Recultivated lands are a reserve for livestock feed

The purpose is to establish the possibility of using mined brick clay pits for grazing livestock and preparing animal feed. The paper deals with the investigation of the above ground phytomass field layer (Fh) being formed dusing the natural growth of mined brick clay pits. Methodology. Species composition of the projective cover and aboveground phytomass were established on the counting areas of 0.5 × 0.5 sizes evenly spaced on the bottom and slopes of pit. At each of the quarry elements at least 30 registration sites were laid. In addition a similar number of registration sites were laid next to the quarry where clay was not mined. Researches were carried out in the district of pine-birch pre-forest steppe forests of the Trans Urals plain province, the west Siberian plain forest region. Results. It was found that the soil of mined out pits does not contain heavy metal and other chemical elements hazardous to animals. The total aboveground phetomass of Fh at the bottom and slopes of the quarry is 1101.1 and 812.6 kg/ha in absolutely dry, state, respectively. The total projective cover at the bottom of the quarry 3 years after the technical stage of reclamation is 64.7 % and on the slopes 42.5 %. The presence of meadow species in the composition, in particular of legumes family (Vicia cracca L.; V. hybridum L.; V. sativa L.; V. vernus L.; V. sylvatica L.; Trifolium pretense L.; T. lupinaster L.; T. repens L.; T. hybridum L.; T. medium L.; Lathyrus pratensis L.; Melilotu salbus Medikus; M. officinalis L. Pall.; Medicago lupulina L.) indicates a high feed value of FR. Scientific novelty. The transfer of mined out brick clay pits for temporary agricultural use will contribute at the formation of soil on the bottom and slopes of the quarry and ultimately, increase the productivity of future plantations.

Distribution and numbers of waterbird species breeding in the city of Wrocław

During the years 2003-2010, the numbers of pairs of waterbird species breeding in the city of Wrocław (293 km2) were assessed. The city is situated in Odra valley, where four smaller rivers join it. The city abandons in oxbows, gravel and sand, and clay pits and other water bodies. In total, 20 waterbird species were recorded as breeding in Wrocław. The most common were Anas platyrhynchos (145-212 pairs), and Fulica atra (70-104 pairs). Relatively common were also the Gallinula chloropus (28-37 pairs), Rallus aquaticus (9-25 pairs) and Cygnus olor (9-11 pairs). For each remaining species less than 10 pairs were recorded. Among rare species, the following were recorded as breeding in Wrocław: Grus grus, Mergus merganser, and Porzana porzana. In the few recent decades, the increase in the number of breeding pairs was recorded for Anas platyrhynchos and Cygnus olor; while a parallel decrease was recorded for Fulica atra, Gallunula chloropus, Chroicocephalus ridibudnus, and Tachybaptus ruficollis. Species such as the Aythya fuligula, Aythya ferrina, grebes, gulls and terns avoid the city. Some of them even ceased to breed (Anas quarquedula, Anas clypeata and Botaurus stellaris). The city plays an important role in protecting water bird species such as Grus grus, Cygnus olor, Porzana porzana and Alcedo atthis.

Wild chimpanzees select tool material based on efficiency and knowledge

Some animals have basic culture, but to date there is not much evidence that cultural traits evolve as part of a cumulative process as seen in humans. This may be due to limits in animal physical cognition, such as an inability to compare the efficiency of a novel behavioural innovation with an already existing tradition. We investigated this possibility with a study on a natural tool innovation in wild chimpanzees: moss-sponging, which recently emerged in some individuals to extract mineral-rich liquids at a natural clay-pit. The behaviour probably arose as a variant of leaf-sponging, a tool technique seen in all studied chimpanzee communities. We found that moss-sponges not only absorbed more liquid but were manufactured and used more rapidly than leaf-sponges, suggesting a functional improvement. To investigate whether chimpanzees understood the advantage of moss- over leaf-sponges, we experimentally offered small amounts of rainwater in an artificial cavity of a portable log, together with both sponge materials, moss and leaves. We found that established moss-spongers (having used both leaves and moss to make sponges) preferred moss to prepare a sponge to access the rainwater, whereas leaf-spongers (never observed using moss) preferred leaves. Survey data finally demonstrated that moss was common in forest areas near clay-pits but nearly absent in other forest areas, suggesting that natural moss-sponging was at least partly constrained by ecology. Together, these results suggest that chimpanzees perceive functional improvements in tool quality, a crucial prerequisite for cumulative culture.

Natural and anthropogenic agents in the present geomorphological dynamics of the Torrent Corlo mountain catchment (Northern Apennines, Italy)

The morphological changes affecting a small mountain catchment in the territory of Modena (Italy) have been taken into account. In particular, based on detailed field surveys and analysis of remote sensing imagery, an assessment was made on the natural and anthropogenic agents which have modelled this basin in the past 80 years. For several decades, the Torrent Corlo catchment was subject to intense exploitation of clay raw materials in order to supply a flourishing ceramic tile industry. As a result, a strong, negative impact has affected the landscape and, in some areas, the geomorphological evolution due to man’s activities greatly surpasses the changes ascribable to natural processes, such as landslides or stream channel processes. Since 2008, all quarrying activities have ceased and the local public administration has started a project of reclamation of the abandoned clay pits, although it will not be possible to restore completely the original, natural features of this catchment. A comparison is made with the sub-catchment Rio delle Vigne valley, which has been spared from anthropogenic changes and has been affected only by natural gravity-induced processes, which have produced some twelve landslides. The final products of this research are the implementation of the first geomorphological map of the T. Corlo mountain catchment and an updated version of the hydrological hazard map, in which active and dormant landslides are much more numerous than those mapped in any other previous geological map (s.l.). These documents can be utilized for any intervention by public boards aiming at recuperating and improving this intensely exploited area.

Cities and Disturbed Areas as Man-made Shelters for Orchid Communities

Many species from the family Orchidaceae spread in anthropogenic habitats and numerous studies documenting this process are known. Unfortunately, such data are scattered throughout various papers and reports, sometimes fragmentary and hard to reach (the ‘grey literature’). Scientific elaboration on this topic still lacks a comprehensive review and summary of the scale of this phenomenon. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to gather, review and analyse such data, seeking the answer to the question whether the man-made habitats can be considered as refugee for orchids. The paper summarises data on the occurrence of orchid species in man-made habitats in Europe originating from published and unpublished sources. The particular emphasis was placed in urban habitats. For this purpose, the floristically data from 42 European cities were used. The conducted studies showed that the apohytism phenomenon in the family Orchidaceae was more widespread than had been previously reported. As a result, 70 species of orchids in the distinguished man-made habitats were found. The majority of the species grow on sand and clay pits. The most common species were Epipactis helleborine and Dactylorhiza majalis. The gathered data have confirmed that man-made habitats become refugee for many orchid species in the aftermath of the loss of their natural habitats. Thus, protection of sites transformed by man with orchid occurrence should be taken into consideration. These sites can become a source of very useful information for biogeographically and phylo-geographically analyses of many valuable and endangered species.

Floristic Survey of Summer Aspect in Chosen China Clay Pits in Western Bohemia

Five different china clay pits in the western part of the Czech Republic were explored and plant species were determined. These chosen pits were: Hájek-western part, Chlumčany, Horní Bříza, Otovice and Podlesí II. China clay pits with active excavation represent a specific environment concerning both physical and chemical characteristics. This article is presenting a list of the higher plants which were found within active excavation or former excavation areas. Species with a protection status according to the Czech legislation are presented in more detail. 189 different species have been found in total, including 2 species from category C4 – potentially vulnerable taxa, 6 species from category C3 – endangered taxa and 1 species from the C1 – critically threatened taxa from the Red List of Vascular Plants of the Czech Republic. 28 different species occurred at each of the five sites. Predominant species favour sandy substratum and bare surface.