Climatic, Hydrological and Air Quality Determinants of Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa [L.] Gaertn.) Ecological Niche Model in the Bosna River Basin

INTRODUCTION. Flavonoids contained in many plant species inhibit the induction of cytokines and arachidonic acid metabolites, which are tissue mediators of inflammation, thus exhibiting an anti-inflammatory effect. The leaves of black and gray alder contain flavonoids, phenolic carboxylic acids, tannins and can be considered as a new type of herbal medicinal raw materials.AIM. Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effect of decoctions and gels containing the sum of biologically active substances of black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) and gray alder (Alnus incana (L.) Moench.) leaves on laboratory animals using various models of inflammation.MATERIALS AND METHODS. The anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous extracts of black alder and grey alder leaves, as well as gels containing their alcoholic extracts, was studied in models of generalized and local inflammation induced by the administration of a 1% λ-carrageenan solution to Wistar rats (female and male). The anti-inflammatory effect in generalized inflammation was assessed by blood biochemical parameters (C-reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamate transferase), in case of local inflammation — by changes in the volume and mass of rat paws.RESULTS. On the model of generalized carrageenan inflammation, the effectiveness of aqueous extracts of black and gray alder leaves was evaluated on days 4 and 7. It was found that introducing aqueous extracts determines a statistically significant decrease in the specific inflammation indicator — level of C-reactive protein in animals receiving an infusion of black alder and grey alder leaves of intragastric introduction. Using models of local carrageenan inflammation, it was established that under the influence of infusions and gels containing biologically active substances of black and gray alder leaves, there was a statistically significant decrease in the increase in weight and paw diameters compared to control groups. The edema inhibition index (calculated by weight) for the gel containing black alder leaf tincture based on 60% ethyl alcohol was the highest and amounted to 57.95% in females and 56.53% in males, for the gel containing grey alder leaf tincture based on 70% ethyl alcohol — 56.78% in males, 52.02% in females.CONCLUSIONS. It has been proven the anti-inflammatory activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts from black alder and gray alder leaves in models of generalized and local inflammation. Dosage forms (gels) containing alcohol extracts from the leaves of black alder and gray alder also have an anti-inflammatory effect in conditions of induced local inflammation. Also it has been proven the anti-inflammatory effect of biologically active substances of black alder and gray alder on laboratory animals using models of generalized and local inflammation.

Effect of water level and climatic factors on the radial growth of black alder Black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) is a widespread tree species in Europe and the western part of the temperate climate zone. The area of forest in Latvia dominated by this tree species has substantially decreased due to wide-spread forest drainage. To predict future changes due to environmental change, it is extremely important to understand the function of ecosystems with black alder and their dynamics. Tree rings can be used as a proxy of past environmental factors. The aim of the study was to determine the effects of meteorological and hydrological factors on radial growth of black alder at two study sites (Dursupe and Raķupe) in Latvia. The response of black alder trees to the influence of climatic and hydrological factors was found to depend on site conditions, i.e. a climatic effect was observed in conditions when the water level was low. Spatial variation in the strength of the relationship of black alder growth to temperature, precipitation, and river level suggests that alder growth is more susceptible to drought stress on higher river banks, where the water table is deeper. Black alder trees growing on low river banks can potentially be used to reconstruct past water-levels.

Autumnal changes in organic-S, sulfate-S, total-S and the ratios of organic-S to total-N and sulfate-S to organic-S were followed in leaves and adjacent bark of actinorhizal (Frankia-nodulated) black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) and eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh.) trees growing on a minespoil site high in extractable soil sulfate, and in black alder and white basswood (Tilia heterophylla Venten.) trees growing on a prairie-derived soil in Illinois. Organic-S concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0.05) during autumn only in foliage of trees growing on the prairie-derived soil where losses of leaf organic-S were 65% for black alder and 100% for white basswood. Leaf sulfate concentrations were relatively stable throughout autumn in white basswood growing on prairie-derived soil and in black alder at both sites. Sulfate-S concentrations in leaves were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in trees at the minespoil site than in trees growing in the prairie-derived soil (5.1 mg g(-1) for the minespoil site and 1.2 mg g(-1) for the prairie-derived soil), and in the non-actinorhizal species during late summer. During the autumn, the ratio of organic-S to total-N doubled in leaves of eastern cottonwood at the minespoil site, but in black alder and white basswood growing on the prarie-derived soil, it decreased by 60 and 74%, respectively. Organic-S concentrations in bark increased more during autumn in species unable to fix atmospheric N(2), than in black alder. The results suggest that patterns of autumnal translocation of leaf S can be site-dependent and that leaf S and leaf N are, at least in part, translocated independently in the fall. Black alder and eastern cottonwood seemed to incorporate sulfate-S readily into organic substances in leaves when grown in soils with a high sulfate content.

Aboveground biomass and nutrient accumulation dynamics in young black alder, silver birch and Scots pine plantations on reclaimed oil shale mining areas in Estonia

Among the various species of trees, black alder (Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.) is one of the most commonly used trees for the reforestation and restoration programs of degraded forestlands in the Hyrcanian forest, particularly in the skid trails. The effects of reforestation with black alder on the recovery of litter (thickness, C, N, C/N) and soil physicochemical, biochemical, biological, and microbial properties in the skid trails with three levels of compactions were examined over a 27‐year period. Results showed that the litter characteristics such as thickness, carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and C/N were at the highest level in low intensity traffic as compared to those of medium and frequent intensities. Results showed that the values of total porosity, macroporosity, aggregate stability, silt, and clay were at the lowest level in the natural stand. The highest values of soil pH, C, C/N ratio, and C storage were recorded under the skid trail with frequent machine passages. The restoration values of soil physical and chemical properties were significantly higher in the low level of machine traffic after a period of 27 years where black alder reforestation was performed on the skid trails, as compared to the medium and frequent machine traffic levels, as well as the undisturbed area. Black alder litter affected soil nitrogen and the maximum amounts of earthworm density and dry mass. This also includes fine root biomass. These data were recorded in the trails with low machine traffic as compared to those of medium and frequent traffic. The results clearly showed that black alder is effective in reaching the objectives of restoration programs, given that it promotes soil organic matter, builds up soil structure via root‐soil feedback, and improves the soil by creating a major source of nitrogen through enhancing the nitrogen cycle.

Due to surface mining activities such as removing the topsoil, mixing of soil layers in the backfill of abandoned open pits and usage of heavy machines, former surface mining areas usually offer extremely difficult site conditions for plant growth. These conditions include soil compaction and soil acidification by the weathering of iron sulfides, leading to nutritional disorders and to pollution by heavy metals and other contaminants. Soil conditions are heterogeneous within a small space. The unfavorable microclimate of vegetation-free areas has a negative impact on water supply which is already problematic because of soil compaction. Additionally, mycorrhizal fungi are often missing at first. The aim of this research project was to develop a minimal protocol for revegetation of virgin soils on dumping sites, using suitable tree species and soil additives, initially in small areas in order to establish starting points for succession. For this purpose, different tree species (Quercus robur, Acer platanoides, Sorbus aucuparia, Alnus glutinosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus sylvestris) and soil additives for improving the physical (perlite, water storage substances: both conventional, petrochemical hydrogel as well as novel superabsorbent from plant starch), chemical (lime), physical and chemical (compost) and biological (mycorrhizal inoculation) soil properties were tested. The soil additives were used individually and in combinations. Field trials with nearly 1,000 trees were created in areas in the former uranium mining district Ronneburg that were still free from vegetation many years after the deposition of the stockpile substrate. Pot experiments in the greenhouse with nearly 500 trees served to accompany and deepen the field trials. The physical and chemical soil properties of the experimental plots were analyzed, and the effects of soil additives were examined in the pot experiment. The development of the experimental plants was studied over two years through regular vitality estimates on a 5-point scale, measurements of various growth parameters and analysis of element contents in the assimilation organs. The soil was found to have a low water storage capacity and a highly disturbed water infiltration and water conductivity. The nutrient potential was good with the exception of very low nitrogen contents. A strong acidification and highly stressful copper and sulfur contents were the main problems preventing plant development. There were also noticeably high magnesium contents and saturations. The test plants were strongly burdened with sulfur and copper as well as with iron and aluminum, and partially also with manganese. They showed remarkably high magnesium contents. The plants had nutritional deficiencies, which can be blamed on the low nitrogen supply, nutritional antagonisms/ion competition and toxicity. In the course of the field experiment, spontaneous vegetation (mosses, Calamagrostis epigejos) developed in parts of some plots. Soil analyses showed slightly higher pH values and a correspondingly more favorable food situation in these areas, probably due to an irregular lime treatment several years before. The development of the experimental plants was strongly influenced by these location differences. Lime and compost had significant positive effects on the chemical soil conditions and plant development. In combination with compost, the influence was often greater than with lime, especially for the less demanding tree species rowan, black alder and Scots pine. In addition, mycorrhizal inoculations showed a strong effect, especially in combination with lime and/or water storage substances. The positive synergy of effects of mycorrhizal inoculations and water storage substances without lime doses were remarkable given the very acidic site conditions. Besides, water storage substances and also perlite had no positive influence, and sometimes even affected the plants negatively by reducing the lime effect in combined versions. In addition, trees planted with perlite or water storage substances partly showed high pollutant loads. The soil conditions were not affected; the loamy soils which are rich in fine material and have a low infiltration capacity (destruction of coarse pores due to compaction) appeared to be little suitable for the use of water storage substances. In these difficult locations, the presence of fungal partners for the formation of mycorrhiza is obviously of particular importance, as this symbiosis can improve the water supply of plants, and also promotes their nutrition and inhibits pollutant uptake, as confirmed in the present study. With combined mycorrhizal inoculations even the otherwise extreme sulfur levels in test plants could partially be reduced to normal levels, which was not the case with liming alone. The obligatory mycorrhiza forming red oaks and Scots pines, which are two species widely used for surface mining recultivation, showed overall high failure rates. For the oaks, the poor quality of the plant material played a role, and for the pines, the severe drought at the time of the planting in spring 2005 probably was the reason. For the Douglas firs, which are also obligatory mycorrhiza forming, the location in more favorable areas, where spontaneous vegetation could develop and demonstrably mycorrhizal fungi migrated in, was of great importance. The due to its symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria very suitable black alder showed the best results of all tree species. Like black alder and rowan, which was the only tree species not affected by copper, also Douglas fir could develop satisfactorily on these somewhat better locations, even without soil additives . Given the extreme summer of 2006, the drought tolerance of Douglas fir probably also affected the outcome. The pointed maples showed high pollutant loads, hardly any growth and a strongly disturbed root formation. The trees of this species were also heavily damaged by wild animals and on the whole proved unsuitable. Based on the results of the field trials on former surface mining areas near Ronneburg, a mixture of black alder, rowan and Douglas fir is recommended for the recultivation of these and similar locations. Also because of its soil ameliorative properties, black alder should constitute the largest share of the mixture. To improve the conditions for ground vegetation and mycorrhizal fungi, in more acidified areas (pH KCl <4; no spontaneous vegetation) lime treatment should be performed some time in advance of planting. Due to soil magnesium levels, magnesium-free lime should be used. For rowan and black alder, placing compost into the planting hole as an initial aid is useful. Inoculation with mycorrhizal fungi is generally recommended on these sites. For Douglas fir this should be done in any case, and it can be highly beneficial for rowan and black alder as well. Due to the very difficult site conditions with progressive pyrite weathering and thus soil acidification, the duration of the effects of the soil additives and the continuous development of the trees beyond the observation period remain an open question.

Black alder Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn. and grey alder Alnus incana (L.) Moench, cover up to 11% of the forest area in Latvia. As alder dieback caused mainly by Phytophthora has been reported in several countries, we aimed to assess the distribution of Phytophthora-like symptomatic alders in Latvia and surveyed 208 alder-dominated forest stands. Symptomatic alders were found in 28% of stands, and in 8% of stands, the infected tree proportion comprised more than 10% of trees. Pocket Diagnostics® tests confirmed Phytophthora or other oomycete infection in 13% of stands, mainly in Central and Eastern Latvia. Trees that tested positive were mainly grey alder (1.0% of the overall number of surveyed grey alders), and fewer black alders tested positive (0.2% of the overall number of surveyed black alders). Grey alder had a significantly higher probability of having symptoms at both the stand level (probability 0.429) and the individual tree level (probability 0.017) in comparison to black alder (probabilities 0.185 and 0.004, respectively). In conclusion, alders with Phytophthora-like symptoms were found throughout the territory of Latvia, however, infection risk for the economically important tree species black alder is low.

Alnus glutinosa L. Gaertn. as potential tree for brackish and saline habitats

Background and Aim:African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious disease and a major viral pig disease that threatens pork production in several locations globally. The mortality rate of ASF in domestic pigs is very high, causing a decrease in pig populations and significant economic losses for farmers. Environmental or ecological risk factors are the most important associated with the spread of the ASF virus. Environmental (or ecological) niche models are commonly used to estimate the probability of an event using the maximum entropy (Maxent) method. This study aimed to estimate the probability risk of future ASF outbreaks in North Sumatra, Indonesia.Materials and Methods:Secondary data from the National Animal Health System Database (iSIKHNAS), including data on the ASF outbreaks of 2019–2020 in North Sumatra, Indonesia, were used in this study. The first analysis performed involved the identification of environmental risk factors using multiple regression analysis. The second analysis performed was the estimation of probability risk for future ASF outbreaks in North Sumatra, Indonesia, using the Maxent method. Data processing was performed using Microsoft Excel, ArcGIS version 10.5 software (ESRI, California, United States), Maxent version 3.4.4 software, and Rstudio (http://www.r-project.org/).Results:The Maxent method was found to be highly accurate with a statistically significant area under the curve value of 0.860. The greatest contributing environmental factor identified by the model was the harbor, which contributed 57%. The range of high probability risk of future ASF outbreaks was found to be 0.723–0.84.Conclusion:The estimation of the highest probability risk of future ASF outbreaks in North Sumatra, Indonesia, was 0.723–0.84. The most contributing environmental factor identified using the Maxent method was harbors, at 57%. This methodology can be used to carry out subsequent ASF analyses and contribute to developing prevention and control strategies in this area.

In the Atlantic Ocean, Octopus insularis (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) Leite and Haimovici, 2008 inhabits warm and shallow habitats, where it is one of the main targets of cephalopod fisheries. Considering the current trend of increasing seawater temperature, warm-water species are expected to expand their geographic distribution ranges. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) is an important tool to help describe likely changes in geographic distribution patterns of a species in different climatic scenarios. To evaluate changes in the distribution of Octopus insularis over time, the maximum entropy approach was used, which estimated a suitable climatic niche for Octopus under 5 scenarios of global climate change. Four environmental variables were chosen to model the suitable climatic niche of O. insularis in the present, past, and future scenarios. The ENM in different climatic scenarios showed good validation and pointed out an increase of the suitable niche for O. insularis settlement, from the Last Glacial Maximum (21 kya) up to future scenarios. In the future projections, suitable niche space will potentially increase in the tropical Atlantic compared to the current distribution. Modeling pointed out the possibility of expansion from the current range of the species to the temperate northern Atlantic, temperate South America, and temperate South Africa. This may cause potential threats, such as possible extinction of endemic species, habitat displacement of native octopuses, and reorganizations in the trophic chain.

In the Atlantic Ocean, Octopus insularis Leite and Haimovici, 2008 inhabits warm and shallow habitats, where it is one of the main targets of cephalopod fisheries. Considering the current trend of increase of increasing sea-water temperature, warm-water species are expected to expand their geographic distribution range. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) is an important tool to help describe likely changes in geographic distribution patterns of a species in many climatic scenarios. To evaluate the changes of O. insularis distribution over time, the Maximum Entropy approach was used, which estimated a suitable climatic niche for Octopus under five scenarios of global climate changes. Six environmental layers were chosen to model the modern suitable climatic niche of O. insularis and four variables were used for past and future scenarios. The ENM in different climatic scenarios showed good validation and pointed out an increase of the suitable niche for O. insularis settlement, from Last Glacial Maximum (21 Kya) up to future scenarios. In the future projections, the availability of species suitable niche will potentially increase in Tropical Atlantic compared to the current distribution. In addition, the modeling pointed out the possibility of an expansion from the species current range to Temperate Northern Atlantic, Temperate South America, and Temperate South Africa. This may cause potential threats, such as possible extinction of endemic species, habitat displacement of native octopuses, reorganizations in the trophic chain.

Understanding the factors shaping the niche of parasites and its expression over geographical space and through time continues to be a modern scientific challenge with the results of research in this area directly influencing both theoretical and applied biology. This is especially important for proactive management of zoonotic parasites such as Echinococcus multilocularis, the etiologic agent of alveolar echinococcosis. Echinococcus multilocularis has a Holarctic distribution; with its geographic range and prevalence increasing recently in areas of the western Palearctic, while its distribution dynamics are poorly understood in the Nearctic. In this paper, we use an ecological niche modeling (ENM) approach to: i) estimate the current spatial distribution of suitable conditions for the parasite in the Nearctic. ii) Evaluate the abiotic and biotic factors influencing the species distribution. iii) Assess the potential impact of climatic change on the distribution of this species in the Nearctic. Additionally, we report two new occurrence records of this parasite that significantly expands its known geographic range. We reviewed the occurrence records of E. multilocularis for the Nearctic. This was complemented by two new records of the species from Maryland and New Mexico identified using morphology and multivariate morphometrics of the rostellar hooks. From these data we created two ENMs using the software Maxent. The first ENM included climatic variables, while the second included the same abiotic data plus biotic information consisting of four host community-related data sets. We evaluated model performance and variable importance to explore the relation of these variables to the parasite niche. Finally, we projected the resulting niche model onto future climate change scenarios. We found that an important portion of the Nearctic has suitable conditions for E. multilocularis with adequate habitat in the West and East of the continent where the parasite has not been detected. We also found that the proposed biotic variables improve the model performance and provide unique information, while the most critical abiotic variable was related to the amount of solar radiation. Finally, under the future emission scenarios explored, the distribution of suitable habitat for the parasite is predicted to increase by 56 % to 76 %. We obtained a robust model that provides detail on the distribution of suitable areas for E. multilocularis, including areas that have not been explored for the presence of the parasite. The host community variables included in this study seem a promising way to include biotic data for ecological parasite niche modeling.

Different species of alder cause hay fever symptoms in pollen allergy sufferers within Europe: Alnus glutinosa (black alder), A. incana (grey alder), A. viridis (green alder) and more recently A. × spaethii (japonica × subcordata; Spaeth’s alder). In Austria, the alder pollen season usually lasts from January to April (until June in the mountains due to later flowering of A. viridis). The pollen season started very early in 2014, namely by the end of December 2013 in Vienna with the first pollination of alder. Such an early flowering around Christmas is known for A. × spaethii and was first recognized as problem in Switzerland. Up to now, this alder species was not reported in Austria. A sample including twigs, leaves, catkins and pollen from Switzerland was compared with an unusually early flowering alder in Vienna. The pollen of these (Alnus × spaethii) and in addition from black and green alder was analysed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to find possible morphological differences or similarities in their pollen morphology. The general morphology revealed that A. × spaethii is present in Austria (planted in a park) and was responsible for the first burden on pollen allergy sufferers during the alder pollen season in Vienna, although pollen data revealed no significant alder pollen concentrations. The results emphasize the importance of monitoring phenology for pollen information.

Tree species have a remarkable impression on the physical, chemical and microbial properties of the soil. Some tree species like alders create a favorable environment for microbes in their soil–root interface in addition to carrying out soil reclamation. This study, conducted in the Western Black Sea Region of Turkey, compared the N-fixing in the roots of the black alder [Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn.] and the non-N-fixing in those of the sessile oak [Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl.] species in terms of physical, chemical and microbiological soil characteristics. Samples of topsoil (0–6.5 cm) were collected randomly from under the black alder and the sessile oak trees, respectively, at seven different sites in the study area. Soil microbial biomass C and N were established by the chloroform fumigation extraction method. Basal respiration of soil was retained by the sodium hydroxide (NaOH) trap method. Contrary to expectations, the average organic C (2.59%), total N (0.22%), microbial biomass C (738.48 µg g−1) and N (99.56 µg g−1) were higher under the sessile oak trees, demonstrating the positive effect of sessile oak on soil microflora. The black alder and sessile oak tree soils exhibited significant differences in their content of organic C (Corg), total N, microbial biomass C (Cmic), and N. In addition, significant positive linear correlations were found between organic C and microbial biomass C, and also between organic C and basal respiration; however, the correlation between the metabolic quotient (qCO2) and Cmic/Corg percentages was negative for the black alder and sessile oak (r = − 0.589 and r = − 0.474, respectively), likely due to the fact that relatively more C was being utilized for growth than for respiration. These results indicated that, compared to the sessile oak, the relatively lower organic C and total N and subsequently, the microbial biomass C and N content under the black alder were most likely due to shallow and deep groundwater flow and thus, the loss of plant nutrients was probably brought about by weathering.

Activity of phosphatases and microbial phosphorus under various tree species growing on reclaimed technosols