UAV survey of sand knolls in the Tsasucheysky Bor Nature Reserve

The paper examines development of sand knolls under the influence of climatic and anthropogenic factors in Southern Zabaykalye within the territory of Tsasucheysky Bor nature reserve. The sand knolls were studied on-site with instruments and aerial surveying. Grain size distribution of the soil cover was studied. The floristic composition of the sand knolls represented by motley grass-grasses and herbs-grasses steppe communities with varying degrees of projective cover was investigated. The analysis of the field survey data from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) made it possible to obtain the main morphometric parameters of the sand knolls, and overlaying aerial photographs on historic satellite images allowed to trace how they changed in time. The studies showed that the movement of the studied sand knolls with time as Aeolian formations under the influence of wind erosion is unlikely, as the sand knolls are currently mostly covered by steppe vegetation, and only about 20% of the areas are bare. The analysis of satellite images and aerial photographs showed that over the last twenty years the sand knolls had not moved or changed their size.

INFLUENCE OF LONG-TERM APPLICATION OF FERTILIZERS ON BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF HAYFIELD PHYTOCENOSIS AND THE QUALITY OF THE RECEIVED FODDER

In the Federal Williams Research Center of Forage Production and Agroecology in 1947 the study of the effectiveness of mineral and organic fertilizers was started. For 74 years of using the herbage without re-sowing, the features of succession variability have been revealed. There was a reformation of the seeded legume-grass herbage into two types: low grass-legume-motley grass against the background of the use of one- and two-component mineral fertilizers and manure (regressive succession) and grass-motley grass with the application of complete mineral fertilizer with high doses of nitrogen (progressive succession). On the herbage of the first type, the predominant species is the introduced species — red fescue (43.8–75.4%), on the herbage of the second type — high grasses (meadow foxtail, cocksfoot, awnless brome). The reformation of the herbage did not lead to a decrease in yield. Over the past 28 years (average for 1993–2020), the yield of herbage with regressive succession exceeded the control (3.3 t/ha dry matter) by 1.1–1.9 times, with progressive succession by 1.9–2.6 times. The annual consumption of nitrogen by grasses in the control was 54 kg, P2O5 — 14 kg, K2O — 46 kg. The application of one- and two-component mineral fertilizer and manure increases the consumption of nitrogen by 1.1–2.4 times, phos-phorus — by 1.3–3.1 times, potassium — by 1.3–3.6 times, the application of complete mineral fertilizer, respectively, in 2.3–3.5, 2.9–3.9 and 2.4–3.9 times. The quality of the received feed for the content of crude protein, crude fiber and crude ash on both types of herbage met the requirements of standard for the first and second class. The content of mineral elements also met the zootechnical standards.

The European hamster (Cricetus cricetus) in Podillia: description of a new settlement and the finding of a melanistic form

The material for the writing of this article is based on the observation of animals hunted by domestic cats. The hamsters were immobilized and killed by the predators mostly by biting through the spine at the back of the neck. Regarding the dispersal of melanistic forms, it has been established that today the boundary of the Podillia segment of the species’ range is much further to the west of the point determined by V. Samosh (1978), which suggests the idea about the expansion of the distribution range of melanistic variants. The results of the study of quantitative parameters of the hamster population show that the density of inhabited burrows and the activity of their use decrease from perennial grasses, crops, and motley grass crops to gardens and areas overgrown by weeds. A colony of this rodent was found on the banks of the Strypa River as well.

HERBAL ECOSYSTEMS IN AGROLANDSCAPES VALUYKI DISTRICT OF SOUTH RUSSIAN PROVINCE STEPPE ZONE OF CENTRAL BLACK EARTH REGION OF RUSSIA

The characteristic of the spread of herbal ecosystems in the agrolandscapes of the Valui district of the South Russian province of the steppe zone of the Central Black Earth of Russia is given. Tramped pastures (with narrow-leaved bluegrass, sheep fescue, motley grass) predominate on the site of the indigenous (rich-motley grass, sheep fescue, feather-grass) Donetsk and middle-Don steppes.

Vitality structure of cenopopulations Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. under the conditions of Krolevets-Hlukhiv geobobotanical region

The research results of the vitality structure of coenopopulations of Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. of various habitats on bottomland meadows of Krolevets-Hlukhiv geobotanical region are represented. The researches have been run since 2014 till 2019. The population analysis was used for six cenopopulations Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall. They formed in the cenoses with dominating such species as Festuca pratensis Huds., Elytrigia repens L., Phleum pratense L., Artemisia vulgaris L., Achillea submillefolium Klokov & Krytzka, Chelidonium majus L., Convolvulus arvensis L. The set of methods was used for statistical and mathematical processing of primary morphometric data. Based on the results of correlation and factor analysis, as key morphoparametres that determine vitality of M. officinalis individuals were selected: phytomass of the individual (W, g ), height (H, sm), and area of the leaf surface (A, sm2). These figures are part of different correlation pleades, high variation and show a high factor loads. All key morphometric parameters mentioned above were used for the determination of the correlation of various individuals of the vitality of plants in every species populations. The quality population index (Q) was performed as an integral evaluation index of the vitality population. With the help of this index all populations were divided into three categories: prosperous, balanced or depressive. The value of the quality index of the researched populations varied from 0.1000 to 0.5000, so they reached their maximum. Also, in one of the thriving populations (from the cenosis Elytrigietum (repentis) artemisiosum (vulgaris)), were represented only individuals of the highest (class “a”) vitality. It should be noticed that both thriving populations formed in phytocenoses with the dominance of cereals and the co-domination of motley grass. Based on the results of vitality analysis, it was found that populations from the conenoses of Elytrigietum (repentis) alchemillosum (submillefolium), Elytrigietum (repentis) artemisiosum (vulgaris). And populations from the conenoses of Festucetum (pratensis) elytrigiosum (repenstis) and Chelidonietum (majus) convolvulosum (arvensis) with the value of the quality index Q 0.2000 and 0.2333 can be considered as potential localities for harvesting of medicinal plants. Also, it should be noticed that the last two populations require particularly detailed monitoring of their population structure. The use of these populations must be stopped in the case of the shortening of their population quality index or other characteristics.

DETERMINATION OF HONEY GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN ACCORDING TO ITS ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION BY THE METHOD OF X-RAY FLUORESCENCE

The aim of the research was to determine features of the elemental composition of polyfloral honey from the Odessa region (Ukraine) by the method of x-ray fluorescence for using these features in the geographic marking of the region of honey origin. A choice of honey from the Odessa region is explained by its relatively good ecology, optimal maritime climate and enough motley grass resources for gathering nectar by bees. At the same time the Odessa region occupies the fourth place among regions – honey producers in Ukraine with a right to export honey beyond the country with specific weight 10 % from the total export of this product. 11 samples of fresh honey and 14 samples of honey, stored during one year were studied as to the content of 22 mineral elements. The elemental analysis of honey was realized on the energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescent spectrometer ElvaX Light SDD. Each sample was studied for 5 times. The obtained results were statistically processed by the standard methodology. The determination distinctness of mass shares of metals is no worse than 0,1 %. Limits of finding admixtures of heavy metals in the light matrix are no worse than 1 ppm. The studies were realized during 2016-2017. It has been established, that lyophilization of honey doesn’t essentially influence determination parameters of the elemental composition of honey by the method of x-ray fluorescence. The analysis of energy-dispersive spectrums of mineral elements determined that marker elements for honey from the Odessa region are Cl, K, Ca, that prevail among other studied mineral elements. There has been established the typical intensity of a signal of energy-dispersive spectrums for Cl, K, Ca of honey from the Odessa region that correspond to the following values: for fresh honey Cl from 27075 to 29429; K from 47 296 to 41 546; Ca from 7572 to 6928; for honey, stored during one year: Cl from 40383 to 37044; K from 43 589 to 42 591;Ca from 15495 to 10006. These parameters may serve as markers for honey from the Odessa region. At the same time the obtained results may be used for controlling the quality of natural honey by its element composition for identifying a geographic place of origin.

THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING AND EFFICIENCY OF NEW FAUNAL AREAS IN THE NORTH KAZAKHSTAN REGION

В статье анализируется эффективность создания Аксуатского и Акжанского зоологических за- казников в северной (разнотравно-злаковой) степи Се- веро-Казахстанской области, сочетающих степные и водные биотопы, которые были призваны, на перспективу, если не восстановить, то хотя бы стабилизировать состояние животного мира рассматриваемых ООПТ. Од- нако динамика численности животных и птиц за 2013–2017 гг. свидетельствует об их колеблемости и практи- чески полной зависимости от природно-климатических факторов, даже в состоянии «консервации» ландшаф- тов в режиме заповедования. На основе вышеизложенного сделано предположение, что природоохранные меры в новых заказниках носят преимущественно паллиативный характер и не сыграли сколь-нибудь значительной роли в стабилизации созологической репрезентативности видов животных рассматриваемых ООПТ, кроме по- пуляции сурка-байбака. The article analyzes the effi ciency of Aksuatsky and Akzhansky faunal areas creation in the northern (motley-grass) steppe of the North Kazakhstan region, combining steppe and water biotopes which were intended if not to restore then at least to stabilize the condition of fauna in the considered Special Protected Natural Areas. However, change in the number of animals and birds during the period of 2013–2017 testifi es the unsteadiness and almost total dependence on natural climatic factors, even being in a state of landscape “conservation” in the reserved mode. Based on the above it has been assumed that the environmental protection measures in the new faunal areas are predominantly palliative, but they have not made any signifi cant contribution to the stabilization of sozological representativity of animals, except of groundhog-baybak, that are being considered by the Special Protected National Areas.

Succession and features distribution plant associations in row of railways

ROW is a specific man-made landscape, in which the processes of change occur in its direction and intensity. Erosion processes, in particular the processes of water erosion of soil, lead not only to changes in the soil, but the plant through changes in soil fertility, nutrient richness, and by changing moisture exchange, structure and texture of soils. The main characteristics of flora undergo structural, quantitative and other changes. Vegetation characteristics, composition of plant associations, the speed and direction of succession, from the initial stage of overgrown weeds and ruderal vegetation to sustainable tree and shrub communities also modify. An ecological and geomorphological zoning shows the prevalence of the most eroded soils in the vicinity of the web. The regularity according to which in most habitats anthropogenic disturbed grow motley-grass-wheatgrass association with a reduction of anthropogenic load becomes dominant forb meadow-grass association. The role of indication of Eletrygia repens L. was also identified as an indicator of habitat disturbance.

SUCCESSIONAL TRANSFORMATION OF FALLOW RECLAIMED LANDS AGROPHYTOCENOSIS IN THE NORTH-WEST OF RUSSIA UNDER AGROTECHNOGENIC IMPACT CONDITIONS

It was determined during the study that a technogenic succession of perennial gramineous motley grass phytocenosis took place on reclaimed agricultural lands near mining company. The goal of a study was to estimate the shift in botanical composition and productivity of perennial agrophytocenosis on reclaimed fallow soils under aerial technogenic influence in Karelia. Over the last three years perennial gramineous herbs (Bromopsis inermis L., Phleum pratense L.) and motley grass (Urtica dioica L., Anthriscus sylvestris L., Chamaenerion angustifolium L.) are dominant in phyto-association. As we move away from mining location (100, 200, 300 meters) a gradual natural shift in vegetation takes place. The quantity of gramineous herbs decreases (from 77,8 to 42,9%) and the quantity of motley grass increases (from 21,2 to 56,8%) as compared to a control plot (16,5 and 82,9% accordingly). Low level of rainfall at the first half of summer, which is normal for Karelian climate, presence of polluting substances in soil and on surface caused substantial decline in growth of valuable fodder such as Bromopsis inermis (linear indicator 20,7 – 31,8 centimeters) as compared to background conditions (40,2 centimeters). Also, the mentioned above circumstances caused increase of total yield of perennial grass (13,2 – 16,4 – 22,0 tons per hectare; background – 28,0 tons per hectare) as we move away from mining location.