For more effective protection and management of wolf populations in Europe, robust scientific evidence is crucial. This review serves as an analytical summary of the main findings from wolf population genetic studies in Europe, covering major studies from the ‘pre-genomic era’ and the first insights of the ‘genomics era’. To describe large-scale trends and patterns of genetic variation in European wolf populations, we conducted a meta-analysis based on the results of previous microsatellite studies and also included new data, covering all 19 European countries for which wolf genetic information is available. As an important outcome of this synthesis, we discuss the most pressing issues threatening wolf populations in Europe, highlight important gaps in current knowledge, suggest solutions to overcome these limitations, and provide recommendations for science-based wolf conservation and management at regional and Europe-wide scales.
F.27 Contribution to preserving/protecting natural and cultural heritage
COBISS.SI-ID: 4020303In an ever more artificially illuminated world, common moth behaviour, flight-to-light, causes declines in their abundance and diversity that can have severe impacts on ecosystems. To test if it is possible to reduce the number of moths attracted to artificially illuminated objects, the original lighting of 15 cultural heritage buildings in Slovenia was substituted with blue or yellow lighting. These three illumination types differed in the amount of luminance, percentage of UV and short-wavelength light which are known to affect flight-to-light of moths. During our three-year field study approximately 20% of all known moth species in Slovenia were recorded. The blue and yellow illumination type attracted up to six times less specimens and up to four times less species compared to the original illumination type. This was true for all detected moths as well as within separate moth groups. This gives our study a high conservation value: usage of alternative, environmentally more acceptable illumination can greatly reduce the number of moths attracted to artificially illuminated objects.
F.27 Contribution to preserving/protecting natural and cultural heritage
COBISS.SI-ID: 3648335An international symposium entitled: “The computational approaches in Nanosciences” was organized. The topic dealt with different computational approaches to model the nanosafety data. This interdisciplinary field of research requires intensive cooperation of scientist of different professions. Five foreign lecturers including Slovenian scientists were invited to give lectures. The audience consisted of researchers, students, and legal body representatives. We estimate that the meeting was successfully and enabled the establishment of new cooperations. All presentations were published as a proceedings and are publicly available for general public.
B.01 Organiser of a scientific meeting
COBISS.SI-ID: 283801856Prof. Jasna Strus participated as lecturer and researcher in summer courses on Developmental biology of invertebrates (2015) and zoology of marine invertebrates (2016) for biology students in Friday Harbor Labs, University of Washington, USA. She was a supervisor o several student projects and established the basis for international exchange of students and lecturers within the existing agreement between UW and University of Ljubljana.
B.05 Guest lecturer at an institute/university
Infrastructural center “Microscopy of biological samples” provides expertise infrastructure and methodology required for comprehensive approach to visualization of the biological samples on various levels of resolution. Macrostructures are visualized and analyzed by classical and fluorescent stereomicroscopy, while various light microscopy approaches, including fluorescent microscopy and laser confocal microscopy enable the observations of the structures with micrometer-scale resolution. The resolution on the molecular scaleand elemental microanalysis is achieved by electron microscopy. Beside visualization, the facility offers various methodologies for histological and histochemical techniques on paraffin and frozen sections, while the higher specificity of localization of the biomolecules is achieved by in situ hybridization, immunolocalization, TUNEL approach and use of specific fluorescent markers. Special preparation techniques for scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy are applied for preservation of ultrastructure of the living cells in harsh conditions of the electron microscope. These include careful drying and sputtering of the samples with thin metal layer for SEM, while preparation for TEM include preparation of ultrathin and cryosections, contrasting and localization of the cell structures.
D.07 Presiding over a centre/laboratory