Еxperience of maidenhair tree cultivation (Ginkgo biloba L.) in the dendrological park “Berezynka” of Mukachevo state forestry

An inventory of the only in Ukraine ginkgo biloba stand, created by planting forest crops in the arboretum «Berezynka». The distribution of tree trunks by thickness and statistical characteristics by diameter are given, the degree of defoliation and sanitary condition of ginkgo biloba stand are determined. The obtained results can be used to model the forest mesuration structure and merchantable volume structure of future ginkgo biloba stands during its plantation cultivation. The results of the study indicate the high resistance of the species to environmental factors in the region, which makes it possible to recommend this relict species for implementation in forestry practice.

Problems and prospects of introduction and distribution of Allium obliquum L. in Ukraine

Aim. To investigate the distribution of a rare perennial species in Ukraine — Allium obliquum L. and prospects for the development of the plant as a vegetable and ornamental crop. Methods. Materials for the analysis of the state of distribution in the area of origin, problems and prospects of development of the species Allium obliquum L. in Ukraine have been studied and generalized based on the results of processing scientific sources of literature. On the basis of own researches of a species, the forecast concerning prospects of introduction of a species in domestic vegetable growing, and also as an ornamental plant, is made; the necessary scientific, practical and organizational measures are identified. Results. Non-traditional species of perennial bulbous plants have significant potential for development in the vegetable growing. These include Allium obliquum L. — a rare relict species of onion in Ukraine with a disjunctive range, now its status — endangered, listed in the Red Book of Ukraine, which has decorative and nutritional value. When used as a vegetable, Allium obliquum L. can grow in one place for 10–15 years. Development of this species in vegetable growing in Ukraine is possible through the introduction into horticulture and ornamental floriculture based on the results of a comprehensive and large-scale study of the species in nature and culture, a long process of acclimatization, reacclimatization and reintroduction. Conclusions. An important stage of the breeding process is the introduction and mobilization of genetic resources to form a collection of source material Allium obliquum L. of various ecological and geographical origins, selection of sources and donors of economically valuable traits and properties, their involvement in the breeding process. An urgent task in Ukraine is the development of methodological and regulatory documentation, which is necessary both at the stage of scientific and technical examination of potentially created varieties, and in the production of seeds and marketable products.

Vascular flora of Ruy mountain (Znepole region) and its medicinal plants

As a result of the performed research of the Ruy mountain flora, 261 plant species were found and established. These refer to 176 genera and 57 families. There was a floral analysis performed, which determined 116 medicinal plants species. The examined local flora has 12 Balkan endemites and 19 relict species. There is one species with endangered conservation status – Galanthus elwesii Hook. f. There were 7 species determined, which fall within the scope of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The plant species found were examined and determined in terms of biological types. The floral complex of this local flora was also determined.

Habitat Use and Activity Patterns of Mammals and Birds in Relation to Temperature and Vegetation Cover in the Alpine Ecosystem of Southwestern China with Camera-Trapping Monitoring

The high-altitude ecosystem of the Tibetan Plateau in China is a biodiversity hotspot that provides unique habitats for endemic and relict species along an altitudinal gradient at the eastern edge. Acquiring biodiversity information in this area, where the average altitude is over 4000 m, has been difficult but has been aided by recent developments in non-invasive technology, including infrared-triggered camera trapping. We used camera trapping to acquire a substantial number of photographic wildlife records in Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China, from 2013 to 2016. We collected information of the habitat surrounding the observation sites, resulting in a dataset covering 37 species and 12 environmental factors. We performed a multivariate statistical analysis to discern the dominant environmental factors and cluster the mammals and birds of the ecosystem in order to examine environmental factors contributing to the species’ relative abundance. Species were generalized into three main types, i.e., cold-resistant, phyllophilic, and thermophilic, according to the identified key environmental drivers (i.e., temperature and vegetation) for their abundances. The mammal species with the highest relative abundance were bharal (Pseudois nayaur), Moupin pika (Ochotona thibetana), and Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana). The bird species with highest relative abundance were snow partridge (Lerwa lerwa), plain mountain finch (Leucosticte nemoricola), Chinese monal (Lophophorus lhuysii), and alpine accentor (Prunella collaris).

The ecology and evolution of the Monito del monte, a relict species from the southern South America temperate forests

The arboreal marsupial Monito del Monte (genus Dromiciops, with two recognized species) is a paradigmatic mammal. It is the sole living representative of the order Microbiotheria, the ancestor lineage of Australian marsupials. Also, this marsupial is the unique frugivorous mammal in the temperate rainforest, being the main seed disperser of several endemic plants of this ecosystem, thus acting as keystone species. Dromiciops is also one of the few hibernating mammals in South America, spending half of the year in a physiological dormancy where metabolism is reduced to 10% of normal levels. This capacity to reduce energy expenditure in winter contrasts with the enormous energy turnover rate they experience in spring and summer. The unique life-history strategies of this living Microbiotheria, characterized by an alternation of life in the slow and fast lanes, putatively represent ancestral traits that permitted these cold-adapted mammals to survive in this environment. Here we describe the ecological role of this emblematic marsupial, summarizing the ecophysiology of hibernation and sociality, actualized phylogeographic relationships, reproductive cycle, trophic relationships, mutualisms, conservation and threats. This marsupial shows high densities, despite presenting slow reproductive rates, a paradox that is explained by the unique characteristics of its three-dimensional habitat. We finally suggest immediate actions to protect these locally abundant but globally threatened species.

Protohemiphlebiidae fam. nov., a stem hemiphlebioid damselfly from Cretaceous amber in Kachin

Hemiphlebiidae are the most basal lestomorphan family following the latest phylogenetic analysis of the Zygoptera: this unique damselfly family today contains one relict species found in the wetlands of Australia. It was, however, very diverse and widespread during the Mesozoic. Nevertheless, very few species were known obscuring the origination and early evolution of the family. Here we propose a new stem hemiphlebioid taxon (Protohemiphlebiidae Zheng, Jarzembowski & Nel, fam. nov.) based on a new genus and two species: Protohemiphlebia zhangi Zheng, Jarzembowski & Nel, sp. nov. and Protohemiphlebia meiyingae Zheng, Jarzembowski & Nel, sp. nov. The new family shares the characters of both Hemiphlebiidae and Coenagrionoidea, but it is more closely related to Hemiphlebiidae in having the pterostigma with a ‘star-shaped’ microsculpture, and AA originating from the wing base slightly distal of Ax0. Protohemiphlebia Zheng, Jarzembowski & Nel, gen. nov. is further considered to belong to the stem group of Hemiphlebioidea, instead of belonging to the Hemiphlebiidae, in possessing pretibial combs and a weakly kinked RP1 below the Pt-brace. The new damselflies will help to calibrate the origin of Hemiphlebiidae, which could be earlier than their current oldest records in the Kimmeridgean (Late Jurassic).

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA IN THE CONTEXT OF REGIONAL AND GLOBAL COOPERATION FOR CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY

UDK: 574:502(497.6) With the geographical position and climate conditions it has, Bosnia and Herzegovinais a countryof unique life forms and biodiversity. The flora, fauna and fungi of Bosnia and Herzegovina are among the most diverse in Europe, and the high level of endemism and relict species provide for the country’s significance at the global biodiversity level (UNCBD, 2019). Since 2002, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a party to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), has been following global trends of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Followingthe Convention, among others, six national reports were developed, as well as the Strategy and Action Plan for Protection of Biological Diversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina (NBSAP) by 2020. These documents seek to ensure that protection and sustainable use of biodiversity become inevitable principles when relevant sectoral policies, strategies and legislation at all governmental levels of Bosnia and Herzegovina are being developed. In 2013, the Bosnian-Herzegovina Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) portal for sharing information on biodiversity was established within the global network CBD CHM. As a member country of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), Bosnia and Herzegovina actively represents and advocates for the interests of Eastern Europe. Bosnia and Herzegovina has made significant contribution to the preparation of a Regional and Sub-Regional Assessment for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for Europe and Central Asia, which was adopted at the Sixth Plenary Session of IPBES (Medellin, Colombia, March 2018). In the context of regional and global cooperation, Bosnia and Herzegovina significantly contributes to the organization of the workshop and the preparation of an Eastern European Action Document on Pollinators, Food Security and Rural Development, within BES-Net Trialogue. Bosnia and Herzegovina reaffirmed its commitment to the status of pollinators by accessing to the global Coalition of the Willing on Pollinators at the 6th IPBES Plenary Session.

State of the relict species Abies sibirica Ledeb. in the natural monument «Sinegorskaya fir grove» (Koktau mountains)

The article presents the results of studies of Siberian fir (Abies sibirica Ledeb.) in the natural monument «Sinegorskaya fir grove». In order to study the current state and development of the relict population field expeditions were conducted. By route-reconnaissance method the main occupied areas of the population on Mountain Medvedka were observed: the eastern, northern and western slopes, as well as two peaks. The studied population is represented by all age groups. There are 3 main types of A. sibirica Ledeb. phytocenoses: birch-fir (Betula pendula Roth, A. sibirica Ledeb.), fir (A. sibirica Ledeb.) and fir-aspen (Populus tremula L., A. sibirica Ledeb.). Parameters such as the height of mature trees, annual growth, length of young needles and the amount of young undergrowth have been determined. It has been established that the regeneration of the species directly depends on the type of phytocenosis. Based on the results of observations of the state, renewal and dispersal of Siberian fir only birch-fir communities are characterized by optimal conditions. In communities with aspen the species is severely oppressed. Diseases and pests were found in clean plantations. The limiting factors for the species are xerophytization of the habitat and the lack of sufficient soil layer. As additional protection measures to increase regeneration artificial re-sowing of seeds and planting of fir seedlings were suggested. Constant monitoring of the state of the population was proposed.