Konkurs IAPLC_2011

Comment from Takashi Amano

International Aquatic Plants Layout Contest started from the dawn of 21st century, and this year’s contest marks the 10th anniversary. In our 10 year contest history, the number of participants and participating country has been increasing steadily, and we have received record breaking participants in this year’s contest. This reflects the fact that the number of planted aquarium hobbyists is globally increasing. But I feel very sorry to have seen the decline of layout originality in many applications, while many applicants are now having high layout technique. So some layouts with splendid layout idea were selected on the top prizes this year. It is also regrettable not many applications have a good combination of fish and aquarium layout. It is also very important point to decide the quality of aquarium layout. I wish to see many applications wowing our juries in next year’s contest, and I hope this contest will develop further as a stage showing your aquarium layout to the world.

Pyszczak nie dla kazdego - Wojciech Sierakowski

Biotopes of Mediterranean Sea part. II - Dr Małgorzata Bednarska, Dr Michał Bednarski

This article is a second one in the series of articles entitled “Biotopes of Mediterranean Sea” and aims at acquainting the reader with ecosystems of marine eelgrass beds. These beds are one of the most abundant among marine ecosystems with regard to the number of animal and plant species. Underwater “meadows” of marine eelgrass (Zostera sp.), are a basic element of such an ecosystem and their long ribbon-like leaves remind us of grass leaves. Despite their seemingly unexciting appearance, eelgrass beds serve as a shelter for numerous animals and observing them in their natural environment is very exciting.