Space Use by Woolly Wolf Canis lupus chanco in Gangotri National Park, Western Himalaya, India

The woolly wolf Canis lupus chanco is increasingly being accepted as a unique taxon that needs immediate protection and management; however, information on its ecology remains limited across its range. We used camera trapping data set of 4 years (2015–2019) to investigate seasonal activity patterns and space use and assessed woolly wolf food habits in the Gangotri National Park, western Himalaya, India. We used generalized linear mixed models to assess the distribution of the wolf about prey, seasonal livestock grazing, human presence, habitat, and seasons. We observed a positive association with elevation and a negative response to an increase in ruggedness. The capture of wolves increased in winters, indicating a possible effect of snow on the ranging pattern. Spatial avoidance to anthropogenic pressure was not evident in our study; however, temporal avoidance was observed. The activity pattern of the wolf varied among seasons. Wolves were mostly active in the morning and late evening hours in summer and showed a diurnal activity pattern in winter. A less diverse diet was observed where the mean percentage frequency of occurrence and relative biomass was highest for bharal, followed by livestock. Himalayan marmot Marmota himalayana, birds, and rodents also form minor constituents to the diet. Synthesizing all three factors (space, diet, and activity), it may be stated that the wolf presence in the region is influenced by both wild prey availability and seasonality. Therefore, conservation of woolly wolves would require securing a vast landscape with optimal wild prey.

Agro-Fruit-Forest Systems Based on Argan Tree in Morocco: A Review of Recent Results

The argan tree, Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels, is a horticultural forestry species characterized by its endemicity and adaptation to arid and semi-arid zones in the southwest of Morocco. Despite its limited geographical distribution, argan tree presents large genetic diversity, suggesting that improvement of argan is possible. This species plays important ecological, and socioeconomic roles in the sustainable development of the country. The integration of arganiculture into Moroccan agricultural policy has been implemented through a sector strategy, which is fully aligned with the conservation and regeneration of argan forest. A. spinosa is suitable for incorporation into different agroforestry productive systems under agro-fruit-forest model and its domestication will provide a powerful means of socio-economic and environmental management. Here, we provide an overview of the argan tree literature and highlight the specific aspects of argan stands, as agro-forest systems, with the aim of developing an adequate strategy of conservation and domestication of this species. We introduce promising programs and projects for argan plantations and arganiculture, which have been adopted to relieve anthropogenic pressure on the natural argan forest.

DATA ON WHITE STORK NESTS (Ciconia ciconia Linnaeus, 1758) FROM SEVERAL VILLAGES IN ARGEȘ COUNTY AND OLT COUNTY

In this paper is presented the situation of the White Stork breeding from several villages in the Argeş County and Olt County, in 2021. The data were collected during the White Stork Census in Romania, coordinated at the national level by the Romanian Ornithological Society (SOR) and Milvus Group. We checked the presence of nests in the 7 localities in Argeș County and Olt County using the car and the GPS track. The data is used to calculate numbers and study population trends of the species in Romania. An analysis was performed on several indicators (uH, HPo, HPm, Hpa, H, JZG) that characterize the reproduction, as well as other facts about the distribution. The results were compared with those from the previous White Stork census in Argeş County, in 2004 and 2014. Although the population of the White Storks from Argeş County shows a slight increase in this localities, the anthropogenic pressure is strong, in addition the dry climate, from the south of Arges County, strongly affects, at local level, the population of the White Storks.

Ubiquitous but Ignored? A Case of Water Beetle in Southeastern Europe

Although freshwater habitats, especially springs, are widely recognized as top-priority habitats for monitoring and conservation procedures, their fauna, especially water beetles, are still poorly studied in the southeastern part of Europe. Thus, the dominant water beetle in these habitats, E. bosnica (Zaitzev, 1908) (Insecta: Coleoptera: Elmidae), has been completely ignored and misidentified. This study represents the first review of its taxonomy and its population and ecological traits. Both published and unpublished data are presented and discussed, as well as the results of field sampling in 46 springs and other waterbodies conducted in this region from 2004 to 2019. The identification characters of the male genitalia and the first DNA barcode of the species are presented. The results confirm the close phylogenetic relationship of E. bosnica with E. aenea (Müller, 1806) and E. rioloides (Kuwert, 1890). The species proved to be a useful environmental descriptor and can easily be used as a biological indicator due to its easy identification. The species shows remarkable sensitivity to environmental conditions and inhabits sites that are potentially under increased anthropogenic pressure and could disappear at an alarming rate. Thus, karstic habitats should be included in future conservation and monitoring procedures in this part of Europe.

Influence Of Quarantine Measures Against The New Coronavirus Infection Covid-19 On The State Of Black Sea Coastal Waters

The Black Sea is one of the main recreational facilities in Russia subject to a high annual anthropogenic stress. Anthropogenic activity led to high coastal sea waters pollution, eutrophy, and endangered the sea’s self-purification capabilities. The total quarantine introduced on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar territory associated with the new coronavirus infection COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in anthropogenic pressure on coastal ecosystems and provided a unique opportunity to trace the dynamics of the most important hydrochemical indicators of coastal waters in the Tuapse district. The study aimed to characterize the impact of quarantine measures against the coronavirus on the state of coastal waters in the eastern part of the Russian Black Sea. For this, we identified and characterized the hydrochemical indicators and determined the effect of quarantine measures on their dynamics. The study used the standardized methods. The results obtained showed that a decrease in the recreational stress led to a proportional decrease in the pollutants supply to coastal sea waters; with the recreational stress resumption the concentrations of mobile pollutants tended to increase; a proportional relationship was established between biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5 ) and the ammonium nitrogen (NH4+) concentration; the nitrates’ (NO3–) concentration, in the seawater did not depend on the recreational stress degree. In particular, a proportional increase in NH4+ concentration and BOD5 in seawater was detected: in the third quarter of 2019 the concentration of NH4+ and BOD5 amounted to 3.0 mg/dm3 and 8.5 mg/dm3 , and 3.8 mg/dm3 and 7.5 mg/dm3 in the fourth quarter, respectively; in the 2020 samples, a decrease in the NH4+ concentration to 0.8 mg/dm3 in the third and to 1.2 mg/dm3 in the fourth quarter led to a proportional decrease in BOD5 4.5 mg/dm3 and 3.9 mg/dm3 , respectively. Thus, it was shown that the quarantine measures were shown to have a positive effect on the processes of self-purification of coastal sea waters in recreational zones.

Beach and Dune Erosion: Causes and Interventions, Case Study: Kaulon Archaeological Site

The dune systems are very important from an environmental, landscape, and coastal defense point of view within coastal areas. Currently, dune systems are significantly reduced compared to a few decades ago and, in Europe alone, dune systems have decreased by 70%. During the same period, intense beach erosion processes have often been observed, and, currently, 30% of the world’s coasts are eroding. These processes have various causes, both natural and anthropogenic, and the knowledge of the causes of the erosive processes are very important for an effective planning and management of coastal areas and to correctly plan any interventions on dunes and beaches. The paper, through a case study, analyzes the beach and dune erosive processes, their causes, and the possible interventions. The case study concerns the archaeological site of Kaulon, located on a dune in the Ionian coast of Calabria (Italy). The beach near the site was affected by erosive processes and during the winter of 2013–2014, the site was damaged by two sea storms. To identify the causes of these processes, three erosive factors were analyzed. These factors are anthropogenic pressure, wave climate and sea storms, and river transport. The effects produced by these factors were assessed in terms of shoreline changes and of damage to the beach–dune system, also evaluating the effectiveness of the defense interventions. The main causes of the erosive processes were identified through the cross analysis of erosive factors and their effects. This analysis highlighted that in the second half of the last century the erosive processes are mainly correlated to anthropogenic pressure while, recently, natural factors prevail, especially sea storms. Regarding the interventions, the effects produced by two interventions carried out during the winter of 2013–2014, one built in urgency between the first and second sea storm and the other built a few years after the second sea storm were analyzed. This analysis highlighted that the latter intervention was more effective in defending the site.

THE USE OF MULTISUBSTRATE MIXTURES FOR METHANE BIOSYNTHESIS BY AN ADAPTED COMPLEX OF MICROORGANISMS FOR OBTAINING ORGANIC FERTILIZER

Due to the istabiity of market prices for traditional hydrocarbon energy resources and negative impact of their combustion products on the environment, recently quite rapidly develop technology that provide for, first of all, renewable energy sources. One of the promising areas of alternative energy is bioenergy is a branch of biotechnology that considers organic matter of biomass of various origins (mainly agricultural waste) as a fuel source. Among the main advantages of energy biotechnology, it should be noted the speed and relative ease of recovery of the energy substrate, as well as the fact that it is not alien to the environment, so, even if released in quantities exceeding the permissible ones, this will not lead to irreversible changes in the ecosystem. Excess biomass will quickly be incorporated into biogeochemical cycles, which is the key to minimizing environmental damage. The process of bioconversion of methane from organic substrate compounds (carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, organic acids, alcohols), which in three stages, is called methanogenesis. This process involves a specific complex bacterial enzyme system, consisting of the following coenzymes: methanofuran, tetrahydro-methanopterin, coenzymes F420 and F430, coenzyme M (CoM), coenzyme B. Using of ways of processing and waste disposal, that based on alternative biological recycling methods of organic pollutants does not always allow to achieve the expected effect, in particular on artificially created ecosystems of animal farms working in a closed mode. Concentration on a small area of a significant amount of biowaste (manure, dung, process runoffs etc.) of the cattle kept in the facilities of live-stock industry, contaminates soils, water bodies and atmospheric air with microorganisms, dust, harmful gases and other decomposition products. Often, it is one of the main factors constrainting on the growth of livestock enterprises and agro-industrial complex (AIC) capacities in general, restraining the economic development of regions specializing in agricultural production. For the first time in the region, study was carried out in order to determine the most efficient way to process miskantus phytomass for the production as target products of methane-containing biogas mixture and organo-mineral fertilizer suitable for use in agriculture and forestry. An economically and ecologically attractive way of utilization of wastes of phyto- and zoogenic origin, which makes it possible significantly reduce anthropogenic pressure on the environment, has been proposed.

Natural and anthropogenic changes threatening the ecological and limnological integrity of Lake Baringo, Kenya: A Review

Lakes are characterized by dynamic responses to ecological and limnologic disturbances that occur within a constrained timeframe. Some endorheic lakes in the Kenyan Rift valley are presently regarded as environmental hotspots because of complex changes that are revealed through multiple proxies; changing lake levels and surface area, turbidity and sedimentation, proliferation of macrophytes and loss of aquatic biodiversity. Lake Baringo is characterized by widespread catchment degradation accompanied by high levels of turbidity during erratic and decline of native fishery based on Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis. A careful analysis implicates potential natural factors such as catchment topography and increasing anthropogenic pressure as the main causes of lake ecosystem degradation. This paper recommends several strategies for restoration of Lake Baringo based on an integrated multi-faceted approach which combines catchment rehabilitation, pollution control and provision of alternative livelihoods such as agriculture to the riparian communities.

Ecological State of Lake Gusinoe—A Cooling Pond of the Gusinoozersk GRES

The study of the transformation of substances in the basin of the Selenga River—the main tributary of Lake Baikal—under anthropogenic pressure and in the context of global climate change, is especially important for the lake, a globally important source of drinking water. The ecosystem of Lake Gusinoe is one of the key objects in the Selenga River basin that is exposed to significant anthropogenic pressure. This study presents the results of an analysis of water level changes and physicochemical parameters of the water mass of Lake Gusinoe; literature data from 1951 to 2017 and own data from 2017 to 2021. The water level in the lake had depended on natural factors before the Gusinoozersk GRES was launched; however, since the plant has begun using the lake as a cooling pond, its level has actually been regulated by the economic entity. Over the years, there has been a significant increase in mineralization, sulfate, sodium, fluoride and organic matter fractions resistant to oxidation. Seasonal increases in iron and manganese concentrations in water were detected. Increased concentrations of nutrients and organic matter fractions resistant to oxidation were registered at the wastewater discharge sites. Heavy metals in the bottom sediments of Lake Gusinoe accumulate mainly in the silt of the deep zone of the lake. Plants growing in the zones of influence of the Gusinoozersk GRES and Gusinoozersk wastewater discharge accumulate the largest amount of metals.

Dead man’s fingers point towards new species: A taxonomic revision of Alcyonium aurantiacum with statistical discrimination methods and a survey of integrative taxonomy in Octocorallia

<p><b>Octocorals are a diverse group of sessile, colonial, filter-feeding anthozoan cnidarians, which form significant components of benthic marine communities worldwide. Globally, the most critical hurdle to the effective management of octocorals in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressure is the poor state of their species-level taxonomy, which hinders understanding of their biodiversity. New Zealand’s octocoral assemblage is among the most diverse of any country and is characterised by high levels of endemism, yet over half of its octocoral species remain undescribed. While progress is being made, this has focussed almost exclusively on protected deep-sea gorgonian octocorals.</b></p> <p>Unprotected coastal soft corals are less studied in New Zealand. This includes the endemic Alcyonium aurantiacum Quoy and Gaimard, 1833. Multiple, morphologically diverse forms have been attributed to this species. Here, the taxonomic status of A. aurantiacum is reviewed, and its phylogenetic relationships are examined using molecular data (nuclear 28S and mitochondrial MutS genes), which is compared to morphology in an integrative approach. As a result, evidence for two new, endemic genera and ten new species is presented. Alcyonium aurantiacum is referred to Kotatea gen. n. (as K. aurantiaca comb. n.), which contains seven additional new species. A second genus, Ushanaia gen. n., contains three new species.</p> <p>Of the new taxa described herein, K. aurantiaca and K. lobata sp. n. are the most commonly encountered and widespread, yet little is known regarding their biology. Both species co-occur in their natural habitat, could not be differentiated genetically with the tools used here, and can be difficult to distinguish without microscopic sclerite examinations. To facilitate the identification of these two similar species by non-taxonomists, a statistical model was developed that can discriminate them with up to 90% accuracy using easily obtainable measurements of gross colony morphology. Relationships between colony morphology and depth are also examined.</p> <p>Considering the difficulties associated with species discrimination among octocorals, a literature survey was conducted to review the use of integrative taxonomy in this group since the start of the 21st century, focusing particularly on morpho-molecular data comparisons. This revealed that, while description rates at family, genus, and species levels over the last twenty-one years rank among the highest ever, integrative techniques have been applied unevenly across taxonomic groups and geographic regions and overall remain a minority compared to taxonomic research based solely on morphology. Implementation of the integrative approach is increasing, however, as are the per-annum number of taxonomic publications and the total pool of authors associated with these publications.</p> <p>It is hoped that the research presented herein can contribute to ongoing global efforts of revising octocoral systematics and that the examination of integrative practices in octocoral taxonomy will serve as a baseline against which future taxonomic progress can be compared and promoted. For New Zealand specifically, elucidating the taxonomy and variability of these endemic taxa will enable aspects such as their contribution to ecosystem functioning and management needs to be examined accurately for the first time, which in turn may lead to their recognition as organisms worthy of legal protection.</p>