Ecosystem Characteristics Research Articles

Marine Stations Helgoland and Sylt operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research

The Marine Stations Helgoland and Sylt are permanent coastal stations in the German Bight operated as one joint research infrastructure by the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI). Using both stations, the south-west region of the North Sea and its ecosystem features are tightly monitored via ecological time series, which are recorded and made available to government offices, professional associations, and research institutes world-wide. The stations are a hub for national and transnational access for guest researchers and visiting scientists in the German Bight. For over fifty years, the stations have served as centres of student education by providing facilities for university courses. The stations operate the coastal research vessels Mya II, Uthörn and Aade. The Biologische Anstalt Helgoland (BAH) is home to the AWI Centre for Scientific Diving, which conducts, promotes, and supports diver-related underwater science within the framework of all AWI research themes. The BAH is also home to the school laboratory OPENSEA, which offers high school students a scientific environment to explore marine science. The Wadden Sea Station on the island of Sylt offers 24 seawater mesocosms for ecological studies of future climate scenarios. Public outreach centres are associated with both locations (BLUEHOUSE and Erlebniszentrum Naturgewalten).

Value exclusion in social–scientific approaches for assessing and valuing ecosystem features: Implications for behavioral compliance

Abstract Value inclusion is critical for effective ecosystem science policy and largely emerged from critiques of the value-exclusionary attributes of ecological and economic approaches to value assessments and valuations. But whether and how value is excluded during social–scientific approaches to the assessments and valuations of ecosystem features has not received adequate attention. We identify and discuss instances of when and how value is excluded during social–scientific approaches to the assessments and valuations of ecosystem features to which people ascribe value. We illustrate the implications of value exclusion on social compliance with ecosystem management and policy recommendations, a vital overlooked aspect of policy effectiveness. We also extend the meaning of value exclusion beyond value omission to include misidentification and misattribution of salience to valued ecosystem features. We offer suggestions for enabling value inclusion where ways to minimize exclusion are inapparent.

Decadal impacts of wildfire fuel reduction treatments on ecosystem characteristics and fire behavior in alaskan boreal forests

Wildfire activity is increasing in boreal forests as climate warms and dries, increasing risks to rural and urban communities. In black spruce forests of Interior Alaska, fuel reduction treatments are used to create a defensible space for fire suppression and slow fire spread. These treatments introduce novel disturbance characteristics, making longer-term outcomes on ecosystem structure and wildfire risk reduction uncertain. We remeasured a network of sites where fuels were reduced through hand thinning or mechanical shearblading in Interior Alaska to assess how successional trajectories of tree dominance, understory composition, and permafrost change over ∼ 20 years after treatment. We also assessed if these fuel reduction treatments reduce modeled surface rate of fire spread (ROS), flame length, and fireline intensity relative to an untreated black spruce stand, and if surface fire behavior changes over time. In thinned areas, soil organic layer (SOL) disturbance promoted tree seedling recruitment but did not change over time. In shearbladed sites, by contrast, both conifer and broad-leaved deciduous seedling density increased over time and deciduous seedlings were 20 times more abundant than spruce. Thaw depth increased over time in both treatments and was greatest in shearbladed sites with a thin SOL. Understory composition was not altered by thinning but in shearbladed treatments shifted from forbs and horsetail to tall deciduous shrubs and grasses over time. Modeled surface fire behavior was constant in shearbladed sites. This finding is inconsistent with expert opinion, highlighting the need for additional fuels-specific data to capture the changing vegetation structure. Treatment effectiveness at reducing modeled surface ROS, flame length, and fireline intensity depended on the fuel model used for an untreated black spruce stand, pointing to uncertainties about the efficacy of these treatments at mitigating surface fire behavior. Overall, we show that fuel reduction treatments can promote low flammability, deciduous tree dominated successional trajectories, and that shearblading has strong effects on understory composition and permafrost degradation that persist for nearly two decades after disturbance. Such factors need to be considered to enhance the design, management, and predictions of fire behavior in these treatments.

Экосистема инновационных сред территории: дополнительное образование и предпринимательство

In the article, based on part of the conclusions of a qualitative study of the acceleration infrastructure of universities and the concept of social ecosystems, the hypothesis of the concept of innovative environments in the region is formulated. Starting from the organizational weakness of small and medium-sized businesses, the secondary nature of the acceleration infrastructure of universities, and its incorrect orientation to "entrepreneurship" with mandatory access to startups, the structural insufficiency of the innovation environment of the region is stated. The solution to this problem is supposed to be within the framework of the formation of the socio-technical infrastructure of the ecosystem of innovative environments that ensure the continuity of training, education, research and project activities, and the employment of students. Based on the idea of the role of organizational infrastructure in the functioning of socio-cultural communities or environments, as well as on the changes resulting from the "digital" nature of this infrastructure, the main features of the regional innovation ecosystem are conceptualized. It is an organizational and meaningful association of existing subjects of innovative activity, the core of which is the education system (school – college – university), around which a platform of "additional education" is formed with the participation of business and scientific institutions as the main "consumers" of graduates. The cell of the environment is a small working group of students under the mentorship of a teacher, which undergoes a variable design and research trajectory under the supervision of "consumers". The event part of the environment necessarily includes not only project and educational work directly but also a cultural and leisure component. The problem of using the results of research and development is supposed to be solved by either bringing groups into the space of existing business ecosystems (technoparks, etc.) or by using the institute of venture studios acting as operators of such sites. Such an ecosystem should be a universal educational space organized by a "package of services" and included in the "package of social services" of the territory, the variability of which is provided by the function of participating "consumers", as well as a combination of educational, research, cultural, and leisure programs. The testing of the provisions laid down was carried out in the spring and summer of 2023 during the competitive program of the Innovation Promotion Fund.

Construction of a multi-scale effectiveness evaluation system for ecological restoration and protection of territorial space.

The ecological restoration and protection of territorial space is a systematic project for the protection and restoration of ecosystems damaged or degraded by human disturbance. Effectiveness evaluation is of great significance to the optimization, adjustment, and sustainability of ecological restoration and protection. Current research and practices tend to focus on a single element and the site scale. Based on the study on the connotation of ecological restoration and protection of territorial space and the multi-scale characteristics of ecosystems, we constructed a multi-scale effectiveness evaluation system for ecological restoration and protection of territorial space and a full-cycle monitoring system for effectiveness evaluation. The multi-scale effectiveness evaluation system consisted of the regional/watershed scale, the protection and restoration unit scale, and the sub-project scale. The full-cycle monitoring system contained the basic information investigation system before construction, the construction monitoring system during construction, and the multi-scale effectiveness evaluation system after construction. At the regional/watershed scale, structure, quality, and services of ecosystem were concerned and remote sensing was used as the main method to capture data. At the protection and restoration unit scale, ecological stress factors, ecosystem quality and services were concerned, and the main methods were remote sensing combined with field survey. At the sub-project scale, engineering technology measures were concerned and the field survey was used as the main method. In the implementation of the multi-scale effectiveness evaluation, it would be necessary to focus on and solve the key issues including the spillover effect, transmission mechanism, and potential impact of ecological restoration.

Developing a numerical model for sediment transport in channel network by considering multigrade bed load sediment

ABSTRACT Predicting transport rates is difficult for the morphological features of marine, river, and coastal ecosystems. To design a model bed load sediment transport rate along with the surface layer, a mesh-based numerical method is used, and for the sediment transport the governing equations are employed and depth-averaged is used to create open channel flow and in three-dimensional horizontal space the evaluation is performed. By utilizing the governing equations, the open channel flow discretization and the numerical hydrodynamic model of sediment transport rate are calculated, and in the flow channel by using the solution method the settling velocity is determined. The complex issues involved nonlinear equations for the numerical modelling with solution methodology. The chicken swarm optimization algorithm is revealed by multi-objective metaheuristics optimization, and a better outcome is acquired by optimization. Finally, if polygonal mesh modelling is used in the diversion flow channel and curved bend channel, several experimental models were employed in the model experiments. A numerical measured and improved model is used to estimate the results in comparison, and the optimally developed model forecast rates with accuracy. In some open-channel flows such as reservoirs and rivers, the struggling flow and bed load sediment transport were dealt with in this model. Based on the results obtained, the proposed technique demonstrates significant improvements in both accuracy and prediction performance compared to the existing techniques. The proposed technique achieves an accuracy of 96.87%, outperforming the BCNN technique with an accuracy of 89.77% and the H-ANN-FA technique with an accuracy of 84.65%. Moreover, the proposed technique exhibits a lower RMSE value of 0.12, indicating a substantial reduction in the average deviation between predicted and observed values. Based on the NSE and R2 results, the proposed technique demonstrates remarkable improvements in prediction accuracy compared to the other techniques. The proposed technique achieves an NSE value of 0.998 and R2 value of 0.99, compared to the existing technique with an improvement of 46.47% and 11.24%.

Spatial heterogeneity of biomass turnover has contrasting effects on synchrony and stability in trophic metacommunities.

Spatial heterogeneity is a fundamental feature of ecosystems, and ecologists have identified it as a factor promoting the stability of population dynamics. In particular, differences in interaction strengths and resource supply between patches generate an asymmetry of biomass turnover with a fast and a slow patch coupled by a mobile predator. Here, we demonstrate that asymmetry leads to opposite stability patterns in metacommunities receiving localized perturbations depending on the characteristics of the perturbed patch. Perturbing prey in the fast patch synchronizes the dynamics of prey biomass between the two patches and destabilizes predator dynamics by increasing the predator's temporal variability. Conversely, perturbing prey in the slow patch decreases the synchrony of the prey's dynamics and stabilizes predator dynamics. Our results have implications for conservation ecology and suggest reinforcing protection policies in fast patches to dampen the effects of perturbations and promote the stability of population dynamics at the regional scale.

Algal bloom ties: Systemic biogeochemical stress and Chlorophyll-a shift forecasting

Algae are deemed to be the highest carbon drawdown contributors in the world. Almost half of the world’s organic carbon is fixed by marine phytoplankton, especially during algal blooms, despite accounting for less than one percent of the total photosynthetic biomass on Earth. Nonetheless, there are growing concerns about the rise of harmful algal blooms in terms of their persistence and distribution that is a fingerprint of both global climate and local anthropogenic pressure.A novel forecasting model – combining transfer entropy network inference and a forecasting convolution neural-network – is used to predict bloom and non-bloom epidemic regimes, and their environmental determinants to define bloom sources, causes and systemic risk. The model shows high forecasting skills by extracting salient ecosystem features even without spatial dependencies. We defined a 2D entropic ecosystem mandala where the ecological impact, manifested by the distribution’s randomness of Cyanobacteria-driven chlorophyll-a (CHL-a), is proportional to the systemic environmental pressure/stress determined by a set of erratic ocean/climate and coastal/nutrient factors. Originally, a spatial risk was defined based on CHL-a magnitude, persistence and shifts. Considering the temporal variability of CHL-a in Florida Bay (FL Bay) as a case-study, we show how shifts in algal blooms are becoming more persistent in shallow areas with higher dinoflagellate/diatom ratio. This emphasizes the likely key role of cyanobacteria disorganization into phytoplankton organization, and thus the role of land discharge into the marine microbiome balance. This presents major challenges considering the increasing potential causality of green–blue algal blooms (river-dominated) for harmful red-tides with cascading socio-ecological effects, including carbon cycling alteration and ingrained eutrophication in coastal ecosystems. A universal threshold on the top 20% Pareto CHL-a extremes clearly defines bloom and non-bloom regimes independently of being endemic or epidemic, underpinned by distinct eco-environmental interactions, where the largest biogeochemical stress is structurally scale-free with CHL-a as the hub.Forecasting algal bloom in short- and long-term is indispensable for quantifying ecosystem health considering coastal-marine habitats, species and humans, as well as impacts into environmental processes such as carbon sequestration capacity. However, the increasing disorganization of biogeochemical stress decreases our forecasting ability of algal blooms except during outbreaks when is too late for prevention. This has impacts for investigating and controlling eco-environmental determinants of undesired algal bloom emergence and spread.

Концепция архитектуры комплексной цифровой экосистемы Кемеровской области с механизмом сбора данных

The article proposes the integrated digital ecosystem concept for Kemerovo region with a mechanism for data collection and transformation. The concept meets the requirements for the creation of a data management center in the Kemerovo region. The requirements are specified in the Digital transformation strategy for economic sectors, social sphere and public administration of the Kemerovo region – Kuzbass. The authors analyze the strategy and list the characteristics of the current digital ecosystem of the region. The article reveals inconsistency in the interaction of state and municipal authorities with business structures and citizens of the region in the digital environment. The authors describe the expediency of applying the proposed concept in the Kemerovo region for a positive impact on the provision of social and economic benefits in the region. The effectiveness of digital ecosystems with data collection and transformation mechanisms is confirmed by examples of different countries. Thanks to the proposed concept, the requirements of legislation are met, the lack of consistency in the interaction of public authorities is resolved.

Boundary of ecosystem services: Guiding future development and application of the ecosystem service concepts

Ecosystem Services (ESs) are either material or non-material benefits humans receive from ecosystems. Definitions, classifications, and typologies of ESs can vary to address different research and policy purposes. However, a boundary that distinguishes ESs from other ecosystem-related benefits (e.g., industrial products that consume raw materials, fossil fuels that used to be a part of ecosystems) is needed to avoid the risk of using ESs as an all-encompassing metaphor that captures any benefit. The boundary also maintains a common ground for communication and comparison of ESs across studies. To guide future development and application of the ES concepts, we suggest five criteria. ESs are (1) primary contributions of ecosystems, (2) flows assessed during a period or per time unit (not stock existing at a time point), (3) renewable (having the potential to be reproduced with a conceivable timeframe relevant to human use), (4) affected by biotic parts of ecosystems to occur. ESs include both biotic and some abiotic flows (e.g., water provisioning) but exclude abiotic flows (e.g., wind and solar energy) whose occurrence is unaffected by ecosystem functions, processes, or characteristics; and (5) inclusive to the benefits humans actually and potentially receive from ecosystems. These criteria link ESs with conservation of life-supporting and culturally important ecosystems, recognize use, option, and non-use values of ESs, and highlight ESs’ sustainability.

Drought Severity and Trends in a Mediterranean Oak Forest

Drought is a significant natural hazard with widespread socioeconomic and environmental impacts. This study investigated the long-term drought characteristics in a Mediterranean oak forest ecosystem using the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) at various time scales and seasons. The analysis was based on a long-term time series dataset obtained from a meteorological station located at the University Forest of Taxiarchis in Greece. The dataset encompassed a substantial time span of 47 years of continuous monitoring, from 1974 to 2020. To accomplish the goals of the current research, the SPEI was calculated for 3, 6, 12, and 24-month periods, and drought events were identified. The Mann-Kendall (M-K) test was used to analyze the trends in drought severity and evaluate the trends significance. The results showed that shorter time scales (SPEI3 and SPEI6) were more efficient for identifying short-term droughts, while longer time scales (SPEI12 and SPEI24) were better for identifying less frequent but longer-lasting drought episodes. The analysis consistently revealed positive trends across all seasons and time scales, indicating an overall transition towards wetter conditions. Nearly all the data series for SPEI12 and SPEI24 exhibited statistically significant upward trends (wetter conditions) at a 95% confidence level. However, more intense events were detected during the recent decade using the seasonal analysis. Additionally, as the time scale expanded, the magnitude of these trends increased. The findings contributed to a better understanding of drought dynamics in Mediterranean oak forests and provided valuable information for forest management and climate change adaptation planning.

Modelling inland Arctic bathymetry from space using cloud-based machine learning and Sentinel-2

Lakes and ponds are extensive features throughout the circumpolar region, spanning a broad range of environmental conditions which controls their hydro-ecological processes and spatiotemporal distribution. The physical characteristics of these freshwater ecosystems, including their extent and depth, are particularly responsive to climatic conditions. Thus, having the ability to efficiently map and monitor these elements is crucial as the climate continues to warm, especially over large spatial extents. In this study, satellite derived bathymetry (SDB) methods were implemented to model regional inland Arctic water depths within the open-source and cloud-based Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. High-resolution (10 m) spectral reflectance data from Sentinel-2 was used as covariates in non-parametric and non-linear machine learning (ML) models, namely random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), and classification and regression trees (CART). These three ML models were also compared to a more classical and parametric multiple linear regression (MLR) model. All models were calibrated using in situ bathymetric data collected near the Toolik Field Station, in the Alaskan Arctic tundra. With such a large sample repository available, the effects of training set size, noise, and multicollinearity on model performance was comprehensively investigated. Results clearly demonstrated the superior efficacy and robustness of the RF algorithm for predicting water depths, achieving a best coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.74, mean absolute error (MAE) of 2.12 m, and root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.04 m. Overall, this study highlights the potential of advanced and flexible ML algorithms within the GEE, and demonstrates the capabilities of the polar-orbiting Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite for this Arctic application. In the future, this ML-driven methodology can be applied using GEE’s cloud infrastructure to produce updated, cost-effective, and accurate bathymetry maps over large expanses of the Arctic tundra.

Relationship of mangrove snail’s abundance (Cerithidea sp.) with mangrove density at mangrove ecosystem in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar

Mangrove snails are aquatic biota that inhabit in the mangrove ecosystem, they lives attached to mangrove trees or scattered on the substrate surface. The purposes of this study were to identify the species, distribution pattern, the abundance of mangrove snails (Cerithidea sp.) and their correlation with mangrove density, water and soil characteristics in mangrove ecosystem, Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar. The research sampling was started in April to May 2022. The samples were collected from 5 stations, and purposive sampling method was applied in order to select the sampling station. The results discovered that the species of Cerithidea was Cerithidea cingulate, and the highest abundance was 18 individuals/m2 (station 1). Moreover, the lowest abundance was at station 5 as many as 10 individuals/m2, and other stations showed the abundance of C. cingulata was 15.67 individuals/m2 (station 2), 14.67 individuals/m2 (station 4), and 13 individuals/m2 (station 3) respectively, with a uniform distribution pattern at each station. There was no significantly correlation between mangrove density and the abundance of mangrove snails as well as the relationship between the abundance of mangrove snails with the characteristics of water and soil where PSig. > 0.05.

Common fear molecules induce defensive responses in marine prey across trophic levels.

Predator-prey interactions are a key feature of ecosystems and often chemically mediated, whereby individuals detect molecules in their environment that inform whether they should attack or defend. These molecules are largely unidentified, and their discovery is important for determining their ecological role in complex trophic systems. Homarine and trigonelline are two previously identified blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) urinary metabolites that cause mud crabs (Panopeus herbstii) to seek refuge, but it was unknown whether these molecules influence other species within this oyster reef system. In the current study, homarine, trigonelline, and blue crab urine were tested on juvenile oysters (Crassostrea virginica) to ascertain if the same molecules known to alter mud crab behavior also affect juvenile oyster morphology, thus mediating interactions between a generalist predator, a mesopredator, and a basal prey species. Oyster juveniles strengthened their shells in response to blue crab urine and when exposed to homarine and trigonelline in combination, especially at higher concentrations. This study builds upon previous work to pinpoint specific molecules from a generalist predator's urine that induce defensive responses in two marine prey from different taxa and trophic levels, supporting the hypothesis that common fear molecules exist in ecological systems.

국내 관광산업 생태계 네트워크 분석

The tourism industry is undergoing rapid structural changes due to economic, technological, and social transformations. This study aims to identify the structure and characteristics of the domestic tourism business ecosystem using corporate data. Employing the business ecosystem theory and social network analysis techniques, the influence of key companies and the connectivity between companies are examined. The findings reveal several important insights. First, the analysis of connection centrality indicates that the travel business and the Korea Tourism Organization are core companies that engage in extensive interactions within the ecosystem. Contrary to previous studies categorizing public institutions as secondary stakeholders, this research demonstrates their high influence as core companies within the tourism industry. Second, proximity and centrality of prestige analyses highlight that companies involved in aviation and passenger transport hold top ranks. These transportation-related companies exert rapid and significant ripple effects within the ecosystem. Furthermore, the study identifies the tertiary supply chain through ego-network analysis of key companies such as Korean Air, Hana Tour, and Hotel Lotte. It reveals the involvement of various industries beyond tourism, including system and application software development, supply chain management, and telecommunication sales. This empirical insight provides a glimpse into the digital transformation occurring within the tourism industry. Based on these results, the study puts forth academic and policy implications for the development of a healthy tourism business ecosystem. Understanding the flow within the tourism industry and its interactions with related industries is essential for adapting to ongoing economic and technological changes, thereby fostering a sustainable and competitive tourism sector.

The Effects of Forest Accessibility on the Quantitative and Qualitative Characteristics of Deadwood: A Comparison between Recreational and Natural Forests

Deadwood is one of the main structural features of forest ecosystems and plays an important role in the nutrient cycle, in maintaining production and environmental heterogeneity, and acts as an indicator for assessing the biodiversity of forest ecosystems. This research was conducted with the aim of evaluating the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of deadwood according to the influence of forest accessibility indicators in a comparison between natural and recreational forests. The studied area was divided into three accessibility classes based on the slope gradient range, the slope direction towards the nearest road, the road type, and distance from the road. These classes were: Easy-recreational forest (RE-F), Medium-natural forest 1 (NA-F1), and Difficult-natural forest 2 (NA-F2). In each accessibility class, three transects (750 × 50 m) were established, and three deadwood groups (snag, log, and stump) were recorded along the transects and their volume was calculated. The results of the analysis of variance show that accessibility has a significant effect on the presence of deadwood. The number and volume of snags, logs and dead stumps per hectare was higher in NA-F2 than in NA-F1 and RE-F. In each of the investigated classes, logs and stumps had the highest and the lowest number and volume of deadwood per hectare, respectively. The snag longevity index (= log volume/snag volume) decreased with accessibility. NA F2 showed the greatest value, while REF and NA F1 were not significantly different from each other. The results show that decay classes DC2 in NA-F2 and DC3 in NA-F1 and RE-F had the highest percentage of decay frequency. Finally, the forest accessibility indicators have a significant effect on the quantity, quality and distribution of different groups of deadwood in the forest. This is related to the collection of deadwood by local people who remove deadwood with different levels of intensity.

Development Opportunities for the Hungarian Agricultural Startup Ecosystem

Nowadays, the role of agriculture and the food industry is gradually gaining importance, although it will face many challenges in the future. Digitalisation and newly founded innovative companies can provide solutions to these challenges. The recently established agtech startups could significantly transform the sector. The Hungarian agtech startup ecosystem is a relatively underdeveloped community, but its impact is already notable. The research analyses the characteristics of the Hungarian agriculture technology startup ecosystem and identifies the directions for its future development. Within a qualitative research framework, in-depth interviews were conducted with nine Hungary-based agri-startups, as well as the Hungarian National Chamber of Agriculture TechLab staff members, based on semi-structured questions, between 20 March and 20 April 2021. The results show that there is a good financial environment for Hungarian agtech startups to achieve high performance levels. However, there exist some barriers to success, such as the lack of a culture of failure and relaunch, the low prestige of the agricultural sector, and limited sales capabilities. So far, few Hungarian agtech companies have been able to achieve significant results at the international level. With the advanced digitalisation, the sector is becoming increasingly attractive to young people. The ecosystem’s experience of developing talent management and increased internationalisation over the years can help overcome the limits of the industry. If the startup sector manages to achieve international recognition in the coming years, Hungarian agricultural startups may have a promising future.

Recovery and reservation in the formation of ecosystem reliability

Reliability is one of the main characteristics of ecosystem, its ability to effectively maintain its structure and perform functions without fail when environmental conditions change due to natural or anthropogenic negative impacts. It is shown that in the assessment of ecosystems, the leading role belongs to environmental monitoring to determine the condition of ecosystem components and identify the possibility of ensuring reliability. Methodical approaches to environmental monitoring have been developed. Mechanisms of ensuring and principles of reliability assessment of different types of ecosystems are considered. The main attention is paid to the recovery, reservation and conditioning of ecosystems under the influence of negative factors. To quantify the ability of ecosystems to recover, it is proposed to use appropriate criteria, which are determined by certain calculation formulas. With insufficient reliability of ecosystem elements due to the actions of negative factors, its reliability is ensured by reservation at the expense of additional means and capabilities. In the case of agroecosystems, which are artificially created biotic groups of organisms that are supported by humans, it is an integrated approach using the theory of ecosystem reliability that expands the range of means to study their effective functioning. It is noted that the increase in the reliability of the agroecosystem is provided by the use of its reliable elements, as well as special systems for ensuring recovery and reservation. It is emphasized that the application of reliability theory in the study of agroecosystems contributes to the management of their functional efficiency for obtaining environmentally safe products

Impact of wildfires on ecosystems and bird communities on designated areas of blanket bog and heath

ABSTRACT Capsule Wildfires on moorland reduced bird species richness and abundance, along with the seedbank and abundance of ground beetles and spiders. The effects were detectable three years after the fires took place. Aims To describe the effects of wildfires during the breeding season on moorland birds, their habitat and ecosystem characteristics, by comparing burnt with adjacent unburnt areas in six designated sites up to three years post-fire. Methods Point counts of birds, vegetation height and cover, soil seedbank and pitfall traps were used to examine differences between areas burnt by wildfires and unburnt areas. Results One year after wildfire, bird species richness was 50% lower and abundance 32% lower on burnt compared to adjacent unburnt areas. Wildfire burnt areas had 80% of the species richness and 94% of the abundance of unburnt areas three years after wildfire. Bird species associated with upland moorland, including European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola, Common Redshank Tringa tetanus and Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus, were recorded exclusively in unburnt areas. Wildfire burnt areas were characterized by habitat generalist species and community composition in burnt areas remained distinct from unburnt areas three years after burning. Heather Calluna vulgaris and Erica spp. regenerated to 59% of the height of heather on unburnt areas three years after burning. Compared to unburnt areas, burnt areas had a reduced seedbank (22% lower), and reduced ground beetle (15% lower) and spider abundance (31% lower). Conclusion The immediate impacts of wildfire may differ from managed fires due to their indiscriminate character, where they occur, extent, duration and temperature. Wildfire incidence is likely to increase in cool temperate areas due to climate change and likely to undermine the characteristic features of designated areas. Research should focus on preventing wildfires, reducing their impact and accelerating the recovery of burnt moorland.

Comparative Evaluation of Antioxidant Status and Mineral Composition of Diploschistes ocellatus, Calvatia candida (rostk.) Hollós, Battarrea phalloides and Artemisia lerchiana in Conditions of High Soil Salinity

Natural reserves play a fundamental role in maintaining flora and fauna biodiversity, but the biochemical characteristics of such ecosystems have been studied in an extremely fragmentary way. For the first time, mineral composition and antioxidant status of three systematic groups of organisms, lichens (Diplischistes ocellatus), mushrooms (Calvatia candida and Battarrea phalloides) and wormwood (Artemisia lerchiana) have been described at the territory of Bogdinsko-Baskunchak Nature Reserve (Astrakhan region, Russia), characterized by high salinity and solar radiation, and water deficiency. Through ICP-MS, it was determined that scale lichen D. ocellatus accumulated up to 10–15% Ca, 0.5% Fe, 15 mg kg−1 d.w. iodine (I), 54.5 mg kg−1 Cr. Battarrea phalloides demonstrated anomalously high concentrations of B, Cu, Fe, Mn Se, Zn, Sr and low Na levels, contrary to Calvatia candida mushrooms accumulating up to 10,850 mg kg−1 Na and only 3 mg kg−1 Sr. The peculiarity of A. lerchiana plants was the high accumulation of B (22.23 mg kg−1 d.w.), Mn (57.48 mg kg−1 d.w.), and antioxidants (total antioxidant activity: 68.6 mg GAE g−1 d.w.; polyphenols: 21.0 mg GAE g−1 d.w.; and proline: 5.45 mg g−1 d.w.). Diploschistes ocellatus and Calvatia candida demonstrated the lowest antioxidant status: 3.6–3.8 mg GAE g−1 d.w. total antioxidant activity, 1.73–2.10 mg GAE g−1 d.w. polyphenols and 2.0–5.3 mg g−1 d.w. proline. Overall, according to the elemental analysis of lichen from Baskunchak Nature Reserve compared to the Southern Crimean seashore, the vicinity of Baskunchak Salty Lake elicited increased environmental levels of Cr, Si, Li, Fe, Co, Ni and Ca.