Relationship between parameters of public parks and their surroundings and the richness, diversity and species composition of vascular herbaceous plants on the example of Krakow in Central Europe

Greenery is a natural value in urban space. To maintain the richness and diversity of greenery, it is necessary to understand the factors and mechanisms that influence vegetation. The purpose of this paper was to determine the impact of selected features of public parks and factors on the richness and diversity of herbaceous plants. In Krakow public parks, this richness and diversity is greater in parks with a larger area and habitat heterogeneity, the presence of migration corridors, and natural elements. Full stand coverage negatively affects diversity. Biologically inactive surface affects richness and diversity as well as a number of different groups of plant species. The presence of rare and non-synanthropic species is related to the park’s surface, natural elements, and its heterogeneity.

Synanthropization and species diversityof floodplain ecosystems of the Ob-Irtysh basin, Russia

Currently, the phytocenoses of the Irtysh floodplain are experiencing intense anthropogenic pressures due to the intensive development of the oil and gas industry, as well as the urbanization of the territory. This paper focuses on the structure and species composition of the 27 studied areas in the floodplain ecosystems of the Ob-Irtysh basin. As a result of the research, we found 111 species of vascular plants from 33 families in plant communities. The areas belong to meadows and forest vegetation are represented by (1) birch forests (33%), (2) pine forests (10%), (3) fir forests (8%), (4) aspen forests (4%) and (5) associations of meadows (45%). Furthermore, we conducted a comparative analysis of the studied phytocenoses according to the Drude scale. To determine the anthropogenic transformation of the flora and individual plant communities, we determined the synanthropization index (the ratio of synanthropic species to the total number of species). In the synanthropic flora fraction, we distinguished 45 species belonging to 12 families, with the most multispecies being Apiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Compositeae, Ranunculaceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae, Plantaginaceae. The synanthropization index of the studied phytocenoses ranges from 6.6% to 81.2%. The largest number of synanthropic species occurs in meadow associations, the content of synanthropes is greater than 50%, the structure is becoming more superficial, and the productivity and stability of plant communities are changing. The study of the horizontal structure of grass stands of meadow phytocenoses makes it possible to find the variability of different years, the change of dominant species and the stability of the species composition. Currently, researchers are paying considerable attention to the analysis of the structure of the herbage, since its study is of great theoretical and practical importance in clarifying phytocenotic relations.

A new find of Carex bohemica (Cyperaceae) in Kyiv Region (Ukraine)

A new locality of Carex bohemica, a rare species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, is reported. The studied population is located in Kyiv Region within the Divychky site UA0000337 of the Emerald Network in Ukraine (Left-Bank Forest-Steppe). The territory housing the population forms a single contour covering two areas of different soil humidity values. On the area of 30 m2, 95 individuals of C. bohemica were discovered. At the time of observation, all individuals were of the generative age. The identified variants of plant communities with participation of C. bohemica belong to the class Phragmito-Magnocaricetea and are similar to the most communities with this species found in Ukraine. As a threat to existence of this population, increasing participation of alien invasive species-transformers and synanthropic species can be considered. Frequent fires occurring during drought periods also pose significant risks to the survival of this population. Further search for new localities of C. bohemica in the areas with suitable habitats is required.

Ecology of the aviafauna of the Voronezh upland oak forest

The article presents the results of the analysis of changes in the fauna, population and ecology of the dominant and background bird species of the Voronezh upland oak forest, depending on the level of the recreational load. The object of research is the Voronezh upland oak grove, a unique natural landscape complex located within the city of Voronezh in the Central Federal District. The research period is 2014-2018. The census was carried out according to the standard method of counting birds according to the spring mating song with a fixed width of the counting strip equal to 50 m. The length of each route was 10,000 m. The results of the study showed that on the territory of the Voronezh upland oak forest, background and dominant bird species are represented by 38 species belonging to 5 orders … Most of the species belong to the order Passeriformes. In areas with a high degree of recreation, the number of synanthropic species and birds with a mixed type of diet increases. The consequences of the recreational impact are reflected in the number and species composition of birds.

The art of snacking: Innovative food extraction in a synanthropic species is associated with food exposure and food categorization

Extractive foraging is generally studied from the perspective of behavioral flexibility, cognitive ability, innovation and social learning. Despite its potential to elucidate synanthropic adaptation in species exploiting enclosed anthropogenic food, research on extractive foraging under urban conditions is limited. Since a large extent of anthropogenic food is packaged and contains highly processed food, processes of identification/extraction of food by nonhuman species become intriguing themes of research. We studied how processing status of embedded food determined extraction decisions across groups of a species differing in exposure and familiarity to the food. Further, we tested the generalizability of extraction methods. Experimenting with wild bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata), we found exposure- and form (native/shelled/peeled)-specific familiarity to peanuts, state (raw/boiled/roasted)-specific distinction in depeeling, and exposure- and state-specific differences in methods of depeeling. Group with the highest exposure to peanut differed in its propensity to use sophisticated extraction methods, e.g. depeeling by rubbing between palms (bimanual asymmetric action) and rubbing against horizontal substrata (unimanual action). The innovative methods were also extended to roasted peas and chickpeas by the urban group. Our study establishes a causal relationship between familiarity and processing status of food and shows the generalized extension of extraction methods based on food categorization.

The Muscidae (Diptera) from the Atlantic Forest of Serra de Paranapiacaba, southestern Brazil

A first survey of Muscidae in the State of São Paulo (Southeastern Brazil) is presented here with a one-year of Malaise trap collecting from August 2010 to July 2011 at the Biological Reserve Alto da Serra de Paranapiacaba (23°46′00″-23°47′10″S, 46°18′20″-46°20′40″W, 750-891 m of altitude). A total of 1,284 individuals of muscids were collected, and 15 genera and 39 species of Muscidae were identified. So far, only one muscid species had been recorded to the Reserve, which now has its Muscidae diversity increased to 40 species. Thirteen species are new records for the State of São Paulo. With this, the number of species of Muscidae species known to occur in the State of São Paulo is increased to 169. The interval between November and February was higher in number of individuals and number of species. Muscidae presented a seasonal pattern, with more abundance and diversity in that interval. The study area is covered by secondary forest and very close to São Paulo metropolitan area, and the composition of the fauna of Muscidae signalizes this environment changing and anthropic stress with nine species with synanthropic habits, two of them are typically synanthropic species.

The analytical approach to ornithological collision risk assessment (the example of the «Boryspil» international airport)

The paper considers issues of interaction between aviation and avifauna, relevant in terms of flight safety and safety of habitats for birds living in the impact area of ​​ airports. A number of parameters of aircraft and air traffic flow significantly affect the behavior and diversity of birds living in the respective areas. The analysis showed that species composition of avifauna at airports includes very few fully synanthropic species, while semi-synanthropes, such as members of the family Corvidae, are often found in airport areas and, due to their size and behavior, are of major hazard to aircrafts. A variety of methods for assessing the level of ornithological hazard are proposed by researchers and used in some countries. The authors presented a matrix method for assessing the risk of collisions between birds and aircraft, adapted to the conditions of Ukrainian airports. In particular, this method takes into account the peculiarities of avifauna monitoring carried out at the airports of Ukraine and the range of data on birds that may be available at these enterprises. The proposed analytical approach to ornithological risk assessment and ornithological management was tested on the example of Boryspil Airport, for which the attractiveness of the territory for birds, focal species of birds that need the most attention during ornithological observations by the airport staff, and the risk level were determined. It is necessary to expand the list of indicators according to which data should be collected during routine ornithological monitoring of airports.

On the ecology of lawn communities in the cities of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia

This article provides information on the ecology of lawn communities in the cities of the Urals of the Republic of Bashkortostan (Ufa, Sterlitamak, Salavat, Ishimbay, Meleuz, Birsk, Neftekamsk, Yanaul). On the basis of 195 relevés, the ecological regimes of lawn communities and their species were determined using the ecological scales of Landolt. DCA ordination of the relevés confirmed their floristic differentiation into 4 associations, 2 subassociations, and 5 facies assigned to the alliance Cynosurion cristati of the class Molinio–Arrhenatheretea. The main contribution to the differentiation of communities is made by the thermoclimatic factor, soil moisture and nutrient regimes. The ranges of values of environmental factors of the lawn communities are determined. When conditions deteriorate, there is a succession of lawn communities from subass. typicum of the ass. Leontodono–Poetum pratensis via the subass. cichorietosum intybi of the same association to the ass. Poo pratensis– Plantaginetum majoris. At the same time, species diversity first increases due to the invassion of synanthropic species, and then decreases. Lawns considered to belong to synanthropized vegetation when the number of synanthropic species reaches 56–63 %. Along with traditional herbal mixtures with Poa pratensis, herbal mixtures with Festuca rubra and Lolium perenne are recommended, the combination of which better corresponds to a fairly wide range of environmental conditions of the Urals. Regular maintenance, watering and mowing are also necessary, which extend the life of the lawns.

Studies of urban flora in Russia: current state and prospects

An overview of Russian literature sources of urban flora studies. The authors analyze the history of urban floral research in Russia and provide definitions of terms – urban flora, native, indigenous, apophytic, alien, synanthropic species. The overview provides a description of methods and approaches used in different studies of urban flora. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the biological diversity of native and alien plants and the features of their spatial distribution in urban habitats. The authors raise problems of protection of biodiversity in cities and show the role of urban protected natural areas. The conclusion of the work outlines the prospects for further study of urban flora. The authors highlight an importance and necessity of creation of a unified database of vascular plants in the urbanized territories of Russia. Further usage of the database will allow to conduct a comparative analysis of the species composition of urban flora and to identify the degree of their homogenization and originality.

A preliminary information on spider fauna (Arachnida, Aranei) of the Fastiv district (Kyiv region)

In this article, an inventory of the spider fauna of the Fastov district of the Kiev region was carried out, an annotated list of spiders was compiled and includes 84 spider species of 67 genera from 20 families. The annotated list contains faunistic material, collection method and biotopic preferences of species. The most represented by the number of species in the fauna are the families Araneidae – 19 species (24 %), Thomisidae – 8 species (9 %) and Salticidae – 8 species (9 %). The dominance of species of the family Araneidae is due to the large proportion of the surveyed habitats and vegetation layers inhabited by orb weaving spiders. In general, widespread species of spiders with high ecological plasticity were prevail. Including 10 species: Clubiona caerulescens, Harpactea rubicunda, Haplodrassus silvestris, Zelotes electus, Diplostyla concolor, Tenuiphantes flavipes, Agroeca brunnea, Pardosa amentata, Pseudeuophrys erratica and Ozyptila praticola were recorded in the litter layer of a pine forest only. Three species: Cyclosa oculata, Oxyopes ramosus and Dolomedes plantarius are rare according to the literature data. Five species were found in near-water habitats: Larinioides cornutus, Clubiona phragmitis, D. plantarius, Tetragnatha extensa, and Marpissa radiata, and were not found in the other biotopes. Two species, Metellina segmentata and Tetragnatha montana, are found on near-water vegetation and forest edges. In buildings and in household plots, two synanthropic species were found – Tegenaria domestica and Parasteatoda tepidariorum. The zoogeographic and taxonomic compositions of the araneofauna of the region under study are presented. Arealogically, the basis is made up of the Palaearctic (35 %) and Holarctic (19 %) groups. West-Central-Palaearctic species – 14 %, European-Ancient Mediterranean – 12 %. European and more northern European-Siberian species account for 8 and 5 %, respectively. In comparison with the data for Polesie, the araneofauna of the Fastov region has certain characteristics, namely: a large participation in the composition of the araneofauna of Palaearctic and Holarctic species, a decrease in the proportion of EuropeanSiberian species and an increase in the proportion of European-Ancient Mediterranean groups of species.