Landscape basis for the formation of phenological network in steppe provinces of the Urals

Abstract

The article describes the formation of a regional phenological network that can be used as a basis for landscape-dynamic studies of the steppe natural complexes of the Urals. The functional-dynamic approach was used as a methodological basis of the study. The phenological network was reviewed within a period since 1925 till recent times. We performed a landscape structure analysis and determined the hierarchical levels of natural complexes specific for the territory that serve as geographical markers of the regional phenological network. Analyzing long-term archive data collected by the Russian Geographical Society and the Ural Reserves Chronicles of the nature data in the 20-21th centuries, we uncovered some negative trends in the onset of spring-summer phenomena in the steppe provinces of the Urals. In addition, we present several key criteria, that should be used to determine how geographically representative a phenological network is, such as: typicalness, landscape diversity, anthropogenic differentiation. The structural and spatial analysis of the phenological network of the steppe landscape provinces of the Southern Urals allowed revealing its peculiarities, such as its branched structure, irregularity, and its inconsistency with the landscape diversity of the region. Quantitative analysis and modeling of the phenological network allow developing recommendations for its expansion. A scientifically profound phenological network will optimize dynamic monitoring of the steppe natural complexes of the Urals and collecting data that is crucial for the long-term sustainable development of the region.