The study of the vegetation is based on the standard central European Braun-Blanquet method, into which certain up-to-date elements (e.g. numeric analyses) are being introduced.Within the vegetation, it is planned to carry out research of all main types of vegetation in Slovenia.
Significance for science
Good theoretical knowledge and excellent command of methodologies of taxonomical, morphological, ecological, behavioural and phylogenetic research of plants, spiders, molluscs, beetles and butterflies as principal objects of scientific research conducted by program group members is manifested in numerous scientific publications and their recognition, as well as in scientific application in opening new theoretical and methodological approaches in biology (above all in systematics and ecology), in forestry and nature conservation. Program group researchers have fruitfully included extensive databases into their publications. Their work applies modern numerical methods which facilitate research of biodiversity and distribution patterns of plants and plant communities (mostly in south- and southeastern Europe). Their research includes ecological measurements and study of plant strategies, which facilitates a better understanding of the structure of the communities and ecological conditions within them. Chronosequences help to determine the age of different stages of vegetation on a certain site and synchronously research temporal processes and mechanisms which drive them. In the framework of international research activities program group members participate in the development of methods of biodiversity monitoring and in testing and developing methods for establishing national commitments for survival of species and habitats.
Significance for the country
With its investigations and results the program group has become embedded into the Slovenian society as its members have acquired and communicated information on the living world of Slovenia. With their research they contributed new basic knowledge in botany, zoology and ecology, as well as applications in the sphere of protection of natural heritage, mostly from the aspect of a suitable space management. With their expert opinions and by developing methods program group members have affected the processes of harmonization of legislation, above all in the field of nature conservation. They cooperated in testing and developing methods for establishing national commitments for survival of species and habitats. The meaning of the program group on development of Slovenia can be noticed in the following fields: 1. Space management strategy. The achievements have been important for ensuring a suitable life environment, sustainable development and sustainable management of the environment and natural resources. The results of the biodiversity research of the program were an expert basis for spatial planning and nature conservation. 2. Regulations. The results were the basis for the enforcement of and compliance with international conventions pertaining to the preservation of biodiversity: endangered species and ecosystems (e.g. the Bern convention, Habitat directive), as well as the national regulations and programs related to the field (Directive on the protected wild fauna and flora, Slovenian agricultural-environmental program). 3. Natural heritage. Flora, fauna and vegetation are the basic elements of natural heritage and a compulsory part of national science. Their knowledge is of vital importance also for developing own knowledge and ideas and thus ensuring an integration of Slovenia in Europe based on equal opportunities. Slovenia is now more recognized, and the knowledge of the living world in Slovenia is the foundation for our awareness of Slovenia as an independent unit within the European Union. A part of the research can therefore be classified among the so called national sciences which are fundamental for the national identity, sovereignty and promotion of each country. 4. Involvement in pedagogical process. The results of the work conducted by the program group were included in studies at biotechnical and natural science faculties, in courses dealing with flora, fauna and vegetation. Members of the program group were also actively involved in the pedagogical process as mentors at different levels of studies and were lecturers for certain subjects. This allowed the program group to transfer the knowledge and the results directly into the pedagogical process and indirectly into practice. 5. Other applicable sciences. The results are important also for forestry and related disciplines, as they enable an objective determination of the multilayered significance of the forest, from the management as well as from the nature-conservation standpoint, which can be done most effectively on the basis of forest communities or vegetation maps. The results are applicable also in engineering biology procedures, agronomy (weed control), etc.
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
