Passing rail traffic reduces bat activity

Rail transport is expanding, with a global increase in infrastructure of up to one-third predicted by 2050. Greater reliance on rail is expected to benefit the environment at a planetary level, by mitigating transport-related carbon emissions. However, smaller-scale, more direct consequences for wildlife are unclear, as unlike roads, railway impacts on animal ecology are rarely studied. As a group, bats frequently interact with transport networks due to their broad distribution and landscape-scale movements. Additionally, their nocturnality, and use of echolocation mean bats are likely to be affected by light and noise emitted by trains. To investigate whether passing trains affect bat activity levels, we monitored the two most abundant UK species using ultrasonic detectors at 12 wooded rail-side sites in southern England. Activity fell by ≥ 30–50% each time a train passed, for at least two minutes. Consequently, activity was reduced for no less than one-fifth of the time at sites with median rail traffic, and two-thirds or more of the time at the busiest site. Such activity changes imply repeated evasive action and/or exclusion from otherwise favourable environments, with potential for corresponding opportunity or energetic costs. Hence, disturbance by passing trains may disadvantage bats in most rail-side habitats.

Analysis of the Correlation Between Ecological Status and Location Environment by Cultivated Land Restoration Type of Geumgang Riverine Ecobelt

Background and objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the ecological status of six areas around Geumgang River that used to be farmlands before they were restored as a riverine ecobelt. This study aims to analyze the correlation between the location environment and ecological status of the sites to identify the environmental factors affecting them. Methods: The sites are classified into four types according to restoration: terraced paddy fields, flat paddy fields, artificial wetland, and landscape forest. The survey items were divided into land use status, plant ecology, and animal ecology. Results: In terms of plant ecology, terraced paddy fields showed favorable naturality with the rate of native species above 90% and the naturalization index below 10%. In terms of animal ecology, the total number of species found in these areas was biggest in terraced paddy fields, followed by flat paddy fields, artificial wetland, and landscape forest. Regarding species diversity, terraced paddy fields also showed abundant species with an average of 1.05 to 1.09. The results of the correlation analysis showed that the forest area around the sites had the most significant effect on species diversity. The grassland and open water area showed a positive correlation with the total number of animal species and the number of dragonflies, confirming that the marshy grassland had a positive effect. As the cultivated land and urbanized area around the sites increased, it had a negative effect on the distribution of native species and the number of animal species that appeared, and a positive effect on the naturalization index. Conclusion: It is necessary to establish preemption and restoration plans for sites such as grasslands adjacent to the forest and terraced paddy fields in order to promote resilience of the diverse species returning to the purchased lands.

The implementation of mini-research project to train undergraduate students’ scientific writing and communication skills

Scientific writing and communication skills of undergraduate students in the Biology Education Program of University of Palangka Raya need to be improved. The purpose of this research was to implement mini-research in animal ecology field practice to train undergraduate students’ scientific writing and communication skills. This descriptive quantitative research used action-research method with two cycles in which each cycle consisted of four stages i.e (1) plan; (2) take action; (3) collect and analyze evidences, and (4) reflect. The data gained were analyzed descriptively and quantitatively. The results showed that the gain score of students’ scientific writing skills based on mini-research assessment was 0.6 (moderate category). Moreover, students' communication skills showed an improvement from cycle 1 to cycle 2 which was assessed during the presentation session. All the findings in this study indicate that the implementation of the mini-research project in the field practice of the animal ecology course helps students to develop scientific writing and communication skills.

Middle-Late Paleozoic conodont ecogeochemistry: an overview

The ecogeochemistry is the application of geochemical features to study animal ecology. This approach is promising for using in reconstructions of ancient pelagic ecosystems. Among other Paleozoic fossils of pelagic animals, remains of conodonts are the most suitable for ecogeochemical investigations. The article reviews ecogeochemical applications of Middle to Late Paleozoic conodont elements. The following features are considered as the most informative: calcium isotopic composition and element ratios (e.g. Sr/Ca) of conodont apatite, and isotopic composition of carbon of conodont elements. These parameters allow us supposing ecological specialization of conodont species, and temporal and spatial dynamics of the ecogeochemistry of conodonts can be used to reconstruct transformations of ancient pelagic ecosystems.