Caspian Lowland Research Articles

Soil-climatic conditions of the vineyard and biochemical characteristics of the red dry wine ‘Kara-Koysu’ (Republic of Dagestan, Russian Federation)

ABSTRACT The article provides additional information that emphasizes the growing international interest in the impact of climate (temperature, humidity, precipitation, solar activity) on grape yields and the quality of terroir wine. The study deals with the climate gradient of the terroir of the Derbent region of the Republic of Dagestan (Russia), located on the terraced accumulative-coastal plain of the Caspian lowland, stretching for 160 km from north to south in a narrow strip between the coast of the Caspian Sea and the foothills. The influence of soil and climatic conditions on the biochemical characteristics of red dry wines ‘Kara-Koysu’ from Cabernet Sauvignon wingrapes of the 2019–2021 harvest was studied. The growing season occurred in dry, moderately humid conditions in 2019; hot, with a lot of precipitation in 2020 and more extreme conditions in 2021. The conditions of recent years have contributed to the change of almost all the studied indicators of tested wines. Studies have found that the climatic conditions of 2020–2021 were more favorable for obtaining a rich harvest, high-quality wines due to more UV light exposure and precipitation.

Hydrochemical Analysis of Salt Lakes in the Caspian Lowland of the Mangistau Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Hydrochemical Analysis of Salt Lakes in the Caspian Lowland of the Mangistau Region of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Cultivated plants and their wild relatives of Central Russia and the North Caucasus (results of a collecting mission of 2023)

In 2023, field explorations of cultivated plants and their wild relatives were carried out in the regions of the Volga Upland, the western part of the Caspian Lowland and the Stavropol Upland with the aim of further replenishing seed and herbarium collections of VIR.A total of 525 samples of CWR and cultivated plants were collected, including 200 are herbarium sheets, 323 seed samples of cultivated plants and CWR, and a couple of cuttings. The collected material encompasses 145 species, including 91 cultivars. Seeds of the cultivars were purchased at markets, in supermarket chains and from local residents. The following areas were examined in detail: the left bank of the Lower Volga (Peschany anabranch, Kigach anabranch, as well as the “Novaya Roshcha” protected area). In the Republic of Ingushetia the team collected samples of cherry plum, Caucasian pear, barberry, viburnum, Lonicera orientalis, sea buckthorn, raspberry, and Malus orientalis, which local residents use in their diet. Also, samples of spicy herbs such as savory, catnip, oregano, thyme, etc. were collected. Hops were sampled in the Tambov and Volgograd provinces, the Republics of Ingushetia, North Ossetia and Adygea, from abandoned household plots in Botanika village in Gulkevichi District (Krasnodar Territory). The exploration in vicinities of Derbent and of the wall of Naryn-Kala fortress in Derbent resulted in collecting a rare specimen of Secale sylvestre Host., which previously used to be a fairly common plant in the North Caucasus, but is very rare now. Vegetable crops were collected along the entire route of the collecting mission. It was not always possible to collect seeds, so a part of the material enriched the herbarium collection. The collected material reflects the use of a vast range of vegetable and spicy plant species by the local population.Collecting missions help to understand which species are of primary importance for the conservation of natural processes, biodiversity and the maintenance of local ecosystems. The genetic diversity of a region is a key object of research for geneticists and plant breeders. Landraces of vegetable, cereal and other crops may have unique properties, such as adaptation to local climate conditions or disease resistance. Work on the mobilization and conservation of the plant genetic diversity is the basis for modern breeding and genetic research.

State of populations of anuran amphibians (Anura, Amphibia) in the north of the Caspian lowland

State of populations of anuran amphibians (Anura, Amphibia) in the north of the Caspian lowland

Luminescence dating of Late Pleistocene sea level change and cryogenesis in the northern Caspian region (Chernyy Yar section)

During the Quaternary sedimentation in the southern part of the Caspian Lowland was influenced significantly by the Caspian Sea. This is expressed both in accumulation of marine/lagoon sediments as a result of transgressive phases, as well as erosion of sediments, which leads to an incompleteness in the geological record. The most detailed record of Later Quaternary sedimentation is found in the Lower Volga region, where a series of Caspian Sea transgressions, Volga River alluvium and loess-palaeosol series provide an excellent archive of the evolution of the climate and landscapes of the past. We have studied one of the reference sections, at Chernyy Yar, in which a series of major stages of regional sedimentations is recorded. Description of the Late Quaternary sediments and luminescence dating allowed us to obtain, for the first time, a detailed chronostratigraphy for the southern part of the Lower Volga. Our results show that the quartz OSL and feldspar pIRIR50,290 signals were sufficiently bleached before deposition and uncertainties in bleaching have a negligible impact on the reliability of the luminescence ages. The new luminescence chronology described here, based on quartz OSL and K-feldspar pIRIR290 ages, suggests five major stages during the Late Quaternary: (1) a stable alluvial sedimentation of the Volga River between 130 and 105 ka (MIS 5e/d), when the thick Chernyyar alluvial suite formed regionally during the Late Khazarian transgression of the Caspian Sea; (2) a stage when the retreat of the Khazarian transgression formed a very broad floodplain about 85 ka ago, and promoted Volga channel incision. New findings shows that the Atelian regression – a major event in the Late Quaternary of the Caspian Sea – began after ∼60 ka; (3) subaerial sedimentation during MIS 4 with evidence of cryogenic processes at ∼40 ka, reliably dated for the first time in this southern part of the East European Plain; (4) about 24 ka ago, the largest Late Quaternary Khvalynian transgression reached the Chernyy Yar; (5) after the subsequent regression at ∼14–15 ka some part of the marine record was eroded and the Holocene kastanozem soil formed.

SUMMER DIET OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS IN THE BLACK LANDS OF KALMYKI

Field material for assessing the diet of grazed domestic animals was collected in the summer season of 2020 on the territory of the Black Lands (the southern part of the Caspian lowland within the borders of the Republic of Kalmykia). The research area belongs to the northern subzone of the desert zone (Zones and Zones…, 1999). Data on the composition of forage plants in the diet of jointly grazed sheep, cows and horses were obtained using the method of microhistological cuticular analysis of excrement. This method is used for the first time to assess the diet of sheep, cows and horses in the study area. 25 plant species were identified in the summer diet of grazed animals, of which 21 species were noted when describing vegetation in the key area. It was revealed that the diet of grazed domestic animal species differs in the ratio of the main forage groups of plants in it: cereals, sedges and various grasses. The share of cereals is the highest in the diet of horses (92%), and the share of various grasses prevails in the diet of sheep (35%).

Распространение обыкновенной медянки (Coronella austriaca austriaca Laurenti, 1768) (Colubridae, Reptilia) на Прикаспийской низменности России и Казахстана

The distribution of smooth snake in the Caspian lowland of Russia and Kazakhstan is analyzed according to the collections of the Zoological Museum of Moscow State University and published works. The map with smooth snake finds includes 36 localities of the species (Volgograd Region, Stavropol Territory, Kalmykia, Chechen Republic, Dagestan, and Kazakhstan).

Integral Assessment of Water Quality in the Volga River Basin According to Monitoring Data in the 21st Century

The Volga River has been the main Russian river for several centuries. The river, originating on the Valdai Hills, crosses several natural and climatic zones on its way to the Caspian Sea: from the southern taiga to the dry steppes of the Caspian Lowland. According to the latest data, 45% of industrial enterprises and 50% of agricultural production in Russia are concentrated in the river basin. The anthropogenic load on the river with its tributaries and their basins significantly exceeds the load on other large Russian rivers. The largest contaminated wastewater volumes fall on the share of Moscow, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, Yaroslavl, Saratov, Ufa, Volgograd, Balakhna, Tolyatti, Ulyanovsk, Cherepovets, Naberezhnye Chelny and other large cities. All these negative processes occur against the background of ongoing climate change. The article analyzes the Roshydromet hydrochemical monitoring data of river waters in the Volga River basin for the 2000–2021 period by water bodies and federal subjects. Regardless of the year water content, almost 70% of hydrochemical monitoring stations in the Volga River basin correspond to the third quality class (“polluted”). An integral assessment of the water quality in the Volga River basin shows that the situation has not changed significantly since the end of the last century. To improve the ecological condition of the Volga River basin, it is necessary to implement a set of measures for the protection and reproduction of water resources in catchment areas, rationalize water use systems, and reduce the volume of freshwater intake. Reducing water consumption is a necessary condition for reducing the wastewater volume discharged and, consequently, the number of pollutants contained in it. One of the problems is that almost all types of water use harm the surface waters’ natural quality, including the Volga River basin.

Assessment of soil properties and trace element accumulation in arid regions: A case study of Kalmykia's central dry steppe zone, Russia

Soil plays a pivotal role in ecosystem health and agricultural productivity. This study focuses on a critical region for soil research, Kalmykia's central dry steppe zone in southern Russia, characterized by arid conditions and unique challenges. Our investigation aimed to evaluate the current state of soil properties and assess trace element accumulation within this environment. The region's distinctive characteristics, including being home to Europe's first desert, present a complex scenario for soil conservation and management. A thorough analysis of key physicochemical properties, including organic matter content, soil texture, pH levels, and the concentrations of trace elements (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Sr, and Pb) using established methodologies, was conducted. Our findings revealed several crucial insights into the soil conditions of this arid region. Soil samples predominantly consisted of Haplic Kastanozems Sodic, characterized by low organic carbon content (0.3-1.9%). Soil texture analysis indicated a predominantly light and medium loamy granulometric composition with a prevalence of sandy fractions. Soil pH values ranged from neutral (pH = 7.6-7.9) to slightly alkaline (pH = 8.0-8.4). Furthermore, the study provided the first assessment of soil conditions in residential areas of the Caspian Lowland's arid region. Notably, trace element analysis showed elevated concentrations of several metals, with Sr having the highest levels. Co, Cr, and Zn concentrations did not significantly increase compared to the background values. The results of this soil fertility evaluation hold significance for soil restoration and conservation efforts in this unique and fragile ecosystem. In conclusion, this study underscores the urgent need for soil monitoring and management practices to address soil degradation and desertification driven by overgrazing and erosion. Understanding the physicochemical properties and trace element dynamics in arid regions is essential for developing strategies to restore and conserve these valuable soils.

Ecological assessment of the safety and biodiversity of woody introduced species in the semi-desert of the Northern Caspian lowland

The species diversity and safety of a 70-year-old collection of tree and shrub introduced species in the arboretum of the Dzhanybek Research Station, located in rainfed conditions of the semi-desert of the Northern Caspian region, was studied. The arboretum was created on hydromorphic meadow-chestnut soils in a mesodepression of relief in 1953. At the present stage, 75 species belonging to 23 families and 43 genera have been identified in the arboretum. It was analyzed that most of the species are represented by the family Rosaceae, the species of the families Caprifoliaceae, Elaeagnaceae, Fagaceae, Leguminosae, Oleaceae, Salicaceae, Sapindaceae, Ulmaceae are very numerous. Species with high ecological and biological potential have been identified. It is concluded that due to their own longevity, adaptive reactions, good self-renewal abilities, many species can exist for a long time and stably in semi-desert conditions. Species that can be recommended for creating sustainable socially significant plantations are proposed.

Assessment of the effect of contemporary climate warming on the small ground squirrel fleas population dynamics in Northwestern region of Caspian Depression

The dominant zonal rodent species in the steppes and semi-deserts of the Caspian Lowland is the small ground squirrel Spermophilus pygmaeus (Pallas, 1778). Flea species, which are its specific ectoparasites, play a significant role in the occurrence of plague epizootics in this area. The impact of global climate warming on the population dynamics of the fleas of the small ground squirrel in the northern deserts on the territory of the Caspian Lowland is discussed in this article. The literature sources and extensive archival materials were used for the analysis. The Ilmen-Pridelta landscape region (southwest of the Astrakhan Region), which is most fully characterized through the necessary quantitative indicators, was chosen as a model territory. The data of the annual spring-summer registration of indices of the flea abundance in wool and at the entrances of the burrows of the small ground squirrel, as well as his abundance rates (number of specimens per 1 ha), average monthly air temperature values reported by meteorological stations in Astrakhan over the past 70 years were statistically processed. The article reveals the mechanism of the influence of contemporary climate warming on the dynamics of the number of fleas of the small ground squirrel in the territory of the Caspian Lowland over the period of 1950-2021.

Characterization of arid soil quality: Physical and chemical parameters

Land degradation especially as a result of the rapid increase in demand and pressure in the population, have emerged as one of the most important problems. Degradation leads to the loss of biological and economic productivity due to the fact that the soil loses its functional properties, which are one of the most important elements of the terrestrial ecosystem. Combined with excessive biophysical and socio-economic damage in arid areas, land degradation causes irreversible consequences leading to desertification. Thus, land degradation is an environmental threat not only on a local or regional scale, but also on a continental or even global scale. The change in the state of soils as a result of anthropogenic impact and climatic changes determines the relevance of conducting a study of the soils of the Republic of Kalmykia. Endosalic Calcisols of sandy loam and sandy granulometric composition predominate in the structure of the soil cover of the southern part of the Caspian lowland, significant areas are occupied by sands. More than 70% of agricultural land is subject to wind erosion. Salt marshes are widely distributed.

Plant Community Transformations in Desert Rangeland Ecosystems – Evidence from the North-Western Caspian Lowland

Abstract—The article presents the results of long-term monitoring of successions, and the production dynamics in desert rangeland phytocoenoses over an 8-year period (2014–2021). It shows the current state of vegetative cover of the Chernozemelskaya sandy plain (north-west of the Caspian lowland, Republic of Kalmykia) following forest reclamation of fine-grained sands, carried out in the 1970s–1990s. The centers of soil deflation (aeolian erosion) differed by the degree of soil and vegetative cover transformation and the methods of the reclamation of open sands. Currently, a secondary vegetative cover has been formed on the previously identified deflation patches. The expansion and evolution of the current species composition suggests the development of secondary succession. The features of the synusial structure of desert phytocenoses reflect the state of plant communities. The relationship of the productivity of model pastures (shrub Callygonum aphyllum, subshrub Krascheninnikovia ceratoides, herbaceous species Stipa lessingiana, Artemisia lerchiana, Alyssum deserforum, Bromus tectorum, Carex stenophylla, Koeleria macrantha, Poa bulbosa) with precipitation in warm and cold periods of the growing season is analyzed. Under changing temporal and spatial climate dynamics, the successional processes are greatly influenced by wildfires and anthropogenic impact. It has been established that secondary successions under heavy transformation of the agro-pasture landscape develop more slowly. Thus, the natural and landscape environment of the current deflation centres in the rangelands of the North-Western Caspian region is an important factor determining the direction of succession.

Растительные сообщества песчаного массива Сарыкум (Республика Дагестан)

Растительные сообщества песчаного массива Сарыкум (Республика Дагестан)

Новый класс галофитных растительных сообществ на территории России (Climacopteretea crassae Akhani 2004 ex Świerszcz et al. 2021)

We argue the presence in the delta of the Volga River of a new class of desert halophyte communities Climacopteretea crassae Akhani 2004 ex Świerszcz et al. 2021. This class was originally presented by H. Akhani (2004) as a syntaxon uniting plant communities with a predominance of annual succulent plants with C4 photosynthesis in Iran. The class was proposed previously, without specifying the nomenclature type. In 2021, the class Climacopteretea crassae was validated (Świerszcz et al., 2021). S. Świerszcz and his co-authors gave the class a floristic and ecological characterization. The syntaxa of this class remind such of the class Therosalicornietea Tx in Tx. et Oberd. 1958 in terms of the high representation of annual species of the Chenopodiaceae family (although with the participation of perennial species). However, they cannot be called the pioneer communities that usually characterize communities of the class Therosalicornietea. Compared to communities Therosalicornietea they occupy drier habitats. In addition to the strong salinization of the soil, from the surface they can also be solonetzic. Typically, habitats of the class Climacopteretea crassae are significantly affected by grazing by farm animals. The order Psylliostachyetalia spicato-leptostachyae Świerszcz et al. 2021 and the alliance Climacopterion lanatae Berdyev et Golub in Golub 1995 were assigned to the class Climacopteretea crassae. We proposed a new alliance Petrosimonion oppositifoliae all. nova in the order Psylliostachyetalia spicato-leptostachyae. The ass. Suaedo-Petrosimonietum Golub 1986 was placed in this alliance. This association was originally included in the class Glycyrrhizetea glabrae Golub et Mirkinin Golub 1995 (Golub and Mirkin, 1986; Golub, 1986), and later in Therosalicornietea R. Tx. in R. Tx. et Oberdorfer 1958 (Golub, 1995; Golub and Maltsev, 2013). Plant communities of this association are found in the delta of the Volga River in dry habitats, mainly located on the slopes of Baer hillocks and their foots with a deep level of groundwater. The soils are highly saline and solonetzic. Above the habitats occupied by ass. Suaedo-Petrosimonietum, along the slopes of Baer hills and on their tops, zonal communities of class Artemisietea lerchianae Golub 1994 occur. Various meadow and halophytic plant communities grow below this association. New alliance Petrosimonion oppositifoliae all. nova was suggested. We suppose that further study of the desert halophytic vegetation of the Caspian Lowland will allow to establish other syntaxa of class Climacopteretea crassae on this territory. Thus, in our opinion, the non-ranking plant communities of Petrosimonia oppositifolia–Suaeda acuminata comm., Suaeda altissima–Suaedaa cuminata comm., Suaeda tragus–Suaeda acuminata comm., occurring in this lowland, including Russia are closely related to this class (Freitag et al., 2001). In addition, a new class of halophyte communities separate from Climacopteretea crassae should be established for this territory on automorphic and similar soils, the floristic composition of which differs significantly from the phytocenoses of hydromorphic soils, such as those belonging to class Therosalicornietea Tx. in Tx. et Oberd. 1958. But the consideration of this issue requires further study of the vegetation of the Caspian lowland and the territories adjacent to it.

Current ecological state of soils in the Caspian lowland of Azerbaijan and conditions of their formation

The article presents an analysis of the current ecological state of the lands of the Caspian coastal territories within the borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan and outlines the influence of various factors on the ecological state of these soils. In the course of scientific research carried out according to numerous criteria, an assessment was made of the current reclamation situation in the coastal areas of the Caspian Sea. It has been established that the ecological situation of the region is very tense and the process of desertification occurs due to a lack of water in the region, located in an arid zone. To improve the reclamation state of the territory, it is recommended to use additional water sources and non-traditional irrigation - Caspian sea water with a mineralization index of 12-14 g/l as irrigation water. The occurrence of groundwater in this region at a depth of 5-10 m from the surface of the earth and its low degree of mineralization allows the use of sea water to irrigate the soils of these areas during the growing season, which creates conditions for the transport of salts accumulated in the upper layer of soil to the lower layers. As a result of a complete study and analysis of the physical, mechanical, chemical and water-physical properties of the soil, it was finally concluded that when cultivating Caspian lands for agricultural crops, non-traditional irrigation waters, especially water from the Caspian Sea, can be used for irrigation. This is possible due to the soil characteristics of the region. The use of sea water for irrigation purposes will have a positive impact on the revitalization of coastal lands that have not been cultivated for years due to lack of water, and will contribute to the abundance of harvests in the republic.

АНАЛИЗ ВЗАИМОДЕЙСТВИЯ ПЛАНКТОННЫХ И ДОННЫХ СООБЩЕСТВ В СОЛЕНЫХ РЕКАХ ПРИЭЛЬТОНЬЯ (РОССИЯ)

The results of the analysis of studies of saine rivers of the arid region of the Elton region (the area of the Caspian lowland, the basin of the hyperhaline Lake Elton) based on the study of plankton and bottom communities in August 2013 and 2018 are presented. For multidimensional statistical analysis, we used the results of processing hydrobiological samples taken at 13 stations of five saline rivers. A matrix of the numbers of 136 species and taxa, representatives of zooplankton, macrozoobenthos and meiobenthos was formed. To process the data, the values of the numerical matrices were transformed into a single score scale from 0 to 6 using the algorithm for finding optimal boundaries. The stations were grouped according to the level of water mineralization:1 – >25 g/l, 2 – 10-25 g/l and 3 – <10 g/l.The use of statistical models of species distribution in the space of abiotic factors madeit possible to establish that the heterogeneity of the diversity of planktonic and bottom communities is due to biotopic differences and the level of mineralization of water masses. It is shown that for highly mineralized hydrosystems of arid regions, a clear separation of the life forms of plankton and bottom communities is not obvious.

ВОЗМОЖНОЕ РАСШИРЕНИЕ НА ЮГЕ РОССИИ КЛИМАТИЧЕСКОГО АРЕАЛА СРЕДИЗЕМНОМОРСКОЙ ПЛОДОВОЙ МУХИ - ОПАСНОГО ВРЕДИТЕЛЯ ПЛОДОВЫХ КУЛЬТУР

The Mediterranean fruit fly is a significant agroclimatic threat to the fruit production. It can damage up to 80-100% of fruits on 45-78% of agricultural land in some countries. The modern climatic range of the pest is analyzed in the present paper using computational data generated by the Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory regional climate model and the global climate model of Marchuk Institute of Numerical Mathematics. The species requirements for climate conditions are: the sum of active temperatures (a threshold is 10°C) above 2700°C; monthly mean temperatures for December-February are positive; monthly precipitation totals in December-February exceed 13 mm. In Russia, such conditions are observed on the Black Sea coast and in a small part of the southern Caspian lowland. The assessment of changes in the climatic range of the pest in 2050-2059 versus 1990-1999 under the RCP8.5 scenario showed the expansion of the climatically suitable territory. The territory will almost completely include such traditional fruit growing regions as the Krasnodar krai, the Republic of Crimea, and the Republic of Adygea. Strict quarantine measures and early resource allocation that quickly suppresses infestations of the Mediterranean fruit fly may be proposed as adaptation measures.

Status of Imperial Eagle in Iran

Distribution and abundance of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) in Iran: a scarce breeding bird in Caspian forests of central and eastern Alborz, and in the east of northern Khorasan. A widespread winter visitor in rather small numbers to Caspian lowlands and large wetlands in central Iran south to Khuzestan, the Persian Gulf coast, and southern Baluchestan. Also seen as a passage migrant in Iranian Azerbaijan. Conservation status: Globally has been listed as vulnerable (VU) in IUCN Red List and listed in CITES Appendix I. Also concerned as endangered species in Iran and is of conservation value.

Исследование многолетней динамики органолептических рисков здоровью населения волгоградского Заволжья, формируемых подземными водами, с использованием дистанционного зондирования

The paper considers the potential of using remote sensing methods in assessing the risks of olfactory effects in the population regularly drinking water from shallow underground sources vulnerable to climatic factors. The Volgograd Trans-Volga region, located on the territory of the Caspian lowland, is a typical representative of ardidized territories with highly mineralized groundwater. The xerophytic wormwood-fescue-feather-grass and solonetzic vegetation characteristic of the region determines the effectiveness of using the NDMI indicator to assess the degree of influence of soil aridity on the growth of hardness and total iron content in groundwater. A high degree of closeness of correlations between dependent indicators of the sanitary and hygienic quality of groundwater for drinking purposes and NDMI values in five-year dynamics for all groundwater basins (regions) of the North Caspian province was found. The data obtained can be useful in predicting and managing the risks of reflex-olfactory effects in consumers of water from underground sources in the organization of water supply and water treatment. Keywords: ORGANOLEPTIC RISK, NDMI, GROUNDWATER, HYDROGEOCHEMISTRY, ARIIDIZATION, HARDNESS, IRON