Arthropods in trophic-cenosis structure of collared flycatcher consortium in conditions of forest ecosystems of North-Eastern Ukraine

In settlements, safe places for birds nesting and feeding need to be created. The purpose of the work is to assess the state and identify vectors of the formation of nesting bird communities in parks under the pressure of anthropic load in the metropolis. In parks of Kyiv 62 species of birds nest. Such faunogenetic complexes like European nemoral (25.0–53.3%), Desert-mountain (12.0–27.8%) and Forest-steppe (6.9–25.0%) prevail. The number of community species in each of parks is 49–12, the average nesting density is 0.08±0.02–0.9±0.19 pairs / ha, and the dispersion is 0.12–1.62. With the combination of anthropic load on biotopes of more than 140 points with a small area of parks (2.0–16.5 ha), the species composition of communities decreases, and the average nesting density and density dispersion increase. Dominated by density: Parus major, Columba livia, Sturnus vulgaris, Turdus merula, Passer domesticus, Passer montanus, Fringilla coelebs, Columba palumbus, Apus apus, Ficedula albicollis, Erithacus rubecula, Turdus pilaris. All birds in communities are obligate synanthropes (12.9%; n=62) or hemisinanthropes. Obligate synanthropes are distributed in communities of 0-7 species. According to the gradient of increasing anthropic load on parks, logarithmic trends show a slight increase in the percentage share of obligate synanthropes in the species composition and in the number of breeding pairs. 47–70% nest on trees, 0–14.3% in shrubs, 0–13.0% on ground and in buildings. In parks, birds (16–38% of the species composition), in addition to using species-specific stations, nest in the cavities of buildings. Such species like Motacilla alba L., Sturnus vulgaris, Ficedula albicollis, Muscicapa striata Pallas, Erithacus rubecula, Parus major, Passer domesticus, Passer montanus nest in this way. Due to this nesting strategy, the need of the birds in hollows and the dependence on the woodpeckers in the community decreases. High parameters of the Shannon index (1.51–3.14) and Pielou index (0.61–0.95) were revealed, with low data of the Berger-Parker index (0.15–0.61). With an anthropic load of more than 160 points, there is a sharp decrease in species diversity, evenness of species, and increased dominance pressure. Cluster analysis showed the division of bird communities into similarity groups according to the area of the parks, the proximity of parks to the outskirts of the city and large forest tracts of the area and specifics of the anthropic load.

Many leaf-eating insects drop from their host plants to escape predators. However, they must return to the leaves of the host plant after dropping, which represents a cost associated with this behaviour. In woody plants, the positioning of leaves is generally higher than that of herbaceous plants, which suggests that dropping from woody plants might be costlier for leaf-eating insects than dropping from herbaceous plants. Therefore, we predicted that dropping behaviour would be observed less frequently in insects that feed on woody plant leaves than in those that feed on herbaceous plant leaves. To test this prediction, we investigated dropping behaviour experimentally in larvae (23 species) and adults (112 species) of leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on their host plants (86 species of 44 families) in field conditions. Larvae on woody plants exhibited dropping behaviour less frequently than those on herbaceous plants. However, this pattern was not detected in adults. Thus, host plant growth form might affect the evolution of dropping behaviour in leaf beetle larvae, but not in winged adults, perhaps owing to their higher mobility.

THE COLLECTION FUND OF TREE AND SHRUB PLANTS OF THE KRYVYI RIH BOTANICAL GARDEN OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF UKRAINE AS A SOURCE OF ENRICHMENT OF THE ASSORTMENT FOR GREENING URBAN AREAS

We evaluated the interslope and intraslope distributions of species richness in 17 taxa representing cyanobacteria, lower plants (Agaricales, lichens, mosses), invertebrates (butterflies, grasshoppers, oribatid mites, springtails, carpet, darkling, dung, hister, jewel, and leaf beetles), vertebrates (reptiles), and two rather ecological groups (soil fungi and woody plants) at the microsite “Evolution Canyon”, lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel. At least seven, out of all the studied ones, showed significant differences in species richness between the “African savanna-like” south-facing slope (AS) and the “European garrigue-like” north-facing slope (ES) separated by a distance of a 100 m at the valley bottom. Four clusters representing the studied taxa could be distinguished according to inter-and intraslope species richness distributions. The “heat-dependent” taxa (reptiles, butterflies, darkling beetles) behaviourally adjust for heat gain and show a propensity for the more illuminated, drier, warmer, “AS”. Grasshoppers, carpet, and leaf beetles were more speciose at “AS” as well, but this might relate to the annual plants cover. The “humidity-dependent” taxa (soil fungi, springtails, mosses, Agaricales, woody plants, oribatid mites) share their propensity for higher environmental humidity, higher amount of water on the cooler “ES” covered by the dense Mediterranean garrigue. Except for the oribatid mites, their species richness followed a downslope trend of increasing humidity and water runoff on both slopes. Our results indicate that environmental factors related to the specific slope microclimate − mainly water and energy – should be considered as factors influencing the local distribution of species richness.

Bird nests can provide habitats for various invertebrates, including ectoparasites, scavengers, and predators. Records of ants associating with active bird nests mostly involve the insects searching for food, with some exceptional records of ants raising their broods (eggs, larvae or pupae) within songbird nests in nest-boxes or tree cavities. We present data for a previously undocumented, but apparently regular, occurrence of ants and their broods within the active nests of a songbird, the wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix (Bechstein, 1793), which builds domed nests on the ground in European forests. Systematic recording found ants, mostly Myrmica ruginodis Nylander, 1846, in 43% of 80 wood warbler nests in the primary forest of Bialowieza National Park (Poland) during the springs of 2016–2017, including ant broods in 30%. Ad hoc records from this site in 2004–2015 found ants in a further 29% of 163 nests, including broods in 20%, indicating a regular association. However, examination of 37 nests from secondary forest in Switzerland and Great Britain founds ants in only 14%, and broods in just 5%. We discuss the potential drivers and mechanisms of the observed association between breeding wood warblers and ants, including the apparent difference in frequency between the primary and secondary forests.

Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) show little sexual dimorphism, and although males are usually larger than females, sexing by direct observation may be difficult, especially in the case of chicks. In this paper we evaluate the utility of four different PCR-based sex determination techniques using genomic DNA for sexing Magellanic Penguins. We found that the primer set designed for sex determination in Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) also provided a reliable, simple and convenient sexing procedure for Magellanic Penguins. Additionally, we obtained discriminant functions for sexing adults and chicks, sampled at six colonies differing in size and other ecological characteristics. Discriminant function for adults used two variables, bill length and bill depth that correctly classified 97% of the birds. Discriminant function for chicks included bill length and flipper length and correctly classified 78% of the individuals. Although molecular and biometric approaches could be use...

Abstract. An annotated list of beetles of the subfamily Chrysomelinae of Kuba-Khachmaz Region of Azerbaijan is provided for the first time. In total 18 species were found, 5 of which are new records to Azerbaijan and 4 to Kuba-Khachmaz Region. Also, among these beetles such a serious pests were recorded as Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say, Chrysolina menthastri Suffr., Chrysomela populi L., Chrysomela vigintipunctata Scop., Qastrophysa polygoni L., Phaedon cochleariae F. which are harmful to both forest and agricultural ecosystems. Methods. Collection of eggs, larvae, pupae and adults was carried out by examination of wild and cultivated plants, soil excavation as well as mowing a net for wild plants and trees.To determine leaf beetles used classification and nomenclature of prof. L.N. Medvedeva and prof. D.S. Shapiro. Results. As a result of research conducted in Cuba-Khachmaz Region 18 species are recorded. To clarify the current state of fauna and nature of the propagation of leaf beetles injuring agricultural plants in the region, and to establish links with certain environmental conditions and rationalization measures against the most harmful species, the importance of finding the distribution of leaf beetles on individual habitats and on the basis of the materials give some data on the biological and ecological features in the territory of Cuba-Khachmaz Region. Main conclucasions . Leaf beetles registered for Cuba-Khachmaz Region of Azerbaijan belong to 8 genera and 18 species of the subfamily Chrysomelinae: 8 species of the genus Chrysolina, 2 species of Chrysomela, 1 species of Colaphellus, 2 species of Entomoscelis, 1 species of Qastrophysa, 2species of Phratora and 2 species of Phaedon. Among them, 3 species are recorded for the first time for the fauna of Azerbaijan and 4 species for the fauna of Cuba- Khachmaz Region.

The article presents the results of ecological and biological analysis of species composition of five rare and endangered endemic plant species of southeastern Kazakhstan listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The importance of this research topic is determined by the need for a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the ecological and biological characteristics of rare plant species growing in the southeast of Kazakhstan. The studies were conducted in the southeast of Kazakhstan (Zailiysky Alatau, Ketpen), where the objects of the study were representatives of rare and endangered endemic plant species: Astragalus rubtzovii Boriss, Taraxacum kok-saghyz L.E. Rodin., Schmalhausenia nidulans (Regel) Petr. Betula Jarmolenkoana Golosk., Rheum wittrockii Lundstr., from natural populations. The study of the state of the coenopopulation of rare and endemic plant species was carried out by route and semi-stationary methods. The novelty of the work is that for the first time the most complete ecological and biological characteristics of rare and endangered endemic plant species of the southeast of Kazakhstan are given, their biological features and habitat characteristics are studied. In the study area, 5 identified rare and endangered endemic plant species are represented by 2 types of life forms, where the predominant group among rare and endemic species is hemiocryptophytes (perennial plants) and one species is represented by a phanerophyte - a woody plant (Betula jarmolenkoana).

Arboretums are centers of introduction and study of woody plants’ ecological and biological characteristics, promising species identification for their subsequent introduction in landscape construction. The dendrological park has conducted studies of both wild and introduced species of woody plants, 117 species in total. The analysis of urban conditions stability and decorativeness of 117 woody plants’ species, including wild species, as well as systematic, biomorphological and chorologic analyses were performed. The article provides data on the degree of introduction and winter resistance of 96 trees and shrubs species. According to the results of the study, the list of the wood plants most successfully adapted to urbanized conditions for their further use in the cities of Central Russia considering their features in landscape design was composed.

The indicators of the sanitary condition of woody plants in the conditions of natural and artificial ecosystems of the Voronezh and Saratov Regions were established and analyzed. In suburban ecosystems of the research area, the state of woody plants is determined at the level of weak damage. In suburban areas of Balashov with the greatest economic and technosphere potential, woody plants reach an average (moderate) degree of damage. In remote relatively preserved ecosystems (control parameters), the state of these organisms corresponds to a weak ecological diagnostic criterion. According to the identified average arithmetic sanitary indicators in the Voronezh Region, the best condition is characterized by woody plants in the ecosystems of Novohopersk and Gribanovsky, in the Saratov Region - in Turki and Samoylovka. There were also significant differences in the arithmetic mean parameters of the sanitary condition of this group plants representatives differentiated by functional zones. The highest damage values are typical for woody plants in the urban ecosystems of industrial zones. The maximum danger to woody plants was observed within these zones in Povorino, Borisoglebsk, and Balashov with high-level average values of damage to these organisms. Significant concern is also caused by the defeat of the analyzed group of organisms in these cities as part of the ecosystems of the settlement zones. The results of the assessment of the sanitary condition of woody plants should be used as a scientific basis for landscaping, environmental protection and reforestation. Measures are proposed to improve the condition of woody plants in various types of ecosystems in the research area. According to the sanitary state of these organisms, it is possible to determine the limits of sustainability of ecological frameworks and differentiate the parameters of environmental comfort for the local population in different territorial categories.

This account provides information on all aspects of the biology ofNeottia nidus‐avis(L.) Rich. (Bird's‐nest Orchid) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of Britain and Ireland: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, reproductive characteristics, herbivory, history and conservation.Neottia nidus‐avisis a native mycoheterotrophic orchid; it is found most frequently in the deep humus of densely shaded beech woodlands, on limestone or chalky soils in the British Isles. The species extends throughout temperate Eurasia.Neottia nidus‐avisis a perennial, mostly monocarpic herb with mixed mode of reproduction and many adaptations to autogamy. The perennating organ is a short rhizome; vegetative reproduction by rhizome branching or root‐sprouting is rather infrequent. Because of its achlorophyllous nature,N. nidus‐avisis entirely dependent on its mycorrhizal basidiomycetes from the family Sebacinaceae for nutrition.Plastid genome ofN. nidus‐avishas been reduced as a result of the relaxation of functional constraints on photosynthesis as in other mycoheterotrophic plants. Despite this, the plant has retained all enzymes to produce chlorophyll as well as some photoprotective metabolites, such as zeaxanthin and tocopherol, whose function in the mycoheterotrophic plant remains unresolved.The species flowers from May to June, depending on latitude and altitude. The flowers emit a sweet scent and produce little nectar. They may be pollinated by flies, crawling thrips and ants but self‐pollination is presumed to be the main mode of reproduction. Between 75% and 97% of open flowers set fruits.Neottia nidus‐avisis classified asVulnerablein Great Britain. The species is scattered throughout much of the British Isles, but it is very scarce except in southern England, where it is locally abundant. The main threats are deforestation, changes in woodland management and coniferization.

Sadly, Richard Bird is stepping down as the editor of the ‘Functional Pearls’ column. As a farewell present, I would like to dedicate a tree to him. A woody plant is appropriate for at least two reasons: Richard has been preoccupied with trees in many of his pearls, and where else would you find a bird's nest? Actually, there is a lot of room for nests, as the tree is infinite. Figure 1 displays the first five levels. The Bird tree, whose nodes are labelled with rational numbers, enjoys several remarkable properties.

收集全球803种木本植物叶片硅（Si）、钙（Ca）数据，研究不同木本植物生活型（常绿植物以及落叶植物、针叶植物以及阔叶植物）叶片Si、Ca元素的化学计量学特征及其与纬度、气候因子（年平均温度，年平均降水量）间的关系。结果表明：（1）全球尺度上木本植物叶片Si、Ca含量存在较大变异性，且含量均低于中国境内的研究结果；（2）不同生活型树种间存在差异，针叶树叶片Si含量及Ca/Si显著高于阔叶树，落叶树叶片Si、Ca含量及Ca/Si均显著高于常绿树种；（3）随着纬度升高、年平均温度及年平均降水量的下降，全球尺度木本植物叶片Si、Ca含量显著升高，而Ca/Si显著下降；（4）不同生活型木本植物对气候因子的响应不同，除针叶及落叶树种的Ca含量外，其余各生活型树种Si、Ca含量与纬度及气候因子显著相关，随着纬度升高而升高，随年平均温度及年平均降水量的升高而降低，且随着年平均温度的降低，常绿及阔叶树种叶片Si含量下降速度显著高于落叶及针叶树种。研究结果能够为全球尺度生态化学计量学模型的发展提供数据基础，有助于更好地理解和模拟区域乃至全球尺度上纬度和气候因子对植物叶片Si、Ca含量的影响。;The ecological stoichiometric characteristics of silicon (Si) and calcium (Ca) play crucial roles in plant nutrient absorption, and thus impact the global biogeochemical cycle of Si and Ca. However, few were known about the stoichiometric characteristics of Si and Ca in the woody plant. In this study, using the collected data of Si and Ca of 803 woody plants in the world from the Plant Trait Database and published literature, the stoichiometric characteristics of Si and Ca in leaves of different woody plant life forms (evergreen plants, deciduous plants, coniferous plants and broad-leaved plants) and their relationships with latitude and climatic factors (mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitation) were investigated using the covariance analysis method. The results showed that:(1) the contents of Si and Ca in leaves of woody plants were highly variable at a global scale, and their contents were lower than those in China. In detail, the global geometric mean content of Si and Ca was 0.28 and 1.73 mg/g, respectively. (2) The contents of Si and Ca are varied among different life forms. The Si content and Ca/Si ratio of coniferous trees were significantly higher than those of broad-leaved trees, and the contents of Si, Ca in leaves of deciduous trees were significantly higher than those of evergreen trees; (3) With the increase of latitude and the decrease of mean annual temperature and precipitation, the contents of Si, Ca and Ca/Si in leaves of woody plants at the global scale increased significantly,while Ca/Si decreased significantly; (4) The responses of Si and Ca contents in leaves of different life forms to climate factors were varied. Except for Ca content of coniferous and deciduous trees, Si, Ca content in the life forms of evergreen plants and broad-leaved plants were significantly related to latitude and climate factors, and increased with the increase of latitude and decreased with the increase of mean annual temperature and precipitation. With the decrease of mean annual temperature, the decrease rate of Si content in leaves of evergreen and broad-leaved trees was significantly higher than that of deciduous and coniferous trees. From the perspective of ecostoichiometric characteristics, this study provides data basis for the development of ecological stoichiometric models at a global scale, and helps to better understand and simulate the effects of latitude and climate factors on the content of Si and Ca in plant leaves at regional and global scales.

Woody plant encroachment has become increasingly problematic in arid and semi-arid ecosystems with the potential to pose serious threats to natural vegetation composition and structure. Although several studies have documented the structure of woody plants in riparian zones, little attention has been given to quantifying woody plant encroachment along the Molopo River. This study was conducted to assess the composition and structural patterns of woody species in the encroached and benchmark sites situated along the riparian zone of the Molopo River near the Tshidilamolomo, Makgori and Loporung villages. Three 20 × 20 m plots were evenly laid out along five 200 m transects spaced approximately 30 m from each other to best represent woody vegetation variability at each site. Woody species were recorded and categorized into six height classes and tree densities were calculated. A total of ten woody plant species were identified, but not all species were a manifestation of woody encroachment. However, the invasive Prosopois velutina and the indigenous Senegalia mellifera, were dominant in the areas, with a tree cover above 40% and densities exceeding 2 000 Tree Equivalent per hectare (TE ha−1). These two woody species were considered as an indication of considerable woody encroachment in the study sites. Regarding woody density near the three villages, there were significant differences between the encroached and the benchmark sites. In both encroached and benchmark sites near the Makgori and Loporung villages, plant species exhibited an inverted J-shaped distribution which suggests the potential for long-term proliferation. In an encroached site near the Tshidilamolomo village, vegetation dominated by the invasive alien P. velutina revealed a bell-shaped pattern indicating an unstable population. Knowledge of the composition and structure of woody plant species near the three communally managed sites proves to be a relevant indicator of the ecological status of riparian ecosystems that could be used to identify high-risk areas, which may provide future opportunities for reducing and managing invasions.

Among the concepts of sustainable nature management, forest conservation is considered as an important element. The state of forest ecosystem depends on the development trend of the mining and industrial area and the complex of social, ecological, and economic problems of Kryvyi Rih District. The object of this study was assessing the artificial woody plantations as a promising factor for ecological hybrid threat reduce in industrial areas on the example of the Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Mining and Metallurgical District on standpoint of an ecosystem approach. During 2015-2020, we studied the natural forest ecosystems and the artificial forest plantations, which were located in contrast environmental conditions. Forests are located very unevenly in the Kryvyi Rih District. They are mainly concentrated in River gullies, woody stands of city parks, woody stands of health protection zones, woody stands of city protection forest and woody stands of river protection forest. The woody plantations located on the territories of Kryvyi Rih District are very different in terms of coverage area and don’t reach the optimal level. This woody plantations level allows effect the climate, soil, and water resources. The woody plantations also mitigate the effects of erosion processes, as well as provide more clean air. The artificial woody plantations are an important element of environmental safety in Kryvyi Rih District. The main function of the artificial woody plantations is to maintain the soil in an optimal form for operation. It is also the protection of ground water and the stability of the meso- and microclimate in the region, moreover preserving the biodiversity of the territory’s ecosystems. The artificial woody plantations perform an anti-stress function for residents. It was established that the quality of reforming the ecological approach to greening the city’s territories, as well as preserving artificial woody plantations, was determined by the choice of such a management model and nature management policy. These models together should ensure the competitive ability and long-term development of the artificial woody plantations in Kryvyi Rih District. The maine industrial areas in the world should develop as an environmentally stable and safety metallurgical region in accordance with the principles of sustainable development in the world.