Bolshezemelskaya Tundra Research Articles

Isotope‐Tracing for Conceptual Model Formation During the Holocene of Eletsky Palsa, Bolshezemelskaya Tundra

ABSTRACTStudies of permafrost agradation within peat mires leading to palsa growth and palsa dynamics during the Holocene are important for predicting the future of permafrost in a changing climate. The radiocarbon age of peat cover and stable isotope composition of the ice cores of palsas near Eletsky settlement, north‐east of the European part of Russia, were studied. Palsa growth was the most active between 8 and 5 cal ka BP. The main sources for ice core formation were precipitation‐fed surface and suprapermafrost waters. It is assumed that the isotope composition of the initial water was isotopically depleted compared with modern surface waters, which may be explained by general climate cooling during earlier stages of palsa growth (response to the 8.2 ka cooling event). The ice cores of the studied palsas were formed during the freezing of water in semi‐closed conditions, mainly by the segregation mechanism during permafrost agradation, thickness of the ice lenses and ice volume could depend on freezing rates and water supply. The upper part of the palsa ice core experienced deep thawing and could be saturated with meteoric water; repeated freezing of this part of the ice core likely occurred in closed system conditions.

State of island spruce forests in the western part of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra after 23 years

State of island spruce forests in the western part of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra after 23 years

Distribution of 137Cs specific activity in river sediments of the Barents Sea basin (Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russian Arctic).

This article focuses on the study of the distribution of 137Cs in the bottom sediments of Arctic rivers of the Barents Sea basin (using the example of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russian Arctic). This research is relevant due to the poorly studied region and the significant number of radiation-hazardous facilities in the Arctic zone of Russia, both those currently in operation and those that are "nuclear heritage sites". The study of 137Cs specific activity in bottom sediments was carried out in the period from 2020 to 2023 in the rivers Chizha, Nes, Vizhas, Oma, Pechora (river delta), as well as the rivers Kolva and Usa (first and second order tributaries, respectively, of the Pechora River). A total of 199 samples were collected. In addition to 137Cs specific activity, the samples were analysed for sediment particle size distribution, organic matter content, carbonate content and ash content. The 137Cs specific activity mainly ranged from the minimum detectable specific activity to 5.4 ± 0.8Bq·kg-1. In the Nes River basin (Kaninskaya tundra), the 137Cs content in bottom sediments reached 36.0 ± 3.2Bq·kg-1 (in the case of lake sediments) and 22.9 ± 3.7Bq·kg-1 (in the case of river sediments), values that are higher than those of the North-West of Russia. Considering the large area of the study area (Kaninskaya tundra, Pechora river delta, southern part of Bolshezemelskaya tundra) and the similarity of physical and chemical parameters of the studied rivers, it is possible to assume the existence of a zone of increased radionuclide content in the Nes river basin. This may be due to the runoff from the Nes River catchment area, its hydrological features, and the accumulation of 137Cs in the small fractions of bottom sediments. The results confirm the conclusions of previous soil studies in the Nes river basin. The main sources of elevated 137Cs content are global atmospheric deposition and the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident.

Distribution of the black grouse, capercaillie, and hazel grouse (Tetraonidae) at the northern edge of their species range in the Nenets Autonomous Area

This paper presents data on the distribution of the black grouse Lyrurus tetrix (L., 1758), capercaillie Tetrao urogallus (L., 1758), and hazel grouse Tetrastes bonasia (L., 1758) in the Nenets Autonomous Area (the northeast of the European Russian Federation). The study has revealed trends indicating an expansion of the distribution range of these species to the north. According to our observations, black grouse, capercaillie, and hazel grouse in the Malozemelskaya Tundra are located further north than in the published data – about 40 km for black grouse, 20 km for capercaillie, and 20 km for hazel grouse. In the Malozemelskaya Tundra, the northernmost black grouse and capercaillie were found in spruce forest islands, while the hazel grouse inhabited riverine floodplain forests. In the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra, the capercaillie was the only grouse bird found further north compared to the published data, in the extremely northern islands of the forest within the Shapkina River valley. In the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra, new registrations of the grouse (200 km) and ruffed grouse (100 km) were noted to the east of the known data, indirectly indicating an expansion of the distribution area of these birds to the north in the regions adjacent to the Nenets Autonomous Area. It was noted that the trends of expansion of the range of distribution of black grouse to the north are unidirectional with positive trends in air temperature in the Nenets Autonomous Area and with the processes of gradual overgrowth of woody vegetation in treeless areas located between the forest tundra and northern spruce forest islands.

To the History of Reindeer and Reindeer Husbandry in Eastern Fennoscandia

The hypotheses of the reindeer appearance in Eastern Fennoscandia are discussed. Probably, reindeer appeared in the south of the Scandinavian Peninsula and then moved along the coast of the Norwegian Sea. Further, it dispersed along the Barents Sea to the north of Finland and to the northwest of the Kola Peninsula. The occupancy of the central and northeastern parts of the Kola Peninsula, apparently, took place along the mainland of the peninsula, fi rst in the southern and then in the eastern direction. Forest reindeer entered Eastern Fennoscandia 8–9 thousand years ago: fi rst in central Karelia, much later in Finland, and, possibly, to the south of the Kola Peninsula (Siivonen, 1979; Rankama, Ukkonen, 2001). Currently, Eastern Fennoscandia is inhabited by three subspecies of reindeer: European tundra deer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus (L.)), forest reindeer (Rangifer tarandus fennicus Lönnb.), and Siberian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus sibiricus (L.)) appeared here in 1887 with the arrival of reindeer herders from the Bolshezemelskaya tundra. The existence of wild reindeer in Fennoscandia is closely related to domestic reindeer husbandry. Reindeer husbandry severely limited the distribution of the wild form, and as a result, the European tundra reindeer survived in Fennoscandia in the form of geographically isolated pockets of various sizes only in Norway and on the Kola Peninsula. Genetic studies have shown that, despite the longterm coexistence of the domesticated tundra reindeer and the native wild form in the eastern part of the Kola Peninsula, the wild reindeer preserved his genetic uniqueness. To the south, in Karelia, the main tasks now should be the protection and restoration of wild forest reindeer

Fauna and bird population of the basin of the middle reaches of the Kara River (Polar Urals, Bolshezemelskaya tundra) based on to the results of expedition studies in 2017 and 2023

The article presents the results of ornithological studies carried out in the basin of the middle reaches of the Kara River on the border of the Polar Urals and the Bolshezemelskaya tundra in the field seasons of 2017 and 2023. The routes covered a part of the valley of the middle reaches of the Kara River, sections of the valleys of the Halmershor 2nd, Lyadheyakha, Nyarmayakha, Yunyakha, Nerusaveyakha, Silovayakha, Halmer-Yu rivers and adjacent sections of the plakors. The relevance of the work is due to the fragmentary study of the territory and the need for monitoring to better identify the avifauna of a relatively inaccessible area of the Subarctic. During the research, 70 species of birds were recorded, 53 of which were breeding or likely to breed. The results of the work made it possible to carry out an inventory of the avifauna of the middle reaches of the Kara River basin, which had not previously been fully surveyed. Regular nesting in the tundra zone was confirmed down to the subzone of typical tundra, the steppe arrier Circus macrourus and the Siberian curlew Prunella montanella. The stability of the populations of the species included in the Red Book of the Russian Federation is demonstrated: the peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus and the little swan Cygnus bewickii. The revealed difference in the fauna and population of birds in the same area in different years with similar weather conditions confirms the necessity of monitoring these indicators in the Arctic and Subarctic.

Lake sedimentation conditions in the lower part Seyda River (north of Komi Republic, Russia) according to palynological and diatom data

The aim of the study is to investigate sedimentation processes during the Late Glacial and Holocene in the eastern Bolshezemelskaya Tundra. The coastal outcrop SD-5, 16 m high, in the lower reaches of the Seyda River (Komi Republic) was studied. Analytical methods included palynological and diatom analysis, and 14C dating. When characterizing the stages of sediment formation, algae Pediastrum, Desmidiales, and other non-pollen palynomorphs were also identified. The lithological structure of the outcrop and the results obtained made it possible to trace the transformations of the periglacial paleo-reservoir and the four main stages of sedimentation associated with them. The banded clay at its base was deposited in a periglacial lake under periglacial conditions. The overlying layer of interbedded sands accumulated as a result of the descent of the periglacial paleo-reservoir. The peat exposed in the roof of the section was initially formed (12125±49 – 8719±44 14C BP) in a cold deep-water lake that arose in place of a periglacial reservoir. The vegetation cover consisted of yernik and wormwood-chenopodium thickets. Later (up to ~ 4500 14C BP) the shallows were overgrown with wetland plants. The improvement of the climate contributed to the advance of birch and later (7705±43 14C BP) spruce forests. Then, starting from ~ 4500 14C BP, the swamp massif drained and froze, and modern plant communities developed.

Chironomids of thermal and karst springs of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra

Pymvashor Creek is the northernmost in continental Europe hydrothermal system (Bolshezemelskaya tundra, Northeast of European Russian Arctic). Our study aimed to investigate the taxonomic composition and abundance of chironomids and to evaluate the relationship of these parameters with the water temperature along the thermal gradient in the arctic Pymvashor Creek thermal system. The greatest taxonomic richness and abundance of chironomids were found in tepid waters (25 chironomid taxa), where Orthocladiinae dominated chironomid communities. Eurybiotic Chironomus Meigen, 1803 species dominated thermal springs. Cold stenotherm Pseudodiamesa (Pseudodiamesa) nivosa (Goetghebuer, 1928) and Eukiefferiella claripennis (Lundbeck, 1898) prevailed in cold karst springs. The chironomid faunas of thermal, tepid, and cold parts of the Pymvashor Creek hydrothermal water system differ statistically significantly.

Prevalence of vector-borne diseases among reindeer (<i>Rangifer tarandus</i>) Bolshezemelskaya and Malozemelskaya tundr

The purpose of the research is to establish the prevalence of vector-borne diseases in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) Bolshezemelskaya and Malozemelskaya tundra.Materials and methods. The research was carried out in 2022–2023 on domesticated reindeer living in the Bolshezemelskaya and Malozemelskaya tundra of the Nenets Autonomous Okrug and the Komi Republic. Stabilized blood was obtained from animals by random sampling and PCR studies were performed for the presence of genetic material of pathogens of the genera Anaplasma, Babesia and Theileria.Results and discussion. The DNA of the causative agent of anaplasmosis was isolated from 14.3% of reindeer from Malozemelskaya (family-tribal community «Vy Tu» (VTU) and «Opseda» (OPS)) and 30.6% of Bolshezemelskaya tundra (Аgricultural production cooperative «Harp» (HARP) and Collective Farm «Izhemsky olenevod and Co» (IZHM)). To a greater extent, vazhenki and calves were infected with anaplasmosis, to a lesser extent – choirs. Genetic material of Babesia pathogens was found in 53.1% of VTU and OPS deer and 36.7% of HARP and IZHM, while babesiosis was most often observed in the chorus group. Teileriosis was found in 10.2% and 4.1% of animal samples among the herds of the Malozemelskaya and Bolshezemelskaya tundra, respectively. The genetic material of the causative agent of teileriosis was isolated mainly from the blood obtained from calves. The causative agent of theileriosis was not found in the biological material of the choirs. The presence of DNA Anaplasma spp. and Babesia spp. in one sample, the proportion of deer from Malozemelskaya tundra herds was 2.4%, from Bolshezemelskaya – 26.5%. The combined course of babesiosis and teileriosis was found to be 8.2% only in VTU and OPS deer. Thus, studies have shown that vector-borne diseases is widespread among the reindeer of the studied farms of the Bolshezemelskaya and Malozemelskaya tundra.

Геолого-геоморфологическое районирование бассейна р. Сейды (восток Большеземельской тундры) на основе цифровой модели рельефа ArcticDEM

The Bolshezemelskaya tundra is one of the least studied and poorly mapped territories of the European North-East of Russia. The availability of the ArcticDEM digital elevation model with a high spatial resolution allowed conducting a comprehensive joint analysis of digital, geomorphological and geological data.
 The results of using the ArcticDEM global digital relief model for geological and geomorphological studies of the Seyda River basin (eastern Bolshezemelskaya tundra) in its middle and lower reaches are presented.
 An irregular triangulation network TIN covering the Seyda River valley was constructed, and the main geomorphometric parameters of the relief were calculated: hypsometric characteristics, surface inclination angles and slope exposures. Based on the obtained morphometric indicators of the relief and the textural and structural characteristics of Quaternary sediments, the following types of relief were identified: accumulative glacial, erosion-accumulative water-glacial and erosion-accumulative alluvial types of relief. A geological and geomorphological diagram of the Seyda River valley was been constructed and the main morphogenetic features of the relief during its formation were identified.

Soil Formation Features in Drained Lake Basins of the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra

The features of the structure, properties, and temperature regimes of soils functioning in two different drained lake basins of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra are characterized. The basins differ significantly in the features of landscape development, the composition of bottom (soil-forming) sediments, and the patterns of the soil and vegetation cover. In a naturally drained basin composed of mineral (sandy and clayey) bottom sediments, soils belonging to the departments Gley, and Poorly developed are formed, which are typical for the watershed landscapes of the region. Soils function as ecosystem-modified permafrost-affected profiles, partially protected from thaw. The soil profile is acidic, not saturated with bases, with moderate carbon content in the mineral horizons. In the artificially drained basin, covered with a layer of silted peat, predominantly peaty permafrost-affected soils were formed, including peat soils of tundra meadows, which are unique for the landscapes of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra. Peaty soils of the basin appear to be as ecosystem-protected, i.e. protected from thawing, and they are characterized by high ash content and slightly acidic reaction. A significant differentiation of the studied soil parameters are determined by different basins, which are different according to the composition of parent sediments, the specifics of landscape development, and manifestations of present-day cryogenic processes.

Population Status of the Globally Threatened Long-Tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis in the Northeast European Tundra

Arctic Russia is home to more than 90% of all Long-tailed Ducks in the Clangula hyemalis species from the Western Siberia/Northern Europe population. The breeding population in European Russia was estimated to be about 5 million birds in the 1960s, while today, estimates have declined to 1 million birds. Up until now, the main reasons for the overall population decline of the Long-tailed Duck were related to wintering conditions in the Baltic Sea. Our data indicate that the loss or deterioration of key breeding habitats in the Arctic regions of Russia is one important factor influencing the rapid population decline. Many key breeding habitats of the Long-tailed Duck were completely lost in the Bolshezemelskaya tundra, as this area was transformed into major oil and gas extraction sites. The transformation of these sites increased the disturbance and oil pollution of adjacent habitats, leading to the direct loss of certain key nesting sites and a marked and rapid decline of the breeding population of the Long-tailed Duck in the Bolshezemelskaya tundra. Oil-spills during transportation by sea may also be an important factor of decline in the Long-tailed Duck population. Meanwhile, in the Malozemelskaya tundra, which did not experience oil and gas development, the breeding population over the last decades remained stable. Urgent establishment of new protections in key breeding areas in Arctic Russia, sustainable population management, and new research programs are necessary for the conservation and enhancement of this globally threatened species.

Possibility using carbon-to-nitrogen ratio as a criterion for palsa and lithalsa distinguishing

The palsa and lithalsa are reliable indicators of the presence of permafrost, especially on the its southern border. The subject of the study is the consideration of the C/N ratio in the peat of the palsa and the litter and humus horizon of the lithalsa as a criterion for the separation of the palsa and lithalsa. The palsa near the Yeletskaya village in the Bolshezemelskaya tundra and the lithalsa in the Southern Transbaikalia near the Preobrazhenka village and in the valley of the Sentsa in the Eastern Sayan are considered. The history of the study of lithalsa and palsa in Russia at the beginning of the twentieth century is considered also. It was found that the nitrogen content in the surface layers of the lithalsa (0.45-1.73% in the valley of the Sentsa River and 0.47-2.01% near the Arachley Lake) is approximately in the same range as in the surface horizons of the palsa, regardless of the permafrost region. The results of the carbon and nitrogen content determining, as well as their ratios in the peat cover of the palsa are summarized. In contrast to lithalsa, the carbon content in the peat horizons of the palsa and flat-hummock peatlands is many times higher than the values obtained for both surface and buried organic horizons of the lithalsa. The value of C/N less than 13 has not been recorded for the peat cover of palsa, this indicator for lithalsa never exceeds 10-12.

Environmental Factors Controlling Zooplankton Communities in Thermokarst Lakes of the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra Permafrost Peatlands (NE Europe)

Environmental physical and chemical factors controlling the abundance and biodiversity of zooplankton in permafrost-affected lakes are poorly known yet they determine the response of aquatic ecosystems to on-going climate change and water warming. Here, we assess the current status of zooplankton communities in lakes of the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra (permafrost peatlands of NE Europe), and provide new information about the composition and structure of zooplankton. The results demonstrate that the structure of zooplankton communities is influenced by the morphometric features of lakes and the degree of lake overgrowth by macrophytes. According to the level of quantitative development of zooplankton, most tundra lakes were of the oligotrophic type with an average wet biomass of up to 1 g/m3. The largest number of species was observed in zooplankton communities of small thaw ponds with an area of up to 0.02 km2 and overgrown with macrophytes. The analysis of factors that influence the formation of the lake zoocenosis demonstrated that the species composition and quantitative characteristics of zooplankton are chiefly controlled by pH and water mineralization. A comparison of the results obtained with the literature data on the lakes of this region collected 60 years ago suggests that the ecosystems of these lakes are in a stable state. Overall, these new insights will improve our knowledge of factors controlling the zooplankton spatial dynamics in unique but quite abundant thermokarst lakes of NE European Tundra, subjected to on-going climate warming.

Элементный статус адаптивного состояния телят северных оленей в экологических условиях Большеземельской тундры

The chemical composition of essential elements in the longissimus back muscle and liver of 7-8-month-old reindeer calves has been evaluated. Differences in the content of Ca, a positive relationship with Mg and Fe have been noted. The identified features of metabolism in calves bred in different environments, the determining factor of which are soil types in the stable functioning of the soil–plant–animal system, provide advantages of the physiological state of the organism. By the studies of 2020 and 2021, calves of the current year of birth, comprising 83 % of slaughter, accumulate toxic substances, radionuclides and dioxins in muscle tissue, liver and kidneys within the agreed health-based exposure limits as they grow and develop under technogenic load of the Bolshezemelskaya tundra. Among the heavy metals studied (Cd, Hg, Pb, As), Pb and As concentrations in calves have low values of maximum permissible concentrations.

Twenty-one year dynamics of vegetation from long-term plots in East European tundra

Twenty-one year dynamics of vegetation from long-term plots in East European tundra

Halophilous Vegetation of the Southern Coast of the Pechora Bay

Geobotanical studies of the coastal halophilous vegetation are carried out on the southern coast of the Pechora Bay (the Barents Sea region). The ecological-phytocenotic approach is applied for classification; in total, 11 plant associations (including 2 subassociations) belonging to 10 formations are described. The syntaxa are identified considering 94 original geobotanical descriptions. In the article, the classification is limited to two leading syntaxonomic units: (1) formation, distinguished by the type of phytocenosis edificator species and (2) association, distinguished by the dominant species of the upper and lower tiers, which are defined as the diagnostic category. The vegetation cover differed in composition and structure in the habitats with different ecological conditions, such as beaches and foredunes, salt and brackish marshes, brackish water bodies on the marshes, ecotone zones between marshes, and shrub tundra. On the beach sands, there were communities of two associations: Leymetum arenarii honckenyosum diffusae and Leymetum arenarii latirosum japonici. The salt marshes were covered with the halophilous vegetation of the four associations: Caricetum subspathaceae potentillosum egedii, Caricetum glareosae potentillosum egedii, Festucetum rubrae potentillosum egedii, and Caricetum mackenziei. In the brackish marshes, there were communities of associations of Rumexetum aquaticus, Glycerietum fluitantis subpurum, and Arctophiletum fulvae. The small brackish lakes were occupied by the communities of Hippuridetum tetraphyllae. The communities of Salicetum reptantis parnassiosum palustris association are described in the ecotone zones between the marshes and shrub tundra. The original data on the marshe syntaxa described by the ecological-phytocenotic approach are compared with the previously published data on those from the Bolshezemelskaya tundra, but identified using the ecological-floristic approach. For the first time, the vegetation of marshes and beaches at the mouth of the Dresvyanka River is described. The article expands the information about the distribution of beach communities of the Leymeta arenaria formation, and the communities of marshes of the Caricetum subspathaceae, Caricetum glareosae, Festucetum rubrae potentillosum egedae, Hippuridetum tetraphyllae, Rumexetum aquaticus, and Arctophiletum fulvae associations. New information about the composition and structure of the Glycerietum fluitantis subpurum association is presented; these communities are first described earlier by the authors outside the northern border of the range of the coenose-forming plant Glyceria fluitans, in the south of the Pechora Bay, at the mouth of the Khylchuyu River. These communities together with the coenose-forming plant Glyceria fluitans require protection in the Nenets Autonomous Okrug.

Sulfur and chlorine compounds in water bodies of the Pymvashor subarctic hydrothermal system.

The results of the study of the behavior of redox-dependent sulfur and chlorine compounds in sediments of water bodies of the Pymvashor natural boundary (PNB) located in the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra (the Polar Cis-Ural Region, Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Russian Federation) are presented. Currently, the Pymvashor is the only known location in Continental Europe where hydrothermal springs function in the polar territories. Data on the quantitative characteristics of the geochemical parameters of bacterial sulfate reduction (reduced sulfur compounds, reactive iron forms, and organic matter) in the sediments of all studied Pymvashor water bodies have been obtained. It has been established that the revealed differences in the distribution and transformation of these parameters, in addition to the main reasons affecting the course of redox processes, were also caused by the thermal factor (warming effect of thermal waters on all ecosystems of the natural boundary). Thus, iron monosulphides dominated in the upper sediment layers of non-freezing watercourses, which distinguished them from the sediments of seasonally frozen lakes, where sulfur associated with organic matter dominated along the entire length of the sediment cores. The presence of chlorophenols (CPs) and their derivatives, including pentachlorophenol as a persistent organic pollutant, in the sediments of studied Pymvashor water bodies was established. It is shown that the chlorophenol composition is mainly induced by the occurrence of natural enzymatic and biochemical processes. The influence of microclimatic conditions of the subarctic hydrothermal system on the composition, levels, and distribution of chlorophenolic compounds in the sediments was revealed.

Сохранение геологического материала и история открытий карстовых образований Печоро-Североуральского спелеологического района и прилегающих территорий

The paper describes the history of discovery and study of karst formations of the European North of Russia. More than 100 karst formations have been identified. The main periods in the history of exploration of caves and grottoes of the Pechora Urals are reflected. The first caves descriptions which were made by travellers and scientists in the 18th19th centuries are given. During that period the most famous caves were Uninskaya and Kaninskaya caves. The main karst formations were discovered and described at the beginning of the 20th century. Geologist V.N. Mamontov discovered 4 caves on the Pervokamennaya River. Systematic geological studies by V.A. Varsanofyeva in the Northern Urals allowed her to discover small karst formations in the upper reaches of the Pechora on the Ilych and Unya rivers. In 1960, B.I. Guslitzer discovered the largest cave in the Northern Urals — the Medvezhya Cave. Promising and little-studied areas of karst are the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra, the Polar and Nether-Polar Urals, Pai-Hoi and Timan. Only a few small caves and grottoes are known on these territories. Most of the karst is located in specially protected areas. The caves are unique paleontological monuments of nature. The funds of the A.A. Chernov Geological Museum of the Institute of Geology contain 12 monographic collections of paleofaunistic material with a volume of more than 30 thousand storage units. The remains of vertebrate caves consist of bones of mammoth fauna and small mammals.

IMPACT OF CLIMATE WARMING ON FLORISTIC DIVERSITY OF THE EAST EUROPEAN TUNDRA

IMPACT OF CLIMATE WARMING ON FLORISTIC DIVERSITY OF THE EAST EUROPEAN TUNDRA