Water-related forest ecosystems services (WES) are vital to the functioning of the biosphere, society, and human well-being. In Slovakia, the active support of WES is provided by economic instruments of forest policy, while the market-based solution as payments for water-related services (PWS) is lacking. Starting from this point, the objective matter of the paper is to develop the payments for WES schemes in Slovakia. The study was based on document analysis and stakeholders´ opinions towards PWS. Fifteen Slovak stakeholders from forestry, water management, and nature protection were involved in the study. These stakeholders represent potential buyers, seller, intermediaries, and knowledge providers in PWS schemes. Based on the theoretical background and the results of the survey, the authors defined key aspects of the design and implementation of PWS schemes in Slovak conditions such as potential buyers and sellers, important factors for the implementation of PWS schemes, and the role of public authorities.

Due to the increased number of forest fires, a detailed examination and knowledge of the effects of the microclimatic conditions of forests is currently significant. The study carried out in Arboretum Borova hora (Slovak Republik), investigates the influence of meteorological factors (air temperature, relative humidity), the value of the Angström index, and the danger class of the Angström index on the moisture content of fine fuel at the edge of a beech forest stand, but also in its interior. We tested three working hypotheses: a) meteorological conditions differ significantly between the edge and the interior of the beech forest, b) the moisture content of fine fuel is higher in the beech forest interior than at the forest edge, c) the Angström index fire danger class is higher at the edge of the beech forest than in its interior. We created a calibration curve that was also used to measure the humidity of beech leaves with the help of the ME 2000 hygrometer. Our results show that edge beech stands are significantly more susceptible to fires, lower air humidity and fine fuel moisture content, and higher air temperatures than forest interiors. From our point of view, the microclimate is considered the main factor that explains the difference between the vegetation structure of the forest edge and the forest interior.

Nature conversation policy in Slovakia is focused on territorial and species protection. Nature protection is regulated by the Nature and landscape protection act. This regulation framework also affects forest policy and applies to forest management. The implementation of nature protection has a cross-sectoral character and oftentimes restricts forest ownership rights. Therefore, the scientific goal of the paper was to analyse the impact of specific legislative changes of the Act on Nature and Landscape Protection on forest management practices. We analysed 36 essential amendments to this act, defined the changes, and described their impact on forest management or owner. The most amended part of the act was the implementation of mandatory compensation payments for legal restrictions and forest management regulations at individual levels of nature protection. The most current amendment has changed the administration of national parks, which mainly affected state-owned forest land.

The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) plays a crucial role in global ecosystems and agriculture, yet the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor remains a primary cause of severe varroosis and significant colony morbidity and mortality. Current reliance on synthetic acaricides often leads to the development of mite resistance and raises concerns regarding chemical residues in hive products. This has created an urgent need for innovative and effective veterinary strategies for parasite control. This study investigated the efficacy of traditional plant-based remedies as an alternative treatment for V. destructor infestations in honey bee colonies. Herbal decoctions from medicinal plants (e.g., nettle, clove, linden, peppermint, lavender, sage, dandelion), known for their anti-parasitic properties, were applied to bee colonies via aerosol. V. destructor infestation levels were monitored monthly using a non-destructive CO₂-induced narcosis method. Statistical analysis, specifically a Linear Mixed Model (LMM), revealed a significant decrease in mean Varroa infestation from 1.8 % in 2021-1.1 % in 2023 across the experimental colonies (p < 0.000001 for year effect). Furthermore, the LMM confirmed significant differences in efficacy among the tested decoctions (p < 0.000001 for Decoction label effect), with specific extracts (DIII and DV) demonstrating superior performance. These findings highlight a validated, ecologically derived phytotherapeutic approach for Varroa management, demonstrating its potential to significantly reduce mite populations over multiple years without adverse effects on honey bee health. This research provides valuable insights into natural alternatives for parasitic mite control in domesticated animals like honey bees.