0000000001329538
AUTHOR
Maris Strazds
Stand structure and spatial pattern of regeneration of Pinus sylvestris in a natural treed mire in Latvia
We examined the regeneration patterns of Pinus sylvestris L. in a natural treed mire in the hemiboreal zone in Latvia. Data on tree stem age and size was collected in 207 fine-scale plots (10 m) and 4 medium-scale plots (400 m). Size structure of living and dead trees was also estimated on transects 180-m and 250-m length and 10-m width. In addition, the vegetation was described in 1-m plots to determine preferred microsites for P. sylvestris establishment. Pinus sylvestris showed continuous regeneration by an inverse J-shaped age and size structure. Pulses of mortality induced by fire were also evident. Regeneration of P. sylvestris was mostly on Sphagnum magellanicam Brid. hummocks free o…
ASSESSING MERCURY POLLUTION USING BLACK STORK EGGSHELLS
Female birds whose bodies contain environmental contaminants produce eggs with shells that are likewise contaminated, making bird eggshells appropriate indicators for monitoring environmental toxins. Common contaminants include organic mercury compounds, especially methylmercury, which are known to bioaccumulate and biomagnify in the food chain. Black storks (Ciconia nigra) predominantly consume fish and are thus at risk for high mercury intake. In this study, we used eggshells of black storks as a proxy to reconstruct the concentration levels and distribution of mercury, a well-known toxic element, in various parts of Latvia. Preliminary analyses have shown that deposition levels of mercur…
Conservation from the bottom up: drawing inspiration from human-nature connections
Increasing exploitation and commodification of the world’s species and natural systems threaten biological diversity as well as human cultural diversity. Approximately 1000 known species and an estimated half of the world’s languages have gone extinct over the last 500 years. Increasing human populations and impacts may threaten 30-50% of remaining species within the next several decades, and many extant languages are in danger of extinction, illustrating how the fates of both biological and human cultural diversity may be entwined. We explore challenges and opportunities to stem this tide of homogenization using cultural traditions that have conservation implications. We highlight case stu…