Habitat Integrity in Protected Areas Threatened by LULC Changes and Fragmentation: A Case Study in Tehran Province, Iran

The integration and connection of habitats in protected areas (PAs) are essential for the survival of plant and animal species and attaining sustainable development. Investigating the integrity of PAs can be useful in developing connections among patches and decreasing the fragmentation of a habitat. The current study has analyzed spatial and temporal changes to habitat to quantify fragmentation and structural destruction in PAs in Tehran Province, Iran. To achieve this purpose, the trends in land use/land cover (LULC) changes and the quantitative metrics of the landscape ecology approach have been examined. The results revealed that in Lar National Park, low-density pasture has the top increasing trend with 4.2% from 1989 to 2019; in Jajrud PA, built-up has the top increasing trend with 1.5% during the studied years; and among the land uses in TangehVashi Natural Monument, bare land has the top increasing trend with 0.6% from 1989 to 2019. According to the findings, habitat fragmentation and patch numbers have expanded in the studied areas due to the development of economic and physical activities. The results also indicate that the current trend of habitat fragmentation in PAs will have the highest negative impacts, especially in decreasing habitat integrity, changing the structure of patterns and spatial elements, and increasing the edge effect of patches.

Vegetation of the natural monument “Urochishche Kuzilinka” and its surroundings (Orel region)

The article describes the calciphytic steppe communities located in the territory of the natural monument “Urochische Kuzilinka” and its surroundings (Orel region). The communities were assigned to the association Onosmato simplicissimae–Salvietum nutantis Averinova ass. nov. That unit was included in the sub-union Bupleuro falcati–Gypsophilenion altissimae Averinova 2005 (union Festucion valesiacae Klika 1931, order Festucetalia valesiacae Soó 1947, class Festuco–Brometea Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Soó 1947) on the basis of a diagnostic species analysis. The new association was characterized. Results of the ordination analysis of leading environmental factors for the described communities are provided.

Analysis of changes in biological diversity within the boundaries of the nature monument “Serebryany Bor” on the example of rare and protected animal species

The data on the analysis of changes in the number of rare species of birds, mammals and reptiles living within the boundaries of the specially protected natural territory - the natural monument Serebryany Bor for 2018-2020 is presented. The research used the method of visual accounting, winter route accounting, the method of route accounting of birds by E.S. Ravkin. As a result, rare species of animals listed in the Red Book were found, which indicates the biological diversity of the studied territory and justifies the need to use environmental measures within its borders to preserve rare species in the future.

Taxonomic and ecological analysis of flora at locality „Djavolja Varoš“ (South Serbia)

Djavolja Varoš, one of the most atractive natural geological formations of errosive origin in Serbia, is situated in the south of the country, and protected by national legislation as a Natural Monument. The taxonomic and ecological analysis of flora in this area has not been processed yet, so we performed a survey of flora in this locality. Plant species were collected, herbarized, and taxonomic and biological spectrum analyses were conducted. This field study revealed that the vascular flora of the study area was made up of 130 constituent species, which belonged to 81 genera and 41 families. The biological spectrum of the flora is characterised by high presence of hemicryphytes (38%) and geophytes (20%).

Stability Assessment and Geomorphological Evolution of Sea Natural Arches by Geophysical Measurement: The Case Study of Wied Il-Mielah Window (Gozo, Malta)

The Wied il-Mielaħ Window (Gozo–Malta) is a limestone natural arch on the north-western coast of the island of Gozo in Malta. It is located at the end of the Wied il-Mielaħ valley north of the village of Għarb. This natural arch is less well known than the Azure Window, which collapsed in March 2017 following a heavy storm, but notwithstanding, it is an imposing and important natural monument too. In the past, the Wied il-Mielah valley was responsible for discharging wastewater from the surrounding localities to the Mediterranean directly at the Wied il-Mielah Window. The sewage flag was often clearly visible underneath the archway into the open sea. The natural features of the arch provide an outstanding touristic attraction. To avoid what happened to the Azure Window, a methodology for the evaluation of the collapse hazard, combining passive seismic, ground penetrating radar (GPR), geological/geomorphological surveys and mine engineering methods, is here proposed. In this study, a methodological approach was applied, based on the following: (i) passive seismic method to study the physical–mechanical characteristics of the rock mass that constitutes the window; (ii) GPR method in order to demonstrate the conservation state (i.e., the intensity of fracturing); (iii) geological/geomorphological surveys in order to obtain a crack pattern; and (iv) scaled span empirical analysis in order to evaluate the stability of the arch. The calculation of the safety factor, with a static method, gave a value equal to 3.75 with a probability of collapse of the marine arch within 50 and 100 years.

Sustainable Management of Very Large Trees with the Use of Acoustic Tomography

This manuscript summarizes the process by which large trees are protected in Poland, how they gain protected status, and the use of acoustic tomography to assess the structural soundness of five individual trees. The authors discuss tree stressors and tree care options, and how the outcome of each assessment was used in the decision-making process. Moreover, the use of acoustic tomography as an assessment tool helps to gain public acceptance for the assessment. In sustainable development, there is talk of the conscious management of urban vegetation, and specifically tree populations in the city. In line with sustainable development, actions are taken to manage the existing natural resources, e.g., historic trees, properly. Thanks to using an acoustic tomograph, it is possible to diagnose old tree specimens, take care of the safety of people and property near the natural monument, and to test candidates for their eligibility as monuments. Thanks to the research presented, it was ordered that one poplar tree be left and observed in Lublin, that two linden trees be cut down in Sandomierz and Lublin, that arborist works consisting of lowering the height of a linden tree in Sandomierz be undertaken, and that monument protection be applied for an ash tree in Łęczna. A visual tree assessment (VTA) was the starting point for this research. Each of the trees could endanger the safety of site users, and the diagnostics performed using sound waves were crucial in assessing their health condition. Our results highlight that acoustic tomography is an essential diagnostic method applicable to trees belonging to cultural heritage, such as old trees, and is effective in preventive tree management through the monitoring of mid- to long-term changes in internal decay or cavities that are difficult to diagnose with the naked eye.

Paleontological monument of nature “Mamontova Gora” exposure (Yakutia, Eastern Siberia, Russia)

The Mamontova Gora (“Mammoth Mountain”) exposure is the Neogene – Pleistocene key section of Siberia. This outcrop is located in the lower reaches of the Aldan River, 325 km above its mouth and extends for almost 12 km. It consists of an 80-meter structural plateau (80-meter terrace), 50- and 30-meter alluvial terraces. Sediments from the Middle Miocene (16-10 Ma) to the Upper Pleistocene are exposed on the 80-meter terrace. The basement of the 50-meter terrace is composed of Middle Miocene sediments, overlain by Pleistocene sediments. On a younger 30 m terrace, the deposits are dated from the Upper Pliocene to the Upper Pleistocene. The Mamontova Gora outcrop is one of the richest localities of the Neogene flora of Eurasia. There are numerous finds of remains of Miocene evergreen and thermophilic plants (tree stumps, leaf imprints, cones, nuts, seeds). More than 250 genera of fossil plants have been found on Mamontova Gora. This outcrop is also well known to paleontologists due to the abundance of bone remains of mammals of the Middle Pleistocene (early type mammoth, eastern horse, broad-fronted moose, long-horned bison) and Late Pleistocene (representatives of the mammoth fauna: woolly mammoth, woolly rhinoceros, Lena horse, reindeer, saiga-antelope, steppe bison, Arctic fox, wolverine, cave lion, etc.). It was revealed that the ancient frozen sediments on the Mamontova Gora outcrop abound with viable microorganisms and traces of their vital activity. A strain of microbe Bacillus sp. was isolated from ~ 2 - 3 Ma permafrost layers of this outcrop. A large group of microorganisms including fungi was isolated from the ancient ice wedge. Pleistocene permafrost deposits contain invertase, urease, catalase and dehydrogenase enzimes. Mamontova Gora is a unique geological object in Russia. By the decree of the Council of Ministers of the Yakutia Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic of 18.02.1987 No. 56 Mamontova Gora was given the status of a “natural monument” and a specially protected natural area of regional significance. The article presents the main results of studies of ancient flora and faunas of Mamontova Gora.

State of the relict species Abies sibirica Ledeb. in the natural monument «Sinegorskaya fir grove» (Koktau mountains)

The article presents the results of studies of Siberian fir (Abies sibirica Ledeb.) in the natural monument «Sinegorskaya fir grove». In order to study the current state and development of the relict population field expeditions were conducted. By route-reconnaissance method the main occupied areas of the population on Mountain Medvedka were observed: the eastern, northern and western slopes, as well as two peaks. The studied population is represented by all age groups. There are 3 main types of A. sibirica Ledeb. phytocenoses: birch-fir (Betula pendula Roth, A. sibirica Ledeb.), fir (A. sibirica Ledeb.) and fir-aspen (Populus tremula L., A. sibirica Ledeb.). Parameters such as the height of mature trees, annual growth, length of young needles and the amount of young undergrowth have been determined. It has been established that the regeneration of the species directly depends on the type of phytocenosis. Based on the results of observations of the state, renewal and dispersal of Siberian fir only birch-fir communities are characterized by optimal conditions. In communities with aspen the species is severely oppressed. Diseases and pests were found in clean plantations. The limiting factors for the species are xerophytization of the habitat and the lack of sufficient soil layer. As additional protection measures to increase regeneration artificial re-sowing of seeds and planting of fir seedlings were suggested. Constant monitoring of the state of the population was proposed.

Starunya: from geological monument to nature UNESCO geopark

One of the natural wonders of Prykarpatya is the village Starunia – with embalmed in ozokerite and well-preserved carcasses of mammoths and hairy rhinos and an active mud volcano, will undoubtedly delight us with new exploratory discoveries in the field of geology, paleontology and archeology. It is possible that here, together with large fossil mammals of the Ice Age, the remains of hunters on them – our ancestors Cro-Magnons – could be preserved. This discovery would have, without the slightest exaggeration, an international dimension. Therefore, it is necessary to continue the comprehensive study of Starunia, to promote it among environmentalists, scientists, students and schoolchildren. All this develops a love for native nature, encourages the preservation of its unique objects and historical and cultural heritage.The preparation of "Starunia" for the UNESCO World Geoparks Network by specialists of the Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas (IFNTUNG) in accordance with UNESCO requirements is highlighted by UNESCO Geoparks Program.According to these requirements to give the geological monument of nature "Starunia" the status of "geopark" it is necessary to study and give a standard description of all components of the environment: geological environment and endogeodynamic processes, relief (geomorphosphere) and dangerous exogeodynamic processes, hydro- and atmosphere, soil and plants cover, social environment, technosphere and their anthropogenic changes; assess the current environmental situation and develop environmental protection measures. This is not yet the case.In order to further study "Starunia" in IFNTUNG developed Regional Comprehensive Program for 2022–2023 "Starunia: from a natural monument to the geopark of the Ice Age", which was transferred to the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration and the Regional Council.Thus, the world-famous geological natural monument of national importance "Starunia" deserves a separate national program and shorter deadlines for its implementation, which would allow including "Starunia" in the world network of UNESCO geoparks.