Estonian Journal of Ecology最新文献

{"title":"Monitoring seasonal changes in microbial populations of spruce forest soil of the Northern Temperate Zone","authors":"L. Grantina, Gunta Bondare, Anna Janberga, G. Tabors, R. Kasparinskis, V. Nikolajeva, I. Muižnieks","doi":"10.3176/ECO.2012.3.03","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3176/ECO.2012.3.03","url":null,"abstract":"Soil microbial populations in the Northern Temperate Zone have been poorly studied in comparison with extreme environments. The aim of the work was to study the seasonal changes in the microbial populations of spruce forest soil of the Northern Temperate Zone using classical methods of microbiology and molecular biology. Upper horizons in two Picea abies stands on sod- podzolic and illuvial humus podzol soil were analysed. Sampling was done monthly over a period of twelve months (May 2009-April 2010). Microbial communities in both experimental plots showed different responses to the analysed environmental factors. In the sod-podzolic soil only the fungal DNA amount was significantly higher in the rest period (October-April) in comparison with the active vegetation period (May-September) and the number of Penicillium spp. colonies was larger in the active vegetation period. In the other soil the number of maltose utilizing bacteria, yeasts, and Penicillium spp. and other culturable filamentous fungi was significantly higher in the active vegetation period, while the fungal DNA amount was elevated in the rest period. Although ARDRA did not reveal differences, sequencing of 84 fungal isolates showed different compositions of the communities. Sorensen's index between the plots was low (0.29). Comparing the active vegetation period with the rest period, the index was higher (0.48). Although all tested fungal isolates from the rest period were able to grow at 4 °C, none of them showed psychrotrophic growth characters.","PeriodicalId":262667,"journal":{"name":"Estonian Journal of Ecology","volume":"11 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114158912","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ixodid ticks in St. Petersburg: a possible threat to public health","authors":"K. Tretyakov, S. Medvedev, M. A. Apanaskevich","doi":"10.3176/ECO.2012.3.04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3176/ECO.2012.3.04","url":null,"abstract":"Seasonal field investigations of the distribution and abundance of four ixodid tick species in the urban area of St. Petersburg and of their host species - small, medium-sized, and large vertebrates - were carried out in 2006-2010. A total of 27 sites in this area were studied. Stable populations of ixodid ticks were present in forests near the Morskaya railway station, in the Lake Razliv region, the Northern and Southern cemeteries, and the Rzhevskij and Nevskij forest parks. These areas are most dangerous for people. The largest number of the ticks Ixodes persulcatus in St. Petersburg was 18 adults per 1 dragging hour (in the forest near Lake Razliv).","PeriodicalId":262667,"journal":{"name":"Estonian Journal of Ecology","volume":"30 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132356767","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The First Finding of the Palaemonid Shrimp Palaemon Elegans Rathke in the Estonian Coastal sea/Garneeli Palaemon Elegans Rathke Esmasleid Eesti Rannikumeres","authors":"J. Kotta, I. Kuprijanov","doi":"10.3176/ECO.2012.2.06","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3176/ECO.2012.2.06","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this paper was to describe rapid colonization of the nektobenthic crustacean Palaemon elegans in the Estonian coastal sea. The shrimp was caught for the first time from the Estonian coastal sea in July 2011. Within the same month the species was simultaneously found at high densities in four water basins: the Gulf of Finland, the Gulf of Riga, the West Estonian Archipelago Sea, and the Baltic Proper. Among individuals many mature females were found. Thus, having a wide distribution range, high densities, and great reproduction potential, P. elegans has most likely formed a permanent population all over the Estonian coastal sea.","PeriodicalId":262667,"journal":{"name":"Estonian Journal of Ecology","volume":"65 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115874768","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First Findings of the Benthic Macroalgae Vaucheria Cf. Dichotoma (Xanthophyceae) and Punctaria Tenuissima (Phaeophyceae) in Estonian Coastal waters/Bentiliste Makrovetikate Vaucheria Cf. Dichotoma Ja Punctaria Tenuissima Esmaleiud Eesti Rannikumeres","authors":"P. Kersen","doi":"10.3176/ECO.2012.2.05","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3176/ECO.2012.2.05","url":null,"abstract":"The north-eastern Baltic Sea is known to have relatively low species richness due to unfavourable salinity for many species. Here I report new records of two phytobenthic species for the Estonian marine flora: the yellow-green alga Vaucheria cf. dichotoma (L.) Martius and the epiphytic brown alga Punctaria tenuissima (C. Agardh) Greville. Besides, the former is the first observation of a species of the class Xanthophyceae in the Estonian coastal waters and is the first macrophytobenthic record of the class in the entire Gulf of Riga. The brown alga P. tenuissima was found for the first time in the entire Gulf of Finland. Morphological characteristics are shown for both species and possible reasons behind the new records are discussed.","PeriodicalId":262667,"journal":{"name":"Estonian Journal of Ecology","volume":"137 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123049883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Individual Fecundity of the Autumn Spawning Baltic Herring Clupea Harengus Membras L/Sugiskuderaime (Clupea Harengus Membras L.) Individuaalne Viljakus","authors":"T. Arula, H. Ojaveer, H. Shpilev","doi":"10.3176/ECO.2012.2.04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3176/ECO.2012.2.04","url":null,"abstract":"Variability in reproductive investment is an important factor behind recruitment and population dynamics of fish. We investigated absolute individual fecundity (AF) of the currently depleted population of autumn spawning herring in the northern Baltic Sea over three sequential years (2008-2010). Fecundity of fish in relation to changes in individual body mass, individual body length, body condition factor, age, and gonadosomatic index was investigated. AF varied between 11 838 and 108 093 oocytes per fish and, as an average, varied insignificantly between years. AF was positively significantly related to fish length and weight, but not to age. In general, individuals with a higher condition factor (K) had a higher AF. However, the correlation with K was weak or non-significant in some cases. Relative fecundity of the fish was found to vary 24-33% between years, being significantly different in all three years. In addition, the obtained results on AF were compared with historical findings from 1959-1970, when the population was at a high level. Notable differences were found in the AF between the two time periods by age groups, while by weights AF remained the same. The results of the present study, together with ongoing additional biological and ecological investigations, will help to identify mechanisms that configure the fecundity and recruitment processes.","PeriodicalId":262667,"journal":{"name":"Estonian Journal of Ecology","volume":"34 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133217692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Defining the Coastal Water Quality in Estonia Based on Benthic Invertebrate communities/Eesti Rannikumere Vee Kvaliteedi Klassipiiride Maaratlemine Suurselgrootute Alusel","authors":"J. Kotta, V. Lauringson, A. Kaasik, I. Kotta","doi":"10.3176/ECO.2012.2.02","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3176/ECO.2012.2.02","url":null,"abstract":"INTRODUCTION The European Union Water Framework Directive aims at protecting, enhancing, and restoring all bodies of surface water with the ultimate aim of achieving good surface water status by 2015. In order to implement the directive, all member states have to assess the status of their coastal areas and develop or use existing classification systems to support future monitoring. Consequently, classification will be a key part of the implementation of the Directive (European Commission, 2000). It is known that aquatic ecosystems are complex mixtures of plants and animals. Aquatic systems may respond to variations in their physical, chemical, and biological environments in many very different ways because these assemblages typically include organisms with a wide range of physiological tolerances, feeding modes, and trophic interactions (e.g. Bonsdorff & Pearson, 1999; Kotta et al., 2008). This is also the reason why plant and animal assemblages are rarely similar between sites, and their interactions with prevailing physical, chemical, and biological environments determine their responses to human-induced stresses (Kotta et al., 2007; Veber et al., 2009; Lauringson et al., 2012). Classification systems seek to describe all these interactions and artificially divide the observed continua into discrete classes using statistical manipulations. While classification systems have considerable value as management concepts, it has to be remembered that they are at best an approximation of actual ecological quality (e.g. Southworth et al., 2004; Bolliger & Mladenoff, 2005). In the northeastern Baltic Sea, harsh environmental conditions result in a low number of benthic species (Bonsdorff & Pearson, 1999); nevertheless, these species can be considered very tolerant to various disturbances including anthropogenic stresses (Kotta et al., 2007, 2009). Thus, it becomes of utmost challenge to separate natural variability from human-induced changes that have occurred since the so-called pre-eutrophication era. In fact, benthic studies in the pre-eutrophication era are rare and often hampered by the lack of quantitative estimates (see also Kotta & Kotta, 1995; Eriksson et al., 1998; Kovtun et al., 2009). The extent to which the benthic life has deteriorated compared with the pre-eutrophication era is difficult to assess given the lack of comprehensive data sets. In this respect, the earlier documentation by A. Jarvekulg in the Central Databases of the Estonian Marine Institute provides a unique opportunity to compare the benthic macroinvertebrate communities over the last 50 years, and these data can be used to record the sensitivity values of zoobenthic taxa as well as to define the high quality status for zoobenthic communities. Biological water quality indices developed for the brackish water conditions raise the issue of the Estuarine Quality Paradox, as estuaries are naturally highly stressed environments and inhabited by stress-tolerant biota (Dauvin, 200","PeriodicalId":262667,"journal":{"name":"Estonian Journal of Ecology","volume":"6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127021439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Response of submerged aquatic vegetation to eutrophication-related environment descriptors in coastal waters of the NE Baltic Sea","authors":"K. Torn, G. Martin","doi":"10.3176/ECO.2012.2.03","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3176/ECO.2012.2.03","url":null,"abstract":"A national water quality classification system for surface waters based on type-specific reference conditions that fulfils the EU WFD requirements was established in Estonia in early 2007. The main objective of the current study was to test the Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) indicators included in the Estonian national assessment scheme against most commonly used parameters applied to describe the eutrophication situation. The aim was to detect possible regional differences in indicator response and to contribute to further development of those indicators. Depth distribution of phytobenthos, depth distribution of Fucus vesiculosus, and proportion of perennial plant species are currently used as SAV-related water quality indicators in the Estonian national system. All three indicators showed the strongest correlation with water transparency. The Southeastern Gulf of Finland was the water type showing in most cases the strongest relationship between eutrophication variables and the three tested SAV indicators. The performance between the tested variables was poorest in Parnu Bay and the Vainameri area. Revision of the used indicator system is needed in these areas.","PeriodicalId":262667,"journal":{"name":"Estonian Journal of Ecology","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131366617","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Naturalness of Quercus robur stands in Latvia, estimated by structure, species, and processes","authors":"Sandra Ikauniece","doi":"10.3176/ECO.2012.1.07","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3176/ECO.2012.1.07","url":null,"abstract":"In seven Quercus robur stands in Latvia, the past history of stand development was determined by size and age structure of trees, dead wood amounts, cut stumps, and by forest inventory records and maps. All the stands met the criteria of Woodland Key Habitats. Quercus robur was the main canopy species in all stands. Since the time of the recruitment of canopy trees, there has been minimal release of the Q. robur in the > 1-m height class, at least among those that have survived until today. One stand lacked evidence of natural successional processes, while the others were naturally regenerating with Picea abies or deciduous tree species, such as Fraxinus excelsior, Ulmus glabra, Alnus glutinosa, and Tilia cordata. The dead wood amounts in plots suggest a high level of naturalness. However, the ages of the canopy oaks (up to 226 years) indicate lack of long-term natural development. Also, the presence of cut stumps in three plots and lack of standing dead wood in four plots are signs of the impact of human disturbance on natural processes. Since the 1920s, one of the stands had converted from a Populus tremula and Betula pendula to a Q. robur canopy. Even though the studied stands can be considered as having low naturalness based on age structure and past management history, they each supported two to eight Woodland Key Habitat indicator species, including one to six protected species.","PeriodicalId":262667,"journal":{"name":"Estonian Journal of Ecology","volume":"21 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127709949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Personal and shared: the reach of different herbal landscapes","authors":"R. Sõukand, R. Kalle","doi":"10.3176/ECO.2012.1.04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3176/ECO.2012.1.04","url":null,"abstract":"We analyse the use of medicinal plants by local populations from two parishes in central Estonia in the 1930s applying a model of herbal landscape. Our study, based on archived records of traditional ecological knowledge of 11 schoolchildren and 5 adults, compares the individuals' expertise of medicinal plants to the common knowledge of the local community. This shared knowledge, passed on from generation to generation inside the community (ecocultural commons), is distributed unequally among its members. The results of the study show that 65 plant and 3 fungi taxa were used in folk medicine to deal with 49 indications. Further, the study reveals how know- ledge on plants was distributed among individuals throughout the local communities and how folk wisdom about medicinal plants was preserved. The individual herbal landscapes of the respondents varied considerably, with the usage of many plants shared by only a few members of the community. Still, the general pattern of the communal herbal landscape follows relatively well the pattern of the plant use in folk medicine in Estonia at the time under review, with just a few exceptions. Hence, every person partakes in the knowledge of the ecocultural commons, whereas the individual share of the community's knowledge is not complete.","PeriodicalId":262667,"journal":{"name":"Estonian Journal of Ecology","volume":"69 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128870132","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trees for marking boundaries of landed property in premodern Estonia","authors":"U. Tarkiainen","doi":"10.3176/ECO.2012.1.06","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3176/ECO.2012.1.06","url":null,"abstract":"The German and Danish conquest of the Estonian region in the 13th century, which resulted in new power and property relationships, restructured the cultural landscape and gradually replaced the former zone or regional boundaries by linear boundaries. Until ca 1650 property boundaries were usually described by trees marked with a cross. At the end of the 17th century, Swedish authorities began to regulate the demarcation of landed property boundaries with stones, which do not change their form as trees do. In folklore collections, little information is found about boundary trees; rather, tales about the trees with a sign of a cross cut into them were usually related to the magic of death, to remember the deceased by a tree with a cross scraped into it on the border of their former farmstead or village.","PeriodicalId":262667,"journal":{"name":"Estonian Journal of Ecology","volume":"14 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122281311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}