Potential and realized ecological niches of herb and shrub layer in forest ecosystems of the north-eastern Ukraine

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 14-20
Author(s):  
I. N. Kovalenko
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Point Scale ◽  
Shrub Layer ◽  
Ecological Optimum ◽  
The North ◽  
Environmental Regimes ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Characteristic Species

The species composition of herb and shrub layer of the major forest ecosystems of the north-eastern Ukraine has been analyzed at the level of vegetation classes, and individual ecological optimum of the main species of herbs and shrubs has been determined in order to predict the dynamics of their populations in the region. Literature data and results of our own studies for the period of 2000–2010 have shown that in accordance with the ecofloristic classification in the region, 6 classes of forest vegetation can be distinguished, such as: Querceto-Fagetea Br.-Bl. (1937), Vaccinio-Piceetea Br.-Bl. (1939), Pulsatillo-Pinetea sylvestris Oberdorfer (1992), Quercetea robori-petreae Br.-Bl. et. Tx. (1963), Salicetea purpureae Moor (1958), Alnetea glutinosae Br. Bl. ex Tx. (1943). The analysis of the general monographs on ecofloristic classification made in the north-eastern Ukraine (Klika, 1955; Matuszkiewicz, 2001; Shelyah-Sosonko, 2002; Grygora, 2005; Solomakha, 2008; Goncharenko, 2009, 2010; Rogova et al., 2005, etc.), provided an opportunity to review the composition of the characteristic species for the six classes of vegetation, registered in the region. Thereby, species, that hardly ever occur in the region or are very rare, have been excluded from the list of characteristic species. Plant species, peculiar to forest communities of the north-eastern Ukraine, have been added. Woody plants and shrubs have been excluded from the analysis. For each species of the three central classes its individual ecological optimum has been estimated considering six factors: 1 – light availability, 2 – temperature, 3 – continentality, 4 – soil moisture, 5 – soil acidity, 6 – soil fertility. The point scale of Ellenberg (Ellenberg, 1952, 1996) with 12 points for soil moisture and 9 points for other environmental regimes has been taken as a basis. Due to the fact that the scale of Ellenberg fails to include all these species, and has a lot of gaps in the assessment of individual regimes, it has been supplemented by the point scale of Landolt (Landolt, 1977), in which the number of species is greater and the assessment of their optimum is more complete. Considering that that in the scale of Landolt all environmental factors are divided into 5 points, transformation of points into 12- or 9-integrated assessment of environmental regimes has been made. The indicated pattern of wide ecological amplitude in characteristic species of higher syntaxonomic units in forest vegetation is useful adaptive trait from the phytocoenogenesis point of view. If there is any change in the general soil-climatic conditions, forest phytocoenoses retain their integrity due to the change in their great number and even the floristic composition in the lower tiers. Grouping of classes Querceto-Fagetea Br.-Bl. (1937), Vaccinio-Piceetea Br.-Bl. (1939) and Pulsatillo-Pinetea Sylvestris Oberdorfer (1992) play the leading role in the formation of forest ecosystems in the north- eastern Ukraine. Plant species, peculiar to these classes and being part of herb and shrub layer, provide wide ecological amplitudes, covering at least 3–5-point scales of the main environmental factors. Global warming may result in significant changes in the composition and structure of plant populations that form herb and shrub layer of forest phytocenoses of vegetation classes, peculiar to the north-eastern Ukraine.

scholarly journals Changes in surface hydrology, soil moisture and gross primary production in the Amazon during the 2015/2016 El Niño

2018 ◽  
Vol 373 (1760) ◽  
pp. 20180084 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik van Schaik ◽  
Lars Killaars ◽  
Naomi E. Smith ◽  
Gerbrand Koren ◽  
L. P. H. van Beek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Primary Production ◽  
El Niño ◽  
Amazon Basin ◽  
El Nino ◽  
Gross Primary Production ◽  
Surface Hydrology ◽  
The North ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The Impact

The 2015/2016 El Niño event caused severe changes in precipitation across the tropics. This impacted surface hydrology, such as river run-off and soil moisture availability, thereby triggering reductions in gross primary production (GPP). Many biosphere models lack the detailed hydrological component required to accurately quantify anomalies in surface hydrology and GPP during droughts in tropical regions. Here, we take the novel approach of coupling the biosphere model SiBCASA with the advanced hydrological model PCR-GLOBWB to attempt such a quantification across the Amazon basin during the drought in 2015/2016. We calculate 30–40% reduced river discharge in the Amazon starting in October 2015, lagging behind the precipitation anomaly by approximately one month and in good agreement with river gauge observations. Soil moisture shows distinctly asymmetrical spatial anomalies with large reductions across the north-eastern part of the basin, which persisted into the following dry season. This added to drought stress in vegetation, already present owing to vapour pressure deficits at the leaf, resulting in a loss of GPP of 0.95 (0.69 to 1.20) PgC between October 2015 and March 2016 compared with the 2007–2014 average. Only 11% (10–12%) of the reduction in GPP was found in the (wetter) north-western part of the basin, whereas the north-eastern and southern regions were affected more strongly, with 56% (54–56%) and 33% (31–33%) of the total, respectively. Uncertainty on this anomaly mostly reflects the unknown rooting depths of vegetation. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘The impact of the 2015/2016 El Niño on the terrestrial tropical carbon cycle: patterns, mechanisms and implications’.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Soil Moisture Variability in Poland from SMOS Satellite Observations

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bogusław Usowicz ◽  
Jerzy Lipiec ◽  
Mateusz Lukowski
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
North West ◽  
Moisture Contents ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Linear Distance ◽  
Classical Statistics ◽  
Ocean Salinity ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Smos Satellite

Soil moisture (SM) data play an important role in agriculture, hydrology, and climate sciences. In this study, we examined the spatial-temporal variability of soil moisture using Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) satellite measurements for Poland from a five-year period (2010–2014). SMOS L2 v. 551 datasets (latitudinal rectangle 1600 × 840 km, centered in Poland) averaged for quarterly (three months corresponding to winter, spring, summer, and autumn) and yearly values were used. The results were analysed with the use of classical statistics and geostatistics (using semivariograms) to acquire information about the nature of anisotropy and the lengths and directions of spatial dependences. The minimum (close to zero) and maximum soil moisture values covered the 0.5 m3 m−3 range. In particular quarters, average soil moisture did not exceed 0.2 m3 m−3 and did not drop below 0.12 m3 m−3; the corresponding values in the study years were 0.171 m3 m−3 and 0.128 m3 m−3. The highest variability of SM occurred generally in winter (coefficient of variation, CV, up to 40%) and the lowest value was recorded in spring (around 23%). The average CV for all years was 32%. The quarterly maximum (max) soil moisture contents were well positively correlated with the average soil moisture contents (R2 = 0.63). Most of the soil moisture distributions (histograms) were close to normal distribution and asymmetric data were transformed with the square root to facilitate geostatistical analysis. Isotropic and anisotropic empirical semivariograms were constructed and the theoretical exponential models were well fitted (R2 > 0.9). In general, the structural dependence of the semivariance was strong and moderate. The nugget (C0) values slightly deceased with increasing soil moisture while the sills (C0 + C) increased. The effective ranges of spatial dependence (A) were between 1° and 4° (110–440 km of linear distance). Generally, the ranges were greater for drier than moist soils. Anisotropy of the SM distribution exhibited different orientation with predominance from north-west to south-east in winter and spring and changed for from north-east to south-west or from north to south in the other seasons. The fractal dimension values showed that the distribution of the soil moisture pattern was less diverse (smoother) in the winter and spring, compared to that in the summer and autumn. The soil moisture maps showed occurrence of wet areas (soil moisture > 0.25 m3 m−3) in the north-eastern, south-eastern and western parts and dry areas (soil moisture < 0.05 m3 m−3) mainly in the central part (oriented towards the south) of Poland. The spatial distribution of SM was attributed to soil texture patterns and associated with water holding capacity and permeability. The results will help undertake appropriate steps to minimize susceptibility to drought and flooding in different regions of Poland.

scholarly journals Nitrogen fertilizer regulates soil respiration by altering the organic carbon storage in root and topsoil in alpine meadow of the north-eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Li ◽  
Jinlan Wang ◽  
Xiaolong Li ◽  
Shilin Wang ◽  
Wenhui Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Soil Respiration ◽  
Alpine Meadow ◽  
Growing Season ◽  
N Storage ◽  
The North ◽  
C Storage ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
C And N

Abstract Soil respiration (Rs) plays a critical role in the global carbon (C) balance, especially in the context of globally increasing nitrogen (N) deposition. However, how N-addition influences C cycle remains unclear. Here, we applied seven levels of N application (0 (N0), 54 (N1), 90 (N2), 126 (N3), 144 (N4), 180 (N5) and 216 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (N6)) to quantify their impacts on Rs and its components (autotrophic respiration (Ra) and heterotrophic respiration (Rh)) and C and N storage in vegetation and soil in alpine meadow on the northeast margin of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. We used a structural equation model (SEM) to explore the relative contributions of C and N storage, soil temperature and soil moisture and their direct and indirect pathways in regulating soil respiration. Our results revealed that the Rs, Ra and Rh, C and N storage in plant, root and soil (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm) all showed initial increases and then tended to decrease at the threshold level of 180 kg N ha−1 yr−1. The SEM results indicated that soil temperature had a greater impact on Rs than did volumetric soil moisture. Moreover, SEM also showed that C storage (in root, 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil layers) was the most important factor driving Rs. Furthermore, multiple linear regression model showed that the combined root C storage, 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm soil layer C storage explained 97.4–97.6% variations in Rs; explained 94.5–96% variations in Ra; and explained 96.3–98.1% in Rh. Therefore, the growing season soil respiration and its components can be well predicted by the organic C storage in root and topsoil in alpine meadow of the north-eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Our study reveals the importance of topsoil and root C storage in driving growing season Rs in alpine meadow on the northeast margin of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

scholarly journals Seasonal Volatile Emission Patterns of the Endemic New Zealand Shrub Dracophyllum subulatum on the North Island Central Plateau

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evans Effah ◽  
D. Paul Barrett ◽  
Paul G. Peterson ◽  
Murray A. Potter ◽  
Jarmo K. Holopainen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Soil Moisture Content ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Sampling Occasion ◽  
Central Plateau ◽  
Volatile Emissions ◽  
The North

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by plants are essential indicators of their physiological response to environmental conditions. But evidence of natural variation in VOC emissions and their contributing factors is still limited, especially for non-cultivated species. Here we explored the natural volatile emissions of Dracophyllum subulatum Hook.f., an endemic shrub to the North Island Central Plateau of New Zealand, and determined some environmental factors driving the plant’s emissions. Volatile emissions of D. subulatum were measured on four separate occasions from December 2017 to September 2018 using the “push-pull” headspace sampling technique and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). D. subulatum was classified based on the volatiles measured on each sampling occasion using linear discriminant analysis (LDA). On each sampling occasion, we also recorded and compared ambient air temperature, herbivory damage, total soil nitrogen (N), available phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and soil moisture content. The relationship between environmental variables that differed significantly between sampling occasions and volatile emissions were estimated using generalized linear models (GLMs). Based on VOCs measured on each sampling occasion, we were able to distinguish different chemical profiles. Overall, we found that total emission and the relative proportions of all major chemical classes released by D. subulatum were significantly higher during summer. The GLMs reveal that differences in environmental factors between the four sampling occasions are highly associated with changing emissions. Higher temperatures in summer had a consistently strong positive relationship with emissions, while the impacts of soil moisture content, P and K were variable and depended on the chemical class. These results are discussed, particularly how high temperature (warming) may shape volatile emissions and plants’ ecology.

scholarly journals Trophic links of the chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) in transformed forest ecosystems of North-Eastern Ukraine

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 92-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Chaplygina ◽  
O. Y. Pakhomov ◽  
H. A. Yevtushenko ◽  
V. V. Brygadyrenko
Keyword(s):  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Foraging Efficiency ◽  
Agricultural Pests ◽  
Fringilla Coelebs ◽  
The North ◽  
Trophic Links ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Protected Natural Areas ◽  
Nature Park

The сhaffinch (Fringilla coelebs Linnaeus, 1758; Passeriformes, Fringillidae) is one of the most colourful forest species of birds living in Europe, West Asia and North Africa. The diet of this species was studied as a contribution to the conservation of the population of this species in transformed forests of the north-eastern part of Ukraine. Four forest ecosystems were studied: three model sites in oak forests, transformed under intensive recreation pressure, and one model site in a pine-oak forest. A total of 39 invertebrate taxa, dominated by Insecta (93.0%) were found. The orders Coleoptera (32.6%) and Lepidoptera (63.5%) prevailed in the diet of finch nestlings, the highest number of taxa (52.3–76.2%) was represented by phytophages. The phytophagous species also constituted the majority of the consumed prey items (44.0–55.6%). Environmental conditions provided an important effect on the diet structure. The most favourable foraging conditions for the species were found in protected natural areas. According to the analysis, the finch foraging efficiency was similar in all the studied sites. The highest biodiversity indices were found in a protected area of Homilshanski Forests National Nature Park. Results of the research have indicated the crucial role of Fringilla coelebs in the population management of potentially dangerous agricultural pests.

scholarly journals NEW FOR DAGESTAN SPECIES OF TOMENTELLA (THELEPHORALES, BASIDIOMYCOTA)

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-179
Author(s):  
S. V. Volobuev ◽  
Yu. Yu. Ivanushenko ◽  
A. B. Ismailov
Keyword(s):  
Trophic Structure ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Morphological Description ◽  
The North ◽  
Natural Park ◽  
Research Material ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

Aim. To obtain new data on the species diversity and ecological characteristics of the Tomentella fungi growing in the North‐Eastern Caucasus.Materials and methods. Sampling of research material was performed in October, 2018 during a route survey of forest ecosystems in the vicinity of Delichoban, the Derbent district, and across the territory of the Upper Gunib natural park, the Gunib district, in the Republic of Dagestan. Identification of the collected material was carried out by light microscopy in the Laboratory of Systematics and Geography of Fungi, V.L. Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.Results. 3 Tomentella species, which are new for the Republic of Dagestan, have been identified, including T. bryophila, T. ellisii and T. fibrosa. All the discovered species are given with a brief morphological description, details of localities and comments on the current taxonomic position.Conclusion. The Tomentella Pers. ex Pat. s. l. genus is currently represented by 12 species in the territory of the Republic of Dagestan: Tomentella bryophila, T. cinerascens, T. crinalis, T. ellisii, T. ferruginea, T. fibrosa, T. lateritia, T. pilosa, T. punicea, T. stuposa , T. subtestacea and T. umbrinospora. All these species are found across a wide range of altitudinal gradient. Further mycological studies, including those using the molecular and genetic approach, are needed to reveal species new for the region and to expand the understanding of the spatial, ecological and trophic structure of its mycobiota. 

Foliicolous lichens and associated lichenicolous fungi in the north-eastern Iberian Peninsula: the effect of environmental factors on distribution

2005 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esteve LLOP ◽  
Antonio GÓMEZ-BOLEA
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Mediterranean Climate ◽  
Lichenicolous Fungi ◽  
Foliicolous Lichens ◽  
The North ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Climatic Features ◽  
Lichen Flora

The foliicolous lichens and the environmental factors at 14 stations in Catalonia were examined and the relationships between their foliicolous flora and climatic features analysed. This information could be used to predict potential sites with foliicolous lichens in areas with a Mediterranean climate. In addition, two species new to the European lichen flora (Bacidina canariensis and Fellhanera semecarpi) are recorded, and also 8 species new to the lichen and lichenicolous flora of the Iberian Peninsula (Arthonia leptosperma, Byssoloma diederichii, Chionosphaera apobasidialis, Cladosporium arthoniae, Fellhanera christiansenii, Fellhanera seroexspectata, Strigula smaragdula and Vezdaea dawsoniae).

scholarly journals Conditions of the occurrence of Anemone sylvestris in a kettle hole in north-eastern Poland

2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna J. Kwiatkowska-Falińska ◽  
Janusz B. Faliński
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Succession ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
Shrub Layer ◽  
Ecological Optimum ◽  
Kettle Hole ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The Relationship

The research, in 2004, was focused on the whole population of <em>Anemone sylvestris</em> (Snowdrop Windflower) present in the area of a kettle hole (0.8 km2) in north-eastern Poland (52°50’00’’N; 23°11’20’’E). The location of 56 clumps of generative specimens was surveyed. They numbered from several to approx. 1500 specimens. The number of generative specimens in this population exceeded 10 000. On account of this, it is a unique stand of <em>A. sylvestris</em> in Poland. The relationship between the occurrence of the Snowdrop Windflower and the presence of kame hills and ridges has been proven. Low slopes of kame with an inclination of 10-20<sup>o</sup>, and a north-eastern or eastern exposition has been found as the local ecological optimum for this species. Research carried out in 1970-2001 on 5 permanent plots (25 m2 each) has shown that: 1) <em>Anemone sylvestris</em> is an essential element of xerothermic grasslands of the order <em>Festucetalia valesiacae</em>; 2) the species suddenly withdraws from the parts of land on which woody species have already reached the shrub layer; 3) the greatest danger for the population of <em>A. sylvestris</em> in this area is the process of secondary succession initiated by the discontinuation of grazing on the kame hills.

scholarly journals Dependence of soil microbiota in apple tree plantations on moisture level and agrotechnical methods

2019 ◽  
pp. 21-29
Author(s):  
V. A. Lavrinova ◽  
T. S. Polunina
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Apple Orchard ◽  
Row Spacing ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Fallow Land ◽  
Natural Conditions ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Soil Mites ◽  
The North ◽  
North Eastern

Studies were conducted in the I. V. Michurin Federal Scientifi c Center and in its Middle Russian branch. For the fi rst time in the North-Eastern part of the Central black earth region, researches are being conducted to study the microbiota of the soil in the garden of pome crops. The aim of this research was to study the micromycetic composition of the soil in the agrocenosis of a multifactorial experience of an intensive apple orchard. Soil samples were taken in the space between rows and near-stem stripes on the sodding, in the space between rows and near-stem stripes on the fallow land. Experimental conditions: 1) control (natural conditions); 2) optimal moisture (irrigation, soil moisture 80 %); 3) waterlogging (irrigation, soil moisture 120 %). As a result of the conducted research, the dependence of the number of phytopathogenic and saprotrophic populations on the elements of agrotechnology was shown. The maximum number of the population was marked in the near-stem stripes on the fallow land and the minimal number was marked in the near-stem stripes on the sodding. The eff ect of moistening on the number of soil micromycetes was revealed. 80 % moisturized sodded space between rows and near-stem stripes, space between rows on fallow land at a humidity of 120 %, and near-stem stripes with 80 % moisture contained a high number of phytopathogens in relation to natural conditions. The greatest species diversity of the soil mycobiota was observed in the sodded near-stem stripes. A strong correlation was established from reverse close (r = -0.98) to positive close (r = 0.83) in relation to the phytopathogens and saprotrophs in the sodded row spacing; in the soil of the sodded near-stem stripes – from close negative (r = -0.90) to close positive (r = 0.92). It was noted that soil mites did not tolerate the over moistened soil, nematodes, on the contrary, were activated in soils with a humidity of 80 % and 120 % in sodded row spacing. The correlation between nematodes and soil mites in all variants remained strong (r = 0.86-0.97), closer in the control. The number of micromycete organisms in the soil was determined by a modifi ed fl otation method. In the course of research, 1 ml of distilled water was added at one of the stages, instead of a 0.1 % solution of potassium pyrophosphate; on the other, 29 ml of 0.1 % potassium pyrophosphate solution was added instead of 29 ml of distilled water.

scholarly journals Trophic Links of the Blackbird (Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758) in Transformed Forest Ecosystems of North-Eastern Ukraine

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 333-342
Author(s):  
Anzhela Chaplygina ◽  
Oleksandr Pakhomov
Keyword(s):  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Foraging Efficiency ◽  
Agricultural Pests ◽  
Turdus Merula ◽  
The North ◽  
Trophic Links ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Species Population ◽  
Protected Natural Areas ◽  
Nature Park

AbstractThe blackbird (Turdus merula Linnaeus, 1758; Passeriformes, Turdidae) diet was studied to contribute to the conservation of the species population in transformed forests of the north-eastern part of Ukraine. Four forest ecosystems were studied: 3 model sites in the oak forests, transformed under intensive recreation pressure, and 1 model site in a pine-oak forest. A total of 44 invertebrate taxa, dominated by Insecta (78.1%, n = 1075), were found. The order Lepidoptera (63.5%) prevailed. In the diet of blackbird nestlings, the highest number of taxa (37.1–52.2%) was represented by phytophages. The phytophagous species also constituted the majority of the consumed prey items (58.8–72.0%). Environmental conditions provided an important effect on the diet structure. The most favourable foraging conditions for the species were found in protected natural areas. According to the analysis, the blackbird foraging efficiency was similar in all the studied sites. The highest biodiversity indices were found in a protected area of Homilshanski Forests National Nature Park. Results of the research have indicated a crucial role of T. merula in the population management of potentially dangerous agricultural pests.

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