The effect of landslide on soil organic carbon stock and biochemical properties of soil

Purpose

The aim of the study was to present variability of content and quality of soil organic matter on the landslide surface. Attempts were made to demonstrate the progress of the process of soil cover restoration 7 years after the landslides and biochemical activity of soil associated with the restoration of soil cover.

Materials and methods

The landslide area was located in southern Poland, in the Sucha Forest District. The soil properties were studied on a regular grid of points, which covered the entire area of the landslide. In soil samples, particle size, soil aggregates content, pH, total carbon and nitrogen content, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen and the activity of dehydrogenases were determined. Additionally, the fractions of soil organic matter were used in the study as an indicator of soil quality due to the many important interactions of these components in the soil system.

Results and discussion

This study identified the landslide area as characterised by a stronger diversification of physical, chemical, and biological properties. The upper part of the landslide (in the area referred to as the landslide niche) is strongly eroded and characterised by the least advanced soil cover recovery. Additionally, low soil organic matter content was observed in the upper part of the landslide, which restricted biological activity of the studied soils. Soil microbial biomass carbon increased with restoration of landslide soils.

Conclusions

The soil organic matter plays a key role for the initial stage of soil formation on a landslide. The amount of soil organic matter on the studied landslide had a positive effect on the microbial biomasses C and N, dehydrogenases activity. Estimating the soil organic matter fraction can be utilised as an indicator of changes in soil.

     

Determination of elements removal in different harvesting scenarios of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands

Increasing demand for renewable energy and limiting CO₂ emissions have stimulated much interest in wood-based biofuels. Unfortunately, expanding the utilization of forest biomass may cause nutrient depletion in forested environments. This study investigates the element content from various parts of the tree. Comparisons were made between different harvesting scenarios and their impact on the amount of nutrients removed from the forest environment. The harvesting scenarios were: stem-only harvesting (SOH), branch and stem harvesting (BSH), and two variants of whole-tree harvesting (WTH). The elements taken into account were: carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), sulphur (S), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb). To make the results comparable, the same amount of removed biomass was taken into calculation. The differences between harvesting scenarios were significant. The amounts of removed elements formed similar pattern: the lowest level was found in SOH, average in BSH, and highest in both variants of WTH. This confirms that the application of WTH is connected with increased risk of nutrient depletion, even when the volume of harvest would be equal to other variants.     

Manual soil preparation and piles of branches can support ground beetles (Coleoptera,carabidae) better than four different mechanical soil treatments in a clear-cut area of a closed-canopy pine forest in northern Poland

I studied ground beetles in clear-cuts that represent six treatments: (i) manual plowing, (ii) plowing with a FAO-FAR FV 4088 cutter, (iii) plowing with an active single-moldboard U-162, (iv) plowing with a double moldboard forest plow LPz, (v) active piling of logging slash and (vi) no plowing or slash piles. The four plowing techniques differed in the depth and extent of their impact. Manual scarification of soil had the least effect on the species diversity, abundance and ecological traits of carabids. The larger the area and the deeper the plowing, the greater was the transformation of carabid assemblages. Piles of branches proved to be beneficial for the preservation of forest species, large species, mesophilic species and those with low dispersal power in clear-cut areas. In general, deep plowing was conducive to an increase in the proportion of individuals representing early succession species, whereas shallow plowing and especially manual scarification favored late succession species. The results suggest that for effective support of carabid beetles in a clear-cut area, only shallow plowing should be used. Piles of branches can be retained in a clear-cut area to provide a shelter supporting for forest fauna.     

Detection of high molecular weight glutenin subunits in triticale (x Triticosecale Wittm.) Cultivars by capillary zone electrophoresis

An improved method for separating and characterizing high molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) in hexaploid triticale by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was developed. A low-concentrate mixture of hydrophilic polymers, poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), in an isoelectric buffer was employed for dynamic coating of the capillary inner wall. In separation buffer PVP with lower concentrated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was replaced. The CZE electropherograms of HMW-GS showed two group peaks in accordance with x- and y-type subunits with migration times of 6.8-7.8 and 8.4-11.5 min, respectively. In total, 14 HMW subunits (2 subunits encoded by Glu-A1 locus and 12 by Glu-B1) were identified. The CZE analyses revealed that each of the subunits Bx7 and By8 determined by SDS-PAGE makes up three subunits (Bx6.8, Bx7, and Bx7* and By8, By8*, and new By8**, respectively), with different migration times. It was also shown that the subunits By18 and By20 in triticale determined by SDS-PAGE have different migration times in comparison with the same subunits in bread wheat. For these new HMW-GS, the following names were assigned: By18* instead of By18 and By20* instead of By20. The presented CZE method is an efficient alternative to the SDS-PAGE procedure for early selection of useful triticale genotypes with good breadmaking quality.     

Dissolved carbon and nitrogen release from deadwood of different tree species in various stages of decomposition

The aim of study was to estimate how the deadwood of different tree species in various stages of decomposition releases dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total nitrogen concentration. The deadwood of seven species (Common alder, Common aspen, Common ash, Silver fir, Norway spruce, Common hornbeam, and Silver birch) were selected. Three logs from each species in the third, fourth, and fifth decay classes were chosen for analysis. The investigation was carried out in Czarna Rózga Reserve in Central Poland. The leachate from deadwood was collected in lysimeters. Concentrations of total carbon (TC), inorganic carbon (IC), total organic carbon (TOC), and total nitrogen (TN) were determined. In our investigations, the concentration of TOC measure in filtered water samples was equal to DOC. Additionally, pH and electrical conductivity (EC) values were determined in water samples. The results confirmed the importance of the wood species and the stage of decomposition on the concentration of DOC and TN. Significant differences in the concentration of DOC and TN in leachates released between coniferous and deciduous species were noted. Most DOC and TN were released from decomposing hornbeam and aspen wood, the least DOC, and TN were released into the soil from coniferous species, especially the spruce.     

Dietary resveratrol improves immunity but reduces reproduction of broodstock medaka <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oryzias latipes</Emphasis> (Temminck &amp; Schlegel)

Here, we investigated the effect of dietary resveratrol (20, 40, and 80 µg/g BW/day) on cell-mediated immunity (activity of spleen phagocytes and proliferative response of lymphocytes) and reproductive parameters (egg and sperm quality, i.e. fecundity—total number of eggs produced by individual fish, fertility, embryo survival, and hatching rate) in medaka. Fish fed feed with resveratrol at 40 and 80 µg/g BW/day had significantly higher metabolic activity and intracellular phagocyte killing activity than control. The proliferative lymphocyte activity of the fish from R80 group was greater by more than 20 % in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). The percentage of macrophages (MO) and their mean fluorescence intensities (MFI) in R40 and R80 groups were significantly higher compared to C and R20 groups (P < 0.05). The differences in MO and MFI values ranged from 52.5 % (±1.5; R0 group) to 65.8 % (±1.6; R80 group) and from 23.2 (±1.4; R0 group) to 38.2 (±2.4; R80 group), respectively. Moreover, resveratrol at 80 µg/g BW/day decreased liver COX activity, i.e. 5.4 in R80 group and 7.9 in R0 group (P < 0.05). The motility parameters of the sperm obtained from the males fed feed supplemented with resveratrol at 80 µg/g BW/day exhibited the highest values except the linearity, which was lower as compared to the control (P < 0.05). The results indicate that diet supplemented with resveratrol at a dosage of 40 µg/g BW/day improves phagocyte killing ability and lymphocyte proliferation in broodstock and accelerates offspring hatch. Also, the results suggest that COX activity influences sperm and oocyte quality in fish; the presence of a COX inhibitor in the dose of 40 µg/g BW/day decreased the embryo survival.     

Assessment of Fatty Acid Composition and Technological Properties of Northern Pike (Esox lucius) Fillets: The Effects of Fish Origin and Sex

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of northern pike origin (wild vs. farmed) and sex (female vs. male) on chemical composition, including fatty acids, and technological properties of fresh fillets. Fish origin influenced moisture, protein, fat, and ash contents, pH and color of the fillets, and the proportion of 22 out of 25 determined fatty acids, whereas sex affected expressible water, pH, lightness and redness of fillets, and only a single fatty acid (C20:0) proportion. Farmed pike had higher protein and fat content and lower moisture and ash than wild pike. Higher proportion and content of total polyunsaturated and n-3 fatty acids, as well as lower n-6/n-3 ratio, were found in farmed pike. Thus, it can be concluded that the commercial feed positively affected fatty acid proportion and content in the fish tissue and increased its nutritional value.     

Comparison of fractal dimensions of soils estimated from adsorption isotherms,mercury intrusion,and particle size distribution

The values of the surface fractal dimensions were determined for several samples of Cambisols and Luvisols from analysis of nitrogen and water vapor adsorption isotherms and from mercury intrusion data. Moreover, the values of fractal dimension characterizing the particle size distributions of soil samples were calculated by using a number‐based method. For almost all investigated soils the values of the surface fractal dimension, obtained from water vapor isotherms were lower than those obtained from nitrogen isotherms. Largest were the surface fractal dimensions evaluated form mercury intrusion data. No significant correlations between different kinds of surface fractal dimensions were found, and the reasons of this finding are discussed. However, the values of the surface fractal dimensions calculated from mercury intrusion data correlate with those characterizing the texture of soils. The paper also reports on correlations between of the values of surface area, fractal dimensions and some selected physico‐chemical characteristics of soils.     

In search of the source of dermatophytosis: Epidemiological analysis of Trichophyton verrucosum infection in llamas and the breeder (case report)

During the last few years, the number of cases of Trichophyton verrucosum isolation from humans suffering from mycoses has been constantly increasing, which is correlated with the presence of an increasing number of outdoor breeding farms. Farmers and their families as well as veterinarians and technicians involved in handling the animals are at a higher risk of infection. One of the most important aims of mycological diagnostics is epidemiological analysis. Typically, the history of the disease is not sufficient to indicate reliably and eliminate the outbreak of infection. PCR fingerprinting methods are a useful tool in this type of analysis, which is presented in this study. The main aim is to present diagnostic and epidemiological analyses of dermatophyte isolates from llamas and their breeder. In two llamas, round alopecia sites or ca. 2‐cm excoriations covered with thickened scaling epidermis were noticed at the border of the head and neck with a distinct tendency towards hair loss. Tinea unguium was noticed in a nail of the breeder's right hand. Direct analysis of the material from the clinical lesions revealed the presence of arthrospores. The macro‐ and micromorphology of the isolates were homogeneous and characteristic for T. verrucosum. The identification analysis based on the ITS sequences confirmed the previous morphological diagnostic examination. The MP‐PCR and MSP‐PCR analysis indicated high invariability of the genomes of the strains isolated from the human and animals. The epidemiological research has indicated an identical source of dermatophyte infection in the breeder and the lamas. To sum up, the number of pets and farm animals is increasing and dermatologists should always be informed about possible dermatophyte transmission sources. The possibility of transmission of zoophilic dermatophytes from humans to animals is a suggestion for further analysis; therefore, this type of transmission should be considered in dermatological studies.     

Underwater evaluation of habitat partitioning in a European river between a non‐native invader,the racer goby and a threatened native fish,the European bullhead

We conducted underwater surveys using SCUBA gear to examine habitat and microhabitat competition between the Ponto‐Caspian racer goby Babka gymnotrachelus and native European bullhead Cottus gobio to assess the potential for competitive displacement of the native species by the invading species. In summer, 88 surveys were made in a tributary of the River Vistula within defined benthic areas across the entire width of the river bed. The occurrence of fish by total length class (small: <6 cm; large: >6 cm) and environmental conditions (depth, water velocity, substratum type, plant cover, shelter type) was recorded. We found a substantial separation between the species and size classes in relation to substratum, shelter type and water velocity. European bullheads were limited to lotic areas with stony bottoms, whereas racer gobies also occupied lentic areas over sand or mud. European bullheads usually took refuge under stones in contrast to a wider range of shelters used by racer goby, including tree roots and rubbish. In general, the breadth of habitat used by the racer goby was wider than that of the European bullhead, although habitat overlap between the species was not statistically significant except for the type of shelter occupied by small fish, selecting smaller stones. An inverse relationship was observed between small European bullheads and all racer gobies in areas where they co‐occurred, suggesting that invader may be having an adverse effect on the distribution and habitat use of small native bullheads, particularly in areas of moderate water velocities over small stones and gravel.