Humans widely use pharmaceuticals due to their availability, effectiveness, quick pain relief, and ability to improve well-being and health conditions. Their presence in aquatic environments, even in small doses, leads to serious ecological disturbances and alterations in trophic chains. This study aimed to assess the mortality and mobility of native Gammarus pulex and invasive Gammarus tigrinus under exposure to the nonopioid analgesics paracetamol, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and a pharmaceutical mixture, as well as to determine their acute toxicity and impact on both species. At the 24 th and 96 th h of exposure, the highest increase in mortality was observed, most likely linked to shock caused by the sudden appearance of pollutants and the duration of exposure. Mortality was influenced not only by exposure time but also by the type of pharmaceutical. Paracetamol was the most lethal for both native and invasive species, though 100% mortality was recorded after 96 h of exposure. At a concentration of 5000 mg/L, all organisms died within 24 h. G. tigrinus , despite its broader ecological tolerance to pollution and resistance to environmental changes, responded to the presence of pharmaceuticals like G. pulex . Regarding survival, the ibuprofen–ketoprofen mixture in a 1:1 ratio was the least lethal for G. tigrinus , while ketoprofen alone was the least lethal for G. pulex . The availability and widespread use of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, combined with the lack of systematic monitoring of aquatic environments, pose serious challenges to aquatic organisms in the context of pharmaceutical pollution in water habitats.

The use of Eucalyptus species has long been debated due to both their positive and negative environmental impacts. Findings from previous studies and scientific literature indicate that the effects of Eucalyptus on the environment are complex, inconsistent, and highly site-specific. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth and yield performance of maize ( Zea mays L.) under Eucalyptus hedgerow agroforestry practices in Decha Woreda, southwest Ethiopia. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. The study site was selected due to the widespread practice of eucalyptus maize alley cropping, the importance of maize production in the area, suitable agro-ecological conditions, and the need to evaluate the impact of expanding eucalyptus plantations on crop productivity under smallholder agroforestry systems. Maize growth and yield parameters, including plant height, number of cobs, cob weight, 100-seed weight, biomass, and grain yield, were measured. In addition, tree growth parameters such as diameter at breast height and tree height were recorded to assess the effects of different Eucalyptus species on intercropped maize. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, and treatment means were separated using the Least Significant Difference test at the 95% probability level. In the first cropping season, maize grain yield did not differ significantly among treatments; however, a yield advantage was observed under river red gums ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn) hedgerows. In the second and third cropping seasons, grain yield differences were significant (P ≤ 0.05) and consistently declined under Eucalyptus hedgerows compared with sole maize cropping. Among the four Eucalyptus species evaluated, flooded gum ( Eucalyptus grandis W.Hill ex Maiden) and Sydney blue gum ( Eucalyptus saligna Sm.) significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced maize grain yield during the second and third cropping seasons. Regarding tree growth performance, Eucalyptus saligna and Eucalyptus grandis exhibited greater height and diameter at breast height, while comparatively reduced growth in height and diameter at breast height was recorded for Eucalyptus camaldulensis and lemon-scented gum ( Eucalyptus citriodora Hook.). However, their annual growth rates were not markedly different. The study also revealed no significant effect of Eucalyptus species on soil moisture content near the hedgerows, although relatively higher soil moisture was consistently observed under Eucalyptus camaldulensis over three consecutive years. Therefore, farmers practicing maize intercropping with Eucalyptus camaldulensis in a hedgerow arrangement with sufficient spacing (8 m) between hedgerows can potentially obtain both wood and food from the same unit of land. Nevertheless, appropriate management practices are essential to minimize competition between trees and annual crops, as both are crucial for farmers’ livelihoods.

The development of new pesticides as well as new approaches in their application are important challenges for food security. Currently, bioinformatics methods are useful for searching and designing models of molecular target structures, including antiviral, fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal, herbicidal drugs and plant growth regulators, which have been recently used in agrochemical research. In this article, we present the findings of a study investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying the binding of fungicides (fluopicolide, propamocarb) to target proteins (cytochrome P450, glutathione-S-transferases) of Phytophthora infestans. Virtual three-dimensional complexes of pesticides and their targets have been created using bioinformatics methods. A new approach for identifying the cavity parameters of binding sites using machine learning technology has been proposed. Rigid docking of pesticides with targets has been carried out and the binding energy calculation showed a high degree of stability of ligand-protein complexes. Our proposed in silico approach may be useful for studying the molecular mechanisms of fungicides action on Phytophthora proteins.

Understanding local communities’ attitudes towards wildlife conservation is important for policymakers and conservationists in implementing sustainable wildlife conservation strategies. The present study was undertaken to assess local communities’ attitudes towards wildlife conservation and the types of human–wildlife conflict (HWC) in the Konta Special District (KSD). A total of 95 household respondents were randomly selected for questionnaire interviews from two study kebeles. In addition, focus group discussions (FGD) and personal observations were used to collect qualitative data. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were applied to analyze the data. Overall, 51.6% of the respondents reported both crop damage and livestock depredation as the main types of HWC. The respondents ranked baboons (95.8%) and monkeys (65.5%) as the principal wildlife responsible for property damage. Habitat loss (75.6%) was reported as the main threat to wildlife existence. A total of 91.6% of the respondents expressed a positive attitude towards wildlife conservation, and there was no statistically significant difference between study kebeles, sex, or education level of respondents. Guarding (75.8%) was identified as the dominant traditional method used to reduce damage. Development activities should not compromise wildlife conservation goals. Employing effective protection methods and providing alternative livelihoods such as ecotourism, beekeeping, and livestock fattening were recommended to ensure coexistence between humans and wildlife and to promote sustainable development in the KSD.

Denbiq Wetland, located in Bure Woreda of West Gojam, Ethiopia, provides essential ecosystem services that support local livelihoods and biodiversity. This study assessed the wetland’s ecological functions, the socio-economic factors contributing to its degradation, and community-driven conservation strategies. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations from a randomly selected sample of 202 households. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used for analysis. The findings show that the wetland offers diverse ecosystem services, including provisioning (freshwater, fodder, fruits), regulating (water purification, temperature control), cultural (recreation, tourism), and supporting (habitat, organic matter accumulation) functions. Logistic regression revealed statistically significant influences (p < 0.01): household size was negatively associated with wetland condition, while landholding size and age had positive impacts. Key drivers of degradation include agricultural expansion, overgrazing, reduced upland crop productivity, and limited grazing land. The local community showed strong awareness of, and support for, interventions such as awareness campaigns, establishing buffer zones, and grazing control. These findings underscore the need for integrated, community-based and policy-supported wetland management to maintain ecosystem function while supporting rural livelihoods.

This study presents an extended mathematical model, originally developed to explore biomass dynamics in Acromyrmex ants and their symbiotic fungus, which has been adapted to investigate biomass growth in Atta sexdens and its fungal partner. The model incorporates ant grooming as a defence against entomopathogenic fungi, building on experimental data where self-grooming and allogrooming were quantified across three groups: Metarhizium anisopliae, Escovopsis phialicopiosa, and a control. A second chamber was introduced to simulate biomass transfer between compartments. Inflection points in growth curves were identified to detect shifts in population dynamics, and bifurcation diagrams explored key parameters affecting system stability, namely worker allocation to fungal cultivation, ant mortality, and fungal mortality. Metarhizium anisopliae significantly reduced both ant and fungal biomass, even under optimal grooming conditions, owing to its direct virulence to workers. In contrast, E. phialicopiosa, an opportunistic pathogen, had minimal impact unless fungal mortality exceeded a critical threshold. Self-grooming proved more effective than allogrooming in mitigating M. anisopliae effects, likely owing to prioritisation of individual defences under high pathogen pressure. Spatial dynamics enhanced resilience: one-way transfer between chambers redistributed biomass, delaying inflection points and bolstering structural stability. Bifurcation analysis revealed that extreme proportions of workers cultivating the symbiotic fungus reduced the biomass for both partners, whilst ant and fungal mortality rates led to non-linear declines in most simulations. These findings underscore the role of multi-chamber architecture in mitigating pathogen impacts in Atta colonies and suggest potential applications for biological control strategies by identifying behavioural and structural factors that may limit or enhance the effectiveness of pathogenic fungi in field settings. The model provides a useful framework for understanding epidemiological dynamics in natural nests, integrating behavioural defences and spatial strategies to safeguard this mutualism.

African butterflies play vital ecological roles but face numerous threats. Their protection requires aligning biodiversity conventions with butterfly-specific conservation goals. This review examines how to optimize regional and international conventions for enhanced African butterfly conservation. Through systematic assessment of relevant conventions, their provisions, success stories, and implementation effectiveness, I identify strategies to strengthen conservation outcomes. A comprehensive search of academic databases and official convention resources, using rigorous selection criteria, revealed that international frameworks support butterfly conservation through diverse mechanisms. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provides a foundational framework for biodiversity protection, including population monitoring and conservation. The African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (ACCNNR) supports butterfly conservation indirectly through sustainable resource use and habitat protection. While climate change remains a significant threat, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) offers mitigation tools. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates butterfly trade, with potential for greater impact through expanded species coverage and aligned strategies. The Ramsar Convention’s wetland focus benefits butterflies when butterfly species are recognized as bioindicators in site management plans, while the World Heritage Convention protects critical habitats. Collectively, these conventions advance butterfly conservation through habitat protection, sustainable practices, awareness-raising, and international cooperation. However, their effectiveness is constrained by resource limitations and data deficiencies. To address these challenges, three key recommendations are proposed: (1) integrating butterfly-specific targets into national biodiversity strategies, (2) strengthening research capacity and enforcement mechanisms, and (3) creating a Pan-African conservation network for coordinated regional action. Additionally, promoting the use of butterflies as bioindicators in climate and land-use policies would simultaneously enhance conservation efforts and support broader ecosystem protection objectives.

The Karimunjawa Marine National Park, situated in the Java Sea, Indonesia, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and lively coral reefs. However, amidst the backdrop of this natural beauty, concerns have been raised regarding the potential impacts of shipping activities on the health and diversity of these fragile ecosystems. The increase in maritime traffic, including commercial vessels, tourist boats, and fishing vessels, traversing through the Karimunjawa Marine National Park, raises significant environmental concerns. The movement of these vessels, especially along specific shipping routes, has the potential to disturb and damage coral reefs through various mechanisms. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the possible impacts of shipping routes on the coral abundance and diversity and the coral health in the Karimunjawa Islands, Java Sea, Indonesia. This study categorized ship routes into West Route, East Route, and Non-Route and assessed coral health and diversity across 15 islands. Key metrics analyzed included coral disease prevalence, coral cover, diversity index, species richness, relative abundance, and evenness, using 15 × 2 m belt transects at 3 and 8 m depths with three repetitions each. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in coral abundance and species richness among ship-route groups, but no significant depth-related differences. These results suggest that while shipping routes affect certain aspects of coral health and diversity, other factors may be more influential in shaping coral disease prevalence and overall diversity in Karimunjawa reefs.

The ecosystem services (ES) concept has established itself in recent years as the predominant paradigm for framing environmental research and policy-making. The EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 with its task for member countries to map and assess the state of ecosystems and their services has contributed vastly to the development of the ES studies in the European countries. Bulgaria was among the countries that made substantial progress in its implementation and the contribution of the geographers was of vital importance. This paper aims to provide an overview and analysis of the ES research in Bulgaria focusing on the contributions of the geographers and the spatial aspects of the studies. The information on the ES research was performed through a literature review by collecting all available published works that address the main objectives of the study. To systematize and characterize the content of the reviewed papers, a special database with a standard nomenclature was constructed. The findings from the review allowed us to identify both achievements and research gaps in the ES studies conducted by Bulgarian geographers. This enabled us to define the main research priorities of the coming years which can trace the future directions of ES research in the country. They include the development of the spatial aspects in the methodological frameworks for mapping and assessment of ES, better use of GIS-based tools for mapping ES alongside models’ integration, and improvement of the publication's quality and increase of the papers published in highly rated indexed journals.

One of the main problems of the world's oceans, reported by many scientific studies, is the microplastic pollution. Within the Black Sea, one of the main sources of pollution is the same, which is caused by the diverse anthropogenic activities. The present study demonstrated detailed microplastics contamination of in five fish species important for the commercial fishing (Garfish, Мullet, Knout goby, Pontic shad and Mediterranean horse mackerel). They were collected from the Sozopol area on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Within each microplastic morphological group, three size classes were recognised: 100–200 µm, 25–100 µm and ≤ 25 µm. Microplastics were found in all studied tissues of the fish, but in varying proportions of pellets, fibres and fragments. Pellets were most frequently isolated, followed by irregularly-shaped fragments and fibres were the least numerous. The bulk of insulated plastics are made of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Our results pointed out serious pollution with plastic particles in the Bulgarian Black Sea aquatory, which, in the future, may seriously affect the health of the fish population and also human health.