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Our study provides the implementation of the modern concept "All in One - Total Tourism", already experienced within Bioterra University in the Student Practice Center in Neptun-Comorova Resort, with subsequent scaling at the international level with our bilateral collaboration partner in this field: the Institute of Advanced Specific Studies in Giza-Egypt. The applicability of the concept was achieved through a study conducted in Siwa Oasis, Egypt. This is a top destination, one of the most isolated and fascinati...

Coconut cultivation is a vital component of agricultural sustainability in tropical regions, particularly in Kerala, India, where leaf diseases pose a significant threat to crop yield and plantation health. Automated diagnosis of coconut leaf diseases using vision-based deep learning models has shown promising performance, but their real-world applicability is limited by challenges such as severe class imbalance, high-dimensional feature learning, excessive computational overhead, and limited interpretability duri...

Plastic pollution is widely recognised as a pervasive anthropogenic pressure on coastal environments. Yet, beach-dune systems and dune vegetation remain considerably less studied than marine waters, beach sediments and aquatic biota. This paper presents a critical narrative review, supported by a spatial overview of the principal beach-dune systems along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast based on recent dune inventory, mapping and litter-assessment data, with particular emphasis on microplastics, their occurrence, tra...

The research focuses on the main aspects of assessing the hydrobiological and ecological state of small reservoirs in the context of current climate change and its impact on food resources. In the context of anthropogenic load, the impact of military actions on the ecosystems of southern Ukraine, the topic is highly relevant and timely. Given the complex impact of these processes on the food resources of aquatic ecosystems, fish productivity and hydroecological state, the topic also has increased practical signifi...

This study assesses surface water quality along the Sf. Gheorghe Branch of the Danube Delta (km 85-km 15) and adjacent control sectors, in order to assess the influence of both natural processes and anthropogenic pressures on aquatic environmental conditions. In situ measurements were performed at 97 stations during the June and September 2025 campaigns using a YSI EXO2 multiparameter probe. The monitored indicators were temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, turbidity, ...

Inadequate management of mining tailings represents a major environmental challenge in Latin America, particularly in mining districts where these deposits are often located near communities and water bodies, increasing the risk of environmental contamination. This study assesses the polluting potential of a community tailings dam located in the Zaruma–Portovelo mining district, one of the country’s most important gold-mining areas. Ten tailings samples were collected and subjected to physicochemical and miner...

Petroleum-related pollution remains a persistent threat to aquatic ecosystems in the Niger Delta, particularly in communities near active oil infrastructure. This study assessed total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), sixteen priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and selected 5 heavy metals (Chromium, Cadmium, Lead, Nickel and Zinc) in sediment and two edible benthic organism the periwinkle (Tympanotonus fuscatus) and the mangrove crab (Callinectes amnicola) samples collected at an oil company"s pipeline p...

A key environmental and technological problem for coal-fired generation in the Russian Federation is the overfilling of existing ash disposal sites. The total volume of accumulated solid coal combustion waste has reached 2 billion tons. It is important to emphasize that this figure reflects only the accumulated "legacy burden" and is not a fixed value: the industry generates about 20 million tons of new waste annually. Consequently, the actual mass of this waste requiring disposal or processing is steadily increas...

Bacterial infections are among the most common infectious diseases. Antibiotics have been a crucial approach in preventing and treating human bacterial infections for the past century. These powerful medications effectively combat specific diseases and potentially save lives. Antibiotics destroy bacteria or inhibit their reproduction and spread. After the breakthrough discovery of penicillin, a wide array of antibiotics has been subsequently uncovered. Although antibiotics remain the primary treatment, many bacter...

The study evaluated people's perception of green spaces located near managed water courses in the urban environment, in the city of Timisoara - "Bega" Canal (Romania) and in Vilnius - "Neris" River (Lithuania). The information was collected in 2025, based on a questionnaire in Google Forms. The questionnaire included six questions categories (QC1 to QC6) with: general information about respondents (QC1), perception of public green spaces (QC2), perception of biodiversity (QC3), impact of climate change (QC4), cons...

The transboundary Chorokhi River Valley, extending from the upper mountainous catchments of northeastern Turkey to the deltaic plains of Georgia, represents one of the most ecologically diverse corridors in the eastern Black Sea Basin. This landscape integrates wetlands, river meanders, mixed and broad-leaved forests, agroforestry systems, and coastal dunes that together sustain high biodiversity and essential ecological processes of the Colchic biogeographical province. An integrated landscape–ecological approa...

In Europe, historic manor parks have been established as important parts of manor houses of aristocracy. Currently, most of manor parks and historical gardens are considered as very interesting historic monuments as well as important aesthetic features of cultural landscapes. Recently, historic manor parks come to the focus of ecologists and conservationists because of its biodiversity. Large historic parks and gardens, especially those with presence of old very large trees, providing habitats for many species of ...

Grassland ecosystems represent extensive livestock farming systems and biodiversity conservation areas, with their ecological, social, and economic services. Wind turbines constitute one of the main sources of renewable energy that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, the growing establishment of wind farms in grasslands and protected areas makes it necessary to evaluate their environmental impacts. A systematic literature review was carried out, and applied a SWOT analysis to study and assess the ...

Polycyclic aromatic dyes, are widely used as fluorescent labels, and of super-resolution microscopy. Dyes exhibit high photo stability, broad emission spectra making them suitable for advanced bioimaging. That is especially important in parasitology, where fluorescent labelling enables detailed investigation of pathogen morphology, and dynamic biological processes in living systems. In previous studies, ethanol was identified as an effective fixation agent because of its low toxicity and ability to preserve tissue...

Environmental pollution with microplastics is a global concern, accompanied by a large body of research primarily focused on aquatic environments. Microplastic contamination has a considerable impact on both the biological diversity of aquatic ecosystems and human health. In this context, the present paper provides an overview of technologies and measures aimed at reducing the presence of microplastics in surface waters, emphasizing two complementary approaches: the removal of microplastics from transfer pathways ...

Modern architecture and materials science are searching for new materials that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. These materials ensure a high quality of life and high energy efficiency in buildings. In addition to operational characteristics, the technological aspects of their production are important. This includes high mold turnover, ease of material fabrication, and the cost of obtaining them. These requirements can be met through the use of additive manufacturing for the production of buildings an...

Celery (Apium Graveolens var. Rapaceum) is a tasty and aromatic vegetable, part of the Apiaceae family. It is an important horticultural crop, being rich in nutritional value. It is cultivated worldwide both for food and for use in the pharmaceutical industry. This medicinal vegetable hosts a valuable source of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, pigments, aromatic compounds, organic acids, tannins. The aim of this study was to determine the mineral composition of celery root using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), but also...

Long-term changes in fishery landings are important indicators of stock status and ecosystem condition, particularly in semi-enclosed and data-limited marine systems such as the Black Sea. These trends are also relevant to the broader international debate on sustainable fisheries management, as they can provide early warning of persistent declines where full analytical stock assessments are limited. This study assesses temporal trends in the annual landings of three Mugilidae species (Mugil cephalus, Chelon auratu...

Phytopathogens cause severe plant diseases that pose major challenges to food production. Early detection of these bacterial pathogens is therefore essential for developing effective control strategies. However, existing bacterial identification methods are often slow and insufficiently specific. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy, known for its high sensitivity to molecular changes in cells, offers a promising alternative. Spectroscopic techniques in general provide rapid, cost-effective, and simple app...

Medicinal plants offer diverse health benefits through biological active compounds, anti microbial effects that help treat diseases. Polluants contaminate medicinal plants through polluted soil, water, and air, or poor processing, with different concentrations.Different contributors include industrial emissions, pesticides, irrigation with polluted water, and environmental pollution e.g. Toxic/heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), and chromium (Cr), mangan...

Parks have multiple functionalities in the urban environment, from ornamental, ecological, cultural, historical and other perspectives. This study analyzed the vegetation in “Justice” Park, Timisoara Municipality, Romania. The study evaluated the vegetation based on specific parameters, height (H, m), crown diameter (CD, m) and structural volume (SV). The crown projection area (CPA) was evaluated. The ecological value (EV), and landscape value (LV) indices were determined. Based on the inventory of plant speci...

This study explores the spatial distribution and functional characteristics of visitor centres within the system of national natural parks of Ukraine, with a particular focus on the potential of virtual visitor centres as an innovative development pathway. Visitor centres are key elements of park infrastructure that provide information services, regulate visitor flows, and promote the conservation value of protected areas while supporting environmental education and community engagement. The research is based on a...

Albania, situated in the Mediterranean basin, represents a fire-prone environment where climatic conditions, vegetation heterogeneity, and human pressure interact to shape complex wildfire dynamics. While several studies have focused on meteorological fire-danger forecasting, the frequency of observed wildfire occurrence, and fire severity in terms of burned area extent, considerably less attention has been given to the year-to-year variability of biomass loss. This study examines the impact of wildfire activity o...

Brown rot of stone trees is considered from a long period of time the most damaging disease that manifests on plum trees. These disease affects the plum trees throughout the entire vegetation period and these effects can extend to stored fruits (dry or fresh). It is well known that the pathogen has the sexual form Monilinia laxa represented by apothecia with asci and ascospores and the asexual form Monilia laxa represented by conidiophores with conidias. Traditional The form of resistance that transmits the pathog...

This study evaluated the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Nepeta - faassenii (family Lamiaceae), a perennial aromatic hybrid derived from N. racemosa and N. nepetella [12]. The genus Nepeta is recognized for its essential oils rich in nepetalactones, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, which contribute to notable biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and insect-repellent effects [3], [9], [10], [12]. The Nepeta Vegetal Extract (NVE) was obtained through ultrasonic extraction using 60 % e...

By elaborating this work, we want to highlight the advantages of using photovoltaic panels in Dumbravita area, Timis county, Romania, and what is the impact of using these panels on the environment. In the analysis of the commune, we follow aspects starting with the geographical location, natural resources, which highlight that the weather in Dumbravita has the potential and capacity to expand for the use of photovoltaic panels in as many homes as possible, so as to ensure a high quality of life for its inhabitant...

This study applies an adapted Living Planet Index (LPI) to assess long-term trends in fish populations in the Veleka River (southeastern Bulgaria) from 2010 to 2024. Based on standardized electrofishing data across seven stations, 11 native and naturalized species were analyzed using log-transformed abundance time series. The LPI declined from 1.0 in 2010 to 0.28 in 2024, indicating a 72% reduction in average fish abundance. Potamodromous species (e.g., Barbus cyclolepis, Chondrostoma vardarense) exhibited decline...

The egg is an animal-derived food with remarkable nutritional value, providing a balanced intake of essential nutrients and high digestibility, making it suitable for all age groups. This study aims to analyze the impact of different hen-rearing systems on egg characteristics, including their mass, the proportion of components (egg white, yolk, shell), and the content of minerals and metals. To determine the quantity of metals in the various egg components (shell, egg white, yolk), the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) met...

This paper presents a comprehensive framework of benchmarks for teaching biodiversity within the Bachelor of Ecology program at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University, addressing the urgent need for effective educational standards amidst the escalating biodiversity crisis. The proposed benchmarks aim to integrate interdisciplinary and contextually relevant teaching practices, aligning environmental education with international standards while reflecting the unique ecological and conservation challenges of Georgia...

Preservation of natural values is among the major concerns of residents of bioregions. The present research identifies such values by applying the normative approaches of environmental ethics and aesthetics. From the ethical perspective, disagreements can arise from the fact of value pluralism, as there is a variety of natural and other values that cannot be easily quantitatively compared and harmonized. Local communities see natural values not so much through scientific concepts such as biodiversity but directly,...

Within the Project -National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC)-, funded by the European Union Next Generation EU (PNRR), Spoke 2 Activity 3 Task 3.2, the Research Unit of CNR IRSA Taranto (Italy) monitored the growth performances, microbiological and nutritional quality as well as PAHs and PCBs content of the invasive Atlantic pearl oysters Pinctada radiata in the Gulf of Taranto. Oysters were located in lanternets in an integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) system and co-cultured with polychaetes and macroal...

Climate change and increasing drought frequency pose major risks to legume production in Southeastern Europe, threatening food security and sustainable land use. This study evaluates chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) as a climate-resilient alternative to common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under the pedoclimatic conditions of Southwestern Romania. A bifactorial field experiment (species - preceding crop) was conducted in 2023 (favorable year) and 2024 (drought year). Results showed that chickpea maintained significant...

Research on rural community attachment, satisfaction and social capital is extensive. Recent work has sought to include attitudes toward local ecosystems as an additional dimension of rural community social relations. We use a social survey of households in four Major Land Resource Areas in Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas to establish the association between attachment, satisfaction and social capital and attitudes toward the local environment, with measures of specific knowledge concerning recovery of the ...

Nowadays, sound grazing management is an essential prerequisite for efficient use of agricultural land. As it facilitates the preservation of plant biodiversity, soil properties and natural habitats, grazing management contributes to sustainable agriculture through maintaining ecological sustainability and environmental quality. Grazing (stocking) density of livestock has a profound impact on soil health, including its overall biochemical and microbial properties. If its chosen level is higher than the -carrying c...

Grouping plants by functional traits provides valuable ecological insights and supports the creation of resilient perennial assemblages for urban landscapes. The ecological strategies (CSR) of eight ornamental grasses were assessed using key leaf traits, including leaf area (LA), leaf fresh weight (LFW), and leaf dry weight (LDW). Based on these measurements, additional leaf-level indices were calculated, such as the leaf succulence index (LSI), leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), and specifi...

In this work we present the particularities of three standing water NATURA 2000 habitats from southwestern section of Romania (Banat region). This study brings information about the current status of these three habitats and based on this appropriate management measures can be taken or reviewed. The studied habitats are: 3130 Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or Iso-to-Nanojuncetea, 3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition and 31...

Analyzing fire debris is essential for identifying accelerants that may indicate arson. Detecting fire residues remains a significant analytical challenge due to the complexity of burned materials, the volatilization of key compounds, and the interference of pyrolysis byproducts. However, chromatographic separation techniques and mass spectral selectivity advancements provide promising avenues for improving detection accuracy and reliability. Recent developments in portable Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC...

The aim of this work is to determine the concentration of heavy metals in a series of toys used by children and compare them with the regulations in force. The presence of heavy metals in plastic toys is a significant concern to potential health risk to children. Various studies have identified a range of heavy metals in toys including lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, zinc and other metals which can pose serious health hazards if ingested or absorbed through the skin. Many additives and catalysts used in plastics...

Organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) have emerged as replacements for banned brominated flame retardants, raising growing environmental concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and toxicity. Despite their global detection, limited data exist for marine environments such as the Black Sea, where monitoring is hindered by the lack of sensitive analytical methods. This study reports the development and validation of a reliable LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of eight OPFRs an...

Urban green infrastructure is often promoted as a form of nature-based solutions (NbS) designed to simultaneously address environmental, social, and economic challenges. These interventions are expected to deliver benefits across all three dimensions. While existing evidence suggests that urban NbS can indeed tackle multiple issues concurrently, it remains unclear to what extent different components of green infrastructure contribute to these outcomes, and how this translates into practical decisions related to pl...

Although cities are developing rapidly and dynamically, they also face serious challenges related to the environment, the health of the population and the quality of life. Ecological urbanism seeks to respond to these challenges by integrating green infrastructure into urban landscapes. This approach not only improves the aesthetics of cities, but also contributes to sustainable development, improving public health and increasing biodiversity. The main idea is that cities should function not only as places to live...

The research investigates the impact of persistent organic pollutants, particularly pesticides, on the aquatic ecosystems of the Jiul de Est basin. Pesticides are introduced into water bodies via surface runoff, infiltration, and atmospheric deposition, and their bioavailability is influenced by factors such as pH, temperature, and dissolved organic matter. The research evaluates the ecotoxicological effects on key aquatic species, including Salmo trutta fario (river trout) and Squalius cephalus (common chub), by ...

This paper explores the relationship between energy availability and rural domestic architecture in the Ier Valley, a historically agrarian microregion in northwestern Romania. Focusing on the period 1901-1905, the study investigates whether fluctuations in agricultural productivity-and, by extension, in the energy surplus available to peasant households-may have influenced construction practices and spatial organization. The research draws inspiration from Barnabas Calder-s [1] energy-centered historiography, ada...

The paper deals with the presentation of modern quantitative methods for assessing environmental risks. It evaluates individual methods in terms of their suitability for use in individual phases of the risk assessment process. The qualitative comparison of individual methods and techniques is based on predefined criteria. A multi-criteria decision-making method was used for the comparison of the methods and techniques. Methods of Fault tree analysis, Event tree analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, RM/RA CRAMM methods...

Explosive phenomena represent one of the risks present within mining activities. These phenomena can have disastrous consequences on people, structures and the environment surrounding the mining site. In fact, the explosion uses a wave of pressure and heat that affects everything at the time the accident occurs. Different software were studied and developed by many researchers with the aim of simulate explosive effects in order to define the consequences might be on people and the environment, the development time...

The main objective of the theme taken in study is to bring a contribution to the development of an intensive technology for corn, in conditions of good favorability. The area under study is part of the Timis Plain and is characterized by climatic conditions conducive to corn cultivation, being framed in the very favorable cultivation area in our country. In order to highlight the behavior of the corn hybrids taken in the study, determinations were made regarding: grain production, depending on the hybrid (kg ha-1)...

The stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) and purple dead-nettle (Lamium purpureum) are widely distributed plants, known for their medicinal and nutritional properties. Urtica dioica is particularly valued for its significant mineral content, being widely used in traditional medicine and agricultural practices. Similarly, Lamium purpureum presents notable medicinal properties and typically occupies comparable ecological functions. Calcium is critically important for developing cell walls, growth of plant cells as well a...

It is known that environmental problems are numerous, having a global impact. The quality of the environment involves increasing attention from all countries and requires the urgent adoption and implementation of measures to protect it. Sustainable development is justified by making environmental protection expenditures, especially since the state's fiscal policy ensures the achievement of sustainable development objectives. Through this article, the authors emphasize the need for financial resources in the a...

Urban ecology examines the intricate interactions within socio-ecological urban systems, with green infrastructure (GI) emerging as a vital tool for sustainable development by enhancing ecosystem services and promoting human well-being. This study aimed to provide a comparative assessment of moss-based GI, focusing on its capacity to reduce particulate matter (PM10) and absorb rainwater. To evaluate PM10 absorption, laboratory experiments were conducted in a controlled pollution chamber using a vertical barrier de...

With a growing global population and rapid urbanization, cities around the world are facing a multitude of challenges, including climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Green infrastructure, a term that encompasses natural and semi-natural systems integrated into urban spaces, provides solutions that not only address these issues but also contribute to creating sustainable and livable cities. Green infrastructure includes a variety of elements, and they work together to provide ecosystem services, includ...