Continued population growth could lead to protein deficiency in the human diet. To counteract this risk, attempts are being made to identify new edible sources of protein. The aim of this paper was to review the existing literature and to analyse the current state of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) rearing for food and feed, especially in Europe. The yellow mealworm is the most widely bred and traded insect species in Europe that has high feed conversion ratio; 3.4 to 6.1 kg of feed ingested per kg of harvested larvae. Mealworms could compete with livestock due to their high protein and fat content and low environmental impact. Mealworms have been extensively researched as a source of feed for animals, including poultry, fish, pets and birds. Its nutrient content depends on the processing method, where thermal processing is least desirable. Mealworms are characterised by a high and variable microbial load which has to be reduced before consumption. The antibiotics, pesticides and other substances should also be analysed to ensure that mealworms are a safe protein source for human consumption. The nutritional benefits of mealworms have to be communicated to European consumers who are generally averse to eating insects.
Research on the ecology of water mites in flowing water has focused mainly on analysis of factors directly affecting these organisms in the aquatic environment. The hypothesis of this study was that apart from factors acting within the aquatic environment, the formation of Hydrachnidia communities in lotic ecosystems may also be affected by factors acting in the terrestrial environment. The analysis was made at three different levels of organization of the environment: (1) landscape level (subcatchments, terrestrial environment), (2) macrohabitat level (sampling sites, aquatic environment) and (3) mesohabitat level (sampling sub-sites, aquatic environment). Some correlation was noted between certain species and some sub-catchment parameters. This may indicate a link between some landscape features (terrestrial environment) and the formation of water mite assemblages in the river. The low percentage for physicochemical parameters together in explaining the variance in occurrence of species, very low correlations between species and physicochemical parameters and the discrepancy in the grouping of sites in the case of faunal data and data on the physicochemical indicates that physicochemical factors had little influence on water mites. Taking into account all three levels of organization of the environment analyzed, we can say that at the landscape level we can find only indirect relationships between environmental factors and the fauna inhabiting the aquatic environment; at the macrohabitat level the description of Hydrachnidia is more precise but still of a general nature. Only analysis at the mesohabitat level fully explains the specific character of Hydrachnidia assemblages.
Using the example of a regulated stretch of the River Krąpiel (NW Poland), an analysis of the impact of dredging on the aquatic beetle (Coleoptera) fauna was made. After dredging the beetle fauna became markedly poorer quantitatively and had lower species diversity. Moreover, the qualitative composition and dominance structure were highly transformed. However, species number and diversity increased rapidly and were restored within just half a year. The structure of the restored fauna was most strongly influenced by vegetation, flow velocity and bottom sediment composition. The first to colonize the river were eurytopic beetles and species typical of small water bodies, which had significant refuges in the form of fish ponds bordering on the river; these species dominated the assemblage throughout the study period. Rheophiles with less dispersal power appeared later, and finally rheobionts, in low numbers but occupying an increasing number of sampling sites.
-The influence of dredging on the dragonfly assemblages of the small regulated lowland River Krąpiel (north-western Poland) was analyzed a short time after the dredging. Dragonfly assemblages were destroyed, but they began to recover rapidly. Many biocoenotic indices reached high values at just six months after the dredging. The recolonization first occurred as a result of larval drift, and then, via dispersion of adult dragonflies. This process took place in conditions different from the prevailing conditions in the period before dredging, in terms of microhabitat availability and physico-chemical conditions. Compared to the previous assemblage, the emerging assemblage was more typical of assemblages found in small, natural running waters. Therefore, dredging (carried out for economic reasons) could be regarded as a process that unintentionally had a positive influence on odonate assemblages. Currently, when most small watercourses are regulated, dredging that is properly planned and controlled has proven to protect the natural fauna. It is worthwhile to apply lessons learned from examples of active fauna protection to what is currently known as "the rotational model" for dredging.Keywords: Odonata / river / dredging / alteration / recolonization Résumé -Recolonisation précoce par des libellules (Insecte : Odonate) d'une rivière de plaine draguée. L'influence du dragage sur les assemblages de libellules de la petite rivière régulée Krąpiel (nordouest de la Pologne) a été analysée peu de temps après le dragage. Les assemblages de libellules ont été détruits, mais ils ont commencé à se rétablir rapidement. De nombreux indices biocénotiques ont atteint des valeurs élevées seulement six mois après le dragage. La recolonisation a d'abord été le résultat de la dérive larvaire, puis celui de la dispersion des libellules adultes. Ce processus s'est déroulé dans des conditions différentes des conditions prévalant dans la période précédant le dragage, en termes de disponibilité de microhabitats et de conditions physico-chimiques. Par rapport à l'assemblage précédent, l'assemblage émergeant était plus typique des assemblages trouvés dans de petites eaux courantes naturelles. Par conséquent, le dragage (effectué pour des raisons économiques) pourrait être considéré comme un processus qui a involontairement eu une influence positive sur les assemblages d'odonates. À l'heure actuelle, lorsque la plupart des petits cours d'eau sont régulés, le dragage convenablement planifié et contrôlé a prouvé qu'il protégeait la faune naturelle. Il serait bon d'appliquer les leçons tirées des exemples de protection active de la faune à ce qu'on appelle actuellement le « modèle de rotation » pour le dragage.
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