Number Of Taxa Research Articles

Зообентос реки Зимней Золотицы в районе месторождения алмазов имени М. В. Ломоносова

22 invertebrate taxons of zoobenthos were found over the entire study period in the Zimnyaya Zolotitsa River at the Lomonosov diamond deposit. The number of sampling points (stations) for monitoring period is 6. The average number of taxons per station for the entire monitoring period is 11, ranging from 3 to 16. Almost annually, larvae of chironomidae were found at all stations in samples; the frequency of them for all stations over the entire monitoring period was 94%. In addition, the mayfly larvae (89%), diptera larvae (85%), оligochaeta (82%) and hydrachna (78%) were the most common. The average value of the Shannon index as a whole on the studied part of the Zimnyaya Zolotitsa river system for the period 2000–2021 amounted to 1.87, varying from 0.76 (the Svetly Creek, 2016) up to 2.9 (the Svetlaya River). The Margalef species wealth index as a whole on the studied part of the Zimnyaya Zolotitsa River was 0.85. The Pielu equalization index averaged 0.58, indicating the presence of dominant taxons in samples. The number of invertebrates on the studied section of the Zimnyaya Zolotitsa River over the years of monitoring varied from 110 to 28375 spec/m2, averaging 5369 spec/m2. The biomass of invertebrates on the studied part of the Zimnyaya Zolotitsa River over the years ranged from 0.026 to 29.060 g/m2, on average – 4.015 g/m2. Despite the lack of negative impact on the river ecosystem, one of the dominant groups in the zoobenthos is оligochaeta, the proportion of which varied from 4.4% at 148 km from the mouth of the Zimnyaya Zolotitsa River up to 24.1% at 152 km. Taking into account the relatively high proportion of oligochetes in benthic samples, an oligochete index was used to assess water quality in the Zimnyaya Zolotitsa River. In general, the Zimnyaya Zolotitsa river system is estimated as pure – the average оligochaeta index for all sampling points for the entire monitoring period was 8%. One-time increases in the оligochaeta index to maximum values suggest a slight contamination of the river based on the index gradation. These increases are likely related to natural processes in the river system, as evidenced by high оligochaeta index values at the upper sampling points (169 km) located outside the deposit area.

Clinging fauna associated with nearshore pelagic sargassum rafts in the Eastern Caribbean: Implications for coastal in-water harvesting

Tropical Atlantic blooms of pelagic Sargassum species are associated with severe inundation events along the coasts of Caribbean and West African nations that cause extensive ecological and socioeconomic harm. The use of in-water harvesting as a management strategy avoids the plethora of challenges associated with shoreline inundations. Moreover, with a growing interest in the valorisation of this raw material, in-water harvesting provides the best opportunity to collect substantial amounts of ‘fresh’ sargassum that can be used in a variety of applications. However, in-water harvesting of sargassum will remove organisms associated with the floating habitat, resulting in loss of biodiversity, thus creating a potential management dilemma. To address this management concern, we assessed the clinging fauna associated with sargassum rafts at various distances from shore. From a total of 119 dipnet samples of sargassum, we recorded 18 taxa, across 6 phyla (Arthropoda, Mollusca, Chordata, Platyhelminthes, Nemathelminthes, Annelida) with the phylum Arthropoda being the most speciose (n = 10). Our multivariate and model selection analyses support that distance from shore and season are the most important drivers of variability in community composition and that season is the most important driver of individual abundance and number of taxa across samples. Overall, rafts within 0–3000 m of the shoreline of Barbados harbored low biodiversity and were dominated by small invertebrates (mean size: 5.5 mm) of no commercial value. Results suggest that biodiversity trade-offs associated with in-water sargassum harvesting in coastal areas are likely to be negligible.

Stochastic Assembly Increases the Complexity and Stability of Shrimp Gut Microbiota During Aquaculture Progression.

The gut microbiota of aquaculture species contributes to their food metabolism and regulates their health, which has been shown to vary during aquaculture progression of their hosts. However, limited research has examined the outcomes and mechanisms of these changes in the gut microbiota of hosts. Here, Kuruma shrimps from the beginning, middle, and late stages of aquaculture progression (about a time duration of 2months between each stage) were collected and variations in the gut microbiota of Kuruma shrimp during the whole aquaculture process were examined. High-throughput sequencing demonstrated increases in the diversity and richness of the shrimp gut microbiota with aquaculture progression. In addition, the gut microbiota composition differed among cultural stages, with enrichment of Firmicutes, RF39, and Megamonas and a reduction in Proteobacteria in the mid-stage. Notably, only very few taxa were persistent in the shrimp gut microbiota during the whole aquaculture progression, while the number of taxa that specific to the end of aquaculture was high. Network analysis revealed increasing complexity of the shrimp gut microbiota during aquaculture progression. Moreover, the shrimp gut microbiota became significantly more stable towards the end of aquaculture. According to the results of neutral community model, contribution of stochastic processes for shaping the shrimp gut microbiota was elevated along the aquaculture progression. This study showed substantial variations in shrimp gut microbiota during aquaculture progression and explored the underlying mechanisms regulating these changes.

Biodiversity patterns of the benthic macrofaunal communities across the intertidal sedimentary shores of two Antarctic islands

Antarctic benthic ecosystems support a unique fauna characterized by high levels of diversity and endemism. However, our knowledge of the macrofauna communities across the Antarctic intertidal sedimentary shore is limited, and their fundamental ecological features, including spatial variability, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the abundance, community structure (i.e. taxa-specific abundance), and biodiversity patterns (α-, β-, and λ-diversity) of benthic macrofauna communities on intertidal sedimentary shores of two Antarctic islands (South Shetland archipelago, N of Antarctic Peninsula): Livingston and Deception. We conducted a quantitative sampling during two Austral summer campaigns (2004 and 2005), studying eleven intertidal sites, with five sites located on Livingston and six on Deception. Our results demonstrated a significantly higher abundance of intertidal benthic macrofauna communities on Livingston than on Deception. Furthermore, significant differences in community structure were observed between the two islands. In terms of biodiversity patterns, there were no significant differences in the number of taxa within communities (α-diversity) between the two islands. However, significant differences in the variation of community composition (determined by the number and identity of taxa) between intertidal sites (β-diversity) were observed, shedding light on the higher total taxa count (λ-diversity) on Livingston compared to Deception. We suggest that the island-specific characteristics (e.g., granulometric characteristics, ice disturbance, sedimentation rates, and geothermal activity) determine the differences observed in macrofauna communities. However, other ecological processes and factors are operating on different spatial and temporal scales (e.g., population dynamics, biotic interactions, oceanographic conditions, and climate change) that influence the occurrence and abundance of macrofaunal taxa. Our findings contribute to the fundamental understanding of the spatial variability of these communities and provide essential information for better management decisions and conservation practices in Antarctic coastal ecosystems.

Seasonal Changes in Nycthemeral Availability of Sympatric Temperate Mixed Forest Rodents: The Predators' Perspective.

(1) Background: Bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) and Apodemus mice are of exceptional importance as prey for predators in temperate mixed forests. We hypothesized that overall prey availability would increase linearly with prey frequency, and that the daylight hours, which are considered particularly dangerous, would be used only during seasonal rodent population peaks and only in the twilight hours. (2) Methods: We conducted a two-year camera-trapping study in an inner alpine mixed forest and collected 19,138 1 min videos in 215 camera-trap nights. Prey availability was defined as the pseudo-replication-limited maximum number of the respective rodent taxon per 30 min period, summed per season. (3) Results: Overall prey availability increased with frequency, i.e., the maximum number of rodent individuals per camera-trap night. Seasonally, Apodemus mice were particularly available to predators in the summer and bank voles in the autumn after a tree mast year. In both cases, this was accompanied by a significant increase in diurnal availability. During the population peak of Apodemus mice, the nocturnal availability of bank voles decreased without a concurrent increase in absolute diurnal availability, even though the significant relative shift to diurnal activity superficially suggested this. Bank voles were active throughout the day, while Apodemus mice were nocturnal and (rarely) crepuscular. (4) Conclusions: Availability of rodents to predators, especially during daylight hours, was mainly dependent on their tree mast-induced increased frequencies. Bank voles likewise responded strongly to interspecific competition with the larger and aggressive Apodemus mice, which negatively affected availability to predators. At our seasonal level of evaluation, we conclude that nycthemeral availability of forest-dwelling rodents to generalist predators of temperate mixed forests is predominantly driven by bottom-up mechanisms.

Adult Chironomid (Chironomidae: Diptera) Positive Phototactic Behaviour—A Cue for Adult Population Management and Impact on Insect Biodiversity at Lake Trasimeno, Central Italy

The positive phototaxis showed by adults of some pestiferous chironomid species, annoying to waterfront residents and businesses, was investigated at Lake Trasimeno (Italy) to develop a strategy against their massive swarms. Two experimental devices (ChiroTraps), located at Passignano sul Trasimeno (PA) and at Sant’Arcangelo (SA), were employed in 2019 and 2020. The total biomass attracted by the traps amounted to 6498.78 g at PA and to 8597.05 g at SA. Chironomids biomass constituted 99.66% and 96.59% of the biomass in these sites, respectively. Only a few specimens of other fauna except chironomids were found at PA. In contrast, the values at SA were considerable, being 91- and 35-fold (number of taxa and weight, respectively) higher than in PA. These results demonstrated that exploiting the light attraction behaviour of adult chironomids is an efficient method for managing their pestiferous populations, thereby reducing the necessity of using insecticides. By comparing the biodiversity in the two sites, it was evident that the differences were linked primarily to the environmental conditions. Finally, it is suggested that light trapping systems should be located in urban centres or floated on the lake surface to maximise the efficiency of trapping chironomids and minimising the impact on biodiversity.

Vegetation and flora in the vicinity of salt and brine extraction sites in the western part of Kuyavia (Poland)

The paper presents a syntaxonomic and floristic analysis of salt marshes formed at the soda factories in Mątwy and Janikowo, the salt mine in Góra, and the salt works and spa hospitals in Inowrocław. In the study area delineated in this region, the analysis also covered salt marshes formed in places of failure of pipelines supplying brine to industrial, medical and recreational facilities, as well as those discharging saline industrial and municipal wastewater were also analysed. A total of 611 relevés were taken using the Braun-Blanquet method in 215 inland salt marshes occurring in the study area during four consecutive growing seasons (1998-2001). A numerical classification of this set of relevés and of 124 taxa of vascular plants recorded in these relevés was carried out using TWINSPAN. Taxa from the prepared floristic list were assigned to five geographical and historical groups, and the percentage of species of these groups was determined for the saltmarsh flora of the study area. It was found that most of the groups of relevés distinguished at successive levels of hierarchical divisive classification, performed based on differential species, correspond through their species composition to six (out of seven) syntaxa of halophytic vegetation distinguished in the studies conducted about 40 years ago in the entire area of Kuyavia. Of the total number of 124 taxa, 14 species of halophytes were identified, including six obligate and eight facultative ones. The number of taxa in the geographical and historical groups was as follows: 22 spontaneophytes, 73 apophytes, 16 archaeophytes and six kenophytes. No diaphytes were found in the study area, however, seven species of cultivated plants were recorded.

Taxonomic composition and abundance of phytoplankton in the floodplain reservoirs of the Upper Ob (near the city of Barnaul)

The data on taxonomic composition of phytoplankton in floodplain reservoirs of various types (chute, oxbow and oxbow lake) of the Upper Ob served as an subject of the present study. The total taxonomic diversity amounted to 78 taxa (genus definition) belonging to 7 divisions: Bacillariophyta - 24 genera, Chlorophyta - 27, Ochrophyta - 11, Cyanobacteria - 8, Dinophyta - 4, Euglenophyta - 3 and Cryptophyta - 1 genus. Diatoms dominate in the number of taxa in the chute presented by the Bacillariophyta division; in oxbow and oxbow lake representatives of the greens, division Chlorophyta. There is the highest frequency of occurrence of large taxa: in the chute - diatoms 83.3 % and green - about 58.3 %; in the oxbow - single-celled golden - 91.9 %, green - 82.0 % and diatoms - 72.7 %; in the oxbow lake - golden -82.0 % and diatoms - 54.5 %. The maximum phytoplankton biomass values were detected in the lake in spring at the end of April - 4551.6 mg/m3, while in the chute the maximum for this indicator was reached only in mid-June - 673.1 mg m3. For the oxbow, the top of phytoplankton biomass was noted in early June - 1947.8 mg/m3 and in the end of July - 1807.0 mg m3. According to the biomass level of phytoplankton, lake and oxbow belong to mesotrophic reservoirs (up to 1.0 - 5.0 g/m3), the chute - oligotrophic (up to 1.0 g/m3).

Taxa Richness Differences in European Zoos between 1959 and 2016: Establishment Period and the Iron Curtain Matter

Zoos represent a social construct, whose form is influenced by societal development. During the 20th and at the beginning of the 21st century, they have been transformed from assembled collections to internationally managed insurance (ex situ) populations, and these transformations required some changes in taxa numbers and composition. Previous studies have already identified the trend of reducing the number of taxa kept in zoos worldwide. The aim of the present study is to verify this trend in Europe in more detail and therefore to identify the changes in taxa richness and mammalian taxa richness from 1959 to 2016 in the same set of 67 European zoos while considering their opening period (before 1900 and 1900–1960) and location with respect to the former Iron Curtain (Eastern vs. Western Bloc). There was no significant decrease in taxa richness; on the contrary, there was a significant increase in taxa richness for the former Eastern Bloc zoos. There was a significant decrease in mammalian taxa richness for zoos opened before 1900 and those of the former Western Bloc. These results demonstrate that mammalian taxa have declined in numbers to some extent and that the decline mostly concerns older zoos and those that have historically reached a different stage of development. This suggests that European zoos have not been subject to trends uniformly and should apply different and appropriate strategies when facing future (not only conservation) challenges.

The flora of the island of Rivanj and the vegetation of the macchia and forest of Rivanj and the Sestrice islets

According to literature data and field research conducted in 2019 and 2020, there are 346 vascular native and non-native taxa with the ability to survive outside crops (309 species, 36 subspecies and varieties) on the island of Rivanj (3,615 km2). Including 84 taxa in cultivation, we state that the total flora of Rivanj numbers 430 taxa. Those in cultivation are not included in the flora analysis. During earlier research, 45 taxa were recorded, while 385 taxa are listed for the first time in this work. In addition to the flora inventory, a taxonomic, ecological and phytogeographical analysis was performed. The results are presented in Tables 1–4 and Figure 2. The composition of the flora is dominated by angiosperms, in which dicotyledons (73.99%) are significantly more common than monocotyledons (23.99%). The flora also includes two ferns and 5 gymnosperms. By the number of taxa, the most represented families are Poaceae (13.01%), Asteraceae s.l. (11.85%) and Fabaceae (8.96%). The spectrum of life forms is dominated by therophytes (43.93%) and hemicryptophytes (24.28%), while plants of the Mediterranean floral element (42.77%) dominate in the phytogeographical analysis, which indicates the climatic conditions and geographical position of the island of Rivanj. Four endemics and four endangered taxa (Lathyrus ochrus – critically endangered, Carex extensa – endangered and two vulnerable taxa: Orchis tridentata and Parapholis incurva) were recorded in the flora, as well as five orchid. Eleven invasive taxa were recorded in the weed and ruderal vegetation of the settlement (3.18% of the total flora of the island). The investigation of the macchia and forest vegetation of the island of Rivanj and the islets of Sestrice was conducted in 2019 and 2020. The relevés were produced and analyzed according to the Braun-Blanquet method. Thirty relevés presenting the vegetation of the Quercetea ilicis and Pinetea halepensis classes were statistically analyzed and their dendrogram created. The results are shown in Tables 5–7 in accordance with the classic presentation regarding phytosociological relevés. Through the syntaxonomic analysis the Erico arboreae-Arbutetum unedonis Allier et Lacoste 1980 ex Foggi in Foggi et Grigioni 1999, Myrto communis-Pistacietum lentisci (Molinier 1954) Rivas-Martínez 1975, Pistacio lentisci-Juniperetum turbinatae Trinajstić 1987 ex Asensi, Díez-Garretas & Quézel 2007 and Myrto communis-Quercetum ilicis (Horvatić 1963) Trinajstić (1976) 1985 associations from the Quercetea ilicis class and the Pistacio lentisci-Pinetum halepensis De Marco, Veri & Caneva 1984 association. The autochthonous macchia and forest vegetation is mostly endangered by planted community of Aleppo pine on the islet of Mala Sestrica and on smaller areas on the island of Rivanj. North-west of the settlements on the Rivanj island a thick and impassable macchia grows. It is necessary to clear out the firefighting access paths and ban all activities that might cause fire.

Зообентос притоков верхнего течения реки Северной Двины

The investigation results of zoobenthos in nine tributaries of the Northern Dvina River upper part are discussed. Benthic fauna includes 20 invertebrate taxons. The number of taxons for the studied water streams ranges from 4 to 19. The number of invertebrates in the rivers ranges from 125 to 14 375 inds./m2 being 4934±1651 inds./m2 on the average. The biomass of invertebrates in the rivers varies from 0.09 g/m2 in the Kodima River to 28.77 g/m2 in the Avnyuga River averaging 5.9±3.1 g/m2. By the index of E.V. Balushkina, six of the studied rivers have been determined as moderately polluted streams (the index value 2.9-6.5) and three of them (Yumizh, Kodima and Evda) – as polluted streams.

Spatial and temporal distribution of the microbial community structure in the receiving rivers of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River under the influence of different wastewater types

The gradual intensification of human activity has caused severe negative impacts on the ecosystems of the Yangtze River Basin. Treated effluents still affect the environment and health of receiving rivers, particularly in terms of microbial community structure. However, relatively few studies have been conducted on the differences in the effects of wastewater types on microbial community structure. Three sampling campaigns (237 samples) were conducted in the Nanjing and Wuhan sections of the Yangtze River Basin. Our results showed that the microbial community structure differed significantly among the water periods and could recover to its original state at > 500 m downstream of the outfall. The diversity of the receiving rivers under the influence of industrial wastewater was higher than that of the other wastewater types, although the number of taxa was lower than that of other wastewater types. Cyanobium_PCC-6307 and Rhodoferax were screened for biomarkers in samples affected by domestic and industrial wastewater, respectively. Although different kinds of wastewater influenced the microbial community structure, environmental factors, and geographical distance were still the main drivers. This study suggests that treated wastewater still poses a risk to ecosystems and highlights the importance of effective management strategies for assessing ecosystem health.

An Evaluation of Toxic Properties of Woody Landscape Plants Used in Hospital Garden Design.

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the landscape plants used in the design of hospital gardens in terms of toxicity. Although plants have positive effects on humans, some plants can be toxic due to the compounds found in their bodies. The toxicity of plants is an issue that needs to be addressed in design, and it is important to investigate the toxic properties of plants in designs to be made in hospital gardens, which have a large user population and especially where people come to heal. Observation technique and document analysis were used in the study. Species were identified by taking samples from landscape plants in the gardens of state hospitals in Bursa. The distribution of the identified plant taxa according to toxic groups and their relations with each other were analyzed. Taxa used in hospital gardens were mostly nontoxic (54.43%). It has been determined that there is a linear relationship between the number of taxa and toxic groups, and the increase in the number of taxa also increases the number of toxic taxa. It is seen that toxic plants are used in the design of hospital gardens, but they are included in toxic taxa. It will be an important approach to raise awareness by placing labels showing the toxicity status of taxa together with the collection of toxic taxa at points far from users.

Analysis of microbiota reveals the underlying mechanism of PHF11 in the development of Enterococcus-regulated endometriotic cysts

Endometriosis (EMS) is a prevalent disease and the etiologies has not uniform. Microbiota is associated with human diseases. To delve into the relationship between EMS and microbiota, Ectopic (EM) and eutopic (EU) endometrial tissues, pharyngeal swabs, and stools were collected from EMS patients. The microbiota composition of EM and EU partially overlapped, with similar taxon numbers and diversity, but the richness levels were significantly different. A comparison of intestinal microbes in healthy individuals (FN) and EMS patients (FE) revealed that the richness of Enterococcus, Pseudomonas, Haemophilus, and Neisseria was enhanced in FE. In addition, Enterococcus-induced mice (EFA) presented with a higher degree of lesion infiltration and a wider distribution of lesions. Proteomic analysis revealed the expression of plant homeodomain finger 11 (PHF11) was notably downregulated in EFA. And the downregulated expression of PHF11 was accompanied by the upregulated expression of interleukin 8 (IL-8). Our findings suggest a potential regulatory mechanism for PHF11 in EMS development.

A Research on the Botanical Composition of Kükürtlü Neighborhood (Araklı/TRABZON)

The study was carried out to determine the pasture status of Kükürtlü neighborhood in Araklı district of the city Trabzon. The plant samples of the study were collected in 2022. Lup method was used for specifying the vegetation data. A total of 53 taxa belonging to 44 genera and 24 families were identified in the study. Poaceae (6) and Fabaceae (4) are the richest families in the total number of taxa. The other families and taxa numbers are as follows; Apiaceae (1), Asparagaceae (3), Asteraceae (3), Boraginaceae (2), Brassicaceae (3), Caprifoliaceae (1), Caryophyllaceae (2), Ericaceae (1), Euphorbiaceae (1), Geraniaceae (2), Juncaceae (1), Lamiaceae (4), Plantaginaceae (2), Polygalaceae (2), Primulaceae (2), Ranunculus (1), Rosaceae (4), Rubiaceae (2), Scrophulariaceae (1), Orchidaceae (3), Urticaceae (1) and Violaceae (1). The status of the pasture was determined as "Poor" with a pasture quality degree of 2.01.

High diversity of fungal ecological groups in Andean-Patagonian Nothofagus forests.

Native Andean-Patagonian Nothofagus forests harbour a unique diversity of microorganisms with diverse ecological roles. Although ectomycorrhizal associations constitute an important fragment of the biota associated with these forests, the factors affecting such communities are largely unknown. We investigated the biodiversity, relative abundance, and composition of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities in relation to two host tree species and ages and the soil properties in six monospecific and mixed evergreen-deciduous Nothofagus forests. We used the internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region by sequencing 9,600 ectomycorrhizae (ECM) root tips for the identification of fungi. In total, 1,125 fungal taxa at the genus level distributed over 131 orders were identified. The phyla Ascomycota (34.5%) and Basidiomycota (62.1%) were the most abundant, whereas Mucoromycota (3.1%), Chytridiomycota, Cryptomycota, Olpidiomycota, and Zoopagomycota occurred less frequently. The highest taxon diversity was found in old trees, whereas young trees often exhibited a lower diversity of the associated fungi. The fungal taxa were grouped into seven broad ecological categories, of which saprotrophic associations were most common, followed by pathotrophic, pathotrophic-saprotrophic-symbiotrophic, pathotrophic-saprotrophic, and symbiotrophic associations. We did not detect significant differences in the number of taxa in each category between young and old N. dombeyi and N. obliqua. Overall, the scale of the Illumina sequencing approach allowed us to detect a fungal taxa diversity that would not be possible to find through surveys of fruiting bodies alone and that have never been observed in Nothofagus forests before. Our findings suggest the impact of the proximity between sites, the similarity of the soil conditions, and anthropogenic use of the forests on the belowground fungal community's diversity and composition. Furthermore, there were differences between above- and belowground occurrences of the edible mushrooms B. loyo and Ramaria spp. However, future research, including on EMC tips found beneath fairy rings could provide significantly better correlations with the occurrence of aboveground fruiting body.

Optimization of the Korean river macroinvertebrate prediction and assessment System (KRIMPAS) for the biological assessment of rivers

The biotic community predictive model proposed in the River Invertebrate Prediction And Classification System which compares observed values at test sites with expected values in reference sites is used to perform biological assessments of rivers. In 2021, a Korean River Macroinvertebrate Prediction and Assessment System (KRIMPAS) for river integrity assessment was developed. However, since it was the early stage of development, improvement of the accuracy and precision of assessment was required. Therefore, benthic macroinvertebrates and six environmental variables collected from 357 reference sites between 2010 to 2021 were used to compare the prediction mothods and attempt to optimize the KRIMPAS. Based on the number of taxa (species and family levels) and six biological indices, the existing KRIMPAS method (Original method) was compared with two weighted average methods (W-Avg 1 and 2) according to the probability that a test site was assigned. In terms of statistical significance, observed to expected (O/E) values of the number of taxa, but, there were difference for most of biological indices. When the probability density function based on the log-normal distribution for each derivation method was applied, no difference was observed in the number of taxa; however, there were differences in the mean, median, mode, and variance for each biological index. A fit verification based on the normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE) for each derivation method was conducted, and the overall fit tended to be higher with the W-Avg 1 and 2 when compared with the Original method. Thus, to correct the current biological assessments of Korean rivers we propose the application of the W-Avg method as this would improve the derivation of the predictive model.

The hub of the wheel or hitchhikers? The potential influence of large avian herbivores on other trophic levels in wetland ecosystems

Goose and swan populations have increased concurrently with environmental degradation of wetlands, such as eutrophication, vegetation losses, and decrease in biodiversity. An important question is whether geese and swans contribute to such changes or if they instead benefit from them. We collected data from 37 wetlands in southern Sweden April − July 2021 to study relationships between geese, swans and other waterbird guilds, macrophytes, invertebrates, as well as physical and water chemistry variables. Neither goose nor swan abundance was negatively correlated with other trophic levels (abundance, richness, or cover). On the contrary, goose or swan abundances were positively related to abundances of surface and benthic feeding waterbirds, cover of specific macrophytes, and to invertebrate richness and abundance. Moreover, invertebrates (number of taxa or abundance) were positively associated with abundance of several waterbird guilds and total phosphorous with surface feeders, whereas water colour was positively (surface feeders) or negatively (benthic feeders) related. We conclude that waterbirds are more abundant in productive wetlands and that geese and swans do not show clear deleterious effects on other trophic levels included in this study. However, patterns may be masked at the species level, which should be addressed in further studies, complemented with experimental studies of grazing impact.

The Importance of Plants Belonging to Asteraceae Family as a Pollen Source in Beekeeping

In beekeeping, flowering plants grown in flora are important in terms of nectar and pollen. These plants are the only basic food sources for honey bees. This research was carried out in an area of approximately 2000 ha in Ordu, Altınordu District, and Dedeli Locality to identify the existing taxa and pollen sources in the flora. Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is grown intensively in the study area. Along with hazelnut gardens, there are also forest areas consisting of several decares. Plant taxa were identified during the flowering period in March, April, and May the growing period and flight activity time of honeybees. Additionally, 200 samples were collected from the pollen pellets of three bee colonies placed in the area between 07.00 am and 03.00 pm, one day a week for three months. As a result of a two-year study, 156 taxa belonging to the Asteraceae family were identified. Considering the number of taxa (with five taxa) and pollen pellet density (16.53%), it was observed that the taxa belonging to Asteraceae family were preferred more than other taxa. Taraxacum officinale W., Bellis perennis L., Doronicum spp. B., Sonchus asper L., and Calendula arvensis L. have been found to be important by honey bees as a source of pollen for the Asteraceae family. Thus, it has been determined that honey bees do not prefer every taxa equally in the flora as a source of pollen.

Fungal Community Taxa Differ in Diversity and Number between Live and Dead Prunus serotina Ehrh. Wood in a Protected Forest within Its Secondary Range of Distribution

Prunus serotina is an important invasive plant species in Poland. It was introduced to European forests, even in places currently protected by law, such as national parks. One major factor contributing to the spread of this species is the lack of infecting pathogens and incomplete knowledge about the relationship between the plant and microorganisms. This study aimed to identify fungal communities collected from freshly cut stumps of live and dead black cherry tree specimens growing in a protected forest. The main working hypotheses were as follows: (i) fungal communities inhabiting the wood of dead and living trees will differ in diversity and the number of taxa; and (ii) saprotrophic fungi will dominate in the wood of dead tree stumps. This study applied Illumina sequencing based on the amplification of the fungal ribosomal ITSI region. The average number of sequences (OTU) obtained from the analysis of dead tree wood was 101,758, while that of living trees was 94,150. These sequences belonged to 312 taxa, among which 254 were isolated from the wood of dead trees and 171 from that of living trees. Among the saprotrophs on dead trees, the following species were identified: Stereum rugosum, Ganoderma adspersum, G. applanatum, Peniophora cinerea, and Ascocoryne cylichnium. On the other hand, in the wood of living trees, Cytospora leucostoma and Botrytis cinerea were the most abundant saprotrophic species. The fungal communities inhabiting the wood of dead and living trees differed in the diversity and abundance of taxa, thus confirming our hypothesis. The results of our research conducted in a protected area indicate that black cherry wood can be naturally colonized by many pathogen species that can further limit its expansion.