The effect of sludge retention time (SRT) on the Nitrifier typical kinetics at ambient temperature under the low ammonia density

Sludge retention time (SRT) regulation is one of the essential management techniques for refined control of the main-sidestream treatment process under the low ammonia density. It is indispensable to understand the effect of SRTs changes on the Nitrifier kinetics to obtain the functional separation of the Nitrifier and the refined control of the nitrification process. In this study, Nitrifier was cultured with conditions of 35 ± 0.5 °C, pH 7.5 ± 0.2, DO 5.0 ± 0.5 mg-O/L, and SRTs was controlled for 40 d, 20 d, 10 d, and 5 d. The net growth rate (), decay rate (), specific growth rate (), the yield of the Nitrifier (), temperature parameter (), and inhibition coefficient () have been measured and extended with the SRT decreases. Instead, the half-saturation coefficient () decreased. In addition, the limited value of pH inhibition occurs (), and the pH of keeping 5% maximum reaction rate () was in a relatively stable state. The trade of kinetics may be induced by the species structure of Nitrifier changed. The Nitrosomonas proportion was increased, and the Nitrospira used to be contrary with the SRT decreasing. It is a match for the functional separation of Nitrifier when SRTs was 20 d at ambient temperature under the low ammonia density. The kinetics of ammonia-oxidizing organism (AOO) and nitrite-oxidizing organism (NOO) in Nitrifier under different SRT conditions should be measured respectively to the refined control of the partial nitrification process in the future study. HIGHLIGHT The Nitrifier typical kinetics used to be affected notably by way of SRTs changes. The species structure of the Nitrifier was recognized beneath distinctive SRTs. The change of Nitrifier kinetics with SRTs used to be estimated by the species structure changes.

Assessing relationship of degradation of coastal zones and phytoplankton species structure of Lake Uvildy and Lake Turgoyak (South Ural, Russia)

The current paper aims at analyzing the species structure of the phytoplankton community of two reservoirs on the territory of South Ural. The given water bodies are of different trophicity, namely, oligotrophic Lake Turgoyak and oligomesotrophic Lake Uvildy. Both lakes, being natural monuments, are subject to intensive recreational use. A large flow of tourists is a serious problem for the ecological state of the water bodies coastal areas. Also, tourist activities can affect the state of aquatic biocenoses. In this work, the degree of recreational degression of the selected study sites was assessed. The analysis was carried out according to the state of landscapes, vegetation and trampledness of the surveyed area. Based upon the research the current paper reveals spatial patterns in the distribution of recreational load on the coastal geosystems and the level of anthropogenic transformation of the territory. Mainly due to the high density of recreational centres and camping areas, the coastal area is characterized by a high degree of regression. Some signs allow forecasting changes in the species composition of phytoplankton communities and the trophic status of the lakes depending on the degradation of the coastal zones. Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) have been dominant in plankton phytocoenosis of Turgoyak and Uvildy. At the same time, in the oligomesotrophic lake (Uvildy), the number of diatom species is significantly reduced in areas with a higher degree of regression. Thus, diatoms are sensitive indicators of anthropogenic impact on aquatic ecosystems. Green and blue-green algae biodiversity has grown in the water body. However, no relationship was found between their species diversity and the level regression. But the following tendency is observed for the oligotrophic Lake Turgoyak. The species diversity of green algae grows with an increase in the degression degree. To forecast the further state of the studied water bodies, the revealed patterns in the change of the phytoplankton species structure depending on the degradation level of the coastal territories can be used as eutrophication signs.

Effect of Climatic Gradient on Species Diversity and Structure of Faidherbia Albida Parkland in Burkina Faso (West Africa)

Background: Faidherbia albida parkland provide many ecosystem goods and services to people, ranging from provisioning to regulating services. Despite this importance, these parks are degraded due to overexploitation, which is accentuated by the adverse effects of climate change. In this context of climate change, little information exists on the state of these F. albida parkland, particularly their diversity and structure along the North-South climatic gradient. This study aims to determine the effect of climatic gradient of F. albida parklands in order to provide updated data for sustainable management. Floristic diversity and population structure were assessed through forest inventories in the three climatic zones of Burkina Faso. Thus, 99 circular plots of 1 ha were sampled in three zones, including 33 per climatic zone. The data processing concerned the calculation of diversity indices (Shannon, Piélou equitability, and species richness), importance value indices, and the calculation of the means of the dendrometric parameters. The analyses were based on the comparison of medians using the Kruskal-wallis test, and the effect of the climatic gradient on the different variables was tested using generalized linear models. All of these analyses were carried out using the R.4.0.5 software. Results: The dendrometric parameters and floristic diversity vary significantly (Pv˂0.05) according of climatic zone. Furthermore, based on ecological importance value indices and diameter class structure, the majority of dominant species (11) show a regressive dynamic in all three climatic zones characterized by abundance of old individuals at expense of young ones. This reflects an ageing and continuous destruction of these parklands. However, species such as V. tortilis (Sahelian zone) and A. indica (Sudano-Sahelian and Sudanian zones) show good dynamics. As for F. albida, its structure is regressive in all climatic zones.Conclusion: Although the climatic gradient has a significant effect on the diversity and species structure of F. albida parkland, their current dynamics are thought to be due to unsustainable management of local populations.

Accounting for forest management in the estimation of forest carbon balance using the dynamic vegetation model LPJ-GUESS (v4.0, r9710): implementation and evaluation of simulations for Europe

Global forests are the main component of the land carbon sink, which acts as a partial buffer to CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Dynamic vegetation models offer an approach to projecting the development of forest carbon sink capacity in a future climate. Forest management capabilities are important to include in dynamic vegetation models to account for the effects of age and species structure and wood harvest on carbon stocks and carbon storage potential. This article describes the implementation of a forest management module containing even-age and clear-cut and uneven-age and continuous-cover management alternatives in the dynamic vegetation model LPJ-GUESS. Different age and species structure initialisation strategies and harvest alternatives are introduced. The model is applied at stand and European scales. Different management alternatives are applied in simulations of European beech (Fagus sylvaticus) and Norway spruce (Picea abies) even-aged monoculture stands in central Europe and evaluated against above-ground standing stem volume and harvested volume data from long-term experimental plots. At the European scale, an automated thinning and clear-cut strategy is applied. Modelled carbon stocks and fluxes are evaluated against reported data at the continent and country levels. Including wood harvest in regrowth forests increases the simulated total European carbon sink by 32 % in 1991–2015 and improves the fit to the reported European carbon sink, growing stock, and net annual increment (NAI). Growing stock (156 m3 ha−1) and NAI (5.4 m3 ha1 yr1) densities in 2010 are close to reported values, while the carbon sink density in 2000–2007 (0.085 kg C m−2 yr1) equates to 63 % of reported values, most likely reflecting uncertainties in carbon fluxes from soil given the unaccounted for forest land-use history in the simulations. The fit of modelled and reported values for individual European countries varies, but NAI is generally closer to reported values when including wood harvest in simulations.

Tree Diversity, Biomass and Carbon Stock in Quartz Mined Area of Bilikal Hillock, hunasaekatte, Bhadravathi, Karnataka, South India

To learn about the abandoned mined area tree diversity, aboveground biomass and carbon stock a study was conducted in quartz mined Bilikal hillock area which is geographically adjacent to Umbalebylu 8 km to Bhadra wildlife sanctuary and 10 km of Kuvempu University. In the present study 0.14ha (350 m×4m) transect, we recorded 1527 individuals comprising 22 families among them Papilionaceae with 6 genera and 7 species, Combretaceae with 2 genera and 4 species followed by Rubiaceae with 3 genera and 3 species and Apocynaceae with 2 genera and 3 species. Based on girth class assessment nearly 1564 individuals comprising 1-10 cm had 559 individuals, the basal area was more within the girth class of 40-50 cm. But aboveground biomass and carbon stock were highest within the girth class of 20-30 cm. varying with species structure and girth class were a disturbed forest patch, the species composition needs management and restoration to retain the biodiversity intact to provide a niche for other co-species.

Trees and Bushes in the Bolshoi Uran River Basin (Orenburg Region)

The article analyzes the tree and shrub flora of the B. Uran river basin. An inventory of the flora was carried out, characteristics were given according to floristic spectra (taxonomic, ecological, phytocenotic, etc.), and a list of plants was compiled. It is established that 42 wild species of trees and shrubs belonging to 15 families grow on the studied territory. The most common family is Rosaceae, the largest genera are Salix and Populus. The availability of moisture was determined by the predominance of mesophytic forest vegetation. The chorological analysis of the flora indicates a significant presence of adventitious wild-growing species. The analysis of the species structure of phytocenoses indicates an anthropogenic succession.

Species structure and ecologo-trophic features of basidial macromycetes in the Novousmansky district of the Voronezh Region

The work is devoted to a long-term study of the species composition and ecologo-trophic features of basidial macromycetes growing in diverse communities in the Novousmansky district of the Voronezh Region. The mycological study revealed 405 species of macromycetes belonging to 2 divisions, 3 classes, 14 orders, 67 families and 145 genera. Most species of fungi belong to the orders Agaricales (177), Russulales (69), Polyporales (47) and Boletales (46). It was found that saprotrophs (187 species), represented by mono- (126) and polysaprotrophs (61), predominate in the forest coenoses in the Novousmansky district of the Voronezh Region. Macromycetes with a mixed type of nutrition (58) make up a large proportion of the detected fungi, among which facultative xylosaprotrophs dominate (21). Symbiotrophs include 58 taxa and form an exomycorrhiza with deciduous and coniferous trees. The overwhelming number of macromycete species are classified as edible (188) fungi. A smaller number of inedible (152), poisonous (51) and conditionally edible (14) representatives are represented. Special attention is paid to the issues of protection of rare and endangered basidiomycetes growing on the territory of the study. As a result of the survey of the Novousmansky district territory, 11 taxa of basidial fungi included in the 2nd edition of the Red Book of the Voronezh Region (2018) were identified.

Species structure of small game hunting in the Kirov region at the beginning of the XXI century

An assessment of the species structure and size of small game prey for the spring and autumn-winter hunting seasons on the territory of the Kirov region was made, using a questionnaire survey based on the analysis of the prey of 3220 individuals. Small game includes such species (groups of species) as mallard, Northern shoveler, pintail, teal-whistle, teal cracker (Garganey), Eurasian wigeon, diving ducks, white-fronted goose, bean goose, wood grouse, black grouse, hazel grouse, woodcock, double snipe, snipe, corncrake, wood pigeon, turtle doves, white hare, European hare. The average index of production by species and groups of species per 1 hunter, who went hunting in the spring and autumn-winter seasons, has been calculated. The size of game catch during the spring hunting was 135.8 thousand individuals, in the autumn-winter hunting season -470 thousand individuals. The summation of the results obtained made it possible to estimate the volume of the total (annual) catch of small game in the amount of almost 606 thousand individuals. The main species are the mallard, hazel grouse, white hare, woodcock, black grouse, Eurasian wigeon, teal cracker (Garganey), Northern shoveler, wood grouse, white-fronted goose, bean goose, teal-whistle, their total share is 94.88% of the annual production of small game. The first five species can be assessed as the most massive in production (or popular), the share of each of them is over 10% of the total production, and in total they amount to 70.4%.