A plant’s main mechanism to diminish the effects caused by high free radical levels generated during high irradiance is the synthesis of various secondary metabolites. In addition to interspecies differences, their concentrations may be influenced by genetic, ontogenic, morphogenetic or environmental factors. We investigated the influence of genetic (genotypes from different natural habitats) and environmental (contrasting light regimes as well as successive parts of the vegetation period) variability on the accumulation of 10 selected phenolic compounds (phenolic acids, flavonoids, and xanthones) in Iris variegata genotypes. Genotypes originated from either sun-exposed or shaded natural habitats were transplanted to two experimental light treatments (high light intensity with a higher R/FR ratio and low light intensity with a lower R/FR ratio). Significant impacts of both genetic and environmental seasonal variability (spring, summer and fall during the vegetation period) on phenolic compound profiles were detected. Their highest amounts were detected in spring. The magnitude of difference between light treatments (high vs. low light intensity) and the direction of this change varied depending on the secondary compound class. Phenotypic correlations among the 10 analyzed secondary metabolites differed across the experimental light treatments and their number decreased from spring to fall.

In this study we compared the biomonitoring potential of various types of flower asymmetry indices in Iris pumila (Dwarf Bearded Iris). We chose 197 naturally growing clones from the arid steppe habitat in the largest sandy area in Europe (Deliblato Sands Nature Reserve), and we transplanted two replicates of each clone to a polluted highway site with a heavy traffic flow. After a period of acclimatization, lower levels of photosynthetic pigment concentrations and higher stomatal density and specific leaf area in transplants verified that the chosen highway site was indeed more stressful and therefore suitable for estimation of the flower asymmetry biomonitoring potential. We analyzed radially and bilaterally symmetrical flower structures (radial fluctuating asymmetry (RA) and bilateral fluctuating asymmetry (FA)) on three perianth parts—falls, standards, and styles—and calculated various asymmetry indices based on linear and geometric morphometrics. Despite utilizing a heavily polluted environment and fairly large sample sizes, only one asymmetry index was significantly higher on the polluted site with demonstrated stressful effects on utilized plants, indicating that flower asymmetry was not an efficient method for biomonitoring in the case of I. pumila RA and FA indices.

The invasion of non-native plant species has a detrimental effect on native biodiversity. In a seven-year research project, we investigated the occurrence of the invasive species Asclepias syriaca L.in the Deliblato Sands protected area, located at a south-eastern part of the Pannonian Plain, and identified the factors that contribute significantly to its colonisation. The distribution of this invasive species was monitored on more than 300 km of the accessory, bordering and selected internal roads. A. syriaca occurs within the protected area but is much more widespread on accessory and bordering roads. The number of locations of A. syriaca increased every year of the study, even within the protected area, indicating a further spread of this species. A. syriaca is much more abundant on the north-eastern edge than in the south-west. The reason for this is most likely the much larger area of abandoned agricultural land in the north-east. Roads used for public transport are the main entry points for the further spread of A. syriaca. In contrast, recreational trail use does not enhance the spread in the Deliblato Sands natural reserve. This study can be used to further analyse the ecological dynamics of A. syriaca and to develop timely strategies by which to prevent or slow down its spread.

The automotive, as one of the fastest growing and largest industries, is finding more and more interest in developing software for its innovating solutions. New features and modules such as digital cockpit, driver assistance algorithms and many more are based on software solutions. Thus, there is considerable interest in this industry in computer aided tools that support rapid development of new products, where the majority of the tools require expensive PC hardware support. This paper describes solution that enables use of affordable PC hardware as a new method for the design and validation of advanced software algorithms based on the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulator. Simulator is used to verify the different software modules and algorithms under development for new electronic control units (ECU), where the development time and mainly the validation phase is carried out faster in a more cost effective and controllable manner.

Kanalska mreža predstavlja važan element vodoprivredne infrastrukture sa ključnom ulogom u odvodnjavanju, navodnjavanju, zaštiti od poplava i očuvanju ekološke povezanosti ravničarskih predela. Njena funkcionalnost i ekološki potencijal sve su više ugroženi akumulacijom sedimenta, prekomernim razvojem vegetacije i širenjem invazivnih alohtonih vrsta (IAS). U radu je sagledan potencijal IAS biomase i sedimenta nastalih pri održavanju kanalske mreže kao sekundarnih resursa za unapređenje funkcionalnosti sistema i smanjenje ekoloških pritisaka. Poseban osvrt dat je na savremene pristupe valorizacije, uključujući hidrotermalnu karbonizaciju i proizvodnju hidročađi kao funkcionalnog materijala za zaštitu voda i zemljišta.