Архив автора: admin

NATURE COMPLEXES OF THE ARSHAN-ZELMEN WATER RESERVOIR COAST

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Ulanova S.S., Fedorova N.L., Bembeeyeva О.G., Dzhambinov V.Е., Chetyrev L.P. Nature Complexes of the Arshan-Zelmen Water Reservoir Coast // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 1. 2025. P. 5-34. | Abstract | PDF | Reference

 

 

In the Republic of Kalmykia, water reservoirs were created in the 1930s-1950s. However, their hydrological regimes, water quality, methods of use and surrounding landscapes have undergone massive changes since then. Unfortunately, no studies have been carried out to show specific changes in the quality of water and territories adjacent to the reservoirs that take place due to their creation and use. There is also an absence of studies on the current state of natural complexes along the coasts of reservoirs, as well as transformation of various components of their ecosystems (e.g. vegetation, soils, relief and biota). Therefore, the goal of our work was to characterize the current state of natural complexes on the coast of the Arshan-Zelmen water reservoir. In this study, we decided to identify and characterize the current state and changes in various indicators of the reservoir, such as the area of its water surface, mineralization of its water, features of its structural organization and functioning of ecotone systems on its coast based on the monitoring studies of 2001-2023. We used modern methods of landscape and ecological research, geobotanical indication, topological profiling, statistical processing, geoinformation technologies with the use of relevant materials of space imagery, and methods of the ecotone concept created by V.S. Zaletaev (1997). Analysis of the average long-term values of the water surface area for 1990-2023, carried out on the basis of remote sensing imagery, showed a threefold decrease in the size of the reservoir. The minimum and maximum levels of the reservoir were 25.0 m in 2021, and 29.6 m in 1990, while the maximum level change during the study period was 4.6 m. Since the creation of the reservoir, the mineralization of its surface waters had gradually increased from 2.4 g/dm3 in the 1980s to 9.4-21.72 g/dm3 in the spring of 2022, and then to 14.9-68.62 g/dm3 in the autumn of 2022. With its mineralization increasing in 2001-2017, the reservoir lost its irrigation purpose, and was used for large and small cattle until 2019. With a further salinity increase (to the level of brine) in 2020-2022, the use of this reservoir ceased completely. We revealed some features of the structural and functional organization of ecotone systems on the coast of the reservoir based on the monitoring of 2001-2023 that showed that there were targeted changes in the blocks of ecotone systems: the fluctuation block expanded up to 150 m due to shallowing; in the fluctuation and dynamic blocks, the mineralization of surface water and groundwater increased by 2.5-4 times, the abundance of halophytes and weeds increased as well. Groundwater in the ecotone zone is fed by the reservoir, as evidenced by groundwater running the deeper the further it flows from the reservoir’s rim, and by its increasing mineralization. Our study has shown that profound changes occurred in the Arshan-Zelmen reservoir and the surrounding landscapes when its water level dropped by 4.6 m.

Keywords: artificial water reservoirs, arid zone, Republic of Kalmykia, Arshan-Zelmen water reservoir, area, water mineralization, water–land ecotone systems.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2025-1-5-34

EDN: EIJLLO

ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER PROTECTION AND VULNERABILITY IN THE LENA RIVER BASIN, THE REPUBLIC OF SAKHA (YAKUTIA)

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Belousova A.P., Oboturov A.S., Rudenko E.E. Assessment of Groundwater Protection and Vulnerability in the Lena River Basin, the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 1. 2025. P. 59-81. | Abstract | PDF | Reference

 

For the first time, the methodology of small-scale (1:5 000 000) assessment of the protection and vulnerability of groundwater was applied in the Lena River Basin in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The already developed approach has been improved in order to apply it to an understudied and both geologically and landscape difficult area that mostly consisted of a cryolithozone.

To create a map of protection level, the following temporary maps were compiled: map of aeration zone, map of soil sorption capacity, map of protection zone, and map of active soil layer capacity. To create a map of the resulting vulnerability for the most industrially developed part of the Neryungrinsky District, we assessed a potential hazard to environment posed by the polluted groundwater of 4 wells that were part of the state monitoring network. Using mercury as an example, we showed that this indicator could change significantly and reach its highest values due to a large weight coefficient and inaccurate determination of water elements that characterize the 1st class of hazard. Despite our studies being observational and lacking quantitative assessments, its results indicate that the groundwater of the Lena River basin requires protection due to the increasing anthropogenic pressure associated with mining.

Funding. This work was carried out as part of the scientific program of the Water Problems Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, project No. FMWZ-2025-0002.

Keywords: groundwater, protection, vulnerability, protection zone, aeration zone, active layer.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2025-1-59-81

EDN: MZBZRS

ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES OF BOREAL FORESTS IN THE ADSORPTION OF GREENHOUSE GASES AND IN ADAPTATION TO GLOBAL WARMING (TO THE PARIS AGREEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE)

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Kolomyts E.G. Ecological Resources of Boreal Forests in the Adsorption of Greenhouse Gases and in Adaptation to Global Warming (to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change) // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 1. 2025. P. 82-113. | Abstract | PDF | Reference

 

One of the most important ways to achieve the goals stipulated by the Paris Agreement (2015) on climate change is to solve a two-fold task: 1) the adsorption of CO2 by the forest communities from the atmosphere during global warming, 2) their adaptation to these climate changes, which should ensure the effectiveness of adsorption itself. Report presents the regional experience of the numerical solution of this task. Calculations of the carbon balance of forests in the Oka–Volga River Basin were carried out for global forecasts of moderate and extreme warming. The proposed index of labile elastic-plastic stability of forest ecosystems, which characterizes their succession-restorative potential, was used as an indicator of adaptation. A numerical experiment was conducted to assess the effect of the elastic-plastic stability of forest formations and the predicted climatic conditions on the carbon balance. In the upcoming 100-year forecast period, the overall stability of forest formations should increase, and to the greatest extent with extreme warming. Accordingly, one should expect a significant increase in the ability of boreal forests to ab-sorb greenhouse gases. It is determined unambiguous picture of a significant increase in the adsorption capacity of boreal forests with a rise in their regenerative potential.

Funding. This research was funded by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, grant No. 18-05-00024-а.

Keywords: forest ecosystems, global warming, adsorption of greenhouse gases, adaptation of the forests to the climate change, predictive empirical-statistical modeling.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2025-1-82-113

EDN: SJOGSL

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF РLANKTON AT ALBATROS AND FOROS STATIONS IN CRIMEA IN JANUARY 2024 AND 2025: OIL SPILL IN THE KERCH STRAIT

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Shemetova D.V., Savitsky M.A., Rozhdestvenskaya I.A., Bragina A.A., Kuznetsov A.V. Comparative Study of Рlankton at Albatros and Foros Stations in Crimea in January 2024 and 2025: Oil Spill in the Kerch Strait // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 1. 2025. P. 114-122. | Abstract | PDF | Reference

 

In this paper we present a comparative study of plankton organisms at Albatros and Foros Stations in Crimea in January 2024 and 2025. Our research was conducted before and after an industrial disaster that occurred on December 15, 2024, when the fuel tankers “Volgoneft-212” and “Volgoneft-239” sank in the Kerch Strait, resulting in the discharge of approximately 2,400 tons of oil into the sea. The monitoring of microphytoplankton was carried out as part of the project “Ecology of the Heraklion Peninsula – Sirius.Summer” (Rus. “Экология Гераклейского полуострова – Сириус.Лето”). We sampled plankton using sequential filtration and performed its microscopic analyses. As a result, we observed a decrease in the biodiversity of planktonic organisms, particularly at the Foros Station, which is located closer to the spill epicenter. Distribution diagrams indicated a significant reduction in the number of morphotypes post-incident. The observed changes in community structure are presumably linked to the detrimental effects of anthropogenic pollution. These findings underscore the importance of continued monitoring of marine ecosystems to assess the dynamics of recovery processes and to formulate conservation strategies.

Keywords: Kerch Strait, industrial disaster, plankton, biodiversity, ecosystem, anthropogenic pollution.

Funding: The work was carried out using personal funds for the project task ‘Ecology of the Heraclea Peninsula and its Surroundings’ as part of the All-Russian educational initiative “Sirius.Summer: Start Your Project.”

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2025-1-114-122

EDN: YJLBFE

FLORA OF THE BOLSHESELSKY AND BORISOGLEBSKY DISTRICTS OF THE YAROSLAVL REGION

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Shcherbakov A.V., Koltsov D.B., Komarova A.D. Flora of the Bolsheselsky and Borisoglebsky Districts of the Yaroslavl Region // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 4. 2024. P. 4-77. | Abstract | PDF | Reference

 

 

As of now, there is no an up-to-date list of flora for the Yaroslavl Region. In this regard, we decided to compile a “List of Vascular Plants of the Yaroslavl Region”, detalizing it down to the administrative districts. After a thorough study of herbarium collections and literary sources, we realized that there is very little specific floristic information on some districts, and therefore those districts require additional study. Among them, we picked Bolsheselsky and Borisoglebsky.

Currenly, we have identified 669 taxa of vascular plants in these districts, of which 546 are native and 123 are adventive. The flora of Bolsheselsky District has 586 taxa identified (493 native, 93 adventive), while the flora of Borisoglebsky District has 536 taxa (447 native, 89 adventive). Thus, we consider the level of flora identification in these districts satisfactory.

Two species from the federal Red Data Book were found in Bolsheselsky District: Dactylorhiza baltica and D. traunsteineri. Both species were discovered in a bog near Lake Bogoyavlensky. Additionally, D. baltica was discovered in a humid meadow near the village of Bolshoye Muravyovo.

The main basis for analysis of the protected plant species was the Red Data Book of the Yaroslavl Region (2015), its main list containing 175 species of vascular plants, and another 31 species included in the monitoring list. At different times, 42 species from the main list (31  in Bolsheselsky, 22 in Borisoglebsky) and 22 species from the monitoring list (19 and 16, respectively) were recorded in the studied districts.

Keywords: Yaroslavl Region, Bolsheselsky District, Borisoglebsky District, flora, list of vascular plants, Herbarium of P.G. Demidov Yaroslavl State University.

Fudning. This work was carried out as part of the research and development state program No. 121032500084-6 “Analysis of Structural and Chorological Diversity of Higher Plants in Relation to Problems of Their Phylogeny, Taxonomy and Sustainable Development”.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2024-4-4-77

EDN: CISKVZ

VLADIMIR TROFIMOVICH BUTYEV

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Mosalov A.A., Koblick E.A., Zhigarev I.A. Vladimir Trofimovich Butyev // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 4. 2024. P. 78-102. | Abstract | PDF | Reference

 

 

 

On June 4, 2024, the day of his 92nd birthday, one of the luminaries of Russian ornithology, Vladimir Trofimovich Butyev (JUNE 4, 1932 – JUNE 4, 2024), passed away. His life was closely intertwined with landmark events of Russia in general and Russian science in particular. He graduated from the Geography Department of Moscow State University, worked at a polar station, and even taught students at V.P. Potemkin Moscow State Pedagogical Institute, but most of his life he spent working at the Biology and Chemistry Department of Moscow State Pedagogical Institute/University. V.T. Butyev wrote numerous works on ornithology, biogeography, and ecology. In 1977, he defended his PhD dissertation “Structure and Dynamics of the Bird Population of the Forests of the Central European Territory of the USSR”. Thanks to him, one of the largest ornithological collections in Moscow was created, which is used frequently by many specialists in taxonomy and ornithogeography. Vladimir Trofimovich was a great teacher who had trained many students, an organizer, a subtle and thoughtful researcher of the birds’ life, and simply a wonderful person. He stood at the origins of many conferences and meetings that have been regularly held in our country for many decades.

Keywords: Vladimir Trofimovich Butyev, ornithology, biogeography, reference collection, Department of Zoology and Ecology, featured Works of V.T. Butyev, Institute of Biology and Chemistry, Moscow State Pedagogical University.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2024-4-78-102

EDN: GIZIXR

LONGTERM MONITORING OF THE LOWER VOLGA VALLEY

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Golub V.B. Longterm Monitoring of the Lower Volga Valley // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 2. 2024. P. 4-41. | Abstract | PDF | Reference

 

 

 

The construction of dams on rivers for hydropower, flood control, irrigation and water supply are a widespread phenomenon in the world. Natural complexes above the dams, which were created over thousands of years, are completely destroyed now. The reservoirs affect the regime of water flow in the river downstream of the dam, and these changes disrupt the functioning of natural ecosystems in the remaining areas of river floodplains.

The Volga River did not escape the fate of transformation. It was converted into a reservoir system by the late 1960s. Filling of the reservoirs with water destroyed all natural ecosystems in their beds. Howevr, there is an exception, the lowest section of the Volga River valley, about 500 km long from the Volgograd Hydroelectric Power Plant to the Caspian Sea. This area is known as the Volga-Akhtuba Floodplain and the Volga River Delta, and we call it the Lower Volga Valley. It’s watered through the special spring-summer water releases into the lower pool of the Volgograd Reservoir.

In the 1960s, a project was planned out to create the Nizhnevolzhskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant in the Volga-Akhtuba floodplain. According to one of its options, the entire floodplain was supposed to become the bottom of the new reservoir. To compensate for the losses in the local fishery industry, a water divider would be built. Its function was to redirect water during floods to the eastern part of the delta and create a favorable habitat for the spawning of semi-anadromous fish. Meanwhile, the western part of the delta was planned to be transformed into the intensively used irrigated agricultural plantations.

However, due to the loss of large areas of agricultural land the idea of the Nizhnevolzhskaya Power Plant was abandoned. Only some of the projects, such as the water divider and transformation of the wetlands and meadows in the western delta, were fulfilled. Then, in the late XX century, during the transition from a planned Soviet economy to a market system, both the divider and the irrigation systems were abandoned and destroyed.

The first goal of this study was to characterize the materials stored at the Institute of Ecology of the Volga River Basin in order to monitor the dynamics of plant cover and partly soil cover of the Lower Volga valley. This material is of a great value as it has 15,675 geobotanical relevés of sample plots made in the valley in 1924-2023. For about 10,000 of them, the exact geographical coordinates were obtained.

The second goal of the article was to briefly summarize the results of a long-term monitoring of vegetation dynamics in the valley. The main results (since the 1970s) of this monitoring are also presented below.

We discovered that even after exclusion of the western part of the delta, its natural vegetation was preserved in the remaining territory nonetheless, although in a modified form. We also found out that such determining factor as the hydrological regime of the Lower Volga valley is not the only one that affects the vegetation cover and its productivity. Other significant factors are, for example, peculiarities of economic land use and invasions of alien plant species.

The Volga-Akhtuba floodplain underwent xerophytization and synanthropization of its vegetation cover which is especially noticeable in its northern part. Meanwhile, in its western part, where the irrigation systems were destroyed, large areas turned into fallow lands with specific type of vegetation.

Most importantly, its eastern part has transformed differently compared to the floodplain. There, the vegetation changed greatly between the 1980s and the early XXI century; reed and cattail thickets spread over large territories, and the area of halophytic phytocenoses decreased sharply. The main reasons for this were the increase in water flow of the Volga River at the end of the 1970s, and the cessation of hay harvesting for farm animals and reed for industrial use. Some recent changes towards xerophytization in the delta occurred only on the slopes of the Baer hillocks where the representation of xerophytic plant communities has increased, while the communities has spread down the slopes, which can be explained by climate aridization.

In conclusion, the author would like to emphasize that it is necessary to organize constant observations of the aforementioned phenomena and processes taking place in the region. This is important to justify and make management decisions on the conservation of biodiversity and biological productivity of ecosystems in the Lower Volga valley.

Keywords: Volga-Akhtuba floodplain, Volga River delta, regulation of water flow, stationary observation sites, lower pools of the hydroelectric system, reduction in flow volume, water factor, vegetation, xerophytization, anthropogenic factors, Volgograd reservoir, reed thickets, fires, soil desalinization, climate aridization.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2024-2-4-41

EDN: FRALCL

BLACK KITE (MILVUS MIGRANS (Boddaert, 1783)) BREEDING ECOLOGY IN THE NORTH OF MOSCOW REGION

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Vartanyants O.A., Sharikov A.V., Volkov S.V., Karvovsky D.A., Ivanov M.N. Black kite (Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783)) Breeding Ecology in the North of Moscow Region // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 2. 2024. P. 42-56. | Abstract | PDF | Reference

 

The black kite (Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783)) is a species of birds of prey that is poorly studied in the European part of Russia and Eastern Europe. Therefore, in this work we analyze the long-term observations of black kites in the north of Moscow Region, and present the results of an analysis of the species’ phenology and nesting.

We discovered that black kites arrive at the study area from the 5th to the 17th of April, and leave from the 17th of August to the 7th of September. There is a connection between arrival and departure dates, as well as between them and some abiotic parameters. We found the nests of black kites in the tree species that were predominant in the study area. Each clutch had an average of 2 eggs; egg and chick mortality were 3.3%, which is less than that in other parts of the species’ range. In 2022, we discovered an aggregation of 7 nests of black kites in the area of 210 ha.

Keywords: black kite, (Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783)), breeding ecology, Moscow Region.

Acknowledgments. We would like to thank every biologist and volunteer of the Crane Homeland Nature Reserve for a long-term contribution of their observations to the Books of Facts of the reserve. The recent field data would have not been possible to collect without the help of students and postgraduate students of the Moscow Pedagogical State University and A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of RAS. We would also like to thank O.S. Grinchenko, the Chairman of the Moscow Branch of BirdsRussia, for the opportunity to conduct our research on the base of the Ecological Education Center “Dmitrovka Biostation”, and T.S. Massalskaya for assistance in statistical processing of our data.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2024-2-42-56

EDN: SQHBBJ

CHIRONOMIDS (DIPTERA, CHIRONOMIDAE) OF HIGHLY MINERALIZED RIVERS OF THE ELTON LAKE REGION, RUSSIA: TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION, ECOLOGICAL FEATURES

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Zinchenko T.D., Golovatyuk L.V., Morov V.P. Chironomids (Diptera, Chironomidae) of Highly Mineralized Rivers of the Elton Lake Region, Russia: Taxonomic Composition, Ecological Features // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 2. 2024. P. 57-107. | Abstract | PDF | Reference

 

In this article we discuss the analysis results of the data from our long-term studies (2006-2019) of chironomids (Diptera, Chironomidae) that were part of bottom communities of 7 small but highly mineralized rivers, the tributaries of hyperhaline Lake Elton in Volgograd Region (N49° 13′, E46° 40′).

We collected data on species composition and quantitative development of macrozoobenthos communities were and registered 25 species and larval forms of chironomids from 4 subfamilies: Chironominae – 14 species (10 from Chironomini, 4 from Tanytarsini), Orthocladiinae – 9 species, Tanypodinae – 2 species. The structure of chironomids’ communities depends on the physical and chemical characteristics of biotopes, as well as water salinity, and is determined by the trophic indicators of the rivers (Zinchenko, Shitikov et al., 2014). The quantitative development and biodiversity of chironomids’ larvae significantly correlate with environmental conditions and physicochemical characteristics of bottom substrates and water masses.

We determined certain environmental factors, such as total salinity, ionic composition, pH, oxygen concentration, temperature and biotope diversity, that can cause changes in chironomids’ cenosis. Additionally, we provide values of abundance and biomass, and frequencies of species occurrence in rivers of different salinity under the influence of abiotic factors. We also present ecological and faunistic characteristics of chironomids as part of bottom communities of highly mineralized rivers of the Lake Elton region.

Keywords: highly mineralized rivers, chironomids, taxonomic composition, ecological features, mineralization, abiotic factors, tributaries of the Lake Elton.

Acknowledgements. The authors would like to thank Dr. Makarchenko E.V., Dr. Zorina O.V. (Federal Scientific Center for Biodiversity of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok), Dr. Krasheninnikov A.B. (Perm State National Research University) for the identification of some chironomids, and the staff of the Eltonsky Nature Park for help in making it possible to collect the field material.

Funding. This work was carried out as part of the state task “Changes, Sustainability and Conservation of Biological Diversity under the Global Climate Change and Intensive Anthropogenic Load on the Ecosystems of the Volga River Basin”, registration No. 1021060107212-5-1.6.20; 1.6.19; and with financial support from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (17-04-00135).

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2024-2-57-107

EDN: WTCQJU

ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE THAT FOREST COVER OF THE VOLGA RIVER BASIN PLAYS IN THE REGULATION OF CARBON CYCLE AND MITIGATION OF GLOBAL WARMING (PREDICTIVE EMPIRICAL-STATISTICAL MODELING)

Ecology and dynamics Опубликовано автором

Kolomyts E.G. Assessment of the Role that Forest Cover of the Volga River Basin Plays in the Regulation of Carbon Cycle and Mitigation of Global Warming (Predictive Empirical-Statistical Modeling) // Ecosystems: ecology and dynamics. No 3. 2024. P. 5-35. | Abstract | PDF | Reference

 

 

Using the forest ecosystems of the Volga Basin as an example, the discrete empirical-statistical models were developed to predict future biotic regulation of the carbon cycle in the “forest–atmosphere” system under two climate scenarios, moderate (according to the E GISS model) and extreme (according to the HadCM3 model). Based on the specific and total values of the carbon balance of forest formations, we carried out a quantitative assessment of their environmental resources that ensure positive cycle regulation. Based on the models, certain local rows and zonal-regional types of atmospheric CO2 regulation by forest cover during the development of climate thermal aridization were identified for each ecological region. The structure of carbon balance for forest biogeocoenoses of different ecological regions is described. A comparative analysis of carbon parameters was carried out for two conventional types of forest ecosystems: the restored indigenous forests and the actual forest cover (indigenous + derived forests). It was revealed that the replacement of indigenous forests (coniferous, mixed, broad-leaved) with derivatives forests (small-leaved) leads to a general, very significant reduction in the ecological resources of the forest cover. Verification of the carbon balance models was carried out for the boreal forests of Central Canada.

Results of benchmark calculations of annual and average ecosystem carbon flow in Canadian forests for 1990-2001 turned out to be close to the forecasted values of the carbon balance of the Volga Basin forests for the period up to 2050, but only according to the HadCM3 model, the climate scenarios of which are adequate to the current rate of global warming, but do not correspond to the norm set by the Paris Agreement (2015). Based on virtual forecasting ecological maps of the Oka Basin, the partial contribution of forest formations to the biotic regulation of the carbon cycle was assessed, which can be used in the strategy of afforestation in currently deforested areas. These results signify another step towards transformation of the Gorshkov–Utkin concepts on the ecological forests resources in the carbon cycle regulation into a full-fledged scientific and methodological concept.

Conflict of Interest. This article was not written from scratch as it is a result of the author’s long-term scientific research in geographical ecology, and, thus, is based on the materials of his publications, some of which are listed in the References. Therefore, the author admits there may be a conflict of interest with a reader/reviewer who is not familiar with the author’s scientific and methodological researches.

Keywords: forest ecosystems, boreal belt, primary and derived forests, biological cycle, carbon pools, climate change, carbon balance, ecological resources of forest cover, regulation of the carbon cycle.

DOI: 10.24412/2542-2006-2024-3-5-35

EDN: APBQTP