Some methodological and conceptual uncertainties in estimating the income component of the forest carbon cycle

Consideration is given to uncertainties related to methods for assessing the above and belowground phytomass and primary production of forest stands in test plots, as well as for extrapolating the results to forested areas.     

Temperature niche of the Altai Zokor Myospalax myospalax Laxmann (1773)

With consideration of the data on soil temperature within the range of the Altai zokor Myospalax myospalax Laxmann (1773) published in the Handbook on the Climate of the Soviet Union, it has been shown that the actual temperature niche of this species is relatively narrow. Seasonal movements over the vertical profile of the burrow allow zokors to avoid exposure to subzero temperatures.     

Net primary production of Ural forests: Methods and results of automated estimating

Methodical approaches to forest biomass and net primary production estimating are studied and their regression models are designed. By means of combining these models and State Forest Account database of 305 forest enterprises of the Ural region the total forest biomass (9.11 billion tons) and net primary production (542 million tons) are calculated. The models and calculating algorithms are involved into the information system on the base of the Software AG platform Natural, which allows to estimate and to re-calculate forest biomass and net primary production on some territory in automatic mode.     

Halotolerant bacteria of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arthrobacter</Emphasis> degrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Eight strains of bacteria capable of degrading polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been isolated from soils and bottom sediments sampled in the region of Verkhnekamskoe potash deposit (Berezniki, Perm krai) and classified with the genus Arthrobacter on the basis of phylogenetic analysis (16S rRNA genes) and morphological and chemotaxonomic characters. According to the results of 16S rDNA sequence alignment, strains B905, SMB11, SMB145, SF27, and DF14 show the highest sequence homology to the type strain of A. crystallopoietes (99.7%), and strain SN17, to the type strain of A. arilaitensis (99.8%). The isolated strains are capable of growing on naphthalene and phenanthrene (as the sole sources of carbon and energy) in the presence of 60 mg/l NaCl. Their cells contain large plasmids ranging in size from 85 to 130 kb. Plasmid elimination from Arthrobacter sp. SF27 has proved to result in the loss of capacity for growing on naphthalene and phenanthrene, suggesting a plasmid localization of genes responsible for degradation of these compounds.     

Aerobic spore-forming bacteria from the region of salt mining

Seven strains of Gram-positive microorganisms capable of forming endospores have been isolated from soils of the region of potassium salt mining (Berezniki, Perm krai) by the method of enrichment cultures. Their typing by means of REP- and BOX-PCR has shown that four strains—I23 (= VKM V-2504), I26 (= VKM V-2505), I27, and I28—are of the same genogroup (type I), while strains SN501 (= VKM V-2508), I10b (= VKM V-2507), and I12b (= VKM V-2506) represent three different genogroups (types II, III, and IV, respectively). A phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences has shown that strains I10b and SN501 belong to the genus Paenibacillus, and the remaining strains, to the genus Bacillus. These bacteria are tolerant of high salinity and alkalinity: they can grow at pH 7.0–9.0 and NaCl content of 90–110 g/l in the culture medium. They are also capable of utilizing diesel fuel and individual aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons.     

Anthropogenic evolution of animals: Facts and their interpretation

Problems concerning microevolutionary transformations in animal populations are considered. It is shown that genetic variation is the main factor providing the basis for adaptation to environmental changes, including toxic pollution. The selection pressure of a toxic factor gives an advantage in survival to more resistant genotypes in animal populations, which eventually leads to the reduction of their genetic diversity and potential for adaptation to other natural or anthropogenic stress factors. Microevolutionary transformations follow the pattern of r-selection, i.e., occur in favor of smaller, earlier maturing individuals capable of expending a greater proportion of their energy resources for reproduction.     

Spatial interrelations between bank voles and yellow-necked mice in Crabapple Island

The investigations on spatial co-occurrence between Myodes (Clethrionomys) glareolus and Apodemus flavicollis conducted on Crabapple Island (NE Poland) in 1994 through 1999 reveal that: single mature females of both species often occur in the same places, whereas local groups of such females rarely cohabit the same place. Mature males of these species always avoid sites occupied by males of the other species. Immature males, however, seem to be mutually indifferent.     

Community-based natural resources management (CBNRM) in Xinhui, Guangdong Province, China

Using institutional appraisal focused groups (FG) and participatory appraisals with Dillman Total Design Method (TDM), this study examines community interaction with and utilization of wetland resources in Xinhui, Guangdong Province, China. Field results show high commercial activities and corresponding impacts on coastal environment. Other interacting factors identified include: legislation and ecosystem management, stakeholders’ participation, international guidelines criteria, and utilization of mangrove resources in the region. Sensitivity index and community-based natural resources management collaboration comparison percentile showed significant differences between cumulative distributions of respondents (D = 0.2568, P = 0.078). Likert statement of 11 sensitivity optional indexes in EMS of K–S test at 0.05 level of P = 0.078 also show significant differences in interaction between respondent groups and sensitivity factors. This indicates a dysfunction between regional environmental management systems and CBNRM in Xinhui coastal district. Considering the high tourism potential and economic quest of the region, there is the need for coordinated community enlightenment and further studies on the social, ecological and economic value of wetland resources. Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue.     

General analysis of forest vegetation in the south of the Far East with regard to the feeding of wild ruminants (Artiodactyla, Ruminantia)

Vegetation in the main types of forest landscapes in the south of the Far East has been analyzed with regard to the dependence of population density and spatial distribution of five wild ruminant species on the main parameters of phytomass. The results have shown that the majority of ruminant species at their current population density never suffer from insufficient food supply. A high population density of the sika deer (Cervus nippon) is the only factor that may cause degradation of vegetation in the study region. The present-day population density of ruminants in their habitats does not depend on the amount of phytomass and species diversity of forage plants. Conversely, there is a strong relationship between the highest population density of ruminants recorded during the past 50 years and the phytomass stock of forage plants in their habitats.