Biosystems Diversity (E-Journal - Dnipro National University)
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Spatial and temporal variation of the rainfall erosivity factor in Polissya and Forest-Steppe of Ukraine
Get PDFThe Poliss y a and the Forest-Steppe constitute a substantial portion of Ukraine's territory, exhibiting considerable potential for the advancement of agricultural and forestry activities. It is of the utmost importance that the economic utilisation of the territory is conducted in a manner that ensures the sustainability of ecological systems and the fulfilment of ecosystem functions. The question of how the dynamics of the erosion potential of precipitation affect crop yields at the regional level remains unanswered. This study identifies patterns of spatial and temporal variability in the erosion potential of precipitation and determines the impact of anthropogenic landscape modification due to agricultural production on soil erosion risks. The coefficient of atmospheric erosion exhibited a range of 179.9 ± 114.7 (in 2015) to 616.0 ± 468.9 (in 1974) MJ mm / ha h per year. The temporal dynamics of this indicator within each administrative district exhibited a positive or negative trend of change over time. The overall level of erosion from precipitation exhibited an upward trend in the western and northwestern regions of the study area. In the central and eastern regions of the study area, there is evidence of a decline in erosion over time. The spatially weighted principal components analysis postulates that the covariance structure varies in a spatial manner, thereby enabling the identification of areas with smaller spatial coverage where the structure is constant. The identified principal components indicate the presence of oscillating time trends, characterised by different frequency characteristics. The spatial characteristics of the principal components of higher-order numbers can be attributed to the influence of the geographical continentality factor. Polissya is distinguished by soils with a relatively high sand content, which frequently renders them unsuitable for agricultural use. Consequently, these regions exhibit a relatively high level of forest cover. The southern and eastern regions are distinguished by soil types with granulometric compositions that are conducive to agricultural productivity. This frequently coincides with the process of deforestation. The variations in precipitation that generate the patterns identified by principal components 3–5 can be attr i buted to the influence of different land cover types. This provides an explanation for the formation of patterns of variability in the rainfall erosion coefficient, which is consistent with the level of forest cover. The influence of coniferous vegetation gives rise to the emergence of factor 4, whereas factor 5 is induced by the influence of herbaceous vegetation. It is also crucial to consider the substantial impact of agricultural land on the formation of spatial patterns of erosion coefficient variability. This influence may be the result of a formal correlation between the variability of agricultural land in different biogeographic zones
Helminthofauna of wetland birds in Uzbekistan
Get PDFThe study of the helminthofauna of birds is not only very interesting from the theoretical aspect, but also has great practical significance, as the obtained knowledge is used to develop measures to combat numerous helminthiases of domestic, commercial and wetland game birds. Some helminthiases of wetland birds are also dangerous for humans. However, these and other issues related to helminthiases of these birds have been poorly studied in Uzbekistan. This work analyses the current state of the helminthofauna of wetland birds from 8 orders – Podicipediformes, Pelecaniformes, Ciconiiformes, Phoenicopteriformes, Anseriformes, Gruiformes, Charadriiformes and Falconiformes, inhabiting wetlands in central, north-eastern and north-western Uzbekistan. Helminths collected from wetland birds in various bodies of water during hunting seasons between 2018 and 2024 were used as material for this research. The large number of highly diverse and extensive habitats in Uzbekistan accounts for the high species diversity of wetland birds in the country. There are more than 500 different water bodies suitable for the habitation of this group of birds. These wetlands are highly important for humans. They provide biological resources to the population, ensure the stability of local climates, and serve as habitats for many sedentary and migratory wetland birds. We surveyed about 40 species of this group of birds from different orders. Our work provides information on the species composition of helminths of wetland birds in Uzbekistan ( Tachybaptus ruficollis , Podiceps cristatus , Podiceps grisegena , Pelecanus onocrotalus , Phalacrocorax carbo , Ph. pygmaeus , Botaurus stellaris , Egretta alba , Ardea cinerea , Phoenicopterus roseus , Anser anser , Anas platyrhynchos , Anas crecca , Netta rufina , Bucephala clangula , Gallinula chloropus , Fulica atra , Porzana porzana , Tringa glareola , Larus ridibundus , Larus hyperboreus , Sterna hirundo , Haliaeetus albicilla , Circus aeruginosus and other). Our studies identified representatives of Cestoda from the genera Diphyllobothrium , Ligula , Digramma , Schistocephalus , Tetrabothrius , Paradilepis , Lateriporus , Anomotaenia , Aploparaksis , C l oacotaenia , Diorchis , Drepanidotaenia , Fimbr i aria , Microsomacanthus , Myxolepis , Flamingolepis , Sobolevicanthus , Wardium and Tatria . Trematodes are represented by the genera Echinostoma , Echinoparyphium , Petasiger , Echinochasmus , Mesorchis , Aporchis , Pegosomum , Cyclocoelum , Notocotylus , Catatropis , Microphallus , Opistorchis , Tanaisia , Plagiorchis , Plagiorchis , Strigea , Cotylurus , Apatemon , Diplostomum , Bilharziella , Trichobilharzia , Ornithobilharzia , Austrobilharzia , Dendritobilharzia , Gigantobilharzia and other. Acanthocephala in our research included representatives of 4 genera : Polymorphus , Centrorhynchus , Mediorhynchus , Filicollis . A large number of genera were recorded among nematodes : Capillaria , Thominx , Strongyloides , Amidostomum , Contracaecum , Ganguleterakis , Tetrameres , Streptocara , Desmidocercella , Paronchocerca , Pharyngosetaria , Avioserpens and other. A total of 138 species of parasites were identified; 42 species from the class Cestoda, 66 Trematoda, 6 Acanthocephala and 24 Nematoda. 35 species had never been recorded in wetland birds in Uzbekistan before. The article also discusses issues related to changes in the faunistic co m plexes of helminths of the studied birds. The work identifies trophic and ecological relationships between helminths and their hosts and specifies the species diversity of parasites of wetland birds in the current ecological background of Uzbekistan. The authors also paid attention to ways birds are infected with helminths in various types of water bodies in Uzbekistan
The influence of introduced tree species on the relationships between soil buffering capacity and ecological groups of microorganisms in urban park soils
Get PDFAs a component of urban parks, soil is an essential part of urban green infrastructure; soil influences the green plantings in megacities, being affected by environmentally unfavorable factors. To reveal relationships between soil buffering capacity and ecological microbial groups of park soils, soil acid-base buffering capacity (pHBC) was determined with the Arrhenius method. We counted the soil microorganisms using differential diagnostic nutrient media with serial dilutions. Soil microbial biomass was determined by thermal rehydration. In statistical data processing, we used the methods of descriptive statistics, univariate analysis of variance, etc. We established strong positive correlations between pH values and pHBC in the acid and acid-base range, and a negative correlation between pH values and buffering capacity in the alkaline range; a strong correlation between the abundancies of amylolytic and pedotrophic soil microorganisms. We determined the effect of the three following soil sustainability-associated latent factors: Factor 1 – effect correlated with total pHBC, pHBC in the acid range and soil acidity, Factor 2 and Factor 3 – effects characterized by the direction of microbial processes and which formed a balanced system between the soil humus decomposition and the entry of plant litter. We revealed a beneficial impact of subcrown space on the abundancies of soil microorganisms. We recommend using acid and acid-base buffering capacity and microbiological characteristics as soil quality indicators. The abundance of soil microorganisms increased in the forested sites
The influence of forest vegetation on the physical properties of chernozems in the steppe zone of Ukraine
Get PDFTargeted changes in the physical properties of soils, including through afforestation, are an important component of land use practices that are aimed at obtaining sustainable crop yields, which is especially important for potentially highly fertile chernozem soils. The physical properties of ordinary chernozems under steppe vegetation (used as a control) and plantings of Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Quercus robur L., as well as chernozem luvosol under natural forest vegetation, were studied in the field, as well as in laboratory conditions using soil samples taken from 12 areas established within Dnipropetrovsk region (Ukraine). As a result of the study, it was established that the studied ordinary chernozems and luvic chernozems are classified as silty loam according to their granulometric composition. The growth of acacia and oak plantations led to an increase in sand content and a decrease in silt content, and the growth of natural forest vegetation contributed to an increase in sand and silt content and a decrease in clay content in black soils. The influence of forest vegetation on chernozems led in the 0–20 cm layer to an increase in the content of aggregates of fractions > 2 mm and water-resistant aggregates of fractions > 0.5 mm and a decrease in the content of aggregates of fractions < 1 mm and water-resistant aggregates of fractions < 0.5 mm compared to chernozems under steppe vegetation. The growth of forest vegetation caused a decrease in the density and density of the solid phase, and an increase in the total porosity of chernozems in the layers of 0–20 and 20–40 cm. The influence of forest vegetation on ordinary chernozems and luvic chernozems contributed to an increase in the content of available water for plants and an increase in their water permeability compared to ordinary chernozems under steppe vegetation. Ordinary chernozems under acacia and oak plantations are characterized by increased electrical resistivity, and luvic chernozems under natural forest vegetation are characterized by reduced electrical resistivity compared to ordinary chernozems under steppe vegetation. The growth of forest vegetation contributed to a decrease in the dielectric constant of chernozems. The influence of natural forest vegetation leads to more pronounced changes in the physical properties of chernozems compared to the influence of acacia and oak plantings
Palynological data on the genus Cornus (Cornaceae)
Get PDFGenus Cornus L. (Cornaceae) includes, according to various sources, from 4 to about 60 species, growing mainly in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Cornus mas L. is the most widely used species in the genus, from which numerous semi-cultivated and cultivated forms and sorts were obtained. The wild C. mas is of Western Asian origin, distributed in the mountains of the Caucasus, Asia Minor, and Southern Europe, and the genotype of the species shows reliable polymorphism. The purpose of this study was to present a detailed palynomorphological characteristic of the species C. mas of the Armenian flora using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), to clarify the disagreements noted in the literature regarding to the pollen aperture type for the species C. mas, as well as to conduct a comparative palynomorphological analysis of the genus Cornus as a whole (based on the literary data). The data obtained are consistent with the opinion of a number of authors about the presence in the species C. mas of the quite rare compound pollen aperture type. This compound aperture type is formed by a combination of the colpus with a peculiar endoaperture complex, consisting of a small oblong os and paracolpi, located on both sides of the colpi. The os small, elliptical, reaching the paracolpi, forming together butterfly-like or H-shape endexine thinnings. In our opinion, both the os and the paracolpi arose due to the thinning or absence of the internal layers of the exine. Exine 1.3–1.5 μm, columellae separate, thick, capitate. Exine ornamentation verrucate (LM); exine ornamentation densely verrucate with rare perforations, verrucae varying in size (SEM). An extensive analysis of the literature data on pollen of 42 species of the genus Cornus revealed the significant differences in the characteristics of the type of apertures not only at the interspecific, but also at the intraspecific level. In terms of size, pollen grains are predominantly large or of medium size, rarely small. The large pollen grains were noted for C. alba L., C. alsophila W. W. Sm., C. alternifolia L.f., C. amomum Mill., C. asperifolia Michx., C. controversa Hemsl., C. coreana Wangerin, C. drummondii C. A. Mey., C. excelsa Kunth, C. glabrata Benth., C. hemsleyi C. K. Schneid. & Wangerin, C. monbeigii Hemsl., C. paucinervis Hance, C. poliophylla C. K. Schneid. & Wangerin, C. rugosa Lam., C. sanguinea L., C. sericea L., C. stolonifera Michx., C. walteri Wangerin, C. wilsoniana Wangerin. Medium pollen size is typical for C. boliviana J. F. Macbr., C. brachypoda C. A. Mey., C. canadensis L., C. capitata Wall., C. chinensis Wangerin, C. controversa, C. disciflora Moc. & Sessé ex DC., C. floccosa Wangerin, C. florida Hook., C. foemina Mill., C. hongkongensis Hemsl., C. kousa Buerger, C. longipetiolata Hay., C. macrophylla Wall., C. mas L., C. nuttallii Audubon, C. oblonga Wall., C. peruviana J. F. Macbr., C. sericea, C. sessilis Torr., C. suecica L., C. ulotricha C. K. Schneid. & Wangerin, C. unalaschkensis Ledeb. The largest pollen grains were noted for the species C. monbergii (P x E = 81.0 x 48.5 μm) and the smallest ones for C. officinalis (P x E = 20.0 x 21.0 μm). Exine ornamentation as a rule is represented by a number of primitive types, namely, scabrate, rugulate, verrucate, granulate, echinate, etc., sometimes with perforations
Benthic macrofauna biodiversity on the East Coast of Algeria
Get PDFThis stu dy investigated the spatial and temporal variations in macrobenthic communities across three sites on the eastern coast of Algeria, El-Kala, Annaba, and Skikda, in 2021. These sites were selected to assess the impact of varying levels of human activity on marine biodiversity, with El-Kala experiencing minimal disturbance, while Annaba and Skikda were significantly affected by industrial and urban activities. Monthly sampling was conducted on both rocky and sandy substrates to capture a comprehensive picture of the biodiversity within these ecosystems. Water physicochemical parameters, including temperature, pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, were measured to evaluate the environmental conditions at each site. The results revealed a significant spatial variability in biodiversity among the sites. El-Kala exhibited the highest biodiversity, reflected in a Shannon-Wiener index of 2.51, followed by Annaba (2.06), and Skikda (1.89). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted to elucidate the relationships between the physicochemical parameters and ecological indices across the three sites. PCA revealed that higher salinity levels were strongly associated with Skikda, which was affected by industrial runoff. In contrast, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH were positively correlated with the ecological indices in El-Kala, indicating a healthier ecosystem with more stable environmental conditions. These findings highlight the urgent need for ongoing monitoring and conservation strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of anthropogenic activities on coastal marine ecosystems. This study highlights the critical importance of env i ronmental management in regions fac ing significant industrial pressure, such as Skikda, in preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance
Assessing the effect of glyphosate on the shrimp Palaemon adspersus: Acute toxicity and biomarker responses
Get PDFGlyphosate, a widely used agricultural herbicide, poses a risk of aquatic contamination. This study assessed the acute toxicity of glyphosate in the shrimp Palaemon adspersus (Decapoda, Palaemonidae). The sublethal (LC10 and LC25) and lethal (LC50 and LC90) concentrations were estimated after 24 and 96 hours of exposure. The compound was added to rearing water at LC25 and LC50– for 96 hours during the exposure phase (24, 48, 72, and 96 hours). Shrimp were then transferred to clean seawater and collected during the recovery phase (24, 48, 72, and 96 hours). Enzymatic activities in shrimp heads and flesh fragments were measured for acetylcholinesterase, gluthatione S-transferase, and malondialdehyde, followed by lipid quantification. Toxicological data indicated the toxicity of glyphosate against shrimp, exhibiting a dose-response effect. Lethal concentrations LC10, 25, 50, 90 were 1.15, 1.25, 1.35, 1.59 mg/L after 24 hours and 0.99, 1.06, 1.14, 1.31 mg/L after 96 hours. Two-way ANOVA during the treatment phase showed significant (P < 0.05) effects of glyphosate concentration and treatment time on all the biomarkers. During the recovery phase, shrimp compensated for herbicide effects, demonstrating acute toxicity that caused oxidative stress and neurotoxic effects at sublethal concentrations. Careful control is recommended to minimise the negative impacts on non-target aquatic organisms
Geospatial applications as an integral component of wildlife monitoring in the Chor-nobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve
Get PDFThe large area of the Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve and the inaccessibility of some areas to the reserve's staff due to radioactive contamination make geospatial data collection methods a good alternative to traditional field sampling. The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness and limits of applying contemporary tools of data collection and biodiversity monitoring in the Chornobyl Reserve. We used hierarchical cluster analysis to compare how well different ways of collecting data worked by finding the distances between groups of species in the following samples: the Fauna questionnaire, the iNaturalist platform, monitoring of large mammals as part of the Polissia without Borders project, and low-resource mammal surveys using camera traps. Incorporating GIS data collection techniques into field studies or inventories in a reserve is undeniably a powerful additional source of biodiversity information. The iNaturalist platform provides reliable data on species richness as well as seasonal and topographic distribution, despite its limitations in terms of the relative abundance and structure of species communities. The data obtained with the help of the Fauna questionnaire adequately describes the situation with the relative abundance and spatial distribution of large and medium-sized mammals, approaching such an accurate method as photographic monitoring using photo traps. Increasing the quantity and quality of results is possible by expanding the competence of staff in using the questionnaire and training aimed at identifying species by indirect signs such as traces, burrows, gnawing marks, etc. Geostatistical tools are valuable for the efficient use of technology and resources for inventory identification and generation, uniformity in biodiversity data collection, and effective data dissemination
Geoinformation modeling of radioactive contamination of territories on the example of mines of the “ShidGSK” mining and processing plant
Get PDFThe aim of the study was to model the territorial distribution and statistical assessment of migration through the trophic chain of naturally occurring radionuclides released into the environment as a result of uranium ore mining. Statistical, geoinformation and experimental research methods were used in the study. Interpolation of the results of volumetric activity of natural radionuclides in environmental components and development of spatial models of their territorial distribution were performed using the ArcGIS software; statistical processing of modelling results and development of mathematical models of migration of natural radionuclides between environmental components were performed using ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst software. The paper substantiates the choice of the method of geostatistical modelling of the territorial distribution of volumetric activity of natural radionuclides 234U, 238U, 210Po, 210Pb, 226Ra in soils and plants, which allows modelling the values of probabilistic indicators of radioecological contamination in the absence of a sufficient array of initial actual research results. Based on the analysis of the data obtained, the methodology of mathematical modelling of migration of natural radionuclides between soil and plant parts was further developed, which will facilitate consideration of the specifics of migration of natural radionuclides through the trophic chain and help in determining the level of radioecological hazard to the environment. The developed territorial models allow one to obtain stochastic data for their further analytical processing and visualizing radioecological hazard zones. Based on the developed models, zones of increased radioecological hazard within the existing sources of radioactive contamination were identified
Ecological groups of birds of Zhytomyr region (Ukraine) in relation to thermal regime and their future prospects in the context of global climate change
Get PDFThe potential impact of global climate change on the distribution of bird species can be predicted based on observed climate change and current knowledge of the factors affecting range boundaries. The concept of an ecological niche allows one to qualitatively and quantitatively characterise the impact of environmental factors on species. The study estimates the parameters of the thermal projection of the ecological niche of birds in Zhytomyr region, compares different approaches to modelling the response of species to the average annual temperature gradient, identifies ecological groups of birds based on their thermal gradient, and provides prospects for these ecological groups in the context of global climate change. The beta-function was found to reflect the reactions of different species within a single bell-shaped pattern across the entire gradient of the environmental factor. This makes it possible to estimate the optimal level for all bird species. Kurtosis can be used to distinguish between different response patterns within the beta model. Zero kurtosis indicates a symmetrical bell-shaped response. The relationship between the kurtosis of species response models and the optimum is complex. In general, species show negative kurtosis in the warm part of the range, indicating a sharp break in the species response curve in the warm part of the factor range. In the middle part of the factor range, the kurtosis value randomly fluctuates around zero, indicating a predominant tendency towards symmetrical response forms and the prevalence of the classical bell-shaped response model. The limits of variation of kurtosis are of great importance in the cold part of the range. The thermal projection of the ecological niche was used to divide bird species into ecological groups based on the position of the optimum zone and the width of the tolerance amplitude. It is shown that ecological groups differ in their prospects under global climate change. Stenotopic megatherms have the best prospects in the face of global climate change. The habitat conditions of all other bird species in the region will deteriorate over the next 70 years. The most threatening prospects should be expected for stenotopic microtherms. The stenotopic megatherms include 68 species, which is 25.9% of the total regional bird fauna. That is, global climate change poses a threat to 74.1% of the region's bird species. Stenotopic megatherms are typified by Anseriformes, Bucerotiformes, Gruiformes, and Pelecaniformes. It was predicted that Ciconia ciconia has the greatest prospects for expansion due to global climate change. The stenotopic microtherms are represented by 18 species, which is 6.9% of the regional avifauna. For these species, climatic conditions will significantly limit the number of favourable habitats. This ecological group is most strongly typified by for Galliformes, Piciformes, and Strigiformes. Climate change will lead to a shift in the range of Picus canus, which will reduce the abundance of this species in the region