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Rainfall-runoff (r-r) modeling at different time scales is considered as a significant issue in hydro-environmental planning. As a first hydrological implementation, for one-time-ahead r-r modeling of two watersheds with totally distinct climatic conditions, Genetic Algorithm (GA, as a global search technique) and Emotional Artificial Neural Network (EANN, as a new production of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based methods that simulated based on the brain neurophysiological structure) was combined. Determining the optimal architecture of AI-based networks is vital for increasing the accuracy of prediction by the network and also to reduce run-time. In the current study, GA has been implemented to choose the important features candidate as EANN input and automatically diagnose the optimal number of hidden nodes and hormones simultaneously. The acquired results indicated a better representation of the proposed hybrid GA-EANN model compared to the sole ANN and EANN. Numerical identification of obtained results revealed that the proposed hybrid GA-EANN model might enhance the better results than the EANN model up to 19% and 35% in terms of testing suitability criteria for Aji Chai and Murrumbidgee catchments, respectively.

Unio pictorum (L. 1758) and Unio tumidus (Philipsson, 1788) are common bivalve molluscs from the Unionidae family, with significant ecological importance in aquatic ecosystems. Their shells are essential for species identification and can also be used to assess changes in population structure, individual growth, and body form under varying environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to: (i) compare the individual size and shape of shells, (ii) assess length growth, and (iii) analyse population structures (based on length and age) of the bivalve molluscs Unio pictorum and Unio tumidus between specimens from the early medieval period (EMS) and those currently found (MS) in the Oder River near Szczecin, Poland. EMS shells were collected from archaeological excavations in cultural layers dated to the 10th and 11th centuries. They were located at three sites in Szczecin, approximately 500–700 m from the Oder River. MS specimens were collected using a bottom dredge between 12 and 21 May 2024 from sites within 1,000 m of the excavation area. For both groups, measurements included size, age, growth (using the von Bertalanffy model), and morphometric characteristics (length [L], height [H], width [W]), as well as the Elongation Index and Convexity Index. The shells of Unio pictorum and U. tumidus from the modern sample (MS) exhibited statistically significantly greater length, width, and height compared to those from the early medieval sample (EMS). At the same time, lower values of the Convexity Index and, in U. pictorum , the Elongation Index were recorded in the MS group. The length and age structure of both species in the MS group was dominated by larger and older individuals relative to the EMS group. The growth of contemporary Unio pictorum and U. tumidus can be considered moderate compared to other present-day populations, with maximum predicted ages of eight and nine years, respectively, and asymptotic lengths (L ∞ ) of 93.85 mm and 87.03 mm. In contrast, in the EMS group, the maximum predicted age and asymptotic length were 10 years and 70.12 mm for U. pictorum , and 6 years and 96.25 mm for U. tumidus , respectively. Higher values of the φ′ and P growth indices in the MS group indicate that both species are currently growing at a faster rate than their early medieval counterparts (EMS). The observed differences in individual and population characteristics of Unio pictorum and U. tumidus between present-day specimens (MS) and those from the early Middle Ages (EMS) are attributed to long-term changes in temperature, nutrient availability, and water regime over the past 1,000 years.

One of the most invasive freshwater fish in Europe is the stone moroko ( Pseudorasbora parva ), but its potential for food use remains largely unexplored. Fish were collected from ponds (Raszyn, Stare Kurowo) and a natural river (Wardynka). The study measured fish weight and length, calculated the Fulton coefficient, determined the chemical composition of the meat, energy value plus yield. Heavy metal content was determined after HNO 3 digestion using GFAAS method. Health risk was assessed using EDI, THQ, HI, CR. The data were statistically analyzed. No differences in length were found. Individuals from Stare Kurowo and Wardynka had significantly higher body weights than those from Raszyn. Wardynka fish had the highest water content (74.83%), the lowest dry matter, protein, and fat levels. All samples contained low concentrations of heavy metals, with the lowest levels in Wardynka and the highest in Raszyn. Estimated daily intake (EDI) values ranged from 0.28% to 3.03% of the reference dose, remaining under 1% in most cases. Nutrient levels matched typical European freshwater fish. Differences among sites likely stemmed from food availability and competition. The low metal content and favourable meat quality indicate potential for food production, helping control this invasive species and protect native fish.

In the current study, a novel method is proposed to analyze the simultaneous impacts of non-stationarity in hydrological time series and land-use changes in urban areas to predict future floods and probable damage. For this purpose, rainfall frequency and land-use changes analyses were conducted for two time periods (first: 1979–2009 and second: 1979–2019), and the results were compared. Then, hydrologic modeling of the catchment was carried out using the HEC-HMS model, and obtained hydrographs were fed to the HEC-RAS2D model for estimating flood inundation areas. Using the financial information of assets and their damage functions, flood damages related to these two periods were evaluated through the HEC-FIA model. The results indicated that in the low return periods (e.g., 2-year flood), the damage in the second period was decreased with respect to the first one but increased for the return periods of 5 to 100 years. In the surface runoff, a 4.65% increase due to land-use change and a 12% increase due to rainfall non-stationarity signed the important role the hydrologic condition plays compared to land-use changes in flood modeling. Moreover, flood damage showed a 136% increase on average, and among the two studied factors, the non-stationarity of rainfalls is considerably more effective on flood intensification. All the points show that the studied socio-hydrological system is completely dynamic.

The brown bullhead is a fish native to North America that became an invasive species after being introduced into the waters of Europe and other regions. Studies on its sexual cycle and fecundity were conducted on a population from an oxbow lake of the central Vistula River in Poland. The fish ranged in age from 1 + to 9+. The average body length (SL) was 14.4 ± 3.4 cm. Individuals as young as 1 + were already mature. Females lay eggs multiple times from mid-April to mid-June, with absolute fecundity averaging 3227 oocytes and relative fecundity at 46 oocytes g −1 . The highest mean GSI of 1.9 during spawning was recorded in June. The reproductive tract of males takes the shape of lobes and consists of a paired cranial region formed by testes and a caudal region of undefined function. In males, semi-cystic spermatogenesis occurs, with secondary spermatocytes leaving cysts. Males overwinter with tubules filled with spermatids and initiate spermatozoa formation. The highest average GSI of 0.49 was recorded in early April. The brown bullhead observed in the new habitat was characterized by multiple egg laying, earlier maturation of individuals, and spawning in the earlier part of the calendar year, i.e. mid-April to mid-June, compared to its native habitat.

Using the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT), runoff in pervious and impervious urban areas was simulated in this study. In the meantime, as a novel application of machine learning, the emotional artificial neural network (EANN) model was employed to enhance the SWAT obtained for this study. As a result of the EANN model's capabilities in rainfall–runoff phenomena, the SWAT-EANN couple model has been used to assess urban flooding. The pervious, impervious, and water body areas of the study area were classified and mapped to estimate the cover change over three epochs. Land use map, precipitation data, temperature (minimum and maximum) data, wind speed, relative humidity, soil map, solar radiation, and digital elevation model were used as inputs for modelling rainfall–runoff of the study area in the ArcGIS environment. The accuracy assessment of this study was excellent (root-mean-square error 1 mm of precipitation). It also revealed that (a) a land use map illustrating changes in impervious, pervious surface, and water body for 1998, 2008, and 2018; (b) runoff modelling using a historical pattern of rainfall–runoff changes (1998–2018); and (c) descriptive statistical analysis of the runoff results of the research. This research will aid in urban planning, administration, and development. Specifically, it will prevent flooding and environmental problems.

Globally, climate change could hinder future food security that concurrently implies the importance of investigating drought stress and genotype screening under stressed environments. Hence, the current study was performed to screen 45 diverse maize inbred lines for 18 studied traits comprising phenological, physiological, morphological, and yield characters under optimum and water stress conditions for two successive growing seasons (2018 and 2019). The results showed that growing seasons and water regimes significantly influenced ( p < 0.01) most of the studied traits, while inbred lines had a significant effect ( p < 0.01) on all of the studied traits. The findings also showed a significant increase in all studied characters under normal conditions compared to drought conditions, except chlorophyll content, transpiration rate, and proline content which exhibited higher levels under water stress conditions. Furthermore, the results of the principal component analysis indicated a notable distinction between the performance of the 45 maize inbred lines under normal and drought conditions. In terms of grain yield, the drought tolerance index (DTI) showed that Nub60 (1.56), followed by Nub32 (1.46), Nub66 (1.45), and GZ603 (1.44) were the highest drought-tolerant inbred lines, whereas Nub46 (0.38) was the lowest drought-tolerant inbred line. These drought-tolerant inbred lines were able to maintain a relatively high grain yield under normal and stress conditions, whereas those drought-sensitive inbred lines showed a decline in grain yield when exposed to drought conditions. The hierarchical clustering analysis based on DTI classified the forty-five maize inbred lines and eighteen measured traits into three column- and row-clusters, as inbred lines in cluster-3 followed by those in cluster-2 exhibited greater drought tolerance in most of the studied traits. Utilizing the multi-trait stability index (MTSI) criterion in this study identified nine inbred lines, including GZ603, as stable genotypes in terms of the eighteen studied traits across four environments. The findings of the current investigation motivate plant breeders to explore the genetic potential of the current maize germplasm, especially in water-stressed environments.

Mussel shells are often found in archaeological excavations and can provide information useful for ecological reconstruction and assessment of anthropogenic impact on waters. In this study, two sample groups of swollen river mussel (Unio tumidus) which occurred during the Early Middle Ages (EMS) and currently (MS) in the Oder river estuary (Baltic basin) were compared. Allometric shell growth, morphological characteristics of the shell (length, width, height and thickness), age structure and growth of mussels were analysed using the von Bertalanffy equation. All three types of allometric growth (isometry and both positive and negative allometry) were observed in the studied mussels. In both groups, typical values of shell length, width, height and thickness were recorded. However, higher values of these morphological characteristics were recorded in the EMS group. Moreover, the EMS group, compared with the MS group of U. tumidus, was characterised by a higher longevity (12 and 10 years, respectively) and asymmetric length (L∞) (93.09 and 83.23 mm, respectively). Both groups of mussels had a similar growth rate (k). Larger shell sizes in the EMS group were probably caused by differential preservation and/or differential archaeological recovery, and resulted from differences in the age structure, especially higher mortality rate amongst individuals older than 6 years in the MS group.

Watercourses serve the needs of agriculture in certain sections and are subject to strong anthropopressure. When agriculture prevails in the catchment, it often has abundant vegetation, macrophytes in particular, and the bottom is covered by a substantial layer of silt. In order to ensure patency of flow and access to water, small watercourses are very often subject to river maintenance works. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of 3 types of works on the diversity of fish species and density of fish in the 1 and 2 year after the works at 21 sites located on 8 rivers in the European Central Plains Ecoregion. As a result of the works, especially in the 1 year after the works, significant changes were found in hydrochemical and hydrological parameters, especially with the increase in velocity and mean depth in watercourses. Additionally, habitat change contributed to differences in the composition of the ichthyofaunal. After 1 year, the diversity of fish species and fish population density increased or remained unchanged after dredging and removal of plants from the river channel, but they decreased after the removal of macrophytes from river banks. After year 2, a decrease in the diversity of fish species and density was observed, associated with re-infestation and siltation of the watercourses. Particularly in the case of dredging and removal of macrophytes from the river bank, maintenance works should not be done too frequently, because some species of natural value disappear.

Managing invasive species such as the Chinese sleeper (Perccottus glenii) supports the goals of sustainable development by preserving native biodiversity. This study investigated the population structure, growth, and ecological impact of P. glenii in a small, anthropogenically altered tributary of the Vistula River (central Poland). Electrofishing surveys conducted between 2017 and 2023 assessed sex ratio, age structure, body size, condition (Fulton’s index), and growth parameters, as well as changes in the local fish community. The sex ratio was nearly balanced (♀:♂ = 1.00:0.99), and average standard length and weight were 6.54 cm/9.11 g (females) and 6.36 cm/7.69 g (males). Dominant individuals were from age group of 2+ years. The Fulton condition factor ranged from 2.54 to 2.58, while positive algometric growth was observed for both sexes. The von Bertalanffy growth model parameters (L∞ = 175.37 mm, k = 0.104, t0 = −1.711) revealed slower growth compared to other Eurasian populations. In the individual months of the study, changes in the sex structure, length, weight, and age of the fish were observed. This seasonality may have resulted from physiological changes (including fish growth and reproductive processes), their migration, and environmental changes, such as food availability and hydrochemical parameters, occurring during this period. Additionally, over the study period, the abundance and density of P. glenii increased significantly, coinciding with a marked decline in native fish species. These findings highlight the adaptability of this invasive fish and emphasise the need for targeted management strategies in degraded freshwater ecosystems.