POPULATION TRENDS OF WADERS ON THE ARID COAST OF THE WESTERN CASPIAN DURING THE EPOCH OF CLIMATE WARMING

Arid Ecosystems

UDC 598.2:598.243 (1/3)

Vilkov E.V. POPULATION TRENDS OF WADERS ON THE ARID COAST OF THE WESTERN CASPIAN DURING THE EPOCH OF CLIMATE WARMING // Arid Ecosystems. 2023. Vol. 29. № 4 (97). P. 103-116. | PDF

The decline in the number of waterbirds on a global scale is largely due to the reduction in wetland areas in the era of climate warming. Droughts that started in 1968–73 in Africa, gradually covered the northern and southern hemispheres. In order to diagnose the state of semiaquatic bird populations, we selected waders (suborder Charadrii of the order Charadriiformes) as a model group. It is almost impossible to estimate the absolute abundance of Charadrii in the nesting areas of the Arctic, forest, forest-steppe and steppe zones of Russia, while it is possible to determine the state of their migratory populations at the level of trends at the nodal points of migration. The presented work reflects the data of long-term monitoring of migratory wader populations obtained in 1995-2020 in two IBAs of international importance – the Sulakskaya and Turalinskaya lagoons (Republic of Dagestan). The model wetlands are located on one of the largest in Russia West Caspian bottleneck flyways (Caucasian-Caspian Migration Corridor), where the flyways of European and Asian migrants intersect. The model group of waders, which includes 10 mostly background taxa, was chosen based on the regularity of their encounters during migration. Weekly year-round counts of waders were carried out without limiting the width of the transect, followed by separate recalculation per area according to the average group detection ranges. Based on the data on ring returns obtained from the ringing center of the IEE RAS, the conditional outline of the generalized range of Charadrii was determined, the faunogenetic basis of which is the widespread, Arctic and Siberian representatives of fauna types. The proportion of participation of each species and the “core” of the Charadrii population in the study area for the entire monitoring period was determined. Using regression analysis, the model group of shorebirds was divided into 3 subgroups depending on the direction of the trend of their long-term abundance. Using correlation analysis, a model group of waders (n = 5) was identified, which was significantly associated with an increase in the average annual air temperature in the Primorskaya lowland of Dagestan. Correlation analysis showed a weakly pronounced negative trend in the total abundance of 10 Charadrii model taxa encountered over the entire study period. There is a correlation between changes in air temperature with the number of 10 model taxa, in 3 of which the number significantly decreased, in 2 – increased, in 5 – remained at the same level. A correlation was found between the average monthly temperature in September in the Caspian lowland of Dagestan with the abundance of stilt (r = -0.56, p = 0.007) and snipe (r = -0.50, p = 0.019). It has been proven that in cold years the number of migrating Charadrii and the intensity of their migration in the study area increases, while in warm years it decreases as a result of changes in migration paths, places of permanent stops and wintering. At the same time, the number of populations themselves remains unchanged. Thus, the trends in the number of waders obtained at the nodal points of migration can be taken as a reliable assessment of the state of specific geographical populations of Charadrii regularly migrating along the western Caspian, which is confirmed by ringing data and synchronized with information from literary sources. Three key factors influencing the dynamics of wader populations are discussed: hydroclimatic cycles, anthropogenic impact, and foraging. The current state of the populations of the model group of birds reasonably assumes the introduction of a temporary ban on the hunting of 4 species of waders with a negative population trend (Northern Lapwing, Common Redshank, Common Snipe and a Black-tailed Godwit) until a steady recovery of their populations. The data obtained can serve as the basis for the creation of the Russian Charadrii monitoring database with its subsequent integration with existing databases in Eurasia. In order to preserve the biodiversity of the studied lagoons (including shorebirds), according to ornithological monitoring conducted by the author, the Sulakskaya Lagoon PA has already been created with the status of regional significance and an innovative socio-ecological project of the Ornithopark – Turalinskaya Lagoon Natural Park has been developed.

Keywords: Charadrii, lagoons of Dagestan, range, abundance trends, factors.

Funding. The work was carried out with financial support within the framework of the State Assignment of the Caspian Institute of Biological Resources – a separate subdivision of the Dagestan Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, registration number 122032200288-0 on the topic: «Structural and functional organization and dynamics of animal populations and communities, methodological foundations for monitoring biological diversity and scientific foundations for the conservation and management of biological resources of zonal ecosystems of the Eastern Caucasus».

DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2023-4-103-116

EDN: RFMKYG

MAPPING OF BIODIVERSITY IN THE ARID REGIONS OF KAZAKHSTAN WITH EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS TERRITORIAL PROTECTION

Arid Ecosystems

UDC 591.9;59.009;913

Koroleva E.G., Dikareva T.V. MAPPING OF BIODIVERSITY IN THE ARID REGIONS OF KAZAKHSTAN WITH EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF ITS TERRITORIAL PROTECTION // Arid Ecosystems. 2023. Vol. 29. № 4 (97). P. 117-126. | PDF

Using the biogeographical approach, we analyzed and mapped the protected terrestrial vertebrate species in Kazakhstan for the aims of revealing of territories with high faunal diversity and evaluation of efficiency of the special protected territories net. We analyzed the spatial distribution of protected terrestrial vertebrates by taxonomic groups (mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles – 109 species total) and their combinations as well as according by their protection status. We identified the places of concentration of protected vertebrate species as priority territories for conservation in Kazakhstan. We also made evaluation of efficiency of distribution of existing net of specially protected territories. Maps were made using grid mapping. This method makes it possible to compare the results with other arid marco-regions. We showed the role of several reserves, national parks and large wildlife preserves in protection of biodiversity in Kazakhstan. We formulated and justified recommendations for development of the special protected territories net for the aims of conservation of the territories with high biodiversity and aims of research works in this direction.

Keywords: faunal diversity, grid mapping, spatial distribution of protected species, efficiency of spatial distribution of specially protected territories.

Funding. The article was carried out within the framework of the topic of state task No. 121051100137-4 of the Geographical Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University and the scientific and educational school «The future of the planet and global environmental changes» under the program «Climate and Environment».

DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2023-4-117-126

EDN: SUHNQE

THE STATE FOOD RESOURCES AND FEEDING SELECTIVITY OF THE MIDDAY GERBIL (MERIONES MERIDIANUS) IN THE ARIDI CONDITIONS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN CASPIAN

Arid Ecosystems

UDC 574.2:599.32

Omarov R.R., Omarov K.Z. THE STATE FOOD RESOURCES AND FEEDING SELECTIVITY OF THE MIDDAY GERBIL (MERIONES MERIDIANUS) IN THE ARIDI CONDITIONS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN CASPIAN // Arid Ecosystems. 2023. Vol. 29. № 4 (97). P. 127-134. | PDF

In 2015-2018 a study was made of the species composition, productivity of vegetation cover and the composition of the diet of midday gerbils in the arid zone of the North-Western Caspian region. Midday gerbils use all types of available food in their diet, but in different seasons of the year they can vary significantly in percentage. Using the method of cuticular-scatological analysis, it was shown that in the spring in the diet of midday gerbils, the largest share is made up of protruding Velcro (K = 15.97), common barley (K = 9.5) and alfalfa (K = 5.4); in summer — bulbous bluegrass (K = 12.3), white amaranth (K = 3.5) and Siberian wheatgrass (K = 4.3). In autumn, high rates of selectivity are characteristic of bulbous bluegrass (K = 13.2). In winter, midday gerbils feed mainly on the seeds of white amaranth (K = 11.2) and Siberian wheatgrass (K = 2.5), as well as bluegrass bulbs (K = 14.3). In winter, there is practically no selectivity in nutrition in the diet of midday gerbils, and they use all the food available at this time of the year.

Keywords: Northwestern Caspian, Meriones meridianus, diet composition, food selectivity.

Funding. The work was carried out with financial support within the framework of the state assignment of the Caspian Institute of Biological Resources, a separate subdivision of the Dagestan Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, registration number 122032200288-0.

DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2023-4-127-134

EDN: SXZDVX

SPATIAL-TEMPORAL VARIABILITY OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF CLIMATE INDICATORS OF THERMAL AGROCLIMATE RESOURCES (ARARAT VALLEY AND FOOTHILL ZONE, ARMENIA)

Arid Ecosystems

UDC 551.582;551.583.1(470.31)

Margaryan V.G., Gaidukova E.V., Sedrakyan A.M. SPATIAL-TEMPORAL VARIABILITY OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF CLIMATE INDICATORS OF THERMAL AGROCLIMATE RESOURCES (ARARAT VALLEY AND FOOTHILL ZONE, ARMENIA) // Arid Ecosystems. 2023. Vol. 29. № 4 (97). P. 135-147. | PDF

 In this work, the characteristics of thermal agro-climatic resources of the Ararat valley and the foothill zone are studied and calculated, the patterns of their spatial and temporal distribution, as well as interannual variability, are analyzed and evaluated. Previously published works and relevant studies served as theoretical and informational foundations for this work. Daily data of actual observations of meteorological stations of the «Hydrometeorology and Monitoring Center» SNCO of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Armenia in the study area, as well as agro-climatic reference books and yearbooks were used as the source material. The following methods were applied in the work: mathematical-statistical, extrapolation, interpolation, analytical, correlation, as well as methods of analysis and analogue.

It turned out that the territory of the Ararat valley and the foothill zone, which has a relatively arid climate, is the most favorable agricultural region of the republic in terms of climatic indicators of thermal agro-climatic resources. The thermal conditions of the region are favorable for the growth and development of various crops; however, the danger of late spring and early autumn frosts must be considered. Measures for adapting agricultural production to climate change are proposed. The results obtained can be used in planning the development of agricultural production on the territory of the Ararat valley and the foothill zone, in the development of agro-climatic cadastres of territories and climatic services for sectors of the national economy.

Keywords: dates of stable transition of the average daily air temperature through 0, 5 and 10°C in spring and autumn, climatic spring, climatic autumn, growing season, climate change, Ararat valley and foothill zone, Armenia.

Funding. The work was supported by the Science Committee of RA, in the frames of the research project 21T-1E215 «Hydro-ecological assessment of winter low water period discharge characteristics of lake Sevan basin rivers»

DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2023-4-135-147

EDN: TDVLJJ

ANALYSIS OF THE VARIABILITY OF AGROCLIMATIC CONDITIONS IN SEMI-DESERT AND DESERT LANDSCAPES OF THE NORTHERN CAUCASUS FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSE

Arid Ecosystems

UDC 551.583.13

Kerimov I.A., Bratkov V.V., Bekmurzaeva L.R. ANALYSIS OF THE VARIABILITY OF AGROCLIMATIC CONDITIONS IN SEMI-DESERT AND DESERT LANDSCAPES OF THE NORTHERN CAUCASUS FOR AGRICULTURAL PURPOSE // Arid Ecosystems. 2023. Vol. 29. № 4 (97). P. 148-153. | PDF

The aim of the study is a modern assessment of the agro-climatic resources of the semi-desert and desert landscapes of the North Caucasus. The methods of mathematical statistics used in agroclimatology are used to analyze changes in average monthly and annual air temperatures, growing season, precipitation, hydrothermal coefficient according to five weather stations with a long series of observations. Within the semi-desert and desert landscapes of the North Caucasus, there is an increase in annual air temperature for the period under review by an average of 0.86°C compared to the previous period. The sum of active temperatures increased by 9-11%. The duration of the period increased when passing through 0°C for 17 days, 5°C for 15 days, 10°C for 10 days and 15°C for 8 days. An increase in precipitation is noted at all meteorological stations, except for Makhachkala. On average, precipitation increased by 36 mm. The HTC varies from 0.5 to 0.7 and is within the limits of natural fluctuation. Modern agro-climatic changes within the semi-desert and desert landscapes of the North Caucasus are characterized by an improvement in the conditions for heat and moisture supply to the territory. These conditions are favorable for the cultivation of melons and all types of grape varieties, with the exception of very late ones.

Keywords: modern agro-climatic changes, landscape, temperature, precipitation, hydrothermal coefficient, vegetation period.

Funding. The work was carried out within the framework of the state task No. FZNU-2021-0002 of the Grozny State Petroleum Technical University «Assessment of the variability of agro-climatic conditions of the North Caucasus in connection with global climate changes».

DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2023-4-148-153

EDN: URYUAI

ECOLOGICAL AND PHYTOCENOTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HALOCNEMETA STROBILACEI PASTURE OF KARAKALPAK USTURT

Arid Ecosystems

UDC 581.5 (575.13)

Shomurodov X.F., Rakhimova N.K., Saitjanova U.Sh. ECOLOGICAL AND PHYTOCENOTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF HALOCNEMETA STROBILACEI PASTURE OF KARAKALPAK USTURT // Arid Ecosystems. 2023. Vol. 29. № 4 (97). P. 154-165. | PDF

The article presents the ecological and phytocenotic characteristics of the Halocnemeta strobilacei type of pastures common on the territory of the Karakalpak Ustyurt (Uzbekistan). The species composition, the productivity of pasture differences, the type of soil, the percentage of projective grass cover, landscape types are characterized, the recommended seasonality of use is determined. According to geobotanical zoning, the Halocnemeta strobilacei type of pasture covers the territory of the Barsakelmes, Sarykamysh and Churuk districts of the Karakalpak Ustyurt and occupies 123736 hectares. This type consists of three pasture differences: Halocnemum strobilaceum, Haloxylon ammodendron-Halocnemum strobilaceum, Kalidium capsicum-Halocnemum strobilaceum, common on wet and plump salt marshes with very close occurrence of highly mineralized soil water, as well as on loamy and sandy loam saline soils. The differences are characterized by sparsity of vegetation cover and extreme poverty of species composition, reaching in some cases to a monodominant community. Such a poverty of the species composition of Halocnemeta strobilacei type is explained by the presence of a high concentration of soil solution, to which a limited number of species are adapted. The seasonal productivity ranges from 0.9 to 4.3 kg/ha, According to estimates of the yield of the eaten part (kg/ha), it is recommended to use the studied pasture differences as an autumn-winter pasture.

Keywords: Ustyurt plateau, aridization, pasture, productivity, pasture load, bonitet, degradation.

Funding: The work was carried out within the framework of the state program (PFI-5) «Assessment of the current state of vegetation cover and pasture resources of the Republic of Karakalpakstan».

DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2023-4-154-165

EDN: WVFXAY

ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF BIOREMEDIATION BY OIL-CONTAMINATED EUTRIC CAMBISOLS IN THE REPUBLIC OF KALMYKIA (MODEL EXPERIMENT)

Arid Ecosystems

UDC 631.453:632.122.2

Minnikova T.V., Ruseva A.S., Revina S.Yu., Kolesnikov S.I., Gaivoronsky V.G. ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFICIENCY OF BIOREMEDIATION BY OIL-CONTAMINATED EUTRIC CAMBISOLS IN THE REPUBLIC OF KALMYKIA (MODEL EXPERIMENT) // Arid Ecosystems. 2023. Vol. 29. № 4 (97). P. 166-176. | PDF

Eutric Cambisols of the Republic of Kalmykia are subject to high levels of oil pollution. To assess the ecological state of soils, it is necessary to analyze not only the residual oil content, but also the biological indicators of soils. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of bioremediation of the oil-contaminated Eutric Cambisols of the Republic of Kalmykia with the help of physicochemical and biological indicators. Biochar, nitroammophos, sodium humate, and «Baikal EM-1» were added to oil-contaminated soil (5% of the soil mass). To assess the effectiveness of remediation of Eutric Cambisols after 30 days, the residual oil content, the activity of catalase and dehydrogenases, the number of bacteria, the length of roots, and germination of radish were studied. It has been established that the introduction of biochar and «Baikal EM-1» reduces the residual oil content in Eutric Cambisols. Biochar and nitroammophos affect the content of easily soluble salts, and «Baikal EM-1» – on the redox potential. Sodium humate stimulates catalase activity (r = -0.48), length of shoots (r = -0.54), length of roots (r = -0.54), and germination of radish (r = -0.64). Nitroammophos stimulates the number of bacteria (r = -0.56), activity of catalase (r = -0.63) and dehydrogenases (r = -0.84), but inhibits the length of shoots and roots of radish (Raphanus sativus L.). The introduction of «Baikal EM-1» stimulates the number of soil bacteria (r = -0.83), the activity of dehydrogenases (r = -0.89) and inhibits germination and the length of roots, shoots. It is advisable to use the results of the study in biomonitoring and diagnosing the state of oil-contaminated Eutric Cambisols of the Republic of Kalmykia.

Keywords: soil, remediation, ecological state, bioindication.

Funding. The study was supported by a grant from the President (MK-175.2022.5), with the financial support of the project of the Strategic Academic Leadership Program of the Southern Federal University (“Priority 2030”) for the creation of the Youth Laboratory of Ecobiotechnologies for Diagnosis and Protection of Soil Health (No. SP-12-23-01 ), the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the laboratory «Soil Health» of the Southern Federal University (agreement No. 075-15-2022-1122), the project of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia «Laboratory of Young Scientists» within the framework of the Interregional Scientific and Educational Center of the South of Russia (No. LabNOTS- 21-01AB, FENW-2021-0014).

DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2023-4-166-176

EDN: YVASSE

ASSESSMENT OF BOTTOM COMMUNITIES OF RIVERS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT “DARK AND GRAY VARIETY” OF SPECIES: APPROACHES TO THE SOLUTION

Arid Ecosystems

UDC 574.587

Zinchenko T.D., Shitikov V.K., Rosenberg G.S. ASSESSMENT OF BOTTOM COMMUNITIES OF RIVERS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT “DARK AND GRAY VARIETY” OF SPECIES: APPROACHES TO THE SOLUTION // Arid Ecosystems. 2023. Vol. 29. № 4 (97). P. 177-186. | PDF

The species diversity of the entire meta-community is composed of local pools of species of individual communities, including both a set of actually observed taxonomic groups and species of «dark» diversity, which by their ecological properties are theoretically suitable for habitat in the existing conditions and are potentially found in repeated studies. To assess the dark diversity, quantitative indices of suitability are calculated for the surveyed areas of the study area in relation to the various taxa of the community in question. The species composition of bottom communities was studied in small and medium plain rivers, tributaries of Kuibyshev, Saratov and Volgograd reservoirs, including rivers of arid region of Lake Elton basin. A total of 132 local communities were surveyed from which 147 macrozoobenthos taxa were selected for calculations. Analysis of co-occurrence of species was carried out to identify dark diversity and, using formulas of hypergeometric distribution, estimates of conditional probabilities of statistical association of each of these species with certain river sections were calculated. Dependencies between observed species richness and dark diversity were considered; the occurrence of latent species in river sections of similar type was tested. We introduce the concept of «gray» diversity, a subset of observed species with focal area indices less than a given threshold.

This work was performed according to the research topic «Assessment of current biodiversity and forecast of  its changes for the ecosystems of the Volga river basin under conditions of their natural and anthropogenic transformation» and with the financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, grant № 17-04-00135.

Keywords: macrozoobenthos, small and medium rivers, species pool, dark and gray diversity, matching index, co-occurrence, hypergeometric distribution.

Funding. The work was carried out on the research topic «Change, sustainability and conservation of biological diversity under the influence of global climate change and intense anthropogenic pressure on the ecosystems of the Volga basin. The registration number of the state task is 1021060107212-5-1.6.20; 1.6.19 and with the financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, grant No. 17-04-00135 «Functional features of the organization of the structure of planktonic and bottom communities of river ecosystems on the example of salty rivers of the hypergaline lake basin. Elton.»

DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2023-4-177-186

EDN: ZZAMBH

BIODIVERSITY OF HYDROBIONTS IN SODA, CHLORIDE, AND SULPHATE LAKES (TRANSBAIKALIA, RUSSIA)

Arid Ecosystems

UDC 574.58 (571.54/55)

Bazarova B.B., Borzenko S.V., Tashlykova N.A., Afonina E.Yu., Matafonov P.V.,  Tsybekmitova G.Ts., Kuklin A.P. BIODIVERSITY OF HYDROBIONTS IN SODA, CHLORIDE, AND SULPHATE LAKES (TRANSBAIKALIA, RUSSIA) // Arid Ecosystems. 2023. Vol. 29. № 4 (97). P. 187-201. | PDF

The article presents the results of a comprehensive hydrochemical and hydrobiological study of 13 different lakes in Transbaikalia carried out in July 2022. Based on cluster analysis of the hydrochemical and hydrobiological indicators, the studied lakes were divided into three groups: 1) brackish soda lakes; 2) chloride and sulfate lakes and one salty soda lake, Lake Shvartsevskoye; and 3) soda brine lakes. It was found that the number of species of different groups of hydrobionts decreases with increasing salinity of water. At the same time, the number of species of different groups of hydrobionts does not depend on the chemical type of water. However, the dominant composition of primary producers in lakes of different types differs. Two new species of macroalgae (Stigeoclonium flagelliferum Kütz., Rhizoclonium riparium (Roth.) Harv.) were identified for Transbaikalia. After more than a 100-year hiatus, the presence of Ruppia maritime L. was confirmed in the aquatic flora of Siberian Baikal. Galotolerant species dominate in the zooplankton of the lakes. In the dominant structure of the zoobenthos of brine and salty lakes, Artemia shrimp and Ephydridae flies are prevalent. In deeper brackish lakes, representatives of the Chironomidae mosquito family are permanent dominants. Quantitative indicators of phytoplankton and zooplankton communities are characterized by an inverse relationship. For example, during the massive development of cryptophytic algae in brine water bodies, the numerical values and biomass of zooplankton are minimal. No specific tendencies were identified in the range of fluctuations in the biomass of zoobenthos and the phytomass of aquatic plants. The trophic structure of heterotrophs in sulfate and chloride lakes is presented in the zooplankton by a grazing chain, while detritivores dominate in the zoobenthos.

Keywords: salinity, phytoplankton, macrophytes, zoobenthos, zooplankton, primary production, chlorophyll a.

Funding. This work was carried out for the Grant No. 22-17-00035 of the Russian Science Foundation “Ecology and Evolution of Aquatic Ecosystems under Conditions of Climatic Fluctuations and Anthropogenic Pressure”.

DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2023-4-187-201

EDN: SWFILX