Study of the diversity and mapping of xerophytic vegetation of the southeastern coast of Crimea peninsula using remote sensing data

The study of diversity and ecological-phytocenotic mapping of the vegetation cover was carried out at the key area located in the eastern part of the Echki-Dag mountain range in the territory of the Lisya Bay Reserve (Eastern Crimea). A generalization of the classification and ecological patterns of vegetation was carried out to create a legend for a large-scale ecological-phytocenotic cartographic model (at the scale of 1:10000). The ecological-geomorphological series and combinations of xerophytic and mesoxerophytic plant communities indicating erosion-denudation processes on different substrates of the underlying parent rocks were the thematic basis of the cartographic model. The developed legend is based on the units of vegetation of the association rank obtained using the Braun – Blanquet method combined into ecological series in accordance with their position on the gradients of the leading ecological factors as well as on the hierarchy of phytochories determined by the categories of erosion-denudation relief of coastal slopes. The resulting vegetation map demonstrates the main regularities of the regional phyto-diversity and serves as the basis for assessing the resource potential of vegetation, its landscape-stabilizing and nature conservation value.

Changes in status of soil salinity in North Crimea since 2013, as detected by Landsat 8 OLI data

The purpose of this article is to analyze the changes in salinity of arable soils in the north of Crimea peninsula from 2013 to 2019 using Landsat 8 OLI satellite data in order to obtain additional and objective information about the modern state of soil secondary salinization processes. Comparison of the satellite data of 2013 and 2019 showed that in the area of the North-Crimean Canal there is both a slight expansion of the areas of saline soils and their reduction. The expansion of areas is observed mainly in the coastal zones of lakes and estuaries, and the reduction of areas in the fields, irrigation of which in the analyzed period did not stop. Both expansion and reduction of areas with saline soils did not exceed 10% of the study area. There is no evidence that the expansion of areas of saline soils during the analyzed period was due to the cessation of water supply to the North-Crimean canal.

Directions for preservation and popularization of cultural heritage objects of Crimea peninsula

“Everyone is obliged to take care of the preservation of historical and cultural heritage, to preserve historical and cultural monuments” (Article 44 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation). The study is aimed at considering the most promising methods of safekeeping, maintenance, popularization and museum presentation of cultural heritage. When working on the study, the methods of theoretical analysis and synthesis and the analogy method were used. The authors have identified and analyzed applied areas of safekeeping, maintenance, popularization and modern use of cultural heritage objects, namely: monuments of archeology, architecture and urban planning. Various techniques for inclusion of such objects in the modern socio-cultural and architectural-urban context were analysed. Criteria are selected for choosing monuments of architecture, urban planning and archeology for museification, as well as for their introduction into the tourist and recreational infrastructure of the region. Also the scenario of attracting the population, in particular youth, to the problem of preservation of cultural heritage objects is considered. The authors propose improvement of territory and construction of modular youth centers, and organization of cultural and entertainment events (festivals, exhibitions, historical quests, thematic fairs, performances) near or in the territory of the monument protection zones.

Morphological ontogeny, ecology and some biological parameters of Achipteria nitens (Acari: Oribatida: Achipteriidae)

The morphological ontogeny of Achipteria nitens (Nicolet, 1855) from Crimea peninsula is redescribed and illustrated, and ecology and some biological parameters of this species are investigated. The larva of this species has short, thick and barbed setae in and of c-series, and anterior part of prodorsum reticulate, whereas the nymphs have most gastronotal setae of medium size and barbed, except for shorter c3, and shorter, thick and smooth p2 and p3. A key to the larva and nymphs of eight species of Achipteria Berlese, 1885 is provided.

Morphostructures and the sedimentary cover structure of the Western Crimea inner shelf

The results of geophysical and geomorphological works on the Western shelf of the Crimea peninsula (Evpatoria-Balaklava) are presented. The structure of the sedimentary sequence, the bottom topography and paleogeographic reconstructions of the conditions of the western shelf formation in the Late PleistoceneHolocene are considered. Based on the analysis of geoacoustic profiles, the main morphostructures of the shelf are identified and their brief characteristic is given. An abrasion-accumulative complex consisting of an abrasion platform and an associated accumulative clinoform, the formation of which is associated with the coastal line of the Late Pleistocene Black Sea regression to depths of about -90 m, traced from Yevpatoria to Yalta, was selected. On the shelf of the Kalamitsky Bay, fragments of the flooded river network and coastal accumulative forms such as bars were investigated.

The first interception of Agapanthiola leucaspis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in Western Ukraine and remarks on its biogeography and bionomy

Agapanthiola leucaspis is a steppic the long horn beetle widely distributed from Pannonian Plane in Europe to Mongolian Plateau in Asia. A. leucaspis previously was known only from the Pontic Steppe Region in Ukraine, which includes both Crimea Peninsula and Ukrainian Mainland. Here we reported the first record of A. leucaspis in Western Ukraine. We assume that A. leucaspis expands its areal northward in the light of the current climatic changes. We analyzed global geographical range of A. leucaspis and estimated current borders of its areal. We also summarized data on A. leucaspis Bionomy including food plants, habitats and life circle.

THE GEOMORPHOLOGY AND HISTORY FORMATION OF WESTERN SHELF OF CRIMEA

The article considers results of geophysical and hydrographical working on The Western Shelf of Crimea peninsula (Evpatorya-Balaklava). The questions of formation lithology of sedimentary layer, relief bottom and palaeogeographical reconstruction are regarding.