Diatom and microarthropod communities of three airfields in Estonia – Their differences and similarities and possible linkages to airfield properties

Even though airfields, which are often anthropologically modified natural areas, are continuously influenced by human activities, their soils are still dynamic ecosystems containing various habitats for microscopic groups of organisms which are often ignored. In this exploratory study, the microarthropod fauna, Collembola (Hexapoda) and oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida), and diatom (Bacillariophyta) flora were identified in three Estonian airfields, both runway sides and snow-melting sites were investigated. The communities of these airfields shared approximately 10–60% of the species belonging to each studied bioindicator group. The shared species were generally characteristic of a broad habitat spectrum. Communities were also characterized based on their species richness and diversity and in relation to location and the purpose of different airfield areas (e.g. snow-melting sites vs. runway sides). Also, species indicative of a specific airfield or purpose of the area within the airfield were identified using Indicator Species Analysis. Some possible linkages between airfield properties and communities,  e.g. airfield that had highest pollutant concentrations had also maintained high diversity and species richness, were noted. Despite the contamination levels the airfield soils had still maintained a functioning soil ecosystem

Indoor air quality in residential buildings with straw- and reed-bale walls

Saabunud / Received 11.02.2020 ; Aktsepteeritud / Accepted 08.05.2020 ; Avaldatud veebis / Published online 12.05.2020 ; Vastutav autor / Corresponding author: Jane Raamets e-mail: [email protected] and reed are natural local insulation- and construction materials, which properties allow them to replace energy intensive building materials. In general, straw and reed as building materials are considered harmless to the environment and human health. Unfortunately, the use of these materials may bring about mould growth in buildings which may result in different diseases (for example irritation of eyes, nose and throat, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma) in people with weaker immune systems. No research has been carried out on the topic of microbiological community in straw and reed houses in climatic conditions similar to Estonia, although buildings made of natural materials are becoming more and more popular. The aims of the study were to investigate the indoor climate of buildings with straw and reedbale walls and to determine the factors influencing indoor air quality. In order to fulfil the set aim: (1) air quality was tested in the bedrooms of the studied houses, and the microbial species in air and walls were determined; (2) the indoor air quality parameters (CO2, RH%, and temperature) in air and at two different heights in the walls were measured. The results enable to conclude that the walls of straw or reed-bale house are suitable in Estonian climatic conditions, which as a result of professional design, usage of materials suitable for building, and high-quality craftsmanship provides a healthy and environmentally friendly housing

Effects of Agrotechnological techniques on soil fauna groups in various age Blueberry plantations

Magistritöö Aianduse õppekavalMuld vastutab nii kliima regulatsiooni, veeringluse, reostuskontrolli ja varude säilitamise eest.Samuti on muld elukeskkonnaks mullafaunale, kes osaleb nii mullas toimuvas aine – ja energiavahetuses kui ka lagunemisprotsessides Käesoleva magistritöö eesmärgiks oli välja selgitada pinnasepüüniste ja mullaproovide abil, kas agrotehnilised võtted omavad mõju mullafauna gruppide esinemisele eri vanuselistes mustikaistandikes. Töö tulemustest selgub, et kõige arvukam on mullafauna vanas, 2003. aastal rajatud mustikaistandikus. Uuel alal (2017. aastal rajatud mustikaistandikus), kus kasutatakse erinevaid agrotehnilisi võtteid (multśimine, kastmissüsteemid) olid arvukusnäitajad pea poole madalamad. Töö tulemustest selgus ka, et mikrovihmutamine omab mõju mullafauna gruppidele. Alal, kus kasutati mikrovihmutamist, puudusid 2018.aasta juunis nälkjad, sarnastiivalised (Homoptera), lehetäilised (Aphidoidea), teod (Gastropoda) ja augustis ka lutikalased (Heteroptera)). Lisaks agrotehniliste võtete kasutamisele tuleb arvesse võtta ka istandike vanust. Vanal alal on kooslus koos eksisteerinud pikemat aega ja seega ka stabiilsem. Kindlamate järelduste tegemiseks on soovitav korrata läbiviidud katseid rohkemate paralleelide arvu ja kontrollalade kaasamisega.Soil is responsible for climate regulation, water circulation, pollution control and stock conservation. Soil is also a living environment for soil fauna, which participates in both soil and energy exchange and degradation processes. The aim of this thesis was to find out, using soil traps and soil samples, whether agrotechnological techniques have an impact on the occurrence of soil fauna groups in blueberry stands of different ages. The results of the work presented that the most abundant is soil fauna in the old blueberry plantation, which was founded in 2003. In the new area (a plantation, which was founded in 2017), were different agrotechnological techniques (mulching, irrigation systems) are used, the abundance was almost half from the abundance of old plantation. The results also presented that micro-sprinkling has an impact on soil fauna groups. In the area where micro-sprinkling was used, in June 2018 there were no species of slugs, snails, homoptera, aphids found. In August there were no animals from genus Heteroptera found. In addition to the use of agrotechnological techniques, the age of plantations must also be taken into consideration. In the old area, the community has co-existed for a long time and thus more stable. In order to draw more firm conclusions, it is advisable to repeat the experiments

Hygrothermal performance of paper plaster: influence of different types of paper and production methods on moisture buffering

Paper as a material needs a lot of input energy. Many measures have been suggested to recycle paper, but still a huge amount of it ends in landfills. Hereby, one possibility for recycling paper - making paper plaster and putting it into service in indoor environment - is introduced. The study focuses on the moisture buffering properties of paper plaster. Two questions are under consideration in this article. Firstly, how paper type and production method influence the properties (dry density, drying shrinkage) of paper plaster, and secondly, what the material moisture buffering properties of paper plaster are. The plasters for testing were made from four types of paper (printer paper, glossy paper, newsprint and book paper). The production methods used were rumpling, grinding with a shredder or special crusher (prepared for the study) and soaking the paper after that. The dry density of groups varied from approx. 240 kg/m3 to 400 kg/m3. The shrinkage properties were from 3% to 10% in diameter. To evaluate the moisture buffering ability of paper plaster, the methodology introduced in the Nordtest protocol was used. Paper plaster is an outstanding water vapour buffering material [MBV=2.23-3.91 g/(m2·%RH)] belonging to the moisture buffering class "excellent" defined by Rode [15]. From the production methods rumpling gave the best value while printer paper showed the best values from the chosen materials. The tests with glossy paper resulted in modest values. To conclude, all the paper materials and preparation methods introduced in this study can be used to make paper plaste

Oribatid mite (Acari: Oribatida) communities of urban brownfields in Tallinn, Estonia, and their potential as bioindicators of wasteland successional stage

Vacht, Piret, Niglas, Helin, Kuu, Annely, Koff, Tiiu, Kutti, Sander, Raamets, Jane (2019): Oribatid mite (Acari: Oribatida) communities of urban brownfields in Tallinn, Estonia, and their potential as bioindicators of wasteland successional stage. Acarologia 59 (1): 26-32, DOI: 10.24349/acarologia/2019431

Diatom and microarthropod communities of three airfields in Estonia – their differences and similarities and possible linkages to airfield properties

Even though airfields, which are often anthropologically modified natural areas, are continuously influenced by human activities, their soils are still dynamic ecosystems containing various habitats for microscopic groups of organisms which are often ignored. In this exploratory study, the microarthropod fauna, Collembola (Hexapoda) and oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida), and diatom (Bacillariophyta) flora were identified in three Estonian airfields, both runway sides and snow-melting sites were investigated. The communities of these airfields shared approximately 10-60% of the species belonging to each studied bioindicator group. The shared species were generally characteristic of a broad habitat spectrum. Communities were also characterized based on their species richness and diversity and in relation to location and the purpose of different airfield areas (e.g. snow-melting sites vs. runway sides). Also, species indicative of a specific airfield or purpose of the area within the airfield were identified using Indicator Species Analysis. Some possible linkages between airfield properties and communities, e.g. airfield that had highest pollutant concentrations had also maintained high diversity and species richness, were noted. Despite the contamination levels the airfield soils had still maintained a functioning soil ecosystem