Mountain Zone Research Articles

Assessing the Potential for an Agro-GeoHydroPark in Gedangrejo: An Integrated Geological and Agricultural Study

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of Gedangrejo, located in the Karangmojo district, Gunung Kidul regency, Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia, for agro-geohydropark development. Employing a comprehensive geological analysis, which included assessing geomorphological, lithological, and geological structures alongside hydrogeological conditions, the study also focused on the evaluation of water sources and agricultural potential. Gedangrejo, which falls within the Baturagung subzone of the Southern Mountains zone, presents a unique amalgamation of undulating plains, hills, karst hills, and alluvium deposits with formations belonging to Semilir, Oyo, and Wonosari. Geological structures constituted by joints and faults, including three horizontal faults with a Northeast-Southwest orientation, were noted. The hydrogeology uncovered two aquifer systems, with the Semilir fissured inter-grain aquifer controlling the Baturagung Embung. In terms of agricultural viability, the area exhibits fertile land capable of supporting ornamental and fruit plants, presenting potential for fruit-picking tourism. Therefore, findings suggest that the Gedangrejo region holds substantial potential for development as an agro-geohydropark, implying a sustainable economic upliftment of the local community through the prudent utilization of natural resources and local wisdom.

Change Characteristics of Soil Organic Carbon and Soil Available Nutrients and Their Relationship in the Subalpine Shrub Zone of Qilian Mountains in China

Studying the spatial and temporal distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) content in high-altitude mountainous areas and its correlation with soil nutrients provides a basis for understanding soil carbon stocks and the factors affecting the local carbon cycle. Based on soil samples collected from a semi-sunny slope and semi-shady slope in the subalpine shrub zone of the eastern Qilian Mountains from May to October 2019, we studied the temporal and spatial changes in SOC and soil available nutrients and their relationships. The results showed that SOC content and soil nutrients were greater on the semi-shady slope than on the semi-sunny slope during the growing season and decreased with an increase in soil depth in different slope directions, showing obvious surface aggregation. The soil available nitrogen (SAN) content was consistent with the SOC content and exhibited greater synchronization. SOC was significantly positively correlated with soil available nutrients in the study area during the whole growing season. However, the correlation between SOC and soil nutrients varied among the different soil layers and slope orientations. The SOC content was more obviously correlated with the SAN content in the soil layer at a depth of 30–40 cm (r = 0.67, p < 0.05) on the semi-shady slope. The SOC content was more obviously correlated with soil-available phosphorus (SAP) content in the soil layer at a depth of 30–40 cm (r = 0.57) on the semi-sunny slop. The SOC content was more obviously correlated with the SAP content in the soil layer at a depth of 60–70 cm (r = 0.55) and with the soil-available potassium (SAK) content in the soil layer at a depth of 70–80 cm (r = 0.84) on the semi-sunny slope.

Spatial patterns of the main trees in a plant micro-reserve constructed in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics mountainous competition zone

Spatial patterns of the main trees in a plant micro-reserve constructed in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics mountainous competition zone

Ecosystemic epidemiological, epizootological, and sanitary-hygienic assessment of human and animal echinococcosis in the North Caucasus region

Introduction. Echinococcosis in animals and humans is a planetary problemю One of those zoonoses have acquired the status of epidemiological and sanitary-hygienic risks for the health in various social groups of the population and animals of more than 80 species.
 The purpose of the work is an ecosystemic epizootological, epidemiological, and sanitary-hygienic assessment of animal and human echinococcosis in Karachay-Cherkessia.
 Materials and methods. The studies were carried out in 2014–2022. The objects of study were the intestines of eighteen dog corpses slaughtered in compliance with the International Rules for Humane Treatment of Animals (2012), and the liver and lungs of 150 slaughtered sheep. Monitoring of echinococcosis in dogs and sheep was carried out by the method of complete helminthological dissection of organs and tissues according to K.I. Scriabin (1928). The number of taeniid-type eggs in the faeces of dogs and in 500 water samples of the basin of the river Kuban was determined according to the guidelines of Temporary norms and rules (1986). Data on the incidence of cystic echinococcosis in the population are summarized on the base of a comparative analysis of quarterly and annual reports of the sanitary medical services in 7 subjects of the North Caucasus Federal District with the materials of the State reports of the Federal Service for Supervision in Protection of the Rights of Consumer and Man Wellbeing of Russia.
 Results. The index of occurrence of invasion of the cystic form of echinococcus in the liver, lungs, and spleen in sheep in the planar zone was 18%, in the foothill zone – 24%, in the mountain zone – 28% (on average, about 25%). Transparent cysts of echinococcus extracted from the liver, lungs, and other organs of sheep contained protoscolexes in 100% of the samples, which indicates the likelihood of natural foci involving dogs and wild predators in the region, violations of the terms of deworming of priotary dogs, lack of sanitary and preventive work among the population. The region belongs to the group of subjects with low rates of zoonoses due to effective anti-epidemic measures. At the same time, the natural reservoirs of Karachay-Cherkessia are natural biotopes of taeniosis, where the contamination of water samples with taeniid eggs ranges from 11 to 37%.
 Limitations. The study is limited only by the analysis of statistical data on human echinococcosis in Karachay-Cherkessia and other subjects of the North Caucasus Federal District; other densely populated regions of the Russian Federation have not been studied and not affected.
 Conclusion. According to the epidemic situation in terms of echinococcosis in the population, the Karachay-Cherkess Republic can be attributed to relatively prosperous regions of Russia, but to the zone of epidemiological risk, since there is an increase in the number of dogs with tape echinococcosis and sheep infected with fertile cysts. Sanitary and hygienic pollution of the river Kuban and its tributaries with eggs of cestodes is a threat to the spread of echinococcosis among animals and humans.

A Concept for a Consolidated Humus Form Description—An Updated Version of German Humus Form Systematics

In Germany, the systematics of humus forms has been developed, which is mainly based on morphological characteristics and has been proven via detailed long-term observation. The humus form systematics presented here is an update based on a new approach, clarifying the hierarchical structure into divisions, classes, types, and subtypes. New diagnostic horizons and transition horizons are introduced, uniquely characterising types and subtypes. This paper holds that the humus form is not only a product of decomposition, humification, and bioturbation but also serves as habitat for soil organisms. The processes and the habitat are shaped by soil-forming factors with the main factor being soil water conditions. Thus, on the first level of systematics, aeromorphic and aero-hydromorphic as well as hydromorphic humus forms are differentiated. Many different features of the organic layers and the mineral topsoil can be observed in forests, open grasslands, the mountain zone above the tree line, and natural fens and bogs, as well as degraded peatlands. Features shaping the humus form, such as the proportion of organic fine material and packing of the organic matter as well as the structure of the mineral soil, have now been unambiguously described. However, site-specific soil-forming factors result in typical organic matter characteristics of individual horizons and typical combinations of different horizons. This relationship is illustrated using descriptions of distinct humus forms.

Revisiting changing climatic conditions in the North Ossetia mountainous zone and their impact on erosion processes

Currently, there are many scientific publications concerning changes in climatic conditions of individual regions, countries, continents and the entire earth as a planet. This fact has led us to consider these changes regarding their impact on the development of erosion processes in mountain conditions. The basis was the research presented in S.E Kuchiev’s PhD thesis of 1996-1998, as well as the verification of hypotheses put forward in the research on the development of erosion processes. The above mentioned required the continuation of research in the second period from 2008 to 2013. On average, 605 mm fell during the years of research, 478 mm in the first period 1996-1998, 668 mm in the second 2008-2013, and from 2 to 8 rains with an intensity of more than 20 mm fell in different years.The correlation analysis shows that with the increase in precipitation observed in recent years, there is a correlation with the amount of heavy rainfall. During the period under review, there were 27 to 48 rains with an intensity above 5 mm. In 2009 heavy rainfall was characterized mainly by an intensity of 20 to 40 mm per day, but in August 2009 and 2010, 71 and 73 mm each fell. The peak of heavy rains was noted in 2012, when in June it rained two days in a row with an intensity of 121 and 101 mm.The indicator of surface runoff has significantly increased, both in the control variant (pure steam) and in rotation crops, which can be arranged in ascending order of their erosion resistance: row crops, cereals of the continuous sowing method and perennial grasses. The research was carried out at the mountain long-term station of the SCNII–GPSH – a branch of the VNC RAS in the village of Dargavs.

Identifikasi Struktur Kerak Di Bawah Permukaan Jawa Timur Berdasarkan Hasil Tomografi Seismik Menggunakan Model Kecepatan Gelombang P Dan Gelombang S

Tectonic conditions that are vulnerable to earthquakes have become a trigger for researchers to conduct studies on subsurface conditions in East Java. A seismic tomographic study based on the P-wave and S-wave velocity models was applied to identify crustal structures in East Java. The research data totaled 3,893 earthquake events and 28 stations from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in the 2009-2017 period covering coordinates 5oSL- 11oSL and 110o - 115o EL. The modeling results in this study are expressed in velocity perturbations against the ak135 one-dimensional reference velocity between -5% to 5%. The results of this study indicate that in the central of East Java, there is a negative velocity anomaly which is identified as a sedimentary layer that fills the basin in the Kendeng Zone and volcaniclastic deposits in the Southern Mountains Zone to a depth of 5 km. The dominant negative velocity anomaly in southern East Java is associated with the presence of intrusive and bedrock in the Southern Mountain Zone. The transition zone between the crust and upper mantle in East Java is observed at a depth of 35 km below the surface.

Montane Ecoclines in Ancient Central Asia: A Preliminary Study of Agropastoral Economies in Juuku, Kyrgyzstan

In this paper, we use preliminary archaeological data spanning the Iron Age through Medieval periods (ca. 800 BCE to 1200 CE) in the Juuku Valley on the south side of Lake Issyk-Kul to model land use across vertical mountain zones. We have (1) established a radiometric chronology; (2) conducted test excavations of an Iron Age settlement at 2100 m asl and a Turkic period burial at 1934 m asl; (3) undertaken preliminary archaeobotanical research; and (4) performed pedestrian surveys. Seed remains of wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), broomcorn millet (Panicum milaceum) and foxtail millet (Setaria italica), and legumes were recovered in very small quantities from both sites. We compare these preliminary archaeobotanical results with previously published data from the Talgar Iron Age settlements on the north side of the Tian Shan Mountain range in Kazakhstan. A small assemblage of faunal remains found at the Turkic period kurgan and from a profile at the upland Iron Age settlement demonstrates the practice of herding sheep/goats, cattle, and horses in the Juuku Valley. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that pastoral transhumance and agropastoralism were interchangeable economic strategies used by peoples in the Iron Age through Medieval periods in mountain-river valleys between 600 m to 2100 m asl. These economic strategies combined the pasturing of sheep, goats, cattle, and horses with the cultivation of cereals were adapted to different vegetational zones along a vertical gradient. This paper is based on preliminary research of upland sites of the Juuku Valley in Kyrgyzstan, and initiates a long-term research study of four millennia of settlements that ranged from pastoral transhumance and combined mountain agriculture using survey data and test excavations.

Evolution characteristics, drivers and trends of rural residential land in mountainous economic circle: A case study of Chengdu-Chongqing area, China

Spatial systematic competition definitely contributes to rural residential evolution. Rural residential land of mountainous economic circle is generally hard to govern due to the disturbances from natural factors and economic activities. This study established a framework and adopted Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA), Geographical detector (Geo-detector) and Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) to examine the evolution characteristics, drivers and trends of rural residential land of Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle(CCEC). Our research uncovered that: 1) The competitions between rural living space (RLS), rural production space (RPS) and rural ecological space(RES) substantially contribute to the evolution of rural residential land according to the conceptual framework, and the evolution in mountainous economic zone is greatly impacted by the close coupling interaction of macro driving factors and micro farmers’ housing selection. 2)The characteristics of rural residential evolution of Chengdu-Chongqing area presents “dense in the west and sparse in the east”, and the majority of which are concentrated in Sichuan Basin and Chengdu plain area. 3) Although the size of rural residential land in Chengdu-Chongqing area presents a fluctuant downward trend according to the simulation results, the spatial distribution pattern will remain nearly unchanged in the long run. 4) Rural residential evolution reflects the interactional process of muti-factors, as well as the matching result between man-land relationship and regional development goals under the land use policies. Overall, The theoretical and empirical research form the perspective of spatial competition in this paper provides a new idea for future studies on the evolution of rural residential land.

ованных горных лугов и пастбищ Центрального Кавказа

Abstract. The authors presented the results of scientific developments and a new device for improving and restoring mountain pasture areas by sowing grass seeds on depleted and thinned grass. The absence of small-sized maneuverable units capable of sowing grass seeds on sparse grass in the mountains was revealed. The purpose of the study is to develop and manufacture a laboratory sample of a block module based on a mini-tractor “Fenshow-180”, for surface sowing of grass seeds. The object of the study is agrotechnical techniques and an aggregate for the introduction of grass seeds, providing accelerated restoration of mountain pasture areas, increasing the yield of perennial grasses and soil resistance to water and wind erosion. The objectives of the research included the substantiation of the technology, the assessment of the effect of sowing grass seeds on the change in the qualitative and quantitative composition of the herbage, the possibility of improving plant nutrition and water-air regime, enriching the fodder herbage by sowing valuable types of herbs. Methodology and methods. The tests were carried out in the mountainous zone of the Republic of North Ossetia – Alania, in areas located at an altitude of 1540 meters above sea level. The planting of herbs was carried out on a rarefied section of the northern slope with a steepness of 160 in the area Sugsadtanrag. A technical examination of the unit was carried out according to the agrotechnical requirements and the terms of reference. The surface application of grass seeds was carried out according to the application standards. Results. It was found that the laboratory sample of the unit meets the agrotechnical requirements and technical specifications, the herbage yield increased in various areas from 90–170 %, the botanical composition of the herbage changed, which affected the quality of feed, provided an increase in the nutritional value of meadow grasses from 0.7 to 2.8–3.5 thousand fodder units/ha, with a content of 120–145 g digestible protein per 1 feed unit of dry mass of feed. The conclusion is made about the expediency of using the developed block module in mountain meadows and pastures with a slope of up to 16°. Scientific novelty. For the first time, a technology has been developed and a small-sized seeder based on a mini-tractor for the restoration of mountain pastures has been manufactured.

Influence of Hydrocarbon Rocket Fuel Kerosene T-1 on the Physical and Geochemical Properties of Different Soil Types

Studies of the influence of hydrocarbon rocket fuel kerosene T-1 on the physical and geochemical properties were carried out in laboratory circumstances on different types of soils: brown semi-desert soil designated as zone (U-25) located in Central Kazakhstan, mountainous brown desert soil zone (U-30) located in East Kazakhstan, and a model soil standard (control soil). The soil was treated with various concentrations (0.002–150.0 g/kg) of hydrocarbon rocket fuel kerosene T-1, while the contact time was 3, 10, and 30 days. Pollution with kerosene T-1 in concentrations 5.0–15.0 g/kg affects the hydraulic characteristics of soils from the U-25 zone, and the filtration rate decreases by 4–5 times. For the mountainous brown desert soil from the U-30 zone, the concentration of kerosene up to 15.0 g/kg does not affect the mechanical composition of the soil, as well as the availability of the main nutrients (potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen). According to the mechanical composition, both soils belong to medium loamy soils. It has been established that when soil is contaminated from the U-25 zone in concentrations 15.0–150.0 g/kg, the fraction from 1.0 to 0.05 mm increases by 4–5%, and the silty and clay fractions in the soil decrease.

Diversity of Ladybird Beetle Communities (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) under different Cucurbit Farming practices in Morogoro, Tanzania

The farmers' friends, ladybird beetles, serve as predators to keep the plant-feeding insects from reaching damaging population levels and could be helpful in pest management. Farming strategies that retain biodiversity could be a viable option for pest management in agricultural systems. The current study examines the effects of various management practices on ladybird beetle diversity in cucurbit crops in both conventional and agroecological contexts. Trapping and netting were used to collect data on the diversity of these ladybird beetles in 2021. Collected data were analyzed using R software to determine both alpha and beta diversity. In the plateau and mountainous zones, 222 predatory ladybird beetles were collected, with nine genera and 12 species classified. Cheilomenes lunata (28.82 %) was the most prevalent of the nine (9) genera in terms of the total number of individuals, followed by Cheilomenes sulphurea (20.72 %) and Hippodamia variegata (15.90 %). The plateau zone collected 64.86 % of the total, while the mountainous zone comprised 35.14%. These findings are important in the decision-making and effective biological control and management of cucurbit crop pests. This study will help to gain insights into ecological balance and pest management.

Applying Machine Learning to investigate metal isotope variations at the watershed scale: A case study with lithium isotopes across the Yukon River Basin

Constraining the multiple climatic, lithological, topographic, and geochemical variables controlling isotope variations in large rivers is often challenging with standard statistical methods. Machine learning (ML) is an efficient method for analyzing multidimensional datasets, resolving correlated processes, and exploring relationships between variables simultaneously. We tested four ML algorithms to elucidate the controls of riverine δ7Li variations across the Yukon River Basin (YRB). We compiled (n = 102) and analyzed new samples (n = 21), producing a dataset of 123 river water samples collected across the basin during the summer including δ7Li and extracted environmental, climatological, and geological characteristics of the drainage area for each sample from open-access geospatial databases. The ML models were trained, tuned, and tested under multiple scenarios to avoid issues such as overfitting. Random Forests (RF) performed best at predicting δ7Li across the basin, with the median model explaining 62 % of the variance. The most important variables controlling δ7Li across the basin are elevation, lithology, and past glacial coverage, which ultimately influence weathering congruence. Riverine δ7Li has a negative dependence on elevation. This reflects congruent weathering in kinetically-limited mountain zones with short residence times. The consistent ranking of lithology, specifically igneous and metamorphic rock cover, as a top feature controlling riverine δ7Li modeled by the RFs is unexpected. Further study is required to validate this finding. Rivers draining areas that were extensively covered during the last glacial maximum tend to have lower δ7Li due to immature weathering profiles resulting in short residence times, less secondary mineral formation and therefore more congruent weathering. We demonstrate that ML provides a fast, simple, visualizable, and interpretable approach for disentangling key controls of isotope variations in river water. We assert that ML should become a routine tool, and present a framework for applying ML to analyze spatial metal isotope data at the catchment scale.

Biostratigraphy and Climate Change in the Late Miocene Age Based on Foraminifera in the Oyo Formation, Oyo River Section, Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta

The date of the paleoclimate event was ascertained using a biostratigraphic analysis. The thickness of the Oyo Formation was measured using measurements with a Jacob stick method, yielding a thickness of 80.8 meters and 23 rock samples. In the Southern Mountains Zone, new result of the age of the upper part of the Oyo Formation by biostratigraphy investigation of the hill Late Miocene (9.79 Ma to 5.78 Ma). Biostratigraphic investigation in the Oyo River revealed 28 species and 9 genera, with two datums. The study area was classified into three biozonations based on the datum found Globorotalia acostaensis/M13a/N16 zone, the lower Globorotalia plesiotumida/M13b/N17 zone, and the upper Globigerinoides conglobatus/M14/N17 zone. The results of a paleoclimate analysis on the Oyo River Section show a general cooling tendency in the study area. Seven paleoclimate zones can be determined from these trends consisting of four warm and three cold zones. Zone I (warm), zone II (cold), zone III (warm), and zone IV (cold) have the coldest peak in the study region in 8.3 Ma, zone V (warm), and zone VI (cold), followed by zone VII (warm). Based on the correlation with other studies (South China Sea, Pacific Ocean, Oyo River, Ngalang River, and Ngioro Section), paleoclimate events in the study area occur globally.

Restoring Technology and a Seeding Unit for Recovering Mountain Meadow and Pasture Ecosystems

The paper shows that the constant use of mountain meadows and pastures leads to soil degradation and herbage depletion. It is noted that grass overseeding on the sparse mountain grass meadows and pastures helps to increase their yield and nutritional value. It is revealed that there is a lack of small-sized maneuverable machines capable of grass overseeding in the sparse mountain areas. (Research purpose) To develop and manufacture a laboratory model of a block module aggregated with the Feng Shou 180 mini-tractor for surface grass overseeding, to ensure an accelerated increase in the perennial grass yield and soil resistance to water and wind erosion. (Materials and methods) The restoring technology was substantiated and a laboratory block module was developed for sowing legumes and cereals. The seeding unit and technology were tested in the mountainous zone of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania at a 1540-meter altitude above sea level. Grasses were overseeded on a sparse section of a 13-16-degree steep northern slope in the area of Sugsadtanrag. The technical examination of the unit was carried out in accordance with the agrotechnical requirements and terms of reference. The surface application of grass seeds was performed according to the norms. (Results and discussion) A laboratory block module aggregated with the Feng Shou 180 mini-tractor for surface grass overseeding was produced. It is established that the laboratory model of the unit complies with the agrotechnical requirements and terms of reference. (Conclusions) It is found that within the second year of using the unit, there was a 90-170 percent increase in the herbage yield and a certain improvement in the botanical composition, which positively affected the feed quality. The use of the developed block-module is proved to be reasonable and helpful in mountain meadows and pastures having 16-degree steep slopes.

Risk assessment models of power transmission lines undergoing heavy ice at mountain zones based on numerical model and machine learning

To deliver the cleaner energy, such as water, wind and solar power, from the remote mountainous areas to the power load areas, overhead power transmission lines are widely employed around the world. It is not an easy job to guarantee the safety of the long distance power transmission with hundreds or even thousands of kilometers of lines, especially crossing heavy ice zones at mountains. In this work, a numerical model to simulate the static and dynamic responses of transmission lines undergoing heavy ice is proposed and validated. Using the model, parameter study under different line sections depending on the mountain terrains, height difference and tension in conductors is carried out. It is obtained that the ice-induced dynamic characteristics of transmission lines at mountain zones are highly different with those of traditional design standard, with more complicated and dangerous. Therefore, to assess the risk level of transmission lines at mountain zones, the numerical model is used to gather the big dataset. Then, five machine learning-based models, including three tree-based and two artificial neural network (ANN)-based models, are developed and compared to find the optimal one. It is found that the multi-layer feed-forward deep ANN (MLF-DNN)-based model behaves optimal with the best evaluation scores. Based on the models, the predominant input parameters to affect the risk level are obtained and some suggestions to improve the ice resistance for the design and operation of transmission lines at mountain zones are proposed.

Response of ecosystem services to landscape patterns under socio-economic-natural factor zoning: A case study of Hubei Province, China

The regional landscape pattern heterogeneity and the spatiotemporal distribution of ecosystem services (ESs) are influenced by the distribution of natural resources and regional socio-economic development. Analyzing ESs and the landscape pattern impact on ESs in different sub-regions by separating the natural, economic, and social factors is important for regional development and conservation. In this study, Fragstats, the integrated valuation of ecosystem services and tradeoffs (InVEST) model and R software were applicated to analyze the response of ESs trade-offs to landscape characteristics under socio-economic-natural zoning, using a variety of data in Hubei Province as an example. The results showed that: (1) Hubei Province was divided into four sub-regions: a woodland protection zone (WPZ), a rapid urbanization zone (RUZ), a plain agricultural zone (PAZ), and a mountainous agricultural zone (MAZ). (2) The water yield (WY) and crop production (CP) services increased by 769.32 mm and 5.07 × 106 t from 2000 to 2020, respectively, while the carbon sequestration (CS) and nutrient discharge (ND) services decreased by 6.96 × 106 t and 2.75 × 107 kg, respectively. (3) There were differences in the interactions of ESs in four sub-regions. The WY in the RUZ exhibited a strong trade-off relationship with the remaining three ESs, while WY and ND showed a weak synergistic relationship in the two agricultural zones. (4) The response of the ESs to landscape patterns was not the same in different sub-regions. The dominant land types had a weaker impact on the ESs than the non-dominant land use types in the WPZ and RUZ. These results indicate that the different distributions of the natural resources and the unsynchronized social and economic development had effects on ESs, and that landscape pattern optimization enhances ESs should be considered in ecosystem protection.

Ecotoxicological reasonig for chemical protection systems of apple trees (Malus) against harmful organisms in the conditions of the Precarpathian province of the Carpathian mountain zone of Ukraine

It was established that the most common phytophagous pests in apple orchards of the Precarpathian province of the Carpathian mountain zone of Ukraine in 2015–2020 were apple fruit borer, aphids, leafhoppers, mites, apple moth, flower eater and Epicometishirta Poda. The most common diseases of apple orchards in the studied area were scab, powdery mildew, fruit rot and moniliosis. On the basis of phytosanitary data, an improved and intensive system of chemical protection of apple orchards against a complex of harmful organisms was developed, which was adapted to the soil and climatic conditions of the Precarpathian province of the Carpathian mountain zone of Ukraine. The system of intensive chemical protection, which included 12 treatments with chemical pesticides provided technical efficiency against pests and diseases from 86.5 to 97.1%, yield at the level of 26.5 t/ha, including 65.8% fruits first class. Using this system, they received a profit of UAH 85,042.10 from 1 ha and a profitability of 66.98%. The improved protection system ensured a reduction of the pesticide load on the garden ecosystem through the use of low-polarity pesticides. The yield when using the improved protection system was 26.1 t/ha, including 64.7% of the 1st grade, and the technical efficiency ranged from 83.5 to 95.2%. The application of this system made it possible to obtain a profit in the amount of UAH 87,336.89 from 1 ha, with a profitability level of 71.9%. The agro-ecotoxicological index for all protection systems was less than 1, that is, the studied protection systems are not very dangerous and do not lead to ecosystem pollution. For an intensive chemical protection system, this indicator ranged from 0.30 (Izon 0.7) to 0.85 (Izon 0.5). For the improved protection system, AETI ranged from 0.017 (Izon 0.7) to 0.041 (Izon 0.5).

Changes in the “Production-Living-Ecological Space” Pattern in the Interlocking Mountain and River Zones of the Yellow River Basin—Taking Xinxiang City as an Example

Changes in the “Production-Living-Ecological Space” Pattern in the Interlocking Mountain and River Zones of the Yellow River Basin—Taking Xinxiang City as an Example

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.