scholarly journals The speckled ground squirrel (Spermophilus suslicus) in Belarus: new localities, old threats, and prospects of conservation

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (21) ◽  
pp. 84-90
Author(s):  
Andrey Abramchuk ◽  
◽  
Sergey Shokalo ◽  
Yuriy Yankevich ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Red Lists ◽  
Large Colony ◽  
New Localities ◽  
Spermophilus Suslicus ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Two Stages

The study was carried out as part of the project "Superrodent" and is devoted to the description of new record localities of the spotted ground squirrel (Spermophilus suslicus s. l.) discovered by the authors during 2019–2020. It is one of the rarest species of rodents and mammals in the fauna of Belarus in general. This species suffers from anthropogenic changes in the environment and its agricultural development and to ensure its protection it is listed in a number of ‘red lists’, including the IUCN Red List and the Red Book of the Republic of Belarus (since 2015). The search for ground squirrel habitats was carried out in two stages. The first included the analysis of the literature on already known localities and biotope preferences, including cartographic data to identify promising areas to search for. The second stage provides a direct survey of prospective sites, their photo documentation and a detailed description. In total, nine new habitats of the species were identified within four administrative districts of Minsk Oblast of Belarus: Nesvizh Raion (4), Stowbtsy Raion (1), Baranivka Raion (1) and Kapyl Raion (2). In addition, an inspection of the sites previously identified by the authors revealed that some of them have already disappeared or are in critical state, the reason for which is primarily the land ploughing. In fact, today there are only six viable suslik settlements in Belarus. All of them are confined to elevated areas of the Kopyl ridge, which is located in the northern part of the Continental biogeographic region. Most of the surviving colonies are not large and consist of a few dozen to 150 living burrows. The number of the only large colony (Yushevichi) is estimated at 10 to 11 thousand individuals. All other inhabited colonies are located at a distance as far as 6 km from the Yushevichi colony. In other regions of Belarus, despite searches, ground squirrels are currently not found. The key threats to the species' existence are the ploughing of colonies and the overgrowth of tall grasses and trees and shrubs. In our opinion, for the long-term preservation of the species in the country, it is necessary to establish an appropriate protection regime (management), as well as the implementation of comprehensive monitoring: monitoring of threats, successions of plant communities, and the state of ground squirrel populations. Suggestions for protection and further monitoring of locations are given. Among other initiatives, the authors sent proposals to local authorities on granting protection status to areas with settlements of ground squirrels.

scholarly journals Buglossoporus pulvinus, a rare wood-inhabiting fungus on ancient oak trees in Poland: ecology, distribution and extinction risk assessment

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Szczepkowski ◽  
Błażej Gierczyk ◽  
Anna Kujawa
Keyword(s):  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Red Lists ◽  
Oak Trees ◽  
New Localities ◽  
Białowieża National Park ◽  
Extinction Risk Assessment ◽  
Iucn Red List Criteria

Buglossoporus pulvinus is widely distributed across Europe, within the range of Quercus robur. Throughout the area in which it appears, it is rare or very rare. It is listed as an endangered species in Europe and has been added to the Red Lists of fungi in a number of countries, along with awaiting inclusion in the IUCN Red List. In this study we have critically analysed the existing data about the occurrence of B. pulvinus in Poland. We have presented two new localities of the species in question in Poland, as well as new occurrences on the territory of the Białowieża National Park, the only place where this species had been previously recorded in Poland. Selected trees and logs inhabited by B. pulvinus have been characterized. We have indicated the number of observed basidiomata, their phenology, and the sizes of the largest specimens. We have identified 8 fungus species (Bisporella citrina, Daedalea quercina, Hapalopilus croceus, Hymenochaete rubiginosa, Laetiporus sulphureus, Mycena galericulata, M. inclinata, Xylobolus frustulatus) that coexist with B. pulvinus. Based on the new distribution data for B. pulvinus in Poland, according to IUCN Red List criteria this species should be classified as Endangered (EN).

scholarly journals Agriculture and land use in the North of Russia: Case study of Karelia and Yakutia

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 1497-1511
Author(s):  
Alexey Naumov ◽  
Varvara Akimova ◽  
Daria Sidorova ◽  
Mikhail Topnikov
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
The North ◽  
The Republic

AbstractDespite harsh climate, agriculture on the northern margins of Russia still remains the backbone of food security. Historically, in both regions studied in this article – the Republic of Karelia and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) – agricultural activities as dairy farming and even cropping were well adapted to local conditions including traditional activities such as horse breeding typical for Yakutia. Using three different sources of information – official statistics, expert interviews, and field observations – allowed us to draw a conclusion that there are both similarities and differences in agricultural development and land use of these two studied regions. The differences arise from agro-climate conditions, settlement history, specialization, and spatial pattern of economy. In both regions, farming is concentrated within the areas with most suitable natural conditions. Yet, even there, agricultural land use is shrinking, especially in Karelia. Both regions are prone to being affected by seasonality, but vary in the degree of its influence. Geographical location plays special role, and weaknesses caused by remoteness to some extent become advantage as in Yakutia. Proximity effect is controversial. In Karelia, impact of neighboring Finland is insignificant compared with the nearby second Russian city – Saint Petersburg.

Temperature and the Regulation of Enzyme Activity in the Hibernator. Isoenzymes of Liver Pyruvate Kinase from the Hibernating and Non-hibernating Arctic Ground Squirrel

1974 ◽  
Vol 52 (10) ◽  
pp. 894-902 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans W. Behrisch
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Pyruvate Kinase ◽  
Wide Temperature Range ◽  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Energy Charge ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Ground Squirrel ◽  
Temperature Range

Liver of the hibernating (H) Arctic ground squirrel (Citellus undulatus) contains a single species of pyruvate kinase (PyK) that is distinct from the single isoenzyme of pyK observed in the non-hibernating (NH) ground squirrel, which has been previously described (Behrisch &Johnson (1974) Can. J. Biochem. 52, 547–559). The H-PyK has a pI value of 5.7 and a molecular weight of 241 000 – 243 000. Affinity of the H-PyK for the substrates phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and ADP is not affected by changing temperature. It is argued that this stability of the apparent Km's for substrate over a wide temperature range permits the hibernator to take advantage of the Q10 effect in maintaining a low rate of the PyK reaction. Similarly, affinity of H-PyK for the allosteric activator fructose-1,6-phosphate (FDP) and the inhibitor ATP is also conspicuously independent of temperature, suggesting a fine stoichiometry in the relative concentrations of the regulatory ligands in control of H-PyK over a wide temperature range. Further, affinity of H-PyK for the inhibitor ATP is about three- to fourfold lower than that of the NH-PyK, a condition that would favor the maintenance of a high energy charge in the hibernating liver cell. ATP apparently inhibits PyK by causing a dissociation of the enzyme molecule into two "halves" of about 110 000 molecular weight each. This dissociation is offset and reversed by FDP. Removal of the ATP by dialysis does not of itself result in a reassociation of the PyK "halves"; FDP and/or the substrates are required for the two subunits of PyK to reassociate. As the apparent Ki of H-PyK for ATP is higher than that of NH-PyK, substantially higher concentrations of ATP are required to effect the dissociation of H-PyK. Similarly, elevated concentrations of FDP are required to offset the ATP-caused dissociation of the H-PyK.Hibernating Arctic ground squirrels that are preparing to emerge finally from the hibernating state already possess substantial activities of the NH-PyK isoenzyme. This suggests that the animal "anticipates" its transition from one metabolic state from another. On the basis of these data a formal mechanism is proposed for the regulation of liver PyK in the Arctic ground squirrel in both the non-hibernating and hibernating states.

Analysis of agricultural development of the Republic of Buryatia

2020 ◽  
pp. 64-73
Author(s):  
Sesegma Zhargalova ◽  
Maria Bazarova ◽  
Alla Gomboeva
Keyword(s):  
Russian Federation ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Self Sufficiency ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Production Resources

The article considers the place of agriculture in the economy, the structure of agricultural products in general and by category of farms in the Russian Federation and in the Republic of Buryatia. The dynamics of physical volumes of agricultural products is presented, availability and efficiency of use of production resources are analyzed, the level of self-sufficiency of the Republic of Buryatia in the main types of agricultural products is studied.

Weight in relation to sex, age, and season in Columbian ground squirrels (Sciuridae: Rodentia)

1981 ◽  
Vol 59 (6) ◽  
pp. 999-1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Boag ◽  
J. O. Murie
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Age Classes ◽  
Adult Weight ◽  
Spermophilus Columbianus ◽  
Large Colony ◽  
Potential Weight ◽  
Columbian Ground Squirrels

Annual weight gain in Columbian ground squirrels (Spermophilus columbianus) was studied over a period of 7 years in a large colony in southwestern Alberta. Juveniles approximately tripled their weight during the period from emergence to immergence, achieving about 60% of adult weight at onset of their first hibernation. Males were heavier than females and the weight gain in both sexes varied significantly among years. The weight characteristics of the age-classes up to 3 years were different from one another. Full potential weight was not achieved until squirrels were in their fourth summer. Males were always significantly heavier than females in nonjuvenile squirrels and the amount of weight gained by these classes varied significantly among years.

A comparative study of scent-gland location and related behaviour in some northwestern nearctic ground squirrel species (Sciuridae): an evolutionary approach

1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 1294-1306 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Keith Kivett ◽  
Jan O. Murie ◽  
André L. Steiner
Keyword(s):  
Ground Squirrel ◽  
Scent Marking ◽  
Ground Squirrels ◽  
Scent Gland ◽  
Anal Glands ◽  
Greeting Behavior ◽  
Mouth Corner ◽  
Northwestern North America ◽  
Gland Development ◽  
Dorsal Gland

Location and hisiology of integumentary glands were investigated in six species of ground squirrels of the genus Spermophilus found in northwestern North America; S. columbianus, S. undulatus, S. richardsonii, S. tridecemlineatus, S. lateralis, and S. franklinii. Among these species, glands in oral, dorsal, and anal regions were structurally similar. Locations of oral and anal glands were identical but location of individual glands in dorsal-gland fields varied considerably. Gland development was greater in S. columbianus and S. undulatus and least in S. franklinii. Active scent marking was most frequent and extensive in S. columbianus and S. undulatus, less frequent in S. lateralis and S. tridecemlineatus, and absent in S. franklinii. In most instances, greeting behavior (which is focused on the mouth-corner oral-gland area) and the degree of sociality paralleled levels of scent marking. A hypothetical scheme of development or scent marking in relation to habitat and social organization is presented. This scheme fits, in general, classical interpretations of phylogeny.

scholarly journals Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm Combined with Bipolar Sigmoid Function to Measure Open Unemployment Rate in Indonesia

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjar Wanto ◽  
Irfan Sudahri Damanik ◽  
Indra Gunawan ◽  
Eka Irawan ◽  
Heru Satria Tambunan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pattern Recognition ◽  
Unemployment Rate ◽  
Sigmoid Function ◽  
Marquardt Algorithm ◽  
Testing Data ◽  
Levenberg Marquardt ◽  
Unemployment Data ◽  
The Republic ◽  
The Government ◽  
Two Stages

The purpose of this research is to see how much open unemployment rate according to the highest education completed in the country of Indonesia for subsequent years through predictions used on the basis of existing data, which later as input for the government so that the government can make better policies to suppress the unemployment rate. This research uses artificial neural network application using a combination of Levenberg-Marquardt Algorithm with bipolar sigmoid function. Open unemployment data according to the highest education is sourced from the National Labor Force Survey of the Republic of Indonesia, 2013-2017 in each semester. The data processing consists of two stages where the first phase of pattern recognition and the second stage is predicted. Pattern recognition and prediction use different data from the same process that uses data training and data testing. Data Training year 2013-2015 with a target of 2016, while data testing year 2014-2016 with the target year 2017. Architectural model used there are five, among others 6-2-5-2, 6-5-6-2, 6- 5-8-2, 6-5-10-2 and 6-8-12-2. From the 5 models, it can be concluded that the best model is 6-5-10-2 with the epoch of 13 iterations, MSE in February 0.0109696004, MSE in August 0.0233797200. While the accuracy rate in February and August is the same, that is equal to 88%.

scholarly journals Environmental protection as a factor of agricultural development in the Republic of Serbia

2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 1367-1379
Author(s):  
Vladimir Šebek
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Agricultural Development ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Analysis Of Results ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Legal Entities

Public concern about the environmental impact of economic activities has significantly increased around the globe in recent years. Within the scope of unlawful acts, environmental delicts are among the most serious ones in terms of environmental impact, the consequences of which directly affect the quality and development of agriculture as the main branch of economic activity. The issue of environmental protection and liability can be approached from different perspectives, and the focus of the present research will be on the analysis of environmental delicts committed by legal entities, taking into consideration the importance and role of these entities in agriculture. In addition to general assumptions on legal regulation of the liability of legal entities, the authors also presented the results of research on legal entities reported, charged, and convicted for environmental delicts in the Republic of Serbia in the period from 2010 to 2017, with a special emphasis on the analysis of results obtained in the abovementioned research areas for the territory of AP Vojvodina.

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