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Phytocoenotic conditions of growth and anthropogenic management of natural phytocoenoses have a significant impact on the population characteristics and stocks/reserves of medicinal plant raw material. The article presents the results of the peculiarities of the response of spatial, dimensional, ontogenetic and vitality structures of populations of the official species - Hypericum perforatum L., and establishes a dependence that allows predicting the reserves of medicinal plant material Hyperci herba by the height of individuals. With the aim of forecasting the dynamics of the resource potential of this species, geobotanical descriptions were conducted, and classical population methods were applied: morphometric, ontogenetic and vitality analyses, as well as a number of statistical methods (correlation, factorial, dispersion, and regression analyses). It was established that the population density of H. perforatum averaged from 3 to 12, but sometimes reached 20 to 30 individuals/m2, with the maximum observed under conditions of random mowing. The minimum indicators of the vegetative sphere: height of generative individuals (h, cm), aboveground phytomass (W, g), photosynthetic effort (LWR, %) were noted in populations used as hayfields, pastures, and in agrophytocenosis. The maximum indicators were in populations that were generally or almost unaffected by anthropogenic influences. Research on the dynamics of the main morphological parameters showed that while the maximum and minimum parameters of vegetative structures differed by approximately 2.1 times, generative parameters differed by 4.6 times. Statistically significant differences were observed among H. perforatum populations in terms of the number, mass of generative organs, and the reproductive effort of plants. A statistically significant correlation was found between plant height (h, cm) and the productivity of aboveground dry phytomass, which forms the herbal raw materials (HRM, g). It is described by the Equation: HRM = 0.167h – 3.28. In hayfield-pasture areas and in agrophytocenosis, up to 60–75% of individuals were of small size and low vitality, their contribution to the production of medicinal plant raw material was insignificant. Overall, the conducted research showed that Hypericum perforatum L. exhibited significant phytocenotic diversity, which depended on a complex of ecologo-cenotic factors and types of anthropogenic management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Mexico, aquifers face significant challenges because of contamination and groundwater deficits caused by intensive agriculture. Continuous monitoring of groundwater quality is crucial to ensure sustainable agricultural practices and food production. This study aimed to characterize the hydrogeochemistry and water quality of the Culiacan River Aquifer influenced by intensive agriculture. Groundwater quality data were collected from six sampling sites from 2012 to 2020. The hydrogeochemical facies revealed high concentrations of bicarbonate ions. The results show a mixture of calcium/magnesium and bicarbonate/chloride, indicating an intrusion of saline water in sampling sites close to the coastal zone. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the sampling points. Anthropogenic contamination affected SP1 since this site is within the urban area and is the shallowest sampling well. Based on the results of SAR, CSR, SSP, KR, % Na, MH, PI indices, groundwater of SP1 was not suitable for irrigation or drinking use. The water quality indices classified the groundwater of the Culiacan River Aquifer as good in five sampling sites and excellent in one sampling site. The ion content was Na2+ > > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Cl– > > K+ and did not show any ecological or public health risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concentrations of toxic metals (TM) were analyzed in 498 samples of agricultural soils used for intensive vegetable cultivation in the watershed of Barracão dos Mendes, Brazil. The goal of this study was to characterize the distribution of these elements and the main natural and anthropogenic factors affecting their accumulation. In general, the average concentrations of TM were higher than the reference quality values for cultivated soils in the region, with the exception of Cr, Co, Ni and Mn, and the average concentration of Cd was ten times greater. Three sources of variation in the distribution of TM concentrations were identified: one related to topographic relief, another related to lithology, and one related to the massive use of agrochemicals. These factors contributed to TM accumulation in the soil; moreover, the transport of toxic metal-enriched clay by runoff resulted in higher concentrations of these elements in the lower parts of the slope. The long-term application of massive amounts of fertilizers and pesticides resulted in the accumulation of Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb and Cd in the vegetable cultivation soils and promoted the enrichment of macronutrients, mainly P and K. Moreover, the spatial distribution of TM in the agricultural soils of this mountain agroecosystem was affected by intensive vegetable cultivation, which altered the natural TM distribution dynamics determined by variations in topographic relief and lithology. In intensive cultivation areas, the TM distribution was also influenced by soil management practices such as tillage along the slope direction and massive mineral and organic fertilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sheds light on the contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Tangxun Lake sediments, an urban lake reflecting environmental changes in Central China. By analyzing sediment cores from both the inner and outer areas of the lake, we determined the historical trends and sources of PAHs over the past century. The results reveal a significant increase in PAHs concentrations, particularly since the 1980s, coinciding with China's rapid urbanization and industrialization. Using diagnostic ratios and Absolute principal component score—multivariate linear regression (APCS-MLR) methods, we identified petroleum combustion, coal combustion, and biomass combustion as the primary sources of PAHs in the lake sediments. The spatial analysis indicates higher PAHs levels in the inner lake, likely due to its closer proximity to industrial activities. Moreover, by comparing PAH trends in Tangxun Lake with those in other urban, suburban, and remote lakes across China, based on data from 49 sedimentary cores, we highlight the impact of regional socio-economic dynamics on PAH deposition. These insights are crucial for developing effective pollution mitigation strategies and promoting sustainable development in rapidly urbanizing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of water bodies, associated with urbanization, agricultural, and industrial activities, is a serious environmental challenge, with particular concern about microbial pollution due to its public health implications. This study is aimed at evaluating the spatial and temporal variations in the microbiological and physicochemical quality of a floodplain lake used for recreational purposes, whose watershed has been disturbed by diverse anthropogenic activities. The results showed that, while the spatial variation of water quality principally depends on the basin characteristics, temporal variation of water quality depends on land uses, hydrological conditions, and climatic conditions. Rainfall and rising water level intensified the influence of land use on the water quality by increasing concentrations of Escherichia coli, thermotolerant coliforms, and organic matter and decreasing dissolved oxygen. Thus, the residents and tourists are potentially exposed to microbiological risks given that it exceeds the international standards suggested for recreational waters on some occasions. It would be advisable to improve routine bathing water monitoring and management to preserve the health of the inhabitants and limit the recreational use of the water body in the days following heavy rainfall as well as during the beginning of the increase in the hydrometric level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytocoenotic conditions of growth and anthropogenic management of natural phytocoenoses have a significant impact on the population characteristics and stocks/reserves of medicinal plant raw material. The article presents the results of the peculiarities of the response of spatial, dimensional, ontogenetic and vitality structures of populations of the official species - Hypericum perforatum L., and establishes a dependence that allows predicting the reserves of medicinal plant material Hyperci herba by the height of individuals. With the aim of forecasting the dynamics of the resource potential of this species, geobotanical descriptions were conducted, and classical population methods were applied: morphometric, ontogenetic and vitality analyses, as well as a number of statistical methods (correlation, factorial, dispersion, and regression analyses). It was established that the population density of H. perforatum averaged from 3 to 12, but sometimes reached 20 to 30 individuals/m2, with the maximum observed under conditions of random mowing. The minimum indicators of the vegetative sphere: height of generative individuals (h, cm), aboveground phytomass (W, g), photosynthetic effort (LWR, %) were noted in populations used as hayfields, pastures, and in agrophytocenosis. The maximum indicators were in populations that were generally or almost unaffected by anthropogenic influences. Research on the dynamics of the main morphological parameters showed that while the maximum and minimum parameters of vegetative structures differed by approximately 2.1 times, generative parameters differed by 4.6 times. Statistically significant differences were observed among H. perforatum populations in terms of the number, mass of generative organs, and the reproductive effort of plants. A statistically significant correlation was found between plant height (h, cm) and the productivity of aboveground dry phytomass, which forms the herbal raw materials (HRM, g). It is described by the equation: HRM = 0.167h - 3.28. In hayfield-pasture areas and in agrophytocenosis, up to 60–75% of individuals were of small size and low vitality, their contribution to the production of medicinal plant raw material was insignificant. Overall, the conducted research showed that Hypericum perforatum L. exhibited significant phytocenotic diversity, which depended on a complex of ecologo-cenotic factors and types of anthropogenic management.

Military actions bring many negative consequences both in the short and long term. In particular, not only people suffer during armed aggression, but also the ecosystem and agrocenoses. This article will examine the impact of bombardment of agricultural land with aerial bombs and establish whether it is really contaminated with heavy metals. Samples were collected in two regions of Ukraine – Sumy and Chernihiv – from craters formed by bombing. The soil was taken directly from the bottom of the crater, at three points on its slope and 20 meters from the crater, in a conditionally undamaged area. The soil was analyzed in the laboratory using X–ray fluorescence analysis. The study analyzed the content of barium, zirconium, rubidium, zinc, and vanadium soil samples from a crater. The impact of aerial bombings on the concentration of heavy metals in the soils of the farms under investigation is unclear, it may be inferred. The concentration of barium, zirconium, and manganese on the crater slopes is higher in certain farms than in others, but overall trends do not show an obvious increase in these elements when compared to the control sites. However, several farms did not report significant shifts in the heavy metal composition, indicating how challenging it is to monitor whether explosions affect these elements' concentrations. With a few exceptions, other heavy elements including strontium, rubidium, and zinc did not consistently exhibit excesses in the craters. Therefore, further, more thorough assessment of soil contamination should be carried out and methods for remediation should be developed.

ABSTRACT The increase in urbanization poses a significant threat to biodiversity, leading to the alteration of natural habitats and intensified competition between native and exotic species. The house sparrow, Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a globally widespread exotic and invasive species known for its environmental adaptability. However, recent studies have indicated that degrees of urbanization and microhabitat characteristics can influence house sparrow populations in diverse ways. In this study, we investigated the abundance, temporal variation, and microhabitat use of house sparrows across three areas with varying degrees of urbanization: urban areas (consisting of residential areas, paved streets, and squares), anthropic fields (including pastures and cultivated fields), and forests in Jacaraú, Northeastern Brazil. From October 2017 to September 2018, we employed the point count method to compare the abundance of house sparrows among the different areas. A total of 1880 records of house sparrows were obtained, with 56.3% observed in urban areas, 43.7% in anthropic fields, and none in the forest, indicating significant variations among the study areas. Throughout the year, active birds were observed in both urban areas and anthropic fields. Although no variations in bird abundance were found among the months in urban areas, a significant difference was observed in March (higher abundance) and October (lower abundance) in anthropic fields. The most frequently utilized microhabitats by house sparrows were ground surfaces, man-made structures, and artificial perches, whereas trees were the least used microhabitats. Our findings confirm that both habitat and microhabitat characteristics play crucial roles in determining the abundance and distribution patterns of the species in Brazil. Furthermore, our results suggest that house sparrows avoid using forests, and these environments can act as barriers to the species’ distribution. These findings enhance our understanding of the ecological dynamics of house sparrows in Brazil and provide valuable insights for management.

Aim: Introduced species offer insight on whether and how organisms can shift their ecological niches during translocation. The genus Amazona offers a clear test case, where sister species Red‐crowned (A. viridigenalis) and Lilac‐crowned Parrots (A. finschi) have established breeding populations in southern California following introduction via the pet trade from Mexico where they do not coexist. After establishment in the 1980s, introduced population sizes have increased, with mixed species flocks found throughout urban Los Angeles. Here, we investigate the differences between the environmental conditions of the native and introduced ranges of these now co‐occurring species. Location: Southern California and Mexico. Methods: Using environmental data on climate and habitat from their native and introduced ranges, we tested whether Red‐crowned and Lilac‐crowned Parrots have divergent realized niches between their native ranges, and whether each species has significantly shifted its realized niche to inhabit urban southern California. We also analysed data from Texas and Florida introductions of Red‐crowned Parrots for comparative analysis. Results: There are significant differences in the native‐range niches of both parrot species, but a convergence into a novel, shared environmental niche into urban southern California, characterized by colder temperatures, less tree cover and lower rainfall. Texas and Florida Red‐crowned Parrots also show evidence for niche shifts with varying levels of niche conservatism through the establishment of somewhat different realized niches. Main Conclusions: Despite significant niche shifts, introduced parrots are thriving, suggesting a broad fundamental niche and an ability to exploit urban resources. Unique niche shifts in different U.S. introductions indicate that Amazona parrots can adapt to diverse environmental conditions, with cities offering a resource niche and the timing of introduction playing a crucial role. Cities can potentially serve as refugia for threatened parrot species, but the risk of hybridization between species emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring and genetic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land‐use management is a key factor causing pollinator declines in agricultural grasslands. This decline can not only be directly driven by land‐use (e.g., habitat loss) but also be indirectly mediated through a reduction in floral resource abundance and diversity, which might in turn affect pollinator health and foraging. We conducted surveys of the abundance of flowering plant species and behavioural observations of two common generalist pollinator species, namely the bumblebee Bombus lapidarius and the syrphid fly Episyrphus balteatus, in managed grasslands of variable land‐use intensity (LUI) to investigate whether land‐use affects (1) resource availability of the pollinators, (2) their host plant selection and (3) pollinator foraging behaviour. We have found that the floral composition of plant species that were used as resource by the investigated pollinator species depends on land‐use intensity and practices such as mowing or grazing. We have also found that bumblebees, but not syrphid flies, visit different plants depending on LUI or management type. Furthermore, LUI indirectly changed pollinator behaviour via a reduction in plot‐level flower diversity and abundance. For example, bumblebees show longer flight durations with decreasing flower cover indicating higher energy expenditure when foraging on land‐use intensive plots. Syrphid flies were generally less affected by local land use, showing how different pollinator groups can differently react to land‐use change. Overall, we show that land‐use can change resource composition, abundance and diversity for pollinators, which can in turn affect pollinator foraging behaviour and potentially contribute to pollinator decline in agricultural grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Recent studies reveal an ongoing worldwide increase in a number of slope instability manifestations and their positive correlation with human activity. The latter involves construction activity as one of the most common trigger or susceptibility raising factors. In this study, we conduct a detailed analysis of an extensive and rapid transformation of a forest-covered mountain landscape and its response. The study area is a mountain sport cluster of the Winter Olympic Games-2014, which developed from scratch to a large tourist resort in just a few years. A time-series of aerospace images were used for a comprehensive mapping of the land cover changes and associated development of slope instabilities over 15 years, from a "pre-construction era" until now. We identify widespread deforestation and the land cover changes in upper chains of the fluvial systems to be the key drivers of the enhanced multiplication and intensification of the slope hazard processes. Completion of the active construction phase leads relatively quickly to a gradual natural stabilisation of the slope-located processes. However, the stream-located processes need several decades to regain a balance, because the increasing energy of small watercourses, due to growth of surface runoff coefficient, led to the transformation of longitudinal profiles of their channels. The obtained results provide a refined look at the anthropogenic influence on the slope instability occurrence and their short-time evolution in a mountain forest landscape. We also discuss the prospective course of events for this resort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Insects of the Ephemeroptera order have been used as bioindicators of water quality as they respond to countless anthropic impacts. In this study, we assessed the use of Ephemeroptera as bioindicators of streams impacted by agricultural activities. We collected Ephemeroptera nymphs in six streams with different uses and soil cover in their drainage areas located in the northern region of the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Based on soil use and cover analysis, we categorized the streams as ‘natural’ (drainage area with >42% native arboreal vegetation) and ‘agricultural’ (drainage area with >72% agricultural use). We collected a total of 2,767 organisms, distributed into four families and eleven genera. We observed greater abundance (68%) and taxonomic richness (11 genera) of Ephemeroptera in the agricultural streams. The natural streams comprise 32% of the fauna collected, with eight genera. That pattern was especially determined by the Baetidae and Leptohyphidae families. The genera Caenis, Cloeodes, and Tricorythopsis were abundant in the agricultural streams. In this study, we observed that genera of Ephemeroptera are tolerant to environmental changes, particularly those caused by agricultural activities. Therefore, the use of the order in studies to assess water quality must be carried out with caution.

During 2020, the Arctic is marked by extremely low sea ice coverage and hot climate. September Sea Ice Extent (SIE) was about 2.3 million km2 below the 1979–2014 mean and the 2nd lowest on the 1979–2020 record, while regional summer (June–August, JJA) mean 2 m air temperature (TAS) was about 1.3 °C above the 1979–2014 mean and was the hottest on record at the time. Locally, September Sea Ice Concentration (SIC) was approximately 70% lower and JJA TAS can be as much as 6.0 °C higher than the 1979–2014 mean. Although the proximate cause for the extreme event was the continuously favorable atmospheric circulation patterns, wind conditions and ice-albedo feedback, the main objective of this paper is probabilistic extreme event attribution studies to assess the anthropogenic influence. Based on the CMIP6 multi-model ensemble products, modeled long-term trends of Arctic sea ice and TAS are consistent with observed trends when including anthropogenic forcing or greenhouse gas (GHG) forcing, while cannot exhibit observed trends with only aerosol or natural forcing. Further analysis reveals that human influence including GHG forcing has substantially increased the probability of occurrence of the 2020-like extreme events, which are rare in aerosol-only or natural-only forcing. The frequencies of 2020-like low SIE increase by 19 times with all forcing and 16 times with GHG forcing than with natural forcing. Future climate simulations under different Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios of SSP126, SSP245 and SSP585 show that the 2020-like extreme event that is currently considered rare is projected to become the norm and almost occur 1-in-1 year beyond 2041–2060. The probabilities will be approximately in the range of 0.84–1.00 for SIE and 0.76–0.99 for TAS from low emission of SSP126 to high emission of SSP585.

This study aimed to spatially assess the ecological state of the upper Siret River basin in Ukraine, along with its main tributaries, using physicochemical and microbiological indicators. Additionally, we evaluated the impact of anthropogenic activities on surface water quality in the region. The research spanned one year, with nine sampling points ranging from the Siret River sources in the Pokutsko-Bukovynian Carpathians to the Romania border crossing area. Notably, a significant portion of the upper basin lies within the Vyzhnytskyi National Nature Park. Physicochemical analysis involved measuring pH, water turbidity, and concentrations of NH4+, NO3-, and CI- ions. Microbiological analysis focused on total and fecal bacteria, specifically E. coli species. Results revealed a significant correlation between population density, the absence of centralized sewage treatment facilities in large settlements, and the level of surface water pollution in the Ukrainian segment of the Siret River basin. The upper part of the river network, where the Vyzhnytskyi National Nature Park is located, displayed the cleanest waters. Downstream, surface water pollution increased, particularly near certain points outside large settlements and tourist complexes (Myhove, Berehomet, and Storozhynets). Our findings highlight the importance of using microbiological indicators to monitor the ecological state of Danube sources in the Eastern Carpathians.

This study aimed to spatially assess the ecological state of the upper Siret River basin in Ukraine, along with its main tributaries, using physicochemical and microbiological indicators. Additionally, we evaluated the impact of anthropogenic activities on surface water quality in the region. The research spanned one year, with nine sampling points ranging from the Siret River sources in the Pokutsko-Bukovynian Carpathians to the Romania border crossing area. Notably, a significant portion of the upper basin lies within the Vyzhnytskyi National Nature Park. Physicochemical analysis involved measuring pH, water turbidity, and concentrations of NH4+, NO3-, and CI- ions. Microbiological analysis focused on total and fecal bacteria, specifically E. coli species. Results revealed a significant correlation between population density, the absence of centralized sewage treatment facilities in large settlements, and the level of surface water pollution in the Ukrainian segment of the Siret River basin. The upper part of the river network, where the Vyzhnytskyi National Nature Park is located, displayed the cleanest waters. Downstream, surface water pollution increased, particularly near certain points outside large settlements and tourist complexes (Myhove, Berehomet, and Storozhynets). Our findings highlight the importance of using microbiological indicators to monitor the ecological state of Danube sources in the Eastern Carpathians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was performed to derive the first insight into the distribution of low-field volume magnetic susceptibility (MS) throughout Zagreb city, based on in situ field measurements. The most interesting locations were selected for soil sampling and their geochemical contents were determined using ICP-OES. A geostatistical approach was applied to the MS and geochemical results. A median of 0.245 × 10−3 SI units was proposed as the average MS value in Zagreb. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in Zagreb's soils (in µg/g) are Pb (36.82), Zn (87.77), Cu (30.84), Cd (0.66), Cr (29.04), Co (11.89), and Ni (28.40), and these measurements are relatively low in comparison to the Croatian legislation and the European and world average. Boxplot analyses demonstrate that 45% of the studied elements do not feature any anomalies, while most of the remaining elements indicate only one weak anomaly located at the same site as the MS anomalies. Our statistical analysis found significant correlations between MS and the following elements: Cd, Co, Fe, Mn, Na, Pb, Sb, and Zn. In situ MS measurements proved to be an efficient tool for the initial screening of large areas with elevated concentrations of heavy elements, enabling the cheap and fast assessment of the state of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasslands, a vital ecosystem and component of the global carbon cycle, play a significant role in evaluating ecosystem health and monitoring the global carbon balance. In this study, based on the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach (CASA) model, we estimated the Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of grasslands in northern Shaanxi from 2000 to 2020. Employing trend analysis, stability analysis, multiple regression analysis, and residual analysis, the research examined the dynamic changes of grassland NPP and its response to climatic and human factors. Key findings include: (1) Grassland NPP showed a significant increasing trend during 2000–2020, with high-coverage grasslands showing a higher rate of increase than medium and low-coverage grasslands. (2) Most grasslands (>90%) exhibited unstable growth and high NPP fluctuation. (3) While temperature, precipitation, and radiation undulate, the trends were not significant. Rainfall and radiation emerged as dominant factors affecting NPP, with temperature suppressing NPP increase to some extent. (4) Policies like returning farmland to grassland had a positive impact on grassland recovery, vegetation productivity, and regional ecosystem health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Land‐use management is a key factor causing pollinator declines in agricultural grasslands. This decline can not only be directly driven by land‐use (e.g., habitat loss) but also be indirectly mediated through a reduction in floral resource abundance and diversity, which might in turn affect pollinator health and foraging. We conducted surveys of the abundance of flowering plant species and behavioural observations of two common generalist pollinator species, namely the bumblebee Bombus lapidarius and the syrphid fly Episyrphus balteatus, in managed grasslands of variable land‐use intensity (LUI) to investigate whether land‐use affects (1) resource availability of the pollinators, (2) their host plant selection and (3) pollinator foraging behaviour. We have found that the floral composition of plant species that were used as resource by the investigated pollinator species depends on land‐use intensity and practices such as mowing or grazing. We have also found that bumblebees, but not syrphid flies, visit different plants depending on LUI or management type. Furthermore, LUI indirectly changed pollinator behaviour via a reduction in plot‐level flower diversity and abundance. For example, bumblebees show longer flight durations with decreasing flower cover indicating higher energy expenditure when foraging on land‐use intensive plots. Syrphid flies were generally less affected by local land use, showing how different pollinator groups can differently react to land‐use change. Overall, we show that land‐use can change resource composition, abundance and diversity for pollinators, which can in turn affect pollinator foraging behaviour and potentially contribute to pollinator decline in agricultural grasslands.

In agricultural landscapes, bees face a variety of stressors, including insecticides and poor-quality food. Although both stressors individually have been shown to affect bumblebee health negatively, few studies have focused on stressor interactions, a scenario expected in intensively used agricultural landscapes. Using the bumblebee Bombus terrestris, a key pollinator in agricultural landscapes, we conducted a fully factorial laboratory experiment starting at nest initiation. We assessed the effects of food quality and insecticides, alone and in interaction, on health traits at various levels, some of which have been rarely studied. Pollen with a diluted nutrient content (low quality) reduced ovary size and delayed colony development. Wing asymmetry, indicating developmental stress, was increased during insecticide exposure and interactions with poor food, whereas both stressors reduced body size. Both stressors and their interaction changed the workers' chemical profile and reduced worker interactions and the immune response. Our findings suggest that insecticides combined with nutritional stress reduce bumblebee health at the individual and colony levels, thus possibly affecting colony performance, such as development and reproduction, and the stability of plant–pollinator networks. The synergistic effects highlight the need of combining stressors in risk assessments and when studying the complex effects of anthropogenic stressors on health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic-resistant microbes pose one of the biggest challenges of the current century. While areas with proximity to human impact are closely studied, a lot is yet to learn about antimicrobial resistance in remote regions like the cryosphere. Nowadays, antibiotic (AB) resistance is considered a pollution that has reached the Earth's most pristine areas. However, monitoring of resistant environmental bacteria therein faces several challenges that inhibit scientific progress in this field. Due to many cultivation-based antibiotic susceptibility tests being optimized for mesophilic pathogenic microorganisms, many researchers opt for expensive molecular biological approaches to detect antibiotic resistance in the cryosphere. However, some disadvantages of these methods prohibit effective comprehensive monitoring of resistant bacteria in pristine areas, hence we suggest established cultivation-based approaches when looking for antimicrobial resistance in the cryosphere. In this study, we compared two common antibiotic susceptibility tests and optimized them to meet the needs of psychrophilic microorganisms. The resulting cultures thereof originated from cryospheric habitats with differing anthropogenic impacts. The results show that these methods are applicable to detect antibiotic resistance in cryospheric habitats and could potentially increase the comparability between studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyse the spatio-temporal trends in water quality, trophic state, and organic contamination of an alpine lake in the Darjeeling Himalaya through field investigations and to portray a comprehensive picture using multivariate analysis. Analysed water parameters have shown notable seasonal variations and were within the acceptable range for inland surface water. Water quality index (WQI) and organic pollution index (OPI) values have displayed ‘poor’ to ‘heavily polluted’ status in the pre-monsoon season, with marginally better conditions during the post-monsoon studies. Trophic state indices (TSIs) values revealed ‘eutrophic to highly eutrophic’ conditions during the investigation period. The results of the PCA have depicted three major determining factors (i.e., anthropogenic contribution, geogenic or weathering, and seasonal/climatic factors) that control the overall pollution level in the lake water system. The current study can potentially be a benchmark for assessing and undertaking management and restoration measures for this nascent alpine ecosystem. HIGHLIGHTS Assessment of water quality and trophic state of the lake on a spatio-temporal scale.; Geospatial appraisal of lake health using indexing approach, i.e., WQI, OPI, and NI.; Application of multivariate statistics to delineate influencing factors and pollution sources.; The findings will assist in the sustainable management of the lake water system.;

Anthropogenic land use alters soil properties and influences biological transformations in the root zone, thereby affecting the distribution and supply of soil nutrients. It is generally acknowledged that human land-use activities such as intensive cattle farming and cultivation of citrus products lead to a homogenization of soil nutrients. This research aims at investigating the heterogeneity in soil nutrient stocks and BSi stocks (a beneficial plant element) within the Savannah biome of South Africa. In this study, C-N-Si stocks and their ratios were quantified in the soil of five different land use types, common in South Africa. The five different land use types are i) bush savannahs, ii) mopane-dominated woodlands, iii) annually burned land, iv) communal grazing land and v) citrus orchards. Empirical research however could not fully validate this hypothesis. In particular fire management and game farming (natural land use type) led to more variability in nutrient pools, with occasional occurrences of C-N-Si hotspots. Our results suggest that when ecosystem analysis of soil nutrient and carbon stocks is handled as a homogeneous unit potentially large mistakes are made, even in anthropogenic landscapes previously hypothesized with uniform nutrient distributions.

Background: The increasing level of waste generated and disposed of especially in urban centers arising from population explosion and rapid industrialization is a global concern, because it may lead to the pollution of potentially toxic element (PTE) in surrounding soils and groundwater. This research is aimed at the investigation of PTE contamination in soil around a municipal solid waste open dump facility and their human health risk in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. Methods: Forty (40) soil samples were collected at 20 cm depth within the facility (WFC), close to the facility (CFC), and far from the facility (FFC). The soil samples were analysed for Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn using atomic absorption spectrometry technique. Results: On the basis of the mean concentration, PTEs decrease in the following order Zn > Mn > Pb > Cu > Co > Ni > Cd. The contamination statuses of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn were high-very high at WFC, moderate-high at CFC, and low-moderate at FFC. The principal component (PC) analysis showed three loadings; PC1 composed of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn that were attributed to anthropogenic input from the materials dumped within facility while PC2 (Co and Ni) and PC3 (Mn) were sourced from the geogenic origin from weathering of rocks and soils. Only the ecological risk potential (Er) of Cd and Pb was high at WFC, considerable at CFC and low at FFC and affect the overall ecological risk (RI) of WFC and CFC. The hazard quotient and hazard index of non-carcinogenic risk were only > 1 for Cd especially for children at WFC and therefore, may pose health risk in the vicinity of the facility. The carcinogenic risk (CR) is within permissible limit. Conclusion: The anthropogenic activities in the municipal solid waste facility have impacted the soil of the area by some PTEs and posed potential human health risk to the people living close to the site. Therefore, constant monitoring of the area by regulatory bodies is recommended to reduce the impact of the PTEs on the soil.

Antibiotic-resistant microbes pose one of the biggest challenges of the current century. While areas with proximity to human impact are closely studied, a lot is yet to learn about antimicrobial resistance in remote regions like the cryosphere. Nowadays, antibiotic (AB) resistance is considered a pollution that has reached the Earth’s most pristine areas. However, monitoring of resistant environmental bacteria therein faces several challenges that inhibit scientific progress in this field. Due to many cultivation-based antibiotic susceptibility tests being optimized for mesophilic pathogenic microorganisms, many researchers opt for expensive molecular biological approaches to detect antibiotic resistance in the cryosphere. However, some disadvantages of these methods prohibit effective comprehensive monitoring of resistant bacteria in pristine areas, hence we suggest established cultivation-based approaches when looking for antimicrobial resistance in the cryosphere. In this study, we compared two common antibiotic susceptibility tests and optimized them to meet the needs of psychrophilic microorganisms. The resulting cultures thereof originated from cryospheric habitats with differing anthropogenic impacts. The results show that these methods are applicable to detect antibiotic resistance in cryospheric habitats and could potentially increase the comparability between studies.

The Petropavlovsk estuary landscape reserve and its surroundings are subject to significant anthropogenic influence as a result of human activity. That is why the analysis of phytodiversity is important in order to get an idea of the level of transformation of the territory of the reserve. In the course of the work, an ecomorphological analysis of flora was carried out and anthropogenic influence on phytocenoses was revealed. A list of plants with bio-ecological certification, which were discovered during research, was compiled. Three points were chosen for research. During the work, 16 descriptions were made at these points, with different projective cover by vegetation twice during the growing season. The flora is characterized by a small variety of species - 94 higher vascular plants belonging to 33 families. Astracaea, Poacaea, and Rosacaea are among the main families with the greatest abundance of species. Hemicryptophytes predominate among climate morphs, and species that are partially lightdemanding among ecomorphs. Biomorphs are characterized by the dominance of polycarps (perennial plants). Hygromesophyte and xerophyte species predominate in the hygrospectrum of the flora. Species with medium moisture conditions make up 16%. The share of xerophytes in conditions of moderate moisture is 7%. Species that show wide tolerance to moisture conditions make up 2%. Among trophomorphs, mesotrophic species completely dominate. The coenomorphic structure is mainly represented by typical types of bows. In all descriptions there is a ruderal fraction, as well as species that partially or facultatively belong to this group. Due to the obvious anthropogenic influence (fouling which is a consequence of recreational and economic activities plowing, livestock grazing, there are signs of technogenic load), plant associations are poorly developed. The total fraction of adventitious species is 29%, of which 14% of species form a stable fraction in the investigated phytocenoses. There are two species, that are considered to be quarantined. Tree and shrub vegetation is very poorly developed and makes up less than 5% of the entire flora and is in a state of degression. The research area needs further observations of the state of transformational changes in vegetation that are occurring at this stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella is not a priority pathogen for wild boar health. However, it poses a hazard for meat safety. This paper presents the results of our multi-year research on the prevalence and epidemiology of Salmonella in hunting grounds in Vojvodina, Serbia. In total, 425 wild boars (25.3% of the total population) were studied. The overall Salmonella prevalence in Vojvodina boars was not high (3.1%) and was quite similar to findings from Spain, Germany and Japan. However, the prevalence in some hunting grounds was very high (13.3-33.3%). The anthropogenic impact is significant, as the prevalence is statistically significantly higher in open hunting grounds where animals have contact with domestic animals and access to animal waste. The pulsotype (PFGE) profiles confirmed a link between isolates from wild pigs and domestic animals. The category of wild boars in which Salmonella was most commonly found was sows older than 36 months and weighing more than 75 kg, which is a direct consequence of their increased need for protein during the lactation period when they exhibit scavenging and cannibalistic behaviour. The measures taken against Salmonella in hunting grounds need to incorporate biosecurity measures that prevent anthropogenic influence. The hygienic and sanitary measures for the control of caught animals should also include enhanced measures when processing risk categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this publication is to reveal the main regularities of the territorial structure and hydromorphological features of the young river landscape using the example of the Prut River in natural conditions and under the influence of anthropogenic activity. To achieve the goal, a three-level taxonomic system of the territorial organization of river valley landscapes and the corresponding method of identification of territorial units were applied. The main operational unit of the study is the homogeneous sections of the riverbed and floodplains and the young river landscape formed on their basis. Various methods of analyzing anthropogenic impact on the functioning of the flow-channel-floodplain system (FCFS) have also been applied. The specificity of the development and territorial structure of the young river landscape in natural conditions is significantly related to the combination of the features of the river regime and the complex system of neotectonic movements. Based on the obtained database on the natural state of the young river landscape (YRL) and its anthropogenic changes, an assessment of the current state of the young river landscape was carried out. An analysis of the negative consequences of anthropogenic cutting of rivers, which affects the state of the young river landscape and river ecosystems, and requires objective periodic monitoring of its state, was also performed. The natural state of the young river landscape formed based on the riverbed and floodplain has been significantly affected by human activity. The main anthropogenic factors include the influence of engineering structures and the extraction of channel alluvium. The joint action of these factors led to significant changes in the riverbed and floodplain process, powerful anthropogenic downcutting of the river, compression of the longterm strip of channel formation and a number of negative consequences concerning both ecosystems and the anthropogenic landscape in general. We have developed the appropriate methodology and taxonomic system for the identification of the HARF, the young river landscape (YRL), which includes a geospatial analysis of the territorial structure of river valleys. First of all, sufficiently developed, main components of river-valley systems – «stem valleys» – are considered. It is worth noting that geomorphological and hydromorphological processes are important for explaining the genesis and identification, as well as geospatial analysis of river valley landscapes. The main factors of anthropogenic load on the hydromorphological base of the MRL include engineering influence and river alluvium extraction. The main types of engineering impact are coastal protection, flood dams and bridge crossings. The action of the mentioned factors has a cumulative effect and gradually led to the downcutting of the river, the narrowing of the long-term strip of channel formation, changes in channel and floodplain processes, and changes in the spatial structure of the river landscape. Thus, hydromorphological processes can significantly affect the state and functioning of the YRL in general, as well as negatively affect engineering structures and hydro-ecological risks in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Forestry Society of Croatia / Sumarski List Hrvatskoga Sumarskoga Drustva is the property of Forestry Society of Croatia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Temporal partitioning in large carnivores have previously been found to be one of the main factors enabling co-existence. While activity patterns have been investigated separately at artificial waterholes and e.g., game trails, simultaneous comparative analyses of activity patterns at artificial waterholes and game trails have not been attempted. In this study, camera trap data from Maremani Nature Reserve was used to investigate whether temporal partitioning existed in a carnivore guild of four species (spotted hyena, leopard, brown hyena and African wild dog). Specifically, we investigated temporal partitioning at artificial waterholes and on roads and trails an average of 1,412 m away from an artificial waterhole. Activity patterns for the same species at artificial waterholes and roads/game trails were also compared. We found no significant differences in temporal activity between species at artificial waterholes. Temporal partitioning on game trails and roads was only found between spotted hyena (nocturnal) and African wild dog (crepuscular). Between nocturnal species (spotted hyena and leopard) no temporal partitioning was exhibited. Only African wild dog exhibited significantly different activity patterns at waterholes and roads/game trails. This indicates artificial waterholes may be a location for conflict in a carnivore guild. Our study highlights the impact of anthropogenic landscape changes and management decisions on the temporal axis of carnivores. More data on activity patterns at natural water sources such as ephemeral pans are needed to properly assess the effect of artificial waterholes on temporal partitioning in a carnivore guild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to assess the influence of causal factors related to anthropogenic activities on landslide occurrence in Bukit Antarabangsa, a township northeast of Kuala Lumpur in Ampang Jaya Municipal Council. Anthropogenic factors were chosen based on the township’s rapid growth, numerous landslide records and intensity of hillside development. The study used a data-driven statistical model to identify factors most predictive of landslide occurrence based on an inventory of 20 landslides, and to evaluate the extent to which susceptibility was driven by factors related to urban development. A total of 17 factors were categorized into four clusters (geological, geomorphological, hydro-tographical and anthropogenic). Factor maps were classified to derive factor classes for each parameter. The dataset was then processed using a weight-of-evidence statistical model to determine the contrast value of each factor class. Contrast value (C) reflects the extent to which each factor class predicts landslide occurrence. The C-weighted factor maps were then combined to derive the landslide susceptibility index (LSI). The LSI enabled visualization of the spatial distribution of susceptibility based on a given combination of factors. Susceptibility maps were prepared for combinations containing only non-anthropogenic parameters and all landslide parameters. The study comparedthese combinations to determine the influence of anthropogenic factors on total LSI. Similar analyses were conducted to determine the effect of each anthropogenic factor on LSI. The results indicated that lineament density, distance to lineament and distance to road had a significant influence on landslide occurrence. A strong correlation with landslide occurrence was observed for land use/land cover, especially in high susceptibility zones, followed closely by the influence of one distance to road factor class. The results could be useful in planning infrastructure corridors in densely built-up landslide-prone areas.

In September 2021, southern China witnessed an extreme high-temperature and high-humidity event. The average regional wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) anomaly (relative to 1961–1990 mean) in 110.0°–120.0°E, 27.5°–32.5°N region was the highest on record at 3.28 °C and exceeded three times the observed standard deviation. To investigate the underlying causes, we examine the effects of anthropogenic forcings and anomalous circulation patterns on this event using the multi-model ensembles from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6. Results indicate that 2021-like events would happen extremely rarely without anthropogenic warming (would not occur in counterfactual world simulations) and have become a 1-in-16-year event in the factual world. For the threshold of the second most extreme year, the occurrence probability of extreme WBGT events increases approximately 50 times due to the impact of anthropogenic forcings. The effect of anthropogenic warming under similar atmosphere circulation increases the probability of extreme WBGT events by 13–60 times, and that of corresponding circulation patterns under the same anthropogenic warming increases the probability by 1.3–1.8 times.

Unsystematic deposition of wastes due to urbanization and industrilization has led to release of contaminants in soils and nearby water sources. This study investigated the effect of wastes on the concentrations of potentially toxic elemets (PTEs) in soils around a solid waste dumpsite, assessed their contamination status and ecological risk on the surounding area. Ten soil samples each collected from dumpsite, downslope, upslope and control site locations were analysed for Fe, Pb, Mn, Cd, Cu, Zn, As, Co, Cr and Ni concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectophotometer. The concentrations of PTEs in the soils were in order of Fe> Mn> Zn> Pb> Cu> Ni> Co> Cr> As > Cd. Concentrations of the Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Ni, Co and Cr in the studied soils were within the recommended values with the exception of Cd from dumpsite and downslope soils. Concentrations of PTEs are substantially higher in dumpsite than soils from other locations. The contamination factor and degree of contamination exhibit sparing to relative contamination of PTEs in soils. The geoaccumulation index values suggested non polluted to relatively polluted with PTEs in the soils while ecological risk indices showed sparing risk of the potential toxic elements in soils from the surrounding area. This study has shown the anthropogenic effects of wastes on the surrounding area.

Between 1979 and 2003, a 35 cm thick layer of laminated tufa formed around a wooden pillar located at the beginning of the Korana River, which emerges from the Plitvice Lakes, Croatia. The laminated tufa structure allowed for the stratigraphic analysis of mineral, elemental and δ18O and δ13C isotope composition. Results are compared to other carbonate archives (lake sediments) from the Plitvice Lakes and to measured water physical–chemical data collected in the same time. An increase in water temperature and decrease in Mg/Ca ratio was observed during that period. Results showed that the tufa Mg/Ca ratio and δ18O could not be used as a temperature proxy, while an observed δ18O increase after 1990 was attributed to increase in evaporation rate. Furthermore, the constant increase in redox-sensitive elements (Mn) towards the external part of tufa may indicate periodic events of anoxia at the sediment/water interface. Local enrichment factors (LEFs) for potentially toxic elements were calculated using the background function and Al as the normalizing element. The LEFs showed an enrichment pattern of Cu and Pb in 1983 and 2001, which could indicate their anthropogenic origin and the sensitivity of the tufa to environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lakes are an important part of the Earth's surface. Poyang Lake is China's largest freshwater lake with complex hydrological relationships and unique rhythmic changes. There is no systematic understanding of the relationship between lake watershed area and river–lake connectivity. In this study, using remote sensing imagery, hydrological data, meteorological data, and land use surveys, we investigated changes in the Poyang Lake water area from 1977–2021. In addition, we examined the relationship between the lake water area and potential impact factors and analyzed the influence of river–lake interactions on the lake water area. The results showed that the water area of Poyang Lake decreased during the study period. River runoff and sediment load changes in the Poyang Lake basin are the main factors affecting the lake water area. Additionally, the Three Gorges Dam water impoundment situated in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River weakened and eliminated the block and reverse flow of the Yangtze River into the Poyang Lake, causing the water area to decrease toward the end of the flood season in 2005 and in the dry season in 2003. Changes in the lakebed elevation caused by sedimentation and anthropogenic activities have also accelerated the shrinkage of the water area. Overall, the results of this study indicate that variations in the river–lake interactions are the primary cause of the significant changes observed in the Poyang Lake water area in the last five decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Anthropogenic food subsidies attract opportunistic generalists like gulls in high densities, which may lead to negative impacts on human communities and local ecosystems. Managing impacts requires understanding why gulls use particular natural or industrial sites at different times of day or phases of the breeding cycle. Use of natural and human‐influenced habitats likely varies temporally as gulls alter schedules and site selection to match the predictability of different resources as they vary through space and time relative to patterns in human activities (seasonal industries, the work week, working hours) and natural rhythms (daylight, tide cycles), while gull resource requirements and restrictions to movement also shift with changing reproductive demands. We quantified seasonal and circadian patterns in American herring gull (Larus smithsoniansus) interactions with anthropogenic and natural sites throughout breeding using GPS data from 15 gulls tracked over 3 years from two colonies. We examined the weekly probability of gull occurrence at distinct destinations (e.g. breeding colony, islands, offshore, fish processing plants), and how occurrence varied with time of day, weekday/weekend, tide phase and colony, using GLMMs with a binomial response for destination‐specific occurrence. Probability at the colony varied predictably through the breeding season (highest attendance from dusk to dawn, during incubation and early chick rearing), providing confidence in the modelling approach for detecting temporal patterns in behaviour. Gulls visited other islands mostly outside incubation and early chick rearing, and from dusk through the night, likely roosting. Occurrence offshore where interaction with fishing vessels is possible was highest from dusk to dawn, and differed among colonies, but was the most likely destination during incubation and early chick rearing. Occurrence at fish plants gradually increased until after fledging when attendance was highest from Aug‐Oct coincident with the peak of Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) processing and was more likely during the weekdays, during working hours, and during low and flood tide. Gulls in southwest Nova Scotia, Canada, have the behavioural flexibility to adapt to both natural rhythms and human schedules when beneficial, enabling them to thrive in a region where industry and natural resources are abundant. These findings can provide information to guide when and where to test different subsidy management strategies locally, while also considering potential increased pressures on island ecosystems. We emphasise that management outcomes of reductions of food subsidies for opportunistic species depend on multiple factors, including availability of alternative food sources and timing of use.

Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) plays an important role in nitrogen removal in coastal seas, and ladderanes, as specific biomarkers of anammox bacteria, can be used to indicate the anammox activity. However, the origins of ladderanes and their controlling factors in the coastal seas influenced by anthropogenic activities are still not well constrained. To address this, we reported ladderanes, long-chain n-alkanols (terrestrial biomarker) and sterols (marine biomarker) in suspended particulates from the estuaries and inner area of Laizhou Bay in North China, to study ladderane sources and its distribution patterns. This study proposed a novel index, Rlad, using ladderane ratio of ladderane III to ladderane IV, and by correlating this index with other biomarker distributions to evaluate the source of ladderanes. High Rlad values (> 0.9) indicated biosynthesis by terrestrial anammox bacteria Ca. Brocadia and Ca. Kuenenia, while low Rlad values (< 0.9) indicated biosynthesis by marine anammox bacteria Ca. Scalindua. High Rlad values and high ladderane concentrations in particulates from the estuaries and nearshore area of Laizhou Bay revealed sources from the terrestrial input via riverine inflow as well as in situ production in oxygen-depleted estuaries, supported by high concentrations of terrestrial biomarkers; Low Rlad values and low ladderane concentrations in particulates from offshore area indicated sources from marine environment via the cold hypoxia water input by the Bohai circulation. Comparison of ladderane concentrations of our study with previously published results from a wide range of environments with human influences from Chinese coastal area revealed that high ladderane concentrations synthesized by terrestrial anammox bacteria could contribute significantly to coastal seas, and the anammox process in river-estuary-bay system might be underestimated. This study provides new understandings about the evaluation of the source and distribution of ladderanes under anthropogenic influences in coastal seas.

Temporal partitioning in large carnivores have previously been found to be one of the main factors enabling co-existence. While activity patterns have been investigated separately at artificial waterholes and e.g., game trails, simultaneous comparative analyses of activity patterns at artificial waterholes and game trails have not been attempted. In this study, camera trap data from Maremani Nature Reserve was used to investigate whether temporal partitioning existed in a carnivore guild of four species (spotted hyena, leopard, brown hyena and African wild dog). Specifically, we investigated temporal partitioning at artificial waterholes and on roads and trails an average of 1,412 m away from an artificial waterhole. Activity patterns for the same species at artificial waterholes and roads/game trails were also compared. We found no significant differences in temporal activity between species at artificial waterholes. Temporal partitioning on game trails and roads was only found between spotted hyena (nocturnal) and African wild dog (crepuscular). Between nocturnal species (spotted hyena and leopard) no temporal partitioning was exhibited. Only African wild dog exhibited significantly different activity patterns at waterholes and roads/game trails. This indicates artificial waterholes may be a location for conflict in a carnivore guild. Our study highlights the impact of anthropogenic landscape changes and management decisions on the temporal axis of carnivores. More data on activity patterns at natural water sources such as ephemeral pans are needed to properly assess the effect of artificial waterholes on temporal partitioning in a carnivore guild.

This study was performed to derive the first insight into the distribution of low-field volume magnetic susceptibility (MS) throughout Zagreb city, based on in situ field measurements. The most interesting locations were selected for soil sampling and their geochemical contents were determined using ICP-OES. A geostatistical approach was applied to the MS and geochemical results. A median of 0.245 × 10−3 SI units was proposed as the average MS value in Zagreb. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in Zagreb’s soils (in µg/g) are Pb (36.82), Zn (87.77), Cu (30.84), Cd (0.66), Cr (29.04), Co (11.89), and Ni (28.40), and these measurements are relatively low in comparison to the Croatian legislation and the European and world average. Boxplot analyses demonstrate that 45% of the studied elements do not feature any anomalies, while most of the remaining elements indicate only one weak anomaly located at the same site as the MS anomalies. Our statistical analysis found significant correlations between MS and the following elements: Cd, Co, Fe, Mn, Na, Pb, Sb, and Zn. In situ MS measurements proved to be an efficient tool for the initial screening of large areas with elevated concentrations of heavy elements, enabling the cheap and fast assessment of the state of the environment.

Abstract This study presents δ26Mg values, Mg2+ concentrations, δ18O and δ2H values of monthly collected rain and snow samples between 2014 and 2017 from north‐west Germany. The δ26Mg values of snow are similar to those of rain. Unlike δ18O and δ2H, neither δ26Mgprecipitation values nor Mg2+ concentrations display a relationship with air temperature. In contrast, δ26Mgprecipitation values and Mg2+ concentrations are correlated with precipitation amount. As previously suggested by other studies but now based on a larger data set, it is proposed that the δ26Mg values and Mg2+ concentrations are affected by the mineralogical composition and amount of airborne dust. Consequently, a small number of random precipitation samples cannot represent the complex processes influencing the δ26Mgprecipitation values. δ26Mgprecipitation can be used to differentiate between seawater aerosols, carbonate and silicate dust. Silicate dust is typified by higher Mg concentrations and δ26Mg values compared to carbonate dust. Concerning carbonates, dolostone dust has higher Mg concentrations and δ26Mg values, while limestone dust is Mg‐lean with lower δ26Mg values. Dust of anthropogenic origin in the region can come from active limestone and dolostone quarries, surface mining of siliciclastics, and agriculture on silicate‐rich soils. Although dust of this mineralogy can also be of natural origin, most natural dust consists of airborne silicates transported by wind systems from the Sahara to Europe. Higher δ26Mgprecipitation values would indicate silicate or dolostone dust influx. Lower δ26Mgprecipitation values suggest lower dust concentrations and a predominantly calcitic dust mineralogy. It appears that δ26Mgprecipitation is most probably influenced by changes in weather conditions and natural and anthropogenic dust origin. This study implies that δ26Mgprecipitation is a potential proxy for dust mineralogy and fluxes. Nevertheless, further research should include the determination of atmospheric dust mineralogy and their fractions as well as air mass back trajectory analysis to identify the source(s) of dust.

Abstract Plastic pollution represents a threat to marine ecosystems and has therefore been gaining space in the realm of public interest. In this study, we investigated the ingestion of food and non-food items (i.e., plastic particles) by fish and crabs. These animals are commonly collected by trawling with a double-ring net along the coast of Cananéia, state of São Paulo, Brazil; some of them are consumed as food by the local population. Fish and crab stomachs were removed and dissected, and their contents were examined under a stereoscopic microscope with an image-capturing system. The presence or absence of plastic was also registered. We examined 139 specimens of 16 fish species and 143 specimens of four crab species. The most frequent food items found in fish were unidentified food, followed by crustaceans, molluscs, polychaetes, and other fish; in crabs, the items were unidentified food, followed by crustaceans, molluscs and fish. Plastic particles were found in all fish species, representing 47.5% of the individuals analysed. In crabs, the incidence of plastic was lower, occurring in only two species (5% in Callinectes danae and 3% in C. ornatus). Only four fish species analysed had previous records of plastic ingestion in the scientific literature. The high incidence of microplastics in our study is worrying because they negatively affect the animals’ lives and can be transferred through the tropic web to top predators, including humans, through the ingestion of contaminated animals.

Over the last decades, regional climate changes, erosion, and heightened agricultural runoffs have increased nutrient and particle input in rivers, unbalancing the biogeochemical cycle of this suspended material along estuaries. In this context, particle fluxes in the euphotic zone, a very productive layer and important to maintain the food chain and estuarine preservation, require better understanding. This study aims to evaluate particle sedimentation fluxes in the photic zone of the Cananéia-Iguape Estuarine-Lagoon Complex (CIELC), considering sectors under different salinities and trophic statuses. A cylindrical sediment trap was installed at the base of the photic layer to measure particle fluxes and photopigments. Meanwhile, water samples were taken to measure temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients. Valo Grande (a freshwater domain) showed high nutrient concentrations, in which high fluxes of phaeopigments and chlorophyll-b highlighted the contribution of vegetable detritus to particle sinking. In the Batatais mangrove creek, the high fluxes of organic particles (675.32 mg m-2 d-1) and chlorophyll-a (98.40 mg m-2 d-1) evinced a high contribution of microplankton to carbon sinking. During the winter of 2018, flocculation processes were evinced in the flood tide of the Cananéia Bay as an important driver of sedimentation rates, with considerable fluxes of inorganic particles (1161.20 mg m-2 d-1) and chlorophyll-a (83.27 mg m-2 d-1). In the summer of 2019, we observed a lower flux in total particles (451.24 mg m-2 d-1) in a period of haline stratification. In the Ararapira Channel, the lowest organic particle fluxes (<100 mg m-2 d-1) were associated with ultra-oligotrophic conditions, indicating a low influence of microplankton on sinking particles. These findings suggest that freshwater input, tidal variation, and trophic status are relevant controls of sinking particles in different CIELC sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

India’s broad network of protected areas, which encompasses 4.93% of the country’s geographical area, is exposed to immense anthropogenic pressures that can create an imbalance and also hinder the prime objective of wildlife conservation and protection. The present study assesses some of these problems in relation to the Achanakmar Tiger Reserve (ATR). The main anthropogenic influence in ATR is the presence of eighteen core villages, five buffer villages, and 49 fringe villages in the periphery of the reserve area. The population density of the core zone was higher (16.0 people/km² ) as compared to the buffer zone (7.41 people/km2 ). Another important disturbance in the protected area is state highway 8 which bisects the entire core zone into two halves. This highway also connects the neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh and there is the continuous movement of traffic, which hampers the smooth movement of wild animals. ATR also has a wide network of tourist roads of 192 km passing through the core zone. The average population density of livestock in ATR is relatively high compared to the average population of wild ungulates. It creates competition between wild ungulates for food, and they are also under constant threat of infectious diseases. The livestock depredation by apex predators is one of the major reasons for man-wildlife conflict in ATR. The cattle kill incidences by both the apex predator (tiger and leopard) was 378 during the period of three years (2015 to 2018) and these incidences were recorded more in the core zone as compared to the buffer zone. In the present study, anthropogenic effects on ATR have been studied and evaluated. It concludes that for effective management and conservation of tigers in ATR, these aspects need to be considered. To restore the tiger population in ATR, there must be a proper balance between human (anthropogenic) approaches and conservation benefits for the effective sustainability of the protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study presented a high-resolution regional mapping of a significant Brazilian watershed, which is heavily influenced by mining, agriculture, and domestic/industrial effluents. Upper São Francisco Basin encompasses the largest karst area in the country and includes three important Brazilian biomes: Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, and Caatinga. Surface water (1418 samples) was collected during the dry season and was analyzed for physical-chemical parameters, cations, anions, and some metals. The spatial distribution and abundance of variables were assessed, and the processes controlling the sources of dissolved loads in surface waters were discussed. The results indicate that rock weathering is the primary factor controlling water chemistry, with a strong influence of carbonate and silicate minerals. Anthropogenic activities, particularly agriculture, play a key role in the chemical composition of the microbasins. Soil erosion and leaching processes also contribute significantly to the region, driven by land use practices and mineral extraction, which intensify erosion processes. The northern sector of the Upper São Francisco Basin, characterized by an arid climate and Caatinga vegetation, experiences low precipitation and high evapotranspiration rates. The VG stands out due to the presence of the karst zone and for the mixture of natural to anthropogenic sources. • Weathering is the primary factor controlling water chemistry. • The climate and biome influence the concentration of dissolved substances. • Drought polygon showed low precipitation and high evapotranspiration rates. • Agriculture was a crucial role in the chemical composition of the river. • Land use practices and mineral extraction intensifies erosion processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasslands, a vital ecosystem and component of the global carbon cycle, play a significant role in evaluating ecosystem health and monitoring the global carbon balance. In this study, based on the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach (CASA) model, we estimated the Net Primary Productivity (NPP) of grasslands in northern Shaanxi from 2000 to 2020. Employing trend analysis, stability analysis, multiple regression analysis, and residual analysis, the research examined the dynamic changes of grassland NPP and its response to climatic and human factors. Key findings include: (1) Grassland NPP showed a significant increasing trend during 2000–2020, with high-coverage grasslands showing a higher rate of increase than medium and low-coverage grasslands. (2) Most grasslands (>90%) exhibited unstable growth and high NPP fluctuation. (3) While temperature, precipitation, and radiation undulate, the trends were not significant. Rainfall and radiation emerged as dominant factors affecting NPP, with temperature suppressing NPP increase to some extent. (4) Policies like returning farmland to grassland had a positive impact on grassland recovery, vegetation productivity, and regional ecosystem health.