This paper presents an investigation of the effects of flooding, in conjunction with temperature variations, on microbial respiration in floodplain soils and sediments of the River Urbach (Switzerland). The paper significantly contributes to understanding of how climate change (warming and changes in the hydrologic regime) could modify floodplain functioning and consequently affect the global carbon cycling. The results showed high sensitivity in floodplain respiration to changes in temperature and hydrological regime.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3544143
Authors investigated pollution with metals and PAHs in northern part of Slovenia and the exposure it represents for small mammals and birds via the food chain. We found that soil in the vicinity of former lead smelter is heavily polluted with Pb, Cd, and Zn. Roots and earthworms are significant route of Pb and Cd exposure for small mammals and the birds. The liver Pb/Cd levels reached effect concentrations in almost all bank voles (Myodes glareolus) tested. Metals contribute more to the risk for small mammals and birds than PAHs. Hazard to local ecosystems may persist for decades in vicinity of emission sources.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1221078
The paper for the first time combines ecological and physiological knowledge in the field of metabolic research. In the case of ectothermic reptiles mechanistic basis for understanding of the interspecific interactions have been provided. This paper is an important contribution to the research of the concept of the fundamental ecological niches in regards of understanding the relationships between organisms, which gives a starting point for predicting changes in biological communities under global climate and other changes. The article is the result of cooperation with the Institute CIBIO from Portugal.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3204431
This is one of the few studies that provide empirical evidence that males can contribute more than females to sexual isolation between species. In sexual communication partners often form a duet, an exchange of species- and sex-pecific signals. In the leafhoppers of the genus Aphrodes, mate recognition and location of the female are based exclusively on highly divergent male advertisement calls and similar female replies. We hypothesized that in mating systems based on a duet mate recognition is likely to be reciprocal. Results showed that male calls composed of similar elements played only a limited role in mate recognition. In a species pair in which females responded well to each other’s male calls, the generally higher responsiveness of A. aestuarina females to male calls of A. bicincta did not translate into higher mating success in this heterospecific cross; lengthy replies of A. aestuarina females resulted in a breakdown of a complex species-specific duet structure and associated difficulties in locating the female reduced the probability of heterospecific mating.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3064143
In this latest book, explaining key ideas, questions and methods involved in studying vibrational communication, several members of the programme team contributed three chapters in which they were the leading authros (COBISS.SI-ID 3177039, COBISS.SI-ID 3177551 COBISS.SI-ID 3177807) and another chapter as the senior author (COBISS.SI-ID 3177295). These contributions directly reflect the leading role of the programme group in the studies of vibrational communication.
COBISS.SI-ID: 3177039