Potential-Growth Indicators Revisited: Higher Generality and Wider Merit of Indication

The notion of a potential-growth indicator came to being in the field of matrix population models long ago, almost simultaneously with the pioneering Leslie model for age-structured population dynamics, although the term has been given and the theory developed only in recent years. The indicator represents an explicit function, R(L), of matrix L elements and indicates the position of the spectral radius of L relative to 1 on the real axis, thus signifying the population growth, or decline, or stabilization. Some indicators turned out to be useful in theoretical layouts and practical applications prior to calculating the spectral radius itself. The most senior (1994) and popular indicator, R0(L), is known as the net reproductive rate, and we consider two others, R1(L) and RRT(A), developed later on. All the three are different in terms of their simplicity and the level of generality, and we illustrate them with a case study of Calamagrostis epigeios, a long-rhizome perennial weed actively colonizing open spaces in the temperate zone. While the R0(L) and R1(L) fail, respectively, because of complexity and insufficient generality, the RRT(L) does succeed, justifying the merit of indication.

Potential-Growth Indicators Revisited: More Merits of Indication

The notion of potential-growth indicator came to being in the field of matrix population models long ago, almost simultaneously with the pioneering Leslie model for age-structured population dynamics, albeit the term has been given and the theory developed only recent years. The indicator represents an explicit function, R(L), of matrix L elements and indicates the position of the spectral radius of L relative to 1 on the real axis, thus signifying the population growth, or decline, or stabilization. Some indicators turned out useful in theoretical layouts and practical applications prior to calculating the spectral radius itself. The most senior (1994) and popular indicator, R0(L), is known as the net reproductive rate, and we consider two more ones, R1(L) and RRT(A), developed later on. All the three are different in what concerns their simplicity and the level of generality, and we illustrate them with a case study of Calamagrostis epigeios, a long-rhizome perennial weed actively colonizing open spaces in the temperate zone. While the R0(L) and R1(L) fail respectively because of complexity and insufficient generality, the RRT(L) does succeed, justifying the merit of indication.

Syntaxonomy of plant communitiesat the quarriesafter the cuttingsof lichen and green mosspine forests(middle taiga subzone of the European North-East of Russia)

Plant communities of sandy (quarry 3 — 62°05ʹ26ʺ N, 48°43ʹ56ʺ E; 6 — 61°57ʹ35ʺ N, 50°36ʹ22ʺ E) and sandy loam (1 — 62°06ʹ28ʺ N, 48°48ʹ48ʺ E; 2 — 62°06ʹ19ʺ N, 48°48ʹ42ʺ E; 4 — 62°04ʹ36ʺ N, 48°34ʹ55ʺ E; 8d — 61°44ʹ00ʺ N, 50°39ʹ05ʺ E) quarries and the surrounding lichen and green-moss pine forests quarries are charaterized. The research has been performed in the middle taiga subzone of the European North-East of Russia. Floristic classification (Braun-Blanquet, 1964) was made for 91 relevés. The Ellenberg ecological values (Ellenberg, 1974) were used to assess moisture (F), acidity (R) and nitrogen content (N). Ordination was made by NMS approach using ExcelToR software. Plant communities of renewing and young pine stands at the quarries as well as of surrounding middle aged and mature stands are assigned to the alliance Cladonio stellaris–Pinion sylvestris Kielland-Lund ex Ermakov et Morozova 2011 order Pinetalia sylvestris Oberdorfer 1957 class Vaccinio-Piceetea Br.-Bl. in Br.-Bl. et al. 1939 (Ermakov, Morozova, 2011) while communities of meadow succession stage to the union Cynosurion cristati Tx. 1947 order Arrhenatheretalia elatioris class Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Tx. 1937 (Mirkin, Naumova, 2012). Five associations, two subassociations, one variants, two subvarants and one community are established within two classes (among these, two associations. one variants, two subvariants and one community are new). Community Polytrichum piliferum (Table 3, rel. 1–7). DS: Ceratodon purpureus, Cladonia subulata, C. fimbriata, Niphotrichum canescens, Polytrichum piliferum, Salix acutifolia. These are pioneer communities at the second decade stage of succession on sandy substrate. (quarry 3) with recovering Pinus sylvestris tree layer, absence of herb-dwarf shrub layer and. presence of pioneer mosses (Polytrichum piliferum, Ceratodon purpureus), algal crusts, and lichen thalli of Cladonia, Peltigera, and Stereocaulon. Number of species — 32 (13–20). Ass. Polytricho piliferi–Pinetum sylvestris ass. nov. hoc loco (Table 3, rel. 8–30; nomenclature type (holotypus hoc loco) — rel. 18; Fig. 4). DS: Ceratodon purpureus, Cladonia gracilis ssp. turbinata, C. fimbriata, C. subulata, C. verticillata, Niphotrichum canescens, Peltigera malacea, Polytrichum piliferum, Salix acutifolia, Stereocaulon tomentosum. These are renewing pine forests at 3rd and 5th decades of succession with ground cover dominated by pioneer mosses and lichens in sandy quarries 3 and 6, and in the most drained habitats of sandy loam quarries 1, 2, 4 (slopes). Pine canopy density is 0.1–0.3, its height — 3–6 m. Herb-dwarf shrub layer is scarce (1– 10 %), that of moss-lichen is of 20–80 %. Number of species — 111 (27–45). Subass. Deschampsio–Agrostietum tenuis typicum Turubanova 1986. D S : Agrostis tenuis, Deschampsia cespitosa, Galium mollugo, Hieracium umbellatum, Leucanthemum vulgare, Pimpinella saxifraga, Stellaria graminea. These are communities of short meadow succesion stage at the sandy loam quarries 1, 2, 4, 8d. Unlike meadows of abandoned lands and pastures, described by L. P. Turubanova (1986) as subass. Deschampsio–Agrostietum tenuis typicum, the communities on technogenic habitats have lower abundance of meadow species and higher diversity of synanthropic and xerophylous species, as well as tree invasion. This is a reason to establish variant Calamagrostis epigeios (Table 4, Fig. 5) within the subass. typicum. Its DS: Betula pendula/pubescens, Calamagrostis epigeios, Ceratodon purpureus, Chamaenerion angustifolium, Erigeron acris, Pinus sylvestris, Tussilago farfara. Multispecies herb layer is mainly formed by meadow species and weeds (20–80 %). PC of moss layer — 1–50 %. Number of species — 103 (30–41). Duration of meadow stage is responsible for differences between subvariants Amoria hybrida and Trifolium medium. Ass. Polytricho juniperini–Pinetum sylvestris ass. nov. hoc loco (Table 5, nomenclature type (holotypus hoc loco) — rel. 9; Fig. 6). D S : Agrostis tenuis, Amoria repens, Brachythecium salebrosum, Orthilia secunda, Peltigera didactyla, Polytrichum juniperinum, Pyrola media, Trifolium medium, Vicia sepium. These communities are young pine stands at the third decade of succession on sandy loam in quarries 1, 2, 4, 8d. Canopy density of pines — 0.4–0.8, height — 4–8 m. There is a lot of species typical for meadow succession stage in scarce herb layer (5–40 %). as well as an occurrence of forest dwarf shrubs, and few species indicative to ass. Linnaeo borealis–Pinetum sylvestris. Moss-lichen layer (10–60 %) is formed by pioneer species and forest mosses. Number of species — 137 (27–67). NMS-ordination (Fig. 7) and data on substrate preferences of syntaxa as well as information about the duration of recovery process is the reason to built a scheme of vegetation succession in quarries in place of reduced pine trees after the cutting of lichen and green moss pine forests (Fig. 8). Series 1. Community Polytrichum piliferum (F 4.1, N 3.5, R 3.8) → ass. Polytricho piliferi–Pinetum sylvestris (F 4.1, N 3.5, R 4.1) → ??? → subass. Cladonio arbusculae–Pinetum sylvestris typicum (F 3.8, N 2.5, R 2.4). Series 2. Subvar. Amoria hybrida var. Calamagrostis epigeios subass. Deschampsio–Agrostietum tenuis typicum (F 4.4, N 4.8, R 5.4) → subvar. Trifolium medium var. Calamagrostis epigeios subass. Deschampsio–Agrostietum tenuis typicum (F 4.7, N 4.6, R 4.9) → асс. Polytricho juniperini–Pinetum sylvestris (F 4.5, N 3.9, R 4.3) → ??? → ass. Linnaeo borealis–Pinetum sylvestris (F 4.3, N 3.1, R 2.8). Additional studies are necessary to reveal the duration of succession period and intermediate stages of transition from ass. Polytricho piliferi–Pinetum sylvestris and Polytricho juniperini–Pinetum sylvestris to ass. Cladonio arbusculae–Pinetum sylvestris and Linnaeo borealis–Pinetum sylvestris. Thus, the restoration of lichen pine forests of subass. Cladonio arbusculae–Pinetum sylvestris typicum at sandy quarries passes through the stage of pine forests of ass. Polytricho piliferi–Pinetum sylvestris, which is preceded by pioneer vegetation of сommunity Polytrichum piliferum. The restoration of green moss pine forests (ass. Linnaeo borealis–Pinetum sylvestris) at sandy loam quarries passes through the stage of young pine stands (ass. Polytricho juniperini–Pinetum sylvestris), which is preceded by meadows of subvariantas Amoria hybrida and Trifolium medium var. Calamagrostis epigeios subass. Deschampsio–Agrostietum tenuis typicum.

Трав’яне вкриття і запаси лучних кормів для утримання Cervus elaphus L.

Охарактеризовано видовий склад, проективне вкриття, трапляння, рясність та запаси трав’яного вкриття на землях, які вийшли із сільськогосподарського користування в умовах Західного Полісся України. Для можливого створення вольєри та утримання оленя лісового виділено п’ять біотопів: свіжі суходільні луки, вологі луки, сирі луки, зарості верби з очеретом, сільськогосподарські землі (рілля). Наведено характеристику відносного поїдання виявлених видів трав’яних рослин оленем. У межах колишніх сільськогосподарських земель обліковано 71 вид судинних рослин. Найбільшу кількість видів трав відзначено на пробних площах суходільного та вологого лугу, відповідно, 27 і 25 видів. В умовах суходолу за проективним вкриттям переважають п’ять видів рослин, загальне проективне вкриття яких становить 53%. Домінуючими травами вологих лук є Solidago canadensis L., Juncus conglomeratus L., Calamagrostis epigeios (L.) Roth, Deschampsia caespitosa (L.), Phalaroides arundinacea (L.) Rausch. Загальне проективне вкриття панівних трав становить 71%. У верболозах, де ростуть ламка, козяча та сіра верби, а також зрідка трапляється слива, зареєстровано найменше видове різноманіття трав. Тут переважає Phragmites vulgaris Samp., трапляння якого досягає 80%, а проективне вкриття – 60%. Рясність трав’яного вкриття у межах лучної ділянки поступово зменшується від 87% у верболозах до 76% в умовах вологого та 65% – суходільного лугу. У приболотній смузі видова насиченість літньо-осінніх трав становить лише 10 видів з домінуванням гідрофільної рослини Phalaroides arundinacea (L.). В умовах сирого сугруду (болото) та вологого субору (вологі луки) зареєстровано найбільшу масу трав’яних рослин, відповідно 2,5 кг/м2 та 1,3 кг/м2. Найменша маса трав є характерною для свіжого лугу та верболозів із заростями очерету: 0,45 та 1,09 кг/м2. Більшість видів трав’яних рослин, що ростуть у різних досліджуваних лучних біотопах Західного Полісся, поїдають олені і можуть бути використані для забезпечення їхніх кормових потреб у вольєрному розведенні.

Selection of resistant plants for the biotic stage of the recultivation of the dump of the Central concentrating mill "Chervonogradska" (Lviv region)

The properties of the substrate and microclimate conditions were analyzed on various elements of the mesorelief of the dump of Central concentration mill "Chervonogradska". The most adverse conditions were found at the top of the dump and its terraces due to high intensity of lighting, temperature, high content of heavy metals in substrates and their actual acidity. It was shown that Pinus sylvestris L. is a promising species for the biotic recultivation stage for terraces of dumps. We recommended to use perennial grass root species of plants, e.g. Calamagrostis epigeios (L.) Roth and Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., for recultivation a slopes of dumps. The Petasites hibridus L. and Phragmites australis Cav. Trin ex Steud. are offered for the renovation of the bases and microhardness of the dumps with sufficient moisture. The high remediation ability of plants and their affiliation by the environmental groups to heliophytes, thermophiles, acidophiles, oligotrophes and xeromezophytes are the main requirements for reclamation plants on the non-renovated dumps.

The use of herbicides to regulate weeds in forest nurseries and crops in Poland

Weeds competing with seedlings of trees for nutrients, moisture, light and space, drown out their growth in nurseries and forest crops. Currently, in forestry, weed control is mainly carried out in forest nurseries, less often during the preparation of the area intended for afforestation, but sporadically in forest crops. The most important species of weeds threatening seedlings of forest trees include Senecio vulgaris, S. silvaticus, Deschampsia caespitosa, Pteridium aquilinum, Agropyron repens, Calamagrostis epigeios and Equisetum arvense. In Poland, herbicides have the largest share (about 50%) in the sale of plant protection products, but the scale of their use in forests is small, compared to agriculture. In 2012, 915 herbicides were registered in the country, out of which only 14 products (0.5%) were for use in forestry. In the years 1999–2019, 31 herbicides were registered for the protection of forest nurseries and crops, which included 13 active substances belonging to 11 chemical groups, of which 9 active substances have been used up to now. Most herbicides (15–16) were used in the years 2004–2006, the lowest in 1999–2000 and in 2014 (4 products). The most popular active substance has been glyphosate contained in 18 products.

Calamagrostis epigeios (L.) Rotch на разновозрастных золоотвалах Нижнетуринской ГРЭС

В статье представлены результаты изучения ценопопуляций Calamagrostis epigeios (L.) Rotch,произрастающих на разновозрастных золоотвалах Нижнетуринской государственной районной электростанции(НТГРЭС), расположенных в таежной зоне. Изучение пространственной структуры ценопопуляций C. epigeiosпоказало, что на золоотвалах НТГРЭС для данного вида характерен групповой тип распределения побегов. Установлено, что с увеличением возраста ценопопуляций происходит увеличение общей биомассы вида на единицуплощади за счет роста плотности ценобионтов и развития более крупных генеративных побегов. Рост плотностиценобионтов приводит к уменьшению размеров вегетативных побегов. C. epigeios является главным компонентомрастительных сообществ при самозарастании золоотвалов. В экстремальных эдафических условиях данный видформирует устойчивые продуктивные сообщества.