Assessment of the State of Lung Lichen, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lobaria pulmonaria</Emphasis> (L.) Hoffm., in Forest Communities with Different Times Since Disturbance in the Northeast of European Russia

Quantitative parameters of cenopopulations of Lobaria pulmonaria, an endangered cyanolichen, have been studied in spruce phytocenoses of Karelia recovering after disturbance through the successional stage of aspen stands for a period ranging from 80 to 450 years. The results show that, as the time since disturbance increases, the total number of L. pulmonaria thalli and the number of colonized substrate units increase as well, with no stabilization of these parameters being observed in the series of communities studied. The total area of thalli in the phytocenoses is restored within approximately 200 years after the last disturbance. In old-growth forests (>400 years), L. pulmonaria thalli colonize a broad spectrum of tree species in different life states, including lower branches of young spruce trees. Even if they serve as temporary substrates, this can markedly strengthen the potential of the species for further expansion within the community in case of shortage in the main phorophyte (aspen). Thus, the proportion of regressive populations decreases, while that of colonizing populations increases, which is indicative of successful reproduction of the species.     

Carbon Emission from the Surface of Coarse Woody Debris in Korean Pine Forests of Southern Primorye

Carbon dioxide fluxes from the surface of coarse woody debris (CWD) have been measured in Korean pine forests of the southern Sikhote-Alin mountain range. The seasonal dynamics of oxidative conversion of CWD carbon have been evaluated, and average values of the CO₂ emission rate have been determined for CWD fragments of three tree species at different stages of decomposition. The degree of decomposition is an important factor of spatial variation in CO₂ emission rate, and temporal variation in this parameter is adequately described by an exponential function of both CWD temperature and air temperature (R² = 0.65–0.75).     

Spatial Distribution of Heavy Metals and <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs in Spruce Forest Soil under Conditions of Regional Pollution

The influence of horizontal structure of spruce forest on the spatial distribution of acid-soluble Zn, Cd, Pb compounds and ¹³⁷Cs in the litter and the humus horizon of soddy podzolic soil has been studied in the territory with the regional background level of industrial fallout. It has been found that the distribution pattern of Zn in the forest litter is a result of biogeochemical processes. The litter in fern–wood sorrel microplots contains increased amounts of Zn and Cd, while the contents of Pb and ¹³⁷Cs are decreased. The distribution patterns of Pb and ¹³⁷Cs in the litter are positively correlated with each other, since both elements are deposited from the atmosphere, and similar mechanisms account for their redistribution in the spruce forest ecosystem.     

Hunting Selectivity and Its Influence on the Structure of Sable Populations in the Cis-Ural Region

The structure of commercial sable samples from the Cis-Ural region was studied taking into account hunting method (shooting or trapping). The proportion of adult animals was found to be significantly lower in samples taken during the first half of the hunting season, compared to the second half, indicating predominant harvesting of young animals. To estimate the degree of hunting selectivity (I), the ratios of demographic groups among shot and trapped animals were calculated. The results confirmed the fact of selective hunting for underyearlings both by shooting (I = 1.49–1.60 for the Cis-Ural region and I = 2.46–3.37 for the Western Sayan Mountains) and by trapping (I = 2.80–4.37), especially during the first half of winter. Samples taken during the second half of the season were characterized by prevalence of adult animals making up the reproductive core of the population (I = 1.43–2.07). It is considered that the process of reproduction in Cis-Ural sable populations in the 1960s to 1980s was stimulated by intensive commercial hunting. To maintain reproduction of sable populations at a safe level, it is necessary to reduce the period of hunting in the first quarter of the year. It is proposed to use the phenomenon of hunting selectivity for managing sable populations, regulating their exploitation, and improving the economic productivity of habitats. Commercial hunting in terms of its impact on the population can act as a factor of conscious or unconscious artificial selection.     

Variation in the Composition of Secondary Metabolites in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Flavocetraria</Emphasis> Lichens from Western Siberia

The composition and contents of secondary metabolites in Flavocetraria lichens from Eastern Siberia were analyzed using herbarium specimens. Based on the composition of identified metabolites, three F. cucullata chemotypes and two F. nivalis chemotypes were distinguished. Distinct geographic differentiation between the F. cucullata chemotypes was revealed, probably reflecting their adaptation to environmental conditions. The content of usnic acid in F. cucullata thalli was found to correlate with the latitude of growing region. This may be regarded as evidence for a protective role of this metabolite in lichens growing at high latitudes and exposed to excess solar irradiation during the polar day.     

Laboratory scale studies on removal of chromium from industrial wastes

Chromium being one of the major toxic pollutants is discharged from electroplating and chrome tanning processes and is also found in the effluents of dyes,paint pigments,manufacturing units etc.Chromium exists in aqueous systems in both trivalent(Cr^3 )and hexavalent (Cr^6 )forms.The hexavalent form is carcinogenic and toxic to aquatic life,whereas Cr^3 is however comparatively less toxic.This study was undertaken to investigate the total chromium removal from industial effluents by chemical means in order to achieve the Pakistan NEQS level of 1 mg/L by the methods of reduction and precipitation.The study was conducted in four phase Ⅰ,the optimum pH and cost effective reducing agent among the four popular commercial chemicals was selected.As a result,pH of 2 was found to be most suitable and sodium meta bisulfate was found to be the most cost effective reducing agent respectively.Phase Ⅱ showed that lower dose of sodium meta hisulfate was sufficient to obtain 100% efficiency in reducing Cr^6 to Cr^3 ,and it was noted that reaction time had no significance in the whole process.A design curve for reduction process was established which can act as a tool for treatment of industrial effluents.Phase Ⅲ studies indicated the best pH was 8.5 for precipitation of Cr^3 to chromium hydroxide by using lime.An efficiency of 100% was achievable and a settling time of 30 minutes produced clear effluent.Finally in Phase Ⅳ actual waste samples from chrome tanning and electroplating industries,when precipitated at pH of 12 gave 100% efficiency at a settling time of 30 minutes and confirmed that chemical means of reduction and precipitation is a feasible and viable solution for treating chromium wastes from industries.     

Factors of Dynamics of Plankton Crustacean Communities under Eutrophic Conditions

Russian Journal of Ecology - It has been shown that the main drivers of the dynamics of cladoceran and copepod abundances can be predators (fish), the quantity and/or quality of food in terms of...     

Dynamics of the Mite Communities (Acari: Parasitiformes) in Nests of the Parus major

The dynamics of nest-dwelling mites from the nests of the great tit in the protected area of Kamchia Mountain in Northeastern Bulgaria was investigated. The mite fauna inhabiting the nests of great tit differs significantly in terms of the degree of infestation, species richness, abundance and structure of communities in study years. There are statistically significant differences in the specimens’ number between 2014 and the other years 2012, 2013 and 2015. The mite species such as Dermanyssus gallinae, Androlaelaps casalis and Ornithonyssus sylviarum demonstrated significant changes in the abundance over the study years. A relation between the abundance of a species and the species diversity in the nests was not registered. Comparison of the annual dynamics of mites in the nests of great tit and the nests of semi-collared flycatcher for the same period of time and for the same environment, showed similarities—a significant fluctuation in the abundance of mites over the years and differences—in the species richness. Regarding the structure of the communities, both similarities and differences were recorded.

     

The Effect of Vaccinium vitis-idaea on Properties of Mountain-Meadow Soil under Alpine Lichen Heath

Russian Journal of Ecology - Abstract—The study of the effect of mycorrhiza symbiosis on the transformation of carbon and nitrogen compounds in soils is important in view of the necessity to...     

The Ratio between Chronographic and Geographic Variation in the Morphofunctional Features of Bank Vole (Clethrionomys glareolus Shreb.) in the South of Its Range

Russian Journal of Ecology - A simultaneous analysis of the chronographic variation of the mandible of bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus Shreb.) in three longitudinally distant populations that...