A Static Pulling Test Is a Suitable Method for Comparison of the Loading Resistance of Silver Birch (Betula pendula Roth.) between Urban and Peri-Urban Forests

In urbanized areas, wind disturbances can be intensified by anthropogenic stresses under which trees may become hazardous, creating serious threats and damages to nearby targets. Therefore, species with notably lower both wood mechanical properties and compartmentalization, such as pioneers, are considered to have higher wind damage risk if subjected to unfavorable growing conditions. Eurasian aspen (Populus tremula L.) and silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.), are frequently found in both urban and peri-urban forests in Northeastern and Central parts of Europe, which strengthen the necessity for the evaluation of mechanical stability of such species. Therefore, static pulling tests were performed to compare the mechanical stability of the studied species in both urban and peri-urban forests. The loading resistance of the studied species differed, with birch being more stable than aspen, indicating aspen to be more prone to wind damage. Additionally, the mechanical stability of birch did not differ between trees growing in urban and peri-urban forests, suggesting static pulling tests are a suitable method for comparing trees from completely different growing conditions.

Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of Cell Cycle Genes in Birch

Research Highlights: This study identified the cell cycle genes in birch that likely play important roles during the plant’s growth and development. This analysis provides a basis for understanding the regulatory mechanism of various cell cycles in Betula pendula Roth. Background and Objectives: The cell cycle factors not only influence cell cycles progression together, but also regulate accretion, division, and differentiation of cells, and then regulate growth and development of the plant. In this study, we identified the putative cell cycle genes in the B. pendula genome, based on the annotated cell cycle genes in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. It can be used as a basis for further functional research. Materials and Methods: RNA-seq technology was used to determine the transcription abundance of all cell cycle genes in xylem, roots, leaves, and floral tissues. Results: We identified 59 cell cycle gene models in the genome of B. pendula, with 17 highly expression genes among them. These genes were BpCDKA.1, BpCDKB1.1, BpCDKB2.1, BpCKS1.2, BpCYCB1.1, BpCYCB1.2, BpCYCB2.1, BpCYCD3.1, BpCYCD3.5, BpDEL1, BpDpa2, BpE2Fa, BpE2Fb, BpKRP1, BpKRP2, BpRb1, and BpWEE1. Conclusions: By combining phylogenetic analysis and tissue-specific expression data, we identified 17 core cell cycle genes in the Betulapendula genome.

Correction: Strzałek et al. Activity of 137Cs and 40K Isotopes in Pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Birch (Betula pendula Roth) Stands of Different Ages in a Selected Area of Eastern Poland. Forests 2021, 12, 1205

The authors wish to make the following corrections to their paper [...]

Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of Cell Cycle Genes in Betula pendula

Research Highlights: This study identified the cell cycle genes in birch that likely play important roles during plant growth and development. This analysis provides a basis for understanding the regulatory mechanism of various cell cycles in Betula pendula. Background and Objectives: The cell cycle factors not only influence cell cycle progression together, but also regulate accretion, division and differentiation of cells, and then regulate growth and development of plant. In this study, we identified the putative cell cycle genes in B. pendula genome, based on the annotated cell cycle genes in A. thaliana. It could serve as a foundation for further functional studies. Materials and Methods: The transcript abundance was determined for all the cell cycle genes in xylem, root, leaf and flower tissues using RNA-seq technology. Results: We identified 59 cell cycle gene models in the genome of B. pendula, 17 highly expression genes among them. These genes were BpCDKA.1, BpCDKB1.1, BpCDKB2.1, BpCKS1.2, BpCYCB1.1, BpCYCB1.2, BpCYCB2.1, BpCYCD3.1, BpCYCD3.5, BpDEL1, BpDpa2, BpE2Fa, BpE2Fb, BpKRP1, BpKRP2, BpRb1 and BpWEE1. Conclusions: We identified 17 core cell cycle genes in the genome of birch by combining phylogenetic analysis and tissue specific expression data.

КОНТРОЛЬ СОСТОЯНИЯ АТМОСФЕРНОГО ВОЗДУХА ГОРОДА ТОБОЛЬСКА ПО ФЕРТИЛЬНОСТИ ПЫЛЬЦЫ БЕРЕЗЫ ПОВИСЛОЙ (BETULA PENDULA)

В статье представлено изучение источников литературы по теме исследования и их анализ. Описана методика определения процентного соотношения фертильной пыльцы березы повислой(Betulapendula). Проведено исследование отобранного материала и сделаны выводы о качестве атмосферного воздуха. Определено состояние атмосферного воздуха на территории Тобольска по качеству пыльцевых зерен березы повислой(Betulapendula).

Betula pendula Ssp. distribution and growth in the sub-Carpathian curvature

Birch ssp. in the sub-Carpathians curvature can be found in composition with beech and other resinous species, unevenly distributed from the mountain peaks at around 1200 m down to 500-600, mainly from high hills to depressions at 600m, rarely seen on plain sites, crossing different geomorphological structures and overall accounting for 3857.1 ha. The main objective of the paper was to analyze the site and stand characteristics of Betula pendula ssp. Roth. in the subCarpathians curvature as followed: stand structure, stand types and stand site types, soils and different metrics, from growth to yields and its connectivity.The ecological adaptability to climate and soil and early fast growth, makes silver birch fulfill the overall requirements as a pioneer species, mostly naturally regenerated. Birch distribution is highly influenced by stand structure having low proportion in compositions, mean height of 15 m at age 50, and a diameter of 20m. Regarding the site, characteristics are more commonly found on fertile soils, corrugated or fragmented site type with a slope of 20-50° and it is distributed as secondary species in stands, averaging 750m in attitude, ranging from 500 to 1200m, 90% being in mixtures with other species with a mean annual increment of approximately 7 m³/year/ha regardless of stand site type. As an early successional species, it serves as a first colonizer but secondary species and quite often as an ecological instrument to improve the soil characteristics, biodiversity and prevent landslides in certain sites, lacking economic value other than fuel wood or other non-wood products.

The Myxobiota of the Łagiewnicki Forest in Łódź (Central Poland)

Herein, the results of studies conducted in the Łagiewnicki Forest in the city of Łódź (central Poland) in 2010–2012 are presented. These were the first long-term observations into myxomycetes in the Łagiewnicki Forest and in central Poland. Investigations were conducted using the route method for the entire forest complex (2010–2012). Additionally, twelve logs were selected in the “Las Łagiewnicki” forest reserve for detailed observations in 2011–2012; these logs belonged to four tree species: Betula pendula Roth, Carpinus betulus L., Quercus sp., and Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. In total, 1,561 specimens were collected and were classified into 96 taxa (91 species and five varieties). Three species ( Diderma saundersii , Oligonema flavidum , and Didymium eximium ) are new to the biota of Poland, while five ( Arcyria stipata , Hemitrichia calyculata , Oligonema schweinitzii , Physarum flavicomum , and Physarum robustum ) are included on the red list of rare myxomycetes in Poland. Stemonitopsis amoena is also classified as a rare species; to date, this species has been reported in one locality in Poland. The scale by Stephenson et al. was used to determine the frequency of occurrence of individual taxa; 55 taxa were classified as rare, nine as sporadic, 26 as common, and six as abundant taxa. Three ecological groups of slime molds were identified based on the type of substrate they colonized: lignicolous (54 taxa), foliicolous (seven taxa), and corticolous (two taxa). No preference for the substrate was noticed in a group of 33 taxa that occurred on different substrate types. The phenology of myxomycete occurrence was also analyzed; 49 taxa occurred throughout the entire vegetative season, while only single records of species that were found in specific months were noted. The biota collected in the “Las Łagiewnicki” forest reserve and that in a Łagiewnicki Forest segment outside it (of the same size and the same occurrence of plant communities as in the reserve) in 2011–2012 were also compared.

The effect of mixed rot from the present tinder (Fomes fomentarius (L.:Fr.) Gill.) on the accumulation of heavy metals in the hanging birch (Betula pendula Roth.)

A study was conducted on the effect of mixed rot from the present tinder on the accumulation of heavy metals (copper, zinc, nickel, cadmium, lead, cobalt, iron) by hanging birch Keywords: real tinder, mixed rot, heavy metals, hanging birch.

Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of Cell Cycle Genes in Betula pendula

Research Highlights: This study identified the cell cycle genes in birch that likely play important roles during plant growth and development. This provides a basis for understanding the regulatory mechanism of various cell cycles in Betula pendula. Background and Objectives: The cell cycle factors not only influence cell cycle progression together, but also regulate accretion, division and differentiation of cells, and then regulate growth and development of plant. In this study, we identified the putative cell cycle genes in B. pendula genome, based on the annotated cell cycle genes in A. thaliana. It could serve as a foundation for further functional studies. Materials and Methods: The transcript abundance was determined for all the cell cycle genes in xylem, root, leaf and flower tissues using RNA-seq technology. Results: We identified 59cell cycle gene models in the genome of B. pendula, 17 highly expression genes among them. These genes were BpCDKA.1, BpCDKB1.1, BpCDKB2.1, BpCKS1.2, BpCYCB1.1, BpCYCB1.2, BpCYCB2.1, BpCYCD3.1, BpCYCD3.5, BpDEL1, BpDpa2, BpE2Fa, BpE2Fb, BpKRP1, BpKRP2, BpRb1 and BpWEE1. Conclusions: We identified 17 core cell cycle genes in the genome of birch by combining phylogenetic analysis and tissue specific expression data.

ECOLOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL SPECIFICS OF SOIL AND PLANT COVERING OF URBAN LANDSCAPES (IN THE TOWN OF BROVARY AS AN EXAMPLE)

The results of the pollutants content research in urbanized landscapes soils of Ukraine (on the example of Brovary city, Kyiv region) were shown. The total and mobile contents data of chemical elements (Ni, Co, Zn, V, Pb, Cr, Cu) were obtained and analyzed using the methods of landscape-geochemical studies, analytical and statistical methods. The dependences of the vegetation resistance in cities to the level of soil cover contamination and the degree of heavy metals income have been established. The geochemical characteristics (such as the value of the accumulation coefficients; concentration of soil and vegetation cover; index of biogeochemical activity of the species within Brovary city) were analyzed. Throughout most of the city territory, the level of soil contamination is above average. Soils are characterized by the following association of heavy metals: Cu> Pb> Zn> Co> Cr> V> Mo> Mn> Ni. The dominant association is distributed heterogeneous throughout the city, forming geochemical anomalies depending on the source of contamination. The maximum technogenic load was recorded in urban soils areas within zones of transport infrastructure, production and communal-warehouse facilities.Woody vegetation is the most actively absorbed copper, manganese from the soil, and the least intensively absorbed chromium, vanadium and nickel. The biogeochemical activity coefficient of the research species is the following: Acer platanoides - 7,26, Betula pendula Roth. - 7,07, and Populus deltoides - 7,05, Pínus sylvestris - 1.32 and Alnus incana - 3.37. The biological absorption coefficients of manganese and copper are high because these metals have the ability to form strong complexes with organic matter. Biological absorption coefficients of vanadium and chromium is low for the researched plant species because these chemical elements are immobile in soils. For the city of Brovary, the presence of polyelemental contamination of soil and vegetation has been established. According to the indicators of the gross content of VM, the main pollutants are Cu, Zn, Pb and Mn. Concentrations of gross and mobile forms of VM exceed background values ​​and maximum concentration limits in 17-28 times. The maximum of man-caused load was recorded in the urban soils of the transport infrastructure zone and the zone of production and communal-warehouse facilities. Regularities of formation of elemental composition of plants of urban areas undergo significant changes in comparison with natural conditions, which is due to the strengthening of the role of foliar absorption of pollutants from the air and their high content in soils. The greatest ability to bioaccumulate has a male thyroid (Dryopteris filix-mas Schott) and birch (Convolvulus arvensis). The highest coefficient of biogeochemical activity of the studied species is Acer platanoides - 7.26, hanging birch (Betula pendula Roth.) - 7.07 and Canadian poplar (Populus deltoides) - 7.05, the lowest - Scots pine (Pínus sylvеstris ) - 1.32 and gray alder (Alnus incana) - 3.37. Weakly and very weakly, most of the studied plant species capture vanadium and chromium, which are relatively sedentary in the soil. Further research is needed to analyze the physicochemical parameters of soils, the coefficients of transition of metals to plants relative to their content in organic and mobile form in order to establish the relationships that characterize the process of translocation of chemical elements. Keywords: landscape-geochemical conditions, heavy metals, soils, vegetation.