Anthropogenic Transformation Research Articles

GEOGRAPHICAL ASPECTS OF TRANSFORMATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENTS FOR NEW ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS OF VOLYN REGION

Aim. The purpose of this study is a geographical analysis of the anthropogenic transformation of the landscape mosaic of the Volyn region as a result of uncontrolled land reclamation works. The article was a continuation of a series of publications devoted to the study of the processes and consequences of the transformation of the components of the natural environment in the context of the course of administrative and territorial reform in Ukraine. Method. In the scientific work, to take into account the influence of qualitative indicators on the process of transformation of landscapes of the Volyn region under the influence of drainage reclamation, the methodology of P. G. Shishchenko was used. A number of additions were made to the methodology in order to determine the coefficient of anthropogenic transformation of landscapes for calculating the coefficient of transformation of terrain and soils. Forests, meadows and pastures, and arable land in drained areas with an index of the depth of anthropogenic transformation were allocated to separate groups. For eroded lands, the index of the depth of anthropogenic transformation was taken as the same as for lands of industrial use. The results. Ukraine is characterized by a very high level of agricultural development of the territory, however, at the administrative-territorial level - by oblasts, districts, and even territorial communities, there are some differences in this regard. Determining the depth and condition of lands transformed in the process of drainage reclamation provides an opportunity to understand the consequences of the influence of a group of factors on the land fund and encourages the scientific study of various components of the environment. The types of land in the Volyn region, where agricultural land occupies 53% of the total territory and is unevenly distributed, have a colorful palette - it is arable land, and perennial plantations, and hayfields and pastures, etc. One of the consequences of drainage reclamation is the intensive mineralization of the organic part of the soil, so the results obtained using the adjusted method allow for a more differentiated assessment of the state of transformation of the landscapes of the Volyn region. The results are adequate, because there is a connection with the industrial development of territories and the level of use of land resources. The scientific novelty consists in the structural and geographical analysis of the impact of drainage reclamation on the territory of the Volyn region on various types of environment, in particular, relief and soils. The study was conducted for the newly formed administrative districts of the Volyn region in the course of the administrative and territorial reform in Ukraine. Practical significance. The results of the research can be used in the educational process of the Volyn National University named after Lesya Ukrainka, the National University of Water Management and Nature Management, the Rivne Professional Technical College of the National University of Water Management and Nature Management and other educational institutions in the teaching of geographic, economic and tourism disciplines. The results will find their application in the legislative and executive work of local self-government bodies when developing programs for the socio-economic development of territorial communities. Research materials will contribute to the rational use of natural and anthropogenically transformed resources of the Volyn region, which will allow to qualitatively influence the course of administrative and territorial reform. A number of provisions can be used in similar studies of other regions of Ukraine.

Hydrological and hydrochemical regime of the Samar river and considering its anthropogenic transformation

Hydrological and hydrochemical regime of the Samar river and considering its anthropogenic transformation

Indicator plants of anthropogenic disturbances: Scientific approach, educational technologies

The technology of using the indicative properties of plants both for obtaining scientific results and teaching this technique to students and young scientists is proposed for implementation. Aspects of research organization and didactic work in the implementation of the environmental monitoring program of Donbass are highlighted. Over the period of research (1996-2023), high levels of pollution and anthropogenic transformation of ecosystems in the industrial areas of Eastern Europe have been established. The data are based both on experiments in open landscapes and laboratory conditions, special procedures for statistical processing and interpretation of the results. These localities of intensive economic use are the places of great scientific and applied interest to ecologists and educators in this area. Indicator plants are visual objects in the knowledge of the fundamental nature and practical use for information about the quality of the environment. In scientific and educational activities the following are important: organization of a laboratory, availability of equipment, functioning of a museum, a card-index, a herbarium fund, the possibility of introducing case studies technology, the theory of solving inventive tasks, conducting interactive lectures, seminars, demonstration experiments and special modern technologies for training environmental specialists – modeling and land-use forecasting and urbanized environment. Methods of implementation of scientific and pedagogical experiment on phytomonitoring and ecological expertise with the help of plants have been introduced into work with students, postgraduates and young scientists of the Department of Botany and Ecology of Donetsk State University.

RAW ATTITUDES: Socio-Cultures, Altered Landscapes, and Changing Perceptions of an Underestimated Disease.

Raw attitudes relate to the food cultures, eating habits, and behaviours of people in relation to the consumption of raw, partially cooked, and fermented freshwater fish dishes, which puts people at risk of Ophistochis viverrini and other parasitic infections. The chapter reviews raw attitudes within the countries and across the borders of the greater Mekong region, particularly northeast Thailand, Lao PDR, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Rather than treat each nation-state as an isolated epidemiological box, the chapter explores transborder complexity in relation to multiple anthropogenic transformations to the landscapes of the region and developmental impacts upon ecosystems and lifecycles. Economic projects such as multiple hydropower dams, irrigation schemes, water-diversions, roads, and aquaculture ponds have significant impacts on FTZ life-cycle dynamics. In addition, many ecological changes are transboundary ones, and there are added complications relating human mobility, altered agrarian landscapes, and significant numbers of migrant workers. The chapter also examines public health programmes and educational interventions which are altering perceptions of O. viverrini and cholangiocarcinoma over time. A key argument is the need for transdisciplinary scientific and social science strategies alongside multi-pronged health interventions, such as 'the CASCAP model'. There exist many unknowns and gaps relating to widespread anthropogenic modifications upon lifecycles, upon lifestyles, livelihoods, and human behaviours, which require research projects that span socio-economic, ecological, geographical, and public health dynamics of disease.

Urbanization as an ecological phenomenon

In this article authors discuss the main ecological aspects of the urbanization process. In particular, such phenomena as anthropogenic transformation of the environment, which is the basis of all further transformations forming urban areas, are analyzed. In addition, the processes of anthropogenic change of organisms, for example, cultivation and domestication, are considered. Unfortunately, in modern science, the process of urbanization is usually considered from economic, social, and cultural positions, often without affecting the environmental component. This fact is a significant omission, especially in the context of an increase in the number of natural landscapes transformed by human.

ИДЕНТИФИКАЦИЯ ПАРАМЕТРОВ КУСОЧНО-ЛИНЕЙНОЙ ФУНКЦИИ РИСКА МЕТОДОМ АНТИРОБАСТНОГО ОЦЕНИВАНИЯ

The article reviews literature on identification methods for parameters of regression models, including those based on Chebyshev metrics. The publications contain data on the development of an algorithm for the unambiguous definition of Chebyshev projection; a new method that combines Minkowskian distance and Chebyshev distance, with both being used as a similarity measure in the clustering process when grouping data; generalizations of particular goal setting for curves and surface fitting to the data observed or calculated as a result of replacing least squares with the Chebyshev norm; and integral estimates of the anthropogenic transformation of the territory using multidimensional statistical methods. Using the anti-robust method of estimation, the authors have developed a method to estimate unknown parameters of a regression piecewise linear risk function, whose aim is to solve a linear Boolean programming problem. The risk function of the dynamics of the price per square meter of living space of dwellings in the housing market in the Russian Federation is built using the least modules method and the anti-robust estimation method. Average pricing for silicate wall blocks, concrete floor slabs, and ready-mixed concrete are used as independent factors in the model. Both versions of the models built describe the dynamics of the output indicator profoundly, as evidenced by the high values of adequacy criteria, and therefore can efficiently solve the forecasting problems. It has been established that the number of maximum module errors of the risk model approximation is equal to three, i. e. the number of independent variables, when applying the anti-robust method.

Qualitative and quantitative parameters of the dynamics of the steering network of elementary watercourses in the northern forest-steppe in the XXI century (on the example of the catchment basin of the Ketarsha river, Privolzhskaya upland, Russia)

The article presents the results of researching the dynamics of the length of the channel network of elementary watercourses in the north of the forest-steppe zone in the XXI century. The research was conducted on the territory of the catchment basin of the Ketarsha River of the Privolzhskaya Upland, characterized by a high degree of anthropogenic transformation. The research is based on the materials of the expedition work, carried out in the summer of 2023, the results of geoinformation analysis of remote sensing data, topographic maps and literary sources. The fact of reducing the length of the channel network of elementary watercourses in 2023 compared to 2001 has been established. During the expedition work in 2023, the current position of the sources of elementary watercourses was established, based on comparison with the data of topographic maps of 2001, the direction of the change in the length of their channels was established and its quantitative indicators in the XXI century were calculated. In the conditions of actively plowed landscapes on the researched territory, there is a reduction in the length of the channel network of elementary watercourses.

Моделирование распространения, численности и выживаемости видов: новые возможности и методы

Моделирование распространения, численности и выживаемости видов: новые возможности и методы

Anthropogenic transformation of the valleys of small rivers of the Chuvash Republic

The object of the study is the valleys of small rivers of the Chuvash Republic. The type of economic use, the degree of anthropogenic contamination, modern slope processes are analyzed. The need for research is justified by the deterioration of the ecological state of the landscapes of river valleys, water quality in the watercourses of the Chuvash Republic. In order to collect factual material on the current state of the landscapes of river valleys, expeditions were conducted to the rivers Tsivil, Kubnya, Kirya. Lyulya. The choice of the selected key objects is explained by the fact that they are typical for the physical and geographical regions of the region: the Kubnya River - the Southeastern and Zasursky districts; the Lyulya and Kirya rivers - the Prisursky and Zavolzhsky districts; the Tsivil River – the Volga and Central districts. The data obtained were interpreted for the entire territory of the Chuvash Republic. The analysis of the collected material made it possible to conduct zoning of the region according to the ecological state of river valleys. Four districts were identified: Volga, Central, Forest, Steppe. These areas differ in the degree and types of economic development. The valleys of the Volga region are industrial and agricultural territories, intensively developed. The valleys of the Central District are experiencing an average anthropogenic load from industrial enterprises and irrational agriculture. The valleys of the Forest zone are distinguished by the preservation of natural landscapes and the absence of negative slope processes. The river valleys of the Steppe region are experiencing critical indicators of agricultural development: plowing up to 90% of agricultural land, the absence of natural steppe landscapes. Individual recommendations were developed for each district to improve the ecological state of river valley landscapes and prevent the development of negative processes and emergencies.

Анализ изменений природно-антропогенной трансформации береговой линии Азербайджанского сектора Каспийского моря

The aim of the research was to analyze changes in natural and anthropogenic transformations of the coastal territory of the Caspian Sea. For this, the possibility of using images with a spatial resolution of up to 10 m, obtained by superimposing channels with ultra-high spectral resolution (20 m and 60 m) was studied to obtain the maximum amount of information about the surface.Climate change, sea level rise significantly change the physical condition of the coastal area. During the active transregression and then regression, the coastal territory has changed over the past 50 years. The flooded coastal area (more than 540 sq. km) is an alluvial plain of marine origin. Space monitoring research is relevant for the sustainable development of the coastal territory and environmental protection of these regions. The article presents the results of using different-time space data and images of remote sensing of the Earth obtained by different survey systems. The results of the research can contribute to improving the development of coastal ecosystem engineering, as well as socio-ecological research based on a systematic approach.

ИСКУССТВЕННОЕ ВОСПРОИЗВОДСТВО ПОЛУПРОХОДНЫХ ВИДОВ РЫБ ПРИ РАЗНЫХ СЦЕНАРИЯХ РАЗВИТИЯ ГИДРОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ ОБСТАНОВКИ В АЗОВСКОМ МОРЕ

Background. Semi-anadromous fish species of the Azov Sea were the primary fishing targets before the regulation of the flow of the Don and Kuban Rivers, after the anthropogenic transformation of which artificial reproduction became the main source of recruitment for the populations of these species of aquatic biological resources. Unprecedented climate-induced reduction in the volume of freshwater runoff in 2006–2023 aggravated the deterioration of the conditions for reproduction of anadromous fish species in the aquatic areas associated with fish feeding and rearing facilities and contributed to the decline of their feeding conditions in the sea resulting from a sharp increase in salinity, which led to a reduction in their population abundance. Relevance. In the context of a record reduction in freshwater runoff and increasing salinity of the Azov Sea, the Azov Sea ichthyocenosis undergoes a fundamental restructuring, which requires making a forecast of the possible changes in the habitat of semi-anadromous fish species, as well as evaluating the prospects for artificial reproduction of zander, roach and bream for their preservation in new conditions, which, in turn, serves as the aim of this work. Methods. To predict possible changes in the hydrological regime of the Azov Sea, the expert evaluation method has been used. The expert assessment of possible scenarios of the impact exerted by the modern climate change on the habitat of the aquatic biological resources in the Azov Sea has been done with the regard to the provisions of the Climate Doctrine of the Russian Federation. Results. Under all predicted scenarios for the period up to 2030, the salinity of the Azov Sea will exceed the values optimal for the juveniles and mature individuals of semi-anadromous fish species. Preservation of biologically valuable populations of zander and roach is possible with the continuous operation of hatcheries (spawning and rearing facilities), both in limans and on floodplain. To preserve the population and increase the stock of bream, it is necessary to restore artificial reproduction of this species. Conclusions. In the medium term (until 2030), only roach has a prospect for the sufficient recovery of its stocks, which could happen under the favorable hydrological scenario involving the water content increase in the basin. In all other cases, bream, zander and roach will not be in position to considerably increase their abundance.

Geoecological situation in the region of the Erdenet mining and processing facility (Mongolia)

The Erdenet mining and processing facility (Mongolia) develops a large copper-molybdenum deposit. The volume of waste in the tailings dump of the enterprise reaches 600 m. m3and its area is more than 1300 hectares. Quarries and tailings pits release significant amounts of persistent pollutants into the environment. They penetrate groundwater and surface water and also spread as dust. The results of comprehensive geochemical and geoecological studies indicate the irreversible anthropogenic transformation of the area. In 25 years, the operation of the Erdenet deposit will be terminated. Mongolian government decided to develop a “Concept of the program for closure of the enterprise, and further development of the area”. Based on the results of this research, it is proposed to identify several areas and develop special renovation projects for each of them. An enterprise for the production of construction materials can be created on the tailing’s dumpsite. Companies extracting residual amounts of valuable elements from waste can be profitable. The network of transport communications of the deposit can ensure the operation of facilities in areas of mining landscapes and technogenic geochemical anomalies. After planning the terrain and covering the surface with insulating materials on these sites, a technology park can be organized. Implementing these projects as part of a single program will provide jobs for the Erdenet residents, and the budget revenues generated by their operation will allow for the renovation of the urban area.

Биоценотические связи сайгаков с крупными хищными птицами

Conservation of biodiversity has recently become the most urgent task due to global anthropogenic transformation of the environment. Therefore, more and more attention is being paid to the role of species in biogeocenosis, their biocoenotic relationships, and the assessment of ongoing changes. Due to the unprecedented growth of the Ural Saiga (Saiga tatarica) population, the study of ecology, behavior, and biocenotic relationships as factors affecting the structure of the ecosystem and, in particular, large birds of prey has become increasingly important. The saiga population in West Kazakhstan Region in 2023 is estimated at 1.13 million individuals, which is highly concentrated in Zhanibek (8,200 km2), Bokeyordinsky (19,214 km2), and Kaztalovsky (18,600 km2) districts of the region. And here we should pay attention to the fact that with anthropogenic changes in the habitat (construction of roads, canals, gas and oil pipelines, etc.), macroevolutionary changes in saiga behavior have begun to occur – saigas are no longer the nomadic species they were 100 years ago, they no longer nomade over great distances, and are becoming more sedentary. Our observations show that saigas do not travel more than 100 km and stay mainly around sors (dried up salt lakes). The next fact is that from late November to early December, saigas start their rut. As a result of extreme exhaustion during the rut, up to 96% of males die. The huge biomass accumulates in a relatively small area. This cannot cause the population of predators and scavengers to grow. The growth of predatory mammals is limited by the availability of accessible drinking water, so we did not observe an increase in the population of wolves, but the number of jackals and steppe cats increased. The growth of jackals is possible not only due to the availability of food in the autumnwinter period, but also due to increased hunting pressure in neighboring areas of the Russian Federation. The growth of the steppe cat (which is most abundant in the Bokeyordinsky district) may be due to the growth of saigas, as it has been reported that saiga remains have been found in the cat's stomach. The above-mentioned districts of West Kazakhstan Region have the highest density of large birds of prey. There are both direct and indirect biocoenotic links between saigas and large birds of prey – Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis), Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus), and Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus). Studies, both our own and those of the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), show a high density of the breeding of Steppe Eagles in West Kazakhstan Region (WKR) in areas where saigas congregate, especially in the Kaztalovsky District, while in other areas of the region their numbers are very low. Its direct and indirect biocenotic relationship with saigas can be traced here: – Direct. All the nests we examined contained saiga remains. We have never seen Steppe Eagles hunting saigas, most likely picking up fallen or sick individuals, as well as the afterbirths of saiga calves. We saw a Steppe Eagle eating a saiga (most likely it was hit by a car, as its ribs were broken), the peritoneum was opened, internal organs were lying separately, the eagle did not eat them. It mostly pecked meat from the thighs of the hind legs. The carcass was fresh, blood had not coagulated yet. In the area of Araltobe Sor on 20/08/2020 we observed a large pre-migration concentration of the Steppe Eagle of about 300 individuals. – Indirect. In areas where saigas graze there is a high number of the Little Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus pygmaeus), the main food object of the Steppe Eagle. By regulating the height of grass stands, favorable conditions for the Little Ground Squirrel are created. In other areas of the region, the Little Ground Squirrel has become rare. The White-Tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is abundant during winter migration in areas where saigas congregate: On November 15, 2021, we counted 43 individuals following a herd of saigas on the 100 km Kaztalovka – Khan Ordasy road route. In recent years, we have recorded annual visitations of the Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) in the region. We attribute this to the growth of the saiga population. In 2019, we recorded an encounter of the Eurasian Griffon Vulture in the vicinity of Saihin settlement, which is the first record for the last 50 years. Analyzing all of the above, we can conclude that the growth of saiga population positively affects the dynamics of population growth of large birds of prey in the West Kazakhstan Region.

Analysis of Group-Thicket Communities on Iron Ore Industry Dumps in Kostanay Region

Environmental anthropogenic transformation leads to technogenic landscapes emergence, characterized by complete or partial destruction of ecosystem components. Partial restoration of biodiversity is possible through reclamation and self-overgrowing. Formation of vegetation cover on technogenic landscapes – a process that takes place in three syngenesis stages. This article presents the results of studying the degree of self-overgrowing on iron ore industry dumps in the Kostanay region (SSGPO JSC and Kachary Ruda JSC) at the stage of a group-thicket community – the second stage of syngenesis. Sixty-three geobotanical descriptions were compiled, and group-thicket communities were found in twenty-six. A group-thicket community is usually formed by patients; certain relationships and mutual influence appear between plants, but they remain fragmentary, individuals are slightly interconnected trophically. The predominance of species with a wide ecological amplitude characterizes this stage. It was found that the rate and patterns of vegetation cover formation at the second stage of syngenesis differ on saline and non-saline soils: the former are dominated by halophytes and long-rhizomatous plants, the latter are characterized by long-rhizomatous plants; moreover, the activity of species on the first soils is much higher than on the second ones, the number of species is approximately the same on both soil types.

Hydrological and morphological features and geoecological condition of the territories of the plains area of the Kuma River valley and their significance in the system of civilizational development of the Central Pre‐Caucasus in the 18<sup>th</sup>–21<sup>st</sup> centuries

Aim. In this work, the main aim was a retrospective analysis of the geo‐ecological state and problems of natural territorial complexes (NTC) of the valley of the plains area of the Kuma River in the context of hydrological and morphological dynamics for the period from the 18th century to the present.Material and Methods. The paper analyses the state of the landscape’s natural components in the region, for which topographic, sectoral and cadastral maps, digital relief model, satellite images were used. Openly available data of ministries, departments, archival and stock materials were used. The degree of anthropogenic transformation of the natural‐territorial complexes was calculated based on the coefficient of ecological stability of landscapes.Result. Using the example of the plains area of the Kuma River for the period of the 18th‐21st centuries, the geo‐ecological features of valley NTC were analysed. Studies have shown that at the present stage meandering remains an important condition for land use in the Kuma River valley in terms of both agricultural land and residential areas. Cartographic schemes of land use of a modelled plot in the valley of the Kuma River were constructed, allowing the assessment of the efficiency of the economic use of the fields of oxbow lakes.Conclusion. For the last two hundred years, valley NTC have remained significant for settlement purposes and related economic activities. The modern meandering belt together with the fields of the older such features create special environment forming conditions for the functioning of the stabilising components of the landscape, floodplain forest being a basic integral factor in the preservation of regional biodiversity. It is recommended that when organising the sustainable use of the land resources of river valleys for the purposes of territorial planning, the regional features of placement of meanders and oxbow lakes be taken into account.

Leptospirosis in Vietnam

Leptospirosis poses a serious public health problem in many countries because about 1 million people suffer annually from this severe, often fatal, infection. At present, its importance has been increasing due to development of integration processes, globalization and intensification of economic activities, inevitable anthropogenic transformation of landscapes as well as rise in number of people with occupational risk of pathogen exposure. The burden of human leptospirosis is expected to rise with demographic shifts and climate change that result in heavy rainfall and flooding. Regarding leptospirosis, Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, is among the most vulnerable global regions. The objective of the review was to analyze available published data on the spread of leptospirosis in Vietnam. More than 100 research articles were analyzed allowing to state that in Vietnam synanthropic rodents (rats), agricultural (buffaloes, cattle, pigs) and domestic animals (cats, dogs) are the main sources of leptospirosis infection in humans. It is essential that rats (cats and dogs also) in Vietnam are used for food. Among all farm animals, pigs are of maximal importance as a source of infection in humans. In Vietnam, Leptospira prevalence in pigs varies widely, up to 73%. It depends significantly on the location, farm size, age and gender of animals, etc. A large variety of Leptospira serovars have been identified in pigs in Vietnam: Tarassovi, Bratislava, Australis, Javanica, Autumnalis, Grippotyphosa, and some others. Official Vietnam reporting of leptospirosis cases based on clinical data does not reflect the real-life incidence rate in humans. However, the available seroprevalence studies reveal that, on average, about 10% of the Vietnamese population are infected with Leptospira. Work in agriculture is the dominant risk factor for acquiring this infection. The highest Leptospira seroprevalence rates were detected in farmers, 63.2%. Serovar diversity is typical for pathogenic Leptospira circulating in Vietnam. In humans, the most frequent are antibodies to Hebdomadis, Wolffi and Icterohaemorrhagiae, but the frequency varied markedly across the country depending on the site, possibly with relation to the environment, as well as with economic activity of the local population. In Vietnam, geographic, climatic and social differences between northern, central and southern regions contribute to the specificity of local leptospirosis epidemiology. This emphasizes the advisability of developing special measures for leptospirosis prevention taking into account regional peculiarities.

PROFESSOR OLGA V. SMIRNOVA’S SYSTEM OF VIEWS IN FOREST ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY

Professor Olga V. Smirnova, Doctor of Biological Sciences, is a prominent scientist in the field of plant demography, population biology, and forest ecosystem ecology. Professor Olga V. Smirnova’s edifice is based on ideas about the leading role of plant and animal populations in the organization of the biogeocenotic cover. In this case, it is implied that a continuous generational turnover in edificator (keystone species) populations is necessary to maintain the species and structural diversity in communities and ensure their sustainability. This system of views was influenced by Professor Alexey A. Uranov. The development of these ideas was consistent and gradual. First, Professor Olga V. Smirnova studied the biology of different plant species life forms. Examining their individual development, with identification of ontogenetic stages, is necessary for demographic research. She then developed the theory of coenopopulations as supraorganismal systems, which can self-sustain under different conditions. Finally, she developed the doctrine of biogeocenosis as a system of interacting populations and created the concept of anthropogenic transformation of the forest cover in the Holocene. Her contributions helped researchers to understand the mechanisms of the formation of modern zonality that are due to human activity.

Distribution and structure of bird assemblage in Northern Eurasia in the first half of summer

To reveal features of the distribution of birds in Northern Eurasia, the results of surveys carried out in the period from 1880 to 2019 (with interruptions and mainly since 1960) averaged over the first half of the summer (May 16–July 15) were analyzed. 354 researchers participated in the collection of material (for 110 years). Data processing was carried out using multivariate statistics methods, including cluster analysis and linear qualitative approximation of connection matrices. The classification of bird species by their distribution accounts for 42% of its similarity. The information content of representations decreased by 10–15% only (by 12% on average) with twice as many species analyzed, a significantly larger number of surveyed habitats and the area of the studied territory (as compared to the previously surveyed East European and West Siberian Plains and Altai). This level of explanation can be considered satisfactory (the correlation coefficient is 0.65). The summer distribution of bird species, as well as the heterogeneity of their distribution as a whole, is determined by changes in the hydrothermal regime in the zonal-belt and provincial aspects. The heat-to-moisture ratio determines the type of vegetation and its productivity both on land and in aquatic and semiaquatic habitats. The specificity of the vegetation type in territories and water areas, taking into account anthropogenic transformation, coincides with the heterogeneity of the bird distribution and the formation of ornithocomplexes as a whole. With the division of geographical space into zones, subzones, and especially physiographic countries, the variability in the distribution of birds and their communities is associated to a lesser extent, occupying the second and third places in the hierarchy of significance, respectively.

Subrecent Pollen Spectra of the Middle Volga Region and their Applicability for Climate and Land-Use History Reconstruction

The paper presents the results of spore-pollen analysis of 47 surface soil samples from the Middle Volga region, taken both in territories with vegetation close to zonal one and in heavily disturbed vegetation areas and agricultural lands. The analysis showed an ambiguous relationship between subrecent spectra and modern vegetation, both local and regional. This is explained by strong anthropogenic transformation of landscapes and the spread of conifer plantations, which form the basis of the modern “pollen rain”. Comparison of the soil subrecent spectra with the spectra of the buried soils uncovered during archaeological excavations in Bolgar showed that the soils of different archaeological eras differ in the composition of the pollen preserved in them, which reflects significant changes in the landscape over time. These changes are associated mainly with the change of the dominant types of land use. It is shown that the pollen spectra of the trampled open areas (roadsides, wastelands and cattle tracks) have characteristic distinctive features, which can be used in the interpretation of the results of archaeological-soil studies.

Analysis of ecofloristic diversity of the Poaceae family of forest biogeocenoses of the northern steppe Prydniprovya

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of cereals in the functioning of natural ecosystems and their use for human life. They often play the role of dominants and edifiers in the composition of plant cover, primarily herbaceous types of vegetation. But they also take part in the composition of forest phytocenoses of different natural zones. Within Ukraine, the Poaceae family includes 71 genera (of which only 4 are in culture) and 208 species (of which only 15 are in culture) [20]. The cereal flora of forest biogeocenoses of the analyzed area was studied in the end of the 19th century [1]. Since the studied forest complexes are located within the steppe zone with various conditions of watershed-beam and valley-terrace landscapes, they contain species of various ecomorphs: from xerophytes to hygrophytes (or even helophytes); from heliophytes to sciophytes, from oligotrophs to megatrophs. The flora of forest biogeocenoses of the northern steppe Prydniprovya region includes 73 species of vascular plants. The greatest species richness belongs to the flora of floodplain forests, which confirms the statement about the extraordinary biodiversity of floodplain landscapes [35]. Of the entire flora of forest biogeocenoses, hemicryptophytes (42 species) predominate among climamorphs, heliophytes (66 species) predominate among heliomorphs, mesotrophs (39 species) among trophomorphs, and mesophytes (45 species) among hygromorphs. Among the coenomorphs, the majority are forest-meadow (55 species) and ruderal-forest (18 species). The Roaceae family of the forest biogeocenoses of the northern steppe Prydniprovya region includes 6 rare species that are included in the regional red list of rare plants [29]. The ecomorphic analysis of the flora confirms the peculiarities of the physical and geographical conditions of different types of forests. Among the climamorphs, hemicryptophytes predominate in birachous and wall forests. The majority of heliophytes are characteristic of arenaceous forests, and sciophytes are characteristic of floodplain forests. Among trophomorphs, megatrophs predominate in birachous and walled forests, oligotrophs in arena forests. The largest number of hygrophytes is characteristic of floodplain forests, and xerophytes is characteristic of arena forests. The forest biogeocenoses of the northern steppe Prydniprovya are characterized by significant anthropogenic transformation of the vegetation cover. In the composition of the forest flora, there are only 16 purely ruderal (weedy) species, and 23 ruderal species in mixed ecomorphs. Among them, 16 are adventive ruderal species. The assessment of anthropogenic transformation of the plant cover using the hemerobium method shows that the majority of the hemerobium species belong to mesohemerobes – species that grow on the territories of landscapes with a medium degree of transformation. This indicates a moderate transformation of the forest biogeocenoses of the northern steppe Prydniprovya. Among all types of forests, the least transformed are floodplain, ravine and wall forests.