Human Agricultural Activities Research Articles

Теоретико-правове визначення поняття "відходи сільського господарства"

The article provides a scientific and theoretical analysis of EU legislation, ukrainian legislation and legal doctrine in the field of agricultural waste management. Particular attention is paid to establishing features in the legal regulation of such activities. The author concludes that today, taking into account the need to implement EU legislation, there is a process of gradual formation of agricultural legislation aimed at solving problems related to agricultural waste management. It is based on the Laws of Ukraine of June 25, 1992 «On Veterinary Medicine», «On animal by-products not intended for human consumption», of May 18, 2017 «On state control over compliance with legislation on food, feed, animal by-products, animal health and welfare», of December 23, 1997 «On the basic principles and requirements for food safety and quality». In addition, the expediency of defining at the legislative level the concept of agricultural waste, understanding it as substances, materials and objects formed in the process of human agricultural activity, as well as plant and animal life, which completely or partially lost their consumer properties and have no further use (other than organic fertilizers) at the place of formation or detection and which the owner must dispose of by disposal or disposal. The article proposes to make changes to the Waste Classifier SC 005-96 «Waste Classifier», approved by the order of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine of February 29, 1996. № 89, by supplementing group 01 with forestry wastes (excluding wastes from forest processing, production of panels and furniture, pulp, paper and board) and fisheries. Keywords: waste, agricultural waste, forestry, environmentе, pesticides, waste management, fisheries, agriculture

Geomorphology of the northwestern Kurdistan Region of Iraq: landscapes of the Zagros Mountains drained by the Tigris and Great Zab Rivers

ABSTRACT We present the geomorphological map of the northwestern part of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where the landscape expresses the tectonic activity associated with the Arabia-Eurasia convergence and Neogene climate change. These processes influenced the evolution of landforms and fluvial pathways, where major rivers Tigris, Khabur, and Great Zab incise the landscape of Northeastern Mesopotamia Anticlinal ridges and syncline trough compose the Zagros orogen. The development of water and wind gaps, slope, and karsts processes in the highlands and the tilting of fluvial terraces in the flat areas are the main evidence of the relationship between tectonics, climate variations and geomorphological processes. During the Quaternary, especially after the Last Glacial Maximum, fluctuating arid and wet periods also influenced local landforms and fluvial patterns of the area. Finally, the intensified Holocene human occupation and agricultural activities during the passage to more complex societies over time impacted the evolution of the landscape in this part of Mesopotamia.

Geochemical Survey Method of Land Quality in Land Parcel Scale City: A Case Study of the Initial Area of the Xiong'an New District

In order to evaluate the land quality geochemical survey achievement in the service of the accurate management of urban land resources, the initial area of the Xiong'an New District as urbanization pathfinder in China is chosen as the research subject. The sample points were set by differential classification, and the spatial interpolation accuracy of the soil elements at a plot scale and a quantitative assessment of the consistency of the land plot (pattern spot) prediction evaluation were studied under the conditions of different sampling densities. The regional geochemical variation values randomly distributed on the plane can be reflected quantitatively by differential classification sampling, which can meet the basic demand of the quality attribute of a single plot (map spot) by the accurate management of urban land resources. The spatial variability of soil elements is mostly middle to moderate, and Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg, Se, N, P, and other elements of high spatial variability are affected by human industrial and agricultural production activities. Under the same sampling density, the larger the element variation coefficient, the worse the spatial interpolation accuracy. Although the interpolation accuracy of the same element index is affected by the sampling density, the increase in the sampling density could not identify the continuous component on the structure of the soil element content. The soil environment is clean, and the heavy metal content is lower than the GB15618-2018 standard. The interpolation results are basically consistent with the grading results of the measured values, while the contents of N, P, and K of the nutrient indices vary greatly, and the predicted and measured geochemical grades of the plots (map spot) differ substantially under the influence of factors such as human disturbance and spatial variability. The quantitative evaluation of the six different sampling densities indicates that the 16 points·km-2 sampling density adopted in the geochemical survey and evaluation of urban land quality can satisfy the needs of an accurate control of urban land resources in the study area and similar areas. The research can provide key technologies to support and serve the accurate management of urban land resources for geochemical surveys and the evaluation of land quality in land parcel scale cities.

Spatiotemporal change and drivers analysis of desertification in the arid region of northwest China based on geographic detector

The arid region of northwest China is a hotspot for global desertification research, because it is affected by the combined effects of climate change and human activities, and it has had a huge impact on human society in recent years. Based on multiple meteorological and spatial attribute data sets, NDVI-Albedo feature space principle and geographic detectors were used to analyze the main drivers to the spatiotemporal changes of desertification in the arid region of northwest China from 2003 to 2018. The results are shown that: (1) The area of severe desertification in the arid region of northwestern China shows a downward trend, and the area of high desertification and non-desertification regions increases correspondingly, the area of medium and low desertification remains basically unchanged. The desertification divided index (DDI) is the highest in the mid-altitude region. The DDI of middle and lower reaches of the Tarim River has the fastest rising rate, due to the impact of human agricultural activities and ecological water conveyance. (2) According to the analysis results of the geographic detector model, precipitation is the main factor driving the spatial distribution of desertification, especially the interpretive ability of the interaction between land use and precipitation is more than 50% for the spatial distribution of DDI. Land use change and its interaction with other factors have the highest degree of explanation for desertification changes. Therefore, human activities, especially land use and ecological water conservancy projects, are the most important factors to improve desertification in the arid area of northwest China. This study provides a scientific basis for agricultural management and ecological engineering construction in arid region.

Competitive strategies between Anastrepha fraterculus and Anastrepha obliqua (Diptera: Tephritidae) regulating the use of host fruits

AbstractInterspecific competition between individuals of different species can result in reductions in their fecundity, growth or survival, reflecting differential exploitation of resources that become intensified due to spatial co‐occurrence, ecological similarity and increased population densities. As two species cannot occupy the same niche, coexistence is only possible if the available resources are used in non‐overlapping manners such as niche partitioning or the use of refuges. Among agricultural insect pests, such as fruit flies of the family Tephritidae, competitive interactions can result in competitive displacement, host changes, or the expansion or restriction of the numbers of hosts utilized that can have negative consequences for human agricultural activities. We evaluated the competitive interactions between two fruit fly species of the genus Anastrepha, Anastrepha obliqua (Macquart, 1835) and Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedmann, 1830), on their respective preferred hosts (mangoes and guava). Experiments of larval competition and competition for ovipositioning sites by adult females were performed to compare the parameters of larval development time, numbers of pupae and emerged adults and numbers of ovipositions in the presence or absence of interspecific competition. We observed that the interactions between those species were asymmetrical and hierarchical, and our results suggest a competitive displacement of A. fraterculus by A. obliqua when those two species are present on the same fruit, whether mangoes or guavas.

Degradasi Lahan dan Implikasinya terhadap Rencana Pola Ruang di Daerah Dataran Tinggi

Land degradation is a phenomena of the decreasing in land use function, potential use and irreplaceable organism. Many causes result in land degradation such as soil erosion, rain erosion which are all accelerated by human activities example agricultural activity. Increased agricultural activity is caused by an increase in population and also increasing food needs. Land exploitation for agricultural activities result in land degradation such as planting on conservation areas that cause erosion. Kledung Sub-district is one of the regions that practices massive agricultural land use and plants in a conservation land. Practices in Kledung Sub-district have caused floods and soil erosion in Kledung Sub-district in the last few years. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of land degradation that occurred in Kledung Sub-district and its implications for the land use planning to increase awareness of various parties about the dangers of land degradation. This research was conducted primarily by observation and secondary b examining documents about the indicators causing land degradation and conducting descriptive and quantitative analyzes. The quantitative analyze is using RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation). The analysis shows that the majority of erosion according to the Ministry of Forestry is moderate (>60-80 tons/ha/yr) covering1.231,01 Ha and according to Hammer which is very high (>100 tons/ha/yr) covering 469,62 Ha or 12,7% of the total area of Kledung Sub-district with a high level of erosion hazard it is necessary to evaluate the land use planning of Kledung Sub-district so that it can adjust the land use planning and the erosion hazard level in Kledung Sub-district.

Prospecting for Phytotoxicity and Enzymatic Modulation of Waters from Springs in the Surroundings of Campo Mourão, State of Paraná, Brazil, in Lactuca sativa L.

The Rio do Campo and Rio Km 119 rivers are under constant human pressure. Thus, it is necessary to assess the adverse effects caused by waters of these rivers to living organisms. Phytotoxicity and enzymatic modulation of waters from eight sites was evaluated against Lactuca sativa L.—five located in Rio do Campo (P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5) and three located in Rio Km 119 (P6, P7, and P8)—strategically making up the surroundings of Campo Mourao. For every site, two samplings were made in 2019, one during the dry season (first sampling) and another during the rainy season (second sampling). Waters from P2 and P8, collected in the dry season reduced the seed germination rate. With the exception of P7 in sampling 1, waters from the other sites, in both seasons considered, significantly inhibited radicle elongation. In the dry season, there was an increase in CAT activity, mainly in roots exposed to waters from P3 and P7. In the rainy season, there was a reduction in the activity of this enzyme in roots, caused by waters from P1, P2, P4, P6, and P7. Except for P3 in the first sampling, roots exposed to waters from the eight sites, in samplings 1 and 2, had inhibition in SOD activity. Therefore, waters from the eight sites caused significant phytotoxicity and oxidative stress to L. sativa. These results complement and corroborate studies to assess the toxicity of waters of the Rio do Campo and Rio Km 119 rivers present in the literature. The imminent intervention of the public management of Campo Mourao and of the State government is necessary in the urban and agricultural human activities carried out in these springs, given the significant degradation and putting the survival of different species at risk.

Развитие и распространение карстовых и суффозионных процессов на территории Белгородской области, оценка их влияния на окружающую среду

Relevance. The problem of studying karst-suffusion processes is that soluble rocks in Russia occupy large areas. The Belgorod region is rich in Cretaceous deposits, which are widespread throughout the territory. Due to the fact that carbonate rocks are susceptible to dissolution by surface and groundwater leads to the formation of karst forms. Such forms open and form places of karst waters’ accumulation, open fissure and cave systems and are becoming areas with an increased environmental hazard to the life of people, infrastructure, civil and industrial buildings. Dangerous exogenous geomorphological processes negatively affect the economic development of the region. The purpose of the article is to study the factors influencing the development and distribution of karst and suffusion processes, the reasons for their occurrence, as well as the impact on the environment. Among hazardous exogenous geological processes, karst-suffusion processes are the most unpredictable. Their occurrence has negative consequences for the economics and economic activities of the region. The main methods used in this study are observation method, laboratory experiment and mathematical modeling. The method of mathematical modeling has relatively recently come into the use by the researchers and allows for a better reproduction of processes on physical models. This study is aimed at determining the interaction of karst and suffusion processes, as well as assessing their impact on the environment. The zoning of the karst and suffusion distribution on the territory of the Belgorod region has made it possible to identify the causes of these processes. To prevent the development and spread of karst-suffusion processes, an integrated approach to the analysis of manifestation, drawing up a forecast plan and measures to counter negative consequences is required. Based on the results of the study, measures were proposed to minimize damage to agricultural land, residential and farm buildings, as well as measures to combat karst and suffusion processes. It should be noted that the results of the study and the developed measures to prevent the negative consequences of karst and suffusion processes can be used in human agricultural activities, construction of civil and industrial enterprises, their reconstruction, laying of communications and development of carbonate new deposits

Засоренность и продуктивность посевов горчицы белой (Sinapis alba L.) в зависимости от нормы высева и дозы азота

Currently, one of the most urgent tasks facing humanity is the preservation of the environment. Development of agricultural practices aimed at reducing chemical load when growing white mustard helps to reduce the negative impact of human agricultural activities on the environment. The aim of the research was to determine seeding rates andN fertilizer dosesat which white mustard plants will actively suppress weeds without overall yield decrease. The studies were carried out in 2017–2019. Soil – chernozem southern low-humus (humus content – 2.08–2.31 %). The content of mobile phosphorus and potassium (according to Machigin method) is 62–90 and 389–586 mg/kg soil, respectively. The experimental design included: Factor A – five options of N fertilizer application: N0 (control variant), N20, N40, N60 and N80; Factor B – six options of seeding rate: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 million per hectare. Crop under study – white mustard variety ‘Raduga’. In the course of the research, we have found that the competitive ability of mustard plants against weeds increased with an increase in seeding rate, regardless of the weather conditions of the year. Significant weeds growth and development suppression was noted at a seeding rate of 2 million per ha, the dry weight of one weed in this case was 1.3 g, which was three times less than at a seeding rate of 0.5 million/ha (4.1 g). Seeding rate increase to 2.5 and 3.0 million per ha did not provide reliable suppression of weeds; dry weight of one weed was 1.2 g. The highest seed yield of white mustard (0.6 t/ha) was obtained at a seeding rate of 2 million/ha. This option exceeded others by 0.02–0.14 t/ha. Optimal N fertilizer dose (pre-sowing application) was N60; seed yield of white mustard, in this case, was 0.63 t/ha. Despite the fact that N60 had a positive effect on the growth and development of weeds, it also provided a significant yield increase compared to control – 0.21 t/ha (50 %).

Влияние одиночных деревьев на флористическое разнообразие и популяционную структуру редких видов растений остепненных лугов

Steppe meadows preserved in the zone of deciduous forests of European Russia. These meadows have rich floristic composition and contribute significantly in biological diversity of territories. Bryansk region is one of the forest regions, where steppe meadows are sustained. There are meadows with high floristic diversity and big numbers of rare plant species. Trees from the surrounding forest areas insinuate constantly into these meadows. Most of the young trees die from regular fires and human agricultural activity. However, some individuals survive and pass into a generative state, in which they are relatively resistant to ground fires. The influence of single trees on the floristic diversity of steppe meadows was studied at two levels of organization of living systems – coenotic and population. Polydominant steppe meadows and polydominant steppe meadows with single generative trees were studied at the coenotic level. Coenopopulations of Iris aphylla, Anemone sylvestris and Anthericum ramosum were investigated at the population level. Different methods were used in the work: geobotanical, demographic, measuring environmental factors (luminance, steepness of slopes and frequency of fires). The study showed, that polydominant steppe meadows are supported on steep slopes unsuitable for haymaking and grazing and subjected to infrequent fire. These communities have high floristic diversity. Coenopopulations of model plants (Anemone sylvestris, Anthericum ramosum and Iris aphylla) are sustained there. Their ontogenetic spectra belong to left-hand type with maximum number of individuals. Single trees have controversial influence on polidominant steppe meadow vegetation. On the one hand, the species diversity of steppe meadows increases with the appearance of single generative trees because birds use adult trees like habitats and birds carry plant diasporas. On the other hand, mature trees shade grass canopy. It leads to decline of cover and occurrence of steppe and dry-meadow species. Also it affects plants coenopopulation structure. Ontogenetic spectrum of Anemone sylvestris stays full-stages but numbers of individuals is low. Ontogenetic spectrum of Iris aphylla loses ontogenetic stages (g1, g3) with numbers of individuals twice lower than on polidominant steppe meadows. Ontogenetic spectrum of Anthericum ramosum becomes incomplete with extremely low numbers of individuals.

Features of ecosystem services supply by agroecosystems of the Samara Region gardens

The concept of ecosystem services, which has been developed over the past 20 years in foreign and native scientific literature, is to a different extent specified in relation to various types of ecosystems. A relatively new approach is its application to orchards as important components of human agricultural activity. The ecosystem functions they perform as regards to the volume and implementation effectiveness depend on the regional soil and climatic conditions and the technologies used. For the Samara Region, this problem is considered for the first time. Trends associated with the dynamics of the fruit and berry plantations area in the Russian Federation are discussed, including general indicators decrease simultaneously with the intensive orchards growth. At present, the Samara Region is significantly ahead of neighboring regions in the gardens area, with their minimum area in the Ulyanovsk Region. Other territorial units belonging to the Middle Volga horticultural province of the Saratov Region such as republics of Tatarstan, Bashkortostan possess significant areas occupied by the gardens. In addition to large horticultural farms, the cultivation of fruit crops in the Samara Region is widespread among the local population. Horticultural agrocenoses of industrial and individual kinds, participating in the implementation of ecosystem services do it differently not only because of their different area scale. The authors explain this provision with examples related to specific groups of ecosystem services. The main target ecosystem service, growing of fruits, in terms of assortment and volume in the Samara Region is supplied to a greater extent at the expense of the individual orchards of the population. Agrotechnical features, implying large-scale treatment of industrial gardens with chemicals, pose a greater risk of environmental pollution. A greater variety of cultivated crops, varieties and organisms trophically associated with them as well as less intensive chemicalization level provide the gardens of the population with a leading position in the conservation of biological diversity, both natural and cultivated.

A high-resolution record of Holocene primary productivity and water-column mixing from the varved sediments of Lake Żabińskie, Poland

Eutrophication and anoxia are increasing in lakes worldwide. However, our understanding of variations of primary productivity and anoxia in lakes over thousands of years is limited. Long-term records are needed to understand the natural variability of lake ecosystems and to improve our understanding of drivers of productivity and anoxia. In this study, we used the varved sediment record of Lake Żabińskie, Poland to answer the following research questions: 1) How have primary production and water column oxygen concentrations varied during the past 10,800 years?; 2) what role did natural and anthropogenic forces have in driving changes in primary production or lake mixing regime? Recently developed hyperspectral imaging (HSI) techniques were used to quantify sedimentary chloropigments-a and bacteriopheopigments-a (Bphe-a) at sub-annual resolution. These data, combined with elemental data from micro X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) and pigment assemblage data from high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) measurements, were used to reconstruct paleolimnological conditions. Bphe-a was used as an indicator of anoxia, and its presence suggests that an extensive anoxic zone was present nearly continuously from 10.8 to 2.8 ka BP. Anoxic conditions, driven by thermal stratification, were promoted by closed forest cover during that time, which limited wind-driven mixing of the water column. After 2.8 ka BP, water column oxygenation occurred more frequently, particularly during periods of increased human agricultural activity and forest opening. Pronounced anoxia was again present continuously from ~610 to 1470 CE, concurrent with a period of reforestation. After ~1610 CE, deforestation caused increases in erosion rates, algal production, and water column oxygenation. Pigment assemblages indicate that the algal community during the past 150 years was different from any other time during the Holocene. This study demonstrates a clear link between lake biogeochemical processes and forest cover and shows the potential of HSI to produce extremely high-resolution records of past productivity and redox conditions from varved lake sediments.

Distribution and sources of organic matter in the Rufiji Delta in Tanzania: Variability and environmental implications

Mangroves located along coastal margins are long-term carbon sinks with higher organic carbon stocks than terrestrial forests. Tracing the different sources of organic matter and its fate in mangrove forests is a complex process because of rapid changes driven by natural and anthropogenic processes. In this study, we trace the distribution and sources of organic matter in six 210Pb-dated sediment cores (200–650 cm in length) collected along a N–S transect from the Rufiji Delta mangrove–estuarine complex in eastern Tanzania. The sampling locations had different tree cover, soil types, and underwent variable natural (fluvial discharge, transport, and early diagenetic post-depositional alterations) and human-induced anthropogenic changes. We investigated C:N ratio, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope compositions, and source-specific diagnostic biomarkers (i.e. fatty acids and n-alkanes) trends to examine these changes in spatial and temporal contexts. In these cores, the average C:N values ranged between 12.7 ± 0.3 and 22 ± 2.9 indicating deposition of both terrestrial and marine organic matter that is influenced by its geographic location. The δ15N value varied from 0.1‰ to 4.3‰; the more positive values in younger sediments imply anthropogenic inputs. Stable carbon isotope (δ13C) ranged from −28.6 to −20.5 indicating a dominant terrestrial input. The organic matter sources in sediments were further established based on various biomarker indices. The biomarker data indicated that organic matter is mainly derived from recycled matter and/or marine microorganisms in the northern part of the delta. The central and southern parts of the delta showed a different trend indicating predominantly the presence of land-derived sedimentary organic matter. Organic matter signals in the northern and central parts of the delta indicated the presence of more anthropogenic input, compared to the pristine southern part of the delta. This is due to the proximity of the sites to human settlements, agricultural activities, and inland transport associated with fishing and recreational activities. Finally, our results indicate a low carbon accumulation rate in most parts of the Rufiji Delta compared to the global average. This is driven by the differences in environmental settings and conditions such as sediment dynamics and hydrodynamic transport, vegetation cover, and diagenetic changes at specific sites.

ALS-Based Detection of Past Human Activities in the Białowieża Forest—New Evidence of Unknown Remains of Past Agricultural Systems

The Białowieża Forest (BF), a unique ecosystem of historical significance in central Europe, has a long history of assumed human settlement, with at least 200 known archaeological sites (until 2016). This study uncovers new evidence of the cultural heritage of this unique forest area using Airborne Laser Scanning (ALS) technology combined with traditional archaeological field assessment methods to verify the ALS data interpretations and to provide additional evidence about the function and origin of the newly detected archaeological sites. The results of this study include (1) a scientific approach for an improved identification of archaeological resources in forest areas; (2) new evidence about the history of the human use of the BF based on ALS data, covering the entire Polish part of the BF; and (3) an improved remote sensing infrastructure, supporting existing GIS (Geographic Information System) systems for the BF, a famous UNESCO Heritage site. Our study identified numerous locations with evidence of past human agricultural activities known in the literature as “field systems”, “lynchets” and “Celtic fields”. The initial identification included more than 300 km of possible field boundaries and plough headlands, many of which we have verified on the ground. Various past human activities creating those boundaries have existed since the (pre-) Roman Period up to the 13th century AD. The results of this study demonstrate that past human activities in the Polish part of the Białowieża Forest had been more prevalent than previously believed. As a practical result of the described activities, a geodatabase was created; this has practical applications for the system of monument protection in Poland, as well as for local communities and the BF’s management and conservation. The more widely achieved results are in line with the implementation of the concept of a cultural heritage inventory in forested and protected areas—the actions taken specify (built globally) the forms of protection and management of cultural and environmental goods.

Ancestors of domestic cats in Neolithic Central Europe: Isotopic evidence of a synanthropic diet

Cat remains from Poland dated to 4,200 to 2,300 y BCE are currently the earliest evidence for the migration of the Near Eastern cat (NE cat), the ancestor of domestic cats, into Central Europe. This early immigration preceded the known establishment of housecat populations in the region by around 3,000 y. One hypothesis assumed that NE cats followed the migration of early farmers as synanthropes. In this study, we analyze the stable isotopes in six samples of Late Neolithic NE cat bones and further 34 of the associated fauna, including the European wildcat. We approximate the diet and trophic ecology of Late Neolithic felids in a broad context of contemporary wild and domestic animals and humans. In addition, we compared the ecology of Late Neolithic NE cats with the earliest domestic cats known from the territory of Poland, dating to the Roman Period. Our results reveal that human agricultural activity during the Late Neolithic had already impacted the isotopic signature of rodents in the ecosystem. These synanthropic pests constituted a significant proportion of the NE cat's diet. Our interpretation is that Late Neolithic NE cats were opportunistic synanthropes, most probably free-living individuals (i.e., not directly relying on a human food supply). We explore niche partitioning between studied NE cats and the contemporary native European wildcats. We find only minor differences between the isotopic ecology of both these taxa. We conclude that, after the appearance of the NE cat, both felid taxa shared the ecological niches.

Drivers of Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in Equatorial Alpine Rivers of the Rwenzoris (Uganda)

The Sub-Saharan alpine freshwater biodiversity is currently impacted by human settlements, climate change, agriculture, and mining activities. Because of the limited biodiversity studies in the region, a better understanding is needed of the important environmental variables affecting macroinvertebrate assemblages. In this paper, macroinvertebrate diversity responses to 18 environmental variables were studied at 30 sites along unique Rwenzori rivers at the equator in Uganda. We hypothesized that anthropogenic disturbance and local environmental variables affect macroinvertebrate diversity, irrespective of altitudinal gradients. Based on altitude and climate, the sites were subdivided into three altitude groups consisting of 10 sites each: upstream (US) 1400–1600 m.a.s.l.; midstream (MS) 1091–1399 m.a.s.l., and downstream (DS) 900–1090 m.a.s.l. A total of 44 macroinvertebrate families and 1623 individuals were identified. The macroinvertebrate diversity patterns were influenced by temperature, altitude, and latitude. Regression analysis revealed that temperature and nickel, were negative predictors of taxa richness. Nickel, which is released by mining activity, is detrimental to aquatic communities in Sub-Saharan alpine ecosystems. Significant longitudinal variation in macroinvertebrate diversity was observed between the sites, which were also affected by mineral and temperature gradients. Our study highlights the need for long-term monitoring in this region to detect and reduce the threats to river biodiversity from anthropogenic activity.

Presence of pesticides, mercury and trihalomethanes in the water supply systems of Ibagué, Colombia: threats to human health

Chemical contamination of the water supply system caused by anthropic activities can cause adverse health effects. This study determined the presence of toxic metals, organic substances, pesticides and trihalomethanes in the water supply systems of the urban area of Ibague City. The economic and sanitary activities located in the 25 surface streams of the 32 water supply systems of the municipality were characterized. A total of 25 water samples were taken from the surface streams, and 35 samples in the water network of each drinking water service provider for the identification of pesticides (carbamates, organochlorines, organophosphorus), mercury, arsenic, cyanide, lead, cadmium, antimony, cobalt, selenium, silver, nickel and hydrocarbons. The presence of trihalomethanes was sampled after the treatment process given. A total of 775 economic and sanitary activities were detected in the surface streams of the water supply systems, highlighting the human settlements, agricultural and tourist activities impact on the water sources. Organochlorine pesticides (0.009-0.109 mg/L), mercury (0.001-0.004 mg/L) were identified in the water supply system in concentrations higher than those permitted by local regulation. Concentrations of trihalomethanes (0.064-1.260 mg/L) were detected in 68.7% of the water supply systems with treatment. The presence of chemical contaminants occurs mainly in communities with water supply systems of low complexity with high anthropic affectation. It is necessary to strengthen the assessment of hazards and risk by health surveillance, as well as intersectoral intervention for the protection of water sources and the improvement of water treatment technologies.

Impacts of anthropogenic activities on spatial variations of phthalate esters in water and suspended particulate matter from China's lakes

In the largest developing country, China, plastic has become a serious environmental issue because of its overuse and non-treatment. In fact, plasticizers, such as phthalate esters (PAEs), are more toxic than plastic, and their global awareness is rising. To determine the response of sensitive PAE congeners to the anthropogenic activities in a typical lake ecosystem of China, in the present study, 12 PAEs in the water and the suspended particulate matter (SPM) phases of 46 lakes in China were measured. The concentrations of all the Σ12 PAEs in water and SPM phases ranged from 3.647 to 65.618 μg/L and 0.175 to 10.921 μg/L, respectively. Di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) was the predominant PAEs in the water phase, whereas diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), DnBP, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were the dominating PAEs in the SPM phase. Forty-six lakes were divided into four groups based on the anthropogenic activity intensities. The PAEs in both the water and SPM phases had increasing tendency along the human activity gradient. DIBP appears to be a sensitive PAE indicator that could distinguish the lake regions with different human industrial and agricultural activities. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) are intensely affected by industrial development. DnBP and DEHP were positively correlated with agricultural activities, including the use of films and pesticides. It is suggested to control the addition and usage of PAEs in agricultural activities and improve their removal rates in industrial wastewater to reduce the PAE pollution in the water bodies in the environment management of China.

Succession from meadow to mature forest: Impacts on soil biological, chemical and physical properties—Evidence from the Pieniny Mountains, Poland

Long-term human agricultural activity in the Carpathian region created meaningful landscape transformations; for example, valuable and high-biodiversity, semi-natural areas were formed. Subsequently, socioeconomic changes after World War II started a trend of decreasing agricultural activity and pasturing, as well as the abandonment of higher-altitude and more-difficult-to-access meadows. As a result, in many cases, landscape transformation, such as secondary forest succession, began to occur. This study examined the influence of natural forest succession by comparing a semi-natural meadow to a 25-year-old forest succession area and an old-growth forested area, taking into account selected soil physical, chemical and biological properties. The study sought to answer the following questions: where are the greater carbon stocks found — in meadows, forest successions or old-growth forests?; does soil microbial activity change during succession?; and does succession cause changes in soil physical properties? The research area was located in Pieniny National Park in southern Poland. No significant differences in the amount of carbon stock or the microbial activity (i.e. microbial biomass carbon content and dehydrogenase activity) were found among the meadow, succession and old-growth forest soil samples. However, the old-growth forest soils showed a much higher invertase activity than the succession and meadow soils. Nevertheless, when we took into consideration variables associated with the microbial properties, and placed these into an ordination space, more visible differences among the meadow, succession and forest samples became apparent. Thus, any discussion of land use in mountainous areas should take multiple aspects into account.

Heavy metal(loid)s in the topsoil of urban parks in Beijing, China: Concentrations, potential sources, and risk assessment

Urban parks play an important role in the urban ecosystem and are also used by residents for recreation. The environmental quality of urban park soils might influence human health following long-term exposure. To assess potential sources and pollution risks of heavy metal(loid)s in the topsoil of urban parks, we subjected metal concentrations in soil samples from 121 parks in the Beijing urban area to geostatistical analyses, conditional inference tree (CIT) analyses, ecological risk and human health risk assessment. CIT effectively explained the influence of human activity on the spatial variation and accumulation of soil metal(loid)s and identified the contributions of natural and anthropogenic inputs. The main factors influencing the accumulation of heavy metal(loid)s, including urbanization duration, park age, per capita GDP, industrial output, and coal consumption, were evaluated by CIT. Except for Cr and Ni, the average concentrations of the metal(loid)s tested (Cu, Pb, Zn, Hg, As, and Cd) were higher than the background values. In the urban parks, Ni and Cr derived mostly from soil parent materials. Concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, As, and Hg were strongly associated with human influences, including industrial, agricultural, and traffic activity. After assessing health and ecological risks, we conclude that heavy metal(loid)s in the soil of Beijing urban parks pose no obvious health risk to humans, and the ecological risk is also low.