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.     

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.     

Fly ash from biomass combustion as replacement raw material and its influence on the mortars durability

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Several types of industrial solid waste have been used as byproducts in the construction and materials industries. Some of the applications seem to...     

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.     

A comparison of pretreatments on release of sugars from sweet sorghum bagasse for bioethanol production

Dilute acid pretreatment and steam pretreatment were evaluated for maximum sugars release and ethanol production from sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB). The fermentation potential of the condensate and hydrolysate obtained from steam pretreatment (10 kg/cm², 10 minutes) and dilute acid hydrolysis (1% (w/w) sulphuric acid, 25% substrate loading) respectively, was checked with Pichia stipitis NCIM 3497 and Debaryomyces hansenii sp. Ethanol production and yield using acid hydrolysate was higher with Debaryomyces hansenii sp. (28.4 g/L and 0.37 g/g respectively) as compared with Pichia stipitis NCIM 3497 (21.9 g/L and 0.29 g/g respectively).     

2D brine sewage after impinging on a shallow sea free surface

We consider the problem of the vertically upwards disposal of heavy brine sewage from a two-dimensional diffuser in a lighter, homogeneous, motionless and shallow ambient sea. The rejected high salinity water of seawater desalination plants for urban and agricultural uses is such a case of a two dimensional fountain. The disposal of brine sewage produces a negative buoyant jet due to its initial momentum, which impinges on the free surface, spreads laterally on it and then sinks downwards, because of the negative buoyancy. Laboratory experiments and dimensional considerations are used in this paper in order to investigate the spreading behavior (width) of the vertical fountain which impinges on the free surface of the shallow ambient fluid. The experimental results have been used to derive an equation relating the width at the free surface with the initial parameters of the flow. In addition, the experimentally measured dilution of the heavier brine sewage on the recipient’s surface is compared with the dilution which was calculated by a numerical simulation of a well-known commercial software package, CORJET (a CORMIX sub model).     

The response of soil Arthrobacter agilis lush13 to changing conditions: Transition between vegetative and dormant state

This work was aimed at studying the response of soil non-spore-forming actinobacterial strain Arthrobacter agilis Lush 13 to changing natural conditions, such as nutrient availability and the presence of degradable and recalcitrant aliphatic and aromatic substrates. The A. agilis strain Lush13 was able to degrade octane, nonane, hexadecane, benzoate, phenol, and 2,3-, 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6-dichlorophenols, but not grew on 3,4-dichlorophenol, 2,3,4-, 2,4,5-, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), pentachlorophenol (PCP), 2-chlorobenzoate, 3-chlorobenzoate, 3,5-dichlorobenzoate, 2,4-dichlorobenzoate. Under growth-arresting conditions due to nitrogen- or multiple starvation or recalcitrant (non-utilizable) carbon source, the studied strain preserved viability for prolonged periods (4–24 months) due to transition to dormancy in the form of conglomerated small and ultrasmall cyst-like dormant cells (CLC). Dormant cells were shown to germinate rapidly (30 min or later) after removal of starvation stress, and this process was followed by breakdown of conglomerates with the eliberation and further division of small multiple actively growing daughter cells. Results of this study shed some light to adaptive capabilities of soil arthrobacters in pure and polluted environments.