Department Of Ecology Research Articles

Extensive Rearing Systems in Poultry Production: The Right Chicken for the Right Farming System. A Review of Twenty Years of Scientific Research in Perugia University, Italy.

Simple SummaryThe aim of this review paper was to retrace the research journey of the researchers of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science at the University of Perugia, Italy that lasted twenty years and draw updated guidelines regarding the best synergy between chicken type and environment in extensive rearing systems in order to optimize animal welfare, quality, and environmental impact, linked with economical sustainability.The demand for poultry meat, being cheaper than red meat, will drive worldwide production of this product. Accordingly, an increase in production up to 16% is expected in 2025, most of which will occur in developing countries. Most poultry meat production is realized with intensive production systems, and extensive rearing systems (ERS) of poultry (organic, free-range, and low-input) represent only a small portion of poultry production in the EU (about 5%). However, there is an increasing interest in such rearing systems to maintain the good image of product and environmental sustainability, improved animal welfare, and meat quality with an annual trend of growth of about 10%. The aims of this work were to summarize the activities and the viewpoint of the researchers of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science of the University of Perugia (Italy). One of the most important goals of the research unit was the challenge of identifying the best poultry genotypes for ERS, which are important not only for the food industry but also for the improvement of human nutrition. Only the definition of the best genotypes adapted to ERS through the measurement of a wide panel of traits—genetic, physiologic, and behavior—and not only relying on daily weight gain will allow us to achieve this goal.

WebFRIS: An efficient web-based decision support tool to disseminate end-to-end risk information for flood management

The present study describes the development of a web-based flood risk information system ‘WebFRIS’ for Jagatsinghpur district, a severely flood-prone region in Eastern India. The WebFRIS is designed by using various readily available open-source web tools and packages such as Google Map, PHP, MySQL, and JSON. Special emphasis is directed towards designing the layout and architecture, to be easily accessible by any end-user irrespective of any technical know-how. The WebFRIS illustrates spatial maps of flood hazard, socio-economic vulnerability, and flood risk at the village level for two-time scenarios. While analyzing a set of graphical statistics depicting the changes in flood risk components, a significant increase in high and very-high categories of both flood hazard (~140%) and socio-economically vulnerable villages (~68%) is noticed during Scenario-I. The number of villages facing compound risk (contributed equally by flood hazard and socio-economic vulnerability) nearly doubled in Scenario-I. A spatial analysis of diametric changes in flood risk shows that a large proportion of villages in Balikuda, Ersama, and Tirtol tehsils have undergone radical changes. Following these observations, a set of possible engineering, social, and policy measures are proposed, whose implementation in the near future is expected to reinforce flood management in the study area. The WebFRIS architecture is flexible, easy-to-use; it is expected to provide crucial lessons to the local bodies, town-planners, water professionals, flood experts, and also the citizens, a precious knowledge on flood risk management. The WebFRIS may be considered as a precious cartographic product for environmental management. The proposed web platform is generic, as it can be applied to study other inter-related systems such as environmental protection, land-use planning, coastal habitat restoration, and community resilience building.Software and data availabilityName: Web Flood Risk Information System -WebFRISDeveloper: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, MumbaiContact Information: (1) Mohit P. Mohanty: mohit2012.env@gmail.com; Environmental Science and Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India, and (2) Subhankar Karmakar: skarmakar@iitb.ac.in; Environmental Science and Engineering Department (http://www.esed.iitb.ac.in/), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India.Software(s) required: Internet browser (latest versions are recommended), and MIKE FLOOD 2018 or higher (https://www.mikepoweredbydhi.com/products/mike-flood).Programming languages: HTML, PhP, MySQL, JSONAvailability and cost: Any user can access WebFRIS for no cost at https://webfrisiitb.com/. The login credentials for entering WebFRIS are available with reasonable requests to the authors. The flood model set-up and input data are not available freely due to data confidentiality.

Gariwerdichnus warreni igen. et isp. nov. — probable giant myriapod burrows from Late Silurian fluvial channels in the Grampians Group, Western Victoria, Australia

Large Late Silurian burrows are preserved in fluviatile trough cross-bedded sandstones at Mount Bepcha and Mount William in the Grampians in western Victoria (Australia). These burrows have ventral surfaces with two parallel grooves likely formed by the trace-makers’ paired legs as they burrowed through dunes on braided-river beds, probably after avulsion of sandy channels. The burrows are morphologically distinct from previously described burrows and a new ichnogenus Gariwerdichnus igen. nov. containing a single new ichnospecies G. warreni isp. nov. is erected. The size of the burrows, together with their ridged ventral surface, rounded dorsal surface with large dorsolateral protuberances, and meniscate backfill, point towards giant myriapods as the tracemakers. This conclusion is further supported by the presence of large Diplichnites isp. (including D. gouldi) trackways of comparable size in a stratigraphically higher unit at Mount Bepcha; large D. gouldi are typically attributed to giant myriapods. Early myriapod groups that could have formed G. warreni include eoarthropleurids, arthropleurids, or a Bennettarthra-like organism. Chris Gouramanis [ chris.gouramanis@anu.edu.au ], Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory, 0200, Australia; Anthony, J. Martin [ geoam@emory.edu ], Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, USA; John A. Webb [ john.webb@latrobe.edu.au ], Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia.

Cambrian helcionelloids (univalved molluscs) from the Korean Peninsula: systematic revision and biostratigraphy

Helcionelloids from the Korean Peninsula are revised based on a re-examination of type specimens and new material collected from the Cambrian Mungyeong Group of South Korea. The fauna comprises Coreospira rugosa, Hampilina goniospira, Dorispira pacifica, cf. Igorella coreanica, and Helcionelloid indet. Coreospira and Hampilina are distinguished from other helcionelloids by their angular junction between dorsal and lateral surfaces, and from each other by the presence or absence of a rounded ridge along the junction, respectively. The Korean helcionelloids range stratigraphically from the base of Maochuangian to the lower Hsuchuangian using the chronostratigraphical scheme from North China; this correlates with upper Stage 4 to the lower Wuliuan Stage. Unusual septal features, such as complex suture lines in Hampilina and a central circular structure in the simple convex septa of Coreospira, occur in the apical region of the Korean helcionelloids, and could have implications for univalved molluscan evolution. Yeongju Oh [yjoh@kopri.re.kr ], Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, Republic of Korea; Dong-Chan Lee [dclee@chungbuk.ac.kr ], Department of Earth Science Education, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Chungbuk 28644, Republic of Korea; Dong-Jin Lee [lichenaria@daum.net ], College of Earth Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130061, China; Jeong-Gu Lee [leejg0310@korea.kr ] Gwacheon National Science Museum, Gwacheon 13817, Republic of Korea

IAA production by Pseudomonas putida associated with rhizosphere of some medicine plants

The present study was carried out in the green house / department of Environmental science / college of Energy and Environment Science, Al-Karkh University of Science, Baghdad. During 2019-2020 under natural environmental conditions in greenhouse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of the rhizosphere soil of two medicine plants including, Watercress (Eruca sativa) and parsley (Petroselinum crispum) plants, to evaluate the effectiveness of the soil surrounding the roots of the tested plants in stimulating rooting growth. Red hibiscus, Alternanthera purple, chrysanthemum, Rosemary and garden mint were planted in rhizosphere soil of the two medicine plants. The results indicated that parsley rhizosphere soil gave the highest values in rooting and seeds germination for the test plants than the Watercress, the results indicated the presence of pseudomonas putida and IAA hormone in the roots rhizosphere soil of the tested plants.

Art in Endoscopy: Natural analogies.

This papilla with an impacted stone was observed during ERCP. The image was so extraordinary that we wondered whether any similar image might exist in nature. We therefore contacted an expert in the biological field, Dr. Conxita Avila from the Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, and Biodiversity Research Institute (IrBIO), University of Barcelona. She replied that our image was certainly reminiscent of a marine animal, for example a sponge. There are curious analogies amongst biological forms, as Ernst Haeckel said in his book Kunstformen der Natur [Art Forms in Nature]. Our image of the papilla resembles this one of the Caribbean sponge, Mycale laxissima, https://spongeguide.uncw.edu/imageinfo.php?img=319 (photographer Sven Zea; The Sponge Guide, Universidad Nacional de Colombia).

Seasonal Variation of Water Quality in Gowain River near Ratargul Swamp Forest, Sylhet, Bangladesh

This article is based on a study that was conducted to investigate the physicochemical properties of water in Gowain river at pre-monsoon (February to May), monsoon (June to September) and post-monsoon (October to January) seasons and to determine the relationships between water quality parameters. The water samples were collected from five different sampling stations of Gowain river and analyzed in the laboratory of Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Bangladesh. The results also showed that most of the water quality parameters were suitable for aquatic organisms as well as fish. However, runoff from upstream and waste generated from anthropogenic sources could be the main causes of degradation of water quality and aquatic organisms.

Atlantic Geoscience Society Abstracts: 47th Annual Colloquium and General Meeting, February 5 and 6, 2021

Due to current Pandemic circumstances, the 2021 Colloquium & Annual General Meeting was held for the first time using a virtual venue (Zoom) on February 5th and 6th. Although not ideal from the networking and social point of view, not travelling in the unpredictable winter weather of Atlantic Canada was a bonus. On behalf of the society, we thank Colloquium organizers Donnelly Archibald, Rob Raeside, and Chris White, as well the numerous session chairs and judges, for facilitating an excellent meeting with about 200 registrants. AGS acknowledges support from the corporate sponsors and partners for the meeting: Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines (Geological Survey and Petroleum Resources), New Brunswick Department Natural Resources and Energy Development, Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada, and Acadia University (Department of Earth and Environmental Science).In the following pages, we are pleased to publish the abstracts of oral and poster presentations from the meeting on a variety of topics. Best undergraduate and graduate student presentations are recognized and indicated by an asterisk in the authorship. The meeting included five special sessions: (1) Defining the controls on onshore and offshore Pliocene-Quaternary processes; (2) Sedimentological and paleontological investigations from the onshore and offshore realms; (3) Developments in geoscience education; (4) Developments in mineral resources research in the northern Appalachians; (5) Karst research in AtlanticCanada; and a general session on mineralogy, igneous and metamorphic geology, and structural geology.Also included with the conference was a day-long, short course on “Applications of GIS (Geographical Information Systems) to Earth Science” delivered by Robin Adair (University of New Brunswick). In addition, a Workshop was held on “Looking to the Future; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as a way of being in our discipline” chaired by Anne-Marie Ryan (Dalhousie University) and Deanne van Rooyen (Cape Breton University). The traditional Saturday evening banquet and social were replaced by a virtual Awards Banquet at which society awards were announced, as well as student prizes for best poster and oral presentation. The student award winners are noted at the end of the appropriate abstract.Although the abstracts have been edited as necessary for clarity and to conform to Atlantic Geology format and standards, the journal editors do not take responsibility for their content or quality.

Retraction.

Previous article FreeRetractionChristopher E. Oufiero, Leticia Avilés, and Susan E. RiechertChristopher E. Oufiero1. Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, Maryland 21252 Search for more articles by this author , Leticia Avilés2. Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada Search for more articles by this author , and Susan E. Riechert1. Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, Maryland 21252 Search for more articles by this author 3. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996Original articleIterative Evolution of Increased Behavioral Variation Characterizes the Transition to Sociality in Spiders and Proves Advantageous.Full TextPDF Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditEmailQR Code SectionsMoreThe article “Iterative Evolution of Increased Behavioral Variation Characterizes the Transition to Sociality in Spiders and Proves Advantageous,” published in the October 2012 issue of The American Naturalist (pp. 496–510), is retracted by The American Naturalist and the authors of this retraction. Investigation by the journal, which was fully examined by all authors, revealed duplicate ratios of spider mass to prey mass, which was often an exact value (e.g., 0.3, followed by 0.33 and 0.34 exactly). Similar anomalies, with redundant predator-prey mass ratios, were also found for other size categories. These anomalies in data collection by Jonathan N. Pruitt could not be explained, undermining the credibility of the article’s results. On this basis, the authors of this statement regretfully retract the article. Previous article DetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The American Naturalist Volume 197, Number 3March 2021 Published for The American Society of Naturalists Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/713144 Views: 4504 HistoryPublished online January 19, 2021 © 2021 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved. Crossref reports no articles citing this article.Related articlesIterative Evolution of Increased Behavioral Variation Characterizes the Transition to Sociality in Spiders and Proves Advantageous.17 Jul 2015The American Naturalist

The current stage of botanical research in L M Cherepnin Herbarium

The modern stages of the vegetation cover research of Krasnoyarsk region by botanists of Krasnoyarsk State Pedagogical University named after V.P. Astafiev is characterized by floristic and geobotanical research of the areas of the southern part of Krasnoyarsk region, including Khakassia, which were understudied in the past, such as northern forest-steppe, southern steppes, subtaiga territories, mountain communities, with the compilation of sketches and classifications of vegetation. In the north, the Angara-Chuna interstream (Boguchansk region) was explored; the fieldwork was carried out in Evenkia in the Podkamennaya Tunguska area. A new direction of research in the region is the study of urban flora in Krasnoyarsk, Sosnovoborsk, Zheleznogorsk, Divnogorsk, and Abakan (Khakassia). Infective species of Krasnoyarsk region were identified, presented by the staff of the Department of Biology, Chemistry and Ecology in the publication of the “Black Book of Siberian Flora”. Systematic research, which began with the work on the Flora of Siberia project, continue with a description of new species. We participated in the study of natural protected areas of the region and rare species in the Red Book species, in the preparation and reprint of the Red Book of Krasnoyarsk region (2012).

Leaf turgor loss point shapes local and regional distributions of evergreen but not deciduous tropical trees.

Summary The effects of climate change on tropical forests will depend on how diverse tropical tree species respond to drought. Current distributions of evergreen and deciduous tree species across local and regional moisture gradients reflect their ability to tolerate drought stress, and might be explained by functional traits.We measured leaf water potential at turgor loss (i.e. ‘wilting point’; πtlp), wood density (WD) and leaf mass per area (LMA) on 50 of the most abundant tree species in central Panama. We then tested their ability to explain distributions of evergreen and deciduous species within a 50 ha plot on Barro Colorado Island and across a 70 km rainfall gradient spanning the Isthmus of Panama.Among evergreen trees, species with lower πtlp were associated with drier habitats, with πtlp explaining 28% and 32% of habitat association on local and regional scales, respectively, greatly exceeding the predictive power of WD and LMA. In contrast, πtlp did not predict habitat associations among deciduous species.Across spatial scales, πtlp is a useful indicator of habitat preference for tropical tree species that retain their leaves during periods of water stress, and holds the potential to predict vegetation responses to climate change.

Jeannine Cavender-Bares.

Jeannine Cavender-Bares.

László Rákosy: ”Serviciile oferite de natură sunt multiple și complexe. Va trebui să învățăm să le percepem și să le apreciem”

László Rákosy: “Prin pierderea biodiversității se ajunge la colapsul ecologic al planetei.” Pasiunea domniei sale pentru fluturi a început la vârsta de 10 ani, când a avut privilegiul să vadă colecția adevărată de fluturi a profesorului său de biologie, Michael Konrad. Această pasiune l-a determinat să studieze biologia pentru a cunoaște și înțelege mai bine viața spectaculoasă a necuvântătoarelor.
 Acum, profesorul László Rákosy este director al Departamentului de Taxonomie și Ecologie în cadrul Facultății de Biologie și Geologie a Universității „Babeș-Bolyai” din Cluj și președintele Societății Lepidopterologice Române. Cartea sa, “Fluturii diurni din România. Cunoaştere, protecţie, conservare”, l-a fascinat deja pe Charles, Prinț de Wales, moștenitor al tronului Regatului Unit și prieten al ținutului transilvan. Prin protejarea neprețuitului Albăstrel transilvan (Pseudophilotes bavius hungarica), profesorul László Rákosy merge cu pasiune pe urmele celebrului naturalist Alexandru Borza, cel care a înființat o arie protejată, acum nouă decenii, pentru protejarea plantei unice Astragalus peterfii. 
 Albăstrelul transilvan este un fluturaș endemic pentru habitatele cu caracter stepic din Câmpia Transilvaniei și a devenit un simbol al Transilvaniei. Deși este protejat în România, Albăstrelul transilvan este cunoscut mai mult în străinătate, fiind trecut pe lista speciilor protejate de UE. Cea mai importantă populație s-a menținut în Situl Natura 2000 de la Suatu, la 35 km nord de Cluj-Napoca, unde numeroși specialiști și iubitori ai naturii veneau anual, la sfârșit de aprilie sau început de mai, pentru a vedea și admira acest unicat al naturii.
 Potrivit opiniei profesorului László Rákosy, oamenilor trebuie să le pese de protejarea speciilor endemice pentru că acestea trăiesc în areale foarte restrânse, iar perturbarea mediului în care trăiesc poate duce la extincția lor din patrimoniul mondial. Din nefericire, în anul 2016, populația de Albăstrel transilvan de la Suatu a fost complet distrusă când jaleșul cârn (Salvia nutans), planta preferată a fluturelui, a fost consumată de oi, exact în perioada în care în inflorescențele plantei se găseau ouăle și larvele acestuia. Dacă autoritățile locale ar fi fost vigilente, Albăstrelul transilvan ar fi putut deveni un brand local, așa cum alte specii endemice au devenit simboluri naționale, pentru multe dintre țările lumii. Dacă un bun din patrimoniul cultural mai poate fi restaurat, reparat sau îmbunătățit, dispariția unui taxon endemic nu poate fi înlocuită sau reparată prin niciun efort. Omenirea trebuie să învețe să mențină biodiversitatea la acel nivel la care rețelele ecologice să rămână funcționale.
 Sub îndrumarea profesorului László Rákosy, Societatea Lepidopterologică Română, alături de alte câteva ONG-uri, s-a implicat masiv în ultimii 15 ani în procesul de conștientizare a comunităților locale cu privire la atitudinea față de natură. Susține practicarea artei compromisului, ce va permite lăsarea brâielor de vegetație spontană dintre parcele ori proprietăți, pentru polenizatori și parazitoizi. Acestea vor reduce pesticidele și vor facilita certificarea produselor ”BIO”. În acest fel, câștigurile vor fi mai mari în timp, iar biodiversitatea refăcută.
 Profesorul László Rákosy iubește oamenii, expedițiile în zone mai puțin cunoscute (Amazon, Africa, Asia etc), familia, cei doi câini și arta fotografiei. Relația sa cu natura este una specială, iar pandemia generată de virusul SARS-CoV-2 l-a determinat să redescopere frumusețea Munților Apuseni, a grădinii sale, a plantelor și pomilor pe care îi îngrijește.
 Natura poate exista fără OM, omul fără NATURĂ nu!

PECULIARITIES OF THE INFLUENCE OF DISTANCE LEARNING ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF STUDENTS OF MODERN INSTITUTIONS OF DIFFERENT TYPES

The article is considered the impact of the role of innovative educational technologies and analyzed the factors, that study the impact of distance education on the quality of life of students of modern institutions of various types and features of education during quarantine. To assess the impact of innovative educational technologies of distance education on the quality of life and students of modern institutions of various types, conducted an analysis of progress in the implementation of innovative online technologies and the latest approaches to studying, developed by the Department of Hygiene and Ecology of Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University. Also, during the stay of students at the Department of Hygiene and Ecology, the results of the quality of the transition to distance education were evaluated using innovative online educational technologies by oral and written questionnaires of students about their opinion on the impact of distance education on the quality of life. Therefore, despite a number of shortcomings, modern innovative methods and technologies of distance education are the great instrument for the development and knowledge of modern civilization, which have a positive impact on the quality of life of students. In order to increase the effectiveness of innovative information technologies in modern educational institutions of various types, it is necessary to create a certain system that provides a different understanding of the content, structure and purpose of the educational process. The aim of the research was to study the impact of innovative educational technologies and analyze the factors that study the impact of distance education on the quality of life of students of modern institutions of different types and features of education during quarantine. Specialization of e-learning, connection to telecommunications, Internet resources and services, have the different impact on the selection and structuring of content, ways of implementing modern methods and forms of education, as well as a significant impact on the functioning of this system. Learning activities intensify the processes of cognition, thinking and stimulating young people receive more and more new and interesting information, which finds a framework for standard, limited information about time. The teacher in this situation helps, encourages to the individual development, opens, supports the coverage of their own point of view, evaluates new points of view on the topic of communication and education, leaving before more participants in the dialogue than the leader. Applicants study individually in accordance with the developed program, but there is always the opportunity to communicate through innovative means of communication. In such situation, the quality of education largely depends on the characteristics and methods of presentation of material, ways to control the performance of work and the level of communication with the teacher, and largely on the subjective feeling of psychological comfort in this situation. Thus, the introduction of quality-level distance education in Ukraine during the quarantine period started in connection with the COVID epidemic will certainly affect the quality of life of graduates of modern educational institutions of different types and methods of teaching and will improve the quality and accessibility of education in the country.

Antioxidant enzyme response of medical plant Persian Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) to irrigation with microwaves treated water

The research, influences of different energy microwaves treated water on the antioxidant enzyme of Trigonella foenum-graecum (T. foenum ) were studied. The analysis was carried out in 2020 in the laboratories of Ecology Department, College of Science under stable variables such as temperature, humidity, sunlight. The antioxidant enzyme, The catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activity in T. foenum (hypocotyl and radical) were measured after twenty days of experiments. Results showed that germination was increased with water energy, and all enzymes activity were increased in low energy treated water gradually but decreased rapidly in high energy treated water. hypocotyl showed a higher response than Radical. (CAT) and (SOD) enzymes activity rises slowly in 30w* until it reaches a peak in 50 w * 120 s then decreases rapidly in 70 w * 150 s and whenever the time of treatments increased the enzyme becomes less effective. Both (APX) and (POD) had the same response but showed an increase in activities at 30W. The results improve that microwaves treated water-induced antioxidant enzyme response in T. foenum. While the specified energy level and duration showed a better growth rate compared to regular watering water. The results of this research serve those interested in developing cultivation and water treatment methods and improving our understanding of T. foenum irrigation behaviour using microwave treated water.

Conservation challenges for Victorian Banksias: Workshop May 2020

Banksias are iconic Australian plants, with a Gondwanan origin. Their specialised roots help survival on low‐phosphorus soils, and many species have reproductive cycles adapted to fire. They are trophically important in many of Australia’s native forests, woodlands and heathlands, providing nectar, pollen and seeds for many species of birds, mammals and invertebrates. While legacies of land use have reduced the historic extent of some Banksia species, more recent declines have raised additional concerns about their persistence in some landscapes. A range of factors are considered to be impacting Banksia persistence (Lamont et al. 2007), including habitat loss and fragmentation (e.g. Miller et al. 2020), increased fire frequency (e.g. Bradstock et al. 1997) and climate change (e.g. Steel et al. 2019), but there is no consensus about how these interacting factors may be driving declines, and how widespread these declines may be. The challenges facing Banksia species conservation in the south‐eastern state of Victoria were the focus of an online workshop in May 2020. The workshop brought together researchers and land managers from Victorian and interstate universities, Victorian government agencies and volunteer land management groups to share their knowledge of the threats facing banksias, and document ideas to reverse declines. It was organised by Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (Department Environment, Land, Water and Planning), La Trobe University (Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution) and Federation University (Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation).

Cultivation and Nutritional Quality of Moringa Oleifera Lam. Produced Under Different Substrates in Semi-Arid Region in Northeast Brazil

The Moringa oleifera Lam. it is a perennial, arboreal species, rapidly growing, resistant to drought and with leaves, flowers and edible fruits. With this research the objective to evaluate the effect of different substrates in the emergence and development of seedlings of Moringa. The experiment was carried out at the Plant Ecology Laboratory of the Department of Phytotechnics and Environmental Sciences, at the Center for Agricultural Sciences, at the Federal University of Paraíba. The experimental desing was completely randomized, with eight treatments T1= sand washed (control), T2= sand + coconut fiber, T3= sand + rice bark, T4= sand + bovine manure, T5= sand + pine powder, T6= sand + chicken manure, T7= sand + vegetable ash and T8= quail, with four repetitions of 25 seeds totaling 100 seeds for each treatment. The substrates were used in proportion 3:1, and these proportions were determined in terms of weight and all the sieved substrates, arranged in 6 cm x 29.5 cm x 45.5 cm trays, with an approximate capacity of 7 liters of substrate. The following parameters were evaluated: the emergence percentage, first count, emergence speed index, seedling height, plant height, root length, number of leaves, dry leaf biomass, stalk, root and total. The germination and initial development of M. oleífera seedlings were satisfactory in sand and favored when fibrous materials of vegetable origin (coconut fiber, rice bark or pine powder) or bovine manure were added to the substrate. The addition of manure sand from birds (chicken and quails) and vegetable ash did not favor the substrate for germination of Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds.

Laboratory of Forest Chemistry and Biomass Science（Kamei Lab.）, Department of Forest and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki

Laboratory of Forest Chemistry and Biomass Science（Kamei Lab.）, Department of Forest and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki

TOOLS TO ENGAGE YOUTH IN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC: CONSTANTA MARITIME UNIVERSITY APPROACH

Environmental sustainability must be considered as the main target of humanity. To achieve this goal, the activities of many people must change into pro-environmental behaviour. This is often difficult because it involves high costs, giving up some daily habits and getting out of an artificial comfort. In this sense, education has an essential role to play. Young people are the target group for which appropriate methods must be found to help raise awareness of environmental issues and their involvement in solving them. In the current situation, under the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, practical applications with large groups of students and observation of the wild environment is difficult to achieve. In November 2020, the Department of Mechanical and Environmental Sciences within the Maritime University of Constanta organized online the activity “S.O.S. Nature” where different environmental processes have been highlighted through simulation programs. The event aimed to increase the awareness of young people about environmental pollution and its consequences, as well as stimulating transversal skills by high school students participating. The interest given by the large participation in this event and the knowledge gained in this activity underlined the importance of modelling and simulation as useful tools through whose comprehensive approach young people can understand complex environmental issues.

Ecological engineering education: ways of formation and development

A system approach based on ecological and economic development required organizing the specialists training in the field of industrial ecology which was first established in our country in the 70s of the last century. In Polzunov Altai State Technical University (AltSTU) at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Ecology the training of environmental engineers began in the following areas: protection of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere from industrial pollution with a specialization in wasted gases purification, wastewater treatment and solid waste recycling. Along with the educational process the scientific direction of creating energy efficient and resource-saving low-waste technologies and natural and waste water treatment was organized. In this area a large number of PhD and doctoral works based on innovative technologies in the field of separation of liquid industrial mixtures - wastes of various industries, as well as water treatment and water purification processes, were performed. More than 1000 environmental engineers have been trained since the creation of the program. Most of them stayed to work in Altai Krai. The accumulated experience made it possible to create a system of advanced training for engineering personnel in the field of environmental protection and ecological security and to win the Russian presidential grants including overseas internships in Sweden and Finland. This allowed to get acquainted with the concept of the best available technologies in the field of environmental protection for sustainable development.