Suchergebnisse

The CASEE Network, funded in 2010, is aimed to support the development and implementation of the EU Strategy for the Danube region by strengthening research, education and University development within the region. In this context, the annual CASEE conferences bring together Central and South Eastern European Higher Education institutions relating to the Life Science disciplines. Rural areas in Europe and specifically the Danube region are more and more under pressure. The rural areas urgently need economic chances for development. One of the opportunities could be the implementation of the bio-based economy. Driven by scientific and educational challenges, we aimed at discussing the potentials and options of biomass and food production in the Danube region, seeking for new concepts and technologies, knowing that agricultural intensification alone cannot be the solution. Preserving soil and water resources and their sustainable use is one of the great challenges when increasing biomass production. The 4th Conference "Food and Biomass Production – Basis for a Sustainable Rural Development" was held in Zagreb at the University of Zagreb, organized by Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Forestry, Croatia, 1-3 July 2013. It was a great pleasure to host our dear colleagues and friends in the occasion of Croatia's entry into the European Union and hereby we give thanks for their support again. The conference program consisted of four main workshops focused on the issues of soil protection and the Danube perspectives, food and biomass production as a challenge and chance for rural development, agriculture, water use and protection in the Danube region, and last but not least, education. As much as 130 participants from 11 countries attended the conference and 64 lectures were presented. The main idea of the network is to develop contacts among young scientists, and thereby spread knowledge, experience and friendliness within the region. Organizing and Scientific committees wish to express cordial gratitude to everyone that participated in the program with oral or poster presentations. Our sincere gratitude is expressed to the reviewers for time and effort devoted in the manuscripts that are published in this special issue of Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus. Finally, special thanks must go to all members of the CASEE team for their enthusiasm and support of the network activities, and particularly to Martin Gerzabek, the president of the CASEE Network for his engagement and support. Davor ROMIĆ Guest editor and Chairman of Organizing Committee Milan MESIĆ Guest editor and Chairman of Scientifi c Committee

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of agricultural land in the coastal Adriatic Karst region (Šibenik region, Croatia) for biosolids application by integrating spatial data from different sources: digital maps and remote sensing, parcel identification system, GIS field observations and measurements focusing on specific land and soil properties. Due to the rapid development of the wastewater treatment industry, excessive accumulation of sewage sludge (SS) in wastewater treatment plants is a growing problem worldwide. Management options for land application of biosolids require a comprehensive characterization of both SS and SS-amended soils. The assessment of agricultural land in the study area for SS disposal was based on EU and national legislation. The evaluation revealed that agricultural land in the study area accounts for only 10% of the total area (25,736 ha), but only a quarter of the existing land (6065 ha) is suitable for biosolids application. Furthermore, the data indicate that the sewage sludge can be safely applied to the soil in terms of soil metals according to the Croatian legislation. The short-term potential of the soil to sustain this ecosystem service, namely soil improvement with biosolids, should be used to determine the inherent long-term potential based on resistance to soil degradation and resilience. However, caution is needed and the long-term effects should be investigated before biosolids are continuously used for soil application.