On the Assessment of the Structural Organization of Phytoplankton (Lake Bol'shoe Miassovo,the Southern Urals)

Ordination methods were applied to the identification of structural units in the phytoplankton community. The groups of phytoplanktonic species identified by the time gradient and the method of cluster analysis of species lists were compared. The structural complexity of the phytoplankton community was evaluated using the index of cenotic significance (ICS) and derivative calculation coefficients. A high degree of similarity in the structure of dominance between the zooplanktonic and phytoplanktonic communities of the water body was revealed.     

Spatiotemporal distribution of caddis fly larvae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aethaloptera evanescens</Emphasis> MacLachlan, 1880 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) in the Selenga River

Data on the occurrence, abundance, and biomass of caddis fly larvae Aethaloptera evanescens in the Selenga during the ice periods of 1987–2005 are presented. These insect larvae prefer river stretches with a gravel-sand ground, flow rate of 0.3–0.4 m/s, and depth of 2–3 m. Probable factors determining their distribution in the Selenga in recent years are a considerable drop of water level in the river (1995–2005), the improvement of hydrochemical conditions, and the presence of suspended and drifting erosion materials entering the river as a consequence of sand-gravel mixture excavation between 1980 and 1990.     

Changes in the upper limits of tree species distribution in the Western Caucasus (Belaya River basin) related to recent climate warming

To estimate the response of tree vegetation to recent climate warming in the Western Caucasus, the population state of several tree species at the upper limit of their distribution has been estimated in three mountain massifs in the Belaya River basin. For this purpose, the average and maximum stem diameters, vitality, and age of trees have been determined in the transitional zone between middle-mountain and high-mountain beech-fir forests (1400–1700 m a.s.l.) and in crooked birch forests growing at the upper timberline (1810–2025 m). The upper limits of Acer platanoides, A. pseudoplatanus, Ulmus glabra, and Betula litwinowii have shown a tendency to rise. The upper limit of Abies nordmanniana has remained unchanged over the past few decades, which may be explained by a decrease in moisture supply during the warm season.     

Impacts of climate change and urban growth on the streamflow of the Milwaukee River (Wisconsin,USA)

Regional Environmental Change - Hydrological impact studies of climate change increasingly take land use changes into account. However, the Midwestern USA is still understudied in this context....     

Changes in the Species Composition of Parasites in European Perch, <Emphasis Type=Italic>Perca fluviatilis</Emphasis>, in Lake Gusinoye (Lake Baikal Basin) during Depression and Subsequent Recovery of Host Abundance

Changes in the species composition of parasite fauna in the European perch in Lake Gusinoye (the Lake Baikal basin) were analyzed in the periods before and during depression of host abundance (the early and late 1970s) and in the years of its recovery to a stable level (the mid-2010s). The period of depression was associated with a significant decrease in the species richness of parasite fauna. Subsequent recovery of perch abundance to a stable level resulted in an increase in the parasite species richness, but it remained lower than before the depression of host abundance.     

Chemical contamination of the East River (Dongjiang) and its implication on sustainable development in the Pearl River Delta

A recent survey reveals that water quality and river sediments of Dongjiang (the East River) have been mildly contaminated by heavy metals and organic chemicals, such as copper, lead, PCBs, PAHs and HCHs. According to photogrammertic surveys, the sources of contamination are closely related to human activities, such as domestic and industrial discharges, agricultural chemical applications and soil erosion due to deforestation. The level of water and sediment contamination is most serious at the mid-river section near the urban of Weizhou. Due to natural dilution and diffusion, the levels of contamination are slightly decreased at the medium low section of the River near Qiaotou and Matan. Nevertheless, the levels of contamination increase again in the lower river section near Shenzhen, which is a highly developed economic zone. Since Dongjiang is the major source of potable water supply for Hong Kong (nearly 80% of potable water of Hong Kong is abstracted from Dongjiang) and the other parts of the Pearl River Delta (PRD), such organic and inorganic pollution merit concern. Ironically, most of the industrial and commercial activities in the watershed of Dongjiang are business investments of Hong Kong citizens. Cross-border environmental efforts should be enhanced with collaboration of different jurisdictions to achieve targets of regional sustainability.     

River use profile of the Central Niger Delta based on traditional eco-livelihood knowledge (TELK)

The Central Niger Delta is made up of a network of rivers and creeks that constitute the inland surface waters. These surface waters have historically influenced settlement patterns and are of diverse use to residents of the Central Niger Delta. Surface water like many ecological system are complex, whose complexity has been associated with seasonal variability. Traditional knowledge (TK), traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and the traditional eco-livelihood knowledge (TELK) of residents of four rural communities in the Central Niger Delta have been explored in developing a river use profile of rural communities of the Central Niger Delta. A questionnaire survey has been carried out in four communities, two each from the Otuoke and Kolo Creeks. The result shows that river use varies across seasons and affected by: physico-chemical water quality and characteristics of surface water; the hydrological characteristics; the biological/ecological characteristics; cultural use and demand; need for development projects; and access to this vital resource. Fishing constitute one of the major livelihood source in the Central Niger Delta and the TELK of fishers in the sample communities have specifically been explored to understanding fishing patterns across seasons. The five seasons identified from this study are: flood season; flood recession season; dry season; early rainy season; and rainy season. Therefore, the thesis of this paper is that there is the need to balance the current usage of surface water in the developing world such as the Central Niger Delta with the demand for development as well as future use if development is to meet the criteria for equitable development. The river use profile could be a promising tool in planning for equitable development.

Fate,distribution, and contrasting temporal trends of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in Lake Ontario,Canada

Lake Ontario water and sediment collected from tributary, nearshore, and open lake sites were analyzed for perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), namely perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs, F(CF₂)_nCO₂⁻; n = 6-11,13) and perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs, F(CF₂)_nSO₃⁻; n = 6,8,10). Survey results of surface sediment and water indicated that shorter chained PFASs were predominant in and near urban/industrial area watersheds, while longer chained PFASs were predominant in fine-grained sediment from major depositional basins. Niagara River suspended solids (1981–2006) demonstrated temporal trends that may have been influenced by recent changes in North American production and use of PFASs. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) reached a peak concentration in 2001 of 1.1 ng/g, followed by a decrease from 2001 to 2006 (half-life = 9 years). Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) increased from 2001 to 2006 (doubling time = 2 years) reaching a peak concentration of 0.80 ng/g. In contrast, three sediment cores from western, central, and eastern Lake Ontario showed increasing temporal trends to surface sediment for all PFASs. PFOA and PFOS concentrations increased from 1988 to 2004 (doubling time = ~ 4 years) in the western Lake Ontario core. The observed variations in temporal trends from different environmental compartments may be a result of the physico-chemical properties of PFASs, ongoing emissions, and the environmental transformation and degradation of PFAS precursor compounds.     

Seasonal spatial differentiation of sex groups in populations of resident bat species (Chiroptera,Vespertilionidae) in the Southern Urals

On the basis of studies on the ecology of boreal bat species in the Southern Urals (1997–2004), the first classification of their summer habitats has been made. It has been shown that spatial segregation of sex groups into areas of two types, designated wintering and breeding zones, takes place in populations in the period of offspring rearing. In females, seasonal migrations are guided by imprinting on sites providing sufficient food for offspring rearing and on wintering sites. In males, imprinting on wintering sites alone is observed.     

Spatial distribution and karyotypic composition of Anopheles mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae) in the environs of Teletskoye Lake

The species composition and inversion structure of Anopheles micropopulations have been studied in the environs of Teletskoye Lake, the Altai Republic. Two Anopheles species, A. messeae and A. beklemishevi, have been identified cytogenetically: Their zonal distribution has been determined, reflecting specific climatic features in the southern and northern parts of the lake. Intraspecific chromosomal polymorphism has been revealed in both mosquito species, with the inversion and karyotypic diversity being higher in the southern larval populations of A. messeae.     

The influence of climate change on the ecology of the Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) in Southern Karelia

The paper is devoted to the ecology of the Pied Flycatcher in Southern Karelia, where climate warming has had almost no effect on the weather in spring, the season especially important for birds. During the 30-year observation period, the local population has been characterized by variable breeding phenology, high fecundity, and relatively stable abundance. This appears to be related to the broad norm of reaction of this species to the action of external factors, which allows the birds to flexibly respond to changes in the unstable spring weather and adjust the timing and rates of their seasonal activities.     

洞庭湖通江水道鱼类资源周年动态及其洄游特征研究

为了解洞庭湖通江水道鱼类资源的周年动态及其洄游特征,2017年5月～2018年6月,对洞庭湖通江水道的仔鱼和幼鱼、成鱼进行了逐月调查。(1)共采集仔鱼19种,数量以■(Hemiculter leucisculus)最多(占总数的76. 6%),其次为子陵吻虾虎鱼(Rhinogobius giurinus)(占8. 8%)和似鳊(Pseudobrama simoni)(占4. 3%);仔鱼主要出现在4～9月,密度以6月最高(848. 8 Ind./1 000 m~3)。(2)采集幼鱼、成鱼42种,数量以短颌鲚(Coilia brachygnathus)(占总数的30. 3%)最多,其次为贝氏■(Hemiculter bleekeri)(占15. 3%)和■(占12. 2%);幼鱼、成鱼丰度以8月最高(为729尾/船/日)。(3) 4～7月,江湖洄游型鱼类的运动指数在0. 1～0. 7之间,呈现入湖趋势; 9～次年3月,江湖洄游型鱼类的运动指数在-0. 4～-0. 1之间,呈现出湖趋势;径流量是幼鱼、成鱼出、入湖的主要驱动因子。     

The influence of climate change on the dates of bird arrival to the Ilmen State Reserve (Southern Urals)

The results of long-term observations (1983–2013) on the dates of arrival of migratory birds to the Ilmen State Reserve are presented. Based on their analysis, it is conclude that (1) there is no significant positive trend of spring temperatures in the territory of the reserve, and (2) an earlier arrival of the majority of bird species is not observed, unlike in Europe. The arrival has shifted to earlier dates in the Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), White Wagtail (Motacilla alba), and Black Kite (Milvus migrans). On the other hand, the arrival of the Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) is observed later than usual. Multiple regression analysis has shown that the arrival dates of most species that nest in the reserve are determined by the temperature regime of spring months in their nesting area.     

Populations of orchids at the northern limit of their distribution (Murmansk Oblast): Effect of climate

The effect of climatic conditions on the dynamics of 21 populations of 10 species of the family Orchidaceae at the northern limit of their range in Europe was studied between 1992 and 2004. The abundance of orchid populations proved to depend primarily on air temperature during the previous and current growing seasons.     

An evaluation of fishery co-management experience in an Amazonian black-water river (Unini River,Amazon, Brazil)

We evaluated the implementation of a fishing agreement, which was created by negotiation among all users of the resources as a co-management strategy because its definition was a result of meetings between all users of the resources. The fishing agreement was implemented in Unini River, a tributary of the right bank of Negro River. Our approach was based on the perception of the people who live in that area, called ribeirinhos. The management strategy was based on spatial distribution of the different types of fishing. We used two logistic regression models to identify the variables which are important to determine the previous concordance and satisfaction with the agreement. First, we analyzed the initial effort to implement the agreement. The variable that influenced the decision of support for the agreement and satisfaction with the results of agreement in both models was the distance from the interviewee’s residence to the sport fishing area. The results showed that the perception of improvement in well-being of the communities and structured social organization are crucial for the success of the co-management strategy.     

Fine-scale spatial patterns of the Tertiary relict Zelkova abelicea (Ulmaceae) indicate possible processes contributing to its persistence to climate changes

In this paper, the fine-scale spatial patterns of the Tertiary relict Zelkova abelicea (Lam.) Boiss. were studied (1) to reveal processes that contributed to its persistence to climate changes and (2) to assist future conservation planning, with the purpose of shifting the attention of conservation practitioners from patterns to processes. Results of the fine-scale spatial patterns of Z. abelicea indicate that the species tolerates disturbance and/or tracks changes resulting from disturbance in the range of its distribution through morphological and reproductive plasticity. In addition, our study indicates that Z. abelicea populations are conserved in the absence of metapopulation structure and that the species participates in plant–plant interactions through facilitation processes. Hence, the persistence of the species to climate changes seems to be more complicated and multifactorial than a linear and plain view of species survival in climate refugial areas, and therefore calls for a consideration of the processes revealed in this paper in future conservation planning.