The paper presents the results on resistance of Aesculus hippocastanum Linnaeus, 1753 trees to Cameraria ohridella Deschka & Dimić, 1986 (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) impact under conditions of a modern urban environment on the example of Dnipro city as the largest industrial city in Ukraine. Field experiments were conducted in all park areas of the city, which allowed covering the full gradient of the existing urban environment and considered the different degrees of the tree settlement by the invasive insect species. The research of the impact of C. ohridella caterpillars’ vital activity on the photosynthetic apparatus state was carried out by applying a chlorophyll fluorescence induction technique. Diagnosis of photosynthetic dysfunction of fresh Ae. hippocastanum leaves was conducted using a portable “Floratest” fluorometer manufactured in Ukraine. Interpretation of the obtained Kautsky curves showed that significant changes in their critical parameters associated with the degree of leaf damage by C. ohridella caterpillars were not detected. The influence of tree growth site conditions on the following 4 main indicators of chlorophyll fluorescence induction was established: the initial value of fluorescence induction after irradiation; the value of “plateau” fluorescence induction; the maximum value of fluorescence induction; the stationary value of fluorescence induction after light adaptation of the plant leaf. It was found that the efficiency coefficients of photochemical processes in Ae. hippocastanum trees growing in low terrain levels differed significantly, which can probably be interpreted as their response to the specific characteristics of the urban environment.

Antioxidant enzymatic activity and soluble protein content in Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust), invasive tree in Europe, plants were determined under feeding conditions of the caterpillars of Parectopa robiniella Clemens, 1863, invasive miner in Europe, in trees of three (I, II, III) age groups (5–10, 15–25, and 40 years). Biochemical analysis data showed significant differences between reference and experimental leaf samples in different urban ecosystems. There was no association between changes in catalase and peroxidase activity and protein content under the influence of leaf blotch miners depending on the tree age. Significant variability of proteins under P. robiniella influence was noted; the highest of its values were recorded in the leaves of ІІІ-aged trees. In most plantings (and especially in trees of age group III), an increase (1.2 to 2.7 times) in GPx activity or the absence of its changes was registered both in the ecologically favorable zone and in the locations affected by emissions from road transport and industrial enterprises. Plants of age groups I and II in the emission areas of metallurgical, pipe-rolling, and chemical industries experienced a significant decrease in GPx activity (by 20.2–44.6%) in the leaves damaged by the phytophage. In most of the plantings studied, catalase showed an increase/stability of its activity in all age groups of trees under condition of pest attack. The highest increase in САТ activity (2.1 times) was recorded in young R. pseudoacacia plants in an ecologically favorable area of the city.

This chapter is devoted to elucidating the bioecological characteristics of the existence of five invasive leafminer moth species of the family Gracillariidae Steinton, 1854 (Parectopa robiniella (Clemens, 1863), Phyllonorycter issikii (Kumata, 1963), Phyllonorycter platani (Staudinger, 1870), Macrosaccus robiniella (Clemens, 1859) and Cameraria ohridella Deschka Dimic, 1986) and extent of their impact on dendroflora in Ukraine. Features of their invasion into various ecosystems were revealed. The effects of Gracillariidae caterpillar feeding on host (food) plants were studied. The caterpillars of invasive leafminer moth species affected the functional state of host plants; it was confirmed by alterations in the content of soluble proteins, activity and isoenzyme composition of benzidine peroxidase during the growing season of the host plants. The study of dynamics of highly soluble proteins showed a decrease in their content at substantial leaf damage. The restructuring of both peroxidase activity and its isoenzyme profile was revealed to be indicators of the plant biochemical adaptation to the feeding of caterpillars of invasive leaf blotch miners. The results obtained show the activation of the enzymatic antioxidant protection system in host plants in response to the damaging effect of Gracillariidae caterpillars, which ensures the survival of the plant and completes its ontogenesis program in unfavorable conditions.

Environmental Role of Earthworm (Lumbricidae) in Formation of Soil Buffering Capacity Against Copper Contamination in Remediated Soil, Steppe Zone of Ukraine | InTechOpen, Published on: 2016-12-21. Authors: Loza Iryna, Kul’bachko Yurii, Didur Oleg, et

Environmental protection, rational use of natural resources and ensuring the ecological safety of human life are integral conditions of sustainable economic and social development of European Union. Mining industry is one of the powerful factors that leads to degradation of various native landscapes. Withdrawal of agricultural land from intended use results from the minerals extraction. Instead them man-made landscapes (dumps and quarries) are formed, as well as destructive territories characterized by subsidence, contamination with toxic compounds, decrease of species richness and biological diversity. Disturbed territories formed during mining process are usually partially restored with remediation. Remediation process consist of two stages: technical and biological. In the result of technical stage implementation, substrates with different potential fertility having different environmental properties and quality are formed. However, in quality assessment of remediated soils insufficient attention is paid to restoration of the soil environmental properties, namely their suitability for existence of soil biota, which ensures the soil sustainability and vitality. Purpose of the presented work was to assess quality of remediated lands in condition of Ordzhonikidzevsky manganese quarry (Olexandrovskiy and Zaporizhkiy careers) on the possibility of their use and suitability for soil biota existence, as well as providing recommendations for further rational economic use of them. Data on chemical properties of reclaimed soil were collected on the sites of performed recultivation. Humus content was determined according to DSTU 4289: 2004, analysis of water extraction was carried out according to GOST 26425-85, GOST 26426-85, GOST 26427-85, GOST 26428-85. The study is novel in that it is proposed to take into account environmental conditions for existence of soil invertebrates which play a crucial role in formation of agro-system stability mechanisms. The main indicators determining the productivity of remediated lands and the degree of their suitability for soil biota existence are values of actual acidity and salinity degree. An assessment of the reclaimed lands quality on the Ordzhonikidzevsky ore mining and processing enterprise was carried out on the example of Zaporizhsky and Olexandrovsky open-cast workings on the possibility of their economic use and suitability for the soil biota existence, as well as recommendations for further rational use. It was found that studied areas by the main characteristics are suitable for the further settlement and successful existence of soil biota. It is concluded that as a result of the technical stage of reclamation, an artificial reclaimed soil was obtained, which, according to the main characteristics, is similar to native zonal soils located in this area prior to mining; the recultivated soil has somewhat less fertility and greater salinity of lower horizons, but it is able to perform ecological functions and can not only be used for economic purposes, but also perform ecological role, serving as an environment for existence of soil invertebrates.

Mining industry is the one of the powerful factors leading to the degradation of native ecosystems. Disturbed ecosystems developed instead the native may be remediated using certain reclamation techniques. The purpose of this work was assessment of the remediation quality within Ordzhonikidze Ore Mining and Processing Integrated Plant on the possibility of their economic use and suitability for the existence of soil biota, as well as providing recommendations for further rational economic use. Technical remediation of the surveyed area included such stages as removal of topsoil with gross method, followed by its storage in piles; reformation and levelling of overburden above-ore dump disposed in the exhaust space of career by gross way; keeping of levelled rocks up to 3 years with the purpose of their subsidence; surface repair after subsidence; application of humic layer; ploughing of reclaimed lands. Assessment of soil quality was carried out by comparing a quality score of reclaimed soils with a quality score of zonal soil. Data collection and processing were carried out on values of humus layer thickness; humus content in filling top layer; content of physical clay in topsoil and subsoil; granulometric composition of one-meter thick fill layer; topsoil and subsoil salinity; composition and properties of underlying rocks. As a result of mining operations, topsoil of remediated soil is depleted in chemical elements necessary for plant growth; as a result, the soil becomes more calcareous, and contains humus 1,5–2 times less than that in topsoil of undisturbed soil. Topsoil thickness is on average 58 cm. Humus content in the filled layer on average is 2.2%. Mechanical composition of the arable layer is middle loamy. The soil is compacted below the plow pan. Mechanical composition of the underlying rock is fine-textured. Salinization with water-soluble salts above the toxicity threshold in the arable layer of the studied soils was not found. Before agricultural use of reclaimed lands, it is essential to repair it with the techniques of biological reclamation. This is achieved through cultivation of salt-resistant perennial grasses for 3–5 years.