Biodiversity Research Articles

Analysis of the effect of anthropogenic load the vital forest condition Arctic zone of the Russian Federation

The influence of anthropogenic factors on the state of forest stands is manifested mainly in the Arkhangelsk region, in the Murmansk region and in the Krasnoyarsk territory. It has been established that the action of anthropogenic factors in the forests of the Arkhangelsk region was not the primary cause of the weakening of the forest stand. At the same time, an extremely insignificant degree of damage was noted, in comparison with other causes of weakening and death of plantings. The reason for the death of the vast majority of forests in the region as a result of the anthropogenic factor was a violation of the rules of tapping, when ripe and overmature pine forests, after use, were not cut down and are now a potential source of occurrence and spread of foci of diseases and forest pests. When drying out, not only the likelihood of developing large forest fires increases, but also mass reproduction of forest pests occurs. First of all, arrays of old (age 150-250 years) trees are affected, which were not cut down in a timely manner due to the inaccessibility for industrial harvesting and removal of commercial timber. Therefore, forest protection measures need to be given more attention. It is possible to preserve and increase forest wealth only through sustainable forest management, preserving biological diversity, productivity, the ability to restore, viability and the ability to perform important ecological, economic and social functions at the local, national and global levels in the present and future

Overview of the chemistry and biological activities of natural atisine-type diterpenoid alkaloids.

Atisine-type C20-diterpenoid alkaloids (DAs) are a very important class of diterpenoid alkaloids, which play an important role in the biosynthesis of DAs. To date, 87 atisine-type DAs and 11 bis-DAs containing an atisine unit have been reported from five genera in two families. The genus Spiraea in Rosaceae family could be regarded as the richest resource for atisine-type DAs, followed by the genera Delphinium and Aconitum in the Ranunculaceae family. Among the reported atisine-type DAs, several possess unprecedented skeletons. Natural atisine-type DAs have a wide range of biological activities, including antitumor, antiplatelet aggregation, biological control, and anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiarrhythmic, and cholinesterase inhibitory effects, which are closely related to their structures. In particular, the antiparasitic effect of atisine-type DAs is more prominent than that of other types of DAs, which highlights their potential in antiparasite drug discovery. In summary, the high chemical and biological diversity of atisine-type DAs indicates their great potential as a vast resource for drug discovery.

Роль закупочной деятельности в уменьшении углеродного следа в Арктической зоне Российской Федерации

One of the main tasks of the modern energy industry is not only to maximize the efficient use of natural energy resources and preserve their diversity, but also to increase the potential of this sector in the stable growth of the state's economy, improving the quality of life of the population and maintaining a favorable environmental situation in the country. Decarbonization, which implies a reduction in carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) and methane emissions, is a key challenge facing the global energy industry. The purpose of this study is to assess greenhouse gas emissions produced as a result of the activities of the largest energy companies operating in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, namely PJSC LUKOIL and PJSC NOVATEK through the analysis of their policies and measures to reduce the carbon footprint, preserve biological diversity and develop the northern region of Russia, identify links between the conduct of procurement activities and support for the sustainable development of the enterprise, including in the environmental field. In the course of the work, a comparative analysis of the activities of companies in the Arctic zone was carried out, their current and prospective projects were described, data on greenhouse gas emissions of the enterprises in question were structured by year, their procurement policy, the necessary requirements for potential suppliers, implemented educational programs and activities for the development of professional skills of personnel were considered, and additional tools were proposed that they will be able to contribute not only to improving the sustainable development of companies in the Arctic, but also, as a result, conservation of natural diversity in the northern part of the Russian Federation.

Preservation of some rare species of natural flora in the Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences

Conservation issues related to biological diversity, especially rare and endangered plant species, remain among the most pressing challenges. Scientific institutions and botanical gardens play a crucial role in addressing this problem. The Federal Research Centre "Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences" (FRC SSC RAS) has been actively involved in the study of natural flora, including rare species, since the mid-1990s. The objective of these studies was to explore 48 rare plant species belonging to 34 genera from the families Boraginaceae, Ranunculaceae, Asparagaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, and Iridaceae in the conditions of the humid subtropics of Russia. The research revealed that the studied species are perennial herbaceous plants with high decorative qualities. Among them, 29 % are rhizomatous, 23 % are bulbous, 21 % are cormous, 19 % are short-rhizomatous, and 8% are tree-like. Phenological observations indicated that all species flowered, and almost all bore fruits. Winter-flowering species constituted 10% of the collection, spring-flowering species – 48 %, summer-flowering species – 31 %, and autumn-flowering species – 10 %. The studied plant species have various conservation statuses, with 16 species listed in the Red Books of the Russian Federation, 24 in the Krasnodar region, 20 in Sochi, 36 in other regions of the Russian Federation, and 20 on the IUCN Red List. Fourteen species are identified as rare and endemic.

Issues of ecosystem conservation and safety (using the example of the “Semey Ormany” of the Republic of Kazakhstan)

The article analyzes the issues of preserving the integrity of the planet’s ecosystem in a rapidly changing world and climate change on the Earth. The authors note that at the present stage, threats arise in nature that require coordinated actions to restore, ensure the conservation and rational use of natural resources, including unique natural complexes. Among these is the ribbon-like pine forest, the history of which is described in the article. The object of the study is a forest natural reserve located in the east of the Republic of Kazakhstan – the “Semey Ormany”. The authors research environmental conservation activity, forest protection and reforestation activities of the “Semey Ormany”, i.e. activities to protect ecosystems necessary to preserve our environment and ensure sustainability for future generations. The analysis carried out in the article allows us to gain and recommendations were made for the conservation of biological diversity.

Ecological analysis of higher aquatic and semi-aquatic plants of Lake Alakol

From an ecological perspective, the study of biological diversity is a key element for maintaining the sustainability of ecosystems and for developing and implementing effective conservation and natural resource management strategies. Lake Alakol, a slightly saline, endorheic lake in Kazakhstan, is a unique natural object with rich biodiversity. According to research results, diversity indices such as Simpson (0.99), Shannon (3.48), Margalef (0.78), have similar values, which indicates a sufficient variety of macrophytes. Four ecological groups were identified, with a significant number being hygrophytes (Hg) - 30 species and hygromesophytes (HgM) - 26 species. The hydrophytic index of Lake Alakol was 0.7, which indicates the sustainability of the aquatic flora and a high proportion of true aquatic plants. Among the life forms, perennials (75 species) and annuals (16 species) predominate, which is explained by the morphological and anatomical characteristics of aquatic plants and determines their adaptation to the aquatic environment. Thus, ecological study of macrophytes of Lake Alakol can offer important data for devising successful management and conservation strategies for water basins and their surrounding environment.

The preservation and study of the biodiversity of subtropical crops are carried out in the genetic collection of the FRC SSC of RAS

The issue of preserving, replenishing, and rational utilization of biological diversity is acute worldwide. Special attention is devoted to the preservation of plant biodiversity at the Federal Research Center “Subtropical Scientific Centre of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FRC SSC of RAS)” in Sochi. A comprehensive germplasm of subtropical crops has been collected and maintained, comprising 753 cultivars. Research is conducted on the Black Sea coast of the Krasnodar Region, Russian Federation. The climatic conditions of the region correspond to the zone of humid subtropics, allowing the cultivation of many thermophilic plants. The results of the conducted research and the inventory of germplasm in 2023 have led to their categorization into 7 main collections: nut crops, citrus crops, subtropical fruit crops, seed crops, stone fruit crops, subtropical industrial crops, and berry crops. From each collection, a promising assortment has been identified for commercial orchards (54 cultivars), amateur gardeners (126), landscaping (71), as well as for scientific research (breeding, physiological, biochemical, genetic, entomological, phytopathological, etc.) (222). Wild and semi-wild relatives of cultivated plants, possessing valuable traits, are of great value and are regularly utilized in breeding studies, contributing to the maintenance of the collection.

Modeled Sea Level Rise Impacts on Coastal Vegetation and Infrastructure at Lake Earl Wildlife Area and Tolowa Lagoon, Northern California: Implications for Management and Adaptive Planning

Few ecosystems remain untouched by sea-level rise along the Pacific coast of North America. This process has facilitated reduction in the range of ecosystem responses and promoted loss of biological diversity at a scale relevant to local populations of plants and animals. Even fewer studies have evaluated the extent of rising sea levels on coastal ecosystems at finer scales. Here, I quantified the projected impacts of rising sea level on the vulnerability of plant communities at the Lake Earl-Tolowa Lagoon System (Lake Earl Wildlife Area) using a Static Vegetation Model. I also evaluated use of a recent regional coastal Marsh-migration Model fitted to the same study area. Results showed the Static Model predicted 100% of Estuarine Brackish Emergent habitat, 34.0% of Coastal Dune habitat, 80.7% of Freshwater Emergent Wetland, 48.9% of Forest Wetland, 21.0% of Grassland/Pasture, 8.0% of Coastal Maritime Forest, and 3.4% of Urban infrastructure would be inundated by salt-water at ~3.0m (~9.8 ft) of sea-level rise. Conversely, categories of marsh-types used in the Marsh-migration Model were inconsistent with the type of vegetation mapped within the study area, and impacts to these categories did not materialize until ~14 m (~45.9 ft) of sea-level rise. At this level Estuarian Wetland, Emergent Wetland, and Unconsolidated Shore exhibited slight increases in area, while other categories declined. The Marsh-migration Model also proved insufficient at identifying any major alteration in the extent of marsh-types for future planning or conservation by land managers, which was the primary goal of this model at conception. Identifying the potential impact of future sea-level rise on biological communities necessitates extensive data collection, quantification of plant and animal communities, updating existing vegetation maps, modeling the potential for migration inland, and establishing a comprehensive, multi-scale coastal-change modeling framework at spatiotemporal scales unique to the particular wildlife area. These actions are necessary to identify, assess, mitigate, and alleviate any potential future stressors in rising sea-level on natural resources on managed lands along the coast of northern California and elsewhere.

Summary of amendments to India’s Biological Diversity Act and enlightenments for improving China’s legal system of biodiversity conservation

Summary of amendments to India’s Biological Diversity Act and enlightenments for improving China’s legal system of biodiversity conservation

МОНИТОРИНГ ВОЗБУДИТЕЛЕЙ ОСНОВНЫХ ПАРАЗИТОЗОВ ВОДНЫХ ПТИЦ НА ИЗОЛИРОВАННОЙ ПРИРОДНОЙ ТЕРРИТОРИИ НАЦИОНАЛЬНОГО ПАРКА «ЛОСИНЫЙ ОСТРОВ»

An important point in the conservation of biological diversity and avifauna resources on the territory of national and zoological parks, reserves, as well as commercial breeding poultry enterprises is the study of the bioecology of parasitosis pathogens. In this study, for the first time in a long time, the results of bioecological monitoring of the main parasitoses of aquatic birds living in the isolated natural territory of NP "Losiny оstrov" are presented. The main focus of the work was the study of the spread of the invasive origin in intermediate, additional and final hosts, as well as the conservation potential of aquatic bird species and other components of the biogeocenosis. The article presents the results of helminthological studies of feces of birds of the gull families (lake gull Larus Ridibundus) and duck (mallard Anas Platyrhynchos); helminthological studies of the gastrointestinal tract of fish of the cyprinid family (bream Abramis Brama) and firebrand (perch Perca Fluviatilis); mollusks of the family Lymnaeidae and the family Planorbidae. 85 and 86 individuals of fish and shellfish, respectively, and 116 samples of bird droppings were studied. The number of identified samples from seagulls was 23, from ducks – 47, the remaining 46 samples were defined as «blind samples». The main composition of intestinal parasites of aquatic birds and aquatic organisms has been revealed. Data were obtained on the infection of aquatic birds with associative helminth-protozoal mixinvasion: genera – Eimeria and Trichomonas and helminths of genera: Capillaria, Amidostomum, Heterakis. At the same time, the presence of mixed invasion was noted in 64.28% of the total number of samples. Data were obtained on the infection of fish and shellfish, the helminth fauna of which is represented by the families Echinoctomatidae and Diplostomum sp. The extent of monoinvasion of mollusks of the species Lymnaea stagnalis by cercariae and metacercariae of trematodes of the family Echinoctomatidae was 62.16%.

К ЮБИЛЕЙНОМУ ДЕСЯТОМУ МЕЖДУНАРОДНОМУ СИМПОЗИУМУ ПО ОСЕТРОВЫМ (ISS10) (Г. ИЧАН, КИТАЙ, 20-25 ОКТЯБРЯ 2025 ГОДА): АКТУАЛЬНЫЕ ВОПРОСЫ

Background. The decline in the population and the threat of extinction that is currently applicable to most sturgeon species, as well as changes in their habitat and spawning environment have been the focus of attention for scientists and governments of different states for many years. Relevance. The preservation and restoration of fishing stocks of valuable sturgeon species and conservation of other vulnerable species are urgent tasks within the scope of rational use of natural resources and conservation of biological diversity and require international efforts. The aim of this work is to consider the main subject matters and focal areas of the upcoming Tenth International Symposium on Sturgeon, which will be held on October 2025 in Yichang (China). Methods. The main topics of the preliminary reports of the participants and speakers of the symposium have been analyzed, as well as the problems set out to be discussed over its duration. Results. This article is intended to familiarize the scientific community of Russia and other countries with the international-level matters associated with the upcoming symposium. Conclusion. The relevance of the international discussion of the current status of studies concerning sturgeon fish species, of increasing their natural reproduction efficiency, their breeding and rearing in the context of declining population abundance have been emphasized, as well as importance of identification of the prospects and challenges in restoration of some species populations with consideration to the dedicated long-term release of sturgeon juveniles into the natural water bodies and exploration of the approaches to their ex situ conservation.

Analysis of multiyear seasonal spatial-temporal chlorophyll-a concentration dynamics in the coastal zone of north-western of the Sea of Japan

The coastal zone and shelf of the north-western of the Sea of Japan have high biological productivity. The vegetation of microalgae is realized due to insolation, nutrient input with river runoff and as a result of seasonal vertical mixing of water masses. Also, the productivity activity relates to the type of marine landscape. Phytoplankton assemblages are first-order food resources for zooplankton and the second for nekton (fish, mammals), and they also serve as a source of biological minerals from the decayed of their dead cell products, which as suspended particles (detritus) provide food for pelagic bacteria and bottom biocenoses. The vertical subdivision of the landscape - neritho-pelagial (coastal zone) of the studied part of the sea reflects a wide biological diversity represented by bottom communities of living organisms. The research objective of this article studied to analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics of chlorophyll-a concentration in phytoplankton in different landscape-bionomic areas in the north- western of the Sea of Japan for each season from 2003 to 2022’s. The article is used the landscape-bionomic and space monitoring data approaches. The known system of units of global zoning of ecoregions (sea basins) describes the natural features of the sea. The fundamental unit of regional zoning is coastal morphostructures or marine landscape which builds ecological conditions for hydrobionts. Space monitoring from the Aqua satellite, NASA, covers the upper layers of water at a wide resolution. Water surface temperature and chlorophyll-a concentration for 20 years (2003-2022's) are compared on the basis of satellite data. Practical significance: the paper discloses the links between landscape-bionomic areas and seasonal multiyear dynamics of temperature and phytoplankton productivity in the north- western of the Sea of Japan. The comprehensive approach will serve as a necessity for the rational use of aquatic biological resources. Moreover, satellite data can be applied to the construction of long-term forecasts of climate variability in the region.

Корпоративная социальная ответственность как доминанта устойчивого развития

Currently, there is an opinion that business organizations, originally designed to make a profit, become something more than just economic entities, and turn into a part of society itself and its environment. Their actions are already having an impact on the quality of life of people, the ecosystem of the planet, and the international geopolitical agenda is beginning to depend on the largest companies. However, until now, such a concept as corporate social responsibility is considered a separate strategic approach to doing business, a way to increase corporate awareness, and not as a necessary new time embodiment of the principle of widespread use of management skills aimed not only at making a profit, but also at comprehensive, systematic and integrated sustainable development of the world, to ensure sustainable development of business and society as a whole. The subject of the research is corporate social responsibility as the dominant factor of sustainable development of society. The purpose of the work is to establish the degree of influence of large business on global social processes and the Earth's ecosystem. The arguments on the need for ethical practice as an area of regulation of corporate activities aimed at improving working conditions, customer orientation, as well as the use of technological processes that do not have a negative impact on the biological diversity of the planet and the social agenda are considered. A retrospective of the evolution of theoretical views on the role and place of business responsibility to society and its impact on sustainable development is presented. It is concluded that in the era of the Anthropocene, the implementation of the concept of corporate social responsibility will not only serve as a mechanism for forming a positive image of business organizations, staff development, reducing financial risks, but also contribute to meeting the expectations of society and meet its needs.

Forests in Kazakhstan: Issues of conservation and environmental safety

The article discusses issues of forest preservation and environmental safety in Kazakhstan. The authors conduct a comparative analysis of forest cover across regions of Kazakhstan, revealing its low percentage in the Western regions and high in the eastern and southern regions. The article highlights both man-made and natural risks to the forest fund of Kazakhstan. The authors argue that fires, caused by both human activities and natural factors, pose a particular danger to Kazakhstan. Analysis indicates that the dynamics of fires have been intensifying since 2018, which naturally disrupts the structure of the area’s biocenosis. Based on the results of the study, conclusions were drawn and recommendations were made for the conservation of biological diversity.

ИКСОДОВЫЕ КЛЕЩИ РЕСПУБЛИКИ АБХАЗИЯ: РАСПРОСТРАНЕНИЕ, ЧИСЛЕННОСТЬ И ОСОБЕННОСТИ ЭКОЛОГИИ

The article analyzes the biological diversity of the fauna of the ticks of the Republic of Abkhazia. Their biotopic confinement and parasite-host bonds at different stages of ontogenesis are considered. According to the materials of the authors ' collections, literary sources and partially the collections of the FKUZ Stavropol antiplague institute of Rospotrebnadzor for the territory of Abkhazia, data on 14 ticks species are given. Comparatively low species diversity is due to insufficient study of the ticks of Abkhazia. Key words: ticks, host-parasite relationships, tick-borne infections, Abkhazia.

Fire effect on bamboo-dominated forests in Southwestern Amazon: impacts on tree diversity and forest structure

Severe droughts increase the forest flammability, especially if fires are recurrent. Considering that fires tend to alter the forest structure and reduce biological diversity, we analyzed the fire effect on the tree plant community and forest structure over a 10-year post-fire period. The study was carried out in two tropical forest fragments located in the eastern Acre State in southwestern Brazilian Amazon. In each fragment, we established three plots of 250 × 10 m2 in an unburned forest and three in a burned forest. In these plots, we collected all tree individuals with DBH≥10 following the RAINFOR protocol, with censuses made in 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The fire significantly reduced the abundance, basal area, and aboveground biomass of tree species, and altered the species composition along the post-fire temporal gradient. The absence of differences in the species richness and species diversity between unburned and burned forests is probably related to the life cycle of bamboo. The results suggest that, 10 years after the fire, the structure and phytosociology of the forest have not yet fully recovered.

Spatiotemporal variability in the structure and diversity of understory faunal assemblages associated with the kelp Eisenia cokeri (Laminariales) in Peru

Kelp species function as foundation organisms in coastal marine ecosystems, where they alter environmental conditions and promote local biodiversity by providing complex biogenic habitat for an array of associated organisms. The structure and functioning of kelp forest ecosystems in some regions, such as along the Peruvian coastline, remain critically understudied. We quantified the structure and diversity of faunal assemblages within both holdfast and understory reef habitats within Eisenia cokeri forests. We sampled both habitat types within four subtidal kelp forests on multiple occasions between 2016 and 2020, and quantified fauna at a fine taxonomic level (mostly species). We recorded a total of ~ 55,000 individuals representing 183 taxa across the study, with holdfast assemblages typically exhibiting higher richness, abundance and biomass values compared with understory reef-associated assemblages. Holdfast assemblages were structurally and functionally dissimilar to those on reef surfaces and were less variable and consistent across sites and sampling events. Even so, assemblages associated with both habitat types varied significantly between sites and sampling events, with variation in upwelling strength, ocean currents, and grazing pressure among potential drivers of this ecological variability. Overall, E. cokeri supports diverse and abundant holdfast assemblages and functions as a foundation organism in Peru. Given that no other habitat-forming kelp species persist at the low latitudes of E. cokeri in mid-to-north Peru, the lack of functional redundancy suggests that effective management and conservation of this species is vital for wider ecosystem processes and biodiversity maintenance.

Ecophenotypic Variation of Midas Cichlid, Amphilophus citrinellus (Gunther, 1864), in Lake Batur, Bali, Indonesia.

Cichlid fishes exhibit rapid adaptive radiations with significant diversification rates in response to ecological variability, i.e., ecological opportunity or geographical isolation. The discovery of a Midas cichlid species in Lake Batur, Indonesia's largest volcanic lake, first reported in 2013, could represent such adaptations. Midas cichlids can now be found in a range of habitats in Lake Batur and dominate the lake's fish population by up to 60%. This study aimed to identify the interaction between habitat, water quality, and Midas cichlid in Lake Batur, facilitating morphometric variances in the fish populations. The fish were captured at five locations in Lake Batur using fishing rods, community nets with mesh sizes of 2-3 inches, experimental gillnets with mesh sizes of 1 inch, and fish scoops in floating net cages during August and November 2022. There were 46 fish samples caught from the five stations, all photographed using a digital camera and later measured using the ZEN 2012 software. The fish measurement employed a truss morphometric method using 21 distinct morphometric body features. Canonical analysis was used to determine the distribution of characteristics, while discriminant analysis was used to examine the closeness of association. The measured water quality parameters included pH, DO, temperature, conductivity, and TDS for in-situ and TSS, TP, TN, and chlorophyll A for ex-situ. The findings revealed morphometric changes among Midas cichlid species in Lake Batur caused by habitat and water quality differences. The distinction can be detected in the anterior and posterior bodies (C1, B1, C3, C6, C5, B3 and B4). Temperature and aquatic plants, Azolla pinnata, may detect the station and shape of fish in Lake Batur. Body shape cannot be identified by chlorophyll A, TN, DO, and TDS. Future genetic research could answer why fish groups with varied body types coexist in the same location.

In Another Life Another Being: On Design and the Wages of Decoloniality

Despite the struggles for design disciplines to confront their colonial legacies and practices, the question remains: who can truly afford a decolonizing practice worthy of the name? This paper will investigate why Industrial Design, as a discipline, has been glaringly absent from the decolonial conversation, and the critical institutional gaps between decolonial thought and action. I will investigate the pragmatic relations between labor, value, care work, and social reproduction within the political economy of design that dissuade and constrain the discipline from articulating its responsibility to transform its social and material realities. In setting this provocation, I argue that if decolonizing design is to be anything more than an epistemological curiosity, moving beyond the niche corners of design academia, it will need a diverse ecology of accomplices—to imagine other lives for itself and become other beings.

The Future of Access and Benefit-Sharing: What Next after the Adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework and Decision on Digital Sequence Information?

Recent decisions at the Convention on Biological Diversity's (CBD) 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) on access and benefit-sharing (ABS) fundamentally shift how ABS will work in the future. The key ABS challenges that now lie ahead will be to integrate digital sequence information into a functioning benefit-sharing mechanism compatible with the Nagoya Protocol, to address the difficult task of measuring benefit-sharing now required by the Global Biodiversity Framework, and ultimately to address the long-term challenges of the Nagoya Protocol’s bilateral ABS approach. The relevant COP15 decisions do not provide simple and quick answers to these challenges. However, they do lay the groundwork for change and could form the basis for the further development of effective access and benefit-sharing.