Phenetic peculiarities of biochorological groups of different scales in a common frog (Rana temporaria linnaeus)

На примере серий лягушки травяной из четырех биотопов, характеризующихся разной степенью пространственной изоляции, показана перспективность изучения биохорологической структуры данного вида с применением фенетического подхода. Наиболее детальную характеристику пространственно-генетической структуры можно получить при анализе пятнистости дорзальной поверхности тела. Так же для этих целей возможно использование вариаций таких элементов рисунка покровов тела, как форма межлопаточного пятна и число полос на бедре. The prospects of studying the biochorological structure of the selected species using a phenetic approach are shown in a series of common frogs from four biotopes characterized by varying degrees of spatial isolation. The most detailed characterization of the spatial-genetic structure can be obtained by analyzing the spotting of the dorsal surface of the body. Also, for these purposes, it is possible to use variations of such elements of the body covering pattern as the shape of the interscapular spot and the number of stripes on the thigh.

Changes in the Ukrainian expeditioners’ psychological states during long Antarctic stay

Introduction. Extreme conditions of Antarctica and socio-spatial isolation of a small group of expeditioners’ significantly affect their physiological and psychological state. Aim. To empirically investigate the changes in the expeditioners’ psychological state indicators during a year-long Antarctic expedition. Methods. For statistical analysis were used Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation); One-Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test; and Paired Sample T-Test. Results. The self-assessed indicators of expeditioners’ psychological states rise significantly during the first four months of the year-long expedition. Then their average self-esteem begins to decline gradually, reaching the lowest values in the last two months of stay at the Antarctic station. Conclusions. This study confirms that the long stay and work within an isolated group of people is a factor that affects the expeditioners’ psychological health at the first place.

Research on Simulation and Test of Spatial Isolation Based on Geographic Information

In the process of site selection for the deployment of distributed systems, in order to solve the problem of inaccurate spatial isolation simulation results caused by the large influence of complex geographic information such as terrain and weather on the propagation of radio waves, and to solve the problem of inefficient and inefficient spatial isolation testing. This paper proposes to select suitable propagation models for different geographical information in different regions, clarifies the simulation calculation method, and proposes a test method to accurately determine the direction of the transceiver antenna for the minimum spatial isolation. By comparing and analyzing the simulation calculation results and test verification results, correction parameters such as simulation system error, atmospheric absorption loss, and geological absorption loss are proposed. This article analyzes and studies the correction value of radio wave transmission loss of S-band electromagnetic signal under different geographic information conditions such as snowfall and iron ore through an example. It can provide reference values for some of the influencing factors of electromagnetic signal propagation loss under geographic information conditions, and it can improve the accuracy of the simulation calculation results of the spatial isolation under the conditions of geographic information.

Influence of biological preparations on yield and sowing qualities of peas (Рisum sativum L.) for organic seed production

According to the legislation of Ukraine, one of the requirements of organic crop production is using organic seeds and organic planting material. High productivity and quality of sowing material for organic production of agricultural products can be obtained only if the plants and soil are optimally provided with nutrients and plants are protected from diseases, pests and weeds. The aim of the work was to study the technologies of protection and nutrition of peas with the use of domestic biological products in organic agrophytocenoses for seed production. The influence of organic technologies for growing peas of the Starter variety (Germany) with the use of complexes of biological preparations of domestic producers on the quantitative and qualitative indicators of seeds (weight of 1000 seeds, germinative energy of seeds, seed germination) is studied. The positive influence of all variants of the use of biological products (combination of pre-sowing treatment of seeds, soil, crop treatment) on the quality of the obtained seed material and its compliance with the requirements of DSTU for reproductive seeds was established. It was shown that the use of biological preparations in organic technologies provides the production of pea seeds with a germination of 94–95% and an increase in the yield of pea seeds at the level of 0.45–0.85 t/ha. It is determined that among the pests common in organic crops of peas, the greatest damage is caused by an insect of a series of hard-winged insects — pea weevil or Bruchus (Bruchus pisorum L.). Moreover, the population of Bruchus increased in crop rotation, located on one common plot without spatial isolation of each field. The main criteria for the production of organic sowing material of legumes, including peas, are compliance with the basic principles of organic production, its ability to provide seeds with high sowing and varietal qualities and the absence of infection and damage by diseases and pests.

Genetic diversity of seeds from four German Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) seed orchards

In Germany, Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Franco) is seen as a valuable species for future cultivation in times of climate change. Local seed production in seed stands and seed orchards may secure that local adaptation is transferred to the next generation, but small population sizes could lower genetic diversity and thus future adaptability. Here we analyse the transfer of genetic diversity from parent to offspring generation in four older German seed orchards. We detected low pollen contamination rates due to high levels of spatial isolation. Even with a relatively low number of 40 clones, seed orchard design with randomized and repeated planting of clones led to low selfing rates, and despite uneven parental contributions, the number of successful parents and the level of genetic intermixture were high enough to allow the transfer of an adequate part of the genetic diversity to the next generation. Larger numbers, however, might be needed to reliably conserve the entire genetic diversity over succeeding generations. Conclusions on the establishment of future seed orchards and regarding areas requiring further research are drawn at the end of the paper.

Multiple geographies of precarity: Accommodation policies for asylum seekers in metropolitan Athens, Greece

Since early 2016, in the context of the so-called ‘refugee crisis’, a series of accommodation policies for asylum seekers were developed in Greece under the regime of ‘emergency’, consisting of two pillars: On the one hand, the ‘campisation’ of accommodation in the mainland and, on the other hand, urban apartments. This article sheds light on the uneven geographies of accommodation policies for asylum seekers in metropolitan Athens, by investigating in a complementary way the aforementioned distinct – yet intertwined – types of accommodation. Through the lens of ‘precarity of place’, it argues that asylum accommodation in Athens reproduces multiple geographies of precarity through (a) filtering mechanisms based mainly on vulnerability categorisations, (b) socio-spatial isolation and segregation, and (c) a no-choice basis and extensive control of everyday habitation. The article explores the impact of the above on the everyday lives, socio-spatial relationships, and processes of belonging of asylum seekers, as well as on how they experience – and sometimes contest – precarity of place. The research, conducted in metropolitan Athens, is based on a mixed-methods approach that includes critical policy analysis and interviews with asylum seekers accommodated in camps and apartments, and representatives of institutional actors involved in the accommodation sector.

Co-invading ectomycorrhizal fungal succession in pine-invaded mountain grasslands

Pines (Pinus spp.) rely on co-introduced ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi to invade native ecosystems in the Southern Hemisphere. Although co-invasive EM fungal communities are expected to be poor in species, long-term successional trajectories and the persistence of dispersal limitations are not well understood. We sampled the roots and surrounding soil of Pinus elliottii and P. taeda trees invading mountain grasslands of Argentina. We also sampled the EM fungal spore bank in grassland soil near (~150 m) and far (~850 m) from original pine plantations. We found an impressive total of 47 different co-invasive EM fungal OTUs. Differential dispersal capacities among EM fungi were detected in the spore bank of grassland soil, but not under mature invading pines. After thirty years of invasion, the age but not the degree of spatial isolation of pine individuals affected the EM fungal composition. We showed that invading pines can host a highly diverse EM fungal community and although dispersal limitations can be important during the colonization of non-invaded sites, they can be overcome in the life-span of pines, allowing EM succession to continue. These results enhance our understanding of the spatial structure and dispersal dynamics of EM fungi during pine invasions.