Middle Mountain Zone Research Articles

Factors for Conversion of the Content of Double-Stranded DNA to Carbon of Soil Microbial Biomass

The relationship between the concentration of soil DNA and microbial biomass, determined by the method of substrate-induced respiration was studied in a wide range of soils differing in particle size distribution, acidity, organic carbon content, microbial biomass, and type of human activity in antiquity and present time. Calcaric Leptosols and Leptic Phaeozems of medieval agricultural lands in the Central Caucasus, Stratozems of agricultural terraces of the late Middle Ages – Modern times in the middle mountain zone of the Eastern Caucasus, as well as Kashtanozems and Solonetzes with different grazing intensity in the dry steppe zone (Rostov region) were chosen as the key sites. It has been shown that the determination of soil dsDNA concentration is a reliable and simple method for determining microbial biomass in soils with a loam texture, organic carbon content less 2%, and microbial biomass less 700 µg C/g of dry soil. The conversion factor FDNA in such soils varied in a narrow range from 5.24 to 5.41. In soils with a high content of organic carbon, an increase of FDNA (6.56 and 10.56) was observed due to the presence of recalcitrant e-xtracellular DNA. Agristratified soil of sandy loam texture was characterized by a lower degree of preservation of dsDNA, which resulted in a decrease in the determined microbial biomass (FDNA = 4.22). A reduced conversion factor FDNA (4.78) was also found in the soils of pastures in the dry steppe zone, which confirms the known limitations of using the substrate-induced respiration method in alkaline soils. Human activity does not significantly affect the relationship between the amount of soil DNA and microbial biomass.

Impacts of Climate Change on Irrigation Water Management in the Babai River Basin, Nepal

The diminishing spring discharge in the Middle Mountain Zone (MMZ) in Nepal is a matter of concern because it directly affects the livelihoods of low-income farmers in the region. Therefore, understanding the impacts of changes in climate and land-use patterns on water demand and availability is crucial. We investigated the impact of climate change on streamflow and environmental flow, and the demand for spring-fed river water for irrigation using the limited meteorological data available for the Babai River Basin, Nepal. SWAT and CROPWAT8.0 were used to respectively calculate present and future streamflow and irrigation water demand. Three general circulation models under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5) for the periods of 2020–2044, 2045–2069, and 2070–2099 were used to investigate the impact of climate change. Results indicate that the catchment is likely to experience an increase in rainfall and temperature in the future. The impact of the increment in rainfall and rise in temperature are replicated in the annual river flow that is anticipated to increase by 24–37%, to the historical data of 1991–2014. Despite this increase, projections show that the Babai River Basin will remain a water deficit basin from January to May in future decades.

Tayloria rudolphiana in Russia, а range extension of worldwide rare moss species

Tayloria rudolphiana is documented in Altai Mountains, Russia as the first occurrence in North Asia. Previously this species was known in a limited range in Central Europe in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, where it at present is critically endangered to vulnerable. There are two disjunctive localities in China, a recent one in Hubei and a hundred year old collection in Yunnan. Our finding in Altai, in spruce forests in middle mountain zone in moderate abundance is important for assessment of the species conservation status. Molecular barcoding data of the plastid rps4 and trnL–F sequences support the species identity.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ РЕПРОДУКТИВНОЙ ФУНКЦИИ КАРАЧАЕВСКИХ КОЗ В ЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТ РАЗНЫХ ГЕОГРАФИЧЕСКИХ РАЙОНОВ РАЗВЕДЕНИЯ

In recent years, goat breeds with a dairy-meat-wool or combined productivity type, represented by local breeds that are bred mainly in the foothills and mountainous regions of the North Caucasus, Altai, Tyva and Khakassia, have become increasingly widespread in Russia. The Karachay goat population is the most interesting for research, since in their breeding was aimed at obtaining animals with a number of unique productive characteristics and capable of producing the required outputs under the harsh conditions of the mountain and foothill zones of the Caucasus. In view of the limited research on these animals, in particular their reproductive functions, the aim of this study was to investigate the natural implementation of the reproductive function of the Karachay goats in different geographical areas of breeding. There are slight differences in some parameters of Karachay goat reproduction in high mountain zone (from 2000 m a.s.l.) and middle mountain zone (1000–1500 m a.s.l.). An important conclusion is that the recognized low fertility of the Karachay goats is not genetically determined. Analyzing the number of ovulations and fresh yellow bodies in the ovaries by laparoscopy using Karl Storz (Germany) endoscopic equipment, the authors found a potential fecundity of 3.1 (2.8 to 3.4).

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF SOILS IN THE GUSAR-GONAGKEND CADASTRAL REGION OF AZERBAIJAN

The scientific research of land resourceswhich develops the ways of organizing the effective use and protection of lands based on the ecological assessment of soils serve to create ecologically and economically balanced high-yielding and sustainable agricultural landscapes, maximally adapted to the local ecological situation. The soil bonitet scores of the studied territory were determined according to the results of analyzes and mathematical and statistical processing of data from soil-field and laboratory studies carried out in the Gusar-Gonagkend cadastral region in 2014–2016. Fund and literary soil materials have also influences the results. According to the methods of D.S. Bulgakov, G.Sh. Mamedova and S.Z. Mamedova special assessment scales for the compliance of soils with the ecological requirements of summer pastures, mesophytic forests, perennial plantations, grain and vegetable crops were developed. On the basis of these rating scales, an ecological assessment of the soils of the Gusar-Gonagkend cadastral region was carried out. The main limiting factors affecting soil fertility were determined, and the ecological scores of the soil subtypes of the study area were calculated. As a result of the research, it was found that the limiting factors for the soils of the high-mountainous zone of the Gusar-Gonagkend cadastral region are the steepness of slopes and soil fertility indicators; for soils of the mid-mountain zone - the steepness of slopes, the sum of active temperatures, pH values and particle size distribution; for the soils of the low-mountain zone - the amount of precipitation and indicators of soil fertility. The highest ecological points in the high-mountainous zone were obtained by mountain-meadow black soil-like soils (93 points), in the middle-mountain zone - mountain-forest brown typical (89 points), in the low-mountain zone - mountain-gray-brown dark and ordinary soils (93 points).

THE USE OF INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN PENTAGLOBIN IN THE COMPLEX TREATMENT OF SEVERE COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA IN CHILDREN

There are presented data from a comprehensive examination and treatment of 30 children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). For the treatment of young children with focal-confluent forms of CAP and the clinical manifestations of infectious-septic shock, Pentaglobin preparations containing IgM were used. Severe CAP with a tendency to destruction was more often observed in cases with the dominance of gram-negative flora in the etiological structure, most often detected in the foothill zone (18.2% of children), in the middle mountain zone - in- 13.3%, in the low-grade zone - in 5% of children. Pseudomonas aeruginosae was more commonly seeded in children in the foothill zone (12.5%), while in children living in the lowland and middle mountain zone in 2.5% and 6.6% correspondingly. The authors showed the preparation of intravenous immunoglobulin Pentoglobin is a safe, effective, easily tolerated means of etiotropic and pathogenetic therapy of severe CAP, caused more often by gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial microbiota.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ADOLESCENTS WITH THE SYNDROME OF AUTONOMIC DISORDERS LIVING IN THE MIDDLE MOUNTAIN ZONE OF THE REPUBLIC OF DAGESTAN

An evaluation of the physical development of children and adolescents with the syndrome of autonomic dysfunction (SAD) was performed. There were examined 329 SAD children and adolescents aged 11 to 17 years (boys: 138-41.9%, girls: 191-58.1%) residing in the middle mountain zone of the Republic of Dagestan (RD). In all cases there were evaluated such basic anthropometric data as: body length and weight, chest circumference, BMI according to WHO criteria. An evaluation of the physical development of adolescents with ADS living in the middle mountain zone of RD revealed the prevalence of a mesosomatic type of the development in 72.1% of adolescents, microsomia was detected in 18.6% of cases, while macrosomia observed in 9.3% of the adolescents. A high incidence of disharmonious development was found in 39.3%, while pronounced dishormonal physical development as found in 2.1% of adolescents. A comparative analysis of the physical development of SAD adolescents with indice of the physical development according to WHO criteria according to BMI showed SAD children significantly to delay at the age of 12, 15,16,17, but an unreliable lag was observed at the age of 11 and 13 years.

Wild food plants of Qakh district of Azerbaijan, the Southeastern Caucasus: diversity and distribution pattern along an elevation gradient

Environment can not exist without plants. Historically, plants have often been selected for different uses, as medicinal, food, ornamental and others. Plants are one of the main sources of food for life. Much of the food plants exist in nature as wild. Currently the depletion of natural resources is observed around the world. Considering these, it is important to study their location, resources and knowledge of their traditional use. Qakh is a historical district of the Azerbaijan, located in the north-west part of the country and on the south macroslope of the western part of the Great Caucasus. The region is one of the least studied areas of the country in terms of plant diversity. The checklist of wild food plants of the region has not been prepared, although the useful plants have been studied by a number of scientists. Generally, 323 wild food plants (vascular) were recorded in the region across 72 families and 211 genera, with by far the largest family being Asteraceae (35 plant species), followed by Rosaceae, Apiaceae, Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae and Polygonaceae. Total number of species include 29 tree species, 18 shrubs, 2 subshrubs, 1 climber, 69 annual, 27 biennial and 177 perennial herbs. It was recorded one endemic species of Azerbaijan (Rubus buschii Grossh. ex Sinkova), 35 endemics of Caucasus, and 25 species listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Most of the food plants are distributed in the northern and northeas-tern parts of the study area (263 species). The southern part has less numbers (55 species) than middle part (147 species) of the region. Besides, 52 species are found all over the area. In general, the high plant species richness in the area is found in lower and middle mountain zone between 600 m and 1700 m. Cluster analysis based on presence/absence of food plants of the area along an altitudinal gradient determinate two main cluster groups, where the first group consists of plants of the alpine zone and the second group combines the other zones.

Assessment of Vetom 1.1 probiotic effect on growth parameters and morphobiochemical blood parameters of calves

In modern conditions, growing of young cattle can not occur without application of various pharmacological agents designed to prevent diseases of early postnatal period, and to stimulate growth and development. Feed antibiotics are seen to be these means during the second half of the XX century almost all over the world. However, in recent years, due to undesirable side effects arising from their application in animal husbandry, many countries have reduced application of feed antibiotics or completely excluded them, replacing them by probiotics–live cultures symbiotic to normal microflora of the gastrointestinal tract bacteria. Vetom 1.1 is considered to be one of the most effective probiotics, which includes a recombinant strain of Bacillus subtilis (hay sticks) VKPM B-10641 (DSM 24613). It is characterized by revealed antagonism to pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora of the intestine in a symbiotic relationship with the normal flora. The research was carried out in one of the farms of the middle mountain zone of the Republic of Altai and aimed at exploring the effect of probiotic Vetom 1.1 on some indicators of their growth and morphobiochemical composition of blood when feeding 6 months calves. The scientific and economic experiment conducted by means of the method of balanced groups, assumed that newborn Simmental calves received milk with 90 mg of Vetom 1.1 per 1 kg of body weight 2 times a day, from 1 to 14 days of life. The authors found out that 6 months calves from experimental groups significantly exceeded the ones from the control group in absolute and average daily weight gain on 11.8%; morphological and biochemical parameters of their blood showed a tendency to moderate increase within the physiological norm.

Eco-Biological Assessment of Main Forage Grain Crop and Legumes in Pastures Hayland of Shirvan Territory

Eco-biological properties of botanical teams of fodder grains and legumes which is highly efficient in terms distributed in Shirvan zone of Azerbaijan have been studied. During investigations 76 species from Cereal family, and 45 species from legumes were defined. Some of them are as common in the area where others been determined. It was known during biotopological analysis of investigated species that 20-25 species of legumes are oommon in bushes, 18 species in forest, forest edge, arid forest biotops, grape fields, and gardens, and 4 species in stoned cliffs. Variation of these species on zones is non-equal. 47 species were found in lowland mountain zone, 17 species in middle mountain zone and 23 species are common in upland mountain zone. Analysis of ecological groups of cereals showed that 10 species grow in mesophyte, 50 species in xerophyte, 16 species in mesoxerophyte condition. 3 species of Legumes grow in mesophyte condition, 24 species in xerophyte, 19 species in mesoxerophyte condition.

Transpiration and canopy conductance of two contrasting forest types in the Lesser Himalaya of Central Nepal

As part of a broader investigation of the hydrological implications of reforesting degraded pastures in the Middle Mountain Zone of Central Nepal, tree transpiration (Et) and canopy conductance (gc) of a natural broad-leaved forest and a mature planted pine forest were quantified using sap flow measurements and concurrent climatic and soil water observations. Estimated annual Et totals were subsequently combined with the corresponding interception losses (Ei) to calculate annual evapotranspiration totals (ET) for the two forests. Calculated Et was strongly dependent on atmospheric vapour pressure deficit (VPD) but much less on short-wave radiation (Rs) while there was little evidence of any limitation by soil water deficits despite a strongly seasonal rainfall regime. Both forests transpired readily throughout the dry season, except during the period of maximum leaf fall (March–April). Annual Et by the tree stratum amounted to 163mm and 280mm in the natural and planted forest, respectively, representing 12.2% and 19.6% of the corresponding incident rainfall totals. Estimated annual ET (including understory and litter evaporation) values were 524mm and 577mm, respectively (39.3% and 40.5% of rainfall). Maximum daily estimates of canopy conductance gc ranged from 4.85mms−1 in the natural forest to 11.46mms−1 in the planted forest and averaged 1.69 (±0.74) and 3.28 (±1.55)mms−1, respectively. A strong response of gc to changes in VPD was detected in both forests. Combined, the higher ET of the planted forest (particularly during the dry season), plus the heavy usage of the forest by the local population and its correspondingly poor soil hydrological functioning (Ghimire et al., 2013b), are considered to be important factors in the observed decline in dry season streamflow volumes following large-scale reforestation of degraded pasture- and scrubland with pines in the region.

The effects of sustained forest use on hillslope soil hydraulic conductivity in the Middle Mountains of Central Nepal

ABSTRACTThis work investigated the multi‐decadal changes in field saturated hydraulic conductivity, Kfs, beneath severely degraded pasture, natural forest and two mature planted Pinus roxburghii stands between two sets of measurements made in 1986 and 2011 at the same locations in the Middle Mountains of Central Nepal. Multiple measurements of Kfs were made at the four sites, both at the surface and at depths of 0·05–0·15, 0·15–0·25 and 0·25–0·50 m. The Kfs results were subsequently combined with rainfall intensities associated with different time intervals to infer multi‐decadal changes in dominant hillslope stormflow pathways.The widely assumed hydrological benefits of reforesting degraded land through the enhancement of near‐surface permeability due to such factors as the incorporation of a greater amount of organic matter, formation of macropores, as well as root development were not observed in this study. Continued heavy use of the natural and planted forests of the Middle Mountains, particularly the removal of understory vegetation and leaf litter, and cattle grazing, are considered to be the chief causal factors of the presently observed deterioration in forest hydrological functioning. This situation is typical not only of the Middle Mountain Zone across the Himalaya but is also observed in other densely populated parts of South and South‐East Asia.The key conclusion of this work is that simply planting trees in degraded landscapes is not sufficient in itself to restore watershed hydrological functioning. Attention also needs to be given to on‐going management of the reforested areas to balance product usage with watershed functions. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Land-Use Change between 1978 and 1990 in Dhankuta District, Koshi Hills, Eastern Nepal

Land-use change over a 12-year period was investigated for a pilot area of 200 km2 of the Middle Mountain zone in Dhankuta District. The studies were based on interpretation of air photographs taken in 1978 and 1990 and field checks on a sample of 13 sites of 300 ha each, representing a 20% sample. Six categories were mapped: agriculture (7 sub-categories); abandoned farmland; (7 sub-categories); grazing; shrub; and other (such as landslides, urban, and water). Separate measurements were made of crown cover of trees within arable lands. Population changes were estimated by house counts on the air photographs. The results indicated a stability in land use, despite an estimated 19% increase in population. No statistically significant changes in overall land use were detected but considerable internal trading occurred between categories within sample areas, especially between forest and shrub,' demonstrating a fluidity of land use. Total cover increased from 36.5% of the sample area in 1978 to 38.8% in 1990. Forest land increased by 34%, indicating a significant improvement in on-farm fodder, fuelwood, and fruit tree resources. Landslide areas increased from 1.0% of the total sample in 1978 to 1.9% in 1990. The method developed proved to be rapid and sufficiently accurate for determining farm-level land-use changes in steeply dissected mountain terrain.

A detailed seismicity study of the Middle Mountain zone at Parkfield, California

Abstract In order to better understand the preparation zone of the predicted Parkfield earthquake, a detailed study of the seismicity at middle Mountain in the Parkfield, California, area was made using 71 digitally recorded earthquakes that located within, or close to, the Middle Mountain alert box. These earthquakes were retimed on an interactive graphics system. Based on these new arrival times, new station corrections were developed; however the data did not support changing the velocity model developed from refraction and 1966 aftershock data. The process of retiming the earthquakes and using the new station corrections reduced the rms travel-time residuals by 70 per cent to 0.025 sec, halved the location errors, and clustered the earthquakes closer to the surface trace of the San Andreas fault. The seismicity can be approximated by a plane on the scale of several kilometers, but at finer scales two clusters were discovered that show demonstrable width to the seismogenic zone. Previous workers had proposed a 5° bend in the fault at the hypocenter of the 1966 main shock on the basis of patterns in the first motion data in the 1966 aftershocks. We find that this pattern also exists in the first-motion data from 1969 to 1987, but the 5° bend was not evident in the hypocentral distribution. This suggests that a more complicated explanation is needed to explain the first-motion data. Fault plane solutions were determined for the 71 events and 69 of these were compatible with strike-slip motion on a vertical San Andreas fault. An event located in the north end of the study area co-locates with the strike-slip solutions and may be a thrust or oblique solution. The other earthquake, located 2½ kilometers northeast of the fault, has a thrust or NNE-SSW striking right lateral solution but can not be explained by a San Andreas style mechanism. Both possible solutions can be explained by structures observed in the geology.

Mountain Range Management and Improvement in Greece

T HE total area of Greece is 13 million hectares (a hectare = 2.47 acres). Of this total, 23 per cent consists of plains, valleys, and low rolling land; the rest is mountainous land. Sixty-three percent of the mountain area is owned by the State, 22 percent by private individuals, and 15 percent by communities, monasteries, etc. State-owned and community areas are administered by the Forest Service. Mountainous agriculturtil land is mo&ly composed of steep sloping soils which are undergoing severe sheet and gully erosion. Forage production is poor and unsystematized, there being a shortage of irrigation water. Production undoubtedly could be increased by development of irrigation systems and more efficient water conservation. The average ownership of mountainous farming area is 2.5 to 3.0 hectares. Forests of Greece cover, at present, about 1.9 million hectares (15.02 percent), although forested land immediately I after the National Revolution of 1821 amounted to 40 percent. The reduction is the result of overcutting, uncontrolled grazing, clearing of woodland for farming purposes, and forest fires. The present acreage is below the minimum indispensable for timber production and, especially, for watershed protection and flood control. Grazing is uncontrolled on 61 percent of the total mountainous area. Except for some alpine and subalpine regions, all other grazing land is being overused in one way or another. Excessive use occurs mostly in the middle mountain zone, where year-long grazing prevails. A large part of the mountain slope area has been denuded of its herbaceous and brushy cover by overgrazing. Accelerated erosion and mudrock flows occur every year.