On the specification of the chronostratigraphic scheme of the Buzko-Rosynskyi block of the Ukrainian Shield

In the current correlation chronostratigraphic scheme of early Precambrian of the Ukrainian Shield, among Neoarchean supra crystalline formations of the Buzko-Rosynskyi block, it is identified the Rosynsko-Tikytska series, which consist of the Myzynivska and Lysianska strata and the independent Volodarsko-Bilotserkivska strata, which are located on the same stratigraphic level in the scheme. According to the results of the mapping of metamorphic formations within this block during the geological survey of scale 1:200 000 (articles “Bila Tserkva”, “Uman”, “Lyubashivka”, “Kotovsk”, “Haisyn”, “Skvyra”) it is established these stratas are located in the section in a following order: the lower one is the Myzynivska, the middle one is the Volodarsko-Bilotserkivska and the upper one is the Lysianska and they form a single Rosynsko-Tikytska series. Also, these works did not confirm the presence in the region of the Bilotserkivska group of magnetic anomalies of two-pyroxene schale among the rocks of the Volodarsko-Bilotserkivska strata. This is a sign of their higher metamorphism degree. The hypersthene is present in the area of the Volodarka then only in high-iron rocks. Its presence is associated with a local temperature increase during metamorphism due to the high oxidative ability of iron. This indicates the possibility of its crystallization under conditions of amphibolite facies. A powerful argument in favor of this is the occurrence of a relatively thin carbonate-ferruginous-siliceous strata among thick amphibolite-gneiss and crystalline-schist-amphibolite strata which metamorphosed under amphibolite facies conditions. It indicates the low probability that the metamorphism of the iron ore could occur locally in other conditions. The obtained new data on the composition of the Rosynsko-Tikytska series and the actual stratigraphic sequence of stratas in it, indicates the necessity of making appropriate changes in the current correlation chronostratigraphic scheme of early Precambrian formations of the Ukrainian Shield.

Relationships between landslides and land use changes in the Sanbagawa and Mikabu Belts, Shikoku, Japan

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Changing land use is an increasingly important issue as human habits, behaviors, and needs change. There has been an increase in land and agricultural abandonment in some places of the world. In Japan, movement of the population from rural to urban areas have resulted in much land and agricultural abandonment. In 2016, a land ministry survey showed that 4.1 million hectares of land in Japan had unclear ownership, with farmland making up 16.9% of the total. As vegetation cover changes after land abandonment, this temporal and spatial effect may have important effects on geomorphic processes such as landslide susceptibility and landslide kinematics.</p><p>Here we track long-term land use changes over vegetated landslide areas of the Sanbagawa and Mikabu Belts of Shikoku Island, Japan. The Sanbagawa and Mikabu Belts are metamorphic belts that run across Southwest Japan, and are home to numerous large crystalline schist landslides, including the widely-studied slow but continuously moving Zentoku landslide. Villages and communities have been built on these landslide areas due to historical and cultural factors, as well as the fertility of the soil. Consequently, given the changing land uses including land abandonment in these landslide areas over time, we use long-term high-resolution land cover vegetation datasets to examine first the long-term land use changes, and then use statistical methods to explore their relationships with landslide susceptibility and kinematics. Mapping of spatial data and their analysis using GIS constitute a core part of the research. The results suggest interconnections between land use changes and land movement.</p>

Land Snail Fauna of “Porţile de Fier” (“Iron Gates”) Nature Park (Banat, Romania)

The paper presents an analysis of terrestrial mollusc fauna of the “Iron Gates” Nature Park. Various types of habitats (e.g. forests, rocks, riparian areas) and substrates (e.g. limestone, conglomerate, crystalline schist) were analyzed. A total of 45 species of terrestrial gastropods were identified in 17 sampling points, four of which are mentioned for the first time in the area. Six other species cited in the literature were not found. Limestone substrate allows the development of large populations of terrestrial gastropods, but the specific diversity is larger when it is associated with a forest habitat. The current legal and illegal exploitation of limestone threatens the mollusc communities associated with this type of habitat. The subsequent erosion process and the low mobility of these animals make their colonization of habitats difficult.

Considerations Regarding the Land Snails from the Upper Timiş River Valley (Banat, Romania)

ABSTRACT The paper focuses on land snail fauna from the upper Timiş River valley. The analyzed material originates from seven locations starting with the Trei Ape area (Semenic Mountains) and ending with Petroşniţa (upstream Caransebeş). Samplings were made during one campaign in August 2012. A total of 24 species was identified, belonging to 14 families. The area analyzed exhibits a reduced diversity due to the type of substratum represented by crystalline schist, the conifer dominated vegetation in the mountain area, and the anthropogenic impact of tourism, intensive grazing, cutting of woody vegetation in meadows and waste storage. The presence in Sadova Veche of the species Drobacia banatica, listed on Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive, underlines the importance of riparian habitat preservation for the conservation and dispersion of land snail species.