Research in Ecology

New Research on the Brassicaceae Burnett. Family: A Systematic Review

Afag M. Aliyeva — 2025-11-11

The study of the Brassicaceae family holds particular relevance in the modern era, especially in the context of ecosystem conservation. The ecological plasticity of the species within this family allows them to be regarded as resilient plants under conditions of global warming. Research on this family is also of great importance for agriculture and food security. Some species of Brassicaceae are widely used in the production of pharmaceuticals, bioactive compounds, and industrial products. Scientists around the world are conducting comparative studies on the distribution and adaptation strategies of Brassicaceae species across various climatic and geographical conditions. The study of the Brassicaceae family by scientists worldwide constitutes a significant part of the natural sciences and geography. The Brassicaceae family provides insights into the dynamics of natural phenomena, which are dependent on various factors related to changes in climate conditions and ecosystems on Earth. These studies also have a broad impact on the analysis of vegetation, animal diversity, water resources, soil formation, and other ecological factors. This article discusses recent global research on the Brassicaceae family by scientists. The analyses conducted by researchers and their findings are summarized here. Information about the research directions of scientists on Brassicaceae plants is provided. The results obtained by researchers while studying these plants and their contemporary significance are also discussed.

Radiological Assessment of the Min-Kush Uranium Tailing Dump and the Specifics of Its Rehabilitation

Bekmamat Djenbaev — 2025-11-13

This study examines the current radioecological condition of the former uranium production site in the village of Min-Kush, Kyrgyzstan, which was one of the largest uranium mining centers in the Soviet Union. From 1946 to 1970, Kyrgyzstan served as the primary uranium-producing republic of the USSR, leaving behind a vast legacy of radioactive waste. Inefficient mining and ore processing during this period resulted in the accumulation of approximately 7.5 × 10⁸ m³ of radioactive residues stored in tailings and spoil heaps distributed across the country. One of the key facilities associated with this legacy is the Kara-Balta Mining Plant (KGRK), which remains the largest uranium-processing enterprise in Central Asia. This article presents the findings of a comprehensive radioecological assessment conducted in Min-Kush, including former production sites, mining shafts, industrial infrastructure, and adjacent territories. The study was carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) using the ERICA Tool 2 software for environmental risk assessment. The methodology included field sampling, radiometric measurements, site mapping, and data analysis to evaluate residual contamination levels and their ecological impact. The results show that all major contaminated sites, including industrial buildings and surrounding lands, have been remediated in accordance with international environmental and radiation safety standards. Post-rehabilitation monitoring confirms that radiation levels have been reduced to natural background values. This case study of Min-Kush provides an important example of successful reclamation of former uranium production areas and serves as a reference for future environmental restoration projects in post-Soviet regions.

Types of Medicinal Plants of Kyrgyzstan with Sufficient Resource Potential

Orunbek Kolanov — 2025-11-13

The flora of Kyrgyzstan includes about 4000 species of higher plants, more than half of which have medicinal properties to some extent. The current status of 23 species of medicinal plants in Kyrgyzstan has been studied, and their resource potential can be successfully used as a reliable source of raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry. The resource potential of each of the studied species was determined using well-known geobotanical methods. As a result, the resource potential of each studied species within the territory of Kyrgyzstan for one growing season was clarified, and information about their botanical, phytogeographical, and economic characteristics as biological species was supplemented. Among the recorded species of medicinal plants of Kyrgyzstan, 9 species have herbs as a source of raw materials, 3 have rhizomes with roots, 3 have roots, and 5 have mature fruits. Such types of raw material sources as flower buds, immature fruits, seeds, milky plant juice, and flowers are represented only in 1 plant species each. The largest amount of raw materials of plant origin is found in Rumex paulsenianus, Echium vulgare, Crataegus turkestanica, and species (there are only 7 of them) representing the genus Rosa. In the rest of the studied plants, this index is relatively lower than in the previous species.

Drought Forecast Using Traditional and Custom Models for Dhaka, Bangladesh

Aunik Hasan Mridul — 2025-11-11

Water scarcity and climate change are two of the biggest worldwide concerns. A complicated and sometimes underappreciated occurrence, drought has an impact on many facets of human existence. Early drought forecasts are therefore essential for water resource management and strategic planning. In order to improve the accuracy of drought prediction, this work presents a unique hybrid model that combines the Autoregressive Moving Average (ARMA), Holt-Winters (Exponential Smoothing) model, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), and Random Forest Regressor model. We do a thorough analysis of the Dhaka Division, Bangladesh, daily precipitation data from January 1981 to March 2025. In contrast to other research that only examined standalone machine learning algorithms or conventional statistical models, our study combines the two and offers a comparative performance analysis of hybrid models in the context of drought prediction using SPI. Furthermore, the study uses these models in the understudied setting of Dhaka, Bangladesh, a place where little previous research has been done on drought forecasting. When examined side by side, our hybrid model Holt-Winters with LSTM model outperforms the hybrid approach. For SPI daily predictions, significant statistical parameters like Mean Absolute Error (MAE) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) are especially crucial. This noteworthy enhancement highlights how much more accurate the innovative model is in forecasting droughts in Bangladesh's Dhaka Division. Our findings highlight the hybrid model's vital importance in tackling the problems caused by drought in the larger framework of climate change and water resource management.

Species Composition of Rodents of the Genus Muridae Illiger and Their Parasitic Gamasoid Mites (Gamasoidea) in Southern Kyrgyzstan

Aichurok Sarymsakova — 2025-11-14

Rodents of the family Muridae are among the most widespread and ecologically adaptable mammals in Kyrgyzstan. They play important ecological roles in seed dispersal, insect regulation, and food chains, while also serving as reservoirs of dangerous zoonotic pathogens such as plague, tularemia, and leptospirosis. Understanding their species composition and distribution is therefore essential for both zoological and epidemiological research. This study aimed to investigate the diversity, distribution, and ectoparasite associations of Muridae in southern Kyrgyzstan. Field surveys were carried out in the foothill and mid-mountain zones between [insert years/seasons]. Small mammals were captured using live traps, identified by morphological features, and their relative abundance was estimated using standard density indices with statistical error (± SE). Parasitic mites were collected and identified with conventional parasitological methods. A total of 11 rodent species belonging to four genera were recorded. In the foothill zone, the dominant species were the grey rat (Rattus norvegicus, 21.1 ± 2.57%) and house mouse (Mus musculus, 19.1 ± 2.47%), while subdominants included the red-tailed gerbil (Meriones libycus) and the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). In the mid-mountain zone, A. sylvaticus (23.1 ± 2.96%) and the archaic vole (Microtus juldaschi, 21.2 ± 2.87%) prevailed. In total, 18 gamasid mite species from nine genera and four families were identified, with Lealaps agilis (31.42 ± 2.22%) as the predominant parasite. These findings clarify the composition, distribution, and host–parasite relationships of Muridae in southern Kyrgyzstan and provide a baseline for future ecological and sanitary-epidemiological monitoring.

Propagation and Bioecological Peculiarities of Higher Water Plants in Conditions of Karakalpakstan

Dilbarxan Baltabaeva — 2025-11-11

This study investigates the adaptation strategies, reproductive potential, and bioecological characteristics of four higher aquatic plant species - Pistia stratiotes, Azolla caroliniana, Eichhornia crassipes, and Nelumbo nucifera - under the arid and saline environmental conditions of Karakalpakstan. These species were selected for their ecological significance and potential applications in environmental management. Field observations and controlled experiments were conducted to assess their growth dynamics, reproduction rates, and responses to key environmental variables such as water salinity, temperature fluctuations, nutrient concentrations, and light availability. The results revealed that all four species exhibited high levels of ecological plasticity and tolerance to abiotic stress factors characteristic of the region. Azolla caroliniana and Eichhornia crassipes, in particular, showed rapid vegetative reproduction and significant nitrogen-fixing capacity, which can improve water quality and soil fertility. Pistia stratiotes and Nelumbo nucifera demonstrated efficient biomass production and potential for phytoremediation. All studied species contributed to ecosystem services such as water purification, nutrient cycling, and habitat creation for aquatic organisms. These attributes suggest their utility in integrated water resource management, wetland restoration, and climate adaptation frameworks in arid zones. The study emphasizes the necessity of including such resilient aquatic macrophytes in regional biodiversity strategies to enhance ecological stability and sustainability. The findings provide a scientific basis for the future use of these species in biotechnological and conservation-oriented projects across Central Asia, where water scarcity and environmental degradation pose ongoing challenges.

Ecological Implications of Fungicide Use in Rice Blast Control: A Review of International In Vivo Trials

Fadma El Abdellaoui — 2025-11-11

Rice blast, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is one of the most damaging fungal diseases affecting rice production worldwide, with major implications for food security and agroecosystem stability. Chemical control, particularly the use of tricyclazole, has been widely adopted in many rice-growing regions due to its specific action on the pathogen’s melanin biosynthesis pathway. This review compiles and analyzes findings from in vivo field studies conducted in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America to assess the agronomic efficacy, environmental risks, and sustainability of tricyclazole-based treatments. Results consistently show that tricyclazole provides effective protection against both leaf and panicle blast, contributing to improved plant health and enhanced grain yield. However, long-term reliance on this fungicide presents challenges, including the potential development of pathogen resistance, residue accumulation in rice grains and soil, and ecotoxicological impacts on non-target organisms in integrated rice–aquatic systems. The review emphasizes the importance of integrated disease management approaches that combine fungicides with genetic resistance, crop rotation, optimized fertilization, and ecological practices. Special attention is given to sustainability issues, highlighting the need for the rotation of active ingredients, residue monitoring, and ecological risk assessments. By providing a balanced perspective on both the benefits and limitations of tricyclazole, this paper supports more informed decisions in rice disease management and contributes to the transition toward more resilient and environmentally responsible agricultural systems.