The Impact of Agricultural Use of Retisols on the Molecular Structure of Humic Substances

Agricultural soil use does not only affect the amount of soil organic matter, but also the molecular composition of humic (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs). Changed hydrothermal conditions and composition of the incoming plant residues are reflected in the rate of humification and its products. The objective of this study was to compare the molecular composition of HAs and FAs isolated from Eutric Albic Stagnic Histic Retisol (Loamic), two Eutric Albic Retisols (Loamic)—mature and arable. Plots of mature Retisols are located at a middle taiga (Komi Republic, Russia) in a bilberry-green-moss birch-spruce forest. The plot of Retisols arable is located in the fields of the Syktyvkar state farm, which is 3.3 km northeast of mature Retisol plots. The development period is about 40 years, it is sowed with a pea-oat mixture. The results obtained indicate that soil reclamation essentially increases the proportion of aromatic components and decreases the content of carboxyl and ester groups in the humic substance (HS) structure. An increased extent of hydromorphism of Retisols leads to the enrichment of HS with aliphatic fragments.

Natural conditions of the formation of the monument of Maly Gonbinsky Kordon-2 of the Odintsovo Culture of Altai in the 4th–8th centuries A.D.

The study is aimed at reconstructing the natural and climatic conditions of the Upper Ob River region (south of Western Siberia) in the early Middle Ages (4th–8th centuries A.D.), based on the paleosol data obtained from the fortified settlements of Maly Gonbinsky Kordon-2/11 and Maly Gonbinsky Kordon-2 / 6-3. Settlements are located on the terrace of the right bank of the Ob River. The fortification elements are represented by a horse-shoe-shaped system of a ditch and a rampart, adjacent to the edge of the above-floodplain terrace, inside which there were dwellings and outbuildings. Archaeological investigations of the settlements permitted to study the sediments of the first terrace above the floodplain and to select core samples for palynological analysis. Applica-tion of this method allowed reconstruction of the vegetation during the occupational period of the complex of monuments MGK-2. For interpreting of the actual data, the method of landscape analysis was employed. The need for its application for carrying out paleogeographic reconstructions is warranted by the presence of the relict elements in the morphological structure of the landscapes. To establish their paleogeographic status, within the framework of this study, there was determined the percentage ratio of the amount of pollen and seeds of plants extracted from the deposits of the first above-floodplain terrace, corresponding to the existence of the Odintsovo Culture and belonging to different ecological groups. As the result, the dominance of sparse birch forests and forb dry meadows in the landscape structure of that time was established, whereas the vegetation associations featu-ring pine forests were in the status of progressive elements of the landscape structure. Also, supersedence of birch forb forests by green moss pine forests was revealed. The use of the landscape approach allowed recon-struction of natural conditions of the territory occupied by the complex of fortified settlements of MGK-2. On the basis of the digital elevation model, 3D visualization of the surface of the sediments overlapping the cultural layer of the monuments was rendered, which shows the location of the objects at the lowest elevations of the surface I above the floodplain terrace and the effects of the surface water flow. This necessitated construction of a drai-nage system, the main elements of which might be represented by shallow ditches.

Paleogeographic conditions of human habitation on the Karelian coast of the White Sea in the Late-Holocene (Chupa Town, Karelia, Russia)

Bottom sediments from Lake Pervoe Starushechye, on the White Sea shore, near Korabelnaya Bay, Chupa Town, 500 m from an archaeological site, were analyzed. The aim of our studies was to determine the position of the sea shoreline, to correlate archaeological sites relative to it, to date ancient settlements, and to reconstruct the paleoclimatic conditions and habitats of ancient people. Spore and pollen, diatom, and radiocarbon (14C) analyses were done. New evidence for the time of retreat of the seashore, the isolation of Lake Pervoe Starushechye from it and the time of the possible invasion of the area by ancient people was obtained. People were shown to inhabit the area from 3970 ± 120 to 3250 ± 120 14С y.a., when the sea shoreline reached modern levels of 19–22 m. The lake was then a ~8 m deep White Sea bay, in which marine gyttja was deposited. These events are reflected in the stratigraphy of the sequence and supported by the results of diatom and spore and pollen analyses. About 3500 y.a., mean annual temperatures in North Karelia were 2°С and annual precipitation ~50 mm/year higher than modern values. Spruce and pine-spruce forests with aspen and alder patches grew on the shore. A favorable climate and exuberant vegetation attracted people. Therefore, it is at the Atlantic-Subboreal boundary that the archaeological sites located at the above altitudes could arise. The lake separated from the White Sea 3020 ± 90 14С y.a. Freshwater sapropel was deposited in the isolated lake, as indicated by the composition of diatom flora and spore and pollen spectra. The sea shoreline declined to 17–16 m. Light-coniferous pine lichen-green moss forests with light-loving oligotrophic grasses were spreading actively throughout the study area.

Floristic and phytocenotic diversity of waterlands of the Shatsk national natural park as a basis for monitoring its condition

The floral and phyto-assessment characteristics of wetlands are an important indicator for their monitoring. The territory of the Shatsky National Natural Park is a natural nucleus of the Polesia Ecology Corridor and a storing part of the All-European Environmental Network. The preservation of the unique wetland complexes of the park requires constant monitoring of the most significant indicators that reflect their condition. The purpose of the studies was to generalize and analyse the flora of the higher vascular plants and vegetation of the park, justifying their use as monitoring indicators. The authors' field research on flora and vegetation was carried out during 2006-2020 on the whole territory of Shatsk NNP. Sixteen test sites were laid for detailed studies. Based on research and analysis of literature sources, 318 species of upper vascular plants belonging to 6 classes and 74 families were found in the flora of the park’s wetlands. Among the numerous families are represented typical for the natural floodplains of the wetlands of the Shatsk Lake: Cyperaceae, Poaceae, Asteraceae, Ranunculaceae, Lamiaceae, Potamogenaceae, Salicaaceae, Fabaceae, Polygonaceae. Species from «The Red Book of Ukraine» (Aldrovanda vesiculosa L., Betula humilis Schrank, Dactylorhiza maculata (L.) Soо, D. majalis (Rchb.) P.F. Hunt & Summerhayes, D. incarnata (L.) Soó, Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz, Platanthera bifolia (L.) Rich., Carex chordorhiza Ehrh., Cladium mariscus (L.) Pohl s.l..) and species subject to regional protection in Volyn region are represented in the flora at the investigated sites (for example, Salix myrsinifolia Salisb., Batrachium aquatile (L.) Dumort., Hypericum tetrapterum Fr., Sparganium natans L., Nymphaea candida С. Presl, Carex limosa L., C. paniculata L., C. flacca Schreb., Eriophorum gracile W.D.J. Koch, Potamogeton praelongus Wulf., P. obtusifolius Mertens & W.D.J. Koch., Rhynchospora alba (L.) Vahl, Drosera rotundifolia L., Senecio paludosus L., Ptarmica salicifolia (Besser) Serg.). The vegetation cover of the studied territory is naturally dominated by cenoses, primarily of marsh and forest vegetation types, in particular eutrophic sedge swamps, black alder, alder pine, and on hilltops - pine forests of blueberry green moss. Coastal-aquatic, aquatic and wetland groups of grasslands are well represented. In wetlands in studied areas, eutrophic swamps are primarily represented, which are dominated by grass, sometimes there are sparse forests. Among the forest groups, associations of alder, alder-birch and pine forests are well represented. In the elevated areas of relief, vegetation was formed with the participation of xerophytes, semixerophythics, submesophytes and mesophytes. In monitoring the status of the park’s wetlands at the population and species level, it is first necessary to monitor the development of the most rare species of flora from "The Red Book" and from the regional protection list. However, attention needs to be paid to population dynamics of adventive species, especially invasive species (Bidens frondosa L., Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. et Gray, Impatiens parviflora DC., Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch., Acer negundo L., Quercus rubra L., Prunus cerasifera Ehrh., Prunus serotina Ehrh., Salix fragilis L., Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist, Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers., Oenothera biennis L., Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden., Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.). At the coenotic level, priority should be given to the development of wetland, coastal-aquatic and grassland (marsh and wet) groupings, which have limited spread in the region. In parallel, there is a need to control the growth of such groupings, which are highly competitive and capable of displacing less competitive groups. It is very important to link this dynamic with the changing abiotic conditions of ecotopes. Indicators for monitoring should be the dynamics of individual flora species and plant communities.

Stand Structure of Northern Taiga Pine Forests

In Northern taiga conditions pine forests occupy about 1.8 mln ha of the territory of the Komi Republic and are mainly represented by sphagnum, green-moss and lichen forest types. The studies were carried out at the Zelenoborsk Forest Station of the Institute of Biology of the Komi Scientific Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences in green-moss and sphagnum pine forests developing at the site of fires and clearcuts. Tree layer has a mix composition with the predominance of pine trees and admixture of spruce, birch, larch and aspen. Pine stands form three types of age structure: conventionally evenaged; conventionally uneven-aged, represented by one generation; and stepped uneven-aged, consisting of two or three generations of pine trees. Trees left behind during clearcut and felling residuals at the cutting area by the burn method contribute to the formation of stands of stepped uneven-aged age structure. The variation coefficients of tree age are 5.8–10.8 % in pine forests with one generation and 39.7–45.6 % in forests with two or three generations. The number of generations and the type of age structure had no effect on the diameter and height of trees in the stand, which varied respectively within 25.2–49.5 % and 15.7–27.8 %. In pine forests developing after fires, the peak of pine settlement occur in the second or third decade, while in cutting areas, the maximum renewal occurs in the first or second decade after clearcuts. The amplitude of tree age fluctuations varies from 16 to 33 years in conventionally even-aged and conventionally uneven-aged forests developed after clearcuts and from 30 to 45 years in post-fire stands. In stepped uneven-aged stands tree age fluctuations changes from 120 to 167 years, and from 22 to 66 years in generations. The curves showing the distribution of trees by diameter in stands of pine trees had a left-handed shift, the asymmetry is represented by positive values and varies from 0.05 to 1.03. Trees of associate species are inferior in development, both in diameter and in height to pine trees of similar age. A close correlation between the diameter and height of trees in the stands was revealed. The relationship of age with diameter and height of trees varies from weak to significant at almost all of the sites studied. A close correlation between age and diameter was found in stepped uneven-aged pine forests (R = 0.79–0.96). The correlation between diameter and age increase with an increase in tree age fluctuations amplitude.

EFFICIENCY OF FOREST RECULTIVATION OF LAND DISTURBED BY PEAT EXTRACTION (ON THE EXAMPLE OF THE BASYANOVSKY DEPOSIT)

Приведены результаты оценки эффективности лесной рекультивации земель, нарушенных при добы- че торфа на Басьяновском торфяном месторождении. Целью исследований явилось выявление наиболее эффективных вариантов лесной рекультивации на основе оценки состояния лесных культур, созданных на отработанных торфяниках после их технической рекультивации и мелиоративной подготовки. В основу исследований положен метод пробных площадей. В результате исследований установлено, что эффектив- ность рекультивации определяется водным режимом осушенных территорий, который зависит от расстоя- ния между осушительными каналами, их состояния. На большинстве обследованных участков состояние лесных культур оценивается как хорошее. Основные причины гибели лесных культур – это угнетение их мягколиственными породами, поврежде- ние культур сосны дикими животными (лосями) и вымокание. Причиной угнетения культур мягколиствен- ными породами явилось отсутствие своевременного проведения мероприятий по уходу за молодняками (прочисток). При этом угнетению более подвержены культуры сосны. Лесные культуры ели оказались в целом более эффективными по сравнению с культурами сосны. При посадке культуры ели целесообразно высаживать под полог мягколиственных пород. На рекультивированных участках с нормальным водным режимом наблюдается формирование живого напочвенного покрова, типичного по составу для мелкотравно-зеленомошных и разнотравно-зеленомош- ных типов леса. Полученные результаты имеют практическое значение и могут быть использованы недропользователя- ми, органами исполнительной власти в области лесных отношений, проектно-изыскательскими организа- циями при проектировании, организации и проведении работ по лесной рекультивации на отработанных торфяных месторождениях. The article contains the results of assessing the effectiveness of forest reclamation of lands disturbed during peat extraction at the Basyanovskiy peat deposit. The aim of the research was to identify the most effi cient options for forest reclamation based on an assessment of the state of forest crops created on spent peatlands after their technical reclamation and reclamation preparation. The research is based on the trial plot method. As a result of the research, it was found that the effi ciency of reclamation is determined by the water regime of the drained territories, which depends on the distance between the drainage canals, their condition. In most of the surveyed areas, the state of forest cultures is assessed as well. The main reasons for the death of forest crops are their oppression by soft-leaved species, damage to pine crops by wild animals (elks) and soaking. The reason for the oppression of crops by soft-leaved breeds was the lack of timely measures for the care of young stands (cleanings). At the same time, pine crops are more subject to oppression. Spruce forest crops were generally more effective than pine crops. When planting spruce crops, it is advisable to plant under the canopy of soft-leaved species. In the reclaimed areas with a normal water regime, the formation of a living ground cover is observed, typical in composition for small-grass-green moss and forb-green moss types of forest.The results obtained are of practical importance and can be used by subsoil users, executive authorities in the fi eld of forest relations, design and survey organizations in the design, organization and implementation of forest reclamation work at spent peat deposits.

RARE ORCHIDS IN THE NATIONAL PARK «NIZHNYAYA KAMA» AND ADJACENT TERRITORIES IN THE NORTH OF TATARSTAN (EUROPEAN PART OF RUSSIA), THEIR HABITATS AND STATE OF POPULATIONS

The article examines the populations of rare species of orchids Cypripedium calceolus (L.), Epipactis helleborine L., Goodyera repens (L.) R.Br, Neottia nidus-avis (L.) Rich., Neottianthe cucullata (L.) Schlechter, Platanthera bifolia (L.) Rich. on the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan. The temperate continental climate prevails on the territory of Tatarstan, which is typical for the central part and northwestern regions of the Volga and Predkamye. In contrast, the north and northeast of Tatarstan are characterized by a moderately cool climate with a lot of precipitation during the growing season. Small fragments of the southern taiga complexes with green moss spruce and fir are formed in the north, in the Baltasi district. Dark coniferous species – spruce and fir are dominated in the north-east along the river Vyatka in Lubyanskoye forestry in coniferous-deciduous forests. Such habitats are characterized by the predominance of typically boreal and boreal-nemoral species of shrubs, grasses and mosses. Rare species have been recorded: Pyrola media Sw., P. chlorantha Sw., Diphasiastrum complanatum (L.) Holub, Hypopitys monotropa Crantz, Viola selkirkii Pursh ex Goldie. Orchid populations have some features. The development and flowering of Platanthera bifolia and Cypripedium calceolus occur 7–10 days later in comparison with central and northwestern regions of Tatarstan. Virginal and adult vegetative individuals predominate in the population structure. Generative individuals of C. calceolus in spruce-broad-leaved and pine-spruce with fir forests often do not form clones; their share is 72 % of all generative plants. The number of shoots of C. calceolus clones decreases and makes in average 3.2 shoots. On the contrary, the number of shoots in clones of the northwestern populations is equal to 6.5. The share of generative individuals of the studied populations of P. bifolia is 25 % on average and it significantly decreases in the populations of the recreational zone of the National Park. The species grows here in dry pine forests on compacted soil, and, probably, tourists pick flowers up for bouquets. Populations of N. cucullata and G. repens are found only in the protected and buffer zones of the National Park. The age structure is full-term though the share of generative plants is quite low and averages 34 % for N. cucullata, and only 15 % for G. repens. N. cucullata and G. repens have not been found yet in habitats with suitable abiotic and biotic conditions in the north and north-east of Tatarstan. This fact requires further research. The species composition of mosses is almost identical in the habitats of orchids (Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt., dominates among mosses in all phytocenoses, but the projective cover and height of the moss tufts differ significantly. Typically boreal and hemiboreal species are registered: P. schreberi Dicranum polysetum Sw., Dicranum scoparium Hedw., Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus (Hedw.) Warnst, Rhodobryum roseum (Hedw.) Limpr., Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) Bruch et al., Ptilium crista-castrensis (Hedw.) DeNot. A rare species – Plagiomnium drummondii (Bruch&Schimp.) T.J. Kop. is identified in the north of the Republic of Tatarstan. The abundance and development of mosses, as guarantors of humidity and preservation of microclimatic conditions, are important conditions for the growth of symbiotrophic fungi that contribute to the maintenance of orchids and many species of boreal forests on the southern border of their distribution.

Comparative analysis of the competition of stands of different species composition in relation to the Siberian stone pine undergrowth

Under the canopy of the parent native berry-green-moss Siberian stone pine forest and derivatives berry-green-moss pine and birch forests on the Urals, using the previously proposed complex of light, root, and integral competition indices of the stand, a comparative analysis of the parameters of the Siberian stone pine undergrowth is carried out. Under the canopy of Siberian stone pine forest two main determining factors have a negative complex effect on the growth of the Siberian stone pine undergrowth: the light competition of the stand (the level of photosynthetically active radiation interception by its canopy) and, almost equal to it, the root competition for soil nutrition. Under the pine forest canopy with the combined negative effect of factors of light and root competition of the stand on the development of Siberian stone pine undergrowth, light competition is decisive. The effect of the root competition is less than almost two times. Under the birch forest canopy the main factor determining the development of Siberian stone pine undergrowth is the light competition of the stand. The connection with the root competition of stand is not expressed.

Ecological-coenotic characteristics of Cantharellus cibarius Fr. and its tolerance to human impact in southern taiga and sub-taiga forests of the Kirov Region

The paper analyzes plant communities with Cantharellus cibarius Fr. in southern taiga and sub-taiga forests in the Kirov Region. Golden chanterelle occurs mostly in pure pine forests and pine forests mixed with spruce and birch of green-moss, lichen and cowberry types in young to maturing stands; the crown density is low or medium. Species richness of herbaceous-shrub storey in the studied communities varied from 5 to 29. The ecological preferences of C. cibarius, defined with Ellenberg (1974) scales, allow to characterize the species in the following way: temperate climate species, shade-resistant, rarely found in conditions of total shading; mesophyte regarding soil humidity, prefers acidic soils with low nitrogen, but, as an exception, marked on neutral soils rich in nitrogen. The differences in the species ecological preferences in conditions of southern taiga and sub-taiga are insignificant. The hemeroby index varied from 0,05 to 0,33 for the studied communities. The average share of species tolerant to human impact was 13,23%, and the share of anthropophobic species 86,77%. These data characterise C. cibarius as the species capable of tolerating moderate human impact in southern taiga subzone, but being less tolerant to human impact in sub-taiga areas and coniferous-broadleaved forests.