Ecological Interest Research Articles

First observations on airborne prokaryotes in a subArctic Atlantic marine area

Among extreme environments, bioaerosol includes a wide range of primary atmospheric organic particles associated with and emitted by living and dead organisms. Bioaerosol samples were collected along two transects at a subArctic Atlantic spatial scale, including the eastern Fram Strait and the Greenland, Norwegian, and North Seas. This study was aimed at first estimating microscopically the prokaryotic abundance, biomass and phenotypic traits, along with the number of potential viable and respiring cells. Moreover, physiological profiles at community level were assessed. Prokaryotic abundance ranged from 104 to 107 cells m−3, with the predominance of small sized cells (0.1 μm3). Prokaryotic biomass reached higher values (mean value 233 μg C m−3) in relation to the occurrence of large sized rods. Overall, the percentage of the viable cells was lower than the dead ones, while respiring cells were in lower abundance than total cells. The physiological profiles revealed various potential metabolic pathways among the samples, highlighting the utilization of phosphate-carbon, carboxylic and amino acids. These first results on the metabolism and physiology of microbes, which survived transport in the atmosphere of the Northern Hemisphere, suggest that bioaerosol constitutes an extremely dynamic environment of remarkable ecological interest, also considering future global warming scenarios.

Organic extracts from sustainable hybrid poplar hairy root cultures as potential natural antimicrobial and antibiofilm agents.

In order to meet growing consumer demands in terms of naturalness, the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries are looking for active molecules of plant origin. In this context, hairy roots are considered a promising biotechnological system for the sustainable production of compounds of interest. Poplars (genus Populus, family Salicaceae) are trees of ecological interest in temperate alluvial forests and are also cultivated for their industrial timber. Poplar trees also produce specialized metabolites with a wide range of bioactive properties. The present study aimed to assess the hybrid poplar hairy root extracts for antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against four main life-threatening strains of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. Ethyl acetate extracts from two hairy root lines (HP15-3 and HP A4-12) showed significant antibacterial properties as confirmed by disc diffusion assay. Antibiofilm activities were found to be dose dependent with significant biofilm inhibition (75-95%) recorded at 1000µg.mL-1 in all the bacterial strains tested. Dose-dependent enhancement in the release of exopolysaccharides was observed in response to treatment with extracts, possibly because of stress and bacterial cell death. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed loss of cell viability of treated bacterial cells concomitant with increased production of reactive oxygen species compared to the untreated control. Overall, this study demonstrates for the first time a high potential of poplar hairy root extracts as a natural and safe platform to produce antimicrobial agents in pharmaceutical, food, industrial water management, or cosmetic industries.

Development of phase change eco-composite materials from eggshell waste

ABSTRACT The consumption of eggshell powder (ES) as an affluent source of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) can efficiently solve both ecological and financial interest. The use of eggshell waste in eco-composite materials (ECPCMs) is an attempt to reduce waste's negative effects. Eco-composite powders of polyethylene glycol (PEG) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) were obtained by mechanical grinding. Compression molding was used to produce plates from the ground powders. FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the ECPCMs were physically combined and the crystallinity of the two components was affected. According to TGA, the thermal stability of ECPCMs was improved, thanks to the use of eggshell waste powder. On the other hand, the results of the DSC showed that ECPCM with the addition of 90 wt% of PEG in the mixture provides excellent thermal stability and high energy storage density. In light of its high latent heat storage capacity of 156.1 J/g as well as its ability to prevent PEG exudation. Significant enhancement in melting-solidification time shows an improvement in Thermal Energy Storage (TES) response time by adding ES to the PCM. The obtained results indicate a good potential for industrially applied ECPCMs.

Using passive acoustics to identify a quiet winter foraging refuge for an endangered beluga whale population in Alaska

Cook Inlet beluga (CIB), Delphinapterus leucas, have not recovered from subsistence overharvest despite conservation efforts initiated in 2000. Reasons for this lack of recovery are still unclear with anthropogenic noise identified as a high threat in this population’s recovery plan. Baseline information on CIB habitat use and soundscape characterization is crucial in evaluating impacts from anthropogenic activities. Using passive acoustic monitoring, we documented the seasonality and foraging occurrence of CIB, together with killer whale (Orcinus orca), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), for one year in Chinitna and Tuxedni bays and rivers, two historically important but recently overlooked areas of their critical habitat in western lower Cook Inlet, Alaska. This area’s ecological interest converges with planned mining, marine renewable energy, offshore oil and gas production, and commercial shipping. Results revealed higher presence of harbor porpoise, killer whale, and humpback whale in Chinitna compared to Tuxedni but much lower CIB presence. CIB were not detected in Chinitna Bay but were in the river on 21 days September-February and one day in June. However, CIB were never detected feeding in Chinitna River. CIB acoustic crypsis and preferential use of very shallow habitat in Chinitna revealed a perceived predation risk from killer whales. In contrast, CIB were recorded foraging in both Tuxedni Bay and River and were detected September-April on 127 days making it an important winter foraging ground. Low levels of anthropogenic noise disturbance were quantified in both bays making them some of the most undisturbed sections of their critical habitat, but at the same time highly sensitive to further noise disturbance. Commercial shipping was the main noise source likely causing acoustic disturbance to CIB due to communication masking despite current low levels of temporal overlap with beluga presence. We recommend that applicable regulators consider restricting high sound producing anthropogenic activities in and adjacent to Tuxedni Bay from September 1st to May 15th when CIB are actively using this area. Managing future anthropogenic activities to minimize habitat degradation and acoustic disturbance in this winter foraging refuge will be a key component to support the recovery of this endangered population.

Mathematical modeling in semelparous biological species through two-sex branching processes.

This research focused its interest on the mathematical modeling of the demographic dynamics of semelparous biological species through branching processes. We continued the research line started in previous papers, providing new methodological contributions of biological and ecological interest. We determined the probability distribution associated with the number of generations elapsed before the possible extinction of the population in its natural habitat. We mathematically modeled the phenomenon of populating or repopulating habitats with semelparous species. We also proposed estimates for the offspring parameters governing the reproductive strategies of the species. To this purpose, we used the maximum likelihood and Bayesian estimation methodologies. The statistical results are illustrated through a simulated example contextualized with Labord chameleon (Furcifer labordi) species.

Effect of salt-alkali stress on seed germination of the halophyte Halostachys caspica

The increasing global phenomenon of soil salinization has prompted heightened interest in the physiological ecology of plant salt and alkali tolerance. Halostachys caspica belonging to Amaranthaceae, an exceptionally salt-tolerant halophyte, is widely distributed in the arid and saline-alkali regions of Xinjiang, in Northwest China. Soil salinization and alkalinization frequently co-occur in nature, but very few studies focus on the interactive effects of various salt and alkali stress on plants. In this study, the impacts on the H. caspica seed germination, germination recovery and seedling growth were investigated under the salt and alkali stress. The results showed that the seed germination percentage was not significantly reduced at low salinity at pH 5.30–9.60, but decreased with elevated salt concentration and pH. Immediately after, salt was removed, ungerminated seeds under high salt concentration treatment exhibited a higher recovery germination percentage, indicating seed germination of H. caspica was inhibited under the condition of high salt-alkali stress. Stepwise regression analysis indicated that, at the same salt concentrations, alkaline salts exerted a more severe inhibition on seed germination, compared to neutral salts. The detrimental effects of salinity or high pH alone were less serious than their combination. Salt concentration, pH value, and their interactions had inhibitory effects on seed germination, with salinity being the decisive factor, while pH played a secondary role in salt-alkali mixed stress.

Collective actors and potential alliances for eco-social policies in Germany

To break the vicious circle of mutually reinforcing climate and social crises, there is a rapidly growing literature around integrated public policy instruments called eco-social policies. The actors potentially drive such policies in public debate and the policy process remains under-researched. This paper elaborates on the positioning of various non-state actors on eco-social policies and potential alliance-building in Germany. It derives hypotheses from the existing literature on the role of trade unions, social- and environmental non-governmental organizations, and social movements in eco-social transformation. It tests them empirically on a dataset of public communication and uses a combination of computer-assisted text-analytic tools, namely text mining and structural topic modeling. The findings indicate that although eco-social themes as cross-cutting issues offer good conditions for alliance-building, actors differ widely in their potential to do so. Based on actors’ eco-social broadness and transformational intensity, the paper finds four clusters: a status quo supporter, an activist, a pragmatic, and an eco-social alliance cluster and discusses possible strategies for them. The findings highlight the relevance of service sector unions and social non-governmental organizations as they could act as a bridge to connect social and ecological interests. The paper’s contribution to the Special Issue is twofold: It addresses the policy dimension by examining what issues actors raise about ecological and social concerns. In terms of politics, it gains insights into actors’ positioning and their strategic alliance-building. Both shed light on the potential for eco-social change.

The Hydrochidae (Coleoptera) of Morocco with a redescription of Hydrochus cf. obtusicollis Fairmaire, 1877

A checklist of water beetles of the family Hydrochidae from Morocco is presented. The study compiles data gathered from a deep literature review and field surveys at 397 freshwater localities between 1985 and 2023. The checklist also contains information concerning type localities and detailed distributions for the eight species found. We include a detailed redescription of Hydrochus cf. obtusicollis Fairmaire, 1877, currently listed as a synonym of H. flavipennis Küster, 1852, but clearly representing a different species. In addition, a key, based largely on male genitalia, is presented for Moroccan species. This work is the first detailed study of the family Hydrochidae in Morocco, which can provide a basis for future progress in the knowledge of Moroccan aquatic Coleoptera, an insect group of great ecological interest.

Ecological Notes on <i>Cymbidium aloifolium</i> Sw. (Orchidaceae) in the Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah

Notes of ecological interest on Cymbidium aloifolium Sw. and its fourteen hosts including a Palm and a Gymnosperm in the Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah, has been observed and recorded in a tabulated form, along with a photograph.

Multi-Objective Synergetic Operation for Cascade Reservoirs in the Upper Yellow River

The Yellow River, a critical water resource, faces challenges stemming from increasing water demand, which has led to detrimental effects on hydropower generation and ecological balance. This paper will address the complex task of balancing the interests of hydropower generation, water supply, and ecology within the context of cascade reservoirs, specifically Longyangxia and Liujiaxia reservoirs. Employing a systemic coupling coordination approach, we constructed a multi-objective synergetic model of the upper Yellow River in order to explore synergies and competitions among multiple objectives. The results reveal that there is a weak competitive relationship between hydropower generation and water supply, a strong synergy between hydropower generation and ecology, and a strong competitive relationship between water supply and ecology. The Pareto solution set analysis indicates a considerable percentage (59%, 20%, and 8% in wet, normal, and dry years, respectively) exhibiting excellent coordination. The probability of excellent coordination decreases with diminishing inflow. The optimization scheme with the highest coupling coordination demonstrates significant improvements in power generation, water supply, and ecological benefits in the upper Yellow River without compromising other objectives, fostering the sustainable operation of hydropower generation, water supply, and ecology in the upper Yellow River.

Legal regulation of the ecological network in Ukraine

In the context of the European integration of Ukraine, the evolution of human rights, the development of civil society, environmental problems in Ukraine, including those caused by the military actions of the aggressor, the study of the problems of legal regulation of the ecological network in Ukraine is of important practical and theoretical importance. Researching the issues of legal regulation of the ecological network in Ukraine is important for the further improvement of environmental legislation, as well as for the improvement of law enforcement practice in this area. As a result of this research, the problems of legal regulation of the ecological network in Ukraine and its elements are important for the development of the sciences of constitutional, administrative and environmental law. The article is devoted to the problems of legal regulation of the ecological network in Ukraine. In this article legal regulation of the ecological network in Ukraine is characterized. In the context of the modern European integration of Ukraine, the evolution of human rights, the development of civil society, environmental problems in Ukraine, including those caused by the military actions of the aggressor, the study of the legal regulation of the ecological network in Ukraine is of great practical and theoretical importance. Ensuring the effective functioning of the ecological network of Ukraine, including the protection of the environment, overcoming the negative consequences of damage to the environment caused by hostilities, prompt demining of de-occupied territories, is an important element for the effective functioning of the system of natural human rights in Ukraine, among which the right for a safe environment for life and health in Ukraine. The concept of "legal regulation of the ecological network in Ukraine” can be defined as a system of norms and principles of law aimed at regulating social relations by legal norms in the field of formation, preservation and rational, tireless use of the ecological network in Ukraine as one of the main prerequisites for ensuring the sustainable development of Ukraine, protection of the environment, protection of flora and fauna, nature conservation areas, satisfaction of ecological, economic, social and other interests of individual citizens, society, territorial communities and the state. The elements of the ecological network of Ukraine includes: key, connecting, buffer and renewable territories.

Not in the countryside please! Investigating UK residents’ perceptions of an introduced species, the ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

Wildlife management can generate social conflict when stakeholder perceptions of the target species are not considered. Introduced Ring-necked Parakeets (RNP) are established in the UK and have been added to the ‘general licence’ of birds that can be killed to prevent serious economic damage. We aimed to better understand perceptions of RNPs on a nationwide scale to inform mitigation actions for potential future conflict over RNP management. We surveyed 3,947 UK residents to understand awareness of, knowledge of and attitudes towards the RNP across the UK. We found that most respondents (90.2%) were aware of the RNP. Almost half of respondents (45.9%) held negative opinions, particularly against the RNP in rural areas (64.7%), suggesting landscape contexts influence attitudes. Respondent preference for the RNP was low in local neighbourhoods (7.80%) although the species was considered aesthetically pleasing by most (83.0%). Many respondents knew the species’ name (54.9%), but underestimated current population numbers in the UK (82.6%) and few knew its full native range (10.0%). We identified respondents’ ecological interest, age, education, preference for, awareness of and knowledge of the RNP as significant factors associated with perceptions. Our findings suggest that the RNP presents a complex socio-environmental challenge, with respondent awareness, knowledge and attitudes each forming an important component of perceptions towards this species. We recommend that wildlife managers utilise our findings and cohesive approach to enhance future RNP perception research in the UK and abroad and towards the success of any proposed management initiatives under the UK general licence.

EUROPEAN CLIMATE PROTECTION STRATEGY UNDER CONSIDERATION OF BUILT HERITAGE PRESERVATION

Climate change affects all areas of life. The European Union strives for climate-neutrality of their members until 2050 with the project European Green Deal. By this, the emissions of greenhouse gases should be reduced to zero by 2050 with simultaneous economic development decoupled from resource use. 600 Billion Euros the European Union will spend to lower net greenhouse gas emissions until 2030 by at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels. Climate change affects historical structures, thus by variations in groundwater levels, hydrological cycle, or intense precipitation. However, also climate protection activities such as renewable energy installations may result in negative effects. Solar panels or wind turbines do not emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases but, installed nearby historical buildings, affect the historical appearance of structures. That may result in conflicts between ecological and heritage conservation interests. The authors inform about the European Green Deal and analyze effects of the planned measures on built heritage with a focus on solar and wind energy installations. They also discuss requirements from heritage preservation regulations. The manuscript analyzes how renewable energy installations may affect built heritage in its historical appearance. For that, the authors use available information about the European Green Deal, discuss current research literature and relevant German court cases. It is concluded that renewable energy installations may negatively affect the appearance of built heritage. Interests of climate protection and built preservation need to be balanced to ensure that future generations even can experience and enjoy the cultural heritage.

EUROPEAN CLIMATE PROTECTION STRATEGY UNDER CONSIDERATION OF BUILT HERITAGE PRESERVATION

Climate change affects all areas of life. The European Union strives for climate-neutrality of their members until 2050 with the project European Green Deal. By this, the emissions of greenhouse gases should be reduced to zero by 2050 with simultaneous economic development decoupled from resource use. 600 Billion Euros the European Union will spend to lower net greenhouse gas emissions until 2030 by at least 55%, compared to 1990 levels. Climate change affects historical structures, thus by variations in groundwater levels, hydrological cycle, or intense precipitation. However, also climate protection activities such as renewable energy installations may result in negative effects. Solar panels or wind turbines do not emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases but, installed nearby historical buildings, affect the historical appearance of structures. That may result in conflicts between ecological and heritage conservation interests. The authors inform about the European Green Deal and analyze effects of the planned measures on built heritage with a focus on solar and wind energy installations. They also discuss requirements from heritage preservation regulations. The manuscript analyzes how renewable energy installations may affect built heritage in its historical appearance. For that, the authors use available information about the European Green Deal, discuss current research literature and relevant German court cases. It is concluded that renewable energy installations may negatively affect the appearance of built heritage. Interests of climate protection and built preservation need to be balanced to ensure that future generations even can experience and enjoy the cultural heritage.

The impact of trans-provincial watershed eco-compensation policy on carbon emissions: Evidence from China

To manage transboundary pollution, China has promoted trans-provincial watershed eco-compensation (WEC), which is a market-oriented policy that adjusts ecological and economic interests between upstream and downstream areas and promotes regional green and low-carbon transformation. Hence, a reasonable evaluation of the carbon emission reduction effect of WEC is of great value for achieving green transformation. Using data from Chinese counties between 2003 and 2020, we consider 11 trans-provincial WEC agreements and evaluate their influence on carbon emissions. We find that trans-provincial WEC policies reduce water pollution emissions and significantly lower carbon emission levels. Mechanism tests show that the policy reduces carbon emissions by limiting polluting industrial development and stimulating low-carbon technological innovations. Moreover, this policy improves regional low-carbon economic development, and there are significant heterogeneity effects of the WEC in different regions and compensation modes. This research provides new insights for transitional countries to design green transformation policies.

Estradiol-17β and bisphenol A affect growth and mineralization in early life stages of seabass

Natural and synthetic estrogens are contaminants present in aquatic ecosystems. They can have significant consequences on the estrogen-sensitive functions of organisms, including skeletal development and growth of vertebrate larvae. Synthetic polyphenols represent a group of environmental xenoestrogens capable of binding the receptors for the natural hormone estradiol-17β (E2). To better understand how (xeno-)estrogens can affect the skeleton in fish species with high ecological and commercial interest, 16 days post-hatch larvae of the seabass were experimentally exposed for 7 days to E2 and Bisphenol A (BPA), both used at the regulatory concentration of surface water quality (E2: 0.4 ng.L−1, BPA: 1.6 μg.L−1) or at a concentration 100 times higher. Skeletal mineralization levels were evaluated using Alizarin red staining, and expression of several genes playing key roles in growth, skeletogenesis and estrogen signaling pathways was assessed by qPCR. Our results show that E2 exerts an overall negative effect on skeletal mineralization at the environmental concentration of 0.4 ng.L−1, correlated with an increase in the expression of genes associated only with osteoblast bone cells. Both BPA exposures inhibited mineralization with less severe effects and modified bone homeostasis by regulating the expression of gene encoding osteoblasts and osteoclasts markers. Our results demonstrate that environmental E2 exposure inhibits larval growth and has an additional inhibitory effect on skeleton mineralization while both BPA exposures have marginal inhibitory effect on skeletal mineralization. All exposures have significant effects on transcriptional levels of genes involved in the skeletal development of seabass larvae.

L’influence relative de la modification de l’habitat sur l’assemblage d’oiseaux dans le site de l’Université Notre Dame du Kasaï-Central en République Démocratique du Congo

The aim of this study was to determine the ‘’ relative influence of habitat modification on bird assemblage’’. To estimate the ecological interest of reforestation on the Campus of Notre Dame du Kasaï site, the birds were photographed, identified and then compared to all species listed in Avibase of the region. The site hosts about 12.4% of species identified throughout the region. The following birds would be new to the Kananga area compared to Kasaï-Central bird Checklist: Bubulcus ibis, Upupa africana, Lanius collaris, Terpsiphone rufocinerea and Camaroptera brevicaudata. This study consists in demonstrating the impact of reforestation on wildlife, particularly birds. This aspect of applied biology is therefore part of the context of conservation biology. The publication of the species is a strategy for their visibility to lovers of eco-tourism based on bird watching. This could attract them and thus contribute to the economy of the region. It is on the basis of all this information that on the one hand, eco-tourism based on bird observations could develop throughout the Kasaï-Central province and on the other hand, strategies for the protection of vulnerable species will be proposed.

Forms and methods of legal regulation of the protection of consumer rights regarding waste management at the state level

The article discloses the forms and methods of legal regulation of consumer rights protection regarding waste management at the state level. It is emphasized that the state policy of Ukraine in the field of waste management is based on several basic principles. It is designed to protect the environment and human health from the negative impact of waste, to ensure the rational use of material, raw materials and energy resources, as well as scientifically based coordination of ecological, economic and social interests of society to achieve sustainable development.
 It has been established that today, the most widespread method of waste treatment in Ukraine is its disposal in landfills, terrykons, sludge and tailings storage facilities, as well as in landfills. This leads to the occupation of large areas of fertile land and becomes a source of air pollution, and leachates penetrate into the soil and groundwater. However, it is important to consider that waste can become a source of secondary resources and serve as a source of energy. Therefore, humanity faces the task of widely implementing advanced technologies to prevent and limit the generation of waste, as well as for its disposal, regeneration and safe disposal, processing of non-recyclable waste.
 As a conclusion, it is said that the development of society and the satisfaction of its needs interact with natural resources, which leads to a significant generation of industrial waste. The problem of waste management is recognized as one of the most urgent in the modern world and is a priority for developed countries. Due to the large volume of waste, Ukraine is facing a particularly acute situation. Based on the analysis, conclusions are drawn and recommendations are formulated for the further development of legislation and waste management practices in order to ensure effective protection of consumer rights in the international context. This article serves as a valuable contribution to the understanding and improvement of consumer protection systems in the context of environmental challenges and waste management.

Weather or not-Global climate databases: Reliable on tropical mountains?

Global, spatially interpolated climate datasets such as WorldClim and CHELSA, widely used in research, are based on station data, which are rare in tropical mountains. However, such biodiversity hotspots are of high ecological interest and require accurate data. Therefore, the quality of such gridded datasets needs to be assessed. This poses a kind of dilemma, as proving the reliability of these potentially weakly modelled data is usually not possible due to the lack of stations. Using a unique climate dataset with 170 stations, mainly from the montane and alpine zones of sixteen mountains in Tanzania including Kilimanjaro, we show that the accuracy of such datasets is very poor. Not only is the maximum amount of mean annual precipitation drastically underestimated (partly more than 50%), but also the elevation of the precipitation maximum deviates up to 850m. Our results show that, at least in tropical regions, they should be used with greater caution than before.

Exploring the potential of extreme citizen science with Danish high school students using environmental DNA for marine monitoring

Citizen science involves non-professionals assisting with scientific research, contributing data, and conducting experiments under professional guidance. In this paper, we describe the citizen science project DNA & life, based at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, which actively engages high school students in both fieldwork and advanced laboratory analyses by collecting and analyzing eDNA samples from marine environments across Denmark. The analysis is performed via species-specific real-time PCR and in a case study we present data gathered in the project from 2017-2023 with focus on the potential of eDNA detecting in use for species monitoring. The results include seasonal occurrence of Mnemiopsis leidyi and national distributions of selected species of particular ecological interest Perca fluviatilis, Anguilla anguilla, Neogobius melanostomus and Alexandrium ostenfeldii. In addition to the eDNA case study, we present a new way of conducting citizen science and eDNA analysis, as a development of the established DNA & life project. Local DNA laboratories are created to shorten the path from sampling site to laboratory facility, creating the possibility for Danish high schools to participate in a new version of the project. In close collaboration with the academic staff of the DNA & life project both teachers and students help develop facilities, protocols and laboratory analyses in an extreme citizen science and co-creation approach, where the participants are involved in a higher level of laboratory work and data analysis. Allowing high school students to perform intricate molecular lab analyzes through an extreme citizen science approach has demonstrated encouraging outcomes and potential for data of high quality in terms of sampling and analyzing eDNA with the purpose of species monitoring and conservation.