1. Species–park networks reflect the spatial structure of urban green infrastructureEdy Fantinato, Elisabetta Zendri, Rosario Rummo, Federico Fiorin, Peter Glasnović, Giovanna Aronne, Andrea Della Bella, Marino Simone Preo, Gabriella Buffa, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: As cities expand, natural and semi-natural habitats are increasingly restricted in extent and connectivity, posing major challenges for biodiversity conservation. Urban parks, as nodes of green infrastructure, improve ecological connectivity in the urban landscape, yet their functional role in supporting urban plant communities remains challenging to quantify. This study aimed to investigate whether differences in the functional role of urban parks are reflected by their spatial location within the green infrastructure. We applied a bipartite species-park network approach to assess the role of urban parks in supporting plant species in three historic cities in north-eastern Italy. In 2024, we surveyed 57 parks, recorded vascular plant species in nested plots and measured park attributes including area, distance to the city centre, distance to other parks and tree canopy cover. Species–park networks were used to quantify the functional role of each park through park specialisation, importance, compositional representativeness, and colonisation potential. Statistical models showed that parks further from the city centre supported richer plant communities and hosted species more dependent on individual parks, while parks at intermediate distances from the centre acted as compositional links between parks closer and further from the city centre. Parks with greater tree canopy cover tended to host species that achieved comparatively higher local cover but showed reduced compositional representativeness to other parks. Our results revealed that the functional role of parks in supporting plant communities was strongly associated with their spatial location within the green infrastructure, providing insights for urban biodiversity conservation and landscape planning.
Keywords: bipartite network, green infrastructure, habitat connectivity, urban biodiversity, urban park
Published in RUP: 11.05.2026; Views: 105; Downloads: 3
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4. Growth, morphology and reproductive phenology of Gelidium adriaticum (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta) from the Slovenian coast (Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic)Claudio Battelli, Peter Glasnović, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: The occurrence, growth, external morphology and reproductive phenology of a Gelidium adriaticum settlement from the midlittoral zone in St. Simon Bay (Slovenian coast, Gulf of Trieste, northern Adriatic Sea) were investigated. The study was based on monthly sampling conducted for one year, from January to December 2023. The studied settlement was well developed in shaded rock crevices, forming dense turfs with a very patchy and irregular distribution. It was character-ized by a slight predominance of tetrasporic thalli, with a ratio between the three reproductive stages (tetrasporic:sterile:cystocarpic) of 1.19:1.04:1.00. The mean values of the morphological characteristics studied (height and width of the thallus, width of the widest part of the thallus axis, width of the apical, middle and basal parts of the erect axes) varied between seasons and reproductive stages. In general, these values were lower in the cystocarpic thalli than those in the tetrasporic and sterile stages in all seasons.
Keywords: Gelidium adriaticum, midlittoral, growth, morphology, reproductive phenology, Slovenian coast, northern Adriatic
Published in RUP: 15.09.2025; Views: 673; Downloads: 5
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7. Monitoring of sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae) and pathogen screening in Slovenia with habitat suitability modelingVladimir Ivović, Peter Glasnović, Sara Zupan, Tea Knapič, Tomi Trilar, Miša Korva, Nataša Knap, Urška Glinšek Biškup, Tatjana Avšič-Županc, Katja Adam, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) are important vectors of pathogens, including Leishmania parasites and phleboviruses, but their distribution and seasonal activity in Slovenia have not been sufficiently studied. This study presents a comprehensive three-year (2020–2022) surveillance programme aimed at assessing the diversity of sandfly species, their distribution, seasonal dynamics and potential role as vectors of pathogens. A total of 1,240 sandflies were collected at 43 sampling sites across Slovenia, identifying Phlebotomus papatasi, P. neglectus, P. perniciosus and P. mascittii. The highest abundance and species diversity were observed in the Mediterranean and Karst regions. Seasonal activity peaked in July, with population fluctuations influenced by climatic conditions. Molecular analyses for Leishmania parasites and phleboviruses showed no positive results, indicating a low prevalence of pathogens in the sampled populations. Predictive habitat models indicate that environmental factors, particularly temperature and precipitation, play a decisive role in the spread of sandflies. While P. mascittii has the largest ecological range, its vector competence remains uncertain. The results provide important insights into the ecology of sandflies in Slovenia and emphasize the need for continuous surveillance in the context of climate change and emerging vector-borne disease risks.
Keywords: sandflies, monitoring, distribution, modeling, Slovenia
Published in RUP: 04.08.2025; Views: 819; Downloads: 9
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