Environmental Condition of the City of Ishim as a Quality of Life Indicator

Abstract

Objectives: The goal of this study is an overall assessment of natural resources potential and environmental “health” of the city of Ishim according to the indicating characteristics of small mammals. Methods/Statistical Analysis: The assessment of natural resources potential was made by means of biological monitoring with the use of species biodiversity and cenosis stability indicators. The animals were collected by means of non-selective non-recoverable capture method. Snap traps were placed in trap lines, the animals were identified by morphological and craniological characteristics. The material was collected near Sinitsino village, which is located on the territory of nature reserve in Ishim district. Findings: Within the anthropogenic impact gradient, significant changes have been indicated. Including statistically significant decrease in the number of small mammal species, a simplification of taxonomic cenosis structure, change of their ecological structure in favor of the increase of the percentage share of eusynanthropes and synanthropes and the decrease of the relative share of anthropophilic and neutral species to the extent of their total extinction in both settlement zones.A consistent decrease of species diversity index and stability of small mammal’s community has been indicated all the way from the parkland zone towards the high-rise building area. By means of quality cluster analysis, it has been proven that the zone of city inarable land is differentiated from the parkland zone. Such findings can be explained by the loss of connection with native habitat, the increase of complex influence of urbanization factors, which results in extinction of some neutral and anthropophilic species, a decrease of the number of red-toothed shrews, which take a higher trophic level than other rodents, etc. Application/Improvements: The study has revealed that the essential conditions for the conservation of species biodiversity potential of Ishim include such factors as preservation of greater greenfield areas and protective habitat capacity and a variety of microsites.