Kin-related spatial structure in brown bears Ursus arctos

Kin-related social structure may influence reproductive success and survival and, hence, the dynamics of populations. It has been documented in many gregarious animal populations, but few solitary species. Using molecular methods and field data we tested: (1) whether kin-related spatial structure exists in the brown bear (Ursus arctos), which is a solitary carnivore, (2) whether home ranges of adult female kin overlap more than those of nonkin, and (3) whether multigenerational matrilinear assemblages, i.e., aggregated related females, are formed. Pairwise genetic relatedness between adult (5 years and older) female dyads declined significantly with geographic distance, whereas this was not the case for male–male dyads or opposite sex dyads. The amount of overlap of multiannual home ranges was positively associated with relatedness among adult females. This structure within matrilines is probably due to kin recognition. Plotting of multiannual home-range centers of adult females revealed formation of two types of matrilines, matrilinear assemblages exclusively using an area and dispersed matrilines spread over larger geographic areas. The variation in matrilinear structure might be due to differences in competitive abilities among females and habitat limitations. The influence of kin-related spatial structure on inclusive fitness needs to be clarified in solitary mammals.     

A baseline study characterizing the municipal solid waste in the State of Kuwait

This paper provides a new reference line for municipal solid waste characterization in Kuwait. The baseline data were collected in accordance with the Standard Test Method for the Determination of the Composition of Unprocessed Municipal Solid Waste (ASTM). The results indicated that the average daily municipal waste generation level is 1.01 kg/person. Detailed waste stream surveys were conducted for more than 600 samples of municipal solid waste (MSW). The waste categories included paper, corrugated fibers, PET bottles, film, organic matter, wood, metal, glass, and others. The results indicated that organic waste dominated the characterization (44.4%), followed by film (11.2%) and then corrugated fibers (8.6%). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate the influence of season and governorate on waste composition. A significant seasonal variation was observed in almost all waste categories. In addition, significant differences in proportions between the current level and 1995 baseline were observed in most waste categories at the 95% confidence level.     

Evaluation of ecological security for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-5 countries: new evidence from the RALS unit root test

Environmental and Ecological Statistics - The present study seeks to determine the convergence of the ecological footprint pressure index for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN-5)...     

Assessment of pollution profile in Buyukcekmece Watershed, Turkey

Buyukcekmece Lake located north of the Marmara Sea coast of Turkey is the third largest water resources among the six main reservoirs of a megacity Istanbul, providing 17% water demand. This study aims to investigate the water quality changes in Buyukcekmece Lake and to classify it in accordance to Turkish Water Pollution Control Regulation for inland surface waters, and assess the impacts of the land-use practices, population density, and settlement in the Buyukcekmece watershed. Physical, chemical, and biological quality of Büyükçekmece Lake has been investigated between December 2007 and June 2008 by collecting samples from the Lake and four streams that feed Büyükçekmece Lake. Land use profile maps of the water basin were created by using ARC-GIS to ensure the quality of drinking water. It was determined that the water quality of Büyükçekmece Lake was still of overall second class, implying that it can be used as a safe drinking water resource following a conventional water treatment scheme; however, it is moving toward the third class. Remarkable portion of the pollution in water basin was attributed to domestic wastewater discharges. Agricultural areas that occupy more than half of the water basin have also adversely affected the water quality.     

DNA damage effect of cyprodinil and thiacloprid in adult zebrafish gills

Cyprodinil and thiacloprid are two of the most commonly used pesticides in Turkey. It is more likely to reach humans or animals due to their widespread use. This study aims to investigate whether there is a DNA damage risk due to cyprodinil and thiacloprid exposure. Zebrafish, which is used as a model organism in health and environmental research, and comet assay were chosen to demonstrate this damage. Ten zebrafish per group were exposed to 2 different concentrations for each pesticides (0.31 and 0.155 mg/L for cyprodinil and 1.64 and 0.82 mg/L for thiacloprid) for 21 days. After, gills were excised and comet assay was performed. Photos of an average of 50 cells per slide were taken and were analyzed with visual evaluation program. DNA damage was found to be increased in the 0.31 mg/L cyprodinil, 0.82 mg/L thiacloprid, and 1.64 mg/L thiacloprid treatment groups when compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Average tail DNA percentage parameter values were 9.45 ± 0.51, 10.30 ± 0.34, 11.17 ± 0.33, and 2.47 ± 0.06 respectively. Cyprodinil and thiacloprid were identified as genotoxic agents that should be investigated further.

     

Selection of renewable energy systems sites using the MaxEnt model in the Eastern Mediterranean region in Turkey

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Global warming has become the center of worldwide environmental concerns, especially in recent years. One of the ways to deal with global warming that...     

A study of the Kazdagi (Mt. Ida) National Park: an ecological approach to the management of tourism

In the field of tourism, where environmental resources are the primary attraction, ecotourism is one of the sustainable approaches now considered as an alternative when considering today's increasing environmental problems. Indeed, according to the World Tourism Organisation, ecotourism is the fastest growing market within the tourist industry. The purpose of this study is to determine tourism activities sensitive to the environment, to help tourism in Turkey and neighbouring countries, and to help spread ecotourism by protecting biological species. The Kazdagi (Mt. Ida) area in Turkey is used as an example and case study.     

酸雨对生菜的光合、抗氧化系统和产量的影响研究

目前国内外有关酸雨对植物生长危害的影响研究多集中在森林植物和粮食作物,而酸雨对叶菜类蔬菜生长的相关研究较少。酸雨的频发可能会影响蔬菜的生长,进而降低蔬菜产量。为探究酸雨对叶菜类蔬菜生理和产量的影响,选取生菜(Lactuca sativa L.var.ramosa Hort.)作为试验材料,采用野外原位研究方法,探究模拟酸雨(pH梯度为3.0、4.0、5.0)和自然降水(CK)对生菜光合、抗氧化系统和产量的影响。结果表明,pH 4.0和5.0酸雨对生菜光合系统影响不显著,pH 3.0酸雨对生菜光合系统影响显著;在整个试验期内,pH 3.0酸雨显著降低生菜净光合作用8.4%—17.0%。pH 3.0、4.0和5.0酸雨均显著提高生菜超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量,表明酸雨会激活生菜抗氧化系统,同时会对生菜叶片膜系统造成损伤;在第20天后,pH 3.0酸雨下生菜过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性显著下降13.8%%—35.2%。pH 5.0酸雨对生菜产量影响不显著;pH 4.0和3.0酸雨显著降低生菜地上部产量,分别降低14.6%和16.7%。pH 3.0酸雨使生菜地下部产量显著降低19.0%。综上可见,模拟酸雨对生菜的光合系统、抗氧化酶系统和产量均产生显著影响,且酸雨对生菜的影响阈值在pH 4—5之间,pH 4.0以下的酸雨明显降低生菜产量,但酸雨强度为pH 5.0时已存在生菜减产的风险,研究结果可为生菜栽培的相关农户以及决策部门提供参考。     

黑龙江省冬季异常暖气候事件判定及其与环流指数的关系

利用1961-2018年黑龙江省61个站冬季逐日平均气温资料,以连续5 d日平均气温正距平超过1倍标准差为标准,对黑龙江省冬季异常暖事件进行了判断,并按照0.3个标准差将其分为一级、二级、三级异常暖气候事件。分析表明黑龙江省在58年间冬季共发生35次异常暖气候事件,累计天数270 d。异常暖气候事件发生有较明显的周期性变化,1961-1986年和2009-2018年为低发期、1987-2008年为高发期。71.4%的异常暖事件发生在1986年后,说明异常暖事件的频繁发生对1980年代中后期该省冬季气温显著升高有直接贡献。1961-2018年该省冬季发生一级、二级、三级异常暖气候事件分别为9次、10次、16次。研究月尺度同期环流指数异常与黑龙江省异常暖气候事件的关系,发现北半球极涡面积异常偏小、极涡强度异常偏强、东亚槽强度异常偏弱和北极涛动异常正位相与异常暖气候事件发生有较好的对应关系,为今后黑龙江省冬季异常暖气候事件的预测提供了可靠参考。