Search Results (74)

The Potocki family of the Pilawa coat of arms was among the most powerful noble lineages of the former Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and its history is closely intertwined with that of Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine. In the late seventeenth century, Feliks Kazimierz Potocki (1630–1702) founded the town of Krystynopol (now Chervonohrad), named in honor of his wife, Krystyna Lubomirska. The residence, passed down through successive generations of the Potocki family, was transformed in the mid-eighteenth century into an impressive Baroque palace-and-garden complex designed by Pierre Ricaudde Tirregaille, becoming a model example of the magnate cultural landscape on the border of present-day Poland and Ukraine. In the centuries that followed, the estate changed owners multiple times, suffered devastation during the world wars, and in the Soviet period housed the Museum of Atheism. Today, the partially restored palace accommodates a small regional museum. Although in the eighteenth century the palace was surrounded by an extensive Italian-French style garden with water canals, ponds, and fountains, the area has since been built over with public-utility buildings. This study presents a concept for the development of the surviving elements of the historical palace park. The project is based on historical analyses, field research, site inspections, interviews with museum staff and town residents, as well as a detailed dendrological inventory including an assessment of tree health. The study area covers 4.71 ha, and the current tree stand is composed mainly of Salix alba, Populus nigra, Populus alba, Betula pendula, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Ulmus laevis, Acer negundo, and Acer pseudoplatanus. Archival sources allowed for the reconstruction of the original layout of the palace-park complex. The aim of the project is therefore to introduce new representative, educational, recreational, social, ecological, and touristic functions to the currently neglected area while respecting its historical heritage. Full article

Rapid human population growth accelerates biodiversity loss through urban habitat fragmentation, yet ecologically informed urban planning can mitigate these effects. This study evaluates whether and how vegetation characteristics, as captured by Earth observation data varies across forest habitats in a small Mediterranean city in Italy. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI), and Land Surface Temperature (LST) for the Functional Urban Area of Campobasso were derived from multitemporal Landsat 8 imagery (2020–2023) acquired during the growing season and combined with elevation data to account for topographic gradients. Different forest habitats were identified using the regional coeval Carta della Natura (Map of Nature) and were sampled by a random stratified strategy yielding more than 900,000 observations. A linear mixed-effects model was used to model NDVI as a function of NDMI, LST, elevation, and habitat type, while accounting for temporal and spatial dependencies. The model explained a large proportion of NDVI variability (marginal R² = 0.75; conditional R² = 0.85), with NDMI emerging as the strongest predictor, followed by weaker effects of LST and elevation. Habitat differences were also evident: oak-dominated forests (i.e., Quercus frainetto, Q. cerris, and Q. pubescens dominated habitats) exhibited the highest NDVI values, while coniferous plantations (i.e., Pinus nigra dominated habitat) had the lowest; forests dominated by Robinia pseudoacacia and riparian Salix alba showed intermediate vegetation greenness values. These results highlight the ecological importance of oak forests in Mediterranean urban landscapes and demonstrate the value of satellite-based monitoring for capturing habitat variability. The reproducible workflow applied here provides a scalable tool to support habitat conservation and planning in urban environments, also accounting for impending climate change scenarios. Full article

Synthetic anthelmintic drugs not only contribute to the development of pathogen resistance and environmental pollution but also to the development of pathogen resistance. Therefore, identifying the anthelmintic properties of widely used medicinal plants could be of great practical interest to veterinary and human medicine. In our experiment, we evaluated the in vitro survivability of the noninvasive and invasive (L_1–2 and L_3, respectively) larvae of Strongyloides papillosus and Haemonchus contortus subject to aqueous solutions of ethanolic tinctures of traditional medicinal plants (46 species). Most of the plant species we studied belonged to the families Asteraceae (Achillea millefolium, Arctium lappa, Artemisia absinthium, Bidens tripartita, Calendula officinalis, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus, Echinacea purpurea, Helichrysum arenarium, Inula helenium, Matricaria chamomilla, Silybum marianum, Tanacetum vulgare, Taraxacum officinale, Tragopogon porrifolius), Rosaceae (Agrimonia eupatoria, Fragaria vesca, Sanguisorba officinalis), and Lamiaceae (Leonurus cardiaca, Mentha × piperita, Origanum vulgare, Salvia officinalis, Thymus vulgaris). Other plant families were represented by 1–3 species: Fabaceae (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Hedysarum alpinum, Trifolium pratense), Salicaceae (Populus nigra, P. tremula, Salix alba), Fagaceae (Quercus robur), Betulaceae (Betula pendula), Juglandaceae (Juglans regia), Rhamnaceae (Frangula alnus), Acoraceae (Acorus calamus), Apiaceae (Foeniculum vulgare), Caprifoliaceae (Valeriana officinalis), Cucurbitaceae (Cucurbita pepo), Equisetaceae (Equisetum arvense), Ericaceae (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), Gentianaceae (Centaurium erythraea), Hypericaceae (Hypericum perforatum), Malvaceae (Althaea officinalis), Plantaginaceae (Linaria vulgaris, Plantago major), Poaceae (Zea mays), Polygonaceae (Polygonum aviculare), and Ranunculaceae (Nigella sativa). We determined Artemisia absinthium, Inula helenium, Matricaria chamomilla, Salvia officinalis, and Populus nigra, whose aqueous solutions of alcohol tinctures demonstrated nematocidal properties. The other plants we studied did not affect the viability of parasitic nematode larvae. Full article

This paper explores the dynamic behavior of different wood species in the form of violin boards, based on experimental modal analysis using a single-input, multiple-output configuration. Thus, two groups of species were studied: the first group for the violin top plates, being analyzed Picea abies (spruce), Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata (Taiwania), and Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese cedar), and the second group, with species for the back plates, such as Acer pseudoplatanus (maple), Populus nigra (poplar), Salix alba (willow), and Firmiana simplex (Chinese parasol). The results highlighted the frequency spectrum and the dominant resonance frequency, as well as the frequency damping, the signal processing analysis being based on Fast Fourier Transform and Wigner–Ville distribution of signals. The results highlighted that the lowest values of acoustic radiation are recorded for maple wood (7.8 m⁴ kg⁻¹ s⁻¹) and Taiwania (10.08 m⁴ kg⁻¹ s⁻¹), and the highest values for spruce (14.7 m⁴ kg⁻¹ s⁻¹) and Chinese parasol (15.58 m⁴ kg⁻¹ s⁻¹). Regarding the resonance frequency, the Taiwania and Japanese cedar plates present the dominant frequency around 600–635 Hz in comparison with Norway spruce having 920 Hz. The ratios between dominant frequencies of the Chinese parasol, poplar, maple, and willow are 1:1.42:2.62:2.98. It can be concluded that spruce and maple wood present the best dynamic properties, but when using other species, Japanese cedar wood for the top plate and Chinese parasol wood for the back plate represent species with potential in the construction of stringed musical instruments. Either a mechano-thermal treatment or an appropriate finish can enhance the acoustic qualities of these wood species, research that can be undertaken in the future. Full article

Anthocyanins, key flavonoid-derived secondary metabolites, not only confer diverse pigmentation but also function in photoprotection, antioxidative defense, and cold acclimation. In woody species, bark anthocyanin turnover is tightly linked to environmental adaptation, stress resilience, and ornamental traits, yet its molecular regulation remains largely unresolved. Here, we investigated Salix alba L. bark by integrating anthocyanin quantification, transcriptome profiling, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to dissect the temporal dynamics and regulatory architecture of anthocyanin degradation. Anthocyanin content peaked at D2 (late December 2024), declined through D3 (mid-January 2025) and D4 (mid-February 2025), and partially rebounded at D5 (early March 2025), coinciding with peak expression of structural genes LAC1/2, POD1/2, and BGLU10. These enzymes co-expressed with multiple transcription factors, including MYB, bHLH, and WRKY families, forming putative core modules. Functional enrichment indicated that differentially expressed genes were enriched in redox processes, glycoside hydrolysis, flavonoid metabolism, and hormone signaling, suggesting a degradation mechanism mediated by reactive oxygen species, glycosidic cleavage, and hormone–transcription factor interplay. This study provides the first comprehensive framework of bark anthocyanin degradation in white willow, advancing the understanding of pigment dynamics, gene–environment crosstalk, and breeding strategies for ornamental woody plants. Full article

Alien woody plants (AWPs) increasingly threaten biodiversity in China’s national nature reserves, with climate change expected to intensify these risks. We used species distribution modeling (MaxEnt) and spatial prioritization (Zonation) to assess invasion risk for 251 AWP species across 479 national nature reserves under current and future climate scenarios (SSP245 and SSP585). Spatial prioritization revealed current hotspots in southern tropical–subtropical national nature reserves (e.g., Hainan, Fujian, Yunnan provinces), with significant northward and westward expansion projected under warming. A total of 71 species—such as Quercus robur, Salix alba, and Robinia pseudoacacia—pose consistently high risks, while some others (e.g., Ficus benghalensis) may become emerging threats under future conditions. These range shifts are driven by thermal constraint relaxation and longer growing seasons. To mitigate future impacts, we recommend region-specific strategies: containment and seed-source control in southern national nature reserves, and early detection and monitoring in northern and western regions. Our findings provide a spatially explicit framework for climate-informed invasive species management in protected areas. Full article

The processing of freshly cut fruits and vegetables represents an important niche for implementing circular economy principles, particularly through the reuse of washing water. This is especially relevant as post-wash water is often treated as wastewater and discarded without reuse. One promising research avenue is the use of plant-derived extracts in water sanitation processes. Their antimicrobial properties offer a natural alternative to conventional disinfectants while reducing the formation of harmful disinfection by-products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different filter bed configurations in removing pathogens from water. These configurations included a hydrogel saturated with natural plant extracts, an ion exchange resin layer, and an activated carbon layer. The most effective composite was also tested using real process water from a fruit washing line. The test materials included concentrated extracts from oak bark (Quercus robur), willow (Salix alba), birch (Betula pendula), raspberry shoots (Rubus idaeus), tea leaves (Camellia sinensis), and linden flowers (Tilia cordata), all immobilized in hydrogel, along with activated carbon and ion-exchange resin. Water samples were artificially inoculated with six opportunistic pathogens and collected process water was also used. Samples were analyzed microbiologically at six time intervals. The composite filter (hydrogel–resin–carbon) achieved a reduction of over 2 log₁₀ in heavily inoculated water (~10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹) and maintained at least a 1 log₁₀ reduction in real process effluents. The proposed solution supports blue water footprint reduction strategies (as the system aims to decrease the demand for freshwater resources through the reuse of treated wastewater) and aligns with the principles of green processing. Full article

Background/Objectives: In flowering plants, hybridization is an important evolutionary force that might change sex distributions and sex determination systems (SDSs). However, little is known about processes in the first hybrid generations. Here, we study a cultivated putative hybrid cross of weeping willows (genus Salix, S.), S. alba × babylonica to gain insights into the effects of hybridization into SDSs. Methods: We analyzed the genetic structure of pure S. alba, pure S. babylonica, and the putative hybrid crosses in Central Europe using RADSeq data and five independent methods (NeighborNet, genetic structure analysis, Principal Component Analysis, hybrid index and heterozygosity analysis, and hybrid class analysis). The genetic SDS was analyzed on male, female, and mixed (monoecious) phenotypes by detecting sex-specific genomic markers using RADSex. Results: Genetic analyses indicate that most of the weeping willows represent F1 hybrids (S. alba × babylonica), and only two putative S. alba backcrosses. Hybrid index, heterozygosity, and hybrid class analyses provided more interpretable results than the other methods. The parental species were consistently dioecious, whereas hybrids had male, female, and monoecious phenotypes. RADSex revealed a male heterogametic XY system for S. alba, and this was combined in the hybrids with the previously known ZW system of S. babylonica. Conclusions: We confirmed the historical records stating that S. alba × babylonica are mostly F1 hybrids. We report for the first time that the combination of XY and ZW systems in primary hybrids results in regular shifts to monoecy. Full article

To evaluate the ecological remediation effect of Salix matsudana × alba on saline coastal soils, we established a five-year field experiment in Rudong County, Jiangsu Province, China. The experiment was designed with three salinity gradients (low, medium, and high) and five plant spacing treatments (2 × 2 m, 2 × 3 m, 3 × 3 m, 3 × 4 m, and 4 × 4 m). Soil samples were collected annually at a depth of 0–20 cm using grid and random sampling methods. Indicators of soil physicochemical properties and heavy metal content were measured, including soil organic matter (SOM), pH, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total potassium (TK), electrical conductivity (EC), total salinity (TS), and bulk density (BD). Additionally, eight heavy metals were analyzed: zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg). Results showed that the hybrid willow significantly improved SOM content by up to 90% and reduced EC and TS by 52% and 60% over five years, especially under low and medium salinity conditions with dense planting (2 × 2 m, 2 × 3 m). The content of most heavy metals exhibited a decreasing trend or remained stable, indicating the plant’s phytostabilization potential (i.e., stabilization of heavy metals via plant-soil interaction). Principal component analysis (PCA) and random forest (RF) modeling identified SOM, EC, TS, and BD as the dominant factors influencing soil quality improvement. A soil quality index (SQI) was constructed based on PCA-derived weights, which further confirmed the positive ecological effect of this hybrid species on coastal saline soils. This study provides scientific evidence supporting the use of Salix matsudana × alba as a promising species for large-scale ecological restoration in coastal saline-alkaline lands. Full article

Tree species composition, stand structure, and growth dynamics were evaluated within the priority habitat 91E0* (alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., and Fraxinus excelsior L.) in the Nestos region of northeastern Greece. This study aimed to understand the ecological dynamics of this unique habitat and to properly plan restoration actions. Measurements were conducted in May and July 2023 across 14 plots distributed randomly along both banks of the Nestos River (east and west). A total of 667 trees with a DBH ≥ 2.5 cm were recorded, representing 13 species and 10 families. Tree densities ranged from 14 to 541 stems ha⁻¹, and the average basal area was 8.77 m² ha⁻¹. Both density and basal area significantly differed between the two riverbanks. Our results indicate that Alnus glutinosa dominates in the alluvial forest, forming more resilient communities with Populus alba L., Populus nigra L., and Salix alba L. However, Fraxinus angustifolia Vahl was not as prevalent as expected. These findings highlight the need for conservation actions and draw attention to the threats facing the alluvial forest. Full article

Water used in cleaning processes within the agri-food industry can be a vector for post-harvest contaminants, thus contributing to cross-contamination. The contamination risk is increased when water is not replaced between batches or when disinfection protocols are insufficient. Given the increasing focus in recent years on the potential of natural, non-invasive plant extracts to combat a variety of pathogens, including multidrug-resistant bacteria, environmental strains, and clinical isolates, this study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of selected water-ethanol plant extracts against six opportunistic pathogens isolated from wash water in the agri-food industry, along with chromatographic analyses of the selected extracts. Plant extracts were obtained from the fruits, leaves, shoots, roots, and bark of 13 species. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the well diffusion method. The results indicated that antimicrobial activity was exhibited by six extracts: Tilia cordata Mill., Camellia sinensis, Quercus robur L., Betula pendula Roth, Rubus idaeus L., and Salix alba L. The extracts showed strain-dependent antimicrobial activity, with C. sinensis and R. idaeus up to 4.0 mm and 8.0 mm inhibition zones, respectively. P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis were the most susceptible strains, demonstrating the largest inhibition zones. In contrast, P. vulgaris and K. oxytoca were more resistant. The efficacy of the most active extracts can be linked to the presence of phytochemicals identified via GC-MS, including epicatechin, shikimic acid, quinic acid, gallic acid, and caffeine. These metabolites are known to interfere with bacterial cell structures and metabolic pathways. These studies may serve as a preliminary step toward the development of non-invasive water treatment methods for wash water. Full article

Salix alba L. (Linnaeus, 1753; Salicaceae), a widely distributed riparian species, remains understudied regarding its genetic diversity patterns and driving factors in arid zone ecosystems. In this study, 320 Salix alba samples were collected from 10 geographic unit groups in Xinjiang, China, a typical arid zone, and analyzed using a comprehensive approach that incorporated SSR molecular marker technology with multi-dimensional data on geographic and climatic factors. The analysis revealed that: (1) The genetic diversity of Salix alba in the arid zone was found to be relatively rich, with populations in the humid areas of northern Xinjiang (e.g., Shannon’s index of I = 0.45 in Ili) significantly higher than those in the extreme arid regions of southern Xinjiang (e.g., Hotan), with I = 0.0762 in Yili. Further analysis using both STRUCTURE (K = 3) and PCoA methods confirmed the division of Salix alba populations in Xinjiang into three independent genetic clusters, with 65% of the observed genetic variation originating from differences between these populations. (2) Secondly, climatic factors exhibited higher explanatory power than geographic factors in elucidating variations in genetic distances among individuals. Cold season precipitation differences (Bio19, r = 0.621) and the coefficient of variation of annual precipitation (Bio17, r = 0.588) were identified as the primary drivers of these variations. Conversely, the latitudinal difference (r = 0.487) and geographic distance (r = 0.207) exhibited a significant impact on genetic distance, underscoring the importance of geo-graphic factors in shaping genetic variation. Full article

(1) Background: Salt stress poses a significant challenge to plant productivity, particularly in forestry and agriculture. This research explored the physiological adaptations of Salix matsudana × alba to varying salt stress levels and assessed the utility of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) integrated with machine learning for stress detection; (2) Methods: Physiological metrics, such as photosynthesis, chlorophyll concentration, antioxidant enzyme activity, proline levels, membrane stability, and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, were analyzed under controlled experimental conditions. Spectral data in the visible (Vis) and near-infrared (NIR) ranges were acquired, with preprocessing techniques enhancing data precision. The study established quantitative detection models for physiological indicators and developed a salt stress monitoring model; (3) Results: Photosynthetic efficiency and chlorophyll synthesis while elevating oxidative damage indicators, including enzyme activity, proline content, and membrane permeability. Strong correlations between spectral signatures and physiological changes highlighted HSI’s effectiveness for early stress detection. Among the machine learning models, the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) trained on Vis+NIR data with standard normal variate (SNV) preprocessing achieved 100% classification accuracy; (4) Conclusions: The results demonstrated that HSI, coupled with modeling techniques, is a powerful non-invasive tool for real-time monitoring of salt stress, providing valuable insights for early intervention and contributing to sustainable agricultural and forestry practices. Full article

Riparian forests in the valley area of the Irtysh River Basin are capable of providing a variety of ecosystem services such as water conservation and biodiversity maintenance. Their health condition is an important reflection of their ability to maintain the stability of ecosystem structure and perform ecosystem functions. In this study, a comprehensive survey was conducted to observe the typical distribution areas of riparian forests in the valley of six tributaries and one main stream of the Irtysh River Basin. Twelve indicators were chosen from the three categories of vigor (i.e., productivity), organization (i.e., species diversity and structure complexity), and resistance (i.e., harmful factors and disturbances) to form an evaluation system. Expert-based and statistical weighting were applied to calculate the health scores of riparian forests in the valley and prioritized the health grades of seven rivers. Several criteria were used to further classify the unhealthy level of each river individually. The results of this study can be used as a foundation for future conservation and orderly development of riparian forests in the valley area. The results show that (1) the Kuyertes River was classified as healthy, while the Haba and Berezek Rivers were classified as unhealthy. (2) Among the three evaluation categories, the organization consistently achieved higher scores compared to vigor and resistance. (3) Unhealthy conditions were consistently observed in the midstream sections of each river. (4) Forest types such as Salix alba L. forests, Populus euphratica Oliv. forests, and Betula pendula Roth forests were particularly prone to poor health outcomes. The health of the riparian forests was relatively unsatisfactory due to the conflicting water resource allocation. The protection and restoration of riparian forests in the valley area of the Haba and Berezek Rivers should be prioritized in the future, as well as the middle reaches of each tributary. Additionally, it is necessary to pay attention to three key indicators: stand volume per unit area, stand density, and diameter at breast high (dbh) class structure to improve the health condition of riparian forests. Full article

In this study, five poplar clones (Populus deltoides cl. PE19/66, cl. S1-8, cl. 135/81, and Populus × euramericana cl. I-214, cl. Pannonia) and two white willow clones (Salix alba cl. 380, cl. 107/65-9) were tested in pot trials. The aim was to evaluate their potential for phytoextraction of nine heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in three substrates, two based on soil from landfills near Belgrade and Novi Sad, and one control treatment based on nursery soil. The shoot content of all analyzed heavy metals was the highest in the BG substrate with the highest content of heavy metals and the lowest in the control substrate. White willow clone 107/65-9 achieved the highest accumulation of Cd, Cr, Fe, Ni and Pb and along with another willow clone 380 is found to act as generalists. Poplar clones performed more as specialists: I-214 and Pannonia for copper, PE 19/66 for manganese and S1-8 for nickel and zinc. Considerable differences among examined clones in heavy metal accumulation and reaction to substrates should be taken into consideration in further pot and field trials as well as in phytoremediation projects on landfills. Full article