Belorussian Polesie Research Articles

The wildfire problem in areas contaminated by the Chernobyl disaster

This paper examines the issue of radionuclide resuspension from wildland fires in areas contaminated by the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant explosion in 1986. This work originated from a scientific exchange among scientists from the USDA Forest Service, Ukraine and Belarus that was organized to assess science and technology gaps related to wildfire risk management. A wildfire risk modeling system was developed to predict likely hotspots for large fires and where wildfire ignitions will most likely result in significant radionuclide (Cesium, 137Cs) resuspension. The system was also designed to examine the effect of fuel breaks in terms of reducing both burn probability and resuspension. Results showed substantial spatial variation in fire likelihood, size, intensity, and potential resuspension within the contaminated areas. The potential for a large wildfire and resuspension was highest in the Belorussian Polesie Reserve, but the likelihood of such an event was higher in the Ukrainian Chernobyl Exclusion Zone due to a higher predicted probability of ignition. Fuel breaks were most effective in terms of reducing potential resuspension when located near areas that had both high ignition probability and high levels of 137Cs contamination. Simulation outputs highlighted how human activities shape the fire regime and likelihood of a large fire in the contaminated areas. We discuss how the results can be used to develop a fire management strategy that integrates ignition prevention, detection, effective suppression response, and fuel breaks. Specifically, the modeling system can now be used to explore a wide range of fire management scenarios for the contaminated areas and contribute to a comprehensive fire management strategy that targets specific drivers of fire by leveraging multiple tools including fire prevention and long-term fuel management. Wildfire-caused emissions of radionuclides in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia are a socio-ecological problem that will require defragmenting existing risk management systems and leveraging multiple short- and long-term mitigation measures.

Особенности биологии и современное состояние популяций сенницы эдип Coenonympha oedippus (Fabricius, 1787) на территории Беларуси

<p>The article provides data on distribution, biological features, long-term population dynamics and modern conditions of the heath butterfly <em>Coenonympha oedippus</em> (Fabricius, 1787) on the territory of Belorussia. In the Belorussian Polesie region, there is quite dense network of large settlements of this species on large bog massifs. The species is very sensitive to overgrowing of the habitats by bushes and reeds caused by the drop of the groundwater level in the bogs due to the water drainage by land reclamation systems and the climate warming. The overgrowing of the bogs has significantly accelerated in the last decades when they have been no longer used for mowing. In the same time, the fight against bogs bushing by burning vegetation and mechanized mowing is a concern for the well-being of the settlements of <em>C. oedippus</em>.<strong> </strong></p>

Wild Animal Liver Flukes Dangerous for Human Health in Belorussian Polesie

Five species of liver flukes were found during the long period of helminthological investigations (1980-2016) of wild rodents, lagiformes, carnivores (canids, mustelids) and artiodactyls in Belorussian Polesie. The role of these animals in the formation of the center of helminthoses and the risk of infection by the liver flukes of the inhabitants of Belorussian Polesie are discussed.

New data about the helminth fauna of the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758) in Belorussian Polesie.

The result of helminthological examination of 5 red squirrels in Belorussian Polesie during 2003-2012 is presented. Two species of helminths were found: Taenia martis (Zeder, 1803) larvae and Syphacia thompsoni Price, 1928. The red squirrel for the first time established as host of cestode T. martis. The nematode S. thompsoni registered as Syphacia sp. in this region between 1985 and 2000.

Helminth fauna of cervids in Belorussian Polesie.

We report on the examination of 18 elk ( Alces alces), 16 red deer (Cervus elaphus)and 16 roe deer ( Capreolus capreolus) from the Belorussian Polesie in the period 1981-1998 for helminths. A total of 18 helminth species were found including Dictyocaulus eckerti, Fasciola hepatica, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Taenia hydatigena larvae and Trichuris ovis, all of which occurred in all host species. Sixteen of the species found are known to infect humans, domestic animals and/or farm animals.

Helminth fauna of the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius Pallas, 1778) in ecosystems of Belorussian Polesie transformed as a result of reclamation.

Helminth fauna of the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius Pallas, 1778) in ecosystems of Belorussian Polesie transformed as a result of reclamation.

Helminth fauna of the racoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides Gray, 1834) in Belorussian Polesie.

The racoon dog is a canid species that has been introduced into Belarus and is now widespread throughout nearly the whole territory of this country. Acclimatization of this animal began in the 1930s. To date, racoon dogs have accumulated many helminths from the Belorussian aboriginal animals. This report is the result of the helmintological examination of 78 carcasses and 179 stools of racoon dogs, carried out in natural and transformed ecosystems of Belorussian Polesie (southern part of Belarus, Brest, Gomel regions) between 1981 and 1999. The animals were killed by hunters. The stools were gathered by us on drainage channel banks. The total rate of infection of racoon dogs by helminths was 83.3% (assessed by helmintological dissection, organ compression). These animals are hosts to 25 species of helminths (Table 1). Alaria alata, Isthmiophora melis, Toxocara canis and Uncinaria stenocephala were the most frequently detected parasites. The prevalence of these helminths in the intestine of racoon dogs was 47.4%, 24.4%, 20.5% and 52.6, respectively. The eggs and larvae of helminths were found in 93.1% of racoon dog faecal samples. The most frequently registered were larvae of Strongylata spp (45.8%) and eggs of A. alata (50.8%), Taenia spp (24.6%), Toxocara spp (23.5%) and U. stenocephala (21.8%). All helminth species (except Strongyloides erschovi) are important for medical and veterinary sciences. These species of helminth are known as parasites of humans (all trematode species, Ancylostoma caninum, Dipylidium caninum, Eucoleus aerophilus, Mesocestoides lineatus, Spirometra erinacei, Taenia crassiceps, T. hydatigena, Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara canis, Trichinella spp, Trichuris vulpis, Uncinaria stenocephala), cats and dogs (all helminth species) and pigs (all trematode species except Pseudamphistomum truncatum, D. caninum as a casual parasite, S. erinacei, Taenia hydatigena, Trichinella spp). Parasitol Res (2002) 88: 944–945 DOI 10.1007/s00436-001-0582-3

Helminth fauna of the common shrew (Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758) in ecosystems of Belorussian Polesie transformed by reclamation.

Helminth fauna of the common shrew (Sorex araneus Linnaeus, 1758) in ecosystems of Belorussian Polesie transformed by reclamation.

Helminth fauna of the stoat (Mustela erminea Linneaus, 1758) and the weasel (M. nivalis Linnaeus, 1758) in Belorussian Polesie.

Helminthological examinations of 30 stoat and 31 weasel carcasses were carried out in Belorussian Polesie (southern part of Belarus, Brest and Gomel regions) between 1980 and 1999. The total rate of helminth infection of these animals was 78.7%. A total of 23 stoats and 25 weasels were infected by helminths. The animals were hosts for 20 species of helminths.

Helminth fauna of newts in Belorussian Polesie.

Helminth fauna of newts in Belorussian Polesie.

Helminth fauna of toads in Belorussian Polesie.

Helminth fauna of toads in Belorussian Polesie.

Findings of Fasciola hepatica Linnaeus, 1758 in wild animals in Belorussian Polesie.

Findings of Fasciola hepatica Linnaeus, 1758 in wild animals in Belorussian Polesie.