KAZALCI OKOLJA
Neutral

In 2018, more than half of Slovenia's land area was covered by forests (56% or 58% including shrubland), while other mostly natural vegetation accounted for 3%. Farmland occupied 34% of land area, while slightly less than 4% was artificial land, and less than 1% was water. In the periods 1996–2000, 2000–2006 and 2006–2012, land cover and land use changes were relatively small (they occurred on 0.12%, 0.13% and 0.09% of the entire territory, respectively). In the latest period 2012–2018 land cover and land use changes slightly increase (they occurred on 0,44 % ot the entire territory).

Neutral

In 2023, Slovenia recorded a decrease in the number and total area of functionally derelict areas (FDAs): 1070 FDAs were registered with a total area of 3225.44 ha. This brings the situation closer to that of 2017, with a decrease of 62 in the number of FDAs and 469.83 ha in total area, compared to 2020.

Bad

In Slovenia, built-up areas continue to increase, representing 5.7% of the land use structure in 2023. In the period 2019-2023 built-up areas were predominantly spread to grasslands (42%), forest (18.6%) and the category other (16.1%), with the total built-up area increasing by 1,618.9 ha over this period. Existing data sources in Slovenia have recently made it possible to evaluate the actual loss of land to development.

Neutral

Systematic research on soil pollution shows that soils in Slovenia, with some exceptions, are not heavily polluted. In 42% of top soil samples taken in the period from 1999 to 2019, no exceedances of the limit values of dangerous substances into the soil were detected. In 56% of the samples the limit values of inorganic pollutants were exceeded and in 5% the limit values of organic pollutants. The most polluted areas with inorganic pollutants were Jesenice, Idrija, the Celje Basin and the Upper Mežica Valley.

Neutral

Water protection areas (WPA) comprise approximately 17% of the territory of Slovenia. Going by land use in these areas, forest (61.1%) prevails, followed by grassland (13.6%) and arable fields (10.9%). Ecologically farmed land represents only 1.7% of total WPAs and 6.04% of agricultural land on WPAs, with grassland representing the largest share at 79.6%.

Bad

As of 2022, the Potentially Contaminated Sites (PCS) inventory in Slovenia includes 671 sites that are a potential source of pollution due to past or present activities. With the establishment of the first database, Slovenia has taken the first of six steps toward systematic management and monitoring of contaminated sites. An analysis of the degree of environmental sensitivity and threat to human health due to potential contamination revealed that priority treatment is urgent for 35 sites and very urgent for 196 sites.

Neutral

In the last decade, droughts have been slightly less intense than in the previous decade, and it is worrying that they occur most often during the growing season. Especially in the first trimester, we observe a decrease in the frequency and intensity of hydrological drought. In the period 1961–2020, the year 2003 stands out in terms of drought, which was dry in all quarters of the year. After 2000, the years 2007 and 2011 were more markedly dry.

Bad

Frequency of groundwater drought is increasing in recent decades in alluvial aquifers. 8 out of 10 years with highest intensity of groundwater drought in period 1981-2023 occurred after year 2000. Groundwater droughts with higher intensity is characteristic for winter while milder groundwater droughts mostly occur at the beginning of autumn. Groundwater drought intensity is also increasing seasonally with time between June and September when groundwater use is pronounced.

Bad

Soil drought has a key impact on plant development and consequently on various industries (forestry, agriculture, …) . Indicators of the number of drought days and the duration of drought periods in individual years show an increase especially after 1990. Similarly, the analysis of the impact of the climate change up to 2100 shows that soil water deficits will increase in the future. The number and the duration of the droughts will increase.