Miškų ir ekologijos fakultetas / Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology

Vector-borne zoonotic pathogens represent a growing concern for public health worldwide. Among them, Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. are gram-negative bacteria transmitted primarly by ectoparasites such as ticks and fleas. These pathogens cause a variety of infectious diseases that affect both animals and humans. Wild carnivores, particularly foxes (Vulpes vulpes), play an important role in the maintenance and circulation of these bacteria in natural ecosystems. Ectoparasites feeding on wildlife act as vectors and reservoirs, contributing to pathogen persistence and facilitating transmission between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans. Therefore, investigating the prevalence of Rickettsia and Bartonella in ectoparasites from wild animals is essential for understanding their epidemiology and evaluating potential zoonotic risk. In this study, molecular methods were used to detect Rickettsia and Bartonella DNA in ectoparasites collected from red foxes in Lithuania. A total of 109 ectoparasites (21 ticks and 88 fleas) were collected from 9 red foxes. All samples were analyzed using PCR amplification targeting the gltA gene for Rickettsia spp. and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region for Bartonella spp., followed by sequencing analysis. Overall, 19.3% of the examined ectoparasites tested positive for either Rickettsia or Bartonella DNA. Specifically, Rickettsia spp. were detected in 17.4%, while Bartonella spp. were detected in 1.8%. Detection rates varied among ectoparasites: in fleas, Rickettsia was detected in 21.6% and Bartonella in 2.3%, whereas in ticks, only Rickettsia was identified, with a detection rate of 28.6%. These findings indicate that the relatively high detection rate of Rickettsia spp. indicates active circulation of these pathogens in wild ecosystems. The lower prevalence of Bartonella spp. may reflect differences in host, vector, and pathogen dynamics, vector competence, or ecological factors influencing transmission. Overall, the presence of these bacteria in ectoparasites collected from foxes highlights their potential role as reservoirs and vectors of zoonotic bacteria

The genetic structure of European red deer populations is influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors, including historical and recent introductions. These processes may increase the risk of interspecific hybridization and contribute to uncertainty regarding the genetic status of local populations. Due to limited genetic monitoring, data on the genetic status and diversity of local red deer populations remain scarce in many regions. This study was aimed at assessing the genetic diversity of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in Lithuania using molecular genetic markers and identifying possible signs of heterogeneity in genetic origin. In this study, molecular genetic markers were used, including an intron fragment of the Y-chromosome zfy gene and mitochondrial DNA sequences. Samples from red deer and individuals of unknown genetic origin were analyzed. The obtained sequences were compared with reference sequences available in the GenBank database, and phylogenetic analyses were performed using MEGA software. The genetic data of Lithuanian red deer individuals showed close similarity to other European populations, including individuals from Scotland and Norway that have traditionally been classified as different subspecies (Cervus elaphus scoticus, C. e. atlanticus). Meanwhile, the genetic data of individuals of unknown origin exhibited higher genetic variability, possibly indicating a different genetic origin. Overall, these preliminary results suggest that Lithuanian red deer are genetically similar to other European populations; however, more extensive sampling and additional genetic markers are required for a comprehensive assessment of population genetic structure and origin.

Supplying forest reproductive material that is both high-quality and genetically diverse remains a substantial challenge for forestry under accelerating climate change. Recent climate extremes, particularly heat waves, drought and severe frost, complicate predictions of how seed stands will respond in terms of growth and fructification. Consequently, productivity and stand-stability at certain sites may be negatively affected. Identifying potentially adaptive and climate resilient provenances and populations is therefore essential. We investigated the climate sensitivity of native silver fir in mixed mountainous forests of southern Germany to assess its capacity to cope with future climate conditions. Using ecological niche modelling, nutrient regime data and available soil water capacity, we selected 12 silver fir stands across Bavaria, Baden–Württemberg, and Thuringia, and applied population genetic and genomic approaches. Analysis of nine nuclear microsatellites indicated relatively high genetic diversity and revealed three main spatial-genetic clusters in the east-west gradient. Outlier and genotype-environment association analyses conducted on six selected stands along the environmental gradient identified gene loci that may be under selection. Fourteen common outliers were linked to stress-related pathways involved in growth regulation. Nine outliers were associated with more than one environmental variable. Twenty-five environmentally associated outliers were located in genes coding for proteins involved in various metabolic functions, including drought-related responses. These results contribute to understanding the spatial-genetic clustering and adaptive potential of silver fir and can inform efforts to conserve and sustainably manage the species’ genetic resources in Germany.

The population of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) has increased rapidly over recent decades, raising concerns about their role as reservoirs of parasites and pathogens of veterinary and medical importance [1,2]. Ectoparasites associated with foxes may contribute to the maintenance and transmission of zoonotic pathogens, including bacteria of the genus Rickettsia [3]. However, data on the occurrence of Rickettsia spp. in fox ectoparasites remain limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Rickettsia spp. pathogens in ectoparasites collected from red foxes using molecular methods. Ectoparasites were collected from nine red foxes and identified morphologically. DNA was extracted from individual ectoparasites, and Rickettsia spp. were detected using real-time PCR targeting the gltA gene. Positive samples werefurther analyzed by nested PCRamplifying a 381 bpfragmentof the gltA gene, followed by sequencing for species identification. A total of 109 ectoparasites were collected, including fleas (80.73%, n = 88) and ticks (19.27%, n = 21). Rickettsia DNA was detected in 9.52% of ticks (2/21) and 1.83% of fleas (2/88). Sequence analysis identified Rickettsia spp., Rickettsia helvetica,and Rickettsia conorii subsp. raoultii. These findings demonstrate the presence of several zoonotic Rickettsia species in fox-associated ectoparasites. The detection of pathogenic Rickettsia species in ectoparasites of red foxes highlights their potential role in the circulation of zoonotic pathogens. These results emphasize the importance of monitoring wildlife ectoparasites to better understand the epidemiology and public health risks associated with Rickettsia infections.

Biologinės įvairovės nykimas ir klimato kaita kelia reikšmingus aplinkosaugos iššūkius, todėl būtinos veiksmingos priemonės, tokios kaip biologinės įvairovės apsauga ir gamta grįsti sprendimai (GGS). Šiame tyrime, atliktame įgyvendinant programos „Horizon Europe“ projektą „Education and Nature-Based Solutions: Enabling Society to Bend the Curve for Biodiversity“ (eNaBlS), analizuojamas visuomenės sąmoningumas, požiūris ir motyvacija įsitraukti į biologinės įvairovės apsaugą bei gamta grįstų sprendimų taikymą Lietuvoje. Tyrimas pagrįstas internetinės apklausos duomenimis, surinktais iš 157 respondentų Lietuvoje. Rezultatai rodo, kad daugiau kaip 90 % respondentų biologinę įvairovę sieja su augalų, gyvūnų ir buveinių įvairove, o 68 % pripažįsta biologinės įvairovės nykimą kaip vietos aplinkos problemą. Susirūpinimą aplinkos būkle atspindi 86 atviri respondentų atsakymai, kuriuose pabrėžiamas ekosistemų degradavimas ir rūšių nykimas. Nors 62,4 % respondentų palaiko politines biologinės įvairovės apsaugos priemones, 26,1 % abejoja jų veiksmingumu. Tyrimo rezultatai taip pat išryškina aplinkosauginių kompetencijų svarbą, ypač ekologinių žinių ir praktinių biologinės įvairovės apsaugos gebėjimų. Tyrimas pabrėžia būtinybę stiprinti aplinkosauginį švietimą ir tarpdisciplinines kompetencijas, siekiant paversti visuomenės sąmoningumą realiais veiksmais biologinės įvairovės apsaugos ir gamta grįstų sprendimų įgyvendinimo srityje.

Kharkiv region traditionally belongs to the territory with complicated conditions for forestry. Most of the region belongs to the forest-steppe zone with a pronounced continental climate. The southern part of the region belongs to the steppe zone with a risky forestry. The forest cover of Kharkiv region is approximately 12.1%, which is significantly less than the average in Ukraine. The total area of forests in the region was approximately 320 thousand hectares. Forest stands are mainly concentrated in the form of forest massifs near rivers and large artificial reservoirs, as well as in the form of artificially planted forest protection plantations. Forest ecosystems of Kharkiv region are negatively affected by natural environmental factors of abiotic nature, which are characteristic of the forest-steppe and steppe zones in the continental climate. The most pronounced negative impact is drought, the components of which are high temperature and lack of available moisture. In particular, the annual death of forest crops during reforestation and afforestation due to drought before the war was about 36%. Other negative abiotic factors in the region are severe frosts in winter and early spring frosts, pollution with salts, heavy metals and pollutants, lack of nutrients on sandy soils, use of herbicides in fields and others. Among the pathogenic biotic factors that damage woody forest plants, the most harmful in the last decade are root rot disease of coniferous, powdery mildew of oak, maple and birch, root sponge in pine, tracheomycosis in oak and ash, graphiosis in elm, halary necrosis in ash. Among the pests in the Kharkiv region over the past decade, the most harmful were the emerald ash borer, pine bark beetle, large oak weevil, common pine sawfly, odd-eyed silkworm in oak, and chestnut borer moth. But the biggest problem for the forests of the Kharkiv region is military operations against the aggression of the Russian occupiers. About 200 thousand hectares of forest stands are under occupation or in the zone of combat operations, are considered mined, or have become inaccessible for forestry care and protection. A significant part of the forest areas has been damaged as a result of direct combat operations, forest fires, or has been uncontrolledly cut down, and requires large-scale demining and restoration measures. In turn, damaged stands lose their ecological and economic functions, become sources of the spread of diseases and insect pests. Therefore, the forest stands of Kharkiv region will require special attention and enhanced measures in the near future to restore and form the environmentally stable forest ecosystems

Accurate age determination in roe deer Capreolus capreolus is essential for selective harvesting and informed population management, yet field-based methods widely used by hunters remain imprecise. This study compared field-based and laboratory age determination methods in 204 harvested roe deer, categorized by sex and habitat type (forest versus open field). Age was estimated using 1) field indicators based on visual observations and tooth wear, and 2) laboratory methods including second molar height, dry eye lens weight, and cementum annuli counts. Generalized linear models and ANOVA revealed that dry eye-lens weight increased monotonically with age (η2 = 0.885; p < 0.001), showing strong predictive capacity for cementum-derived age. In contrast, second molar height exhibited a hump-shaped pattern, with weaker explanatory power. Sex and habitat type had no significant effects on morphometric traits associated with age, indicating that temporal biological processes dominate over ecological or sexual dimorphism. Agreement between laboratory cementum annuli and field age classifications was fair to moderate (Cohen's κ = 0.371 ± 0.039 SE, p < 0.001) whereas the laboratory cementum annuli and dry eye-lens weight showed moderate agreement beyond chance (Cohen's κ = 0.285 ± 0.036 SE, p < 0.001). These findings demonstrate that while cementum annuli analysis and dry eye-lens weight provide robust biological age proxies, field-based methods currently lack sufficient precision for reliable selective harvest decisions. Reliable age estimation techniques are essential not only for effective population management but also for maintaining the biological and socio-cultural integrity of selective hunting practices.

Water is attractive as a base fluid due to its availability and environmental friendliness. To enhance its lubricity, environmentally friendly additives must be applied. This study combined protic ionic liquid and several nanoparticles to form hybrid additives for an oil-in-water lubricant. The performance of these additives was evaluated using wettability, tribo-testing, and worn-surface analysis. The tribo-test employed a ball-on-plate reciprocating tribometer that used bearing steel/bearing steel and WC/bearing steel friction pairs. The results were compared with those obtained using two commercial additives. It was found that the investigated additives are promising candidates for water-based lubricants, as they exhibit comparable wettability. Moreover, they outperform the reference samples in terms of lubricity. According to the results, the suggested lubrication mechanism includes enhanced wettability, composite tribo-film formation, surface polishing, and mending.

The International Cooperative Programme on Integrated Monitoring of Air Pollution Effects on Ecosystems (ICP IM) presents a comprehensive long-term dataset of ongoing integrated ecosystem monitoring from European forested catchments. The dataset encompasses measurements from 46 monitoring stations across 14 European countries, with temporal coverage mostly extending from the early 1990s to 2020 (48 sites are currently active). The integrated monitoring approach applies over 20 monitoring subprogrammes to simultaneously measure physical, chemical, and biological properties across multiple ecosystem compartments including atmosphere, precipitation, throughfall, soil water, groundwater, runoff water, soil, vegetation, and biota. All measurements follow standardised protocols detailed in the ICP IM Manual, ensuring data quality and comparability across sites and time periods. The dataset supports research on ecosystem responses to air pollution, climate change impacts, and biogeochemical cycling. Data are available under a Creative Commons By Attribution (CC BY) licence, providing valuable long-term environmental monitoring data for the scientific community.