{"title":"Data of bioaccumulation and biomagnification from soil in biota nettle-snail (Urtica dioica, L and Helix pomatia,L) of heavy metal (Pb, Zn, Ni) pollution of mining activity in Mitrovica.","authors":"Mentor Bici, K. Bislimi","doi":"10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.21008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.21008","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT In this research project, we measured the impact and distribution of the activity of minning Trepça Complex in Mitrovica on the concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Ni) in soil, plant (Urtica dioica,L) and shell of snail (Helix pomatia). Introdiction: Large quantities of these metals come from natural and anthropogenic sources including mining activity, agriculture, pesticide use, industrialization, and inadequate disposal of mineral waste and artificial fertilizers. These inorganic pollutants are deposited in the soil, water, and atmosphere in various forms of complexes and are thus transmitted from plants, animals to humans. Climatic factors such as winds, rains, and temperatures are believed to be major contributors to the spread over time and space of heavy metals in the environment. Materials and methods: Soil samples, nettle plant (Urtica dioica, L), and snail (Helix pomatia, L), were collected from the selected pollution source of mine Trepça complex at distances of 1km, 2km, and 5km in the radius circles divided into four geographical areas. Also the control samples are collected in unpolluted site Opoja-Dragash municipalty. The samples were digested in microwave at 2000C for 45 min and have been read in flame absorber Analyticjena Contra AAA. Results: Higher concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Ni were recorded in the southern parts of the country compared to that control with significant differences (p<0.01). Bioaccumulation and biomagnification levels of these heavy metals have also been recorded in the roots, stalks, and leaves of the stinging nettle plant (Urtica dioica, L) as well as in snail shells (Helix pomatia, L.). Conclusions: The results show that the stinging nettle plant has translocated larger amounts of these heavy metals especially Pb along with the vegetative organs wherefrom these they are carried in the snail shell, which is fed on the stinging nettle plant. Also, results shown that the nettle plant Urtica dioica can be used in phytoremediation process whereas snail Helix pomatia can be used like bioindicator of heavy metal pollution.","PeriodicalId":37280,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Ecology","volume":"14 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139259811","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":"Hiding behaviour of bats in sandstone mines of North-Eastern Ukraine","authors":"Anton Vlaschenko","doi":"10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.19631","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.19631","url":null,"abstract":"Winter counting of bats in hibernacula is one of the main methods of estimating their population trends in Europe. However, it is not always possible for humans to identify and count all bats in the maze of big karstic caves or abandoned mines. Previously we notice a significant fluctuation in the numbers of bat species and individuals in sandstone mines located in the Kharkiv region (NE Ukraine), and hypothesized that a significant undercount happened due to the hiding of bats in deep crevices of sandstone. Here using a camera trap placed inside a mine (September 17-19, 2017) we tested this hypothesis. Firstly we identified significant levels of bat flight activity where no roosting bats had been observed through conventional visual survey methods. The proportion of identified bats (Myotis group and Plecotus auritus) on footage was similar to that obtained by usual winter counts. Finally, we filmed and documented cases of crawling bats inside the deep crevices in the wall depths. We ventured to make an extrapolation of bat numbers in a mine on the basis of autumn-spring mist-netting data, and our evidence that they do hide in crevices. Our observations clearly demonstrate that hiding bat behaviour in mines might result in an underestimation of the real number of hibernating bats in sand-stone mines.","PeriodicalId":37280,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Ecology","volume":"43 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139260230","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":"Geospatial Analysis For Determination Of Preferential Soil Conditions For The Desert Locust Oviposition","authors":"Giribabu Dandabathula, Rohit Hari, Koushik Ghosh, Rakesh Fararoda, Darshana Kumare, Amirthavarshini Sasikumar, Apurba Kumar Bera, Sushil Kumar Srivastav","doi":"10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.19493","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.19493","url":null,"abstract":"Understanding the thresholds of influencing parameters that favor the habitability of dangerous pests like desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) can aid in early detection and eradication using control operations. The life cycle of the desert locust and its behavioral changes are associated with the weather patterns and the region’s ecosystem settings. This study attempts to retrieve the preferential soil conditions like texture and moisture at the surface and subsurface levels for egg-laying by desert locusts. Towards this, Locust Hub, a comprehensive database of desert locusts maintained and disseminated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation under the Locust Watch program, was used to identify breeding site locations for 2017-2021. In this research, we extracted sand-silt-clay percentage at these breeding sites using SoilGrids ver. 2.0 from the World Soil Information Service database facilitated by International Soil Reference and Information Centre. Similarly, soil moisture conditions extracted from Level-4 data products of the Soil Moisture Active Passive mission for all these breeding sites aided in essaying the optimal soil conditions for the desert locust’s oviposition. This study’s results confirm the sand percentage in a broad range of 55-70% (for 90% of samples), followed by a narrow range of silt and clay with 19-24% and ~14-20%, respectively. Our study reveals that female desert locusts prefer sandy loam-textured soils for oviposition. The preferred range of soil moisture at the surface and subsurface resulted in 5-10% and 10-20%, respectively. These results confirm that dampness is required at the surface soil for initiating the oviposition by female desert locusts. Results from this research can aid in the early identification of breeding grounds during desert locusts’ invasion period.","PeriodicalId":37280,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Ecology","volume":"61 2","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135539850","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}
Clifton Omondi, None Dr. James Nonoh, None Dr. Regina Ntabo
{"title":"Characterization of Anopheles funestus Larval Habitats in Fiyoni, Kwale County, Kenya: Insights into Malaria Vector Ecology and Control","authors":"Clifton Omondi, None Dr. James Nonoh, None Dr. Regina Ntabo","doi":"10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.21173","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.21173","url":null,"abstract":"The breeding of malaria-spreading vectors such as Anopheles funestus is influenced by various environmental factors that contribute indirectly to the transmission of the Plasmodium parasite. However, there is limited knowledge of larval habitat ecology that hinder prevention and control of mosquito-borne diseases. This study aimed to characterize larval habitats based on physicochemical and habitat characteristics, considering the abundance of A. funestus. A cross-sectional survey method was used to collect data on the established transects. Physical parameters (water temperature, pH, conductivity, and total dissolved solids) were measured using a 5-in-1 meter probe. Levels of chemical parameters (sulphate, COD, and BOD) were determined in the laboratory using standard methods. Observations were also made on habitat characteristics (including watercolor, habitat size, and canopy). There was significant effect (P<0.05) of conductivity, pH, sulphate, COD, and BOD on the number of A. funestus larvae. Water samples with a high population of A. funestus larvae were found to have higher conductivity (Me of 470.5), TDS (Me = 235), and pH levels (Me of 6.71). Conversely, water samples with a high population of non-Anopheles funestus larvae were found to have higher COD (Me of 843.20), BOD (Me of 367.2), and SO4 levels (Me of 11.3). A significant correlation (p<0.5) existed between A. funestus larvae and physical water parameters. For instance, Anopheles funestus larvae was high (Me of 36.85) in stagnant water and in semi-permanent water (Me of 47.37). The study demonstrates that both physicochemical and habitat parameters significantly influence the abundance of Anopheles funestus larvae in larval habitats. Parameters such as conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, sulphate, COD, BOD, watercolor, depth, distance from the homestead, and habitat size were found to be important in determining the presence of A. funestus larvae. Therefore, vector control strategies should include larval source management by targeting rivers and other water bodies to prevent the emergence of Anopheles funestus.","PeriodicalId":37280,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Ecology","volume":"IA-19 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135166210","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}
Marco Antonio Rodríguez Segovia, María Mercedes Gavilánez Endara
{"title":"EFFECTS OF HUMAN DISTURBANCES ON THE SEED DISPERSAL BY BATS COMMUNITIES ON THE ANDEAN CHOCÓ","authors":"Marco Antonio Rodríguez Segovia, María Mercedes Gavilánez Endara","doi":"10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.18708","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.18708","url":null,"abstract":"In the northwest of Pichincha (Ecuador), the last tropical forests of the Chocó located in the Mashpi mountains have been fragmented due to deforestation and cattle ranching. We identified four different types of habitats in the area, based on the conservation status and management strategies: primary forest (PF), secondary forest in natural regeneration (SF1), secondary forest in assisted regeneration (SF2), and pastures for cattle (P). This research analyzed how the disturbances of each habitat influence the seed communities dispersed by understory fruit bats. Additionally, we studied the availability of plant resources that these animals can disperse in each habitat. In our results, anthropogenic disturbances caused significant changes in the natural dynamics of seed dispersal in disturbed habitats (SF1, SF2, and P). These alterations are delaying the processes of secondary succession and species recruitment, making it difficult to predict the successional trajectories that these habitats will follow in the future.","PeriodicalId":37280,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Ecology","volume":"50 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135169253","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}
Baigo Hamuna, Ervina Indrayani, Lalu Panji Iman Agamawan
{"title":"LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONSHIP OF EIGHT SPECIES OF FISH CAUGHT BY TRADITIONAL PAPUAN FISHERS IN YOUTEFA BAY, INDONESIA","authors":"Baigo Hamuna, Ervina Indrayani, Lalu Panji Iman Agamawan","doi":"10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.16530","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.16530","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, data on length and weight of fish were used to determine the length-weight relationship and condition factors of eight fish species that are targeted by traditional Papuan fishers and have high economic value (Lutjanus fulvus, Gerres oyena, Parupeneus barberinus, Siganus spinus, Siganus canaliculatus, Pelates quadrilineatus. Mugil cephalus, and Hemiramphus far) in Youtefa Bay, Papua Province, Indonesia. A total of 245 fish specimens were collected from Papuan fishermen during the period January to March 2020. The total length and body-weight of the fish specimens studied ranged from 15.2 to 32.1 cm (average 20.26±3.73 cm) and 42.72 to 371.86 g (average 124.10±52.45 g), respectively. The b value for all fish species studied ranged from 2.6919 to 3.0791, with the coefficient of determination (R2) ranging from 0.9022 to 0.9947. The growth patterns of the eight fish species were allometric (b ≠ 3; t-test < t-tab), where L. fulvus (2.824), P. barberinus (2.9136), S. canaliculatus (2.989), P. quadrilineatus (2.9577), M. cephalus (2.9096), and H. far (2.6919) were negative allometric (b < 3), while G. oyena (3.0596) and S. spinus (3.0791) are positive allometric (b > 3). Meanwhile, the relative condition factor and Fulton condition factor values ranged from 0.874 to 1.201 (average 0.999±0.321) and 0.204 to 2.726 (average 1.612±0.515). M. cephalus had a higher relative condition factor, while L. fulvus had a higher Fulton condition factor than other fish species","PeriodicalId":37280,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Ecology","volume":"136 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136183442","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":"New record of Rangia cuneata (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Mactridae) on southern coast of Baltic Sea (N Poland)","authors":"Przemysław Kurek, Blanka Wiatrowska","doi":"10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.19751","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.19751","url":null,"abstract":"In February 2021 a valve of Rangia cuneata – a clam native to North America, was found in a new location on the Polish coast in Ustka Bay. After first records of this clam in Europe in 2005 in Belgium and then in 2010 in the Baltic Sea (Russian part of the Vistula Lagoon), an increasing number of new observations have been reported since. This indicates an effective dispersal of this alien species in the Baltic waters.","PeriodicalId":37280,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Ecology","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136142848","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}
Berika Beridze, Mathieu Mahamoud-Issa, Mateusz Zmudzinski, Paula Antonina Bednarz, Zuzanna Karolina Filutowska, Bożena Sikora, Dominika Winiarska, Diego Carmona, Fabio Angeoletto
{"title":"Welcome to the (urban) jungle: notes on new science, biological evolution in cities","authors":"Berika Beridze, Mathieu Mahamoud-Issa, Mateusz Zmudzinski, Paula Antonina Bednarz, Zuzanna Karolina Filutowska, Bożena Sikora, Dominika Winiarska, Diego Carmona, Fabio Angeoletto","doi":"10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.19518","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17161/eurojecol.v9i2.19518","url":null,"abstract":"The city – a modern jungle, where not cellulose and photosynthesis but concrete and combustion reign supreme. The question now being asked by urban planners, governments, and scientists is if it may stay like that and if it can stay like that or if it has to stay like that. Social, economic, cultural, historical, and legal factors are determinants in the ecology of urban ecosystems. Even well-managed cities are usually hostile toward non-human inhabitants. Furthermore, as with any complex system, the equilibrium is fragile, even if it exists. This publication outlines the co-evolution and ecology of humans and other species in the cities, their importance, and perspectives.","PeriodicalId":37280,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Ecology","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136142662","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":"Potential Distribution of the Asiatic Black Bear in Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim Eastern Himalaya using MaxEnt Modeling","authors":"Rakesh Basnett, Awadhesh Kumar, Tajum Yomcha","doi":"10.17161/eurojecol.v9i1.16766","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17161/eurojecol.v9i1.16766","url":null,"abstract":"Habitat assessment and mapping are major functional keys in the need species conservation concern. The study aimed to understand the possible distribution of Asiatic Black bear (Ursus thibetanus) in the Khangchendzonga National Park. Sign survey, camera trapping, and trail monitoring were used to collect the presence-only data. In this analysis, we used Maximum Entropy Modeling and ArcGIS to determine the variable's contribution to the species distribution and presence. In total, 63 presence data were obtained, and out of 23 environmental variables we used only 15 different environmental variables due to multicollinearity. The ROC results show that variable consistency was excellent (mean AUC=0.941). The variables like Bio-14(Precipitation of driest month), Bio-2(Mean diurnal range (mean of monthly max temp - min temp)), Bio-13(Precipitation of wettest month), aspect and LULC were the critical factors for the distribution of U.thibetanus. The major distribution of U.thibetanus was found in the broadleaved, coniferous forest and grassland patches in the core area. The temperate zone is most preferred as compared to the sub-alpine and alpine zone by U.thibetanus. The distributional area accounts for 360.32km2, representing 20.19% of the whole core area of Khangchendzonga National Park. Large areas of distribution were predicted outside of the core areas, i.e. buffer and transition areas of Khangchendzonga National Park. This study offers valuable findings and data which can be used in future research and conservation management plans in and around Khangchendzonga National Park to mitigate human-bear interaction.","PeriodicalId":37280,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Ecology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43755345","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}
Marcin Górecki, Agata Kiełtyka-Kurc, Natalia Solarska
{"title":"Partial reinforcement increases resistance to extinction of operant task in mice trained with a clicker","authors":"Marcin Górecki, Agata Kiełtyka-Kurc, Natalia Solarska","doi":"10.17161/eurojecol.v9i1.18771","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17161/eurojecol.v9i1.18771","url":null,"abstract":"Learning skills are very important in terms of animal chance of survival in nature. Results of training of kept animals and studies on their learning can enlarge our understanding of their skills. The clicker training is a popular form of training of many animal species, consisting of associating a neutral stimulus (a click) with a reward. In our paper we examined if the used reinforcement scheme has an influence on the extinction of learned behaviour. Forty female house mice Mus musculus were divided into 2 groups of 20 subjects towards which two separate rewarding schemes were used. For completing a learned activity, the mice from the A group received a reward after each click (continuous reinforcement), and the mice from the B group only after the second or the third click (partial reinforcement). Afterwards, at the extinction phase the mice were receiving none reinforcement. Our results showed that the mice which were given only partial reinforcement were more resistant to the extinction of learned behaviour, i. e. performed significantly more attempts to obtain a reward.","PeriodicalId":37280,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Ecology","volume":"7 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135398996","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}