Procrustean analysis of the set of spectral indices reveals the transformations in plant community hemeroby and functional structure induced by anthropogenic disasters

This study presents an integrated remote sensing approach for assessing the ecological consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka Reservoir in Southern Ukraine. The methodology combines spectral vegetation indices, principal component analysis, and Procrustean analysis to evaluate spatial and functional transformations in vegetation cover following a large-scale anthropo genic disaster. The approach was applied to floodplain ecosystems on Khortytsia Island and adjacent areas using satellite imagery from the Sentinel-2 mission for the years 2022 and 2024. A set of twenty-nine spectral indices, sensitive to vegetation density, pigment composition, water conditions, and soil properties, was employed to identify patterns in plant community dynamics and environmental change. Principal component analysis was utilized to identify the dominant axes of spectral variability, while Procrustean rotations facilitated the detection of significant spatial shifts over time. The results demonstrated strong correlations between changes in vegetation patterns and key ecological indicators, including hemeroby, naturalness, species richness, and functional diversity. Two primary ecological trends were identified. The first trend is associated with ecosystem degradation due to anthropogenic pressure, characterized by increasing hemeroby, a decline in naturalness, and reductions in both functional evenness and functional divergence. The second trend reflects the internal reorganization of plant communities under near-natural conditions, where increases in projective cover and species richness occur alongside a decrease in functional richness. Spectral ind ices, such as the normalized difference vegetation index, the normalized difference chlorophyll index, the red-edge vegetation index, the normalized difference tillage index, and the normalized difference water index, have proven particu larly effective in detecting both degradation and successional processes. This study demonstrates that satellite-based spectral indices can serve as reliable proxies for assessing the functional structure and ecological condition of vegetation. The proposed methodology provides an effective tool for spatially explicit and timely environmental monitoring, thereby supporting evidence-based decision-making in post-disaster landscape management, including the question of restoring water bodies or conserving newly formed floodplain ecosystems. This approach has broad applicability for long-term ecological monitoring, restoration planning, and adaptive ma n agement in regions impacted by significant anthropogenic transformations

Screening and identification of potential antibiotic-producing Actinobacteria from cemetery soil

Actinobacteria which dominated in a cemetery in Surakarta, Central Java, Indonesia has been discovered from a previous study. A total of 29 isolates of Actinobacteria were sucessfully collected. This study is challenging as the information on antibiotics producing Actinobacteria from cemetery soil is restricted. The aim of this research wa s to identify and characterize Actinobacteria isolated from cemetery soil , also to screen it for its antibiotic producing potential. A total of 29 Actinobacteria isolates collected from cemetery soil were screened for antibiotics using the agar plug diffusion method against the test bacteria Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus aureus , and Bacillus subtilis . Isolates with strong potential were characterized by colony morphology, spore type, and molecular identification based on the 16S rRNA gene. There are two isolates that can inhibit both S. aureus and B. subtilis , namely T5 (19. 3 and 17 .0 mm) and S6 (18. 3 and 10 .0 mm). Four isolates show ed moderate inhibition against E. coli , namely T15, T31, T34, and T42. Two selected isolates, T5 and S6, we re respectively white and yellow (aerial mycelium), while their vegetative mycelium wa s yellowish-brown with closed spiral spore type. Based on the analysis of partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene isolate , T5 was identified as Streptomyces sp. VEL17 (99. 9 %) and S6 as Streptomyces sp. strain ADE 004 (83.5%). Genetic di s tance of T5 to the 8 nearest strains based on 16S rRNA show s a close relationship range from 0.001 to 0.005, while by contrast genetic distance of S6 to the 8 nearest strains based on 16S rRNA show s a distant relationship range from 1.057 to 1.074. From this research, it can be concluded that the cemetery soil harbors Actinobacteria that show strong antibiotic potential against Gram-positive bacteria and are very close to Streptomyces sp. yet less potential against Gram-negative bacteria. Two selected isolates are prospective candidates for the biotechnology of potential antibiotic compounds

Fauna and importance of blister beetles (Coleoptera, Meloidae) of the Southern Aral Sea Region (Uzbekistan)

The territory of the Southern Aral Sea region has suffered the most from the environmental consequences of the drying up of the Aral Sea. That is why monitoring the state of the fauna of the region is very important. The article presents a complete analysis of the fauna of blister beetles of the Southern Aral Sea region and an assessment of its current state. For the first time, a list of blister beetles of the Southern Aral Sea region has been compiled, including 27 species from 2 subfamilies, 6 tribes, and 9 genera. Among them, Hycleus scabiosae, Meloe cicatricosus, Lydulus albopilosus, Rhampholyssa steveni, Zonitis flava were not found in our survey, while Epicauta erythrocephala, Mylabris coerulescens, Mylabris crocata, Hycleus polymorphus, Lytta deserti were recorded for the first time in the Southern Aral Sea basin. Of the four biocenoses (the Kyzylkum Desert, the Lower Amu Darya Biosphere Reserve, Southern Ustyurt and agrocenoses), the most diverse was the fauna of blister beetles of the Kyzylkum desert, including 19 species. Only 9 species were noted in the Lower Amu Darya Biosphere Reserve. The most similar are the faunas of the Southern Ustyurt and agrocenoses, which have 8 common species. The fauna of blister beetles of the Kyzylkum Desert is the most isolated. Blister beetle larvae (mainly species of the genera Mylabris and Epicauta) parasitize on eight species of locusts. The infestation of egg pods of Locusta migratoria migratoria by blister beetle larvae was 29.2% and that of Calliptamus italicus italicus – 32.8%

Peculiarities of the formation of phytocoenotic ranges of vegetatively propagated herbs and shrubs in forest plant groups of the Ukrainian Polissia

Forest ecosystems are characterized by a vast biological diversity, comprising millions of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, which interact and form complex food chains and interdependencies. Forest ecosystems contain several strata, from the litter vegetation and shrubs to the tree tops, each supporting an array of life forms and performing specific functions. The upper tier of forest provides the protection from the sun, thus controlling the microclimate at the lower levels, influencing the temperatire and soil humidity. Forests play a crucial role in the global biogeochemical cycles, such as carbon and water cycles. Trees consume carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere and produce oxygen through phosynthesis, mitigating the climate change. Water circulates through forest ecosystems, evaporates from the leaf surface, condenses in the clouds, and returns back to Earth as precipitation. Forest ecosystems continuously change subject to both natural and anthropogenic factors. Forests provide a variety of ecosystemic services, ranging from regulation of climate and preservation of soils to filtration of water and support of biodiversity. They also serve as living places for numerous vulnerable and endemic species, thus performing the role of natural reservoirs of genetic resources. Therefore, forest ecosystems are extremely ecologically valuable, and their preservation is crucial to a balanced functioning of the planet. Our studies were conducted in the forest ecosystems of the Desna-Stara Huta National Nature Park, located in the Ukrainian Polissia. The materials and methods of the study included systematic collection of data on the frequency of occurrence of vegetatively propagated herbs and shrubs in forest ecosystems of the Ukrainian Polissia. For the data analysis, we used statistical methods. In the studied group of plants, the largest phytocoenotic ranges, which included 7–9 types of phytocoenoses, were observed for Vaccinium myrtillus and Maianthemum bifolium. Narrow phytocoenotic ranges, which included only 3-4 phytocoenoses, were noted for Calluna vulgaris and Aegopodium podagraria. The narrowing of phytocoenotic ranges of the forest herbs and shrubs was found attributable to the populations spreading farther away from their hytocoenotic optima. As the stress factors increased, the species and populations underwent the following transformations: decline in the level of productive process, with decrease in the size of phytomass of individuals – diminution of plant size; their reproductive potential; reduced population density; changes in the age composition of populations, where the share of plants of older ages increased, while the share of pre-generative plants declined; changes in the vital structure of populations that reflected their diversity by vital condition, shifting from prospering to depressing. In total, those processes act as a limiting mechanism of expansion of the plants’ phytocoenotic ranges. The comparative analysis of the yielded results revealed that the species individuality of phytocoenotic ranges of forest herbaceous and shrub plants of the Ukrainian Polissia is characterized by two main parameters: the width of phytocoenotic range and the abundance distribution in the phytocoenoses within their phytocoenotic range

Morphological and molecular identification of Nematodirus species (Nematoda, Molineidae) from domestic ruminants in Uzbekistan

The species composition and distribution of the genus Nematodirus ha ve not been studied in Uzbekistan for a long time , even though nematodes are widespread in the digestive tract of domestic and wild ruminants and are one of the main components of the Molineidae fauna . The article presents the results of a study on the morphometric and molecular analysis of the genus Nematodirus Ransom, 1907 , nematode s of the digestive system of ruminant ungulates living in the territory of Uzbeki s tan. In the study, the species of Nematodirus identified from domestic sheep and goats can mainly be distinguished by the shape of the male spicules and the structure of the bursa. Nematodirus abnormalis can be distinguished from other species because the tip of the spicule is slightly curved and covered with an asymmetrical lanceolate membrane, N. oiratianus has a fused tip and a thin tube-like shape, and N. spathiger has a slightly curved distal tip of the spicule. Furthermore, based on the nucleotide sequence results of the rDNA ITS-2 region, the N. abnormalis samples studied were found to match Nematodirus sp. in the GenBank database, while the N. oiratianus and N. spathiger samples were 98 – 99% similar to the respective species. Phylogenetic analysis using ITS-2 nucleotide sequences revealed that N. oiratianus and N. abnormalis are closely related and sister species and N. spathiger and N. helvetianus are also phylogenetically close. The species N. abnormalis w as deposited for the first time in the GenBank database

The interactions between nematode and microbial communities offer significant insights into the impact of organic amendments on the productivity of Miscanthus × giganteus cultivated on marginal lands

The investigation is devoted to the analysis of the impact of organic fertilisers, in particular biochar derived from sewage sludge, on the productivity of the energy crop Miscanthus × giganteus and soil health on marginal lands. The results of long-term observations show that among organic additives, biochar demonstrates the most pronounced stabilising effect on the structure of the nematode community, although its impact on the total number of nematodes is limited. The application of biochar increased the diversity of trophic groups and modified the soil trophic network, which was dose-dependent. The experiment also revealed a significant impact of organic additives on the ecological indicators of nematode communities. In particular, the use of biochar significantly increased the Maturity Index (MI) and the Structural Index (SI), which indicates an improvement in the stability and complexity of the soil ecosystem. Reducing the number of migratory endoparasites and other plant-parasitic nematodes, such as Pratylenchus spp. was crucial in increasing the yield of M. × giganteus. The most pronounced changes were observed when biochar was applied at 10% (BD2). The field trial also assessed the impact of organic amendments on soil microbiological characteristics. Although the total number of bacteria and fungi did not change significantly, there was an increase in the number of Pseudomonas bacteria in the biochar-treated samples. This confirms the role of biochar as a stimulator of the growth of beneficial microorganisms and improvement of soil microbial activity. At the same time, the activity of dehydrogenase, which is an indicator of microbial activity, did not change significantly under the influence of additives. The test findings indicate that the addition of biochar has a beneficial effect on the yield of M. × giganteus, contributing to an increase in green mass at harvest. The impact of organic amendments was long-lasting, demonstrating the potential to increase the productivity of energy crops on marginal lands. Reducing the number of plant-parasitic nematodes, especially migratory endoparasites, was a key factor in improving yields. The outcomes of the study confirm the significance of an integrated approach to the application of organic amendments to improve soil health and increase the productivity of energy crops. The dose-dependent effects of biochar indicate the need to adapt application strategies to specific agroecosystems. Further research should focus on analysing the long-term effects of organic fertilisers on the functioning of trophic networks and microbiological processes in the soil

Assemblage structure of rove beetles (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in beech and mixed forests of the Gorgany Mountain Massif (Ukrainian Carpathians)

The assemblages of rove beetles (Staphylinidae) in mixed and beech forests of the Gorgany mountain massif are represented by 69 species belonging to 35 genera and 13 subfamilies. The identified species constitute 0.1% of the global fauna. The highest species diversity was observed in the subfamilies Staphylininae, Tachyporinae, Steninae, and Omaliinae, which together account for 81. 5 % of all recorded species. The subfamily Staphylininae comprises the largest number of genera – 14 in total – with 27 species. The genus Philonthus is the most species-rich, including 8 species. The genera Ocypus , Tasgius , Staphylinus , Qu e dius , and Xantholinus are each represented by two species, while the genera Othius , Deleaster , Platydracus , Emus , and Megal i nus each include only one species.The subfamily Tachyporinae includes four genera: Tachynus (5 species), Tachyporus (4 species), Lordithon (4 species), and Sepedophilus (2 species). Steninae is represented by a single genus, Stenus , with 5 recor ded species. Omaliinae includes four genera: Eusphalerus (3 species), Omalium (2 species), and Acrulia and Amphichroum , each with one species. The lowest number of species was recorded in the subfamilies Olisthaerinae, Micropeplinae, and Phloeocha rinae, each represented by a single species.A total of 28 species were common to both analyzed ecosystem types, including Om a lium caesum , Atrecus longiceps , Philonthus decorus , Ph . nitidus , Ph . marginatus , Ph . longicornis , Ph . splendens , Othius punct u latus , Deleaster dichrous , Staphylinus erythropterus , S . caesareus , Nudobius lentus , Oxytelus sculptus , Stenus comma , S . carpathicus , S . humilis , S . nitens , Tachyporus chrysomelinus , T . formosus , Lordithon lunulatus , L . trimaculatus , Bryaxis ca r pathicus , Oxyporus maxillosus and O . rufus . Dominance structure analysis revealed one dominant species in mixed ecosystems ( Philonthus splendens ) and three dominants in beech forest assemblages ( Philonthus splendens , Ph . marginatus , and Staphylinus erythropterus ). The proportion of subdominants in the analyzed assemblages was 18.3% and 14.6%, respectively. The checklist includes species found in forest litter, under stones, in plant and animal remains, animal dung, compost heaps, and fruiting bodies of fungi. In terms of trophic specialization, most species are predators, with some zoo-nematophagous and zoo-mycetophagous species also present. Certain species ( Deleaster dichrous ) show winter activity. Additionally, one species, Emus hirtus , is listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine

Sustainability of pasture ecosystems: The use of plant-based mixtures in the fight against helminths

In developing countries, cattle grazing is associated with damage from contaminated manure as one of the hazardous types of organic waste. This, in turn, threatens the sustainability of various livestock sectors and causes significant economic losses. Such countries need to develop new sustainable strategies for integrated control of animal helminthiasis. Parasitic nematodes can significantly reduce the productivity and viability of agriculturally important mammals and are very common in human populations where sanitary standards are not met. In recent years, there has been a significant trend of parasite resistance to chemically synthesized veterinary treatment, including broad-spectrum anthelmintics. The chemicals used with anthelmintic properties pollute pasture ecosystems. In order to achieve environmentally sustainable development and mini m ize the impact of these substances on the environment we determined in a laboratory experiment investigating the effects of eugenol, isoeugenol, thymol and carvacrol, individually and in paired mixtures, on Strongyloides papillosus and Haemo n chus contortus larvae and Trichiuris vulpis and Toxocara canis eggs. Mortality of S. papillosus larvae exposed to a 0.01% mixture of isoeugenol and thymol (97.5 ± 1.7%), eugenol and thymol (96.6 ± 2.6%), and thymol and carvacrol (92.0 ± 5.8%) exceeded 90%. Under the influence of a mixture of 0.01% eugenol and isoeugenol (89.1 ± 10.3%), eugenol and carvacrol (88.2 ± 8.5%), mortality was insignificantly reduced. Haemonchus contortus larvae were significantly more resistant to the influence of mixtures of 0.01% of the studied substances: maximum mortality was noted for eugenol and isoeugenol (80.0 ± 10.6%), eugenol and thymol (86.8 ± 9.6%). Under the influence of 0.1% of the studied substances applied separately, morta l ity of T. vulpis eggs reached its maximum for carvacrol (80.2 ± 11.4%), was significantly lower for thymol (55.3 ± 7.5%) and remained at the level of the control group (without influence of either of the substances) for eugenol and isoeugenol. Average mortality of T. vulpis eggs exceeded 90% when exposed to 1.0% thymol, eugenol, and isoeugenol. At this dosage, carvacrol inflicted the lowest mortality of the four substances studied for T. vulpis eggs. Under the influence of mixtures of these substances for 24 hours, larvae subsequently formed in the eggs of Trichiuris vulpis and Toxocara canis in more than 68% of cases. Mortality of eggs of T. vulpis was highest when exposed to a mixture of isoeugenol and carvacrol. Among the studied nematode species, the eggs of T. canis turned out to be the most resistant to the mixtures of the studied substances: the mortality of eggs did not exceed 16%. Our research results show that mixtures of even very low concentrations of eug e nol with thymol can reduce the viability of larvae of nematode species that are important in medicine and veterinary med i cine

Morphological characteristics of Dermanyssus gallinae (Mesostigmata, Dermanyssidae)

The red mite Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778), a dangerous parasite of poultry which causes significant economic losses to poultry farming, is widespread, including in economically developed countries. These mites are transient blood-sucking parasites that can attack not only birds and other mammals, but also humans, causing itching and dermatitis. A deeper understanding of the morphology and identification of D. gallinae will allow us to avoid complications in their differentiation from similar dermanyssid parasites, which may share the host species and environment. The aim of the research was to describe the morphological features and metric parameters of gamasid mites of the species D. gallinae, isolated from chickens in Ukraine. Morphometric studies have identified 30 parameters in male and 40 indicators in female mites, which characterize the general structure of the body, species-specific morphological features, as well as characters of sexual dimorphism. In male and female mites, the structure and dimensions of the body, gnathosoma, idiosoma, tagmas, dorsal shield, specific arrangement of dorsal setae, length of adanal and postanal setae, as well as the distance between sternal setae st1–st1, st2–st2, st3–st3, st1–st2, st1–st3, metasternal setae mst–mst, ventral setae vl1–vl1, adanal setae ad–ad are described. A characteristic feature of females of D. gallinae is the presence of a stylet-like second cheliceral article, while in males there are no cheliceral articles of a stylet-like shape. In males, the dimensions of the sternogenital and ventroanal shields are additionally described and determined. In females, the dimensions of the sternal, genitoventral and anal shields, the genitoventral valve, the length of the setae st1, st2, st3, mst, and the distance between the setae st1–mst were additionally described and determined. For the first time, the dimensions of females with a formed egg in their body cavity were described and compared with the dimensions of female mites without eggs. The data obtained in this study expands existing data on the morphometric characteristics of male and female D. gallinae

Global climate change will lead to a decrease in the erosion resistance of Polissya and Forest-Steppe soils

Soil erosion is an ecological process leading to both soil degradation and soil fertility reduction. The USLE empirical model incorporates the soil erosion index (K-factor), describing the susceptibility to soil erosion, which depends on the structural stability of soil aggregates. The article evaluates the spatial variability of the erodibility factor across Polissya and the Forest-Steppe regions of Ukraine and forecasts the changes in this indicator in the near-, medium- and long-term. The assessment of the soil erodibility factor K for the period 1970–2000 suggests that this indicator was at the level of 0.11 ± 0.013 t•ha•h•/ (ha•MJ•mm). The organic matter content is an important factor determining the soil's sensitivity to erosion. The highest stocks of organic matter in the region were observed in the northern part of the territory, due to the accumulation of organic matter caused by waterlogging of soils and extensive swamping processes. In agricultural areas, relatively low soil organic matter content was observed in some landscapes in the centre, south and west. The dependence of soil organic matter content on bioclimatic variables was established to predict the trend of changes in the soil erodibility factor K over time due to global climate change. Regression analysis was able to explain 79% of the variation in soil organic matter content. The statistically significant predictors of soil organic matter content were annual mean temperature, temperature seasonality, mean temperature of the wettest quarter, mean temperature of the warmest quarter, precipitation of the wettest month, precipitation of the wettest quarter, precipitation of the warmest quarter. The application of the predicted values of bioclimatic variables provided an opportunity to predict the content of organic matter in the soil and calculate the value of the soil erodibility factor K in the future. The forecast indicates that climate change is expected to result in a reduction of soil organic matter content by an average of 26.7% in 2021–2040, which would also lead to an increase in the soil erodibility factor K by 3.6%. In 2021–2040, the regional minimum organic matter content will shift from the southwest to the central part of the region. The zone of lowest erosion will decrease significantly and will be located only in the north-west of the region. The zone of highest erosion will spread in the latitudinal direction from east to west. In the period 2041–2060, climate change will not lead to significant changes in the content of organic matter in the soil, and, accordingly, the values of the soil erodibility factor K will not change significantly. The regional minimum of soil organic matter content will be observed in the southeast, and the regional maxima of soil organic matter content will be observed in the northeast and southwest. The regional minimum of soil erosion will remain virtually unchanged in the north-west of the region. In the period 2061–2080, climate change will also worsen the situation, and compared to 2041–2060, the organic matter content in the soil will decrease by 15.1%, resulting in a 1.6% increase in the soil erodibility factor K. The regional minimum of organic matter content will shift to the north and north-east. The regional maximum of soil erosion will spread in space. The differential approach allowed us to better reflect the trends in soil erosion. In the period from 1970–2000 to 2021–2040, the largest increase in soil erosion will occur in the north of the region. A decrease in erosion will occur in the south-west of the region. In the following period, the area of increased soil erosion will be localised in the east of the region. In the period up to 2061–2080, the area of increased soil erosion will cover the north and south-west of the region. Soil organic matter stock is a risk factor for increased soil sensitivity to erosion in the sense that a larger stock can be reduced to a greater extent. Thus, in the coming decades, the Polissia region should be considered the most risky in the context of the negative effects of climate change on soil erosion resistance. In the medium term, the deterioration trend will continue in the northeast of Polissia, and in the long term, threats will resume throughout Polissia