Vilček J.

Purpose. The study of changes in the main agrochemical parameters in the upper layers of the gray forest soils of the Left Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine that were removed from agricultural processing and forested with pine, in different years. Methods. Theoretical methods included the collection and description of facts, their analysis. Empirical methods involved conducting field research on test plots of the state-owned enterprise “Chu-guevo-Babchansky LG” and farm near woodlands. Laboratory and analytical studies were performed using standardized measurement methods. The generalization of the experimental data was performed using applica-tion software packages. Results. Studies were carried out on soils under natural forest plantations, soils in inten-sive agricultural processing and unproductive soils that are derived from agricultural use. In all the studied soils, the main agrochemical parameters were compared among themselves: mobile forms of nitrogen, pH, humus content, content of common forms of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Statistical dependences between agrochemical parameters in the studied variants were established. Conclusions. The results obtained indicate the revitalization and development of humification and accumulation of nutrients in old arable gray forest soils with an increase in the duration of exposure to pine forest. The age stages of the forest determine the specifics of the environmental factors that influence the soil-forming processes. In the soil of a young pine-tree (12 years), there are more cases of an increase in the coefficients of spatial variation. This indicates that the formation of young ecosystems are characterized by low resistance, in these biocenoses the dynamic equilibrium is not reached, which is characteristic of more mature pine forests.

The assessment of the spatial structure the land cover has great significance for the research of landscape especially from the aspect of the maintaining landscape ecological stability and the sustainable development as well as the landscape potential. At the same time it has an important role in identifying of impacts the industry on the landscape. The classes of land cover layers can be considered as the basis for other analyses of landscape. Purpose.: In the contribution we decided to compare the changes in landscape structure between the years 1958 - 2009 in territory of city Krompachy. Methods: field, analytical and mathematical. Results: For evaluating changes in the landscape structure we used topographic map from 1958 and orthophotomaps of the actual situation in 2009. The changes in the landscape structure were evaluated through GIS technologies in time horizon 1958 - 2009. Absolute and percentage differences in the land cover classes for the time horizon 1958 - 2009 are expressed by means of contingency tables transformation. The trends in the development classes of land cover are documented by the graph of the land cover classes on the second hierarchical level.

In consequence of the mining and processing of the magnesite ore, some areas of Slovakia have strongly damaged soil, when pH increased to 9 and more. The physical and chemical characteristics of the soil were changed, the erosion increased and phytocenosis decreased. A large number of the soils is impossible to use for agriculture. The fertilization requires huge resources. The future for the fertilization and prospective use of the soils is seen in the possible cultivation of Phragmites australis, which was selected in given area. It is an invasive plant with the possible technical and agricultural use. The use of Phragmites australis against strongly alkalized soils was suggested by previous investigation, as it grows also on the soils with pH 9.1 and produces very large biomass. Thence during three years the most suitable method of the reproduction of this plant was investigated, i.e. generatively and vegetatively. On the basis of the statistical evaluation of the results it can be concluded that generative reproduction is technically more demanding and less successful, that the vegetative root segment reproduction is more suitable and can be recommended under these conditions.

The landfill of waste from nickel production is situated to the south of Sereď in Slovak Republic. The landfill area covers around 50 ha. Volume is in present day 5.5 - 6.5 mil. [t] and in 1993 it was about 9 mil.[t]. The land-fill was formed during 30 years of manufacturing process, which was stopped due to the economic and ecologi-cal reasons in 1993. The pollution of base rocks, underground waters, soils and air pollution was noticed during production in the Nickel smelting plant and continues up to the present days. In this paper we focused on the current structure on the landfill of waste from nickel production and its impact on the environment. Physical and chemical properties of the waste are responsible for the creation of a specific ecosystem, not peculiar to the natural landscape, which negatively affects the quality of the environment. It is proposed to reduce waste using microwave vitrification method, although it is very expensive, but the most effective, because procedure in converting waste glass provides high chemical stability and water resistance.

Water and soil belong to basic natural resources that are essential for the existence and development of human civilization. These resources represent part of natural capital which provides or can provide ecosystem services - goods and services. Definition of significant ecosystem services related to agricultural land and inland waters is basic precondition to evaluate these systems. While in the case of freshwater ecosystems (rivers, lakes and also groundwater) we are at the start, in the case of ecosystem services of agricultural land (cropland, permanent grasslands) there are already available spatial results of bio-physical and economic evaluation of soil functions in GIS format. Suitability for water use for a specific purpose (that in fact represents ecosystem service) in Slovak conditions is assessed according to a particular set of water quality parameters and corresponding limit values. Evaluation of freshwater ecosystem services can serve as support for the selection of cost-effective measures, and for the mapping and assessment of ecosystems services as part of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020. Ecosystem service approach is considered as extension of soil function approach that can be perceived as core of ecosystem services evaluation that integrates soil and biotic aspects. The bio-physical evaluation of soil functions or services serves as basic precondition for it local use with regard to mitigate the anthropogenic pressures and its consequences. At present, the real possible utilisation of soil ecosystem services/functions can be seen at improvement of soil protection especially via modification of soil price at its permanent sealing.