Landscape-climatic features of the reforestation dynamics pyrogenically transformed geosystems of the Tunkinskaya depression

In order to identify the features of the dynamics of the soil temperature regime during the post-fire restoration of the subtaiga light-coniferous geosystems of the Tunkinskaya depression, a study of the demutation processes in the pine forests of the Badar urochishche was conducted. Our research is based on the data of observations initiated after the fire that took place in 2010. The model key areas were selected at intact landscape complexes that did not experience pyrogenic influence, as well as the territory subjected to forest fires. Comparing the dominant composition of secondary succession biocenoses with natural plant communities in the background key area, indicators of the prospects for successful reforestation were identified. The analysis of 10-year data on the observation of the soil temperature regime from the surface to a depth of 3.2 m was carried out at the selected sites. The differences between the soil temperatures in the disturbed and natural sites, which vary during a year were revealed. During the observation period, a decrease in microclimatic differences was observed with the regeneration of vegetation cover, which indicates the restoration of the temperature regime in the pyrogenic-disturbed area.

Specific Heat and Volumetric Heat Capacity of Some Saudian Soils as affected by Moisture and Density

The ability to monitor soil heat capacity is an important mean in managing the soil temperature regime, which in turn, affects its ability to store heat. The effect of water content and bulk density on the specific heat and volumetric heat capacity of two Saudian soils (sand and loam) was investigated through laboratory studies. These laboratory experiments used the calorimetric method to determine specific heat of soils. For the type of soils studied, specific heat increased with increased moisture content. Also, volumetric heat capacity increased with increased moisture content and soil density. Volumetric heat capacity ranged from 1.55 to 3.50 for loam and from 1.06 to 3.00 MJ/m3 / o C for sand at moisture contents from 0 to 0.20 (kg/kg) and densities from 1200 to 1400 kg/m3 . Specific heat ranged from 1140 to 2090 for loam and from 800 to 1530 J/kg/ oC for sand at moisture contents from 0.01 to 0.20 (kg/kg) and soil density of 1200 kg/m3 . The volumetric heat capacity and specific heat of soils observed in this study under varying moisture content and soil density were compared with independent estimates made using derived theoretical relations. The differences between the observed and predicted results were very small. Loam soil generally had higher specific heat and volumetric heat capacity than sandy soil for the same moisture content and soil density.

The eastern boundary of the geographic range of the Pallas’ spadefoot Pelobates vespertinus (Anura, Amphibia) is limited by overwintering temperatures

We studied the relationship between the geographic distribution of the Pallas’ spadefoot (Pelobates vespertinus) and the soil temperature regime at the eastern boundary of this species’ range (south-western West Siberia and northwest Kazakhstan). This species overwinters underground, burrowing down to 1.5 m or deeper and has poor frost tolerance – it is unable to withstand temperatures below 0 °C, therefore, the temperature at its overwintering depth has to be above zero. A cartographic approach to identifying the distribution of zero isotherms was used. Winter soil temperatures at depths of 80 cm, 120 cm, 160 cm and 240 cm were plotted, based on deep soil thermometer data and the outline of the spadefoot’s range was compared with close-to-zero isotherms in deep soil. Within the range of this species, the depth of the position of zero isotherms increases eastwards: from 80 cm in European Russia, to more than 160 cm in the south-west of Western Siberia. The eastern boundary of the species’ range lies in the forest-steppe, steppe and semi-desert zones in the Tobol-Ishim interfluve and further south, on the left bank area of the Turgai River. This boundary clearly coincides with the zero isotherm, which lies here at a depth of 160 cm, forming an impermeable barrier to the spadefoot’s distribution.

THE DURATION OF THE GROWING SEASON AND THE INTERPHASE PERIODS OF SOYBEAN VARIETIES DEPENDING ON THE TIMING OF SOWING AND SEEDING RATES

The results of studies of the duration of interphase periods and vegetation of soybean varieties of different groups of ripeness depending on the sowing time according to the soil temperature regime of 6°C, 8 °C, 10 °C, 12 °C, and seed rates of 600, 700,800 and 900 thousand pieces per 1 ha were conducted. Weather conditions are analyzed and the influence of the studied factors on the features of the formation of linear plant sizes and generative organs and productivity is studied. It was found that the duration of interphase periods, depending on the timing of sowing over soil temperature conditions, was longer in the early stages and decreased according to an increase in the rate of sowing seeds and sowing at a later date, while the total duration of the growing season and individual interphase periods is determined by the genetic characteristics of soybean varieties of different ripeness groups. The conclusions are made according to the results of the research and have scientific and applied value for the producers in cultivation of soybeans in the conditions of the Forest Steppe of the Right Bank.

Transformation of the relief of territories of development of gas mining deposits of the Taza peninsula

The article discusses the natural conditions of the territory of the Taz peninsula in order to highlight the main natural factors in the transformation of the relief. Special attention is paid to the characteristics of permafrost and cryogenic processes and phenomena observed in this area. The characteristic of geological rocks that make up this territory is given. The influence of the hydrometeorological conditions of the Taz Peninsula is estimated. The main factors of the natural environment that determine the formation of a layer of seasonal melting are: the lithological composition and properties of soils, vegetation cover, topography, surface drainage. The main factor determining the heterogeneity of the soil temperature regime is the spatial unevenness of the snow cover thickness in this area depending on the microrelief of the region and vegetation. The influence of the anthropogenic factor on the transformation of the relief is substantiated. Three categories of violations were identified: areal (occurs during the development of fields and the construction of industrial transport facilities and other types of infrastructure); linear (when laying transport communications); and linear area (in the construction of industrial and residential facilities and a network of transport communications). The most common geomorphological processes on the territory of the Taz peninsula, activating the anthropogenic factor, are soil freezing and thermokarst caused by cryogenic processes, landslide processes and erosion, and more rarely deflation. The development of mineral deposits on the territory of the Taz Peninsula is accompanied by the construction of infrastructure for exploration and production, transportation facilities (pipelines, roads, power lines), and industrial and residential facilities. All these types of anthropogenic impact create pressure on the environment and its transformation, especially in conditions of weak stability of geosystems. Geological cryological zoning of the territory for the development of gas pipeline routes has been proposed. Priority activities in developed areas should include: recultivation of disturbed areas - restoration of damaged soil and vegetation cover, natural and geological environment, engineering and geocryological zoning, designed to develop plans for the development of the territory.