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Man-made freshwater habitats are an important part of the European landscape, especially in areas with mostly absent or degraded natural habitats. To assess the role of different man-made standing waters in anthropogenic landscapes, we surveyed adult odonate communities in a cluster of 20 water bodies including fishponds and sandpit ponds in early and ongoing successional stages. We found 35 odonate species (i.e., 47% of the fauna of the Czech Republic), but their presence differed significantly among the three habitat types. The highest species diversity, driven mainly by the presence of generalists, was found in fishponds. Sandpit ponds in an early successional stage hosted the least diverse communities dominated by pioneer and vagrant species. Specialist species occurred in both types of sandpit ponds, especially those in an ongoing successional stage, more than in fishponds. Although the dragonfly biotic index did not differ among the three types of localities, all four species from the national Red list recorded during the study occurred only in sandpit ponds. The main environmental drivers of local odonate communities included the coverage of shoreline by emergent vegetation, water depth and bottom substrate; the latter two characteristics largely corresponded to the distinction between sandpit ponds and fishponds. We conclude that both sandpit ponds and fishponds play an important role in maintaining freshwater biodiversity that requires a mosaic of habitats in different successional stages.

Extreme growing conditions inhibit restoration in sandpit mines. Co-amendment of soil conditioners such as biochar, compost, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) may alleviate these stresses and lead to a more successful restoration. We conducted a multiyear restoration experiment in a sandpit in Southern Ontario, Canada, following industrial-scale grassland restoration protocols. The sandpit substrate was sand with low carbon (C) and nutrients. We tested the effect of biochar, compost, and AMF inoculum in two experiments (plant plugs vs. seed application). In the plant plug trial, we investigated the treatment effects on the growth of eight grassland plant species and colonization of plant roots by AMF over two growing seasons. We found that co-amending soils with compost plus biochar (20 T/ha + 10 T/ha) was more beneficial than other amendment combinations. Amendments including AMF were not more beneficial to plant growth than those without AMF. In the seed application trial, direct inoculation of AMF in the field combined with high compost addition (20 T/ha or 40 T/ha) resulted in the highest plant cover compared to other treatment combinations. Our results indicate that co-amending sandpit substrates with biochar, compost, and AMF are practical restoration tools that enhance grassland restoration.

Spatial heterogeneity is a factor generally considered to promote biodiversity of a given habitat. We studied a colonization of isolated, newly formed pools with different heterogeneity levels (with and without artificial vegetation) and permanence (temporary and permanent). Using mayflies (Ephemeroptera) as a model group, we estimated the effect of spatial heterogeneity on the mayfly community assembly. We found the vegetated pools to host higher species diversity and abundance. Only one species was more abundant in the pools without vegetation. Since the mayfly larvae could not migrate between treatments, differences must be caused either by preferences in female oviposition or different levels of mortality among the treatments. We recorded slightly faster and more synchronized larval development in the non-permanent pools, attributable to the temperature and hydrologic regime.

European Commision suggested the remedying biodiversity damage should be achieved through restoration of the environment as a whole to its baseline condition. Here we provide the evidence on non-market goods gained when spontaneous succession is allowed at sites subject to previous sand or gravel-sand quarrying, arguing for estimation of the value of natural resources formed during the quarrying process and for their reflection in the restoration plans. We analyzed the assemblages of beetles and orthopteroids formed at xerothermophilous microhabitats subject to spontaneous succession for 2–5, 6–15 and >15 years, or formed at reclaimed sites within sandpits and gravel-sandpits in the Czech Republic, Central Europe. We collected a total of 7259 individuals from 401 species of beetles, and 2785 individuals from 43 species of orthopteroids. We found 62 red-listed species, among them eight CR species, including abundant Psammodius asper and Zorochros meridionalis; Labidura riparia (EN) was eudominant orthopteroid of early successional stages. Xerothermes subject to spontaneous succession hosted 95% of red-listed species found, whereas reclaimed sites hosted mostly the generalists and only 24% of red-listed species found. We identified 13 species specialized for drift sand (all beetles); most were present at xerothermes subject to intermediate or long-term succession. We identified 53 beetle and five orthopteroid species specialized for gravel-sand river terraces and xerothermophilous steppes. Striking 97% of red-listed beetles and 80% of red-listed orthopteroids found in the sandpits were absent in other comparable postindustrial habitats with fine-grained substrates. Sandpit xerothermes thus serve as important secondary strongholds for psammophilous beetles and orthopteroids.

Background Chironomids, a major invertebrate taxon in many standing freshwaters, rely on adult flight to reach new suitable sites, yet the impact of weather conditions on their flight activity is little understood. We investigated diel and seasonal flight activity patterns of aquatic and terrestrial chironomids in a reclaimed sandpit area and analysed how weather conditions and seasonality influenced their total abundance and species composition. Results Air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and air pressure significantly affected total flight activity of both groups, but not in the same way. We identified an intermediate temperature and humidity optimum for the flight activity of terrestrial chironomids, which contrasted with weaker, timescale-dependent relationships in aquatic species. Flight activity of both groups further declined with wind speed and increased with air pressure. Observed flight patterns also varied in time on both daily and seasonal scale. Flight activity of both groups peaked in the evenings after accounting for weather conditions but, surprisingly, aquatic and terrestrial chironomids used partly alternating time windows for dispersal during the season. This may be driven by different seasonal trends of key environmental variables in larval habitats and hence implies that species phenologies and conditions experienced by chironomid larvae (and probably other aquatic insects with short-lived adults) influence adult flight patterns more than weather conditions. Conclusions Our results provide detailed insights into the drivers of chironomid flight activity and highlight the methodological challenges arising from the inherent collinearity of weather characteristics and their diurnal and seasonal cycles. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12898-018-0175-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Čelnice Tetanops myopina Fallén, 1820 (Diptera: Ulidiidae) je poprvé ohlášena z území České republiky a to na základě série exemplářů nalezených v činné pískovně Závada u Hlučína (kvadrát síťového mapování 6074). Protože T. myopina je v podstatě přímořským druhem, který normálně žije na pobřežních pískových dunách u Irského, Severního a Baltského moře a (částečně: Irsko, Wales) u pobřeží Atlantiku, je tento překvapivý nález uprostřed střední Evropy podrobně pojednán, včetně charakteristiky mikrobiotopu, na kterém se druh v pískovně vyskytoval, s diskusí jeho bionomie a biogeografie a prezentovány hypotézy o možném historickém původu této vnitrozemské populace. Zdá se, že populace druhu T. myopina přežívající na glaciálních píscích v České Republice (i na Ukrajině) jsou pravděpodobně reliktního původu z doby Saalského zalednění

The geological structure and the occurrence of mineral resources in the Silesian Upland in a significant way influenced the development of industry and caused transformation of every landscape element, among others changes in relief and therefore the formation of anthropogenic landforms. The paper focuses on environmental aspects of relief transformation in the Silesian Upland. The author described aesthetic, geomorphological, hydrological, climatological, pedological and biological aspects on the base of representatives of two groups of landforms–consciously created by human being and being an unintentional effect of human activity (of secondary character). All analysed landforms are new elements in relief, in majority of cases being in disharmony with their neighbourhood. They are alien to the landscape and disturb the equilibrium in the nature. It was proved that they strongly influence water and climatological conditions and soil cover. But sometimes the anthropogenic landforms can be perceived as advantageous for the nature, especially in case of subsidence depressions because of development of aquatic and hydrophilous species and in case of spoil tips due to spontaneous development of vegetation cover. The nature easily adapts to new environmental conditions (process of natural succession and independent introduction of species for new habitats). In these terrains the increase in biodiversity was observed.

Although the value of the habitat lost by quarrying is widely known, awareness of the conservation value of the newly formed habitat is negligible. We provide evidence on the conservation value of both active and disused sandpits and gravel–sandpits for epigeic spiders and harvestmen, commonly considered important indicator species. We focus on xerothermophilous habitats within sandpits subjected to near-natural succession or other reclamation efforts. We show that xerothermophilous sandpit microhabitats are used by 323.8 ± 23.9 epigeic spider species and 8.5 ± 1.1 harvestmen species, with the species spectrum changing dramatically during spontaneous succession and if the habitat is subject to other forms of reclamation, with low species dominance across all habitats tested. We found 81 spider species recognized as critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or nearly threatened. Of these, 72 (89%) were present at spontaneously formed xerothermophilous habitats of various ages, and 40 (49%) at the reclaimed sites. We analyzed the species-specific habitat preferences of the red-listed spider species in relation to both abiotic (altitude, slope, soil penetration resistance, soil shear strength resistance, soil texture) and biotic (vegetation cover, plant diversity, diversity of red-listed plants) factors. The xerothermophilous sandpit habitats served as important refuges for Central European steppe and aeolian sand dune species, which had nearly disappeared from the surrounding intensively cultivated cultural landscape.

Introduction and objective Fungi belonging to various physiological and morphological groups present in the environment are potential human pathogens. Some of them are considered as emerging pathogens. Therefore, their presence in children’s playgrounds should be regarded as health risk factor. Material and Methods Sixty-eight samples of sand collected from 17 sandpits of different localities in Łódź, Poland, in autumn 2010 and 2011, and in spring 2011 and 2012 were evaluated. The fungi were isolated with classical mycological methods and identified on the basis of morphological and biochemical features. Results The prevalence of fungi in spring was 94.1% of sandpits in both layers of sand (depth 0–3 cm and 10–15 cm) and in one kindergarten sandpit, but only in a deeper layer. In autumn, fungi occurred in both layers in all sandpits (100%). The fungal concentration (CFU/g of sand) varied considerably (range 0 – uncountable) in both layers. A total of 352 isolates belonging to 80 species were found. There were 69 yeasts and yeast-like fungi isolates from 12 species (9 species in each season), and 283 filamentous fungi from 68 species: 35 species in spring and 55 in autumn, with 4 keratinolytic species. There were important causes of allergies, among them Cladosporium herbarum and Alternaria alternata , as well as of opportunistic mycoses: Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus and new and ‘emerging’ fungal pathogens e.g., Trichosporon, Rhodotorula, Fusarium and Scedosporium species. Conclusions Potentially pathogenic fungi are present in the sand taken from sandpits in Łódź. This fact poses a significant threat to child health and therefore proper maintenance and periodic checking of sandpits are of great importance.

This study was conducted in the water-filled Neverovo sandpit, located in Ruza district of Moscow province. This water body is inhabited by 6 fish species, including the introduced rotan. Twelve species of parasites were recorded in/on the rotan, and most of them circulate using aboriginal fish species. Reliable evidence of the involvement of the rotan in the circulation of a parasite species native to the water body-recipient (Ergasilus sieboldi) was obtained for the first time. Rotan does not play a significant role in the circulation of 11 other parasite species, or, at least, quantity estimations of its role were not yet undertaken.

Pectinatella magnifica is an invasive freshwater bryozoan with ability to produce large colonies reaching a capacity of up to several tens dm3. In the Protected Landscape Area and Biosphere reserve Třeboňsko the bryozoan was first found in 2003 in one mesotrophic sandpit. The species gradually spread to many other sites around the Třeboň area and at most of these locations its occurrence has invasion properties. Pectinatella expanded to some other sandpits, fishponds without intensive pisciculture. Pectinatella colonies are found mainly on submerged branches of willow trees. The differences between biomass in transects with the occurrence of shrub willow and biomass in transects without their presence were statistically significant in the total biomass weight and the number of colonies. The average weight of several colonies did not differ. The most important parameter affecting the occurrence was the low trophy of water. The water temperature is evidently an important factor affecting the seasonal dynamics of occurence. Differences in nitrogen and phosphorous content between the water outside and inside the colonies were statistically significant. The colonies also accumulate other elements, including microelements.

In the Silesian Upland, sand has been used as fill material in coal mines for over a 100 years. Sand extraction has significantly transformed the geological structure, relief, water and soil conditions, vegetal cover, and microclimate. The aim of the following paper is a synthesis of anthropogenic transformation of the environment, shaping the landscape and restoring nature in areas of sand extraction. We have presented simple models of the environment functioning during mining and post-mining periods. Research implies that of the two preferred directions, i.e. aquatic and forest reclamation, the first approach leads to quicker restoration of nature and ensures greater biodiversity despite higher costs. As a result of forest reclamation, previous vegetal cover is “re-established” within the bounderies of the working, however, in the zone of the cone of depression, due to permanent draining, persist water and soil conditions that are unfavourable for vegetation.

Rahmonov O., Szymczyk A.: Relations between vegetation and soil in initial succession phases in post-sand excavations. Ekologia (Bratislava), vol. 29, No. 4, p. 412–429, 2010. open-mined sand exploitation always leads to the total liquidation of vegetation and soil cover. The given study presents the relations between vegetation appearing in the excavation and soil development in the initial phases of succession. investigations were carried out in the kuznica Warezynska sandpit, located in the Silesian Upland in southern Poland. results obtained indicate that at uncovered sands, due to exploitation in unreclaimed places, spontaneous regeneration of vegetation-soil cover occurs. in the succession series observed in the excavation, 3 stages were distinguished (primary, secondary and terminal), which were divided into 6 phases. The oldest observed succession stage was made by communities from the Dicrano-Pinion connection. The duration of succession of the oldest surfaces is estimated at 25 years. Considering morphology, the forming soil differs at every succession stage. in respect to observed soil formation processes, advancing soils, even the oldest surfaces, have initial character; they are poor in nutrients and characterized by acidic, slightly acidic to alkaline pH-reaction. Physico-chemical properties of soil, forming in the area of the sandpit, are conditioned most of all by the ground water level, its chemical composition and the duration of succession. investigations proved that the course of succession at habitats fed mainly by waters, originated from the seepage of waters of deep circulation, and this differs from this those in places fed by the precipitation of waters. These differences appear most of all in the first phase of optimum stage. The sandpit is also characterized by a large differentiation of vegetation, resulting from the mosaic character of habitats. Habitat differentiation of the sandpit bottom is connected with its diversified relief and hydrogeological situation.

Twelve hatchling Wood Turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) were tracked successfully with fluorescent powders during their migration from nest to water in New Hampshire in August and September 1993. Most frequently, hatchlings selected habitat in herbaceous vegetative cover and hayfield banks bordering sandpit nesting areas, as well as in dense woody and herbaceous ecotones along dirt roads. Mean distance traveled per movement was 23.4 ± 9.5 (0.5–109.0) m (n = 84 movements). Total distance traveled to a brook averaged 131.7 ± 119.7 (27–445) m (geometric mean distance = 96.75 ± 0.35) (n = 12). Mean time taken to reach a brook was 6.2 ± 6.3 (range 1–24) days (n = 12). Hatchlings' trails often overlapped one another precisely, suggesting that the turtles may have followed conspecific cues. We suggest that cues such as olfaction, vision, positive geotaxis, and auditory cues may be employed as orientation mechanisms in hatchling G. insculpta.

Crop-content analyses of 898 pioneer beetles, belonging to five dytiscid species of sandpit ponds, (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) were performed to identify possible nutritionally-based niches and competitive effects. Agabus nebulosus, Nebrioporus canaliculatus, Scarodytes halensis, Hygrotus confluens and Hydroglyphus geminus mainly feed on chironomid larvae and planktonic crustacea, especially Copepoda. However, a large amount of filamentous algae was found in the crops of A. nebulosus and H. confluens fed on Rotatoria, especially Keratella, while the small hydroporine H. geminus fed on the small nauplius larvae of Copepoda. Experiments were used to test the relative feeding preference of S. halensis for Copepoda and Cladocera and for dead or living plankton. Dead plankton was preferred, whereas the size of the plankton was important in the selection of Copepoda or Cladocera. The crop clearance times for different food items were also ascertained: no differences in digestion times of chironomid larvae, Chaoborus larvae and plankton were found.

The impact of wastewaters from the Toutsang sandpit (Dschang), both on water parameters and on benthic macro-invertebrate community structure of the Doulahang stream was studied from March 2015 to February 2016 on a monthly basis in three sampling stations named TS1, TS2 and TS3. The physico-chemical analysis were carried out according to standard protocols while the benthic macro-fauna was harvested using a haze net of 30 cm side and 400 μm mesh size. The analysis of physico-chemical parameters revealed that the introduction of wastewater from the sandpit at the TS2 station led to an increase of the temperature, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, suspended matter, turbidity and colour. The wildlife inventory identified 63 taxa divided into 4 phyla, 6 classes, 13 orders and 31 families. The lowest values of the taxonomic richness (18 taxa, against 46 taxa and 47 taxa respectively to stations TS1 and TS3), the Shannon diversity index (2.48 bits / ind.) and the Pielou's evenness (0.62) were observed at station TS2 which received wastewaters from the sandpit. Similarly, the low values of the richness and abundance of the pollutionsensitive groups (Ephemeroptera-Trichoptera-Odonata) were recorded in this station. Significant negative correlations were found between some metrics (total taxonomic richness, taxonomic richness of the Diptera, Richness of Ephemeroptera-Trichoptera-Odonata, Taxonomic richness of insects, Relative abundance of Ephemeroptera-Trichoptera-Odonata, Shannon Weaver diversity index, Pielou's evenness) descriptors of the structure of benthic macro-fauna communities and physico-chemical parameters indicative of physical pollution such as turbidity, suspended matter and colour.

1. In minesoil reclamation, the establishment of a sustainable plant cover requires the improvement of limiting conditions and the re-initiation of carbon (C) and nutrient cycling. 2. The approach used in this study for reclaiming an abandoned sandpit in Quebec, Canada, was based on a heavy organic amendment as an attempt to accelerate the reconstruction of a functional ecosystem. 3. The one-time intervention consisted of incorporating paper de-inking sludge into soil at two rates (0 and 105 dry t ha–1), supplemented with nitrogen (N) at three rates (3, 6 and 9 g kg–1 sludge) and phosphorus (P) at two rates (0·5 and 1·0 g kg–1 sludge) followed by seeding (mid-summer) of Agropyron elongatum (Host) Beauv. (tall wheatgrass). 4. Standing biomass increased in the presence of sludge after both the first and second full growing seasons. High N application rates further increased yield, more importantly in the second season. The high P rate improved grass establishment in all cases. Ground cover increased with time and doubled in the presence of sludge whereas it declined in the absence of sludge. Phosphorus and N uptake was improved consistently in the presence of sludge. 5. Sludge application resulted in improved water retention and cation exchange capacities, and an increase in pH and bulk density of sandpit minesoil, all of which may have accounted for the significant improvement in plant responses. Levels of soil C and N suggest that this reconstructed system is approaching sustainability. 6. Adequate N and P supplements will accentuate the positive influence of sludge on revegetation.

We developed a novel and simple method, using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), for the detection and discrimination of Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati eggs. The new method employs 4 steps: (1) concentration of Toxocara eggs in a small amount of sand; (2) dissolution of the proteinaceous membrane of eggs and simultaneously separation of them from the sand using NaClO treatment; (3) extraction of DNA using NaOH treatment; and (4) detection of T. canis / T. cati DNA using a LAMP assay. All these steps are fast, easy to perform, and do not require expensive equipment or reagents. The novel method was tested both experimentally and in a field study. In the laboratory, we could reliably detect as few as 3 T. canis eggs in artificially contaminated sand, if the experiment was repeated twice. In the field trial, we were able to detect T. cati DNA from 4 natural sandpits having moderate to heavy contamination, although not in a single lightly contaminated sandpit. All of the examined sandpits were found to be contaminated with eggs of T. cati, but none appeared to contain T. canis. Our new method could extract DNA from T. canis and T. cati eggs directly from sand samples as well as detect and distinguish these 2 species in a few easy steps, with markedly reduced time and expense.

The cichlid-fish Lamprologus ocellatus (POLL, 1986) digs empty snail shells into sandy substratum, using them for dwelling and breeding. The sequence of building behaviour was analysed. It can be divided into three phases: (1) in the inspection phase the fish swims into and around the snail shell; (2) while during the digging phase sand is moved away from the shell; (3) in the subsequent oversanding phase, the shell is covered with sand. In the analysis of the building behaviour sequences of eight individuals, each of which performed five trials, interindividual differnces were found, but there were no differences among repeated trials of one individual. In the comparison of building procedures on small- and medium-sized shells we noted a dependence of the number of building actions and of the building duration on the size of the snail shell. By offering an artificial sandpit, the digging-phase may be shortened or not take place at all. By enlarging the interior of the pit the oversanding-phase can be lengthened. This led to the conclusion that the behaviour sequence, especially onset and end of the individual phases, is induced and controlled by the change in the external stimulus situation, which is influenced by the performance of the building actions. Information on the progress of building is perceived through the shell-contact-act (cont) in which the fish swims to the snail shell. It alternates with the building activities. The results of the "experiments in an artificial steep-walled pit" (2,2) indicate a visually controlled orientation.

During a survey of keratinophilic fungi from soil and children’s sandpit samples in city park of Nitra and Nova Baňa (Slovakia) three noteworthy Chrysosporium species, namely Ch. europae, Ch. fluviale and Ch. minutisporosum were encountered. The species are briefly characterized here with respect to their identification, ecology and distribution. They represent newly recorded fungal taxa from Slovakia.

We investigated measures to prevent Toxocara egg contamination of sandpits. Replacement of contaminated sand was not effective because 1-9 new fecal deposits per sandpit were found daily, with eggs reappearing in the sand 6-9 weeks after the replacement. When the sandpit was covered with a clear vinyl sheet, the temperature of the sand to a depth of 3 cm was 42 degrees C or more for 3 hr when the air temperature was higher than 30 degrees C. This procedure prevented contamination by fecal deposits and also resulted in the destruction of existing eggs because the sandpit was kept dry on rainy days. The method seemed safe and inexpensive. The effectiveness of a fence around a sandpit depended on user behavior, which could not be relied upon. Therefore, a practical method for the prevention of Toxocara egg contamination of sandpits is to cover the sandpit with a clear vinyl sheet at night and on rainy days.

The nesting behavior of >300 females of Oxybelus bipunctatus was studied for 15 straight weeks in a sandpit in central New York during late spring-summer 1985. Cool and rainy weather in late spring induced moldy conditions in the cells that caused much larval mortality. Successive generations of wasps emerged in the field and laboratory every four to six weeks. Cells were always excavated in moderately damp sand. Cell depth varied inversely with soil moisture as tied to the amount of rainfall. Female cocoons were larger and heavier than male cocoons, but they did not occupy deeper or shallower cells. One-celled nests were predominant in this species. The number of prey per cell was rather uniform throughout the nesting season despite much variation in the prey fly families. Individual and aggregate prey weight per cell decreased slightly through the summer. Male Cyclorrapha were preyed upon more than any other taxon.

1. 1. Diurnal studies have been executed on carotenoid content of zooplankton of the sandpit Lake Maarsseveen and of the mountain lake, Lac Pavin. 2. 2. With the vividly red-pigmented zooplankton of Lac Pavin conclusive evidence was found for a distinct 2.5-fold day/night rhythm in the content of carotenoid pigments, showing minima around midday and maxima around midnight. A comparable, less pronounced 1.7-fold diurnal change was detected for the content of keto-carotenoid pigments of the zooplankton of Lake Maarsseveen. 3. 3. In addition to the previously reported differences in quantitative and qualitative aspects of carotenoid pigmentation of the zooplankton of the two lakes, the amplitude of diurnal changes in carotenoid content would also indicate a more elaborate carotenoid metabolism with the zooplankton of Lac Pavin. 4. 4. Explanations as to the complexity of the more or less irregular diurnal patterns are discussed. It is suggested that diurnal changes in carotenoid content, whether or not interacting with diurnal rhythms in accumulation and consumption of lipid reserves, are a manifestation of some circadian physiological periodicity in planktonic crustaceans, and are closely associated with diurnal vertical migration and feeding periodicity.

In Lake Vechten, a sandpit near the city of Utrecht (The Netherlands), the submerged macrophyte vegetation is dominated by two species, namelyCeratophyllum demersum andElodea canadensis. In the course of the year both species are able to develop two distinct forms: the normal vegetative form in summer, the dormant form in winter.Elodea is anchored to the substrate by roots,Ceratophyllum by modified leaves, called rhizoids by GLUCK (1906, 1911). Both species form distinct zones. The depth at which the plants occur abundantly is 0 to 3 m in the case ofElodea and from 3 to 5 forCeratophyllum.