Cestodes Ctenotaenia marmotae are a widespread parasite of Eurasian ground squirrels. Being the o... more Cestodes Ctenotaenia marmotae are a widespread parasite of Eurasian ground squirrels. Being the only valid species of its genus, it has been recorded in ten host species from the genera Marmota and Spermophilus. Its definitive hosts live in similar ecological conditions and their area covers a wide geographical territory. Therefore, it remained unclear whether C. marmotae is a single species and how high the level of its genetic variability is. The present study analyzed the variability of two mitochondrial cestode genes from four host species from geographically distant localities. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the newly obtained sequences form a species-level clade with already known sequences from the GenBank. Small genetic distances between the studied sequences indicate low intraspecific genetic variability within the C. marmotae, which may be a consequence of rapid expansion of the cestodes in ground squirrel species inhabiting the flat and mountain steppe landscapes in ...
This document contains the draft Chapter 2.1 of the IPBES Global Assessment on Biodiversity and E... more This document contains the draft Chapter 2.1 of the IPBES Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Governments and all observers at IPBES-7had access to these draft chapters eight weeks prior to IPBES-7. Governments accepted the Chapters at IPBES-7 based on the understanding that revisions made to the SPM during the Plenary, as a result of the dialogue between Governments and scientists, would be reflected in the final Chapters.
ABSTRACT: The influence of felling on the distribution of rodents and their predators in a transi... more ABSTRACT: The influence of felling on the distribution of rodents and their predators in a transitional coniferous-deciduous forest in north-ern Belarus was investigated in relation to stand age, forest type, and soil richness. The study was conducted in two areas differing by top-grounds (clay and sand soils) and, in turn, having differ-ent habitat carrying capacities. Three forest parts were investigated: 1) 10%, 2) 20–30%, and 3) 40– 60 % covered by recent clearcuts. Three age classes of the clearcuts, namely 1) less than 2 years old, 2) 2–5 years old and 3) 6–12 years old, were consid-ered. In total, we obtained data on small rodent numbers in 84 clearcuts, and the data on preda-tors – in 67 clearcuts and the woodland parts
The influence of felling on the distribution of rodents and their predators in a transitional con... more The influence of felling on the distribution of rodents and their predators in a transitional coniferous-deciduous forest in northern Belarus was investigated in relation to stand age, forest type, and soil richness. The study was conducted in two areas differing by top-grounds (clay and sand soils) and, in turn, having different habitat carrying capacities. Three forest parts were investigated: 1) 10%, 2) 20–30%, and 3) 40– 60% covered by recent clearcuts. Three age classes of the clearcuts, namely 1) less than 2 years old, 2) 2–5 years old and 3) 6–12 years old, were considered. In total, we obtained data on small rodent numbers in 84 clearcuts, and the data on predators – in 67 clearcuts and the woodland parts differed by logging rate. Eventually, we became convinced that felling generally led to an increase in the abundance and species richness of rodents and their predators and that was attributable in the clearcuts aged up to 12 years. First, logging led to higher densities of...
The influence of felling on the distribution of rodents and their predators in a transitional con... more The influence of felling on the distribution of rodents and their predators in a transitional coniferous-deciduous forest in north- ern Belarus was investigated in relation to stand age, forest type, and soil richness. The study was conducted in two areas differing by top-grounds (clay and sand soils) and, in turn, having differ- ent habitat carrying capacities. Three forest parts were investigated: 1) 10%, 2) 20-30%, and 3) 40- 60% covered by recent clearcuts. Three age classes of the clearcuts, namely 1) less than 2 years old, 2) 2-5 years old and 3) 6-12 years old, were consid- ered. In total, we obtained data on small rodent numbers in 84 clearcuts, and the data on preda- tors - in 67 clearcuts and the woodland parts differed by logging rate. Eventually, we became convinced that felling generally led to an increase in the abundance and species richness of rodents and their predators and that was attributable in the clearcuts aged up to 12 years. First, logging led to higher dens...
The structure of the vertebrate predator community in north-eastern Belarus has been examined bef... more The structure of the vertebrate predator community in north-eastern Belarus has been examined before and after naturalization of the American mink and raccoon dog. Species composition of the community, population density and biomass, portion of each species in the pooled community density and biomass, species body mass and size structure of the community were investigated. The community consisted of 36 native predator species, and 11 other predator species were sporadically registered in the area in both periods before the American mink and raccoon dog expansion and after the introduced species have reached a high population density. Separating predator species into four size groups, we found that in terms of total density the largest portion of the community belonged to small predators, while large predators formed the smallest portion. In terms of total biomass, the larger medium-sized predator group predominated over other size groups. Despite decline in the populations of ten na...
Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 2017
Early-career experts can play a fundamental role in achieving planetary sustainability by bridgin... more Early-career experts can play a fundamental role in achieving planetary sustainability by bridging generational divides and developing novel solutions to complex problems. We argue that intergenerational partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration among early-career experts will enable emerging sustainability leaders to contribute fully to a sustainable future. We review 16 international, interdisciplinary, and sustainability-focused early-career capacity building programs. We conclude that such programs are vital to developing sustainability leaders of the future and that decision-making for sustainability is likely to be best served by strong institutional cultures that promote intergenerational learning and involvement.
We examined common buzzard (Buteo buteo) feeding patterns in landscapes with different habitat st... more We examined common buzzard (Buteo buteo) feeding patterns in landscapes with different habitat structure in Belarus. A total of 561 pellets and prey remains were sampled in 1998-2012 from which 1065 prey and other food items were identified. Effects of habitat structure on buzzard diet composition were investigated using correlation analysis. The most abundant group in buzzards’ diets were small rodents (49-80% of the biomass consumed), followed by other mammals and birds. Reptiles, anurans, fish and invertebrates constituted the rest. Proportions of all food items varied greatly between landscapes. The mean-weighted body mass of vertebrate prey hunted by common buzzards in different landscapes ranged from 107 to 244 g, constituting on average 180 g. Among small rodents, voles of the genus Microtus were hunted selectively. The food niche breadth was directly proportional to the amount of forest habitat. With increasing amount of forest habitat, the proportion of Microtus voles in bu...
Cestodes Ctenotaenia marmotae are a widespread parasite of Eurasian ground squirrels. Being the o... more Cestodes Ctenotaenia marmotae are a widespread parasite of Eurasian ground squirrels. Being the only valid species of its genus, it has been recorded in ten host species from the genera Marmota and Spermophilus. Its definitive hosts live in similar ecological conditions and their area covers a wide geographical territory. Therefore, it remained unclear whether C. marmotae is a single species and how high the level of its genetic variability is. The present study analyzed the variability of two mitochondrial cestode genes from four host species from geographically distant localities. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the newly obtained sequences form a species-level clade with already known sequences from the GenBank. Small genetic distances between the studied sequences indicate low intraspecific genetic variability within the C. marmotae, which may be a consequence of rapid expansion of the cestodes in ground squirrel species inhabiting the flat and mountain steppe landscapes in ...
This document contains the draft Chapter 2.1 of the IPBES Global Assessment on Biodiversity and E... more This document contains the draft Chapter 2.1 of the IPBES Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Governments and all observers at IPBES-7had access to these draft chapters eight weeks prior to IPBES-7. Governments accepted the Chapters at IPBES-7 based on the understanding that revisions made to the SPM during the Plenary, as a result of the dialogue between Governments and scientists, would be reflected in the final Chapters.
ABSTRACT: The influence of felling on the distribution of rodents and their predators in a transi... more ABSTRACT: The influence of felling on the distribution of rodents and their predators in a transitional coniferous-deciduous forest in north-ern Belarus was investigated in relation to stand age, forest type, and soil richness. The study was conducted in two areas differing by top-grounds (clay and sand soils) and, in turn, having differ-ent habitat carrying capacities. Three forest parts were investigated: 1) 10%, 2) 20–30%, and 3) 40– 60 % covered by recent clearcuts. Three age classes of the clearcuts, namely 1) less than 2 years old, 2) 2–5 years old and 3) 6–12 years old, were consid-ered. In total, we obtained data on small rodent numbers in 84 clearcuts, and the data on preda-tors – in 67 clearcuts and the woodland parts
The influence of felling on the distribution of rodents and their predators in a transitional con... more The influence of felling on the distribution of rodents and their predators in a transitional coniferous-deciduous forest in northern Belarus was investigated in relation to stand age, forest type, and soil richness. The study was conducted in two areas differing by top-grounds (clay and sand soils) and, in turn, having different habitat carrying capacities. Three forest parts were investigated: 1) 10%, 2) 20–30%, and 3) 40– 60% covered by recent clearcuts. Three age classes of the clearcuts, namely 1) less than 2 years old, 2) 2–5 years old and 3) 6–12 years old, were considered. In total, we obtained data on small rodent numbers in 84 clearcuts, and the data on predators – in 67 clearcuts and the woodland parts differed by logging rate. Eventually, we became convinced that felling generally led to an increase in the abundance and species richness of rodents and their predators and that was attributable in the clearcuts aged up to 12 years. First, logging led to higher densities of...
The influence of felling on the distribution of rodents and their predators in a transitional con... more The influence of felling on the distribution of rodents and their predators in a transitional coniferous-deciduous forest in north- ern Belarus was investigated in relation to stand age, forest type, and soil richness. The study was conducted in two areas differing by top-grounds (clay and sand soils) and, in turn, having differ- ent habitat carrying capacities. Three forest parts were investigated: 1) 10%, 2) 20-30%, and 3) 40- 60% covered by recent clearcuts. Three age classes of the clearcuts, namely 1) less than 2 years old, 2) 2-5 years old and 3) 6-12 years old, were consid- ered. In total, we obtained data on small rodent numbers in 84 clearcuts, and the data on preda- tors - in 67 clearcuts and the woodland parts differed by logging rate. Eventually, we became convinced that felling generally led to an increase in the abundance and species richness of rodents and their predators and that was attributable in the clearcuts aged up to 12 years. First, logging led to higher dens...
The structure of the vertebrate predator community in north-eastern Belarus has been examined bef... more The structure of the vertebrate predator community in north-eastern Belarus has been examined before and after naturalization of the American mink and raccoon dog. Species composition of the community, population density and biomass, portion of each species in the pooled community density and biomass, species body mass and size structure of the community were investigated. The community consisted of 36 native predator species, and 11 other predator species were sporadically registered in the area in both periods before the American mink and raccoon dog expansion and after the introduced species have reached a high population density. Separating predator species into four size groups, we found that in terms of total density the largest portion of the community belonged to small predators, while large predators formed the smallest portion. In terms of total biomass, the larger medium-sized predator group predominated over other size groups. Despite decline in the populations of ten na...
Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 2017
Early-career experts can play a fundamental role in achieving planetary sustainability by bridgin... more Early-career experts can play a fundamental role in achieving planetary sustainability by bridging generational divides and developing novel solutions to complex problems. We argue that intergenerational partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration among early-career experts will enable emerging sustainability leaders to contribute fully to a sustainable future. We review 16 international, interdisciplinary, and sustainability-focused early-career capacity building programs. We conclude that such programs are vital to developing sustainability leaders of the future and that decision-making for sustainability is likely to be best served by strong institutional cultures that promote intergenerational learning and involvement.
We examined common buzzard (Buteo buteo) feeding patterns in landscapes with different habitat st... more We examined common buzzard (Buteo buteo) feeding patterns in landscapes with different habitat structure in Belarus. A total of 561 pellets and prey remains were sampled in 1998-2012 from which 1065 prey and other food items were identified. Effects of habitat structure on buzzard diet composition were investigated using correlation analysis. The most abundant group in buzzards’ diets were small rodents (49-80% of the biomass consumed), followed by other mammals and birds. Reptiles, anurans, fish and invertebrates constituted the rest. Proportions of all food items varied greatly between landscapes. The mean-weighted body mass of vertebrate prey hunted by common buzzards in different landscapes ranged from 107 to 244 g, constituting on average 180 g. Among small rodents, voles of the genus Microtus were hunted selectively. The food niche breadth was directly proportional to the amount of forest habitat. With increasing amount of forest habitat, the proportion of Microtus voles in bu...
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