The most important component of agricultural system are soils as the basis for the growth of plants, accumulation of water, plant nutrients and organic matter. The main task of our research was to ascertain changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and mobile humified carbon fractions in digestate-treated soils. We have performed three field experiments using the same design on two soil types in 2019–2020. We studied the fertilization effects of different phases of digestate on Retisol and Fluvisol. Fertilization treatments: control; separated liquid digestate 85 kg ha−1 N; and 170 kg ha−1 170 N; separated solid digestate 85 kg ha−1 N; and 170 kg ha−1 N. We have found a greater positive effect on the increase in SOC because of the use of the maximum recommended fertilization rate of the solid digestate. The content of mobile humic substances (MHS) tended to increase in grassland and crop rotation field in digestate-treated soil. In our experiment, maximum concentration of SOC was found in 0–10 cm soil layer, while in the deeper layers the amount of SOC, MHS and mobile humic acids proportionally decreased. We concluded, that long-term factors as soil type and land use strongly affected the humification level expressed as HD (%) in the soil and the highest HD was determined in the grassland soil in Fluvisol.
The European beaver Castor fiber is well‐known as an ecosystem engineer that greatly affects landscape structure, biodiversity as well as physical and chemical properties of surface water bodies. Beaver ponds alter surface water bodies by raising water elevation, decreasing flow velocity and altering the morphology of streams or drainage ditches, which can reduce the concentrations of organic carbon (OC) and nutrients (N, P). Recent studies indicated that mercury transforms into hazardous and neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg) in beaver impoundments by biological processes in anaerobic conditions. However, the knowledge about nutrients and MeHg levels in impounded forest waterbodies is scarce in Lithuania. We aimed to ascertain the alteration in concentrations and stocks of OC, nutrients and MeHg in water and sediments from upstream and downstream, as well as within beaver dams and ponds during the growing seasons of 2016–2018. Results showed higher concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nutrients (P and N) in upstream water samples compared to those of downstream from beaver dams. Meanwhile, in sediments mean stocks of OC, P and N were the highest in the middle part of the ponds and in beaver dams. Moreover, the concentrations and stocks of MeHg in sediments were higher in beaver dams than in any other parts of beaver impoundments (upstream, mid‐pond, pond periphery and downstream). We conclude that dam bottom sediments were rich in OC, N and P, and at the same time, contained toxic MeHg. Therefore, beaver dams could act as a trickle filter by improving water quality, in our case, DOC, N and P leaching, from riparian forests and soils, but may also act as hotspots of mercury methylation.
The aim of this study was to analyse the damage caused by wild boar Sus scrofa to crop fields located in the central-eastern Poland in relation with the crop composition. A significant increase in the grassland area and in the area under cultivation of total cereals, vegetables, fruit, and root crops (p ≤ 0.05) was revealed on the study area. The volume of damage caused to legumes, industrial plants, vegetables, and fruit increased simultaneously with the increase in the surface area under these plant groups (p ≤ 0.05). The compensation payment has markedly positively correlated with the damaged area of grassland, cereals, maize, root crops, legumes and an increase in the total damage (p ≤ 0.05). The number of compensations has a significant effect on the number of wild boars harvested on the studied areas (p ≤ 0.05). The number of wild boars and the number of harvested wild boars were strongly negatively correlated with the area of maize cultivation (p ≤ 0.05). The level of wild boar hunting increased markedly simultaneously with the increase in the damage caused by these animals (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, it was shown that the number of harvested wild boars increased considerably with the increase in the number of wild boars on the study area (p ≤ 0.05). The level of damage to cereals, maize, and industrial plants decreased significantly with an increase in the total area and forest area in the study territory (p ≤ 0.05). Keywords: Sus scrofa, impact on crops, damage, recommendations
The American mink Neogale vison is an invasive alien species in Europe that threatens endemic biodiversity and can transmit zoonotic diseases, including the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus. The last attempt to map the geographic range of this species in Europe, at continental scale, dates back to 2007. We aimed to update the distribution map of the feral American mink and assess its temporal trends. The information we collected was critically analysed with the aim of improving future monitoring protocols and data collection. We gathered and standardised data from 34 databases, covering 32 countries. Through 3 five‐year periods from 2007 to 2021, changes in range size, hunting bags and capture statistics were analysed. We also reviewed the current situation of mink farming in the different European countries and recorded population control schemes. The American mink is now widespread in the Baltic States, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Poland, Scandinavia, Spain and the UK. The species is reported to be absent in some areas (e.g. parts of the UK, Iceland and Norway). Data are deficient for several countries, mainly in south‐eastern Europe. These findings indicate that, during the last 15 years, the species has continued to spread across the continent, increasing its potential extent of occurrence in most countries. Our effort to collect and harmonise data across international borders highlighted information gaps and heterogeneity in data quality. Updated distribution data on the species provided here will aid risk assessment and risk management policies. These actions require a coordinated effort for population monitoring at continental level. Monitoring effort and data collection should be intensified in south‐eastern Europe to improve data on the current distribution of this invasive species.
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