Analysis of recreational needs of visitors to the Arey Nature Park

The article presents the results of a sociological survey of visitors to the Arey Nature Park. Based on the questionnaire conducted in July 2020, the paper demonstrates an analysis of recreational needs and a sociological portrait of a visitor to the Arey Nature Park. The article analyses suggestions of vacationers and contains recommendations based on the identified needs and problems mentioned by the visitors in the organization of operation of the protected area. Almost all park visitors note a strong appeal to the natural scenery of the territory. The sanitary condition of the territory and the limited range of services available are highlighted as significant shortcomings in the operation of the park administration.

First Report of Culicoides Biting Midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) Attacking People in Italy, With the Description of Extreme Larval Breeding Sites and Diurnal Activity of Culicoides riethi

Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) play a paramount role in medical and veterinary entomology worldwide, particularly as vectors of pathogens which cause animal diseases. Biting midges are also infamous for the nuisance they provoke to people involved in outdoor activities. Nonetheless, attacks to man by midges from any Culicoides species have not been reported in Italy. An entomological investigation was performed following repeated attacks to man in a nature park near Rome (central Italy). The study area is a natural degassing zone, characterized by widespread hazardous gas emissions of CO2 and H2S, with several water bodies including permanent lakes, ponds, and pools. The biting midge C. riethi Kieffer, 1914 was very active during daytime in the period April–June. The species has been identified as responsible for attacks on people in the area. An in-depth analysis of the extreme environmental conditions revealed the ability of larvae to thrive in several water bodies, characterized by an extremely low pH and a high concentration of sulfates.

Edukasi Eksistensi dan Keberlanjutan Ekosistem Hutan Mangrove untuk Remaja

Indonesia has 3.4 million hectares or 24% of the world's 13.8 million hectares of mangrove forests. In its development, Indonesia's mangrove area continues to decline and it is recorded that an area of ​​637,624 hectares (18.95%) is in critical condition due to canopy cover which is less than 60%. Mangrove forests can absorb large waves including tsunamis, prevent abrasion, absorb carbon dioxide 5 times greater than tropical forests in the highlands, and are a habitat for several types of wildlife. Thus, Indonesia has a very significant role in the existence and sustainability of the world's mangrove forests. Based on 2018 data, DKI Jakarta Province has 300 hectares or about 10.7% of the total mangrove forest in Indonesia which is spread in the Angke Kapuk Nature Park, Muara Angke Wildlife Sanctuary, Angke Kapuk Protection Forest and Kamal Muara Production Forest as well as part of the last remaining mangrove forest in DKI Jakarta province. Based on this phenomenon, efforts are needed to maintain the existence and sustainability of mangrove forests, especially in the city of Jakarta. One of the important actors in this effort is the youth with growing awareness of environmental issues. Teenagers as future milestone holders need to understand the importance of the existence and sustainability of mangrove forests. The problem faced is the need for an educational activity that is by the characteristics of adolescents. Therefore, the implementing team initiated education on the existence and sustainability of the mangrove forest ecosystem for youth (12-24 years old) in Tanjung Gedong Village who are members of the At-Taufiq Tanjung Gedong Mosque Youth with an Experiential Learning Discovery Journey approach which was carried out in 3 (three) stages, namely the introduction stage by providing infographics and videographics materials, the observation stage with a visit to the Mangrove Nature Tourism Park, Angke Kapuk, North Jakarta; and the reflection stage through reflection instruments filled out by partners. Based on the results of the activity, it is known that all respondents have theoretical experience about the existence and sustainability of mangrove forests obtained from the school. Community service activities (PkM) provide new experiences in the creative process to understand the topic of PkM, namely the existence and sustainability of mangrove forest ecosystems in Jakarta. Abstrak Indonesia memiliki 3,4 juta hektar atau 24% dari total 13,8 juta hektar hutan mangrove dunia. Dalam perkembangannya, luas mangrove Indonesia terus mengalami penurunan dan tercatat seluas 637.624 hektar (18,95%) dalam kondisi kritis karena penutupan tajuk yang kurang dari 60%. Hutan mangrove bermanfaat untuk meredam gelombang besar termasuk tsunami, mencegah abrasi, menyerap karbondioksida 5 kali lebih besar daripada hutan tropis di dataran tinggi, dan sebagai habitat bagi beberapa jenis satwa liar. Dengan demikian, Indonesia memiliki peranan yang sangat signifikan bagi eksistensi dan keberlanjutan hutan mangrove dunia. Berdasarkan data tahun 2018, Propinsi DKI Jakarta memiliki 300 hektar atau sekitar 10,7% dari total hutan mangrove di Indonesia yang tersebar di Taman Wisata Alam Angke Kapuk, Suaka Margasatwa Muara Angke, Hutan Lindung Angke Kapuk dan Hutan Produksi Kamal Muara sekaligus merupakan bagian dari hutan mangrove terakhir yang tersisa di provinsi DKI Jakarta. Berdasarkan fenomena tersebut, maka diperlukan upaya untuk menjaga eksistensi dan keberlanjutan hutan mangrove khususnya di Kota Jakarta. Salah satu aktor penting dalam upaya tersebut adalah kalangan remaja dengan tumbuhnya kesadaran akan isu lingkungan. Remaja sebagai pemegang tonggak masa depan perlu memahami pentingnya eksistensi dan keberlanjutan hutan mangrove. Permasalahan yang dihadapi adalah perlunya sebuah kegiatan edukasi yang sesuai dengan karakteristik bagi remaja. Oleh karena itu, tim pelaksana menginisiasi edukasi eksistensi dan keberlanjutan ekosistem hutan mangrove bagi remaja (berusia 12 – 24 tahun) di Kampung Tanjung Gedong yang tergabung dalam Remaja Masjid At-Taufiq Tanjung Gedong dengan pendekatan Experiential Learning Discovery Journey yang dilaksanakan dalam 3 (tiga) tahap, yaitu tahap pengenalan dengan memberikan materi infografis dan videografis, tahap observasi dengan kunjungan ke Taman Wisata Alam Mangrove, Angke Kapuk, Jakarta Utara; dan tahap refleksi melalui instrumen refleksi yang diisi oleh mitra. Berdasarkan hasil kegiatan, diketahui seluruh responden telah memiliki pengalaman teoretis tentang eksistensi dan keberlanjutan hutan mangrove yang diperoleh dari bangku sekolah. Kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat (PkM) memberikan pengalaman baru dalam proses kreatif untuk memahami topik PkM yaitu eksistensi dan keberlanjutan ekosistem hutan mangrove di Jakarta.

INFORMATION ABOUT FLORA OF THE UST-BELSKY NATURE PARK (UDMURT REPUBLIC)

The article presents the results of a long-term study of the indigenous flora of the Ust-Belsky Nature Park. A list of vascular plants is given. There are 588 plant species from 299 genera and 87 families. The territory of the park consists of 2 clusters. They are located on different banks of the Kama River. The list contains cluster information for each plant species. Only 477 plant species are common to the two clusters, while the remaining species are characteristic of individual sections of the natural park. There are 68 such types in cluster 1, and 43 in cluster 2. In the course of floristic studies in different years, the growth of 23 rare plant species listed in the Red Book of the Udmurt Republic was recorded on the territory of the Ust-Belsky Natural Park.

New data on hoverfly fauna (Diptera: Syrphidae) of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Hoverflies (Syrphidae) are a large Dipteran family, distributed almost worldwide. They play very important ecological roles such as plant pollination, nutrient recycling and predation of plant pests. The members of the genus Epistrophe Walker, 1852 are medium-sized hoverflies of which about 75 species have been described in the World, and 12 of them occur in Europe. During a survey, conducted from 16th June to 4th July 2021 at Blidinje Nature Park (Bosnia and Herzegovina), a new species, of the fauna of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was recorded – Epistrophe diaphana (Zetterstedt, 1843) and new records for species Epistrophe leiophthalma (Schiner & Egger, 1853) were observed. Specimens were collected from inflorescences of Common Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium L.). Information about the records, species habitats, distribution and status in the country and the region is presented and discussed in this research work.

The methodological concept of geoheritage valorization: Blidinje Nature Park – case study

U Bosni i Hercegovini nedostaje istraživanja na području valorizacije georaznolikosti, što je rezultiralo zanemarivanjem njezinih znanstvenih vrijednosti, ali i nedovoljnim razvojem geoturizma. Cilj je ovoga rada valorizirati odabrane geomorfolokalitete Parka prirode Blidinje s obzirom na njihovu geoturističku vrijednost. Primijenjeni metodološki koncept nastao je kao rezultat analize postojećih metodoloških koncepata valorizacije georaznolikosti, pri čemu su objedinjeni kriteriji za procjenu osnovne, dodane, zaštitne i turističke vrijednosti. Jedan od ciljeva rada jest i doprinos boljem razumijevanju i primjeni metodoloških koncepata turističke valorizacije, posebice u okviru zaštićenih prirodnih područja. Tijekom istraživanja izdvojena su 44 lokaliteta, a na osnovi rezultata preliminarne procjene kreirana je lista s ukupno 23 lokaliteta koji su valorizirani, od čega se njih osam izdvaja većom ocjenom od prosječne. Rezultati ovoga istraživanja upućuju na potencijal za razvoj ponude geoturizma PP Blidinje, čiji bi temelj trebali biti najbolje ocijenjeni geomorfolokaliteti.

SUSTAINABLE, SMART AND RESPONSIBLE NATURE PARK TOURISM

The one of the largest nature parks in Latvia is Nature Park “Piejūra”. It is a very complicated area due to its valuable and sensitive coastal habitats. On the one hand, it is a territory with rich biodiversity, and on the other hand it is an area actively used by visitors and tourists due to its location close to the capital of Latvia. Therefore, implementation of sustainable nature protection, conservation and management activities is particularly important. However, as the area is widely visited, there is public resistance to the implementation of management activities. The aim of the research is to identify the level of awareness and attitude of Nature Park visitors in respect of the nature conservation, protection and management activities. To achieve the aim of the research, quantitative research methods have been used. The data allows us to conclude that the understanding of the necessary nature management and protection activities has become deeper in the society. The public understands the established restrictions and considers that there is no necessity to strengthen the restrictions, but only to promote their observance. The study confirms that the attitude towards and understanding of the nature conservation activities changes in the society if there is enough information provided and the necessity for the activities is explained.

The local populations of the fungus Schizophyllum commune Fr. as drivers of its biodiversity

Changes that occur on the local level can explain the processes on the population level and, at the same time, are the driving force of species adaptation. This manuscript reports data about genetic diversities of the fungus Schizophyllum commune on the level of a local population. Objects of the study were dicarious cultures of S. commune collected from 38 basidiocarps grown on the territory of Holosiivskyi National Nature Park, Lysa Hora Regional Landscape Park and Feofaniya forest parcel (Ukraine). Results showed similarity of genetic variability of S. commune in different local populations. The heterozygote deficiency of some loci that was discovered might have resulted from new forms of allozymes that have not become widespread or due to small population sizes. The degree of differentiation of genes between local studied populations was moderate due to the high flow of genes. The absence of spatial structuration of genotypes is established, and the Mantel test showed a lack of interconnection between the genetic component and the geographical coordinates of the samples. It has been suggested that wind direction and terrain are the factors that influence the genetic structure of local populations.

NOVEL ANIMAL WELL BEING CENTRIC ZOO LAYOUT MODEL AND ITS APPLICATION AT DHAULADHAR NATURE PARK (A SMALL ZOOLOGICAL PARK)

Zoological parks are the ex-situ conservation facilities to complement and strengthen the national efforts in conservation and strengthen the rich biodiversity of the country, particularly the fauna.[1]The architectural design or the map of the zoo depicting location and dimensions of the office,exhibit area, indoor holding area, visitor paths etc are some of the major components of Master (Layout) Plan of the Zoo. Central Zoo Authority is the competent authority to approve the Master (Layout) Plan of the recognized zoological parks recognized by CZA. This Master (Layout) Plan model design takes into account of 3 key parameters that one should keep in mind while designing the zoo: Animal welfare (i.e., making animal housing facility as comfortable as possible), seamless visitor experience and smooth working of zoo management personnel.