Mountain Taiga Research Articles

Fires and Clear-Cuttings as Local Areas of Arthropod Diversity in Polar Regions: Khibiny Mountains

The well-known phenomenon of attracting untypical animals to disturbed territories has been poorly investigated in the polar mountains. We studied arthropod diversity in self-healing industrial clear-cuts and burn areas in the Khibiny Mountains, Kola Polar region. Fieldworks were conducted at four sites, including a control mountain taiga forest and its three transformed variants: burnt forest, uncleared clear-cut, and twice-disturbed burnt clear-cut. Arthropods were collected using formalin traps 2–3, 5–6, and 8–9 years after industrial deforestation in 2012 and an extensive grass-roots fire in 2013. Out of 124 identified species (spiders—61; ground beetles—41; and rove beetles—22), 79 (or 64%) were collected in disturbed, primarily burned areas and were absent in control forest. We note ten species of rove beetles, nine species of ground beetles, and eight species of spiders for the first time in the well-studied arthropod fauna of the Khibiny Mts. We found that grass-root fires transform the soil vegetation covers in the polar mountain forests more powerfully in comparison with extensive deforestation and attract a greater diversity of arthropods with different preferences, enriching the fauna of the polar mountains and the Subarctic region as a whole. The attraction effect persists for, at least, a decade after the violations.

The concept of «movement» in Evenki phraseology

The publication is devoted to the description of the concept of «movement» in the ethnic picture of the world that is reflected in Evenki phraseology. The relevance of the research is the decline in the functionality of the native language in the conditions of globalization and is determined by the insufficient knowledge of Evenki phraseology. The aim of the research is to demonstrate the potential of figurative speech and the correlation between language and ethnic worldview on the example of a linguistic concept. The basic concept of the Evenki worldview is considered through the prism of the mentality bearer of ethnic culture that is based on the ethnographic traditions of the nomadic way of life. The theoretical basis of the research are the studies devoted to the phraseology of the Russian language and interdisciplinary developments at the interface between linguistics and ethnography. The research material are studies on the language, ritual culture, folklore and literature of the Evenki. The analysis of the used material and cultural traditions indicates a close correlation between the composition of phraseological units and the economic and worldview traditions of the Evenki. Because of the research, the author concludes that the concept of «movement» is one of the basic symbols of the traditional Evenki worldview, formed in the process of historical adaptation of the cultural complex of a nomadic hunter in the conditions of the mountain taiga landscape. In the ethnic picture of the world, this concept is comprehended in connection with the process of human life and is embodied in a significant amount of phraseological units formed from verbs denoting various forms of movement. The most common phraseological units are formed from the verbs ngaenaemi – «to go» and girkumi – «to walk». In the Evenki language, the concept of «movement» is represented in the form of phraseological units with different meanings, among which the most common are phraseological units meaning «to live», «to overcome», «to achieve», «to catch up.» In the Evenki language picture of the world, movement is contrasted with the static condition of objects in the world. The phraseology of the Evenki language reflects the ethnographic, social, moral traditions of the ethnic society and the system of acquired knowledge. The prospects for further research on the topic are associated with attracting interest in the Evenki phraseology from specialists in linguoculturology.

Abundance of Eurasian lynx in the mountain taiga of the Southern Urals

The study aims to analyze the dynamics of the Eurasian lynx in the mountain taiga, and to search for the factors affecting the numbers of this predator. The study was conducted in the Southern Urals (Russia) from 2008 to 2019. The dynamics of lynx and its main prey numbers Capreolus pygargus, Lepus timidus and L. europaeus, Tetrao urogallus and Bonasa bonasia is based on the data obtained during the complex winter census (CWC). Annual CWCs were performed in Chelyabinsk Oblast with total area of 23.445.5 km². The hypotheses on the influence of snow depth on the number of lynx and the relationship between the dynamics of the predator and prey abundances were tested using regression method. The relationship between the number of lynx and snow depth were obtained using Spearman's coefficient. The number of lynxes varied from 51 to 281 individuals, population density - from 0.09 lynx/100 km2 to 0.48 lynx/100 km2 . The lowest abundances were recorded in 2013 and 2016. In the winters of 2013 and 2016, the snow depth was 2.0-2.5 times greater than on average for long-term observations. However, no significant decrease in the number of the Siberian roe deer was observed in these years, while the number of lynxes decreased by 2 times compared to the previous years. No significant correlation was found between the abundance of lynxes and the Siberian roe deer, r = 0.25 ± 0.3. A negative relationship was found between the amount of precipitation and the winter number of lynxes (r = -0.717 ± 0.22; p ˂ 0.05). The amount of snow cover in the Southern Ural Mountains is an important factor affecting the distribution of ungulates. The snow depth may determine the lynx presence both directly and through the changes in the number of its main prey.

Качество семян и пыльцы 7 видов сосны в условиях интродукции в Приморском крае

The purpose of the study is to study the features of generative development of introduced pine species based on the material of the arboretum of the Mountain Taiga Station. The results of studying the morphology and quality of pollen and seeds of pine species under the conditions of the introduction of Primorsky Krai are presented. Pollen and seed viability indicators are the most important characteristics of the development of male generative structures. This, in turn, determines the degree of adaptation of the species to external conditions during introduction. Morphometric indicators of pollen (length and height of the body and air sacs) were determined on micro preparations, and the number of abnormal pollen grains was counted. Pollen viability was determined by germinating it in a 15% sucrose solution in a thermostat at a temperature of 25 ºС using the “hanging drop” method. Under the conditions of introduction, a direct correlation was found between the number of germinated pollen grains and the intensity of growth of pollen tubes. Germination and seed germination energy were determined according to GOST 13056.6‑75. Germination was carried out in Petri dishes on filter paperi n a thermostat at a constant temperature of +24°C. A direct relationship was found between the number of germinated pollen grains and the rate of growth of pollen tubes. Among the studied pine species, P. banksiana, P. hamata, and especially P. sylvestris, have a sufficiently large potential for a favorable completion of the embryonic stage in the generative process. The same species have the best indicators of germination and seed germination energy. The degree of viability of pollen has a direct impact on the formation of full-grained seeds.

Влияние стимуляторов на рост и развитие двулетних сеянцев кедра корейского (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zucc.)

The object of research is represented by biennial seedlings of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zucc.), grown in a forest nursery in the GTS (Mountain Taiga Station) – a branch of the Federal Scientific Center for Biodiversity of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences of Primorsky Krai. The influence of stimulants Zircon, Krezacin, Epin-Extra on the biometric parameters of seedlings was studied. Stimulants are used in the form of root dressing in different concentrations of solutions. The height of the trunks and the length of the roots, the diameter of the root collar, as well as the dry mass are estimated. It was revealed that the use of top dressing in the form of the noted stimulants at a solution concentration of 0.01% provides a better increase in the aerial part of Korean pine. It is also noted that the development of roots is activated. It was found that during the study period, the height was at the level of 8.1 to 12.9 cm, the diameter of the root neck was from 3 to 3.5 mm, the length of the roots was from 10.8 to 14.2 cm, the dry weight was from 1.1 to 1.62 g. An increase in indicators was found (in comparison with the samples of the control group), respectively, by 28.6‑104.8; 30.1‑71.1; 11.1‑29.6 and 57.1‑131.4%. According to the current Rules for Reforestation (Order of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia dated December 04, 2020 No. 1014 “On Approval of the Rules for Reforestation, the Composition of the Reforestation Project, the Procedure for Developing a Reforestation Project and Making Changes to It”; hereinafter referred to as the Reforestation Rules), Korean pine seedlings in the Far East reach standard sizes in 2‑3 years. In our experiments, seedlings treated with the growth stimulator Zircon, fed with a solution concentration of 0.01%, reached the age of planting material quality after 2 years.

Mountain Taiga in a Warming Climate: Contrast of Siberian Pine Growth along an Elevation Gradient

The growth and survival of trees in the Siberian Mountains are experiencing a strong influence on climate warming. We analyzed Siberian pine (SP, Pinus sibirica) growth within the treeline ecotone in high (>1000 m) and low (<900 m) lands. We used ground surveys, dendrochronology, and climate variable data analysis. We found a contrasting response of SP growth with increasing air temperature and moisture parameters along the elevation gradient. In the treeline ecotone and highlands, the tree’s growth has been increasing since warming onset in the 1970s, whereas in the lowlands, the initial growth increase switched to a growth drop since the beginning of the 2000s, with a consequent partial mortality of the Siberian pine forest caused by warming-driven water stress in combination with bark borers’ attacks. This mortality suggests the retraction of the Siberian pine range in the lowlands of the Siberian Mountains. The projected drought increase will likely lead to the substitution of Siberian pine with drought-tolerant species. The tree’s growth index (GI) dependence on air temperature and moisture variables includes two phases. In the first phase (since the warming onset in the 1970s), the trees’ GI was positively correlated with elevated temperature, whereas correlations with precipitation and soil moisture were negative. During the second phase (since the increase in warming in the 2000s), negative correlations between the GI and moisture variables switched to positive ones. The correlations of the GI with air temperature switched from positive to mostly insignificant. The wind’s influence on the trees’ growth changed from negative to insignificant since the 2000s within all elevation belts. Afforestation within the areas of Siberian pine mortality should not be based on the planting of Siberian pine but on drought-tolerant species such as larch (Larix sibirica) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris).

The prolonged influence of stimulants on the growth of three-year-old Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zucc.) seedlings

Relevance. Currently, one of the main tasks in forestry is to obtain high–quality planting material. Studies are being conducted on accelerated cultivation of coniferous and deciduous plants in forest nurseries with the use of growth stimulants that positively affect seed germination, the growth of biometric indicators, the safety and survival of plants. In this regard, the use of plant growth stimulants, which also include “Zircon” and “Ferovit”, is relevant.Methods. The effect of root feeding with Ferovit and Zircon preparations on morphometric parameters of three-year-old Korean cedar seedlings (Pinus koraiensis Siebold et Zucc.) was studied. Venue: nursery of the Mountain Taiga Station — branch of the Federal Research Center for Biodiversity of Terrestrial Biota of East Asia FEB RAS in 2019—2022. Parameters such as the height of seedlings, height gain, root neck diameter, root length and biomass were studied.Results. It was found that a significant effect is provided by a variant of root fertilization of seedlings with the use of “Zircon” and “Ferovit” at a concentration of 1.5 ml / 3 l of water solution. The indicators of the height of seedlings compared to the control increased by 126.1%, height increase — by 136.7%, root neck diameter — by 20%, root length — by 21.8%, biomass — by 252.1%.

Monitoring and Prediction of Siberian Silk Moth Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschetv. (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) Outbreaks Using Remote Sensing Techniques.

The feasibility of risk assessment of a Siberian silk moth (Dendrolimus sibiricus Tschetv.) outbreak was analyzed by means of landscape and weather characteristics and tree condition parameters. Difficulties in detecting forest pest outbreaks (especially in Siberian conditions) are associated with the inability to conduct regular ground surveillance in taiga territories, which generally occupy more than 2 million km2. Our analysis of characteristics of Siberian silk moth outbreak zones under mountainous taiga conditions showed that it is possible to distinguish an altitudinal belt between 400 and 800 m above sea level where an outbreak develops and trees are damaged. It was found that to assess the resistance of forest stands to pest attacks, researchers can employ new parameters: namely, characteristics of a response of remote sensing variables to changes in land surface temperature. Using these parameters, it is possible to identify in advance (2-3 years before an outbreak) forest stands that are not resistant to the pest. Thus, field studies in difficult-to-access taiga forests are not needed to determine these parameters, and hence the task of monitoring outbreaks of forest insects is simplified substantially.

Сосновые (Pinus sylvestris) леса и редколесья Северо-Западного Приладожья

Сосновые (Pinus sylvestris) леса и редколесья Северо-Западного Приладожья

Features of epizootology of brucellosis of domestic reindeer in the mountain taiga zone of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

Features of epizootology of brucellosis of domestic reindeer in the mountain taiga zone of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

Природные закономерности почвенно-растительного покрова юго-западных отрогов Баджальского хребта

Expert assessment has been performed using the cartographic method in a key area of the Badjal Rige southwestern spurs. The basic natural regularities of the soil and vegetation cover have been identified, including heterogeneity and contrasting change of soil and vegetation complexes within the limits of vertical zoning; belt-zone differentiation (alpine, subalpine, and taiga); wide distribution of corroms; maximum diversity and high dynamism of floodplain soil and plant complexes. The article presents a 1 : 40,000-scale vegetation map; it is based on the ecological and phytocenotic classification of vegetation. The main mapped units are association groups and their combinations. The legend reflects 13 divisions of the vegetation cover. Corroms occupy the largest areas (24.9 %). The subalpine zone vegetation makes 20.9 % of the total area. Mountain taiga forests take 32.9 % of the total mapped territory, including spruce forests (7.3 %), larch forests (21.9 %), and birch-larch forests (3.7 %). Larch woodlands are responsible for slightly less than 3 % of the territory; sphagnum oligotrophic bogs, for 0.5 %. Floodplain forests are spread over the area of 12.5 %; that includes spruce forests (4.8 %), chosenia-poplar-larch forests (4.5 %), and poplarlarch forests (3.2 %). 4.4 % of the area is pebbled. There are 5 types and 13 subtypes of soils represented in the soil cover. Dystric histosols and leptic folic histosols form the soil background. Soils are characterized by the presence of organogenic-coarse humus or dry peaty horizons. Organic matter content is high or very high. The reaction of the soil solution varies from very acidic to acidic. Based on the vegetation map, soil areas are roughly quantified. In terms of the set of soil and plant complexes as well as their regular change in vertical zoning, the area under discussion is the reference territory. Represented here is the Okhotsk type of land cover zoning, which is typical for the Far East with its monsoonal climate.

Potential for Tourism and Recreation in the Todzhinsky Kozhuun (District), Republic of Tyva, RF

The paper reveals opportunities and limitations of tourism development in one of the most inaccessible areas in the mountains of Southern Siberia: Todzhinsky kozhuun, Republic of Tyva, RF. Taking into account key indicators that reflect the natural, historical, cultural, and socio-economic characteristics of the territory, using GIS technologies, a comprehensive assessment and mapping of the tourism and recreational potential (TRP) of the territory was carried out. The method of multicomponent scoring was used in this work. Consequentially, the study area was divided by means of a regular hexagonal network into many operational territorial cells; for each of those, the sum of scores was calculated according to the conditions and objects that are localized within its boundaries. The set of operational territorial cells filled with visual information made it possible to create an assessment map of the tourism and recreational potential of the Todzhinsky kozhuun territory. This map highlights the areas of the five value ranks, from the highest to the lowest. The areas with the highest scores are obviously the most suitable for the development of tourism industry. In general, the basis of the region’s TRP is picturesque virgin natural landscapes with many large lakes, unique traditional ethnocultural landscapes of the mountain–taiga reindeer herders, biological resources for hunting and fishing, and healing mineral springs (arzhany). The key limiting factor in the development of tourism is the underdeveloped transportation system and the insufficiency of special tourism infrastructure facilities. Such an assessment made it possible to identify territories favorable for the creation of three specialized tourist clusters: ethnocultural tourism, “Reindeer herders of Todzhi”; water, ecological, and fishing tourism, “Todzha Lakes”; and mountain and sports tourism, “Big Sayan”.

BACKGROUND GEOECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF ELKON GOLD-URANIUM ORE REGION

The Elkon ore region is located in the southern part of Sakha Republic (the largest federal subject of the Russian Federation). Elkon gold-uranium fields have the richest deposits of uranium ore, but they have not been developed. Although the natural landscapes of mountain taiga are already changed due to about-century-long geological exploration, we have the last chance to fix the environmental conditions before the start of developing. The paper deals with the characteristics of distribution of radionuclides and element in soils, plants and water of El’kon region and is based on field works performed in 2007–2008 (immediately after the decision on exploration). The Elkon horst is the part of Aldan Shield, an exposed basement of the Siberian craton not covered by the latest sediments. The uranium mineralization is confined to igneous Mesozoic complexes. Weathering and erosion cause dispersion halo of elements and radionuclides which may become probable pollutants. The studied area is divided into four geological formations, but soil probes reveal no distinction in geochemistry specialization. So landscapes were divided into three groups by level, slope exposition and vegetation condition. Each group was measured by couple of samples. The main migration features were assessed by the distribution of elements and radionuclides (some local peaks were found for 90Sr, As, Th, and Mo). The As, Pb (rarely Mn, Hg) contamination of soils is proved. The main co-locations were computated for soils. The total contamination was estimated acceptable to moderate rates, therefore, there were found local high-polluted areas in dump zones. The combined database could be used as a reference point for further environmental research.

Биоклиматические варианты оробиома Северо-Восточного Забайкалья

Introduction. The spatial structure of the biota at the regional level of its organization is most closely associated with the climate, expressed primarily through bioclimatic indicators. In the geography of the botanical diversity of Northeastern Transbaikalia, which is characterized by a complex organization of vegetation cover, the influence of a number of important gradients of climatic conditions is expressed. The identification of these gradients was the purpose of this research. Methods and materials of the research. The methodological basis of the research was the ecosystem approach to the identification and evaluation of phytocenotic diversity associated with ecological and geographical factors that determine its spatial differentiation. The geographic and genetic classification of plant communities was used to identify the typological diversity of vegetation. The climatic characteristics of the Northeastern Transbaikalia was given on the basis of key bioclimatic indicators (global model BioClim). The bioclimatic substantiation of the spatial structure was carried out taking into account the principles of identifying the diversity of ecosystems at the regional level. Mapping of the bioclimatic variants of the orobiome was compiled using the clustering of units according to the average values of parameters by the k-means method. Research results and discussion. A joint analysis of vegetation and climate made it possible, for the first time for Northeastern Transbaikalia, to determine the internal structure of ecosystem diversity that develops in the mountains within the framework of an orobiome. It also allowed mapping the spatial organization of ecosystems at the regional level on a climate basis. Using the cluster analysis of climatopes of the main vegetation formations, subdivisions of the orobiome (bioclimatic variants) are proposed. Two variants of the Ist order are expressed through the structure of the vegetation cover of mountain systems: the relatively low Patom highland in the north, and more massive ridges of the strongly dissected North Baikal and Stanovoy highlands in the south. Variants of the IInd order, differing in the degree of continentality and moisture conditions, have specificity in the altitudinal belts and sub-belts of vegetation. Diversity within belts and sub-belts, expressed through the typological diversity of vegetation at the level of formations, classes, and groups of associations, is marked by climatic differences in bioclimatic variants of the IIIrd order. The diversity of climatic conditions that determine the phytocoenotic diversity of Northeastern Transbaikalia is characterized through integral bioclimatic types of orobiome, determined by temperature and moisture supply. Three ombroclimatic types were distinguished by continentality conditions. The influence of the complex orographic structure of a vast mountainous territory, as well as zonal and sectoral patterns in changing climatic conditions, is characterized in their change from continental to extracontinental in according to the degree of climate continentality. The same factors determine the identification of three thermoclimatic types, which are associated with the distinguished altitudinal vegetation belts (mountain tundra, subalpine, mountain taiga). The temperate cold type is expressed in the intermountain depressions and low mountains of the Patom highlands, the cold type is associated with the middle mountains and the lower part of the high mountains (mountain taiga and subalpine belts), and the extra cold type is distinguished in the high mountains of the most massive ridges – Kodar and Kalar. Conclusion. Quantitative interpretation of the climatic conditions of the bioclimatic variants of the orobiome made it possible to give an integral evaluation of the climatic conditionality of the development of basic vegetation formations, the altitudinal belt divisions, and the altitudinal spectra of vegetation in general. The resulting basis can be used for the sustainable development of the region in connection with economic activities in areas adjacent to the Baikal-Amur Railway, for monitoring and forecasting changes in vegetation and ecosystems in general due to climate change and intensification of economic activities in the region.

Climate-Related Gradients On Vegetation Diversity Of The Altai-Sayan Orobiome (Southern Siberia)

An analysis of the spatial organization of vegetation cover has been carried out for the Altai-Sayan orobiome in connection with climatic conditions in the Southern Siberian mountains based on original relevés of plant communities at the 4 altitudinal spectra. Basic bioclimatic parameters on the altitudinal spectra of vegetation have been determined according to latitudinal and longitudinal differentiation of climate. Correlation and discriminate analyses allowed to identify the regional features of altitudinal gradients in species diversity of the spectra as well as the role of parameters in the structure of typological diversity of vegetation for belts of high-mountain tundra, alpine and subalpine meadows and sparse forests, dark coniferous mountain taiga forests, chern-taiga forests, small leave – light coniferous subtaiga forests, forest-steppe. A compiled bioclimatic scheme characterizes the spatial organization of orobiome’s vegetation by basic bioclimatic parameters on the regional level (continentality index, average temperature of January). This scheme shows regional features of the diversity of vegetation in Southern Siberia, in adjacent plain and mountain regions according to climatic conditions. Identified patterns determine unity of the Altai-Sayan orobiome as well as regional differentiation that reflected on the development of types of vegetation zonality. They can be used to analysis of vegetation forming in different mountain systems.

On the Mongoloid Component in the Pazyryk Population

The Mongoloid trait comЬination displayed Ьy two Pazyryk crania can Ьe identified as PaleosiЬerian. Using the method elaborated by leading Russian specialists, the appearance of those individuals was sculpturally reconstructed. Sculptured faces support the diagnosis based on craniometric data. We discuss the advantages of a typological approach over a population approach to small and poorly preserved cranial samples. Judging by the skeletal materials from the Neolithic to the modern centuries, the Paleosiberian trait combination is distributed in the Baikal region, where mountainous taiga and tundra landscapes predominate. Those environmental conditions caused the scattering and isolation of hunting-fishing populations. This trait comЬination apparently originated among the Хiongnu of the southern Trans-Baikal region (Ivolga archaeological complex), when the natives had been involved in the activities of the Ьorder outpost-a center of trade, administration, craft, and agriculture in the northern fringes of the Хiongnu Empire. Individuals with Paleosiberian features could have reached the Altai Mountains at the early stages of the Хiongnu triЬal union, correlating with the final stage of the Pazyryk culture. Нowever, the share of the PaleosiЬerian component in the Pazyryk population was evidently minor.

ТЕРМИЧЕСКИЙ РЕЖИМ ВЕРХНИХ ЛАНДШАФТНЫХ ПОЯСОВ СЕВЕРА ПРИМОРСКОГО ХРЕБТА (ПРИБАЙКАЛЬЕ) В 2021-2022 ГГ.14

Monitoring of the thermal regime of the atmospheric surface layer in the conditions of the mountainous relief ofthe Baikal region has been a relevant issue for many years. In 2015, catastrophic fires occurred in the Western Pribaikalye. As a result, the native vegetation was strongly disturbed, its environment-forming and environment-protective functions changed or weakened significantly. In 2021, monitoring of the thermal regime of the upper landscape belts of the Primorsky Ridge was organized in order to study the restoration dynamics of the geosystems against the background of climatic changes. The observation period covered 2021-2022. Monitoring sites were organized in the podgoltsovyi (1280 m ASL) and mountain taiga (1040 m ASL) belts of the southeastern macroslope of the Primorsky Ridge. The thermal regime of the surface air layer was monitored using autonomous temperature recorders Thermochron iButton DS1925L-F5 installed at a height of 2 m. The temperature was recorded eight times a day synchronously with the measurements of meteorological network stations. There were obtained comparative data on the temperature dynamics of the podgoltsovyi and mountain taiga belts in the north of the Primorsky Ridge, including areas subjected to pyrogenic effects. The sums of positive and active temperatures, the duration of the vegetation and cold periods were determined; the annual variability and the seasonal daily dynamics of the atmospheric surface layer temperature were analyzed; the influence of the terrain height and the type of vegetation cover on the thermal regime of high-altitude belts was established. The study revealed the features of the thermal regime of pyrogenic impact areas in the mountain taiga belt, which are caused by a change in the reflectivity of the underlying surface due to destruction of the vegetation cover. Further studies will make it possible to identify the duration of the post-pyrogenic recovery of microclimatic parameters to background values for different topogeosystems in the northern part of the Primorsky Ridge. The obtained data, together with the materials of field physical-geographical studies, can be used as a scientific basis for planning economic activities (including environmental protection) in areas with special conditions of natural resource management.

Охотничье-промысловые звери, обитающие в заповеднике «Басеги» на границах ареалов

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of long-term series of observations on the facts of registration and population records on the territory of the Basegi Reserve (Middle Urals, Perm Krai) of five species and one hybrid form of hunting and commercial animals (reindeer, Siberian roe deer, wolverine, sable, kidus, columns) registered in this area near the borders of their areas. The basis for the work was the results of winter route records and data from the scientific card index of the Basegi Reserve, obtained over 40 years of research (1984-2023). Summarizing these materials, the author connects them with the results of his own field observations of 1989, 1999-2023 and draws conclusions about the current state of the livestock of these animals in the Basegas, possible prospects for changing the boundaries of their ranges, optimal ways to assess population density in the conditions of the mountain taiga of the Middle Urals. Judging by the data of long-term observations, reindeer are not currently found in the area of the Basegi Reserve. The Siberian roe deer is a very rare species that periodically enters the protected area during the snowless season. Sable and kidus are also rare, but the situation with these representatives of the genus Martes in the reserve is unclear and requires the use of additional research methods. Wolverine and columns are not numerous in Basegs, but they live constantly.

Овсянка-ремез Ocyrisrusticus на территории Вишерского и Норского заповедников

The Information about the state and the dynamics of the number of the local nesting population of the Rustic bunting in the Visherky strict nature reserve of the Perm Region is given. The average population density of Ocyris rusticuson the territory of the strict nature reserve in the nesting period, according to data until 2014, is: 1.5±1.2 pairs/km2in mountain taiga forests, and 1.4±1.1 pairs/km2in valley forests. A comparison is made with the Norsky strict nature reserve of the Amur Region, where the species occurs on migration, and the dynamics of the number of migratory birds is analyzed. The validity of including the species in the Red Books of the Russian Federation and regions is discussed.

Morphology of wintering shoots of a rare species Exochorda serratifolia S. Moore in Primorsky Krai

The paper studies the morphology of winter shoots of the rare species Exochorda serratifolia S. Moore (Rosaceae Juss.) included in the Red Book of Primorsky Krai (Russian Federation) in the natural population (Khankaisky district of Primorsky Krai) and in culture (the arboretum of the Mountain Taiga Station of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) during 2020-2021. The studied morphological features (linear dimensions of the stem, buds and leaf scars, the number of metamers, bud scales, etc.) vary slightly. A number of morphological characteristics of the buds of Exochorda serratifolia – polyscaly, type of budding, the presence of a waxy coating are adaptive features to temperate continental climatic conditions. The obtained data on the morphology of overwintering shoots of Exochorda serratifolia can be used as additional diagnostic features for identification of the plant in a leafless state.