Northern Exposure Research Articles

Forest Soil Organic Carbon Stocks of Tessala Mount in North-West Algeria-Preliminary Estimates

Mountainous forests in Algeria are severely affected by climate change. The degradation is exacerbated by overgrazing, deforestation, and poor land management linked to the harsh topographical conditions of the mountain agrosystem. These conditions have influenced the turnover of the soil organic matter and thus the SOC stocks storage. This study aims to investigate the average of organic carbon stored in forest soils of Tessala Mount in Algeria and to examine the influence of different plant formations alongside with geographical characteristics and soil physicochemical properties on the amount of carbon stored in the soil. We estimated the critical threshold, the saturation point, and the organic carbon deficit of soils. The correlation between geographical characteristics and soil physicochemical properties and soil organic carbon stocks was determined using principal component analysis and other statistical tools. The results of the study show that the organic carbon stock in soils of Tessala Mount area has an average value of 77.4 t ha−1. The maximum average of SOC stocks (121 t ha−1) of 0–30 cm depth was noted under dense matorral of green and kermes oak followed by sparse garrigue with a value of 112 t ha−1. The soil organic carbon stock in Tessala region was positively correlated with coarse silt, elevation, and northern exposure, but negatively with calcium carbonates contents. The current carbon contents of Tessala topsoil are 22 g C kg−1 which is very low and closer to the critical threshold (11 g C kg−1) whose estimate was based on their clay and silt content. The estimated maximum storage capacity is 160 g C kg−1. The preliminary estimate of the forest soils organic carbon stock of Tessala Mount under current natural conditions indicates an alarming situation with a low rate close to the critical threshold, thus exposing this area to further and stronger degradation.

Формы железа в почвах естественных ландшафтов Верхнего Приангарья

Iron occupies one of the leading places among other elements in terms of content in soils and, having the ability to change valence and properties, diagnoses the typical and sub-type features of many soils, and most importantly, the direction of the soil formation process. Gypsum-bearing soils are formed on the deluvium of the Cambrian sedimentary rocks, in conditions of a hilly-flat relief, caused by water-erosion processes that have created surface dissections by numerous valleys and hollows. Gypsum-bearing soils are located on the elevated parts of the relief of the first floodplain river terraces, as well as in the lower parts of the relief and in river valleys. The climatic conditions of soil formation can be classified as arid. The amount of precipitation in the study area is much less than evaporation. The content, composition, and ratios of various forms of iron and the profile distribution of soils formed on gypsum-bearing red-colored Cambrian sedimentary rocks of the Upper Angara region were studied. For this, the composition of the soil cover in the landscape under study and the soilforming processes taking place in the soils were determined: brown arid calcareous soils are formed in the southern exposure of the slopes; in the northern exposure - chernozems, chernozems and meadow soils. An important morphoanalytical feature of soils is the presence of significant amounts of gypsum and carbonates in the profile. The leading soil-forming process in the landscape is the process of humus accumulation, which is clearly manifested in soils on the slopes of the left bank of the Zalari River. The group composition of iron was determined by analytical methods. The ratios of various iron groups, which are characteristic of landscape soils, and the regularities of the distribution of groups in soil profiles have been established. It was revealed that the degree of ferruginization of the soils of the left bank is in moderately low and very low limits; the degree of ferruginization of soils on the right bank is moderately low. The iron groups in the profiles are poorly differentiated. Silicate iron prevails over non-silicate. The significant predominance of silicate forms of iron over non-silicate forms indicates a low intensity and weak development of weathering processes. In all soils of the landscape, only traces of amorphous iron are determined. The mobility of iron in the soils of the landscape is practically absent, due to the insufficient amount of the amorphous form. In all landscape soils, the degree of oxidogenesis is very low. Crystallization of free iron oxides and hydroxides does not occur due to their absence.

ЗАПАСЫ И БАЛАНС АЗОТА В ФИТОЦЕНОЗАХ ВЫСОКОГОРНОЙ ПОДПРОВИНЦИИ ДАГЕСТАНА

The purpose of the work is to determine the content and reserves of nitrogen, its balance in the ecosystems of the northern and southern expositions of the Mayak Mountain in the Highlands of Dagestan. For the first time, calculations of nitrogen reserves and balance in phytocenoses were performed for the High-mountain subprovincion of Dagestan. Methods. The study was conducted in 2012-2019 on the territory of the Gunib base of the Mountain Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences. A protected regime was introduced at the experimental sites to exclude anthropogenic impact. The plots are located on the slopes of Mount Mayak: south (2100 m above sea level with a slope of 350), north (2070 m above sea level with a slope of 100). The nitrogen content in the phytomass was determined by wet salting. Nitrogen reserves and balance in phytocenoses were determined by the method of A. A. Titlyanova. Results. The productivity of phytomass on the slopes of Mount Mayak was at the northern and southern exposures: in the aboveground mass-69.62 and 66.50 c/ha * year; in the underground mass-2.07-2.10 times more. Most of the nitrogen reserves were on the slope of the northern exposure, which was probably due to the leaching of nitrogen from the soil, due to the great steepness of the southern slopes. The input part of the nitrogen balance in the phytocenoses of the Highlands of Dagestan during the decomposition of the underground mass was from 68.57 to 68.80%, depending on the slope exposure. During the decomposition of aboveground phytomass, 27.29-27.64% were received. Nitrogen fixation and intake with atmospheric precipitation amounted to a total of 3.69-4.32%. The main part of the expenditure item of the nitrogen balance accounts for the creation of net primary production of phytocenoses – 98.25-98.50%. Denitrification was 0.94-1.10%, leaching from the soil was 0.56-0.66%. In the studied protected areas, a positive nitrogen balance of + 8.47 and + 6.2 was found on the northern and southern slopes.

“Doctor en Alaska” 6/17: teoría, literatura y conflictos de interpretación en (una) serie

«El graduado»[1] es el episodio 17 de la sexta temporada de la serie Doctor en Alaska. Plantea un argumento en el que Chris Stevens defiende su tesis de máster ante un representante de los modelos formalistas-contenidistas norteamericanos («tradicionalistas») y un representante de los modelos postestructuralistas («deconstruccionistas»). El tema de la tesis, sus principios teóricos, los paradigmas interpretativos y la inquina entre los scholars son asuntos que demuestran la presencia de la Teoría dentro de la ficción audiovisual y las luchas en la Academia. Este artículo analiza este episodio como muestrario teórico-literario. Y propone su uso como una forma rentable de enseñanza de la teoría de la literatura.
 
 [1] The Graduate, episodio 6/17 de Doctor en Alaska. Escrito por Sam Egan y dirigido por James Hayman. Se emitió por primera vez el 8 de marzo de 1995.

Features of soil thermophysical properties of the southern variant of ravine biogeocenoses of the Ukrainian steppe zone

Thermophysical properties are an important characteristic of the general condition of soils, which determine the peculiarities of the distribution of heat flow in them. Today studies of thermophysical properties of soils, including the steppe zone of Ukraine, are practically not performed. This determines the relevance of the work, which is devoted to establishing the characteristics of the thermal properties of various soils. As a result of the study of thermal diffusivity, heat capacity and thermal conductivity of soils of northern and southern exposures, as well as the thalweg of the Voyskovoy Bayrak (located near the village of Voyskovoe Solonyansky district of Dnipropetrovsk region), it was found that the most important soil factors particles of physical clay and organic matter content. It was found that the eluvial horizons of the chernozem of the forest of the northern exposure differ in the reduced values ​​of heat capacity and thermal conductivity in comparison with the illuvial horizons. Eluvial horizons of forest-meadow soil of thalweg are characterized by increased values ​​of thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity, as well as reduced values ​​of heat capacity compared to illuvial horizons. Eluvial horizons of forest chernozem of southern exposure are characterized by lower values ​​of thermal diffusivity, heat capacity and thermal conductivity compared to illuvial horizons. The most significant boundary between eluvial and illuvial horizons in terms of thermophysical properties is characteristic of the chernozem of forest southern exposure, which is manifested in a sharp increase in the values ​​of thermophysical properties in the first illuvial horizon. Cluster analysis revealed that the most similar in terms of thermal diffusivity are forest chernozems of southern and northern exposures, and in terms of heat capacity and thermal conductivity – forest chernozems of northern exposure and forest-meadow soil of thalweg ravine.

Valley complexes as ecosystem assets of heat island of urban agglomerations (on the example of the right-bank part of Kyiv)

The analysis of the influence of the valley network of the right-bank part of Kiev on the formation of summer surface temperatures based on the use of materials of space remote sensing is carried out. The results of processing Landsat satellite images from 1987 to 2018, presented as isotherms, were used. Comparison of temperature data, hypsometry, geomorphologic features, types of earth cover was carried out according to profiles crossing the valleys in the most representative areas. The main factors influencing the formation of the temperature field within the valleys are vegetation, insolation exposure and anthropogenic stress. The studies revealed the lowest temperatures in the valleys at the foot of the slopes of the northern exposure, covered with woody vegetation. It was established that the temperatures in the valleys with wood cover are 5–6С and lower than the temperatures on the built-up water divide and 2–30С lower than in the park zones on the water divide. As a result of the peculiarities of the internal atmospheric circulation, stagnation in the valleys, with significant anthropogenic pressure (buildings, highways, railways), positive thermal anomalies and even geochemical ones are formed. Unfavorable ecological conditions (high level air pollution, flooding of foundations) are formed on the river Lybid and Kiyanka stream. Due to climatic changes and constantly growing anthropogenic pressure (increase in the area of impermeable surfaces, density and number of storey of residential buildings), temperatures within the city's “thermal island” for the study period increased by an average of 2–30С. Preservation of the valley network in its natural state provides a kind of oases within the city with favourable microclimatic and recreational conditions.

Northern Exposure

Carrie Gibson’s El Norte vividly demonstrates that the United States would not be what it is today without strong, deep and underappreciated Hispanic influences.

Northern Exposure: Canadian Content, Cultural Identity, and the Creation of a National Music Industry

ABSTRACT This article examines the rationale behind the introduction of the CRTC’s Canadian Content rules for radio broadcasting. It argues that CanCon was the result of a convergence of two separate campaigns to achieve national economic and cultural objectives. The former was RPM magazine’s campaign to cultivate a domestic music industry through radio exposure for Canadian artists. The latter was an attempt by the Liberal Party to strengthen Confederation through the celebration of Canadian productions. The success of CanCon suggests that a national music industry could have only emerged through the efforts of this joint public-private initiative.

Structural and aggregate composition features of southern variant natural forest edaphotopes of Ukrainian steppe zone

The natural forests of the southern variant of the steppe zone of Ukraine (according to the classification of O. L. Belgard) are located on the territory of the former porous part of the Dnieper. The properties of edaphotopes of these forests were studied in detail by the staff of the Comprehensive expedition of the Oles Honchar Dnipro National University for the study of forests in the steppe zone of Ukraine (A. P. Travleev, N. A. Bilova, A. A. Dubina, K. M. Bozhko). However, there are no data on the structural and aggregate composition of the genetic horizons of edaphotopes of natural forests of the southern variant of the steppe zone of Ukraine, established by classical methods of determination. This work is devoted to the coverage of these features. As a result of research it is established that the best conditions for the formation of structural aggregates are characteristic of the upper horizons of all studied soils and especially for the forest chernozem in the conditions of northern exposure. The highest content of agronomically valuable structural aggregates is characterized by forest chernozem in the conditions of northern exposure of the ravine, the lowest – meadow-forest soil of thalweg, and forest chernozem in the conditions of southern exposure occupies an intermediate value. The eluvial horizons of ravine edaphotopes differ most contrastingly from the illuvial horizons in the conditions of northern and southern exposures. Eluvial horizons are characterized by a reduced fraction content of > 10 mm and increased values ​​of the structural coefficient compared to illuvial horizons. In the thalweg, these differences are not so clear. The upper horizons have an increased content of water-resistant fraction size > 5 mm compared to the horizons below. With depth in all studied edaphotopes there is an increase in the content of the fraction size < 0.25 mm with depth. Among the upper horizons, the highest content of water-resistant fraction size > 5 mm and the lowest content of fraction < 0.25 mm differs meadow-forest soil in thalweg conditions. Very close to the meadow-forest soil in terms of the values ​​of the respective fractions is forest chernozem in the conditions of northern exposure. Forest chernozem in the conditions of southern exposure differs by the lowest content of water-resistant fraction size > 5 mm and the highest content of fraction size < 0.25 mm among all studied soils. Eluvial horizons of forest chernozems of northern and southern exposures differ from illuvial horizons by reduced content of water-resistant fractions of > 5 and 5–3 mm. The eluvial horizons of the meadow-forest soil of the thalweg differ from the illuvial horizon by a sharp decrease in the content of the water-resistant fraction of 1–0.5 mm. A comparative analysis of the structural and aggregate composition of the studied edaphotopes revealed that the best conditions for the formation of agronomically valuable fractions are characteristic of the forest chernozem of the northern exposure. As a result of comparing the characteristics of eluvial and illuvial horizons, it was found that the change of eluvial process to illuvial is accompanied by a sharp decrease in forest chernozems content of agronomically valuable fractions during dry sieving, as well as an increase in water resistance. In meadow-forest soils, this transition is characterized by a sharp decrease in the content of agronomically valuable fractions in the illuvial horizon during wet sieving compared to the eluvial horizon.

Sigmoid Volvulus in a Neonate with Anorectal Malformation: A Case Report

Background: Sigmoid volvulus in the neonate is an extremely rare condition needing emergency treatment. Sporadic cases of neonatal sigmoid volvulus and some in association with Hirschsprung’s disease have been documented. Sigmoid volvulus has been described only twice in the literature in association with anorectal malformation. However, newborns with anorectal malformations might be especially at risk for sigmoid volvulus due to increased intraluminal intestinal weight caused by bowel obstruction and its existence might be underreported. Case presentation: This is the case report of a full-term neonate with trisomy 21 who was diagnosed with anorectal malformation upon birth. An abdominal X-ray on his second day of life showed typical radiological findings of sigmoid volvulus as described by the radiologist. However, the findings were interpreted as a dilated rectosigmoid sling typical for anorectal malformation by the surgeon and a transverse loop colostomy was placed. On the fourth postoperative day sigmoid perforation occurred and led to meconium peritonitis and septic shock. An emergency laparotomy was performed and a perforation at the distal sigmoid colon was found. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to raise awareness as to the existence of sigmoid volvulus in the neonate with anorectal malformations. The distinct radiological findings of the “coffee bean sign”, the “northern exposure sign” and an empty rectum allow to distinguish the extremely rare sigmoid volvulus from the common finding of a dilated rectosigmoid in patients with anorectal malformations. Detorsion of sigmoid volvulus is vital to preventing sigmoid perforation.

Установление опорного значения удельной активности цезия-137 на распахиваемых склонах в перигляциальной области бассейна Верхней Оки: применение спутниковых снимков, ГИС и агрохимических показателей почвы

The paper deals with the issues of determining the reference value of specific activity of cesium-137 of Chernobyl origin when applying the radiocesium method to assess the loss of gray forest soil in the areas of spread of the microrelief of paleocryogenic origin in the periglacial region of the upper Oka basin. Paleocryogenic microrelief is recognized in spring satellite imagery available on Google EarthTM. The necessity of choosing a reference plot for a specific field that differs in microrelief, exposure, and the nature of soil cultivation is substantiated. The authors analyze the data, which they obtained during the field research in 2016-2019, on three agricultural fields located on the arable slopes of the northern and southern exposure in the upper Oka basin within the Orel district of the Orel Region. Three experimental plots, selected in close proximity to one another, differed both in exposure and in the content of humus, labile phosphorus and radiocaesium in the arable layer. Layer-by-layer soil sampling at block elevations within the reference plots located on watershed surfaces, gamma-spectrometric and agrochemical analyzes of soil samples allowed us to draw a number of systematically important conclusions. The first is that the reference value of radiocaesium in the arable layer should be determined within block elevations on the watershed surface of the slope or on inter-valley micro-water divisions on the water-divide surface (if it is not possible to select a reference plot on the watershed surface). The second is that the dimensions of the reference plots are determined by the size of the block elevations (the sizes of blocks in the area under study are 10-20 m). The third is that the reference value of radiocaesium should be determined individually for each field that differs in exposure and in the nature of the soil treatment. In the experimental plot, the reference value of the specific activity of cesium-137 increases in the following order: a field located on the water-divide surface of the northern exposure slope, with a grain rotation, with regular fertilizing (130.5 Bq/kg) — a field located on the watershed surface of the eroded slope southern exposure (174.7 Bq/kg) — a field located on the water-divide surface of a less fertilized and less eroded slope of the northern exposure (180 Bq/kg). The results of the study show that the use of the radiocaesium method in periglacial areas requires testing a fundamentally new approach to its implementation: at the stage of determining the reference value of radiocaesium, it is necessary to take into account the polygonal-block structure of the watershed surfaces.

Do Diversity and Bio-morphological Spectrum of Psammophytes Matter in Restoring Vegetation of Sand Pits?

Open mining of sand is executed in the sand pits. After completion of the work sand pits are usually recultivated: firstly they are graded and then planted with trees and shrubs, but very often sand pits are abandoned to regenerate themselves. The sand pit becomes a source of dust and a hardly healed wound on the earth’s body. In order to provide an adequate revegetation on such substrates, it is necessary to study biomorphological peculiarities of growing plants in a very specific environment characterized by high stiffness of slopes and high mobility of the substrate. The material for our study collected from Moscow Region sand pits in the Russian federation. Plants were collected from both northern and southern exposure slopes. Our work is based on the geobotanical descriptions made according to standard method on experimental sites of 5x5 m2. The results of the undertaken shows that Compositae, Gramineae, Fabaceae are the most representative of the surveyed one hundred twenty seven species of higher vascular plants from 29 families. Diversity on the southern slopes was more than on the northern ones. Species diversity is determined by the successions occurring spontaneously after a rough anthropogenic intervention, under the influence of such environmental factors as lighting, moisture, texture and richness of soil. The spectrum of life forms showed that the overwhelming majority according to K. Raunkiru are hemicryptophytes. Perennial herbaceous polycarpics are dominant in the spectrum of life forms, according to I.G. Serebryakov.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ БИОХИМИЧЕСКОГО СОСТАВА БЕРЕЗЫ ПОВИСЛОЙ (BETULA PENDULA ROTH.) В УСЛОВИЯХ ТЕХНОГЕННОЙ СРЕДЫ

The results of studies of the peculiarities of the biochemical composition of silver birch, taking into account the exposure of the crown of a tree in the conditions of a large industrial centre of Naberezhnye Chelny (Republic of Tatarstan) are presented. The multivariate variance analysis of the research results showed that the studied parameters in the leaves of silver birch were significantly influenced by a complex of growing conditions, the growing season, exposure of the location of leaves and the interaction of these factors. In the main plantations in the leaves of the northern exposure, a higher concentration of ascorbic acid was noted during the entire period of active vegetation of plants, while the activity of ascorbate oxidase, on the contrary, was higher in the leaves of the southern exposure in June and July. In the plantations of sanitary protection zones of industrial enterprises and main plantations (July, August), a higher content of tannins in the leaves of the northern exposure was noted, compared to the leaves of the southern exposure. The activity of polyphenol oxidase in June in Sanzone plants in the leaves of northern exposure was the highest; in other cases, no significant differences were found. The investigated substances are important elements of the network of metabolic reactions of the antioxidant plant defense system aimed at compensating for the negative impact of the aggregate of air pollutants.

BIODIVERSITY OF HALOPHYTES IN SEMI-ARID REGIONS CASE OF ZAHREZ GHARBI AND ZAHREZ CHERGUI (ZAAFRANE-DJELFA) IN ALGERIA

Ponte Academic JournalNov 2020, Volume 76, Issue 11 BIODIVERSITY OF HALOPHYTES IN SEMI-ARID REGIONS CASE OF ZAHREZ GHARBI AND ZAHREZ CHERGUI (ZAAFRANE-DJELFA) IN ALGERIAAuthor(s): Senni Rachida ,De Belair Gerard, Abdelkrim HaceneJ. Ponte - Nov 2020 - Volume 76 - Issue 11 doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2020.11.13 Abstract:Description of the subject: The study of the vegetal diversity of the wetlands of Zahrez Gharbi, Zahrez chergui, by subjective sampling and location of vegetation survey stations has made it possible to better understand this concept. Objective: In this study, the halophilic flora is the subject of a particular comment given the importance of salty environments that deserve attention because they represent a legacy of heritage interest and a camel grazing much sought after. Methods: For the characterization of the vegetation units, the phytoecological method has been chosen and will make it possible to evaluate the floristic diversity by analyzing the chorological and biological spectra to which the different inventoried units and species relate.The analysis of the vegetation involves first a floristic inventory followed by an exploitation of the floristic records. We carried out floristic surveys during the field campaigns from 2003 to 2012.The selection of the surveys is based on subjective sampling that takes into account the structure of the vegetation. Results:The statistical analysis by correspondence analysis under Statistica (6) for a data matrix of 170 surveys and 130 species shows three sets. The eigenvalues range from 0.203 to 0.387 and the inertia rates from 3.488 to 6.068%.The contribution of the first five axes to the inertia of the point cloud is 33,944, the characterization of the groupings specified that the group 1 is characterized by the surveys carried out in the sandy soils according to the factorial plane 1-2 represented by the dominance of Thymelea microphylla, Stipa tenacissima, with a dominant northern exposure with an average vegetation cover of 30%. Group 2 collects the surveys carried out on the salty soils with north-west exposure; it is the vegetation specific to the chott, grouping of Hyperhalophils with Halocnemum strobilaceum, Arthrocnemum indicum, presenting a medium recovery of vegetation of 20%. Group 3 includes salty soil surveys with southern exposure. This is the grouping of halophiles on hydromorphic soils at Juncusmaritimus. It is represented by Spergularia salina, Peganum harmala, Bellis annua, Arthrophytum scoparium, Atriplex halimus, with a recovery of 32%. The Shannon index (H ') and regularity (R) are respectively of the order of 2.05 and 0.33. This shows that individuals are distributed in a heterogeneous way. As for the regularity, it is 0.33, lower than the average. The rate of Cham�phytes observed in groups 1 and 3 remains slightly high with a respective percentage of 31.49% and 32.82%. Therophytes are dominant in groups 1 and 2.The analysis of this biological diversity underlined the role of annual species within these formations, in particular (Th�rophytes 39%). For the chorological level, the Mediterranean held the first place with (42%), followed by the Saharo-Arabique region (20%), and the multi-regional (12%). Conclusion: The results of this study explain the interpretation of the vegetation by the relevance factors that permitted to define the affinities between the different groups, the impact of anthropic action was widely expressed by degradation and rapid substitution of the rug vegetal species. Future prospects: These species deserve special attention, they represent a heritage, they need protection and preservation of their habitat, if no conservation measures are taken, we can help a beginning of substitution of some species by others, or their final disappearance and this will lead to desertification. Download full text:Check if you have access through your login credentials or your institution Username Password

БЕРЁЗОВЫЕ ЛЕСА С УЧАСТИЕМ RHODODENDRON CAUCASICUM (ERICACEAE) В ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОЙ И ВОСТОЧНОЙ ЧАСТЯХ СЕВЕРНОГО КАВКАЗА

Birch forests from Betula litwinowii and Betula raddeana of the Northern macroslope of the Greater Caucasus with participation of Rhododendron caucasicum in the undergrowth are discussed in the article. The studies were carried out in 2017–2020 at the territory of Karachay-Cherkessia (Teberda State Natural Biosphere Reserve), Kabardino-Balkaria (Kabardino-Balkarian State High Mountain Reserve) and the Republic of Dagestan (Lak and Gunib districts, near the villages Burshi and Batsada). The characteristics of the growing conditions, analysis of the species and coenotic composition of communities are given. Birch forests with Rh. caucasicum are usually confined to the steep slopes of the northern exposure at the upper border of the forest belt, at an altitude of 1500–2800 m above sea level. The described communities can be divided into two groups depending on abundance and, consequently, influence Rh. caucasicum as an edificator. In the described communities there is a clear inverse correlation between the abundance of Rh. caucasicum with the projective cover of the grass-dwarf shrub layer. At the same time, the number of species in the grass-dwarf shrub layer doesn’t change significantly. The species composition of birch forests with the participation of Rh. caucasicum identified by us comprises 246 species of vascular plants. The herb-dwarf shrub layer is characterized by a relatively low species richness (on average, 26 species per sample plot). In these communities there are both characteristic forest species and representatives of subal-pine and, less often, alpine coenoses. Further study of communities of birch forests, which play sig-nificant water protection role, slope-holding and avalanche-barrier functions, is important for determining their current state, possible directions of changes, and assessing the need for protective measures in different regions.

ГЕОФИЗИЧЕСКИЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ ВНУТРЕННЕГО СТРОЕНИЯ ГЛЯЦИАЛЬНО-МЕРЗЛОТНЫХ КАМЕННЫХ ОБРАЗОВАНИЙ ЦЕНТРАЛЬНОГО АЛТАЯ

C помощью комплекса методов электротомографии и георадиолокационного зондирования установлена глубина залегания и оценена мощность каменно-ледяных ядер, а также прослежена взаимосвязь морфологии поверхности и внутреннего строения гляциально-мерзлотных каменных образований Центрального Алтая.

Large-scale mapping and analysis of changes in contemporary landscapes over a 50-year period in the key area "Bogdaia", northwestern Rila Mountains

Maps of contemporary landscapes for 1966, 1980, 1997 and 2016 in key area "Bogdaia" have been made by processing and visual interpretation of historical aerial photographs and recent satellite imagery. The identified changes in the study area show that there is a clear trend of increasing the area of forest landscapes and decreasing the area of grass landscapes which are of secondary origin. For the same period, the transitional forest-shrub landscapes show fluctuations without a clear trend. The restoration of natural forest landscapes is explained by the changed land use and the almost complete lack of grazing in recent years. The process of natural forest landscapes restoration is more active in the coniferous landscape belt and on slopes with northern exposure while in the lower deciduous belt and on slopes with southern exposure component it is slower.

Electrophysical characteristics and dielectric constant of soils of northern natural forests of Ukrainian steppe zone

Currently in soil science the search for new methods and technologies for soil research is relevant, which in a short time allows to receive a large amount of information about its condition with the lowest financial cost. Methods for determining electrophysical parameters and dielectric constant of soils are conforming to these requirements. As a result of the investigations, it was found that the upper horizons of the soils of Glubokiy ravine, located in the Ukrainian steppe zone (Novomoskovsk district, Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine), differ to lower values of electrical resistance and dielectric constant compared to the lower horizons. The upper horizons are characterized by increased values of electrical conductivity, mineralization and salinity compared with the lower horizons. Sudden changes in the values of all investigated parameters at the boundary of the eluvial and illuvial horizons were found in Luvic phaeozem of northern exposition of ravine and in Luvic gleyic phaeozem of thalweg. In the Luvic phaeozem of the forest northern exposure of the ravine and in the Luvic gleyic phaeozem of the leveled area of the ravine, sharp changes were found in the values of all the investigated parameters at the boundary of the eluvial and illuvial horizons. In the eluvial horizons of Luvic phaeozem, which bordering on the illuvial horizons, a sharp increase in the dielectric constant is observed. The upper horizons of Calcic chernozem of the northern ravine exposition are characterized by increased values of electrical resistance, electrical conductivity and dielectric constant, as well as lower values of mineralization and salinity compared to the upper horizons of Calcic chernozem of the southern ravine exposition. The upper horizons of the Luvic phaeozem of the forest north exposition of the ravine are characterized by higher values of electrical resistance and dielectric constant compared to the upper horizons of the Luvic phaeozem of the forest south exposition of the ravine. In terms of electrical conductivity, mineralization and salinity, Luvic phaeozems practically don’t differ. The upper horizons of Luvic phaeozems are characterized by lower values of electrical resistance and dielectric constant, as well as higher values of electrical conductivity, mineralization and salinity compared to Calcic chernozems. The results obtained indicate that the highest content of organic matter and water-soluble compounds, as well as the best structurally-aggregate composition, and also the best structural-aggregate composition is characteristic of forest chernozem. This is due to the one that formed on the southern exposition of the ravine and which is characterized by the lowest values of dielectric constant and electrical resistance, as well as the highest values of electrical conductivity, mineralization and salinity.

Habitat selection of Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) displaying males: Case from Rila Mountain, Bulgaria

Current habitat management of the peripheral, regionally unique, and isolated Balkan capercaillie Tetrao urogallus rudolfi Dombrowski, 1912 meta-population in Bulgaria is based on obsolete knowledge of the spatial requirements of the species. Thus, we studied the habitat availability and the patterns of use by Capercaillie adult males, at the home range scale to inform and contribute to the conservation-oriented management of the threatened subspecies and its habitats. The field study was conducted during 2014–2015 in the northeastern part of Rila Mtn., Southwestern Bulgaria. Using GPS tags (“Bird 2A”, e-obs Digital Telemetry, Grünwald, Germany), a total of 38,640 GPS fixes from 3 displaying males, associated with one lek were gained. On this basis, we calculated annual and seasonal Minimum Convex Polygons (MCP), traditionally used as a measure of the maximum area of activity. Capercaillie habitat preference was computed using Manly’s habitat selection ratios (w), design III, combined with 90% Bonferroni simultaneous confidence intervals. To calculate habitat selection, we determined surface (Steepness and Exposure), forest stand succession and vegetation cover categorical variables. The habitat and surface layers was rasterized into 8 m square pixels. At the home range (MCP) scale, tagged roosters used vegetation cover non-randomly (annual: Khi2L=5738.89, df=14, p<0.001; winter: Khi2L=3773.28, df=13, p<0.001; summer: Khi2L=3646.32, df=14, p<0.001), and preferred forests dominated by Scots pine and Macedonian pine, such as the annual selection of Scots pine and summer selection of Macedonian pine are significantly different. In terms of forest stage succession, roosters used forest stages non-randomly (annual: Khi2L=3492.57, df=8, p<0.001; winter: Khi2L=2075.18, df=8, p<0.001; summer: Khi2L=1670.1, df=6, p<0.001), and demonstrated clear avoidance of forests stands in age classes: “0 to 40” and “41 to 80” years within the summer and annual ranges. The roosters demonstrated significant preference for southeastern exposure during the winter and annually, and significant overall avoidance of northern exposure, as well as avoidance of north-eastern aspect during the winter and south aspect during the summer (annual: Khi2L=4671.87, df=18, p<0.001; winter: Khi2L=3909.04, df=16, p<0.001; summer: hi2L=3095.84, df=18, p<0.001). The slope class “63.1 to 73o” was not used. In the summer, Capercaillie males significantly preferred slopes within the class “27.1 to 36o” and avoided the classes “0 to 9o”, “9.1 to 18o” and “54.1 to 63o”. The birds also demonstrated significant avoidance of flat terrains within the “0 to 9o” class annually (annual: Khi2L=608.24, df=17, p<0.001; winter: Khi2L=1148.37, df=16, p<0.001; summer: Khi2L=906.54, df=17, p<0.001).

The morphogenesis of erosional valleys in the slopes of the Drwęca valley and the properties of their colluvial infills

Abstract The article characterises Late Glacial and Holocene deposits and provides a morphometric analysis of erosional and denudation valleys in the slope and terraces of the Drwęca Valley near Jajkowo village, a few kilometres east of Brodnica. A detailed field mapping was used to identify in detail two such forms within the western slope of the Drwęca Valley. Based on the results, it was found that the longitudinal profiles of these forms are not aligned (with an inclination of approximately 4˚). The slopes of valley I are asymmetrical, with the southern slope being milder than the northern exposure, which is not the case with form II. Form I is narrower and has a V-shaped cross profile, while II is wider and has a trough-shaped profile cross profile. The side valleys were initially cut by the flow of what were most probably meltwaters and precipitation water from the moraine plateau, then the erosion stopped and the valleys gradually filled and widened mainly as a result of rinsing and mass movements, which may have been increased by man. Currently, forestry use is significantly reducing the activity of slope processes and rinsing. The sediments that fill the bottoms of these forms are usually consist of silt or sandy lithofacies with massive, streaky or deformation horizons. They are characterised by a significant enrichment in organic matter which is typical for colluvial deposits of young glacial areas. The relatively high pH values result from the investigated erosional forms intersecting into sediments rich in calcium carbonate. Moreover, groundwater flowing from the moraine plateau may also be the source of basic components.