Biosystems Diversity (E-Journal - Dnipro National University)
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Development of indicators for assessment of green infrastructure for a territorial network of ecological stability
Get PDFLandscape structure and biotic indicators have a significant role in assessing the green infrastructure of a landscape and design of a territorial ecological network. In this contribution, a methodological approach has been developed for assessing and defining indicators of current land use and biota that can be used for designing a territorial network of ecological stability. We used the assessment of ecological stability of the elements of the current landscape structure, an index of the ecological stability of a representative geo-ecosystem, the cumulative effect of high ecological stability landscape elements, and the Shannon Diversity Index (SHDI) to measure the degree of entropy, or landscape diversity. The assessment of biota was based on qualitative habitat field data and an evaluation of their overall nature conservation importance based on the type of land cover and habitats, the importance of habitats, their current conservation status, how many rare habitats are in a region, and how many vulnerable species are present in habitats. The assessment was applied on a local level, using the example of the Dolný Lopašov study area. The spatial distribution of green infrastructure is not balanced within the study area. The most significant elements of the ecological network consist of natural and semi-natural habitats that have a favourable conservation status. The Malé Karpaty Mountains, situated in the northern region, are forest-covered and have the highest ecological stability. Intensively cultivated fields are dominant in the central and southern parts of the study areas and are characterised by a low proportion of green infrastructure and low ecological stability. The results of the modelling of the cumulative impact of landscape elements on ecological stability by distance show that the cumulative impact of woodland elements positively affects the ecological stability of the area, especially in the area of intensively cultivated fields, an element with a low degree of ecological stability. Using selected indicators of current landscape structure and biota helps to assess the overall ecological stability of the area, identify the most stable areas, as well as areas with the lowest ecological stability, where it is necessary to complete and design new elements of green infrastructure to increase the function of the ecological network
Distribution and status of Posidonia oceanica meadows on the North-Western coast of Algeria
Get PDFPosidonia oceanica is an endemic species of the Mediterranean Sea that in pristine coastal waters forms extensive meadows, which are, actually, exposed to natural and anthropogenic pressures, causing their regression throughout the basin. The aim of our study is to summarise and evaluate current knowledge about the characterisation of Posidonia oceanica along the Western Algerian coast, in order to provide new evidence about the distribution and health status this species. To realize our objectives, we combined extracted data from published articles, theses, results of project reports, in situ observations and laboratory analysis. The results show the presence of the meadows in fifteen coastal zones of Western Algeria, mainly located in shallow surface waters from 0.5 to 18 metres depth.The mean leaf length across all sites ranged from 153 to 667 mm. The mean number of leaves/shoot ranged between 4.7 ± 0.9 and 6.0 ± 0.5 leaves/shoot. Leaf length showed a highly significant difference between the cold and hot season. The data analysis shows that the leaf biometric values and the shoot densities of the P. oceanica are greater than those of Mediterranean samples although these measures tend to decrease deeply. The analyses carried out on structural features of P. oceanica show that the Western Algerian meadows are, globally, in good health status according to standardised scale. The available data on P. oceanica summarised in this article represent an important starting point to build effective plans for understanding levels of environmental threats and for supporting conservation strategies for these important ecosystems. Conversely, the limited information available on this seagrass along the Western Algerian costs only allows the description of some structural features, and permits us to draw overall conclusions on its general health status
Decorative perennials of the regional flora for recreation landscapes in the forest-steppe zone
Get PDFThis work is devoted to the preservation of biodiversity and the prospects of its integration into projects for the improvement of recreational landscapes and greening facilities of modern cities. It is a continuation of the study of the bioecological potential of regional plant resources for landscaping recreational areas. To represent the existing plant diversity of the forest-steppe zone of Ukraine, a fund of species of decorative perennials was used. At this stage of the research, the decorative and bioecological characteristics of 147 herbaceous perennials of the spontaneous flora of the Feofania tract are given, which determine their economic value. The phenorhythmotypical composition, ecological and cenotic timing, colour spectrum and seasonal colour dynamics were considered. The phenorhythmotypical spectrum of this artificial population is shown, in which long-vegetating species predominate, ensuring the formation of compositions with a closed grass stand and a continuous and long-lasting decorative effect. Critical, from the point of view of competitive relationships, a group of species characterized by active dispersal is identified and options for their optimal use are presented. The ecological and cenotic diversity of the studied population, which is representative for the forest-steppe zone, is shown, which makes it possible to select the optimal multi-component assortment for areas with different ecological conditions. The colour spectrum of the studied group and its dynamics during the growing season, which are comparable for geophilic and sciophilous species, are considered. A conceptual approach to the selection of promising species of regional flora for the creation of decorative locations in city parks is considered. In general, the expediency of using local plant resources as an optimal source of forming a basic assortment of decorative perennials for regional landscaping is shown on the example of the study of some aspects of the aesthetic and bioecological potential of decorative perennials of the spontaneous flora of the Feofania tract. We consider the integration of the existing biodiversity of the regional flora into the architectural environment an important practical component of biodiversity conservation
Contribution to the knowledge of the mosses of Megriss Mountain (Algeria)
Get PDFDue to the limited knowledge on bryophytes in Algeria, this study aimed to update the Algerian bryophyte flora. Megriss Mountain (also called Jbel or Djebel Megriss), which is a part of the High Plains of Setif, was chosen as a study area for its interesting biological and landscape diversity. The inventory was carried out in different habitats (rocks, trees, soils and streams). Samples were collected from minimum survey areas of 100 cm2 (from soil and rocks), but the sample area was sometimes increased depending on the availability of species; the trees were mostly sampled between heights of 1 and 2 meters. As a result, a preliminary list of 55 moss species were identified, including 44 acrocarpous and 11 pleurocarpous, belonging to 13 families and 29 genera. The most species-rich families were Pottiaceae, Orthotrichaceae, Brachytheciaceae, and Bryaceae, while the most diverse genera were Lewinskya and Syntrichia. Epilithic mosses were dominant, followed by terricolous mosses and finally epiphytic mosses. The most frequent species in the study area were Orthotrichum diaphanum, Lewinskya acuminate, Didymodon insulanus, Grimmia pulvinata, and Tortella squarrosa. The study also highlights the presence of a new species that had never been recorded in Algeria -Orthotrichum scanicum. A comprehensive description, microphotographs of the species are provided and its ecology is also discussed. This discovery will contribute to the enrichment of the Algerian bryophyte flora in general and of the Orthotrichaceae in particular,within the genus Orthotrichum, which now has a total of 11 species recorded in the country
Metamorphosis differences of caudiciform plants as an adaptation to arid conditions
Get PDFIn the course of evolution, the formation of succulent variations in the underground and surface parts of plants in different taxa could occur simultaneously under the influence of similar abiotic factors, in particular as an adaptation to arid conditions, and similar structural features even in distant families are a manifestation of convergent evolution. Along with this, the development of such adaptive structures in ontogeny can occur in different ways in different taxa. Studying the anatomical and morphological features of the vegetative organs of Fockea edulis (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) at the early stages of ontogenesis and comparing them with those of other plants will improve the understanding of the features of growth and development of caudex-like plants. The research was conducted on seedlings, juvenile and immature plants of F. edulis. When comparing the features of the development of vegetative parts of three representatives of the Apocynaceae family, we found that the strategy of succulent traits development in F. edulis at the organ level is characterized by the active development of the hypocotyl already at the seedling stage, similar to Adenium obesum, and the subsequent formation of an expanded basal part of the stem due to the combined cortex-pith thickening and radish-like root due to the growth of xylem parenchyma. However, Petopentia natalensis is characterized by a mesophytic seedling. It was established that secondary thickening in the basal part of the stem occurs in two individual ways: in Adenium obesum, the cambium generates solid rings of phloem and parenchymatized xylem; in P. natalensis and F. edulis, the bundle type of conducting elements is preserved. The thickening of the tap root in F. edulis is similar to that in A. obesum
Effect of Echinacea purpurea and Silybum marianum seeds on the body of rats with an excessive fat diet
Get PDFThe impact of excess fat and high-calorie intake on the human body is an acute problem for many economically developed countries. Modelling the effects on the health of rats of supplementing their diet with crushed seeds of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench and Sylibum marianum (L.) Gaertn was carried out in a laboratory experiment. In the control group of animals, body weight increased by 700 mg/day, with the addition of E. purpurea seeds – by 1394 mg/day and with the addition of S. marianum seeds – by only 155 mg/day. A hypercaloric diet supplemented with E. purpurea caused a significant decrease in the relative weight of the liver, thymus, spleen, stomach, and brain. The supplementation with S. marianum seeds to the diet of animals significantly reduced only the relative weight of the thymus. Adding E. purpurea to the diet caused a strong increase in blood alkaline phosphatase activity, an increase in the cholesterol content, and a sharp increase in the atherogenic index. The seeds of S. marianum increased the alkaline phosphatase activity, reduced the glucose concentration, and triglycerides, significantly reduced the atherogenic index and lowered the C-reactive protein concentration in the rats’ blood when compared with the control group. The seeds of E. purpurea contributed to an increase in the erythrocyte and lymphocyte number in the blood, and the seeds of S. marianum – to a decrease in the thrombocyte concentration. The research results show the possibility of wider use of S. marianum fruits as a dietary supplement in the diet of patients with hypertension and impaired liver function
The main factors and prospects for the restoration of biodiversity in technogenic territories (on the example of the Poltava Mining and Processing Plant)
Get PDFMining activities radically change natural ecosystems, the recovery of which is not possible without the restoration of native or transformed communities of autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms. In order to analyze the success of biodiversity restoration using unified methods, an inventory of higher plant flora and avifauna species in the technogenic territories of the Poltava Mining and Processing Plant was carried out. The dominant species identified in mining dumps, tailings, bypass and drainage canals, urban wastewater treatment and bioengineering facilities and on the PMP territory have been studied in detail. The studies were carried out in the spring-summer period of 2021–2022. The avifauna includes 140 species belonging to 18 orders and 45 families (Passeriformes predominate – 62.0%). 103 species nest on the PMP territory, 32 nomadic and 5 transient species are also registered. The nesting avifauna is dominated by representatives of both native nemoral (16.0%, n = 103) and forest-steppe (13.0%) and tropical (14.0%) avifauna. A significant number of birds belong to limnophiles, which prevail in the territories of the urban wastewater treatment plant (66.7%, n = 30) and tailings (62.5%, n = 24). They are also common in the bypass and drainage canals, where hydro- and hygrophilous phytocenoses have formed, similar to floodplain and real meadows as part of adjacent wetland ecosystems. Among the surrounding natural biogeocenoses, there are no steppe ones with their inherent unique floristic composition, which explains the small number of stepants in the studied flora and campophiles in the avifauna. In recovery successions, general patterns were revealed: biogeocenoses surrounding the technogenic territories of the PMP are the main source of producer diasporas and a variety of consumers, which are so necessary for the restoration of degraded landscapes. Phanerophytes from the genera Populus, Pinus, Fraxinus, Ulmus, Morus, Juglans, etc. are determinants in the sylvacenoses formed on the dumps and territories of the plant. Therefore, dendrophiles characteristic of neighbouring pine and floodplain forests, as well as garden phytocenoses in the private sector territory, dominate in the ornithocomplexes. Nationally rare avifauna includes 5 species, two of which nest. Among the identified bird species, the following nesting species are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine: Columba oenas, Himantopus himantopus, as well as transient and nomadic species: Hieraaetus pennatus, Haliaeetus allbicilla, Milvus migrans. The success of the natural formation of plant communities, the rich ornithological complex with the participation of rare species, and the location of the PMP territory within the migration routes indicate the expediency of further research into the possibilities of their inclusion in the nature reserve fund with the status of “territory of renaturalization”
Growth and morphological characteristics of some pyrophilous discomycetes in culture
Get PDFThree pyrophilous discomycetes species (Anthracobia maurilabra (Cooke) Boud., Pyronema domesticum (Sowerby) Sacc. and Tricharina praecox (P. Karst.) Dennis) have been cultivated and studied in vitro. Cultures were obtained from fresh apothecia сollected in the Holosiivskyi National Nature Park (Kyiv, Ukraine). The culture growth and morphological characteristics of the studied fungi on different media (beer wort agar, Czapek Dox agar, potato-dextrose agar) were analyzed. All investigated species can quite easily grow under laboratory conditions on different tested nutrient media. Potato-dextrose agar was the most suitable medium for the enhancement of radial growth and the best expresses all the phenotypes of the colony of studied fungi. Macro- and micromorphological descriptions of all fungal colonies and illustrations are provided. The micromorphological analysis showed that common to the mycelium of all studied species of fungi was the presence of numerous drops of oil in the hyphae, anastomoses like T. praecox, а net- like structure of A. maurilabra similar to nematode capture hook. Beside this, A. maurilabra and P. domesticum formed the sexual stage under experimental conditions. Forming fruiting bodies of A. maurilabra in culture has not been reported before. Moreover, P. domesticum was found to form abundant dark brown sclerotia on potato-dextrose agar and Czapek Dox agar. Possible pigment composition in the P. domesticum sclerotia is discussed based on the Raman spectroscopy study, performed on this genus for the first time. The established cultural characteristics can be useful for taxonomic identification of fungal species and for pure quality control of mycelial cultures during their introduction, preservation and future potential applications in biotechnological areas
Changes in the Carpathian fauna of Malachiinae beetles (Coleoptera, Melyridae) in the context of temperature increase
Get PDFOver last century in Europe a tendency of change in species ranges has occurred for insects of different taxonomic groups. We analyzed the changes that have taken place in the distribution of some soft-winged beetles (Malachiinae, Melyridae) species in the Carpathian region. The obtained data are based on a study of museum beetles’ collections and the authors’ collected materials. Data comparison relating to species distribution shows that the Carpathian fauna during the second half of the 20th century increased by 12 species. Some species have significantly changed their ranges. Species of Southern European and Mediterranean (Anthomalachius strangulatus, Clanoptilus spinipennis), Central-East European (Apalochrus femoralis, Clanoptilus falcifer) origin spread to the East Carpathian region. And vice versa, some species (e.g. Malachius scutellaris) from Central European and the Carpathian regions have spread beyond their borders of ranges to the East and North. Malachiinae species are anthophilic insects. Their life cycles, flight period, and distribution depend on the phenology of host plants. Acceleration of phenophases of the host plants and intensification of the metamorphosis processes due to increase in air temperature has caused an earlier appearance of soft-winged beetles in recent years and contributed to expansion of the ranges of some species of them. In our opinion, expansion of the species ranges and penetration of new beetle species into the Carpathian region from surrounding areas are related to the climate changes, in particular to warming. This thesis is confirmed by multiyear air temperature data of the Transcarpathian Centre of Hydrometeorology. On a background of increase in regional air temperature by about 0.8 °C an average air temperature in foothills of Ukrainian Carpathians has increased by 1.7 °C during last 50–60 years
The effect on the organism of rats of adding Helichrysum arenarium inflorescences to a hypercaloric diet, high in sugar and fat
Get PDFObesity increases the risk of developing various pathological conditions such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. For mild correction and even treatment of obesity, drugs based on medicinal plants are increasingly being used. This work aims to determine the overall effect of Helichrysum arenarium inflorescences on physiological activity and metabolic processes in model animals fed a diet rich in fat and carbohydrates. In a 27-day experiment on 18 laboratory rats fed a diet with high-fat content and 20% fructose solution, we determined the effect of 0.4% and 4.0% dry inflorescences of H. arenarium from the feed mass on the animals' physiological activity and metabolic processes. The body weight of rats in the control group reached 121.7% of the initial body weight; when consuming 0.4% and 4.0% H. arenarium in the diet, this indicator was lower – 109.6% and 111.2%, respectively. Dry inflorescences of H. arenarium in the rats’ diet at a dose of 0.4% caused a decrease in the relative mass of the heart and thymus and an increase in the relative mass of the caecum and colon. A diet with the addition of H. arenarium caused a change in blood biochemical parameters: an increase in the urea concentration and urea nitrogen, and a decrease in the glucose concentration and protein coefficient. Helichrysum arenarium at both concentrations significantly increased the gamma-glutamyltransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity with a decrease in alpha-amylase activity in the blood. A 0.4% dose of inflorescences of the food mass caused a decrease in AST activity, and 200 g sharply increased blood ALT activity. The consumption of dried H. arenarium inflorescences decreased hematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte and platelet counts, and increased the percentage of eosinophils and monocytes. A decrease in physical activity and an intensification of emotional state were found in the animals after eating dry inflorescences of H. arenarium, regardless of the dose compared with the control group of animals. Significant changes in the orientation activity of the animals were not observed. The obtained results show that adding dry H. arenarium inflorescences as a food supplement to a high-calorie diet is safe, does not cause pathological changes and side effects, and significantly affects metabolic processes. This provides theoretical support for the use of dried H. arenarium inflorescences for the production of nutraceutical and pharmacological products for the correction of metabolic disorders in humans and animals. The doses and duration of their use require further research