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Enzymatic hydrolysis is an environmentally friendly technology to produce sugars from pretreated biomass. Here, we show that the new Il-11 Irpex lacteus strain can synthesize cellulases in a high quantity. The peptone and filter paper contained in the medium significantly enhanced activity of endo-1,4-ß-D-glucanases (app. 50 IU/mL) and total cellulases (app. 9 IU/mL), whereas the medium with peptone and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose stimulated activity of exo-1,4-ß-D-glucanases (33 IU/mL). The expression of cellulases reached its maximum within 96-144 hours, and the optimum pH is 3,7. Thermal treatment at 30 °C for 60 minutes activated endo-1,4-ß-D-glucanases and total cellulases, while exo-1,4-ß-D-glucanases activity was enhanced following 40 °C treatment. In total, the cellulases complex (300 IU/g) saccharified untreated cellulose by 38 % in 48 hours. Concentrate with filter paper activity 100 IU/g is the more balanced enzyme-substrate ratio (2 %), which allows prolonging the saccharification process that will have a positive effect on the cost of the final product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Studying four species of red wood ants (Formica rufa, F. polyctena, F. aquilonia, F. lugubris), we examined nest morphometrics (height and diameter of anthills), spatial parameters (location of anthills of different sizes relative to each other), and the number of trails per colony in three regions of Ukraine and Russia: Kyiv region (877 anthills), the Urals (274 anthills) and Cis-Baikal (72 anthills). We have established a relationship between the number of anthills in the nest complex and the maximum parameters of the average height and diameter, as well as the average number of trails. Under optimal conditions, the infrastructure of the forage area of red wood ants becomes more complex - an increase in the average number of trails. We have shown that the morphometric parameters of anthills differ significantly in four species of red wood ants. In addition, it was confirmed that single anthills are on average smaller than colonial ones and have, on average, fewer trails per anthill. There is a pronounced spatial aggregation between the anthills of red wood ants of the same species (F. rufa, F. polyctena, Kyiv population) of all size classes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robinia pseudoacacia is one of the most frequent non‐native species in Europe. It is a fast‐growing tree of high economic and cultural importance. On the other hand, it is an invasive species, causing changes in soil chemistry and light regime, and consequently altering the plant communities. Previously published models developed for the potential distribution of R. pseudoacacia concerned 2070, and were based mainly on data from Western and Central Europe; here we extended these findings and included additional data from Eastern Europe. To fill the gap in current knowledge of R. pseudoacacia distribution and improve the reliability of forecasts, we aimed to (i) determine the extent to which the outcome of range modeling will be affected by complementing R. pseudoacacia occurrence data with sites from Central, Southeastern, and Eastern Europe, (ii) identify and quantify the changes in the availability of climate niches for 2050 and 2070, and discuss their impacts on forest management and nature conservation. We showed that the majority of the range changes expected in 2070 will occur as early as 2050. In comparison to previous studies, we demonstrated a greater eastward shift of potential niches of this species and a greater decline of potential niches in Southern Europe. Consequently, future climatic conditions will likely favor the occurrence of R. pseudoacacia in Central and Northeastern Europe where this species is still absent or relatively rare. There, controlling the spread of R. pseudoacacia will require monitoring sources of invasion in the landscape and reducing the occurrence of this species. The expected effects of climate change will likely be observed 20 years earlier than previously forecasted. Hence we highlighted the urgent need for acceleration of policies aimed at climate change mitigation in Europe. Also, our results showed the need for using more complete distribution data to analyze potential niche models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbarium collections have proven to be irreplaceable information base in recent studies directed towards revealing shifts in plants phenology and morphology caused by climate change. We examined eight parameters of morphological traits in the perennial herb species Plantago lanceolata L. collected in the wild between 1905 and 2019 and stored at the KW-herbarium (Kyiv, Ukraine) to find out if there were changes in plants' organ sizes during the last 114 years. For this period, we also calculated 13 climatic parameters obtained from meteorological records from the State archive that gave us the opportunity to check if there are any relations between the climate change in Kyiv region and shifts in morphological parameters of plants. Our results have shown Plantago lanceolata leaf blades, petioles and spikes had become significantly longer with time, increasing 3.0 cm, 2.1 cm and 0.6 cm respectively. The Co-inertia analysis revealed that 34% of the morphological changes was attributed to climate change. The analysis also demonstrated that leaf length correlated more with raised temperatures when plants were in flower, while spike length depended on the temperatures during bud development. Received knowledge can be used to reveal rapid evolutionary processes of the Plantago species and predicting their further course for the construction of historical climate models based on the leaves traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red wood ants are capable of active thermoregulation in the nest, which allows them to achieve a high number of workers and a dominant position in biocenoses. We investigated the features of the spring warm-up and the ability for active thermoregulation of the mounds of the ants Formica polyctena and F. rufa in the vicinity of Kyiv, Ukraine. We have proposed a model of thermoregulation of the mound, which takes into account the heat flow from the sun, heat exchange with air and soil, and endogenous heat generated by the antcolony. The calculation of the model for specific values showed that only F. polyctena mounds with a diameter of more than 0.9 m and F. rufa mounds with a diameter of more than 1.1 m are able to maintain a constant optimum temperature in the nest. Comparison of the calculated data with the measurement results onthe studied nests showed that the diameters of the majority of moundsexceededthe critical values for both speciesindicatingthe ability ofthermoregulation. The possibility of using the model to study the thermoregulation of moundsin different natural areas is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radial growth of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), a species often ecologically dominating European deciduous forests, is closely tied up with local environmental variables. The oak tree-ring series usually contain a climatic and hydrologic signal that allows assessing the main drivers of tree growth in various ecosystems. Understanding the climate-growth relationship patterns in floodplains is important for providing insights into the species persistence and longevity in vulnerable riverine ecosystems experiencing human-induced hydrology alteration. Here, we use 139 years long instrumental records of local temperature, precipitation, and water levels in the Dnipro River in Kyiv to demonstrate that the implementation of river regulation has decoupled the established relationship between the radial growth of floodplain oak and local hydro-climatic conditions. Before the river flow has been altered by engineering modifications of 1965–1977, the water level in the Dnipro River was the key driver of oak radial growth, as reflected in the tree-ring width and earlywood width. The construction of two dams has altered the seasonal distribution of water level diminishing the positive effect of high water on oak growth and subsequently reversing this trend to negative, resulting from a seasonal ground water surplus. The decrease in the correlation between oak growth indices and the river's water level in April–June was unprecedentedly rapid and clearly distinguishable among other changes in the growth-to-climate relationship. Our findings further demonstrate that trees growing in areas exposed to urban development are the most susceptible to downside effects of river regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has a significant impact on natural ecosystems, particularly on floodplain forests that are among the most transformed ecosystems in the world. The climate sensitivity of dominant species is likely to play a key role in determining the susceptibility of flooded forests to climate changes. Here, we use dendrochronological approaches and local climate records from 1880 to 2015 to assess the response in pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) trees growing in a floodplain of the Dnipro River near Kyiv to climatic variables. Correlation analysis reveals the strongest positive association of the Q. robur tree-ring width chronology with May-June precipitation, May-June temperature, and May self-calibrating Palmers drought severity indices (scPDSI). The moving-window correlation analysis points to positive association with the scPDSI after the 1950s, when local river regulation was implemented. The positive correlation with current March precipitation is the least expected change in the oak growth-to-climate relationship that occurred in the aftermath of human alterations in the local river and regional climate changes. This study discusses the probable ecological consequences and ecophysiological mechanisms of observable climate-to-growth relationships and their temporal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes an investigation into the seasonal variations of frequency, damping ratio and amplitude of swaying and vibration of Norway maple Acer platanoides L. The study was carried through a series of pull and release experiments in situ and on branches in the laboratory using an artificial air flow. It was found that foliated trees had a natural sway frequency that was on average 1.6±0.2 times greater than in the out-of-leaf state. In contrast, the damping ratio of maple increased by 1.5±0.3 times in the summer period. The stem swaying initiated vibrations, i.e. elastic wave, in the roots with frequencies in the range of 45-50 Hz. Laboratory tests showed that the vibration amplitude of branches depended linearly on leaf mass for an air flow velocity of 1.94 m/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Four bioclimatic clusters determine black locust distribution in Europe. • The eastern cluster overlaps with climatically suitable area in current and future distribution. • The black locust highlighted spatially and temporally variable climate sensitivity. • The plasticity in secondary growth may increase the black locust's invasive potential. As a consequence of native tree species decline and distribution range contraction in Europe, acclimation of the non-native tree species at the edge of their distribution is gaining importance. Although non-native tree species may provide sustainable ecosystem services, as a potentially invasive species they may be a threat to local ecosystems as well. In Europe, black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) a non-native species, seems to meet the condition of acclimation as a multi-generational process. The acclimatization, however, may have consequences not only for growth performance but also for the species' invasive potential. This study investigates the spatiotemporal pattern of secondary growth and climate sensitivity among six black locust stands along continentality gradient in Eastern Europe with the respect to bioclimatic conditions of the species distribution in Europe. Despite comparable bioclimatic conditions, climate sensitivity of black locust stands is highly variable, both temporally and spatially. The winter and spring temperatures are a key climatic driver of the growth pattern in southern and western Poland. Growth response to previous winter and current summer precipitation distinguished stands in western and eastern Poland. A significant increase in the mean annual temperature during the last 70 years likely triggered temporal instability of the black locusts' climate signal. In general, drought conditions were found to be the main limiting factor at the edge sites within the black locust gradient. Thus, the climate sensitivity of black locust stands reflects rather site-specific microclimatic conditions then bioclimatically-based clustering pattern. Despite climate-related limiting factors, black locust seems to be characterized by high potential for acclimatization to Eastern European climatic conditions, suggesting high invasive potential. Thus, the replacement of native species by black locust or the conversion of local habitats into monocultures for biomass production should not be recommended, while species management should follow proactive measures to reduce the risk of uncontrolled spread of the species. Divergent growth reaction of black locust stands implies high plasticity of secondary growth and thus high probability of acclimatization to future climate. Given the expected range expansion to the East in Europe, we call for expanding dendroclimatic studies to the areas of future species expansion in order to test its climatic and edaphic limitations. This seems to be crucial for formulating non-native species management strategies in line with sustainable forestry, preventing the uncontrolled expansion of the species that threatens vulnerable habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]