Assessment of adaptive capacity of native and adventive species of trees and shrubs in Dnipro region

Nowadays, deterioration and loss of ecological functions of urban tree and shrub plantations take place in Europe and, in particular, in Ukraine; it was noted that their number is insufficient to counteract the negative impact of global climate change and protect the population against industrial pollution effects. The issue of resistance of native and adventitious tree species used in the plantations of industrial cities remains relevant; it necessitates the assessment of physiological and biochemical aspects of their adaptation to extreme environmental factors, such as moisture limit in the steppe zone, periodic dangerously low winter temperatures and anthropo-technogenic load (in large urban agglomerations). In order to optimize the assortment of tree species of large megalopolises of the steppe zone of Ukraine and determine their potential resistance to anthropogenic pressures the study was conducted in conditionally clean forest biogeocenoses of the Samara River levee zone and in artificial plantations on the territories located in the coastal zone of the Dnipro River within 1500 m from the Prydneprovskaya thermal electric station (PTES, Dnipro city). It well known that the TPP is the source of atmospheric air pollution by such heavy metals as lead and cadmium. A study of the activity of antioxidant protection enzymes in leaves of native and adventive tree species showed that in the zone of Prydneprovskaya TES impact there was an increase of guaiacol peroxidase activity in Acer platanoides, Ulmus minor, Morus alba; benzidine peroxidase in Acer negundo, Ulmus laevis, Acer platanoides; catalase in A. platanoides, A. negundo, U. laevis, Ulmus pumila and Robinia pseudoasasia. High peroxidase activity, which is complemented by higher catalase activity, indicates the relative resistance of these species to atropo-technogenic pressures supported by antioxidant defense mechanisms. Total chlorophyll content (Chla + Chlb) in leaves of native species Ulmus laevis, Acer platanoides and adventive Morus alba decreased in the zone of TPP impact in relation to conditionally clean areas. The ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b in contaminated areas significantly increased in leaves of native species Ulmus laevis, Ulmus minor, Acer platanoides compared with control. The invasive species Acer negundo, Morus alba, Ulmus pumila had no significant changes in this indicator. In invasive species such as Ulmus pumila, Acer negundo there was an increase in leaf mass, which may indicate adaptation of these species to anthropogenically altered growth conditions.

Cryopreservation and Micropropagation Methods for Conservation of Genetic Resources of Ulmus laevis and Ulmus glabra

Elms are threatened by Dutch elm disease, and conservation methods are needed to protect their genetic diversity. Cryopreservation of dormant buds allows large numbers of genotypes to be conserved with small space requirements and minimal upkeep. Cryopreservation through slow controlled cooling was tested for both elm species native to Finland, Ulmus glabra and Ulmus laevis. Regeneration of the thawed buds by micropropagation was studied on different basal media and using different growth regulators. Multiple surface sterilisation methods were tried out for bud explants. The multiplication of U. glabra was investigated with Driver and Kuniyuki walnut medium with either 0.5 mg/L meta-topolin or 0.5 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine. Rooting with short indole-6-butyric acid induction in liquid medium and direct transplantation of the shoots to peat ex vitro after induction were tested. For initiation, either Murashige and Skoog or Driver and Kuniyuki walnut medium with 0.02 mg/L gibberellic acid 4 + 7 and 0.5 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine were found to best promote shoot formation. Surface sterilisation remains the most challenging step. No significant differences were found between the multiplication media in either shoot production or rooting success. Rooting by direct transplanting was achieved in both species, but further development is required before application on a larger scale. With further improvements to sterilisation success especially in U. glabra, the method can be applied to the conservation of genetic resources of both U. laevis and U. glabra, and knowledge of regeneration success can be used to design the cryoconservation plan and optimise the sampling.

Carbon Stocks of Hardwood Floodplain Forests along the Middle Elbe: The Influence of Forest Age, Structure, Species, and Hydrological Conditions

Hardwood floodplain (HF) forests can store a considerable amount of carbon (C), and floodplains may be good candidates for reforestation to provide natural C sinks. In this study, we use nondestructive inventory methods to estimate the C stocks of different tree species and C pools within HF forests of varying age and structure and located at sites differing in hydrological conditions (low and high active floodplain, seepage water zone, tributaries). The study was carried out along the Elbe river (Germany). Average C stocks for young plantations in the active floodplain were significantly lower (50.2 ± 10.8 SE Mg ha−1) than those of old dense (140.6 ± 11.6 SE Mg ha−1) and old sparse forests (180.4 ± 26.6 SE Mg ha−1) with comparable hydrological conditions. C stocks of old dense forests did not significantly vary from old sparse forests. Additionally, C stocks of old forests did not significantly vary according to hydrological conditions. The highest amount of C was stored in Quercus robur for all hydrological conditions. Ulmus laevis stored the second-highest amount of C on the active floodplain. We conclude that sparse and dense forests as well as forests under different hydrological conditions provide the same C storage function.

The small-scale variation of herb-layer community structure in a riparian mixed forest

The ground vegetation layer is the most diverse plant community in forest ecosystems. We have shown the role of spatial variables, soil properties and overstorey structure in spatial variation of the herb-layer community in a riparian mixed forest . The research was conducted in the "Dnipro-Orils’kiy" Nature Reserve (Ukraine). The research polygon was located in the forest in the floodplain of the River Protich, which is a left tributary of the River Dnipro. Plant abundance was quantified by measuring cover within an experimental polygon. The experimental polygon consisted of 7 transects, each comprising 15 test points. The distance between the rows in the site was 3 m. At the site we established a plot of 45 × 21 m, with 105 subplots of 3 × 3 m organized in a regular grid. A list of vascular plant species was composed for each 3 × 3 m subplot along with visual estimates of species cover projection. The plant community was represented by 43 species, of which 18.6% were phanerophytes, 39.5% were hemicryptophytes, 9.3% were therophytes, 7.0% were geophytes. An overall test of random labelling revealed the total nonrandom distribution of the tree stems within the site. The species-specific test of random labelling showed the nonrandom segregated distribution of Acer tataricum, Pyrus communis, Quercus robur, and Ulmus laevis. Crataegus monogyna and Euonymus europaeus were distributed randomly. The nearest neighbour of Acer tataricum was less likely to be Ulmus laevis. There was no direct spatial connection between Acer tataricum and other trees. Crataegus monogyna, Pyrus communis, Quercus robur and Euonymus europaeus were not segregated from all other species. The nearest neighbour of Ulmus laevis was less likely to be Acer tataricum. Constrained correspondence analysis (CCA) was applied as ordination approach. The forward selection procedure allowed us to select 6 soil variables which explain 28.3% of the herb-layer community variability. The list of the important soil variables includes soil mechanical impedance (at the depth 0–5, 30–35, 75–80, and 95–10 cm), soil moisture, and soil bulk density. The variation explained by pure spatial variables accounted for 11.0 %. The majority of the tree-distance structured variation in plant community composition was broad-scaled. The spatial scalograms were left-skewed asymmetric. Significant relationship was found between the pure spatial component of the community variation and a number of phytoindicator estimations, most important of which were the variability of damping and humidity. Tree stand was obseerved to be a considerable factor structuring both the herb-layer community and spatial variation of the physical properties of soil.

Leaves of trees and shrubs as bioindicators of air pollution by particulate matter in Saint Petersburg

Accumulation of chemical elements by leaves of trees and shrubs in urban (Central District of St. Petersburg) and background habitats were studied. To determine proportion of pollutants accumulating on the surface of leaves, chemical content of washed and unwashed leaves were analyzed. The results of the study showed that big part (19-62%) of pollutants is deposited on the surface of leaves of urban lindens, and only 10% on the surface of leaves from background places. Average difference between quantity of particulate matter for them is 4 times. Tilia cordata and Ulmus laevis has the highest value of ash content between washing and washing leaves. The level of contamination (Kk) showed high values for Fe (8.83), Co (7.47), Cr (5.62), Pb (4.31), Zn (3.04) for unwashed leaves of urban lindens; for the washed leaves this index slightly increased only for Fe (3.12) and Pb (2.13). Accumulative ability depends on the structure of leaf blade of each species, and the ecological situation of the habitat. Ulmus laevis, Tilia cordata, Populus sp., and Rosa rugosa accumulate more pollutants, and can be recommended for protective green plantings. Tilia cordata, as the most common species in the city green spaces, can be used as an indicator of the level of atmospheric pollution.

ON THE STATE OF ULMUS LAEVIS PALL. IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

An assessment of the state of Ulmus laevis plantings in the urban environment was carried out on the example of Tomsk. Biometric characteristics and indicators of the viability of trees in street and boulevard plantings have been established. Information about pests and diseases of elm affecting its vital condition and decorative qualities has been obtained.

The content of water-soluble phenolic compounds in the leaves of woody plants growing in the area of sanitary protection zones of enterprises of the industrial region of Zaporizhzhya

The article presents the results of studying the accumulation of water-soluble phenolic compounds in the leaves of woody plants growing in the area of sanitary protection zones of a number of enterprises of Zaporizhzhya: Zaporizhzhya Titanium & Magnesium Combine, Zaporizhzhya Aluminium Plant, Zaporizhzhya Abrasive Plant, Zaporizhstal, Zaporizhcoke, Zaporizhzhya Ferroalloy Plant, Zaporizhvohnetryv, Ukrgrafit and Zaporizhtransformator. The concentration of phenolic compounds was found to be significantly higher under the technogenic conditions compared to the relatively "clean" area. Their highest concentration was found in the leaves of woody plants growing in the forest belt near the Zaporizhcoke plant. For the level of accumulation in the organs of assimilation of trees, and thereby for the degree of air pollution by the phenolic compounds, enterprises can be ranked as follows: Zaporizhcoke > Zaporizhstal ≥ Zaporizhzhya Ferroalloy Plant > Zaporizhvohnetryv > Ukrgrafit > Zaporizhzhya Aluminium Plant > Zaporizhzhya Titanium & Magnesium Combine > Zaporizhzhya Abrasive Plant > Zaporizhtransformator. Depending on the level of accumulation of phenolic compounds in the leaves, the plants have been divided into three groups. The largest amount of the pollutant, compared to the other species of woody plants, is being accumulated by the leaves of the following species: Ailanthus altissima, Betula pendula, Juglans regia, Populus alba, Populus nigra, Populus piramidalis, Populus simonii, Elaeagnus angustifolia, and the least amount – by Morus alba, Robinia pseudoacacia, Tilia cordata, Ulmus carpinifolia, Armeniaca vulgaris, Fraxinus lanceolata. The following species occupy the intermediate position between the two groups: Acer negundo, Acer platanoides, Aesculus hippocastanum, Catalpa bignonioides, Salix alba, Ulmus laevis. The tree species that can be characterized by their capacity to accumulate the highest concentration of water-soluble phenolic compounds may be recommended for the purpose of purification of atmospheric air. The following plant species, which turned to be the most sensitive indicators of air pollution, have been listed in a descending order according to the value of the coefficient of relative accumulation of phenolic compounds. Such species include Betula pendula, Catalpa bignonioides, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Ailanthus altissima, Populus simonii, Acer negundo, Ulmus laevis and Fraxinus lanceolata.

Flatter-Ulme (Ulmus laevis), Baum des Jahres 2019

Die Flatter-Ulme (Ulmus laevis) ist Baum des Jahres 2019. Von den beiden anderen heimischen Ulmen-Arten unterscheidet sie sich deutlich durch ihre Brettwurzeln. Durch Flussbegradigungen und Trockenlegungen von Auengebieten sind ihre Bestände zurückgegangen. Die Flatter-Ulme ist seltener vom Ulmensterben betroffen als die Berg- und Feld-Ulme. Das Ulmensterben beruht auf einer Infektion durch Schlauchpilze der Gattung Ophiostoma. Die Pilze können in die Ulmen eindringen, wenn diese vorher vom Ulmensplintkäfer (Gattung Scolytus) befallen worden sind.

Prepoznavanje i kartiranje šumskih staništa Natura 2000 u Hrvatskoj (II) – 91F0, poplavne šume s vrstama Quercus robur, Ulmus laevis, Ulmus minor, Fraxinus angustifolia; 91L0, hrastovo-grabove šume ilirskoga područja

U članku je opisano 11 šumskih stanišnih tipova iz Nacionalne klasifikacije staništa Republike Hrvatske, koji su inače svrstani u stanišne tipove 91F0 i 91L0 Natura 2000. Prvi tip u Hrvatskoj obuhvaća povremeno poplavne i mokre šume hrasta lužnjaka u kojima prevladavaju higrofilne vrste, a tip 91L0 obuhvaća šume hrasta lužnjaka i običnoga graba na mikrouzvisinama nizinskoga područja i šume hrasta kitnjaka i običnoga graba u brežuljkastom vegetacijskom pojasu. U njima izostaju higrofiti, a velik je udio mezofilnih vrsta među kojima se u kitnjakovo-grabovim šumama ističu one ilirskoga flornoga geoelementa. Svaki je tip iz Nacionalne klasifikacije staništa kratko opisan uz navod dijagnostičkih pokazatelja važnih za njegovu identifikaciju i razgraničenje od povezanih tipova. Naveden je i odgovarajući kôd prema EUNIS-ovoj klasifikaciji i literatura u kojoj je podrobnije opisan.

Predatory nematodes of the order Mononchida from riparian habitats in Bulgaria

The riparian zones represent habitats of high and specific biodiversity; however, historically they have been subject to intensive exploitation and most of them are drastically changed. Predatory nematodes are widespread terrestrial organisms and play an important role in biological regulation of litter/soil communities. Some preliminary results on the mononchid fauna in riparian habitats in South Bulgaria are presented. Thirty-four samples were collected from 29 localities with various vegetation types in three districts: Sofia, Smolyan and Burgas. Multiple core soil samples (3 per site) were collected from each habitat (15×15 m sampling site or along the river bank) around the roots of the dominant tree at a depth of 40–60 cm and from litter. The most intensively sampled plant tree was Salix spp. (11 samples) followed by Fraxinus spp. (8), Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. (6) and Ulmus spp. (3). Nematodes were isolated from 200 g of soil (by decanting and sieving method) and 10 g of litter (Baerman funnel method), fixed, dehydrated and mounted on permanent slides. More than 90% of all soil and litter samples contained at least one mononchid genus. Six genera: Prionchulus (Cobb, 1916) Wu and Hoeppli, 1929, Clarkus Jairajpuri, 1970, Mononchus Bastian, 1865 (fam. Mononchidae), Mylonchulus Cobb, 1916 (fam. Mylonchulidae), Miconchus Andrassy, 1958 and Anatonchus Cobb, 1916 (fam. Anatonchidae) were recovered. Prionchulus spp. prevailed in litter, occurring in half of the collected samples, while Mylonchulus spp. were most common in soil samples (35%). Representatives of Clarkus and rarely Mylonchulus occurred in both litter and soil. The highest diversity of mononchids (4 genera) was detected in the rhizosphere of Ulmus laevis Pall. along a small river in Strandzha Mt. Further morphological and molecular studies on populations and species identification are envisaged.