Архив автора: admin

CHANGES IN THE FLORA COMPOSITION OF PLANT COMMUNITIES IN THE SOUTHERN ARKHANGELSK REGION IN THE 20th CENTURY

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Eremeeva E.A.,  Leonova N.B. Changes in the Flora Composition of Plant Communities in the Southern Arkhangelsk Region in the 20th Century // Ecosystems: Ecology and Dynamics. No. 3. 2022. P. 27-47. | Abstract | PDF | Reference |

 

Based on the analysis of floristic data for different periods of time, this work studies the species composition changes in plant communities of the middle taiga in the south of the Arkhangelsk Region. In accordance with the “Flora of the Northern Territory” by I.A. Perfiliev (1934-1936), we compiled a taxonomic list of higher vascular plants of the Ustyansky District, Arkhangelsk Region that were growing there in the early XX century, and then corrected it in accordance with modern taxonomic nomenclature. We also carried out a comparative analysis of the early XX century list and the modern one, compiled for the same territory, and found differences in their taxonomic, ecological, coenotic and geographical compositions, as well as in the groups of species that changed their presence/absence status. The taxonomic changes turned out to be a decrease in the list by 140 species of vascular plants from 95 genera and 41 families, while 69 species from 57 genera and 31 families were registered in the territory for the first time. Although the taxonomic spectra for both periods are generally similar, the study has revealed that Brassicaceae and Fabaceae taxa increased, but Cyperaceae, Ranunculaceae and Orhidaceae decreased. We calculated coefficients of floristic similarity, Spearman and Kendall coefficients of correlation, and the generic coefficient. According to Jaccard similarity coefficient, the correlation coefficients showed a weak relation, while the floristic lists were highly similar, but the generic coefficient has decreased. It may indicate that flora identity and biological diversity decline due to the environmental changes.

An analysis of the ecological and coenotic composition of vascular plants for both studied periods showed an increase of species of disturbed habitats and a decrease of those that were close to indigenous communities, such as nemoral, boreal and wetland.

Climate changes, in particular, the increase of average annual temperature and the sums of active temperatures over the studied period, affected the change in the floristic composition of plant communities. The number of cold-resistant species of a hypoarctic-boreal range decreased, while some heat-loving broad-leaved-forest-steppe and plurizonal species appeared. According to the distribution of the species numbers along the Landolt ecological scales, the number of species with a high need for warmth increased, as well as the number of mesoxerophytes. The proportion of alien species also increased, most of which coming from southerly regions: Galega orientalis Lam., Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl., Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden.

Keywords: E.A. Eremeeva, N.B. Leonova. Changes in the Flora Composition of Plant Communities in the Southern Arkhangelsk Region in the 20th Century // Ecosystems: Ecology and Dynamics. No. 3. 2022. P. 27-47..

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2022-3-27-47

EDN: APMFXP

ON THE METHODOLOGY OF MONITORING OF THE LOCAL WATERLOGGING IN THE STEPPE ZONE AGROECOSYSTEMS

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Novikova N.M.,  Volkova N.A.,  Nazarenko O.G. On the Methodology of Monitoring of the Local Waterlogging in the Steppe Zone Agroecosystems // Ecosystems: Ecology and Dynamics. No. 3. 2022. P. 68-86. | Abstract | PDF | Reference |

 

The local waterlogging in the south steppes of the European part of Russia is caused by the natural (climate fluctuation) and anthropogenic (total plowing) factors. The sizes of the transformed plots (“mochar”, i.e. pools) are unstable and relatively small (up to tens of thousands of square meters), but their total area in the field crops can be up to 15%, which causes undesirable changes in agroecosystems, such as crop loss and weeds distribution. A long-term study of mochar and the data on the reliability of a close relations between periods of exceeding values of the average annual precipitation, increasing area and intensity the nidus of local waterlogging, and distribution of hydro-halophilic plants (Phragmites australis, Elytrigia repens, Tripolium aster) according to the salinity level and soil moisture reserves, allowed us to develop a system of indicators and criteria for the methodology on the monitoring of the development of this phenomenon in a specific territory.

We suggest an algorithm, which includes identification of the areas, subject to local waterlogging, and study and evaluation of the natural complexes transformation within each area. The impact assessment is based on a system of biological and ecological criteria that indicate the hydrogenic transformation of the environment and the biota of agroecosystems such as groundwater, soil and vegetation. Combined, they make it possible to assess the degree and depth of the changes, to give recommendations for reducing or even ceasing the negative waterlogging processes, while forecasting the climatic trends. The novelty of this study is the aforementioned system of indicators and criteria, and the algorithm of monitoring based on our methodology.

Keywords: nidus of local waterlogging, indicators, plant species, soil subtypes, criteria, salinization, moisture reserves, water regime, hydro-halophilic vegetation, Rostov Region.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2022-3-68-86

EDN: HSZJZB

INDICATORS OF CHANGES IN POPULATION GROUPS OF MAMMALS IN THE INFLUENCE AREA OF THE ZEYA RESERVOIR UNDER THE IMPACT OF NATURAL AND ANTHROPOGENIC FACTORS

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Podolsky S.A., Domanov T.A., Krasikova E.K.,  Levik L.Yu., Pavlova K.P. Indicators of Changes in Population Groups of Mammals in the Influence Area of the Zeya Reservoir under the Impact of Natural and Anthropogenic Factors // Ecosystems: Ecology and Dynamics. No. 3. 2022. P. 104-119. | Abstract | PDF | Reference |

 

Using the long-term data of the Zeya Nature Reserve, we accessed the natural and anthropogenic factors and their significance for the dynamics of the number of population groups of mammals in the influence area of the Zeya reservoir. Siberian musk deer (Moschus moschiferus), elk (Cervus canadensis), Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) and sable (Martes zibellina) were selected as model species. The anthropogenic part of population dynamics is defined on the basis of a comparative analysis of the long-term “test” (shore of the Zeya reservoir within the reserve territory), “control” (reserve territory outside the shores) and “background” (Amur Region) observations. We offer a step-by-step algorithm for studying mammals in the influence area of any large hydraulic structures. The first step is to restore the chronology of changes in the population density of the model species, then to determine the time needed for each species to partially adapt to the reservoir, which is as follows: musk deer – 30 years, elk – 25 years, roe deer – 28 years, sable – 20 years. The second step is to determine the leading natural factors of population dynamics. For musk deer, elk and roe deer the defining factor is precipitation in the early growing season of May and June, which determines the amount of winter food supply and the survival rate of young animals. For sable the factor is the dynamics of the total number of mouse-like rodents, which has a significant negative correlation with the cycles of solar activity and long-term trends of spring-summer precipitation. The third step is to determine the main factors of the influence that the reservoir causes on the population dynamics of the model species. For musk deer this is deteriorating conditions of protection, increasing mortality along the shoreline of an artificial reservoir due to various injuries, predators and epizootics. For elks this is the poaching activities and wolves that hunt them on the surface of the frozen reservoir. For roe deer this is the disrupted routes of seasonal migration, poaching and increasing hunting pressure from the predators. For sable it is the microclimatic influence of the reservoir that causes an increase in morbidity and depletion of the food supply due to decreasing numbers of mouse-like rodents. The fourth step is to identify common signs of the hydro construction impact on any mammals. Each model species found in the influence area of the Zeya reservoir experiences prolonged population depressions, low level of correlation between population dynamics and changes in the main limiting natural factors, reduced population density, and increased amplitude of population fluctuations. The fifth step is to quantify the impact the reservoir has on the model species. We used such index as the difference between the average (over the adaptation period) population density on the “control” plots and on the reservoir coast, in % of the “control” level. The average annual losses were 51.8% for Siberian musk deer, 51.2% for elk, 78.1% for Siberian roe deer, and 35.4% for sable. While being under protection, each of these model species was able to partially adapt to the Zeya reservoir over 20-30 years; their population dynamics generally recovered, but the density and migration activity remained significantly lower than it was before the construction of the reservoir.

Keywords: hydro construction, impact assessment, model species, Siberian musk deer, elk, Siberian roe deer, sable, mouse-like rodents, population dynamics, solar activity, precipitation.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2022-3-104-119

EDN: KJNMJP

ECOSYSTEMS OF THE BAIKAL BASIN: DIGITAL MAP AND GEOINFORMATION DATABASE

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Bazha S.N ,  Andreev A.V.,  Bogdanov E.A.,  Danzhalova E.V.,  Drobyshev Yu.I.,  Petukhov I.A.,  Rupyshev Yu.A. Ecosystems of the Baikal Basin: Digital Map and Geoinformation Database // Ecosystems: Ecology and Dynamics. No. 3. 2022. P. 120-171. | Abstract | PDF | Reference |

 

The digital map “Ecosystems of the Baikal Lake Basin” (scale 1:500000) was compiled by deciphering the actual satellite imagery, while using the previously created materials of thematic mapping of various scales, obtained for different territories within the basin, as well as the authors’ field descriptions of ecosystems and vegetation. The map shows composition, structure, current state of terrestrial ecosystems, and new areas of anthropogenic ecosystems that have greatly expanded in comparison with the mapping data of previous years. The legend of the map includes 71 samples of ecosystems, which correspond to the landscape units “stow/sub-stow”.

To display the spatial variability of the natural components of ecosystems, the corresponding digital layer maps (combined GIS) were developed for morphogenetic types of relief, soil cover and vegetation of the basin, developed on the basis of interpolation of various published thematic data and supplemented with information from archives and materials from more than 50 years of field study of soils and vegetation cover by the Joint Russian-Mongolian Complex Biological Expedition of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Academy of Sciences of Mongolia (JRMCBE).

The created spatial database of 5.1 GB is a cartographic Web service. It is intended for open use on any personal computers, workstations, laptops, tablets, smartphones running Windows and Android, including mobile ones with Internet access. The database includes spatial information on ecosystems and their anthropogenic disturbance on 9 model polygons (1:200000 and larger scales) and 9 key areas (1:5000 to 1:10000 scales), as well as from 1757 geobotanical descriptions.

Keywords:S.N. Bazha, A.V. Andreev, E.A. Bogdanov, E.V. Danzhalova, Yu.I. Drobyshev, I.A. Petukhov, Yu.A. Rupyshev. Ecosystems of the Baikal Basin: Digital Map and Geoinformation Database // Ecosystems: Ecology and Dynamics. No. 3. 2022. P. 120-171..

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2022-3-120-171

EDN: FZDSSD

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