Macedonian Journal of Ecology and Environment

The influence of various pre-sowing treatments on germination of akle (Albizia acle (Blanco) Merr.) seeds

Christel Joy M. Ariola — 2025-07-04

The objective of this study was to evaluate the most suitable pre-treatment method that will increase germination of Albizia acle seeds. The experiment was carried out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and four hundred Akle seeds were used as an experimental material subjected to different pre-sowing treatments on germination such as Treatment 0 (T0) - control, Treatment 1 (T1) - hot soaking, Treatment 2 (T2) - cold soaking, Treatment 3 (T3) - sulfuric acid, and Treatment 4 (T4) - mechanical scarification, with four replications with twenty assessment units per replication. The effect of these treatments was evaluated through percentage germination, percentage germinative energy, and percentage germinative capacity after 30 days of observation. The seeds treated by sulfur acid (T-4) showed the highest percentage in terms of percentage germination and percentage germinative capacity (95% and 97.5%, respectively). Meanwhile, the seeds from Treatment 1 (hot soaking) had the highest percentage germinative energy with 58.75%. The overall results confirm that the most significant impact on germination and quality seedlings on Akle seeds had sulfur acid (T4 treatment).

Geospatial irrigation suitability assessment of groundwater: A case study from Thar desert of India

Leela Kaur — 2025-07-04

The current study assesses the suitability of groundwater for irrigation purpose in an urban area of Northwestern Rajasthan which lies in Thar desert of India. Groundwater samples from tube wells were collected. The irrigation suitability of samples was analyzed by using parameters such as electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, nitrate, salinity hazard, percentage sodium (% Na), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), magnesium absorption ratio (MAR), Kelly’s ratio (KR), permeability index (PI), potential salinity (PS), corrosivity ratio (CR), chloro-alkaline indices (CAI-I and CAI-II), Gibb’s ratios (GR-I and GR-II), chloride : bicarbonate ratio (Cl : HCO₃), magnesium : calcium ratio (Mg : Ca) and sodium : calcium ratio (Na : Ca). Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) method was used to assess geospatial distribution of irrigation parameters in QGIS software. The results of EC and TDS reveal unsuitability of groundwater for irrigation use as samples fall under C3 and C4 categories. All the samples had less than 60% sodium percentage which is permissible for irrigation purposes. Very high SAR value of more than 26 was not detected. Residual sodium content falls under good category in most samples. However, several samples exhibited magnesium absorption ratio of more than 50 which is unsuitable for irrigation. Kelly’s ratios (more than 2) were also found under unsuitable category in 68.75% samples. Potential salinity falls under class III (less than 10) which is injurious and unsatisfactory for irrigation in 70% samples. Corrosivity ratio of less than 1 was observed in 62.5% samples, indicating water is safe for transportation through any type of pipes. Most of the samples had positive chloro-alkali indices CAI-I and CAI-II. Overall, 66.25% samples were detected unsuitable for irrigation chiefly because of highly saline groundwater. The study recommends effective management of groundwater resources particularly for irrigation to ensure sustainable agricultural productivity.

The caddisfly fauna (Insecta: Trichoptera) of Shar Planina mountain (Republic of North Macedonia)

Jelena Hinić-Jordanovska — 2025-07-04

Shar Planina mountain, spanning through North Macedonia and Kosovo, are a significant biodiversity hotspot in the Western Balkans. Despite their ecological importance, data on the region’s caddisfly (Trichoptera) diversity remain scarce and fragmented. This study compiles a comprehensive review of all published records alongside findings from a seven-year field investigation across various habitats in North Macedonia’s part of Shar Planina mountain. As a result, the first checklist of Trichoptera species for the region is presented. According to literature and our new faunistic data, a total of 63 species are currently known from Shar Planina mountain. Notably, ten species are newly reported for the mountain and one is newly recorded for North Macedonia. The study highlights the conservation significance of these species and identifies ecologically sensitive areas based on caddisfly distribution. These findings enhance our understanding of freshwater biodiversity in a region recognized for its rich natural heritage.

Transmission of the EGFP Transgene in Zebrafish Progeny

Teodora Nikolovska — 2025-07-04

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are widely used as model organisms in biomedical research, particularly in studies involving mutagenesis and transgenesis. Transgenic zebrafish, which express fluorescent proteins from a single transgene copy, are commercially available and exhibit distinct phenotypic traits. To investigate the inheritance pattern of the fluorescent phenotype, crossbreeding was performed between transgenic and wild-type individuals. The results revealed a marked difference in transgene inheritance depending on parental origin, with maternal transmission resulting in a significantly higher frequency of EGFP-positive offspring. Additionally, the appearance of wild-type individuals in the F1 generation from fluorescent parents suggests heterozygosity in the parental generation. These findings provide insights into the inheritance dynamics of the EGFP transgene and the genetic composition of the parental stock.

Contribution to the understanding of the origin of caves in the valley of Slatinska Reka (Gorna Slatinska Peštera, Slatinska II, Ovčarska Peštera, Puralo and Slatinski Izvor)

Biljana Gichevski — 2025-07-04

There are five caves in the river valley of Slatinska Reka, a tributary of the river Treska: Gorna Slatinska Peštera, Slatinska II, Ovčarska Peštera, Puralo and Slatinski Izvor. The morphology of caves, the cross-section of the passages, the micro-relief forms, and cave sediments were analyzed in order to determine the caves’ origin. The results showed that the main controlling factor in the karst development has been the evolution of the river Slatinska Reka, which was dependent on the evolution of the Treska valley as a regional base-level controlling factor. Also, the tectonic and geologic conditions control the karst development in the area. All caves have “normal” epigenic development. Paragenesis driven by allogenic sediment input shaped cave development. The caves Gorna Slatinska Peštera, Slatinska II, and the higher level of the caves Ovčarska Peštera and Puralo date from the same period, whereas the lower level of the caves Ovčarska Peštera and Puralo, as well as the Slatinski Izvor were formed later. The Slatinski Izvor cave is the youngest one in the study area.

Non-invasive estimation of brown hare density in Mavrovo National Park, North Macedonia, using the REST model

Marie Busschots — 2025-07-04

Effective conservation of predators requires a comprehensive understanding of their prey populations. Being a specialised hunter, the survival of the critically endangered Balkan lynx (Lynx lynx balcanicus) depends on ample amount of the two main prey species, roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and brown hare (Lepus europaeus). We used the REST model to calculate the density of brown hare in Mavrovo National Park (MNP), North Macedonia. To that aim, we selected four sites near villages within MNP, as the park harbours the majority of the Balkan lynx population. We randomly placed 10 camera-traps with at least 200 m distance in between, aiming at a survey period of 28 days. We focused on agroecosystems with a mix of active and inactive pastures and small agricultural fields. During the entire trapping period we collected 230 videos with hare observations, obtained over a total trapping effort of 867 active trapping nights. The site-specific diel activity pattern of the brown hare reveals distinct periods of inactivity from early morning to late afternoon, with activity levels peaking shortly after this interval. Results show that the density ranged from 3.38–16.45 (SE = 2.08–5.37) brown hares per one km2. This study offers the first-ever density estimation of brown hare in the Balkan lynx range. If repeated and updated, this could potentially inform better management measures for the conservation of the Balkan’s rare cat.