Northwestern Caucasus Research Articles

Content of Humus Compounds in Soils of Secondary Forests and Sub-Mediterranean Steppes of the Northwestern Caucasus (by the Example of the Gruzinka Ridge)

Content of Humus Compounds in Soils of Secondary Forests and Sub-Mediterranean Steppes of the Northwestern Caucasus (by the Example of the Gruzinka Ridge)

Биологическая активность горных почв Западного Кавказа после сведения леса

A study of a set of indicators characterizing the ecological state of forest soils in the mountains of the North-Western Caucasus under broad-leaved and mixed forests has been conducted. The aim of the study has been to assess changes in the biological activity of soils of different genesis after deforestation. The objects of the study have been rendzina, gray forest and gray forest-steppe soils of forest and disturbed ecosystems of the Republic of Adugeya at altitudes from 500 to 1635 m above sea level. Logging plots of different ages (from 10 to 40 years old) after deforestation have been considered. The analyzed indicators have included: the content of total and active carbon, the activity of soil enzymes (catalase, invertase, dehydrogenase, urease, phosphatase), the number of bacteria, as well as an integral index of the biological properties of the soil. The correlation of these indicators with hydrothermal conditions, density of soil structure, penetration resistance, medium reaction, hydrolytic acidity, total absorbed bases and other soil parameters has been evaluated. The level of biological activity of soils in logging areas in the low mountains of Adygea depends on the relief and the timing of restoration after deforestation. Even after several decades of restoration of woody vegetation on the slopes of 12–15° there is no complete return of biological activity to the values of Greyic Phaeozem Eutric of the background forest area. 40 years after logging, the integral index of biological properties of gray forest soil is still 17 % lower than in the control plot. The biological activity of post-forest soils can change in three main directions. On steep slopes, with severe disturbance of the soil and vegetation cover due to the operation of heavy machinery, the integral index of the biological properties of soils decreases by 25–40 % or more without a tendency to recovery. At an average level of disturbance in plots with slight slopes, after an initial decrease, the soils are restored to control values. Restorative successions with intensive development of herbaceous flora and the turf process with slight disturbance can lead to an increase in biological activity above the control values in just 2–3 years. Comprehensive biodiognostic studies using an integral index of the biological state of the soil have revealed, in general, increased stability of low-mountain terrain soils (gray forest and forest-steppe) compared to the soils of the middle mountains of Adygea (rendzina soils). The main degradation factor that reduces the biological activity of soils disturbed by logging is erosion.

МАГИЧЕСКОЕ ОРУЖИЕ ГЕРОЕВ ЭПОСА «НАРТЫ»

The article examines the archaic cult of the god of iron and the patron saint of metal Tlepsh, the emergence of metallurgy, the creation of the first weapons and armor made of metal, which are reflected in the Adyghe heroic epic Narts. The relevance of the article is due to the fact that the heroic epic Narts is almost not considered in the scientific literature as a source of information for the study of objects and tools, the creation of the first weapon, the addition of a complex of weapons and armor of horsemen. The purpose of the study is to compare the weapons of the heroes of the Nart epic, endowed with magical properties, having certain qualitative characteristics, technological features of manufacture, with the materials of archaeological sites of the Northwestern Caucasus. To achieve these goals, a comparative historical research method was used to determine the features of the origin and composition of various types of offensive and defensive weapons, reflecting the stages of development of blacksmithing and weapons production in a historical context. The transformation of the Chthonic «fire» god into the patron saint of iron and blacksmithing of the nart Tlepsha translates in the legends of the Nart epic the historical and economic prerequisites for the origin of metalworking in the Early Iron Age, the creation of the first tools and weapons of the sleds, which became models for creating the best defensive and offensive weapons in Eurasia. The archaeological sites of the Northwestern Caucasus confirm the continuous development of metallurgy and metalworking since ancient times and the creation of highly artistic bronze, gold, and silver products. The initiated research on this topic has a long–term perspective and requires continued work on the study of the original texts of the Adyghe heroic epic «Narts» for comparison with archaeological artifacts found in the Northwestern Caucasus.

Theoretical and experimental modeling of geodynamiс processes in uplift slopes

The flow structure created in a viscous medium at a constant inclination angle of the free surface of the uplift slope is analyzed. The velocity field in a high-viscosity uplift slope is determined under conditions of a horizontal pressure gradient. This pressure gradient occurs when the slope height decreases with distance from the main ridge. With a constant dynamic viscosity of the uplift slope, the flow velocity in it decreases with distance from the axis of the main ridge. In this case, the uplift slope is in conditions of compressive stresses, the consequence of which are thrusts and compression folds. Tensile stresses in the uplift slope exist with an increase in the flow velocity in the layer with distance from the main ridge axis. The flow velocity increases with decreasing viscosity of the layer with distance from the main ridge. The viscosity distribution on the base of the uplift slope at a distance from the axis of the main ridge is determined using the tension condition in the uplift slope. Expressions are presented for the forces causing the formation of a disruption between the blocks of the uplift slope. The magnitudes of these forces are estimated. A relation representing the condition for the formation of a disruption between the blocks is obtained. The formation of disruptions is governed by the change in viscosity along the uplift slope and the change in the flow velocity in it. When the disruption between the uplift slope is formed, free vertical boundaries of the blocks appear. The motion of a highly viscous liquid during the formation of a free vertical boundary of the block has been studied experimentally when the liquid flows out from a rectangular vessel. The experiments have revealed two outflow regimes: (i) the regime of constant thickness of the liquid layer; (ii) the regime of decreasing layer thickness. On the basis of experimental modeling the time of the first period after the formation of the slope rupture and the formation of the free volume between the blocks is estimated. During this period the height of the layer (slope) is practically constant and the layer length increases. The process of filling the free volume between the blocks with a high-viscosity slope material is considered. As the modeling shows, the filling rate of the free volume between the diverging blocks of the uplift slope is much higher than the formation rate of the free volume between these blocks. The parameters of the uplift slope blocks are determined. Among these parameters are block viscosity, slope height, flow velocity and forces acting on the blocks. The time-varying structure of the surface of the uplift slope is presented. There is a qualitative correspondence between the modeling results and the profile of the uplift slope for the north-western Caucasus.

New species of Kontrimavichusia Makarikov & Binkienė, 2022 (Eucestoda: Hymenolepididae) from arvicoline rodents (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from the North Caucasus

Two previously unrecognized species attributable to the genus Kontrimavichusia Makarikov & Binkienė, 2022 in arvicoline rodents from the North Caucasus are described. Kontrimavichusia testiculata sp. nov. is described from Microtus majori (Thomas, 1906) from the northwestern Caucasus (Republic of Adygeya and Karachay-Cherkess Republic, Russia) and Kontrimavichusia hobergi sp. nov. is described from Microtus daghestanicus (Shidlovsky, 1919) from the central Caucasus (Republic of North Ossetia, Russia). Kontrimavichusia testiculata is readily distinguishable from K. asymmetrica (Janicki, 1904) and K. hobergi in having a larger number of testes (4–6 per proglottis), larger suckers and a longer cirrus and cirrus-sac. In addition, the new species differs from its congeners by the position of the cirrus-sac with regard to the poral osmoregulatory canals and position of distal end of the rostellar pouch relative to the posterior margins of the suckers. Kontrimavichusia hobergi can be readily distinguished from its congeners by the arrangement of the testes in a triangle and the position of the cirrus-sac with regard to the poral osmoregulatory canals. In addition, this previously unrecognized species differs from K. asymmetrica and K. testiculata by the smaller dimensions of the fully developed strobila and a narrower ovary. The cirrus-sac of K. hobergi is larger than that in K. asymmetrica but smaller than that in K. testiculata. We also used partial sequences of the nuclear ribosomal 28S rRNA gene and mitochondrial nad1 gen to justify the generic arrangement and independent status of these two new species which are characterized in the current manuscript.

Sedimentation conditions and conservation properties of clay deposits of the Lower Cretaceous of the Northwestern Caucasus

Sedimentation conditions and conservation properties of clay deposits of the Lower Cretaceous of the Northwestern Caucasus

Правила переселения народов Северо-Западного и Центрального Кавказа в Османскую им-перию в российских документах 2-й половины XIX века

The rules intended to regulate the emigration of peoples of the Northwestern and Central Caucasus to the Ottoman Empire in the 2nd half of the 19th century are contained mainly in the office doc-umentation of Russian military and administrative bodies: the administrations of the Caucasian Military District, the Main headquarters of the Caucasian Army, the headquarters of the troops of the Kuban region, the administrations of the chiefs of the Kabardin and Natukhai districts, the administrations of the Lower Kuban cordon line, the Maykop fortification, etc. (reports, letters, prescriptions, reviews, relations, conditions). The content of the paragraphs of many documents in this group is the same. The rules established for groups and individuals preparing to move to the Ottoman Empire a time frame, points for obtaining foreign passports and departure, routes and conditions for their movement in the Caucasus, conditions for their sale of livestock, etc. A num-ber of documents contain the conditions under which Russian merchants were obliged to transport Circassians from the Caucasian to the Ottoman coast of Black Sea. A number of documents also say that military officials demanded that their subordinates speed up the emigration of the Circas-sians. The prescription of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the envoy to the Ottoman Empire (dated July 19, 1861) contains the positions and mutual demands of the Ottoman and Rus-sian governments on the issue of the resettlement of Caucasian Muslims to the Ottoman Empire, as well as the some legal aspects of this process. The content of the rules for regulating the migration of peoples of the Northwestern Cauca-sus to the Ottoman Empire in subsequent periods, in general, coincides with the content of such rules of the late 50s – 60s XIX century.

Morphological Variability in Micoquian Convergent Tools: A Case Study in Mezmaiskaya Cave, Northwestern Caucasus

ABSTRACT The northwestern Caucasus is part of the Eastern Micoquian cultural area. The Micoquian assemblages in this region include tool types that are defined as small broad handaxes, Mousterian points, convergent and angled scrapers, and rare limaces. All these types represent the group of convergent tools that are defined by two basic elements: two convergent retouched edges. The focus of this study is to investigate the significance of morphological variability among convergent tools characteristic to the Eastern Micoquian. We undertook a morphometric analysis of 188 convergent tools from Mezmaiskaya Cave. The results indicated five tool groups.

LEAF FUNCTIONAL TRAITS AND STRATEGIES OF PLANTS IN SUBALPINE CALAMAGROSTIS MEADOWS OF THE NORTH-WESTERN CAUCASUS

The analysis of plant functional traits and strategies is the main direction to study the formation mechanisms of the composition and structure of plant communities. Comparison of the mean species trait values with a random sample of a local fl ora allows us to determine the importance of the trait for the plant community formation. Comparison of mean and weighted mean shows the role of the trait in dominance. The aim of this work was to study the role of leaf functional traits and the contribution of Grime’s CSR strategies in the formation of Calamagrostis subalpine meadows, which are the most widespread in the north-western Caucasus. The aboveground biomass in these communities is 384 ± 21 g/m2 (mean and standard error of the mean), the mass of litter of previous years is 393 ± 40 g/m2. The share of grasses in the community is 57,1 ± 2,9%, forbs - 32,9 ± 2,6%, legumes - 8,9 ± 1,4%, sedges and rushes - 1 ± 0,3%. The three species can be considered as dominants: Calamagrostis arundinacea (26,5% of the total phytomass), Festuca varia (23,3%), Hedysarum caucasicum (8%). The dominants of community have a high leaf dry mass, a lower leaf water content, a smaller specifi c leaf area. The community components are characterized by a lower mass of the water-saturated leaf and dry matter content, and a higher specifi c leaf area. Dominants and components in the community are characterized by a greater contribution of the stress-tolerant strategy

Isolation, identification and quantification of flavonoids from the flowers of <i>Staphylea pinnata</i> L.

Introduction. Search for new plant species containing biologically active substances (hereinafter – BAS) is one of the leading tasks of pharmacognosy as a science. The search for flavonoid glycosides in plant raw materials is especially relevant, since they have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunostimulating, as well as weak fungicidal and bacteriostatic action. Staphylea pinnata L. is an endemic plant of the Caucasus, cultivated not only in Georgia, but also in the Russian Federation in the Northern and Northwestern Caucasus. In foreign literature there are studies of antioxidant, antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity of leaf extracts of several species of S. pinnata L., as well as inhibitory activity of COX-1, COX-2 and LTB4 formation. Meanwhile, no serious Russian-language scientific studies on either the chemical composition or pharmacological action of generative organs of S. pinnata were found in the literature. This work is part of a comprehensive phytochemical study of S. pinnata. The aim of the work is to study the qualitative and quantitative composition of flavonoids in the studied object.Aim. To isolate, identify and quantify flavonoids in flowers and buds of Staphylea pinnata L.Materials and methods. Alcohol-water extracts from dried generative organs of the studied plant were used as analyzed solutions. Solutions were analyzed on a spectrophotometer SF-2000 (LLC "OKB Spectr", Russia) after sample preparation with aluminum chloride and on an HPLC Nexera-i LC-2040 (Shimadzu Corporation, Japan) equipped with a column and sample thermostat, degasser and autosampler using an individually selected elution gradient of the mobile phase (0.1 % orthophosphoric acid/acetonitrile solution). The primary data were processed using LabSolutions Single LC software (Shimadzu Corporation, Japan). Compounds from the flavonoid group were identified by retention times. Detection was carried out using a UV detector with an absorption wavelength of 365 ± 2 nm.Result and discussion. Alcohol-water extracts from flowers and buds of S. pinnata L. were obtained. Quantitative evaluation by spectrophotometry for flavonoid content was carried out. A gradient elution mode for HPLC was selected for simultaneous determination of 7 flavonoid glycosides. These chromatographic conditions allowed the identification and quantification of astragaline, cynaroside, cosmosiin, narcissin and rutin in flowers and buds of Staphylea pinnata L. Flavonoid glycosides: raponticin and kaempferol were not detected.Conclusion. Flavonoid glycosides were isolated from the generative organs of S. pinnata L., a technique for quantitative determination of flavonoid glycosides in alcohol-water extracts was developed, astragalin, cynaroside, cosmosiin, narcissin and rutin were detected and quantified.

The Cretaceous–Paleogene Boundary in the Shapsug Section (Southern Slope of the Northwestern Caucasus)

The Cretaceous–Paleogene Boundary in the Shapsug Section (Southern Slope of the Northwestern Caucasus)

Agrobacterium Transformation of Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) KUNTZE): A Small Experiment with Great Prospects.

Tea has historically been one of the most popular beverages, and it is currently an economically significant crop cultivated in over 50 countries. The Northwestern Caucasus is one of the northernmost regions for industrial tea cultivation worldwide. The domestication of the tea plant in this region took approximately 150 years, during which plantations spreading from the Ozurgeti region in northern Georgia to the southern city of Maykop in Russia. Consequently, tea plantations in the Northern Caucasus can serve as a source of unique genotypes with exceptional cold tolerance. Tea plants are known to be recalcitrant to Agrobacterium-mediated transfection. Research into optimal transfection and regeneration methodologies, as well as the identification of tea varieties with enhanced transformation efficiency, is an advanced strategy for improving tea plant culture. The aim of this study was to search for the optimal Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transfection protocol for the Kolkhida tea variety. As a result of optimizing the transfection medium with potassium phosphate buffer at the stages of pre-inoculation, inoculation and co-cultivation, the restoration of normal morphology and improvement in the attachment of Agrobacterium cells to the surface of tea explants were observed by scanning electron microscopy. And an effective method of high-efficiency Agrobacteria tumefaciens-mediated transfection of the best local tea cultivar, Kolkhida, was demonstrated for the first time.

Ignatenkov Kutok: a Lower Palaeolithic Locality on the Psekups River in the Foothills of the Northwestern Caucasus. New Data

Ignatenkov Kutok: a Lower Palaeolithic Locality on the Psekups River in the Foothills of the Northwestern Caucasus. New Data

Этноконфессиональные аспекты существования церковной кафедры Таматархи Зихийской в XI в.

The article attempts to examine the history of the Zich Archbishopric of Tamatarcha in the XI century in the con-text of ethno-confessional relations that developed between the autochthonous population and Russian settlers who arrived on the Taman Peninsula due to the formation of the principality of Tmutarakan, ruled by Russian dukes. The major scientific problem, which gave rise to a number of contradictory hypotheses and assumptions in modern science, is the question of the jurisdictional affiliation of the church organization of Tamatarcha in the so-called “Russian period” in the XI century. For the purposes of the study, the main facts of the Russian ethnic presence in Taman in the XI century are considered: the peculiarities of the exercise of princely power; relations with the autochthonous population and neighboring tribes of the northwestern Caucasus; relations between the Russian princes and the church community of Tamatarcha, for which in 1022 Prince Mstislav Vla-dimirovich built a votive church of the Mother of God. Particular attention is paid in the work to the Russian church hierarchy in Tmutarakan, among which the personalities of the Monk Nikon of Pechersk and Bishop Nicholas of Tmutarakan, who was the ruling bishop of the Zich diocese during a certain period, are singled out. The ecclesiastical administration of the Tamatarch diocese in the 2nd half of the XI century is studied in the context of the state-confessional policy of the “triumvirate of the Yaroslavichs” – the leading political group of Old Russian dukes in this period.

Depositional palaeoenvironment of the Middle Jurassic (Aalenian) ooidal ironstones in Labino-Malkin zone (north-western Caucasus)

This paper investigates the conditions of formation of the Middle Jurassic iron-bearing strata, in the Labino-Malkin zone in the North-West Caucasus. The mineral composition and geochemical features of the rocks indicate variable conditions of rock formation. The predominance of clay and carbonate minerals in the sedimentary sequence, as well as Ce-anomaly values ranging from 0.9 to 1.4 indicate mainly suboxygenic conditions of sedimentation. Three intervals of anoxia characterised by U, Mo and V enrichment, the presence of siderite and a large amount of pyrite macroframboids, and the formation of phosphorites were identified in the studied section. Oxygen depletion of seawater is the result of upwelling. Formation of oxide minerals was promoted by oxygen saturation of the environment due to sea transgression or meteoric water inflow, which is confirmed by isotope analysis indicators (δ18Ocarb from −11.6‰ to −1.2‰).Eight chemical and two clastic lithofacies were identified based on the mineralogical, geochemical and textural-structural features of the studied strata. Depending on the material input into the basin, different rock types were formed. The constant value of detrital elements Ti and Al indicates a constant input of terrigenous material from the continent. The abundant input of terrigenous material favoured the formation of sandstones and clay minerals. Decomposition of organic matter favoured the formation of limestones and phosphorites due to the input of phosphate- and carbonate-ions into the bottom layers. The presence of iron in seawater favoured the deposition of ironstones. Depending on the level of oxygen and carbon in the bottom environment of the basin, ironstones with siderite, clay or clay-carbonate cement were formed. Calcite and barite contain fluid inclusions of hydrocarbons and hydrogen sulphide gas, indicating the influence of submarine fluids on rock formation. Although the first explorers of the area assumed that the sources of metals come from the continent, the detection of fluid inclusions in the calcite cement, increased content of hydrothermal elements, and the presence of rare minerals such as galena, sphalerite, arsenopyrite, argentotetrahedrite, nugget silver, and coronadite, allows to consider hidden fluid venting as one of the sources of metals for the ooidal ironstones.

Integrated study on the base of the Coniacian Stage in the Caucasus

The continuous Turonian–Coniacian succession, exposed in the Shapsug quarry (northwestern Caucasus) composed of rhythmic carbonate strata of the hemipelagic and pelagic type, have been studied comprehensively. Foraminiferal zones, corresponding to the zonation recognized in the Coniacian Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP), have been identified. Chemostratigraphic (isotope) studies determine the levels of abiotic events traced in this section and in the GSSP for the base of the Coniacian Stage. The Shapsug section may be proposed a possible auxiliary section of the base of the Coniacian for the Russian Federation.

“How Jews Learned Kabardian in One Night”: Mountain Jews’ Language Strategies During the Holocaust in the Northwestern Caucasus

“How Jews Learned Kabardian in One Night”: Mountain Jews’ Language Strategies During the Holocaust in the Northwestern Caucasus

РЕЦЕНЗИЯ НА МОНОГРАФИЮ «МОЛЕВ Е.А., МОЛЕВА Н.В. БОСПОРСКИЙ ГОРОД КИТЕЙ: МОНОГРАФИЯ. ЧАСТЬ III. – НИЖНИЙ НОВГОРОД: ИЗДАТЕЛЬСТВО НИЖЕГОРОДСКОГО ГОСУНИВЕРСИТЕТА, 2022. – 453 c.: С ИЛ., ТАБЛ.»

The review analyzes the monograph by Evgeny Alexandrovich Molev and Natalia Vladimirovna Moleva "The Bosporan city of Kitei: Monograph. Part III", dedicated to the results of excavations in the field seasons 2005-2012 and 2016-2017. The preparation and publication of the fundamental work were the result of many years of research into the ancient city of Kitei. At the time of publi-cation of the monograph, one of the authors of the work, Yevgeny Alexandrovich Molev, passed away. But the debt of memory and respect for the famous Russian archaeologist and antiquarian prompted his colleagues and associates, led by Alexander Valentinovich Makhlayuk, to complete the work and publish it. Evgeny Alexandrovich was a great friend of Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov. After the collapse of the USSR, the eminent Russian scientist made every effort to restore comprehensive ties between Lobachevsky Nizhny Novgorod State University and Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after H.M. Berbekov. This was reflected in the par-ticipation of colleagues in international and all-Russian conferences, the opposition of candidate and doctoral dissertations, in performances as a leading organization, the preparation of reviews of dissertations, monographs and textbooks. For 15 years he was the chairman of the State Attestation Commission in the field of Histo-ry. His high competence and professionalism made it possible to objectively assess the quality of the training of graduate historians, to be on top of the requirements for modern specialists. Evgeny Alexandrovich published his articles in the electronic journal "Kavkazologiya" when he took his first steps. Therefore, we could not remain indifferent to the appearance of the latest monograph by E.A. Molev. The topic studied in the monograph is certainly relevant. For kavkazologists, it is in-teresting because it provides a new layer of knowledge about the interaction in the ancient era of the Greek cities of Bosporus and the Sinds and Meots, which is fully correlated with the identical studies of R.J. Betrozov in the Northwestern Caucasus. The structure of the work is clear and well-founded. The scientific content of the sections is relevant to existing academic standards. The publication deserves the highest appreciation and at-tention of the historical and archaeological community.

АМУЛЕТЫ И ОБЕРЕГИ НАРОДОВ СЕВЕРО-ЗАПАДНОГО КАВКАЗА В СОБРАНИИ РОССИЙСКОГО ЭТНОГРАФИЧЕСКОГО МУЗЕЯ

The article examines objects from the Russian Ethnographic Museum’s collection, the primary purposes of which are protective. The collection of things with defensive or protective properties dates back to the first museum excursions to the Caucasus and is still going on today. Researchers frequently turn to the study of magical activities that are a vital component of traditional socie-ties’ lives. The study discovered that amulets and amulets identical to each other existed in the North-Western Caucasus, regardless of the prevalent religion of the region’s peoples. Items from the REM collection, which represent all forms of amulets and amulets that existed here, are the primary source of work. The article also depends on the works of predecessors devoted to the spir-itual culture of the peoples of the Northwestern Caucasus, as well as field materials gathered by the author throughout many years of anthropological expeditions to the region under investigation. The author concludes that: 1) when creating amulets, the religious affiliation of the peoples of the North-Western Caucasus is of secondary importance; 2) despite belonging to world religions - Is-lam or Christianity - people use individual objects to protect themselves and the space around them from harmful effects; and 3) any object that has been given sacred significance can be used as a protective object. The study’s findings demonstrate the Caucasus as a place where peoples have constantly interacted, resulting in reciprocal enrichment of civilizations.

Критерии выделения плюсовых насаждений в полезащитных лесных полосах на Северо-Западном Кавказе

Field-Protective Forest Belts (FPFB) are one of the leading objects that ensure the preservation of soil fertility and increase the productivity of agricultural land. The appropriate breeding material is needed for their creation. The suitable forest-seeded objects are selected for this purpose, one of them are plus stands (PS). For the selection of PS, it is necessary to develop appropriate requirements taking into account their regional features. The purpose of this work was to set the PS selection criteria for protective afforestation in the North-Western Caucasus. In this regard, the following tasks have been performed: selection of highly productive forest belts from promising species, selection assessment, determining the ratio of individuals of various breeding categories, comparing the results obtained with data from other authors in various conditions. Fifteen sample plots (SP) have been laid in the field-protective forest belts consisting of pedunculate oak (Quércus róbur L.), pseudoacacia robinia (white acacia) (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), lanceolate ash (Fraxinus lanceolata B.), common ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), three-pronged gleditschia (Gleditschia triacanthos L.). Thus, 144 – 572 trees were assessed on each sample plot according to the corresponding regional methodology. The processing of the obtained results was carried out using the licensed program Stadia 8.0/prof. The ratio of plus and normal trees to minus trees was calculated on the selected objects. The plantings with 29% or less of minus trees in the selection inventory are recommended to be selected as plus trees in the region. For a smaller sample size, it is necessary to clarify the proportion of negative trees.