Odontito-Ambrosietum Jarolímek et al. 1997 – a ruderal association new to Slovenia

A ruderal association Odontito-Ambrosietum Jarolímek et al. 1997 is presented; this is new to Slovenia. The study was performed in the pre-Dinaric and sub-Pannonian phytogeographical region. Its position within the class Artemisietea is shown in a synoptic table of 118 relevés from Slovenia

Using Stigmergy to Solve Numerical Optimization Problems

The current methodology for designing highly efficient technological systems needs to choose the best combination of the parameters that affect the performance. In this paper we propose a promising optimization algorithm, referred to as the Multilevel Ant Stigmergy Algorithm (MASA), which exploits stigmergy in order to optimize multi-parameter functions. We evaluate the performance of the MASA and Differential Evolution -- one of the leading stochastic method for numerical optimization -- in terms of their applicability as numerical optimization techniques. The comparison is performed using several widely used benchmark functions with added noise

Invasion, distribution and habitat affiliation of Cyperus esculentus, a new weed in Slovenia

Cyperus esculentus (yellow nutsedge) is an alien species that started to spread in arable fields in Slovenia and has already become a noxious weed. In this study we present the spatio-temporal pattern of this invasion in Slovenia. Species was first recorded in 1980 and currently two hotspots are evident (Ljubljana Basin and Posočje). Habitat preferences of Cyperus esculentus and the floristic compostion of invaded plant communities were studied. These communites were compared to similar communities in Slovenia and to so far described vegetation types with dominating Cyperus esculentus in Europe. Based on these analyses we described new weed association, namely Digitario sanguinalis-Cyperetum esculenti

Hacquetia: 20th year ahead

Hacquetia is entering 20th year and in editorial we are presenting history of journal in this period, statistics of authors diversity, geographical distribution of published papers and bibliometrics. We highlighted fruitfull collaboration with guest editors, the most cited articles and presented future goals.Hacquetia je vstopila v dvajseti letnik in v uvodniku predstavljamo zgodovino revije v tem obdobju, statistiko raznolikosti avtorjev, geografsko razširjenost objavljenih člankov in bibliometrijo. Izpostavili smo plodno sodelovanje z gostujočimi uredniki, najbolj citirane članke in predstavili cilje za prihodnost

Alien species in different habitat types of Slovenia: analysis of vegetation database

Background and purpose: Invasion by alien plant species is considered as one of major threats to biodiversity. Actual invasion of different habitats in particular country is important for understanding processes that are important in invasion ecology as well as for the nature conservation.Materials and methods: Vegetation relevés stored in a database Vegetation of Slovenia were translated into 30 EUNIS habitat types which enables comparison with similar studies in other European countries. Out of the 18 606 plots stored in the database stratified resampling yielded 6 517 relevés. For each vegetation plot we calculated mean relative species richness per plot and total cover of archeophytes, neophytes and native species.Results: Most invaded habitat type with the highest species percentages of alien species (archaeophytes and neophytes) is arable land (I1). In addition, archaeophytes occur in higher percentages in trampled areas, anthropogenic herb stands, mesic grasslands, and moist tall-herb stands. Neophytes are on the other hand highly represented in arable land, trampled areas, but also riverine scrubs and wet and moist tall-herb stands.Conclusions: Pattern across different regions in Europe is very similar with anthropogenous habitats being the most invaded by alien species.</p

Phytosociological analysis of basophilic scots pine forests in the Southeastern Alps

Based on hierarchical classification of more than 300 phytosociological relevés of basophilic black and (or) Scots pine communities in the Southern, Eastern and Southeastern Alps we described a new association Rhodothamno chamaecisti-Pinetum sylvestris, into which we classify stands that have until now been discussed in the framework of subassociations Fraxino orni-Pinetum nigrae pinetosum sylvestris, laricetosum deciduae and (partly) caricetosum humilis, and are floristically slightly similar also to certain forms of the association Erico-Pinetum sylvestris. The stands of the new association are classified into a new habitat type Southeastern-Alpine Scots pine forests and a new forest site type Southeastern-Alpine Scots pine forest. At the contact of the Julian and Dinaric Alps we described a new subassociation Genistio januensis-Pinetum sylvestris campanuletosum cespitosae, which comprises also a Natura 2000 species Primula carniolica