Vegetation dynamics under non-strong agricultural impact (by the example of Oktyabrsk village environs in the Uchalinskiy District of the Republic of Bashkortostan)

Vegetation and its biotopes that are transitional between ruderal and natural ones have been researched in Oktyabrsk village environs (Uchalinskiy District of the Republic of Bashkortostan). The studied vegetation is characterized by rather low biodiversity values and high values of dominance 56 species of vascular plants are identified, 10-species plant communities with 23 clear identified dominant and co-dominant species prevail. Ruderal species are dominant and co-dominant for the majority of plant communities. Fifteen plant associations and specific biotopes have been defined by multivariate statistics methods. The identified associations are phytometers for detected principal abiotic factors. The detected associations form ordination series the authors have identified three biotopical centers (ruderal, birch forest and steppe), three biotopical series and three coenotic series, which are associated with high and temperate pasture loading levels and pasture digression series, forming an integrated succession system of the studied territory. It has been established that principal factors of associations forming is pasture loading level and the principal factors of biotopes forming are soil moistening and its variability, ombroregime (humidification level), termoregime and regime of continentality (temperature-varying amplitude).

Production potential of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic pasture ecosystems

The pasture digression of meadows followed by soil deflation is one of the pressing environmental problems. This problem is typical for mountain pastures that are constantly in economic circulation. The article presents the results of a geobotanical survey of the Zolsky pastures on the territory of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic in 2018-2020. The results of a geobotanical survey show that the pasture phytocenoses are characterized by high floristic diversity due to the heterogeneity of edaphic and orographic factors. The flora of the pastures is represented by postwood moist sedgy-and-tussock-grass, mesophilic woodreed-and-agrostidinic grass, cereal forb, forbs cereal mesophilic and subalpine meadows, low sedgy meadow steppes. The average yield for the pasture period varies from 7.2 to 16.6 centners/ha of dry eaten mass. The consequence of prolonged pasturage and excessive pasture load was a decrease in alpha and beta diversity, the formation of low-productive secondary plant communities of non-food, poisonous and weed grasses, the destruction of sod and soil outcropping. Restoration of degraded pasture ecosystems is possible on the basis of ecological intensification, which provides for the regulation of pasture loads, adherence to grazing terms, phytomelioration using perennial grasses, and short-term isolation of pastures from grazing. This will prevent erosion processes, increase biodiversity, productivity, forage value of grass stand and stability of pasture ecosystems.

Influence of Bison bonasus on flora and vegetation change in Krasnikovsky forestry of “Orlovskoe Polesie” national park

The purpose of the study is to reveal the influence of European bison (Bison bonasus) on flora and vegetation change in Krasnikovsky forestry of “Orlovskoe Polesie” national park. In August-September of 2019, floristic and geobotanical studies of flora and vegetation were carried out at self-feeding stations, in the locations of salt licks, as well as in the bisons’ passage points in Krasnikovsky forestry of “Orlovskoe Polesie” national park. There were identified 142 species of vascular plants of 9 phytocenotic formations according to G. Zozulin’s classification: nemoral, birch forest, helobious grass, alder, boreal-willow, boreal forest, pine forest, meadow and anthropogenic. The number of phytocenotic groups and the percentage of species in each of them varied. A direct relationship was established between the time of self-feeding stations formation and the participation of non-forest species in the corresponding phytocenoses: the earlier self-feeding station was formed, the higher the participation percentage in the coen of non-forest species. When assessing geobotanical descriptions according to the Ramensky’s pasture digression ecological scale it was revealed that the greatest digression degree is observed in the locations of self-feeding stations: from a moderate influence of grazing (semi-pasture stage, 5 points) to a weak influence of grazing (hay stage, 4.5 points). In places adjacent to feeding self-feeding stations, or bisons’ passages, a weak influence of grazing was noted, a haying stage (3.7-4.0 points). In the places solonetzic soil locations, the influence of grazing does not affect (2 points) or there is a weak influence of grazing, haying stage (3-4 points).

INFLUENCE OF OVERGRAZING ON FORBS GRASS STEPPES IN SOUTH DAURIA

The article presents the results of changes in vegetation, in 2012-2020, under the influence of overgrazing. Depletion of the species composition and the succession of predominants to grazing-resistant species (Carex duriuscula, Cleistogenes squarrosa), decrease of the grass stand cover and height, decrease of the litter, were revealed at the transect. The destruction of the sod and the layer of litter leading to water and wind erosion was recorded. The stage of pasture digression was assessed as “strong influence of grazing” and “semi poaching”.

ECOLOGICAL DESERTIFICATION OF THE LANDS OF SOUTHERN RUSSIA

The article deals with one of the most urgent environmental problems of the southern regions of Russia - land desertification. The regions have a high level of degradation of agricultural land, the territories suffer from drought and lack of forests. Desertification and land degradation is a serious issue affecting the Astrakhan Region and the Republic of Kalmykia. This is facilitated by wind erosion, salinity of soils, natural fires. The purpose of the work is to study the current state of soil resources of the arid ecosystem of the South of Russia, to analyze the problem of desertification and pasture digression in the dry-steppe regions of Russia, to determine the impact of various factors on desertification of the Southern Federal District. Conclusions. The ways of solving the issue and options for countering the further advance of the desert are presented.

USE OF LEGUMES FOR ECOLOGICAL RECLAMATION OF STEPPE DEGRADED PASTURES OF KULUNDA

Intensive development of the steppe communities of Kulunda, located in the southern part of the West Siberian lowland in the XX century led to a significant anthropogenic transformation of all steppe ecosystems. Representatives of the legume family, which is the most important component of steppe grasses, have almost disappeared from the grasslands. The research was conducted on the territory of the Mikhailovsky district of the Altai territory, on the lands of LLC KKH «Partner» in the environs of Poluyamki village scince 2013-till present days climatic conditions of dry steppe zone of Western Kulunda. The aim of the work was to evaluate representatives of the legume family for ecological reclamation of Kulunda steppe pastures. The experiment was performed on 2 degraded fenced steppe areas (10 x 10 m) corresponding to the third stage of pasture digression. Winter sowing of legumes was carried out: cicer milk vetch (Astragalus cicer L.), sainfoin milk vetch (A. onobrychis L.), furrowed milk vetch (A. sulcatus L.), bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.), sickle alfalfa (Medicago falcata L.), hop alfalfa (M. lupulina L.) and late spring sowing: cicer milk vetch and sainfoin, bird’s foot trefoil by tapping into the sod. Monthly growth dynamics of sown plants (number of shoots per m2, height, phenology) was recorded, and the feed value of aboveground biomass was established. It was found that the drought-resistant species of alfalfa sickle has a significant biomass, is short-lived in the grass stand and requires re-sowing every 4 years. Hop alfalfa is recommended for improving degraded pastures, but due to its short ontogeny, it needs to be re-sown every three years. Among milk vetches, sainfoil milk vetch is the most promising – a long-rooted, rod-rooted polycarpic that increases its area due to numerous underground rhizomes. The greatest nutritional and energy value was possessed by the phytomass of bird’s foot trefoil and sickle alfalfa.

Anthropogenic impact on the Himalayan marmot population in Nepal

Anthropogenic impact on the Himalayan marmot population in Nepal is discussed. Above the upper border of the forest, human shares the same habitats with marmots on the alluvial terraces of river valleys. Human buildings and farmland lead to fragmentation of the marmot population, and overgrazing leads to pasture digression, worsening the food supply of these rodents. At the same time, people regularly catch marmots with loops, while, in accordance with the criteria of the IUCN Red List, the population of the Himalayan marmot in Nepal should be classified as Endangered (EN) - a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Ecological-floristic characteristics of the specially protected natural area «Kostinskie Loga» (Samara Region)

The paper considers ecological-floristic characteristics of the specially protected natural area Kostinskie Loga, located in the southern part of the Samara Region (Bolshechernigovsky and Bolsheglushitsky Districts). The research area belongs to the subzone of fescue-feather grass steppes. The flora is represented by 240 species of vascular plants belonging to 160 genera, 49 families, 2 classes and 1 division. Ecological-cenotic analysis was used to assess the ecosystem diversity of the nature sanctuary. The leading groups for phytocenotic affinity are identified: steppe (65 species; 27,1%) and meadow-steppe (54 species; 22,5%), which indicates a good preservation of steppe biomes and demonstrates landscape features of the nature sanctuary. The low value of the synanthropization index (15,8%) reflects a moderate level of anthropogenic load. The adventive component of the flora is represented by 30 plant species (12,5%), among which the degree of naturalization is dominated by epecophytes (10,8%), the time of introduction by neophytes (6,7%), the methods of introduction are dominated by xenophytes (27 species; 11,3%). The analysis of flora identified 6 species included in the Black book of Central Russia (Acer negundo, Atriplex tatarica, Cyclachaena xanthiifolia, Hordeum jubatum, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Xanthium albinum). The introduction of alien plants into natural communities occurs due to pasture digression in areas bordering the territory of the nature sanctuary. In general, the degree of anthropogenic transformation of the flora in most of the territory is expressed slightly, the vegetation cover retains natural features inherent in the steppe zone. A high degree of preservation of steppe communities with a significant participation of rare representatives of flora (14,6%) creates prerequisites for the organization of one of the steppe reserve sections of the Samara Region.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VEGETATION CHANGES OF RANGELANDS IN ANTHROPOGENIC LOAD FOR EXAMPLE TSELINNY REGION'S NAYNTAKHINSKOE RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF KALMYKIA

In article the comparative analysis of geobotanical surveys for 1987 and the years 2012-2019 on-site rangeland Tselinny region's Nayntakhinskoe SMO Republic of Kalmykia. It was found that over a 32-year period of time in all 8 key areas there were changes in the direction of deterioration in the following indicators: stages of pasture digression, phytomass, change of dominant species, projective cover of plant communities, indicating the deterioration and irrational use of pastures at the present time.

Monitoring Tree-Shrub, and Meadow Vegetation in the Volga-Akhtuba Floodplain Using Remote Sensing Methods (Based on “Krasnyy Buksir” Range)

The article deals with the assessment of the state of tree-shrub and meadow vegetation by remote sensing methods. The author reveals the reasons of degradation and change of floristic richness of vegetation. These include: trampling of grass cover and forest floor (1), mechanical damage of trees (2), increasing the area of fire pits (3), and littering and contamination of the territory (4). In addition, mowing and grazing have a great influence. The development of the path network leads to changes in water-physical properties of the soil. Changes in the species composition of meadow vegetation indicate an increase in the processes of xerophytization and pasture digression. The article considers various methods of decoding forest plantations. Among them, the method of aerospace research is the most effective. This method makes it possible to assess the state of tree-shrub and meadow vegetation in dynamics and to carry out continuous monitoring. For a greater accuracy of the assessment, Earth remote sensing data are confirmed by on-site studies. Projective coverage has been used as a sign of degradation for the assessment. The level of preservation of plantings has been determined by the area of the canopy of the stand, that is the ratio of the canopy area to the entire area of the plantings. Under the area of the canopy a set of pixels that match the tone assigned to the canopy is understood. Using the methodology given in the article, the author has carried out the vegetation analysis at “Krasnyy Buksir” range. The area of land belonging to different environmental levels has been calculated for this purpose. The author draws the conclusion that the studied site is subject to a significant anthropogenic load and environmental protection measures are strongly necessary in this area.