Biosystems Diversity (E-Journal - Dnipro National University)
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Estimating biomass of woody plants that grow in the different As-contaminated techno-soils in the ore-bearing provinces of Eastern Germany
Get PDFEstablishing the role of woody species as an instrument for heavy metal bioaccumulation is a relevant issue today in the context of the development of the phytoremediation system. The article presents the results of studies on the influence of different Arsenic (As) concentrations in soil on the development of aboveground biomass in Betula pendula Roth. and Populus tremula L. stands under conditions of reclamation plantings. The studies were conducted in 30 locations of birch and poplar tree plantations within the ore-producing regions of Saxony (Eastern Germany) in soil with different levels of As contamination. The highest As content was noted in the technosoil of the Davidschacht site, where the metalloid content was 229.3 times greater compared with a value in a conditionally uncontaminated area (Großschirma). The values of leaf area index and aboveground biomass obtained in field measurements were presented. The aboveground biomass values in the investigated plantations ranged from 189.9 ±10.16 to 201.8 ± 19.09 t/ha, and leaf area index values ranged from 1.74 ± 0.29 to 2.05 ± 0.16 m2/m2. Sentinel-2A multispectral images were processed for the construction of a map of the aboveground biomass distribution within the region under study. The values of the spectral indices for leaf area index were obtained with subsequent construction of the regression dependence of the aboveground biomass in the plantings on this indicator. The RMSE value for the developed model of the dependence of aboveground biomass on the leaf area index was 17.84 t/ha, which could be considered as satisfactory and can serve as a basis for practical application of the model developed. The inverse trend in relation to locations with different levels of soil contamination with As was determined for the aboveground biomass indicator. Within the region under study, the highest value of aboveground biomass in the stands was found for the area with the lowest As level. The results showed that the correlation coefficient between the highest of the optimal spectral indices, the leaf area index, and the aboveground biomass in B. pendula and P. tremula plantings was statistically significant and approached the value of 0.7. The results presented can become a theoretical basis for monitoring the accumulation of aboveground biomass of tree stands in areas with different levels of soil contamination with As. In perspective, the presented model of biomass estimation based on spectral technologies can serve as an application basis for rapid assessment of the growth and development parameters of forest stands in As-contaminated areas
Diversity, distribution and conservation status of mangrove species in Pulias Bay, Indonesia
Get PDFAs an ecosystem, the mangrove ecosystem serves various purposes. The objectives of this study are to (1) identify the community structure of the important value index; and (2) evaluate the importance of the mangrove species diversity index in Pulias Bay in Ogodeide District, Tolitoli Regency. The study was conducted in 2021 using a quantitative descriptive methodology and survey method. The number of discovered species will be used to establish the species composition. The structure of the mangrove communities is being evaluated by calculating the relative density (RD) and frequency (FR). The data is tabulated to calculate the Important Value Index (IVI) value according to the Shannon-Wiener formula. There were 18 different species of mangroves discovered, including Rhizophora apiculata, Rh. mucronata, Rh. stylosa, Bruguiera parviflora, B. gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, C. decandra, Sonneratia alba, S. caseolaris, S. ovata, Avicennia lanata, Xylocarpus moluccensis, Acrostichum aureum, Nypa fruticans, and Pemphis acidula. The Rhizophoraceae family predominated at each observation station, according to the findings of the vegetation analysis. Meanwhile the most rarely found species of mangrove were Acrostichum aureum, Sonneratia casiolaris, and Xylocarpus moluccensis, each with two specimens. The community structure reveals that X. moluccensis has the lowest IVI value of 12.7%, while Rhizophora mucronata has an IVI value of 101.3%. The mangrove Diversity Index (H') has a value of 2.48 and meets the standards for moderate diversity. Physical and chemical parameter measurements often indicate that the four stations or sites where the data was collected have similar conditions. Interestingly, we also found Avicennia lanata, a mangrove species that falls under the Vulnerable category. The collected information can be used to manage the mangrove forest in Pulias Bay in the Ogodeide Sub-District of the Tolitoli Regency and serve as a database for efforts to conserve mangroves and mitigate the effects of global warming
Marine flatworm Acanthozoon sp.-associated bacteria with antibiotic property from the Java Sea
Get PDFNeglected invertebrates, marine flatworms, have attracted global research interest due to their biological and chemical potential properties. The marine flatworms (Turbellaria), Phylum Platyhelminthes, belong to the Polycladida group. There are about 3000 species of free-living flatworms that make a living by hunting and eating other animals. A marine flatworm Acanthozoon sp. was used in this study due to its abundant presence in the site location. Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium that was previously considered a harmless skin disease bacterium. This species is now considered to be in the first rank among the causative agents of nosocomial infection, specifically in the form of infections of the urinary tract, respiratory tract, and surgical site wounds. The aims of this study were to explore the biological diversity of marine flatworm-associated bacteria with antipathogenic properties and to detect the presence of polyketide synthase (PKS) and nonribosomal peptide synthetase NRPS gene clusters through a molecular approach. Recent studies have shown that S. epidermidis undergoes functional changes in the pro-inflammatory peptide family so that it has functions in immune evasion and biofilm development. Therefore, the search for new antimicrobial compounds is urgently needed due to the limited choice of antibiotic use. In the preliminary screening by overlay test, 7 out of 17 (41.2%) isolates showed antibacterial activities. These isolates were reselected and their activity confirmed by using plug agar and disk-diffusion methods. The FA02, FA03, FA05, FA07, FA13, FA16, and FA17 isolates demonstrated their inhibitory activities consistently against the causative agent of nosocomial infection S. epidermidis. Based on the morphological and 16S rRNA partial sequencing analysis, these isolates were closely related to the genus Virgibacillus, Brevibacterium, Alcanivorax, and Vibrio. None of these seven antibacterial strains possesses PKS-I and PKS-II, except NRPS genes for Virgibacillus salarius strain FA02, V. salarius strain FA16, and V. salarius strain FA17. The results of this study showed that bacteria associated with marine flatworms have future potential as a source of promising natural products for the development of antibiotics
Features of the seasonal dynamics of airborne fungal spore concentrations in Ukraine
Get PDFFungi represent a distinct kingdom of ubiquitous living beings. Most other organisms are constantly in contact with elements of the fungal body. In particular, the widespread vegetation of fungi in the environment, their sporulation and the further spread of spores and mycelia by air currents make the contact of fungal particles with human respiratory organs inevitable. This can lead to the development of sensitization and allergies. Therefore, the aim of the presented study was to determine the taxonomy of airborne fungal spores, the qualitative and quantitative changes in this composition at different times of the year compared with previous sporulation seasons, as well as the prevention of allergic diseases. The study of fungal sporulation was carried out from 2011 to 2021 by volumetric method using Burkard trap of a Hirst type in a 24-hour mode (from February to November). The device was installed on the roof of the chemical building of the National Pirogov Memorial Medical University, Vinnytsya. Reading of the microscopic slides obtained from air samples was carried out using light microscopes with a magnification of 400 and 1000 by the method of 12 vertical transects. It was found that spores of various taxonomic groups of fungi, namely, of Asco- and Basidiomycetes were observed throughout the growing season from March to October with the highest concentrations in mid and late summer. Thus, in June, July and August, peak concentrations of spores of the fungi Ganoderma, Coprinus, Cladosporium were observed; in July, September and October – of Ustilaginales; from July to November – of Alternaria, Epicoccum; in October – of different Basidiospores, and also Periconia, Stemphylium and Uredinales; in September – of Agrocybe. Among all studied micromycetes, concentrations of Cladosporium spores were the highest. However, significant sporulation persisted even in the autumn period, which made fungal spores a specific causative agent of airborne respiratory diseases at this time, especially against the background of low pollen concentrations. Climate change can lead to modification in the length of the fungal growing season. This information should be taken into account when predicting the symptoms of seasonal allergies in the population
Ultrastructural characteristics of the reproductive organs of adult male helminth Heterakis dispar (Nematoda: Heterakidae)
Get PDFNematodes belonging to the Heterakidae family are similar in appearance and their identification causes certain difficulties. For this reason, there is a need to define new taxonomic characteristics. On the other hand, despite the fact that the nematode Heterakis dispar Schrank, 1790, included in the same family, has a wide distribution area, there is little information about the ultrastructure of the parasite. Research on the ultrastructure of the reproductive system of this helminth hase not been conducted. Parasitic worms collected from the caeca of birds were identified, following which, based on the accepted methods of electron microscopy, blocks were prepared, cut, stained, pictures and electrograms were prepared and described. In the present study, the ultrastructural characteristics of the reproductive organs (testis, seminal vesicle, vas deferens and ejaculatory duct) of the adult nematode H. dispar, a specific parasite of domestic waterfowl, were studied with the help of light and electron microscopic methods. The obtained results were compared with the structure of other studied species (H. gallinarum Gmelin, 1790 and H. spumosa Schneider, 1866) of the Heterakidae family. Firstly, it was revealed that the reproductive organs of the male nematode H. dispar are located in the pseudocoelomic cavity, which is considered a taxonomic sign of this family. As in other species of the family, the testis, seminal vesicle, and wall of the vas deferens of the male nematode H. dispar consist of a basement membrane and an epithelial layer. In addition to the basement membrane, muscular and epithelial layers, the wall of the ejaculatory duct is also composed of glandular cells in the front part of the duct. It was revealed that, in the lumen of the tubular reproductive organs of the adult male nematode H. dispar, germ-cells turn into spermatogonia in the germinal zone and spermatocytes in the growth zone of the testis, spermatids in the seminal vesicle, incomplete formed spermatozoa in the vas deferens, and fully formed spermatozoa in the ejaculatory duct of the parasite. The spicules of the parasite nematode, which are the secondary sexual organs consist of a thick cuticle on the outside, and hypodermal origin cells and processes of nerve cells (dendrites and axons) on the inside. Two processes are found on the spicules, which is not observed in other nematodes of the same family
Rare steppe plant communities in Ukraine: Status, threats and their minimization
Get PDFNowadays, the impact of anthropogenic activities on natural vegetation is constantly increasing, the level of threats is raised, and newer risk factors are emerging. Recent trends in the anthropogenic impact on plant communities are extremely pronounced, especially on those listed in the Green Book of Ukraine (GBU). Identifying such trends is required for the further development of strategic and tactical planning for the preservation and restoration of rare grass, shrub, and subshrub steppe, petrophyte and psammophyte plant communities of the steppe and forest-steppe zones of Ukraine. In addition to well-established threat factors that cause changes in the habitat of plant communities or mechanically affect plants, new specific threats occur. Today, the most important among them in Ukraine are as follows: climate change, military activity, growing population in the industrial cities, population poverty and government corruption, changes in forms of land ownership and the creation of a land market, lack of knowledge and effective policy, including lack of popular scientific information about the status of specific species and plant groupings, inadequate management of protected areas, uncoordinated environmental protection measures, ineffective sanctions, insufficient monitoring of the consumption of natural biological resources. The preservation of rare grass, shrubby and subshrubby communities in the steppe zone of Ukraine should be provided with proper support at the state level. There is a pressing need for a law of Ukraine “On the preservation of the steppes in Ukraine” and this will require mechanisms for its implementation. The issue of developing a strategy for the conservation and balanced use of steppe ecosystems in Ukraine, whose area is one of the largest in Europe, has long been raised. The main goal of the strategy is the actual preservation of steppe communities (most of which are currently rare) ensuring their restoration, minimizing degradation, and stopping biodiversity loss. In order to develop specific actions to eliminate threats or reduce their impact on rare plant groupings, it is required to investigate the causes of threats and assess their level and duration. This is required to preserve the landscape and biotic diversity in the steppe zone of Ukraine
Age estimation of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) based on morphometric traits
Get PDFThe use of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is still controversial, especially in managed forests, due to its invasive nature. The black locust has been proven effective in reclamation of degraded lands when native species are not an alternative in the face of the climate change and desertification. Therefore, the importance of black locust in European ecosystems remains a matter of debate. Of course, it is an adventitious species originating from another continent. However, the ecological characteristics of the species in its natural range are very useful for ensuring the restoration of vegetation cover in areas that have experienced significant anthropogenic pressure. This species has a large number of important and useful features that make it an important agent in the forestry system and provide significant environmental and economic benefits. The status of black locust as an invasive species, i.e. one that is capable of uncontrolled spread, remains speculative. Such a conclusion requires various studies, including those identifying exact age of the plants based on morphometric parameters. In our study, we tested the hypothesis that plant height and trunk diameter will allow for an accurate assessment of black locust age. The plants of black locust were measured in the zone of spontaneous self-seeding of plants from a planted 60-years-old forest. The plants dispersed towards a fallow land, formed in the corner of an agricultural field. The spreading began 15 to 20 years ago. The plants are mainly propagated by seedlings. An expert estimated the age of the plants visually. The measured trees were cut to obtain cross sections to account for the number of annual rings. A total of 68 trees were examined for morphometric characters. Black locust communities during self-dispersal are represented by individuals of different ages. The spatial pattern of distribution of individuals of different ages can reveal the spatial and temporal dynamics of the formation of spontaneous populations of black locust. For this purpose, it is critical to accurately identify the age of a large sample. Expert estimation of age is fast and fairly accurate, but it depends greatly on the qualifications of the expert and oftentimes plant ages are underestimated, especially in the early stages of population development. Plant height is also a good predictor of plant age, but the model gives poor predictions for plants older than 10 years. The tree height ranged 2.3 to 16.0 meters. The diameter at breast height (DBH) ranged 1.0 to 17.5 cm. The diameter at the root collar (DRC) ranged 1.6 to 21.7 cm. The age of the studied trees, determined by the number of annual rings per transect, ranged 6 to 17 years. The age of the trees according to the expert estimates was 8.2 ± 4.8 years. The expert estimates of age and the age according to the number of annual rings were statistically significantly different. The expert estimates of tree age were linearly related to tree size, while estimates of the number of annual rings showed a logarithmic relationship with tree height. Expert estimates also showed a closer relationship with tree height, while the relationship of estimates based on the number of annual rings had a slightly lower dependence on the morphometric traits. Regression analysis showed that there is a linear relationship between morphometric traits of the black locust. The coefficient of determination for the dependence of diameter at breast height on tree height was 0.96, and for the dependence of diameter at the base of the trunk on diameter at breast height was 0.97. This indicates a high level of multicollinearity of these morphometric traits when considering them as predictors of plant age. Taking into account the diameter at breast height and the diameter at the level of the root collar significantly improved the predictive ability of the model for identifying the age of the black locust trees
Ecological insights and conservation imperatives for Laurus azorica in Morocco
Get PDFThe Azores laurel Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco is a highly esteemed forest species in Morocco due to its medicinal and aromatic properties. However, the natural habitats of this species are increasingly scarce, resulting in its classification as a rare species. This study comprehensively investigates the autoecology, plant communities, and distribution patterns of L. azorica, aiming to discern the crucial ecological factors underpinning its survival and shed light on its conservation status. Field surveys, including floristic relevés and environmental characterization, were conducted to identify the primary plant communities hosting remnants of L. azorica. Fieldwork and ecological analysis reveal five distinct plant communities associated with L. azorica: low elevation thermophilic holm oak woodland, mesophilic mid-altitude holm oak woodland, Quercus faginea, deciduous broadleaf mountain and Cytisus balansae plant communities. The study emphasizes the importance of ecological requirements such as oceanic exposure, rainfall, temperature, and forest mull soils in creating suitable habitats for L. azorica populations. Currently, L. azorica populations in Morocco are represented by small trees, shrubs, or bushes, often exhibiting distorted and damaged structures due to unregulated pruning. Natural regeneration of the species is completely absent. The value chain associated with L. azorica is limited, involving informal harvesters, intermediary herbalist grocers, and final consumers, due to the lack of a legal framework for resource evaluation caused by its severe depletion. To secure the survival of L. azorica in Morocco, it is crucial to address gaps in legislation, intensify conservation efforts, and promote sustainable development practices. Protecting and restoring the natural habitats of the species, along with implementing responsible harvesting practices, are essential steps towards conserving this valuable forest species
Role of environmental conditions in structuring the stock trajectory of Thunnus albacares, Th. alalunga and Th. obesus in the South Pacific Region
Get PDFThe lifestyle and culture of South Pacific Island countries have been long intertwined with oceanic resources. These countries are heavily dependent on tuna resources for their economies and socioeconomic livelihoods. Despite their importance, the mechanisms behind tuna stock trajectory patterns need to be better understood. With changing climatic and environmental conditions, it has become vital to understand the impact of these changes on tuna resources and if possible include them in long-term tuna harvest and management plans. A significant portion of the stock dynamics of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), albacore tuna (Th. alalunga) and bigeye tuna (Th. obesus) in the South Pacific Region may possibly be explained only by the environmental factors of sea surface temperature (SST) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation AMO. The relationship of monthly SST and AMO was investigated with time series stock patterns of Th. albacares, Th. alalunga and Th. obesus in the Eastern and Western Pacific Ocean for the years 1972 to 2019. Monthly variables that exhibited significant correlation with CPUE variables were used in the Generalised Linear Model and Generalized Additive Model to reproduce the CPUE trajectory of the three tuna species from 1972 to 2019. Results showed that a significant portion of stock dynamics of Th. albacares, Th. alalunga and Th. obesus can be explained well by two environmental conditions of SST and AMO. This shows that a large portion of tuna variation in the Eastern and Southern Pacific is related to environmental conditions. Models with single variables are evidence of the significant individual effect of SST and AMO on stock time series of each tuna species. Models with two variables had a better fit in comparison to models with a single variable for all tuna stocks. Possibilities of two significantly different patterns in the trajectory of the three tuna species and environmental conditions used in the models were also observed. The trajectory patterns seemed to change around the 1990s and had significantly different means, indicating possible regime shifts. Environmental conditions play a highly significant role in structuring tuna stock trajectory in the South Pacific and need to be included in tuna management / harvest plans to ensure sustainability of this important resource. The importance of regime shifts should be recognised and further investigated for possible inclusion in tuna sustainability plans due to their influence on long-term tuna trajectory patterns
Heavy metal accumulation by Acer platanoides and Robinia pseudoacacia in an industrial city (Northern Steppe of Ukraine)
Get PDFThe role of tree species as a tool for bioaccumulation of heavy metals is an important current issue within the context of the increase of anthropogenic pressure in urban ecosystems. The article presents the results of research on the level of soil contamination with heavy metals and the processes of their accumulation by native and introduced tree species in green spaces of Dnipro city. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to detect concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cd, Pb) in soil samples and the assimilation component in trees of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides). The ranges of mean concentrations of heavy metals at different study sites within the city’s green infrastructure were as follows (mg/kg): 30.7–185.5 for Zn, 5.7–22.4 for Cu, 9.0–31.3 for Pb, and 0.213–0.598 for Cd. With respect to all four of these metals, the soils of the Metallurgists Square location were characterized by the highest concentrations of the metals, and the Pridneprovsky Park in the area of the outskirts of Dnipro city was characterized by the lowest ones. Compared to soils, the two investigated tree species had a significantly lower content of all studied metals in leaves. The heavy metal accumulations in the leaves of both R. pseudoacacia and A. platanoides were observed in the following decreasing order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. Regarding the migration of heavy metals in the soil-plant system, the concentrations of ecopollutants in the plants were found not to be dependent on their content in the soil environment. The calculated bioaccumulation coefficients of heavy metals for both tree species were < 1. However, the results of heavy metal concentration in leaves of both introduced and native tree species evidenced their special role in heavy metal bioaccumulation. Compared to R. pseudoacacia, such native species as A. platanoides can be considered to be a more “sensitive” bioindicator of environmental pollution caused by heavy metals. Planting fast-growing tree species such as R. pseudoacacia and A. platanoides can in a short time be an environmentally appropriate and cost-effective measure to mitigate the unfavourable effects of heavy metals on the environment