Nature Conservation Research Articles

Forest loss and uncertain economic gains from industrial and garimpo mining in Brazilian municipalities.

Environmental and social risks in mining regions often juxtapose promises of local economic growth. Brazil, a major global mineral supplier and conservation leader, has pursued resource-led development despite mining's threat to its forests. Yet, the efficacy of this development strategy is uncertain. In this study, we examine mining's contribution to deforestation and regional economic growth in Brazil. For garimpo mining concessions - originally small-scale and less rigorously regulated forms of informal mining - we identify substantial associations with elevated deforestation rates, highlighting the environmental risks of insufficient oversight. The economic benefits of mining are limited. Particularly for industrial mining, they are tied to fluctuations in global mineral prices. These findings challenge the perception that mining inherently drives sustained regional economic development. As global demand for minerals rises - particularly to support the energy transition - strategic mining investments must be revised to prioritise sustained local progress, nature conservation and community well-being.

Molecular phylogeny reveals a new species of ghost electric knifefish Porotergus Ellis 1912 (Gymnotiformes: Apteronotidae), from the Amazon basin.

A new species of ghost electric knifefish, Porotergus sambaibensis sp. nov., is described from the Javaés River, a tributary of the Araguaia River in Brazil. The new species was assigned to the genus Porotergus as the closest relative to Porotergus gimbeli through maximum likelihood reconstruction of a concatenated multilocus dataset. Additionally, the origin of adductor mandibulae, pars stegalis in P. sambaibensis sp. nov. provided further evidence to support the molecular hypothesis. External and internal anatomical characters diagnosed the new species. DNA barcode data were used to test species monophyly and its genetic divergence from other species in the clade. Porotergus sambaibensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its closely related species by the colour pattern of the trunk, dark brown; the lower count of total anal-fin rays, 146-160; the higher number of teeth rows on the dentary, two; the presence of premaxilla teeth; two prominent foramina on dorsal portion of hyomandibula and its distribution pattern; and the second basibranchial, unossified. The genetic divergence between the new species and its relatives ranged from 3.7% in P. gimbeli to 10.3% in Porotergus duende. The species was categorised as deficient data (DD) based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria.

Sosialisasi Konservasi, Sadar Wisata dan Sapta Pesona dalam Rangka Festival Pemana Bahari di Desa Pemana Kecamatan Alok Kabupaten Sikka

Pemana Island, located north of Flores Island, is one of the islands in the administrative area of ​​Sikka Regency which has enormous marine tourism potential. Pemana Island is included in the Maumere Bay area as a Marine Nature Tourism Park Area (TWAL), which is included in 10 large islands (Pulau Besar, Pulau Koja, Pulau Pemana, Pulau Kambing, Pulau Sukun, Pulau Parumaan, Pulau Dambila, Pulau Pangabatang, Pulau Babi and Pulau Kondo. The Pemana Bahari Festival was initiated by the Village Government by involving various parties, one of which was by inviting academics represented by the Cristo Re Polytechnic Ecotourism Study Program. The Ecotourism Study Program was invited to participate in the festival activities, especially through the socialization of educational materials on the importance of protecting the environment and nature conservation in a sustainable manner (conservation) as well as Tourism Awareness and Sapta Pesona materials. The results of this service can be used as a reference for the future in protecting the environment and nature conservation in a sustainable manner (conservation) as well as Tourism Awareness and Sapta Pesona. With this service activity, it is hoped that the Pemana village government and the local community will be able to preserve nature sustainably and apply the Sapta Pesona in Pemana Village, Alok Sub-district, Sikka Regency

Parents’ experience in pediatric Tuina treatment program for congenital muscular torticollis in infants and children: qualitative findings from individual interviews

BackgroundPediatric tuina treatment program is an intervention of traditional Chinese medicine that involves specific manual techniques applied to the bodies of infants and children to promote health and treat conditions such as congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). This study was conducted to understand facilitators, barriers, and influencing factors in the implementation of pediatric tuina treatment program based on parents’ experiences.MethodsSemi-structured individual interviews were conducted with parents’ experience in Shandong province, China. Purposive sampling was applied to recruit 13 parents whose children had received a pediatric tuina training program for at least three months to participate voluntarily. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using template analysis to identify key themes and subthemes. NVivo 12 software was used to facilitate the organization and coding of the data.ResultsThree themes were identified: (1) facilitators to the use of pediatric tuina treatment program, (2) barriers to the use of pediatric tuina treatment program, and (3) modulating factors of the use of pediatric tuina treatment program. The theme of the facilitators of intervention implementation included the subthemes of (a) merits of pediatric tuina, (b) perceived benefits by patients, and (c) parents’ concerns and expectations. The theme of barriers to intervention implementation included the subthemes of (a) perceived problems by patients, (b) limited medical resources, (c) family pressure, and (d) manipulation particularity. Modulating factors included (a) parents’ perception, (b) patients’ adherence, and (c) parents’ mentality.ConclusionPerceived beneficial effects on improving children’s CMT symptoms and constitutions as well as the conservative nature of pediatric tuina treatment mainly facilitated the treatment. Disease recurrence limited medical resources, long-term family pressure, and noncooperation of children were the dominant barriers to treatment implementation. Parents’ adherence, mentality, and perceptions on CMT and intervention selection modulated the effects of the treatment. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore additional factors affecting the effectiveness and implementation of pediatric tuina treatment.

A new horizon for rule-making in global ocean governance? Reflections on the IUCN’s contributions and limitations

As traditional risks in global ocean governance continue to deteriorate and new challenges emerge, the state-centered pattern of the international rule-making approach often demonstrates inefficiency and lack of fairness, hindering the achievement of SDG 14 and damaging the common interests of the international community. In this context, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has successfully participated in the development of international legal rules over the past few decades, providing valuable perspectives for improving international rule-making in ocean governance as a non-state actor. However, due to various internal and external factors, the potential of this pattern is still limited. Therefore, to compensate the inherent shortcomings of state-led mechanisms for developing international legal rules, non-state actors including non-governmental organizations and organizations of hybrid nature are encouraged to deeply participate in and even lead the international rule-making in ocean governance, while maintaining their neutrality and representativeness. This paper not only further clarifies the role of non-state actors in environmental and ocean governance, but can also contribute to the study of contemporary development models of the law of the sea.

Applying the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology to classify, describe, and map ecosystems based on regional data and Indigenous knowledge.

Effective ecosystem conservation for biodiversity and human well-being relies on accurate information. Consistent approaches to classifying, describing, and assessing ecosystems can improve understanding of ecological processes, threats, and management. We explored how the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Ecosystem Typology-a global classification framework based on ecosystem function-could support the development of a classification of ecosystems for the Tiwi Islands, Australia, by incorporating scientific information and Indigenous Tiwi knowledge to facilitate environmental management and conservation. We synthesized ecosystem information from previous research, field data, reports, and Tiwi knowledge authorities to develop a classification, descriptions, and a map of 14 terrestrial ecosystem types. These ecosystem types were defined and described based on ecological processes and were broader yet largely congruent with existing vegetation classifications. Including functional properties accounted for variation in the vegetation physiognomy exhibited by dynamic and disturbance-prone ecosystems, such as savannas. Because we considered Tiwi knowledge authorities and the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology, our inventory included ecosystem types that were typically omitted from previous classifications, which should allow for more comprehensive assessments and management. Relating the new ecosystem typology to the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology will facilitate comparisons among similar ecosystems, regarding, for example, effective threat abatement options. Describing the biota and processes opens new avenues for monitoring. More collaborative work is needed to explore how Western scientific ecosystem inventories operate alongside and in connection with management of Tiwi murrakupuni enacted by Tiwi people. Given the ongoing loss of biodiversity, ecosystem management must draw on information across domains, scales, and knowledge systems. We demonstrated an approach to this task and provided socioecologically relevant ecosystem information.

Downlisting and recovery of species assessed by the IUCN.

Despite the increasing number of species assessed for extinction risk by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (163,040 species as of 2024), only about 1 in 1,000 have been downlisted due to genuine population improvement. Although this rare conservation achievement has been widely celebrated in several recent cases, some other downlisting decisions have met with controversy. A primary role of the IUCN is to assess extinction risk. In this role, it must maintain its independence and not be influenced by the public outcry that may occur when a high-profile species is downlisted, even if well-established conservation programs may be disrupted or abandoned as a result. We explored the potential positive and negative consequences of downlisting for conservation efforts through case studies of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis), saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica), and black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor), which has recently been proposed for downlisting. Although downlisting can enable more effective use of limited resources, these cases highlight potential risks, including weakened legal backing, diversion of resources away from the species, and declining public and political support. The relatively unquestioned downlisting of the saiga antelope illustrates how early and inclusive engagement of local experts, assessors, donors, and other stakeholders can help ensure that decisions are effectively communicated and implemented without jeopardizing species recovery. The IUCN Green Status of Species assessment is a complementary tool to the IUCN Red List and offers a useful measure of conservation progress, which can help decision makers ensure that downlisting does not undermine long-term conservation efforts.

Growth and yield models for Centrolobium ochroxylum Rose ex Rudd in silvopastoral systems of Ecuadorian western lowlands

Centrolobium ochroxylum Rose ex Rudd, known as Amarillo Guayaquil (AG), is a tropical tree species found in secondary vegetation or the wild in the western lowland region of Ecuador (WLRE). AG has heavy (0.78 g/cm3) and durable wood, with whitish sapwood and orange-yellow heartwood, making it ideal for carpentry and construction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2021 classified AG as a threatened and critically endangered tree species. However, information on the forest's growth and yield is limited. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the first provisional models of growth, yield, site index (SI), volume, and diameter at breast height (DBH) - total height (H) relationships developed for AG planted in live fences in WLRE. A total of 415 sample plots, each measuring one ha in area, were surveyed. AG trees were arranged in live fences, and UTM coordinates and planting dates were recorded. H and DBH were measured in 160 trees per plot in 2004, 2009, 2012, 2016, and 2018. To model volume, diameters were measured at different heights on randomly selected trees in 195 study sites. Cross-validation revealed that the CR-GADA model, with its three parameters, achieved a better balance between fitness and generalisability than the CR-H model. The Spurr function was found to be the best model for determining the total volume. The linear model was selected to describe the H-DBH relationship in the study region because of its stability and statistical significance. However, the model of Larson showed better overall indicators of fit. Variation of the H-DBH relationship was observed according to the SI. The maximum MAI was 14.8 m3 ha−1 yr−1 at age 26 years on the best sites, whereas, on less favorable sites, the maximum MAI was 4.4 m3 ha−1 yr−1 at age 30 years. These models are preliminary and require validation with independent samples. Future studies should include data from mature plots and conduct economic analyses on silvopastoral systems, as well as study the carbon sequestration of AG to encourage reforestation.

Trophic Ecology of the Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) and Bengal Whipray (Brevitrygon imbricata) Harvested by Sri Lankan Fisheries Based on Stable Isotope Analysis.

Sri Lankan fisheries have substantial elasmobranch catches, but the local ecology of individual species is not well characterized. We examine the tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier and Bengal whipray Brevitrygon imbricata, two elasmobranch species with variable life history and feeding ecology that represent differing trophic guilds. Tiger sharks have a global distribution and are well-studied in some regions, but there is a lack of ecological information specific to the Indian Ocean. In contrast, Bengal whiprays are often misidentified at the species level and are thought to largely feed on benthic flatworms. Here, we investigate the trophic ecology of these two species with stable isotope analysis, which tracks the nutrient flow through food webs. Morphometric measurements and samples were obtained from tiger sharks [muscle (n=24), teeth (n=17)] and Bengal whiprays [muscle (n=44)] after boats were onshore; tissues were sampled and dried before transport for stable isotope preparation. Both tiger sharks and Bengal whiprays have a wide range of δ13C values spanning from -17.8 to -14.8‰, indicating diverse feeding habitats. In general, tiger sharks have higher δ15N values (13.3±0.6‰) than Bengal whiprays (12.1±0.7‰), although five Bengal whiprays had similar δ15N values to tiger sharks. There were also δ15N differences by sex among Bengal whipray, which suggests some foraging or baseline differences within the population. The isotopic differences among market locations were subtle and difficult to discern given differences in sample size. These insights into the ecology of tiger sharks and Bengal whiprays in Sri Lanka, along with other studies, including tagging and stomach content analysis, are critical in developing ecosystem-based management strategies. For example, the identification of essential habitats for Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation would restrict fishing and help mitigate impacts on population structure and dynamics, two critical considerations for these two species, which are listed as Near Threatened and Vulnerable, respectively, on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

Mending in the Museum: Chronomanuality, Value, and the Ethics of Care in Textile Conservation

The profession of textile conservation is relatively new, only emerging in the mid-twentieth century. However, the techniques of textile repair go back millennia, using needle and thread. This article explores how the ancient technique of mending made its way into the museum as a professional practice carried out mostly by women. Educational training programs and professional networks emerged in the second half of the twentieth century in North America and Europe, consolidating the discipline of textile conservation by incorporating ethics and science along the way. One key ethical debate—whether to stitch or adhere textiles as a stabilization method—exemplified the subjective nature of conservation, while ultimately confirming the primacy of sewing as a core technique. Yet, even with sewing affirmed as a method of professional museological practice, the high chronomanual requirements of stitching textiles underscored an inherent friction in the field: the cost of textile conservation labor may supersede the economic value of the textile itself. This gives rise to an unsettling question: Is conserving this textile worth it?

Conservative Politics, Revolutionary Fiction, and the Constructed Reader in Victorian Penny Paper Pearson’s Weekly

The penny paper Pearson’s Weekly was one of several that emerged in the 1880s and 1890s. These papers offered readers short general interest articles, a letters page, and often sensational fiction. In this article I examine some contemporary responses to the late-Victorian penny press, mapping them onto Pearson’s Weekly’s own editorial construction of the reader. I then go on to look at a scientific romance serialised in the paper during 1893, George Griffith’s The Angel of the Revolution, whose radical revolutionary politics and socialist new world order seem at odds with the paper’s editorial tone. After reading the novel’s apparent radicalism alongside the contents of Pearson’s Weekly, I conclude that The Angel of the Revolution’s utopian new world is rooted in the 1890s society from which it has emerged, ultimately endorsing the socially conservative nature of the paper.

Sustainable Plastic Waste Collection and Distribution Strategies in Operations Management

The global plastic waste crisis necessitates effective collection and distribution strategies aligned with principles of Operations Management and Sustainability. This study investigates efficient methods for managing plastic waste, focusing on mechanisms such as buy-back facilities, door-to-door collection systems, and reverse vending machines (RVMs). Among the various types of plastics, only PET, HDPE, PP, and LDPE are widely recyclable, with PET being the most preferred due to its high recyclability and potential for reuse in manufacturing. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. The study involved a comparative analysis of different plastic collection strategies across various countries and regions, including deployments of RVMs in the UK, Sweden, Australia, Canada, the USA, and selected Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. Findings reveal that RVMs offer a superior method for plastic collection due to their integrated sorting capabilities and user-friendly design. The global proliferation of over 100,000 RVM units illustrates their scalability and acceptance. Furthermore, the study highlights the environmental and economic benefits of optimized plastic waste collection, including natural resource conservation, energy savings, job creation, and reduced ecological impact. The integration of sustainable collection strategies, particularly through the deployment of RVMs, holds significant promise for enhancing waste management systems. The study emphasizes the importance of selecting appropriate technologies and infrastructures to support a circular economy. These insights contribute to operational improvements in waste logistics and support long-term sustainability goals.

Drivers of smallholder farmers’ crop diversification: Evidence from the rice-dominated farming system of Fogera plain, Northwest Ethiopia

Crop diversification has long been a key strategy for smallholder farmers in Ethiopia to mitigate climatic and market-related risks, and it is actively promoted in the country’s agricultural policy as a pathway to resilient cropping systems. Beyond reducing risks, diversification provides multiple benefits, including increased farm income, employment generation, natural resource conservation, reduced pest and disease pressure, and improved soil fertility. Given its importance, this study examined the level and drivers of crop diversification among 397 systematically sampled households in Fogera plain northwest Ethiopia, using descriptive and inferential statistics, including the double-hurdle model. Results indicate an average Simpson Diversification Index (SDI) of 0.48 (SD = 0.27), with values ranging from 0 to 0.82, and 47.61% of households exhibiting a moderate level of diversification. Most diversified households cultivated at least one crop from three major categories, cereals, legumes and vegetables, highlighting its role in enhancing food security and income stability. Econometric analysis identified key factors influencing both the decision to diversify and the intensity of diversification. Participation in crop diversification was significantly affected by occupation, number of plots, proportion of fertile land, access to irrigation, and use of improved seeds, reflecting both resource availability and institutional support. Meanwhile, the intensity of diversification was shaped by factors such as age, number of plots, oxen ownership, and access to credit, with older (experienced) farmers and those with higher number of plots and better financial access demonstrating higher diversification level. These findings underscore the importance of both household-level factors and financial enablers in shaping diversification decisions among smallholder farmers. To enhance crop diversification and build more resilient farming systems, several policy measures are recommended. These include providing improved seeds suited to diverse agro-ecological conditions, expanding irrigation infrastructure, enforcing effective water user association regulations, improving access to credit, strengthening livestock health services, and promoting alternative tillage technologies. Implementing these strategies will help farmers diversify their cropping systems more effectively, contributing to Ethiopia’s broader policy goals of food security, income diversification and environmental sustainability. Key words: diversification, double-hurdle, Ethiopia, Fogera Plain, rice, risks, SDI, smallholder farmers

Widespread and strong impacts of river fragmentation by anthropogenic barriers on fishes in the Mekong River Basin

The Mekong River, a global freshwater biodiversity hotspot, has suffered from intensive barrier construction, resulting in major challenges in safeguarding its fauna. Here, we provide a comprehensive evaluation of the impacts of river barriers on the distribution of 952 fish species in the Mekong River Basin. Our analysis revealed that 93% of Mekong fish species analysed suffer from habitat fragmentation, and species with larger habitat range requirements experienced higher river fragmentation impacts. Sub-basins along the main channel in the Lower Mekong had high values of species richness but relatively high barrier impacts. Across all migration types, freshwater-resident migratory (potamodromous) fishes were affected by the greatest levels of habitat fragmentation (Fragmentation Index, 42.45 [95% confidence interval, 38.61–46.62]). Among all International Union for Conservation of Nature conservation status categories, Critically Endangered species experienced the highest habitat fragmentation index (34.48 [19.46–53.52]). Among all barrier types in the Mekong, small dams and sluice gates contributed more to habitat fragmentation than large dams. While the effects of existing individual large dams on habitat fragmentation and fish distribution in the Mekong Basin are greater than for small barriers, the cumulative impacts of small barriers are greater; hence, basin-wide connectivity planning is needed for more effective conservation.

Der Rückgang von lichten Waldstrukturen und Waldlücken und die Auswirkungen auf Vegetation und Bestäuber

The decline of sparse forest structures and forest gaps and the effects on vegetation and pollinators // Forest gaps are considered as small natural features with large ecological roles. In the Danube valley near Passau, forest gaps decreased by 88 % between 1945 and 2020. The abandonment of historical and recent forms of forest use as well as anthropogenic nutrient depositions from atmosphere are identified as the causes. Our study confirms this because of a significantly increased Ellenberg indicator values for soil nutrients in the vegetation. Red List species in vegetation and specialised bees declined. The effects of climate change were clearly visible in the change of species composition of the wild bee community. Our experiments have shown that the overgrowth of forest gaps has a negative impact on the pollination function, from flower supply to flower visitation to seed set. For this reason, nature conservation in forests that still harbour organisms typical of light forests should focus more on the preservation and new creation of forest gaps.

Prescribed burning as a potential regeneration technique for reed stands: a pilot study in the reed belt of Lake Neusiedl, Austria

Nature conservation calls for the management of reed in large stands to support the rejuvenation of reed. Traditional reed management tools at Lake Neusiedl are becoming decreasingly suitable due to insufficient freezing in winter. Therefore, prescribed burning of old Phragmites australis stands is currently being considered as a regeneration measure to promote reed regrowth and maintain invaluable habitats for specialized species in the reed belt. In January 2024 a pilot study was carried out near the municipality of Jois to gain insights into suitability and consequences of controlled burning of old reed mats in the reed belt. Applied methods include pre- and post-fire biomass and carbon content analyses from vegetation, litter and soil, fire behavior and intensity monitoring, moisture content measurements during and after the fire, and area-wide UAV-LiDAR mapping. Mean fire temperature was approx. 700 °C and peaked at 1034 °C. 15.57 ha of the 32 ha study area were affected by the fire, and a total of 57.84 tons of carbon were released (3.72 t C/ha). On burnt areas standing vegetation was removed and litter thickness significantly reduced by approx. 30%, while no biomass loss from soil was detected. Fuel moisture content is negatively correlated to distance from the water table and has mitigating effects on fire spread if above 30%, resulting in unaffected deeper layers and numerous unburnt refugia patches within the fire perimeter. Our results indicate that prescribed fire can be a suitable management tool at Lake Neusiedl for the purpose of reed rejuvenation and wetland habitat regeneration.

Examining critical assumptions in global conservation practice.

The ability of conservation practitioners to design and implement successful conservation projects and scale up positive outcomes depends in large part on their ability to make accurate assumptions about the social and ecological contexts in which their projects operate. To understand the types of assumptions characterizing conservation practice and strategy, we examined 300 assumptions identified by conservation practitioners in project workshops at The Nature Conservancy, a large environmental nongovernmental organization, as being critical to the success of their conservation projects. We identified 7 conservation assumption themes (public attitudes and perceptions; capacity and resources; economic and behavioral factors; government, politics, and policy; impacts and scalability; knowledge and evidence; and organizational or internal factors), which primarily relate to the human dimensions of conservation (e.g., values, human behavior, relationships, policy, and politics). The conservation assumptions focused predominantly on project-level and place-based matters, rather than on the root causes of conservation problems. For people- and equity-centered conservation approaches, our findings suggest that conservation teams should systematically engage with areas of elevated uncertainty and should especially focus on axiomatic assumptions made about the broader contexts in which conservation projects operate. These insights can inform effective project design and adaptive learning and can directly improve project success.

Heart-felt responses to virtual reality games: investigating a polyvagal model of (re)connection to nature

ABSTRACT The environmental crisis is deepening as we exceed critical planetary boundaries. Addressing this crisis requires innovative approaches for public engagement. Grounded in Porges’ [1995. Orienting in a defensive world: Mammalian modifications of our evolutionary heritage. A polyvagal theory. Psychophysiology, 32(4), 301–318] polyvagal theory and its links to social resilience, this research explores the potential of a virtual reality (VR) game to change how our physiology responds to threatened ecosystems. Using the context of an iconic and climate-vulnerable natural attraction, the Great Barrier Reef, we test whether the VR game can elicit parasympathetic, ventral vagal states. Achieving this can balance typical fear-based conservation messaging, on the one hand, with embodied states that are associated with regenerative states (‘rest and digest’) on the other. Using electrocardiogram measures combined with semi-structured interviews, this study examines 31 participants’ experience while playing the VR game. Findings reveal a significant reduction in heart rate during gameplay compared to the baseline, while moments of coral bleaching increase heart rate, suggesting sympathetic arousal. Interviews show that participants experienced a mix of emotions, from calmness and satisfaction during gameplay to panic and fear during bleaching events. This research highlights VR’s potential to elicit ‘rest and digest’ parasympathetic states in the context of nature conservation and marine tourism, offering alternative tools for ecological engagement.

Zarys życia i działalności Wandy Teresy Grębeckiej, z domu Missala (5.05.1932 r., Łódź – 5.12.2023 r., Warszawa)

The article presents the life and activities of Prof. Wanda Grębecka (1932–2023), a Polish researcher specializing in the history of botany. Throughout her life, Grębecka was closely connected to the history of natural sciences. She authored and co-authored over 100 publications. The article includes a list of her works, comprising scientific articles, monographs, textbooks, and reports from society meetings and scientific committee sessions (Annex 1). Wanda Grębecka’s scientific interests focused on four main areas. The first was plant physiology; the second was Darwinism and evolutionism. The third area was the history of natural sciences, including the history of botany in Vilnius and Kremenets. She devoted special attention to Willibald Besser, publishing numerous articles about his activities and an extensive biography. The fourth focus of her activity was promoting the idea of nature conservation along the Polish-Slovak border, a project she pursued toward the end of her professional career. Additionally, her broader interest in the history of science was complemented by reports from scientific meetings and reviews of articles and books.

Status of spatio-temporal variation in water quality of Ashtamudi estuary: a Ramsar wetland, southwest India

ABSTRACT The study aimed to monitor the water quality status of Ashtamudi estuary – a Ramsar wetland situated along south west coast of India. Surface water samples collected were analysed to evaluate the spatio-temporal variability in water quality parameters. Riverine sites exhibited a relative lowering of total dissolved solids due to dilution effect via runoff, substantiated by rainfall and river discharge data. Increased average salinity during non-monsoon (23.84 ± 1.02 ppt) and subsequent enriched levels of major ions at sites near to Arabian Sea was attributed to seawater intrusion. The conservative nature of major ions was established through Theoretical Dilution Line. Relatively higher biochemical oxygen demand (average = 6.54 ± 0.82 mg/L ) during monsoon was due to allochthonous organic matter input and subsequent biodegradation, substantiated by depleted Eh values (range: −105.70 to −12 mV). Concentration of dissolved inorganic phosphate (range: 0.32–2.58 µM) and nitrate (range: 1.43–182.14 µM) during non-monsoon was comparable with already published data. Decline in phosphate content during non-monsoon was due to decreased runoff, adsorption to sediments, and phytoplankton uptake. Increased silicate concentration during non-monsoon (average = 28.73 ± 0.5 µM) could be related to biodegradation of phytoplankton detritus. In general, no drastic variations in water quality were noted compared to that of the earlier investigations.