scholarly journals Comparative assessment of Western Podolia meadow steppes (Ukraine) based on the synphytoindication method

Hacquetia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 197-216
Author(s):  
Henadii M. Lysenko ◽  
Ivan M. Danylyk ◽  
Svitlana M. Iemelianova ◽  
Liubov M. Borsukevych ◽  
Svitlana V. Sosnovska
Keyword(s):  
Soil Acidity ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Carbonate Content ◽  
Numerical Classification ◽  
Meadow Steppe ◽  
Differential Impact ◽  
Steppe Communities ◽  
Steppe Plant ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Steppe Plant Communities

Abstract The aim of our study is to establish the determinant ecological factors that have the greatest differential impact on the distribution of meadow steppe plant communities of Western Podolia (Ukraine) on the base of a synphytoindication analysis. There were 8 study sites within the study area in the L’viv and Ivano-Frankivsk regions. To determine the coenotic affinity of the studied species, 48 relevés were analyzed. Numerical classification based on the Modified TWINSPAN algorithm divided the dataset into five clusters, which have been identified as the associations Pastinaco sativae-Arrhenatheretum elatioris, Geranio sanguinei-Trifolietum alpestris, Inuletum ensifoliae, Jurineo calcareae-Stipetum capillatae and Lembotropio nigricans-Potentilletum arenariae. The results of gradient analyses indicate that the distribution of meadow steppe communities in the Podolia Upland closely correlates with a number of climatic (thermoregime and continentality of climate) and especially edaphic (soil humidity, soil acidity and carbonate content) ecological factors.

scholarly journals Features of ecological differentiation of halophytic, steppe and petrophytic vegetation in the valley of the Liman Kuyalnik (Odesa Oblast)

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-213
Author(s):  
D. V. Dubyna ◽  
T. P. Dziuba ◽  
L. P. Vakarenko ◽  
A. A. Ennan ◽  
H. M. Shykhaleeva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Carbonate Content ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Edaphic Factors ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Ecological Differentiation ◽  
Steppe Vegetation ◽  
Steppe Communities

Assessment of key environmental factors that influence vegetation distribution and formation of plant communities is one of the most important challenges in modern phytocenology. Nowadays, several bioindication systems are applied to determine ecological specificity of plant communities and to establish the leading factors for their environmental differentiation. The system most widely used in Europe, that of H. Ellenberg, contains a numerical score on 6 ecological factors. On the example of vegetation of the valley of the Liman Kuyalnik, Y. Didukh developed the synphytoindication method based on evaluation of phytocenoses with respect to 12 ecological factors: 7 edaphic factors and 5 climatic factors; the method determines a more accurate and complete presentation of the analysis. In the valley of the Liman Kuyalnik (Odesa Oblast) the largest area is covered with halophytic and steppe vegetation. Halophytic vegetation (Therosalicornietea, Festuco-Puccinellietea classes, Juncetea maritimi, Bolboschoenetea maritimi) predominated in the shoreline areas of the valley, whereas steppe (Festuco-Brometea) and petrophytic (Sedo-Scleranthetea) vegetation dominated on the slope sites. With the application of DCA-ordination and synphytoindication methods it was established that distribution of plant communities in the hyper-space of the environmental conditions was most strongly correlated with edaphic factors, whereas microclimatic (light intensity) and climatic (thermo-regime) conditions had somewhat less influence on their differentiation. Water regime and level of soil salinity served as key factors for syntaxa of halophytic vegetation; moisture variability and salt regime, as well as soil moisture and carbonate content were key factors for the steppe vegetation, and thermo-regime was the main factor for petrophytic-steppe and petrophytic vegetation. The "eco-spaces" of these groups largely overlap. Halophytic cenoses are characterized by quite wide ecological ranges by most ecological factors. Steppe communities show much less ecological diversity. In the valley of the liman, all the steppe communities were characterized by stenotopicity in relation to most ecological factors; these factors complexly determine the specificity and diversity of biotopes within the valley, which are unique and require protection and the taking of appropriate measures, depending on the changes in activity of one or another limiting factor. Nowadays, the valley of the Liman Kuyalnik is in a state of environmental disaster. The established relationships in ecological differentiation of plant communities will be applied to further monitoring of biodiversity state, preservation and possible restoration of vegetation types that were native for this unique territory.

scholarly journals The Alien Fraction of the Woody Flora of Yelanetskyi Step Nature Reserve, Southern Ukraine

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 322-332
Author(s):  
Valeriia O. Konaikova ◽  
Olena V. Vakarenko
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Robinia Pseudoacacia ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Woody Species ◽  
Carbonate Content ◽  
Steppe Communities ◽  
Trees And Shrubs ◽  
Southern Ukraine

AbstractResults of investigations on the patterns of distribution and dispersal of alien species of trees and shrubs in the territory of a steppe protected area, Yelanetskyi Step Nature Reserve (Mykolaiv Region, southern Ukraine), are presented. We registered within this protected area 10 alien woody species. For the most widespread ones (Ulmus pumila L., Gleditsia triacanthos L., Elaeagnus angustifolia L., Robinia pseudoacacia L.), we carried out ecological analyses. In order to establish the scope of impact of ecological factors upon these species, their specificity, and interdependence between ecological factors, the phytoindication method was applied (Didukh, 2012). The results of our analysis conducted on 12 main ecological factors (as outlined by Didukh, 2011), such as soil water regime (Hd), variability of damping (Fh), soil aeration (Ae), soil acidity (Rc), nitrogen content (Nt), salt regime (Sl), carbonate content in soil (Ca), thermoregime (Tm), climate humidity (Om), continentality (Kn), cryoregime (Cr), and light intensity (Lc), show that dispersal of model alien species does not have ecological limitation. However, E.angustifolia and R.pseudoacacia have the strongest capacity to penetrate the steppe communities, especially disturbed ones. Further dispersal of these alien species in the studied area and adjacent territories is hampered only by the integrity of the structure of steppe communities.

Syntaxonomic changes in the plant cover of meadow steppe in the «Mikhailovskaya Tselina» reserve (Sumy Region, Ukraine)

2006 ◽  
pp. 43-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. N. Lysenko ◽  
I. A. Korotchenko
Keyword(s):  
Nature Reserve ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Meadow Steppe ◽  
Total Species

Changes in the set of syntaxa have been traced for the plant cover of the «Mikhaylovskaya Tselina» meadow-steppe (an isolated part of the Ukrainian Steppe Nature Reserve, Sumy Region, Ukraine) with the help of the Braun-Blanquet approach. The area vegetation syntaxa prodromus includes 2 classes, 2 rders, 3 alliances, 9 associations, and 6 subasso­ciations, 2 of the latter described anew. The plant cover is highly dynamic and undergoes expressed meso­phytization, especially within the area where strict protection has been maintained since 1961. Amplitudes of the principal ecological factors and also peculiarities of their shift under exogenic regulation are determined with the help of the method of synecological phyto­indication (i. e. not single species but total species sets of communities serve as indicators). The essential transformations of the reserve meadow steppes are probably caused by the «insular» character of the reserve, its small size, also by the poorness of the set of natural grazers and hence the inadequacy of regulation by means of mowing.

The ecology of an Australian reptile icon: how do blue-tongued lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) survive in suburbia?

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Koenig ◽  
Richard Shine ◽  
Glenn Shea
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Minimal Risk ◽  
Body Temperatures ◽  
Avoided Crossing ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
Core Areas ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Gravid Females

Although most species of large reptiles in the Sydney region are now restricted to remnant bushland, the blue-tongued lizard (Tiliqua scincoides) remains abundant. How has this large, slow-moving reptile managed to persist in the suburbs? We implanted radio-transmitters into 17 adult blue-tongued lizards and tracked them for six months (October 1998 to March 1999). Radio-tracked animals utilised 5–17 suburban backyards, but each lizard spent most of its time in a few ‘core’ areas near 2–7 shelter sites. Males had larger home ranges than females (mean of 12700 v. 5100 m 2 ) and moved further between shelter sites. Gravid females (mean home range 1000 m 2 ) were more sedentary. Lizards used corridors of dense vegetation to move between retreat sites, and actively avoided crossing roads. In sunny weather, lizards typically basked close to their overnight shelter for 1–4 h each morning until they obtained body temperatures of approximately 32°C. They maintained high body temperatures while moving about in the afternoon. In combination, the following ecological factors may facilitate persistence of blue-tongued lizards at our suburban study sites. (i) The most important subgroup of the population in terms of conservation are gravid females, which are highly sedentary and, thus, less likely to encounter the dangers of suburbia. (ii) The more ‘expendable’ males move about much more, but mostly in times and places that involve minimal risk from humans and their domestic pets. (iii) Lizards show strong site fidelity, spending up to 70% of their time in ‘safe’ locations; importantly, they avoid roads. (iv) Blue-tongued lizards readily utilise ‘artificial’ shelter sites and the commensal prey species (e.g. snails) found in most gardens. (v) These lizards can grow rapidly, mature early, and produce large litters. Because blue-tongued lizards have a long life span (over 30 years in captivity), populations of adults may persist for many years in the absence of recruitment.

Steppe plant communities on the chestnut soils of Western Transbaikalia: Biological diversity and productivity

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 178-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. G. Merkusheva ◽  
O. A. Anenkhonov ◽  
N. K. Badmaeva ◽  
S. B. Sosorova
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Western Transbaikalia ◽  
Chestnut Soils ◽  
Steppe Plant ◽  
Steppe Plant Communities

The role of a spiny plant refuge in structuring grazed shortgrass steppe plant communities

Oikos ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Rebollo ◽  
D. G. Milchunas ◽  
I. Noy-Meir ◽  
P. L. Chapman
Keyword(s):  
Plant Communities ◽  
Shortgrass Steppe ◽  
Steppe Plant ◽  
Steppe Plant Communities

The effects of large herbivore grazing on meadow steppe plant and insect diversity

2012 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 1075-1083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Zhu ◽  
Deli Wang ◽  
Ling Wang ◽  
Yuguang Bai ◽  
Jian Fang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insect Diversity ◽  
Meadow Steppe ◽  
Large Herbivore ◽  
Steppe Plant

Ecology of pastoralism in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania

1987 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Homewood ◽  
W. A. Rodgers ◽  
K. Arhem
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Food System ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Size Composition ◽  
Herd Size ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Conservation Area ◽  
Study Sites

SummaryThis management-oriented study of range, livestock and Maasai ecology in the wildlife conservation and pastoralist land use Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) quantifies spatial and temporal variation in range resources for three main study sites over a 2-year period. Livestock response is analysed in terms of biomass densities, habitat and pasture utilization, activity, herd size, composition and dynamics. Milk production is investigated together with the main ecological factors influencing yields. A household survey of the Maasai food system suggests that pastoral products now provide an annual average of 40% dietary energy intake, the remainder being supplied by grain. These findings form the basis of our analysis of the growing friction between the Conservation Authority and the pastoralists. Pastoralist livestock closely resemble wild ungulate utilization of NCA range resources. A combination of disease interactions and administrative restrictions allow wildlife to establish preferential access to critical grazing resources. Our results in the context of other work suggest that contrary to popular opinion pastoralist land use is an ecologically appropriate and efficient form of livestock management. There is no adverse impact on the conservation values of NCA. Despite average fertility and mortality levels pastoralist herds show progressive decline due to offtake for grain purchase. Imposed policies restrict grazing, ban cultivation and maintain poor conditions for livestock trade and grain supply. Possible interventions and their potential impacts are considered and management compromises which could benefit both pastoralists and wildlife are proposed.

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