Архив рубрики: article-4-2020

EVALUATION OF ESTIMATION METHODS FOR MONTHLY REFERENCE EVAPOTRANSPIRATION IN ARID CLIMATES

Arid Ecosystems

Nazari M.,  Chaichi M. R.,  Kamel H., Grismer M.,  Sadeghic S. M. M. EVALUATION OF ESTIMATION METHODS FOR MONTHLY REFERENCE EVAPOTRANSPIRATION IN ARID CLIMATES // Arid ecosystems. 2020. V. 26. № 4 (85). P. 84-92. | PDF

Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) plays a key role in irrigation system design as well as water management of agricultural ecosystems under irrigated and rainfed conditions. While many methods for estimating the ETo have been developed during the past several decades, method selection essentially depends on the availability of measured climatic variables. The FAO-PM56 method is widely used in agricultural and environmental research to estimate the ETo. However, it requires several climatic parameters that are not always available in developing countries, especially in arid regions. Here, we compare and evaluate the performance of 13 widely- and commonly-used equations for estimating ETo against that predicted using the FAO-56PM model using climatic data from nine meteorological stations located in arid regions across Iran. On average, the best three methods that could be used as an alternative to the FAO-56PM equation were the Irmak (Irmak et al., 2003), Hargreaves-Samani (Hargreaves and Samani, 1985), and Hargreaves (1975) equations.

Keywords: Evapotranspiration, Iran, water availability, water budgets, water management.

DOI: 10.24411/1993-3916-2020-10122

MEDICAL-GEOGRAPHICAL ESTIMATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK TERRITORY FOR THE TOURISTIC AND NATURE PROTECTION ACTIVITIES

Arid Ecosystems

Dikareva T.V.,  Koroleva E.G., Tupov S.S. MEDICAL-GEOGRAPHICAL ESTIMATION OF THE NATIONAL PARK TERRITORY FOR THE TOURISTIC AND NATURE PROTECTION ACTIVITIES // Arid ecosystems. 2020. V. 26. № 4 (85). P. 93-101. | PDF

Taking the Karkaralinskiy National Park (NP) situated in the Central Kazakhstan as an example we analyzed and estimated the potential hazard of infection by natural focal diseases for tourists and park visitors. Medical geographical characteristic of the territory has been made using three following approaches: 1) estimation of natural preconditions for emergence and maintaining of natural foci of infections; 2) mapping of existing natural and anthropurgical foci of infections taking the landscapes as basis; 3) analysis of population morbidity according to the data of medical statistics. Medical-geographic situation in Karkaralinskiy NP is comparatively favorable as a whole among all others NP in Kazakhstan: it has less nosoforms, little number of natural foci of diseases and low rate of population morbidity. But the natural hazard of diseases still exists because there are the cattle cemetery of Siberian plague, foci of rabies as well as foci of tularemia functioning in the population of water and near-water rodents, which partly coincide with the popular touristic routes on the park territory. Those foci of infections are attached to the landscapes of small hills and forest lowlands, but they still have natural as well as anthropogenic background.

Key words: National park, ecological tourism, natural focal infections, medical-geographic mapping.

DOI: 10.24411/1993-3916-2020-10123

USE OF THE SALT-TRANSFER PARAMETERS IN FORECAST DECISIONS

Arid Ecosystems

Belousova A.P. USE OF THE SALT-TRANSFER PARAMETERS IN FORECAST DECISIONS // Arid ecosystems. 2020. V. 26. № 4 (85). P. 102-107. | PDF

The article discusses methods for assessing the reliability of parameters of salt transfer, previously calculated using models of microdispersion, macrodispersion and dissolution of salts, with a view to their further use in predictive assessments of the development of salt transfer processes on irrigation systems. The evaluation included statistical methods using the Fisher and Student criteria with the subsequent determination of the systematic error. The most adequate models for the objects of the eastern Ciscaucasia and the Saratov Trans-Volga region are established. To use the parameters of salt transfer in forecast estimates based on the linear and nonlinear statistical dependencies of them on the lithological structure of the aeration zone and its filtration properties, the corresponding multidimensional statistical equations are obtained.

Key words: salt transfer, salt transfer models, reliability of parameters, statistical dependencies, linear – non-linear equations and dependencies.

DOI: 10.24411/1993-3916-2020-10124

FIELD AND REMOTE RESEARCHES AND MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF MOUNTAIN-STEPPE ECOSYSTEMS ON LANDSCAPE BASIS

Arid Ecosystems

Cherkashin A.K., Bibaeva A.Yu. FIELD AND REMOTE RESEARCHES AND MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF MOUNTAIN-STEPPE ECOSYSTEMS ON LANDSCAPE BASIS // Arid ecosystems. 2020. V. 26. № 4 (85). P. 108-115. | PDF

The results of research, construction and information support of ecosystem models based on spatial data using landscape GIS technology are discussed. The article considers the features of building models to describe the degradation of mountain-steppe ecosystems in the coastal zone of the lake Khubsugul (Mongolia) under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors, taking into account the altitude differentiation of different types of ecosystems. Mathematical models are theoretically justified in the form of ordinary differential equations on a parameter and partial derivatives on factors of influence in terms of the reliability of ecosystem functioning.

Key words: mountain-steppe ecosystems, mathematical modeling, landscape-typological mapping, Ciskhubsugul landscapes, land degradation, grazing pressure.

DOI: 10.24411/1993-3916-2020-10125

DEFLATION IN THE PASTURES OF NORTH-WESTERN CASPIAN

Arid Ecosystems

Manaenkov A.S.,  Rybashlykova L.P. DEFLATION IN THE PASTURES OF NORTH-WESTERN CASPIAN // Arid ecosystems. 2020. V. 26. № 4 (85). P. 116-126. | PDF

Basing on the data of the study of phytoecological conditions and long-term monitoring of successions of the restored vegetation cover, we evaluated the efficiency of methods and techniques of phytomeliorative works in large foci of deflation performed in the 80-90 years of the last century on the chernozemel Pastures. The features of the formation of cultural communities, biological diversity, productivity and stability of secondary vegetation are under consideration in the article. The advantage of complex phytomelioration technologies including the use of woody, semi-shrubby and herbaceous plants was revealed. Proposals for their improvement in the direction of reducing the energy intensity of measures, rational use of long-term reserves of soil moisture, enrichment of secondary phytocenoses with valuable forage plants, increasing their functional longevity have been developed.

Keywords: Black lands, pastures, large centers of deflation, morphology and phytoecological conditions, technologies of phytomelioration, succession, efficiency.

DOI: 10.24411/1993-3916-2020-10126

LONG-TERM DYNAMICS OF VEGETATION RESTORATION OF INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPES AND CURRENT STATE OF NATURE MEADOW ECOSYSTEMS IN THE BYLYM ARID DEPRESSION (CENTRAL CAUCASUS)

Arid Ecosystems

Chadaeva V.A., Tsepkova N.L.,  Zhashuev A.Zh. LONG-TERM DYNAMICS OF VEGETATION RESTORATION OF INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPES AND CURRENT STATE OF NATURE MEADOW ECOSYSTEMS IN THE BYLYM ARID DEPRESSION (CENTRAL CAUCASUS) // Arid ecosystems. 2020. V. 26. № 4 (85). P. 127-135. | PDF

Basic trends of dynamics of vegetation restoration on multiple-aged terraces of the tailings storage dam of Tyrnyauz plant were revealed by using the data of fifty-year geobotanical studies within Bylym arid basin. Steppe meadow vegetation is restored faster (20 years up to the formation stage of natural phytocenoses) on upper newly built terraces. Self-overgrowing of long-standing terraces at the foot of the dam is slower (50 years). On the contrary, soil formation is more intense on lower terraces. At present phytocenogenesis can’t be considered accomplished on the dam of the tailings storage. Formation of subalpine steppe meadows on dark-humus soils is predicted on the dam area against the background of low anthropogenic load.

Keywords: flora, industrial landscape, succession, dam of the tailings storage, meadow ecosystems, Central Caucasus.

DOI: 10.24411/1993-3916-2020-10127

CHERNOZEMS OF WESTERN TRANSBAIKAL: DISTRIBUTION, FERTILITY ELEMENTS, ORGANIC MATTER, HUMUS, CROPS

Arid Ecosystems

Chimitdorzhieva G.D. CHERNOZEMS OF WESTERN TRANSBAIKAL: DISTRIBUTION, FERTILITY ELEMENTS, ORGANIC MATTER, HUMUS, CROPS // Arid ecosystems. 2020. V. 26. № 4 (85). P. 136-143. | PDF

The chernozems of Transbaikal, along with chestnut soils, are intensively used in agriculture of the region. Their humus level is low (4.2%), they have a light particle size distribution and are spreading in patches, mostly on the various slopes, and are subject to deflation. Their biological activity is low due to their deep level of freezing (4 m) and slow thawing. The microorganisms are distributed only in their surface layers. The amounts of annual fresh organic matter are low, their destruction is slow. Humus is fulvic-humate with a high content of non-hydrolyzable residue (48%). The harvest of spring wheat in the farms of the region is 12-13 cwt/ha. Only by application of the sparing agriculture and adaptive land management methods, the harvest can be increased up to 21 cwt/ha.

Keywords: chernozems, organic matter, humus, fertility, West Baikal Region.

DOI: 10.24411/1993-3916-2020-10128

RESEARCH OF INFLUENCE OF FIRE EXPOSURE ON THE ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF CHESTNUT AND CHERNOZEM SOILS

Arid Ecosystems

Semenenko S.Y.,  Morozova N.V., Marchenko S.S. RESEARCH OF INFLUENCE OF FIRE EXPOSURE ON THE ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF CHESTNUT AND CHERNOZEM SOILS // Arid ecosystems. 2020. V. 26. № 4 (85). P. 144-149. | PDF

Ignition and fires have a negative impact on the environment and its natural components. The most difficult and long-term recovery occurs in the soil cover, as burns out surface fertile layer, which was formed over time. According to the quantity of the contents of enzymes in the soil samples selected in the study areas, we estimated the intensity of vital activity of soil microorganisms, and, consequently, the intensity and nature of the recovery process of the soil. The results obtained on the enzymatic activity of the soil of different natural zones after their ignition were compared with each other.

Keywords: enzymatic activity of soil, soil cover, fires, ignition, negative impact.

DOI: 10.24411/1993-3916-2020-10129

ANALYSIS OF THE META-COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF PLANKTON AND BOTTOM ORGANISMS IN RIVERS OF THE LAKE ELTON BASIN

Arid Ecosystems

Zinchenko T.D.,  Shitikov V.K.,  Golovatyuk L.V., Abrosimova E.V. ANALYSIS OF THE META-COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF PLANKTON AND BOTTOM ORGANISMS IN RIVERS OF THE LAKE ELTON BASIN // Arid ecosystems. 2020. V. 26. № 4 (85). P. 150-156. | PDF

The authors performed a statistical analysis of hydrochemical and hydrobiological data obtained during the sampling of macrozoobenthos, meiobenthos and zooplankton in 2013, 2018 on different biotopes of five highly mineralized rivers of the basin of the hyperhaline Lake Elton. The authors consider the general patterns of the species structure of the meta-community of aquatic organisms based on the concept of Leybold and Mikkelson (Leybold, Mikkelson, 2002). Using random null-models the authors tested the hypothesis of consistent species occurrence (coherence), the formation of compact species associations (boundary clumping), and the regular change in the species composition along ecological gradients (turnover). The authors found the unsteady and intermittent nature of changes in biotic diversity, as well as the high mosaic taxonomic structure, that is typical for stochastic-type ecosystems.

The authors established a close correlation within individual mixed associations of benthic and plankton species. This relationship is due to biotic interactions and the coordinated response of organisms to environmental factors. Using statistical models of the “random forest” and subsequent multivariate analysis, the authors identified groups of species according to their degree of tolerance to external abiotic influences and determined the complexes of factors that have a significant impact.

Keywords: saline rivers, zooplankton, macrozoobenthos, meiobenthos, metacommunity structure, indicator species, partial correlation network, factor analysis.

DOI: 10.24411/1993-3916-2020-10130

ZN, CU, PB, CD, AND NI LEVELS IN TISSUES AND ORGANS OF THE MAIN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOWER VOLGA ICHTHIOFAUNA

Arid Ecosystems

Bulakhtina G.K.,  Bakaneva A.A., Kudryashov A.V. , Kudryashova N.I. Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, AND Ni LEVELS IN TISSUES AND ORGANS OF THE MAIN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOWER VOLGA ICHTHIOFAUNA // Arid ecosystems. 2020. V. 26. № 4 (85). P. 157-162. | PDF

This article shows the results of studies of the content of heavy metals (zinc, copper, lead, cadmium and nickel) in the muscles and liver of the main commercial fish that belong to different levels of the trophic chain, such as pike, perch, roach and bream caught in the Astrakhan region Chernoyarsky district and in the water of the Volga river. The distribution of metals in the body of hydrobionts is uneven and depends on the properties of the metal itself and the functional characteristics of the organs. It was found that the content of these metals in the water of the Volga River and in the muscles of the hydrobionts does not exceed the maximum permissible concentration (MPC). The purpose of our work was to determine the content of heavy metals in the tissues (muscles) and organs (liver) of the most important commercial fish in the Volga River basin within the Astrakhan region (Chernoyarsky district) and assess the safety of their use as food raw materials. Water samples were taken for GOST 31861-2012. The content of heavy metals in water was determined by the method of inversion voltammetry on the TA-2M analyzer, in muscle tissue and liver was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry on the Kvant-2A device. At the highest concentration, heavy metals (mg/kg) are found in the internal organs (the liver) – 0.14-39.6 mg/kg, and the smallest amount falls on the unit of muscle mass – 0.038-8.13 mg/kg .

Keywords: heavy metals, Volga river, water, hydrobionts, maximum permissible concentration (MPC), links, toxicant.

DOI: 10.24411/1993-3916-2020-10131