Water striders (Hemiptera: Gerridae) have been considered as a potential sentinel for mercury (Hg) contamination of freshwater ecosystems, yet little is known about factors that control Hg concentrations in this invertebrate. Striders were collected from 80 streams and rivers in New Brunswick, Canada, in August and September of 2004 through 2007 to assess the influence of factors such as diet, ...

Competition for land use between forestry and reindeer husbandry has been debated in northern Finland, particularly due to the possible adverse effects of on availability forage resources reindeer. In an attempt achieve a better reconciliation these uses, as well promote multiple forest use, we studied 37 stand-, plot-, tree-level variables pendulous lichens (Alectoria sp., Bryoria sp. Usnea sp...

Polar areas are among the regions where climate change occurs faster than on most of other Earth. To study effects vegetation, there is a need for knowledge its current status and properties. Both classic field observation methods remote sensing based manned aircraft or satellite image analysis have limitations. These include high logistic operation costs, limited research areas, safety risks, ...

Several lichen species have been used for medicinal purposes throughout the ages, and they were reported to be effective in the treatment of different disorders including tuberculosis, hemorrhoids, ulcer, dysentery and cancer. It is revealed that they may be easily accessible sources of natural drugs that could be used as a possible food supplement or in pharmaceutical industry after their safe...

Introduction: α-amylase is a major form of amylase found in humans and other mammals. It is the special key enzyme involved in carbohydrates breakdown. Inhibition of this enzyme could be used in treatment of diabetes. In this study, the effect of ten Iranian macrolichens on alpha amylase were tested. Methods: Different concentrations of the extracts (25, 50 and 75 mg/ml) were incubated wi...