The nationwide ‘ZNIEFF’ inventory in France: a free dataset of more than one million synthesised species data in zones of high ecological value

In France, a ‘natural zone of ecological, faunistic or floristic value’ (Zone Naturelle d'Intérêt Écologique, Faunistique et Floristique - ZNIEFF) is a natural area regionally known for its remarkable ecological characteristics. The ZNIEFF inventory is a naturalist and scientific survey program launched in 1982 by the Ecology Ministry, with support from the French National Museum of Natural History (MNHN). This paper describes the ZNIEFF national dataset, which comprises 1 013 25 synthesised data for various animal (38%), vegetal (59%) and fungus (2%) species in terrestrial and marine zones (the last download took place on 26 May 2020). A total of 19 842 sites throughout continental France as well as in the overseas departments and territories (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mayotte, La Réunion, French Guiana, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon) are included in the ZNIEFF dataset (last download: 26 May 2020). This dataset is now available in open access. All data were collected by skilled naturalists using professional protocols over almost 40 years. They consist mainly of observations of rare, threatened or endemic species, all validated by regional experts. Data is updated twice a year after national validation. Some of the observed of species, the so-called ‘trigger species’ or ‘determinant’ species, are of central interest for a site to be considered a ZNIEFF (zone of high ecological value). This concerns more than 35 000 taxa, mainly angiosperms, insects, fungi, birds and fish.

Distribution range of parasitic plants from Cuscuta L. and Orobanche L. genera in Ukraine

Aim. The current paper addresses the distribution of parasitic plants from Cuscuta L. (Convolvulacae) and Orobanche L. (Orobanchaceae) genera in Ukraine based on the analysis of the herbarium specimens from the National Herbarium of M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany, NAS of Ukraine (KW) and literature. Methods. In order to study the places of growth of the dodder and broomrape the traditional method based on the development of literary sources and herbarium funds. Results. About 1600 samples from KW were analyzed and data is summarized in tables. Conclusions. It was found that the distribution range of these parasitic plants is attributed mostly to the Steppe natural zone of Ukraine including the Crimean Peninsula. The results will be used in further research to develop an efficient strategy of parasitic phytoquarantine species control.Keywords: biotic stress factors, parasitic plants, dodder, broomrape.

The current state of the population of the golden potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis (Nematoda, Heteroderidae) in the northwest of Ukraine

The golden potato cyst nematode (GPCN) Globodera rostochiensis (Wollenweber, 1923) Skarbilovich, 1959 is a highly specific parasite of the roots of the nightshade plants (Solanaceae). Thus, the state of the pest population demands constant monitoring and control of distribution and numbers. The distribution of G. rostochiensis in Volyn region of Ukraine was studied in 2008–2018 using the data of the state institution the Volyn Regional Phytosanitary Laboratory. The present article gives the analysis of the study results. The disease foci were detected by visual above-ground inspection of potato plantings, also by manually collecting soil samples before planting the potatoes and after harvesting, and consequently analyzing theme. The initial (pre-planting) and conclusive (after harvest) population density of GPCN in the soil was determined by the number of cysts and the mean number of larvae and eggs in cysts obtained from 100 cm3 of soil. Cysts were isolated from soil samples by the standard funnel flotation method. The dead and living larvae were identified visually by the shape of the body and the state of internal organs. According to the results of assessing pre-planting and post-harvest nematode numbers in soil, the reproduction coefficient Рf/Рі was calculated. In Volyn region, G. rostochiensis was first observed in 1968 on farmland and since then, the parasite has spread. Pest foci were recorded in 15 districts of the region in 303 settlements on the area of 946.123 hectares. It was however found that during the latest decade, the area of soils affected by G. rostochiensis in Volyn region decreased by 147.647 hectares. The largest infected areas (over 100 ha) were located in Kovel, Rozhyshche and Manevistky districts, the least infected area was observed in Ivanychi district of the region. The pest was not found in Lutsk district. The highest infection rate was recorded in Rozhyshche district. The highest ratio of viable cysts was observed in the soils of Volodymyr-Volynsky and Rozhyshche districts. The soils of the southern districts (located in the natural zone of forests and steppe) of the region demonstrated 1.5 times higher infection rates compared to soils of the northern districts (in the natural zone of mixed forests). The soils of the southern districts also harboured stable and strong pest populations. The pre-planting soil infection rates proved to directly depend on the reproduction coefficient of GPCN. If the values of Рі, initial infection rate, were lower than 1,000 larvae and eggs per 100 cm3, the reproduction coefficient was 1.18. Increase in the pre-planting infection rate to 2,000 eggs and larvae per 100 cm3 did not affect the reproduction coefficient. At approximately 5,000 eggs and larvae per 100 cm3 the reproduction coefficient exceeded 2, which should be considered in developing the pest control measures.

KERAPATAN DAN DISTRIBUSI LAMUN (SEAGRASS) BERDASARKAN ZONA KEGIATAN YANG BERBEDA DI PERAIRAN PULAU PRAMUKA, KEPULAUAN SERIBU

Lamun merupakan tumbuhan yang beradaptasi penuh untuk dapat hidup di lingkungan laut. Ekosistem lamun berperan penting di wilayah pesisir karena menjadi habitat penting untuk berbagai jenis hewan laut seperti ikan, moluska, crustacea, echinodermata. Penelitian yang dilakukan pada bulan April 2012 di Perairan Pantai Pulau Pramuka bertujuan untuk mengetahui komunitas lamun (jenis, kelimpahan, penutupan) dan distribusinya di berbagai zona di Perairan Pantai Pulau Pramuka, Kepulauan Seribu. Sampling dilakukan di tiga stasiun, yakni stasiun 1 (zona alami), stasiun 2 (zona pemukiman) dan stasiun 3 (zona resort wisatawan) menggunakan kuadran transek. Hasil yang didapatkan 7 jenis lamun yaitu Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule uninervis, Halophila ovalis, Thalassia hemprichii dan Syringodium isoetifolium. Kerapatan lamun yang tertinggi diperoleh di stasiun 1 yaitu 1.620 individu/15m2. Berdasarkan Keputusan Menteri Negara Lingkungan Hidup No. 20 Tahun 2004 bahwa stasiun 1 (zona alami) dengan persentase penutupan 68% masuk kedalam kondisi sehat (penutupan > 60%), sedangkan untuk stasiun 2 (zona pemukiman) dan 3 (zona resort) dengan persentase masing-masing 59% dan 48% masuk dalam kategori kondisi kurang sehat (penutupan 30-59,9%). Pola sebaran (distribusi) lamun pada stasiun 1 mengelompok (cluster) dan seragam (uniform) untuk stasiun 2 dan 3, dengan demikian ada pengaruh dari kegiatan manusia terhadap komunitas lamun.Kata kunci : Lamun, Kerapatan dan Distribusi, Zona kegiatanAbstractSeagrasses are plants adapted to live fully in the marine environment. Seagrass plays an important role in coastal areas due to critical habitat for many kinds of marine animals such as fish, mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms. The research was conducted on April 9 to 22, 2012 at Pramuka Island Coastal Waters in order to know seagrass community (type, abundance, coverage) distribution in different activity zones. The method used transect quadrates in three stations, namely stations 1 (natural zone), station 2 (residential zone) and station 3 (tourist resort zone). The results obtained 7 seagrass species that was of Cymodocea rotundata, Cymodocea serrulata, Enhalus acoroides, Halodule uninervis, Halophila ovalis, Thalassia hemprichii and Syringodium isoetifolium. The highest seagrass density was in station 1 the total 1620 individuals/15m2. Based on the Ministry of Environment No. 20 In 2004 the station 1 (natural zone) was in healthy condition (coverage > 60%), while for station 2 (residential zone) and 3 (resort zone) were in the category of unhealthy conditions (coverage 30 to 59,9%). The pattern of distribution of seagrass at stations 1 was clumped, however distribution it was cluster at station 2 and 3, thus there is the influence of human activities on seagrass communities.Keywords : Seagrass, Density and Distribution, Activity zones

The emission of methane: ideology and methodology of «Standard model» for Western Siberia

The “standard model” consist on a) typical empirical distributions of CH 4 emission for main wetland landscapes in each natural zone of Western Siberia; b) durations of “period of CH 4-emission” (Tundra - 103 days, Forest-Tundra - 120 days, Northern Taiga - 138 days, Middle Taiga - 166 days, Southern Taiga - 172 days, Subtaiga - 193 days, and Forested steppe - 201 days); c) areas of different wetland types in each zone. For accounting future improvements we denominate this model by the code, for example: “Aa1” (first letter denominate the used period of CH 4-emission, second letter - the used areas of wetlands, and third - typical values of methane flux). New estimation of the regional methane emission from West Siberian wetlands (4.9 ± 2.3 Тg/year or 3.7 ± 1.7 ТgС/year) was calculated from “standard model” Aa1.

Biomechanical Benefits of Crosslink Augmentation in Spinal Discs

This study involved an investigation into the effect of non-toxic crosslink augmentation on spinal discs on disc durability and joint stability. Non-destructive indentation techniques were developed to quantify annulus fibrosis material property degradation resulting from non-traumatic cyclic fatigue. Joint stability was assessed using two different natural zone measures. A non-toxic crosslinking reagent formulation reduced fatigue-induced viscoelastic relaxation by two- to three-fold compared to controls. The same treatment was found to produce a four-fold reduction of instability scores. Stabilization was observed to be greater in the more mechanically unstable discs.

Morphometric differentiation in chromosomally characterized parapatric races of morabine grasshoppers (Orthoptera : Eumastacidae)

Morphometric analyses were carried out on five chromosomal races from the viatica group of morabine grasshoppers (Eumastacidae : Morabinae). The extent of intra- and interracial divergence was assessed and the population phenetics of a natural zone of hybridization between the 17 and 19- chromosome races of viatica was examined. Considerable evidence of intertaxon differentiation was noted. Conflicting evidence for introgression was found in the vicinity of the hybrid zone.

Formation of seed yield of soybean varieties with different growing periods in the western Forest-steppe

Purpose. To establish the influence of sowing terms and seeding rates on the formation of seed yield of soybean varieties with different growing periods in the Western Forest-Steppe natural zone of Ukraine. Methods. Field experiment, calculation and weight, mathematical statistics. Results. It was found that the studied soybean varieties with different growing periods react differently to growing conditions. Among the studied factors, the seeding rate, more than the sowing period, influenced the formation of soybean seed yield. Inparticular, the studied soybean varieties Diadema Podillya, KiVin, Knyazhna and Khutoryanochka in all terms of sowing, the highest grain yield formed at the seeding rate of 900 thousand germinating seeds per 1 ha, while the Triada variety – at the seeding rate of 700 thousand germinating seed sper 1 ha. The increase in yield compared to the seeding rate of 700 thousand germinated seeds per 1 ha was in the Diadema Podillya variety – 8,9-19,2%, in the KiVin variety – 12,4-15,6%, in the Knyazhna variety – 16,0-22,9% and in the Khutoryanochka variety – 4,2-10,1%. Reducing the seeding rate to 500 thousand germinating seeds led to a decrease in productivity for all sowing periods, in the Diadema Podolia variety – by 15,3-23,7%, in the KiVin variety – by 19,6-26,0%, in the Knyazhna variety – by 13,6-18,3%, in the Khutoryanochka variety – by 9,9-11,0% and in the Triada variety – by 17,8-25,7%. Higher indicators of seed yield all the studied soybean varieties formed during the late sowing period. Conclusions. The studied factors had a significant influence on the formation of seed yield of all soybean varieties that were studied – the timing of sowing and seeding rates, as well as the weather conditions of the growing season. The studied soybean varieties reacted differently to a decrease or increase in the seeding rate, however, higher yield indicators were formed due to the late sowing period.