The Arbuscules Formation Intensity Decreased in Mycorrhizal Alien Plants of Belarusian Polesia

Russian Journal of Ecology - Abstract—We tested a hypothesis about the different abilities of alien and native plants to form arbuscular mycorrhizae. The studies were carried out in the...     

Ambrosia artemisiifolia in an Anthropogenic Landscape of Gomel Polesye

Russian Journal of Ecology -     

Specific features of early stages of progressive succession in an anthropogenic landscape: An example from southeastern Belarus

Specific features of progressive succession in the vegetation of anthropogenically transformed landscapes in southeastern Belarus have been studied in permanent test plots. Using phytoindication scales proposed by Ellenberg (1974) and Tsyganov (1983), trends of changes in ecological conditions in the first years of succession have been revealed.     

Low frequency electromagnetic waves as a supplemental energy source to sustain microbial growth?

Microbial populations in tetra-distilled water collapsed when cultured in a permalloy chamber shielding the populations from the suns and earths electromagnetic field, but thrived when cultured in an ordinary thermostat open to the electromagnetic field. Theoretically, protons in liquid water can be excited at their natural resonance frequencies through Langmuir oscillations and obtain enough kinetic energy to charge the transmembrane potential of a cell. Microbes may be capable of converting this energy into chemical energy to supplement their energy needs.     

Effect of Solidago canadensis on the Species Diversity of Phytocenoses in Belarusian Polesye

Russian Journal of Ecology -     

Groundwater resources at risk in the glaciofluvial formation of Jokkavaara in Rovaniemi area, Northern Finland

The best groundwater resources in Finland are generally situated in glaciofluvial formations with thick sand and gravel deposits. The glaciofluvial formation of Jokkavaara, in northern Finland near the town of Rovaniemi, is important for both its groundwater reserves and its sand and gravel resources. The groundwater and mineral resources of Jokkavaara was studied to define their quantity and quality, and to develop a land-use plan which would help civil servants of the municipality to make the decisions necessary for exploiting sand and gravel. The land-use plan shows the areas where exploiting mineral resources is not allowed or recommended because of the risks of contamination of groundwater, or because of injurious effects on the environment caused by noise and dust from gravel pits, or by spoilt landscape. The size of Jokkavaara is 5 km2, and its mineral resources are about 53 million cubic metres. The sand and gravel deposits are at the most, 50 m thick. Risks of contamination by fallout are small, due to the thick sand and gravel deposits above groundwater level. Exploiting mineral resources have no effect on groundwater quality either. By the land-use plan and legislation, good groundwater can also be protected in the future. Legislation limits the exploitation of mineral resources especially in groundwater areas.     

Callus formation in seven species of agarophyte marine algae

Callus formation of seven species of the agarophyte marine algae Phyllophora nervosa, Gracilaria verrucosa, Furcellaria fastigiata, ceramium kondoi, Gelidium vagum, Laurencia paniculata, Rhodymenia pertusa was obtained from 1984 to 1986. A new sterile agent, chlorhexidin bigluconate, was used to get axenic explants from the algae thalli. The formation of callus from axenic explants depended on temperature of cultivation. In the case of F. fastigiata and G. vagum it occurred at 12° to 20°C, and with P. nervosa at 18° to 26°C. The exchange of sucrose with mannitol in the culture medium and the addition of some growth regulators stimulated the formation of callus. Mass formation of lumpy and warty extensions was observed in the explants from leaf blades of P. nervosa. The results might be useful for improving the aquaculture of agarophyte marine algae.     

Inhibition of restorative succession by invasive plant species: Examples from southeastern Belarus

Consideration is given to the examples of suppression of restorative succession by invasive plant species (Solidago canadensis L., Helianthus subcanescens (A. Gray) E. Watson, Impatiens glandulifera Royle) in anthropogenic landscapes of southeastern Belarus. Characteristics of communities blocking the succession process have been revealed: low species richness, dominance of alien species in coverage, high level of synanthropization, and the absence of natural regeneration of trees and shrubs. It is suggested that a delay in succession is caused by the suppressing influence of transformer species on seed germination in apophytic trees.