Simulation of biological uptake of uranium and radium in an industrially polluted area

Distribution of ²³⁸U and ²²⁶Ra in soils and plants of an industrially polluted area are considered. The dependence between the biological uptake coefficients (BUCs) for the plant species studied and the radionuclide concentrations in soil can be approximated by a decreasing power function. Species differences in radionuclide uptake are demonstrated.     

Feral horses (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Equus caballus</Emphasis>) as a component of protected steppe ecosystems in the Rostovskii Nature Reserve

Vegetation was considerably trampled throughout Vodnyi Island in the Rostovskii Nature Reserve in 2007 because of a high pasture load due to feral horses (0.15 horses/ha). Calculation of the food resources on the island, with its protection as part of a nature reserve taken into account, has shown that the herd size is 3.5 times larger than the maximum allowable value.     

Characteristics of the contact zone of three chromosome races of the common shrew <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorex araneus</Emphasis> L. (Mammalia) as indices of interpopulation competition

The distribution of three chromosome races (Moscow, Western Dvina, and Seliger) of the common shrew Sorex araneus L. in the zone of contact between their ranges in the Valdai Heights (32°00′ E, 57°00′ N) is discussed. The area co-inhabited by all the three races is extremely small. Representatives of all the three races have been captured on only one trap line, although there are no obstacles to the expansion of shrews. The extremely small area co-inhabited by the three races, as well as the strictly parapatric distribution of the Moscow and Western Dvina races, may be related with competition forms such as avoidance of contacts and separation of ecological niches.     

Are ecological differences of irruptive bird species from typical migrants real? (The example of the long-tailed tit <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegithalos c. caudatus</Emphasis>)

Using the long-tailed tit (Aegithalos c. caudatus) as an example of the so-called irruptive species, the ecophysiological characteristics (body mass, fat reserves) and migration speed during autumn period were analyzed. The mean body mass and the median fat score did not depend on the number of migrating individuals. There was no evidence of the so-called stress in birds, participating in migration: migrants had even higher fat reserves than residents, while no significant difference in the body mass was recorded. The increase in fat reserves in the long-tailed tit during migration period was similar to the seasonal changes in energy reserves known for typical migrants. This makes it possible for late-migrating individuals to maintain higher total speed of migration compared to early-migrating ones. Basing on the obtained data, we conclude that the ecophysiological characteristics of the long-tailed tits migrating in autumn are similar to those of regular migrants.     

Ecological prerequisites for changes in the parental behavior of male pied flycatchers, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ficedula hypoleuca</Emphasis>

On the basis of long-term studies on the ecology of pied flycatcher in Karelia, it has been shown that male nonparticipation in nestling feeding is due to the course of postnuptial molt rather than to the mode of mating relationships, as it was considered previously. This is confirmed by the results of selective capture of birds that have stopped to feed their brood. It is suggested that reduction of parental care is associated with changes in the hormonal balance of molting birds.     

Universal criteria for assessing the ecological state of soil algocenoses

A set of criteria allowing demarcation between algocenoses is proposed. These criteria characterize the species composition, group of dominants, and taxonomic and ecological structure of algocenoses.     

Impact of fires on the fauna of terrestrial arthropods in protected steppe ecosystems

The abundance of terrestrial arthropods in the Orenburgskii Nature Reserve has decreased since its establishment in 1989. At present, this parameter fluctuates considerably, and the species composition of arthropods is changing in favor of xerobiontic and eurybiontic species. These changes result from the absence of grazing load as well as from periodic fires. Therefore, it is necessary to organize controlled livestock grazing and reliable fire protection in reserved areas.     

A contextual framework for understanding good practice in integrated catchment management

Principles of good practice for collaborative resource management were derived from the literature and their use studied in a range of integrated catchment management processes. Desk-based reviews and interviews with participants allowed the principles to be refined and described within a framework that illustrates the interrelationships between core principles, enabling principles, precursors to a project and the influence of external factors on such collaborative processes. The findings illustrate the importance of these relationships in understanding how success is defined and under what conditions successful outcomes can be achieved. Understanding how these procedural aspects influence outcomes contributes to the wider literature on collaborative resource management that often treats processes separately from their context.