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Consequences of Spiraea tomentosa invasion in Uropodina mite (Acari: Mesostigmata) communities in wet meadows
AbstractVegetation cover has been consistently reported to be a factor influencing soil biota. Massive spreading of invasive plants may transform native plant communities, changing the quality of habitats as a result of modification of soil properties, most often having a directional effect on soil microorganisms and soil fauna. One of the most numerous microarthropods in the litter and soil is Acari. It has been shown that invasive plants usually have a negative effect on mites. We hypothesized that invasive Spiraea tomentosa affects the structure of the Uropodina community and that the abundance and species richness of Uropodina are lower in stands monodominated by S. tomentosa than in wet meadows free of this alien species. The research was carried out in wet meadows, where permanent plots were established in an invaded and uninvaded area of each meadow, soil samples were collected, soil moisture was determined and the mites were extracted. We found that Uropodina mite communities differed in the abundance of individual species but that the abundance and richness of species in their communities were similar. S. tomentosa invasion led primarily to changes in the quality of Uropodina communities, due to an increase in the shares of species from forest and hygrophilous habitats. Our results suggest that alien plant invasion does not always induce directional changes in mite assemblages, and conclude that the impact of an alien species on Uropodina may cause significant changes in the abundance and richness of individual species without causing significant changes in the abundance and diversity of their community.
Nowe stanowiska Drypta dentata (ROSSI, 1790) (Coleoptera: Carabidae) w Polsce oraz uwagi o jego biologii
Flower Strips and Their Ecological Multifunctionality in Agricultural Fields
Flower strips can be an important component of integrated pest management and contribute to reducing pressure on agroecosystems, which is why they are increasingly implemented as part of agri-environmental programs. They can be used as a multifunctional agronomic tool because they can prevent the decline of species diversity in the agroecosystem and increase functional biodiversity, which is a prerequisite for the provision of ecosystem services, such as pollination and natural pest control. Research highlights the great potential and multifunctionality of flower strips. This paper provides a synthesis of the most important information and research findings regarding flower strips and may be a useful tool in relation to the European Green Deal, which aims to move the EU towards a green transformation. Where intensive chemical treatments in agriculture have contributed to the degradation of the agricultural landscape, flower strips can support its ecological intensification.
Ground Beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of the Karkonosze National Park - current state of knowledge and needs for further research
Botanical Evaluation of the Two-Year-Old Flower Strip with Analysis of the Local Carabidae Population: Case Study
Flower strips (FSs) are an effective way to support the sustainable development of agricultural land. Properly managed FS on agricultural fields provide stable habitats for local arthropod populations, but over the years, it can be colonized by plants from the soil seed bank and then become a nuisance to surrounding crops. The aim of this study was to assess the botanical composition of FS in one year after establishment and to analyze the local population of Carabidae, most of which are predatory. Inventory of flowering plants in situ was made regularly from the beginning of June to the end of July, while beetles were collected in mid-July and August. It was found that plant species from the sown seed commercial mixture continued to dominate in the second year, but the proportion of species from the soil seed bank was also noted, ranging from 7.41% to 39.88%. It was concluded that Trifolium pratense L. and Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L. should be particularly recommended for strip sowing in the observed habitats. The species diversity (H’) of Carabidae was higher in the FS than in the cultivated fields. However, when comparing the Shannon–Wiener index for wheat and FS, regardless of time observation, no significant differences were noted. The most abundant ground beetle in the FS was Harpalus rupees, a universal predator that also feeds on weed seeds. Significantly fewer species and individuals of Carabidae were found in the alfalfa field than in the FS and wheat fields. The number of Carabidae was significantly higher in August than in July.
Chrząszcze (Coleoptera) Wielkopolskiego Parku Narodowego., Część 1., Chrząszcze saproksyliczne nowe dla Parku oraz uwagi o ich biologii i ekologii
Ilybius wasastjernae (SAHLBERG, 1824) in Poland – a relict species of Dytiscidae (Coleoptera) with unique habitat preferences
Mortality of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in discarded containers: Evidence from urban forests
Abstract Beverage containers are among the most common types of litter found in the environment. They act as ecological traps for ground‐dwelling invertebrates; however, their exact effect on particular animal groups remains unknown. The aim of this study was to assess taxonomic and functional diversities of ground beetles inhabiting urban forests that are threatened with being trapped in discarded containers. We compared assemblage composition and functional traits of ground beetles found dead inside containers with the assemblage inhabiting the surrounding area. The latter were identified using a combination of three sampling techniques: pitfall traps, hand searching and light searching (hand searching at night with a flashlight). The study took place in Wrocław, Poland in four urban areas, including three that have not been cleaned for many years and one that was regularly cleaned by the local community. In total, 53 species were detected, 51% of which were confirmed by container sampling, including species of conservation concern. No species were found exclusively in the containers. In uncleaned forests the frequency of containers with ground beetle remains, as well as their number and diversity, was significantly higher compared to the cleaned site. Our results confirm that discarded containers act as deadly traps for ground beetles in forest habitats. Despite certain methodological limitations, container sampling can serve as a valuable supplementary method for studying ground‐dwelling invertebrates, complementing traditional sampling techniques, particularly in littered habitats. Moreover, regularly repeated clean‐up actions can help to reduce the mortality of arthropods caused by anthropogenic debris.
Mentoring akademicki w naukach przyrodniczych: potrzeby, wyzwania, perspektywy
Mentoring akademicki odgrywa kluczową rolę w rozwoju młodych naukowców, zwłaszcza w naukach przyrodniczych, gdzie oprócz wiedzy teoretycznej niezbędne są również kompetencje praktyczne i umiejętności miękkie. W artykule przedstawiono definicje, formy i filary mentoringu oraz jego znaczenie dla rozwoju kariery akademickiej. Analizując literaturę przedmiotu oraz konkretne programy mentoringowe z kraju i zagranicy, autorzy identyfikują wyzwania stojące przed instytucjami akademickimi, takie jak brak formalnego wsparcia, niewystarczające kompetencje interpersonalne mentorów oraz ograniczone finansowanie. Wskazano również potencjał mentoringu sieciowego i interdyscyplinarnego w kształtowaniu innowacyjnych ścieżek kariery oraz podkreślono znaczenie jego instytucjonalizacji w środowisku akademickim.
Contribution to the knowledge of cave-dwelling fauna from the Prokletije Mountains
The article presents the results of the study on invertebrate fauna inhabiting caves in the Prokletije Mountains. This mountain range is located on the border of Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo. During the expeditions to Albania in 2021 and to Montenegro in 2022–2023, 17 caves and one bauxite mine were visited altogether. All the studied caves are located very high, above 1,700 m a.s.l., where the temperature inside is low, and several are filled with ice or snow. During the Albanian expedition 102 arthropods have been collected altogether. Among these were 19 beetles (Coleoptera), 44 flies (Diptera), three crickets (Orthoptera), five millipedes (Diplopoda), 16 Opiliones, six spiders (Araneae), two springtails (Collembola), and one tick (Ixodida). During the Montenegrin expeditions 226 specimens belonging to ten groups have been collected: 119 flies (Diptera), 32 beetles (Coleoptera), 20 caddisflies (Trichoptera), 21 spiders (Araneae), 20 Opiliones, six millipedes (Diplopoda), four bristletails (Archeognatha), two crickets (Orthoptera), one pseudoscorpion (Pseudoscorpionida), and one isopod (Isopoda). Ten species we recognized as troglobionts, four as eutroglophiles, and 11 as subtroglophiles. Among the collected species, three are new to Albanian fauna and two to Montenegrin fauna.