Structure of small mammal communities in Moscow parks and public gardens

Data collected between 1987 and 2002 have been used to analyze the structure of small mammal communities in parks and public gardens of the city of Moscow. With regard to several ecological parameters, four categories of parks markedly differing in biotopic conditions have been distinguished. The least stable zoocenoses are formed in deteriorating parks. More favorable ecological conditions exist in public gardens and regular parks, where not only synanthropic but also hemisynanthropic rodents can be found. The fauna of small mammals in landscape parks is similar to that in forest cenoses, but this fauna in park forests better complies with the concept of forest community.     

An Ecologically Destabilized Environment: Its Effect on Small-Mammal Populations

Characteristics of the small-mammal populations inhabiting forest biocenoses in the Middle Ural state reserves have been analyzed over in the period from 1987 to 2002. During this period, the habitats of these animals were considerably destabilized due to windfalls and fires. The environmental characteristics of animal microhabitats at different stages of environment destabilization have been described quantitatively. Changes in the long-term cycles of the population dynamics of the dominant forest vole species caused by the destabilizing factors have been found. Redistribution of species dominance with respect to abundance has been demonstrated.     

Therapeutic uses of edible plants in Bangalore city, India: combining health with cooking practices through home herbal gardens

This article examines the therapeutic uses and perceptions of edible plants cultivated in home herbal gardens in the city of Bangalore, Southern India. We suggest that an examination of edible plants within a therapeutic context facilitates a more comprehensive understanding of the role that plants play both in the diet and in the health of urban populations such as in Bangalore. We conclude by reinforcing the importance of promoting awareness of the combined value of medicinal and edible plants through their cultivation in home gardens and the role of local health knowledge in health promotion.     

Mainstreaming local health through herbal gardens in India: a tool to enhance women active agency and primary health care?

In the last few years, an increasing attention has been given to home herbal gardens, especially due to a revived interest in food security and sustainable development. The uses of home herbal gardens and their role in the livelihoods of rural poor uses have been analyzed in the literature. Despite this, few studies focus on the role of home gardens for primary health care and their relevance for the household and women’s health. In addition, any analysis has been carried out on the socioeconomic values of home herbal gardens in respect of the medicinal plants. This article wants to bridge this gap by analyzing the role of herbal gardens in the local livelihoods in rural India (Tamil Nadu state). The article also highlights their impact in terms of health for the local communities, with a special focus on poor rural women. Final conclusions on the relevance of home herbal gardens for primary health care and socioeconomic development of lower castes in India are drawn.     

湖北省榉树自然种群分布研究

对湖北省天然榉树的自然种群分布现状、种群特征及种群分布格局进行了研究。结果表明：湖北榉树资源主要分布在海拔500~1 000 m地带,不同程度地分割包围在谷底和山腰,地理分布点呈收缩集群分布,种群规模较小;采用方差/均值法对榉树地理分布格局类型进行分析,其值=1.66>1,表明其分布点的地理分布趋于集群分布。湖北榉树种群星散间隔的地理分布形式,使地理分布点间产生空间间隔,成为相互间基因交错的障碍,而较小的种群规模,增加了遗传漂变的机率,导致遗传上的不稳定性增加,影响种群的生存能力,这些是导致物种趋向濒危的重要原因。湖北榉树种群这种分布现状产生的原因,一方面是物种自身的生物学特性及对生境的特定要求所致,另一方面是由于人类对榉树资源的过度开发利用以及人类经济活动导致的生境片段化。应借助于人为帮助,改善生态环境,扩大其种群规模,促进不同种群之间的基因交流,以利保护。     

Phenotypic diversity in populations of the common blue butterfly <Emphasis Type="Italic">Polyommatus icarus</Emphasis> Rott. As a trend in the ecocenotic strategy of the species

Phenotypic diversity in populations of Polyommatus icarus Rott. (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae) is regarded as a component of the ecocenotic strategy of the species, trends in which may serve as markers characterizing the state of natural populations.     

Impact of invasive mammal species on natural ecosystems: An example of the Prioksko-Terrasnyi Biosphere Reserve

On the basis of Annals of Nature of the Prioksko-Terrasnyi Biosphere Reserve, its colonization by invasive mammal species and the current state of their populations have been analyzed. In the mammal fauna of the reserve, 13 out of 60 species can be classified as invasive. They differ in the degree of impact on the biota. The house mouse, Norway and black rats, and European bison have virtually no effect on natural ecosystems; the effect of the muskrat, raccoon dog, American mink, red and axis deer is insignificant; and that of stray dogs and Tartarian roe deer is considerable. The European beaver and wild boar play an environment-forming role. The impact of beaver activities is strong but local, whereas activities of wild boars put into question the very possibility of conservation and analysis of representative biosphere areas and biological diversity in the reserve.     

外来种入侵对乡土生物多样性的影响机制

外来种入侵是全球性变化研究的重要组成部分,已经成为各国生物多样性保 护和管理的核心问题。近年来,大多数人给予了外来种对生态系统的负面作用充分的论述和研究,而忽视了它们的积极效应。如何客观辨证地评价外来种的作用和可能的影响是规避和管理外来种所带来的风险的前提和保障。在综述外来种、乡土种和外来种入侵的基本概念及其危害情况的基础上,系统阐述了外来种侵入和种群扩大对生物多样性所带来的正负两方面的影响。外来种入侵可能的影响途径及其机制主要包括：（1）竞争与排斥;(2）杂交;（3）打断或改变食物链关系;（4）带入病毒等。外来种入侵对乡土物种多样性的影响途径和机制实际上是上述众多因素综合作用的结果。外来种之所以给生态系统和人 类带来危害和损失,根本原因在于人们缺乏外来种入侵的相关知识以及预防手段和意识,更缺乏对外来种的有效管理。规避外来种所带来的风险,最关键是要尽可能地避免人为的、有意的协助外来种的入侵,并在做好各种安全措施后,有计划、有步骤地慎重引入,科学管理,规划发展。目前对外来种入侵的生态学知识还是零碎的、局部的、表象的,深入研究外来种的生物学生态学特性及其入侵的生态学机制是当前最为急迫的工作。建议我国近期加强外来种的本底调查与现状评估、外来种入侵的通道与入侵过程及其影响因素、外来种入侵的生态过程及其效应以及外来种入侵的进化后果等方面的工作。     

Reproductive parameters of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lobaria pulmonaria</Emphasis> (L.) Hoffm. in the Urals

The capacity of species for expansion and colonization of new habitats is a key condition for the maintenance of their populations. In this study, specific features of the reproductive potential have been analyzed in Lobaria pulmonaria populations growing under contrasting climatic conditions. Certain ecological determinants governing the development of this lichen species have been revealed.     

Fundamental Species Niche: Mechanism of Formation and Ecological Significance

Evolutionary stasis, or the long-term (over hundreds of thousands or even millions of years) existence of species in a phenotypically unchanging state, is conditioned by a counterbalance of directional selection vectors acting in opposition to one another. Fluctuations of living conditions for a species, leading to partial and often reversible disturbances of the counterbalance, lead to the development of redundant functional capacities of organisms. This redundancy determines the boundaries of the fundamental species niche and allows the realized niches of populations to change their spatiotemporal location within these boundaries without disturbing the counterbalance.     

Analysis of rodent populations in technogenically transformed areas (with reference to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apodemus</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">S.</Emphasis>) <Emphasis Type="Italic">uralensis</Emphasis> from the EURT zone)

It is shown that the response of rodent populations to acute and chronic irradiation depends on its functional structure, i.e., on specific features of animals with two alternative types of ontogenetic development. Upon acute irradiation, sexually immature young of the year (animals with the second type of ontogeny) are most radioresistant. Exposure to chronic irradiation, as in the zone of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace (EURT), leads to an increase in the proportion of mature young of the year (animals with the first type of ontogeny), which are the most radiosensitive part of the population. The abundance and fecundity of mice in the impact zone are consistently higher than in the background zone, which improves the adaptive potential of the population. The role of species ecological specialization and configuration of the contaminated zone in the formation of migrant rodent population is emphasized. It is concluded that a high migration activity allows the pigmy wood mouse (a radiosensitive species) to avoid long-term radiation exposure.     

金沙江干热河谷几种引进树种人工植被的生态学研究

采用标准木法和收获法,对金沙江元谋干热河谷几种引进树种的人工植被（即赤桉×新银合欢混交林、赤桉纯林、新银合欢纯林和印楝纯林）各层植被生物量与天然次生植被（坡柳-扭黄茅灌草丛）进行了比较研究,同时对各类植被的物种组成和物种多样性进行了比较分析。结果表明：（1）采用引进树种人工恢复的植被积累了大量生物质,总生物量大小依次为：赤桉×新银合欢混交林（4491 t/hm2）>新银合欢纯林（3991 t/hm2）>赤桉纯林（3857 t/ hm2）>印楝纯林（1306 t/hm2）>天然次生林（935 t/ hm2）。人工恢复植被生物量主要集中在乔木层,天然次生植被生物量主要集中在灌木、草本和凋落物层。（2）人工恢复植被的物种数均少于天然次生植被,而且不同植被的物种数和物种组成也存在差异。（3）各植被的Shannon wiener多样性指数和Margalef丰富度指数均表现为：印楝纯林>坡柳-扭黄茅灌草丛>赤桉纯林>赤桉×新银合欢混交林。在Alatato均匀度指数方面,各人工植被之间的差异不大,但人工植被与天然次生植被之间有显著差异。〖     

长江江苏段鱼类种类组成和优势种研究

根据2001~2005年对长江江苏段鱼类的调查与监测,结合鱼类学研究的最新观点,对长江江苏段鱼类历史资料进行整理和归并,结果长江江苏段共记录鱼类161种（19目42科）。本次调查采集到鱼类15目31科108种,其中2个新种,2个省新记录,种类组成以鲤科鱼类为主。根据相对重要性指标（IRI）计算,江苏全江段的优势种分别为鳖hemiculter leucisculus、鲫Carassius auratus auratus (Linnaeus)、鳊Parabramis pekinensis (Basilewsky)、鲤Cyprinus capio Linnaeus、刀鲚Coilia nasusSchlegel、贝氏Hemiculter bleekeriWarpachowsky、似鳊Pseudobrama simony (Bleeker)、香斜棘鱼衔Callionymus olidus Günther、鲢Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Valenciennes)、草鱼Ctenopharyngodon idellus (Valenciennes);优势种平均体重为0.974~292.431 g。江段鱼类小型化、低龄化仍十分严重。     

Floristic contamination of suburban forests near the city of Ivanovo

In the course of floristic studies in suburban forests near the city of Ivanovo, 206 species of vascular plants have been recorded, including 39 invasive species (18.9%). Information on specific features of distribution and activity of introduced species growing feral and accidental weeds in different forest types is presented. The most aggressive species are distinguished. Factors responsible for the invasion of alien species to forest cenoses and main tendencies in their dynamics are discussed.     

Changes in Species Diversity of Rove Beetles (Coleoptera,Staphylinidae) Depending on the Age of Pine Plantations in Central Belarus

Trends of changes in species richness and dominance in staphylinid communities depending on the age of pine plantations have been analyzed. The species richness of these communities is high in the plantations of age classes 1 and 2 (11 and 28 years, respectively) but decreases in the plantations of age class 3 (60 years). The highest and lowest indices of species diversity are observed in the plantations of age classes 2 and 3, respectively. Four groups of rove beetles have been distinguished by the criterion of their dominance in pine plantations of different ages.__________Translated from Ekologiya, No. 4, 2005, pp. 306–313.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Derunkov.     

Spatial population structure of rare orchid species in rich fens in the central part of Murmansk oblast

The spatial structure of 10 populations of rare orchid species (Dactylorhiza incarnata, D. traunsteineri, Listera ovata) has been studied in rich fens sporadically occurring in Murmansk oblast. Two levels of plant aggregation within populations have been distinguished: (1) clusters of individuals and (2) isolated population subsets consisting of clusters. General spatial demographic features of orchid populations in the fens are small area (77 m²) and low ecological density (0.009 ind./m²). Characteristics of the population subsets (their number, area, composition, and distance to the neighboring subset) are species-specific and reflect the degree of species rarity in plant communities.     

Demographic features of populations of the marsh frog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rana ridibunda</Emphasis> Pall.) introduced into water bodies of the Middle Urals

Demographic characteristics of marsh frog (Rana ridibunda Pall.) populations have been studied in cooling reservoirs of Middle Ural thermal power plants, where this species was introduced accidentally. The reservoirs are similar in hydrochemical characteristics but differ in the thermal regime. The populations studied have been found to differ from the reference (natural) populations and from each other in a number of parameters, including the size and age composition of spawners, the type of spawning, and fecundity. Analysis of the results indicates that the observed differences have adaptive significance.     

Phylogenogeography and genotaxonomy of Pinus sylvestris L. populations

The phylogenogeographic structure, polymorphism, and differentiation of Pinus sylvestris L. have been studied for the first time by means of allozyme analysis of 143 populations along a network of transects covering the entire species range. The results show that the species in general is characterized by a significant level of differentiation, regardless of its relative uniformity in northern and central parts of the range. Nei??s genetic distances between populations and their gradients in the extreme southern parts of the range, where it has an insular pattern, are seven to eight times greater than in the northern, ??glacial?? zone. Three Pleistocene refugia for the species have been revealed in the Balkans, Southern Urals, and Northern Mongolia. Using analysis of genetic distances between 18 phylogeographic regions and an original genosystematic scale, one subspecies, five geographic races and nine geographic population groups have been distinguished in the P. sylvestris L. species structure.     

Postfire succession in a forest of the cryolithozone: The example of central Yakutia

The results of studies on postfire succession in larch forests of the permafrost zone are discussed. The main directions of successional processes in burned-out areas of different ages are described. It has been shown that secondary pyrogenic successions in larch forests follow the scheme of rapid regeneration without tree species replacement and the model of succession tolerance. Groups of plant species with different life strategies and indicator species characterizing different stages of the overgrowing of burned-out areas have been identified.     

Insularization and polymorphism in marginal island populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus sylvestris</Emphasis> L.

Comparative allozyme analysis of 26 marginal island populations of Pinus sylvestris L. and 20 populations from the center of the species range has confirmed, at the species level, the Wright-Dubinin “island model” of automatic genetic processes and Mayr’s hypothesis about homozygotization of small isolated populations at range boundaries. It has been shown that the polymorphism of isolated populations sharply decreases when their area is reduced below 15–20 km² and increases to the level observed in the center of the range when the population area exceeds 50–100 km². A chorogenetic classification of marginal P. sylvestris populations is proposed.