Viesturs MELECIS

Dr.biol. Viesturs MELECIS Director of Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Head of Laboratory of Bioindication Associate Professor Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera iela 3, Salaspils, LV-2169 Latvia Tel.: + 371 7944988, +371 9191557 Fax.: +371 9345412 E-mail: vmelecis@email.lubi.edu.lv

Born: November 10, 1950, Riga, Latvia

• Ecology
• Soil ecology
• Soil zoology
• Biomonitoring

Brief Description of Main Research -

• Human impact assessment by using soil invertebrate community
• Biomonitoring methods of soil invertebrate communities
• Biomonitoring methods of insect communities of protected areas

Languages: Latvian, Russian, English

• University of Latvia, Faculty of Biology, cum laude, 1975
• Dr. biol. (Ph.D.), University of Latvia , 1992

Experience:

• Director, Institute of Biology, 1998 -
• Head of Laboratory of Bioindication, Institute of Biology , 1991 -
• Associate Professor, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, 1995 -

• Leading Researcher, 1990-1991
• Junior Researcher, 1977-1989
• Laboratory Assistant, 1971-1975

Honours and Awards

•     Corresponding Member, Latvian Academy of Sciences, 2004

Professional Activities and Memberships

• President, Entomological Society of Latvia, 1999-
• Editorial Board, journal “Latvijas Entomologs”, 1995-
• Member, Latvian Council of Science Expert Committee for Biology, Ecology, Geography and Geology, 1993-

Invited Lectures

• Biomonitoring methods in environmental assessment . Workshop on Monitoring of Contaminations with Organic Pollutants in the Baltic States, Lidingo, Sweden, 1998.
• Springtails as bioindicators of forest soil pollution by a cement factory. (Methodological approaches). Biological Colloquium. Bremen University, 1995.

University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, Department of Environmental Sciences -

• General Ecology (Bachelor programme), 1994 –
• Bioindication and Monitoring (Bachelor programme), 1994 -
• Ecosystem Ecology (Master degree programme) 1994 -
• Soil Ecology (Master degree programme), 1997 -

Recent/Representative Publications

• E.Jucevica, V.Melecis. Global warming affect Collembola community: a long-term study. - Pedobiologia, 2006, 50, pp. 177-184.
• M.Laivins, V.Melecis. Bio-geographical interpretation of climate data in Latvia: multidimensional analysis. - Acta Universitatis Latviensis, Earth and Environment Sciences. Biogeography, 2003, vol. 654, ,  pp.7-22.
• E.Jucevica, V.Melecis. Long-term dynamicsof Collembola in pine forest ecosystem. - Pedobiologia, 2002, vol. 46, pp. 365-372.
• V. Melecis. Probleme des Boden-Biomonitorings. - In.: Koehler, H., K. Mathes & B.Breckling (Hrs.). Bodenökologie interdisciplinär, 1999, Berlin: Springer, S. 133-147.
• V.Melecis. Integrated research programme: renaissance of ecology in Latvia.- Proc. Latv. Acad. Sci., 2000, vol. 54, N 5/6, pp. 221-225.
• V.Melecis, A.Karpa, V.Spungis. Assessment of the strategy used for insect population monitoring in Nature park Lake Engure. - Proc. Latv. Acad. Sci., 2000, vol. 54, N 5/6, pp. 197-202.
• V.Melecis, E.Jucevica, I.Salmane, F.Savics, V.Spungis, J.Ventins. Monitoring of soil fasuna in pine forest ecosystems of Northern Vidzeme Biosphere reserve. - XII Int. Colloquium on Soil Zoology, 14-18 August 2000, Ceske Budejovice (Czech Republic), Abstracts, p.48.
• I.Salmane, V.Melecis, E.Paulina. Collembola and gamasin mites of the restricted area Lake Engure. - Proc. XXIV Nordic Congress of Entomology, August 8-11, Tartu, Estonia, 1999, pp.157-162.
• V. Melecis, A. Karpa, I. Kabucis, F. Savics, L. Liepina. Influence of vegetation structure on the distribution of grass-dwelling arthropods of salty coastal meadows. - Proc. XXIV Nordic Congress of Entomology, 1999, August 8-11, Tartu, Estonia, pp. 101-110.
• V. Melecis, A. Karpa, L. Kalvina, I. Timofejeva.. Recovery of pine stands as a result of decreasing of background pollution. - Proceedings of Latvian Academy of Sciences, 1998, vol. 52, suppl. 38-42.
• V. Melecis, A. Karpa, V.Spungis. The grass-dwelling arthropod communities of the coastal reserve “Randu plavas” in Latvia. - Latvijas Entomologs, 1998, N 36, pp. 55-65.
• V. Melecis, A. Karpa, I. Kabucis, F. Savics, L. Liepina. Distribution of grassland arthropods along a coenocline of seashore meadow vegetation. - Proceedings of Latvian Academy of Sciences, 1997, vol. 51, N 5/6, pp. 222-233.
• Yu. B. Byzova, M. S. Ghilarov, W. Dunger, A.A. Zacharov, L.S. Kozlovskaya, G. A. Korganova, G. P. Mazantseva, V. P. Melecis, J. Prasse, F. G. Puzachenko, L. B. Rybalov, B. R. Striganova. Quantitative methods in soil zoology, 1987, Moscow:Nauka, 288 pp. (in Russian).
• V. Melecis. The problem of bioindication at an ecosystem level. - In: J. Bohac (ed.). In: Bioindicatores deteriorisationis regionis. Proc. VI Int. Conf. Ceske Budejovice (Chechoslovakia), 1992, pp. 35-43.
• A. Karps, I. Lapina, V. Melecis, V. Spungis, M. Sternbergs. Environmental Pollution by Slurry from Pig-breeding Farm, 1990, Riga:Zinatne, 237 pp. (in Russian).
• D. Berina, I. Lapina, V. Melecis, V. Spungis. Investigation of the impact of highway transport emission on soil microarthropods by the method of principal components. -In: The Impact of Highway Transport Emissions on Natural Environment, 1989, Riga:Zinatne, pp. 48-73 (in Russian with English summary).
• A. Karps, V. Melecis, V. Spungis, P. Sarkovskis. The impact of automobile transport exhausts on grassland arthropods. - In: The Impact of Highway Transport Emissions on Natural Environment, 1989, Riga:Zinatne, pp. 74-101 (in Russian with English summary).
• V. Melecis. Mathematical model for relationship between number of species and number of samples. - In: Faunistical, Ecological and Ethological Investigations of Animals, 1984, Riga: Latvian State University, pp. 5-24 (in Russian with English summary).
• V. Melecis. Bioindicational significance of springtails (Collembola) concerning calciferous dust pollution in the Betuletum oxalidosum. - In: Pollution of Natural Environment by Calciferous Dusts, 1985, Riga: Zinatne, pp. 149-209 (in Russian with English summary).
• V. Melecis. The method of investigation of dependence of soil invertebrates from ecological factors with alternatively distributed data. - In: Ecotoxicology and Nature Protection., 1988, Moscow: Nauka, pp. 236-255 (in Russian).

Recent Research Projects

• V.Melecis (Programme Director).Biodiversity and Rational Development of Ecosystems of Latvia. Latvian Council of Science (2002 - 2005).
• V.Melecis (Head of Project).Changes in Species Diversity on the Background of Fluctuations of Climatic and Anthropogenic Factors. Latvian Council of Science (2001 - 2004, 2005 - ).
• V.Melecis (Programme Coordinator). Biotic Resources of Ecosystems of Latvia and its Sustainable Use. Latvian Council of Science (1995-2000).
• V.Melecis (Head of Project). Biocoenotic Parameters as Indicators of Long Term Changes of Ecosystem State.  Latvian Council of Science (1997-2000).
• V. Melecis (Head of Project). Elaboration of Biomonitoring Methods for Coastal and Forest Ecosystems of Nature Protection Complex of Northern Vidzeme. Latvian Council of Science (1994-1997).
• V.Melecis (Head of Project). Elaboration of Biomonitoring System in Forest Ecosystems of Nature Protection Complex of Northern Vidzeme. Latvian Council of Science (1991-1993).

Last update 25.09.2007