Macedonian Journal of Ecology and Environment

Depth integrated variation in the distribution of soil bacteria and its enzyme production from Ayiramthengu mangrove ecosystem of Kerala coast, India

Mintu Ann Varghese — 2023-12-30

The present study focused on the distribution of bacteria at three different depths of soil column at three different sampling stations. Total heterotrophic bacteria population revealed that bacterial count decreased from upper zone to lower zone. Percentage composition of gram negative bacteria (70%) was abundant than gram positive forms. The overall generic composition revealed that Micrococcus sp. and Acinetobacter sp. (13% each) were the dominant genera. Enzyme production of bacteria revealed that phosphatase producers were comparatively higher than other studied enzymes at three different depths. Hence it could be inferred that Ayiramthengu mangrove ecosystem harbours diverse novel bacterial composition that differs along various depth of soil column that have the ability in enzyme production.

New data for the 10 rare plant species of the Flora of the Republic of N Macedonia

Vlado Matevski — 2023-12-30

This article provides new data on the chorology of 10 taxa for the Flora of the Republic of North Macedonia - Ferulago macedonica (Štip - v. Testemelci; Demir Kapija - between v. Prždevo and Besvica), Ditrichia graveolens (Makedonski Brod - between v. Zdunje et v. Taževo; Valandovo-Sobri), Laphangium luteoalbum (Vinica - between v. Laki and v. Mitrašinci), Tolpis umbellata (Prilep - v. Krivogaštani; Demir Kapija), Dianthus ernesti-mayeri (Kratovo - v. Šlegovo, Zdravci Kamen), Euphorbia characias subsp. wulfenii (Ohrid - St. Jovan Kaneo; v. Konjsko; Prespa - Oteševo), Hypopitys monotropa (Pehčevo - Pehčevska River), Ranunculus lateriflorus (Kratovo - v. Stracin-Suvo Ezero; Sveti Nikole - v. Crnilište), Geum rivale (Osogovo - Sultan Tepe; Markova Stapka; Maleševski Pl. - Strednjačka Reka; Ajdučki Kladenec - Stredna; Nešova Koliba, Strednjacka Reka; Kadiica - Kopanata Voda; Plačkovica - Turtel; Kožuf: Adžibarica - Momina Čuka) and Potentilla supina L. (Kavadarci - v. Resava, Begnište - Begnište; Bitola - v. Lera; Struga - v. Kalište). They belong to 8 families of angiosperms (Angiospermae-Dicotyledonae). New localities for the mentioned taxa are listed expanding their range on the territory of the country.

Multivariate statistical methods in determining the spatial distribution of chemical elements in soil from the Mavrovo-Rostuše region, North Macedonia

Trajče Stafilov — 2023-12-30

In this work, the contents and spatial distributions of 19 elements (Ag, Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, V, Zn) in the soil of the western part of North Macedonia (Mavrovo-Rostuše region) are presented. For this purpose, a total of 66 soil samples were collected from 33 locations (33 samples of topsoil, 0-5 cm, and 33 samples of subsoil, 20-30 cm). All samples were analysed by inductively coupled plasma - atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) after complete digestion with four acids (HNO3, HF, HClO4 and HCl). The obtained results were statistically evaluated and spatial distribution maps for all analysed elements were also prepared. Factor analysis was performed to reduce the number of data used and new synthetic variables (factors) were identified. Through the application of factor analysis, three geochemical associations were identified: Factor 1 (Zn, K, Cu, Fe, and Li), Factor 2 (Cr, Ni, and Mg) and Factor 3 (Ca and Al). From the obtained data and the maps of spatial distribution, it could be concluded that the distribution of the analysed elements is related to the lithology of the region. Thus, it was found that the higher content of elements of Factor 1 occurs in the eastern and southern part of the study area (middle and lower reaches of the Radika River and along the Mala River), where Mesozoic and Paleozoic carbonates as well as Paleozoic shales and Paleogene flysch prevail. Factor 2 (Cr, Ni and Mg) also represents a lithogenic association. The highest contents of the elements in both soil layers were found in the areas where Paleozoic sandstones and shales (village of Lazaropole and the area around the Mavrovo Lake) and Paleogene flysch (Rostuše village) predominate. Factor 3 (Ca and Al) also represents lithogenic association of elements. The highest content of these elements was found in the northwestern part of the study area (village of Žirovnica and along the Berička River) and in the northeastern region above the village of Brodec where Mesozoic carbonates and Paleogene flysch dominate.

Noteworthy floristic records from the steppe-like area in North Macedonia

Aco Teofilovski — 2023-12-30

The steppe-like area in the central part of North Macedonia, situated mainly in the triangle between Veles, Negotino, and Štip, is among the most interesting floristic areas in the country. In this article, the authors present one or more new records of night species from this area, noteworthy for the flora of North Macedonia: Astragalus utriger (Štip - Hadži-Hamzali village), Campanula macrostachya (Štip - Penuš village, Sveti Nikole - Kišino village), Crepis vesicaria (Štip - Hadži-Hamzali village, Sveti Nikole – Stanjevci, Ćoselari, and Kadrifakovo villages), Heptaptera macedonica (Štip - Tri Češmi village), Klasea radiata (Štip - Hadži-Hamzali village), Lindernia dubia (Štip – Sofilari village, Veles – Ubogo village) (Mantisalca salmantica (Sveti Nikole – Adžibegovo), Phelipanche arenaria (Štip - Tri Češmi village), and Solanum elaeagnifolium (Štip - Suševo village). For each of these studied taxa, chorological data from literature and a map of distribution in the country are also given as well as a photo of a live or herbarium specimen.

Dietary habits of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in the transboundary Prespa basin

Andrej Gonev — 2023-12-30

Proper conservation of large carnivores always entails a robust understanding of their ecology. The diet is one of the fundamental elements that needs to be well assessed before proposing sound management measures. The brown bear population in Prespa is shared among three countries – Albania, Greece and North Macedonia – that considerably vary in habitat complexity and the human practices taking place. Therefore, a comprehensive evaluation of the bear’s dietary habits is essential to minimize potential human-bear conflicts. To that aim, a total of 553 samples were collected from 22 different habitats in all three countries. The results indicate that the diet of bears greatly depends on fruiting plants, with cherry plums (Prunus cerasifera) present in nearly half of the samples. The seasonal availability of fruits and plants also plays a crucial role, where grasses and early bloomers, like wild cherries, are more dominant in spring, cherry plums in summer, while apples and hardy masts, like acorns, predominate in autumn. In addition, results show that predation and scavenging play an insignificant role in the diet of this subpopulation of bears, with mammal remains detected in 4.7% of the samples, and only 1.45% of which belong to livestock, rendering the bear a less likely threat to livestock farming in the area. One cannot exclude the potential threat bears pose to agricultural activities, although its extent is still unknown. Thus, future conservation and management plans in Prespa should consider the dietary habits and habitat preferences of the brown bear.

Rediscovery of Carabus (Hygrocarabus) variolosus nodulosus Creutzer, 1799 on Shar Planina Mt.

Slavcho Hristovski — 2023-12-30

This paper presents records of the rediscovery of Carabus (Hygrocarabus) variolosus nodulosus Creutzer, 1799 in Shar Planina Mt. (Ljuboten massif) after almost 100 years (North Macedonia and Kosovo). The taxonomic status, habitat preference, biogeography and conservation status are discussed. The species was found along small brooks in a beech forest landscape which falls well into the habitat-preference model of the species. The population on Shar Planina is very isolated (100 km from the nearest populations on the Balkan Peninsula) and it is most probably a product of the latest glaciation.

Pre-breeding assessment of Macedonian wheat germplasm diversity and yielding potential

Sonja Ivanovska — 2023-12-30

A wheat breeding program in North Macedonia resulted in a large collection of germplasm. In order to increase the efficiency of using genetic variation within this germplasm, the potential breeding value of 217 genotypes was evaluated through the following traits: duration of heading, flowering, and maturity, plant height, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, number of kernels per spike, and thousand kernel weight. The experiment was carried out in 2016, at two locations (Skopje and Gradsko) with different climatic conditions.
Duration of phenophases was similar in both locations, indicating satisfactory adaptability of the genotypes to different environments. The average values of the productive traits were higher in Skopje, compared to Gradsko, which was expected considering that Gradsko is located in an arid region. Drought conditions predominantly affected the thousand kernel weight, number of kernels per spike, and plant height, as the average values for these traits were 23%, 16%, and 8% (respectively) lower compared to the average values in Skopje. However, some genotypes have shown greater adaptability to both locations and stable productive traits, representing valuable breeding material in order to improve the wheat’s potential to resist drought and harsh growth conditions. Except for the differences among the average values, wide ranges of the values on the level of genotypes indicated broad diversity within the germplasm.
According to the Principal component analysis, genotypes were separated into five different groups, while the cluster analysis confirmed wide genetic diversity among the germplasm, resulting in five distinct clusters, each containing many sub-clusters. The genotypes with high values for the number of spikelets per spike, number of kernels per spike, and thousand kernel weight and low values for plant height, separated into group 4 can be used for improving wheat yield potential, as these traits are positively correlated with seed yield.

Composition and characteristics of the avifauna of the town of Kičevo (North Macedonia)

Bojan Joleski — 2023-12-30

In this paper I present an analysis of the avifauna of the town of Kičevo. The ornithological investigations were carried during a three years period, from January 2020 to February 2023. The qualitative investigations showed presence of 88 species of birds. They belong to 67 genera, 37 families and 13 orders. The most representative order is Passeriformes, with 14 families (62.2%) and 60 species (68.2%). The richest with species are the families Muscicapidae, Fringillidae, Corvidae and Paridae. The breeding avifauna is represented by 47 species (53.4 %). According to the seasonal status, the most numerous are residents (STAT) with 37 species (42.1%), then summer visitors (AEST) with 18 species (20.4%). Wintering (HIEM), transient (TRANS), and vagrant (VAG) species follow. The faunistic analysis show the domination of Palearctic (PA) type of fauna before the European (Ev) and European-Turkestanic (ET) type among the total avifauna, as they also do in the single groups by seasonal status. Comparing qualitative composition of the avifauna of Kičevo with Skopje and Đakovo, showed a low index of similarity 0.55 and 0.50 respectively, which is due to: geographical position, level of urbanization, coverage of green areas, position along important migratory routes, presence of water bodies and orography.

Tracking soil particle deposition using bio-indication evidence and nondestructive FESEM and EDS analyses: A preliminary (pilot) study

Biljana Balabanova — 2023-12-30

The present study present chemometric bioindication methodology for fast and effective monitoring in long distant distribution of top soil pollution and evidence for element soil dust deposition. Both varieties of Briophytes, Hypnum cupressiforme (Hedw.) and Homalothecium lutescens (Hedw.) has been used for improving the effective nondestructive bio-indication. Although mosses do not have a root system, influence from soil dusting cannot be disregarded, in praticular in areas with windblown mineral dust from local soil. As far as the surface bound fraction is concerned, little is known about the binding mechanisms, but the fact that different metals show rather large differences in their retention capacities, indicates that both simple cation exchange on negative surface charges and complex formation with ligands on the moss surface are involved. Laboratory analysis, using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) has been involved for determination of the dry deposition occurred within moss biomonitors. The bioindication chemometric model was improved for nondestuctive evidence effectively for biogenic elements carbon and oxygen, macroelements Mg, Al, Si, K, Ca, and microelements Fe, Cu and Zn. Both moss species can be used interchangeable for dust deposition investigation.