Spatial distribution of coarse woody debris in pine forests of the Marii El Transvolga region

The spatial distribution of coarse woody debris in pine forests has been studied in the Transvolga region of the Marii El Republic. For this purpose, 30 test plots have been established in pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands of the study region. The results are indicative of a tendency toward the spatial grouping (clustering) of woody debris by fractions, decomposition classes, and stocks along with increase in stand age.     

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.     

Measuring the environmental performance of IPPC industry: I. Devising a quantitative science-based and policy-weighted Environmental Emissions Index

This paper describes the derivation of an Environmental Emissions Index (EEI) intended to quantify the environmental performance of Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) installations and sectors. Characterisation and normalisation methods used in lifecycle analyses were applied to 20 routinely reported emissions parameters, pertaining to six environmental impact categories. Distance to policy targets for relevant emissions were used to weight impact categories, and link the EEI to policy priorities. Ireland and the EU15 were considered as scales of context. The European Pollutant Emission Register was a convenient source of normalisation data, but restricted the context of the EEI to industrial emissions, and distorted outputs. Using national and EU15 total loading estimates for normalisation resulted in an EEI that better reflected the relative contribution of reported emissions towards overall environmental pressures. Using Ireland's pharmaceutical sector as a case study indicated that weighting factors, and the toxicity range of NMVOC emissions, were the largest sources of EEI uncertainty. Through the integration of inventory data, scientific characterisation, and policy targets, the EEI translates reported emissions data from IPPC installations and sectors into a benchmark of environmental performance. It may be regarded as an evolving tool of potential utility to regulators and policy makers.     

Role of post-dispersal seed and seedling predation in establishment of dandelion (Taraxacum agg.) plants

Dandelion Taraxacum agg. (formerly Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex Wiggers) is a common weed species associated with pastures, grasslands and no-tillage cropping systems throughout its native range in Europe, and more recently introduced into North America, Australasia and elsewhere. Following wind-dispersal from the parent plant, its seeds are subject to predation from a host of invertebrate predators. Similarly, seedling predation may also significantly limit dandelion recruitment. Although such post-dispersal mortality is central to our understanding of dandelion population dynamics and therefore weed control, the precise spatio-temporal role played by different putative seed and seedling predators is poorly understood. Here we studied how seed viability, and seed and seedling predation influenced dandelion recruitment at two contrasting sites in central Europe. The abundance in the field and seed and seedling consumption in the laboratory were determined for the main groups of predators—ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabiade), terrestrial isopods (Isopoda: Oniscidea) and molluscs (Gastopoda: Pulmonata). At particular sites, seed viability and seedling predation were negatively correlated while the percentage of seeds that succumbed to seed predation was similar. Combined factors accounted for the death of 98% and 87% of exposed seeds. Ground beetles (particularly Amara spp.) and terrestrial isopods (Armadillidium vulgare) were efficient and dominant seed predators, while slugs (Arion lusitanicus) and isopods were important predators of seedlings. While there was no seasonal trend in the intensity of seed predation it decreased towards autumn in parallel with the feeding activity of the declining population of A. lusitanicus. The mortality factors thus varied in their importance, largely between sites and less with the course of the season. Although seed inviability, seed and seedling predation did not stop the recruitment of dandelion seedlings they are crucial factors limiting dandelion populations. Methods of increasing the efficiency of predation of seed as a means of managing weeds are worthy of further study, particularly in areas where dandelion is an invasive species.     

The last polar dinosaurs: high diversity of latest Cretaceous arctic dinosaurs in Russia

A latest Cretaceous (68 to 65 million years ago) vertebrate microfossil assemblage discovered at Kakanaut in northeastern Russia reveals that dinosaurs were still highly diversified in Arctic regions just before the Cretaceous–Tertiary mass extinction event. Dinosaur eggshell fragments, belonging to hadrosaurids and non-avian theropods, indicate that at least several latest Cretaceous dinosaur taxa could reproduce in polar region and were probably year-round residents of high latitudes. Palaeobotanical data suggest that these polar dinosaurs lived in a temperate climate (mean annual temperature about 10°C), but the climate was apparently too cold for amphibians and ectothermic reptiles. The high diversity of Late Maastrichtian dinosaurs in high latitudes, where ectotherms are absent, strongly questions hypotheses according to which dinosaur extinction was a result of temperature decline, caused or not by the Chicxulub impact.     

Are the residents of former Yugoslavia still exposed to elevated PCB levels due to the Balkan wars? Part 2: Passive air sampling network

Many Eastern European countries suffer the lack of data on concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in the environmental matrices. This absence of information is preventing the local authorities from taking the adequate actions to protect the people and environment. This is even more alarming in the countries recently affected by the wars where the chemicals released to the environment during the military operations can cause a significant ecological damage and health effects on the population. A potential of passive air sampling technique as a tool capable of providing seasonally and spatially resolved information about the local sources and levels of contamination was explored in this study as a first step to the establishment of a cost-effective long-term monitoring in this area. The passive air samplers proved to be a powerful technique capable of detecting the concentrations ranging over four orders of magnitude providing the information very comparable with the conventional techniques.     

Spatial population structure in forest voles of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clethrionomys</Emphasis> in the southern taiga of the Middle Irtysh region

A comparative analysis of spatial population structure in the northern red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rutilus Pall.) and large-toothed red-backed vole (Cl. rufocanus Sund.) has been performed in the middle taiga zone of the Middle Irtysh region (Omsk oblast). Populations of these species are represented by sets of territorial groups whose numbers and spatial distribution change from year to year depending on the ratio of these species in a biotope and their population density. There is no significant interspecific competition between cohabitant Cl. rutilus and Cl. rufocanus. In particular, this follows from the fact that the population density and distribution pattern of one species are independent of those of the other species. It has been found that the size of home ranges in Cl. rutilus inversely depends on its population density, with that in Cl. rufocanus remaining approximately the same at different population densities, and that the structure of the resident part of the population in both species changes during the season, as voles from neighboring habitats or dispersing voles settle in the study area.     

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.     

Simple and Rapid Detection of Human Norovirus from Produce Using SYBR Green I-based Real-time RT-PCR

Several foodborne norovirus gastroenteritis outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce. Rapid and sensitive detection can help prevent the release of contaminated produce items in the market. The objectives of this study were to apply a relatively inexpensive SYBR Green I-based real-time RT-PCR assay for the rapid detection of human norovirus (NoV) GI and GII on the surfaces of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and green onions. Each washed produce commodity (25 g) was spiked with serial dilutions of NoV GI and GII stool samples. RNA was eluted from the produce surface and extracted using the TRIzol^? method. This was followed by detection using SYBR Green I real-time RT-PCR with primers specific for NoV GI (COG1F-COG1R) and GII (COG2F-COG2R) along with an internal RNA amplification control. End-point detection limits from lettuce and tomatoes were found to be 10 RT-PCR units/25 g for GI and GII and 1 RT-PCR unit/25 g for GI and 10 RT-PCR units/25 g for GII from green onions. These results were confirmed by Tm analysis (showing peaks at 81.5 and 84°C for GI and GII, respectively; and 83°C for the IAC) as well as agarose gel electrophoresis that confirmed products of ~95 bp for GI and GII and ~155 bp for the RNA IAC. Results could be obtained within one working day, showing potential for routine use in diagnostics and monitoring of NoV contamination by the produce industry.     

城市污水水质水量变化及生活污染源污染特征研究

在收集西安市污水处理厂近年来水质水量监测数据的基础上,统计分析污水处理厂水量水质的变化规律,并通过对不同生活污水污染源的现场监测,研究各类生活污水污染源的污染强度和污染特征,识别重点生活污染源。研究结果表明,西安市主要污水处理厂近年来进水量逐年增大,且进水水质逐年恶化,其中COD、SS和NH3-N浓度逐年增加,TP浓度年际变化较小;城市污水的水质水量随季节波动变化,西安市城市污水水量以及COD、SS和NH3-N等水质指标在7-9月份及春节期间出现高峰,这与季节及年节导致的用水量变化有关,但年内TP浓度均在10 mg/L以下,波动较小;生活类污染源中污染物浓度因行业不同而异,餐饮业、学校、住宿业及生活小区是生活类污染源中的＂高污染＂行业,加强对上述行业的监管力度,从源头消减污染物对于节能减排具有重要的现实意义。