Applying songbird population dynamics models to conservation biology needs
A. L. Podolsky
Section: Population ecology
Proper understanding of the reproductive biology traits and population dynamics patterns of declining songbird
species is crucial for ensuring their effective protection and recovery. Metapopulation dynamics may cause the extinction
of local populations in some landscape patches regardless of the habitat quality and undertaken conservation measures.
At the same time, the source-sink type of the population dynamics could saturate lower quality habitat patches with dispersing
individuals from the population sources. Hence, poorer quality habitats presumed to yield population sinks could
eventually maintain population sources. Consequently, an effective recovery strategy for declining species should include
high quality suitable habitats along with some poorer quality patches in the regional network of protected natural areas.
I developed the mathematical model for songbird reproductive strategy based on the case study of my three-year
field research conducted on the Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla L.) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (U.S.A.).
Breeding Bird Survey detected multiannual negative population trends in this species in pristine landscapes of the Southern
Appalachians, whereas its growing populations were found in some of the adjacent areas strongly affected by human
activities. I modified basic Pulliam’s (1988) model of population growth rates for this species by including assumptions
about annual female survival and annual fecundity. I also applied productivity data from 110 active nests to determine an
average successful brood size and nesting success. Finally, I added probabilistic variables accounting for renesting rates
after unsuccessful breeding attempt and double-brooding rates to the model while assuming equal sex ratio among the
breeding individuals. Computer simulations based on actual data and assumed range of values of the model variables yielded
population growth rates well below 1, thus confirming the declining status of the national park populations. Therefore, the
best pristine habitats in the study area were not ecologically significant sources, and in fact they were ecological traps for
this species. Such unpredictable population dynamics in high quality habitats vs. low quality patches could be caused by the
“paradox of predation”: high quality landscapes of the national park attracted, in addition to birds, a variety of mammalian
and reptilian nest predators. Most of these predators were absent or scarce in low quality
Article published in number 4 for 2018 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2018-4-092-100
Views: 14
About the promotion of natural restoration of Pinus sylvestris L.
N. P. Savinykh, E. V. Lelekova, M. N. Shakleina
Section: Population ecology
The research was carried out in the pine forest of the specially protected natural areas “Medvedsky Bor” in the
Nolinsky District of the Kirov Region. One can meet there both typical boron and boreal plant species and some representatives
of broad-leaved forests and steppes. We researched the composition of vegetation and flora, as well as the
state of Pinus sylvestris L. of the overgrown strip that had been formed after the gradual next-but-one belt logging, with
contribution to renewal (mineralization) and care (clarification-logging with removal of non-target species). Green-moss
and reed vegetation associations prevail there, as it was stated. Vascular plants are analyzed in relation both to humidity
and the spectrum of ecologo-coenotic groups. Predominance of mesophilic and xeromesophilic groups was stated, which
indicates moisture degree sufficient for seed germination of the xeromesophilic P. sylvestris species. Boreal, boron, as
well as non-moral and steppe species prevail, which confirms conservation of biodiversity in these forests. The pine undergrowth
was analyzed as for its number, vitality; vegetation influence on these indicators was stated. It was found out,
per hectare there are 21 thousand young pine plants aged from 4 to16 years. This 84 times exceeds the required number
of trees in the mature community (250 trees per hectare). The vitality of the pine undergrowth is estimated according to
the original method, taking into account the age of the plants, their height, the length of last annual increment and the
mean annual increment, deviation of lateral shoots from the major axis, presence of re-crowning and yellowed leaves. It
is established that there are 17 600 young plants with a high degree of vitality per hectare. It 4.4 times exceeds the plants
number required for artificial restoration of pine forests (4000 trees per hectare). These are the trees which can form pine
forests with a high appraisal index in the future.
Keywords: reforestation, logging, mineralization, undergrowth, real vitality, forest care, biodiversity
Article published in number 4 for 2018 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2018-4-101-106
Views: 26
The change in soil actinobiote under the influence of Heracleum sosnowskyi invasion
E. V. Tovstik, I. G. Shirokikh, E. S. Solovеva, A. A. Shirokikh, T. Ya. Ashikhmina, V. P. Savinykh
Section: Population ecology
Certain plant species, as well as phytocenosis, can significantly influence the structure and diversity of soil microbiocenosis.
Actinomycetes are an integral component of a soil microbiocenosis that carries out important environmental
functions, inter alia, with the transformation of organic matter. This study was carried out to reveal differences
in the structure of soil actinomycetes complexes between sites overgrown with the Heracleum Sosnowskyi Manden and
non-invasive (control) plots. An increase in genus and species diversity of actinomycetes in invaded soils was noted,
compared with control, in particular, the representatives of the genus Streptosporangium were found exclusively on
hogweed-occupied plots. The appearance of Streptosporangium in the structure of soils actinomycete complexes under
hogweed may indicate that hogweed root exudates contain compounds attractive for this mycelial prokaryotes genus. On
the same plots, an increase in the proportion of colored streptomycetes representing the section and series of Cinereus
Chromogenes was noted, whereas in the control soils streptomycetin complex, the non-producing pigments were dominated
by representatives of the section and series of Cinereus Achromogenes. In the areas of mass growth of Heracleum
Sosnowskyi, in comparison with the control plots, a lower carbon content in the soil was noted, which, in addition to the
changes in the structure of actinomycete complexes, confirms the fact of intensive organic matter mineralization in soils
under the hogweed. Despite the considerable above-ground biomass, at the end of vegetation the removal of nutrients is
not replenished by the hogweed plant litter.
Keywords: Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden., soil, invasion, actinomycetes, total number, species diversity, structure of the complex
Article published in number 4 for 2018 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2018-4-105-109
Views: 15
Preliminary data about algae and cyanobacteria of volcanic soils on Kuril islands
K. V. Ilchibaeva, D. F. Kunsbaeva, R. Z. Allaguvatova, A. I. Fazlutdinova, O. V. Polokhin, L. A. Sibirina, A. A. Gontcharov, P. Singh, L. A. Gaysina
Section: Population ecology
Fifty-five species from five phyla (Cyanobacteria – 8, Chlorophyta – 29 (Chlorophyceae – 14, Trebouxiophyaceae
– 11), Bacillariophyta – 19, Streptophyta – 1, Ochrophyta – 2 (Xanthophyceae – 1, Eustigmatophyceae – 1)) were revealed
during the study on biodiversity of cyanobacteria and algae from terrestrial habitats of Urup, Paramushir, Iturup,
and Simushir (Kuril Islands). Algal flora of Iturup Islands was the most divers with 25 species, 23 species were found
on Urup, 17 on Simushir, and 14 on Paramushir Islands. Number of species per sample decreased from Urup (3.6) to
Simushir (2.1), Paramushir (2.0) and Iturup (1.9). Five species, cf. Mychonastes homosphaera, Chlorella vulgaris, Dic�
tyococcus varians, Bracteacoccus minor, and Desmodesmus abundans were encountered on each of the island. In the same
time species composition of cyanobacteria and algae on each island was specific and reflected ecological peculiarities of
the habitats. The most notable feature of algal and cyanobacterial flora of studied islands was prevalence of cosmopolitan
species tolerant to toxic volcanic substrates. Besides, this territory was characterized by high diversity of amphibian
diatom algae. For understanding biodiversity of terrestrial algae and cyanobacteria of Kuril islands further moleculargenetic
research are necessary.
Article published in number 4 for 2018 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2018-4-110-017
Views: 23
The partial replacement of antibiotics with biologically active substances at treatment of cows’ mastitis
M. A. Aziamov
Section: Social ecology
The World Health Organization (WHO) is informing about the antibiotic resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus
increasing problem. These bacteria are changing their genomic composition under the influence of antibiotics and are rapidly
spreading in the environment, threatening human health and food security in a number of countries. WHO requires reducing
the use of antibiotics in cows’ mastitis by 50%. Staphylococcus aureus is the prevailing kind of cows’ mastitis pathogen in
Western Europe and Russia. The staphylococcal mastitis caused by multiresistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus is registered
in almost 90% of large farms and complexes where antibiotics are used.
The possibility of partial replacement of antibiotics with biologically active substances at treatment of clinical mastitis in
cows was evaluated. It is established that Interferon bovine recombinant, Polysaccharide of Hericium erinaceus fungus (PS of
H. еrinaceus) and Dialderon after 10 days of treatment of clinical mastitis in cows increased the amount of cured individuals,
respectively, by 30, 20 and 20% in comparison with antibiotic therapy. Biologically active substances normalized the number of
somatic cells in milk to physiological level. The studied substances reduced the levels of interleukin-2 (Il-2) and interleukin-8
(Il-8), prostaglandins E2, normalized erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and phagocytic activity in the blood of experimental
animals. The somatic cells number in the milk of experimental groups cows are decreased to physiological norm after
10 days of treatment. Milk after treatment of cows was fit for food consumption 72 hours earlier than with antibiotic therapy.
Article published in number 4 for 2018 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2018-4-118-125
Views: 9
Assessment of titanium dioxide nanoparticle effects on living organisms
V. I. Polonskiy, A. A. Asanova
Section: Theoretical problems of ecology
Nanoparticles causing an unprecedented type of industrial pollution directly affect on all objects of the environment and
therefore on all types of living organisms. So, these risks have to be evaluated. This review analyzes the world literature about
effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on living organisms of various habitats. Currently, ecotoxicity issues of engineered
nanoparticles are studied using bioassays with cell cultures and test organisms. The most commonly used test objects for
toxicity assessment of nanoparticles are unicellular algae, water crustaceans, plants, mammalian and human cells. It has been
established that the most sensitive organisms to titanium dioxide nanoparticles are unicellular algae and water crustaceans,
EC
50
values were observed at a concentration of 1 mg/L. This suggests that aquatic ecosystem is one of the most vulnerable
objects of the environment to nanoparticles. The high sensitivity of these organisms places them on a par with very promising
biotest assays for quality monitoring of the environment which is contaminated with silver nanoparticles. Titanium dioxide
nanoparticles have both positive and negative or neutral effects upon plants and these effects depend on concentration. The assays
with mammalian and human cells show a negative effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles at concentration above 100 mg/L
or have no effect at all. The size-depended toxicity analyses revealed that the less nanoparticles size was the greater toxic effect
was. In the final analysis, the responses of living organisms of various habitats to the presence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles
in the environment are insufficiently investigated. There is insufficient data in world literature about size-dependent toxicity
of these nanoparticles to various organisms. These issues require further study.
Article published in number 3 for 2018 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2018-3-005-011
Views: 44
Comparative analysis of the effectiveness of the use of sorbents of different nature with respect to copper(II) ions
S. G. Skugoreva, G. Ya. Kantor, L. I. Domracheva, T. I. Kutyavina
Section: Research methods. Models and projects
A comparative analysis of the efficiency of sorbents of various types (activated carbon, zeolite, peat, fungi
Fusarium
culmorum
, cyanobacteria
Nostoc paludosum
K
ü
tz, grass
Hordeum distichum
L.) with respect to copper(II) ions was car
-
ried out. Potentiometric method for measuring the potential of an ion-selective electrode sensitive to concentration of
copper(II) ions in the solution was used. The sorption curves were recorded in real time with the help of specially devel
-
oped original software for the ionomer. To describe the kinetics of sorption, mathematical models (pseudo-first order and
pseudo-second order models, second-order modified model, and Elovich’s model) were used to identify the contribution
of the chemical stage to the sorption process.
It was found that the sorption process of most sorbents is well described by a pseudo-second order model or a modi
-
fied pseudo-second order, according to which the sorbate and the sorbent functional group interact with each other at
a 1:1 ratio. The parameters of the equation of the pseudo-second-order model are calculated: the kinetic coefficient (
k
2
)
determining the sorption rate, and the equilibrium (limiting) specific mass of the sorbate (
a
e
), which corresponds to the
sorption capacity of the sorbent. Series of sorbents have been ranked by decreasing the rate of sorption and sorption capacity.
The comparison of the kinetic curves shows that sorbents of inorganic nature, zeolite and activated carbon have
the least sorption effectiveness. The sorption potential of microorganisms and peat can be characterized as average. The
most effective sorbents of heavy metal ions were samples of barley plants, which possessed the highest sorption rate and
high sorption capacity.
The use of microbial-plant associations as sorbents of heavy metals may be promising. It is necessary to select
microorganisms and plants to create various associations for study the kinetics of sorption with the aim of optimizing
sorption effectiveness.
Article published in number 3 for 2018 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2018-3-012-018
Views: 39
Modern trends in the development of bioassay methodologyof aquatic environments
A. S. Olkova
Section: Research methods. Models and projects
Bioassay is now an integral part of the “Effect-directed analysis” (EDA). We analyzed current research in the field of
biodiagnostics and environmental monitoring programs, which used bioassay methods. The modern bioassay methodol
-
ogy is developing in the following areas: the development and implementation of new bioassay methods, the development
of special bioassay devices, the detection of new informative test-functions based on the accounting of sublethal effects in
laboratory organisms, the evaluation and interpretation of the results of toxicological analysis of environmental components.
We propose three directions for evaluation and optimizing bioassay approaches and methods. First, we propose an algorithm
for selecting protocols of bioassay. This algorithm is based on the ranking of sensitivity of bioassay methods to the most
important pollutants in the territory of research. This approach will allow using only the most informative and sensitive
bioassay protocols in the further researches. The second direction in optimization of bioassay methods is strict standardiza
-
tion of maintenance conditions of test-organisms. We recommend verification of the influence of abiotic and biotic factors
on the test culture during the entire life cycle of individuals of a biological species. Life expectancy and ability of individuals
to reproduce are universal criteria of health for many animals. The third part of our work is the development of a system of
test-functions for laboratory animals consistently evaluated during a toxicological experiment. This approach allows tak
-
ing into account the different effects (lethal, sublethal, chronic and delayed) in the process of testing various substances
or aquatic environments. We tested this system of bioassay using
Daphnia magna
. The system of test-functions includes
14 response effects, which we took into account in three generations of crustaceans. The earliest responses of
D. magna
are
estimated from changes in motor activity and trophic activity of crustaceans. Delayed effects are diagnosed by changes in
fertility in the F
2
and F
3
generations, as well as the emergence of abortive eggs. Implementation of the proposed directions
of bioassay optimization will allow taking into account the multiplicity of obtaining objective results of ecotoxicological
analyses. Researchers can consistently use three parts of evaluation and optimizing of bioassay approaches at the planning
stage of enviro
Keywords: bioassay, bioassay methodology, methods of bioassay, test-function, laboratory test-organism
Article published in number 3 for 2018 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2018-3-019-026
Views: 25
Reducing the environmental threat of motor vehiclesby converting engines for operating on natural gas
V. Romanyuk, V. A. Likhanov, O. P. Lopatin
Section: Research methods. Models and projects
The article explains the necessity of using natural gas (NG) for motor vehicle diesel engines, which makes it possible
to reduce their environmental threat and to save motor oil fuel. The composition of the NG used and its physic-chemical
properties are presented in the article. In order to determine and to optimize the amount of the NG supplied for motor
diesel engines, the authors of the article have tested them on the electro-brake testing bench SAK-N670, which has a
balanced pendulum and the weighing machine “Rapido”. At the same time, the toxicity level of the exhaust gases (EG)
was determined using an automatic gas analysis system “ASGA-T”, and the smoke intensity of the exhaust gas was
estimated using an optical-electric reflectometer “Bosch EFAW-68A”. It has been experimentally established that for
the NG using in the tested motor vehicles diesel engines, it is necessary to maintain the following ratio of components:
gas should be 80%, diesel fuel filling should be 20%. When converting diesel engine 4F 11.0/2.5 installed on trucks
and tractors of urban public utilities to NG, and while the simultaneous use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) in it at a
rate of 20% (EGR is applied to eliminate the increased nitrogen oxides as a result of using NG), the content of nitrogen
oxides (NO
x
) in EG is reduced by 30.0–30.1%, carbon soot is reduced by 82.0–88.7%; carbon dioxide (CO
2
) is decreased
by 31.6–35.6%. When converting a diesel engine 4FC 11.0/12.5 installed on city passenger buses to NG, in the EG a
decrease in NO
x
content by 5.5–35.1% occurs; carbon soot decreases by 88.2–92.0%; carbon monoxide (CO) decreases
by up to 21.6%. The conversion of these motor diesel engines to work on NG, in addition to improving the environmental
performance of their EG indicators, also helps to save oil motor fuel in the amount of 80%.
Keywords: natural gas, exhaust gases, diesel, ecology of city
Article published in number 3 for 2018 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2018-3-027-032
Views: 29
Military activity influence on some metals content in the Saur-Mogila soil, Donbas
A. S. Alemasova, Y. I. Penkova, A. S. Pivovarova, R. V. Ostapenko
Section: Monitoring of anthropogenically disturbed areas
Soil samples were collected from funnels after artillery shelling (summer 2014) on burial mound Saur-Mogila
(Donbas, Ukraine) as well as from urban garden soil near motorway in the Donetsk central district in order to determine
the concentration of 11 toxic metals total content, acid-soluble forms and mobile forms. The concentrations of toxic met
-
als Cd, Pb, Sr, Mo, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Ga, Mn, Tl were compared with maximum permitted concentration and background
level. The results quality was controlled by standard addition method. The mean concentrations of Cd (2 samples) and
Co (one sample) exceeded the guidelines while the other metals did not exceed. The level of Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cd total
and mobile forms in funnels soils was 2–7 times lower than in polluted urban garden soil. The sources of toxic metals in
Donetsk garden soil may be from traffic and industrial emission. The total pollution index (Z
c
) is much lower than the
“permissible” category. The index of metals mobility (S
n
) indicates their insignificant mobility with the exception of lead
acid-soluble forms. The obtained results testify to the need for further systematic monitoring of the soils of battlefield in
Donbas. These results refuted the hypothesis as for soil toxic metals content influence on observable state of vegetation
in “Donetskiy Kryazh” landscape park near Saur-Mogila burial mound.
Keywords: toxic metals, total content, mobile forms, soils, funnels from artillery shelling, urban lawn soil
Article published in number 3 for 2018 DOI: 10.25750/1995-4301-2018-3-033-039
ISSN 1995-4301
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