Eastern Macroslope Research Articles

Red fox skull size variability along the Ural’s meridian: Bergmann’s rule or the optimum rule?

Changes in the skull size of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.) along the eastern macroslope of the Ural Range from the forest-tundra to the steppe are analyzed. The sizes varied from minimum in the north to maximum in pre-forest-steppe pine-birch forests. Further south, the size of the skull decreased again. The average fox population density changed similarly. Based on these data, it was concluded that the sizes change in accordance with the optimum rule, and not with Bergman’s rule. Probably, microevolutionary adaptations to living conditions are influenced by general factors that influence both body size and the population density of the species.

Trace elements in the river waters of the coast of the Tatar Strait (eastern macroslope of the northern Sikhote-Alin)

The river basins of the northern Sikhote-Alin are unique, since most of the rivers are spawning for Pacific salmon, and the eastern slope of the Sikhote-Alin is a promising area for the construction of fish hatcheries. At the same time, in recent years, the anthropogenic impact on the territory has been increasing, mainly in the mouth areas of many small rivers flowing into the Tatar Strait. In 2010–2017 hydrochemical studies of the surface waters of the coast of the Tatar Strait were carried out. On the basis of the obtained results, a characteristic of the microelement composition of river and lake waters in the zone of mixing with sea water is given. Analysis of the data obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry on an ICP-MS Agilent 7500cx instrument made it possible to estimate the content of trace elements in the water of coastal rivers. The regional factors of the formation of the microelement composition of river waters, determined by the geological features of the catchment structure, are revealed. The elevated geochemical background determines the high concentrations of Cu, Zn, in some cases Cd, Co, Ni, As, Mn in river water. The influence of geochemical features and landscape structure of river catchments on the spatial variation and temporal variability of concentrations is shown. The influence of thermal springs and outflows of formation and fissure groundwater on the increase in the concentrations of individual elements V, Mo, Ba in the rivers of the Botchi and Koppi interfluve was noted. The thermal waters of the Tumninskoe geothermal field with a high content of As, Fe, Mn, Mo, and Cr caused a local increase in the As content in water bodies in the lower reaches of the Tumnin River. Interannual seasonal differences in the runoff of microelements depending on the degree of moisture in the catchment area were noted. Taking into account that the chemical composition of the rivers along the coast of the Tatar Strait is formed mainly in a remote and underdeveloped territory and is determined by natural processes, the obtained concentration values can be considered background.

Моделирование ценности ландшафтов Полярного Урала для летних стоянок оленеводов

Introduction. The purpose of the study was to assess the capacity of the Polar Urals eastern macroslope geosystems (the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug) to be used as summer camps for reindeer herders. To do that, a set of tools for geoprocessing of spatial data, including remote sensing data were employed. Materials and methods. The algorithm for modeling the site suitability for reindeer herder camps consisted of several stages: formulation of criteria significant for the camp placement; the transformation (formalization) of each criterion values to the unified scale of suitability; the comparison of criteria and their combining to built a suitability map; the preparation of a digital elevation model (DEM); the preparation of a land cover map based on remote sensing data and field descriptions; the construction of partial (factorial) maps of suitability for reindeer herder camps locations; the construction of a resulting map of suitability for reindeer herder camps location based on a combination of private (factor) maps; the model reliability verification through the comparison of simulation results with actual data on the camps location. In the developed model, we accepted three significant criteria identified from the interviewing of reindeer herders during field studies: a surface slope, a distance to watercourses, and a proximity to forest areas. For the first two criteria, a binary assessment-based scale with two possible options (“suitable” and “unsuitable”) was used. For the third criterion (forest proximity), we applied the fuzzy set function MSSmall. In this case, the related transformation resizes the input data by means of the mean and standard deviation where smaller values in the input raster have a higher preference. Results. In the Polar Urals, the optimal conditions for reindeer herder camps are formed in wide glacial valleys and due to a combination of favorable relief conditions with the presence of numerous water bodies, spread of larch small woods and alder forests. The simulation results are well-supported by the actual data. Suggestions for practical application and direction of future research. The logical structure of the developed model may serve as a basis for repeated step-by-step analysis via original variables replacement. This could be an expansion/replacement of the study area, a time interval extension, an introduction of a number of clarifying criteria, an empirical selection of limiting parameters, the criteria used based on a more in-depth sociological and geographical analysis.

Desmid algae of some water reservoirs in the upper part of the Pyshma river basin, Russia

The study of floristic composition of desmid algae (Desmidiales) has been undertaken in previously unexplored water bodies (Lake Chernobrovskoye, Mokhovoye fen, Chayach’ye fen, Shishevskoye fen, a pond on the Loginovka River), located in the upper part of the Pyshma River basin on the territory of the Middle Urals eastern macroslope. Ten species belonging to the genera Closterium (Cl. acerosum, Cl. cornu, Cl. leibleinii, Cl. moniliferum, Cl. rostratum, Cl. sublaterale), Cosmarium (C. obtusatum, C. punctulatum) and Staurastrum (S. polymorphum, S. striatum) were recorded. Based on the analysis of habitat preferences and seasonal dynamics of Desmidiales, it was assumed that eutrophication due to the runoff into water bodies from agricultural lands along river banks is a reason for the low species diversity. The oligo-mesotrophic species (Closterium cornu) recorded in Chayach’ye fen is possibly extant since a less eutrophicated stage. The discovery of 3 new species for the eastern macroslope of the Middle Urals (Closterium sublaterale, Cosmarium obtusatum, Staurastrum striatum) indicates a poor knowledge of the region from a phycofloristic point of view.

VASCULAR PLANTS OF THE «TAIOZHNY» NATURAL RE SER VE (CENTRAL KAMCHATKA)

In this paper we give annotated list of 253 vascular plant species found within the State Regional Natural Reserve «Taiozhny» and its surroundings. The Reserve is located in the central part of the Kamchatka Peninsula and occupies a part of eastern macroslope of the Sredinny Ridge from its highlands to foot. This area is regarded as one of regional centers for species conservation and distribution (refugia) in the past. Herein, a number of relic and rare plant species was found. Further researches within this area may lead to new plant findings what is important for study and preserve Kamchatka’ biodiversity.

Atmospheric Anomaly Bioindicators in Peat Sections on the Eastern Macroslope of the Sikhote-Alin Range in the Late Holocene

Atmospheric Anomaly Bioindicators in Peat Sections on the Eastern Macroslope of the Sikhote-Alin Range in the Late Holocene

GEO-TOURIST SITES AND ROUTES IN THE TERRITORY OF SAMBIR-KHYRIV TERRACE FOOTHILLS

The geological and geomorphological objects of Sambir-Khyriv terrace foothills have been characterized as natural monuments and potentially popular geo-touristic sites. The foothills cover the pre-Carpathian sections of the Stryvihor and Dniester valleys, the entire Bolozivka valley and the uplands of the interfluves. The main geomorphological elements of the study area are river valleys with a complex of river terraces of different ages. Outside the valleys, in the uplands of the interfluves, the most ancient foothill terraces and different-aged denudation leveling surfaces are spread. Relief-forming deposits of the foothills are mainly represented by Neogene and Anthropogenic accumulations. The anthropogenic depositsoverlapping the older accumulations are extremely heterogeneous in terms of genesis, age, and lithological structure. Within the foothills, the most valuable natural monuments are the following objects: sections of anthropogenic accumulations Slokhyni, Torhanovychi 1 and 2 and Kruzhyky, as well as landforms, i.e. a fragment of Krasna surfacedeveloped on the eastern macro-slope of RadychMountain and the western part of the Bolozivka valley. We identify the listed objects as stratigraphic and geochronological (sections of Slokhyni, Torhanovychi 1 and 2 and Kruzhyky), paleontological (section of Kruzhyky), geomorphological (surface of Krasna, Bolozivka valley),and scenic natural monuments (surface of Krasna). Foothill natural monuments are important in terms of research and geo-educational functions, in particular to study and illustrate stratification of sedimentary accumulations of anthropogenic age; lithological and sedimentological features of continental deposits; variability of paleogeographic conditions of anthropogenic age; cyclicityof continental morpholithogenetic processes; formation of exogenic forms of relief due to denudation shearing of uneven surface of the Earth, erosion and accretion activity of fluvial flows; soil-forming processes; and geological age of human material culture. The described natural monuments are important for the organization of events intended to popularize geological and geographical science, as well as environmental education among people, and teach the skills of careful attitude to the environment. It would befeasible to integrate them into the existing network of tourist routes inLviv region. Key words: Sambir-Khyriv terrace foothills; natural monuments; sections of anthropogenic deposits; surface of Krasna; Bolozivka valley.

Assessment of Past Decadal Dynamics of Tree Stands in Forest–Tundra Transition Zone on the Polar Ural Mountains Calibrated Using Historical and Modern Field Measurements

Altitudinal forest limits are typically climatically dependent, such that increasing temperatures connected to global warming are causing upslope shifts in treeline ecotones worldwide. However, at the local and regional levels, the degree of such a response is dependent on differences in climate, topography and soil features. In recent decades, attempts have been undertaken to estimate tree stand dynamics with remote sensing methods, but their resolution is still too coarse for a precise assessment of stand structural changes, and requires ground-truthing, which is not possible without historical data collected on a single-tree level. We used aerial photos (1962) and satellite images (2021) in combination with historical inventory data to investigate changes in open forest positions at different spatial scales at the eastern macroslope of the Polar Urals over the past 60 years. Additionally, obtained remote sensing data were validated on a single-slope level using tree crown size estimations. Our investigations showed that since 1960 up to present day, the total crown coverage increased from 6.9 to 22.1% within the test polygon. A highly spatially variable upslope advance in an open forest boundary was identified from 1.7 up to 7.1 m in altitude per decade. We revealed that the rate of tree stand transformations was to a great extent depended on the stand density in the 1960s, soil substrate type, moisture regime, slope aspect and inclination. Our results highlighted the necessity to consider the abovementioned factors when trying to predict climate-induced tree distributional responses in subarctic mountain regions.

Parasitic Arthropods of Small Mammals in the Subpolar Urals (Eastern Macro-Slope)

Surveys of small mammals (insectivorous and rodents) and their ectoparasites were carried out in the Subpolar Urals (eastern macro-slope) near Mount Neroyka (Berezovsky district, Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug Ugra) in different altitude zones (from 407 to 1018 m above sea level) in 2020 and 2021. A total of 15 species of parasitic gamasid mites, 1 species of ixodid ticks, 11 species of fleas and 1 species of lice were identified. Two counting methods, ditch with pitfalls and trap-lines, were used to better reveal the composition of small mammals (feeders of ectoparasites). Specific parasites of Eurasian water voles, Laelaps muris and Hyperlaelaps amphibius, dominated among gamasid mites regardless of the method of trapping insectivores and rodents. At the same time, the proportion of the Eurasian water vole in the small mammal community of the Subpolar Urals (eastern macro-slope) did not exceed 7%. The group of dominant species also included Laelaps algericus, which was recorded in only three species (of 16 small mammal species recorded in the Subpolar Urals): the Eurasian water vole, the field vole and the Middendorff's vole. Among rare species of gamasid mites, Haemogamasus dauricus is of particular interest, a species not previously recorded in the Urals and Western Siberia. Ixodes persulcatus is a single occurrence in the area. The find of this tick is one of the most northerly in the Asian part of the Russian Federation. Among representatives of flea and lice groups the share of specific species (shrews and red-backed voles) is high. This is probably due to the high mobility of shrews, their close contact with rodents, and the specificity of animal counting methods.

Tumnin mineral spring. History of development

The article dwells upon the history of the discovery of the Tumnin mineral spring, the establishment and development of the Far Eastern health resort «Goryachy Klyuch,» located in the basin of Chope creek, a tributary of the largest river in the eastern macroslope of Sikhote Alin, Tumnin river, located 25 km from the Strait of Tartary. A historical sketch since the first mentioning of the Tumnin mineral spring from 1903 to the present day, as well as the results of hydrogeological expeditions to determine the chemical composition and α-activity of Tumnin mineral water at different periods, are presented. A contribution of a geological expedition that established a large deep-lying tectonic structure permeable to upwelling thermal water flows is described. The role of the staff of the physiotherapy and balneology department of the Khabarovsk Medical Institute in the study of the mechanism of action and clinical effectiveness of the Tumnin mineral water is addressed. A balneological characteristic of nitric and siliceous thermal water, the basic therapeutic factor of «Goryachy Klyuch» health resort, which has always been popular among the Far East residents, but gained special importance and appreciation of patients during the pandemic of new coronavirus infection, is given. Currently, in the health resort «Goryachy Klyuch», patients with skin diseases, musculoskeletal, gynecologic, neurologic diseases, digestive tract disorders, metabolic conditions, upper airways, cardiovascular disorders, occupational diseases are treated using balneotherapy and other methods of non-drug therapy. At present, the health resort «Goryachy Klyuch» is going through a difficult but interesting period of improvement of recreation opportunities for the Far East residents.

Растительность класса Scheuchzerio–Caricetea fuscae Tx. 1937 в районе горного массива Янганапэ (восточный макросклон Полярного Урала)

Растительность класса Scheuchzerio–Caricetea fuscae Tx. 1937 в районе горного массива Янганапэ (восточный макросклон Полярного Урала)

Сообщества с кустарниковыми ивами в подзоне типичных тундр восточноевропейского сектора Арктики

Сообщества с кустарниковыми ивами в подзоне типичных тундр восточноевропейского сектора Арктики

Age structure of coniferous saplings in mountain old-growth forests of the Middle Urals

The processes of natural reforestation play a crucial role for the preservation of primary coniferous forests and the success of their restoration after catastrophic impacts. The objective of our research was to identify the features of the natural renewal of the main coniferous forest-forming plants under the canopy of stands in the mountains of the Middle Urals, to establish dependencies on the forest type not only the total number of tree saplings, but also its age structure. The research was carried out in the mountainous part of the Sverdlovsk region (Russia) on the eastern macroslope of the Ural Mountains. We studied old-age pine forests, which belong to the 4 most common forest types. The tree saplings were counted into account on 2-4 subplots with a length of 20 meters and a width of 2 meters. It is established that under the canopy of all types of forest there is a different age coniferous saplings, despite significant differences in habitats. The most abundant pine saplings are found in pine forests withVaccinium vitis-idaea, and the most abundant spruce saplings is found in pine forest with spruce and moss cover.

Relationship between Species Richness, Biomass and Structure of Vegetation and Mycobiota along an Altitudinal Transect in the Polar Urals.

Aboveground species richness patterns of vascular plants, aphyllophoroid macrofungi, bryophytes and lichens were compared along an altitudinal gradient (80–310 m a.s.l.) on the Slantsevaya mountain at the eastern macroslope of the Polar Urals (Russia). Five altitudinal levels were included in the study: (1) Northern boreal forest with larch-spruce in the Sob’ river valley habitats; (2–3) two levels of closed, northern boreal, larch-dominated forests on the slopes; (4) crook-stemmed forest; (5) tundra habitats above the timberline. Vascular plant or bryophyte species richness was not affected by altitudinal levels, but lichen species richness significantly increased from the river valley to the tundra. For aphyllophoroid macrofungi, species richness was highest at intermediate and low altitudes, and poorest in the tundra. These results indicate a positive ecotone effect on aphyllophoroid fungal species richness. The species richness of aphyllophoroid fungi as a whole was neither correlated to mortmass stocks, nor to species richness of vascular plants, but individual ecological or morphological groups depended on these parameters. Poroid fungal species richness was positively correlated to tree age, wood biomass and crown density, and therefore peaked in the middle of the slope and at the foot of the mountain. In contrast, clavarioid fungal species richness was negatively related to woody bio- and mortmass, and therefore peaked in the tundra. This altitudinal level was characterized by high biomass proportions of lichens and mosses, and by high litter mortmass. The proportion of corticoid fungi increased with altitude, reaching its maximum at the timberline. Results from the different methods used in this work were concordant, and showed significant patterns. Tundra communities differ significantly from the forest communities, as is also confirmed by nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analyses based on the spectrum of morphological and ecological groups of aphyllophoroid fungi.

Fall Avifauna of the Forest Isolates on the Eastern Macroslope of the Tibet–Quinghai Plateau, Central China

Four years of ornithological observations were conducted on the eastern slope of the Tibet–Qinghai Plateau in September–October 2011–2012 and 2017–2018. The species composition of common birds in nine isolated forest islands were studied, and the proportions of species from various faunistic groups were determined. A comparison of the bird complexes from different locations revealed regional specificity in each of them, this being related to the landscape and altitudinal characteristics, area, and ecological parameters of the localities. The local aviafauna can be determined as Palaearctic with a high percentage of endemic and subendemic species. Oriental species constituted a significant proportion only on the southern macroslope of the Qinling Range, which apparently represents the northern periphery of a wide transitional zone between the Palearctic and Oriental regions. A specific seasonal aspect of the species composition is attained due to fall bird migrations from the northern regions of the Palearctic. Among the special features of the region is the wide penetration of forest birds into open spaces along intrazonal habitats and the intrusion of species from open areas into the borders of forest biotopes during the migration period. There is also an ecological group associated mainly with ecotones.

Arachnids (Araneae, Opiliones) from grass stand and forest litter in the Urals, Russia.

BackgroundSince the late 1980s, long-term monitoring of various components of natural ecosystems under conditions of industrial pollution has been carried out in the Central Urals. In the mid-2000s, similar programmes were started in the Southern Urals. As a part of these monitoring programmes, the data on invertebrates in different types of biotopes, collected with different methods and in a different time intervals, continue to be gathered. Amongst the most well-studied groups of invertebrates are spiders and harvestmen whose communities are a convenient indicator of the environment. The data collected through these monitoring programmes can also be used to study natural local biodiversity.New informationThe dataset, presented here, includes information from a long-term monitoring programme for Araneae and Opiliones that inhabit grass stands of secondary dry meadows and litter of spruce-fir, aspen-birch and pine-birch forests in the Central and Southern Urals. The dataset (available from the GBIF network at https://www.gbif.org/dataset/e170dbd1-a67f-4514-841c-5296b290ca90) describes the assemblage structure of spiders and harvestmen (list of species and their abundance), age-sex composition and seasonal and inter-annual dynamics for two large areas in the southern taiga zone of the Ural Mountains. The dataset includes 1,351 samples, which correspond to 5,462 occurrences identified during 2004–2009, 2013 and 2018. In total, we collected 10,433 specimens, representing 178 species (36% of arachnofauna of the Urals), 115 genera (54%) and 23 families (100%). Most of the data (4,939 of 5,462 occurrences, 90%) were collected in the western macro-slope of the Ural Mountains (European part of Russia), the rest in the eastern macro-slope (Asian part). All represented data were sampled in industrially undisturbed areas and are used as a local reference for ecotoxicological monitoring. The dataset provides new useful information for recording the state of biodiversity for the Central and Southern Urals and contributes to the study of biodiversity conservation.

Expansion of Tree Vegetation in the Forest–Mountain Steppe Ecotone on the Southern Urals in Relation to Changes in Climate and Habitat Moisture

As found by comparing historical topographic maps and present-day satellite images, steppificated areas in the southern part of the eastern macroslope of the Southern Urals have decreased in size by 17.6% between 1986 and 2015 due to forest expansion. Analysis of the age structure of tree stands in the forest–mountain steppe ecotone provided evidence for intense pine and larch regeneration in this region from 1915 to the 1960s, which has led to significant increase in stand density and upward shift of treelines along slopes and ravines by the end of the 20th century. Intense pine regeneration during the past 35–40 years has been observed at the boundary between closed and open forests and in sparse woodlands. Forest expansion to the mountain steppes throughout the ecotone proceeded against the background of increase in temperature and precipitation during the cold period of the year. The rate of forest expansion to particular areas varied depending on differences in moisture supply, which, in turn, depended on local microclimatic and edaphic conditions. This is confirmed by our measurements of snow depth and density and soil moisture and thickness, which show that forest has expanded at the highest rate in more snowy and moisture-abundant slope areas.

Arctic Greening Caused by Warming Contributes to Compositional Changes of Mycobiota at the Polar Urals

The long-term influence of climate change on spatio-temporal dynamics of the Polar mycobiota was analyzed on the eastern macro slope of the Polar Urals (Sob River valley and Mountain Slantsevaya) over a period of 60 years. The anthropogenic impact is minimal in the study area. Effects of environmental warming were addressed as changes in treeline and forest communities (greening of the vegetation). With warming, permafrost is beginning to thaw, and as it thaws, it decomposes. Therefore, we also included depth of soil thawing and litter decomposition in our study. Particular attention was paid to the reaction of aphyllophoroid fungal communities concerning these factors. Our results provide evidence for drastic changes in the mycobiota due to global warming. Fungal community composition followed changes of the vegetation, which was transforming from forest-tundra to northern boreal type forests during the last 60 years. Key fungal groups of the ongoing borealization and important indicator species are discussed. Increased economic activity in the area may lead to deforestation, destruction of swamps, and meadows. However, this special environment provides important services such as carbon sequestration, soil formation, protecting against flood risks, and filtering of air. In this regard, we propose to include the studied territory in the Polarnouralsky Natural Park.

Extrazonal steppes of forest belt on eastern macroslope of the Urals

Extrazonal steppes of forest belt on eastern macroslope of the Middle and South Urals have small coenotic diversity. The most part of studied communities are petrophytic steppes on outcrops, which determine regional features of plant cover and provide habitats to rare, endemic and relict plant species. Petrophytic steppes correspond to order Helictotricho- Stipetalia, meadow steppes and xeric meadows, shrub thickets correspond to order Brachypodietalia pinnati (class Festuco-Brometea).

Desmid algae (Charophyta: Conjugatophyceae) of Ekaterinburg, Middle Urals, Russia


 
 
 Species composition of desmid algae and their habitat preferences in water bodies of Ekaterinburg city were studied during the 2013–2017. Thirty-seven species and subspecific taxa which belong to 12 genera and 2 families were identified, of which 17 species are new for the eastern macroslope of the Middle Urals. Canonical correspondence analysis, which was performed to reveal habitat preferences, demonstrates that the majority of analyzed species prefer quarry lakes, ponds and overgrown lake shores, contrary to fens and rivers.