Geobotanical Descriptions Research Articles

Геоинформационное картографирование для решения эколого-просветительских задач: интерактивная карта растительности «Тропою Доппельмаира»

Environmental education is an important function of Protected Areas among them nature reserves. It includes development of visible and available materials on tours and routes, on geographical and environmental features of a territory, and on unique species of flora and fauna. Interactive map of vegetation “Along Doppelmair’s trail” is an example of scientific information visualization. It was made for a distant and restricted core area in Barguzinsky Nature Reserve. We applied traditional geographical approaches and methods (field research, geobotanical descriptions) and modern GIS technologies (creation of unit database on landscape foundation, satellite image interpretation, infogram visualization) to create the map. As a result a GIS product is created with ArcMAP and located on the ArcGIS Online platform. This map shows characteristic vegetation types, succession stages of pyrogenic dynamics of forest geosystems formed during a century period. Infograms demonstrate information on sites with wild animal encounters, vegetation distribution, landscape features, and photographical materials. This interactive map is a way for environment protection popularization and solving some educational tasks for Protected Areas. It gives an opportunity to study changes in vegetation from Lake Baikal shoreline to mountain peaks of Bаrguzinskii Range, learn typical flora and fauna species, including endangered ones, find interesting historical facts about the reserve, and, thus, get an idea of uniqueness and fragility of nature and the importance of protection attempts.

SYSTEMATIC, BIOMORPHOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS OF WILD-GROWING PLANTS OF PEREYASLAV

The peculiarity of the geographical location of the Pereyaslav Region, the existence of dense river nets (the Dnieper River, the Trubizh River, the Alta River, the Supiy River, etc.) and the diversity of landscapes led to the formation of the region rich in plant species. However, the vegetation cover of the region has been significantly transformed as a result of the construction of a hydroelectric power plant on the Dnieper River and the creation of the Kaniv Reservoir. The purpose of the article is to carry out a systematic, biomorphological and ecological analysis of the composition of wild medicinal plants of the Pereyaslav region. The research was conducted during 2018-2019 years on the territory of the Pereyaslav Region. The object of the study is the flora of wild medicinal plants of the Pereyaslav Region. The study was performed by means of the route, stationary and semi-stationary methods. During the field surveys (geobotanical descriptions) of the studied territory, the flora was described, species and families of the plants were determined, their location and ecological conditions of growth, life form, etc. were noted. As a result of the critical inventory of the species composition of the Pereyaslav flora, the systematic composition of wild herbs and medicinal plants of the region was first developed (582 species), consisting of 106 families and 360 species, among which there are vascular plants (Lycopodiophyta, Equisetophyta, Polypodiophyta) – 15 species, Pinophyta – 3 species, Magnoliophyta – 567 species. The biomorphological analysis of wild herbs and medicinal plants of the Pereyaslav Region was performed and it was established that the vast majority of species belong to hemicryptophytes (316 species). It was found that in the studied territory the diversity of wild medicinal plants is represented by trees (27 species), shrubs (28 species), subshrubs (10 species), perennial herbaceous plants (387 species), biennial plants (46 species) and annual plants (84 species). It has been established that the ecological-coenotic nature of valuable species of plants in the study consists of forest (170 species), meadow (145 species), meadow-steppe (114 species), synanthropic phytocenoses consist of 95 species and wetland ecotopes – 58 species.

ВЛИЯНИЕ ПОЖАРА НА ДИНАМИКУ ПОДЗЕМНОЙ ФИТОМАССЫ СТЕПНЫХ ФИТОЦЕНОЗОВ НА УЧАСТКЕ «БУРТИНСКАЯ СТЕПЬ» ОРЕНБУРГСКОГО ЗАПОВЕДНИКА

Steppe ecosystems are the most vulnerable to the influence of the pyrogenic factor. The study of the regularities of the vegetation cover restoration in the burnt steppe phytocenoses is urgent, as it is connected with the wide spread of fires in the steppe zone at present time. The increasing frequency and area of fires indicate a tendency of fires intensification, which ultimately can lead to significant environmental consequences. The authors studied the effect of pyrogenic factors on the dynamics of below-ground phytomass stocks of steppe phytocenoses on the territory of the sector “Burtinskaya Steppe” in Orenburg Reserve. The research area is located in the steppe zone of the Zavolzhsk-Ural region. The total area of the sector is 45 km². In August 2014, more than 20 km² of protected steppe burned on the site. After the fire two monitoring plots were laid, each plot included a control (B) and a burnt (A) plot. The research was conducted in 2015–2016. The geobotanical descriptions, registration of the above-ground and below-ground phytomass were conducted in spring, summer and autumn periods for each community. The obtained samples of below-ground phytomass were washed, dried at 105 °C and weighed. All above-ground phytomass was dried to air-dry state. The comparison of unburned and fire-damaged plots at all sites did not reveal statistically significant differences according to the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test (α <0.05) in the total stocks of below-ground phytomass and stocks of living below-ground phytomass. Differences in the stocks of dead below-ground phytomass were revealed by the second year of the study at one plot.

Растительные сукцессии на отвалах угольных шахт в лесостепи Тульской области

The paper describes vegetation successions that can be observed on waste piles of Moscow lignite basin. Characterization of succession are performed with geobotanical descriptions that were made at non-recultivated waste pile, levelled dump and phytomeliorated waste pile. ^lonization of coal waste piles by plants corresponds to primary succession that proceeds in specific edaphic conditions. Term and trajectory of this process on waste piles of Moscow lignite basin in the Tula oblast differ at various object types. The rate of revegetation is slowest at slopes of waste piles and levelled spoils, where only solitary individuals of ruderal species can occur. At levelled spoils’ surfaces and self-developing deluvial-proluvial foreslopes (which is forming at waste pile foot) pioneer plant groups, simple structured phytocoenoses and complex structured phytoco-enoses are discovered. Most common tree species in simple structured and complex structured communities is Betula pendula. Under the toxic flow influence herbaceous layer at deluvial-proluvial foreslopes and in certain parts of levelled spoil consists mainly of Calamagrostis epigeios, Equisetum spp., Convolvulus arvensis. Out of toxic flow influence at levelled spoil forb meadows with large proportion of legumes (Trifolium hybridum, Lotus corniculatus, Melilotus albus etc.) occur. Succession stages changing is not rapid and revegetation processes takes decades; the phytomelioration of Moscow lignite basin waste piles in the Tula oblast can speed this process up by overcoming the delayed pioneer plant groups stage. The pattern of plant succession trajectories on waste piles of Moscow lignite basin in forest-steppe landscapes of the north part of the Central Russian Upland was developed.

Joint analysis of field and remote data in assessing the structure and composition of forests for the western part of Moscow region

«Вестник Санкт-Петербургского университета. Науки о Земле» — научно-теоретический рецензируемый журнал, обобщающий результаты исследований в области геологии, гидрогеологии и геохимии, петрологии и экологии, ландшафтного планирования и геоморфологии, экономической и социальной географии.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ ЦЕНОФЛОРЫ ГАЗОНОВ ГОРОДА УФЫ (РЕСПУБЛИКА БАШКОРТОСТАН)

Lawns are the most important element of the modern urban landscape. They are made by planting grasses at specially prepared homogeneous plots. The coenoflora of Ufa lawns currently includes 112 species of higher plants from 90 genera and 26 families. The characteristic of coenoflora is given on the basis of the performed geobotanical descriptions. Classical floristical analysis of coenoflora is carried out for various floristic spectra: family-genus, biomorphological, horological, ecological, and phytosociological. An assessment of the economic significance of the species was also given. The adventive component of the coenoflora consisting of 29 species was analyzed individually. It accounts for 25.9 % of the total species composition. It is specified that indexes of adventization of coenoflora are relatively low in Ufa in comparison with many other coenofloras of large cities. It can be connected with nature of habitats (absence of soil cover movement and relatively dense cover of lawn grasses and, consequently, absence of soil areas not occupied by plants. Such conditions prevent growing of adventive species). Particularly aggressive invasive plant species (Erigeron annuus, Hordeum jubatum, Solidago canadensis ) are recorded in the group of adventive species. The research proves that in large cities with great disruption of vegetation cover there is an increasing necessity of arranging high-quality lawn ground covers of different types, based on the correct selection of lawn species, optimal agricultural techniques. Ongoing processes that take place in the lawn plant communities should be considered.

ФЛОРИСТИЧЕСКОЕ БОГАТСТВО И НАСЫЩЕННОСТЬ ПРИМОРСКИХ РАСТИТЕЛЬНЫХ СООБЩЕСТВ С ДОМИНИРОВАНИЕМ TRIGLOCHIN MARITIMA L. (JUNCAGINACEAE) НА ПОБЕРЕЖЬЕ СЕВЕРНЫХ МОРЕЙ

The article presents the results of studying of the floral richness and density of communities dominated by the circumboreal temperate Arctic species Triglochin maritima L. (fam. Juncaginaceae). On the tidal zone of the western coast of the White sea in the direction from the lowland to the level of the low tide the geobotanical descriptions of plant communities on the model transects were made. The ecological characteristics of habitats, including geomorphic shore type, wave exposure and the mechanical composition of the substrate were given. It is revealed that various indicators of the geomorphological structure of the coast of the Bay effect on the characteristics and features of the floristic richness and density in the saltmarsh communities in these biotopes

Do Diversity and Bio-morphological Spectrum of Psammophytes Matter in Restoring Vegetation of Sand Pits?

Open mining of sand is executed in the sand pits. After completion of the work sand pits are usually recultivated: firstly they are graded and then planted with trees and shrubs, but very often sand pits are abandoned to regenerate themselves. The sand pit becomes a source of dust and a hardly healed wound on the earth’s body. In order to provide an adequate revegetation on such substrates, it is necessary to study biomorphological peculiarities of growing plants in a very specific environment characterized by high stiffness of slopes and high mobility of the substrate. The material for our study collected from Moscow Region sand pits in the Russian federation. Plants were collected from both northern and southern exposure slopes. Our work is based on the geobotanical descriptions made according to standard method on experimental sites of 5x5 m2. The results of the undertaken shows that Compositae, Gramineae, Fabaceae are the most representative of the surveyed one hundred twenty seven species of higher vascular plants from 29 families. Diversity on the southern slopes was more than on the northern ones. Species diversity is determined by the successions occurring spontaneously after a rough anthropogenic intervention, under the influence of such environmental factors as lighting, moisture, texture and richness of soil. The spectrum of life forms showed that the overwhelming majority according to K. Raunkiru are hemicryptophytes. Perennial herbaceous polycarpics are dominant in the spectrum of life forms, according to I.G. Serebryakov.

ЭКОЛОГО-ЦЕНОТИЧЕСКАЯ РОЛЬ ЧУЖЕРОДНЫХ ВИДОВ РАСТЕНИЙ В ЛЕСНЫХ ЭКОСИСТЕМАХ ГОРОДСКОГО ОКРУГА Г. ВОРОНЕЖ

The processes of depletion of zonal vegetation are closely related to the settlement of invasive species. Within the forest ecosystems of the urban district of Voronezh, 31 invasive species from 30 genera and 19 families were recorded. The method of ecological scales revealed the ecological-coenotic aspects of phytoinvasions. The sample involved geobotanical descriptions (grouped by formational feature) of native phytocenoses without an alien component in the flora and phytocenoses replacing them with the active participation of invasive species within the same research object. Infestations of these species are accompanied by the development of allogeneic successions, which are characterized by a decrease in the species diversity of communities and the role of native taxa in them. The processes of infestations are typical for the region and are observed in communities of floodplain forests and meadows, native and derived forests and sub-forests, broad-leaved and mixed forests, slope meadow and steppes. Plant invasions in the coniferous and deciduous forests of the district are characterized by the expansion of 3 species of woody (Acer negundo, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Robinia pseudoacacia), 5 species of shrub (Sambucus racemosa, Caragana arborescens Lam., Viburnum lantana, Amelanchier spicata, Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and 4 species of herbaceous plants (Bidens frondosa, Impatiens parviflora, Galinsoga parviflora, Solidago canadensis). Phytoindication of pine forests shows the transformation of all 10 environmental indicators for communities with invasive species. For broad-leaved forests, the introduction of biomorphologically close taxa to native species does not lead to a sharp transformation of the ecological parameters of forest biotopes. The introduction of alien species into alder forests leads to a change in the ecological parameters of their biotopes towards mesophilization. This speeds up the process of the emergence of new alien species from the number of mesophytic taxa and an increase in the role of already settled ones. From 2007 to 2017, the invasive flora of the alder forests of the Voronezh increased from one species to four. According to the degree of invasiveness, the ecosystems of the southern upland, southwest oak forest, northern upland oak forests and pine forests have average values of 6.4 %, 6.1 %, 5.1 %, 5.7 %, respectively. Alder forests are minimally invasive, the share of invasive species is 1.3 %, which does not exceed 5 % of the threshold. Minor changes cover indicators: climate thermal mode (TM), continental climate (KN), climate aridity / humidity (OM), cryoclimatic (CR), soil trophicity (TR), soil acidity (RC), moisture variability (FH). Communities with a high level of participation of invasive species are actively developing in ecotonic conditions: forest edges and alder areas of terraces. As a result of the settlement of alien species in the Alder forests, a decrease in the price activity of the following native species is observed: Impatiens noli-tangere, Humulus lupulus, Solanum dulcamara, Thelypteris palustris, Paris quadrifolia, Maianthemum bifolium. To warn of the possible expansion of Acer negundo, Parthenocissus quinquefolia and Galinsoga parviflora, a high water cut regime for alder forests is required. Under the conditions of global and climatic changes, this is a rather complicated task, requiring constant monitoring of the abiotic and biotic components of the forest, as well as the regulation of nature management regimes in the floodplains of small rivers. The implementation of ecological and cenotic strategies for invasive species in forest communities is accompanied by a restructuring of the ecology of biotopes, which is expressed in the transformation of the ecological parameters of pine forests, mesophilization of alder biotopes, increasing the moisture content and richness of oak forests, the emergence of new alien species and reducing the cenotic activity of some native taxa. The most significant changes are subject to parameters: soil moisture (HD), soil nitrogen richness (NT), illumination/shading (LC).

Синтаксономічна схема трав’яної рослинності верхніх басейнів Прута та Сірету

This is the first time that ecological-floristic classification scheme of grassy vegetation of the upper Prut and Siret basins within Ukraine was set up based on the analysis of field research and literature resources. The foundations for syntaxonomic scheme of vegetation was database of geobotanical descriptions «Vegetation of Bukovina», which was created on the Department of botany, forestry, garden and park management in the shell of TURBOVEG. This database contains more than 5000 geobotanical descriptions made in accordance with standardized approach. There was used cluster analysis based on modified TWINSPAN algorithm in JUICE shell for allocation of vegetation units. Syntaxonomic scheme of grassy vegetation of the researched area includes 9 classes, 21 orders, 33 alliances.

Geobotanic and phytoindication characteristics of Amorpha fruticosa L. population in the serious coenosis conditions of the floodplain in the lower level Kaniv hydro power plant

On the basis of geobotanical descriptions of phytocenoses with Amorpha fruticosa L., representing primary succession separate stages of different floodplain altitude levels made on the islands territory below the Kaniv hydro power plant, the general characteristic of the vegetation dynamics with this species participation is presented. Using the method of phytoindication, the main characteristics of ecological factors indicators and their change directions during xero-, meso- and hydroseries are determined. The ecological factors indicators were obtained by the method of syphitoindication: soil moisture (Hd), variability of soil moisture (fH), soil aeration (Ae), general soil salt regime (trophic) (SL), soil acidity (Rc), mineral nitrogen content (Nt ) and carbonate content (Ca) in the soil, thermal regime (Tm), continental (Kn), frost (cryo) (Cr), climate humidity (humidity) (Om), luminosity (Lc). To compare ecological amplitude and elucidate the relationship between coenoses, the cluster analysis method and the shifted ratio analysis (DCA) method were used. A. fruticosa, characterized by a wide phytocenotic range, is included in phytocenoses at all stages of succession of Middle Dnieper floodplain three levels, representing xero-, meso- and hydroseries. During the succession, the qualitative and quantitative changes of such phytocenoses geobotanical characteristics as the species number and their composition, the A. fruticosa role as a coenotic agent, the age structure of its co-populations are natural. Also, based on the phytoindication method, the differences of phytocenoses representing xero-, meso- and hydroseries are monitored, a relatively wide range of ecotopes differing in humidity and soil aeration factors, favorable for the growth of A. fruticosa regular trend of most ecological factors during xeroseries and hydroseries towards the indices of mesoseries phytocenoses

Environmental assessment of vegetation of the spit and Tuzla island (Krasnodar Territory, Republic of the Crimea)

In order to classify the vegetation, as well as its sozological assessment, based on the Brown-Blancke method, geobotanical descriptions of the vegetation of the spit and Tuzla island were carried out, rare species were noted, and a cartographic survey of the territory was carried out. As a result of five-year studies, the classification of vegetation of the spit and Tuzla island was made. 22 associations (2 new - Lactuco tataricae-Elaeagnetum angustifoliae and Gypsophiletum perfoliatae), 8 subassociations (6 new - Lactuco tataricae-Elaeagnetum angustifoliae juncetosum maritimae, L. t.-E. a.) are described. Artemisetosum arenariae, Phragmito-Juncetum maritimi puccinelietisum distantis, Cakilo euxinae-Crambetum artemisetosum arenariae, Cakilo euxinae-Lactucetum tataricae typicum, C. e.-L. t. gypsophiletosum perfoliatae, basal 2 community and 7 out of 13 classes and 14 unions. A geobotanical map of the spit and Tuzla island has been compiled. The high estimates of the environmental significance of observed association: Cakilo euxinae-Lactucetum tataricae, Eryngio maritimi-Cakiletum euxinae, Gypsophiletum perfoliatae and Elaeagnetum angustifoliae-Lactucetum tataricae. The necessary establishment of protected areas for the protection of some plant communities in the vegetation and the islands.

Seasonal Dynamics of Vegetation on Fallow Lands in Krasnoyarsk Forest Steppe According to Terrain and Satellite Data

This article presents investigation data on the seasonal dynamics of productivity, status, and species composition of vegetation on fallow lands in the Krasnoyarsk forest steppe (Middle Siberia) obtained from terrain and satellite materials from 2017. The results of the study of grass plant communities on the basis of geobotanical descriptions and terrain spectrometry were have been used for a more accurate interpretation of cosmic photographs of moderate and low resolution. For studying vegetation on fallow lands, we analyze the seasonal dynamics of various vegetative indices (NDVI, EVI, LSWI, and LAI) and parameters (NPP, FPAR, and LST (land surface temperature)) obtained from MODIS satellite images. Our analysis of satellite data shows the absence of evidences of plowing and mowing in the studied area. A positive correlation is revealed between vegetation indices of biomass (NDVI, EVI, LAI, and NPP) and parameters of hydrothermal conditions (LSWI, FPAR, and LST).

Ecological features of some species of the Lily of the valley family (Convallariaceae) in the Kirov Region

In connection with the anthropogenic load on the natural habitats of many medicinal plant species, it is relevant to assess the ecological conditions of growth in order to study the relationships between species and plant communities. The paper presents the analysis of ecological features of some species of the Lily of the valley family (Convallariaceae) in the Kirov Region. To identify the ecological-phytocoenotic association of the studied species in forest communities of the Kirov Region, 45 coenotic populations (CP) ofConvallaria majalis, 10 CP ofPolygonatum odoratumand 20 CP ofMajanthemum bifoliumwere studied. When analyzing the ecological conditions of the species habitats, H.Ellenberg ecological scales were used. Geobotanical descriptions of plant communities were carried out according to generally accepted methods. It has been established that the amplitudes of the ecological spaces of the studied species in the Kirov Region practically do not fit into most ranges of ecological niches calculated on the basis of H.Ellenberg scales. The species have a wide range of adaptability to the studied environmental factors. All studied species are distributed on medium-moist soils (5thlevel of H.Ellenberg scale). The authors have shown that the studied species are similar in environmental factors such as moisture and soil richness with nitrogen.Convallaria majalisandPolygonatum odoratum photophilous species,Majanthemum bifolium shade-tolerant species are distinguished with respect to illumination. In the grass-shrub layer of the studied habitats of the species, 7 rare, small, narrowly araic species are listed in the Red Book of the Kirov Region(Pulsatilia flavescens(Zuccar.) Juz.,Potentilla humifusaWilld. ex Schlecht.,Centaurea sumensisKalen.,Koeleria glauca(Spreng.) DC.,Eryngium planumL.,Geranium sanguineumL.,Carex bohemicaSchreb.). And 4 species that need constant monitoring and observation in the region (Annex 2) Campanula perscifoliaL.,Pulsatilia patens(L.) Mill.,Platanthera bifolia(L.) Rich.,Iris sibiricaL.).

The effect of soil on spatial variation of the herbaceous layer modulated by overstorey in an Eastern European poplar-willow forest

Abstract The tree species composition can influence the dynamics of herbaceous species and enhance the spatial heterogeneity of the soil. But there is very little evidence on how both overstorey structure and soil properties affect the spatial variation of the herb layer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the factors of the soil and overstorey structure by which it is possible to explain the fine-scale variation of herbaceous layer communities in an Eastern European poplar-willow forest. The research was conducted in the “Dnipro-Orils’kiy” Nature Reserve (Ukraine). The research polygon (48°30′51″N, 34°49″02″E) was laid in an Eastern European poplar-willow forest in the floodplain of the River Protich, which is a left inflow of the River Dnipro. The site consists of 7 transects. Each transect was made up of 15 test points. The distance between rows in the site was 3 m. At the site, we established a plot of 45×21 m, with 105 subplots of 3×3 m organized in a regular grid. The adjacent subplots were in close proximity. Vascular plant species lists were recorded at each 3×3 m subplot along with visual estimates of species cover using the nine-degree Braun-Blanquet scale. Within the plot, all woody stems ≥ 1 cm in diameter at breast height were measured and mapped. Dixon’s segregation index was calculated for tree species to quantify their relative spatial mixing. Based on geobotanical descriptions, a phytoindicative assessment of environmental factors according to the Didukh scale was made. The redundancy analysis was used for the analysis of variance in the herbaceous layer species composition. The geographic coordinates of sampling locations were used to generate a set of orthogonal eigenvector-based spatial variables. Two measurements of the overstorey spatial structure were applied: the distances from the nearest tree of each species and the distance based on the evaluation of spatial density of point objects, which are separate trees. In both cases, the distance matrix of sampling locations was calculated, which provided the opportunity to generate eigenvector-based spatial variables. A kernel smoothed intensity function was used to compute the density of the trees’ spatial distribution from the point patterns’ data. Gaussian kernel functions with various bandwidths were used. The coordinates of sampling locations in the space obtained after the conversion of the trees’ spatial distribution densities were used to generate a set of orthogonal eigenvector-based spatial variables, each of them representing a pattern of particular scale within the extent of the bandwidth area structured according to distance and reciprocal placement of the trees. An overall test of random labelling reveals the total nonrandom distribution of the tree stems within the site. The unexplained variation consists of 43.8%. The variation explained solely by soil variables is equal to 15.5%, while the variation explained both by spatial and soil variables is 18.0%. The measure of the overstorey spatial structure, which is based on the evaluation of its density enables us to obtain different estimations depending on the bandwidth. The bandwidth affects the explanatory capacity of the tree stand. A considerable part of the plant community variation explained by soil factors was spatially structured. The orthogonal eigenvector-based spatial variables (dbMEMs) approach can be extended to quantifying the effect of forest structures on the herbaceous layer community. The measure of the overstorey spatial structure, which is based on the evaluation of its density, was very useful in explaining herbaceous layer community variation.

Еколого-ценотична характеристика популяції Hedera helix L. (Araliaceae) на території Словечансько-Овруцького кряжу

Моніторинг динаміки популяцій має велике теоретичне й практичне значення. Найбільший інтерес представляють популяції рідкісних видів або тих, які перебувають на межі ареалу. Такі види діагностують добре інтегровані комплексні екологічні характеристики. Вони є чутливим інструментом для моніторингу стану навколишнього середовища. Природний ареал Hedera helix уключає територію Західної Європи та південно-західну частину Східної Європи. Вид довгий час уважався реліктовим. Г. К. Смик пояснює диз’юнкції ареалу Hedera helix наслідком масової вирубки лісів у 20-х роках минулого століття. Нові знахідки виду на території Полісся ставлять під сумнів ці гіпотези.Нами проаналізовано середовище існування виду, флору та рослинність у межах місцезнаходжень на території Словечансько-Овруцького кряжу. Ми використовуємо цей регіон як модельний через надзвичайно високу різноманітність оселищ і нові знахідки локалітетів Hedera helix. Ландшафтна й видова різноманітність кряжу вища, ніж на будь-якій іншій території Полісся. Матеріалами дослідження стали стандартні геоботанічні описи. Дослідження тривало з 2004 по 2018 р. Для оцінки середовища використовували метод синфітоіндикації. Антропогенну оцінку здійснювали за допомогою визначення гемеробії (антропотолерантності) угруповань за шкалою Дідуха-Хом’яка. Синфітоіндикаційний аналіз проводили з використанням програми Simargl 1.12.Наші дослідження показали, що вид присутній в екотопах із вузькою амплітудою показників екологічних факторів. Hedera helix на території Словечансько-Овруцького кряжу трапляється в умовах стенотипних умов (перекриття 3 % синфітоіндикаційної шкали) в екосистемах з автотрофним блоком у вигляді асоціації Stellario holosteae-Carpinetum betuli (клас Carpino-Fagetea). Однак поруч наявні території, які мають подібні екологічні умови, але чомусь не зайняті Hedera helix. Пошук відповіді на це питання потребує більш глибоких досліджень.

Digital Mapping of Habitat for Plant Communities Based on Soil Functions: A Case Study in the Virgin Forest-Steppe of Russia

The spatial structure of the habitat for plant communities based on soil functions in virgin forest-steppe of the Central Russian Upland is the focus of this study. The objectives include the identification of the leading factors of soil function variety and to determine the spatial heterogeneity of the soil function. A detailed topographic survey was carried out on a key site (35 hectares), 157 soil, and 34 geobotanical descriptions were made. The main factor of soil and plant cover differentiation is the redistribution of soil moisture along the microrelief. Redistributed runoff value was modelled in SIMWE and used as a tool for spatial prediction of soils due to their role in a habitat for plant communities’ functional context. The main methods of the study are the multidimensional scaling and discriminant analysis. We model the composition of plant communities (accuracy is 95%) and Reference Soil Group (accuracy is 88%) due to different soil moisture conditions. There are two stable soil habitat types: mesophytic communities on the Phaeozems (with additional water runoff more than 80 mm) and xerophytic communities on Chernozems (additional runoff less than 55 mm). A transitional type corresponded to xero- mesophytic communities on the Phaeozems with 55–80 mm additional redistributed runoff value. With acceptable accuracy, the habitat for natural plant communities based on soil function model predicts the position of contrastingly different components of biota in relation to their soil moisture requirements within the virgin forest-steppe of the Central Russian Upland.

Spatio-temporal Analysis of Landscape Dynamics of the Selenga Middle Mountains (A Case Study of the Ubur-Dzokoi Hollow)

We investigated the landscapes and vegetation cover of the Ubur-Dzokoi hollow of the Selenga middle mountains. It was found that according to the physical-geographical zoning, the study area is a hummocky terrain of dry steppe landscape. The geosystems of the hollow include steppe and forest-steppe communities. Barchan relief formation is due to human activities and the dynamics of the wind regime. An analysis of key morphometric parameters of hollow relief is carried out based on the SRTM digital elevation model. As a result of the automated classification of Landsat TM multispectral images with a further identification of landscape types, multitemporal (for the years 1990, 2000 and 2010) landscape maps are created. These maps are validated by field landscape and geo-botanical investigations. The algorithm of the ISODATA unsupervised classification method was used, which allows the outlines with non-contrast structure of spectral brightness to be identified. The maps show clear changes in vegetation cover, indicating a decrease in the forest area, a gradual replacement of sedge-forb steppe communities with free-standing trees as well as an increase of sand deposits on unused arable and fallow lands. The spatial structure of vegetation on aeolian landforms was studied. It was concluded that their main component is psammophyte vegetation. We have made 25 geobotanical descriptions. The floristic composition of the coenocomplex includes 52 species of higher vascular plants. The ecological structure of the florocoenocomplex was identified on the basis of analyzing groups of plants in relation to the factor of soil moisture content. The method of ordination was used to determine the ecological differentiation of vegetation. To identify the spatial and structural organization of vegetation used geobotanical profiles and geobotanical descriptions of the sites, and satellite imagery. A large-scale (1:10 000) vegetation map for aeolian landforms was compiled. A correlation of the species in environmental groups showed a predominance of xerophytes (48%).

Факторный анализ классификации городских местообитаний на примере Сердловского округа города Иркутска

The habitats typification was made using the European Habitat Classification System EUNIS (European Nature Information System) for the Sverdlovsk District of the city of Irkutsk. The object of study is divided into 676 plots with QGIS software. Geobotanical descriptions were carried out for some of them. Six parameters were determined which influence to the configuration and the functioning of habitats: 1) the presence of urban greening (the ratio of the area with vegetation cover to the total area of the plot); 2) paving (the ratio of the area of artificial surfaces to the total area of the plot); 3) soil outcrops (the ratio of the area of barrens to the total area of the plot); 4) the presence of surface water (the ratio of the area of water bodies to the total area of the plot); 5) location heights and 6) slope steepness obtained for each section according to SRTM data. Analysis of the data by the principal component method showed that the greatest influence on the determination of the EUNIS habitat type of the first hierarchical level is exerted by the parameters of greenery, paving (the first main component) and slope (the second component). Evaluation of the results of classification by the method of the discriminant analysis showed that it is 51.5% attributable to these variables, and the rest is described by other factors.

Rare Plants and Plant Communities of the Projected “Togul” National Park (Altai Region)

The value of the Salair Ridge territory for the creation of the “Togul” National Natural Park is determined primarily by the natural complex of black coniferous forests with the participation of relict plant species of the Miocene-Pliocene coniferous-deciduous forests and a group of early flowering ephemeroid plants, old-aged Pinus sibirica, Picea obovata and linden forests and a variety of tall grasses. Based on the performed geobotanical descriptions, the phytocenotic characteristic of linden forests was compiled. Information is provided on the location of 10 rare and endangered species of plants and fungi found during a survey of the territory of the planned national park.