Igor Paušič’s research while affiliated with University of Maribor and other places

The book deals with semi-natural grasslands, which in Slovenia and in Europe represent a species-rich, strongly declining vegetation and at the same time are a relic of the traditional agricultural landscape. In the introduction, the historical development and importance of semi-natural grasslands are presented. Due to the drastic decline of their areas, they have become one of the most threatened habitats in Europe and most of them are listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. A new measure of the agri-environmental and climate payments “Colorful Meadow” was also presented, which we developed as part of a targeted research project. Important additional information is provided by the various established classifications of habitat types (Syntaxonomic, Physis, EUNIS, FFH typologies). The central part of the book is dedicated to a detailed presentation of each grassland type: Indicator plant species, ecology, distribution, management and conservation. The title of the work is a “Catalogue” because it is systematic, transparent and well illustrated. The book is intended for experts and researchers in biology, ecology, nature conservation and agriculture, students of biological and ecological studies, as well as the general public or readers who are interested in nature and the conservation of biotic diversity.

Nemastoma bidentatum Roewer, 1914 is a complex of closely related litter-dwelling harvestmen, characterized by a penis glans with two pairs of lateral lancet-like spines, and a femur IV with a saw-like series of pointed tubercles. Here we a) revise the hitherto known taxa within the N. bidentatum complex, and b) analyze in detail the relations among the taxa in Slovenia. The study revealed that the N. bidentatum complex consists of four species: N. bidentatum Roewer, 1914 s. str., N. relictum Gruber & Martens, 1968 stat. nov., N. pluridentatum (Hadži, 1973) stat. nov. and N. kozari Novak, Kozel, Podlesnik & Raspotnig sp. nov. Moreover, N. bidentatum s. str. consists of six subspecies: N. bidentatum bidentatum Roewer, 1914, N. bidentatum sparsum Gruber & Martens, 1968, N. bidentatum gruberi Novak, Slana Novak, Kozel & Raspotnig ssp. nov., N. bidentatum martensi Novak, Slana Novak & Raspotnig ssp. nov., N. bidentatum schmidti Novak, Raspotnig & Slana Novak ssp. nov. and N. bidentatum sneznikensis Novak, Komposch, Slana Novak & Raspotnig ssp. nov. In Slovenia, the six subspecies of N. bidentatum form a parapatric complex around N. bidentatum schmidti. Hybrids occur in the contact zones between adjacent subspecies, but they are missing between distant subspecies. The taxonomic distinction of lineages / subspecies is congruent with their distribution patterns. With six of the nine taxa present, Slovenia is considered the center of the N. bidentatum complex speciation. At the time being, this complex is the most diversified harvestman group on a subspecific and young-species level and provides important details on speciation processes in Opiliones.

In this work, we investigated the relationship between habitat types (HTs) and selected environmental factors in the highlands at altitudes of 1800–2558 m in the Kamnik-Savinja (KS) Alps in Slovenia. For 275 sampling sites, we identified seven HTs in their typical form and 11 ecotones, and provided field and modelled data for 14 environmental factors. HTs-environment relationships were analysed using multivariate ordination methods. In addition, binomial generalised linear mixed models were applied to reveal the influence of environmental factors on the occurrence of most frequent HTs in the study area [Outer Alpine Pinus mugo scrub (EUNIS code F2.4/Natura 2000 code 4070*), Southern rusty sedge grasslands (E4.413/6170), Cushion sedge carpets (E4.433/6170) and Fine calcareous screes (H2.43/8120)]. Results showed that certain modelled data (e.g. average annual air temperature) combined with field measurements (e.g. inclination, soil surface and soil moisture) can be effective predictors of most representative HTs in the study area, and thus useful for further refining of monitoring. Our study contributes to the knowledge and understanding of the relationships between environmental conditions and the occurrence of highland HTs in KS Alps, which probably concerns a great part of the Alpine highlands. Such knowledge is essential for assessing credible long-term conservation planning. KEYWORDS Alpine habitat types; multivariate analysis; Pinus mugo; alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands; Natura 2000; Slovenia

The rare orchid, Nigritella lithopolitanica is endemic to species-rich mountain grasslands of the south-eastern Alps with the majority of its distribution area in Slovenia. We examined phenotypic variation in morphological and reproductive traits among seven of 16 extant populations in relation to the floristic composition and stature of the grasslands surrounding these plants. Inflorescence length varied the least among populations and was uncorrelated with either habitat characteristics or location. This stability presumably reflects its reliance on specialized pollinators. Other traits display appreciable variation among populations and covary with grassland composition and stature. Taller plants occur within taller swards and allocate more to vegetative growth and less to reproduction. The presumably reflects an adaptive trade-off to enable competitive success under competitive conditions. We conclude that N. lithopolitanica has low competitive potential and thrives best on sites with thin soils, some stone cover, and in open, low-density swards of vegetation where competing grasses are shorter. Grazing appears to favour this species whereas the recent human removal of stones from these habitats represents a clear threat to the persistence of this rare species.

The widely accepted approach – the use of morphometrics – often reveals gradients without clear morphological discontinuities, which can be explained as clinal variability. The Ophrys fuciflora complex from South-eastern Europe (Slovenia and Croatia) was morphologically evaluated. Classical morphology was performed on specimens from 18 populations. Each individual plant is represented with a set of 19 floral characters obtained from a single flower. Altogether, 221 flowers were measured. According to PCA results, a high proportion of specimens shows intermediate character values, specimens belonging to different morphological entities overlap. The first morphological principal component was considered as a flower form (size and shape) vector. Correlation tests were performed based on 19 bioclimatic variables and the first morphological principal component. Nine bioclimatic variables show statistically significant, strong correlation with the flower form. Results indicate that the observed floral continuous quantitative characters, traditionally utilized to differentiate taxa in the Ophrys fuciflora complex are affected by the local climatic conditions and latitude, and exhibit clinal variability. An integrative taxonomical approach to the genus Ophrys should also take into account site-specific ecological conditions, to investigate and prove possible clinal variability first, but also taxa-specific phenology.

Flowering in many orchids is determined by the resource status of plants, which in turn is influenced by habitat management. Most European orchids require high light intensities for photosynthesis, failing to flower and fruit at low light levels. Agricultural practices, especially fertilisation and mowing/grazing regime, can therefore influence the fitness and reproductive success of orchids. The studied species, autumn lady’s-tresses (Spiranthes spiralis), is a small, long-lived and late-flowering perennial orchid and one of the most sensitive to low light availability. The general species’ fitness, measured as a set of robust morphological traits in relation to vegetation height, which directly reflect the time of the last seasonal mowing and so the light availability, was the main scope of this research. A total of 2442 flowering exemplars (of which 427 were morphologically evaluated) were recorded on 26 grassland patches applying the systematic scanning of the potential growing sites in the Goričko Natural Park (NE Slovenia). We revealed that earlier mowing negatively affects the density of flowering individuals and plant fitness in general. The number of the rosette leaves was found to be the most important trait that could be used as a proxy for the general plant fitness of this orchid species because the significant positive correlation with the measured morphological traits was confirmed. The number of the rosette leaves shows a significant negative relation to vegetation height. Late seasonal mowing, which has a significant positive impact on the plant fitness, enhances Spiranthes spiralis population viability and density.

A systematic field survey of an area of 843 ha in the traditional Central-European agricultural landscape of Goričko Nature Park in Slovenia revealed 80 fragments of dry semi-natural grasslands. Vascular plant species diversity was studied in relation to landscape variables and to threat (Slovenian red-listed species). Our results show that fragment size does not affect plant species diversity. In addition, fragment shape index is not related to Alpha diversity. Higher Alpha diversity was observed for abandoned grassland fragments. The lowest Alpha diversity was perceived on more mesic fragments, where habitat specialists are much scarcer. It was confirmed that the highest diversity of specialists are in the driest fragments, both still mowed and abandoned. With an increase in the number of distinctly different bordering habitat types, the total number of species per fragment generally does not increase, except in the case of those fragments that are already in different succession stages. Abandoned and typical dry grasslands are associated with a higher number of bordering habitats. Typical dry grassland fragments and abandoned ones, which probably derived mostly from drier (less productive) grasslands, are found on lower altitude and have a lower shape index. Habitat specialists Sedum sexangulare, Polygala vulgaris and Spiranthes spiralis have higher frequency in fragments with a lower shape index. This means that these oligotrophic specialists occur in smaller fragments. But Orchis morio has higher frequencies of occurrence on polygons with a higher shape index, which confirms the observation that this species occurs in larger and more irregular fragments, as well as close to houses and fields and along the roads.

Anacamptis papilionacea is widely distributed species, especially in western and central part of the Mediterranean. We report about the discovery of two new Slovenian localities (Sv. Anton, Istria) and Fokovci (Goričko), the later far away from the Maditerranean range. We discuss about the species recent distribution and spreading in Slovenia from 1975 onwards. Goričko may be the northernmost known locality of the species in its whole distribution range. The later, but also findings in Dolenjsko region and Vipava valley could indicate the spreading of the species into continental areas by the long distance dispersal events, possibly due also to global warming.

Two late flowering specimens from the Ophrys incubacea group were observed, the first specimen on 11 May 2016 and the second on 19 May 2016 on limestone in the area of Veli Badin above Sočerga, SW Slovenia. Floral macro-morphological characteristics were as follows: very lax infl orescence with small flowers, dark reddish-brown, horizontally aligned lip. The lip was slightly convex, without basal swellings, and with hairless, orange-brown border of the lip (rim) curved upwards. Stigmatic cavity was concolourous with the lip, higher than broader, strongly constricted at the base. Speculum was glossy, dark bluish, edged whitish,πshaped, not branched. Due to the macro-morphological characteristics and late beginning of flowering phase, two specimens were determined as Ophrys illyrica S.Hertel & K.Hertel (Orchidaceae), a new bee orchid species in the Slovenian flora.