The concentrations of organophosphate flame retardants in the environment are increasing due to the growing volume of their production and usage. Trichloropropyl phosphate (TCPP), which is an organophosphorus ester (OPE), can be found in air, water, and soil. A significant amount of OPEs enters water bodies. Aquatic plants have been understudied in terms of their ability to accumulate organic esters. Meanwhile, plants are an important primary link in food chains. They play a significant role in the transformation and migration of organic compounds within ecosystems. The accumulation of TCPP in three species of aquatic plants, Lemna minor L., Ceratophyllum demersum L. and Elodea canadensis Michx, was studied experimentally at initial ether concentrations of 100, 500, and 1000 ng L–1. All plants accumulated TCPP. The maximum accumulation coefficient (BCF) was determined for all studied species at the lowest concentration of TCPP (100 ng L–1). In water with higher concentrations of TCPP, the BCF values decreased. With a tenfold increase in TCPP concentration, the BCF value decreased the least in C. demersum (by 17
Facing unprecedented challenges in biodiversity conservation due to global environmental changes and human activities, traditional survey methods are limited by inefficiency, high costs, and poor detection of rare/cryptic species. Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology, extracting and analyzing genetic material from environmental matrices (water, soil, etc.), has revolutionized monitoring. With non-invasiveness, ultra-high sensitivity and high throughput, it boosts detection of elusive/endangered species and enables large-scale spatiotemporal biodiversity research. Its applications cover three core areas: targeted detection of single species (e.g., endangered/invasive taxa), multi-species community profiling, and population genetic analysis. It also assesses ecosystem health, guides ecological restoration, and warns of invasive species for informed management. However, bottlenecks exist: no standardized protocols across matrices, data interpretation uncertainties (e.g., eDNA concentration vs. species abundance), and incomplete regional reference databases. Future priorities include matrix-specific standardized workflows, integrating mechanistic models to correct artifacts, and curating quality regional databases, to drive its adoption and build intelligent real-time monitoring systems for conservation.
This study systematically identified the key drivers of Myrmeleotettix palpalis habitat distribution using integrated machine learning models and ecological mechanism analysis. Through Pearson correlation matrix-based feature selection and hyperparameter optimization, we retained 15 environmental variables across topographic, climatic, and surface parameter dimensions. Random Forest and MaxEnt models were employed to quantify variable importance and stability, revealing a “tripartite regulatory framework”: (1) Topographic factors (Aspect, DEM) mediate microclimate through solar radiation redistribution; (2) Climatic factors (Bio18: warmest quarter precipitation, Bio4: temperature seasonality) serve as core energy-water suppliers; (3) Surface parameters (soil sand content, land use) constitute the resource foundation. The optimized MaxEnt model exhibited excellent performance (AUC = 0.966), identifying optimal habitats concentrated in the central-eastern Inner Mongolia steppe (3.67 × 105 km2) with a critical precipitation threshold (Bio18 > 320 mm). Our composite feature evaluation framework (importance-weighted 0.6 + stability-weighted 0.4) reliably prioritized ecologically robust drivers (Aspect composite score = 0.94, Bio18 = 0.81). These findings provide scientific targets for precision locust control and ecological intervention in grassland ecosystems.
The goal of the study was to conduct histological and morphometric examination on kidney tissue in small mammals inhabiting the Norilsk-Pyasino ecosystem. Three locations were identified at different distances from the industrial facilities of the Norilsk mining-metallurgic complex (and smelting company). Thirteen mammals were captured from three sites, including 10 males and 3 females. Kidney tissues of wild mouse-like rodents (Myomorpha) were examined by histological and morphometric methods. Hematoxylin-eosin was used for staining the histological sections of the kidneys. The following morphometric parameters were determined in the kidney histological section: (1) percentage of non-sclerotic renal glomeruli (
The dynamics of the abundance and distribution patterns of mycelial fungi, yeasts, and bacteria have been studied in the soil of a bilberry–sphagnum birch forest in Yaroslavl oblast, taking into account the biogeochemical background, and the contribution of fungi and bacteria to the net ammonification process is determined using inhibitor analysis. Bacteria are predominant in the birch forest soil (43.5–98.7 NH_4^ + , between the C/N ratio and CO2–C emission, and between yeast and soil moisture. The dynamics of the numbers of fungi, yeasts, and bacteria in the upper soil horizon are close and negatively correlated with temporary changes in ammonification (r = –0.86…–0.97). In the AT1 horizon, the contribution of fungi to ammonification prevails over bacteria, 208 ± 5 and 121 ± 3 mg N/100 g. In the peaty layer (AT2 horizon), a slight predominance of fungal activity over bacteria is noted: 98 ± 4 and 72 ± 4 mg N/100 g. In the eluvial part of the profile (the A2 horizon), a similar contribution of these groups is obtained, amounting to 8.7 ± 0.4 and 9.7 ± 0.5 mg N/100 g.
This article presents a new tree-ring network of chronologies for Scotch pine and Siberian larch for the Republic of Khakassia. The key difference between this work and previous researchers who had previously constructed two chronology networks for the region under consideration is the establishment of trial plots in the rain shadow on elevated habitats (hill slopes and cuestas) on the western border of the Minusinsk basins. An analysis of the main statistical parameters of the new chronology network showed that, with the exception of first-order autocorrelation, there are no significant differences between the two tree species. Based on the results of cluster and correlation analyses, regional chronologies for Scotch pine and Siberian larch are obtained (by generalizing local tree-ring chronologies). Verification of the new network with previously published chronologies for the study area has shown that some of them contain obvious errors. The use of such chronologies without corrections for paleoclimatic reconstructions, dating of materials from historical buildings, etc., may lead to the distortion of research results. Of no less importance is the use of modern (digital) methods for measuring tree-ring parameters to improve the quality of chronologies. The fact that even the most distant chronologies (up to 230 km in a straight line) for different tree species are in good agreement with each other in the future will allow us to significantly expand the dendrochronological network by including new areas (primarily pine forests of the Republic of Tyva and Krasnoyarsk krai). In the future, this can significantly increase the existing potential of pine and larch forests in the south of Siberia for conducting a comprehensive analysis of the growth of woody vegetation in the forest steppe over the past millennium and performing paleoclimatic reconstructions.
This article discusses the diagnosis of the environmental situation in the affected area of the JSC “Karelsky Okatysh” iron ore mining and processing plant (Republic of Karelia) based on changes in the width of annual tree rings and the chemical composition of the wood (Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Ti, V, and Zn) of Pinus sylvestris. Geoecological studies are conducted on the territory of the plant in Kostomuksha and on background monitoring stations in the Kostomuksha Nature Reserve. Radial growth is limited by air and soil temperatures, precipitation, and evaporation throughout the year, in particular during the growing season. Edaphic factors manifest themselves through a decrease in radial increments with an increasing content of poorly decomposed organic matter in soils. Since the start of the construction of the plant in 1978, climatic and edaphic conditions in the impact area have been affected by anthropogenic factors related to aerotechnogenic emissions of Fe, K, V, Ni, Zn, Mn, Co, Cd, and Cr. The chemical composition of wood is mainly influenced by the underlying bedrock composition, with the ore components Fe–Mn–V–Ni–Cr–Ti being present in the area of the plant. In 1978–2023, the parageneses of Mg–Sr–K–Ti–Zn–Ca–Ba reflect pollution from mining activities, while Mn–Cd–Zn is linked to vehicle emissions. Dendroindicators reflect local environmental transformations near production sites, quarries, dumps, tailings, railway tracks, and pulp pipelines. In Kostomuksha, pollution is also noted along highways and intersections. The bioindication integral parameter (BIP), based on the Harrington desirability function, indicates a relatively favorable state of organisms and a low level of disturbance. The effectiveness of dendroindication and BIP for environmental assessment is demonstrated.
The theory of geographic parthenogenesis initially described differences in the territorial distribution of sexual and parthenogenetic forms of animals, but then it was extrapolated to apomictic plants. It was argued that apomicts differ from their sexual relatives by larger ranges and preferential distribution in northern latitudes and at a high altitude. New information on the geographic distribution of sexual and apomictic species has been accumulated in recent decades. An analytical review of these data is given in this article. It is shown that the distribution of apomicts does not always agree with the above trends, and some of apomicts even demonstrate opposite trends. Belonging to the same genus does not guarantee the same patterns of distribution of apomicts and amphimicts. The most controversial position of the theory of geographic parthenogenesis is the assertion that apomictic plants are attracted to high altitudes. Possible prerequisites for the specific geographical distribution of apomicts are discussed. It is suggested that the reasons for the lack of uniform trends in the territorial distribution of apomicts and related amphimicts may be different ways of mode of apomicts origin and their evolutionary age, the diversity of apomixis types, and limiting factors that plants encounter during dispersal.
Based on materials gathered during late summer periods from 1954 to 2016 across the plains and mountains of West Siberia, we analyzed the zonation and provincial aspects of the distribution of the common vole (Microtus arvalis). Overall, the species is abundant throughout the region. On the West Siberian Plain, it prefers open and often cultivated habitats. In the forest-steppe zone, especially in steppe landscapes where its numbers peak, it shows preference towards partially flooded and swampy biotopes. Across the mountainous territories of West Siberia, Microtus arvalis predominantly inhabits open and (less frequently) mosaic lowland biotopes, particularly in agricultural lands and urbanized environments. A cluster analysis of abundance coefficients resulted in five categories of habitat suitability: optimal, suboptimal, subpessimistic, pessimistic, and extreme (where the species was not detected). This classification established correlations between spatial heterogeneity of species abundance and environmental factors and their combinations (modes). For the common vole, three groups of environmental gradients can be distinguished related to its spatial distribution: thermo-hydrological conditions (including variations in heat and moisture ratios within different zones and provinces), vegetation-related gradients (vegetation type, degree of woodedness, and tree composition); and local impact factors (agricultural land use, wetlands, floods, and the presence of human settlements).
This paper presents the first results of tracking the fall migration of the adult Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus) using GPS-GSM loggers from a nesting colony in the northern Sea of Okhotsk (Taui Bay) to the wintering region (Hokkaido Island). The migration distance (2600–4300 km) classifies the Okhotsk Sea population as “long-distance migrants.” Similar to other large white-headed gulls, Slaty-backed Gulls employ a “fly-and-forage” migration strategy during fall, with significant variations in routes and individual travel tactics, utilizing individual experience in choosing the stopover sites. The gulls preferred coastal migratory routes and exhibited flexible travel behavior. Birds used both overland and open-sea crossings to shorten their path and were active in the daylight and at twilight. Overall, fall migration of Slaty-backed Gulls is characterized by a low migration speed; close trophic relationship with Far Eastern (Pacific) salmon; and the use of anthropogenic food sources, while following fishing vessels and utilizing fish-handling waste and food scraps in settlements.
This is the first report on the algae and hydrochemical composition of the Kholchuktug mineral spring, located in the Sut-Kholsky District of the Tuva Republic. According to the classification of therapeutic mineral waters based on temperature, it belongs to the cold group, and according to the degree of mineralization, it belongs to the low-mineralization group. The identified species composition of algae is represented by 72 species belonging to 35 genera and 21 families from 4 divisions: Cyanoprokaryota (5), Bacillariophyta (53), Chlorophyta (2), and Charophyta (11). Seven dominants were identified, of which Meridion circulare, Diatoma mesodon, and Ulnaria ulna stand out. The species composition is dominated by diatoms. An ecological and geographical analysis is conducted, according to which the spring is dominated by benthic species with a predominance of indifferent forms in relation to halobity and active environmental response; 56 species are identified in the studied water flow as indicators of water saprobity. The predominance of xenobionts, oligobionts, and betamesosaprobionts is noted. Geographically, cosmopolitan and boreal species are dominant.
Changes in the properties of alluvial soils, the content of chemical elements N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Mo, B, S, As, Cd, Cr, Ni in soils and plants of the genera Carex, Salix, Eguisetum and the family Poaceae were studied In the floodplain landscapes of the Norilsk-Pyasina lake-river system in the direction the Daldykan River–the Ambarnaya River–Lake Pyasino–the Pyasina River–the Kara Sea. Natural factors were found to determine the differences in granulometric composition of soils, increased content of Cu, Ni and Co in soils and plants, surplus Fe and Mn and insufficient content of P, Zn and Mo in plants. The impact of technogenic contamination of the floodplains of the Daldykan, and Ambarnaya Rivers up to Lake Pyasino was proven to increase soil acidity and total Cu, Ni and Co content, as well as the concentration of the mobile forms of S–SO4, Ni, Cu, Co, Cr. Due to the changes in the composition and properties of contaminated soils, plants accumulated Cu, Co and B in excess and Ni in toxic concentrations for plants and animals. Both natural and technogenic factors determined the increased content of content of As, Cd, Hg, and Pb in plants as compared with their Clarke number, but not exceeding the maximal allowable concentrations in forage plants, and a reduced content of P, Ca, Zn, Mo in plants, making it insufficient for the normal supply of the elements to agricultural animals. Since the proportion of territories with anthropogenically contaminated soils and plants in the total area of the floodplain landscapes of Western Taimyr is lowl, their negative impact on the diet of reindeer in the region will be insignificant.
The diversity of ecosystems and soil cover in the floodplain-delta part of the Uldza River were studied for the first time. Marshy, meadow-marshy, meadow and steppe-meadow ecosystems are the most common. The small area of the territory under study is characterized by a variety of soils - from poorly developed stratified alluvial to highly-humified alluvial dark-humus and dark-humus (quasi) gley soils. They are supplemented by highly waterlogged and subaqueous soils of swamps and swampy depressions, where alluvial processes proper are less pronounced, and accumulation of humus, peat, formation of gley or quasi-gley horizons prevail. The main and additional (cryo-, eolian- and halogenesis) soil-forming factors for different types of soils are characterized. In the area of detailed soil survey, alluvial dark-humus (meadow) and light-humus (turf) carbonate soils prevailed, which are loamy in the upper horizons and sandy-sandy loam in the underlying ones. They are characterized by strongly alkaline pH values and carbonate saturation, insignificant humus content, except for the organogenic horizon (AU) of the alluvial dark humus (meadow) soil. The absorption capacity is at an average level of provision, but significantly decreases in sandy-sandy loam sediments. The exchangeable cations are dominated by Ca2+ and Mg2+, but the proportion of Na+ increases with depth. Alluvial soils are slightly saline, and the salinity chemistry is predominantly magnesium-sodium according to the cation ratio, and chloride-soda, taking into account anions. Geochemical features of the soils were established to be the accumulation of Ca, Sr, As and dispersion of iron group elements. A weak degree of chemical weathering (CIA), low biological activity, high heterogeneity of sediments (HM) were revealed according to geochemical coefficients. Soils under the study should be preserved as protected natural objects, as the basis for the diversity and functioning of original protected ecosystems. The obtained materials will be necessary for monitoring of possible functional and dynamic changes in the ecological status of floodplain-delta landscapes both under global and cyclic climate changes.
The relevance of studying the structure of food chains in high-latitude lakes characterized by oligotrophy and a significant influx of allochthonous organic matter from adjacent marshes is obvious. An attempt is made to identify carbon sources in various trophic groups (zooplankton, zoobenthos, and fish) and analyze the trophic relationships between them, taking into account seasonal dynamics in a small subarctic humified lake located in the north of Karelia (the coast of the White Sea). To achieve this goal, an isotopic analysis of stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes was carried out in the tissues of consumers and potential producers in different seasons (summer, autumn, winter, and spring) of 2019–2020. The results of the study reveal significant differences in the structure of the lake food web between the open water and ice-covered periods, which is likely due to changes in the level of phytoplankton primary production, sources and rates of allochthonous organic matter input, and a significant energy contribution from heterotrophic organisms associated with methanotrophs. The important role of methane carbon in the formation of organic matter in this water body is indicated by low δ13C values (<–40‰) in consumers such as zooplankton (dominated by Eudiaptomus graciloides) and chaoborids (Chaoborus sp.), apparently actively involved in the transfer of methane carbon within food chains. In summer, a significant contribution of diazotrophic nitrogen fixed by planktonic cyanobacteria acts as an important source of nutrients. Seasonal variations in δ15N values and trophic position are determined for the common perch (Perca fluviatilis). The data contribute to the understanding of the formation mechanisms of energy and trophic links in a humified lake food web with the influence of allochthonous organic matter.
This paper presents a current assessment of the synurbized population of the magpie (Pica pica) in Belarus. The species’ distribution across urbanized areas of the country was analyzed using quantitative bird census data collected in 2024–2025, covering all major suitable habitats in 19 large and 12 small cities across different regions. To identify patterns of habitat preference and breeding density, long-term studies were conducted on the largest synurbized population in Minsk from 2015 to 2025. The results indicate that the distribution of synurbized magpie populations is highly uneven across Belarus. Over 80
Aures region is one of the most affected area by the phenomenon of desertification. The main aim of the present study is to assess the desertification degree during three periods: 2003, 2013, and 2023 across the Aures region by integrating remote sensing and GIS techniques and the Artificial Neural Network—Multilayer Perceptron (ANN–MLP) approach. Five factors were used as indicators of desertification degree namely: Modified Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (MSAVI), Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), Bare soil index (BSI), Topsoil Grain Size Index (TGSI), and Land use land cover (LULC). Results show that desertification degree changes over space and time. From 2003 to 2023; very low degree class increased from 642.4 to 1003.8 km2, while the class of low degree decreased from 1305.2 to 1037.4 km2, then medium degree class increased from 335.7 to 354.5 km2after high degree class decreased from 2830.1 to 2661.7 km2, finally very high degree class increased from 99.7 to 155.6 km2. Kappa coefficient and Root Mean Square (RMS) values exceed 0.60 and 0.20, respectively indicating a good performance for the current model. The results obtained constitute a valuable support in the decision-making process, encouraging the application of protection strategies and combating desertification.
Climate change not only affects the changes in the distribution of medicinal plants, but also influences the quality of medicinal materials. Corydalis decumbens is an important traditional herbal medicine in China, but there is a lack of relevant research on its geographical distribution. This study collected 84 effective occurrence records of C. decumbens in China and used MaxEnt and ArcGIS software to predict for the first time the potential distribution pattern of C. decumbens in current and future China. The results show that bioclimatic factors, especially precipitation and temperature, were the main factors affecting the distribution of C. decumbens. The total suitable habitat of C. decumbens in China was 824209.39 km2 at present, accounting for about 6.15
In 2023–2024, the composition and quantitative indicators of zoobenthos of Lake Teletskoye were studied for the first time during the period of ice cover in annually freezing areas of the water body. A comparison of water quality according to the state of zoobenthos in the same type of communities in the water area with increased anthropogenic load (northwestern shallow) and in the water area of the reserve (Kamginsky Bay) is given. The current standards for environmental monitoring of the water body are optimized.
The relationships between indices of chemical soil pollution and the state of the microbiome of urban soils in transport, transport–industrial, and recreational zones of the city of Bishkek, as well as in the Ala-Archa Natural Park have been assessed. Using a DELTA X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, the total contents of Pb, As, Zn, Cu, Co, Mn, Cr, Cd, Hg, and Sb in the soils of the studied zones have been analized. The degree of contamination of the studied soils with heavy metals has been shown to depend on the traffic load and emissions from the thermoelectric power station. The functional diversity of soil microbiomes has been determined by multisubstrate testing, and the functional activity has been chromatographically assessed by carbon dioxide emissions. The health and stability of the microbial community have been evaluated using the shape coefficient of rank distribution of the substrate consumption rates (d), which serves as a measure of destabilization of the microbial system. A specific state of the soil microbiome characterized by a reduced number of consumed substrates, decreased metabolic activity, and destabilization of the microbial community has been revealed in the western part of the city. The studied heavy metals have been divided into groups by PCA depending on their effects on such biotic indices as microbial respiration and soil substrate consumption. The As–Pb–Cu–Co group is more strongly associated with the integrated indices of total heavy metal pollution (Zst) and most significantly inibited the substrate-induced respiration and consumption of pentose monosaccharides. The Hg–Cr–Mn group provides the most strong suppression of the consumption of amino acids and organic acids. The Cd–Zn–Sb group reduces the intensity of basal respiration and slightly increases the consumption of oligosaccharides and the entropy indices (Hk and χ2) of substrate consumption spectra. The use of the total heavy metal pollution index does not allow identification of a direct specific effect of heavy metal contamination on the soil microbiome, since in this study it did not show significant correlations with any of the investigated biotic indices. A conclusion is made that only the combined consideration of abiotic (chemical contamination) and biotic (microbiome responses) criteria should be taken into account when assessing the ecological risk of negative impacts on soils.
The frequent occurrence of extreme climate events has become a significant feature of global climate change, profoundly affecting regional sustainable development. This study takes the Yangtze River Basin in China as a typical area, selecting 14 extreme climate indices. Based on CMIP6 multi-scenario data, it assesses the exposure of the “production-living-ecological” space under different periods and scenarios, as well as its spatial evolution characteristics. The results show that extreme precipitation and high-temperature events will significantly increase in the future, especially under the SSP585 scenario, where indices such as Extremely wet day precipitation (R99p), Maximum 5-day precipitation (RX5day), Warm spell duration index (WSDI), and Warm days (TX90P) expand significantly in the eastern and central regions of the basin. Meanwhile, low-temperature and drought indicators like Consecutive dry days (CDD), Minimum value of daily minimum Temperature (TNn), and Ice days (ID0) show a general decreasing trend. The “three-life” space exhibits significant spatial and temporal exposure differences, with ecological space being most exposed to high temperatures and intense precipitation, followed by production space, and living space being relatively less exposed. The study reveals the vulnerable areas and dominant risk types of the “three-life” space under different extreme climate types, providing scientific support for spatial optimization and extreme climate risk management at the basin scale.
