Phytoindication Method Research Articles

The nature of vegetation cover and small mammal community structure (on the example of Nizhny Novgorod)

The spatial distribution of Apodemus species (yellow-necked, field, and small forest mice) was studied on the example of the protected area «Oak forest of National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod Botanical Garden». Twelve plant associations with non-moral character and representing derivatives of the indigenous type of vegetation were studied. Environmental conditions assessed by the Ellenberg phytoindication method affect the distribution of small mammals in space indirectly. The nature of vegetation cover is more significant. When projective cover increases, the abundance of both small woodland and field mice increases. The strategy of Apodemus agrarius appears to be similar to that of Apodemus uralensis, a species that shows stenobiontic traits in the studied PA. At the same time, insignificant anthropogenic load, a marker of which is the presence of Urtica dioica ruderal species, leads to an increase in the mosaic of vegetation cover, which has a positive effect on the abundance of these small mammal species. A moderate increase in the Berger-Parker dominance index for vegetation cover is positively associated with the confinement of micromammals. In addition, in the conditions of the recreational zone of the upland part of N. Novgorod, Apodemus agrarius prefers areas of old-growth broadleaved forest, not showing the features of anthropophily.

Fritillaria meleagris L. (Liliaceae) in the Kharkiv Region: ecological preferences, conservation problems

Fritillaria meleagris L. is a рalearctic species with a disjunct distribution. It is protected at the national level in Ukraine, listed as "vulnerable" in the Red Data Book. Most of the data on the species distribution, as well as on the status and stability of its populations, have been obtained for the Carpathian region. Much less information is available for F. meleagris in the Forest Steppe, especially for its left-bank part. The article presents the results of the study of the peculiarities of F. meleagris distribution in the Kharkiv Region and provides information on the structure of coenopopulations and their ecological and coenotic preferences. Problems and prospects for this species conservation are also considered. The studies cover the biotopes of the Merla River valley and its tributary, the Merchyk River (the Dnipro River basin) in an area of more than 35 square km. In the Kharkiv Region, the F. meleagris coenopopulations were found mainly in grass-type biotopes. These are usually secondary post-forest meadows of the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea Tx. 1937 class. Only one coenopopulation is located in a tree-type biotope (mixed floodplain forest with Quercus robur L., Ulmus laevis Pall., Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., Salix alba L., Padus avium Mill., Populus аlba L., P. deltoides Marshall, P. tremula L., Acer negundo L., А. tataricum L., A. campestris L., without a pronounced dominant). The specificity of the ecological regimes of the studied localities of F. meleagris has been clarified by the phytoindication method. As a rule, they are damp (less often, fresh) forest-meadow habitats with full, but uneven (temporarily excessive) wetting of the root layer of the soil. The soils are moderately aerated, weakly acidic (pH 5.5–6.5), enriched with salts, but with insignificant carbonate content, and often relatively poor in terms of mineral nitrogen. The climate is characterized by submicrothermal conditions with signs of subaridity and subcontinentality. We have not detected any significant variability of conditions (both edaphic and climatic) in the studied localities. They are more or less optimal for the existence of F. meleagris. In all the F. meleagris localities studied, the change in the hydrological regime due to the reclamation of floodplain remains a risk factor but does not pose an immediate threat. The existence of forest coenopopulations in glades is threatened by overgrowth of trees and shrubs (the invasion of Populus tremula and Acer negundo is particularly dangerous). The decrease in the number of meadow coenopopulations is a result of plowing and burning. Currently, in the Kharkiv Region, F. meleagris is protected in Slobozhanskyі National Nature Park (1 locality) and in Kapranskyі Botanical Reserve of local importance (11 localities). Monitoring of the existing localities outside the protected areas and their inclusion into the expansion zone of the Slobozhanskyі National Nature Park is an important condition for their preservation.

APPLICATION OF FLUCTUATING ASYMMETRY METHODS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING IN KAMIANSKE

The city of Kamianske has a hazardous environmental situation due to the long and intensive development of industry, whose enterprises emit large amounts of harmful substances into the atmosphere. Therefore, the implementation of continuous environmental monitoring for the city is an urgent task that can be solved by combining instrumental measurement methods with phytoindication methods. The aim of the study is to test the methods of phytoindication in the environmental monitoring system using the indicator of fluctuating asymmetry of the leaf blade of woody plants of the Populus canadensis species and to assess the quality of the environment, taking into account the functional zones of the urban system. A methodology for assessing the quality of the environment by the integral index of the fluctuating asymmetry of the leaf blade of Populus plants has been developed and an assessment scale with different gradient values has been proposed. The integral indicator of the fluctuating asymmetry of the leaf blades of Populus canadensi plants was calculated for 30 experimental plots covering all functional zones of Kamianske. It was determined that the quality of the environment within the industrial zones is characterised as critically polluted with unfavourable conditions for living organisms, which is confirmed by the integral index of fluctuating asymmetry 0,076¸0,104. Settlement areas are characterised as polluted, with an integral index of 0,063¸0,093. In recreational areas, the state of the environment is assessed by a conditional norm of 0,054¸0,066. The results of the average integral index of leaf asymmetry of Populus canadensi plants for a ten-year period for the city of Kamianske were compared, and the lower (0,038±0,002) and upper (0,106±0,003) limits of the index were determined. The dependence of the integral indicator on the volume of pollutant emissions into the atmosphere has been established, which is confirmed by high correlation coefficients r = 0,8¸0,9 at a significance level of p < 0,05. The modelled polynomial trends predict further growth of the integral indicator of fluctuating asymmetry depending on the increase in pollutant emissions.

Assessment of Phytotoxicity of Used Zeolite as a Sorbent of the Dyeing and Finishing Production Wastewater by the Phytoindication Method

Introduction. The optimization of the technological processes for dyeing textile materials using wastewater adsorption purification via natural zeolite is relevant. The purified water can be used as recycled water for reuse in fabric dyeing technology.Problem Statement. The used zeolite sorbent belongs to the by-products of the dyeing and finishing industry’s wastewater treatment process. However, there is possibility to reuse it as a secondary material resource after determining the level of toxicity.Purpose. The purpose of this research is to assess the phytotoxicity of spent zeolite as a natural adsorbent for the purification of wastewater from dyeing and finishing production of textile dyes and auxiliary substances by the methods of phytoindication to determine possible directions of its use without additional costs for its disposal.Material and Methods. Wastewater from dyeing and finishing production and spent zeolite are research materials and winter barley seeds are the phytotest object. The method of scientific information generalization has been used; chemical analysis of wastewater has been carried out by the method of optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma; the intensity of winter barley stalks growth has been studied by the method of laboratory phytotesting; phytotoxicity has been evaluated with the use of analytical expression.Results. The phytotoxicity of used zeolite on water, soil, and concentrated substrates does not exceed 20%, which indicates the absence or low level of its toxicity and the possibility of reuse. The phytotoxicity of the aqueous substrate (water extract) of the spent zeolite has a negative value (–6.67%), which indicates that the studied aqueous substrate is not toxic.Conclusions. The experimental assessment of the toxicity of the used sorbent has allowed reusing it in the field of road construction and in the production of building materials.

The reconstruction impact on the urban ecosystem park plantings on the example of the Oles Gonchar Dnipro National University Botanical Garden

The article is devoted to the study of the reconstruction impact on park plantings located in the Oles Honchar Dnipro National University Botanical Garden. The reconstruction of the botanical garden was carried out in 2018 and consisted of the removal of 74 old trees, sanitary pruning of some plantings, and the laying of asphalt paths. To determine the impact of the reconstruction on the greenery of the DNU Botanical Garden, four test plots were laid down: plots a and b in the reconstruction area, plots c and d in the unreconstructed area. The following physical parameters of the soil were measured at the test sites: soil penetration resistance, electrical conductivity and moisture. The research was conducted in April – May 2021. Soil penetration resistance is an informative indicator sensitive to anthropogenic impact, its measurement is fast and allows obtaining significant amounts of information in a short time. Electrical conductivity is related to soil moisture and salt content. These indicators, combined with phytoindication methods, allowed us to draw conclusions about the impact of the reconstruction on the soil and green spaces. The landfills differed significantly after reconstruction in terms of the profile distribution of average soil penetration resistance values. The reconstruction area soil is characterized by the appearance of peak soil penetration resistance values at depths of 35–50 cm and 85–90 cm. Polygons a and b have much higher values of topsoil penetration resistance than polygons c and d. The coefficient of variation of soil penetration resistance profile distribution at the test sites in the reconstruction zone also demonstrates a specific character – it has a pronounced peak at a depth of 25–40 cm and gradually decreases with depth. The conclusion about the reconstruction impact on the soil penetration resistance of the botanical garden soil changes was made based on the results of the General Linear Model, which was estimated by the Radj2 index. The distribution of soil electrical conductivity values has a pronounced bell-shaped character. At all the test sites, there is a tendency for electrical conductivity increasing which is positively correlated with moisture. By means of the phytoindicative scales the hemerobia index was determined, which demonstrated a statistically significant linear relationship (p < 0.001) with soil electrical conductivity.

The Influence of Eurasian Beaver (Castor fiber L.) Activity on the Transformation and Functioning of Riparian Phytocoenoses in the Southern Boreal Zone (European Russia)

The reintroduction of Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) results in significant changes in ecosystems. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of the environment-forming activity of C. fiber on the riparian phytocoenoses of the Raifa forest sector of the Volga-Kama State Nature Biosphere Reserve (Middle Volga region, European Russia) after the reintroduction. Phytoindication methods of ecological–coenotic groups and indicator values were used to assess changes in environmental conditions under the influence of beaver activity. The influence of the beaver reintroduction factor on the increase in the moisture regime (by three points according to the Tsyganov indicator values) and the illumination of habitats, the richness of soils in nitrogen, and the acidity and salt regime of soils (by one point) was revealed. Under the conditions of fodder and construction activities of the beaver, an increase in the proportion of aquatic and wetland groups from 10.2% to 28.2% and boreal plant species from 15.0% to 27.6% was detected. An expansive nature of the change in the degree of landscape occupancy with wetland plants was noted. A decrease in the degree of landscape occupancy (3 to 2 points) of the distribution of ruderal species in the riparian zones of the waterbodies of the reserve due to the activity of the beaver was revealed. Based on phytoindication and ecological–coenotic analyses, it was shown that the reintroduction of C. fiber into the waterbodies of the Raifa forest sector of the reserve is responsible for maintaining the necessary microclimatic conditions for the preservation of natural southern boreal communities. The results obtained can be used for predictive assessment of the influence of the beaver on riparian (small rivers and lakes) plant communities of forest ecosystems in the Middle Volga region of European Russia and other regions of the planet with similar environmental conditions.

Analysis of aerotechnogenic pollution of the Vinnytsia using phytoindication methods

Today, the anthropogenic impact on the environment is increasing, especially in urbanized areas and territories where active hostilities are taking place. Among a number of urgent environmental problems, it is possible to single out atmospheric air pollution, which occurs as a result of the concentration of road transport and industry in safe areas. The article presents the results of research into the state of atmospheric air pollution in the city of Vinnytsia using phytoindication methods, namely the degree of fluctuating asymmetry of warty birch leaves, and established the dependence of the fluctuating asymmetry on the level of traffic load. The research was conducted at the end of July in 2021 and 2022, after the end of the growing season of warty birch (Betula pendula). In the city of Vinnytsia, six representative experimental sites with different levels of anthropogenic load were identified. Fluctuation asymmetry coefficients of warty birch leaves were calculated for each experimental site and indicators of the asymmetry coefficient were determined. The level of motor vehicle load on experimental sites was established and a correlation-regression model of the dependence of the coefficient of fluctuation asymmetry of the leaves of the warty birch on the level of motor vehicle load was calculated. Conducting biomonitoring of aerotechnogenic pollution of urban ecosystems is necessary for finding ways to optimize its quality.

Аутекологічні особливості та характеристика еконіш діатомових водоростей (Bacillariophyta Karsten) пониззя р. Ворскла

The species diversity of diatoms in the lower reaches of the Vorskla River, which belong to the territory of the Regional Landscape Park "Nizhnovorsklyansky", is analyzed. The material for the work comes from algological samples collected in the lower reaches of the Vorskla River in the spring and autumn periods. A section of about 7 km of the lower reaches of the Voskla River, a section of the Vorskla Bay and the Kamyanke Reservoir, floodland water bodies, swamps and wetlands were surveyed. Collection of algae samples was carried out from different ecology groups. Samples were processed in live and fixed state using the method of direct microscopy. A total of 288 taxa were identified. An analysis of the autecology of 133 representatives of diatoms in relation to the main environmental factors (temperature, acidity, salinity) has been carried out. The obtained digital data were processed by generally accepted methods of statistical research. Based on Ellenberg scales, phytoindication methods are used to characterize the ecological niche and to clarify the nature of the interaction between the main ecofactors of the noted representatives of <i>Bacillariophyta</i>. Based on the analysis of the values of the range of variation of ecofactors, the range of the optimum zone for the studied species was established, and according to the tolerance amplitude (BP) they were divided into 4 classes (stenotopic, hemistenotopic, hemieurytopic and eurytopic). It is established that the ecological niche of the studied taxa is characterized by a shift towards a neutral environment in terms of acidity (6.5 ≤ рН ≥ 7.5) and salinity 0–2‰. Groups of stenotopic species to the temperature, salinity and acidity of the environment, which can be sensitive indicators of changes in these environmental factors, have been identified. According to the results of hierarchical clustering, the affinity of the studied indicator species was established. Clusters that unite a complex of species characterized by similar values of ecological amplitude to the leading environmental factors were formed.

The use of scots pine as a bioindicator of the state of the atmosphere in Iskitim

The study showed that the degree of air pollution, even in a city with "high" pollution, directly depends on the presence of a significant number of woody plants. Green spaces of a park nature reduce the level of pollution. In this study, it was possible to demonstrate that phyto-indication methods, even in a very simple form that does not require special tools and trained personnel, can be successfully used as monitoring indicators of air quality in urban conditions. To simplify the accounting work, it is proposed to calculate separately the degree of damage to the surface and the degree of drying of the needles of the common pine.

Растительность суффозионных западин на севере подтаежной подзоны Западной Сибири

Suffusion depressions are closed relief depressions on the flat surfaces of watersheds and terraces. They are formed during water erosion (suffusion) of loesses and loess-like loams. Therefore, the distribution of the depressions is associated with that of the soil-forming rocks - along the south of the taiga zone and further south in the subtaiga, forest-steppe, and steppe. The depressions are islands of preserved natural vegetation, since flat surfaces were plowed over a large area. Previous studies have shown an increase in moisture from the edge to the center of the depressions, and a rather high trophicity of habitats due to the richness in nutrients of loesslike loams. Birch and aspen forests along the edges of the depressions are actively studied. Wet plant communities in the inner parts of the depressions are less studied -mainly in the center of the subtaiga and to the south. The purpose of our work is to study vegetation of the depressions in the northern part of the subtaiga of Western Siberia. The study area is the southeastern part of the West Siberian Plain (55°30'-56°55N, 83°27'-84°45'E) (See Fig. 1). The diameter of the depressions is 20-100 m, the depth usually does not exceed 1.5 m. In spring, the depressions are usually flooded with snow-melt waters until the end of May (sometimes mid-June). The releves of plant communities were made with reference to the relief elements (slope and center). A total of 120 releves were used to describe the vegetation of the depressions, including a list of the species which each layer of the community comprises, and their abundance (projective cover, %). An ecological-floristic classification was carried out using the Braun-Blanquet method. Environmental factors (soil moisture, soil trophicity, soil nitrogen concentration, and soil acidity) were assessed by the phytoindication method using the indicator values of plants developed by Tsyganov. The data were processed and calculated in Excel. We identified five types of depressions with different series of plant communities depending on their shape and drainage properties of soils (See Fig. 3). Based on these five types, a generalized hydrological series of plant communities in the depressions was identified. However, with account to the richness and availability of nutrients in soils, two variants of the hydrological series were considered. Under poorer (meso-trophic) and weakly acidic conditions, the communities of the class Brachypodio-Betuletea on the edge (in the upper part of the slope) of the depressions are further replaced by the swampy communities of the class Alnetea glutinosae on the slope and also in the center (See Fig. 3, a, c, e). In richer (mesoeutrophic) and near-neutral conditions on the slopes of the depressions, the communities of the class Brachypodio- Betuletea on the edge are replaced by the communities of the class Alno-Populetea on the slope and further by the communities of the class Alnetea glutinosae in the center of the depression (See Fig. 3, b, d). The location of the suffusion depressions in the north of the subtaiga and the associated relatively high moistening of habitats determine the structure of the hydrological series where mesophilic communities of the class Brachypodio-Betuletea occupy only the upper part of the slope (See Fig. 4, a). Hygromesophilic and hygrophilic communities of the classes Alno-Populetea and Alnetea glutinosae are formed in the rest of the slope and in the center. Eutrophic species in the plant communities of the depressions are not abundant due to the low mineralization of soil and ground waters. The article contains 4 Figures, 1 Table, and 40 References. The Authors declare no conflict of interest.

Comparative study of Central and Eastern European alliances of thermophilous oak forests (Quercion petraea, Betonico-Quercion, and Lathyro-Quercion) within the temperate zone of Europe

Abstract In this paper we carried out a comparative analysis of three alliances, namely Quercion petraea, Betonico-Quercion and Lathyro-Quercion, which span Central and Eastern European thermophilous oak forests. The main goal was to find out floristic and ecological differences as well as to assess specificities in the phytosociological and layer structure across the syntaxa in different regions of Europe. Cluster analysis was performed based on the Bray-Curtis distance matrix and the flexible beta algorithm. A phytoindication method was applied to determine ecological relationships. Variability in the phytosociological structure was studied by shares of species of different classes of vegetation. The layer structure features were investigated by comparing species with the highest constancy value within each layer. Analysis of the distribution boundaries of differentiating species allowed the geographical boundaries of the three identified syntaxa clusters to be delineated. In the phytosociological structure, the greatest differences were found in the proportion of species of Quercetea pubescentis and Brachypodio-Betuletea classes. The Central and Eastern European syntaxa groups were shown to be significantly different in the constancy-ranked series of major layer-forming species.

ОЦІНКА СТАНУ ЕКОЛОГІЧНОЇ БЕЗПЕКИ АКВАТОРІЇ КРЕМЕНЧУЦЬКОГО ВОДОСХОВИЩА ЗАДЛЯ ЗБЕРЕЖЕННЯ ЛАНДШАФТНО-БІОЛОГІЧНОГО РІЗНОМАНІТТЯ В УМОВАХ ЗМІН КЛІМАТУ

Purpose. The problem of preserving the landscape-biological diversity and ecological safety of fresh waters of the reservoirs of the Dnieper cascade is quite relevant due to its growing deficit in the face of climate change. In reservoirs, the coastline is eroding, causing changes in natural landscapes. Almost everywhere, fresh water pollution is growing and becoming more diverse, as a result of which water becomes unfit not only for drinking or the existence of aquatic organisms, but also for technical purposes. When determining the need for water, it is also important to take into account the own needs of aquatic ecosystems in the water quantity and quality. Fresh water is the most important component of nature with a high rate of biodiversity. It is a medium-higher habitat for many species of living organisms, both aquatic and semi-aquatic, providing purity and self-restoration of surface water quality. Fresh water ecosystems are closely linked to terrestrial ecosystems by thousands of different connections that ensure balance in nature. Therefore, biodiversity conservation is important. Methodology. The research was performed using phytoindication, the method of determining the anatomical and morphological changes of plant indicators. Results. The state of ecological safety of surface waters was assessed using indicators of anatomical and morphological changes of indicator plants, which allow drawing conclusions about the resistance of the ecosystem to harmful factors, as well as the need for additional, more accurate physicochemical studies. The object of the research is the Kremenchuk reservoir, the largest among the reservoirs of the Dnieper cascade. The ecological danger formed in it extends both to the coastal part of the water area and reaches the Black Sea. It is the need for additional physical and chemical tests to accurately identify sources of impact on the water of the Kremenchuk reservoir near the Svitlovodsk and further development of measures to ensure the ecological safety. Originality. For the first time is conducted a study of the ecological safety of the Kremenchuk Reservoir waters by the phytoindication method. According to this study, is demonstrated the effectiveness and simplicity of environmental monitoring using bioindication methods. Practical value. According to this study, we demonstrate the effectiveness and simplicity of environmental monitoring using phytoindication methods. References 14, tables 1, figures 3.

The Impact of Historical Agricultural Landuse on Selected Site Conditions in the Traditional Landscape of the West Carpathians

Abstract This article is focused on the site conditions of the cultural mountainous West Carpathian landscape (Liptovská Teplička village, Central Slovakia) affected by historical agricultural land use, which also included relief and soil modifications leading to the formation of specific mosaic of agrarian landforms – AL (narrow productive plots separated by balks having character of terraces and mounds). It is based on a pair comparison of sites located side by side; the former is located on the productive plot (former arable land), while the latter is a balk. The pairs were selected in order to capture the representative sample of AL within diverse natural conditions, land cover and management. In order to assess the differences between individual AL, continuous soil water content (SWC) measurements using EC-5 soil moisture sensors were performed. The sensors provided continuous measurements of hourly soil volumetric water content rates (VWC, m3/m3). The data were recorded from April 2018 until December 2018. These data were used to assess individual monitoring localities in terms of SWC temporal stability. Furthermore, at each sampling location, an analysis of soil organic matter content, soil texture and stone content was performed. This research was also supplemented by indirect estimation of some site conditions based on phytoindication method using Ellenberg’s indicator values for moisture, soil reaction, nutrient content, continentality, temperature and light. Our results can be concluded as follows: i) the SWC temporal stability assessment revealed the clear effect of AL, however, it was difficult to identify which factors associated with AL typology were the most significant. The high differences between similar AL types revealed the fact that land use, management and rock content (both at productive plots and balks) affect the SWC temporal stability rather than AL typology and their orientation within the slope, ii) phytoindication method did not show statistically significant differences in site conditions between productive plots and balks, despite the fact that there were some significant differences confirmed in species composition, especially between productive plots and dolomite mounds. These differences are related to a higher number of calciphilous and termophilous species preferring ecotones and forests in mounds and group of mesophilous meadow species in productive plots. In summary, it seems that identified differences in both SWC temporal stability and floristic composition between productive plots and balks reflect the management regime rather than site conditions and formation of mounds represents relatively the most significant impact of traditional agricultural land use on the local environment.

The Alien Fraction of the Woody Flora of Yelanetskyi Step Nature Reserve, Southern Ukraine

Abstract Results of investigations on the patterns of distribution and dispersal of alien species of trees and shrubs in the territory of a steppe protected area, Yelanetskyi Step Nature Reserve (Mykolaiv Region, southern Ukraine), are presented. We registered within this protected area 10 alien woody species. For the most widespread ones (Ulmus pumila L., Gleditsia triacanthos L., Elaeagnus angustifolia L., Robinia pseudoacacia L.), we carried out ecological analyses. In order to establish the scope of impact of ecological factors upon these species, their specificity, and interdependence between ecological factors, the phytoindication method was applied (Didukh, 2012). The results of our analysis conducted on 12 main ecological factors (as outlined by Didukh, 2011), such as soil water regime (Hd), variability of damping (Fh), soil aeration (Ae), soil acidity (Rc), nitrogen content (Nt), salt regime (Sl), carbonate content in soil (Ca), thermoregime (Tm), climate humidity (Om), continentality (Kn), cryoregime (Cr), and light intensity (Lc), show that dispersal of model alien species does not have ecological limitation. However, E.angustifolia and R.pseudoacacia have the strongest capacity to penetrate the steppe communities, especially disturbed ones. Further dispersal of these alien species in the studied area and adjacent territories is hampered only by the integrity of the structure of steppe communities.

Are Heteroptera communities able to be bioindicators of urban environments?

The Heteroptera is a group of animals associated with the vegetation cover. The conducted analysis indicates that groups of heteropterans in the urban environment have a pattern of reaction to the environmental factors, determined using the phytoindication method. In the study, we considered the following hypotheses: 1) phytoindicational assessments of ecological factors may explain the patterns of variation of the groups of heteropterans; 2) among Heteroptera species, comparatively homogenous ecological groups could be distinguished which are characterized by similar character of response to the effect of certain environmental factors; 3) these groups could be used for bioindication of the conditions of environment in urban ecosystems. Stationary collection of heteropterans was performed during three years from May to October of 2017–2019 on six plots in Kharkiv. The article describes factors which affect the structure of groups of Heteroptera within the ecosystem of the large city and assess the bioindication possibilities. The data presented in the article, as well as the conclusions drawn, are to a large extent associated with stenotopic species, most of which could be used as bioindicators of the condition of one or another biocenosis. According to the results of a taxonomical survey in the territory of Kharkiv, 180 species of Heteroptera were found, belonging to 120 genera and 17 families. The highest species diversity was seen for the family Miridae, accounting for 50 species (27.0% of the total number of counted species). Fewer species were identified as the representatives of families Lygaeidae – 46 species (24.9%) and Pentatomidae – 23 (12.4%). Family Rhopalidae was represented by 11 species (5.9%). Nabidae and Tingidae – 10 species each (5.4%). Families Coreidae – 8 (4.3%), Cydnidae and Scutelleridae – 4 species each (2.2%), Anthocoridae – 3 (1.6%). The families Berytidae, Piesmatidae, Pyrrhocoridae and Reduviidae were represented by only 2 species each (1.1%). Families Acanthosomatidae, Alydidae and Aradidae were represented by 1 species each, in total accounting for 1.5%. The reasonably high level of species and ecological diversities of Heteroptera in the territory of the city allows them to be used in bioindication studies. We determined comparatively homogenous ecological groups of heteropterans which have a similar pattern of response to the impact of certain environmental factors. The study demonstrates that phytoindicatory assessments of the ecological factors can explain the patterns of variation in groups of heteropterans, We determined the factors which have effects on the structure of the group of heteropterans within the metropolitan ecosystem. The level of their effect on groups of heteropterans within the city is different. The most influential were light and humidity. Comparison of potential and realized projections of ecological space allows us, to a certain extent, to generate hypotheses about the orientations of transformation of the group heteropterans.

Ecosystem processes in the area of the Tomsk water intake

The influence of the Tomsk water intake on the ecosystems of the Ob-Tomsk interfluve is studied. It is revealed that the exploitation of the underground water field for almost 50 years has led to the transformation of the natural environment as a result of changes in the hydrological regime in the aeration zone. The most significant changes were observed in hydromorphic ecosystems located in the area of the first stage of water intake, which is associated with both the longest exposure and the feature of the lithological structure. Here and conducted another series of studies, ongoing since 2000, the estimation of the ecosystem assessment and moisture ecotopia phytoindication method. To reconstruct phytocenoses that existed before drying (before 2000), a Botanical analysis of the upper layers of peat was performed. The dependence of changes in the hydrological regime of ecotopes on the dynamics of groundwater levels associated with the operation of the Tomsk water intake against the background of cyclical climate variability is noted. The main changes in the water regime on the territory of the Ob-Tomsky interfluve occurred at the first stages of the water intake operation and the formation of a depression funnel in the area of the first stage, before the beginning of our research in 2000. Currently, the transformation processes have slowed down and there is a stable functioning of ecosystems in the new conditions of humidification, established at a more or less constant level, in accordance with the reduced volumes of water intake. Hydroclimatic calculations for the river basin. Poros have shown that the volume of groundwater renewal in the Ob-Tomsky interfluve exceeds the current volume of water abstraction, which excludes or significantly slows down the further transformation of ecosystems.

Effect of vehicle emissions on the morphological and physiological changes of Taraxacum officinale web

Road transport is one of the main pollutants of atmospheric air and soil in modern cities, therefore, an important issue is the comprehensive diagnosis of the state of the environment, which can be carried out by phytoindication methods, and which make it possible to comprehensively assess the environmental risks of the roadside environment for living organisms. The article analyzes the morphological and physiological changes of Taraxacum officinale Web. that occurred under the influence of vehicle emissions. For research, we chose a territory with significant aerotechnogenic loads due to both stationary sources of pollution and traffic flows –the southwestern district of the city for the analysis of plants, the following indicators were studied: mass of plants; leaf length;proportion of altered forms; ascorbic acid content; chlorophyll concentration. In the study, biometric, spectrophotometric and statistical methods were used. The results of the studies showed that in all plants inhibition of parameters was observed in comparison with the control samples. An analysis of the tightness of the relationship between the morphophysiological parameters of the plant, the traffic intensity and the distance from the road were influenced by the average mass of plants (r=0.97) in the area with heavy traffic, the content of chlorophyll (r=0.92) in the same area, the proportion of altered forms (r=-0.94). The correlation coefficient of the proportion of altered forms is negative, since the number of altered forms decreases with increasing distance from the road. It was found, that content of chlorophyll depends on traffic intensity and the distance from the road (the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.88–0.97). Indicators of leaf length and vitamin C content turned out to be less informative, since there is no clear relationship between these indicators and distance from the road (r=0.54), although with an increase in the distance from the highway, there is a slight increase in leaf length, but the content of vitamin C did not show depending on the distance to the road. The further developments lies in the refinement of the information content of such an indicator as the content of ascorbic acid in order to use it to indicate invisible changes in the vegetation cover.

Geobotanic and phytoindication characteristics of Amorpha fruticosa L. population in the serious coenosis conditions of the floodplain in the lower level Kaniv hydro power plant

On the basis of geobotanical descriptions of phytocenoses with Amorpha fruticosa L., representing primary succession separate stages of different floodplain altitude levels made on the islands territory below the Kaniv hydro power plant, the general characteristic of the vegetation dynamics with this species participation is presented. Using the method of phytoindication, the main characteristics of ecological factors indicators and their change directions during xero-, meso- and hydroseries are determined. The ecological factors indicators were obtained by the method of syphitoindication: soil moisture (Hd), variability of soil moisture (fH), soil aeration (Ae), general soil salt regime (trophic) (SL), soil acidity (Rc), mineral nitrogen content (Nt ) and carbonate content (Ca) in the soil, thermal regime (Tm), continental (Kn), frost (cryo) (Cr), climate humidity (humidity) (Om), luminosity (Lc). To compare ecological amplitude and elucidate the relationship between coenoses, the cluster analysis method and the shifted ratio analysis (DCA) method were used. A. fruticosa, characterized by a wide phytocenotic range, is included in phytocenoses at all stages of succession of Middle Dnieper floodplain three levels, representing xero-, meso- and hydroseries. During the succession, the qualitative and quantitative changes of such phytocenoses geobotanical characteristics as the species number and their composition, the A. fruticosa role as a coenotic agent, the age structure of its co-populations are natural. Also, based on the phytoindication method, the differences of phytocenoses representing xero-, meso- and hydroseries are monitored, a relatively wide range of ecotopes differing in humidity and soil aeration factors, favorable for the growth of A. fruticosa regular trend of most ecological factors during xeroseries and hydroseries towards the indices of mesoseries phytocenoses

Classification of the floodplain meadows of the Seym and the Dnieper river valleys in the north-eastern part of Ukraine

The present study concerns the floristic-sociological classification of the floodplain meadow vegetation of the Seym and the Dnieper rivers (within the eastern part of Polissya of Ukraine). The releve matrix was clustered using the DRSA (Distance-Ranked Sorting Algorithm) method, and the Ochai fidelity index was applied for species sorting and allocating the differentiating species. Species composition of the syntaxa has been evaluated using the phytoindication method and an assessment of shares of species of different classes of vegetation (phytosociological spectrum). These variables were used for phytocoenological characterization and to fit with the NMDS ordination axes using the multiple regression approach. We identified 8 associations of psammophytic, mesic and temporarily wet meadows which were assigned to 3 alliances and 3 orders of the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class. Syntaxa were characterized using a unified scheme: habitat type according to EUNIS classification, ecological and synmorphological traits, distribution, and anthropogenic transformation. Comparative floristic tables were constructed taking into account the synoptic columns of the studied associations and western syntaxa including the holotypes. Four associations have been introduced, such as Galio molluginis-Festucetum pratensis ass. nova in the alliance Arrhenatherion, and Veronici longifoliae-Iridetum sibirici ass. nova, Poo trivialis-Alopecuretum arundinaceae ass. nova, Dactylorhizo incarnati-Caricetum nigrae ass. nova in all. Deschampsion cespitosae.

Environmental factors shaping water-peat vegetation and its neighbouring surface waters in Lower Silesian Forests (Western Poland)

Abstract Phytosociological and physicochemical studies of endangered habitats of swamp and peat-bog areas were carried out in the Lower Silesian Forest complex (Western Poland), in the vicinity of Węgliniec village. The total of 63 phytosociological relevés were made and three syntaxonomic units were distinguished as associations (Cicuto-Caricetum pseudocyperi, Typhetum latifoliae, Phragmitetum australis) and two as communities (with Sphagnum girgensohnii and with Juncus effusus). Using the phytoindication method, it was found that among four analysed habitat parameters (L – light availability, F – humidity, R – soil pH, N – soil nitrogen), only nitrogen content did not play a significant role in shaping the composition of these phytocoenoses. Physicochemical studies of surface waters using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method indicated, among others, a higher level of nitrogen compounds in some samples. Concentrations of mineral substances dissolved in water usually exceeded limit values for class II waters. Species composition of phytocoenoses and values of parameters recorded in neighbouring surface waters indicated that mutual interactions of these habitat components clearly existed there.