Abstract Woody biomass feedstock is suitable for direct combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, ethanol or methanol production yielding heat, charcoal, pyrolysis oil, green electricity and bio-propellants. However, there are several issues concerning the environmental, social and economic sustainability of woody biomass production connected to land use, protection of wildlife habitats, conservation and remediation of landscapes. Establishing energy plantations on arable lands or on grasslands is generally considered as working against nature conservation, while setting them up in polluted areas or wastelands could be advantageous for wildlife, because of 1. more permanent cover that provides shelter and biomass for feeding, which is especially important in winter periods; 2. higher architectural complexity of vegetation providing more place for nesting and feeding for wildlife; 3. exploiting the advantages of root filtration, phytoremediation, or using less chemicals; 4. forbs in the undergrowth and young shoots able to provide better quality food for wildlife than the intensive monocultures. The solution is a complex management system, including land use, phytoremediation, waste and wastewater management and ecosystem-based planning incorporated in one dynamic structure.

Abstract The aim of the paper is to draw attention to consequences of the transfer of competency at the level of the building procedure from state authorities to municipal offices in the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic. The defined research objective was achieved firstly by conducting controlled interviews with representatives of the building offices in the Nitra Region and, secondly, by analysis of financing of this competency from the obtained data from publicly available sources in both states. Secondly, the paper includes a comparison of the financial management of the transferred competencies at the level of the building procedure between the Nitra Region (Slovakia) and the Pardubice Region (Czech Republic). By conducting controlled interviews in the Nitra Region, we came to the conclusion of the financial under-dimensioning of this competency. By comparing the amount of state subsidies provided for the building procedure in both regions, significant differences were found. Based on our research findings, we recommend reassessing the state subsidies for the transferred competency in the field of building procedure.

Abstract In this work, the calorific value content in the dry matter of the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) trees was evaluated. This dry matter was obtained only from the above-ground fractions of its biomass. Our experimental material was taken from five Scots pine trees situated in Slovakia. Wood and bark samples were obtained from the discs which were cut off from three locations, namely from the stem, branches of tree crowns and needles. Then, calorific value capacity (J g−1) in the dry matter of each sample was determined. The impact of statistically significant factors on the calorific value capacity was determined by means of analysis of variance. The average values are, according to the fractions, approximately in the range of 20,000–22,200 J g−1. The smallest capacity of the calorific value, approximately 20,000 J g−1, has the dry matter from bark obtained from the middle and crown parts of the stem. Then, the dry matter from stem wood and branches follows with a value of approximately 20,700 J g−1. Then follows dry matter of the coarse bark occurring on the stem butt and twigs that are covered with needles with a value of about 21,900 J g−1; and finally pine needles with the highest values of about 22,200 J g−1. The calorific value variability is relatively low with coefficients of variations of 0.9–2.8%.

Abstract The aim of the paper was to describe the occurrence of dry seasons in Slovakia. Dry seasons in the period from 1957 to 2016 were determined according to the monthly Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI). For this purpose, ten sites based on limit climatic parameters were chosen – Bratislava, Piešťany, Hurbanovo, Čadca, Sliač, Boľkovce, Poprad, Košice, Milhostov, and Kamenica nad Cirochou. The results showed the alternation of dry and wet episodes and the variability of weather not only over time, but also over space. The analysis of linear trends showed that the arid trend was identified on most sites (9 localities).

Abstract Countries provide different levels of support from public expenditures to farmers. Some countries subsidise their agricultural producers more significantly. On the other hand, other group of countries provides less support to their producers from public resources. Different international organisations and institutions provide their own indicators as in the case of the Oranisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD provides a comprehensive framework to measure the level of support and to identify its structure. This measurement provides a comparable review of support to agriculture from public budgets and helps to evaluate the transfers from taxpayers to producers or consumers. The aim of our work was to present this measurement framework, the differences in support between OECD and some non-OECD countries and to see if there is an evidence of development in level and/or in structure of supports in agriculture in the 2016, 2017 and 2018’s editions of OECD publications taken into consideration. The comparative analysis shows that not only the level, but the composition of support differes from country to country.

Abstract Local self-governments in the Slovak Republic have many possibilities to do business to capitalize their assets and generate their own budget revenues. The purpose of the article was to identify and evaluate business companies through which local selfgovernments conduct business from different perspectives. We focused on businesses with asset ownership of municipalities with city status. When analyzing businesses, we have taken into account their size, spatial layout, legal form, subject of activity, and their economy. Slovak cities have a long-term experience with conducting business through business companies. Most of these are companies with 100% ownership of the cities, in terms of the legal form of a limited liability company. The research results confirm that the significant effect of government-run business is the increase in the value of assets.

Abstract The article reviews the energy potential of microalgae as an alternative raw material for anaerobic digestion. Currently, energy security is one of the main topics among researchers. The amount of generated fossil fuels is limited, it is a question of time when fossil fuels will not continue to be accessible at low cost. There is a need to find an alternative carrier of energy which will replace the fossil fuels in the World. Green microalgae can be proposed as a possible bio raw-material, which can be used as an input material in order to produce energy. Lots of alternative technologies of algae cultivation are currently being developed all over the world. There is a necessity to search for a sensible way to produce algal biomass for bioenergy purposes, while maintaining all requirements involved in environmental and economic issues. The research results presented in the science article show that microalgae biomass is the proper alternative material for biogas production with the method of anaerobic fermentation. We believe that these research results can contribute to the future development of all forms of renewable energy in the Slovak Republic.

Abstract The renewable energy sources play an important role in the discussions on the future energy generation. The European Union has set certain goals to increase the share of renewable energy sources and to reduce carbon emissions. The paper focuses on the evaluation of energy production from short rotation coppice (SRC) plantations in the cadastral area of Nové Zámky. The study area is located in south-western Slovakia. The energy production was evaluated based on GIS analysis of agricultural land suitable for establishment of short rotation coppice plantations. The high-quality arable land was excluded from the biomass production. The wood biomass should be produced on marginal, low-quality soils and contaminated or degraded land that is unsuitable for food production. There are only high and medium-quality soils classified in the qualitative groups 1–7 in the study area. The land potentially used for biomass production represents an area of 1,536 ha. If the whole area would be covered by short rotation coppice plantations, it would produce 4.8 kWh/day per person. Taking into consideration the overall losses of 33% in the process of the energy conversion, the potential power from the wood biomass production is 3.2 kWh/day per person. The plantations would provide 61 new jobs in the study area.

Abstract Despite of reduction of its share on the gross domestic product, agriculture remains a branch generating job opportunities in rural areas. However, through more intensive farming procedures, it puts a pressure on environment and sustainability of agricultural production and prolongs the distance of distributed goods. Reduction of the mentioned impacts is possible through shortening the food supply chain subsequently resulting in increase of local sale, demand for local services and increase of labour market, putting an emphasis on support of small and medium – sized enterprises and their economic viability improvement. This paper evaluates the performance of small and medium enterprises and micro-enterprises which applied for the support and supplied and distributed fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products to kindergartens and primary schools within the School Fruits and Vegetables and the School Milk programme. We suppose that through supplying local schools they contributed to the food supply chain shortening.

Abstract Despite the fact that the agricultural land market in Slovakia has developed in recent years, the overwhelming part of agricultural land in Slovakia is utilized in the form of rent. Only a small part is managed by the landowners themselves. It is therefore necessary to create mechanisms that would make it easier for both beginners and experienced farmers to acquire land as a basic factor of production. It is also important to create conditions enabling agricultural land to continue to serve its purposes and be acquired by persons who are competent for the management of the land and will manage it in compliance with the criteria of good agricultural and environmental practice. Research and analysis of factors affecting the land market and the rental market with agricultural land will also play an important role in these directions. During the evaluated period 2007–2016, we analyzed 244,374 land plots of agricultural land in twelve districts of the Slovak Republic (hereinafter referred also as SR). In the twelve districts of Slovakia, from 2007 to 2016, the average market price agricultural land without a distinction of size categories showed a fluctuating trend. Higher values of the average market price of agricultural land were recorded in the first years of the reviewed period. The highest value of the average market price was recorded in 2008 and amounted to 2.76 €.m−2. During the monitored period, from 2007 to 2011, the average market price had always values exceeding 1 €.m−2. In the reviewed twelve districts of Slovakia during the monitored period, the sold area of agricultural land represented acreage of 100,574 ha. From this acreage, the largest share (58.41%) scored arable land followed by permanent grassland with a share of 40.92%. Orchards marked the 0.43% share of the total acreage and the smallest share (only 0.23%) of the total sales was represented by vineyards.

Abstract Household income is one of the basic indicators of the living standard of population in countries or regions. The income indicator is inextricably linked to the household expenditure indicator, whose structure also indicates the living standards of households. The development of income and expenditures of Slovak households has been affected by many events over the last decades (fulfilment of the Maastricht criteria, accession of the Slovak Republic to the EU, adoption of the euro currency, economic crisis). The category of gross cash expenditures, net cash expenditures or consumption expenditures may be used to assess household expenditures. Based on the classification by individual consumption by purpose (COICOP), the expenditures are divided into 12 basic categories. The development of individual categories of expenditures, however, should be analysed separately as there is no long-term balanced relationship between them.

Abstract The focus of the following article was to study development of certain social and economic indicators in Slovakia. We focused this paper on two types of regions in Slovakia, urban and rural. For this purpose we decided to measure the development of inhabitants in rural and urban areas as well as median age of the population. We also partially focused on the sector of agriculture since it used to play an important role in rural areas as a key employer. We found that there is a trend of moving people from urban to rural areas and that agriculture is losing its key role because of decreasing employment trend. This can be caused by low attractiveness of this sector and low income which, nowadays, plays an important role in finding a job.

Abstract In the paper, we analyse the relationship between third sector local institutions, which represent a component of social capital, and human development at the level of Slovak municipalities. In order to measure human development we use modified human development index, reflecting unemployment, level of education and gross mortality rate. We hypothesize that third sector institutions acting at the local level have a positive impact on human development. We utilize regression analysis in order to reveal this relationship, using cross-sectional data. Statistical results confirm our hypothesis. There is a positive and statistically significant relationship between the number of civic associations and the level of the human development index, even when filtering out other impacts, including self-government organizations per 1,000 inhabitants and net assets of the municipality per inhabitant. This result may be explained by the concept of social capital, meaning the network of interest-group relationships has a positive impact on providing services, governance and better access to less accessible forms of capital.

Abstract The grasslands in the Slovak Republic are divided into 7 categories that have different way and conditions of management to protect and maintain them. From the area of 1,239,777 hectares of habitats in SR and payments per hectare, we calculated the amount of financial support that represents 130,265,701 € for the A-G habitats in 2010-2016. Based on the data about potential use of grassland habitats in livestock feeding (mountain meadows and alluvial meadows), the production potential of C 3.12 t.ha-1biotope E 4.25 t.ha-1of dry matter was calculated, as a result of 5-years long experiment of the Department of Grassland Ecosystems and Forage Crops of SUA in Nitra. We calculated the direct costs for the production of hay dry matter, which reached 116.78 €.ha-1in the meadows, and 71.11 €.ha-1in valleys. Direct costs per 1 hectare of hay dry production are with a support covered on 111.0% of mountain meadows and 74% of meadows. The annual value of ecosystem services of grassland habitats reached 579,789,008 €. Subsidies for permanent grassland habitats stimulate the economy of agricultural subjects and protect the biodiversity of permanent grasslands.

Absract Current unfavourable situation in agricultural sector of the Slovak Republic makes national public authorities to look for possible solutions for satisfaction of local producers and consumers as well. Increase of domestic production in the programming period 2014-2020 with focus especially on producing high quality products is a challenge for Slovak government and local producers, too. In this paper we reveal the theoretical determination, legal limitations, opportunities for support and the level of implementation of short food supply chains as a tool for farmers, producers and processors to increase the added value of their products through promotion of existing and creation of new local markets. The possible support is described both in terms of the rural development policy as well as the regional policy, under limitations defined in European and national legal documents. The level of implementation of short food supply chains in agricultural sector of the SR is described in relation to the Rural Development Programme of the Slovak Republic 2014-2020.

Abstract The paper deals with application of the DPSIR diagram approach to the Aral Sea ecosystem problem. The DPSIR diagram, a causal framework for environment-society interaction, represents complex connections between the shrinking of the Aral Sea and various social and ecological problems in the region. Examining the components of this interdisciplinary approach - economic forces, pressures, states, impacts and responses could lead to a common response to the environmental, social and economic challenges in the Aral Sea region.

Abstract The paper focuses on the identification of trends and perspectives of fuelwood production in most countries of Europe. The shortages in forest territories per capita have been considered as forest poverty and the level of forest poverty has been measured. The indicator of fuelwood production intensity, which is defined as fuelwood production per hectare has been evaluated for every country under consideration. The EU countries have been classified by fuelwood production effectiveness and forest poverty. Trends of fuelwood production have been determined and the forecast of fuelwood production have been developed for selected countries.

Abstract According to the OECD, active employment policies include all social expenditure that are directed at improving the chances of finding a job and income generation (except education). Active labour market policies are around to assist in enhancing labour market flexibility at the times of economic changes. Their key components are the so-called activation strategies that act as typical prerequisites of benefitting from unemployment security/support systems in every EU country. The workfare concept lies behind the public work programmes. There are serious professional debates whether public work can primarily be seen as a ’compulsion and work test’ or, rather, as an opportunity of entering the primary labour market. The available efficiency analyses unanimously state that public work forms have the biggest role in testing willingness to work and the obligatory nature is the strongest of all active labour market policies. Research also indicates that public work reintegrates only few people back to the primary labour market and the majority are restrained from seeking a job and other income generating activities. There are several reasons for and against public work and opinions differ. The paper summarises the benefits and drawbacks on the basis of international and Hungarian analyses.

AbstractThe paper analyses the legal regulation of the cultivation of fast-growing trees on agricultural land in Slovakia and Czechia. The focus is on the differences in the legislation of the two countries, the application of the regulations of cultivation of fast-growing trees in practice, the level of protection of agricultural land, and the support system for the cultivation of fast-growing trees. Comparison of national legislation dealing with the issue of planting fast-growing trees, taking into consideration the protection of agricultural land and the legislation on granting the state support has also been investigated in the context of European legislation. The procedure before the start of planting, the permission conditions for planting of fast-growing trees, the conditions and the process of support provision have been studied. The result of the documents analysis is a comprehensive comparative overview of the above-mentioned areas of legislation on the cultivation of fast-growing trees in Slovakia and Czechia and the identification of differences, benefits and practical impacts on the cultivation of fast-growing trees.

Abstract The changes of selected chemical parameters were observed in Gleyic Fluvisols. The field experiment was established as a twofactor experiment with four energy crops (Arundo donax L., Miscanthus × giganteus, Elymus elongatus Gaertner, Sida hermafrodita) and two variants of fertilization (nitrogen fertilization in rate 60 kg ha-1, without nitrogen fertilization). Soil samples were taken from the depth of 0 to 0.3 m at the beginning of the experiment in the autumn 2012 and at the end of reference period in the autumn 2015. Land management conversion from market crops to perennial energy crops cultivation has influenced changes of selected soil chemical parameters. The contents of soil organic carbon were affected by cultivated energy crops differently. It was found out that Arundo increased the organic carbon content and Miscanthus, Elymus and Sida decreased its content. At the same time, the same impact of the crops on content of available phosphorus and potassium and soil reaction was found. It was recorded that each cultivated crop decreased the soil reaction and available phosphorus content and increased the content of available potassium.

Abstract The paper presents results of the research project Social and Moral Aspects of Economic and Civic Life of Rural Youth, which was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic, through the Slovak Youth Institute under the specific scheme Support and Development of Research in the Field of Youth Policy. With the focus on the problems of contemporary life of rural youth, it emphasizes socio-economic and civic-politic dimension of its life. It maps different aspects as well as the influence of particular factors and institutions that affect behaviour and choices of young people in rural areas. The research methodology was based on qualitative approach using observation and personal semi-standardized interview method during the field survey. Interviews were conducted with 106 young people aged 18-30 from 39 rural communities localized in different parts of Slovakia in 2014. Besides introduction to the context, the authors describe methodological framework and the sampling procedure, the key research goals and questions, and basic research findings. They conclude that rural youth needs to be given certain stimulus and support in all possible areas of existence and participation, as well as tolerance and acceptance of their new ideas and thoughts.

Abstract Agro-energy crop, Miscanthus × giganteus should be produced on marginal land in order to avoid land suitable for food production. Production of electricity in thermal power plants occupies large land areas by depositing tailings from surface mines, and depositing ash and slag. During the first year of Miscanthus × giganteus growing in containers, the concentration of heavy metals: As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn and Fe was monitored in underground and aboveground plant parts. The substrate was overburden from open pit coal mine RB Kolubara and ash from TPP Nikola Tesla B. Significant differences were found between the substrate and the investigated elements, but in all cases the accumulated heavy metals almost completely remained stable in underground organs of plant. It can be concluded that biomass of Miscanthus × giganteus could be used as energy source if it is grown on a soil moderately contaminated by heavy metals.

Abstract The household income is one of the basic indicators of the human living standard in the countries or their regions. The indicator of income is very closely connected to the indicator of expenditures, which completes the view of the living standard of households. During the last two decades, there were some important events that have influenced the development of household incomes and expenditures in Slovakia, such as accession of the Slovak Republic into the EU, adoption of the common currency euro or economic crisis as well. In the last years, the net incomes as well as the net expenditures of the Slovak households have increased. According to the results, this trend will continue; however, the net expenditures will increase faster than the net incomes of households. Therefore, we can expect that the savings rate will decrease. On the other hand, the differences of net household income and expenditures among the regions of Slovakia were not eliminated. There is still a high difference of the net household income mainly between the Bratislava region and the Prešov region.

Abstract The historical, economic and legal conditions of the Polish energy supply system differ from other European countries. The share of renewable energy sources in the overall energy balance is still limited. The main purpose of this study is to investigate whether it is possible to meet the energy needs of the basic unit of the territorial organization in Poland, i.e. a commune, exclusively from renewable sources. The main emphasis was put on the methods of estimating the demand of the inhabitants of a commune for energy and the possibility of producing it in an alternative way. The presented considerations could be used as a support for decision makers on the regional and local level in Poland and other European countries, who face the same challenges in energy supply.