<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>In this work, the calorific value content in the dry matter of the Scots pine (<italic>Pinus sylvestris</italic> L.) trees was evaluated. This dry matter was obtained only from the above-ground fractions of its biomass. Our experimental material was taken from five Scots pine trees situated in Slovakia. Wood and bark samples were obtained from the discs which were cut off from three locations, namely from the stem, branches of tree crowns and needles. Then, calorific value capacity (J g−1) in the dry matter of each sample was determined. The impact of statistically significant factors on the calorific value capacity was determined by means of analysis of variance. The average values are, according to the fractions, approximately in the range of 20,000–22,200 J g−1. The smallest capacity of the calorific value, approximately 20,000 J g−1, has the dry matter from bark obtained from the middle and crown parts of the stem. Then, the dry matter from stem wood and branches follows with a value of approximately 20,700 J g−1. Then follows dry matter of the coarse bark occurring on the stem butt and twigs that are covered with needles with a value of about 21,900 J g−1; and finally pine needles with the highest values of about 22,200 J g−1. The calorific value variability is relatively low with coefficients of variations of 0.9–2.8%.</abstract>

Calorific Value of Basic Fractions of Above-Ground Biomass for Scots Pine

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Energy variety of amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) was grown in large-scale trials in order to verify the capability of its cultivation and use as a renewable energy source in a biogas plant. The possibility of biogas production using anaerobic co-fermentation of manure and amaranth silage was verified in the experimental horizontal fermentor of 5 m3 volume, working at mesophilic conditions of 38-40 °C. The goal of the work was also to identify the optimum conditions for growth, harvesting and preservation of amaranth biomass, to optimize biogas production process, and to test the residual slurry from digestion process as a high quality organic fertilizer. The average yield of green amaranth biomass was 51.66 t.ha-1 with dry matter content of 37%. Based on the reached results it can be concluded that amaranth silage, solely or together with another organic materials of agricultural origin, is a suitable raw material for biogas production.</abstract>

DARWELL, spol. s r.o., Bratislava, Slovak republic

Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Slovak Republic

BIOGAS PRODUCTION FROM AMARANTH BIOMASS

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Intermunicipal cooperation represents a tool for facilitating the delivery of services for municipalities. The intermunicipal cooperation is used by many European states, struggling with fragmentation of local structures. In Slovakia, the intermunicipal cooperation is used rather for unnecessary delivering of competences which cannot be delivered by a single municipality. Therefore, in this article, we aim to address the best practices from selected countries to the conditions of Slovakia. The research includes the attitudes of mayors from responded municipalities in the Nitra region toward extending the cooperation with other municipalities and preferable areas for cooperation.</abstract>

Towards the Implementation of the Best Practice from Abroad – Strengthening the Cooperation Among Slovak Municipalities

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Absract</title>Current unfavourable situation in agricultural sector of the Slovak Republic makes national public authorities to look for possible solutions for satisfaction of local producers and consumers as well. Increase of domestic production in the programming period 2014-2020 with focus especially on producing high quality products is a challenge for Slovak government and local producers, too. In this paper we reveal the theoretical determination, legal limitations, opportunities for support and the level of implementation of short food supply chains as a tool for farmers, producers and processors to increase the added value of their products through promotion of existing and creation of new local markets. The possible support is described both in terms of the rural development policy as well as the regional policy, under limitations defined in European and national legal documents. The level of implementation of short food supply chains in agricultural sector of the SR is described in relation to the Rural Development Programme of the Slovak Republic 2014-2020.</abstract>

Potential of Short Food Supply Chains, their Role and Support within the Rural Development Policy in the Slovak Republic

<abstract>Public administration reform has brought about, inter alia, the change of financing of original and delegated competences for municipalities. In this context, the conditions for economy of local government have changed, while the pressure was put on municipalities to make more efficient use of their property to receive the greatest possible benefit in terms of economic, social and territorial development. A municipality can manage its own property, but it can also entrust it to the budgetary and contributory organizations. The Act no. 138/1991 Coll. indicates that the municipal authorities and organizations are required to manage municipal property in favour of development of municipalities and their citizens, and protection and creation of the environment. One of the possibilities for increasing the efficiency of property use is also financial analysis, eventually economic analysis. Analysis usually results in practical useful knowledge, creating the foundation for an objective definition of relevant conditions (factors) for the future capital appreciation in municipalities. The aim of this paper is to evaluate financial performance of contributory organizations under the jurisdiction of municipalities with help of selected indicators.</abstract>

Evaluation of financial performance of contributory organizations under the jurisdiction of municipalities

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The energy-efficient low-carbon EU economy (known as the 20-20-20) sets fundamental objectives in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (20%), increasing the share of renewable energy sources (20%) and saving primary energy consumption (20%). The objectives are incorporated in the National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs). Slovakia has to increase the share of renewable energy sources (RES) by 14% in its energy mix by 2020. Currently, the most widely used RES are water and solar energy, biomass and biogas. Our country has suitable ecological conditions for growing the so called energy crops in lowland and upland areas. So far, however, there is a lack of science-based information on the potential production of biomass in different soil-ecological and climatic conditions of the Slovak Republic. Our experimental research is focused on quantification of biomass production of various willow (genus <italic>Salix</italic>), poplar (genus <italic>Populus</italic>) and silvergrass (<italic>Miscanthus sinensis</italic>) varieties grown in ecological conditions of southern Slovakia. We evaluated the biomass production of the studied crops. The results were evaluated in terms of the EU call (2013): to obtain more energy while reducing inputs and negative environmental impacts.</abstract>

Fast-Growing Energy Crops Grown In Conditions Of Slovakia In The Context Of The EU Energy Policy

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The aim of the paper is to draw attention to consequences of the transfer of competency at the level of the building procedure from state authorities to municipal offices in the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic. The defined research objective was achieved firstly by conducting controlled interviews with representatives of the building offices in the Nitra Region and, secondly, by analysis of financing of this competency from the obtained data from publicly available sources in both states. Secondly, the paper includes a comparison of the financial management of the transferred competencies at the level of the building procedure between the Nitra Region (Slovakia) and the Pardubice Region (Czech Republic). By conducting controlled interviews in the Nitra Region, we came to the conclusion of the financial under-dimensioning of this competency. By comparing the amount of state subsidies provided for the building procedure in both regions, significant differences were found. Based on our research findings, we recommend reassessing the state subsidies for the transferred competency in the field of building procedure.</abstract>

Financial and Personal Issues of the Transferred State Administration Competencies in the Building Procedure to Municipality Offices

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The aim of the paper was to describe the occurrence of dry seasons in Slovakia. Dry seasons in the period from 1957 to 2016 were determined according to the monthly Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). For this purpose, ten sites based on limit climatic parameters were chosen – Bratislava, Piešťany, Hurbanovo, Čadca, Sliač, Boľkovce, Poprad, Košice, Milhostov, and Kamenica nad Cirochou. The results showed the alternation of dry and wet episodes and the variability of weather not only over time, but also over space. The analysis of linear trends showed that the arid trend was identified on most sites (9 localities).</abstract>

Seasons of Drought in Slovakia During the Period from 1957 to 2016

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Woody biomass feedstock is suitable for direct combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, ethanol or methanol production yielding heat, charcoal, pyrolysis oil, green electricity and bio-propellants. However, there are several issues concerning the environmental, social and economic sustainability of woody biomass production connected to land use, protection of wildlife habitats, conservation and remediation of landscapes. Establishing energy plantations on arable lands or on grasslands is generally considered as working against nature conservation, while setting them up in polluted areas or wastelands could be advantageous for wildlife, because of 1. more permanent cover that provides shelter and biomass for feeding, which is especially important in winter periods; 2. higher architectural complexity of vegetation providing more place for nesting and feeding for wildlife; 3. exploiting the advantages of root filtration, phytoremediation, or using less chemicals; 4. forbs in the undergrowth and young shoots able to provide better quality food for wildlife than the intensive monocultures. The solution is a complex management system, including land use, phytoremediation, waste and wastewater management and ecosystem-based planning incorporated in one dynamic structure.</abstract>

Adverse and Beneficial Effects of Woody Biomass Feedstock Plantations on Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitats

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Local self-governments in the Slovak Republic have many possibilities to do business to capitalize their assets and generate their own budget revenues. The purpose of the article was to identify and evaluate business companies through which local selfgovernments conduct business from different perspectives. We focused on businesses with asset ownership of municipalities with city status. When analyzing businesses, we have taken into account their size, spatial layout, legal form, subject of activity, and their economy. Slovak cities have a long-term experience with conducting business through business companies. Most of these are companies with 100% ownership of the cities, in terms of the legal form of a limited liability company. The research results confirm that the significant effect of government-run business is the increase in the value of assets.</abstract>

Entrepreneurship of Cities through Business Companies in the Slovak Republic

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The renewable energy sources play an important role in the discussions on the future energy generation. The European Union has set certain goals to increase the share of renewable energy sources and to reduce carbon emissions. The paper focuses on the evaluation of energy production from short rotation coppice (SRC) plantations in the cadastral area of Nové Zámky. The study area is located in south-western Slovakia. The energy production was evaluated based on GIS analysis of agricultural land suitable for establishment of short rotation coppice plantations. The high-quality arable land was excluded from the biomass production. The wood biomass should be produced on marginal, low-quality soils and contaminated or degraded land that is unsuitable for food production. There are only high and medium-quality soils classified in the qualitative groups 1–7 in the study area. The land potentially used for biomass production represents an area of 1,536 ha. If the whole area would be covered by short rotation coppice plantations, it would produce 4.8 kWh/day per person. Taking into consideration the overall losses of 33% in the process of the energy conversion, the potential power from the wood biomass production is 3.2 kWh/day per person. The plantations would provide 61 new jobs in the study area.</abstract>

Energy Production Potential of Wood Biomass from SRC Plantations in Cadastral Area of Nové Zámky

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Agro-energy crop, Miscanthus × giganteus should be produced on marginal land in order to avoid land suitable for food production. Production of electricity in thermal power plants occupies large land areas by depositing tailings from surface mines, and depositing ash and slag. During the first year of Miscanthus × giganteus growing in containers, the concentration of heavy metals: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Fe was monitored in underground and aboveground plant parts. The substrate was overburden from open pit coal mine RB Kolubara and ash from TPP Nikola Tesla B. Significant differences were found between the substrate and the investigated elements, but in all cases the accumulated heavy metals almost completely remained stable in underground organs of plant. It can be concluded that biomass of Miscanthus × giganteus could be used as energy source if it is grown on a soil moderately contaminated by heavy metals.</abstract>

Potential of Miscanthus × Giganteus for Heavy Metals Removing from Industrial Deposol

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>The paper deals with identification of drought in western Slovakia, which is based on soil-climatological data. For this purpose, three sites were chosen: Bratislava, Piešťany and Hurbanovo, situated on the Danubian Lowland. The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) was calculated on monthly basis for time series 1981–2010, 2021–2050 and 2071–2100. There were determined the driest periods by percentage of dry months for each site. The driest period in Bratislava and Hurbanovo was in the first evaluated time series. In Piešťany we can expect, that the second time series will be the driest. Linear trend of drying area will be revealed in period 2071–2100 for all three sites. The aim of the paper is to analyze and compare the occurrence of drought in temporal and spatial dimensions on the west part of Slovakia.</abstract>

Identification of Drought in Western Slovakia by Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI)

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> The paper analyses the legal regulation of the cultivation of fast-growing trees on agricultural land in Slovakia and Czechia. The focus is on the differences in the legislation of the two countries, the application of the regulations of cultivation of fast-growing trees in practice, the level of protection of agricultural land, and the support system for the cultivation of fast-growing trees. Comparison of national legislation dealing with the issue of planting fast-growing trees, taking into consideration the protection of agricultural land and the legislation on granting the state support has also been investigated in the context of European legislation. The procedure before the start of planting, the permission conditions for planting of fast-growing trees, the conditions and the process of support provision have been studied. The result of the documents analysis is a comprehensive comparative overview of the above-mentioned areas of legislation on the cultivation of fast-growing trees in Slovakia and Czechia and the identification of differences, benefits and practical impacts on the cultivation of fast-growing trees.</abstract>

The Cultivation of Fast-Growing Trees on Agricultural Land in Slovakia and Czechia : Legal Comparison

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>Importance of rural tourism as a specific form of tourism lies primarily in its potential to be a driving force for the development of rural municipalities and diversify their economic base. The aim of this paper is to verify this assumption, while analysing the relationship between the concentration of tourism activities and migration trends in rural municipalities in Slovakia. The results support the claim that tourism has significant positive effects manifested by a positive migration balance in municipalities where the tourism industry has a significant presence. The relationship between the level of net migration and rural tourism localisation index in rural areas is not entirely clear because of high diversity of rural municipalities. It is true that in the “catching-up” group of rural municipalities, where the previously negative trend of migration turned positive, localisation index of rural tourism reaches a peak, which may suggest that precisely this sector could be the driver of this positive development. On the other hand, there is a group of marginalized rural municipalities where the concentration of rural tourism industry measured by the index of localisation is also relatively high, but nevertheless, these municipalities suffer from a loss of population due to outmigration.</abstract>

Is Rural Tourism a Perspective Driver of Development of Rural Municipalities? – The Case of Slovak Republic

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> The paper focuses on a research carried out during two consecutive growing seasons (2011 and 2012) in a willow tree stand (Salix schwerinii × S. viminalis, variety Tordis) and a grass stand of miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deuter). Both of the species can be used for energy production. The evaluation was carried out in a research centre located in Kolíňany (Nitra district area, SW Slovakia). Biodiversity of the ground flora within the two crops stands was jointly assessed through the multivariate statistical method of Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The results showed that almost all spontaneous vascular plant species have a weedy character, they have no specific environment requirements, they are stress tolerant, and their propagules are often present in agricultural ecosystems or in vegetation of rural landscape (field margins, strip boundaries, abandoned fields, orchards, etc.). Good examples of synanthropic species observed in the stands are Cirsium arvense, Equisetum arvense, Convolvulus arvensis etc., while several other typical species of usually non-synanthropic, habitats, e.g. Symphytum officinale, Persicaria lapathifolia, Calystegia sepium were also observed. Many juvenile shrub and wood species occurring in E1 and E2 layers also belonged to the semi-natural vegetation, e.g. Sambucus nigra, Rosa canina agg., Crataegus laevigata. The presence of potentially invasive and expansive plant species is evaluated as a negative factor.</abstract>

GRADIENT ANALYSIS OF IMPORTANCE OF SPONTANEOUSLY OCCURRING VASCULAR PLANT SPECIES IN ENERGY TREE AND GRASS STANDS

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Acta Regionalia et Environmentalica

The Journal of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra

Journal "Acta regionalia et environmentalica" is a scientific journal of the Faculty of European Studies and Regional Development of the Slovak University of Agriculture in...

Journal "Acta regionalia et environmentalica" is a scientific journal of the Faculty of European Studies and Regional Development of the Slovak...