European North-East Of Russia Research Articles

Effect of Interannual Difference in Weather Conditions of the Growing Season on the СO2 Emission from the Soil Surface in the Middle-Taiga Cowberry–Lichen Pine Forest (Komi Republic)

Data on the СО2 emission from the surface of iron-illuvial podzol (Albic Podzol) under an 84‑year-old cowberry–lichen pine forest of the middle taiga in the northeast of European Russia (the Komi Republic) during the growing seasons of 2014–2017 are discussed. Interannual differences in weather conditions were estimated from records of the Syktyvkar weather station. The emission of СО2 was measured by an infrared analyzer LI-COR 8100. In 2016, the duration of the growing season, mean air temperature, and the sums of effective (>5°С) and biologically active (>10°С) temperatures were 1.1–1.3 times higher than the long-term averages. Droughty seasons were absent in the studied period. The intensity of the CO2 emission correlated with the soil temperature at the depth of 10 cm; the correlation coefficient varied from 0.79 to 0.86 (p < 0.05). The temperature coefficient Q10 varied from 2.2 to 3.7; soil respiration at the temperature of 10°C, from 1.2 to 1.5 g С–СО2/(m2 24 h); at the temperature of 20°C, from 2.6 to 5.3 g С–СО2/(m2 24 h), the mean rate of soil respiration during the growing season, from 1.3 to 1.7 g С–СО2/(m2 24 h). The total emission of carbon in the form of CO2 from the surface of iron-illuvial podzol varied from 246 to 389 g/m2 with the maximum during the hot summer season of 2016.

Inconsistent Response of Arctic Permafrost Peatland Carbon Accumulation to Warm Climate Phases

AbstractNorthern peatlands have accumulated large carbon (C) stocks since the last deglaciation and during past millennia they have acted as important atmospheric C sinks. However, it is still poorly understood how northern peatlands in general and Arctic permafrost peatlands in particular will respond to future climate change. In this study, we present C accumulation reconstructions derived from 14 peat cores from four permafrost peatlands in northeast European Russia and Finnish Lapland. The main focus is on warm climate phases. We used regression analyses to test the importance of different environmental variables such as summer temperature, hydrology, and vegetation as drivers for nonautogenic C accumulation. We used modeling approaches to simulate potential decomposition patterns. The data show that our study sites have been persistent mid‐ to late‐Holocene C sinks with an average accumulation rate of 10.80–32.40 g C m−2 year−1. The warmer climate phase during the Holocene Thermal Maximum stimulated faster apparent C accumulation rates while the Medieval Climate Anomaly did not. Moreover, during the Little Ice Age, apparent C accumulation rates were controlled more by other factors than by cold climate per se. Although we could not identify any significant environmental factor that drove C accumulation, our data show that recent warming has increased C accumulation in some permafrost peatland sites. However, the synchronous slight decrease of C accumulation in other sites may be an alternative response of these peatlands to warming in the future. This would lead to a decrease in the C sequestration ability of permafrost peatlands overall.

Tundra landscape heterogeneity, not interannual variability, controls the decadal regional carbon balance in the Western Russian Arctic.

Across the Arctic, the net ecosystem carbon (C) balance of tundra ecosystems is highly uncertain due to substantial temporal variability of C fluxes and to landscape heterogeneity. We modeled both carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and methane (CH4 ) fluxes for the dominant land cover types in a ~100-km2 sub-Arctic tundra region in northeast European Russia for the period of 2006-2015 using process-based biogeochemical models. Modeled net annual CO2 fluxes ranged from -300gCm-2 year-1 [net uptake] in a willow fen to 3gCm-2 year-1 [net source] in dry lichen tundra. Modeled annual CH4 emissions ranged from -0.2 to 22.3gCm-2 year-1 at a peat plateau site and a willow fen site, respectively. Interannual variability over the decade was relatively small (20%-25%) in comparison with variability among the land cover types (150%). Using high-resolution land cover classification, the region was a net sink of atmospheric CO2 across most land cover types but a net source of CH4 to the atmosphere due to high emissions from permafrost-free fens. Using a lower resolution for land cover classification resulted in a 20%-65% underestimation of regional CH4 flux relative to high-resolution classification and smaller (10%) overestimation of regional CO2 uptake due to the underestimation of wetland area by 60%. The relative fraction of uplands versus wetlands was key to determining the net regional C balance at this and other Arctic tundra sites because wetlands were hot spots for C cycling in Arctic tundra ecosystems.

Litho- and Biostratigraphy of the Middle Neopleistocene of the European Northeast of Russia

The materials on litho- and biostratigraphy (collared lemming, Dicrostonyx) of the Middle Neopleistocene of the northeast Russia were revised and litho- and biostratigraphic methods were mutually tested for determination of the age of geological bodies. The reasonable stratigraphic division and correlation of the Neopleistocene are especially topical because of the current preparation of a new common stratigraphic chart of Quaternary sediments. The petrographic composition of the coarse-clastic material and the orientation of clasts in moraines are regionally consistent lithostratigraphic criteria. In the Pechora (Dnieper) moraine, the elongated rock clasts are oriented in a sector of 20°–60° in contrast to an azimuth of 270°–360° of the Vychegda (Moscow) moraine, which, in addition to petrographic composition of rocks, indicates the contribution of terrigenous material from different glacial provenances during formation of moraines. Certain differences were revealed also in assemblages of heavy minerals. The Middle Neopleistocene rodent fauna was found between the Pechora and Vychegda moraines. The stratigraphic position of microtheriofauna is identified on the basis of evolution level of molars of collared lemmings. By proportion of simplicior and henseli morphotypes for M1 and M2, all fossils belong to three groups corresponding to three evolution stages of a tooth system: Late Pechora (Late Dnieper, MIS 8), Rodionovo (Shklov, MIS 7), and Early Vychegda (Early Moscow, MIS 6). They include D. simplicior morph 2 (Gavrilovka, Bol’shaya Sluda, Akis’, Laya-4 localities), D. simplicior morph 3 (Sercheiyu-1, Laya-3 localities), and D. ex gr. simplicior—gulielmi (Shapkina-4, Chuley, lower horizon of Kipievo localities) morphs. These evolution stages correspond to Late Pechora (Late Dnieper, MIS 8), Rodionovo (Shklov, MIS 7), and Early Vychegda (Early Moscow, MIS 6) intervals. Taking into account the paleoclimate data, the presence of the lemmings in the region during the Rodionovo time is rather plausible.

Soil mesofauna and diversity of vegetation: Collembola in pristine taiga forests (Pechora-Ilych Biosphere Reserve, Russia)

Unique 600-year-old tall herb taiga forests are located in the European North-East of Russia at the foothills of the Middle Urals and are characterized by extremely diverse and vertically differentiated vegetation. This study addresses how vegetation parameters such as net primary productivity and diversity influence the community structure of Collembola in fir forests of different ages. Sample plots were arranged along diversity and biomass gradients of vegetation: Vaccinium-moss, short herb-moss, and nitrophilous tall herb fir–spruce forests. Plants and collembolans were compared with respect to their species richness, abundance, species structure and traits. The number of species of vascular plants, mosses and liverworts along the studied gradient increased by about double, whereas the species richness of collembolans did not differ significantly. The biomass of vascular plants increased, whereas that of mosses declined, and the abundance of collembolans remained approximately consistent. Despite sharp differences in ground vegetation, in all phytocenoses the dominant Collembola species were widespread. However, the collembolan community of old-growth tall herb forests showed a trend of more complex structure reflected by greater evenness of abundances compared to younger ecosystems with less diverse ground vegetation. In conclusion, the springtail communities in forests that have developed spontaneously for over 600 years appeared to be no more complex than those in 200-year-old stands. Multi-species ground vegetation did not increase collembolan diversity and abundance indices. Thus, soil mesofauna (in this case, springtails) appeared to be relatively independent of long-term spontaneous development in vegetation in the studied area.

Assessment of the State of Lung Lichen, Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm., in Forest Communities with Different Times Since Disturbance in the Northeast of European Russia

Quantitative parameters of cenopopulations of Lobaria pulmonaria, an endangered cyanolichen, have been studied in spruce phytocenoses of Karelia recovering after disturbance through the successional stage of aspen stands for a period ranging from 80 to 450 years. The results show that, as the time since disturbance increases, the total number of L. pulmonaria thalli and the number of colonized substrate units increase as well, with no stabilization of these parameters being observed in the series of communities studied. The total area of thalli in the phytocenoses is restored within approximately 200 years after the last disturbance. In old-growth forests (>400 years), L. pulmonaria thalli colonize a broad spectrum of tree species in different life states, including lower branches of young spruce trees. Even if they serve as temporary substrates, this can markedly strengthen the potential of the species for further expansion within the community in case of shortage in the main phorophyte (aspen). Thus, the proportion of regressive populations decreases, while that of colonizing populations increases, which is indicative of successful reproduction of the species.

Planktonic Fauna of Small Reservoirs in the Komi Republic

One hundred and eight species and forms of planktonic organisms have been revealed in three small reservoirs in the Komi Republic (the northeast of European Russia). Species that were not previously known for the water bodies of the Vychegda River Basin (Limnosida frontosa) and the Republic of Komi (Lecane mira, Macrochaetus subquadratus, Filinia longiseta limnetica, and Rhynchotalona falcata) have been found. It has been established that the richness of the planktonic fauna depends on the age of the water body: the maximum number of species is found in the oldest reservoir, namely, the Kazhim Reservoir. The planktonic communities of artificial reservoirs are distinguished by a low level of similarity of faunas both with each other and in comparison with the natural lakes of the region. The fauna distribution in the old reservoirs is uneven. The relatively large fauna richness of planktonic communities in the littoral zones is due to the water-level regime in the reservoirs.

Features of vegetation, flowering and fruiting of the genus &lt;i&gt;Spiraea&lt;/i&gt; L. species in the cultivation in the European North-East (Republic of Komi)

The paper deals with the flowering and fruiting of introduced species of Spiraea L. genus in the collection of the Botanical garden of the Institute of biology of Komi SC of Ural branch of RAS, located in the middle taiga subzone of the European North-East of Russia. The collection of Spiraea genus by this time includes more than 40 taxa of plants of different geographical origin, including one species of local flora. Characteristics of vegetation, flowering and fruiting indicators of nine species of perennial plants of the genus are given based on the results of phenological observations during five years. It is shown that the seasonal rhythm of plant development in the new conditions corresponds to the climatic conditions of the subzone of the middle taiga. There are differences in the dates of beginning and duration of flowering in different species Spiraea of three sections, the total duration of flowering of studied species is almost 100 days. The species of Spiraria section are characterized by latest start and a long flowering period. Plants of all studied species are characterized by annual flowering and fruiting with the formation of benign seeds; some species are capable of self-seeding. The revealed characteristics allow us to consider that the studied species of Spiraea genus have successfully adapted in the Northern region and can be used in ornamental horticulture.

Eneolithic and Bronze Age Burials Grounds in European Northeast of Russia: Question оf Attribution

Eneolithic and Bronze Age Burials Grounds in European Northeast of Russia: Question оf Attribution

The role of climate change in regulating Arctic permafrost peatland hydrological and vegetation change over the last millennium

Climate warming has inevitable impacts on the vegetation and hydrological dynamics of high-latitude permafrost peatlands. These impacts in turn determine the role of these peatlands in the global biogeochemical cycle. Here, we used six active layer peat cores from four permafrost peatlands in Northeast European Russia and Finnish Lapland to investigate permafrost peatland dynamics over the last millennium. Testate amoeba and plant macrofossils were used as proxies for hydrological and vegetation changes. Our results show that during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA), Russian sites experienced short-term permafrost thawing and this induced alternating dry-wet habitat changes eventually followed by desiccation. During the Little Ice Age (LIA) both sites generally supported dry-hummock habitats, at least partly driven by permafrost aggradation. However, proxy data suggest that occasionally, MCA habitat conditions were drier than during the LIA, implying that evapotranspiration may create important additional eco-hydrological feedback mechanisms under warm conditions. All sites showed a tendency towards dry conditions as inferred from both proxies starting either from ca. 100 years ago or in the past few decades after slight permafrost thawing, suggesting that recent warming has stimulated surface desiccation rather than deeper permafrost thawing. This study shows links between two important controls over hydrology and vegetation changes in high-latitude peatlands: direct temperature-induced surface layer response and deeper permafrost layer-related dynamics. These data provide important backgrounds for predictions of Arctic permafrost peatlands and related feedback mechanisms. Our results highlight the importance of increased evapotranspiration and thus provide an additional perspective to understanding of peatland-climate feedback mechanisms.

Зимостойкость озимой ржи: проблемы и решения

High winter hardiness is an advantage of winter rye over other cereals. This trait is determined by a number of parameters: biological and genetic properties, weather conditions and technological features. The main reasons of failure of winter rye sowings in North-East of European Russia are frost-killing and asphyxiation. Frost-killing is characteristic for beginning of winter with low snow cover and for cold spell in spring. The critical situation with frost damage in the region was recorded in 2009-2010 when soil temperature at the depth of tillering zone site continuously kept at -18 °С day and night. The depth of soil freezing was more than a meter. Winter wheat and triticale were almost completely winterkilled in Kirov region. The failure rate of winter rye Falenskaya 4 in Federal Agricultural Scientific Center of North-East was equal to 17%. Annual damage of rye production in the region is caused by asphyxiation and affection by snow mold (M nivale). On the average damage caused by this disease is 15-20% and in some years even more. Other unfavorable factors of overwintering are shell ice, damping-off and pushing-out of crops. Stability of winter rye production depends on observing the cultivation technology and breeding of highly winter-hardy varieties. Thus, winter resistance is one of the key priorities of breeding programs in North-East of European Russia. The development of such varieties depends on improvement the breeding methods and use of sources of winter hardiness corresponded to region conditions.

Высокочастотное георадиолокационное зондирование. Почвогрунтов многолетнемерзлых бугристых болот (европейский Северо-Восток. России).

Высокочастотное георадиолокационное зондирование. Почвогрунтов многолетнемерзлых бугристых болот (европейский Северо-Восток. России).

Температурное состояние почвогрунтов бугристо-мочажинных болот в зоне редкоостровного распространения многолетнемерзлых пород (Европейский Северо-Восток России).

Температурное состояние почвогрунтов бугристо-мочажинных болот в зоне редкоостровного распространения многолетнемерзлых пород (Европейский Северо-Восток России).

Пастухов А.В. Высокочастотное георадиолокационное зондирова- ние почвогрунтов многолетнемерзлых бугристых болот (европейский Северо-Восток России).

Пастухов А.В. Высокочастотное георадиолокационное зондирова- ние почвогрунтов многолетнемерзлых бугристых болот (европейский Северо-Восток России).

Многолетняя динамика потерь лесов от пожаров и ветровалов на северо-востоке Европейской России по спутниковым данным

Многолетняя динамика потерь лесов от пожаров и ветровалов на северо-востоке Европейской России по спутниковым данным

Features of Heavy Metal Accumulation by Epiphytic Lichens in Background Areas of the Taiga Zone in the European Northwest of Russia

The results of a study of the content of heavy metals in fruticose epiphytic lichens in the taiga zone of the European Northeast of Russia (Republic of Komi) are presented. The content of elements in lichens in this area is at the background level for the northern part of Eurasia. A series of accumulated heavy metals in lichen have been established. Metal distribution mapping has made it possible to differentiate areas with respect to the level of their accumulation. The accumulation of mercury by lichen increases and the contents of manganese, coper, and cadmium decreases from the southwest to the northeast.

Molecular composition of raw peat and humic substances from permafrost peat soils of European Northeast Russia as climate change markers

Humic substances (HSs) from the mire peat soils of the forest-tundra zone of the European northeast part of Russia have been characterized in terms of molecular composition. This was accomplished using solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) techniques and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. The composition depended on the intensity of cryogenic processes in the active layer, the quality of the humification precursors (the degree of peat material transformation), and the biochemical selection of aromatic fragments during humification. Humic acids (HAs) and fulvic acids (FAs) of the peat soils showed the presence of compounds with a low extent of condensation and a low portion of aromatic fragments, which increased with depth. A higher proportion of aliphatic carbon species was found in the HAs, indicating a low degree of organic matter stabilization. Based on the data from the two types of peat soils, we suggest that particular changes in the proportion of aromatic and unoxidized aliphatic fragments on the border of the bottom of the active layer and permafrost layers can be used as markers of current climatic change.

Жизненные формы водных трав Северо-Востока Европейской России

Жизненные формы водных трав Северо-Востока Европейской России

Арктическая специфика продовольственного обеспечения и развития сельского хозяйства европейского северо-востока России

Арктическая специфика продовольственного обеспечения и развития сельского хозяйства европейского северо-востока России

Distribution of the invasive plant species Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden. in the Komi Republic (Russia).

Occurrences of the invasive plant species Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden. in the Komi Republic (northeastern part of European Russia) were recorded and published in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF http://www.gbif.org) using the RIVR information system (http://ib.komisc.ru/add/rivr/en). RIVR stands for “Rasprostranenie Invasionnyh Vidov Rastenij” [Occurrence of Invasion Plant Species]. This citizen science project aims at collecting occurrence data about invasive plant species with the help of citizen scientists. Information can be added by any user after a simple registration (concept) process. However, the data published in GBIF are provided only by professional scientists. The total study area is approximately 19,000 km2. The GBIF resource contains 10894 Heracleum sosnowskyi occurrence points, each with their geographical coordinates and photographs of the plants in the locus of growth. The preliminary results of species distribution modelling on the territory of European North-East Russia presented.