Understanding the diet of farmland raptors is essential for evaluating prey availability, habitat quality, and planning wildlife-friendly agricultural practices. However, individual dietary assessment methods may capture different components of prey use. We therefore investigated the diet of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Türkiye by combining pellet analysis from a breeding colony in Central Anatolia with photo-based records from citizen science platforms at the national scale. We analysed a total of 93 pellets collected in June and July 2020, yielding 821 identified prey items, with a mean of 8.8 (SD = 5.4) prey items per pellet. Arthropods dominated the diet (99% of individuals). Coleoptera (68%) and Orthoptera (26%) were the dominant prey groups, indicating a relatively narrow trophic niche. Additionally, we screened 1,019 photos from citizen science platforms, yielding 219 unique prey records. Orthoptera were the most frequently recorded prey, and proportionally more often in photos than in pellets, likely reflecting detection bias toward larger and more conspicuous prey. Our results confirm the predominantly insectivorous diet of the Lesser Kestrel in Türkiye and show that pellet- and photo-based approaches provide complementary perspectives on prey composition. Integrating conventional and citizen-science-based dietary data can improve ecological assessments and support bird-friendly agricultural management in pseudo-steppe landscapes.
The concept of space–time equivalence refers to the observation that ecological patterns might look similar when studied in space or time. It has frequently been applied in studies on environmental (mainly climate) change, where appropriate temporal data are lacking. Here, we take advantage of long-term butterfly museum records, taken from 1985 to 2022 at multiple sites from three habitat types in the northern Austrian Alps. We ask whether the pattern of species accumulation, the demographic variability, and the temporal pattern of species turnover (β-diversity) of butterflies are qualitatively and also quantitatively equivalent in space and time. A power function model of species accumulation was able to describe the long-term temporal and large-scale spatial variability of butterfly assemblages. Slopes of the species accumulation curves and β-diversity were always higher in space than in time. Average species ranks of the most frequently occurring species in space were consistently higher than those in time. Both patterns were most pronounced in ecologically more specialised species and in pastures. We conclude that habitat characteristics and heterogeneity are more important for the degree of β-diversity than species traits. We predict that increasing spatial faunal homogenisation should shift butterfly and also other arthropod assemblages towards patterns of species accumulation with similar slopes.
The South African ragwort Senecio inaequidens is among the most invasive plant species in Europe, especially in mountainous and Mediterranean regions, and is suspected to exert allelopathic effects (release of chemical inhibitors) on native vegetation. This study investigated the allelopathic potential of South African ragwort using radish Raphanus sativus as a model species. In laboratory experiments, I treated radish seeds with ragwort leaf extracts at varying concentrations. After three days, the extract reduced radish seed germination by up to 40% in a concentration-dependent manner. High extract concentrations significantly inhibited radish seedling root length, whereas lower concentrations rather stimulated root growth. Measurements of oxidative stress-related parameters, including lipid peroxidation and total antioxidative capacity, showed no changes in treated roots. In a complementary pot experiment, I exposed radish seeds for 36 days to pulverised ragwort leaves mixed with vermiculite. This treatment delayed, but did not suppress seed germination. Subsequent plant growth and physiological status remained unaffected. The results suggest that South African ragwort exerts moderate allelopathic effects, primarily influencing seedlings, whereas mature plants appear less sensitive to its allelochemicals.
Land use change is one of the major drivers of global environmental change, as it affects biodiversity, soil quality, and consequently the functioning of ecosystems. In semi-arid regions of the Middle East, intensive grazing has historically led to soil degradation and loss of vegetation cover. Restoration approaches such as agroforestation with drought-tolerant tree species and grazing exclusion have been widely promoted to counteract these effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different land use practices: agroforestation with almond trees (AT), restored grasslands (RG), and heavy grazing (HG) on key soil properties including soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). The goal was to assess how these land uses influence soil fertility and carbon sequestration over time under similar ecological conditions. A total of 150 soil samples were collected from a depth of 0-10 cm across a 2.0-hectare area for each land use type at the Bolbanabad Research Station in Kurdistan, W Iran. Sampling was conducted in both September 1997, before land use transformation, when all areas were grassland used for grazing and September 2023, allowing for a 26-year comparative analysis. The findings revealed significant impacts of land use change on SOC and TN. Both SOC and TN increased substantially in the AT and RG areas, with the highest SOC (8.44 mg/g) and TN (1.46 mg/g) values observed in the AT land. In contrast, the HG area has the lowest SOC (2.02 mg/g) and TN (0.49 mg/g) values. Similarly, N, P, K levels and the C/N ratio mirrored these results, being highest in the AT and lowest in the HG areas. Under similar ecological conditions, agroforestation with suitable commercial tree species and grassland restoration appear to be effective strategies for enhancing soil fertility, increasing carbon sequestration, and promoting ecosystem resilience. However, additional research is necessary to establish sustainable grazing practices that support both livestock productivity and long-term soil health.
The karst fairy shrimp Chirocephalus croaticus (Steuer 1899) is a stenoendemic species restricted to temporary aquatic habitats in Slovenia. Focusing on the population from seasonal Petelinje Lake, this study investigates sexual dimorphism, age-related polymorphism, and reproductive traits, and provides insights into the evolutionary pressures shaping C. croaticus morphology, reproductive strategies, and adaptation to unstable environments. Sixteen morphological traits were analyzed across juveniles, adult males, non-ovigerous females, and ovigerous females. Results showed significant male-biased sexual dimorphism (average sexual size dimorphism (SSD) =-0.15), especially in antenna length, with males possessing longer antennae and slightly larger body size. Morphological differences between ovigerous and non-ovigerous females were subtle, despite greater variation in ovisac volume among nonovigerous females (33.5% vs. 84.0%). Age-related polymorphism was evident, with juveniles (mean body length 7.66 +/- 0.50 mm) distinctly separated from adults, while adult males (12.80 +/- 0.32 mm) and females (non-ovigerous: 11.91 +/- 0.32 mm; ovigerous: 13.12 +/- 0.25 mm) overlapped in size and morphology. Body size correlated positively with ovisac volume, but not with egg number, suggesting larger females invest more in egg size than their quantity. Compared to other fairy shrimps, C. croaticus females produce relatively few eggs-ovigerous female carried 24.5 +/- 1.31 eggs in the ovisac. Juveniles exhibited greater age size dimorphism from adults (average age size dimorphism (ASD):-0.50 males,-0.40 females) than adults differed between sexes (SSD =-0.15), indicating stabilizing selection in mature individuals. These findings emphasize pronounced male-biased sexual dimorphism, high variability in female reproductive traits, and challenge age group distinctions based solely on size. The study contributes to understanding reproductive adaptations of C. croaticus in temporary karst habitats subject to environmental fluctuations.
Restoration and conservation projects increasingly rely on artificial islands to support breeding colonies of rare or declining colonial waterbirds, as these structures can provide suitable substitutes for natural sandbanks. To attract Caspian terns Hydroprogne caspia to nest, we designed, built, and field-tested a combined acoustic-visual attraction system on an artificial island in the Szczecin Lagoon (north-western Poland) in 2025. The system was developed for long-term, maintenance-free operation under field conditions and was powered by a photovoltaic panel with a gel battery. The acoustic module broadcast calls from active tern colonies via weatherproof loudspeakers, while the visual component consisted of life-size 3D-printed decoys positioned within a manually cleared nesting area of approximately 2,000 m2. Bird activity and behaviour were monitored using motion-triggered camera traps operating throughout the breeding season and supplemented by periodic field checks. Following deployment of the attraction system, a single Caspian tern pair established a nest within the attraction area. Continuous camera monitoring documented the complete breeding cycle from egg laying to fledging. This represented the first documented successful breeding attempt of the Caspian tern in Poland. To our knowledge, this study provides the first detailed, field-tested description of an integrated acoustic-visual decoy attraction system for Caspian terns in Central Europe. The presented design offers a low-cost and replicable technical framework for restoration and conservation projects aimed at re-establishing breeding colonies of rare or declining colonial waterbirds on newly created or restored coastal habitats.
The problem of mosquitoes in Algeria is becoming more sensitive and critical due to the re-emergence of what we considered eradicated arboviruses. Therefore understanding their ecology and oviposition period can play a crucial role in having an effective and direct control program. The use of artificial oviposition sites in sampling of mosquitoes is considered a useful control program and makes a clear image of the mosquito species composition in the area. The study was carried out in El Tarf Province in Northeast Algeria, from April 2021 to March 2023, and the locations were selected in order to study the impact of the environment on mosquito species presence and abundance. We detected five species at three sites in the study area. Obtained data indicated higher richness in the urban and agricultural sites in contrast to riverine habitat due to the river contamination with sewage water which made the site inhabitable only for two species. The surprising result of this study was finding the invasive species i.e. Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus dominated, forming 61.12% of the all counted specimens, and outnumbering the native mosquitoes. There is a slight decline in the populations sampled in 2022, especially for Culiseta longiareolata and Aedes albopictus, and the population of Culex perexiguus quadrupled in one year, assumed to be due to the change in temperature between the two years. As artificial oviposition sites were checked two times per month temporal changes in mosquito abundance were also presented. The data collected on the mosquitoes' choice of breeding habitat can lead to planning practical and successful control programs, especially if accompanied by their spatiotemporal distribution.
Chytridiomycosis, caused by the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, is a major driver of global amphibian declines. While common toads Bufo bufo are considered relatively tolerant to infection, urban populations may be particularly vulnerable due to environmental stressors and limited dispersal. In this study, we screened toe skin samples from 49 B. bufo individuals collected in 2012 from six urban water bodies in Warsaw (Poland) for the presence of B. dendrobatidis using PCR-based diagnostics. All samples tested negative, indicating the absence of the pathogen in the surveyed populations. The absence of infection may reflect limited pathogen spread, resulting from habitat fragmentation and restricted toad movement within the urban matrix. However, given B. dendrobatidis high transmissibility and potential for chronic sublethal effects, ongoing surveillance remains essential to safeguard urban amphibian populations.
Habitat heterogeneity and fine-scale environmental gradients are key drivers of plant biodiversity in mosaic landscapes. I examined how small-scale habitat structure and neighbouring land use influence plant communities within meadow plots bordered by forest, shrubland, fallow land, or orchard. Using a nested quadrat design (1 m2, 5 m2, 25 m2), I assessed species richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity, and environmental conditions at multiple spatial scales. Plots adjacent to structurally complex habitats (forest or shrubland) supported higher species diversity (Shannon), whereas species richness increased mainly with quadrat size and showed mixed patterns among plots. Smaller quadrats also captured greater fine-scale variation, particularly in vegetation structure and species turnover, while microclimatic gradients in light and soil moisture strongly influenced diversity patterns. Moist, partially shaded plots supported the highest diversity, whereas open, high-light sites were dominated by a few heliophilous species. Among Ellenberg indicators, soil moisture values showed the strongest positive relationship with diversity, while other factors remained relatively stable; only fertility values declined slightly between years. These findings demonstrate that even in very small patches, subtle within-plot gradients can function as fine-scale analogues of habitat transition zones. Conserving structurally heterogeneous habitats and the fine-scale gradients they generate is crucial for maintaining species-rich and functionally diverse plant communities in fragmented landscapes.
This study outlines the methodologies employed to ascertain the kin recognition ability among different plant individuals proposing the root biomass allocation index (RBAI) and the contribution of the kin recognition ability to plant growth competitiveness, proposing the kin recognition facilitation index (KRFI). This study also proposed a theoretical framework, i.e., the `hypothesis of successful invasion and co-invasion of invasive plants driven by kin recognition' to clarify the successful invasion and co-invasion of invasive plants. This study will provide a robust theoretical foundation for determining the kin recognition ability among different plant individuals and the contribution of the kin recognition ability to plant growth competitiveness.
Grey partridge (Perdix perdix) is one of the most vulnerable farmland birds facing local extinctions in Europe. Its population decline has been reported in the last decades across the whole continent. Most studies indicate the intensification of agricultural practices and predation as likely causes of this decline. The decrease in the grey partridge population was particularly drastic (98-99%) in Hungary compared to other countries. We assume the mass release of common pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) that began in Hungary years before the decline of the partridge population that resulting high pheasant population density, played a significant role in the decline. We examined the relationship between the release and population size of the pheasant and the declining grey partridge in Hungarian data. We compared this with other negative factors mentioned in the literature. We found that the partridge population shows a stronger correlation with the change in the pheasant population than with any other factors (agro-intensity indicators, predator populations etc.). It suggests a significant role for pheasant maintained by continuous release in the possible causes of the collapse of the partridge population.
Biological invasions are extensively studied, however some aspects of their long-lasting dynamics remain unknown. For example, populations of invasive species were often too hastily recognised as regressed or even collapsed. Here we pay attention to the need for long-term monitoring and identification of key factors that determine the possible success or collapse of the invasive populations to accurately develop management plans and reduce the ecological threats, using the example of the ant species Lasius neglectus in Warsaw, Poland. The invasive garden ant L. neglectus has been spreading rapidly in Europe since the 1990s. These ants established enormous supercolonies in many European cities, posing a threat to the local native ants. Over two decades the spread of this species has not slowed down. However, after an initial period of rapid development, at least some populations of this species entered a phase of stagnation or regression. This was demonstrated by the research conducted in the second decade of the 21st century in several cities (including Warsaw) of four European countries where over 93% of 29 supercolonies inspected at that time did not display invasive features. Our current inspection, carried out in Warsaw after 10 years from the previous one, showed that all five supercolonies known before 2013 - including two previously recognised as declined, one as stagnated and one as extincted - still exist and are doing very well. Moreover, we revealed several new localities of L. neglectus in Warsaw mostly represented by well developed supercolonies. The results are discussed in the light of the concept of boom-bust dynamics in biological invasions of ant and its practical implications.
This study focuses on assessing mercury (Hg) concentrations in brown bear (Ursus arctos) hair at two sites-Strazov Hills and Belianske Tatry Mountains in Slovakia, within the Western Carpathians. The objective of the study was to assess mercury contamination in these ecosystems and to compare its levels between two sites, which differ in elevation and habitats. Mercury contamination, measured in mg/kg (ppm), was detected in all hair samples from both sites (N = 102). Mercury concentrations ranged from 0.0135 mg/kg to 1.2949 mg/kg, with the lowest and highest values recorded at the higher elevation site, the Belianske Tatry Mountains. The average values were also higher in the Belianske Tatry Mountains (0.29 mg/kg) than in the Strazov Hills (0.22 mg/kg). Despite this, the difference between the two sites was not statistically significant. This research contributes to the knowledge on the levels of mercury contamination in natural ecosystems and its possible impact on large predators such as the brown bear.
The black garden ant, Lasius niger, is known (especially in cities) for the mass mating flights of its sexuals. The literature on these flights is rich, except for one issue-their height. Such data are scarce and ambiguous. Based on the frequent finding of L. niger colonies on highly located balconies and an observation of ants from such a balcony colony killing arriving conspecific (alate and dealate) gynes, the possible height of these flights is estimated at at least 27-30 m. This result is discussed in the context of previous information.
Urban green spaces play an important role in supporting bird communities, but the impact of urban green spaces in areas with high forest cover on urban birds remains unclear. This study focuses on the city of Huangshan in East China, which has a high forest cover, and selects 29 sampling plots within four urban green spaces in the central urban area. The bird species and bird number in the sample plots were counted, we also estimated patch density and diversity index and vegetation characteristics (vertical forest structure, vegetation coverage, number of evergreen deciduous tree species, and fruit-bearing plants) as habitat characteristics affecting bird diversity. The results showed that heterogeneous plots (i.e. areas composed of various habitat patches) exhibited a richer avian communities, including greater species diversity and bird abundance than the pure forest areas. It was found that patch density, patch diversity index, vegetation coverage and shrub plants had significant effects on the bird community, but deciduous trees, vertical forest structure had more significant effects on bird community in the heterogeneous plots. These findings will help refine the spatial layout patterns of urban green spaces and optimize plant allocation for enhanced environmental impact.
Necrophobia is a widespread phenomenon in animals. Contact with a dead body may involve a potentially fatal threat, as corpses are often sources of infections. Ants recognize corpses based on specific chemical cues and dispose of them by taking them out from their activity zone, frequently piling them up in so-called `cemeteries: Necrophoresis (active disposal of corpses by physical removal), besides reducing the risk of infection for the particular species performing it, can also elicit necrophobia in other species living nearby. Some field observations suggest that in certain ant species corpses can be used to limit the activity of neighbouring colonies of competing species. In our study, we experimentally tested the effects of carcasses of dominant territorial Formica polyctena on the activity of F. cinerea ant under field conditions. We used F. polyctena workers freshly killed at low temperature with a preserved cuticular hydrocarbon profile and, for comparison, corpses stripped of their natural chemical label (washed in n-hexane). Our results confirmed the inhibitory effect of corpses, as the activity of workers correlated negatively with the number of corpses. On average the washed corpses reduced the ant activity by 9%, whereas the corpses with the preserved CHCs signature by 30%. Moreover, in some cases, the presence of washed corpses even increased the activity that did not happen in the other corpse type. Therefore, ant carcasses could be used as signals in interspemon is their use should be the subject of further studies.
Olive mill wastewater (OMW) is a by-product of olive oil production that, in its pure state, pollutes and harms the environment. We aim to minimize its polluting effect and investigate the impact of its direct application at diluted doses on soil quality and legume growth. In a pot experiment, the OMW doses of 12.5%, 25%, 50%, and 75% were applied and the growth of lentil and faba bean seedlings was studied. Fresh sampling of OMW was conducted in a modern cold extraction oil mill located in north eastern Algeria. Physicochemical properties of OMW and soil as well as plant physiological parameters are studied. The OMW used is a highly acidic effluent and rich in organic matter (56.29 +/- 1.05 g/L) and mineral content (10.33 +/- 0.2 g/L). The dose of 75% has significantly improved the properties of the soil by increasing its organic matter and electrical conductivity, and has also increased the leaf area of the plants. On the other hand the dose of 12.5% has improved plant height, leaf chlorophyll fluorescence, and total chlorophyll content. The research has shown that it is possible to use the OMW at diluted doses to improve soil quality in degraded land and food legume growth. Faba bean grew well in all soils treated by diluted OMW; it can be considered a tolerant plant to its pollutant effect, while lentil is sensitive and its growth is reduced by the increasing OMW dose. OMW is suitable for the vegetative development of food legumes, and it will be beneficial as a bio-fertilizer load of inorganic fertilizer used to enhance soil quality and its diluted form lessen its polluting impact on the environment and it is probably mostly important in semi-arid areas poor in organic matter.
Capturing birds during egg-laying or incubation to determine their condition often results in brood abandonment - up to 40% of broods for the great tit Parus major. At the same time, the weight of birds during the feeding of young is most often completely different (lower) than during incubation. Hole nesting birds are frequently the object of research, as they easily accept artificial nesting sites, i.e., nest boxes. We tested the possibility of determining the weight of an incubating female great tit without its capture by modifying the nest box to make it easily removable, allowing the female to be weighed along with the box. By taking measurements in such a way, we were able to determine the weight of the incubating female without breeding losses and brood abandonment. We also present changes in the weight of the same individuals (N = 15) during successive broods in the same season. These females were weighed twice during the incubation and feeding of nestlings during two broods (6 measurements in total per season). The presumed pattern was found, i.e., reduction in weight during the feeding of young. Females at the beginning of incubation of the first and second broods had similar weights, indicating that they rebuild their condition very quickly after the first brood's young have fledged. The proposed method is particularly recommended for determining the weight of birds during the initial stages of reproduction (nest building, egg laying and incubation) during which birds are most vulnerable to disturbances after having been captured.
The white stork, Ciconia ciconia, is both a species familiar and charismatic to the public and a subject of extensive scientific research. Poland harbours a substantial breeding population of this species, characterized by behaviours typical of long-distance migrants. To chart a future course for research on Poland's white stork population, to deepen our understanding of its biology as well as advance conservation efforts, consultations were held with 41 Polish researchers engaged with this species. Collectively, these experts proposed 208 research queries, which were subsequently refined and condensed to 60, and each was categorized into one of 12 thematic groups identified throughout the process. An examination of the barriers to realizing these research topics (n = 60) was also undertaken. Identified impediments encompass e.g. financial limitations (12%), labour intensity (13%), and the lack of clarity in methodological directives (20%). Notably, a significant portion of these issues (42%) were deemed less appealing for scientific exploration, particularly when the anticipated impact of publication- gauged by the prestige of the scientific journal-does not align proportionately with the required time and financial investment. Nonetheless, we anticipate shifts in the priorities and practicability of these research topics, owing to substantial technological advancements in both field data acquisition and subsequent analysis. Consequently, we advocate for a continuous review process, such as a re-evaluation every 5 to 10 years, to reassess the relevancy of these topics, incorporating new ideas or potentially discarding some. Additionally, AI Chat GPT 4.0 was employed to perform similar analyses as those conducted by the authorial team. These data, which are challenging to interpret unambiguously, may also be utilized in the future for comparisons between the usefulness of topics proposed by experts and the language model.
