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Insect habitat specialists have declined more than generalists over the last decades. Understanding how habitat requirements and increased climate variability interact to explain persistence of populations is needed to enable effective conservation measures. Habitat specialists with a complex life cycle, such as myrmecophilous butterflies, are likely to be most vulnerable. Here, we explored to what extent the habitat factors explaining population persistence of the Alcon blue (Phengaris alcon), changed over a 25-year period in the Netherlands, contrasting the recent years 2018–2022 with extreme droughts with the preceding period 1998–2017 characterized by occasional climatic extremes. Population persistence of P. alcon over 1998–2017 as explained by historical habitat conditions was significantly higher in large heathland areas with large patches of its host plant Gentiana pneumonanthe. On the basis of current conditions, population persistence until 2017 was best explained by a combination of host plant area and quality. In contrast, persistence over the recent drought years was most closely associated with increasing occupancy of the optimal host ant Myrmica ruginodis and lower occupancy of competitive and predatory Lasius ants. Implications for insect conservation We conclude that critical habitat conditions change under increasing climatic extremes and that the availability of sufficient optimal host ants has become more critical than that of host plants. The results emphasise that both large-scale hydrological restoration and small-scale management for heterogeneity are necessary to preserve P. alcon and its habitat in the Netherlands. This is also likely to apply to other habitat specialists with complex life cycles from threatened habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake Sevan is a freshwater reservoir in the Caucasus region. Since the first half of the 20th century, the lake has undergone significant changes caused by human activity and anthropogenic pressure. To identify the current ecological state of two bays—Lchashen and Lichk—located in different parts of the lake, a study was conducted in 2022–2023 using a multi-biomarker approach. For this purpose, biomarkers for assessing the health status of fish and the quality of their living conditions were used such as the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the brain, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and the concentration of reduced glutathione (RGS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver and gills of the whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus Linnaeus, 1758). In addition, hydrochemical and ichthyological analyses were conducted. This study demonstrated seasonal dynamics for all biomarkers. Comparative analysis of biomarkers and hydrochemical and ichthyological data showed that the whitefish in Lchashen Bay is in worse health, and its living conditions there are less favorable than in Lichk Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The status of Ulmus minor Mill., a threatened species in Tunisia, was assessed. The study aimed to determine the habitat conditions and gather ecological information about the species and its habitats in north-western Tunisia since the lack of data on the abundance and distribution of this species is a significant obstacle to its proper conservation. The results revealed that the species is currently distributed in Tunisia in two localities (Oued El Kebir in Tabarka and Tbeinia in Ain Draham). The populations occur in deep, very wet, loamy or clay loam soils of low acidity. The main threats to the species are overexploitation by local people and disease caused by the ascomycete Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. Conservation of Ulmus minor can only be achieved through habitat maintenance and sustainable use of natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increasing number of studies in botanical gardens are investigating species' responses to climate change. However, the influence of local environmental or habitat conditions such as soil nutrient status or microclimate on phenology and the link between morpho‐physiological functional traits and phenological stages are poorly understood, making it difficult to extrapolate patterns from botanical gardens to natural environments. Therefore, we selected herbaceous species growing in two semi‐natural habitats, namely, semi‐dry grasslands (SDGs) and mesophilic grasslands (MGs) and the botanical garden of Jena (Germany) to investigate the influence of habitat conditions on interspecific and intraspecific patterns in phenology, functional traits and their associations. For 16 species, we monitored leaf and flowering phenology weekly for 133 populations from the three habitats, measured morpho‐physiological traits (i.e., whole plant, leaf and reproductive traits), as well as habitat conditions and compared the measurements across habitats. Multivariate analyses revealed that morpho‐physiological traits conspicuously showed stronger differences between habitats compared to phenological traits. Populations on MG showed temporal niche segregation, whereas populations on SDG showed flowering synchrony. Boosted Regression Trees showed that morpho‐physiological traits, especially reproductive traits, strongly influenced phenological traits and that the trait‐phenology relationships were highly habitat‐specific. We conclude that species phenology is broadly similar between botanical gardens and local habitats. However, phenological responses to the environment may be constrained by a certain suite of correlated traits due to ecological plant strategies that vary across habitats. The effect of habitat conditions on morpho‐physiological functional traits and phenology‐trait relationships is important and should not be neglected at local scales, implying consequences at larger scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating biodiversity loss demands a paradigm shift in wildlife conservation. This paper proposes an innovative AI system for holistic wildlife management. The deep learning algorithms identify individual animals through biometrics in camera traps, drone footage, and bioacoustics. This surpasses traditional methods, enabling tracking across vast landscapes. The real-time animal tracking data, analyzed by machine learning, allows for early detection of poaching, habitat disturbances, and animal distress. Furthermore, the system integrates environmental sensors to provide a holistic understanding of ecological conditions. The correlating animal movement with environmental data helps identify crucial habitats and predict climate threats. This unified platform empowers proactive wildlife management, transitioning conservation from reactive to evidence-based practices for long-term biodiversity preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the quantitative research results of a comprehensive study titled "Current Profile of Older Adults in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain)." The study aims to understand and describe the characteristics of individuals aged 65 and above within this autonomous region, with a focus on the variables of sex, age, and habitat. A cross-sectional approach was employed, utilizing quantitative methods to collect data. To gather information, a customized questionnaire was developed to address the study objectives, covering various aspects such as sociodemographic factors, living conditions, leisure activities, social participation, and cultural interests. The survey was conducted via telephone, ensuring representation by employing gender quotas, age-group stratification, and considerations for habitat size. A representative sample of 1,065 participants was included in the study. The findings reveal a degree of homogeneity in the lifestyles of older adults, with discernible variations influenced by factors such as sex, habitat, and age. These results shed light on the diverse habits and experiences of older adults, emphasizing the significance of habitat conditions, social participation, and the aging process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of global warming and human disturbances, many habitats of endangered waterfowl on migration routes have been threatened. Due to the limits in monitoring methods and technologies, the potential habitat quality of Grus japonensis on its migration routes is understudied. The impact of climate changes on the habitat suitability of these species requires further investigation. In this study, an ensemble species distribution model was constructed based on 174 occurrence samples and 10 habitat features to assess the habitat suitability of Grus japonensis on migration routes in eastern Asia. We also predicted the changes in the suitable habitat areas of Grus japonensis in 2060 and 2100 under two future climate scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). The results showed that the ensemble species distribution model achieved a higher accuracy in mapping potentially suitable habitats of Grus japonensis compared with the single species distribution models. The area under curve (AUC) value, true skill statistics (TSS) value, and Kappa coefficient were determined as 0.98, 0.94, and 0.96, respectively. At present, the total area of suitable habitats of Grus japonensis on the migration route of eastern Asia is approximately 3.95 × 105 km2. Under the intermediate greenhouse gas (GHG) emission scenario (SSP2-4.5), the area of suitable habitats on the migration route is predicted to decrease to 3.67 × 105 km2 by 2100, with a reduction rate range from 7.34 % to 13.92 %. Under the very high GHG emission scenario (SSP5-8.5), the area of suitable habitats on the migration route is predicted to decrease to 3.65 × 105 km2 by 2100, with a reduction rate range from 11.13 % to 14.43 %. This study is important for simulating the habitat suitability of endangered waterfowl on migration routes. It also provides key decision support for the conservation and restoration of the potential habitats for endangered waterfowl.

The pubescent oak (Quercus pubescens Willd.) leaves were analysed by the means of morphometric methods in the Outstanding Natural Landscape "Kosmaj" in Serbia. The main goals were to determine the level of intraspecific variability of pubescent oak leaves and to link it to local habitat conditions. Morphological analysis of size and shape (MASS) and landmark analyses were used for the investigation of the leaves, and observed differences were correlated to habitat conditions (altitude, slope, aspect) obtained by the digital terrain model. This study showed a clear pattern of intraspecific variability of leaf size and shape at a small spatial scale, and the presence of fluctuating asymmetry, length, and lobation differences as a response to local habitat conditions. The findings suggest that morphological variability can represent a useful tool for detecting changes in the environment, especially in areas where the pubescent oak is considered endangered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasslands are one of the most diverse and species-rich ecosystems in the agricultural landscape of Central Europe. However, they are gradually being overgrown or transformed into arable fields due to their abandonment and the intensification of economic activities. This leads to a drastic decline in biodiversity and the disappearance of many rare species, e.g., Silaum silaus. Research on Silaum silaus populations was conducted in the years 2020 and 2022. Data were obtained from two Natura 2000 sites. The Jaćmierz site is located in a dispersed range of Silaum silaus in south-eastern Poland. The site at Zagórzyce is located in a dense range of the species in the south-western part of the country. Research on the habitat conditions was conducted on two permanent study surfaces with the dimensions of 10 × 10 m. This research included a soil study and measurements of herbaceous vegetation. To determine the habitat conditions, use was also made of Ellenberg ecological indicator values. At each site, 10 phytosociological relevés were conducted with the Braun-Blanquet method. In each study year, the manner of land use was determined. For detailed population study, one permanent surface of the dimensions 10 × 10 m was marked out, on which each year the generative and vegetative specimens were counted and biometric studies were conducted on 30 randomly chosen generative specimens. The species occurred in two different meadow communities (Arrhenatheretum elatioris, Molinietum caeruleae), which were characterised by different habitat conditions, and the greatest differences were evident in the chemical properties of the soil and in the method of management. The meadows at Jaćmierz were mowed twice a year, while at Zagórzyce mowing was performed once every two years. The communities were also varied in terms of flora, characterised by a high species richness and a high Shannon–Wiener index. Silaum silaus had significantly greater numbers and an over four times higher cover coefficient at Jaćmierz. The largest differences in the analysed traits of the species occurred in the case of generative traits. It was observed that management practices at Jaćmierz had a strong influence on the condition of specimens and the population size of Silaum silaus, which was much better preserved at this site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract An increasing number of studies in botanical gardens are investigating species' responses to climate change. However, the influence of local environmental or habitat conditions such as soil nutrient status or microclimate on phenology and the link between morpho‐physiological functional traits and phenological stages are poorly understood, making it difficult to extrapolate patterns from botanical gardens to natural environments. Therefore, we selected herbaceous species growing in two semi‐natural habitats, namely, semi‐dry grasslands (SDGs) and mesophilic grasslands (MGs) and the botanical garden of Jena (Germany) to investigate the influence of habitat conditions on interspecific and intraspecific patterns in phenology, functional traits and their associations. For 16 species, we monitored leaf and flowering phenology weekly for 133 populations from the three habitats, measured morpho‐physiological traits (i.e., whole plant, leaf and reproductive traits), as well as habitat conditions and compared the measurements across habitats. Multivariate analyses revealed that morpho‐physiological traits conspicuously showed stronger differences between habitats compared to phenological traits. Populations on MG showed temporal niche segregation, whereas populations on SDG showed flowering synchrony. Boosted Regression Trees showed that morpho‐physiological traits, especially reproductive traits, strongly influenced phenological traits and that the trait‐phenology relationships were highly habitat‐specific. We conclude that species phenology is broadly similar between botanical gardens and local habitats. However, phenological responses to the environment may be constrained by a certain suite of correlated traits due to ecological plant strategies that vary across habitats. The effect of habitat conditions on morpho‐physiological functional traits and phenology‐trait relationships is important and should not be neglected at local scales, implying consequences at larger scales.

Lake Sevan is a freshwater reservoir in the Caucasus region. Since the first half of the 20th century, the lake has undergone significant changes caused by human activity and anthropogenic pressure. To identify the current ecological state of two bays—Lchashen and Lichk—located in different parts of the lake, a study was conducted in 2022–2023 using a multi-biomarker approach. For this purpose, biomarkers for assessing the health status of fish and the quality of their living conditions were used such as the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the brain, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and the concentration of reduced glutathione (RGS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver and gills of the whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus Linnaeus, 1758). In addition, hydrochemical and ichthyological analyses were conducted. This study demonstrated seasonal dynamics for all biomarkers. Comparative analysis of biomarkers and hydrochemical and ichthyological data showed that the whitefish in Lchashen Bay is in worse health, and its living conditions there are less favorable than in Lichk Bay.

The analysis of long-term data on the zooplankton of mesotrophic lakes of Belarus has been carried out in order to determine ways to assess the impact of climate change. The possibilities of using the parameters of zooplankton communities to register climate change are shown. It is indicated that changes in the density of psychrophilic species can be used to register the effects of increases in temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In July–August 2022, the spatial distribution and the composition of local settlements of the bivalve mollusc Mya japonica Jay, 1857 in the Vostok Bay (Peter the Great Bay of the Sea of Japan) were studied. M. japonica occurred almost throughout the entire bay in a wide range of depths from 0 to 22 m at water temperatures from –1.9 to 25°С and salinity from 0 to 34‰. M. japonica was the most abundant in the shallow areas of the bays, closed from the direct wave impact, where, at a depth of up to 4–5 m, the density of the mollusc reached 27 ind./m2, and the biomass was almost 4 kg/m2, which averaged 56% of the total macrozoobenthos biomass. With increasing depth and moving from the dead-end of the bay to the open sea, the abundance of M. japonica decreased by one or two orders of magnitude. Local settlements differed significantly in size and age composition, size-frequency distribution of molluscs, indicating the nature of the replenishment of the benthic population with juveniles, as well as the proportion of commercial size individuals, which ranged from 37 to 98%. The reasons for the revealed features of the distribution and structure of the population of M. japonica are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pinus yunnanensis Franch. (Pinaceae) is an important endemic tree species that serves as a critical constituent of the forest ecosystems and plays a significant role in forestry economic production in southwest China. P. yunnanensis comprises three varieties: var. yunnanensis, var. pygmaea and var. tenuifolia, with significant variation in traits, such as height and leaf size. This study aims to characterize the habitat conditions of the three varieties and predict their potential future distributions by employing MaxEnt model. Temperature seasonality (BIO4) emerged as the most influential factor affecting the distribution of var. yunnanensis; isothermally (BIO3) stands out as the most critical factor for the distribution of var. pygmaea; whereas mean annual fire occurrence (MAF) had the greatest impact on the distribution of var. tenuifolia. Under future climate conditions, the highly and moderately suitable habitats for all the three varieties are projected to decrease, while the lowly suitable habitats are projected to increase. The distribution centroids of all the three varieties are anticipated to shift to higher latitudes. Our study characterized the habitat conditions and predicted the potential future distribution of the three Pinus yunnanensis varieties, which could help the conservation and utilization of Pinus yunnanensis varieties.

Root-associated microbes play an essentialrole in mediating plant growth, health, and habitat adaptability. However, it is unknown which microbial taxa help develop host fitness and how habitats shape root-associated microbial assembly patterns. As an endemic species of subalpine forests in western Sichuan, China, Minjiang fir (Abies fargesii var. faxoniana) is dominant on cold-shaded northwestern slopes while absent on warm sunlit southwestern slopes. In this study, fungal and bacterial communities were investigated in three spatial compartments (endosphere, rhizosphere, and bulk soil) associated with Minjiang fir saplings on a cold-shaded northwestern slope and a warm sunlit southwestern slope. Habitats differentiated the microbial communities regardless of the spatial compartment and microbial taxa. Slope aspect variations caused shifts in root-associated (rhizosphere and endosphere) microbial compositions. Compared with the southwestern slope, the cold-shaded northwestern slope harbored a higher abundance of the growth-promoting bacteria Burkholderia and ectomycorrhizal fungi Cortinarius and Piloderma. The slope aspect had stronger effects on fungal diversity than bacterial diversity, with higher fungal endemism and lower bacterial endemism. Slope aspect variations were the dominant drivers of root-associated microbial communities, with lower contribution by soil properties and higher contribution by plant traits on the northwestern slope. Findings from this study could improve the understanding of plant habitat adaptability from the perspective of microbial community assembly. It is suggested that forest management should consider root-associated microbiomes for enhancing species fitness and habitat adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allium victorialis L. (Family: Liliaceae) is an herb with nutritional and medicinal properties. In Jilin Province, China, A. victorialis is mainly distributed in the Changbai Mountains and grows in various habitat conditions. However, the relationship between habitat factors and the nutritional quality of A. victorialis in the Changbai Mountains has not yet been examined. We assessed the nutritional quality of five A. victorialis populations growing in five different habitats in the Changbai Mountains and analyzed the relationship between nutritional quality and habitat factors. Allium victorialis populations in this region were primarily found in the undergrowth at elevations above 500 m and within specific ranges of air temperature, air relative humidity, soil temperature, and soil water content. Among the habitat factors investigated, canopy density significantly affected several nutritional components of A. victorialis; however, elevation had a significant effect only on the total flavonoid content, and the vitamin C content was not strongly associated with the main habitat factors in this study. During germplasm selection and artificial cultivation, it is important to simulate the growth conditions of the original habitat. Our results provide useful information for site selection and environmental condition optimization for the artificial cultivation of A. victorialis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black stork Ciconia nigra is a rare species of bird that inhabits old forests near wetlands. The early 21st century has brought a regress of its population in north-eastern Poland. We verified the assumption that an important reason for the observed changes was the colonization of the study area by white-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, because we observed a correlation between decreasing numbers of the black stork and increasing numbers of the eagle. Based on the long-term monitoring, we analyzed changes in the numbers and distribution of the black storks’ nests and compared the colonization of the study area by the white-tailed eagle in the most extensive forest complex in Poland. We found 42 occupied territories of storks and no eagles in 1989 within the study area. In 2019, there were just 23 stork pairs, but the population of eagles increased to 13. We found a correlation between the rate of decline of the black storks population and the increase in the white-tailed eagles. In the first half of study period, storks’ nests have been distributed randomly, after which they became clustered. The pattern of nests distribution was influenced by the increase in the population of the eagle over time, with this ensuring the aggregation of the nests of storks in places more distant from the nests of eagles. Similarly, the nearest neighbor distance of storks’ nests was dependent on distances from the nests of eagles and the shares of territory accounted for by forests. We surmise that changes in the population size of storks were induced mainly by the growth of population of eagles. Storks avoided occupying nests less than 4.6 km from the eagles’ nests. Our study suggests that the determining role can be played by fear of the predator. Overall, it must be concluded that the protection of top predators can affect other co-occurring species in unexpected ways.

The existence of the Javan hawk-eagle depends on the condition of the forest in its habitat. If the lowland forest is damaged, the Javan hawk-eagle will be pushed to the higher forest; This can affect the behavior of the Javan hawk-eagle because it is related to the availability of the game in each habitat type. This study aims to analyze the habitat conditions and behavior of the Javan hawk-eagle in Mount Ciremai National Park, using the checkered line method and focal animal sampling. Analysis of the Javan hawk-eagle habitat used a vegetation analysis approach and the level of use of habitat types. The results showed that the Javan hawk-eagle most often used natural forest habitat types (85.38%) at the Cipari site and plantation forests (83.14%) at the Bantar agung site. The dominant tree species in the natural forest are benda (Castanopsis argentea; 20.02%) and saninten (Artocarpus elasticus; 13.30%). Javan hawk-eagles choose trees to nest in kedondong trees (Spondias pinnata) and pine trees (Pinus merkusii ) in valleys between hills and close to water sources or rivers. Overall the behavior of the Javan hawk-eagle found is resting/perching, hunting, flying, and interacting. The most common behavior of Javan hawk-eagles found was resting/perching (80.16%) and interaction (45.88%).

Peatlands serve numerous functions, with one of the main ones being the retention of nutrients, including mineral nitrogen. A field study in organic soils was carried out in the Mazurian Lake District situated in north-eastern Poland (53°37′50′ N, 20°28′51′ E). In the test peat soils, the rate of organic nitrogen compound mineralization varied significantly depending on the season. The dynamics of the organic matter mineralization process were most strongly influenced by the soil use and the season. The mineral N release was higher in organic soil under intensively used grassland. In this soil, much more mineral nitrogen was released during the summer and spring periods. The dominant form in the organic nitrogen compound mineralization processes was N-NO3. The highest dynamics of the organic nitrogen compound mineralization were noted at a soil moisture content ranging from 57% to 59%. The interdependence of the soil moisture content and the rate of organic nitrogen compound mineralization fluctuated over the study period, with an increase in spring and a decrease in summer. A correlation was demonstrated between the nitrate form content in the peat soils under intensive cultivation and the nitrate-nitrogen concentration in groundwater, while no correlation was demonstrated between the N-NO3 content in the soils under a forest and the N-NO3 concentration in the groundwater of these soils. The results provide the basis for the conclusion that the land use type (forest, grassland), which determines the morphological structure of organic soils, affects the intensity of the infiltration of different mineral nitrogen forms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows the origin and geomorphological diversity of peatlands in the Łódź region and the variable lithology of the sediments filling their depressions. The suitability of biogenic sediments deposited in such forms for paleoecological analyzes was assessed. A review of previous research highlights analyzes of cladoceran fossil remains. The content indicates the scope of such analyzes over the last dozen or so years and their importance for the reconstruction of paleogeographic changes in the Late Vistulian and Holocene. Other important goals of the synthesis are to indicate the importance of high-resolution studies and to assess the validity of their performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The black stork Ciconia nigra is a rare species of bird that inhabits old forests near wetlands. The early 21st century has brought a regress of its population in north-eastern Poland. We verified the assumption that an important reason for the observed changes was the colonization of the study area by white-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla, because we observed a correlation between decreasing numbers of the black stork and increasing numbers of the eagle. Based on the long-term monitoring, we analyzed changes in the numbers and distribution of the black storks' nests and compared the colonization of the study area by the white-tailed eagle in the most extensive forest complex in Poland. We found 42 occupied territories of storks and no eagles in 1989 within the study area. In 2019, there were just 23 stork pairs, but the population of eagles increased to 13. We found a correlation between the rate of decline of the black storks population and the increase in the white-tailed eagles. In the first half of study period, storks' nests have been distributed randomly, after which they became clustered. The pattern of nests distribution was influenced by the increase in the population of the eagle over time, with this ensuring the aggregation of the nests of storks in places more distant from the nests of eagles. Similarly, the nearest neighbor distance of storks' nests was dependent on distances from the nests of eagles and the shares of territory accounted for by forests. We surmise that changes in the population size of storks were induced mainly by the growth of population of eagles. Storks avoided occupying nests less than 4.6 km from the eagles' nests. Our study suggests that the determining role can be played by fear of the predator. Overall, it must be concluded that the protection of top predators can affect other co-occurring species in unexpected ways. In the Augustów Forest (north-eastern Poland), the number of the black stork Ciconia nigra over 30 years has strongly declined and the distribution of its occupied nests has changed from almost solitary to clustered. The colonization of the study area by the white-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla was a plausible reason for the observed changes. Storks avoided occupying nests less than 4.6 km from the white-tailed eagles' nests, which can be defined as a safety distance. The determining role can be played by the fear of the predator more than by direct predation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vertical distribution of zooplankton in stratified lakes of Belarus, which differ in basic ecological conditions and degree of trophy in the summer, has been studied. The features of the formation of the vertical structure of lakes for pelagic zooplankton in thermally stratified reservoirs with a different combination of transparency, temperature, and oxygen content have been established. Three groups of lakes that differ in the vertical abundance distribution have been identified. With an increase in trophic capacity, the degree of aggregation of zooplankton and its confinement to the upper well-warmed and oxygen-rich layers of water increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ensemble model improved the predictive accuracy of the potential habitat suitability. • The mean diurnal range and elevation are the most important habitat features. • The suitable habitats area of Grus japonensis will decrease in the future. In the context of global warming and human disturbances, many habitats of endangered waterfowl on migration routes have been threatened. Due to the limits in monitoring methods and technologies, the potential habitat quality of Grus japonensis on its migration routes is understudied. The impact of climate changes on the habitat suitability of these species requires further investigation. In this study, an ensemble species distribution model was constructed based on 174 occurrence samples and 10 habitat features to assess the habitat suitability of Grus japonensis on migration routes in eastern Asia. We also predicted the changes in the suitable habitat areas of Grus japonensis in 2060 and 2100 under two future climate scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). The results showed that the ensemble species distribution model achieved a higher accuracy in mapping potentially suitable habitats of Grus japonensis compared with the single species distribution models. The area under curve (AUC) value, true skill statistics (TSS) value, and Kappa coefficient were determined as 0.98, 0.94, and 0.96, respectively. At present, the total area of suitable habitats of Grus japonensis on the migration route of eastern Asia is approximately 3.95 × 105 km2. Under the intermediate greenhouse gas (GHG) emission scenario (SSP2-4.5), the area of suitable habitats on the migration route is predicted to decrease to 3.67 × 105 km2 by 2100, with a reduction rate range from 7.34 % to 13.92 %. Under the very high GHG emission scenario (SSP5-8.5), the area of suitable habitats on the migration route is predicted to decrease to 3.65 × 105 km2 by 2100, with a reduction rate range from 11.13 % to 14.43 %. This study is important for simulating the habitat suitability of endangered waterfowl on migration routes. It also provides key decision support for the conservation and restoration of the potential habitats for endangered waterfowl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deadwood (DW) is a crucial component of habitats, with both its volume and diversity considered critical for saproxylic organisms. Deadwood position, thickness, snag height, species composition, and decay stage were studied in the context of eight factors characterizing habitats, stands, and management types. A multivariate multiple regression model was used to analyze data from 29,098 sample plots.Deadwood diversity (a 5-dimensional dependent variable) was found to strongly depend on DW volume in a given area and on the species composition of the stand. A less pronounced effect was exerted by site fertility and moisture, the age and DBH structure of the stand, and terrain type. The model also revealed that the location of the stand in managed or unmanaged areas did not have a direct impact on deadwood diversity, with stand features being more important.Analysis of individual qualitative characteristics showed that DW thickness was affected by the same seven factors as DW diversity. DW position and decay stage were influenced by four factors: site fertility and moisture as well as stand age and species composition. In addition to the species composition of stands, DW species composition was positively influenced by more fertile and moist sites and a more varied DBH structure of stands. A significant negative effect was identified for high DW volume, which indicates that the deadwood accumulated in a stand tends to be derived from the tree species that was most vulnerable to mortality at a given time. Snag height variation was influenced by such stand characteristics as age, DBH structure, and species composition; the other significant factors were DW volume and terrain type. The diversity levels of individual DW characteristics were significantly and positively correlated, which means that all of them often revealed high or low diversity at the same time.Our study showed that forests with low DW volume additionally face the problem of DW quality. Thus, efforts to increase DW volume should be focused on those DW characteristics that are lacking (large trees, species diversity, and height variation of snags). DW diversity is lower in younger stands, with little DBH variation, and in forests which are more easily accessible, located mostly in the lowlands, and growing on less fertile and dry or mesic sites.

One of the most common annual overwintering weeds in various crops worldwide is silky bent grass (Aspera spica-venti (L.) Beauv). The aim of this study was to investigate the selected morphological characteristics and chemical composition of A. spica-venti from different cultivation fields in Poland, depending on the macronutrient content of the soil. The average pH values of the soil samples, and the average concentration of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the samples were statistically different between study sites. In turn, the concentration of potassium (K) was at the same statistical level. The average values of N, P and K concentrations in the straw of A. spica-venti (% dry matter) in particular study sites were not statistically different. The mean values of the examined morphological features of A. spica-venti did not differ statistically between the individual test sites. Overall, there was no significant impact of the habitat on the chemical composition and morphology of the A. spica-venti occurring naturally in arable fields. However, an increase in soil abundance in some macronutrients (mainly K) may positively affect the morphology of this weed as opposed to an increase in nitrogen concentration in the soil, and an increase soil pH. The lack of significant influence of soil conditions and location of APESV sites on the morphology and chemical composition of the weed indicates that it has high plasticity and is able to thrive under varying habitat conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To identify habitat conditions, indirect ordination methods on the basis of environmental scales are used widely in Europe. However, many alien plants are absent from those scales. Bidens frondosa (Asteraceae) is an invasive alien species distributed widely in Europe. It is becoming a significant part of natural plant communities, sometimes forming monospecific stands. This study aimed to empirically determine environmental factor values using analysis of the flora accompanying B. frondosa in 22 regions of European Russia collected in a 34-year time span. In European Russia, Tsyganov environmental scales are widely used for such analyses. We determined intervals of values for each environmental factor according to Tsyganov environmental scales, namely thermoclimatic scale (TM: 7.3–9.4), climate continentality (KN: 6.0–9.4), climate aridity/humidity (OM: 6.1–8.6), cryoclimatic scale (CR: 5.3–8.8), soil moisture (HD: 9.9–17.6), scale of the soil salt regimen (TR: 5.1–10.7), soil nitrogen availability (NT: 4.4–8.5), soil pH (RC: 4.8–8.8), habitat shading (LC: 2.0–4.5), and soil-moisture variability (FH: 0.7–5.9). These data on environmental factor values can be further used in ordination analyses of plant communities where B. frondosa appears in the subzone of coniferous-deciduous forests of Eastern Europe. Results of this study demonstrate the ecological preferences of this species and can be used to determine conditions of habitats invaded by B. frondosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first Eurasian beaver colony was discovered in Lower Prut Nature Reserve, located in the Republic of Moldova, approximately two centuries after the extinction of the beaver in the area. The accidental discovery of these new territories occupied by the Eurasian beaver demonstrates that the Eurasian beaver population in southeastern Romania has been expanding rapidly from 2003 and continuously towards the East by occupying favorable habitats in the meadows of the main watercourses and their tributaries. The possible dispersal routes followed by the Eurasian beaver to reach this area are exposed and presented in this paper, as well as potential future areas which may be colonized by the Eurasian beaver in Romania and the Republic of Moldova. The habitat conditions and the interaction with other wildlife species, which benefit from the natural colonization of beavers in the study area, were described and compared with other biogeographic conditions. This paper is a key step in describing and listing Castor fiber, a protected species, in the Republic of Moldova. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyanobacteria are a large group of prokaryotic microalgae that are able to grow photo-autotrophically by utilizing sunlight and by assimilating carbon dioxide to build new biomass. One of the most interesting among many cyanobacteria cell components is the storage biopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a member of the group of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Cyanobacteria occur in almost all habitats, ranging from freshwater to saltwater, freely drifting or adhered to solid surfaces or growing in the porewater of soil, they appear in meltwater of glaciers as well as in hot springs and can handle even high salinities and nutrient imbalances. The broad range of habitat conditions makes them interesting for biotechnological production in facilities located in such climate zones with the expectation of using the best adapted organisms in low-tech bioreactors instead of using "universal" strains, which require high technical effort to adapt the production conditions to the organism's need. These were the prerequisites for why and how we searched for locally adapted cyanobacteria in different habitats. Our manuscript provides insight to the sites we sampled, how we isolated and enriched, identified (morphology, 16S rDNA), tested (growth, PHB accumulation) and purified (physical and biochemical purification methods) promising PHB-producing cyanobacteria that can be used as robust production strains. Finally, we provide a guideline about how we managed to find potential production strains and prepared others for basic metabolism studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vertical distribution of the bivalve Tetrarca boucardi is studied at several sites in Vostok Bay, which largely characterize the diversity of biotopes of the upper subtidal zone of Peter the Great Bay (the Sea of Japan). In this part of the species range, at a depth of 0.5–10 m, T. boucardi forms stable perennial populations, in which there is the regular replenishment by juveniles; the population lifetime apparently many times exceeds the bivalve's individual lifespan. The maximum shell length of T. boucardi is 74 mm; the maximum individual age is 19 years. The most abundant accumulations of T. boucardi with a biomass of 530 g/m2 (36.7% of the total biomass of macrozoobenthos) are found in shallow water at a depth of about 3 m in semi-protected inner parts of the bay, which are well warmed in summer. For the first time, it is found that relatively sheltered habitats on wave-exposed rock reefs mainly at a depth of 0.5–1.5 m are also favorable for the species (average biomass, 72.7 g/m2; 11.2%). T. boucardi also occurred on soft bottoms at a depth of 1–10 m (average biomass, 22.2 g/m2; about 2%) in druses of large bivalves Modiolus kurilensis and Crenomytilus grayanus. Local differences in the abundance and composition of T. boucardi populations are discussed in relation to the habitat conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed invertebrate response to disturbances in the riparian zone of the Wewe river, using geometric series, rarefaction, Renyi diversity, and CCA models. We sampled 2,077 individuals (dry season) and 2,282 (wet season) belonging to 16 invertebrate orders. The severely disturbed habitat registered the highest individuals (n = 1,999), while the least was the moderately disturbed habitat (n = 740). Seasonal assemblages were not significantly different. Fire, farming, tree felling, and erosion explained 66.8% and 60.55% in the dry and wet seasons, respectively, of variations in invertebrate assemblages. This suggests threats to the invertebrate community and the riparian ecosystem health by anthropogenic interventions.

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is one of the most important tree species in European forests, characterized by high genetic variability and complex population structure. This research aimed to determine whether there is an interaction between the effects of provenance genetic structure and habitat conditions on the growth of Scots pine in two international provenance tests in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to chose the best provenances for both habitats. For this research, heights and root collar diameters of Scots pine plants on two provenance tests in Bosnia and Herzegovina were measured and the interaction between the effects of provenance genetic structure and habitat conditions for these two traits was estimated based on regression. Eleven provenances represented on both tests were researched. Provenance tests were established in 2012 on two locations with contrasted ecological conditions: Kupres and Žepče. By assessing the interaction between the effects of provenance genetic structure and habitat conditions on Kupres and Žepče provenance tests, two interactions for the height of plants (between Germany NJ2 and Italy I2 and between Austria A2 and Romania R1) and one interaction for the root collar diameter (between Austria A1 and Italy I2) were identified. The number of survived plants and their productivity is different for all provenances in both habitats, indicating that the adaptability of provenances is not only conditioned by their genetic constitution but also by habitat conditions. Considering the productivity of provenances and the number of survived plants in both habitats, Austria A1, Austria A2, Austria A3, and Poland P1 provenances showed the best adaptability. The results of this study can be used in the process of Scots pine breeding and for its conservation by in situ and ex-situ methods.

Early life stages of marine fish populations may be strongly affected by environmental factors. Changes in the physical environment or the availability of food resources could lead to stress-related physiological responses affecting larval fitness, growth and survival. In the present study, we determined, for the first time, amino acid composition (AAC), lipid, and carbohydrate content, as well as alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase activities in larvae from the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus. Fishes were caught in two different spawning areas of the Strait of Sicily, characterized by different environmental conditions, including a coastal upwelling with a lower temperature (Adventure Bank; 20.22 ± 0.38°C) and a thermohaline front with a higher temperature (Maltese Bank 23.10 ± 0.25°C). The results showed that the two groups of larvae, in their early life, had similar nutritional status. However, compared with the samples from the Maltese Bank, the specimens collected in the Adventure Bank area exhibited higher alkaline phosphatase activity, lower concentrations of aspartate plus asparagine, threonine, and arginine but a higher concentration of leucine, highlighting different patterns of amino acid metabolism. Collectively, these results indicated that AAC analysis could represent an additional valid tool to evaluate the link between physiological responses and environmental conditions at early life stages.

Copyright of Acta Prataculturae Sinica is the property of Acta Prataculturae Sinica Editorial Office 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.)

Dokonano przeglądu najnowszej literatury (321 artykułów naukowych z lat 2010-2021) pod kątem wykorzystania zdjęć fitosocjologicznych w badaniach środowiska przyrodniczego. Przegląd systematyczny objął artykuły opublikowane w najbardziej renomowanych czasopismach (indeksowanych w bazie Web of Science Core Collection, o punktacji ≥100 według wykazu Ministerstwa Edukacji i Nauki z 2021 r.). Poszukiwano odpowiedzi na pytania: w jakich dziedzinach nauki i praktyki zdjęcia fitosocjologiczne znajdują obecnie zastosowanie, a także do jakich celów oraz w jakich skalach przestrzennych są najczęściej wykorzystywane. Artykuły podzielono na 10 grup tematycznych (m.in. klasyfikacja zbiorowisk roślinnych, zależności między roślinnością i innymi elementami środowiska, wskaźnikowa rola roślinności czy długoterminowe zmiany roślinności). Wyniki wskazują, że najliczniejszą grupę stanowią artykuły, w których zdjęcia fitosocjologiczne były wykorzystywane do określenia warunków siedliskowych wpływających na rozmieszczenie i różnorodność gatunków roślin oraz tworzonych przez nie zbiorowisk, zaś najmniej liczną - opracowania łączące badania przyrodnicze i społeczne. Dominują badania prowadzone w skali lokalnej i regionalnej w danym kraju (241 artykułów) oraz mające charakter transgraniczny (47); mniej powszechne są prace o zasięgu kontynentalnym (19) i globalnym (7). Przeważają opracowania dotyczące Europy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study is the presentation of the chemical properties of forest chernozems and the features of forest habitats developed on chernozems in south-eastern Poland. The assessment of the trophic status of chernozems was presented based on the Trophic Soil Index (SIG). Moreover, the paper presents the diversity of forest vegetation on chernozems. The research covered 15 plots from the habitat inventory performed for the Mircze and Strzelce Forest Districts (SE Poland). Habitat conditions were characterised on the research plots, with particular consideration of the soil and vegetation. The analysed soils were featured by the presence of thick humus horizons and the occurrence of calcium carbonate. High SIG values confirm the eutrophic status of the analysed soils. In general, fresh and wet habitats of broadleaved forests (Lśw and Lw), as well as fresh habitats of broadleaved upland forest (Lwyżśw) develop on chernozems in Poland. They are associated with multi-species broadleaved tree stands. The conducted research indicates that, in current environmental conditions, the potential plant community is oak-hornbeam forest with predominance of oak, hornbeam, and abundant admixtures of other broadleaved species. High trophic status of the analysed chernozems is confirmed by high bonitation of tree stands and richness of forest floor vegetation.

Caucasian whortleberry (Vaccinium arctostaphylos) is one of the most valuable medicinal shrubs in beech Forests. This study aimed at determining the relationship between vegetation properties of whortleberry with soil and landform index in Soha forest. Sample plots, each 500 m2, were selectively established in three land forms (ridge, valley and hillside) and in four geographical directions (north, south, east and west) from lower to higher distribution areas. Overall, 24 sample plots were used to measure the vegetative characteristics. Soil characteristics including soil texture (clay, silt and sand), pH, Ec, total nitrogen, soil organic carbon and calcium carbonate were also studied in 12 sample plots. The results showed that Caucasian whortleberry distribution varies from 1570 to 1940 meter above sea level. In general, hillsides and ridge forms with south and west-facing hillsides are suitable sites for this species. The highest mean of height (2.19 m), collar diameter (8.7 cm) and crown diameter (1.92 m) were observed on slope land form. The soil of whortleberry habitats is deep to semi-shallow with pH (5.32 to 6.01), electrical conductivity (0.481 to 0.809 ds/m) and with soil texture loam to sandy- loam. The PCA analysis showed that the physical properties of soil (sand, clay and silt), pH, and soil organic carbon content have important impacts on the presence of this species. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that habitats of Caucasian whortleberry in land forms valley and hillside, and aspects of north and east with light soil texture have created favorable conditions for the growth of this species in the study area.

One of the most common annual overwintering weeds in various crops worldwide is silky bent grass (Aspera spica-venti (L.) Beauv). The aim of this study was to investigate the selected morphological characteristics and chemical composition of A. spica-venti from different cultivation fields in Poland, depending on the macronutrient content of the soil. The average pH values of the soil samples, and the average concentration of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in the samples were statistically different between study sites. In turn, the concentration of potassium (K) was at the same statistical level. The average values of N, P and K concentrations in the straw of A. spica-venti (% dry matter) in particular study sites were not statistically different. The mean values of the examined morphological features of A. spica-venti did not differ statistically between the individual test sites. Overall, there was no significant impact of the habitat on the chemical composition and morphology of the A. spica-venti occurring naturally in arable fields. However, an increase in soil abundance in some macronutrients (mainly K) may positively affect the morphology of this weed as opposed to an increase in nitrogen concentration in the soil, and an increase soil pH. The lack of significant influence of soil conditions and location of APESV sites on the morphology and chemical composition of the weed indicates that it has high plasticity and is able to thrive under varying habitat conditions.

To identify habitat conditions, indirect ordination methods on the basis of environmental scales are used widely in Europe. However, many alien plants are absent from those scales. Bidens frondosa (Asteraceae) is an invasive alien species distributed widely in Europe. It is becoming a significant part of natural plant communities, sometimes forming monospecific stands. This study aimed to empirically determine environmental factor values using analysis of the flora accompanying B. frondosa in 22 regions of European Russia collected in a 34-year time span. In European Russia, Tsyganov environmental scales are widely used for such analyses. We determined intervals of values for each environmental factor according to Tsyganov environmental scales, namely thermoclimatic scale (TM: 7.3–9.4), climate continentality (KN: 6.0–9.4), climate aridity/humidity (OM: 6.1–8.6), cryoclimatic scale (CR: 5.3–8.8), soil moisture (HD: 9.9–17.6), scale of the soil salt regimen (TR: 5.1–10.7), soil nitrogen availability (NT: 4.4–8.5), soil pH (RC: 4.8–8.8), habitat shading (LC: 2.0–4.5), and soil-moisture variability (FH: 0.7–5.9). These data on environmental factor values can be further used in ordination analyses of plant communities where B. frondosa appears in the subzone of coniferous-deciduous forests of Eastern Europe. Results of this study demonstrate the ecological preferences of this species and can be used to determine conditions of habitats invaded by B. frondosa.

In forest management policy, deadwood is regarded as an indicator of sustainable forest management. Dead trees are a key habitat feature for a wide range of organisms. In this study, data from a regular network of nearly 30,000 sample plots (the National Forest Inventory) distributed throughout Poland were used to determine relationships between deadwood volume and thirteen selected natural and human-related factors: forest ownership, protection type, inclusion in the Natura 2000 network, terrain, slope gradient, site fertility, site moisture (water abundance), dominant species, age of the dominant species, stand volume, tree and shrub density, sapling and shrub cover, and stand damage. Analysis of data on deadwood volume was carried out in two steps: univariate analysis was used to determine present-day differences among forests, while a logistic regression model was applied to identify the factors that had the greatest impact on deadwood volume variability on the studied plots. Despite interference from numerous random effects that are difficult to capture and quantify, being often associated with disturbances and differences between the silvicultural approaches of individual forest managers, many of the analyzed factors were found to exert a significant influence. Strong relationships were identified mostly in managed forests (private, municipality-owned, and those managed by the State Forests National Forest Holding). In national parks and nature reserves, the identified effects were less pronounced due to the fact that the examined plots differed in terms of protection type and duration and may have been impacted by different natural disturbances. Indeed, deadwood volume was significantly affected by protection type, with much more deadwood found in strictly protected areas as compared to forests under active protection. Inclusion in Natura 2000 had only a slight effect. On the other hand, a major role was played by difficult terrain accessibility, which impeded silvicultural treatments. More deadwood occurred in the mountains, with increasing slope gradient positively affecting deadwood volume, but only up to a certain point. On the steepest slopes deadwood volume decreased due to the soil and wood sliding to a lower level. Deadwood volume was significantly greater on more fertile and moist sites. In managed forests, both stand age and growing stock volume were positively associated with deadwood accumulation. The species composition of stands, mostly attributable to habitat conditions, was also relevant. The present work identified some significant differences in deadwood volume between stands, and the findings may be useful in developing future management practices with a view to supporting biodiversity.

Cyanobacteria are a large group of prokaryotic microalgae that are able to grow photo-autotrophically by utilizing sunlight and by assimilating carbon dioxide to build new biomass. One of the most interesting among many cyanobacteria cell components is the storage biopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a member of the group of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Cyanobacteria occur in almost all habitats, ranging from freshwater to saltwater, freely drifting or adhered to solid surfaces or growing in the porewater of soil, they appear in meltwater of glaciers as well as in hot springs and can handle even high salinities and nutrient imbalances. The broad range of habitat conditions makes them interesting for biotechnological production in facilities located in such climate zones with the expectation of using the best adapted organisms in low-tech bioreactors instead of using “universal” strains, which require high technical effort to adapt the production conditions to the organism‘s need. These were the prerequisites for why and how we searched for locally adapted cyanobacteria in different habitats. Our manuscript provides insight to the sites we sampled, how we isolated and enriched, identified (morphology, 16S rDNA), tested (growth, PHB accumulation) and purified (physical and biochemical purification methods) promising PHB-producing cyanobacteria that can be used as robust production strains. Finally, we provide a guideline about how we managed to find potential production strains and prepared others for basic metabolism studies.

Early life stages of marine fish populations may be strongly affected by environmental factors. Changes in the physical environment or the availability of food resources could lead to stress-related physiological responses affecting larval fitness, growth and survival. In the present study, we determined, for the first time, amino acid composition (AAC), lipid, and carbohydrate content, as well as alkaline phosphatase and peroxidase activities in larvae from the European anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus. Fishes were caught in two different spawning areas of the Strait of Sicily, characterized by different environmental conditions, including a coastal upwelling with a lower temperature (Adventure Bank; 20.22 ± 0.38°C) and a thermohaline front with a higher temperature (Maltese Bank 23.10 ± 0.25°C). The results showed that the two groups of larvae, in their early life, had similar nutritional status. However, compared with the samples from the Maltese Bank, the specimens collected in the Adventure Bank area exhibited higher alkaline phosphatase activity, lower concentrations of aspartate plus asparagine, threonine, and arginine but a higher concentration of leucine, highlighting different patterns of amino acid metabolism. Collectively, these results indicated that AAC analysis could represent an additional valid tool to evaluate the link between physiological responses and environmental conditions at early life stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge on status of peripheral plant populations is important for understanding of species’ adaptation and evolution within their ranges. There is a lack of data on the status of Silaum silaus (Apiaceae) populations at the periphery of its native range. One of the most northern native S. silaus populations is situated in the Republic of Mordovia (Central Russia). This species is considered as Critically Endangered in the region. Population-based studies of S. silaus have been carried out. Reproductive biology, morphometric parameters of individuals, accompanying flora, seed characteristics (mass, germination rate) were investigated. Results showed that at the northern limit of the range S. silaus grows in floodplain meadow community previously disturbed by livestock grazing. The area occupied by the population, however, has increased more than 12 fold over the last 15 years. Increasing fruit production together with decreasing fruit mass was established for the studied population compared to populations in the central part of its native range. In addition, germination rate was very low (2.3–16.7 % depending on edaphic conditions). Additional studies of S. silaus populations are needed in saline steppes of the closely located territories where it occurs as one of the dominant species in the plant community.

Considering the increasing incidence of allergy symptoms in Europe in the past decades, it is useful to obtain precise ecological and biological data regarding the allergenic plants. This study was conducted in order to assess habitat conditions allowing the development of allergenic plants along the Danube-Tisza-Danube canal network (Banat region, Serbia). In this regard, the distribution of these plants and the relationships among their eco-biological characteristics were studied. The results represent the one step further in the assessment of the habitat conditions allowing the development of allergenic plants in the study area. Twenty four allergenic plants were found, with a predominance of wetland plants (37.50%) and geophytes (41.67%). Correlation and PCA analyses determined that the flowering time of allergenic plants is correlated with the ecological group, life form and habitat conditions (aeration, pH, humus content, moisture, and continentality). The unfavorable periods for allergy sufferers are early spring and summer. Pollen-allergenic forest phanerophytes flowered early, had the shortest flowering period, and inhabited neutral to alkaline soil with less humus content, compared to the wetland and weed-ruderal allergenic plants. Habitat moisture reduced soil aeration and modified the effects of the continental climate, favoring the development of numerous allergenic species along the canals. Most of the identified allergenic species are invasive in Europe. Moreover, these species are frequently grown in urban green areas. Therefore, the avoidance of excessive use of these allergenic species in urban ecosystems may provide healthier environments for allergy sufferers and contribute to the preservation of the native flora biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new locality of regionally alien and rare Virga pilosa was recorded outside the compact range of the species in the Wielkopolski National Park, midwestern Poland. It probably appeared as a result of unintentional anthropochory. Local distribution pattern of V. pilosa in micro- and mesoscale was described and interpreted in the light of life and dispersal strategy and habitat conditions of the species. Accidental epizoochory and unintentional anthropochory could have been responsible for the mesoscale distribution pattern with population units scattered along human and animal communication routes. Close dense autochory together with the species CR life strategy with a strong competitive component were responsible for microscale distribution pattern alternating in space and time, but always mosaic, including vegetative, generative and mixed patches. The distribution pattern was also influenced by the occurrence of the required combination of the moderately light, moderately moist and nitrogen-rich habitat conditions with favourable human-induced disturbance. Some data on the form of growth, reproductive potential and dispersal mode of the species, as well as on plant-animal interactions were also included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of ACTA Scientiarum Polonorum Silvarum Colendarum Ratio et Industria Lignaria is the property of Poznan University of Life Sciences Press 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.)

Until now, Pumilibranchipus deserti was known from only one locality in Namibia. This paper reports the first record of this species from South Africa in Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape, which represents a new, easterly range extension of the known distribution. Additionally, we provide the first ever account of the habitat conditions with which this species is associated and highlight the precarious conservation status of the ephemeral wetland it was found in. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the assessment of the degree of sustainability of agricultural production using the ecological,economic and social indicators included in the RISE model in selected four dairy farms. The research was conducted inthe Lubelskie and Podlaskie provinces. The analysis shows that none of the analyzed farms can be considered sustainableunder the adopted methodology because they did not have positive values for all 12 indicators characterizing the differentaspects of sustainability. Farms in the Lubelskie province and one farm in the Podlaskie province was engaged in intensiveagricultural production, using high fertilization fertilizers, which caused problems with the fertilizer economy, and the “Nand P” emission potential was high. At the same time, these farms showed little respect for biodiversity but achieved goodeconomic results. Farms in Lubelskie voivodeship, in spite of problems have better managed the fertilizer economy thanfarms in Podlaskie voivodeship. In the selected farms, the biggest problem was the achievement of a positive biodiversityvalue, which resulted from the use of intensive production technologies.

The ecology and seasonal development of Ranunculus nipponicus in nonfreezing watercourses on the northern coast of the Sea of Okhotsk (59° N) have been studied. Year-round vegetation and flowering without the formation of a resting stage of the water crowfoot has been reported for the first time for the territory of Russian Federation. During all months of the year, the shoot growth, the formation of young roots, buds, and cleistogamous flowers are observed at an average monthly water temperature of +0.1°C to +5.8°C. The most intensive formation of young roots takes place in February–March and the underwater flowers appear en masse in late March–early April; neither phenomena are associated with an increase in water temperature. Cleistogamous flowering rarely leads to seed ripening, possibly due to a water temperature that is too low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The objective of our study was to detect spatial patterns in the relationship of plant communities and rare species of wet field depressions to environmental factors such as climate, the size or geographic position of the field depressions and the soil properties. Location: Fifteen temporarily flooded field depressions along a 150 km long gradient from Brandenburg (NE Germany) to West Pomerania (NW Poland). Methods: To identify factors which define the occurrence of rare species, the vegetation of depressions with and without documented occurrence of Elatine alsinastrum were pairwise compared in 10 m × 10 m sampling plots. As the field emergence of the rare wetland plants was severely restricted by low precipitation during the study period, we performed a soil seed bank analysis instead of field sampling. Results: Our study sites were placed along a gradient of decreasing precipitation from the westernmost sites in Brandenburg to West Pomerania in the east. With decreasing precipitation we also observed an increase in the number and area of water bodies surrounding the study plots. Increased concentrations of P in soil, the occurrence of typical arable weeds as "indicator species" in the west and more perennial plants in the east suggest more intensive cultivation of the westernmost field depressions. Small water bodies harbouring higher numbers of species may be the result of greater smallscale habitat variation within our 100 m² sampling plots. Records of E. alsinastrum at both sites with and without former proof do not allow for clear conclusions on the impact of environmental factors on the occurrence of such rare species. Conclusions: Finds of 12 Red List species and four near-threatened species together with former records of several very rare charophytes verify the high nature conservation value of the study sites. As ongoing intensification of arable cultivation and drainage may seriously impact rare wetland plants, conservation measures should be taken to maintain their reproduction and to prevent future decline of their seed reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]