The fundamental task set by the editors of the journal is to bring together and present a diversity of research connected with ecology. Apart from the traditional ecological research areas, the scope of the journal will embrace more peripheral ecological issues connected with other disciplines of biology. Recognizing the increasing importance of the humanities in ecological research, the editors will strive to give such issues due representation in the journal. We hope to encourage the researchers contributing to the journal to adopt an unconventional approach to solving ecological problems, to go beyond classical, well-established conceptions, and to include methodological and anthropological issues. Such an approach is validated by the intensive development of the sciences bordering on both biology and the humanities that has been observed over recent years.

The primary task of the journal "Ecological Questions" is to gather and present a diverse range of research related to ecology. In addition to traditional ecological research areas, the journal will also embrace more peripheral ecological issues connected with other biological disciplines. Recognizing the growing importance of the humanities in ecological research, the editors will strive to ensure that such issues are adequately represented in the journal. We hope to encourage researchers contributing to the journal to adopt unconventional approaches to solving ecological problems, going beyond classical, well-established concepts, and including methodological and anthropological issues. This approach is validated by the intensive development of sciences that bridge both biology and the humanities observed in recent years.

《Ecological Questions》期刊的基本任务是汇集和展示与生态学相关的多样化研究。除了传统的生态研究领域，期刊的范围还将涵盖与其他生物学学科相关的边缘生态问题。鉴于人文学科在生态研究中的日益重要性，编辑们将努力在期刊中给予这些问题应有的代表性。我们希望鼓励为期刊投稿的研究者采用非常规的方法来解决生态问题，超越经典的、成熟的观念，并包括方法论和人类学问题。这种方法得到了近年来生物学和人文学科交叉科学的快速发展的验证。

Ecological Questions

Decomposition of organic matter supports important soil ecosystem services. The rate of decomposition depends mostly on the type of plant material being decomposed and the abundance and diversity of organisms that process the organic matter. Consequently, any disturbance to the soil ecosystem will affect the decomposition process. Invasive plants, such as Solidago species, pose a serious ecological threat to natural habitats, so effective and environmentally safe methods of controlling their occurrence should be developed. In this study, decomposition rates were used as indicators of soil health during grassland restoration after Solidago invasion. Different seed mixtures (grasses, grasses with legumes, seeds collected from a seminatural meadow; use of fresh hay and no seeds) were sown during a field experiment and different mowing frequencies (1, 2 and 3 times per year) were established. Two hypotheses were tested: (1) plant species composition used in the restoration process affects litter decomposition rates, and (2) mowing regimes affect litter decomposition rates. It was found that decomposition rates were higher in plots with the highest species diversity. This indicates that an increase in species diversity has a positive effect on soil processes. Secondly, mowing two and three times per season has a positive effect on the decomposition process. In conclusion, decomposition rates can be used as a tool to identify adequate grassland management.

Peliyagodage Chathura Dineth Perera

Iwona Gruss

Magdalena Szymura

Effect of litter decomposition on mowing and plant composition change during Solidago stand restoration

凋落物分解对加拿大一枝黄花群落恢复过程中刈割和植物组成变化的影响

Incorporating flowering plants into cropping systems has the potential to actively enhance pollination and crops yields. This study evaluated whether the introduction of border planting affects bee visitation and yield of a broad bean (Vicia faba L.). Experiments were carried out in 2018 and 2019 in Ismailia, Egypt. Bee visitation and broad bean yields were compared between plots with and without border planting. Results showed that open flowers achieved higher yields than netted flowers. Apis mellifera L. was the dominant visitor, followed by four solitary bee species, Chalicodoma siculum (Rossi), Colletes lacunatus Dours, 1872, Andrena ovatula and Xylocopa pubescens (Kirby, 1802). The addition of border planting was associated with a significant increase in the abundance of all five bee visitors and the associated yields. Findings showed that flowering border plants adjacent to broad bean can actively enhance pollination services and yields of this commercially valuable crop, whilst helping to conserve vulnerable bee populations.

Kariman M. Mohamed

Noha M. Ghareb

Soliman M. Kamel

Emma Bradshaw

Olivia Norfolk

Mohamed Shebl

Bees visiting the broad bean (Vicia faba L.) and the impact of border planting on their abundance and the yield improvement in Ismailia, Egypt

埃及伊斯梅利亚地区蜜蜂访问蚕豆（Vicia faba L.）及其对边界种植对其数量和产量提升的影响

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) are the major pollutants in industrial and agricultural emissions. This study targets the efficiency and applicability of biofiltration to remove methanol and n-hexane, two common air pollutants, using Chir pine cone nuts as filter media and Pseudomonas putida as the inoculant. The designed biofilter was operated between 25-35°C, with an airflow rate of 0.35 m3 h-1 and nutrient supply of 1-2 L Day-1. From a 60-day operating period, methanol's removal efficiency was higher than n-hexane, with a maximum removal efficiency of 93.91% achieved at an inlet loading rate of 101.39 g m-3h-1 for methanol and 87.96% at 398.46 g m-3h-1 for n-hexane. The effects of varying loading rates on the elimination capacity for both pollutants were also studied. In addition, the temperature profile of the biofilter, microbial analysis, and the BOD concentration of leachate was also studied during the operation period. The findings offer insights into the potential use of Chir pine nuts as filter media for the biodegradation of methanol and n-hexane and provide a foundation for future research to optimize the biofilter system's design and operation to increase its removal efficiency of other contaminants.

Sanjeev Kumar

Divya Kumar

Biofiltration of Volatile organic compounds Using Chir Pine Cone Nuts Inoculated with Pseudomonas putida

利用接种恶臭假单胞菌的雪松松果仁生物过滤挥发性有机化合物

The wild edibles are essential not only for nutrition, medicine, fodder and fuel but also as potential source of income generation. The conventional use of wild edible plants is habitual in the remote and hill regions of the Uttarakhand state (India). The present study was carried out in a mountainous part of the Uttarakhand namely Jaunpur region situated in the district Tehri Garhwal. Extensive field surveys were conducted in the area to gather information (traditional knowledge on wild edible plants) from the inhabitants through questionnaire method. A total of 220 key informants including old aged farmers, shepherds, and vaidyas were surveyed. The present study resulted in documentation of a total 73 plant species (under 58 genera and 38 families) as source of wild edibles. Rosaceae (10 species) and Fabaceae (7 species) revealed as the most dominant families followed by Anacardiaceae, Moraceae and Rutaceae (4 species each). Majority of the recorded species belong to the tree habit (35% species) followed by herb (29%), shrub (29%), and climber (7%). The commonly used plant parts as source of wild edible in the area include fruits (59% species), leaves (24%), seeds (5%) and flowers (4%). Documentation of the traditional knowledge is much important because it provide alternative means to reduce hunger, poverty, and health issues especially in finding novel compounds (drug discovery).

Lakhi Ram Dangwal

Tarseem Lal

Diversity, Informant Consensus Factor and Cultural Significance Index of Wild Edible Plants in the Jaunpur region, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand

贾恩普尔地区特赫里加瓦尔野生食用植物的多样性、信息提供者共识因子和文化重要性指数

Protected areas in Bulgaria (PAB) provide valuable ecosystem services. Maintaining of ecosystem health is of great importance for human wellbeing. The environmental volunteering is a valuable tool in solving local ecological problems. The main objective of the present research was to identify ecosystem services offered by PAB and attitude to participation in conservation volunteering using online survey and face-to-face interviews. Most respondents regularly use ecosystem services offered by PAB. Being well-informed about significance of maintaining ecosystem health, a lot of them declared willingness to become conservation volunteers. Online surveys could be used not only for data collection, but as also as a tool to involve people in environmental protection.

Vanya Koleva

Teodora Koynova

Asya Dragoeva

Nikolay Kolev

Ivayla Kuleva

Nikolay Natchev

Benefits for visitors provided by protected areas in Bulgaria and willingness to become a conservation volunteer

保加利亚保护区为游客提供的益处及成为保护志愿者的意愿

Habitat structure in the seagrass ecosystems are crucial for coastal biodiversity and substrate stability. The purpose of this research conducted from June to December 2021 in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia was to examine the habitat structure of seagrass beds at two sites with different levels of exposure: Puntondo (semi-enclosed bay) and Batu Kalasi (exposed). Species identification, non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS), Bray Curtis cluster analysis, similarity percentage (SIMPER), Particle Size Analysis (PSA), and satellite imagery were used to evaluate complexity, heterogeneity, sediment particle size, and extent. The presence of macroalgae and coral species at Batu Kalasi, likely related to substrate condition, contributed to significant differences in seagrass community composition. The nMDS and Bray Curtis cluster analyses revealed patterns of complexity, while satellite imagery revealed habitat heterogeneity. Seagrass meadow tracking showed a larger and more patchy area in Puntondo Village, measuring 164,318 m², while in Batu Kalasi Island, it only reached 136,901 m². The findings underscore the need for tailored conservation strategies for seagrass ecosystems, in particular to address the specific challenges observed at each site, emphasizing the importance of understanding and preserving diverse coastal environments.

None Mirdayanti

Nadiarti Nurdin Kadir

Yayu A La Nafie

Comparative analysis of seagrass habitat structure: distinct patterns at semi-enclosed and open sites in South Sulawesi, Indonesia

海草栖息地结构比较分析：南苏拉威西岛半封闭与开放地点的显著模式，印度尼西亚

The article deals with the intensification of flocculation wastewater treatment from finely dispersed suspended dust particles that are formed in the foundry shop at machine-building productions. The dependence of the floc sedimentation rate and wastewater clarification on solid phase concentration and flocculant flow rate was experimentally researched using model wastewater created by mixing dust and water. The multicomponent impurities of ionic flocculants on the aggregation process impact were experimentally proven, and anionic and cationic flocculants combination high efficiency was shown. The optimal parameters for the wastewater treatment process were established. The best flocculating effect and minimum flocculant consumption were observed at a solid phase concentration of 8-14 g/l. It was established that the most effective aggregate formation process is observed when two flocculants’ types are used simultaneously: anionic A-19 and cationic K-7, not each type separately. Flocculant flow rate experimental and calculated dependences for the wastewater treatment process depending on solid phase concentration and floc sedimentation speed necessary for effective sedimentation have been established. A technological scheme for wastewater treatment from suspended dust impurities that are formed in foundry shop at machine-building enterprise has been developed. The scheme includes: wastewater flocculation; water clarification in a sedimentation tank; and water deironing by aeration with coagulant addition and further filtration. It is proposed to use purified water in enterprise technological cycle that helps to reduce tap water consumption.

Alona Bosiuk

Andrii Shkop

Sergii Kulinich

Dmytro Samoilenko

Oleksii Shestopalov

Tetiana Tykhomyrova

Multi-component wastewater from finely dispersed impurities treatment intensification

细分散杂质处理强化的多组分废水

Wheat is considered the most important crop in Iran; however, not all of the land in Iran is equally suitable for growing wheat. This study aimed to apply a spatial model for land suitability assessment integrated with geographic information system (GIS) techniques for the wheat crop. Climate and Soil parameters were recognized as factors affecting land suitability for wheat crop in the study area. Three indices were used in assessing land suitability, soil fertility, chemical and physical quality indices. The results of the proposed model (LSI) were compared with the square root and Storie methods. The results showed that most of the units fall within the Moderate suitable class (S2) and the Marginally suitable class (S3) which together represent 88.66% of the total area. About 7.08% of the study area was High suitable and About 2.37% of the study area was unsuitable for wheat crops and those areas correspond to the adverse physical and chemical properties of the soil. The comparison of the results of the three approaches used showed that the present model has a Moderate level of agreement with the square root method (0.516) and showed that the present model has a low level of agreement with the Storie method (0.243). Comparing the results showed that the story model has a high agreement with the square root method (0.884). In the current model, the use of different indicators allows for obtaining results that seem to be more consistent with the current conditions of the region.

Maria Kohani

Hamid Reza Matinfar

Mahmood Rostaminia

Seyed Omid Reza Shobairi

Sun Lingxiao

Zhang Haiyan

Li Chunlan

He Jing

Behnam Asghari Beirami

Qirghizbek Ayombekov

Geospatial and common methods for the assessment of land suitability for wheat production in Iran

伊朗小麦生产用地适宜性评估的地理空间与通用方法

Groundwater in the desert zone is important for supporting all life forms in these regions. This research focused on analyzing the quality of groundwater and the threats posed by nitrate contamination in the Continental Intercalary Aquifer (CI) in the Adrar region. Twenty-five groundwater samples were collected and assessed for pH, electrical conductivity, and major ions, employing hydrochemical diagrams, multivariate statistical analysis, and indices such as the Pollution Index of Groundwater (PIG), Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI), and Health Risk Assessment (HRA).The findings revealed the typical order of ion concentrations: Na+ &gt; Ca2+ &gt; Mg2+ &gt; K+ for cations and Cl- &gt; SO42- &gt; HCO3- &gt; NO3- for anions. These concentrations result from natural processes like evaporation and the dissolution of evaporites, along with anthropogenic influences, primarily from agricultural and urban sources. The PIG values categorized 28% of samples as having insignificant pollution, 48% as low, and 24% as high. Moreover, NPI results showed that 24% of samples had insignificant pollution, 44% displayed mild pollution, and 32% were moderately polluted. The Health Risk Assessment highlighted significant non-carcinogenic risks due to nitrate exposure. Hazard quotient values exceeded the safe threshold of 1 in 80% of samples for infants, 76% for children, and 64% for adults, indicating significant health risks. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted treatment strategies to ensure safe drinking water for the region's population. This comprehensive analysis demonstrates the critical interplay between natural and human factors in shaping groundwater quality and emphasizes the importance of continued monitoring and intervention to protect public health.

Alia Sara Lakhdari

Boualem Bouselsal

Investigation of the quality of the groundwater and the nitrate pollution hazards to human health in the desert region of Algeria

阿尔及利亚沙漠地区地下水质量及硝酸盐污染对人类健康的危害调查

Chitral has diverse importance and has designated as a biodiversity hotspot of the country due to junction of Hindu Kush, Himalayan and Karakorum ranges, thus supporting maximum number of endemic plants. The conservation status of those endemic plants was assessed for three years, which have at least few points’ data as per IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria 2011, 2017and relied more on B criterion using “GeoCat” for AOO and EOO assessment. Some of the taxa were also compared with their previous status assessed ten years ago. This guideline will assist in country’s policies for conservation, threat assessment and sustainable management. Assessing a total of fifteen endemic taxa (species and subspecies), most are endemic to Chitral except Anaphalis chitralensis and Impatiens lemannii (both country’s endemic).Twelve species fall in the criteria for Endangered (EN) where as two species fall under Vulnerable (VU) and one falls in critically endangered (CE) threat category. The most CE (critically endangered) species is Astragalus commixtus with only 56 mature individuals while Astragalus erionotus, Delphinium kohatense were found to as VU (Vulnerable), rest all species like Polygonum cognatum, Plocama asperuliformus etc. are EN (Endangered). These species need immediate strategies for in-situ and ex-situ conservation for survival.

Abbreviation	EQ
Journal Impact	0.71
Quartiles(Global)	ECOLOGY(Q4)

ISSN	1644-7298, 2083-5469
h-index	14

Publication Information	Publisher: Nicolaus Copernicus University，Publishing cycle: ，Journal Type: journal，Open Access Journals: No
Basic data	Year of publication: 2008，Proportion of original research papers: 92.59%，Self Citation Rate:16.70%， Gold OA Rate: 80.00%

Ecological Questions

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