History of zoological research in the Crimean Nature Reserve: vertebrates

The present work is a historical and biographical sketch of the formation and development of research in one of the first nature reserves in Russia. The article describes the main milestones in the study of vertebrates in the past and the stages of scientific research in the Crimean Nature Reserve in the XX-XXI centuries. It is shown that by 1925 the vertebrate fauna of the mountain Crimea was poorly studied, and the formation and operation of the biological station in the Crimean Reserve marked the beginning of comprehensive research not only in the mountains, but also in the steppe. The reorganization of the Reserve into a hunting Reserve in 1957 did not affect the level and scale of scientific research. In 1964-1968, a comprehensive theme on beechwood forests was completed, and in 1970-1974, a theme on birds and mammals of the Crimea was conducted as well. In 1974-1976 the work of the zoological group went to the international level in connection with the inclusion of Swan Islands in the number of the Ramsar Sites of the USSR. Since 1983, scientific research has been conducted under the program "Nature Records" within the boundaries of the reserve. In 1991, the institution was returned to the status of a nature reserve. Zoological research is carried out by full-time employees with the participation of scientists from various research centers working on international projects. After the reunification of the Crimea with Russia in 2014, the Crimean Reserve is undergoing a period of reorganization. And in September 2018 its mountain and forest part gets the status of a National Park. The “Swan Islands” ornithological branch becomes an independent nature reserve.

Assessment of climatic conditions for the purpose to organize the restoration protective forest strips on the territory of Pervomaysky district in the Republic of Crimea

The paper evaluates the climatic conditions in order to organize the restoration of protective forest strips on the territory of the Pervomaysky district of the Republic of Crimea. The following indicators were analyzed and mapped: the wind regime of the territory (wind direction, speed, repeatability); heat and moisture availability of the territory (precipitation for various periods, average and total temperature values for months and periods, moisture coefficients of the territory (Selyaninov hydrothermal coefficient (SCC), Budyko dryness index and Sukachev coefficient (CS). On their basis, climatopes of forest belts are compiled. The presented data and certain climatic parameters are used to determine the design features of forest belts within the areas under consideration. The amount of data provided is sufficient in accordance with the guidelines for the design of protective forest stands to assess the meso-climatic conditions of the survey area.

Species of the Agave L. and Yucca L. (Asparagaceae Juss.) for gardening of the Southern Coast of the Crimea

The work presents 21 taxa of Agave L. genus (18 species and 3 subspecies) and 15 taxa (12 species, 2 varieties and 1 form) of Yucca L. genus. To select a promising assortment of the succulents for the Southern Coast of the Crimea landscaping, the ecological characteristics of the plants (the exacting attitude towards the soil environment - acidic, neutral, alkaline; the rate of a soil moisture - excessive, sufficient, insufficient; the resistance against gas, dust, wind, heat, salt; the frost resistance - frost-resistant, not enough frost-resistant; the drought resistance - drought-resistant, insufficiently drought-resistant) have been studied. According to the classification of types (species) of garden and park plantings, adopted in landscape design, for each studied taxon, the most optimal options for using in landscaping in the conditions of the Souther Coast are given.

Morphological and morphometric parameters of Clematis flammula on the Protected Areas of the Southern Coast of Crimea

The paper presents the results of some of the qualitative and quantitative parameters of Clematis flammula plants study. The plants have been naturalized in different phytocenotic conditions of the Southern Coast of Crimea. It has been found that in the studied plants most of the parameters of leaves and flowers are characterized by an average variability (10 <Cv <30). Plants also differ in the shape and dissection of the leaves. Low coefficient of variation (Cv, up to 10%) of a seed weight indicates an insignificant variability of this parameter.The parameter such as the length of the leaf petiole (Cv, 43-59%) is distinguished by a high variability.

Flora of the nature monument “Skala Ifigenia” on the Southern Coast of the Crimea

The study materials of the flora current state of the of higher vascular plants in the nature monument “Skala Ifigenia” are presented: floristic composition and cozoological state of species. Vegetation is represented by rare relict Mediterranean high Juniperus forests with Pistacea mutica . The flora list includes 211 species of vascular plants, including 49 rare species, 4 endemic for the Crimea, 7 neophyte and 19 adventive species. 10 species are included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, 15 species are listed in the Red Book of the Republic of the Crimea, 28 species are in the European Red List, 28 species are in IUCN, 4 species are in the CITES.

Additions to macromycets of the Mountain Crimea Protected Areas

The article contains additions to the lists of macromycetes of six protected areas of the Mountain Crimea: the Crimean National Park (formerly the Crimean Natural Reserve) - 4 species, the Yalta Mountain Forest Reserve - 20 species, Cape Martyan State Natural Reserve and the Nikitsky Botanical Gardens - three and 17 species respectively, of the Karadag scientific station named after T.I. Vyazemsky - nature reserve of the Russian Academy of Sciences (formerly the Karadag nature reserve) - 5 species, the State nature reserve of a regional significance "Mount Ayu-Dag" - two species. For 9 species this is the first or one of the first findings on the Crimean Peninsula.

Climate references of the 2019 seasons in the Southern Сoast of Crimea

An agrometeorological review of the 2019 climate seasons on the Southern coast of Crimea was performed based on observations from the Nikitsky garden agrometeorological station. A distinctive feature of the growing season from previous years was revealed - dry May, very hot droughty with dry wind August, warm, long and extremely dry autumn. At the beginning of the growing season in spring, the development of plants was close to the average long-term. The predominance of hot weather in the summer months accelerated their development and maturation by 15-30 days. Severe and very long air-soil drought depressingly affected the laying and development of generative structures in plants. Unsatisfactory water availability of plants caused their damage and, as a result, premature leaves defoliation. Heat availability in 2019 was significantly higher than the long-term average, but slightly lower than last year.

Flora of the natural monument «Cape Plaka» (Southern Coast of the Crimea): preliminary analysis

As a result of long standing research, 116 species from 88 genera of 36 families of vascular plants have been registered on the territory of the “Cape Plaka” nature monument. A preliminary analysis of the systematic, geographic and biomorphological structure of the flora was carried out, which showed that it belongs to the flora of the Mediterranean type. A list of habitats of the Cape has been compiled according to the EUNIS habitat classification. It was found that six native plant species ( Asphodeline lutea , Avena barbata , Hedypnois rhagadioloides , Juniperus excelsa , Pistacia mutica , Rhus coriaria ) and five types of biotopes have a conservation status, which confirms the high conservation value of the territory. It is proposed to include two more rare taxa in the list of protected species in the Crimea: Fumaria petteri and Misopates orontium . High invasive activity of Cheiranthus cheiri and two representatives of the genus Opuntia was revealed. It is recommended to combine two natural monuments - “Cape Plaka” and “The Coastal Aquatic Complex at Cape Plaka” - into a single protected area.

Ecological structure of the briphytes of the "Cape Martyan" Nature Reserve

The bryophytes of the reserve are represented by 71 species: 3 liverworts and 68 leafy mosses. The greatest variety of mosses is typical for forests. Most mosses are epiphytes, which are associated with the trunks and bases of trees - 21,4%, on the soil - 19,7% and on a limestone rock. In the ecological structure of the bryoflora, the features can be traced, zonally determined by the features of the bryoflora of the southern regions with pronounced aridity features. The predominant life form is loose turf - 44.2%, the second position is occupied by dense turf mosses (31,1%). In relation to the degree of asubstrate moisture mesoxerophytes - 29,6% and mesophytes - 27,9% dominate. In relation to the degree of supply of the substrate with nutrients, oligomesotrophs - 37,7%, and mesotrophs - 32,7% are mostly represented. In relation to illumination helioscyophytes occupy a predominant position - 44,6%, in relation to the temperature factor mesotherms occupy a leading position - 50,8%, mesotrophs - 31,5%, mesoeutrophs - 17,4% and eutrophs - 12% are most prominent. The analysis of the spectrum of ecological-floristic strategies of bryophytes has shown a high proportion of species with strategies of colonists and shuttles. The bryological materials confirm the high scientific significance and nature conservation value of the reserve territory.

Macromycetes of the “Baydarsky” Nature Reserve

The article is the first summary on the macromycetes of the “Baydarsky” State Natural Landscape Reserve. The annotated list of macromycetes of the reserve includes 201 species of macromycetes from 97 genera, 45 families, 13 orders. The species composition of families Boletaceae (26 species), Russulaceae (22), Tricholomataceae (19), Agaricaceae (15) and Amanitaceae (12), genera Lactarius (14), Amanita (11), Tricholoma (9), Russula (8), Cortinarius and Ramaria (6 species each), Agaricus and Hygrophorus (5 species each) is found out most fully completed; the number of Boletales mushrooms in the volume of Boletus s. l. is 26 species. For the registered in the reserve 9 species, this is the first find in the Crimean Peninsula, and for 45 species this is the same one in the Sevastopol region. In the Red Book of the Russian Federation included 7 species, the Red Book of the Republic of the Crimea - 14, and the Red Book of the city of Sevastopol - 16.