Biosystems Diversity (E-Journal - Dnipro National University)
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Applying plant disturbance indicators to reveal the hemeroby of soil macrofauna species
Get PDFHemeroby is an integrated indicator for measuring human impacts on environmental systems. Hemeroby has a complex nature and a variety of mechanisms to affect ecosystems. Hemeroby is often used to assess disturbances in different vegetation types but this concept has seldom been evaluated for animals. The role of the hemeroby gradient in structuring the soil macrofauna community was investigated. The experimental polygon was located in Botanical Garden of the Oles Honchar Dnipro National University (Dnipro City, Ukraine). There were 20 sites within the polygon. On each of them at 105 points samples of soil macrofauna were taken, soil penetration resistance, electrical conductivity of soil, depth of litter, height of grasses were measured. Within each site, a description of the vegetation cover was made. Based on the description of the vegetation, an indication of the level of ecosystem hemeroby within the polygons was conducted. In total, 48,457 invertebrate (Annelida, Arthropoda, and Mollusca) individuals of 6 classes, 13 orders, 50 families and 83 species or parataxonomic units were recorded. Phytoindication reveals that the level of hemeroby within the studied polygons varies from 34.9 to 67.2. The model V and VI from the HOFJO-list were the most optimal model of the species response to hemeroby gradient. The weighted average factor value was used to assess the optimal factor level for the species in a symmetrical bell-shaped response model. The optimal factor level of the hemeroby for the soil macrofauna species ranges from 34.9 to 66.0. Species also differ in degree of specialization to the factor of hemeroby. There was a regular change in the soil macrofauna community size and diversity in the hemeroby gradient. The limiting influence of anthropogenic transformation of the environment on the abundance of soil macrofauna community is clearly marked at the level of hemeroby above average. Species diversity of the community is greatest at moderate hemeroby level. Both relatively little transformed habitats and strongly transformed ones are characterized by lower species richness of the soil macrofauna community. The Shannon index shows a clear upward trend with increasing hemeroby. The Pielou index indicates that the main reason for this trend is an increase in community evenness with increasing hemeroby. The intermediate disturbance hypothesis was fully supported with respect to species richness. For the number of species, there is indeed a certain level of heterogeneity at which the number of species is highest. For another aspect of diversity, evenness, this pattern is not true. The evenness increases with increasing habitat disturbance. This result is due to a decrease in the abundance of dominant species
Are Heteroptera communities able to be bioindicators of urban environments?
Get PDFThe Heteroptera is a group of animals associated with the vegetation cover. The conducted analysis indicates that groups of heteropterans in the urban environment have a pattern of reaction to the environmental factors, determined using the phytoindication method. In the study, we considered the following hypotheses: 1) phytoindicational assessments of ecological factors may explain the patterns of variation of the groups of heteropterans; 2) among Heteroptera species, comparatively homogenous ecological groups could be distinguished which are characterized by similar character of response to the effect of certain environmental factors; 3) these groups could be used for bioindication of the conditions of environment in urban ecosystems. Stationary collection of heteropterans was performed during three years from May to October of 2017–2019 on six plots in Kharkiv. The article describes factors which affect the structure of groups of Heteroptera within the ecosystem of the large city and assess the bioindication possibilities. The data presented in the article, as well as the conclusions drawn, are to a large extent associated with stenotopic species, most of which could be used as bioindicators of the condition of one or another biocenosis. According to the results of a taxonomical survey in the territory of Kharkiv, 180 species of Heteroptera were found, belonging to 120 genera and 17 families. The highest species diversity was seen for the family Miridae, accounting for 50 species (27.0% of the total number of counted species). Fewer species were identified as the representatives of families Lygaeidae – 46 species (24.9%) and Pentatomidae – 23 (12.4%). Family Rhopalidae was represented by 11 species (5.9%). Nabidae and Tingidae – 10 species each (5.4%). Families Coreidae – 8 (4.3%), Cydnidae and Scutelleridae – 4 species each (2.2%), Anthocoridae – 3 (1.6%). The families Berytidae, Piesmatidae, Pyrrhocoridae and Reduviidae were represented by only 2 species each (1.1%). Families Acanthosomatidae, Alydidae and Aradidae were represented by 1 species each, in total accounting for 1.5%. The reasonably high level of species and ecological diversities of Heteroptera in the territory of the city allows them to be used in bioindication studies. We determined comparatively homogenous ecological groups of heteropterans which have a similar pattern of response to the impact of certain environmental factors. The study demonstrates that phytoindicatory assessments of the ecological factors can explain the patterns of variation in groups of heteropterans, We determined the factors which have effects on the structure of the group of heteropterans within the metropolitan ecosystem. The level of their effect on groups of heteropterans within the city is different. The most influential were light and humidity. Comparison of potential and realized projections of ecological space allows us, to a certain extent, to generate hypotheses about the orientations of transformation of the group heteropterans
The role of ecological groups in the formation of cyanobacterial communities in the ecosystems of the North Azov region (Ukraine)
Get PDFThe role of Cyanoprokaryota ecological groups in the ecosystems of the North Azov region was revealed in this work. On the territory of Pryazovskyi National Nature Park, 9 experimental polygons were studied, which covered steppe areas or slopes, salt marshes, coastal sandy soils and water bodies (rivers, lakes, estuaries, sea bays, lagoons). As a result of research on the territory of Pryazovskyi National Nature Park, 124 species of cyanoprokaryotes were identified, which include 127 intraspecific taxa. It was proved that the procedure of canonical correspondence analysis is the most suitable for the analysis of the species matrix. The axes identified as a result of the ordination procedure, which indicate the coordinated dynamics of the species, correlated with both synecological characteristics, such as diversity indicators, and with autoecological characteristics, such as ecotypes of cyanoprokaryotes in relation to habitat types or types of adaptation to salinity conditions. The first four canonical axes together explain 47.5% of species matrix variability. Canonical axis 1 explains 18.0% of the variability of the species matrix and is mostly marked by aqual subaerophytes and eurybionts. This axis indicates the presence of a gradient of salinity conditions where the most saline conditions correspond to the positive values of the axis, and the negative values correspond to less saline. Canonical axis 2 describes 12.1% of species matrix variability. This axis differentiates aquatic ecosystems from others. Canonical axis 3 explains 10.0% of the communities’ variability. This axis distinguishes freshwater ecosystems from saline ecosystems. Markers of freshwater communities are stenotopic halotolerants, which are narrow-range, common mainly in the temperate zone of Europe. The canonical axis 4 explains 7.3% of variability of the matrix of species and is able to differentiate sand ecosystems. The ecotopic structure and geographic range width of community species have the greatest independent value among the considered sources of variation. The independent role of adaptation to the salinity conditions of the ecotope and the role of the type of ecosystems is somewhat smaller. The interaction between the sources of variation is important in the variation of the structure of communities. The interaction between the ecotopic structure and the geographic range width of species and the triple interaction between the ecotopic structure of a community, the width of the geographic range of species and the ecosystem type plays the greatest role in the variation of community structure. Ecotopic groups, which indicate the preference of a particular habitat, correlate with the species composition of the communities. It is shown that the ratio of ecototopic groups in a community is a characteristic that reveals the features of the community as a whole
The small-scale variation of herb-layer community structure in a riparian mixed forest
Get PDFThe ground vegetation layer is the most diverse plant community in forest ecosystems. We have shown the role of spatial variables, soil properties and overstorey structure in spatial variation of the herb-layer community in a riparian mixed forest . The research was conducted in the "Dnipro-Orils’kiy" Nature Reserve (Ukraine). The research polygon was located in the forest in the floodplain of the River Protich, which is a left tributary of the River Dnipro. Plant abundance was quantified by measuring cover within an experimental polygon. The experimental polygon consisted of 7 transects, each comprising 15 test points. The distance between the rows in the site was 3 m. At the site we established a plot of 45 × 21 m, with 105 subplots of 3 × 3 m organized in a regular grid. A list of vascular plant species was composed for each 3 × 3 m subplot along with visual estimates of species cover projection. The plant community was represented by 43 species, of which 18.6% were phanerophytes, 39.5% were hemicryptophytes, 9.3% were therophytes, 7.0% were geophytes. An overall test of random labelling revealed the total nonrandom distribution of the tree stems within the site. The species-specific test of random labelling showed the nonrandom segregated distribution of Acer tataricum, Pyrus communis, Quercus robur, and Ulmus laevis. Crataegus monogyna and Euonymus europaeus were distributed randomly. The nearest neighbour of Acer tataricum was less likely to be Ulmus laevis. There was no direct spatial connection between Acer tataricum and other trees. Crataegus monogyna, Pyrus communis, Quercus robur and Euonymus europaeus were not segregated from all other species. The nearest neighbour of Ulmus laevis was less likely to be Acer tataricum. Constrained correspondence analysis (CCA) was applied as ordination approach. The forward selection procedure allowed us to select 6 soil variables which explain 28.3% of the herb-layer community variability. The list of the important soil variables includes soil mechanical impedance (at the depth 0–5, 30–35, 75–80, and 95–10 cm), soil moisture, and soil bulk density. The variation explained by pure spatial variables accounted for 11.0 %. The majority of the tree-distance structured variation in plant community composition was broad-scaled. The spatial scalograms were left-skewed asymmetric. Significant relationship was found between the pure spatial component of the community variation and a number of phytoindicator estimations, most important of which were the variability of damping and humidity. Tree stand was obseerved to be a considerable factor structuring both the herb-layer community and spatial variation of the physical properties of soil
Time turnover of species in bird communities: the role of landscape diversity and climate change
Get PDFThe challenge of searching for patterns of species turnover dynamics in communities of living organisms is directly related to solving problems of stability and functioning of ecosystems. Avian communities are an essential structural and functional component of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems which are highly diverse and play an important role in a wide range of ecosystem functions. The issue of changes in the dynamics of amphibiotic landscape complexes, where terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems conjugate, is practically not solved. In this connection, a study was carried out within a landscape system, which presents terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems that were in different degrees of anthropogenic transformation. The dynamics of bird communities was considered in the context of recent global climate change. The investigation was conducted in the landscapes of the south and south-east of Ukraine in the nesting seasons 1988–2018. Within the landscape system associated with the Molochny estuary, the ten most important types of ecosystems were distinguished, which included : agricultural lands, artificial forest belts, meadows, islands and spits, reed beds, urban areas, solonchaks, steppe, cliffs, artificial forests. The temporal turnover of the bird communities was decomposed into two parts: the first term (D1) related to the amount of change in community composition, and the second term (D2) being dependent only on the amount of change in community size sensu its abundance. The contribution ratio of the species and of the environment variable were calculated to identify drivers that influence the turnover measure. The average annual temperature and the sum of annual temperatures were considered as environment variables. The bird metacommunity of the studied landscape system was represented by 132 species from 86 genera, 42 families and 13 orders. During the research period the average annual temperature varied from 9.5 to 12.5 ˚C. and the temperature dynamics were subject to the linear trend. An oscillatory component was also present in the temperature dynamics. The annual rainfall ranged 220–761 mm. A coherent change in precipitation and temperature was observed in the period until 2011. After that, the temperature growth stabilized and the amount of precipitation began to fall sharply. The steppe bird community was represented by an extremely small number of species, but demonstrated the ability to maintain a stable structure for a long time. The main fluctuations of the community were quantitative changes in abundance, while the turnover of species was practically absent. Species of the community replace each other cyclically, but there were no targeted changes in community structure. Temperature and precipitation were the main drivers of the bird community in the steppe. The bird communities on salt marshes were characterized by a stable abundance, but a constant directed turnover of species. Reduced water levels and the disappearance of islands in the salt marshes increased the risk of threats from predators, which could lead to a decrease in the abundance of some species. The islands and spits were characterized by high species turnover with quasi-cyclical population dynamics. The main feature of the community dynamics was a decrease in the role of precipitation and an increase in the role of the time factor. The role of temperature remained stably low. The species richness of bird communities in agrarian lands was higher than in steppe communities. The turnover measure was significant because of the increased abundance of Alauda arvensis. Over time, the role of precipitation in the community dynamics has been decreasing and the role of time has been increasing. The value of temperature varied, but was at a stationary level. The turnover of species was compensated by an increase in the abundance of bird communities. The obtained results are in line with findings indicating that despite more stable land use intensities in recent years, climate change has not overtaken land use intensities as the main driver of bird population dynamics
Patterns of vegetation succession in abandoned fields in semi-arid conditions
Get PDFSuccessions in old fields were studied on the example of the Starobilski steppes within Luhansk Oblast (Ukraine), region located in the basin of the left tributaries of the Siversky Donets, in the southern spurs of the Central Russian Upland. Stationary surveys were conducted in the Striltsivsky Steppe affiliate of the Luhansk Nature Reserve, with 269 ha of old fields (26% of the area) in its territory. Geobotanical releves were performed in 26 plots of abandoned fields, constant monitoring surveys were carried out in 15–27 year-old abandoned fields in the territory of the Reserve and 5–15 year-old abandoned fields in the territory of its buffer zone. In total, the itinerary and detailed surveys were conducted for about 50 plots of abandoned fields. The restoration of the steppe communities was seen only in the plots where grazing and/or mowing took place, which prevented the formation of dense litter and distribution of woody species. The long domination of rhizome grasses (Elytrigia repens) were characteristic in conditions of moderate-level disturbance (in the reserve), transition to the domination of bunchgrasses (Festuca valesiaca) was seen at the age of around 25 years, during the transitional period (20–25 years) communities with unstable structure formed, comprising E. repens, F. valesiaca and forbs (Achillea pannonica and Fragaria viridis). Duration of the stage of segetal and ruderal species in the sites under low effect was 10 years, the communities of unstable structure formed at the age of 5–10 years. In the conditions of stable moderate and high effect of grazing (high disturbance), we observed formation of bunchgrass communities at the age of 15 years. In the unused plots, we saw formation of phytocoenoses of shrubs at different stages of succession, starting from 10 years. The most abundant group of such kind comprised thickets of Ulmus pumila (with E. repens and Poa angustifolia in the herbaceous layer) and Prunus stepposa. The peculiarity of contemporary processes in the abandoned fields related to exacerbation of the vegetation’s anthropogenic transformation is distribution of alien tree species from plantations, the most aggressive of which are Ulmus pumila, Fraxinus lanceolata, Acer negundo, Elaeagnus angustifolia. The peculiarity of the succession processes in the region of studies was the domination of species of broad ecological spectrum, characteristic for abandoned fields of northern forest-steppe regions (Bromopsis inermis, Calamagrostis epigeios, Poa angustifolia, Fragaria viridis) and southern steppe regions (Bromus sguarrosus, Anisantha tectorum, Achillea pannonica, Artemisia austriaca), certain communities form dependent on the climatic conditions and type of land use in the period of succession in particular plots
Influence of saprophages (Isopoda, Diplopoda) on leaf litter decomposition under different levels of humidification and chemical loading
Get PDFThe paper presents a study about the influence of two saprophage groups (Isopoda, Diplopoda) on leaf litter decomposition under different levels of humidification and chemical stress. Because of their worldwide distribution, we focused on the common pillbug Armadillidium vulgare (Latreille, 1804) (Isopoda, Armadillidiidae), and the common millipede species Rossiulus kessleri (Lohmander, 1927) (Julida, Julidae). The function of environment creation by the given saprophages, as destructors of dead plant matter, supporting such ecosystem services as soil fertility improvement and nutrients’ turnover, is highlighted. To conduct the experiment, the animals were collected manually and using pitfall trapping. In order to bring the experimental conditions closer to the natural, the individuals were not sexed. The maximum consumption of leaf litter by woodlice was recorded in the conditions with adequate moisture (0.5 mL of distilled water per box) and amounted to 2.52 mg/10 individuals per day, which exceeds its consumption with low and increased moisture, respectively, by 1.82 and 1.24 times. As for the effect of interaction, the consumption of maple litter with optimal moisture (4.77 mg/10 individuals per day) was the greatest. The largest absolute difference between broad-leaved tree species in the average weight of leaf litter consumed by woodlice was between maple leaf litter and oak leaf litter, the minimum – between robinia leaf litter and oak leaf litter. According to the results of the obtained data (Diplopoda), it can be stated that there is a statistically significant effect of chemical stress and discrepancy of the average zinc content in the object of study (in Diplopoda and their faecal pellets). We found that the diet provided did not affect the distribution of zinc in Diplopoda under conditions of chemical stress. According to the results of pairwise comparisons, we determined that the zinc content in the Diplopoda clearly differs for control and almost every concentration of zinc sulfate solution – 0.03 and 0.15 g/L, the samples of which do not form a homogeneous group. The species composition, abundance and distribution in space of soil invertebrates are informative indicators which reflect the ecological state of soils, intensity in development of soil horizons as well as intensity of processes occurring in them
Bacterial synthesis of nanoparticles: A green approach
Get PDFIn recent decades, the attention of scientists has been drawn towards nanoparticles (NPs) of metals and metalloids. Traditional methods for the manufacturing of NPs are now being extensively studied. However, disadvantages such as the use of toxic agents and high energy consumption associated with chemical and physical processes impede their continued use in various fields. In this article, we analyse the relevance of the use of living systems and their components for the development of "green" synthesis of nano-objects with exceptional properties and a wide range of applications. The use of nano-biotechnological methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles has the potential of large-scale application and high commercial potential. Bacteria are an extremely convenient target for green nanoparticle synthesis due to their variety and ability to adapt to different environmental conditions. Synthesis of nanoparticles by microorganisms can occur both intracellularly and extracellularly. It is known that individual bacteria are able to bind and concentrate dissolved metal ions and metalloids, thereby detoxifying their environment. There are various bacteria cellular components such as enzymes, proteins, peptides, pigments, which are involved in the formation of nanoparticles. Bio-intensive manufacturing of NPs is environmentally friendly and inexpensive and requires low energy consumption. Some biosynthetic NPs are used as heterogeneous catalysts for environmental restoration, exhibiting higher catalytic efficiency due to their stability and increased biocompatibility. Bacteria used as nanofactories can provide a new approach to the removal of metal or metalloid ions and the production of materials with unique properties. Although a wide range of NPs have been biosynthetic and their synthetic mechanisms have been proposed, some of these mechanisms are not known in detail. This review focuses on the synthesis and catalytic applications of NPs obtained using bacteria. Known mechanisms of bioreduction and prospects for the development of NPs for catalytic applications are discussed
Staphylinids (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) of Ukrainian metropolises
Get PDFDuring hundreds of years, in large cities man has been forming a specific urban environment with original species composition of insect communities, including the most diverse group of predatory beetles – Staphylinidae family. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro are the three most populated cities of Ukraine. In the urban cenoses of these cities, over 140 species from 66 genera of Staphylinidae have been recorded. The total of 69 species (43 genera) were recorded in Kyiv, 67 (39 genera) in Dnipro and 66 (37 genera) in Kharkiv. Among them, , eight species in the catalogue of Palearctic staphylinds had not been previously recorded for Ukraine: Arpedium quadrum Grav., Atheta laticeps Thomson, Medon apicalis Kraatz, Ocalea rivularis Müll., Philonthus salinus Kiesenwetter, Quedius invreae Gridelli, Tasgius pedator Grav. and Xantholinus gallicus Coiffait. By number, common species accounted for 29 in Dnipro, 21 in Kyiv and 19 in Kharkiv. In all the metropolises, two species (Staphylinus caesareus Cederhjelm and Drusilla canaliculata (F.)) were identified as eudominants. Dominants and subdominants comprised 18–25 species. Almost two thirds of the fauna of staphylinids of the cities was classified as rare species. The lowest faunistic similarity was seen between the staphylinids of the urban cenoses of Dnipro and those in Kyiv and Kharkiv (15.3% and 17.5%), similarity was higher for Staphylinidae of Kyiv and Kharkiv (36.0%). Similarity by common species of staphylinids for Kyiv and Kharkiv equaled 73.9%, 28.2% for Dnipro and Kyiv and 37.1% for Dnipro and Kharkiv. The article offers a review of species diversity, number and ecological structure (biotopic confinedness, hygrothermal preference) of typical species of staphylinids in different urban cenoses of Kharkiv. Differences in qualitative-quantitative and ecological structures of staphylinids are related to the diversity of the conditions in a particular urban cenoses. The commonest representatives of the family in the metropolises were polytopic mesophilous carnivorous species
Nematicidal activity of aqueous tinctures of medicinal plants against larvae of the nematodes Strongyloides papillosus and Haemonchus contortus
Get PDFThe study focuses on in vitro effect of aqueous tinctures of 48 species of herbaceous, shrub and tree plants on the first-third stage larvae of Strongyloides papillosus (Wedl, 1856) and third-stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi, 1803) Cobb, 1898. The highest level of the effect was exerted by 3% aqueous tinctures of Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC., Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, Laburnum anagyroides Medik., Quercus petraea subsp. iberica (Steven ex M. Bieb.) Krassiln., Ginkgo biloba L., Colchicum autumnale L., Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom., Celastrus scandens L., Securigera varia (L.) Lassen, Magnolia kobus DC. Over 90% of the first and second non-invasive stage larvae of S. papillosus died at contact with these tinctures. The lowest parameters of LD50 were seen for L. anagyroides, Juniperus sabina L., C. scandens, M. kobus, A. manshuriensis, Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC. and Securigera varia (L.) Lassen. Invasive larvae of S. papillosus and H. contortus were resistant to the effect of all the 48 surveyed species of plants. Third-stage larvae of H. contortus remained vital when exposed for 24 h to all the studied concentrations up to 3% aqueous tincture of plants. The results of the experiments and also the analysis of the literature indicate the necessity to continue the survey on nematocidial activity of aqueous tinctures and alcveshol extracts of plants