Ecological-hydrological aspects of the delta Volga meadow vegetation dynamics

Abstract

Many years ecological monitoring results of the Volga delta meadow plant cover are presented in this work. Temperature conditions and territory humidity conditions were distinguished as leading ecological factors. Geographical methods and mathematical statistics methods were used as analysis tools. It was revealed that watersoluble salts amount sharp increase in soils, also their toxicity level and soil salinization type change from chloride-sulfate to sulfate-chloride under aridization degree rapid increase, that influences on plant cover: biomass decrease, foliage cover degree decrease on all deltoid landscape high levels, carexes and gramens participation degree decrease and forbs role increase is noticed. Such processes are blocked and go to the reverse stage under the following sharp water availability conditions increase. The greatest and more rapid changes are observed within special alluvial low level natural boundaries. The main forecast of the Volga delta climate development can be considered general average temperature and air humidity increase with abnormal humid amount increase and abnormal dry years amount decrease.