Assessment of Plant Biodiversity around the Tobolsk Industrial Site

The article presents the results of comprehensive studies of the plant biodiversity near the industrial zone of the city of Tobolsk, Tyumen Oblast, Russia. Nine species of formation communities were identified: Abies sibirica Ledeb, Pineta (sylvestris), Betuleta (pendula), Betuleta (pubescens), Tilieta (cordata), Populeta (tremula), Saliceta, Prata, Emersiherbosa. Also, eleven associations were identified for the studied communities: fir forest with sedges, linden and birch; mixed small-leaved dark coniferous forest with sedges; low-shrub sphagnum pine forest; steppe birch forest; swampy low-shrub sphagnum birch forest; swampy reedgrass birch forest; linden-birch forest; cereal-horsetail-fern aspen forest; aspen forest with grass layer; aspen forest mixed with birch and sedges; mixed birch-aspen forb forest; maturing aspen-birch forest with hygrophilous grasses.

Assessment of the state of coenopopulations Erythronium sibiricum (Fischer et Meyer) Krylov in anthropogenically disturbed areas of Kuzbass

This article presents the results of studies of cenopopulations of the Erythronium sibiricum in the disturbedareas of Kemerovo region. Erythronium sibiricum is a rare plant listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation. To assess the condition of the cenopulations of the studied species in disturbed territories, research was carried out on an oldlimestone quarry (kandyk-sedge birch forest, anthropogenically altered birch-pine forest) and on anthropogenically disturbed meadows. 4 phytocenoses of various compositions have been studied. As a result of research, it was found that inthe kandyk-sedge birch forest Erythronium sibiricum occupies 10 % of the herbaceous cover, in the anthropogenically altered birch-pine forest – 5 %, in anthropogenically disturbed grasslands Erythronium sibiricum occurs singly and makesup less than 1% of the herbaceous cover. Under the forest canopy, the biometric indicators of generative individuals of thisspecies are higher than in meadow communities, where, for example, the length of generative shoots is 6–8 cm less, or generative individuals are absent. No seedlings, senile and dying individuals were found in the age spectrum of Erythroniumsibiricum cenopulations. Reproduction of the species occurs by seed. In the age structure, all cenopulations are left-handed, incomplete, of the normal type.

Ground beetle (Coleoptera, Carabidae) communities as natural indicators of ecosystem restoration on the terminated fly ash dump of the thermoelectric power station (Novosibirsk, Russia)

The aim of the study. The aim of the study was to reveal regularities in the development of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae)’ communities, to determine their species peculiarities as dependent on soil formation rate and soil ecology in the ecosystems developed on the terminated fly ash dump of the thermoelectric power station over nine years of restoration. Location and time of the study. The main object of the study was a terminated fly ash dump No.1 of the thermoelectric power station No.5 in Novosibirsk, Russia. (54°59' NL, , 83°03' EL). Soil samples were collected in 2019, whereas the ground beetles were collected in 2017 and 2019. Methodology. Six study sites, corresponding to the fly ash dump sedimentation zones, were chosen. The undisturbed white birch forest and clover-brome meadow were chosen as controls representing mature climax ecosystems. Soil cover, developing on the fly ash dump after its termination, was described according to the soil classification of technogenic landscapes, and was shown to consist of various types of embryozems (Technosols). Soil water content on each study site was measured in 0–5cm layer by gravimetric method. Soil samples were collected in May 2019. To collect ground beetles five traps were placed on each study site, each trap filled up to 1/3 of its volume with 4% acetic acid for fixing the trapped beetles. The beetles were collected in May–June 1017 and in June–July 2019. The data obtained were used to calculate α-biodiversity indices and perform cluster analysis using PAST v.3.09 software. Main results. Altogether 74 species of the ground beetle we found: 60 species of ground beetles were identified in the revegetating fly ash dump areas, with 48 species found at the sites amended with potentially fertile substrate (PFS), and 35 species found at the sites without PFS addition. The control sites under birch forest and meadow had 14 and 10 species, respectively. Thus the ground beetles’ abundance in the reclaimed area was almost 3 times greater than in the non-reclaimed area (973 specimens vs. 347). Cluster analysis discriminated three groups in the studied fly ash dump sites, namely dry non-reclaimed sites, dry PFS sites and moist sites. Soil cover of the studied fly ash dump was represented by initial, organic matter accumulating, humus-accumulating and sod embryozems (Technosols). Conclusion. Over nine years of spontaneous restoration at the terminated fly ash dump of the thermoelectric power station species rich and abundant communities of ground beetles were formed. These communities differed significantly from those at the adjacent undisturbed climax ecosystems used for comparison. Species richness and dynamic density of ground beetles was shown to increase from the control sites to non-reclaimed sites and PFS-reclaimed sites. The autonomous position in the catena was found to be occupied by the less evolutionary developed embryozem type, whereas downwards along the catena, i.e. with increasing soil moisture content, identified soil types belonged to higher evolutionary order. Therefore technical recultivation with fly ash dump overlaying with potentially fertile substrate or fertile soil allow accelerating soil cover development, as well as the development of an entire biogeocenosis.

Undisturbed Soil Pedon under Birch Forest: Characterization of Microbiome in Genetic Horizons

Vast areas of land in the forest-steppe of West Siberia are occupied by birch forests, the most common ecosystems there. However, currently, little is known about the microbiome composition in the underlying soil, especially along a sequence of soil genetic horizons. The study aimed at inventorying microbiome in genetic horizons of a typical Phaeozem under undisturbed birch forest in West Siberia. Bacteria and fungi were studied using 16S rRNA genes’ and ITS2 amplicon sequencing with Illumina MiSeq. Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria together accounted for two-thirds of the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) numbers and half of the sequences in each genetic horizon. Acidobacteria predominated in eluvial environments, whereas Proteobacteria, preferred topsoil. The fungal sequences were dominated by Ascomycota and Basidiomycota phyla. Basidiomycota was the most abundant in the topsoil, whereas Ascomycota increased down the soil profile. Thelephoraceae family was the most abundant in the A horizon, whereas the Pyronemataceae family dominants in the AEl horizon, ultimately prevailing in the subsoil. We conclude that soil genetic horizons shape distinct microbiomes, therefore soil horizontation should be accounted for while studying undisturbed soils. This study, representing the first description of bacterio- and mycobiomes in genetic horizons of the Phaeozem profile, provides a reference for future research.

MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE AND SOME AGROPHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF SANDY LOAM AND LOAMY GRAY FOREST SOILS OF THE BIE-CHUMYSH UPLAND UNDER THE BIRCH FOREST

The research goal was to study the morphological structure and some agrophysical properties of the gray forest soils of the Bie-Chumysh Upland under a birch forest. The study showed that under the birch forests, loamy and sandy loam soils were formed, belonging to the type of gray forest soils. All studied ag-rophysical characteristics are typical for this type of soil. The morphological structure also corresponds to the type of soil with clear signs of woody vegetation.