Krassimir D. Naydenov (1,3), Michel K. Naydenov (2), Alexander Alexandrov (3), Todor Gurov (4)*, Georgi Hinkov (3), Sofiya Ivanovska (4), Veselka Gyuleva (3), Silvi-Maria Gurova (4), Makech Balakumar (5), and Biljana Nikolic (6)
 

1. Ministry of National Defence – CAF, 25 Grand-Bernier, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, J0J1R0, Canada. E-mails: KrassimirDN@gmail.com, KrassimirDN@hotmail.com 

2. UN Secretariat – UNOHR | DMSPC/ GSPD/ STMS/ ODS, Headquarters, 405 E 42nd St., New York, NY 10017, USA. E-mails: michel.naydenov@un.org, michel92kn@gmail.com 

3. Forest Research Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 132 Kliment Ochridskii Blvd., Sofia 1756, Bulgaria. E-mails: Alexandrov_38@abv.bg, gjuleva33v@abv.bg, georgihi@abv.bg 

4. Institute of Information and Communication Technologies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 25-A, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria. E-mails: todor.gurov@iict.bas.bg*, sofia@ parallel.bas.bg, smgurova@parallel.bas.bg

5. Departament of Botany, G-Venkataswamy Naidu College, Kovilpatti-628502, India. E-mail: bala.Makeshkumar@gvncollege.edu.in 

6. 6Institute of Forestry, Kneza Višeslava 3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. E-mail: smikitis@gmail.com 

§ In Memory of Irena Naydenova

In this research, we focused on the following question: What element can be used for phylogeography and phylogenetic studies for all species using results of the genome-wide analysis (GWA) of numerous model organisms (e.g., Homo sapiens, Mus musculus, Drosophila melanogaster)? We especially paid attention to the average mutation rate variation in the DNA fragment size across alleles from diverse loci (i.e., related to length-dependent mutation processes). Over the past 30 years, all molecular markers have been developed from the fundamentally different mechanisms of four mutations: single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), simple sequence repeats (SSRs), insertions–deletions (INDELs), and chromosome aberrations. The challenge is to accurately fix the molecular clock for size-variant DNA marker data to uncover the phylogeographic histories of many plants and animals. In this paper, we provided a lot of examples from a Homo sapience to a forest tree from Pinus genus, illustrating the importance of differentiating between molecular markers, their origins, and the locus molecular size to better calibrate the molecular clock for back-in-time simulation analyses.

Received: 14 August 2024 / Accepted: 17 October 2024 / Available online: 25 October 2024

Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Antoaneta Frantzova*, Nikolai Dobrev, Plamen Ivanov, Miroslav Krastanov, and Boyko Berov

Geological Institute at Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 24 Acad. Georgi Bonchev Srt., 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria. *E-mail: afrantzova@gmail.com

The article deals with the methodology for detecting and monitoring of wildfires with remote sensing data. The development’s purpose is to demonstrate the ways and methods of using free satellite data, as well as their practical application. We selected NASA’s largest fire monitoring platform, which offers free access and data from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel 2 satellites, for this purpose. This paper presents an overview of the physical basis for forest fire detection and provides a comparative study of the application of various satellite systems and equipment in the process of managing forest fire risks.

Received: 19 September 2024 / Accepted: 23 October 2024 / Available online: 31 October 2024

Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. 

Nexhat Balaj (1), Hyzer Rizani (1)*, Zenel Hajrizi (2), Adnan Gajtani (2), Nol Dedaj (1), and Lavdim Lepaja (3)
 

1. Faculty of Agriculture and Environment Engineering, University of Business and Technology, Lagjja Kalabria p.n., 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo. E-mails: nexhat.balaj@ubt-uni.net, hyzer.rizani@ubt-uni.net*, nol.dedaj@ubt-uni.net

2. South East European University-Tetovo, 335 Ilindenska Str., 1200 Tetovo, North Macedonia.
E-mails: zenelhajrizi20@gmail.com, adnanigajtani100@gmail.com

3. Department Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Prishtina, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo. E-mail: lavdim.lepaja@uni.edu.pr
 

Perennial flowering plants are important parts of the urban green spaces with their beautiful flowers, colours and foliage. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the blooming stage and vegetative growth parameters for 12 perennials flowering taxa of Digitalis purpurea and Gaillardia sp. in the agro-ecological conditions of Kosovo. During the 2022–2023 growing periods, the object of research in our experimental field were totally 12 taxa. The experiment was ′Randomized block′ type with four replications and 200 plants for each cultivar. All taxa were studied for: beginning and end of the flowering stage, features of petal fusion/ligules per flower head, flower opening stage, colour of flowers, dynamic of growth in length of flower stems, diameter of flower stems, number of flower stems per plant, fragrance of flowers. Digitalis cultivars and Gaillardia sp. have demonstrated high ornamentally and long period with flowers, good growing, leaves and flowers of different colours. Because of their good performance, studied taxa deserve more important place in public green spaces in the context of greater sustainability in urban landscape and should be included in the design and planting structure in Kosovo.

Received: 10 June 2024 / Accepted: 22 October 2024 / Available online: 31 October 2024

 Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Oussama Bekakra (1), El-Yamine Guergueb (2)*, Soumia Haddad (2), Yassine Nouidjem (3), Choayb Bounab (2), and Hichem Khammar (4)

1. Laboratory of Materials, Energy Systems, Technology and Environment, University of Ghardaia, Ghardaia 47000, Algeria.

2. Laboratory of Valorisation and Conservation of Arid Ecosystems (LVCAE), Faculty of Natural Sciences, Life and Earth Sciences, University of Ghardaia, Ghardaia 47000, Algeria. *E-mail: guergueb@univ-ghardaia.dz

3. University of M’sila, University Pole, Road Bourdj Bou Arreiridj, M’sila 28000, Algeria.

4. Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment, LFEE, University of Oum El Bouaghi, Algeria.

In this study, we examined the diversity of bird populations in an agricultural environment in Northern Algerian Sahara (Ghardaia province) over a period of 9 months. Using the point count technique, we collected data on birds at different levels of vertical stratification based on the number of cultivated plant species. An analysis of variance was used to assess the impact of plant strata number and cultivated species number on species richness and bird abundance. During this study, 35 bird species belonging to 7 orders and 18 families were identified. The highest values of Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H’ = 2.804), Simpson index (D = 0.913), and Margalef index (D = 4.761) were observed in the most complex areas. The differences in the number of species and abundance were significant between the different levels of complexity in agricultural environments, with areas having three vertical plant strata (trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants) and a greater number of cultivated plant species hosting the highest number of bird species and displaying high populations.

Received: 18 September 2024 / Accepted: 26 October 2024 / Available online: 07 November 2024

 Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Kevin Ortega Quispe (1,2)*, Betty Cordova Torres (1), Meliza Molina Damas (2),
Judith Oscanoa Ramos (3), Lucia Enriquez Pinedo (1,2), Itala Flores Torres (4),
and Dennis Ccopi Trucios (1,2)

1. Department of Agrarian Technological Development, Santa Ana Agrarian Experimental Station,
National Institute for Agrarian Innovation (INIA), Carretera Saños Grande Hualahoyo Km 8
Santa Ana, Huancayo, Junin 12006, Peru. E-mails: kevinorqu@gmail.com (K.O.Q)*,
bcordova@inia.gob.pe (B.C.T), luciacep7@gmail.com (L.E.P), dennisccopit@gmail.com (D.C.T)
2. Research Group on Nature Conservation and Climate Change, Faculty of Forestry and
Environmental Sciences, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú, Av. Mariscal Castilla 3909,
12006, Huancayo, Peru. E-mail: melizangely@gmail.com (M.M.D)
3. Faculty of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Universidad Nacional del Centro del Perú,
Av. Mariscal Castilla 3909, 12006, Huancayo, Peru. E-mail: oscanoa.rje@gmail.com (J.O.R)
4. Supervision and Monitoring Directorate at the Agricultural Experimental Stations, National
Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA), Av. La Molina 1981, Lima 15024, Peru.
E-mail: floresitala@gmail.com (I.F.T)

The Polylepis genus, endemic to the South American Andes, faces significant threats due to environmental variations, which jeopardize its growth and survival. This situation underscores the urgent need to develop conservation strategies. The present research assesses the influence of meteorological variables, such as temperature and humidity, on the growth and adaptation of various Polylepis species in the central Peruvian Andes, aiming to optimize reforestation and sustainable management practices. The study was conducted in experimental plots at the Santa Ana Agricultural Station in Junín, Peru, where Polylepis saplings, obtained from different localities, were planted. Over two years, phenotypic variables (height and diameter) and meteorological variables (precipitation, humidity, temperature, and wind speed) were monitored to evaluate the relationship between environmental conditions and plant development. The results showed that high humidity negatively affected all species, however wind speed appears to promote plant growth by creating an ideal microclimate that reduces soil moisture. Precipitation and maximum temperature had limited impact, indicating relative resilience to these factors. It should be noted that the species from Huancavelica and Yauyos have been adapting better to local conditions compared to those from Cerro de Pasco, which are more sensitive to humidity. These findings highlight the importance of considering wind speed and humidity in reforestation planning to improve the adaptability of Polylepis species. We conclude that humidity is the most decisive meteorological factor for the growth of Polylepis under specific conditions, emphasizing its relevance in planning conservation and reforestation strategies in the Peruvian Andes.

Received: 20 October 2024 / Accepted: 20 November 2024 / Available online: 10 January 2025

Open Access: This work is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.