Floodplain Oak Forest Research Articles

Belarusian Oak Forests Afflicted with Armillaria Root Rot during Their Mass Desiccation

During the period of the oak forests’ mass desiccation, Armillaria root rot became widespread, exacerbating the state of depression. The infection of stands by white sapwood rot caused by fungi of the genus Armillaria was more often detected in Bug-Polesia and Berezina-Pre-Polesia forest growth areas. The incidence of the disease in the oak forests of Belarus increases with the raising of the stands age and the decrease in their density. More often, the affliction with Armillaria root rot occurs in floodplain oak forests, as well as in the dry lands forest types with the most fertile soils. The oak’s proportion in the stand’s composition does not significantly affect the occurrence of the infection. Under the conditions of massive weakening of the Belarussian oak forests, facultative parasites from the Armillaria genus can occur as dangerous secondary pathogens that accelerate the death of weakened oak trees. Their pathogenicity persists in the north of the republic, where the negative role of other pathological factors in oak forests decreases. After the end of the depression period, the transition of Armillaria from a parasitic to a predominantly saprotrophic strategy was recorded. The affliction of oak forests by Armillaria root rot can act as one of the oak formation’s condition indicators, marking the depression phase in oak stands. Therefore, the spread of foci of Armillaria root rot should be monitored while conducting forest pathology surveys and monitoring the condition of oak forests.

Fungi of the Russulaceae family in the conditions of natural monuments of the Penza region and the influence of environmental factors on their distribution

The relevance of the study of fungi of the Russulaceae family is determined by the fact that they play an important role in the life of temperate forest ecosystems as mycorrhizal symbionts of the main forest-forming tree species. In addition, this group of fungi is of great practical importance, as they are edible fungi. Despite this, they are one of the little studied groups of Agaricomycetes. The information about the fungi of the studied family in the conditions of the Russian Federation is limited, and therefore the data on their ecology are contained mainly in foreign literature. The purpose of this work is to study the species composition of fungi of the Russulaceae family and to establish the influence of the main environmental factors on the distribution of this group of fungi on the territory of some forest natural monuments of regional significance (Burchikhinsky slopes, Zasursky blueberry forest, Kichkleysky pine forest with oak, Nikonovsky forest and Floodplain oak forest) in the conditions of the Penza region. The studies were carried out in 20162022 by methods of route and stationary studies. When determining fungi, the method of light microscopy was used. As a result, the species composition of fungi of the Russulaceae family of the studied natural monuments located in the Penza region was studied. Within the studied protected areas, 78 species of fungi of the Russulaceae family were identified. As a result of the taxonomic analysis of mycobiota, it was found that it included 24 species from the genus Lactarius, 3 from the genus Lactifluus, and 51 from the genus Russula. All of them belong to the ecological-trophic group of symbiotrophs. 19 species form mycorrhiza with various tree species, and 59 species have a narrow specialization in relation to partners in symbiosis (29 species are associated with Quercus robur, 15 with Betula pendula, 10 with Pinus sylvestris, 2 with Populus tremula, 1 with Tilia cordata, 1 with Alnus glutinosa and 1 with Corylus avellana). It has been established that the leading factors determining spatial distribution and productivity of fruiting bodies of fungi of the studied family are soil fertility and moisture. In megatrophic habitat conditions, acidity also has a significant effect on the distribution of fungi of the family under consideration. The species composition of fungi of the Russulaceae family for habitat types was determined in accordance with the edaphic grid. For different ecotopes, the composition of indicator species was revealed. An estimate of the yield of fruiting bodies of fungi of the Russulaceae family in various types of forests, depending on fertility and soil moisture, is given.

Radial Growth Cyclicity and Life State of a European Oak Trunk in Upland and Floodplain Oak Forests of the Southern Forest Steppe

Radial Growth Cyclicity and Life State of a European Oak Trunk in Upland and Floodplain Oak Forests of the Southern Forest Steppe

Лишайники и миксомицеты пойменных дубрав заказника «Липичанская пуща» (Гродненская область, Республика Беларусь)

Based on studies conducted in 2021 and 2022, the authors compiled a list of lichens, closely related fungi and myxomycetes of floodplain oak forests of the «Lipichanskaya Pushcha» reserve (Republic of Belarus, Grodno Region). The annotated list includes 148 species: 118 species of lichens, 5 – non-lichenized saprotrophic fungi, 3 – lichenophilic fungi and 22 myxomycetes. The myxomycete Hemitrichia calyculata was recorded for the territory of Belarus for the first time. Lichen species Calicium adspersum, Cetrelia cetrarioides, Chaenotheca chlorella, Hypotrachyna revolutа and Lobaria pulmonaria are included in the Red Data Book of Belarus and are listed for the first time for the reserve «Lipichanskaya Pushcha». The indicator lichens of old-growth oak forests include 19 species.

THE MYCOBIOTA OAK FORESTS OF THE URAL RIVER VALLEY WITHIN THE WEST KAZAKHSTAN REGION

The study and conservation of biodiversity is one of the global problems of modern biology, since at present in many regions of the planet there is a decrease in the species composition of various organisms, including fungi. The information obtained makes a significant contribution to the knowledge of the diversity of macromycetes of oak forests in the middle reaches of the Ural River, information about which in Kazakhstan is still insufficient and fragmented. The article presents data on the biodiversity of the mycobiota of oak forests of the Urals valley, growing not only in the floodplain of the river, but also in beams, that is, the ravine forests flowing into the central floodplain. We have registered 31 species belonging to 23 genera, 17 families and five orders. The leading families are Polyporaceae, Boletaceae, Russulaceae, Amanitaceae. As a result of our research, it has been found that the mycological composition in ravine oak forests is richer than in floodplain oak forests. The richness of the species composition of macromycetes appears to have been influenced by well-defined associations in ravine oak forests (22 associations), represented by forest boreal tree-shrub species absent in floodplain oak forests, as well as favorable microclimatic conditions, relief, soil cover and various ecotopes that are not observed in floodplain oak forests (16 associations). Ecological-trophic analysis showed a predominance of mycorrhizal (45.1%) and xylotrophs (41.9%) over humus saprotrophs (12.9%). The considered taxonomic composition of macromycetes of the studied area is collected, identified and presented for the first time for this region. Key words: mycobiota, macromycetes, oak forest, Ural river, biodiversity.

Structure and mapping of landscapes of the Pripyatsky National Park using geoinformation technologies

The article considers new approaches to the study of the structure of natural landscapes, the identification of typical and rare landscapes of Pripyatsky National Park and their mapping using GIS-technologies that allow the creation of digital landscape maps. The relevance of the work is to create the first digital maps for the Pripyatsky National Park, which can be used to expand the network of ecological routes, increase the number of objects of inspection of the territory by tourists, monitoring forests and swamps. The created digital landscape map reflects the hierarchical levels and structure of natural complexes in the rank of genera, species and tracts, as well as the principles of their selection, which correspond to scientific approaches to the classification of landscapes of the Belarusian school of landscape studies. As a result, the main factor of the selection of genera is the genesis, species – the nature of relief, tracts – features of relief and soil-vegetation cover. The mapping of landscapes of specially protected natural areas (SPNA) of the Republic of Belarus using GIS-technologies was first tested on the example of the Berezinsky Biosphere Reserve and three national parks (Narochansky, Braslavskie Ozera, Belovezhskaya Pushcha). The digital landscape map of the Pripyatsky National Park, which illustrates the territorial distribution of 4 genera, 19 types of landscapes and 3 types of tracts, helped to clarify the boundaries of landscape units and served as the basis for identifying typical and rare landscapes, which is especially important for identifying rare landscapes that have preserved their natural appearance and have a special nature conservation value and in need of special protection. A digital map of typical and rare landscapes shows that within the boundaries of the park are widely represented species of lake-swamp and alluvial terraced landscapes, typical for the Polesie region, rare landscapes are confined to the floodplain landscape of the Pripyat River with ridged relief, old lakes, floodplain oak forests and tall grass meadows. In general, the identified typical landscapes of the Pripyatsky National Park are representative of the Polesie landscape province and reflect its regional features, and rare ones are found only in this region and emphasize its individuality. Digital maps made it possible to reveal the complex structure of landscapes, to discover not only typical and rare landscapes, but also unique objects in the rank of a natural boundary, and thereby show a more diverse landscape structure of the park than is reflected in the Landscape map of the Republic of Belarus (2014).

Current State and Conditions of Landscape Formation of Ilovlya River Floodplain (Middle Don)

The basis for the study is instrumental terrain profiling using level, geobotanical descriptions, GPR studies, soil sections and manual drilling with a soil sampler. The species composition of vegetation indicates very rare and short-term flooding in high water. Vegetation elements of the low floodplain are marked on the areas directly adjacent to the riverbed at altitudes up to 1.5 m above the inter-level level. Further, along the profile, there are no signs of flooding and standing water. In the soil section there are no iron oxide (II and III) and fading of salts in all horizons up to the depth of 150 sm. The borders between horizons are expressed unclear. This indicates sufficient surface moisture and thus washing of the upper horizons of the soil. The floodplain oak forest is in good condition, there are no dry-top trees. This also indicates that the soil and groundwater are not saline. Studies have shown that the location of the groundwater mirror is close to horizontal, and its level exactly corresponds to the water level in the river. This position of the ground water mirror is typical for river floodplains that occupy an intermediate position between the floodplains of humid and arid zones. The relief of the river floodplain was formed in more water years than observed in the late 20th – early 21st centuries. The first floodplain level (low floodplain) has an excess of no more than 1–1.5 meters above the inter-level of the river. In modern hydrological conditions, only this level is guaranteed to flood every spring.

Invasion of the Parthenocissus inserta (Kern.) K. Fritsch. in Floodplain Forests of Rostov Oblast

Naturalization of woody lianas poses a great danger to the ravine and floodplain forests of Rostov oblast. Therefore, the aim of the work was to study morphology, ecological and biological properties, and the invasive process of Partenocissus inserta. Studies were carried out in the Botanical Garden of the Southern Federal University and in the west of Rostov oblast in a floodplain oak forest at the confluence of the Mius and Krynka rivers. P. inserta penetrates into natural, seminatural, and disturbed communities and also is a part of the urban flora of Rostov-on-Don. In floodplain forests, it is a sub-edificator of the herbaceous layer, where it dominates and forms stable simple synusiae. This is the only representative of understory vegetation; it rises along the tree trunks to a height of 15–20 m, fixing itself in the unevenness of their bark by the twining tips of tendrils. It competes for the light with trees of the first story. This species changes the nature of the forest cenosis over a large area. The P. inserta naturalization strategy corresponds to the empty niche hypothesis.

Ecological Value of the Merla River Floodplain for the Functioning of Slobozhanskyi National Nature Park

Actuality. The floodplain area near the Slobozhansky National Nature Park still does not have a nature reserve status and is under threat of complete destruction. The Merla floodplain is a habitat for a large number of Red Book and Green Book species, a place of migration of many species of European migratory birds, etc. Only the inclusion of the floodplain area into the national nature park will give the possibility to combine the protection of the floodplain nature with the traditional patterns of regional management, without violating the natural balance of the landscapes in the Merla River valley. Purpose. To analyze the ecological value of the the Merla river floodplain for the functioning of the NNP Slobozhansky. Methods. The analytical-synthetic method, geoinformation (cartographic modeling and processing of remote sensing data), a critical analysis of information sources and the results of field studies were used. Results. Based on the analysis of literary and stock materials and our own field studies on the test sites of the floodplain, information was obtained on the floristic diversity of the floodplain, the presence and positional location of red-book and green-book objects within the floodplain was studied, and the natural conditions of the park were assessed. Unique representatives of the flora are observed throughout the national park and on the test sites, a significant amount of which requires special protection and protection. The rare vegetation of alder forests on the floodplain oak forest of the Slobozhansky National Nature Park is represented by groups listed in the Green List of the Kharkov region. Based on the analysis of a digital elevation model of the territory of the NNP Slobozhansky and the Merla river floodplain we can talk about the unity of the geochemical landscape of this territory in terms of all its components, the Merla river valley confirms the genetic and dynamic unity of the NNP landscapes. Conclusion. Based on the results of this study and taking into account the previous achievements of scientists, it is proved that the inclusion of the Merla river floodplain, which is located between the two sites of the Slobozhansky NNP in its composition, will preserve the landscape and biological diversity of the area. This will fulfill the conditions of the National Program of formation of the ecological network of Ukraine and the requirements of its inclusion in the Pan-European eco-network.

Экологические эффекты в формировании флористического состава и их отражение в синтаксономии пойменных дубрав бассейна Верхнего Днепра

Экологические эффекты в формировании флористического состава и их отражение в синтаксономии пойменных дубрав бассейна Верхнего Днепра

О КОНУРЕНТОСПОСОБНОСТИ ПОДРОСТА ДУБА ЧЕРЕШЧАТОГО В ШИРОКОЛИСТВЕННЫХ ЛЕСАХ ЮЖНОГО УРАЛА

The results of a comparative analysis of the height and density of pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.) and small-leafed linden (Tilia cordata Mill.), growing in the low mountains of the western macro slope of the South Ural Mountains, are presented. The study was conducted out in a floodplain oak forest with a composition of 80 % (oak) and 20 % (linden) and a density of 0,4 in windows of the canopy. The shoots and self-seeding of both species were not revealed. The projective cover of plants in all 7 trial plots is close to 100 %. Small (up to 0,5 m) and medium (0,51–1,5 m) undergrowth prevails. The oak dominates in most cases – its share on a 10- point scale is 7,4 ± 0,5 (coefficient of variation 18,3 %), compared with linden (2,4 ± 0,6, 58,9 %). The average height of the oak undergrowth is 64,6 ± 1,2 cm with changes from 20 to 140 cm (coefficient of variation 38,7 %). The growth of linden was almost 1,5 times higher (101,6 ± 1,9 cm), but it varies less (30–175 cm and 27,7 %). Differences in height between the two species are statistically significant (p < 0,001). The oak renewed more abundantly (12,4 ± 2,6 plants per square meter, 1,0 to 18,0 pcs, coefficient of variation 51,8 %) than linden (6,5 ± 1,9 cm, 0,25–13,4 pcs, 72,7 %). Plants with a developmental delay during the reversal and dying off of the main stem were not found. Smallleaved linden, which plays the role of «sod» at the first stage of his life, is currently beginning to inhibit the growth of young oak. The restoration of oak forests under these conditions is impossible without the forestry help (thinning).

Geoecological conditions of habitats of floodplain oak forests in river valleys of the Upper Dnieper basin

This article presents the results of research of geoecological conditions of floodplain oak forests habitats on the basis of the inventory of their phytocoenotic diversity in the large nature region of South-Western Nechernozemye of Russia. The authors created a database on floodplain oak forests distribution in the Upper Dnieper basin (Bryansk, Kaluga, Smolensk regions of Russia), comprising the author's unpublished geobotanical releves made in 2005–2018, as well as available materials on the regional floodplain forests syntaxonomy. Location information, taxonomic affiliation, are organized in a spatial database created with use of MapInfo Professional and reflected on an electronic map, which became the basis for the identification and justification of distribution factors of floodplain oak forests. Communities of hygro- and mesohygrophyte oak forests with a wide enough variety of dominants amid similar overall floristic composition and structure combines ass. Filipendulo ulmariae-Quercetum roboris Polozov et Solomeshch in Semenishchenkov 2015, established by the method of J. Braun-Blanquet. 10 variants formed in different geoecological conditions identifided and described. DCA-ordination of syntaxonomical units demonstrates some ecological patterns of distribution of floodplain oak forests. Despite exponential differences in composition of coenoflors, syntaxa take not compact space in the diagram. This is due to the fact that the floristic composition of communities of floodplain forests largely depends on the mode flood-length and the height of the flood, which vary from season to season. Coenoflors of floodplain forests consist of dissimilar on the ecology species, which get into the communities during periods of environmental fluctuating and then differentiated stored in communities or eliminated. Often, these communities have high rates of species richness. Variability of edafical conditions and regime of flood, geochemical characteristics of soil, and features of microrelief in floodplain generates high variety of floristic composition of communities and phytocoenotic diversity of floodplain oak forests, that is reflected in their syntaxonomy. Syntaxa of floristic classification, characteristic species of which have expressed environmental preferences may be use as indicators of geoecological conditions in floodplains. Some types of communities are formed as a result of anthropogenic impact (grazing, trampling, recreational use, fire) that is reflected in the poor floristic composition.

РЕПРЕЗЕНТАТИВНІСТЬ РІДКІСНОЇ ФІТОБІОТИ НА ЗАПОВІДНИХ ТА ПЕРСПЕКТИВНИХ ДЛЯ ЗАПОВІДАННЯ ТЕРИТОРІЯХ ЗАЧЕПИЛІВСЬКОГО РАЙОНУ ХАРКІВЩИНИ

Relevance of diversity researches in natural and urban protected landscapes is widely recognized in world. The aim of our work was to study the current state of the rare phytobiota of protected and promising objects of one of the most plowed areas of Kharkiv district – Zachepilovsky. This article represents the results of phytobiots studies in 5 preservation areas of Zachepylivskyi district in Kharkiv region and in 5 perspective sanctuary zones, which are planned to be created as a part of the ecological network. Almost all surveyed territories have remained in a slightly disturbed state. They give a fulfilling representation of the natural vegetation in studied zone: true and shrub steppes, floodplain oak and alder forests, saline and marshy meadows, coastal-aquatic and aquatic vegetation. The rare phytobiots include 13 protected plant groups, three of which (Stipeta capillatae, Stipeta lessingianaea, Stipeta borysthenicae), are listed in the Green Book of Ukraine and 26 species of rare flora, 10 of which are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine: Anacamptis palustris (Jacq.) R.M. Bateman, Pridgeon et M.W. Chase, Crambe aspera M. Bieb., Dactylorhiza maculata (L.) Soо s.l., Gladiolus tenuis M. Bieb., Fritillaria meleagroides Patrin ex Schult. et Schult.f., Ornithogalum boucheanum (Kunth) Asch., Stipa borysthenica Klokov ex Prokudin, S. capillata L., S. lessingiana Trin. et Rupr., Tulipa quercetorum Klokov et Zoz. The largest degree of rare phyto-diversity was perceived in wetland area - the Orel River Flood, where 2 groups from the Green Book of Ukraine, 4 groups from the Green List of Kharkiv region, 6 rare species from the Red Book of Ukraine and 8 from the Red List of Kharkiv region are growing.

Фитоценотическое разнообразие и экологические особенности местообитаний пойменных дубрав в Южном Нечерноземье России

Фитоценотическое разнообразие и экологические особенности местообитаний пойменных дубрав в Южном Нечерноземье России

Vegetation cover of the river Vyatka flood plain protected areas

The paper presents results of 4 protected areas investigation within the river Vyatka flood plain. We have conducted a floristic research in accordance with a hierarchy system of floristic complexes by a type-class-group principle, and classified vegetation. 3 types of floristic complexes (forest, meadow, and water), 2 classes (hilltop-flood plain, ridge and natural) and 8 groups of floristic complexes were defined. Small-leaved forest floristic complexes is presented by the following forest types: mixed-herbs-Aegopodium aspen forest, mixed-herbs aspen forest, herbaceous boggy birch forest, cowberry birch forest, aspen-linden birch forest, bilberry-herbaceous birch forest, and mixed-herbs-Filipendula alder forest. Dark coniferous floristic complexes are presented by bilberry spruce and herbaceous spruce forests. Light coniferous forest floristic complexes are: cowberry-herbaceous pine, green-moss-cowberry pine, and stone-bramble-herbaceous pine forests. Broad-leaved forest floristic complexes are presented by flood-plain oak and aspen-linden herbaceous forests. Oak (Quercus robur L.) is also marked as an undergrowth component of deciduous and coniferous phytocoenoses. Flood-plain meadow floristic complex is formed by gramineous-mixed-herbs and Filipendula-Calamagrostis-mixed-herbs associations. Former river-bed floristic complex is marked within all studied objects. Communities with high level of biodiversity are restricted to water and hilltop-flood-plain ecotopes. Species richness of studied communities varies within 15 to 43 species. Less diverse ecotypes are ridge types. Investigated floristic complexes are habitats of rare and relict species of Kirov Region flora. The study of partial flora composition is a base for vegetation monitoring.

On the discovery of Arytrura musculus (Menetries, 1859) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae) in Croatia

Background and purpose: The moth fauna of Croatia is still insufficiently surveyed. During the last several years, several overviews of the moth fauna for several locations were published and several new species for the country had been found. Only two species from Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive are listed for Croatia. A third is known to occur in the country, but has been omitted due to a lack of recent records. Presented here is the first record of a fourth species from the Annexes – Arytrura musculus.Materials and methods: This survey was carried out on one location in Nature Park Lonjsko Polje, on 17.6.2016. The habitat at the location is typical for the area, consisting of floodplain oak forests with Genista tinctoria. Two pyramidal light traps were used.Results: One specimen of Arytrura musculus was found. This is a rare and disjunctly distributed species across Eastern Europe. The closest known populations to the Croatian locality are situated in Hungary, 122 and 130 km away.Conclusions: This species needs to be added onto the list of Natura 2000 species for the Nature Park and for the whole country at the earliest possible convenience. Detailed surveys of the entire Lonjsko Polje Nature Park and other wetland areas in northern Croatia are needed in order to ascertain the distribution, assess the status and assure the long-term conservation of this species in the country.

Review of Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius distribution in the Karst region (W Slovenia), results of the first systematic census and first recorded breeding of the species in the area

Abstract The Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos medius is a highly specialised woodpecker inhabiting mature deciduous forests. The presence of large mature oaks Quercus sp. is a very important factor determining the species' presence and distribution. In Slovenia it is more common in the eastern part, where it inhabits mainly lowland flood-plain oak forests. In other parts of the country it is more localised, as is the case in western Slovenia, where small isolated populations were recently discovered. In this paper we present the currently known observations of Middle Spotted Woodpecker in the Karst region (W Slovenia), the results of the first systematic survey and the first documented breeding of the species in this area. The survey was carried out on the 20 of March 2016 in the wooded hills between the villages of Senožeče and Veliko polje. Using playback method we recorded a total of 8 territorial woodpeckers, confirming our initial expectations about the species' abundance in that area. Breeding was also confirmed in the hills of Senožeče, an active nest-hole was found on 23 Apr 2017. On 18 May 2017 at least 3 juveniles successfully left the nest. Middle Spotted Woodpeckers have recently been observed also in other oak woodlands across the Karst and nearby areas, especially outside the breeding season. These areas include Lipica, Bazovica, the Brkini hills and the Gorica Karst. From summer 2016 onwards several observations of Middle Spotted Woodpeckers have been reported from Lipica, involving up to four different individuals. Repeated sightings in this area and the presence of suitable habitat suggest a probable breeding. The increased number of data in western Slovenia during the last decade might be a consequence of more frequent field visits by ornithologists. Moreover, the presence of the Middle Spotted Woodpecker in this part of the country might be linked to the gradual spreading of forests and the maturing of oak stands already present here. In the above-mentioned areas, further investigations and systematic censuses are therefore needed in the coming springs.

New Collembola Species from the Floodplain Forests of the Transcarpathian Lowland (Ukraine)

New Collembola Species from the Floodplain Forests of the Transcarpathian Lowland (Ukraine)As a result of an ecological study of the springtails communities of floodplain oak forests (Transcarpathian Lowland),Spinonychiurus epaphiusKaprus' et Tsalan, sp. n. andTetracanthella pericarpaticaKaprus' et Tsalan, sp. n. are collected and described.S. epaphiussp. n. belongs to species group of Onychiuridae with abdominal sternum III, divided into two subsegments. AT. pericarpaticasp. n. new species is distinguished among similar taxa by reduced chaetotaxy of body.