The miniaturization and optimization of a white rot fungal bioremediation experiment is described in this paper. The optimized procedure allows determination of the degradation kinetics of anthracene. The miniaturized procedure requires only 2.5 ml of culture medium. The experiment is more precise, robust, and better controlled comparing it to classical tests in flasks. Using this technique, different parts, i.e., the culture medium, the fungi, and the cotton seal, can be analyzed. A simple sample preparation speeds up the analytical process. Experiments performed show degradation of anthracene up to approximately 60% by Irpex lacteus and up to approximately 40% by Pleurotus ostreatus in 25 days. Bioremediation of anthracene by the consortium of I. lacteus and P. ostreatus shows the biodegradation of anthracene up to approximately 56% in 23 days. At the end of the experiment, the surface tension of culture medium decreased comparing it to the blank, indicating generation of surfactant compounds.

A dangerous invader Heracleum sosnowskyi successfully spreads along roads, riverbanks and has naturalized in Lithuanian habitats and plant communities. It out-competes native species, thus changing ecosystems diversity, pushing autochthone species from native habitats, decreasing biodiversity and transforming landscape. This paper aims to evaluate H. sosnowskyi spread and establishment on habitat scale in Lithuania. Data on abundance, spatial distribution and contribution of H. sosnowskyi to plant biodiversity were collected from natural and anthropogenic habitats. Another objective was to evaluate the speed of spread in an infected landscape. Local assessments of the abundance of H. sosnowskyi by estimating variables of spatial penetrating and establishment in native plant communities on an individual block scale were carried out. Four population types with different density and coverage of species individuals were found. Species abundance was structured according to the distance from highway and significantly correlated (r = 0.7) with native plant community type. This species finds opportunities for colonization and reproduction resulting in decrease of natural diversity.

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Commonly used ornamental tree Aesculus hippocastanum has been successfully used for planting for a long time in Lithuania. Data of the state of A. hippocastanum were assessed in 55 cities and settlements of the country during 1992-2009. The changing state of A. hippocastanum was recorded to begin to deteriorate in 1995-1997 when the species was affected by fungi diseases caused by Guignardia aesculi, Erysiphe flexuos and Schizophyllum commune. Horse-chestnut leafminer Cameraria ohridella has been the most harmful pest over all territory of Lithuania since 2005-2007. Effectiveness of natural predators and different means for C. ohridella control as well as for spread of fungal diseases were analyzed and discussed.

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The studies were carried out in the period of 2013-2014 in an ex situ experiment developed during plant vegetation, cultivating 5 plant species in vegetative pots with a substrate contaminated with used sleepers and an uncontaminated substrate fertilised by nitrogenous fertilisers. The objective of the research was to analyse the morphological features of aboveground and underground parts of herbaceous plants and determine the dependence between the number of fungi and bacteria colonies in the rhizosphere of these plants and substrate contaminants and the impact of nitrogenous fertiliser concentration; with reference to that, to determine the feasibility of these plants for phytoremediation. A tolerant plant, i.e., Tagetes patula L. as a phytoremediator, which adapted to grow in the condition of a contaminated substrate fertilised by nitrogen and suitable for cultivating it in similar edaphic conditions, was used. An intolerant plant, i.e., Trifolium repens L. as a phytoindicator, is a perennial, herbaceous plant of Fabaceae Lindl. family, the rhizosphere of which contains the maximum number of fungi and bacteria colonies in the occurrence of the maximum concentration of nitrogenous fertilisers and contaminants. These bacteriological and mycological processes, as well as the excess of nitrogen, have a negative impact on the growth of aboveground and underground parts of Trifolium repens.