Seasonal changes in the pigment composition of needles of representatives of the genus spruce in the Nizhny Novgorod region

Изучали таксационные показатели лесных культур лиственницы Сукачева, заложенных в 1986 г. на юго-западной границе естественного распространения вида в Сергачском межрайонном лесничестве Нижегородской области. Координаты первого участка N 55.541378, E 45.471119; второго – N 55.541388, E 45.471125. Получена оценка эффективности их создания в указанном регионе. Методологической основой рабочих методик служил принцип единственного логического различия. Работа выполнялась полевым стационарным методом. Характеристика культур лиственницы давалась по результатам натурного обследования. Пробные площади закладывали в соответствии с действующим отраслевым стандартом. Подтверждена благоприятность лесорастительных условиях для естественного произрастания лиственницы Сукачева и широкие возможности интродукции близкородственных видов. Обнаружена неодинаковая изменчивость таксационных показателей. В частности, по диаметру ствола и его высоте она незначительна и отнесена преимущественно к низкому уровню: на первом участке 14,21% и 11,34%; на втором – 17,11 и 9,16% соответственно. По другим признакам изменчивость выше (чаще средний и повышенный уровень) и в ряде случаев достигает высокого (объем ствола) и очень высокого (коэффициент асимметрии кроны) уровня. Зафиксированы существенные различия между участками лесных культур по большинству таксационных показателей, подтвержденные дисперсионным анализом. Эффект их влияния на общий фон фенотипической дисперсии неодинаков. По диаметру ствола он минимален и составил 6,68±1,37%. Наибольшие оценки получены по расстоянию до первого живого сучка – 30,42±1,05%. Определено, что лесные культуры лиственницы Сукачева, созданные в Нижегородской области, достигая к возрасту 34 высоты 14 – 15 м, формируют насаждения первого класса бонитета. We studied the taxation indicators of forest crops of Sukhdev larch, laid in 1986 on the south-western border of the natural distribution of the species in the Sergachsky interdistrict forestry of the Nizhny Novgorod region. The coordinates of the first section are N 55.541378, E 45.471119; the second section is N 55.541388, E 45.471125. An assessment of the effectiveness of their creation in the specified region was obtained. The methodological basis of the working methods was the principle of the only logical difference. The work was carried out by the field stationary method. The characteristics of larch crops were given based on the results of a field survey. The test areas were laid in accordance with the current industry standard. The favorable forest conditions for the natural growth of Sukachev larch and the wide opportunities for the introduction of closely related species were confirmed. Unequal variability of taxation indicators was found. In particular, in terms of trunk diameter and height, it is insignificant and is mainly attributed to the low level: in the first section, 14.21% and 11.34%; in the second-17.11 and 9.16%, respectively. According to other signs, the variability is higher (more often the average and increased level) and in some cases reaches a high (trunk volume) and very high (crown asymmetry coefficient) level. Significant differences between forest crop plots were recorded in most of the taxation indicators, which were confirmed by the analysis of variance. The effect of their influence on the general background of the phenotypic variance is not the same. By the diameter of the trunk, it is minimal and amounted to 6.68±1.37%. The highest estimates were obtained for the distance to the first live knot – 30.42±1.05%. It is determined that the forest cultures of Sukachev larch, created in the Nizhny Novgorod region, reaching a height of 14-15 m by the age of 34, form plantings of the first class of bonitet.

Evolution of Pumping and Piezometry of the Carboniferous Aquifers, Western Border of Aïr Massif

The Tarat aquifer provides drinking water for the population of the city of Arlit and also provides water to industries. The exploitation of this aquifer has considerably increased in recent years. The main objective of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the functioning of the Tarat aquifer. Thus, a methodological approach focusing mainly on the piezometric study and the analysis of evolution and estimation of the volumes of water pumped, since its development from 1969 to 2012, which has resulted in highlighting not only a general decline in the level of the Tarat aquifer, but also the piezometer level (Arli_182), reacts strongly to the solicitations of the aquifer. On this same piezometer, the water table was lowered by 30 m from 1980 to 2006 (26 years), so a drawdown of 0.86 /year.

Balancing Reproductive and Productive Responsibilities: Childcare Strategies Implemented by Migrant Mothers in the Thailand–Myanmar Border Region

Background: In Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, conflicts between ethnic minorities, the government, and the military have been ongoing for decades. Enduring unrest has caused thousands to flee to the region around Mae Sot, a city on Thailand’s western border. Women around the world assume a combination of reproductive and productive responsibilities, and during situations of armed conflict and displacement, conditions for women often worsen. This study investigated the parenting experiences of female migrants from Myanmar living in protracted refugee situations in Mae Sot. Methods: This research was part of a mixed-methods international comparative study on the experiences of parenting in adversity. In this analysis, 62 first-person qualitative narratives shared by migrant mothers in the Thailand–Myanmar border region were inductively analyzed using the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven method. Results: The results highlight how migrant mothers undertake significant reproductive responsibilities, such as breastfeeding and child-rearing, as well as productive responsibilities, including paid labour in the agricultural, formal, and informal sectors. In order to care and provide for their families, female migrants in the Thailand–Myanmar border region utilized four childcare strategies: caring for children while working, caring for children instead of working, dispersing responsibilities amongst extended family members and children, and delegating reproductive responsibilities to formal and non-familial caretakers. Conclusions: Most mothers shared stories in which they or their immediate family members cared for their children, rather than depending on neighbours or formal childminders. Female migrants may face challenges locating desirable work that is compatible with childcare, rendering certain childcare arrangement strategies more prevalent than others. Further research could elucidate these challenges and how opportunities for gainful employment that are conducive to childcare can be generated for women living in protracted refugee situations.

Distribution of Phrynocephalus helioscopus (Pallas, 1771) (Agamidae, Reptilia) in the West Kazakhstan and Atyrau regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Based on the results of our 2017–2021 field research, the coordinates of 17 meeting points of the sunwatcher toadhead agama (Phrynocephalus helioscopus) (Pallas, 1771) in the West Kazakhstan and Atyrau regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan are given, from 49°17.256'N, 48°14.048'E in the North to 46°34.330'N, 55°49.319'E in the South. The northern limit of the modern distribution in the Volga-Ural (Volga-Zhaiyk) interfluve is the saline in the Aral-sor lacustrine-saline depression and the Baigutta sor-liman depression in the left bank of the Ural (Zhaiyk) River. The sunwatcher toadhead agama habitats are confined to open spaces with salt lakes and sors. The dependence of the body’s upper side colour of sunwatcher toadhead agamas on the general background of the substrate is illustrated, namely: the colour is brown or dark grey on dark substrates, and light grey or ashy on light substrates. The history of the description of the species by P. S. Pallas and I. I. Lepekhin is briefly considered. According to the original and literary data the modern north-western border of the habitat, passing through the West Kazakhstan and the adjacent regions of the Russian Federation, has been clarified. It goes from the northern coast of the Caspian Sea, through Makhambet district of the Atyrau region, Krasnoyarsk and Kharabalinsky districts of the Astrakhan region, Kurmangazinsky district of the Atyrau region, Akhtubinsky district of the Astrakhan region, Bokeyordinsky district of the West Kazakhstan region, Pallasovsky district of the Volgograd region, and Kaztalovsky and Akzhayik districts of the West Kazakhstan region.

Impact of Conflict Induced Displacement on Primary and Secondary Schooling in Pakistan

The impact of armed conflict on primary and secondary schooling is very hazardous and apparent. Since, 2001 the conflict has made millions of people displaced in the form of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) mainly from Tribal Areas on western border with Afghanistan to the settled areas within Pakistan. This research addressed the impact of internal conflict on primary and secondary level school children during displacement at Jalozia camp, Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa. For that reason, the household survey was conducted at Jalozai IDPs camp. The survey results indicate that conflict induced displacement has negatively impacted the level of schooling both at primary and secondary level. However, the impact is more hazardous for secondary schooling. Due to some socio-economic and cultural constraints, mostly female students were dropout of schools at secondary kevel. In addition, conflict affected the socio-economic status of the marginalized displaced people which either way affected the schooling of displaced children. Key words: Conflict; Displacement; Schooling; Socio-Economic Status; Pakistan

Organization of pedestrian crossings of Soviet repatriates to the western border of the USSR (1944–1945)

The article analyzes the work of the Office of the Commissioner of the SNK of the USSR for the repatriation of Soviet citizens, Military councils, headquarters of fronts and armies for the return of Soviet displaced persons on foot in 1944–1945. The central place in the publication is occupied by the analysis of the organization of the mechanism of pedestrian crossings of released Soviet prisoners of war and civilian displaced persons to the western border of the USSR. Special attention is focused on the decisions taken by the repatriation and military departments – the Office of the Commissioner of the SNK of the USSR for repatriation, Military councils, headquarters of fronts and armies on the organization of pedestrian crossings of Soviet repatriates.

Lion and spotted hyena distributions within a buffer area of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem

Most large carnivore populations are declining due to anthropogenic activities including direct persecution, prey depletion, habitat loss and degradation. protected areas (PAs) can help maintain viable large carnivore populations; however, anthropogenic activities occurring near and within PA borders or edges can reduce their effectiveness. We investigated the influence of edge effects on abundance of lions (Panthera leo) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) in Maswa Game Reserve (MGR), a part of the Serengeti ecosystem in northern Tanzania. We conducted repeated call-ins to attract and enumerate lions and hyenas at 20 stations in MGR during June–July 2017. We used N-mixture models to estimate hyena and lion abundance in relation to land cover and distance from the south-western MGR borders which are adjacent to villages. We found lowest lion and hyena abundances by the south-western border, with abundance of both species increasing toward the eastern border adjacent to Serengeti National Park. Lions were uniformly distributed among land covers whereas hyenas were more abundant in woodlands. We suggest that reduced lion and hyena abundance near human settlements was in response to depleted prey, due to human actions. We recommend ecologically compatible land uses and effective border patrols to mitigate these adverse effects.

Prospek Pengembangan Usaha Handline Tuna di Perairan D.I. Yogyakarta: Tinjauan Sumber Daya dan Investasi

In 2018, tuna production in D.I. Yogyakarta reached 371.66 tons, of which 75-82% were captured using the handline. The dominance of the tuna caught has led to the development of the handline that highly dependent on the potential of tuna resources. Investment prospects are also important because they become a reference for investors in investing in the tuna handline busineses. This study aims to analyze the potential of tuna fish resources including the spread of its fishing ground and analyze the feasibility of developing tuna handline buseneses in the waters of D.I. Yogyakarta. The data of this study were analyzed using the Schaefer model, mapping using geographic information system (GIS), and investment feasibility analysis. The potential of tuna fish production in the waters of D.I. Yogyakarta reached 628,53 tons/year, while the average production was 427,32 tons/year, so it is still prospective to be developed. Potential fishing ground for tuna handline was spreaded in the waters of Bantul Regency until the western border waters of Gunung Kidul Regency, and in the eastern waters of Gunung Kidul Regency. The tuna handline was also prospective to be developed its investment in D.I. Yogyakarta. The value of NPV, IRR, ROI, and B/C ratio of tuna handline were very good, i.e., IDR 425,121,064; 36.49%; 9,36; and 1.22 respectively. Keywords: fish resource, geographic information system, investment, the waters of D.I. Yogyakarta, tuna handline