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MILESTONES OF E.I. PANKOVA’S RESEARCH OF SALT SOILS

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Yamnova  I.A. MILESTONES OF E.I. PANKOVA’S RESEARCH OF SALT SOILS // Ecosystems: Ecology and Dynamic. No. 2. 2022. P. 5-71. | Abstract | PDF | Reference |

 

 

This article is dedicated to the career of the soil scientists and geographer, Evgeniya Ivanovna Pankova, who has been studying genesis, geography and evolution of saline soils her entire life. She graduated from the Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography, under the supervision of M.A. Glazovskaya, who inspired her love for arid soils. Six years of work at the Giprovodhoz Institute that included a lot of expeditions to Eastern Siberia, Moldova, Azerbaijan and Mongolia, gave E.I. Pankova a precious experience in the field of ameliorative soil science. After finishing her postgraduate study and completing her PhD thesis, from 1964 to the present day Evgenia Ivanovna has been working in the Department of the Genesis and Reclamation of Saline Soils at V.V. Dokuchaev Soil Institute. E.I. Pankova is the leading scientist of the Soil Institute. For many years she has been developing main areas of soil science, related to geography, genesis, cartography and classification of saline soils in arid regions of Russia and the countries of Central and Central Asia, as well as Mongolia and China. One of the most significant discoveries in her doctoral thesis was the conclusion E.I. Pankova made about the manifestation and inevitability of salt accumulation process in the hydromorphic landscapes of arid territories, especially during irrigation. Her work with N.I. Bazilevich resulted in creation of methodological guidelines for saline soils accounting, as well as maps of chemism types of soil salinity; they are widely used for scientific and practical purposes. E.I. Pankova is one of the founders of a remote method for studying soil salinity. She made a great contribution to the study of anthropogenic impact on geography, genesis and evolution of saline soils. E.I. Pankova is the author and executive editor of the monograph “Saline Soils of Russia”, which is the first major and generalized work on the soil salinization in Russia. Scientific activities of E.I. Pankova are recognized worldwide; she is a member of the International Society of Soil Scientists, the European Society for Soil Conservation. She is the founder of a scientific school that studies and maps saline soils. She has published more than 300 works, including 7 monographs.

Keywords: soil scientists, E.I. Pankova, saline soils, science contribution.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2022-2-5-71

EDN: BWNKHV

INTEGRATED METHODOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATION FOR ASSESSING THE PROTECTION OF GROUND AND CONFINED SUBTERRANEAN WATERS FROM VARIOUS POLLUTANTS AND THEIR VULNERABILITY TO POLLUTION IN THE KALUGA REGION IN THE RADIOACTIVE TRACE FROM THE ACCIDENT AT THE CHERNOBYL NPP

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Belousova A.P., Rudenko E.E. Integrated Methodology for Assessing the Protection Degree of Ground and Confined Subterranean Water from Different Pollutants as Well as Their Vulnerability to Pollution and Its Application in the Kaluga Region in the Radioactive Trace from the Accident at the Chernobyl NPP // Ecosystems: Ecology and Dynamic. No. 2. 2022. P. 99-122. | Abstract | PDF | Reference |

 

 

The object of our research is groundwater and confined subterranean waters in the territory of the Kaluga Region, most affected by the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Our aim was to develop a complex methodology to assess the level of protection and vulnerability of groundwater and confined subterranean water against various pollutants, including radionuclides.

The methodology was tested in the territory of the Kaluga Region, in its zone of the radioactive contamination zone from the Chernobyl Accident.

Our earlier studies that assessed protection and vulnerability of subterranean waters began almost immediately after the accident and were carried out according to the original methodology, developed by the authors of this article. They were fully focused on groundwater only or, more specifically, on the first aquifer under the ground surface. However, this research studies both groundwater and confined subterranean water, located below the groundwater aquifer.

Depending on the location of pollution source, two approaches are considered to solve our main aim. The first option involves a pollution source placed on the ground surface, the way it was observed right after the Chernobyl Accident. The second option involves a pollution source located directly in the groundwater or spreading over a large area, in which case the number of study objects decreases, and it becomes a specific case of the first option.

The results of our research and the methodology we offer for the further use can be applied for assessment of the ecological state of subterranean waters in different country territories, at different scales; for design and construction of fresh subterranean water intakes for drinking purposes; for design and organization of subterranean water monitoring in the areas affected by the Chernobyl Accident. The results of our research are new and significant for further studies.

Keywords: groundwater, subterranean confined water, pollutant, subterranean water protection from pollution, subterranean water vulnerability to pollution, radionuclides, sorption, migration period.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2022-2-99–122

EDN: CFVOIW

THE INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC PROJECT ON ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW AS THE BASIS FOR ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Dubinina V.G. The International Scientific Project on Environmental Flow as the Basis for Ecosystem Conservation // Ecosystems: Ecology and Dynamic. No. 2. 2022. P. 134-144. | Abstract | PDF | Reference |

 

 

The article provides information about the international project “Environmental Flow as the Basis for Ecosystem Conservation”. The project was implemented with the support of the Government of Kazakhstan, in cooperation with the Secretariat of the UN Water Convention and participation of the Central Asian countries. The article overviews the management features of the transboundary water bodies of Central Asia and focuses on the problem of accounting for environmental flow, which is important for ecosystem conservation. It describes the methodological approaches to determining the volume of acceptable irretrievable water withdrawal and establishing the environmental flow (discharge), formulated by the Russian and Kazakh participants. It also describes the studies that were carried out by the project participants on the transboundary rivers of their countries. Based on the results, the recommendations for the conservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems of transboundary rivers are given.

Keywords: intergovernmental agreements, transboundary rivers, water sharing, environmental flow, acceptable irretrievable water withdrawal, freshwater ecosystem conservation.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2022-2-134-144

EDN: GICGBT

HOW DOES ELEVATION ABOVE SEA LEVEL AFFECT THE MORPHOMETRIC GROWTH OF PINUS NIGRA IN MONTENEGRO

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Korol S.O., Korol T.O., Golubeva E.I. How Does Elevation above Sea Level Affect the Morphometric Growth of Pinus Nigra in Montenegro // Ecosystems: Ecology and Dynamic. No. 2 2022. P. 164-181. | Abstract | PDF | Reference |

 

 

Montenegro belongs to the Mediterranean climate zone, but due to the presence of high mountain ranges on a fairly limited territory, there is a multitude of microclimatic varieties: in the coastal part there is a zone of pronounced Mediterranean climate; in the flatland part of the country the climate is a changed Mediterranean; in mountainous areas – a zone of severe mountain climate with cold long winters. In the diversity of the flora of this region, an important place is occupied by the Black Pine (Pinus nigra), which grows both in the mountainous parts and in the valleys and, according to some versions, gave the country its name. It is of interest to analyze the variability of the morphometric parameters of this plant species depending on the growing conditions.

This study is based on the establishment of a field practice in biogeography in the summer of 2021, held in Montenegro. The aim of the work was to determine the dependence of modification changes in Black Pine on the height of growth above sea level according to the following indicators: tree height, crown diameter, trunk diameter, and needle length. Measurements of adult representatives of Pinus nigra were taken at 8 recorded sites located at different heights above sea level, starting from the minimum coastal line of the sea (12.5 m) to the maximum growth height of Pinus nigra in Montenegro (1270.1 m) in the mountains. At each point, 10 mature trees were selected, visually reflecting the most common morphometric indicators for each selected high-altitude plateau with uniform growing conditions (flat surface, slope orientation, central part of the tree mass, forest stand density).

The results of measurements and statistical analysis established a significant negative correlation between height above sea level and morphometric growth rates of Pinus nigra.

Keywords: Montenegro, Pinus nigra, Black pine, vegetation of Montenegro, flora of Montenegro, habitats of Black pine, habitats of Pinus nigra, altitudinal zonality, modification variability of Pinus nigra.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2022-2-164–181

EDN: QWBKDZ

“BIOLOGICHESKAYA BALKA” OF BIOSPHERE RESERVE “LAKE ELTON”, A BOTANICAL PHENOMENON IN THE SALINE PLAINS OF THE NORTHERN ELTON REGION

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Nukhimovskaya Yu.D., Bykov A.V., Kolesnikov A.V., Stepanova N.Yu. “Biologicheskaya Balka” of Biosphere Reserve “Lake Elton”, a botanical Phenomenon in the saline Plains of the Northern Elton Region // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. Vol. 6, No 1. 2022. P. 53-99. | Abstract | PDF | Reference |

 

In this article we present detailed results of our study of the vegetation cover of the “Biologicheckaya Balka” or “Biological” dry valley, where the largest derivative of a ravine forest of the desert-steppe Trans-Volga region is located. The data on tree-shrub vegetation, soils and groundwater, taken from the stationary drill wells, was collected in different seasons of 2008-2021. The floristic observations were carried out by routing, with trees and shrubs studied along the way during the growing seasons of 2014 and 2018-2021. “Biological” dry valley (length – 850 m, elevation difference – 17 m) differs distinctly from the surrounding saline plains that are formed by the zonal semi-dwarf shrub-bunch grasses desert steppes. Its extremely small territory has intrazonal and extrazonal mesophilic vegetation, an unusually high floristic abundance and phytocenotic diversity. At the valley mouth there are halophytic annual saltwort plants, thickets of reeds, followed by the grass-forb communities with Phragmites australis further above, with meadow and forb-grass communities, and with a specific tarragon and couch grass meadow at the very top. Most of the area is occupied by a tree-shrub massif, located in the middle part of the valley bottom, and by the shrubs-forb-grass steppes on its right slope. In the catchment areas and on the left slope various types of desert and dry steppes are common, close to the vegetation of the flat interfluves. Their vegetation is heterogeneous and mosaic.

We also explain what role the most important environmental factors, such as the level and salinity of groundwater, surface runoff, slope orientation, pyrogenic factor, livestock grazing and erosions, play in the spatial organization and vegetation dynamics. Over the past 50 years the upper border of the closed tree-shrub massif has moved along the bottom of the valley almost 50 m up. The local flora consists of 201 vascular plants species from 44 families, which is about 30% of species and 80% of families of the total number in the Elton Region; including 4 species from the “Red Data Book of the Russian Federation” (2008), and 5 from the “Red Data Book of the Volgograd Region” (2018). There are also 30 or 15% ruderal species.

The materials of this study contribute and help to achieve the main strategic goals of the UNESCO biosphere reserve “Lake Elton”, such as the protection and restoration of natural ecosystems, development of scientific researches, ecological monitoring, ecological education, enlightenment and education. They prove there is a need of a protection regime in the “Biologicheksya Balka”, as well as of fire-preventing and graze-prohibiting measures.

Keywords: Volga-Ural interfluve, Caspian lowland, Elton region, Lake Elton Biosphere Reserve, Eltonsky Nature Park, Khara River, Biologicheskaya Balka, Biological dry valley, tree-shrub vegetation, shrub vegetation, meadow vegetation, steppe vegetation, halophyte vegetation, soils, wildfires, livestock grazing, flora, vascular plants, Red Data Book of the Russian Federation, Red Data Book of the Volgograd Region, monitoring.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2022-1-53-99

CONSERVATION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDSCAPES AS THE HABITATS OF RARE WADERS AND OTHER BIRDS SPECIES IN THE TERRITORY OF PROSPECTIVE NATURE PARK «CRANE COUNTRY»

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Sviridova T.V.,  Grinchenko O.S. Conservation of Agricultural Landscapes as the Habitats of Rare Waders and Other Birds in the Territory of Prospective Nature Park “Crane Country” // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. Vol. 6, No 1. 2022. P. 118-133. | Abstract | PDF | Reference |

 

Two projects on conservation of rare waders in agricultural landscapes in the north of Moscow Region (Russia, 56°41’N, 38°00’E) were carried out with the support of the Rufford Foundation (RSGF) in 2012-2014 in an area known as the Homeland of the Crane – Important Bird Area, included also in a shadow list of Ramsar Sites. This area is a mosaic of various wetlands (raised sphagnum bogs, birch and black alder forests, willow swamps and oxbow lakes) alternating with agricultural lands such as floodplain meadows, hayfields, arable lands, pastures and abandoned lands. For highly developed Moscow Region it is a unique locality with still existing habitats suitable for Common Cranes Grus grus and many other rare birds, including declining and threatened breeding waders – Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata and Great Snipe Gallinago media.

Plans to establish Nature Park in this area have been developed since the end of XX century. However, implementation of these plans has been suspended in the 2010s, and conservation community has made efforts to maintain the value of the area until establishment of Natural Park there. Special attention in these efforts was paid to conservation of rare breeding meadow waders, in particular, with support of the RSGF. These efforts were successful as above-mentioned wader species along with other birds still breed in the area in relatively high numbers. In 2020 a project of Nature Park «Crane Country» with new extended boundaries was included in the recent official governmental «Scheme of development and localization of SPAs in Moscow Region». Almost half of an area of prospective Nature Park is represented by agricultural landscapes.

Keywords: rare bird, meadow waders, farmland, nature-friendly agriculture, Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Great Snipe, Crane Homeland, Nature Park «Crane Country», ecological education.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2022-1-118-133

THE INFLUENCE OF SPRING HUNTING ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF GEESE OF THE KUMO-MANYCH DEPRESSION

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Demyanets S.S., RosenfeldS.B. The Influence of Spring Hunting on the Distribution of Geese of the Kumo-Manych Depression // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 1. 2022. P. 134-146. | Abstract | PDF | Reference |

 

 

The influence of spring hunting on geese has long been recognized throughout the world as the main component of the decline in their total number. Unfortunately, the spring hunt for migratory birds, which has long been abandoned by all European, part of Asian and North American countries, is still underway in Russia. This negates the efforts of specially protected natural areas to preserve rare species of Anseriformes. Restrictions on spring hunting at the regional level can be introduced with great difficulty, mainly due to the powerful hunting lobby. Measures to restrict spring hunting in the Republic of Kalmykia were carried out from 2008 to 2012, and during this period, an increase in the number of this species was noted. In 2019, after no measures were taken to restrict hunting in the Republic of Kalmykia, a smaller number of red-breasted goose at the stop can be noted compared to the one when restrictive measures were in force. In our opinion, the results of the study are a good illustration of the strong influence spring hunting has on the populations of Anseriformes, which are forced to use only a part of the territory suitable for migratory stops. The most effective measures will be the complete closure of the spring hunting for waterfowl in the Kumo-Manych depression and the creation of temporary mobile resting zones on key water bodies of the depression during the autumn-winter hunting season. In 2020, thanks to this study, the regional hunting parameters prohibited spring hunting for waterfowl on the territory of the Kumo-Manych depression in the Republic of Kalmykia and Stavropol district.

This article presents scientific evidence of the negative influence of the disturbance factor during the spring hunting period on both rare and hunting species of geese. This study can serve as an example for other regions of Russia, where it is required to introduce restrictive measures during the spring hunting for waterfowl.

Keywords: spring hunting, anseriformes, rare species, red-breasted goose, bird protection.

Funding. The research was carried out for the ЕС LIFE16 NAT/BG/000847 Grant “Life for Safe Flight”.

Acknowledgements. The authors express their gratitude to the administration and employees of the “Chyornye Zemli” Reserve, to A.V. Nikitin, the director of the “Manych-Gudilo” Tourist and Hunting Complex, and his pilots, as well as to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Kalmykia. We also thank A.S. Opaev for his help with statistical methods and for his valuable comments.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2022-1-134-146

ECOLOGICAL-BIOLOGICAL FEATURES AND DISTRIBUTION OF ORCHIDACEAE FAMILY IN THE RESERVES OF TRANSBAIKALIA REGION

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Dikareva T.V., Tarasova E.I. Ecological-Biological Features and Distribution of Orchidaceae Family in the Reserves of Transbaikalia Region // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 4. 2021. P. 32-57. | Abstract | PDF | Reference |     The principal features of … Read next

FLORA AND VEGETATION OF KASHIRTY PEATBOG (CENTRAL CAUCASUS)

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Shilnikov D.S., Liksakova N.S., Doroshina G.Ya.,  Shchukina K.V. Flora and Vegetation of Kashirty peatbog (Central Caucasus) // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 4. 2021. P. 55-77. | Abstract | PDF | Reference |     The Caucasian alpine sphagnum peatbogs … Read next

ORNITHOCOMPLEXES OF THE VYAZMA RIVER VALLEY AND THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SAKHTYSH-RUBSKOE PEAT FIELDS UNDER ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT (SOUTHWEST OF IVANOVO REGION)

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Shapovalova I.B. Ornithocomplexes of the Vyazma River Valley and the Northern Part of the Sakhtysh-Rubskoe Peat Fields Under Anthropogenic Impact (Southwest of Ivanovo Region) // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 4. 2021. P. 103-125. | Abstract | PDF | Reference … Read next