Microplastic input in to alluvial meadows of the Rhine river in Cologne, Germany

<p>River systems are major pathways for the transport of microplastic (MP). The Rhine is among the biggest river systems in regard to catchment size and discharge in northwestern Europe. Studies have documented the presence of MP in the Rhine and its tributaries along its course through Germany. The region of Cologne is densely populated, with a variety of land use forms occurring. Thus, an understanding of the presence and entry pathways of MP into alluvial meadows of the Rhine is important for risk assessments. </p><p>This study aims to quantitively analyse transport pathways and sedimentation of MP into the alluvial meadows of the Rhine. We expect that the main entrance pathway of MP into these alluvial meadow soils is via fluvial transport. Two study sites were chosen in Cologne, one in the southern part of the central city (Poller Wiesen) and one in northern rural areas of the city (Merkenich-Langel). These sites were chosen as there are no agricultural fields in the direct vicinity, which could account for major MP input through surface runoff. The sites were flooded intermittently in the past with records of the water level during flooding and extent of flooded areas. For each site, sampling transects were chosen increasing in elevation and distance relative to the river water level. Samples were investigated for their MP concentrations via FTIR-spectroscopy. A digital elevation model supports the understanding of the water flow during flood events. Differences in MP concentrations with increasing elevation and distance to the river are thought to be caused by differences in intensity and frequency of flooding.</p><p> </p>

Financing of grassland habitats in the Slovak Republic in 2010–2016

The grasslands in the Slovak Republic are divided into 7 categories that have different way and conditions of management to protect and maintain them. From the area of 1,239,777 hectares of habitats in SR and payments per hectare, we calculated the amount of financial support that represents 130,265,701 € for the A-G habitats in 2010-2016. Based on the data about potential use of grassland habitats in livestock feeding (mountain meadows and alluvial meadows), the production potential of C 3.12 t.ha-1biotope E 4.25 t.ha-1of dry matter was calculated, as a result of 5-years long experiment of the Department of Grassland Ecosystems and Forage Crops of SUA in Nitra. We calculated the direct costs for the production of hay dry matter, which reached 116.78 €.ha-1in the meadows, and 71.11 €.ha-1in valleys. Direct costs per 1 hectare of hay dry production are with a support covered on 111.0% of mountain meadows and 74% of meadows. The annual value of ecosystem services of grassland habitats reached 579,789,008 €. Subsidies for permanent grassland habitats stimulate the economy of agricultural subjects and protect the biodiversity of permanent grasslands.

The Conservation Status of Grassland Habitats Belonging to Protected Areas from Oltenia ‘Natura 2000’ Site, Romania

In the present paper, are rendered the results of the research referring to the conservation status of the grasslands from two sites ‘Natura 2000’ located in Oltenia region, in South-Western part of Romania: ROSCI0202 Oltenia Forest Steppe and ROSCI0039 Ciuperceni - Desa. Within these sites, there are five habitats: 62C0* Ponto-Sarmatic steppes, 6260* Pannonic sand steppes, 6440 Alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii, 6510 Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) and 1530* Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes. The investigation of the conservation status of these habitats was carried out by assessing their conservation status at EU level, namely by assigning them to one of the four categories – “favourable”, “unfavourable-inadequate”, “unfavourable-bad”, and “unknown” – according to the stated attributes for each habitat, to the threats of destruction and to the dangers that may lead to their destruction or disappearance. By applying the evaluation matrix of the conservation state of the five habitats from the two sites Natura 2000, only three of the five studied habitats have a good conservation status: 62C0* Ponto-Sarmatic steppes, 6260* Pannonic sand steppes, 6440 alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii. The habitat 1530* Pannonic salt steppes and salt marshes have a good-moderate status while 6510 Lowland hay meadows (Alopecurus pratensis, Sanguisorba officinalis) has amoderate-poor status. Referring to the characteristic structure and functions to the type of habitat, the research revealed that in numerous areas occupied by the five habitats good conservation conditions are not good.

New localities of Viola stagnina in Poland

Viola stagnina Kit. is a species regarded as a river corridor plant because of its confinement to river valleys in Central Europe. It is a component of alluvial meadows with natural flooding regime (Cnidion dubii alliance). V. stagnina is rare and red-listed in some European countries. Seven new localities of V. stagnina, its distribution map in Poland and information about possible methods of protecting the species are presented.

The Location and Extent of Systematic Drainage in Relation to Land Use in the Past and at Present and in Relation to Soil Vulnerability to Accelerater Infiltration in the Protected Landscape Area Železné Hory

This study searched for associations between the extent of hydromelioration systems and the land use (in the past and at present), degree of nature conservation, and infiltration of water through soil profile in the Protected Landscape Area (PLA) Železné hory. According to the available evidence, 34.6% of arable land and 32.1% of permanent grasslands in this area are drained by the drainage systems. Analysis of the original design documentations of drainage structures indicate, that the extent of drained areas can actually be even higher. The hydromelioration systems were built namely in the second half of the 20th century. The drainage also affected alluvial meadows, wetlands, and ecologically valuable stations. After establishment of PLA Železné hory in 1991, the protected area was divided into four zones according to their significance and protection regime. This study has revealed the presence of areas drained by systematic drainage systems (101 ha of grasslands) even in the zones of highest landscape protection degree (1st and 2nd protection zones). The inadequately executed drainage systems should be eliminated and the character of the land should be brought closer to its natural conditions. On the model part of the PLA we also performed a study of historical changes in the landscape in three time horizons (1839, 1950, 2014) to show differences in land use before building of drainage, at the time of building, and at present.