Submission and Review of Research -Biological Sciences Series

Evaluating the dynamics of forest fires using Remote Sensing and GIS Technologies: Case study forests of the Lattakia region

Maher Ali — 2025-11-22

Forest fires, with their sudden and devastating nature, pose immense threats to both natural ecosystems and human communities in a changing climate. In this regard, assessing and monitoring burned areas is a critical step in developing sustainable forest management measures. Because traditional forest fire monitoring is time-consuming and inaccurate, this problem must be addressed using remote sensing technologies. This study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of burned forest sites and the severity of disturbance caused by fires in 2007 and 2015-2020 in the Lattakia region of Lattakia Governorate, Syria, using Landsat satellite image archives and spectral indices data. The study results indicate that during the period under study, approximately 8,230.74 hectares of forest area were burned in the Lattakia region, including 5,290.15 hectares of forest cover in 2020 alone. The study also demonstrated the recurrence of forest fires in the same location. The accuracy of the data obtained was verified using modern standards for geographic information statistics. This study can be used to develop effective preventive a by identifying the locations most vulnerable to forest fires.

.dr A Selective Study of Some Phenological, Morphological, and Productive Traits of Several Soybean Genotypes (Glycine max L.(

divana youssef — 2025-11-22

The research was carried out in Latakia Governorate (Damsarkho), and in the Scientific Research Laboratory of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering –University of Latakia, for the 2024 agricultural season, with the aim of evaluating 5 genetic models of soybeans, namely (Sb335, Sb337, Sb339, Sb342, Sb344) through phenological, morphological, production indicators and their components, to determine the best model that can be grown and to arrive at electoral evidence that can be considered a criterion for high productivity under the conditions of the research area. The experiment was carried out according to the design of complete random sectors (RCBD) and with three iterations.

The results showed that there were significant genetic and phenotypic differences in the studied traits, especially in yield and the different yield-contributing traits in soybean models. The differences between the coefficient of apparent variation (GCV) and the coefficient of genetic variation (PCV) were very low for all traits studied, indicating that environmental influences in the development of these traits were minimal.

The genetic type Sb342 excelled in the characteristics of plant height (cm), weight of one seed (g), weight of seeds per pod (g), weight of pods on the plant (g), number of seeds in the plant, and total productivity kg/h. While the genetic type Sb339 excelled in the characteristics of early flowering and maturity.

The results also showed the possibility of selecting for seed productivity traits by selecting for traits such as pod weight and number of seeds in the plant, due to the positive, high-moral correlation between them and their high degrees of inheritance and moderate genetic progression.

The Effect of Coverage and additional fertilization on the productivity and quality of the second batch of fruits of the local grape variety, Sabiei.

ghaith nassour — 2025-11-22

This research was conducted between 2020 and 2023 at the Agricultural Scientific Research Center in Lattakia - General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research. The research aimed to obtain table grapes for fresh consumption during fall and winter, without using expensive processes of storage and refrigeration that negatively affect the quantity, quality and health value of stored fruits, and to study the effect of additional fertilization and plastic coverage in improving the productivity and quality of the second batch of fruits of the local grape variety, Sabiei, by conducting a factorial experiment with two factors: plastic coverage and additional fertilization with a high-potassium soluble fertilizer (10:10:40). The results showed that plastic coverage led to the ripening of the fruits during December and January by increasing the percentage of soluble solids (23.68 %), and reducing the total acidity (0.3833 %) in the fruits of the second batch. The fertilization treatment also led to an increase in the average productivity of a single tree (9.461 kg), and the average cluster weight (169.9 g).

A Taxonomic Study of the Passeriformes and Their Seasonal Distribution in The Wadi Al-Uyoun, Hama

Razan Balloul — 2025-11-22

characterized by abundant sparrow species (Chloris chloris, Fringilla coelebs, Spinus spinus), with a total number of 126 individuals belonging to the weaver finch family. By calculating the species richness coefficient, it was found that the forest area was more diverse and more numerous

Isolation and identification of fungi causing root rot and wilt of sour orange seedling and testing the pathogenicity of some isolates of Fusarium sp.

تهامة يوسف — 2025-11-22

This study was conducted with the aim of isolating the fungi causing root rot and wilt of citrus seedling in some nurseries that produce citrus seedling in Lattakia, sex pathogenic fungal genera were isolated and purified from the root and crown area of seedling samples that had symptoms of infection with the disease, These fungi are:

Fusarium, Pythium.Rhizoctonia,Phoma,Nigrospora,Phytophthora. Fusarium was the most frequent compared to other fungi 70.37% followed by Rhizoctonia 19.14, then Phoma 4.47%,then Pythium 2.47%, then Phytophthora and Nigrospora 1.85%.

The pathogenicity of fifteen isolates of Fusarium sp. Was tested on 45-days-old sour orange seedlings, the infection rate ranged between 0 and 100% and the severity of infection between o and 84%, the percentage of F.solani isolates was 46.66%, F. oxysporum 33.33% and 20% of the other Fusarium species.

The Impact of Replacing Fishmeal with Brewer’s Yeast on Some Production Indicators of Cultured Catfish (Silurus glanis)

حمام التاجر — 2025-11-22

This study assessed the feasibility of using brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a full substitute for fishmeal in the diet of catfish (Silurus glanis), with emphasis on growth, feed utilization, and water quality. Fifty fingerlings (initial weight: 47.5–50 g) were assigned to two dietary treatments: a control group fed a fishmeal-based diet and a test group receiving an isonitrogenous diet with total fishmeal replacement by brewer’s yeast. Fish were fed twice daily at 3% of body weight over 90 days.

Final weight, weight gain, and daily growth rate did not differ significantly between groups. However, a numerically improved feed conversion ratio was observed in the yeast group. Brewer’s yeast, rich in protein (~64%), amino acids, and B-vitamins, supported stable water parameters.

Results suggest that brewer’s yeast can serve as a cost-effective and nutritionally viable protein alternative in catfish diets, possibly offering immunological benefits. Further investigation is needed to evaluate long-term impacts of partial inclusion levels.

Effect of the parent rock on plant species diversity (Latakia Governorate)

somar mariam — 2025-11-22

The aim of this research is to evaluate the compositional and functional plant biodiversity in Lattakia Governorate, on different types of parent rock. The study was conducted during 2022 and 2023, in 67 samples of 400 m² each, distributed at different altitudes and exposures, and within diverse habitats, on five types of parent rock: sandstone and marl with conglomera, limestone with dolomite, limestone with dolomite and marl, limestone with marl and clay, green ophiolut rocks. Site data were collected and plant surveys were conducted. Compositional diversity indices (species richness index, Shannon index), and plant similarity ratio (Sorenson index), were calculated. Functional diversity was studied through four traits, related directly or indirectly to ecosystem functions: sexual system, pollination pattern, life form, and dispersal pattern.

The results showed no significant correlation between parent rock and either the specific richness and Shannon indices, while the Sorenson index showed low levels of similarity in general. On the other hand, functional traits showed some significant differences between green ophiolite rocks and limestone rocks of various forms, particularly limestone with clay and argillaceous clay.

Studying changes of precipitation characteristics of different climatic regions in Syria under climatic changes during the period 1958-2018

rana saker — 2025-11-22

Monthly precipitation data were used for six meteorological stations describing different regions in Syria during the period 1958-2018 in order to estimate the change in precipitation characteristics. Box-plots and descriptive statistical analysis with the coefficient of variation were used to study the characteristics of seasonal and annual precipitation amounts. Trends with Mann-Kendall test were used to detect change and significance in concentration and seasonality indices, and mean precipitation. To compare the statistical characteristics of precipitation amounts and their probability values at different levels between the periods 1958-1988 and 1988-2018, gamma distribution and descriptive statistical analysis with the Student t test were used.

The results showed a clear reduction in mean annual precipitation in all regions with a value ranging between 6.1mm and 29.7mm per decade, which was significant in three regions (Homs-Suwayda-Qamishli). On the other hand, the results showed that no significant changes in concentration and seasonality. This changes constitute a direct threat to water resources and rain-fed agriculture and will pose a grand challenge to ecosystems management.

Study of the effect agricultural waste compost on seed germination of Pinus pinea L. and seedlings growth and development

lames ibrahem — 2025-11-22

Aerobic fermentation using the heap method was applied to both sawdust with leguminous residues for 6 months and leguminous residues with Poaceae for 4 months. The suitability of the resulting organic media and mixtures of media with mineral soil as media for germinating Pinus pinea L seeds was examined. The effect of these media on the longitudinal, quantitative and weight growth indicators of seedlings at the end of the growing season. The results showed that the germination rate in the treatments that included compost of leguminous waste in the form of a single medium or mixture reached 90%, and 85% in the mixture of sawdust compost with the nursery mixture. All treatments were significantly superior to the control treatment (the nursery mixture), as the germination rate in the control treatment reached 63.33%. The results showed that the highest average length of the root and shoot systems was in the treatments that included compost of leguminous wastes individually or in mixtures, and there was an improvement in the dry matter weight of the root and shoot.

Compare the effect of drying of the sun and drying the artificial oven on the chemical composition of Qamar Al -Din product

Yakoub Saood — 2025-11-22

Prunus Armeniaca L. is one of the most important fruitful trees in many countries, including Syria, as it is characterized by the production of fruits with a desirable taste and good nutritional value. Due to the fact that the apricot fruits are characterized by a short storage age and their ability to damage at speeds, various methods were developed to preserve them from damage, the most important of which is drying the eaten part.

In this research, Qamar Al -Din was manufactured by drying (in the sun directly and in the industrial oven at 68 C^o) and pre-treatment with sodium meta-bisulphite solution with a concentration (1.5 grams /liter) for an hour and studying the effect of previous transactions on some chemical compounds in the resulting Qamar Al -Din product. It amounted to the lowest value of water activity (0.583 ± 0.005) in Qamar al -Din resulting from industrial drying treated with sulfur. It reached the lowest percentage of the total acidity
(0.99 ± 0.01%) in Qamar al -Din resulting from industrial drying treated with sulfur. The highest value of vitamin C and vitamin A (9.66 ± 0.01 mg/100 g) and (10.52 ± 0.02 µg RE/100 g) respectively in Qamar al -Din resulting from industrial drying treated with sulfur. The highest value of the total phenols (397.3 ± 1 mg Galic acid/100 g) in Qamar al -Din resulting from the witnessed artificial drying. The best transactions were the samples of Qamar Al -Din which is treated with sulfur resulting from industrial drying at a temperature of 68 C^o.

Sexual and asexual propagation of Natal Plum (Carissa Macrocarpa L.)

عزيزه سليمان — 2025-11-22

This research aimed to study the effect of some physical (water soaking, cold stratification) and chemical (potassium nitrate, gibberellic acid) treatments on the germination of Natal Plum seeds, in addition to the effect of the auxin type (IBA, IAA) and its concentration
(0, 2000, 3000, 4000 ppm) on the rooting of semi-woody cuttings and the quality of the resulting plants. The research was carried out in the nursery and laboratories of the Faculty of Agriculture, Latakia University, for two agricultural seasons (2024 and 2025). The results of sexual propagation showed that the cold stratification treatment for 20 days was superior to the other treatments in germination percentage, which reached
91.33%, followed by the potassium nitrate treatment (2%), with a germination percentage of 63.33% compared to 26.67% in the control. Soaking treatments with either potassium nitrate (2%) or gibberellic acid (100 and 200 ppm) also achieved the best quality of the resulting seedlings.

Vegetative propagation results indicated that the cuttings treated with both types of auxin and at all concentrations used were superior to the control in rooting percentage. The auxin IBA was also superior to IAA in rooting percentage (31.96, 13.03%), in the average number of roots formed per cutting (9.36, 6.56) and in the average root length
(6.59, 5.14 cm), respectively, according to the general average. The results also showed the positive effect of treating cutting with auxin, especially IBA, on the vegetative growth indicators of the resulting plants (shots number, leaves number and leaf surface area, percentage of dry matter and the total chlorophyll content in leaves) and in all rooting indicators when used at a concentration of 4000 ppm.

Effect of some agricultural media on rooting rates and roots measurements of softwood of olive cultivar "Al-Qaisi" in controlled conditions

Haidar Dway — 2025-11-22

The study was conducted in the greenhouse of (ACSAD) in Lattakia (Bouqa) to propagation of the olive cultivar "Al-Qaisi" by softwood using different agricultural media during the years 2022-2023. Planting took place during two dates (summer, autumn), in different medians (coarse perlite, normal perlite, fine perlite, coarse pumice, normal pumice, fine pumice), each experiment had several treatments, each with 5 replicates and in each replicate 50 cuttings. The results showed that the autumn planting date was superior to the summer in the total rooting percentage (47.85%, 41.08%) respectively, the same applies to date rooted cuttings, as the autumn planting date gave better results than the summer, with the lowest percentage of dead cutting after rooting (0.16%, 10.73%) respectively. Coarse perlite gave the highest value in total rooting percentage (54.54%), For the dead cutting after rooting coarse pumice gave the best result (1.71%). The highest value for the average number of roots per cutting was in coarse perlite and normal perlite (22.89, 22.55 root/cutting) respectively, As, fine pumice gave the best result for the average root lengths per cutting (2.28 cm).

Effect of using amino acids and organic carbon on growth and yield of pepper (Capsicum annum L.)

hala bostanh — 2025-11-22

The research was conducted during the 2024 season in AL-Bassah/ Lattakia, Syria. The research aimed to study the effect of foliar spraying with amino acids and organic carbon on the growth and productivity of hot pepper plants, " Qorn al-Ghazal "

Ten treatments were applied as follows: T₁ (control, sprayed with water only), T₂, T₃, and T₄ (sprayed with amino acids at concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 2 g/L respectively); T₅, T₆, and T₇ (sprayed with organic carbon at concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 2 mL/L respectively; T₈ (sprayed with both amino acids at 0.5 g/L and organic carbon at 0.5 mL/L); T₉ (amino acids 1 g/L+ organic carbon 1 mL/L) and T₁₀ (amino acids 2 g/L+ organic carbon 2 mL/L).

The results showed a significant superiority of the foliar spraying treatment with amino acids 2 g/L+ organic carbon 2 mL/L in most studied traits compared to the other treatments. This treatment recorded 103.95cm plant height- 275.2 leaf/plant for number of leaves- 14855 cm² leaf surface area– 85 flowers/plant number of flowers per plant– 53.74 fruitful buds/plant- 1.793 kg/plant yield per plant- 177.5 mg/100g of vitamin C content.

Effect of Foliar Spraying with the Organic Fertilizer (Olego) and Seaweed Extract on Vegetative Growth, and Fruit Quality of Olive Trees (Khodiri variety)

Suzan Omran — 2025-11-22

The study was conducted in the Bakssa region of Lattakia Governorate, during the
2024 season on 45-year-old "Khodiri" olive trees. The aim of studying the effect of foliar spraying with the organic fertilizer (Olego) as a source of humic acid and the seaweed extract (Amino Max), either individually or in combination, on vegetative growth indicators and fruit quality of olive trees. The experiment included 9 treatments, each with three replicates. Using the following concentrations: Olego(0,1.5,2 cm³/L), AminoMax(0,2,3 cm³/L). Spraying was carried out at four times (bud swelling, full bloom, fruit set, and during fruit enlargement stage).

The statistical analysis results showed a significant increase in all studied indicators when we use organic fertilizer (Olego) as a source of humic acid and the seaweed extract (Amino Max) together. Treatments T9(Olego 2cm³/L+ AminoMax 3cm³/L), T8
(Olego 2cm³/L+ AminoMax 2cm³/L), and T7(Olego 1.5cm³/L+ AminoMax 3cm³/L) showed significant superiority in average leaf area (14.83cm², 14.19cm², 14.11cm²) respectively. Treatment T9 significantly excelled in total chlorophyll content in the leaves(84.62 SPAD), annual shoot length (25.16cm), fruit set percentage(6.69%), fruit weight(2.720g), and fruit volume(2.710cm³). While control treatment recorded the lowest values in all studied indicators.

Impact of invasive species on biodiversity: Acase study of Lantana Camara L. in the city of Latakia.

Hadeel Mahfoud — 2025-11-22

Invasive plant species are one of the most prominent threats to biodiversity in local ecosystems due to their ability to compete with and displace native species. This study aimed at assessing the impact of Lantana camara L. on the diversity of herbaceous plants in the urban environment of Lattakia city. The study was conducted during 2024-2025, and included 30 samples (3*3 m). The Brown- Blanquet method was used to conduct plant surveys. The results showed statistically significant differences in the values of biodiversity indices (Richness, Shannon index, Evenness index) and Sorenson index for similarity in samples invaded by L. camara L. compared to those not invaded by it.

A strong inverse correlation was found between the percentage of coverage of
L. camara L. and Shannon index values. The study revealed that the significant impact of L. camara L. on biodiversity begins at 54% coverage. Similarity analysis also showed that plant communities not invaded by L. camara L. were more diverse than those invaded by it. These results confirm the significant negative impact of L. camara L. on native plant diversity and highlight the need for serious procedures to manage and limit its spread in order to protect native plant species and ecosystems.

Study of the Effect of Slope Position on Plant Biodiversity in the Forest of Salah al-Din Castle - Al-Haffa, Latakia Governorate

zeinab baddour — 2025-11-22

This study was conducted during the spring of 2024 on the southern slope of Salah al-Din Forest (Al-Haffa region, Latakia Governorate) to evaluate plant biodiversity.

Twelve samples, 100 m², were taken( 6 upper slope, 6 lower slope), with ( 7 in coniferous and 5 in broadleaf forest sections). Vegetation surveys followed the Braun-Blanquet method, recording species presence, coverage, life forms, and dispersal strategies. Species richness, Shannon index, life forms, and dispersal types were statistically compared between sites

Results revealed non-significant differences (p>0.05) in species richness, Shannon index, and dispersal forms between upper and lower slopes. However, the coniferous section showed significantly higher values in species richness (p<0.05), Shannon index, and (H) herbaceous/perennial dispersal forms, while the broadleaf section dominated in (S) shrub climber dispersal types. Species similarity was low (Jaccard index: 35.21% between slopes; 23.36% between forest types). Zoochorous, anemochorous, and barochorous dispersal accounted And Epizoochore for >83% of total dispersal strategies.

The Effect of Cooling and Sowing Date of Pinus brutia Ten. Seeds on Reducing the Production Period and Improving Seedling Quality at Al-Hanadi Forest Nursery in Lattakia govermorate

kinda kaidouh — 2025-11-22

This research was conducted at Al-Hanadi Forest Nursery in Lattakia during 2023 and 2024 to study the effect of dry and cold storage of Pinus brutia Ten. seeds and their sowing at various autumn and winter dates on reducing the seedling production period and improving their quality in the nursery.

The results showed a clear effect of seed cooling before sowing on increasing germination rates. Treatment T2 (cooled seeds sown in December 2023) and T6 (cooled seeds sown in February 2024) achieved the highest germination percentages (76.81% and 72.44%, respectively), with statistically significant differences compared to other treatments.

Additionally, the results indicated improved growth indicators in cooled seed treatments compared to non-cooled seeds, although the control treatment T1 (non-cooled seeds sown in October 2023) showed superiority in some indicators. However, the seedlings from this treatment were of lower quality due to root deformities caused by their prolonged stay in the nursery. The best treatments in terms of seedling quality were T2 and T6.

The findings demonstrated the feasibility of implementing a winter sowing plan with Pinus brutia seeds cooled for one month to obtain high-quality seedlings, thereby reducing their nursery residency period and lowering production costs for afforestation operations.