Department Of Ecology Research Articles

An interview with Karen Sears.

Karen Sears is a Professor of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA. Her group leverages a range of organisms, including bats and the short-tailed opossum, to study the mechanisms underpinning mammalian evolution. Karen is a Guest Editor for Development's Special Issue on Uncovering Developmental Diversity, which highlights how unconventional model organisms are advancing our understanding of developmental biology. We caught up with Karen to find out more about her research, the importance of public engagement and the challenges of working with unusual organisms in the lab.

Optimization of Ultrasonication for Chlorella sp. Growth: Impacts on Biomass Productivity and Nutrient Utilization

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasonic treatment of different durations on Chlorella sp. culture to analyze biomass concentration, biomass productivity and chlorophyll and macronutrients, such as nitrate and phosphate, which were added to the Chlorella sp. culture. Study Design: This investigation sought to optimize the duration of exposure of live microalgal culture to ultrasonic treatment to estimate economically significant biomass and pigments. Microalgal biomass has potential applications in biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals, and is highly sought after by industry. Consequently, it is imperative to optimize this process for large-scale production. Chlorophyll pigment is not only crucial in the photosynthesis process but also serves as a high-value component in the food, cosmetic, and health industries. Furthermore, utilizing the optimized duration of ultrasonication treatment, residual nitrate and phosphate in the medium were analyzed, providing key insights into the nutrient consumption of Chlorella sp. under ultrasonication stress. Place and Duration of Study: The present investigation was conducted over 36 days to estimate the effect of ultrasonication on biomass, chlorophyll, nitrate and phosphorus concentration in Chlorella culture at the laboratory of Synthetic Ecology and Environment Biotechnology, Department of Environmental Science, School of Earth Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Ajmer. Methodology: In this study, the effects of ultrasonication on biomass and chlorophyll content were evaluated by treating Chlorella sp. cultures for 5, 10, and 15 min in addition to an untreated control group. Based on these results, an optimized ultrasonication duration of 5 min was selected for further analysis. During this phase, the nitrate and phosphorus contents in the culture medium were measured to investigate the influence of ultrasonication on these nutrient levels. All treatments were conducted in triplicate to ensure reproducibility of the results, with the mean and standard deviation calculated as measures of statistical reliability. The use of mean and standard deviation in triplicate tests ensure that the results are consistent and reproducible, hence providing a measure of statistical dependability. Results: The biomass concentration and biomass productivity concentration increased from 29.9 ± 0.00240 mg/L (control) to 66.8 ± 0.01485 mg/L, 1.275 ± 0.5033 (control) to 3.71 ± 0.4163 mg/L/day respectively. The highest total chlorophyll concentration was observed in the exponential phase (9 days of culture) which was 3.7772 ± 0.0500. There was a decrease in the concentrations of nitrate and phosphate throughout the culture period, with a total nitrate consumption of 38.5% and total phosphate consumption of 24%. Conclusion: Chlorophyll and biomass concentrations were maximized after 5 min of ultrasonic treatment, but declined with longer exposure. Nutrient analysis revealed a significant decrease in nitrate and phosphate concentrations over time, consistent with nutrient uptake by the growing cells and the subsequent accumulation of metabolites.

Foliar Fertilization on BRRI dhan28 To Reduce Soil Application of Nitrogenous Fertilizer

The experiment was conducted at the research farm of Crop Physiology and Ecology Department, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Dinajpur during November 2019 to June 2020 to find out the effect of foliar fertilization on the performance of rice var. BRRI dhan28 and to estimate how much nitrogenous fertilizer can be saved by foliar fertilization without yield reduction. The experiment was laid out following split plot design with three replications. Four levels of foliar fertilization (F0 – No foliar fertilization, F1 – Foliar fertilization with 2% KNO3, F2 - Foliar fertilization with 2% DAP and F3 - Foliar fertilization with 1% American NPKS) were placed in the main plot treatments whereas three nitrogen fertilizer levels (N50 -50% of the recommended nitrogen fertilizer, N75 – 75% of the recommended nitrogen fertilizer and N100 – 100% of the recommended nitrogen fertilizer) were placed randomly in the sub-plots. Foliar fertilization with KNO3, DAP (Di-ammonium phosphate) and American NPKS significantly increased the grain yield (t ha−1) compare to control (F0) but KNO3 and American NPKS performed better than DAP. Foliar fertilization with KNO3 and American NPKS could save 25% of recommended nitrogen fertilizer but foliar fertilization with DAP could not save nitrogen fertilizer applied in soil for getting comparable grain yield found in F0N100. Foliar fertilization of KNO3 and American NPKS with recommended nitrogen fertilizer applied in soil could increase 11.8 and 12.5% grain yield, respectively compare to F0N100. Bangladesh Agron. J. 2024, 26(2): 77-85

Effect of Organic Sources of Nutrients and Bio Inoculants on Diversity of Microbes in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A field experiment was conducted during two consecutive seasons of 2022-23 and 2023-2024 at Research Farm, Department of environmental science, college of Sehore, Mansarovar Global university Sehore (MP). The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with sixteen treatment combinations and replicated thrice. The study on the effect of organic sources of nutrient and bio-inoculants on diversity of microbe under chickpea. It is clear from the data that the highest microbial cells count like Rhizobium (16.43 x 106 cfu/g soil) (cfu- colony forming unit), PSB (Phosphate solubilizing bacteria) (19.03 x 106 cfu/g soil) was recorded under application of vermicompost @ 2 t ha-1 followed by FYM (farm yard manure) @ 5 t ha-1 along with Rhizobium and PSB (12.25 x 106 cfu/g soil) and (17.72 x 106 cfu/g soil), respectively. Whereas, highest fungi and actinomycetes count were observed under FYM @ 5 t ha-1 in combination with bio-inoculants and recorded 41.30 x 104 cfu/g and 12.92 x 103 cfu/g soil, respectively followed by vermicompost @ 2 t ha-1 with same inoculants. Whereas the lowest population of fungi was recorded under control along with combined application of bio-fertilizers (29.23 x 104 cfu/g and 7.25 x 103 cfu/g soil).

Application of vermiculture products as an innovative direction of organic production

An important strategy for diversifying agricultural production is the use of vermicomposting and the production of new products from vermicompostfor their further widespread use. Objective. To investigate the effectiveness of the use of vermicompost and the biological product ‘Nanoverm’ obtained from it as a high-quality complex environmentally friendly organic fertiliser for application to grain crops. Methods. The research was conducted at LIGA COLAP LLC, the Department of General and Applied Ecology and Zoology of Zaporizhzhia National University (Zaporizhzhia) and farms of the Vilnyansky and Orikhivsky districts of Zaporizhzhia region in two stages. At the first stage, the effect of vermicompost at a dose of 1.0-1.5 l/t and Nanoverm at a dose of 1.0-1.5 l/t on the first stages of winter wheat ontogeny of Podolyanka variety was studied. At the second stage, the effect of the biological product ‘Nanoverm’ on the formation of biometric growth parameters and yield of winter wheat was studied. Plants of the control group were grown without fertilizers, and the experimental group was treated with Nanoverm biofertilizer at a dose of 1.5 l/t. Results. It was found that pre-sowing treatment of winter wheat seeds with vermicompost provided an increase in seed germination energy by 3.7-4.0 % compared to the control, and laboratory germination by 5.3 %. When seeds were treated with Nanoverm biological product at a dose of 1 l/t, germination energy increased by 4.7 %, and laboratory germination increased by 6.0 %. With an increase in the dose of the preparation to 1.5 l/t, these indicators increased by 5.0 and 7.3 %, respectively. Pre-sowing treatment of seeds with the studied preparations also had a positive effect on such indicators as the length of the coleoptile and roots of winter wheat seedlings. The analysis of biometric parameters of winter wheat growth and yield after harvesting showed that in the experimental variant, such indicators as grain weight, number of grains per ear and yield were significantly higher. With almost the same plant height and a slight increase in the length of the ear, the stimulating effect of feeding winter wheat in the earing phase with Nanoverm was expressed in an increase in the number of grains per ear by 15.3 %, and the weight of grain per ear by 22.2 % (p<0.001). As a result, the grain yield in the experimental group was 8.3 c/ha higher than in the control group (p<0.001). Conclusions. It was found that pre-sowing treatment of seeds with vermigum or biological product ‘Nanoverm ’ improves all the indicators that characterise the first stages of ontogeny of winter wheat variety Podolyanka. Fertilising winter wheat in the earing phase with Nanoverm at a dose of 1.5 l/ha led to the activation ofgrowth processes and contributed to the formation of higher productivity. As a result of a significant increase in the number and weight of grains in the ear, the yield increased by 22.3 % and amounted to 47.2 c/ha. Keywords: california worms, vermicompost, Nanoverm, winter wheat, Podolianka, growth, yield.

The effects of meteorological factors and air pollutants on the incidence of tuberculosis in people living with HIV/AIDS in subtropical Guangxi, China.

Previous studies have shown the association between tuberculosis (TB) and meteorological factors/air pollutants. However, little information is available for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), who are highly susceptible to TB. Data regarding TB cases in PLWHA from 2014 to2020 were collected from the HIV antiviral therapy cohort in Guangxi, China. Meteorological and air pollutants data for the same period were obtained from the China Meteorological Science Data Sharing Service Network and Department of Ecology and Environment of Guangxi. A distribution lag non-linear model (DLNM) was used to evaluate the effects of meteorological factors and air pollutant exposure on the risk of TB in PLWHA. A total of 2087 new or re-active TB cases were collected, which had a significant seasonal and periodic distribution. Compared with the median values, the maximum cumulative relative risk (RR) for TB in PLWHA was 0.663 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.507-0.866, lag 4 weeks) for a 5-unit increase in temperature, and 1.478 (95% CI: 1.116-1.957, lag 4 weeks) for a 2-unit increase in precipitation. However, neither wind speed nor PM10 had a significant cumulative lag effect. Extreme analysis demonstrated that the hot effect (RR = 0.638, 95%CI: 0.425-0.958, lag 4 weeks), the rainy effect (RR = 0.285, 95%CI: 0.135-0.599, lag 4 weeks), and the rainless effect (RR = 0.552, 95%CI: 0.322-0.947, lag 4 weeks) reduced the risk of TB. Furthermore, in the CD4(+) T cells < 200 cells/µL subgroup, temperature, precipitation, and PM10 had a significant hysteretic effect on TB incidence, while temperature and precipitation had a significant cumulative lag effect. However, these effects were not observed in the CD4(+) T cells ≥ 200 cells/µL subgroup. For PLWHA in subtropical Guangxi, temperature and precipitation had a significant cumulative effect on TB incidence among PLWHA, while air pollutants had little effect. Moreover, the influence of meteorological factors on the incidence of TB also depends on the immune status of PLWHA.

Morphometric studies of the skin of calfs

Relevance. Previously, we conducted comparative morphometric studies of skin samples from different topographic sites in adult cows obtained in winter. At the same time, morphological features of the skin of different topographic areas were established. In this paper, the purpose of our study was to conduct comparative morphometric studies of the skin of different topographic areas in calves.Methods. Morphometric studies of histological preparations were carried out at the Department of Pathological Anatomy and Forensic Veterinary Medicine and at the Department of Biology, Ecology and Histology. Morphometric studies of histological preparations were used to study the thickness of the dermis proper, as well as bundles of collagen fibers of the mesh layer of the dermis. The research results were statistically processed using the "Biostat" program.Results. Morphological features of the skin of different topographic areas in calves have been established, manifested by different thicknesses of skin layers and bundles of collagen fibers of the dermis. The morphometry performed made it possible to supplement the data on the morphological structure of the skin of cattle and can also be used in the study of morpho- and pathogenesis of skin diseases.

A Hazard-Based Framework for Identifying Safer Alternatives to Classes of Chemicals: A Case Study on Phthalates in Consumer Products.

Humans are exposed to hazardous chemicals found in consumer products. In 2019, the Pollution Prevention for Healthy People and Puget Sound Act was passed in Washington State. This law is meant to reduce hazardous chemicals in consumer products and protect human health and the environment. The law directs the Washington State Department of Ecology to assess chemicals and chemical classes found in products, determine whether there are safer alternatives, and make regulatory determinations. To implement the law, the Department of Ecology developed a hazard-based framework for identifying safer alternatives to classes of chemicals. We developed a hazard-based framework, termed the "Criteria for Safer," to set a transparent bar for determining whether new chemical alternatives are safer than existing classes of chemicals. Our "Criteria for Safer" is a framework that builds on existing hazard assessment methodologies and published approaches for assessing chemicals and chemical classes. We describe implementation of our criteria using a case study on the phthalates chemical class in two categories of consumer products: vinyl flooring and fragrances used in personal care and beauty products. Additional context and considerations that guided our decision-making process are also discussed, as well as benefits and limitations of our approach. This paper gives insight into our development and implementation of a hazard-based framework to address classes of chemicals in consumer products and will aid others working to build and employ similar approaches. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13549.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of cholera hotspots in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1973 to 2022

Background Since the early 1970s, cholera outbreaks have been a major public health burden in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Cholera cases have been reported in a quasi-continuous manner in certain lakeside areas in the Great Lakes Region. As these cholera-endemic health zones constitute a starting point for outbreaks and diffusion towards other at-risk areas, they play a major role in cholera dynamics in the country. Monitoring the spatiotemporal dynamics of cholera hotspots and adjusting interventions accordingly thus reduces the disease burden in an efficient and cost-effective manner.Methods A literature review was conducted to describe the spatiotemporal dynamics of cholera in the DRC at the province level from 1973 to 1999. We then identified and classified cholera hotspots at the provincial and health zone levels from 2003 to 2022 and described the spatiotemporal evolution of hotspots. We also applied and compared three different classification methods to ensure that cholera hotspots are identified and classified according to the DRC context.ResultsAccording to all three methods, high-priority hotspots were concentrated in the eastern Great Lakes Region. Overall, hotspots largely remained unchanged over the course of the study period, although slight improvements were observed in some eastern hotspots, while other non-endemic areas in the west experienced an increase in cholera outbreaks. The Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) and the Department of Ecology and Infectious Disease Control (DEIDC) methods largely yielded similar results for the high-risk hotspots. However, the medium-priority hotspots identified by the GTFCC method were further sub-classified by the DEIDC method, thereby providing a more detailed ranking for priority targeting.ConclusionsOverall, the findings of this comprehensive study shed light on the dynamics of cholera hotspots in the DRC from 1973 to 2022. These results may serve as an evidence-based foundation for public health officials and policymakers to improve the implementation of the Multisectoral Cholera Elimination Plan, guiding targeted interventions and resource allocation to mitigate the impact of cholera in vulnerable communities.

To the 55th аnniversary of the Department of Virus Ecology with the Scientific and Practical Center for the Ecology and Epidemiology of Influenza (D.I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology of the N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of Russian Federation)

The article presents historical aspects and key achievements of the Department of Virus Ecology (DVE) with the Scientific and Practical Center for Influenza Ecology and Epidemiology, which was established in 1969 at the D.I. Ivanovsky Institute of Virology of Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. For over 50 years, the DVE has been devoted to addressing fundamental issues in virus ecology, including the formation of viral populations in nature, and conducting comprehensive large-scale studies in the interest of the state’s biosecurity. The department’s primary focus is on particularly dangerous (arboviral) and socially significant (influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections, parenteral hepatitis) viral infections. As a result of this extensive work in the Northern Eurasia region, over 2,000 strains of zoonotic viruses (17 genera, 8 families), ecologically linked to various arthropod vectors and vertebrate hosts, have been isolated. Many of them have been registered in international catalogs as new species. The role of these isolated viruses in human pathology has been studied, new viral infections have been described, and diagnostic preparations have been developed. The scientific results obtained by the department are of high priority and internationally recognized.

Anniversary Editorial: 15 Volumes of European Countryside Issued

Abstract The paper evaluates the first 15 editions of the European Countryside magazine in relation to the EURORURAL conferences and international projects of the Department of Applied and Landscape Ecology of the Mendel University in Brno.

INVESTIGATION USE IRRADIATION TO TREAT SOIL CONTAMINATE WITH OIL

the utilization of gamma rays with a high energy is common in the treatment of water contaminated with organic matter. Although it is an effective method for treating water contamination with biological contaminants. The effect of these rays on soil contamination with oil has not been investigated. In light of this, the impact of radiation on soil contaminated with oil was studied the effects of these rays on the physical and chemical properties of oil in the treated soil after being exposed to gamma rays at various dosages was studied. The nuclear lab of the Physics Department, Faculty of Science, University of Kufa, Iraq processed three samples of oil-contaminated soil. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a close setup, all samples may be radioactively irradiated concurrently at dosages of 0, 11, 30, and 70 krad. The area of experimentation in the Kufa University, Faculty of Science, Ecology Departments for 30 days. The main results have been reduction in TOC, DO, COD, in contaminate soil with oil for all radiation doses. This demonstrates the utility of radiation technology in contaminate soil with oil treatment and the possibility of using irradiation technology in the biological treatment in such kind of contaminate soil. This is an effective, new, and fast method of treatment.

Obtaining an important component of humate-enriched organomineral fertiliser based on oxidised lignite from Kyrgyzstan

The study of methods for the production and processing of humateenriched organomineral fertilisers based on oxidised lignite represents a key aspect for modern agriculture, due to the need to improve resource efficiency, soil quality, and sustainability of production. The purpose of this study was to determine the best methods of obtaining and processing humate-enriched organomineral fertilisers based on oxidised lignite. To fulfil this purpose, experimental research was carried out in the laboratory of the Institute of Natural Resources of the Southern Branch of the National Academy of the Kyrgyz Republic and the educational and scientific laboratory of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection of the Osh Technological University named after M.M. Adyshev. The findings of the study indicate significant changes in soil characteristics after application of vermicompost and glauconite. Analyses of vermicompost revealed that it has a significant content of nutrient elements and organic compounds. The potassium content of vermicompost increased by 40%, while silicon and phosphorus content increased by 39% and 28.5%, respectively. As a result of vermicomposting, there is an improvement in soil characteristics: pH increases to 7-7.5, organic matter content increases to 35-45%, while C/N-ratio decreases to 10-12, which creates more favourable conditions for plant growth and increases nitrogen use efficiency. After addition of glauconite, an increase in potassium oxide by 0.6%, iron (III) oxide by 2.34%, and aluminium oxide by 0.41% was observed. Silicon oxide content increased by 4.9%, while the content of humic substances – by 1.1%. These changes in soil characteristics contribute to higher yields and better soil quality. The results of the study have practical significance for agriculture in improving soil characteristics, increasing yields and soil quality, and reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers

Assessing global good agricultural practices standard adoption: insights from fruit and vegetable farmers in Pakistan.

This study examines the challenges Pakistani farmers face in adopting global good agricultural practices (GGAP) and highlights the limitations in infrastructure and cost-based clauses. A questionnaire based on GGAP's fruit and vegetable module version 5.0 was developed and validated by the Department of Environmental Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad. This was a survey-based study of 15 farmers divided into 5 groups according to their annual farm turnover. The findings of the study indicated that, although the basic paperwork requirements of GGAP were implementable, clauses related to capital investment and technical record-keeping were not. Results showed that 90-100% of farmers considered risk assessments, training, and documentation on their farms. However, 42-56% of clauses related to record-keeping, installation, visual presentation, and infrastructure development, and 24-37% of clauses related to external testing, health, safety, and hygiene were declared not implementable. The study revealed a need for adapting GGAP standards to Pakistan's unique agricultural conditions, suggesting the development of localized standards for more practical implementation. The study's findings highlight crucial insights for policymakers and stakeholders in the agriculture sector and suggest the need for target strategies to overcome implementation barriers and optimize the adaptation of Global GAP in Pakistan that would help to increase exports of agricultural commodities.

Relationships among cost, citation, and access in journal publishing by an ecology and evolutionary biology department at a U.S. university.

Optimizing access to high-quality scientific journals has become an important priority for academic departments, including the ability to read the scientific literature and the ability to afford to publish papers in those journals. In this contribution, we assess the question of whether institutional investment in scientific journals aligns with the journals where researchers send their papers for publication, and where they serve as unpaid reviewers and editors. We assembled a unique suite of information about the publishing habits of our Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, including summaries of 3,540 journal publications by 35 faculty members. These data include economic costs of journals to institutions and to authors, benefits to authors in terms of journal prestige and citation rates, and considerations of ease of reading access for individuals both inside and outside the university. This dataset included data on institutional costs, including subscription pricing (rarely visible to scholars), and "investment" by scholars in supporting journals, such as time spent as editors and reviewers. Our results highlighted the complex set of relationships between these factors, and showed that institutional costs often do not match well with payoffs in terms of benefits to researchers (e.g., citation rate, prestige of journal, ease of access). Overall, we advocate for greater cost-benefit transparency to help compare different journals and different journal business models; such transparency would help both researchers and their institutions in investing wisely the limited resources available to academics.

Innovation and digitalization in environmental education: the case study of climate change adaptation and analysis of land surface temperature

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; The purpose of the article is to present the research results on the land surface temperature change in the frame of the Edu- cational and Professional Program «Ecology and Environmental Protection» developed at the Department of Environmental Sciences at National Aviation University, where the importance of the development of education in the noosphere paradigm is emphasized, as the most integral bio-adequate basis for the interaction of society and the environment in the conditions of today’s challenges. The climate’s change and the land surface temperature, as an integral part of it, are highlighted to tackle the environmental challenges in- cluding those connected with the warfare activities in the country. Development of the remote sensing technique within the framework of the Educational and Professional Program provides students with the opportunity to perform the environment changes assessment due to long-term anthropogenic stress, and also acquire knowledge and skills from the new course of «Adaptation to Climate Change», introduced to strengthen the ability to survive and effectively work and study in conditions of global climate change. The land surface temperature assessment is considered on the examples of the highly technologically loaded areas within the central part of the Ukrainian Shield, in particular the mining area and thermal power plant. Land surface temperature is one of the key features that could represent environmental changes caused by anthropogenic influence, for example, urbanization. It makes land surface temperature an appropriate Earth’s attribute that combines remote sensing and environmental sciences in the sense of environmental education. It is clear, that its influence on environment is intuitive for students and it could be represented using geoinformation systems. Land surface estimation is still a challenging task for non-specialists but its ecological significance makes land temperature mapping useful and important in environmental education.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Diplopod types in the Hungarian Natural History Museum, II. (Arthropoda: Myriapoda: Diplopoda)

After forty years, the type specimens kept in the Myriapoda Collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum are revisited, a current catalogue is provided, and the status of the old names are updated and reevaluated. A total of 239 nominal taxa (species, subspecies, varietas and forma) are listed which is an almost fivefold increase compared to the number (35) of the previous catalogue from 1983. Two collections of old type specimens arrived to the museum after 1983: a set of Daday’s types from the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle Genève in 2004, and another collection containing Loksa’s material from the Department of Systematic Zoology and Ecology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, in 2017. Thorough search in the collection revealed type material of 66 species-group taxa originally considered lost. 53 type specimens that were supposedly deposited in the Hungarian Natural History Museum are missing, and the possible reason for that is discussed. In addition, a comprehensive bibliography is given along with the names of all type taxa dealt in those publications. With 43 figures, 8 tables, and an appendix.

ГРАЖДАНСКО-ПАТРИОТИЧЕСКИЙ ПРОЕКТ «89.RUS» И ЕГО РОЛЬ В ЛИЧНОСТНОМ И ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОМ РАЗВИТИИ БУДУЩИХ УЧИТЕЛЕЙ

Professional and personal development and professional education of students are among the urgent problems of higher education, including pedagogical education. Being in the teaching profession, a young specialist should be aware of responsibility for the actions performed, understand their consequences, and possess those qualities that would meet the challenges and demands of modern society. Pedagogical universities face a difficult task to organize the educational process in such a way that it ensures sufficient assimilation of knowledge, contributes to the formation of necessary professional skills and value orientations. The socio-cultural environment of the university, aimed at mastering the norms of relationships, communication, and leisure activities by students, plays a separate role in the implementation of this task. One of the elements of the socio-cultural environment of the Samara State Socio-Pedagogical University is the civilpatriotic project "89.rus", the purpose, content and meaning of which are disclosed in this article. The methodology of a number of events is described. Among them are a lecture on the history of the state symbols of the Russian Federation, the civic and patriotic games "Victory" and "Russia is my country". Examples of individual tasks used when working with students are presented, information support for the project is demonstrated on the website of the Department of General Biology, Ecology and Teaching Methods, as well as on the pages of the textbook "A short course on the basics of Russian Statehood". It is concluded that the developed project ensures the personal and professional development of future teachers.

Анотований список сфагнових мохів на території гірського масиву Ґорґани

The article provides a summary of current knowledge related to the distribution, anatomical-morphological, and ecological characteristics of sphagnum mosses on the mountain massif of Gorgany. The analysis is based on the original field research, and also literature and herbarium data. It has been established that genus Sphagnum L. within the Ukrainian Carpathians is represented by 30 species, with 23 species occurring in the Gorgany mountain massif. Information about the species diversity of this moss group is mentioned in the works of scientists such as Zerov D. K., Partika L. Ya. (1975), Nyporko S. O. (2006); Savitska A. G. (2012), Felbaba-Klushyna L. M. (2015), Rabyk I. V., Danilyk I. M. (2022), Prytula S. V., Mamchur Z. I., Drach Yu. A. (2020; 2022), in the herbarium collections of the Department of Ecology at Ivan Franko National University, the State Museum of Natural History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (LWS), the M. G. Kholodny Institute of Botany (KW), as well as electronic databases like the National Biodiversity Information Network and the Center for Biodiversity Data of Ukraine. According to the research, an annotated list of 23 species of sphagnum mosses in the Gorgany territory was identified and compiled. The distribution of these species in various sections of the massif was analyzed, including Krayovi Nyzhkohirni, Zovnishni (Skybovi), and Pryvododilni (Vnutrishni) Gorgany. The highest number of species was recorded in the Pryvododilni Gorgany area. The Krayovi Nyzhkohirni Gorgany is still not researched, and also there is no any data about the distribution of sphagnum mosses. A taxonomic analysis was conducted, including classification into 5 subgenera, of which four were identified within the study area. The subgenera Acutifolia (Russow) A.J.Shaw (10) and Cuspidata Lindb (8) are represented by the highest number of species. No species from the Rigida (Lindb.) A.Eddy subgenus were found.

GROUNDWATER OF VOLYN REGION: CONDITIONS OF LOCATION, FEATURES OF USE, WAYS OF PRESERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT

Water is a vital resource that sustains life on our planet. However, its distribution is uneven, leading to water scarcity in some areas and excess in others. Human activities further exacerbate the reduction of usable water volume. It is predicted that water scarcity may become a significant factor in conflicts of the 21st century. Groundwater serves as a primary source of water and is classified as an exhaustible renewable natural resource. However, the replenishment of groundwater occurs at a slow rate. Given the global water scarcity issue, there is a pressing need for comprehensive research on groundwater, particularly at local and regional levels. Therefore, this article focuses on investigating the underground water resources in the Volyn region, including their occurrence, and analyzing their utilization by the local population and regional economy. The article provides a detailed description of aquifers of various geological ages in the Volyn region, including their occurrence patterns and distribution boundaries. The study examines the specific locations of each aquifer in relation to the geological structure of the area, following a geochronological sequence. Additionally, the article investigates mineralized underground waters, noting that the most prevalent types are chloride-sodium, sulfate, sodium, and hydrogen carbonate-chloride calcium waters. The study focused on the period from 2015 to 2020 to assess the current status of groundwater and identify trends in water resource utilization. The research revealed a consistent increase in the proportion of underground water in overall water usage. Surprisingly, however, the actual volume of water extracted from underground sources has been decreasing. The study examined the dynamics of water usage by various industries. It was determined that the housing and communal sector was the largest consumer of water during the study period, mainly due to the region's limited economic development and correspondingly low water demands from other sectors. Analysis showed that, on average, 25.8% and 21.3% of the total water withdrawals were utilized for industrial and agricultural purposes, respectively. Irrigation and fisheries represented the smallest water-consuming activities, accounting for 9.5% and 6.5%, respectively. Notably, a significant portion of water intake, approximately 13%, was attributed to transportation purposes. To ensure the rational utilization, preservation, and enhancement of groundwater quality, several measures have been recommended. These measures include the implementation of water-saving and waterfree technologies in industrial processes, adopting reversible water usage practices, and upgrading water supply systems to improve efficiency. To safeguard and improve the quality of underground water, it is essential to upgrade treatment facilities in communal enterprises, implement rainwater and sewage treatment systems, promote the responsible use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture, among other practices. These actions aim to optimize water usage, mitigate pollution, and enhance the overall management of groundwater resources. The article represents a significant contribution as it provides a comprehensive description of the characteristics of underground aquifers in relation to the geological structure of the Volyn region. It establishes the distribution boundaries of underground waters of different geological ages within the region, offering valuable insights. The creation of a modern geochronological scale during the research adds further value to the study. The article also sheds light on the utilization of water resources by various economic sectors during the specified period (2015–2020), highlighting important trends. The proposed measures for preserving water resources and improving their quality demonstrate a practical approach. The research findings can serve as a valuable resource for the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Volyn Regional State Administration in their efforts to develop regional environmental programs.