Pub Date : 2022-06-26DOI: 10.14712/23361964.2022.1
B. Baur, Patrick Steinmann, Peter Landert, José D. Gilgado, H. Rusterholz
In the past, the freshwater snail Theodoxus fluviatilis was abundant in the river Rhine, but was considered to be extinct in the Upper and HighRhine in 2004. We found individuals of T. fluviatilis for the first time at sites in the southern part of the Upper Rhine and High Rhine in 2020,where this species went extinct 16 years ago. There are several distinct haplotypes of this species; some of them occurring in geographicallyseparated regions of Europe. We used mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, COI) to trace the origin of the newly arrivedT. fluviatilis. We examined 269 individuals collected at 29 sites and compared their sequence data with known haplotypes of T. fluviatilisand other species of Theodoxus deposited in GenBank. We also analysed a historical sample from 1995 (collected before the species wentextinct), which revealed that the haplotype of the native T. fluviatilis in the High Rhine at that time was F28. In the recent samples, however,we found T. fluviatilis with the haplotypes F31 and “euxinus”, which are reported in the Ponto-Caspian region. Both haplotypes are crypticinvaders, colonizing the Rhine via the Rhine–Main–Danube canal and adversely affecting the remaining native populations of T. fluviatilisin Western Europe. Our findings are important for this species management by nature conservation authorities: lineages of endangeredspecies should be preserved and supported, while the spreading of invasive, non-native lineages (or species) should be prevented.
{"title":"Invading non-native populations replace native ones of the endangered freshwater snail Theodoxus fluviatilis in the river Rhine","authors":"B. Baur, Patrick Steinmann, Peter Landert, José D. Gilgado, H. Rusterholz","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2022.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2022.1","url":null,"abstract":"In the past, the freshwater snail Theodoxus fluviatilis was abundant in the river Rhine, but was considered to be extinct in the Upper and HighRhine in 2004. We found individuals of T. fluviatilis for the first time at sites in the southern part of the Upper Rhine and High Rhine in 2020,where this species went extinct 16 years ago. There are several distinct haplotypes of this species; some of them occurring in geographicallyseparated regions of Europe. We used mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, COI) to trace the origin of the newly arrivedT. fluviatilis. We examined 269 individuals collected at 29 sites and compared their sequence data with known haplotypes of T. fluviatilisand other species of Theodoxus deposited in GenBank. We also analysed a historical sample from 1995 (collected before the species wentextinct), which revealed that the haplotype of the native T. fluviatilis in the High Rhine at that time was F28. In the recent samples, however,we found T. fluviatilis with the haplotypes F31 and “euxinus”, which are reported in the Ponto-Caspian region. Both haplotypes are crypticinvaders, colonizing the Rhine via the Rhine–Main–Danube canal and adversely affecting the remaining native populations of T. fluviatilisin Western Europe. Our findings are important for this species management by nature conservation authorities: lineages of endangeredspecies should be preserved and supported, while the spreading of invasive, non-native lineages (or species) should be prevented.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47994710","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-06-26DOI: 10.14712/23361964.2022.4
D. Samaras, C. Damianidis, G. Fotiadis, S. Tsiftsis
The endemic oro-Mediterranean fir (Abies spp.) forests in Greece are valuable ecosystems with high ecological and economic importance. In the mountains in south-central Greece, the availability of moisture plays a crucial role in the floristic composition, structure and distribution of fir forest communities. Because of the predicted adverse climate changes for the Mediterranean zone, suitability of many habitats for the growth of fir forests will change. This study aims to quantify the degree to which these forests will be affected by climate change. Current and future climatic conditions in the area studied were estimated for two periods of time (2041 – 60, 2061 – 80) and two climate change scenarios (RCP 4.5, RCP 8.5). Vegetation releves were classified and ordinated. Recursive partitioning was used to reveal the most important factor for discriminating the main plant communities and determining the ecological threshold between them. Current and future suitability of bioclimatic space for fir forest communities was identified. The effect of climate change was assessed based on predicted changes in the potential distribution, in terms of size and location, of fir forest communities. Two plant communities that reflect the differentiation of fir forests into xerophytic and mesophytic forest types are described. Among several climatic variables, spring drought was the best factor discriminating these two forest communities. The quantification of the threshold for drought in these two plant communities was used to predict their potential distribution in the area studied. Potential distribution of fir forests in south-central Greece will change in the future, due to a reduction in suitable bioclimatic space and shift to higher altitudes. The effect is expected to be greater for xerophytic forest communities, especially in the worst-case scenario (RCP 8.5) and in 2061–80.
{"title":"Effect of climate change on fir forest communities in the mountains of South-central Greece","authors":"D. Samaras, C. Damianidis, G. Fotiadis, S. Tsiftsis","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2022.4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2022.4","url":null,"abstract":"The endemic oro-Mediterranean fir (Abies spp.) forests in Greece are valuable ecosystems with high ecological and economic importance. In the mountains in south-central Greece, the availability of moisture plays a crucial role in the floristic composition, structure and distribution of fir forest communities. Because of the predicted adverse climate changes for the Mediterranean zone, suitability of many habitats for the growth of fir forests will change. This study aims to quantify the degree to which these forests will be affected by climate change. Current and future climatic conditions in the area studied were estimated for two periods of time (2041 – 60, 2061 – 80) and two climate change scenarios (RCP 4.5, RCP 8.5). Vegetation releves were classified and ordinated. Recursive partitioning was used to reveal the most important factor for discriminating the main plant communities and determining the ecological threshold between them. Current and future suitability of bioclimatic space for fir forest communities was identified. The effect of climate change was assessed based on predicted changes in the potential distribution, in terms of size and location, of fir forest communities. Two plant communities that reflect the differentiation of fir forests into xerophytic and mesophytic forest types are described. Among several climatic variables, spring drought was the best factor discriminating these two forest communities. The quantification of the threshold for drought in these two plant communities was used to predict their potential distribution in the area studied. Potential distribution of fir forests in south-central Greece will change in the future, due to a reduction in suitable bioclimatic space and shift to higher altitudes. The effect is expected to be greater for xerophytic forest communities, especially in the worst-case scenario (RCP 8.5) and in 2061–80.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49082506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-06-26DOI: 10.14712/23361964.2022.3
Z. Křenová, V. Grulich, Alena Vydrová
The Bohemian Forest grasslands have emerged gradually over centuries, with political turbulence in the second half of the 20th century strongly affecting the region, including its meadows. Today, there are cultural and partly degraded meadows as well as fragments of highly valuable semi-natural mountain meadows, important biodiversity localities in the mostly wooded Bohemian Forest landscape. Their conservation value began to be taken into account in 1991, when the Šumava NP was established, and re-emphasized in 2004, when certain grasslands were recognized as Natura 2000 habitats. Maintaining favorable conditions of meadow habitats is a hard task even in strictly protected areas and the most common difficulties are listed in this paper. More attention has been paid to the management of grasslands in the region during the last decade. The Šumava NP Authority provides the necessary management of the most valued localities and has organized simple monitoring in some managed sites. This paper presents the results of the first five years of monitoring of 16 sites. Results are discussed, along with field experiences, and more effective management strategies are proposed. Appropriate and carefully executed management is recognized as a necessary tool for ensuring proper care of conservationally valuable habitats, including grasslands of European importance protected under the Natura 2000 network. Monitoring is an essential tool to observe management quality. Results of this preliminary study deliver a substantial set of experiences that can be used to improve the management and monitoring of Natura 2000 habitats, as well as other species rich meadows occurring in the Šumava NP.
{"title":"Monitoring of Natura 2000 grassland habitats in SAC Šumava","authors":"Z. Křenová, V. Grulich, Alena Vydrová","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2022.3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2022.3","url":null,"abstract":"The Bohemian Forest grasslands have emerged gradually over centuries, with political turbulence in the second half of the 20th century strongly affecting the region, including its meadows. Today, there are cultural and partly degraded meadows as well as fragments of highly valuable semi-natural mountain meadows, important biodiversity localities in the mostly wooded Bohemian Forest landscape. Their conservation value began to be taken into account in 1991, when the Šumava NP was established, and re-emphasized in 2004, when certain grasslands were recognized as Natura 2000 habitats. Maintaining favorable conditions of meadow habitats is a hard task even in strictly protected areas and the most common difficulties are listed in this paper. More attention has been paid to the management of grasslands in the region during the last decade. The Šumava NP Authority provides the necessary management of the most valued localities and has organized simple monitoring in some managed sites. This paper presents the results of the first five years of monitoring of 16 sites. Results are discussed, along with field experiences, and more effective management strategies are proposed. Appropriate and carefully executed management is recognized as a necessary tool for ensuring proper care of conservationally valuable habitats, including grasslands of European importance protected under the Natura 2000 network. Monitoring is an essential tool to observe management quality. Results of this preliminary study deliver a substantial set of experiences that can be used to improve the management and monitoring of Natura 2000 habitats, as well as other species rich meadows occurring in the Šumava NP.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2022-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42835631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-14DOI: 10.14712/23361964.2021.11
L. Mdellel, Ahmed Abdelli, K. Omar, Waleed El-Bassam, Mazen Al-Khateeb
This study aimed to determine the percentage infestation and population parameters of the green peach aphid Myzus persicae under laboratory conditions and evaluate the effect of aqueous extracts of three different plants (pot marigold: Calendula officinalis, mint: Mentha viridis and rosemary: Salvia rosmarinus) on the mortality of this aphid. Extracts of these plants were used at three concentrations (C1 = 15%, C2 = 30% and C2 = 45%). Results indicate a percentage infestation of 76.9 ± 9.4%, a mean relative growth rate of 0.062 ± 0.007 and generation time of 11.12 ± 1.42 days. All treatments reduced the numbers of aphids and statistically significantly reduced the number (α < 0.01) recorded after treatment with C1, C2 and C3 of each extract. C. officinalis extract was more effective than those of M. viridis and S. rosmarinus. The highest mortality (69.82 ± 5.23%) and efficacy (61.71 ± 4.46%) were recorded for the C3 of aqueous extract of C. officinalis, whereas the lowest mortality (38.24 ± 2.42%) and efficacy (32.41 ± 1.23%) were recorded for the C1 of extract of M. viridis. The data provided indicate that aqueous extracts of C. officinalis, M. viridis and S. rosmarinus have an insecticidal effect on M. persicae and can be integrated into a pest management strategy to reduce M. persicae abundance on pepper plants.
{"title":"Effect of aqueous extracts of three different plants on Myzus persicae Sulzer (Hemiptera: Aphididae) infesting pepper plants under laboratory conditions","authors":"L. Mdellel, Ahmed Abdelli, K. Omar, Waleed El-Bassam, Mazen Al-Khateeb","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2021.11","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2021.11","url":null,"abstract":"This study aimed to determine the percentage infestation and population parameters of the green peach aphid Myzus persicae under laboratory conditions and evaluate the effect of aqueous extracts of three different plants (pot marigold: Calendula officinalis, mint: Mentha viridis and rosemary: Salvia rosmarinus) on the mortality of this aphid. Extracts of these plants were used at three concentrations (C1 = 15%, C2 = 30% and C2 = 45%). Results indicate a percentage infestation of 76.9 ± 9.4%, a mean relative growth rate of 0.062 ± 0.007 and generation time of 11.12 ± 1.42 days. All treatments reduced the numbers of aphids and statistically significantly reduced the number (α < 0.01) recorded after treatment with C1, C2 and C3 of each extract. C. officinalis extract was more effective than those of M. viridis and S. rosmarinus. The highest mortality (69.82 ± 5.23%) and efficacy (61.71 ± 4.46%) were recorded for the C3 of aqueous extract of C. officinalis, whereas the lowest mortality (38.24 ± 2.42%) and efficacy (32.41 ± 1.23%) were recorded for the C1 of extract of M. viridis. The data provided indicate that aqueous extracts of C. officinalis, M. viridis and S. rosmarinus have an insecticidal effect on M. persicae and can be integrated into a pest management strategy to reduce M. persicae abundance on pepper plants.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48925344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-14DOI: 10.14712/23361964.2021.10
Z. Křenová, Z. Chocholoušková, V. Zýval
The Golden Trail, used for the transport of salt from alpine mines to the Czech Kingdom for centuries, was a crucial ancient trade route in the Central European region. The contemporary road I/4, copying the Golden Trail, plays the same role today. The I/4 is used year round with deicing salt, a common standard, applied for winter maintenance. Deicing salt is often used, even in sections where the I/4 passes through the Bohemian Forest and its protected areas. The effects of applying deicing salts on ecosystems in the region is well documented. In addition to many other effects, high concentrations of salt along the roads cause significant changes in plant communities. Plant species sensitive to salinity disappear and the abundance of halophytes increases. Roads are also trajectories for the migration of neophytes. Seeds or other propagules are transported with cargo or in car tires. In this paper, we present our findings on the pilgrimage of Plantago coronopus, a true halophyte, into the Bohemian Forest. We also describe the species’ colonisation strategy and human measures supporting its successful migration in a region of high conservation value.
{"title":"Salt no longer travels through the Bohemian Forest along the Golden Trail, but halophytic neophytes do","authors":"Z. Křenová, Z. Chocholoušková, V. Zýval","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2021.10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2021.10","url":null,"abstract":"The Golden Trail, used for the transport of salt from alpine mines to the Czech Kingdom for centuries, was a crucial ancient trade route in the Central European region. The contemporary road I/4, copying the Golden Trail, plays the same role today. The I/4 is used year round with deicing salt, a common standard, applied for winter maintenance. Deicing salt is often used, even in sections where the I/4 passes through the Bohemian Forest and its protected areas. The effects of applying deicing salts on ecosystems in the region is well documented. In addition to many other effects, high concentrations of salt along the roads cause significant changes in plant communities. Plant species sensitive to salinity disappear and the abundance of halophytes increases. Roads are also trajectories for the migration of neophytes. Seeds or other propagules are transported with cargo or in car tires. In this paper, we present our findings on the pilgrimage of Plantago coronopus, a true halophyte, into the Bohemian Forest. We also describe the species’ colonisation strategy and human measures supporting its successful migration in a region of high conservation value.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41326017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-14DOI: 10.14712/23361964.2021.7
Soňa Vařachová, B. Shrestha
Climate change is something no one can ignore. While some people are still questioning the source of this issue, many are already working on solutions for the world’s species, for which climate change might mean another step toward extinction. We are presenting here the basic idea of an innovative conservation approach, climate-smart conservation, which has a potential to mitigate the impacts of climate change and therefore protect some vulnerable species from demise. Next to its key characteristics we present examples of already ongoing practices involving climate-smart conservation and possible use of this approach in conservation of the snow leopard.
{"title":"Climate-smart conservation, a new way to tackle the global species conservation crisis","authors":"Soňa Vařachová, B. Shrestha","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2021.7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2021.7","url":null,"abstract":"Climate change is something no one can ignore. While some people are still questioning the source of this issue, many are already working on solutions for the world’s species, for which climate change might mean another step toward extinction. We are presenting here the basic idea of an innovative conservation approach, climate-smart conservation, which has a potential to mitigate the impacts of climate change and therefore protect some vulnerable species from demise. Next to its key characteristics we present examples of already ongoing practices involving climate-smart conservation and possible use of this approach in conservation of the snow leopard.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48938986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-14DOI: 10.14712/23361964.2021.9
Richard Svidenský, Andrea Kučerová, H. Čížková
European fishponds can serve as refuges for water birds if the fish stocks are limited, but the effects of other ecological factors on their ecological stability are rarely considered. The aim of this study is to determine the causes of marked dieback of littoral stands dominated by Typha angustifolia L. in a hypertrophic fishpond that is also a valuable water bird reserve. A field study and two experiments were conducted in order to separate the effects of mineral nutrient availability, redox conditions, fish and water birds. The physico-chemical characteristics of the water and sediments confirmed hypertrophic conditions in the fishpond, but a mesocosm experiment did not indicate it had a negative effect on plant growth. On the other hand, a field enclosure experiment showed that in sparse stands, unfenced parts had a significantly smaller shoot density than fenced parts. This was attributed to grazing by greylag geese (Anser anser L.). In addition, damage to belowground parts of plants were ascribed to large individuals of albeit a few large common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). This study highlights a conservation dilemma as large numbers of geese destroy littoral stands in fishpond nature reserves, which then become unsuitable nesting sites for other species of water birds.
{"title":"Causes of the dieback of littoral stands in an overpopulated water-bird reserve: Role of eutrophication, fish and geese","authors":"Richard Svidenský, Andrea Kučerová, H. Čížková","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2021.9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2021.9","url":null,"abstract":"European fishponds can serve as refuges for water birds if the fish stocks are limited, but the effects of other ecological factors on their ecological stability are rarely considered. The aim of this study is to determine the causes of marked dieback of littoral stands dominated by Typha angustifolia L. in a hypertrophic fishpond that is also a valuable water bird reserve. A field study and two experiments were conducted in order to separate the effects of mineral nutrient availability, redox conditions, fish and water birds. The physico-chemical characteristics of the water and sediments confirmed hypertrophic conditions in the fishpond, but a mesocosm experiment did not indicate it had a negative effect on plant growth. On the other hand, a field enclosure experiment showed that in sparse stands, unfenced parts had a significantly smaller shoot density than fenced parts. This was attributed to grazing by greylag geese (Anser anser L.). In addition, damage to belowground parts of plants were ascribed to large individuals of albeit a few large common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.). This study highlights a conservation dilemma as large numbers of geese destroy littoral stands in fishpond nature reserves, which then become unsuitable nesting sites for other species of water birds.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48117719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-14DOI: 10.14712/23361964.2021.13
D. Vanek, E. Ehler, L. Vankova
The aim of this technical note is to provide an overview of methodical approaches used to develop molecular systems for species determination/DNA quantification called Ptig Qplex and individual identification called Ptig STRplex of Panthera tigris samples. Both systems will help to combat the illegal trade of endangered species and create a worldwide shared database of DNA profiles.
{"title":"Technical note: Development of DNA quantitation and STR typing systems for Panthera tigris species determination and individual identification in forensic casework","authors":"D. Vanek, E. Ehler, L. Vankova","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2021.13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2021.13","url":null,"abstract":"The aim of this technical note is to provide an overview of methodical approaches used to develop molecular systems for species determination/DNA quantification called Ptig Qplex and individual identification called Ptig STRplex of Panthera tigris samples. Both systems will help to combat the illegal trade of endangered species and create a worldwide shared database of DNA profiles.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47978079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-14DOI: 10.14712/23361964.2021.12
J. Kufnerová
Green tree python (Morelia viridis, Schlegel 1872) is a highly sought-after Indonesian/Papuan NG/Australian species in terms of the international trade in reptile pets. As the trade in wild animals is mostly prohibited nowadays, captive breeding supplies the international pet trade. There is evidence that captive breeding might be used as a cover for specimen’s illegally sourced from the wild, as there are very few possibilities of distinguishing wild from captive-bred animals. These rely on invasive sampling (cutting off the end of the tail in order to obtain a sample of blood/muscle/bone tissues) or presence of ecto- and/or endoparasites (method overcome by breeders housing animals in semi wild conditions). Therefore, we examined the possibility of using stable isotope analysis for determining: either the place of origin or diet as a means of defining whether they are captive bred or illegally sourced from the wild. We also review the use of non-invasive samples of shed (moulted) skins. We conclude that shed skins that are currently not used for identifying the source of green tree python could be used as forensic evidence, subject to the development of a viable method.
{"title":"A novel approach of using shed skins of the green tree python, Morelia viridis, for forensic purposes","authors":"J. Kufnerová","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2021.12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2021.12","url":null,"abstract":"Green tree python (Morelia viridis, Schlegel 1872) is a highly sought-after Indonesian/Papuan NG/Australian species in terms of the international trade in reptile pets. As the trade in wild animals is mostly prohibited nowadays, captive breeding supplies the international pet trade. There is evidence that captive breeding might be used as a cover for specimen’s illegally sourced from the wild, as there are very few possibilities of distinguishing wild from captive-bred animals. These rely on invasive sampling (cutting off the end of the tail in order to obtain a sample of blood/muscle/bone tissues) or presence of ecto- and/or endoparasites (method overcome by breeders housing animals in semi wild conditions). Therefore, we examined the possibility of using stable isotope analysis for determining: either the place of origin or diet as a means of defining whether they are captive bred or illegally sourced from the wild. We also review the use of non-invasive samples of shed (moulted) skins. We conclude that shed skins that are currently not used for identifying the source of green tree python could be used as forensic evidence, subject to the development of a viable method.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49121046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2021-12-14DOI: 10.14712/23361964.2021.8
S. Tsiftsis
East Macedonia (northeast Greece) is a relatively small part of Greece, where a considerable number of orchid taxa occurs. Some of these orchids can only be found there and this fact makes the specific area of Greece unique. In this study, an up-to date database of orchid records was used to assess the effectiveness of the existing Natura 2000 network. Specifically, the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network was evaluated by identifying the number of orchids whose distribution is overlapping to a lesser or greater extent with the network, which chorological categories are included/excluded from it, and whether the rare and threatened orchid taxa are adequately distributed within that. Out of the 73 orchid taxa recorded in East Macedonia so far, 14 taxa are exclusively distributed outside the Natura 2000 network. Specifically, the Natura 2000 network is not overlapped with a number of Balkan and Mediterranean orchid taxa, which are only sparsely found in East Macedonia. Moreover, most of the orchid taxa that have been classified in the threat categories of the IUCN are distributed within the Natura 2000 network of East Macedonia, and specifically, some of the most threatened ones are almost exclusively distributed within that network. Consequently, although the Natura 2000 network is not congruent with the distribution of a number of species of southern origin, which are widely distributed elsewhere in Greece, it can conserve important floristic elements of Greece, which are orchid taxa of northern or central European origin.
{"title":"The role of Natura 2000 network in protecting the orchid flora of East Macedonia (NE Greece)","authors":"S. Tsiftsis","doi":"10.14712/23361964.2021.8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.14712/23361964.2021.8","url":null,"abstract":"East Macedonia (northeast Greece) is a relatively small part of Greece, where a considerable number of orchid taxa occurs. Some of these orchids can only be found there and this fact makes the specific area of Greece unique. In this study, an up-to date database of orchid records was used to assess the effectiveness of the existing Natura 2000 network. Specifically, the effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network was evaluated by identifying the number of orchids whose distribution is overlapping to a lesser or greater extent with the network, which chorological categories are included/excluded from it, and whether the rare and threatened orchid taxa are adequately distributed within that. Out of the 73 orchid taxa recorded in East Macedonia so far, 14 taxa are exclusively distributed outside the Natura 2000 network. Specifically, the Natura 2000 network is not overlapped with a number of Balkan and Mediterranean orchid taxa, which are only sparsely found in East Macedonia. Moreover, most of the orchid taxa that have been classified in the threat categories of the IUCN are distributed within the Natura 2000 network of East Macedonia, and specifically, some of the most threatened ones are almost exclusively distributed within that network. Consequently, although the Natura 2000 network is not congruent with the distribution of a number of species of southern origin, which are widely distributed elsewhere in Greece, it can conserve important floristic elements of Greece, which are orchid taxa of northern or central European origin.","PeriodicalId":11931,"journal":{"name":"European journal of environmental sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.8,"publicationDate":"2021-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41469755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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