Forestry and Game Management Research Institute

Afforestation is one of the feasible ways to restore post-mining land. Previous studies have shown that, under favorable conditions, forests can spontaneously establish through natural regeneration on post-mining sites developing by spontaneous succession, often colonized by pioneer tree species. However, the establishment of late-successional tree species is an important step in forest development. Here, we evaluate the growth of Norway spruce ( Picea abies ) in the understory of pioneer trees in successional sites developed through spontaneous succession, in comparison with spruce seedlings planted on conventionally reclaimed sites. The comparison of 14-year-old spruce trees shows that those growing in the understory of pioneer species are significantly taller, have higher chlorophyll and phosphorus content in their needles, a greater proportion of mycorrhizal root tips, and a higher content of ergosterol in the soil beneath them. However, the density of volunteer spruce trees on successional sites is significantly lower than the density of planted seedlings on reclaimed sites. Topsoil in reclaimed sites is alkaline (pH ∼8), whereas in successional sites, the pH is significantly lower (<7.5)—likely due to the greater accumulation of organic matter on the soil surface. Soil pH is negatively correlated with tree height, as well as needle phosphorus and soil ergosterol contents. We propose that the decrease in pH on successional sites is a major factor increasing their suitability for tree establishment. Surface leveling and subsequent tree planting, common in conventional reclamation practice, may result in less favorable site conditions than those arising from spontaneous succession and on-site natural seed germination. • Naturally regenerated spruce outgrows planted trees on post-mining sites. • Soil conditions under pioneers boost spruce growth, nutrient uptake and mycorrhiza. • Successional site colonized by pioneer trees has a lower soil pH. • Soil pH differences stem from pioneer trees and pre-reclamation site leveling. • Conventional reclamation may be less favorable than spontaneous succession.

Purpose: to study the relationship between morphometric parameters of intestinal lymphoid tissue and anthropometric indicators (weight, body length) in young female Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). Materials and Methods. The analysis included data from 12 individuals harvested during legal hunting and scientific shooting in 2023–2024 in the Kirov Region and adjacent regions. To study the intestinal morphometry of lymphoid tissue, small and large intestinal samples were used, in which the number, size, and spatial distribution of lymphoid nodules and plaques were measured. Anthropometric parameters (body weight accurate to the nearest 5 g, body length) were recorded before butchering. The study results revealed a number of significant patterns. First, a general biological relationship between body weight and body length was confirmed (ρ=0,800, p=0,002). Secondly, a strong correlation was found between the duodenum area and body weight (ρ=1.000, p&lt;0.01). However, negative correlations were also revealed: body weight was associated with a decrease in the number of lymphoid nodules in the duodenum (ρ=-0,800, p=0,002), while body length was associated with a decrease in the area of ​​the ileum (ρ=-0,800, p=0,002). Age-related dynamics of lymphoid structures in lynxes is manifested in a decrease in the number of nodules (ρ=-0,800) and plaques (ρ=-0,775) in the duodenum against the background of an increase in the distance between them (ρ=0,800). The species-specific characteristics of the lynx are reflected in the spatial distribution of lymphoid structures: in the jejunum, a positive correlation was found between the area of ​​nodules (ρ=0,800) and the number of plaques (ρ=0,632) and metabolic activity, which is characteristic of adaptation to an antigen load in the wild. Morphometric analysis revealed a structural reorganization of the lymphoid tissue: a decrease in the distance between nodules (ρ=-0.600) with a simultaneous increase in their number (ρ=0,600), indicating compaction and optimization of the spatial arrangement of immune structures. The predominance of lymphoid plaques in the duodenum (ρ=0,949, p&lt;0,001) is similar to data for canids, in which they constitute up to 70 % of the lymphoid mass of the proximal sections.

In this study, we used a generalised linear mixed-effects model (GLMER) to establish a predictive pedotransfer function defining the relationship between forest soil bulk density and total organic carbon. More than 950 soil samples were obtained from four forested areas with a wide range of bedrock (limestone, loess, crystalline volcanic, sandstone, alluvial loam, polygenic loam and transported materials rich in organic carbon) and soil types (Leptosols, Cambisols, Fluvisols, Podzols and Technosols). Model validation was performed by testing against 10% of the data randomly selected from the original dataset (10% dataset) and an independent dataset from the Czech national forest inventory (NFI2 dataset). The GLMER including sample origin locality as random effect displayed a highly accurate predictive capacity. Subsequent analysis avoided model simplification by excluding sample origin and retaining the global GLMER only. For all samples, the final model covered a range from 0.16 to 27.70% for total organic carbon and from 0.27 to 1.94g cm- 3 for bulk density. Model residuals based on laboratory values were symmetrical with a median value just 0.09g cm- 3 higher. While validation with the 10% dataset confirmed model parameter validity with high accuracy, validation using the NFI2 dataset indicated slight discrepancies, possibly due to differences in sampling method used. Individual GLMs fitted both validation datasets better than the global GLMER; however, Wilcoxon tests showed better consistency in the original model on the 10% validation data. Consequently, we suggest the global GLMER may prove more suitable for direct use in expressing bulk density from total organic carbon. The pedotransfer functions produced, particularly that based on global GLMER, can be used to express bulk density via total organic carbon content, or vice versa, with high accuracy. While based on a wide range of bedrock/soil types, further studies may be needed in other regions to validate the model for general application.

The dataset includes Pan-European maps of timber volume (Vol), above-ground biomass (AGB), and deciduous-coniferous proportion (DCP) with a pixel size of 10×10 m for the reference year 2020. In addition, a measure of prediction uncertainty is provided for each pixel. The maps have been created using a combination of a Sentinel-2 mosaic, Copernicus layers, and National Forest Inventory (NFI) data. The mapping was done with the k-Nearest Neighbour (kNN, k=7) approach with harmonized data of species-specific Vol and AGB from 14 NFIs consisting of approximately 151 000 field plots across Europe. The maps cover 40 European countries, forming a continuous coverage of the western part of the European continent. A sample of 1/3 of NFI plots was left out for validation, whereas 2/3 of the plots were used for mapping. Maps were created independently for 13 multi-country processing areas. Root-mean-squared-errors (RMSEs) for AGB ranged from 53 % in the Nordic processing area to 73 % in the South-Eastern area. The maps are on average nearly unbiased on European level (1.0 % of the mean AGB), but show significant overestimation for small biomass values (53 % bias for forests with AGB less than 150 t/ha) and underestimation for high biomass values (-55 % bias for forests with AGB higher than 500 t/ha). The created maps are the first of their kind as they are utilizing a large number of harmonized NFI plot observations and consistent remote sensing data for high-resolution forest attribute mapping. While the published maps can be useful for visualization and other purposes, they are primarily meant as auxiliary information in model-assisted estimation where model-related biases can be mitigated, and field-based estimates improved. Therefore, additional calibration procedures were not applied, and especially high Vol and AGB values tend to be underestimated. We therefore discourage from summarizing map values (pixel counting) over areas in interest, as this may inadvertently result in biased estimates.

Abstract Hylurgus ligniperda (F.) is a highly successful invader among bark beetles (Scolytinae) and forest insects in general. Native to the western Palearctic region, it has become established in every continent where its host plants ( Pinus spp.) occur. Especially in southern hemisphere regions with large pine plantations, it is often highly abundant. As a repeat invader with a wealth of information on various aspects relevant for biological invasions, it is highly suitable as a model organism for studying the role of international trade, the planting of non-native trees, and the potential occurrence of bridgehead invasions (where abundant non-native populations precipitate further invasions). In the present study, our specific objectives were to reconstruct the worldwide invasions of H. ligniperda and the pathways involved by using a multi-pronged approach including population genetics, analysis of historic interception data generated from inspections of imports, and records of establishments in the literature. Our review of the native and non-native ranges of H. ligniperda and the chronology of establishments revealed at least 13 separate invasions of non-native regions, beginning with Madeira (Portugal) before 1850, and, most recently, eastern China in 2019. We compared the population genetics of 464 specimens from eight countries in the native range and eight countries in the non-native range. Sequencing of the mitochondrial COI gene revealed the presence of 29 haplotypes in six well-supported clades, based on a Bayesian analysis. Non-native populations had significantly lower haplotype diversity (mean h = 0.219) than populations in the native range (mean h = 0.691). Countries in the non-native range had an average of about two haplotypes compared with about four haplotypes in native countries. In the non-native range, only one or two haplotypes were dominant, and these differed among invaded regions except for haplotype HL-H3 which occurred in Australia, New Zealand and China as well as in four countries in southern Europe, and HL-H4 which was dominant in New Zealand, California, New York State, and eastern China as well as two countries in southern Europe. Analyses of interceptions of H. ligniperda with imports arriving in five countries revealed that between 74% and 99% of interceptions originated from other non-native regions while in the USA, most interceptions were linked to imports from the native range beginning in the 1970s. Based on the combined evidence of the chronology of invasions, interception data, and analysis of haplotype distribution, we conclude that the early invasions (before 1950) probably all originated from the native range, while several of the more recent invasions probably originated from parts of the non-native range (suggestive of a bridgehead effect). However, it cannot be determined with certainty what the original sources of each of the invading populations were.

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Background: Zinc oxide nanoparticles are safe, non-toxic, and biocompatible. These NPs are used in food packaging materials, self-cleaning glass, ceramics, deodorants, sunscreens, paints, coatings, ointments, lotions, and as preservatives. This study explored the biological potential of ZnO nanoparticles synthesized using H. rariflorum. Methods: In vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Candida albicans, Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus solani were determined. Antioxidant activity was explored using the DPPH radical scavenging method. In vivo analgesic, antipyretic and sedative potential of synthesized nanoparticles was investigated using a mouse model. Results: SEM with various magnification powers showed that some particles were spherical while some were aggregated, flake-shaped, and hexagonal with rough and irregular surfaces. The EDX analysis revealed Zn (12.63%), O (22.83%) and C (63.11%) with trace quantities of Si (0.40%), Ca (0.54%) and P (0.49%). The XRD pattern indicated an amorphous state, with no peaks observed throughout the spectrum. The UV–visible spectrophotometry revealed a characteristic absorption peak at 375 nm, indicating the presence of ZnO nanoparticles. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) displayed several small peaks between 1793 and 2370 cm−1, providing evidence of the presence of different kinds of organic compounds with different functional groups. ZnO-NPs showed dose-dependent antibacterial and antifungal potential against all strains. Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were the most susceptible strains. The nanoparticles exhibited a maximum antioxidant effect of 85.28% at 100 μg/mL. In this study, the acute toxicity test showed no mortality, and normal behavior was observed in mice at ZnO-NP doses of 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg. For analgesic and antipyretic activities, a two-way ANOVA revealed that dose, time, and the interaction between dose and time were significant. In contrast, the samples had a non-significant effect on sedative activity. Conclusions: This innovative study suggests a potential use of plant resources for managing microbes and treating various diseases, providing a scientific basis for the traditional use of H. rariflorum.