Meadow-steppe Species Research Articles

Siberian species on the steppe stations of the northwestern exclave of the meadow steppe

Climate warming has revived interest in the problem of species migration, changing vegetation boundaries. “Oka flora” in the Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve is an isolated fragment of steppe communities in the zone of coniferous-deciduous forests. Its peculiarity is the significant participation of Siberian and Caucasian species. According to the results of long-term observations (25 years), the participation of Siberian species in steppe test sites was evaluated. In the steppe communities of the reserve, a relic floristic core is isolated, which includes species of glacial time (Carex obtusata, Draba sibirica, etc.) and species of warm Atlantic Time (Melica picta). The main part species in steppe test sites are typical steppe or meadow-steppe species, identical to the zonal meadow steppes. Modern research is devoted to identifying the features of biotopes of steppe communities. It has been established that steppe biotopes are the driest and warmest in the reserve. In recent years, there has been an expansion of the area of dense-grain cereals. Observations suggest that the ecosystem is capable of holding a pool of many species for a long time, although not all species manifest themselves in conditions of changing climatic trends. Herbaceous vegetation, depending on the hydrothermal conditions of the upper soil horizons, is the most mobile.

Demutation of settled meadows: the Kuznetsk basin case

The study of the demutation process in the fallows was carried out in the southern part of the Kuznetsk Basin. 4 stages of vegetation demutation were revealed: young fallow, middle-aged fallow, old, secondary steppe meadow. The analysis of 4 groups was carried out according to the following indicators: species richness, ecological composition of cenoflores, ecological and cenotic composition of the herbage. It was found that the species saturation in the cenoflora from young fallows to secondary steppe dry meadows increases by 1.6 times. Mesophytes prevail at all stages of demutation. The share of mesoxerophytes increases in the process of demutation. The activity of species changes as follows: meadow grasses are active at all stages, weedy species are active only at the first stages, than they drop out of the herbage, the activity of meadow-steppe species increases.

Еколого-фауністична характеристика лучно-степових таксоценів колембол Східного Поділля

A comparative analysis of the taxonomic and ecological structure of meadow-steppe collembolan taxocenes of Eastern Podillya was carried out. 77 species of Сollembola belonging to 41 genera and 14 families were found on the studied territory. From 6 to 18 species of collembola were found at the level of point alpha diversity, and 40–42 species of coenotic alpha diversity, which indicates a large capacity of the soil environment for Сollembola in this type of biocenoses of Podillya. The investigated meadow-steppe Collembola taxocenes are characterized by average population density indicators, from 5.8 to 9.1 thousand spec./m2. It was found that the structure of dominance, spectra of life forms and biotope groups of the studied taxocenes have their own specificity, due to local edaphic conditions, as well as the degree of anthropogenic transformation. The analysis of the ecological structure showed that, in terms of species richness, complexes of xeroresistant (47.6–60 % of the total species richness) and mesophilic forms (17.5–35.7 %) prevail in meadow-steppe taxocenes of collembola. The studied taxocenes include six biotope groups of species. The biotope group of open landscape species (meadow-steppe, meadow and steppe) prevails, the share of which in the composition of the studied taxocenes is 52.4–62.5 % of the species diversity. According to the indicator of relative abundance, 44.4–64.8% belong to meadow-steppe species. A feature of the investigated taxocenes is the presence in their composition of 7.1 to 15 % of atmobiotic collembolan species that inhabit macrophytes and the surface of loose leaf litter and carry out regular daily migrations in the grass, trees and shrubs, as well as about 5 % of corticolous collembolan species, which are ecologically related to lichens, mosses, tree bark and stone substrates. It was established that in all three meadow-steppe phytocenoses of Eastern Podillya, a specialized type of collembolan taxocene is formed, where more than 40 % of the population has meadow-steppe species that are ecologically related to xerophytic grass groups.

Класс Festuco-Brometea в Южном Зауралье (степная зона Челябинской области)

Класс Festuco-Brometea в Южном Зауралье (степная зона Челябинской области)

Трансформації угруповання колембол заплавних біотопів Закарпатської низовини під впливом осушувальної меліорації

Collembola’s communities of flood complexes in the Transcarpathian lowlands and changes in their taxonomic, biotopic and ecological structures under the influence of hydrotechnical melioration on the example of Latoritsa River were investigated. Two types of biotopes: natural (floodplain meadows of river valleys) and hydro-ameliorated (lowland hay meadows) have been studied. Because of our research, 46 species of Collembola were discovered in the meadow biotopes of natural and transformed floodplain complexes. In the meadow habitats of the meliorated floodplain (dammed from the river), the total species richness is greater than in the flooded (37 species). The upper litter and deep-soil forms of colembols are predominated in the life forms spectrum of the natural floodplain. The spectrum of biotope groups, which dominated eurytopic and meadow-steppe species groups, together make up 46% of the total diversity. Hydrotechnical melioration of the floodplain leads to an increase in Entomobryidae and Hypogastruridae families and a decrease in Neanuridae, compared to undrained part of floodplain. Members of all major families of Collembola presented in a composition of investigated taxonomical groups. Hydrotechnical melioration of the floodplain leads to an increase in the species richness of the Entomobryidae and Hypogastruridae families and the reduction of Neanuridae. Thus, the transformation of the investigated floodplain complexes causes a noticeable increase in the number of meadow, meadow-steppe and meadow-forest species in the fragmentized Colembolla taxocenes, a significant decrease in the forest, meadow-bogs species and the total elimination of near-water ones. So, in the spectra of the hygroprefe­rence, a decrease in the representation of hygrophilic and hygro-mesophilic Collembola complexes due to their substitution by xero-mesophilic and xeroresistant groups were recorded for a certain ecological vector. The ecological structure destruction of Collembola communities, which are reflected through a appreciable reconstructions of taxocenes and changes of their structural and functional integrity, indicate a negative transformations in floodplain complexes under the hydrotechnical melioration.

Синтаксономическое разнообразие лесных лугов Обь-Инского водораздела в пределах Новосибирской области

Синтаксономическое разнообразие лесных лугов Обь-Инского водораздела в пределах Новосибирской области

Peculiarities of taxonomic and ecological structure of forest toxocene of Collembola of Eastern Pоdillya

We have made a comparative analysis of the taxonomic and ecological structure of forest taxa of the collemboles of Eastern Podillya. 71 species of collemboles belonging to 40 genera and 15 families were found in the study area. It was found that the structure of dominance, spectra of life forms and biotope groups of the studied taxocenes have their own specifics due to local edaphic conditions, as well as the origin of forest phytocenoses. The ratio of life forms and biotope groups, as well as the structure of the dominance of taxonomies of Collemboles, can be considered as an indicator of the ecological regime of forest edaphotopes of Eastern Podillya. It is established that in different forest phytocenoses of Eastern Podillya, and two different types of Collemboles taxocenes were formed: 1) prefabricated type – in semi-natural hornbeam oak and 2) specialized type – in artificially created forest phytocenoses, where more than 40% of the number have meadow-steppe species.

Floristic transformation of the steppe area in the lower reaches of the Osyotr River due to anthropogenic impact

The purpose of this study was to survey the steppe site located on the right bank of the Osyotr River, near the village of Argunovo, in the urban district of Zaraysk, Moscow Region. It was required to analyze the key floristic changes that have occurred in its composition to date. For comparison, the floristic description of this site, detailed by R.I. Dyakova in the 1950s. The work takes into account the fact of man-made interference in the 1960s, as a result of limestone mining there in violation of the vegetation cover. In the autumn, 2020 the authors of this article studied a steppe site in the neighborhoods of the village of Argunovo in Zaraisk urban district of Moscow region and collected a herbarium donated to funds [MHA]. This steppe community was first discovered and described in detail by R.I. Dyakova in the 1950s. In the 20th century, due to the extraction of limestone in the lower reaches of the Osyotr River, this biotope was disturbed. It was established that over the past 70 years, the area occupied by the association with Stipa pennata L. and Geranium sanguineum L. significantly decreased and some steppe species disappeared. A factor in the transformation of the steppe cenosis was also cessation of grazing, which led to the appearance of a number of meadow-steppe species. The studied area near the village of Argunovo can be considered as a unique meadow-steppe reserve. It is located at the northern border of the forest-steppe zone and includes the elements of the Oka steppe flora that has preserved to this day. The populations of rare and protected species have been preserved: Stipa pennata, Aster amellus L., Campanula bononiensis L., Gentiana cruciata L., Rosa villosa L. and Pyrus communis L., included in the Red Data Book of Moscow Region. The studied area is potentially susceptible to the invasion of alien species (Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden, Acer negundo L.) and needs monitoring and protection at the level of the community, population and each species.

Dynamics of plant cover of meadow steppes after the cessation of traditional management in Opillia

Meadow steppes of Opillia (western edge of Podillia Upland, Western Ukraine) belong to xerothermic calcareous grasslands which are the most species-rich habitats in Europe. This paper contains results of a nine-year study (2010–2018 years) of plant species composition in ‘Ostrivets’ grassland after the cessation of traditional management (mowing). The patch had been burnt for at least five years running and then abandoned for five more years. The patch was chosen as a model grassland of abandoned meadow steppes. We examined plant species richness and composition on three sample plots of 5 x 5 m2. In 2010, at the beginning of annual burning practice the plots harboured 114 species. One year after cessation of disturbance by fire (2014), species richness decreased to 108 species. In 2018, after five years of abandonment it reached 83 species. Abundance of the dominant species (Brachypodium pinnatum) remained unchanged when the patch was under annual burning regime. After abandonment of the habitat Molinia arundinacea became the dominant species. Species composition experienced changed as well. Only 37.9% of species remained in the sample plots from 2010 till 2018. The proportion of meadow-steppe species halved, they were substituted by species of forests, forest edges and ruderal species. Percent of meadow species did not significantly change, however this group of species began to dominate within the community. The cover of woody vegetation reached 15–20% in 2018. Rubus caesius encroached on the grassland in 2014 and gained 20% of projective cover in 2018. Ten out of thirteen rare species disappeared from the habitat during the study period. ‘Ostrivets’ habitat requires urgent measures to be taken to restore and preserve meadow-steppe species composition. We suggest the following measures: elimination of trees and shrubs, regular moving and overseeding of extinct species.

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ СТЕПОВИХ ЕКОСИСТЕМ НАЦІОНАЛЬНОГО ПРИРОДНОГО ПАРКУ «КРЕМЕНЕЦЬКІ ГОРИ», ЇХ ЗБЕРЕЖЕННЯ ТА ВІДТВОРЕННЯ

Steppe areas of the National Natural Park "Kremenets Mountains" occupy the minimum area in open hills and rocky niches, so the priority tasks are the protection of unique steppe ecosystems.Reproduction of steppe areas is one of the tasks aimed at preserving the diversity of steppe and petrophytic flora, the structure of cenoses in the steppe regions, as well as the habitats of rare steppe plants.The work is based on field research materials conducted during 2012-2018 on the territory of the National Natural Park "Kremenets Mountains". In the course of research, literary data and geo-botanical studies of the Strahov, Vovcha, Sokolina, Maiden cliffs and Zamkov mountains have been processed, flora and phytocenotic features of steppe and meadow-steppe phyto groups, the state and structure of rare species populations have been described.Characterized by the laws of distribution of steppe and meadow-steppe species of plants on the territory of the National Nature Park "Kremenets Mountains". The influence of natural conditions is described, factors which contribute to the decrease in the number of populations of these species are determined. The measures on preservation and reproduction of steppe ecosystems, preservation of the diversity of steppe and petrophytic flora, and the structure of the cenosis of the steppe regions are presented. The age structure of Adonis vernalis L., which grows on the Malyatyn and Vovchyna rivers, is studied.In order to preserve the populations of the listed rare steppe plant species, active measures have been taken within the framework of the National Natural Park "Kremenets Mountains", which consists in reducing the anthropogenic impact and restoring the settlement of rare species. According to the Territory Management Project, the state of afforestation of steppe areas is monitored, shrubs, undergrowth of trees and invasive herbaceous plants (in particular, Solidago canadensis L.) are cleared with which the steppe areas spontaneously grow; some measures are taken to increase the number of rare plants (repatriation).This will promote the expansion of steppe areas, the increase of the proportion of steppe and meadow species in the grassland and increase the area under the populations of individual rare species.

Reser- vatogenic successions of the psammophyte steppe on the island of Khortytsia

Тhis work presents data on the functional state and reservatogenic changes of the largest integral massif of the psamophytic steppe which is situated in the island of Khortytsia. The research was conducted by the authors from 1996 till 1997, from 2010 till 2012 and from 2016 till 2018 by means of general geographic, floristic and geobotanical methods of field studies using systematic, biomorphological, environmental coenotic, and geographical analysis. The flora of the territory of 11 hectares includes 136 species of vascular plants from 103 genera of 40 families. The spectrum of 10 leading families in the studied flora coincides with other steppe spectra: such as, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Apiaceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Brassicaceae, Ranunculaceae. The grassland is dominated by steppe and meadow-steppe species from xeremosophytes and mezoxeremosophytes. Partial domination of species Stipa pennata L., S. capillata L. and Festuca valesiaca Schleich. ex Gaudin characterizes this territory, as steppe groups with a well-preserved kernel of steppe species characteristic of primary groups that have undergone minor anthropogenic influences. Yet the 27 ruderal species segetal group indicates the negative impact of recreation on the territory, as evidenced by the highest percentage of representation for this group of plants ecotonic areas adjacent to public recreation areas that are most exposed to trampling. It was determined that there were phytocenoses degressive reservatogenic changes. It is confirmed by a decrease in the percentage of projective coverage, a decrease in the proportion of species of the genus Stipa L., a change in the floristic composition as to increase the participation of segetal and ruderal and adventitious species. Degradation processes are manifested, first of all, in ecotonous areas with increased recreational anthropogenic pressure. Estimation of functional state and reservatogenic changes of steppe psamophytic groups in Khortytsia island is an urgent and necessary step for determining the tends of changes in valuable zonal phytogroups, the feasibility of developing and implementing scientific substantiation of the relevant regulatory measures.

Травяная растительность побережья Японского моря (Лазовский государственный природный заповедник им. Л. Г. Капланова. Приморский край)

Травяная растительность побережья Японского моря (Лазовский государственный природный заповедник им. Л. Г. Капланова. Приморский край)

Синтаксономия степной растительности Республики Бурятия

Синтаксономия степной растительности Республики Бурятия

Conservation state of populations of rare plant species in highly transformed meadow steppes of Southern Opillya

Degradation of natural habitats causes rapid extinction of rare plant populations. The diversity of rare plant species in the meadow steppes of Southern Opillya (Western Ukraine) depends strongly on patch area, pasture digression of vegetation and a variety of eco-coenotical conditions. The main threats for the rare components of the meadow steppe flora are reduction of habitat and overgrazing. Spatial connections between sites are unable to support a constant rare plant population. The analysis of the composition of rare plant meadow-steppe species indicated that habitats with similar rare species composition usually have similar parameters of area, stages of pasture digression and eco-coenotical conditions. Spatial connectivity of patches does not ensure species similarity of rare components of the flora. Rare plant species were grouped according to their preferences for habitat , area and condition. In small patches subject to any stage of pasture digression grow populations of Adonis vernalis L., Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill., P. grandis Wender., Stipa capillata L., S. рennata L., Chamaecytisus blockianus (Pawł.) Klásková etc. On the contrary, populations of other species (Carlina onopordifolia Besser. ex Szafer., Kuecz. et Pawł., Adenophora liliifolia (L.) Ledeb. ex A. DC., Crambe tataria Sebeók, Euphorbia volhynica Besser ex Racib., Stipa tirsa Stev. etc.) prefer large habitats, not changed by pasture digression. Prevention of reduction of rare species diversity requires preservation (also extension) of patch area and regulation of grazing intensity.

Post-Soviet recovery of grassland vegetation on abandoned fields in the forest steppe zone of Western Siberia

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 around 45 million hectares of arable land became abandoned across Russia. Our study focused on the recovery potential and conservation value of grassland vegetation on ex-arable land in the Tyumen region of the Western Siberian grain belt. We compared ex-arable grasslands of different successional stages with ancient grasslands as reference for the final stage of succession along a climatic gradient from the pre-taiga to the forest steppe zone. Plant community composition and species richness of ex-arable land clearly developed towards reference sites over time, but even after 24 years of abandonment, the grassland vegetation had not totally recovered. The γ-diversity of vascular plants was slightly higher on ex-arable land than in ancient grasslands but the mean α-diversity was still moderately lower. A significant proportion of the vegetation of ex-arable land still consisted of ruderal and mesic grassland species and the number and cover of meadow-steppe species was significantly lower than in ancient grasslands. Grazing and time since abandonment positively affected the reestablishment of target grassland species, whereas it was negatively affected by the cover of grasses. In contrast to ex-arable land, the conservation value of arable land is only modest. Therefore, future intensification of land use is most likely less harmful if directed to existing arable land. Re-cultivation of ex-arable land and grassland improvement operations such as seeding of competitive grass species are major threats for the biodiversity of secondary grasslands on ex-arable land in the forest steppe zone of Western Siberia.

Суходольные луга северной лесостепи и подтайги Тобол-Иртышского междуречья

Суходольные луга северной лесостепи и подтайги Тобол-Иртышского междуречья

Растительный покров подтаежных ландшафтов предгорной равнины правобережья реки Оби

Vegetation of the right bank of the Ob River in the limits of Novosibirsk area consists of southern taiga, subtaiga and forest-steppe elements. More over, in comparison with neighboring areas on the West Siberian Plain, it contains the significant amount of mountain elements (Kuminova, Vagina, Lapshina, 1963). Natural vegetation of the area belongs to the forest-steppe subzone of the West Siberian province (Il’ina, 1985). Low percentage of forest coverage is caused by anthropogenic deforestation and wide distribution of meadows (Lapshina, 1963). This is the most endangered vegetation in Novosibirsk area. Spatial vegetation structure was studied by using the model of the Ob River basin covered 184 square kilometers. Well-developed system of ravines and small creeks caused a presence of relatively large areas with very low anthropogenic impact which potentially could be the refuges of pristine zonal vegetation. Main vegetation type of this basin is forest which covered about 31% of the area. Forest diversity of model area consists of four syntaxa of association and subassociation ranks belonging to the Brachypodio pinnati–Betuletea pendulae class. Meadow vegetation is presented by five syntaxa from the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class and mire vegetation — by two syntaxa from the Alneteae glutinosae class. Two subassociations and four variants are described for the first time. The ravine systems could be considered as low-level landscape structures which are the natural refuges with high level of biodiversity and habitats of rare and endangered species. The slope vegetation organized in ecological rows consists of three up to four syntaxa changing from the top to the ravine bottom. The Ob River Basin flora is characterized by insignificant amount of meadow steppe species, well-represented mire flora and a presence of mountain and taiga elements. The most specific floristic features are the presence of ephemeroid species, taiga species and Siberian tertiary nemoral relics (Polozhiy, Krapivkina, 1985). All these features allow us to refer the river basin vegetation to the low-mountain subtaiga type.

БУЛАВОУСЫЕ ЧЕШУЕКРЫЛЫЕ (LEPIDOPTERA, RHOPALOCERA) СТЕПНЫХ АССОЦИАЦИЙ ДОЛИНЫ СРЕДНЕЙ ЛЕНЫ

Rhopalocera fauna of steppe communities in the Middle Lena River valley (Central Yakutia) is represented by 50 species from 35 genera and 6 families, with prevalence of Nymphalidae (35,3% of total species). The xerophilic and mesophilic species inhabit steppe communities, meadow-steppe species dominate here. Percent of eu-steppe species (Pseudophilotes jacuticus, Melitaea phoebe, Triphysa nervosa, Boeberia parmenio, Erebia polaris, E. rossii) is small in collected samples (4%). Analysis of faunal similarities of steppe communities showed that studied communities form 3 groups: South-Western, Central-Yakutian and Mountain-Steppe. Distribution of species inhabiting steppe communities of Middle Lena is mainly characterized by wide longitudinal extent. At the same time, West Central Palaearctic, Euro-Siberia-Central Asian and South Siberian-Daurian-Mongolian species are recorded here; they inhabit the warmest habitats of Central Yakutia.

Taxonomic diversity of insects from the relic steppes of the Mid-Lena River Valley (Central Yakutia)

Data on insects of the central Yakutian steppes preserved in the relic state since the Late Pleistocene are presented. Orthoptera, Homoptera, Heteroptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera are used as examples to demonstrate that, in addition to meadow and meadow-steppe species, these steppes are inhabited by species belonging to an extrazonal steppe fauna-genetic complex comprising five elements: Eurasian, Dauria-Mongolian, Black Sea-Kazakhstan, desert-steppe, and mountain-central Asian. Disjunctive areas are characteristic for these species.

The ground beetle fauna (Coleoptera, Carabidae) of Southeastern Altai

Long-term studies of the ground beetle fauna of Southeastern Altai (SEA) revealed 33 genera and 185 species; 3 and 15 species are reported for the first time from Russia and SEA, respectively. The following genera are the most diverse: Bembidion (47 species), Amara and Harpalus (21 each), Pterostichus (14), and Nebria (13). The subarid (35%) and boreal (32%) species prevail in the arealogical spectrum, while the mountain endemics comprise 13% of the fauna. The carabid fauna of SEA is heterogeneous in composition and differs significantly from that of the Western and Central Altai. The boreal mountain component mostly comprises tundra species with circum-boreal or circum-arctic ranges, while the subarid component (typical Mongolian together with Ancient Mediterranean species) forms more than one-half of the species diversity in the mountain basins. The species diversity increases from the nival mountain belt (15 species, predominantly Altai-Sayan endemics) to moss-lichen tundras (40, mostly boreal, species). The variety of habitats and constant hydrothermal regimes in the intrazonal valley communities determine high taxonomic diversity of Carabidae, including both tundra or meadow-steppe species typical of the region and some forest ones. Under the condition of moisture deficiency, many steppe species also concentrate in river floodplains.