Conflicts between biodiversity conservation and human activities in the central and eastern European countries

Conflicts between the conservation of biodiversity and other human activities have been and continue to be of increasing concern in the European Union, often having important political, economic, and environmental repercussions. These conflicts have been addressed in the European Union by using a wide array of top down and bottom up tools, with varying degrees of success. A new challenge is now facing Europe with the integration of 10 new countries in the European Union (EU) and an additional range of biodiversity-rich habitats placed under EU legislation. The rich biodiversity of the central and eastern European countries (CEEC) is likely to be threatened by some aspects of the integration process, and conflicts between the conservation of biodiversity and other human activities are expected. In this paper, we review certain existing conflicts between biodiversity conservation and human activities in the CEEC, expected conflicts associated with integration to the EU, particularly in terms of new policy and legislation implementation, and, finally, explore possible conflict management options.     

Ground vegetation monitoring in Swiss forests: comparison of survey methods and implications for trend assessments

At Swiss long-term forest ecosystem research sites, ground vegetation was assessed during the period 1994-2003/2008 following two approaches: (1) visual assessment of the cover of species occurring in sixteen 1 m(2) quadrats, distributed over a 43 × 43 m area, and (2) phytosociological relevés in concentric circular plots of 30, 200, and 500 m(2). We first compared the two approaches with respect to diversity assessment. The number of species recorded in the 16 quadrats was in general higher than in the 30 m(2) plot and it represented 42% to 108% of the number of species recorded in the 500 m(2) plot. In a second step, we tested whether any temporal trends were apparent. In a few cases, a decrease or increase in Landolt's mean indicator values for light, nitrogen availability, soil pH, soil moisture, or temperature was found to be significant. However, these changes were usually restricted to one approach or one area. The only clear trend was detected in an unmanaged former coppice beech stand, for which all survey approaches indicated canopy closure. At another site, vegetation reacted to the local opening of the canopy following windthrow. In a third step, we compared the leaf area index (LAI), measured with an LAI-2000 instrument (Licor, Inc.) over each quadrat, with the indicator value of the vegetation for light (L). Within a site, there was no clear relationship between LAI and L values per quadrat. In contrast, across all sites, the relationship between LAI and L, averaged per site for all available years, was highly significant.     

Residual Cadmium and Lead Pollution at a Former Soviet Military Airfield in Tartu, Estonia

This paper presents data on the levels and dynamics of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentration in the plants, soil, and groundwater of the landing corridor and airfield of a former Soviet military air base in Estonia, immediately at the end of its 40-year service in 1992 and over the following 8 yr. In 1991–92 we found high Cd concentrations in the meadow plants Trifolium pratense and Dactylis glomerata (up to 56 mg kg^-1). In 1993, the Cd concentration had dropped to 0.12–0.19 mg kg^-1, and stabilized in 1997–2000 at 0.04 mg kg^-1. Cd concentration in plants decreased significantly with increasing distance from the landing strip. Elevated Cd concentration (0.012 mg L^-1) was found in the fuel of the TU-22M (Backfire) strategic bombers. In 1991 and 1993, leaded fuel influenced the mean Pb concentration in plants (1.8–4.2 mg kg^-1). Average Pb concentration in both topsoil and the 30–40 cm soil horizon decreased between 1991 and 2000 from 28 to 6.5 and from 13.5 to 4.3 mg kg^-1, respectively. Cd concentration in the topsoil of the landingcorridor showed a significant increase between 1991 and 1993 (0.07–0.3 and 0.3–1.2 mg kg^-1, respectively), but stabilized later on the level of 0.04 mg kg^-1. The concentrations of both Pb and Cd in the soil were higher closer to the fuel bunkers. Current assessment of the movement of these metals from the vegetation to the soil and to groundwater is linked to potential leaching to the surrounding environment.     

Differential response of CO2 uptake parameters of soil- and sand-grown phaseolus vulgaris (L.) plants to absorbed ozone flux

Shoots of a soil- or sand-grown dwarf bean variety were exposed to O(3) concentrations in the range of 500 to 900 ppb for up to 5 h. The measured exchange rates of water vapor and CO(2) during exposures were used to calculate stomatal and mesophyll conductances averaged across all leaves. Changes in conductances were related to exposure duration and absorbed O(3) totals (AOT). Both conductances were more sensitive to AOT in sand-grown plants, which also had more visible injury under comparable AOT values. Measurements of the relationship between CO(2) exchange and internal CO(2) concentration of single leaflets of treated plants also showed greater sensitivity of CO(2)-saturated photosynthesis in sand-grown plants. Diffusional processes were not likely to have been the cause of dissimilar responses because the O(3) absorption rate was lower in sand-grown plants. A difference in the scaveninng capacities in cells is suggested to be the cause of the differences in sensitivity to acute O(3) exposure.