<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">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 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">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 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">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 xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">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

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Acta Regionalia et Environmentalica

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