THE SCIENTIFIC HERITAGE OF Z.G. ZALIBEKOV IN THE RESEARCH OF GEOSYSTEMS AND SOILS
UDC 631.48
Biarslanov A.B., Kuzmina Zh.V., Mamaev S.A. THE SCIENTIFIC HERITAGE OF Z.G. ZALIBEKOV IN THE RESEARCH OF GEOSYSTEMS AND SOILS // Arid Ecosystems. 2024. Vol. 30. № 2 (99). P. 3-11. | PDF
The article is devoted to the scientific life of soil biologist Zalibek Ghadjievich Zalibekov, Doctor of Biological Sciences, chief Researcher of the Institute of Geology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor of the Department of Soil Science of Dagestan State University, Honored Scientist of Dagestan and the Russian Federation, who devoted his whole life to studying issues of general biology and soils. Z.G. Zalibekov was one of the first in the development of the scientific methods to research and stop the desertification in Russia, as well as the founder and first director (1991-2006) of the Caspian Institute of Biological Resources of the DNC RAS, as part of the Dagestan Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He is the founder and editor-in-chief (from 1994 to the present) of the international scientific journal “Arid Ecosystems».
Keywords: soil biologist, Z.G. Zalibekov, creative path, founder of the institute, founder of the journal, path in science, international cooperation, national program to combat desertification, anthropogenic factor, biosphere problems of soil science.
DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2024-2-3-11
EDN: ZCARIG
CLIMACTIC DETERMINATION OF INSULAR STEPPE DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF EASTERN SIBERIA
UDC 551.582
Trofimova I.E., Balybina A.S. CLIMACTIC DETERMINATION OF INSULAR STEPPE DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF EASTERN SIBERIA // Arid Ecosystems. 2024. Vol. 30. № 2 (99). P. 12-23. | PDF
In this article we discuss perennial climatic conditions in the “near-ground air layer – soil” system in the insular steppe of the southern part of Eastern Siberia. We found out that the more severe the winters grow and the higher the climate continentality of the near-ground atmosphere from southwest to north-east is, the deeper the soils cool down in winter season, while the summer warming slightly increases in the same geographical direction. Substantial differences in the annual amplitude of underground temperature were detected for spatially separated insular steppe, with the highest value in the Southern Transbaikalia which corresponds to the strongly continental soil climate. Variations in annual mean air and soil temperatures and annual atmospheric precipitation for recent decades were determined using their perennial data series. The linear trends for air and soil temperatures are positive almost in every area, and their perennial series are highly coherent. Atmospheric precipitation in Southern Transbaikalia tends to decrease. The insignificant positive and negative trends were detected in Cisbaikalian weather stations.
Keywords: insular steppe of Eastern Siberia, air and soil temperature, atmospheric precipitations, regional climate changes, Cisbaikalia, Transbaikalia, trends.
Funding. The research was carried out within the framework of the State assignment on the topic of research AAAAA 21-121012190059-5 «Study of the structural and functional organization of geosystems of Siberian regions for planning sustainable territorial development» 2021-2025.
DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2024-2-12-23
EDN: QYVGJ
APPLICATION OF THE METHODOLOGY OF LAND DEGRADATION NEUTRALITY FOR THE TERRITORY OF CASPIAN SEA REGION
UDC 502.35; 504.052
Kust G.S., Shklyaeva D.S., Lobkovskiy V.A., Andreeva O.V. APPLICATION OF THE METHODOLOGY OF LAND DEGRADATION NEUTRALITY FOR THE TERRITORY OF CASPIAN SEA REGION // Arid Ecosystems. 2024. Vol. 30. № 2 (99). P. 24-35. | PDF
For more than 20 years studies of the Caspian Region have been carried out under the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea (Tehran Convention). Its objective is to protect the Caspian Sea and surrounding terrestrial landscapes from negative impacts. For the first time, the results of a comparative assessment of coastal land dynamics are presented for 5 countries on the basis of land degradation neutrality (LDN): the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan. This approach made it possible to identify the main trends in land dynamics in the region for different observation periods, including those for individual countries and regions. The results are presented in cartographic form. The deterioration of the current situation is currently typical for most of the Caspian Region due to intensified degradation processes. The main “hot spots” of desertification are described. At the same time, the dynamics of land degradation varies in different directions for individual parts of the region and observation periods. A careful selection of different periods of comparison and baselines can help track changes in land dynamics and identify peaks in its improvement and deterioration.
Keywords: land degradation neutrality, Caspian Sea, land degradation, desertification.
Funding. The research was carried out within the framework of the state theme of the IG RAS FMWS-2022-0001 «Spatial and temporal problems of sustainable land use in the context of global climate change» (spatial data processing and formulation of the main provisions and conclusions).
DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2024-2-24-35
EDN: YDDPSD
ASSESSMENT OF PRODUCTIVITY INDICATORS OF PLANT COMMUNITIES OF THE STEPPE ZONE IN WESTERN SIBERIA OBTAINED BY REMOTE SENSING AND DENDROCHRONOLOGY
UDC 630*561.24;528.854
Rygalova N.V., Plutalova T.G., Martynova Y.V. ASSESSMENT OF PRODUCTIVITY INDICATORS OF PLANT COMMUNITIES OF THE STEPPE ZONE IN WESTERN SIBERIA OBTAINED BY REMOTE SENSING AND DENDROCHRONOLOGY // Arid Ecosystems. 2024. Vol. 30. № 2 (99). P. 36-44. | PDF
The study explores different methods of combined analysis of the productivity of herbaceous and woody plants from various landscape communities, such as typical steppe, saline, woody and agricultural ones, in the arid conditions in the south of Western Siberia. The analysis was carried out remotely (by analyzing NDVI) and dendrochronologically (by analyzing width growth of the Scots pine (Punus sylvestris L.) trunks in the extrazonal ribbon forests). We discovered that climatic factors that determine the dynamics of NDVI and radial growth of trees in the steppe zone are the limiting influence of summer air temperatures and the positive influence of precipitation during the previous winter and current summer seasons. Analysis of vegetation indices and radial growth showed the presence of a moderate relationship between them: NDVI of herbaceous communities (feather grass-fescue, arable lands) in May and July correlated with the width of growth rings. It was revealed that in the arid steppe the trunk width of pines’ radial growth depends on the NDVI value of their crowns in May two years earlier.
Keywords: NDVI, productivity, radial growth of trees, ribbon pine forest, steppe zone, south of
Western Siberia.
Funding. The research was carried out with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher
Education of the Russian Federation, the state assignment for scientific research carried out at
Altai State University, project no. FZMW-2023-0007.
DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2024-2-36-44
EDN: PGYINH
PHYTOCENOTIC POTENTIAL OF PASTURES ON THE SANDY MASSIFS OF THE DON BASIN
UDC 581.5
Vlasenko M.V., Kulik A.K. PHYTOCENOTIC POTENTIAL OF PASTURES ON THE SANDY MASSIFS OF THE DON BASIN // Arid Ecosystems. 2024. Vol. 30. № 2 (99). P. 45-55. | PDF
The aim was to analyze the phytocenotic potential of pasture ecosystems in the Tsimlyansk sand massif using ecological scales of humidity, soil reactions and soil richness with mineral nitrogen according to Ellenberg N Index. The research was based on landscape-bioecological and ecologicalmorphological methods using special techniques to study the structure, stability and development of plant communities. The Poaceae, Fabaceae and Asteraceae families played the major role in the projective covering. Hemicryptophytes turned out ot be the predominant life form of vegetation at all the sites (40-71%). The yield of phytocenoses averaged 156-287 g/m2. The species composition and yield of pasture phytocenoses varied significantly depending on humidity, physico-chemical properties and the soil richness of N. Key species of the moist, non-drying, slightly acidic soils with an average N content were Agrostis canina L., A. tenuis Sibth., Thlaspi arvense L., Typha angustifolia L., T. latifolia L., Tanacetum vulgare L., Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud., and Scirpus lacustris L. Key species of the slightly acidic soils with average humidification and an average N content were Achillea millefolium L., Astragalus arenarius L., Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski, Medicago falcata L., and Phleum pratense L. Key species of the slightly acidic soils with average humidification and rich with N were Apera spica-venti (L.) P. Beauv., Atriplex tatarica L., and Calamagrostis epigeios (L.) Roth. Key species of the neutral soils with average humidification and average N were Artemisia abrotanum L., Cirsium incanum (S.G. Gmel.) Fisch., Gypsophila paniculata L., Inula germanica L., Juncus gerardii Loisel., and Senecio erucifolius L. Key species of the dry and slightly acidic soils with an average N were Chamaecytisus ruthenicus (Fisch. ex Wol) and Festuca valesiaca Gaudin. Key species of the dry and slightly acidic soils with poor N were Anisantha tectorum (L.) Nevski, Artemisia campestris L., A. maritima L., A. marschalliana Spreng., A. scoparia Waldst. & Kit., Bromopsis inermis (Leyss.) Holub, Crepis tectorum L., Koeleria glauca (Spreng.) DC., Leymus racemosus (Lam.) Tzvelev, Potentilla incana P. Gaertn., B. Mey. & Scherb., Psammophiliella muralis (L.) Ikonn., and Stipa capillata L. Key species of the neutral or slightly acidic soils with sufficient or variable moisture, with an average N were Agropyron cristatum L. and Thlaspi arvense L. There was a large proportion of therophytes species (22.9%) in the Bromopsis-Calamagrostis-Artemisia community, which indicates that the territory is under an anthropogenic pressure.
Keywords: phytocenoses, species diversity, sand massifs, pasture ecosystems, environmental assessment, Ellenberg scales.
Funding. This work was carried out as part of the research No. 122020100450-9 “Development of a New Methodology for Optimal Management of Biological Resources in Agricultural Landscapes in the Arid Zone of the Russian Federation Using System-Dynamic Modeling of Soil-Hydrological Processes, Complex Impact Assessment of the Climatic Changes and Anthropogenic Loads on Agrobiological Potential and Forest Conditions”.
DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2024-2-45-55
EDN: QPBFCR
BOREAL PLANT SPECIES OF THE KAZAKH HUMMOCKS: ECOLOGICAL-COENOTIC CHARACTERISTICS AND DISTRIBUTION FEATURES
UDC 574.9
Leonova N.B., Pereverzeva Ju.A. BOREAL PLANT SPECIES OF THE KAZAKH HUMMOCKS: ECOLOGICAL-COENOTIC CHARACTERISTICS AND DISTRIBUTION FEATURES // Arid Ecosystems. 2024. Vol. 30. № 2 (99). P. 56-66. | PDF
Within the territory of the Kazakh Hummocks, far beyond the typical taiga ecosystems, boreal plants have been preserved since the Pleistocene when coniferous forests were widespread in the territory. These species are an important component of the local phytodiversity, therefore they require a comprehensive study. During our research, based on field observations data and analysis of literary sources, we obtained information on the taxonomic composition of boreal plant species, their coenotic occurrence, as well as ecological and geographical characteristics. We identified 30 species of vascular plants in the composition of the plant communities of the Kazakh Hummocks that belong to the boreal ecological-coenotic group, the ecology and coenotic affiliation of which is different from plants of zonal steppes. In a sharply continental arid climate, the studied boreal species grow in peculiar habitats, such as mountain forest-steppe landscapes and moist habitats along rivers and lake shores. Most of them grow in pine forest outliers on the slopes of rounded hills with granite outcrops. They can be also found in the areas with increased moisture level at the foot of the slopes and in depressions where azonal small-leaved forest communities usually grow. Additionally, they were discovered in intrazonal meadow and swamp coenoses, as well as on rocky slopes. According to the analysis of their distribution across the territory of the Kazakh Hummocks, the maximum diversity of boreal species is found in the Kokchetav and Karkaraly floristic regions with 23 and 29 species respectively. Three boreal species with small and vulnerable populations are listed in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2006). However, as this study has showed, a number of other boreal species requires protection as well. The main threats to the conservation of boreal populations are excessive recreation and wild fires. Thoughtful measures are required to preserve rare and vulnerable plant communities, including plant species growing at the border of their range.
Keywords: rare plant species, range boundaries, ecological and geographical characteristics,
coenotic features, conservation of phytodiversity.
Funding. This work was carried out as part of the research topic No. 121051100137-4 “SpatioTemporal Organization of Ecosystems under Conditions of Environmental Changes” and supported by Moscow University Development Program (#1220).
DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2024-2-56-66
EDN: EAPQTZ
HAWTHORN Crataegus rhipidophylla Gand. IN THE ARID CONDITIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF DAGESTAN
UDC 582.746:581.44(470.67)
Zalibekov M.D., Gabibova A.R. HAWTHORN Crataegus rhipidophylla Gand. IN THE ARID CONDITIONS OF THE REPUBLIC OF DAGESTAN // Arid Ecosystems. 2024. Vol. 30. № 2 (99). P. 67-72. | PDF
Hawthorn Crataegus rhipidophylla Gand. is a typical plant in the sparse woods of the piedmont region of the Republic of Dagestan, found in the lower, middle and upper mountain zones. Identification of patterns of intraspecific and interpopulation diversity (including the quantitative traits of annual shoots and their adaptive manifestation in the conditions of species introduction) allows determining the species’ optimum and adaptive potential to specific arid conditions. In this paper we present the results of an ecogeographical experiment on the altitudinal gradation of Crataegus rhipidophylla using its annual shoots as an example. In our research, we used a unique scientific setup “System of Experimental Bases Located along the Altitudinal Gradient (1100 and 1700 m ASL)”. We studied plants grown from seeds that were previously collected in arid ecosystems, under different conditions. We studied 10 quantitative traits and 1 qualitative trait (trichomes) of shoots and leaves to observe adaptive changes in an annual shoot under conditions of species introduction. The results were processed and evaluated by descriptive statistics, as well as by correlation, cluster and twofactor analysis of variance. We discovered the degree and structure of variability of quantitative traits of annual shoots and leaves, and the presence of population-geographical differentiation in such traits as “shoot length”, “number of leaves” and “number of prickles”, depending on the conditions of germination of collected samples. We determined the quantitative and qualitative differences between specimens. With increasing altitude, the increasing number of prickles and trichomes on the shoots and leaves can be considered as one of the adaptive mechanisms of vegetative organs to abiotic factors of the arid climate in the mountainous conditions.
Keywords: acclimatization, population, variability, ecological-geographical experiment, altitudinal gradient, factor influence, hawthorn, Republic of Dagestan.
Funding. This work was carried out as part of the state task No. 0206-2019-0007 “Geoclimatic
Peculiarities of Distribution and Description of Communities with Populations of Rare and
Resource Tree Species of the North Caucasus”.
DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2024-2-67-72
EDN: EMLDJM
HETEROGENEITY OF THE PASTURE FODDER AND ITS FRAGMENTATION WITHIN THE COMPLEX OF HERBIVOROUS MAMMALS DURING JOINT GRAZING
UDC 591.53.036.531.1
Abaturov B.D. HETEROGENEITY OF THE PASTURE FODDER AND ITS FRAGMENTATION WITHIN THE COMPLEX OF HERBIVOROUS MAMMALS DURING JOINT GRAZING // Arid Ecosystems. 2024. Vol. 30. № 2 (99). P. 73-80. | PDF
In this article we discuss that the digestibility of pasture vegetation depends negatively on the amount of grasses (graminoids) in the fodder, which in turn is caused by the limiting effect and the increased amount of silicon compounds in grasses. On the example of 4 herbivorous species (Przewalski’s horse, American bison, Bactrian camel and saiga antelope) with very different digestion habits, we explored their feeding selectivity in relation to 2 differently digested groups of plants, such as grasses and forbs. Saiga antelopes, as well as other picky animals that feed on highly digestible fodder, prefer forbs with a reduced silicon content and increased digestibility. If the poorly digestible grasses are dominant in the pastures, therefore, forcing antelopes to consume them, the antelopes’ population cannot be viable. Przewalski’s horses and American bison, as well as other equines and large ruminants, are specialized in consuming poorly digestible grasses due to their peculiar digestive systems. Meanwhile, they do not eat forbs because of their increased toxicity. Bactrian camels are not picky about different grasses and forbs, preferring fallow lands (former arable lands) dominated with weed plants and ignored by other herbivores. Diverse preferences of forage plants during joint grazing of different animal species allow them to use pasture resources separately and independently, excluding competition and preserving the species diversity of plant species.
Keywords: herbivorous mammals, pasture plants, grasses and forbs, digestibility of feed,
selectivity of nutrition, joint grazing.
Funding. This work was carried out as part of the grant No. 03-04-48024 of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research “Connection between Animal Populations and Habitual Conditions: The Role of Foraging Parameters of Rangeland Vegetation in the Dynamics and Sustainability of Herbivorous Mammal Populations” and the grant No. 15-04-03542 “Forage Quality of Vegetation in Natural Rangeland Ecosystems as a Factor of food Availability and Viability of Herbivorous Mammal Populations”.
DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2024-2-73-80
EDN: EOWMRD
FEATURES OF THE DEMOISELLE CRANES’ USING THE EUROPEAN PART OF THEIR RANGE IN SPRING-SUMMER AND THE PRE-MIGRATORY PERIOD
UDC 598.241; 574.91 Ilyashenko E.I., Kondrakova K.D., Mudrik E.A., Wikelski M., Cao Lei, Ilyashenko V.Yu. FEATURES OF THE DEMOISELLE CRANES’ USING THE EUROPEAN PART OF THEIR RANGE IN SPRING-SUMMER AND THE PRE-MIGRATORY PERIOD // Arid Ecosystems. 2024. Vol. 30. № 2 … Читать далее →
CHANGES IN SOIL PROPERTIES UNDER DRAINAGE AND SECONDARY WATERING OF THE STEPPE ZONE, SOUTHERN URAL REGION
UDC 631.41; 631.62; 351.792
Gabbasova I.M., Suleymanov R.R., Garipov T.T., Komissarov M.A., Suleymanov A.R. CHANGES IN SOIL PROPERTIES UNDER DRAINAGE AND SECONDARY WATERING OF THE STEPPE ZONE, SOUTHERN URAL REGION // Arid Ecosystems. 2024. Vol. 30. № 2 (99). P. 91-99. | PDF
An abrupt change of hydrological regime, caused by drainage during amelioration in the steppes of the South Ural Region (Russia, Republic of Bashkortostan), transforms many soil properties, which can result in soil degradation. Drainage of the Berkazan-Kamysh Natural Boundary resulted in a list of negative processes, the main of which are mineralization of peat organic matter and soil salinization so severe that it has formed a few meadow solonchaks completely devoid of any vegetation. However, a secondary watering after drainage in the Serek-Kul Natural Boundary did not cause soil degradation, and therefore can be considered one of the most effective methods of restoration for boggy ecosystems.
Keywords: chernozem-meadow soils, peat-bog soils, drainage, secondary watering, soil salinization, agrochemical properties.
Funding. The study was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation «Program for the creation and operation of a carbon landfill in the Republic of Bashkortostan «Eurasian carbon landfill» for 2022-2023 (Publication number: FEUR-2022-0001) and No. 075-00326-19-00 on the topic No. AAAAA-A18-118022190102-3. Some of the results were obtained using the equipment of the Agidel Central Research Center.
DOI: 10.24412/1993-3916-2024-2-91-99
EDN: IXMOCQ