Динамика хозяйственного освоения Посурья в I тысячелетии н.э. Часть 1: данные стратиграфического анализа пойменных и балочных отложений

The article summarizes the results of a comprehensive landscape-archaeological study of the dynamics of human-environmental interaction in the Middle Sura region during the first millennium AD. The data resulted from the study of the River Sura floodplain at the former confluence of the Sura and the Malaya Sarka. The analysis of the sediments and buried soils indicates that the period between the first millennium BC and the first millennium AD saw a series of climatic cycles changing each other, with the floodplain periodically being available for various types of economic development. The Early Iron Age (first millennium BC – 2nd–3rd centuries AD) saw the formation of grey forest soils in the part of the floodplain under study. During this period, the area remained uninhabited, while the population was involved in the development of the elevated terraces and riverbanks. In contrast, in the second quarter of the first millennium AD the floodplain covered at the time by broadleaf forest had the most favorable conditions for settlement; the area was developed by the population that belonged to the Middle Volga variant of the Kiev culture. Their economic activity resulted in the gradual deforestation of the floodplain, with meadow landscapes arising instead of the forest. The second half of the 5th century saw drastic intensification of the floods and an increased runoff. The sites assigned to this period represent the developed stage of the Imen´kovo culture; these were located on the elevated terraces. The new stage of low flooding dates to the medieval period (8th–13th centuries), the soils bearing traces of steppe formation and subsequent development of the floodplain. Later, in the late Middle Age and the early Modern period, tillage shifted to watersheds and intensified, while the accumulation of layered alluvial deposits on the floodplain started again, with frequent and intense floods taking place. The study of the dynamics of the moistening of the Sura floodplain is asynchronous with the data of other studied regions of the Russian Plain, which raises the question of a relationship between the availability of floodplains for economic development and migration processes.

Oak forests of the alliance Scutellario altissimae–Quercion roboris Goncharenko et al. 2020 in the South of the European part of Russia

The article describes a new association of meso-xerophylous forests in the South of the European part of Russia Poo nemoralis–Quercetum roboris ass. nov. hoc loco, its differentiation from analogous syntaxa is discussed, and new data on the distribution of communities of the alliance Scutellario altissimae–Quercion roboris Goncharenko et al. 2020 on the Russian Plain are done. Vegetation classification was carried out by J. Braun-Blanquet approach based on 470 relevés of forest vegetation, collected by the author in 2007–2021 in the northern and central parts of Rostov, Voronezh and Volgograd Regions. In addition, the analysis included 777 relevés from the phytocenary made by G. M. Zozulin in the same regions in 1960–1980s. Based on the studies carried out, the current area of the alliance can be expanded to the lower reaches of the Don River. For a more adequate reflection of the floristic, ecological and geographical features of its communities, it was proposed to change the composition of the diagnostic species of the alliance and it was recommended to amend the current definition of the order Quercetalia pubescenti-petraeae, expanding its area to Eastern Europe.

Vascular plant occurrences in grasslands of Central Forest Nature Reserve (Russia): a dataset

Here we present the sampling event dataset that contributes to studying the flora of grasslands in Central Forest State Nature Biosphere Reserve (part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves), Tver Oblast, Russia. The Reserve is located in the SW part of the Valdai Upland within the main Caspian-Baltic watershed of the Russian plain (Latitude: 56° 26' – 56° 39' N, Longitude: 32° 29' – 33° 01' E). The territory of Central Forest Reserve belongs to the subzone of subtaiga. The dataset includes the occurrences of vascular plant species in four types of grasslands from 209 vegetation plots (8,506 associated occurrences), collected in 2013-2014. The dataset described in this paper has never been published before. As the grasslands in Central Forest State Nature Biosphere Reserve are relatively unstudied, we are providing a new comprehensive dataset on the vascular plant species occurrences in the grasslands of the Reserve. The dataset contains representative information on floristic composition of plant communities in localities with assigned GPS coordinates. As the vegetation of the Reserve is typical of the subtaiga subzone, the results of analysing this dataset can be useful for grassland management in the whole subtaiga subzone. During this study, we found one vascular plant species included in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation, three species from the Red Data Book of Tver Oblast, as well as 10 alien vascular plant species for the Reserve. These data, especially, the occurrences of protected and alien species, contribute to our knowledge of species composition of the grasslands of the Reserve.

Testing of domestic white cabbage hybrids at different planting densities

Четыре перспективных гибрида капусты белокочанной среднепозднего срока созревания селекции агрофирмы «Поиск» – F1Универс, F1 Застольный, F1 Поиск 2018 – и позднеспелый гибрид для хранения F1 Континент проходили испытание при разной густоте посадки: 19, 23, 27, 30, 33 тыс. растений/га в условиях Раменского района Московской области. Цель исследования: определить отзывчивость гибридов капусты белокочанной на густоту высадки для их выращивания в Нечерноземной зоне. Место исследований относится к лесной зоне в центральной части Русской равнины. Почвы – аллювиально-луговые среднесуглинистого механического состава. Погодные условия в годы проведения исследований были не совсем благоприятными для выращивания капусты белокочанной: в 2020 году отмечались осадки выше среднемноголетних значений, в 2021 году – жаркая засушливая погода, недостаток влаги, благоприятные условия для развития капустной моли и табачного трипса во время вегетации. Максимальной и стабильной урожайностью за два года исследований отличался среднепоздний гибрид F1 Застольный 144,54 т/га. Для получения наибольших сборов урожая продукции капусты белокочанной рекомендована высадка F1 Застольный при густоте 33 тыс. раст/га, для получения крупных кочанов на разреженных посадках 27 тыс. раст/га. F1 Поиск 2018 – при густоте 33 тыс. раст/га средняя урожайность составила 130,35 т/га, на разреженных посадках 141,4 т/га при густоте 23 тыс. раст/га. Гибрид F1 Универс реализовал свой биологический потенциал продуктивности 125,07 и 126,90 при 33 и 27 тыс. раст/га соответственно. Гибрид F1 Континент менее всех реагировал на изменение густоты посадки, имел наибольшую урожайность при 30 тыс. раст/га 120 т/га. Four promising F1 hybrids of white cabbage bred at Poisk company were tested at different planting density: 19, 23, 27, 30, 33 thousand plants/ha. in the Ramensky district of the Moscow region. F1 Univers, F1Zastolniy, F1 Poisk 2018 – mid-late ripening and F1Continent – late hybrid for storage. Objective of the study: to determine the responsiveness of white cabbage hybrids at different planting densities for their growing in the Non-Black Earth Zone. The research site belongs to the forest zone in the central part of the Russian Plain. Soils are alluvial meadows of medium loamy texture. The weather conditions during the years of the research were not entirely favorable for the cultivation of white cabbage. Precipitation above average annual values was observed in 2020. Hot dry weather, lack of moisture, favorable conditions for the development of cabbage moth and tobacco thrips during the growing season were in 2021. The mid-late hybrid F1 Zastolniy was distinguished by the maximum and stable yield over 2 years of research. Its yield was 144.54 t/ha. Planting F1Zastolniy was recommended at a density of 33 thousand plants/ha to maximize the yield of white cabbage production; large heads of cabbage should be obtained on sparse plantings at 27 thousand plants/ha. The average yield of F1Poisk 2018 was 130.35 t/ha with a density of 33 thousand plants/ha, 141.4 t/ha on sparse plantings with a density of 23 thousand plants/ha. The F1 Univers hybrid has realized its biological productivity potential of 125.07 and 126.90 at 33 and 27 thousand plants/ha, respectively. Hybrid F1 Continent reacted least of all to changes in planting density, had the highest yield at 30 thousand plants/ha 120 t/ha.

Parameters of the autumn migration stopover of the chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita Vieillot, 1817) (Sylviidae, Aves) in the conditions of the middle taiga in the Eastern Russian plain

Parameters of the autumn migration stopover of the chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita (Vieillot, 1817) in the taiga zone of the Eastern Russian plain were estimated. The studies were carried out in 2015–2019, a total of 1,634 birds were included in our analysis. It has been established that migrating chiffchaffs can be conditionally divided into two groups. The first group consists of transit individuals leaving their stopover just on the day of arrival, without delay. The other group includes individuals who make stopovers for a longer period (4.87 days on average). For the birds of both groups, changes in their body weight and fat accumulation rate were revealed during one day and throughout the entire migration stopover. During an average migration stopover, birds retain their energy reserves at a certain level. In general, they accumulate no more than 5% of the average body weight in the population during the average stop period. A smaller proportion of migrants make multi-day stops when the fat accumulation rate is low. Every day of staying at a migration stopover leads to temporary surges and losses in body weight, with no increase in body fat. Birds, at the end of their migration season, spend more time and energy for looking for food. The part of migratory birds deciding to stop finds themselves in the most optimal conditions. This small group is the main reserve for preserving the population during the difficult period of migration.

Geochemical differentiation of atmospheric aerosols in natural zones of European Russia

Climate and environmental changes on Earth have become modern challenges to humanity. The main factor affecting the landscapes of Russia is an increase in air temperature and a decrease in precipitation. Because of these processes, the amount of aerosols in the near-ground atmosphere of the landscapes of the ETR (European territory of Russia) increases. The aim of the study is to determine the atmogeophysical and atmogeochemical indicators that reveal the interaction of the atmosphere and the diversity of natural landscapes in European Russia. Landscape-geochemical research methods make it possible to study geosystems with the participation of all landscape components and actual migration processes, especially the atmospheric migration of chemical elements. To determine the modern atmogeochemical existence, field comprehensive studies of the potential emission of matter in all natural zones of the ETR were carried out submeridionally - in the landscapes of the steppe, forest-steppe, forest and tundra zones of the ETR. The research results show that in the submeridional profile, the mass concentration of aerosols decreases regularly from south to north, the minimum concentrations of atmospheric aerosols are observed in the forest zone, in the tundra there was a slight increase due to anthropogenic landscapes and the influence of the sea. Analysis of the chemical composition of aerosols revealed that, among the elements of global importance, aluminosilicates naturally increase to the south of the ETR as elements of clay minerals that are widespread in the Russian Plain. The maximum phosphorus content occurs in the residential area with agricultural landscapes. Sulfur concentrations are confined to the semiarid zone of the ETR, then decrease in the forest zone and increase again in the technogenic regions and the tundra belt of the Kola Peninsula, surrounded by the sea. The concentrations of chemical elements of regional and local distribution in atmospheric aerosols are more differentiated on the ETR and depend on the natural and technogenic features of each region. Thus, heavy metals are more common in the Plain territories of the forest-steppe and forest zones of the ETR and are confined to the bedrock and technogenic sources. High concentrations of calcium and strontium are associated with areas of weathering of carbonate rocks. In general, increased concentrations of atmospheric aerosols with an increased content of anthropogenic elements are observed during the western and southern transport of air masses. At the same time, the amount of rainstorm precipitation increases when these aerosols act as condensation nuclei. To assess the current state of the atmosphere at the ETR, it is necessary to continue field measurements and organize European annual and seasonal geochemical monitoring at stationary observation points.

VARIABILITY OF CADMIUM AND LEAD CONCENTRATION IN THE WATERS OF A LARGE PLAIN RIVER DURING A THIRTY-YEAR OBSERVATION PERIOD

The article presents new analytical data on the content of cadmium and lead in river water obtained by the authors using highly sensitive specialized methods of analytical spectrometry. For the first time, a more than thirty-year (1983-2018) study has been carried out, tracing the concentration of elements in the mid-stream water of the Oka River in the area of Prioksko-Terrasny Biosphere Reserve (PTBZ) - a location remote from the zone of formation of technogenic dispersion flow. The general trend was found to be characterized by a gradual decrease in metal content, correlating with the implementation of various environmental measures in the river basin. The trend of decreasing concentration is well expressed for cadmium from 1983 to 1991 and is weaker from 1992 to 2018. Estimates are made of the average regional anthropogenic-dependent concentrations of elements in the Oka River waters, exceeding the Clark (background) values for the world’s rivers significantly. It can be predicted that, if this trend persists, cadmium concentrations in the water of a large plain river will approach the background values for surface waters of the Russian plain.

FAUNA AND BIOTOPIC DISTRIBUTION OF WEEVILS (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONOIDEA) OF THE TALOVSKAYA STEPPE SITE OF THE ORENBURG STATE NATURE RESERVE

Based on research results 2018-2020 the species composition was established and the analysis of the fauna of weevils (Curculionoidea) of the Talovskaya steppe site of the Orenburg natural reserve was carried out. The research area is located in the very south-west of the Orenburg region near the border with Kazakhstan, in the subzone of the southern steppes of the East of the Russian Plain. 199 species of weevils from 4 families were identified (27 % of the fauna of the Orenburg region). Of these, 9 species are first reported for the fauna of the Orenburg Province. The characteristic features of the weevil fauna of the Talovskaya steppe are: a high proportion of Central Palaearctic species (35 %) (with an insignificant participation of Western Palaearctic forms); a sharp predominance of species of the subboreal complex (steppe and desert-steppe) (58 %) (with a very small number of forest species) and a noticeable proportion of species of the halophilic complex. The data presented in the article allow us to consider the fauna of the Talovskaya steppe as a typical southern steppe fauna. It is characterized by a fairly high species richness and the presence of a number of rare species. This is confirmed by the importance of the protected area for the preservation of the peculiar natural complexes of the southwestern outskirts of Obshchy Syrt.