Recreational Pressure Research Articles

Mammal responses to human recreation depend on landscape context.

Rapid growth in outdoor recreation may have important and varied effects on terrestrial mammal communities. Few studies have investigated factors influencing variation in observed responses of multiple mammal species to recreation. We used data from 155 camera traps, in western Alberta (Canada), and a hierarchical Bayesian community modelling framework to document 15 mammal species responses to recreation, test for differential responses between predators and prey, and evaluate the influence of local context. Factors characterizing context were trail designation (i.e., use by motorized vs non-motorized), management type, forest cover, landscape disturbance, and season. We used three measures to characterize variation in recreation pressure: distance to trail, trail density, and an index of recreation intensity derived from the platform Strava. We found limited evidence for strong or consistent effects of recreation on mammal space use. However, mammal space use was better explained by an interaction between recreation and the influencing factors than by either on their own. The strongest interaction was between trail density and management type; mammals were more likely to avoid sites near a higher density of trails in areas with more restrictive management. We found that responses to recreation varied with the trail designation, although there were not clear or consistent differences between responses to trails designated for motorized vs. non-motorized use. Overall, we found that responses were species- and context-dependent. Limiting the density of trails may be important for reducing negative impacts to mammals within conservation areas. We show that using multiple measures of recreation yields more insight into the varied effects of human disturbances on wildlife. We recommend investigating how different characteristics of recreation (noise, speed, and visibility) influence animal behaviors. Multispecies monitoring and modelling across multiple landscapes that vary in recreation pressure can lead to an adaptive management approach to ensuring outdoor recreation coexistence with wildlife.

Hyperbolic discounting underpins response curves of mammalian avoidance behaviour.

As humans clear natural habitat, they are brought into increased conflict with wild animals. Some conflict is direct (e.g. elevated exposure of people to predators), some indirect (e.g. abandoning suitable habitat because of human activity). The magnitude of avoidance is expected to track frequency of human activity, but the type of response is an open question. We postulated that animals do not respond passively to increased disturbance nor does response follow a power law; instead, their ability to estimate magnitude leads to 'discounting' behaviour, as in classic time-to-reward economic models in which individuals discount larger value (or risk) in more distant time. We used a 10-year camera dataset from southern California to characterize response curves of seven mammal species. Bayesian regressions of two non-discounting models (exponential and inverse polynomial) and two discounting models (hyperbolic and harmonic) revealed that the latter better fit response curves. The Arps equation, from petroleum extraction modelling, was used to estimate a discount exponent, a taxon-specific 'sensitivity' to humans, yielding a general model across species. Although discounting can mean mammal activity recovers rapidly after disturbance, increased recreational pressure on reserves limits recovery potential, highlighting a need to strike a balance between animal conservation and human use.

Catalogue of Bombus wurflenii Radoszkowski, 1860 (Hymenoptera, Apidae) specimens deposited in the State Museum of Natural History NASU, Lviv, Ukraine

Bombus wurflenii Radoszkowski, 1860 belongs to the subgenus Alpigenobombus and is one of the 40 bumblebee species that occur in Ukraine. This Boreal-Alpine species has a disjunctive range and is confined to the mountains and hills of Europe. It occurs in Scandinavia, in central and southern Europe (the Cantabrian Mountains, the Pyrenees, the Alps, the Apennines, the Balkans, the Carpathians). It is also known from the far east of Europe (the Ural Mountains), and from the north-eastern Turkey and the Caucasus (Rasmont, Iserbyt, 2010-2012; Rasmont et al., 2015). All scenarios of future distribution of Bombus wurflenii project a moderate reduction of suitable areas by 2050. By 2100 the climatic niche space of the species would be even more restricted. With low dispersal capability and since Bombus wurflenii is a specialized species linked to cold boreal and alpine-subalpine conditions, it would suffer substantially from global warming (Rasmont et al., 2015). Bombus wurflenii is a medium sized bumblebee. It is highly adapted for “nectar robbing”, i. e. perforating holes at the base of long flower corollas to reach the nectar. To do this, it uses its modified mandibles, each with six denticles on outer margin . In Ukraine the species is represented by the subspecies B. wurflenii mastrucatus Gerst. and occurs in the Ukrainian Carpathians only. It inhabits mountain forests from a height of 500 m a. s. l. to the subalpine zone inclusive. The highest number of population of the species is observed within the altitude range of 800-1100 m above sea level (Konovalova, 2010). B. wurflenii is nesting underground, using the abandoned nests of rodents in beech, beech-spruce and spruce forests, in polonynas, meadows and also on rocky slopes in the subalpine. The emergence of queens from hibernation happens in late spring and early summer. The development of small colonies lasts until July-August, culminating in the emergence of new reproductive generation. In the Carpathian highlands B. wurflenii is considered a common one. However, during last decades, the destruction of both nesting sites and forage flora of this species due to excessive recreational pressure, is a serious factor threatening the persistence of its population. For this reason, B. wurflenii has been included into the Red Book of the Ukrainian Carpathians as vulnerable one, also taking into account a relatively limited area inhabited by populations of the species. The species plays a significant role in the pollination of high mountain flora. A feeding diet of this bumblebee in the Ukrainian Carpathians includes at least 23 plant species belonging to 16 families (unpublished data of the author). Among its favourite forage plants are: Centaurea phrygia subsp. carpatica (Porcius) Dostál, Cirsium waldsteinii Rouy, Gentiana asclepiadea L., Rhododendron kotschyi Simonk., Vaccinium spp., Aconitum spp. In the entomological collection of the State Museum of Natural History, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 42 specimens of B. wurflenii have been deposited. Only one specimen belongs to an old historical collection. It was collected from the Tatry Mts. in Poland on 30.07.1905 and identified by J. Snieżek. From the present territory of Ukraine B. wurflenii was recorded for the first time in 1939 in Chornohora mountain range, at an altitude of 1500 m a.s.l. (Fudakowski et al., 1939). The recent part of the collection includes specimens, found from 2000 to 2006 in mountain regions of Ivano-Frankivska and Zakarpatska provinces of Ukraine (fig. 1). The recent collection of B. wurflenii represents all three castes of the species: 1 queen, 32 workers and 8 males. Bumblebees were collected during June, July and August within altitudes of 800-1700 m a.s.l. in the following physiographic regions: UC: PlChr: Chornohora massif; UC: PlChr: Svydovets massif; UC: OCVV: Gg: Outer Gorgany range. The vast majority of specimens have been collected in protected territories: Carpathian Biosphere Reserve (Chornohora protected massif, Svydovets protected massif) and Carpathian National Nature Park.

Scenarios of Practically Implementing Standards of Recreational Pressure on Specially Protected Natural Areas: A Case Study of the Lake Dus-Khol Natural Monument (Tyva)

Scenarios of Practically Implementing Standards of Recreational Pressure on Specially Protected Natural Areas: A Case Study of the Lake Dus-Khol Natural Monument (Tyva)

Ecological assessment of natural complexes in «Serednie Pobuzhzhia» regional landscape park: theory and practice

The article proposes a methodology for determining the ecological assessment of natural complexes in «Serednie Pobuzhzhia» regional landscape park (RLP) according to psychological, aesthetic and geographical and aesthetic criteria. The representative landscapes of the park, which covers an area of 2618.2 hectares and was established in 2009, are located within Tyvriv and Sutyska settlement territorial communities of Vinnytsia region. The park was created to preserve the integrity of the unique landscapes of the valley and water area of the Pivdennyi Buh river. The park is decorated with rapids on the Pivdennyi Buh river, which were formed in places where crystalline rocks of the Ukrainian shield come to the surface, often forming cascades and stretching for up to several kilometres. Some blocks of granite rise up to 1.5 m above the water, which forms the corresponding aesthetics of the landscape. The park is home to boreal, non-morphic and pontic vegetation, represented by rare, endemic and relict species. The Pivdennyi Buh river valley is of great importance for the conservation of biotic and landscape diversity and requires protection and rational use of its resources. One of the anthropogenic impacts on the park’s natural complexes is recreational pressure. Therefore, the authors established the maximum recreational load on the natural complexes of the studied park according to the distribution of landscape types — park, forest, non-forest. On the basis of the conducted research, it is argued that in order to preserve the representative and unique biotic and landscape diversity of the park in the structure of the Buzkyi longitudinal natural corridor of the national ecological network, it is necessary to introduce a set of measures, taking into account the recreational load. In order to preserve the representative biotic and landscape diversity in the structure of the ecological and Emerald networks, it is necessary to expand the area of «Serednie Pobuzhzhia» park and include «Nemyrivske Pobuzhzhia» regional landscape park with an area of 5,678 hectares, creating a single continuous national nature park.

History and establishment of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve

Context This paper sets out the events leading to the establishment of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve. Methods This paper is based on research into literature relating to the Albany region, government files and oral accounts relating to the area. Key results Long known to the Noongar peoples, Two Peoples Bay was first mapped by Europeans in 1791 by Captain George Vancouver. The area was rapidly established as a base for the over-exploitation of natural resources. As the region became more developed and human population increased, recreational pressure on the area was such that the Western Australian Government surveyed Two Peoples Bay to establish a townsite. Just before the final surveys for the townsite were completed, the supposedly-extinct noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus), was rediscovered there. National and international pressure on the WA Government from the conservation movement resulted in the reversal of the decision to develop a town in the area and led to the establishment of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve in 1967. Conclusions The establishment of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve in the face of pressure for the development of a town on the bay, provides an interesting example of the needs of nature conservation over-riding real estate development. Implications Although nature conservation values rarely stop real estate development, the Two Peoples Bay example demonstrates that nature conservation may prevail over real estate development, in this case involving the rediscovery of a species believed extinct.

Spatial distribution of sand dunes along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast: inventory, UAS mapping and new discoveries

Coastal sand dunes are amongst the world’s most sensitive and dynamic landforms. Unfortunately, during the last thirty years, heavy anthropogenic alterations have been observed, encompassing the greater part of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast (BBSC), which has changed the land-sea interactions significantly. As a consequence, the depositional coast has shrunk to 131 km or 25% of the aggregate Bulgarian Black Sea shoreline length. Although our research reveals that 86% of BBSC dunes are included in the Natura 2000 network of protected sites established under the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC 1992), they are often heavily modified, subjected to environmental vandalism and destroyed due to mismanagement or lack of accurate information and prevention. These facts were the main reason for carrying out an inventory of the Bulgarian Black Sea coastal dune systems in 2021-2022. Our research aimed to identify all dune systems/sand dunes, update their spatial distribution and classify the observed coastal sand dunes landforms along the BBSC. The article demonstrates a successful methodology for combining unmanned aerial systems (UAS), Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry, in situ sediment sampling, video imaging and verification and GNSS-RTK ground control points for coastal mapping. As of June 2022, over 97% of the Bulgarian shoreline has been surveyed with this technique, excluding military areas and national security sites. Based on the acquired data, as of 2021, the shoreline length was estimated to be 518.7 km at a scale 1:5000. The integrated UAS approach includes using Digital surface models (DSM), raster orthophotomosaics (OM) and 3D models, based on SfM photogrammetry to analyse the coastal topography, detect dune forms and update their spatial distribution. Throughout the inventory, 46 beach-dune systems were identified along the BBSC, which were divided into 62 dune sectors. The area of coastal dune systems was estimated at 988.21 ha (0.0089% of Bulgaria) and a total length of 73 km (14% of the shoreline). A comprehensive geomorphological analysis of the relationships between landforms morphology, aeolian and morphodynamic processes, vegetation density and type was the basis for the coastal dune landforms (CDLs) or dune systems to be classified into primary (312 ha; 32%) and secondary (676 ha; 68%). Additionally, the CDLs were classified according to Natura 2000 habitats: fixed (grey) dunes (546.27 ha; 55.28%), wooded dunes (222.61 ha; 22.53%), shifting (white) dunes (150.30 ha; 15.21%), embryonic dunes (68.3 ha; 6.91%) and humid dune slacks (0.94 ha; 0.09%). The highest positioned CDLs on the Balkan Peninsula were registered at perched Sozopol Sand Dunes (61 m a.s.l.) and cliff-top dunes at Arkutino (50.2 m a.s.l.). The multi-temporal analysis of photogrammetric DSMs and raster OMs showed the permanent loss of five dune systems in the Pomorie-Burgas-Rosenets coastal sector. The accrued UAS data approach allowed us to identify and map eight dune systems for the first time: Zlatni Pyasatsi (Panorama), Asparuhovo (Varna), Byala, Atanasovska Kosa, Central Beach (Burgas), Chernomorets, Kavatsite (partly) and Rezovo-Kastrich. A high anthropogenic footprint was registered on 50.7 ha (5.1%) of the entire dune surface. In the final stage of the study, human interventions that caused degradation and permanent loss of dunes (12 ha) over the last 15 years along the BBSC were shown. The main causes for dune degradation along BBSC have been documented, such as massive tourism development after the socialist period, road construction, recreational pressure exerted on the dunes, human trampling, lack of designated footpaths in areas with fixed and mobile dunes, off-road vehicles and parking lots (especially at camping sites), dumping of garbage and anthropogenic marine litter on the sand dunes etc.

α-Diversity of plant communities, forest birds and wood-decaying fungi in urban parks of a metropolis

The biodiversity of urban parks is an indicator object of monitoring biodiversity under conditions of constant recreational pressure. The main approaches to these issues are based on measuring the indices of vertical and horizontal heterogeneity of parklands, which make it possible to identify links between plant, wood-decaying fungi and bird diversities. As in the case of Kyiv, Ukraine, we augmented existing published data with new compositions, links and α-diversity indices of plant, fungi and bird communities in the parks of a metropolis! The infraction of α-diversity (diversity, dominance, and evenness indices) and the compositions in the communities depending on the level of recreational transformation of the parks were established. The main driving factors of α-diversity in urban parks were shown. Further research is needed to use these relationships to indicate the state of park ecosystems.Keywords: plant, vegetation; forest birds; wood-decaying fungi; recreational impact; diversity index, dominance index, evenness index

Adventive species in the flora of Tyva

Disturbance of natural ecosystems resulting from the economic development of any region leads to changes in the structure of the vegetation cover. At the beginning of the 21st century, about 70 adventive species were known on the territory of Tyva. To date, the presence of 117 species has been noted in the adventive flora of the region. Most of them are xenophytes, ergasiophytes (departed from culture) – 31 species. According to the degree of naturalization, ephemerophytes predominate – 73 species. The adventive flora of Tuva contains 41 species included in the “List of invasive and potentially invasive species of Siberia” (2014). In comparison with other Siberian regions, there are fewer invasive and potentially invasive species in Tyva, which is associated both with the natural and climatic conditions of the region and with the later economic development of the territory. The most vulnerable to the introduction of alien species were the northern and central regions of the republic, which are characterized by the highest degree of recreational pressure. On the contrary, the outlying territories of the republic, relatively remote from the Central Tuva Basin, are sufficiently protected from the invasion of adventive plants, where, when alien, mainly mesophytic, species are introduced into the flora, the harsh sharply continental climate acts as a limiting factor. The successful introduction of alien species on fallow lands is due to the weakening, up to complete destruction, of natural habitats and plant communities.

Ecological Implications in a Human-Impacted Lake-A Case Study of Cyanobacterial Blooms in a Recreationally Used Water Body.

This study was aimed primarily at describing the planktonic assemblages with special attention to invasive and toxin-producing cyanobacterial species in the context of ecological and health threats. The second aim was to analyze the aspect of recreational pressure, which may enhance the cyanobacterial blooms, and, as a consequence, the negative changes and loss of planktonic biodiversity. This study was carried out in recreationally used Lake Sztynorckie throughout the whole growing season of 2020 and included an assessment of the abundance and biomass of phytoplankton (cyanobacteria and algae) in relation to environmental variables. The total biomass was in the range of 28-70 mg L-1, which is typical for strong blooms. The dominant filamentous cyanobacteria were Pseudanabaena limnetica, Limnothrix redekei, Planktolyngbya limnetica, and Planktothrix agarhii, and three invasive nostocalean species Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides, Cuspidothrix issatschenkoi, and Raphidiopsis raciborskii. They can pose a serious threat not only to the ecosystem but also to humans because of the possibility of cyanobacteria producing cyanotoxins, such as microcystins, saxitoxins, anatoxin-a, and cylindrospermopsins, having hepatotoxic, cytotoxic, neurotoxic, and dermatoxic effects. The water quality was assessed as water bodies had bad ecological status (based on phytoplankton), were highly meso-eutrophic (based on zooplankton), and had very low trophic efficiency and low biodiversity.

Дигрессия напочвенного покрова растительных сообществ рекреационных стоянок на территории национального парка «Валдайский»

The article presents the results of a study of the influence of recreational pressure on the ground cover of forest communities in the Valday National Park. The comparison of trial plots with different degrees of recreational pressure in terms of species composition, abundance of species and the ratio of ecological cenotic groups of plants is given. The bioindicator species of recreational digression were identified in the studied areas. The most resistant species of herbaceous plants (anthropotollerants) (Plantago major L., Poa annua L.) were identified on the taste areas. The stages of recreational digression on the tasted areas were determined. The main factors of anthropogenic impact оn the ground cover are presented. The dependence of the species composition of the ground cover on the сrown density was identified. The options of conservation of the ground cover were suggested. The recommendations for the restoration of plant communities of recreational areas with a high stage of digression were given.

Объекты природного и культурного наследия и эстетически ценные пейзажи на территории природного заказника «Воробьевы горы» в атласной информационной системе

The Vorobyovy Gory Nature Reserve is a specially protected natural area with a unique location near the center of Moscow (6 km from the Kremlin) and configuration in the form of a narrow strip along the Moscow River on the high right bank. In 1998, by decree of the Moscow Government, the territory of the Vorobyovy Gory received the status of a natural reserve of regional significance. Currently, the reserve is experiencing anthropogenic pressure, which intensified with its transfer in 2013 to the free use of the Central Park of Culture and Recreation “Gorky Park”, which sharply changed the vector of use of the territory from environmental to recreational. Compromise solutions are needed, which are possible only if all participants in land use are provided with data on the characteristics of protected areas and on geo-ecological threats to it. All this data can be comprehensively presented in an atlas information system (AIS)—a computerized geographic information system associated with a specific territory or topic, combined with a narrative part where maps play a dominant role. When including a large amount of various non-cartographic information, AIS is classified as multimedia (MAIS), the creation of which has certain prospects for Vorobyovy Gory. Materials on the natural and cultural heritage of the Vorobyovy Gory were collected and the possibility of their inclusion in the AIS was assessed. The data collected, organized and processed during the study of the territory and the compiled map formed the basis of the designed AIS, for which a thematic structure was defined. On the territory of the natural reserve there are many valuable objects of natural and cultural heritage (animals and plants of the Red Book of Moscow, historical and cultural objects, including those of federal significance, associated not only with Moscow, but also with Russian history). Information about valuable natural objects was assessed from the point of view of threats due to recreational impact. It was found that areas with the greatest biodiversity also experience the greatest recreational pressure. Large-scale construction works pose the greatest danger to natural objects. A gestalt assessment of the aesthetic value of the landscapes of the reserve was carried out, and the most valuable of them from the point of view of recreational visitors were identified.

ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT ON THE STATE OF PHYTOCENOSES OF HOLOSIIV PARK NAMED AFTER MAKSYM RYLSKYI OF THE CITY OF KYIV

Anthropogenic load on natural phytocenoses is manifested by disturbance of plant cover, synanthropization of the floristic composition of groups, destruction of plant distribution areas, reduction of biodiversity, and changes in plant growth and development conditions. The degree of anthropogenic load on natural phytocenoses is a global problem that requires detailed study and monitoring studies, especially in the conditions of urban ecosystems. The natural conditions affecting the state of the phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maxim Rylskyi city of Kyiv according to physical and geographical, climatic, edaphic, and orographic features. The influence of anthropogenic activity in the experimental plots was determined and the level of anthropogenic pressure on the state of the phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maxim Rylskyi city of Kyiv was carried out by analyzing available sources of industrial production, transport, etc. It has been established that Holosiiv Park named after Maksym Rylskyi is subjected to constant anthropogenic load, in particular, intensive recreational use, atmospheric air pollution has been established, which leads to the impoverishment of biodiversity in certain areas of the park. The level of atmospheric air pollution in the territory adjacent to the experimental sites was assessed using computational and instrumental methods. It was established that the estimated CO level exceeds the standards by 8 times on Holosiivskyi Avenue and by more than 30 times at the intersection of Maksym Rylskyi Street and Holosiivskyi Avenue. The analysis of the state of the atmospheric air using instrumental research methods did not show an excess of the content of the main pollutants, however, according to the Air Quality Index, it is moderately polluted by the content of dust with a diameter of 2.5 microns. The study of the state of the phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maksym Rylsky of the city of Kyiv within the experimental plots was carried out by studying their floristic composition and evaluating the ecological groups of plants. Because it is the analysis of ecological groups of plants that makes it possible to assess the ecological conditions of plant groups, the place of growth, and phytocenotypes of plant species that are part of the phytocenosis, that is their role in the formation of the phytocenosis. The ecological assessment of the state of phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maksym Rylskyi of the city of Kyiv was carried out using the method of bioindication and lichen indication (lichen research). These methods make it possible to determine the level of anthropogenic load acting quickly and relatively easily on phytocenoses within the experimental plots. To determine the state of the trees in the experimental plots, the method of assessing the asymmetry of morphological structures was used (using the example of the hanging hornbeam Carpinus betulus L.). A comparison of the floristic composition and the state of the phytocenoses showed that plot No. 1 has a depressed state, plants do not grow evenly, and drying of trees was observed. Plot No. 2 has the best condition, the plants of the plot are characterized by the best indicators of growth and development, the largest number of species, and the frequency of occurrence of species. Site No. 3 did not record significant degradation of the phytocenosis, but there is a certain mosaic of the phytocenosis, which may be due to atmospheric air pollution and significant recreational pressure, in particular, trampling. Plot No. 2 and Plot No. 3 have the highest coefficient of species composition commonality. Common plant species in the respective areas are: Carpinus betulus L., Anemonoides ranunculoides L., Ficaria verna, Trifolium repens and Corydalis solida.

Landscape structure of the territory of the Kilemarsky section of the projected National Park Nizhegorodskoe Zavolzh'e (Nizhny Novgorod Region, Russia)

The article presents the results of landscape differentiation of the territory of the Kilemarsky section of the projected National Park Nizhegorodskoe Zavolzh'e, performed at the hierarchical level of landscape types. The territory of the Kilemarsky section of the projected national park lies in the Eurasian taiga (coniferous forest) botanico-geographical area, in the subzone of the southern taiga. According to the botanico-geographical zoning of the European part of Russia, its territory belongs to the Kama-Pechera-West Ural subprovincion of the Ural-West Siberian taiga province. The specifics of the national park's operating mode require functional zoning of the territory, taking into account the vulnerability of natural complexes, permissible recreational pressure and areas of propagation of rare plant and animal species, which determines the high demand for landscape zoning schemes, necessary for the effective organization of environmental and recreational activities. The article presents a scheme of landscape zoning of the territory of one of the five sections of the projected National Park Nizhegorodskoe Zavolzh'e – Kilemarsky. The work was carried out on the basis of field and desk researches, conducted in 2022. During the research seven landscapes were identified and briefly characterized.

Малі затоки Дніпра як осередки біорізноманіття (на прикладі Блакитної зони міста Києва)

Individual components of river floodplains can notably differ in terms of their environmental significance. Very little is known about the environmental protection role of small inlets, unlike other components of river floodplains. In this aspect, 10 small inlets of the Azure Zone of Kyiv with an area of 200–260 000 m², a depth of 10–350 cm and a degree of overgrowth of 3–95% were investigated. The research was carried out during the summer–autumn period of 2021. The conservation value of individual bays was assessed both by the values of the total taxonomic richness and by the presence of vertebrate species that are subject to special protection in accordance with current legislation. To determine the total taxonomic richness, an express method previously developed by the author of the article was used. Its detailed description is given in the available publication. In almost half of the examined bays, the index of taxonomic richness of hydrobionts exceeded the probable average values. Vertebrate species subject to special protection according to official documents were found in all bays. Among them, the river otter is included in the Red Book of Ukraine, and the terrapin in the international Red Lists. Each of the studied bays is surrounded by dense aquatic and riparian vegetation, which could not vegetate in the absence of the bay. The presence of developed riparian vegetation not only contributes to the improvement of the ecological regime of water bodies, but also considerably increases their conservation value, because it is densely populated by various groups of animals. Usually, there are not only semi-aquatic and moisture-loving species, but also many other species, including ecologically valuable ones, as well as those subject to special protection. Thus, river bays create habitats not only for aquatic but also for riparian species. Thus, the small inlets of the Azure Zone of Kyiv, despite the significant recreational pressure, play a significant role in maintaining the local diversity of the inhabitants of the river floodplain. In general, the conservation of biodiversity associated with small inlets can be combined with the main forms of their recreational use. After all, the task of preserving natural complexes is fundamentally compatible with measures to improve the health of the population of large cities, since both directions require maintaining the proper state of the environment.

Analysis of Spatial Distribution Processes for Forest Fires Near the Railway Infrastructure Using Clustering: Case Study

Almost all the states of the world community have territories along which railroad tracks pass. In a number of states, these railway lines pass through forests. As known, railway facilities are a source of anthropogenic load on forested areas. This causes the occurrence of forest fires near railway infrastructure. For medium-term and long-term prediction of forest fire danger, it is often necessary to process data on the forest fire retrospective. In this paper, the processing of statistical data on forest fires has been carried out by using cluster analysis. The purpose of the study is cluster analysis and processing of statistical data on forest fires near the infrastructure facilities of Russian Railways in the context of assessing and predicting forest fire danger. Main objectives: 1) collecting data from forestries; 2) preparing samples; 3) classifying two sets of samples; 4) analysing clusters obtained. In the work, data processing has been carried out for a typical territory of the Republic of Buryatia (Russian Federation), along which the railway passes. Hierarchical clustering algorithms have been used for data processing. The initial information for data processing has included meteorological parameters, forest stands description, statistical data on forest fires and data on the location of railway infrastructure facilities. By using the QGIS software, digital maps have been built showing the spatial distribution of forest fire clusters near the railway infrastructure, forest conditions and typical meteorological conditions. Based on the results of the work, conclusions and proposals have been formulated on the use of cluster analysis in predicting forest fire danger. An analysis of the spatial distribution of forest fire clusters over the territory of the Zaigraevsky district of the Republic of Buryatia shows that a large number of forest fire clusters are located near the railway infrastructure. In fact, railway facilities are a serious source of anthropogenic load. In the future, it is necessary to define the so-called buffer zones near railway infrastructure facilities, whose forested areas require careful attention when predicting forest fire danger. The results of cluster analysis confirm the data of descriptive analysis for a number of positions. For example, forest fires occur near railway infrastructure, which is explained by the presence of attractive points in forest areas due to logging, hunting, picking berries and mushrooms, as well as recreational pressure. As a result of the descriptive analysis, reasonable assumptions have been made and explanations have been given for the presence of local maxima of forest fires for the period 2016-2020, as well as during the fire danger season. The article also presents a plan for further research in this direction.

МИКРОБИОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ГИДРОТЕХНИЧЕСКИХ СООРУЖЕНИЙ НЕКОТОРЫХ БУХТ Г. СЕВАСТОПОЛЯ

Hydraulic structures, which are constantly present in bays, are one of the factors affecting the condition of coastal waters. Microperiphyton, which is formed on hydraulic structures in coastal zones with varying degrees of anthropogenic and recreational pressure, has the greatest indicative value. Microbiological studies of periphyton significantly complement the characterization of the ecological state of the coast. This study presents data on the quantitative distribution of heterotrophic and hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria in the microperiphyton of silt deposits of the southern breakwater of Sevastopol Bay and the eastern breakwater of Kamyshovaya Bay. The total number of heterotrophic bacteria in the silt deposits of the southern breakwater generally ranged from 103 to 104 cells/ml, while that of the eastern breakwater mainly varied within 103–105 cells/ml. The results obtained indicate that the silty deposits in the considered water areas to the development of the analyzed groups of bacteria participating in the processes of self-purification of water areas, and their number does not depend on the depth. Data analysis showed that the number of heterotrophic bacteria in the eastern breakwater was higher than in the southern breakwater. Seasonal differences in the number of studied groups of bacteria were not revealed. It was found that the processes of self-purification of the marine environment from oil and petroleum products are more active on the outer side of the breakwater, and these processes are more pronounced on the southern breakwater.

Состояние древесных растений на объектах защитного лесоразведения и озеленения Калачевского района Волгоградской области

The Kalachevsky district of the Volgograd region belongs to the regions that require stabilization of natural resources use. Land and forest reclamation and landscaping will ensure the resource potential of the district’s landscapes at increasing recreational and natural load. The studies have shown that differences in inventory parameters, development, fruiting and sustainability of plants are due to soil and climatic conditions, and anthropogenic impact. The research objects are woody species, predominantly of European habitats: sweet chestnut – Castanea sativa Mill.; Pallas pine (Crimean pine) – Pinus pallasiana D. Don.; European crab apple – Malus sylvéstris Mill.; white poplar (silver poplar) – Populus alba L.; white willow – Salix alba L.; English oak – Quercus robur L.; European ash – Fraxinus excelsior L.; Lombardy poplar – Populus nigra var. italica Münchh.; wych elm – Ulmus glabra Huds.; golden currant – Ribes aureum Pursh.; common lilac – Syringa vulgaris L.; Russian pea shrub – Caragana frutex (L.) K. Koch; common privet – Ligustrum vilgare L.; Oregon grape – Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh.) Nutt.; cinnamon rose – Rosa cinnamomea L. It was found that relatively stable species in the Kalachevsky district are European crab apple, golden currant (which has the best salinity resistance), Russian pea shrub, wych elm, Oregon grape, but they are inferior to poplars, willows, lilacs, chestnuts in inventory parameters and growth rate. The best performance on a number of economically valuable features were observed in chestnut, spruce, apple, poplar, willow, elm, ash, and rose. Chestnut, currant, Oregon grape, lilac, privet, cinnamon rose have the highest score of ornamentality for landscaping plantations. Chestnut, rose, and oak have the best fruiting rates; ash and privet have medium fruiting rates. The strongest stage of recreational digression is observed in areas remote from settlements: there is densification of plantings, lack of sanitary cuttings, medium passability. Areas near water sources, as well as public gardens and parks, require sanitary care, reduction of recreational pressure and the selection of species from the recommended range of trees and shrubs. In order to ensure the greatest sustainability of plantings and obtain a rapid silvicultural effect, perennial, fast-growing species as well as fruit shrubs recommended in the basic assortment should be included in the protective and landscaping plantations of the arid region.

Tourism may threaten wildlife disease refugia

AbstractThe remoteness and isolation of South American tabletop mountain (tepui) summits may protect against infections that underpin global amphibian declines. Increases in recreational pressure in such unspoiled destinations, and in isolated ecosystems globally, pose a poorly understood risk of wildlife disease introduction, especially in supposedly immunologically naïve communities. We here report the first observed chytrid infections in the Pantepui biogeographical region. Infections significantly correlate with proximity to the nearest basic tourist infrastructure in four endemic amphibians occurring on tepui summits and their slopes. Phylogenetic relationships and environmental context suggest a high risk of severe and irreversible population declines in unique, early branching amphibians. These findings advocate for an urgent control of recreational pressure in isolated, highly vulnerable ecosystems.

Spatial distribution of micromollusks under the impact of recreation

Anthropogenic impacts lead to a decrease in the abundance and diversity of communities of living organisms. The rate of recovery of populations is inversely proportional to size: the smaller the size, the greater the potential for population recovery after negative impact. Therefore, under conditions of extremely high levels of anthropogenic impact, small-sized animals are a reliable source of ecosystem state. The aim of the work is to: 1) to evaluate rates of the micromollusc Vallonia pulchella (Müller, 1774) abundance in ecosystems that are subject to extremely high levels of recreational pressure; 2) to identify factors that influence the spatial patterns of soil micromollusks; and 3) to investigate the possibility of using micromollusks for the purposes of bioindication of recreational pressure. The soil sampling was performed on a regular grid with recording of local coordinates. The micromollusks were extracted from the soil samples by hand sorting. Physical properties of soil sensitive to recreational load were also measured. Micromolluscs were found to exhibit a non-linear response to recreational impact. The maximum abundance of animals is observed at a certain distance from recreational trails. This distance is specific for different species of micromollusks. Micromollusks have high population abundance even under conditions of high recreational load. The regular spatial patterns of these animals are caused by changes in the soil habitat, which are induced by recreational load. This circumstance allows to consider micromollusks as a reliable indicator of the level of recreational load.