Biosystems Diversity (E-Journal - Dnipro National University)
Not a member yet
1129 research outputs found
Sort by
Global climate change will lead to a decrease in the erosion resistance of Polissya and Forest-Steppe soils
Get PDFSoil erosion is an ecological process leading to both soil degradation and soil fertility reduction. The USLE empirical model incorporates the soil erosion index (K-factor), describing the susceptibility to soil erosion, which depends on the structural stability of soil aggregates. The article evaluates the spatial variability of the erodibility factor across Polissya and the Forest-Steppe regions of Ukraine and forecasts the changes in this indicator in the near-, medium- and long-term. The assessment of the soil erodibility factor K for the period 1970–2000 suggests that this indicator was at the level of 0.11 ± 0.013 t•ha•h•/ (ha•MJ•mm). The organic matter content is an important factor determining the soil's sensitivity to erosion. The highest stocks of organic matter in the region were observed in the northern part of the territory, due to the accumulation of organic matter caused by waterlogging of soils and extensive swamping processes. In agricultural areas, relatively low soil organic matter content was observed in some landscapes in the centre, south and west. The dependence of soil organic matter content on bioclimatic variables was established to predict the trend of changes in the soil erodibility factor K over time due to global climate change. Regression analysis was able to explain 79% of the variation in soil organic matter content. The statistically significant predictors of soil organic matter content were annual mean temperature, temperature seasonality, mean temperature of the wettest quarter, mean temperature of the warmest quarter, precipitation of the wettest month, precipitation of the wettest quarter, precipitation of the warmest quarter. The application of the predicted values of bioclimatic variables provided an opportunity to predict the content of organic matter in the soil and calculate the value of the soil erodibility factor K in the future. The forecast indicates that climate change is expected to result in a reduction of soil organic matter content by an average of 26.7% in 2021–2040, which would also lead to an increase in the soil erodibility factor K by 3.6%. In 2021–2040, the regional minimum organic matter content will shift from the southwest to the central part of the region. The zone of lowest erosion will decrease significantly and will be located only in the north-west of the region. The zone of highest erosion will spread in the latitudinal direction from east to west. In the period 2041–2060, climate change will not lead to significant changes in the content of organic matter in the soil, and, accordingly, the values of the soil erodibility factor K will not change significantly. The regional minimum of soil organic matter content will be observed in the southeast, and the regional maxima of soil organic matter content will be observed in the northeast and southwest. The regional minimum of soil erosion will remain virtually unchanged in the north-west of the region. In the period 2061–2080, climate change will also worsen the situation, and compared to 2041–2060, the organic matter content in the soil will decrease by 15.1%, resulting in a 1.6% increase in the soil erodibility factor K. The regional minimum of organic matter content will shift to the north and north-east. The regional maximum of soil erosion will spread in space. The differential approach allowed us to better reflect the trends in soil erosion. In the period from 1970–2000 to 2021–2040, the largest increase in soil erosion will occur in the north of the region. A decrease in erosion will occur in the south-west of the region. In the following period, the area of increased soil erosion will be localised in the east of the region. In the period up to 2061–2080, the area of increased soil erosion will cover the north and south-west of the region. Soil organic matter stock is a risk factor for increased soil sensitivity to erosion in the sense that a larger stock can be reduced to a greater extent. Thus, in the coming decades, the Polissia region should be considered the most risky in the context of the negative effects of climate change on soil erosion resistance. In the medium term, the deterioration trend will continue in the northeast of Polissia, and in the long term, threats will resume throughout Polissia
Diversity and regeneration of native woody plant species as indicators of sustainable ecosystem service provisioning in Menagesha Suba Forest, Central Ethiopia
Get PDFBiodiversity loss poses significant threats to forest ecosystem services (FES) and human well-being. Despite their critical importance, understanding FES dynamics in developing countries like Ethiopia remains limited due to a lack of comprehensive data on biodiversity, vegetation structure, and their relationships with FES. This study aimed to address these gaps by investigating the diversity, structure, regeneration status, and FES provision of woody plant species in Menagesha Suba Forest, one of Ethiopia’s oldest dry Afromontane forests. A vegetation inventory conducted across 94 systematically sampled plots (20 × 20 m) identified 71 woody species, comprising 42.3% trees, 46.5% shrubs, and 11.3% woody climbers, belonging to 56 genera and 43 families. Dominant species included Juniperus procera (IVI = 86.5%) and Olea europaea (IVI = 28.2%). Diversity indices indicated high species richness (H’ = 3.06), moderate evenness (0.72), and high biodiversity (D = 0.93). Household surveys (n = 145) revealed that 43 woody species were utilized for nine key uses. Fuelwood was the most common use (26 species), followed by fences (22 species), farming tools (21 species), house construction (17 species), and household utilities (16 species). Apart native woody species, exotic species, including Eucalyptus globulus, Cupressus lusitanica, and Grevillea robusta, were among the most utilized. Despite disturbances such as illegal fuelwood collection and grazing, the forest remains a critical biodiversity hotspot and an essential provider of ecosystem services. Strengthening landscape multifunctionality through assisted regeneration, targeted reforestation, and afforestation is imperative to balance biodiversity conservation with FES provision. Future research should integrate biodiversity and ecosystem service data to guide evidence-based conservation strategies, fostering socioecological resilience in Ethiopia and similar regions
Fauna and importance of blister beetles (Coleoptera, Meloidae) of the Southern Aral Sea Region (Uzbekistan)
Get PDFThe territory of the Southern Aral Sea region has suffered the most from the environmental consequences of the drying up of the Aral Sea. That is why monitoring the state of the fauna of the region is very important. The article presents a complete analysis of the fauna of blister beetles of the Southern Aral Sea region and an assessment of its current state. For the first time, a list of blister beetles of the Southern Aral Sea region has been compiled, including 27 species from 2 subfamilies, 6 tribes, and 9 genera. Among them, Hycleus scabiosae, Meloe cicatricosus, Lydulus albopilosus, Rhampholyssa steveni, Zonitis flava were not found in our survey, while Epicauta erythrocephala, Mylabris coerulescens, Mylabris crocata, Hycleus polymorphus, Lytta deserti were recorded for the first time in the Southern Aral Sea basin. Of the four biocenoses (the Kyzylkum Desert, the Lower Amu Darya Biosphere Reserve, Southern Ustyurt and agrocenoses), the most diverse was the fauna of blister beetles of the Kyzylkum desert, including 19 species. Only 9 species were noted in the Lower Amu Darya Biosphere Reserve. The most similar are the faunas of the Southern Ustyurt and agrocenoses, which have 8 common species. The fauna of blister beetles of the Kyzylkum Desert is the most isolated. Blister beetle larvae (mainly species of the genera Mylabris and Epicauta) parasitize on eight species of locusts. The infestation of egg pods of Locusta migratoria migratoria by blister beetle larvae was 29.2% and that of Calliptamus italicus italicus – 32.8%
Comparative analysis of the helminth fauna of domestic water birds in Azerbaijan
Get PDFOne of the factors that prevent the production of high - quality food products from geese and ducks, which contribute to sati s fying people's demand for poultry meat, is helminthiasis. Determining the species composition of pathogens and determining the changes in the composition of the fauna over a certain period and its comparative analysis are of great scientific interest. For this purpose, in the years 2012 – 2024 , 940 domestic water birds ( Anser anser dom. and Anas platherhynchos dom.) from various economic regions of the Azerbaijan Republic were studied by the method of complete parasitological dissection. Some of the collected helminths was fixed in 70% alcohol or 4% formaldehyde, and permanent preparations were prepared from the rest and examined under light microscopes. Helminths were identified with the us e of identification guides . It was found that in the period of study (2012 – 2024) 29 species of helminths (cestodes – 8, trematodes – 7, nematodes – 13, acanthocephalans – 1) we re parasi t ic in domestic water birds. The results of studies conducted in the country in the years 1935 – 1982 were compared with these data. It was determined that the helminth list of domestic geese and ducks in the country in all periods consisted of 54 species (cestodes – 14, trematodes – 20, nematodes – 17, acanthocephal ans – 3). As a result of the comparative analysis of the parasitic fauna, it was found that the number of species parasitic in birds decreased from 49 to 29. On the other hand, 5 new species of parasitic worms (cestodes – Diorchis inflata , Ligula intestinalis , trematode – Echinostoma chloropodis , nematode – Hystrichis tricolor and acanthocephala n – Polymorphus magnus ) were included in the fauna. These species have a wide host range and are also found to infest waterfowl at high intensity. Twenty-five species of parasites mentioned in previous studies have not been encountered in the named hosts in the country in recent years. They include Dicranotaenia coronula , Microsomacanthus coll a ris , M. compressa , M. paracompressa , Sobolevicanthus gracilis , S. octacanthus cestodes and Cyclocoelum mutabile , Echinop a ryphium westsibiricum , Echinostoma grande , E. robustum , E. stromi , Neoacanthoparyphium petrovi , Paryphostomum pental o bum , Psilochasmus caspicum , P. gaibovi , P. skrjabini , Typhlocoelum cucumerinum , Catatropis verrucosa , Notocotylus parv i ovatus trematodes. Nematodes ( Amidostomum anseris , Echinuria uncinata , Baruscapillaria anseris , Trichostrongylus medius ) and acanthocephal an s ( Polymorphus kostylewi , P. diploinflatus ) are among the systematic groups that have undergone relatively few changes. Separately, it was found that the number of helminth species in domestic geese decreased from 32 to 22, and in domestic ducks from 41 to 21. When looking at the systematic groups of helminths, while there is few change in the number of nematodes, a significant decrease in the diversity of digenetic worms (from 19 to 7 species) is observed. This is most likely due to the decrease in the number of intermediate hosts involved in the development cycle of helminths or their absence in the current changing ecological conditions
Morphological and biochemical characteristics of medlar (Crataegus germanica) fruits in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine
Get PDFThis study was carried out to determine the morphological traits of the fruit as well as the dry matter, sugars, and organic a c ids of medlar ( Crataegus germanica (L.) Kuntze) genotypes which were grown near Kyiv, Ukraine in 2022–2024. A total of 15 genotypes were evaluated in the study, including 14 varieties originating from Western, Central, and Eastern European countries, the North Caucasus, and Iran, and one local semi-wild form. S ignificant differences were detected among the genotypes on the morphological and biological characters and on the chemical composition of the fruit. Fruit diameter ranged from 16.97 to 42.17 mm, fruit weight from 2.39 to 34.37 g, pyren a percentage from 0.00 % to 16.82%. ‘Apyrena’ and ‘Seedless’ are charact e rized by the complete absence of pyren a s and seeds in the fruit. In terms of fruit diameter and fruit weight genotypes are grouped into very small fruit (‘Apyrena’), small fruit (semi-wild medlar, ‘Seedless’ and ‘Nottingham’), medium-sized fruit (‘Gojtkhiv s ka’, ‘Monstruose d’Evreinoff’, ‘Haidegger’, ‘25-hrammovaja’, ‘Elburs’, ‘Silberberger’, ‘Delice des Vannes’, and ‘Sladkaja Dr a chyova’), and large fruit (‘Holland’, ‘Dutch Giant’, ‘Dniprovska’, and Flanders Giant ® ). The correlation between fruit diameter and fruit weight is very strong, r = 0.9 8 . The weight of pyren a s in the fruit is moderately correlated with the fruit weight, r = – 0.45. Medlar pyren a s var ied in length from about 8.75 to 13.53 mm, in width from 6.06 to 11.01 mm and in thickness from 3.97 to 7.12 mm. The largest pyren a s we re found in ‘Dutch Giant’, ‘Holland’, Flanders Giant ® , ‘Dniprovska’, and ‘Gojtkhivska’, accordingly 0.33, 0.33, 0.35, 0.37, 0.48 g; the smallest pyren a s (0.11 g) we re found in semi-wild medlar fruit. The fruits of the ultra-early ‘Hoitkhivska’ variety beg a n to soften on the tree in late October. The early ripening varieties ‘Elburs’, ‘Haidegger’, ‘Nottingham’, ‘Si l berberger’ and semi-wild medlar reach ed consumer ripeness when stored indoors at room temperature for two weeks. Late-ripening varieties include ‘Delice des Vannes’, ‘Dutch Giant’, Flanders Giant ® , ‘Holland’, ‘Monstruose d'Evreinoff’, ‘Sladkaja Drachyova’, and ‘25-hrammovaja’. Fruits of ultra-late varieties ‘Apyrena’, ‘Dniprovska’, and ‘Seedless’, we re ha r vested in the late October without bletting. In December , fruit after repeated freezing outdoors on the tree, when the flesh had reached a soft consistency, consisted of dry matter from 19.7% to 26.2%. The total sugar ranged from 8.5% to 17.1%, monosa c charides from 8.3% to 16.0%, titratable acidity from 0.28% to 1.12%, ascorbic acid from 2.94 to 4.84 mg / 100 g, sugar/acidity index from 10.0 to 50.8
Chemical composition, insecticidal and insect repellent activity of Schinus molle leaf essential oil against Tribolium confusum, Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus granarius
Get PDFThe present study determines the chemical profile of Schinus molle L. essential oil and its toxicity and repellent effect on Tribolium confusum , Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus granarius adults. Ninety-seven compounds were identified and the most abundant were ß-eudesmol (5.872%), elemol (9.028%), α-phellandrene (12.104%) and ß-phellandrene (16.613%). The phytochemical analysis of Schinus molle showed the presence of quinones, flavonoids, leucoanthocyan in , steroids and sap o nins. The oil demonstrated an insecticidal activity against Tribolium confusum (LC 50 = 170.30 μL/L), Rhyzopert h a dominica (LC 50 = 174.30 μL/L) and Sitophilus granarius (LC 50 = 241.20 μL/L) at 12h after treatment. T. confusum is the most sensitive to the treatment followed by R. dominica and S. granarius . Contact is the most effective mode of application compared to fumig a tion. Moreover, this essential oil exhibited a repellent activity as a function of the exposure time and concentrations. A selection index (Si) of 0.26, 0.35 and 0.15 with 20 µL/mL concentration was registered, showing the highest repellent activity against T. confusum , R . dominica and S . granarius , respectively
Component composition of organic compounds of the assimilative apparatus of different species of the genus Aesculus affected by Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae)
Get PDFThe most important disease for plants of the Aesculus genus is leaf spot caused by the leaf miner Cameraria ohridella (Lepidoptera , Gracillariidae) , which limits the use of Aesculus in landscaping in urban areas. The leaf miner C. ohridella is an insect widely spread in most European countries. The study was carried out in an urban area with six species of the genus Aesculus L. ( А e . hippocastanum L., A e . pavia L., A e . parviflora Walt., A e . flava Sol., A e . glabra Willd. and hybrid Aesculus × carnea ). The article reflects the results of research on the influence of the leaf miner C. ohridella on the peculiarities of changes in the chemical composition of chestnut leaf extracts. The component composition of the leaves of different ches t nut species was determined using chromatographic analysis. The study shows the results of the phytochemical screening of the leaves of different species from genus Aesculus , uninfested and infested with C. ohridella . A t otal of 186 chemical co m ponents were identified from the leaf extract s of Aesculus plants with six main groups of chemical components – carboh y drates, polyphenols, steroids, hydrocarbons, fatty acids and miscellaneous. The carbohydrates group is represented in the leaves of all studied Aesculus species in the maximum degree. The obtained data demonstrate significant change in the number of all chemical components under the influence of C. ohridella . The studied species showed an increase in carboh y drates content with the influence of leaf miner C. ohridella , except for such species as A e . flava and A e . parviflora . The qualitative composition of polyphenolic compounds was species-specific. The analysis of the composition of extracts of uninfested leaves established that four components were contained in extracts of Ae. hippocastanum and Ae. pavia , but they were different in their composition. In comparison with the composition of polyphenols in leaves without damage and leaves infected with C. ordidella , the absence of (2R-trans)-catechine in extracts from infected leaves of Ae. hippocastanum and Ae. glabra was found. U sing principal component analys i s , it was established that Ae. glabra shows a clear separation between chemical composition of the infested and uninfested samples. We identified two components of a phenolic nature only in extracts of infested leaves of Ae. flava , (trimethylsilyl catechollactate tris(trimethylsilyl) ether and epigallocatechin (6TMS)) , and quercetin was identified only in infected leaf extracts of Ae. glabra . Th ese results can indicate a greater pote n tial resistance of these Aesculus species to damage by the studied herbivory
The fauna of Vespidae (Hymenoptera) in Uzbekistan
Get PDFThis article presents the results of scientific research conducted in 2020 – 2024 on the Vespidae family in various biotopes of all natural and anthropogenic territories of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as the results of a study of existing scientific literature sources. Based on the analysis of the almost 150-year history of research on the Vespidae family in Uzbekistan, we found about 40 literature data by 22 researchers . It was mentioned in the literature that the Vespidae fam i ly recorded in Uzbekistan consist ed of 6 subfam i l ies , 38 genera and 121 species. I n the research conducted from 2020 to 2024 in natural and anthropogenic parts of Uzbekstan more than 2 , 130 samples were collected . During the observation s we found 3 subfam i l ies , 20 genera, 35 species and subspecies which belong to the Vespidae famly. If we investigate the subfamilies of the Vespidae fam i ly , the large st subfam i ly in Uzbekistan is Eum e nina e contain ing 106 sp e cies (86.88%). The Masarinae subfamily contains 7 species (5.74%). Vespinae contains 5 species and Palistinae contains 3 species (2.45 % ) . During the research, the species Jucancistroc e rus atrofasciatus (Moravitz, 1885) was recorded for the first time in the fauna of Uzbekistan , bringing the species total to 122 . Of the total 122 identified species, 37 species were recorded by only one author. The remaining 85 species were cited in the works of two or more authors
А new fossil species of Ulmus (Ulmaceae) in Early Pleistocene deposits of Southern Armenia
Get PDFUlmus ivangabrieljanii Sargsyan sp. nov. is described and illustrated as a new fossil species from Early Pleistocene deposits of the Sisian Diatomaceous Formation in Syunik Province, S outhern Armenia. The species is distinguished by a combination of characters: lamina broad elliptical to elliptic, 20.8–38 mm long and 17.2–33 .0 mm wide, with a length – to – width ratio of 1.09–1.3 0 ; petiole 8–13 mm long; and 10–12 pairs of secondary veins. Photographs and diagnostic tables differentiating this species from U. minor and U. glabra and detailed morphological characteristics of U . ivangabrieljanii sp. nov. are provided. The present fossil species, U . ivang a brieljanii sp. nov., is distinguished from all other modern Ulmus spp. by its characteristics of leaf shape, leaf size, leaf base, and venation. Key differences between U . ivangabrieljanii sp. nov. and fossil Ulmus species from Turkey, Iran, and Europe are presented. These morphological features clearly justify recognising U . ivangabrie l janii sp. nov. as a distinct fossil species. The discovery of U . ivangabrieljanii sp. nov. indicates that the genus Ulmus was already widely distributed in South – Western Asia during the Pleistocene, at a time when the regional climate was similar to the present – day conditions
Screening and identification of potential antibiotic-producing Actinobacteria from cemetery soil
Get PDFActinobacteria which dominated in a cemetery in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia has been discovered from a previous study. A total of 29 isolates of Actinobacteria were sucessfully collected. This study is challenging as the information on antibiotics producing Actinobacteria from cemetery soil is restricted. The aim of this research wa s to identify and characterize Actinobacteria isolated from cemetery soil , also to screen it for its antibiotic producing potential. A total of 29 Actinobacteria isolates collected from cemetery soil were screened for antibiotics using the agar plug diffusion method against the test bacteria Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , and Bacillus subtilis . Isolates with strong potential were characterized by colony morphology, spore type, and molecular identification based on the 16S rRNA gene. There are two isolates that can inhibit both S. aureus and B. subtilis , namely T5 (19. 3 and 17 .0 mm) and S6 (18. 3 and 10 .0 mm). Four isolates show ed moderate inhibition against E. coli , namely T15, T31, T34, and T42. Two selected isolates, T5 and S6, we re respectively white and yellow (aerial mycelium), while their vegetative mycelium wa s yellowish-brown with closed spiral spore type. Based on the analysis of partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene isolate , T5 was identified as Streptomyces sp. VEL17 (99. 9 %) and S6 as Streptomyces sp. strain ADE 004 (83.5%). Genetic di s tance of T5 to the 8 nearest strains based on 16S rRNA show s a close relationship range from 0.001 to 0.005, while by contrast genetic distance of S6 to the 8 nearest strains based on 16S rRNA show s a distant relationship range from 1.057 to 1.074. From this research, it can be concluded that the cemetery soil harbors Actinobacteria that show strong antibiotic potential against Gram-positive bacteria and are very close to Streptomyces sp. yet less potential against Gram-negative bacteria. Two selected isolates are prospective candidates for the biotechnology of potential antibiotic compounds