Sand Massifs Research Articles

Vegetation of the Sand Massifs of the Northern Gobi Desert

Vegetation of the Sand Massifs of the Northern Gobi Desert

The Phytocoenotic Potential of Pastures on the Sand Massifs of the Don Basin

The Phytocoenotic Potential of Pastures on the Sand Massifs of the Don Basin

Specific features of the size structure of marginal populations of the nominative subspecies of the secret toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus mystaceus mystaceus) (Agamidae, Reptilia)

The article considers the probability of Foster's rule, or the island effect manifestation in a population of the nominative subspecies of the secret toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus mystaceus mystaceus Pallas, 1776) living on an isolated sandy massif of Sarykum, Dagestan. Materials on morphometric data, body length and tail length were collected at two points in the habitat of the nominative subspecies. Data on the Sarykum sand massif were collected in May 2021. At the second point of the range, in the vicinity of v. Dosang, the Astrakhan region, data were obtained during the spring field seasons of 2010–2014. Our processing of the materials shows that mature individuals of the population on Sarykum are significantly smaller than lizards of the same age group from the Astrakhan region. Our analysis of the published data confirms the smallest possible size of this population of the nominative subspecies. Thus, the population of the secret toad-headed agama on the Sarykum sandy massif may be a typical example of an island shift, in which large animals tend to become dwarfs, and small ones to become giants, respectively. In this case, we are dealing with dwarfism of the largest species of Phrynocephalus genus in the isolated territory of the Sarykum sandy massif. It should be noted that immature individuals of the populations have no dimensional differences from other populations of th e habitat, which may indicate the physiological dimensional optimum of this age group.

Modern plant fodder resources of the steppes and meadows of the ancient Chir landscape of the “Tsimlyansky” nature reserve

In 2022, studies of the species diversity of plant communities, their aboveground mass and the resource-feeding potential of various types of steppes and meadows in the “Tsimlyansky” nature reserve were conducted. The method of vegetation cover mowing (n = 29) in seven types of steppes and meadows determined the aboveground mass of 101 species of herbaceous plants within the ancient Chir landscape of the Don-Tsimlyansk sand massif. The species richness of plant communities varies between (5.7±1.7) – (14.0±1.2) species/0.25 m2 and averages 10.1±1.0 species/0.25 m2. The average share of cereal species in the communities is 23%, and grasses are almost 3 times more – 64%. The total aboveground biomass in 7 types of steppes and meadows varies between (197.4±25.6) – (379.1±92.5) g/m2. The accumulated mort (necro) mass is (152.2±12.5) – (411.9±43.9) g/m2.

Dynamics of desertification of arid ecosystems of Kizlyar pastures

The authors conducted research to identify the sources of formation of sand massifs, which then become the main cause of desertification of the territories of Kizlyar pastures, in order to carry out protective measures. In the article, the authors present materials confirming desertification and its ecological aspects. The ecological state of arid territories of Russia is one of the most acute problems that requires constant monitoring. Global changes in climatic conditions have a significant impact on the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, including the soil cover. With the warming of the climate, the development of the processes of wind erosion and soil salinization increases. As a result, the pastures of Kizlyar were driven into extreme conditions. Pastures have come to an extremely critical state, and the degree of degradation of damage caused by these processes is much higher than other regions of the European South of Russia. The ecological situation of the territory is deteriorating rapidly. According to various estimates, large areas of them are occupied by open sands – 60.0 - 71.3 thousand hectares. As the analysis of the experience of the work carried out on the Kizlyar pastures shows, their effectiveness was extremely low, and in some places they contributed to the strengthening of the development of natural degradation processes. As a result, destabilizing factors have emerged that ensure the production of established phytocenoses, worsening conditions and progressing every year. At present, there are practically no improved pasture lands with natural vegetation in the Tersk-Kum lowland. In the current situation, the priority is to stop the activity of moving sands, as well as to improve the state of the species diversity of vegetation, otherwise, if these processes continue at the same pace, it may endanger the very existence of pastures and the basis of life in this territory.

Spatial distribution of plant phytocomplexes on the hilly-ridge sandy territories of the Don basin

The aim of the research was to establish spatial patterns of placement of the most productive areas of pasture phytocenoses and to assess biodiversity on the sandy massifs of the Don basin. The objects of research are herbaceous plant communities on geomorphologically different sections of the Ilovlinsky sand massif. Methods of mathematical statistics of the MATLAB package and the SURFER program were used to process and analyze the results. Regression analysis was carried out by the generalized linear regression method. The dependence of the yield of pasture grasses on the projective cover is determined. The results of a statistical regression model describing this relationship in the form of a logistic function are presented. The features of the ecosystem of plant communities on open and medium-grown sands are revealed.

Floristic composition of sand massifs in the western part of the Sub Ural plateau

Currently, on the territory of Kazakhstan, one of the topical issues is the study of the current state of ecosystems. The aim of the study is a biomorphological, geographical and ecological analysis of thesand massifs flora inthe western part of the Sub Ural plateau. 137 species of vascular plants belonging to 99 genera and 35 families were registered in the Karagash and Akkum sand massifs. Most of the flora (70; 50.4%) is occupied by species belonging to the Asteraceae, Poaceae, Fabaceae and Chenopodiaceae families. The predominant in the flora are rhizomatous species: Calamagrostis epigeios, Carex colchica, Helichrysum arenarium, Leymus racemosus, Scirpoides holoschoenus, etc.The presence of adventitious species in the flora indicates high anthropogenic pressure, unfavorable growing conditions and habitat disturbance. The predominance of xerophytes is associated with the adaptation of psammophytesand steppe species to growing in arid climates. The chorological analysis showed the predominance of the wide-ranging Eurasian and Ancient Mediterranean species.There is a need to protect meadow and psammophytic mixed-grass-stipa grass and juniper communities. They belong to plant species distribution area of which is currently being intensively reduced, so it is necessary to organize comprehensive measures to protect their growing environment. Information about the species composition of plants, their biological and ecological features, which in the future will become the basis for the organization of monitoring work, are of great practical importance.

Transformation of soil and plant pastures cover of light chestnut soils in to sandy soils of kochubey biosphere station

The transformation of the vegetation cover of pasture landscapes is the result of the interaction of climatic, ecological, physiological and anthropogenic environmental factors. The result of the dependence of the conservation of species in the vegetation cover, especially forage plants, on the influence of these factors and the determination of their variability and stability in pasture ecosystem communities is relevant for production and science. As a result of a long-term study (more than 10 years) of the soil and vegetation cover of pasture landscapes on different soils and sands of the Kochubey Biosphere Station (KBS), especially under the conditions of anthropogenic impact, it was revealed that weeds adapt well to new conditions, stable populations of non-forage plants are created, causing deflation and degradation. The floristic composition and ecological and coenotic characteristics of the dominant plant species were studied on light chestnut sandy loamy soils and sands. The rapid change of indigenous species of plant communities formed in the conditions of a continental climate indicates a high mobility of vegetation. The species diversity and occurrence of plant species characterize the qualitative difference between the compared soils (light chestnut, sandy loam and sand). The described syntaxa reflect the directions of natural and anthropogenic transformation of the vegetation of light chestnut soils and sandy massifs of the KBS, which are characterized by a change in the composition of the prevailing life forms, a decrease in the role of valuable forage plant species and an increase in the diversity of annual non-forage species, without changing their species diversity. The landscape dynamics of the KBS territory is expressed in the transformation of the relief and vegetation cover under the influence of eolian processes with an increase in the projective cover and overgrowth of mobile landforms of sand massifs.

Caucasian Rapid Racerunner (<i>Eremias velox caucasica</i> Lantz, 1928): The State of the Population on the Sarykum Sand Massif

This article describes the status of the Caucasian rapid racerunner (Eremias velox caucasica Lantz, 1928) population on the Sarykum sand massif. Data collected on its sex-age structure in the first decade of May 2022 were analyzed. Morphometric diagrams based on body length measurements (mm) were built. The results obtained show that the population consists of immature specimens and mature males and females. Adult animals can be divided into two age groups, namely, lizards aged two years and three years or more. The core of the population is made up of immature and two-year-old males and females. Sexual dimorphism related to body length was reliably determined by the nonparametric Mann–Whitney test: males turned out to be larger than females. Although the population is generally stable, it is still negatively affected by the recreational load on the Sarykum territory and the sand overgrowth. These two factors lead to changes in the biotope inhabited by E. v. caucasica. Therefore, it is important to carefully monitor the population of E. v. caucasica on the Sarykum sand massif as this species is listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Dagestan and other southern regions of Russia.

Understanding the Impact of Desertification Progress on the Spread of Landscape Fires in the Stavropol Region

The satellite imagery of the eastern part of the Stavropol region (Russia) was processed and analyzed for the spatial and temporal spread of fires, both landscape and field ones, and open sand massifs. Moisture distribution, anthropogenic transformation of the territory, climatic trends, and livestock dynamics were assessed. The agricultural and climatic zones were considered to reconstruct the fire dynamics. No direct relationship was revealed between landscape fire progression and desertification site development. While the advance of open sands naturally prevents the spread of fires, it also contributes to a decrease in the population of large and small livestock. This, in turn, leads to an accumulation of the mortmass and results in a higher fire risk. Our findings show that the areas of open sands increased more than 20-fold from 2013 to 2022, while landscape and field fires tended to become less extensive.

Taxonomic diversity of racerunners with descriptions of two new Eremias species (Sauria: Lacertidae) from Central Iran.

We provide a diversity assessment of Iranian species of the genus Eremias based on the cytochrome oxidase I mtDNA gene fragment. We analyzed 93 genetic samples from the entire distribution of the Eremias fasciata species complex in Iran and surrounding regions, along with morphological data to support the description of two new species from Central Iran. We hypothesize that the diversification of the Eremias fasciata species complex was largely influenced by the fragmentation of sand massifs in the region. This same hypothesis has been used to explain the high level of endemism among the sand-dwelling species of reptiles along the Iranian Plateau in the same area. The two new species described herein can be distinguished from other congeneric species by their phylogenetic position and a combination of morphological characters. We use these data to discuss the taxonomy of Eremias based on morphology, habitat choice, and genetic data.

MICROMORPHOLOGICAL AND MORPHOSCOPIC PARAMETERS OF SAND GRAINS AS INTERPRETATION INDICATION OF THE GENESIS OF KINBURNSKA ARENA

The Кіnburnska arena is one of the seven sand massifs of the Oleshkivsky Sands (Oleshia). In order to clarify the genesis of the relief forms of the Kinburngska аrena and in general the formation of the territory of the Oleshkivsky Sands, a map-scheme of the types of relief forms of the Kinburnska arena is presented for the first time. Another goal of this research was to find out the priority of fluvial or аeolian processes in the formation of arena landforms. In this regard, for the first time, micromorphological and morphoscopic studies of sand grains from deposits of hilly landforms were conducted here. The typology of landforms showed the geomorphological diversity of the arena and evidenced the manifestation of specific, here and there unique landforms. Unique for the territory of Europe here are discrete parallel ridges of the south of the arena, which are a manifestation of giant ripples (diluvial dunes). The author examines their formation in the context of the diluvial paradigm, in particular in relation to fluvioglacial processes at the end of the Pleistocene and flood-overflow processes in the Holocene. The specific formations of the arena here include ridges and depressions formed as a result of the flow of water masses from the water area of the Dniprovsko-Buzkyi liman to the Black Sea (western part of the arena), as well as its Yagorlytskyi Bay (eastern part of the arena). The analysis of the parameters of sand grains from the deposits of various geocomplexes of the Kinburnska arena showed the predominance of weakly rolled grains, as well as the dominance of bugor and bugor-stepped texture of the surface sand grains with almost universal development of micro- and nanoforms on their surface. The typology of the relief forms of the arena and the interpretation of the parameters of the analyzed sand grains proved the dominant role of fluvial processes in the formation of the relief of sandy deposits of the Kinburnska arena and the subordinate importance of aeolian processes.

ANALYSIS OF METHODS FOR MAPPING THE VEGETATION COVER AT THE KAZAN-VESHENSKY SAND MASSIF

The article discusses two different ways to classify space images of Landsat-8 satellite by the example of the sand massif in the Kazan-Veshensky key area, the Rostov-on-Don region. The first method is a semi-automatic raster classification with training (SC) of selected reference areas, the second is a normalized vegetation index (NDVI). Taking into consideration K.N. Kulik typology of sands, the following classes are distinguished in the satellite image, i.e., open, slightly overgrown and overgrown sands. Also, shrub and herbaceous (plants in the vegetative state), pine forest plantations, and native forest with tree splits were marked as individual classes. The degree of sand overgrowth with native vegetation was estimated according to the projective cover. The resulting raster images were vectorized for further work. The estimation of cartographic image classification accuracy by the Cohen’s Kappa index was calculated. This work is necessary to identify the most reliable method for deciphering the selected area images. The resulting map can be used for initial assessment of phytoecological conditions of agrolandscapes in the sandy massif area. On the basis of cartographic images, by setting from 70 to 100 points in each class and checking their reliability by using archival satellite image for 07.07.2020, error matrices were complied, which permitted us to calculate the total interpretation accuracy. For semi-automatic classification with training, it constitutes 80.7%, and NDVI – 74.3%. According to the vegetation index with a smaller error, the classes of open sands and weakly overgrown sands were distinguished, in other cases the SC method turned out to be more accurate. Cohen’s Kappa coefficient in the semi-automatic classification with training is 77.4%, NDVI – 70.5%. The difference in classification accuracy is almost 7%. Thus, the optimal method for preliminary analysis of the Kazan-Veshensky sand massif key area using Landsat-8 satellite images is a semi-automatic classification with training.

Systematics and typology of the relief forms of the Oleshkivski Sands


 
 
 Oleshkivski Sands is one of the most peculiar regions of psammomorphic land- scapes in Europe and in particular the ancient delta region of the Left Bank of the Lower Dnipro. The territory of the sands consists of seven hilly sand massifs and six inter-arenial flat-level geocomplexes. The relief and peculiarities of the formation of this territory are still insufficiently studied, the relief of the intra-arenial landscapes is almost completely unexplored. The objectives of this study were sys- tematics and typology of the relief forms with approaches to elucidating the factors and mechanism of formation of geomorphological formations of Oleshkivski Sands. The methods of research of the relief of the Oleshkivski Sands were based on existing experience in identification, mapping, classification, analysis of sandy landforms, deciphering their portrayal on satellite images, as well as on many years of field research by the author. The generalized and systematized analysis of the relief, illustrated with maps, tables and photo- graphic materials, allowed us to form the systematics of the microforms of the relief and the typology of the mesorelief of the Olesh- kivski Sands. The results of such studies have revealled the morphological and genetic diversity of individual landforms within the arenas and inter-arenial geocomplexes, and a total of seven arenas of the Oleshkivski Sands, and respectively the complicated history of the formation of the region. Of the arenial geocomplexes, the hilly massifs and intra-arenial depressions were considered separately. Among the hilly massifs, the dominant were found to be hilly and undulated chaotically-configured structures, at some places with the distribution of parabolic dunes and dune ridges, and also the subordinate spread of the mound massifs. The morphological and genetic diversity of inter-arenial depressions was determined, which can be considered as diagnostic objects in the formation of the Oleshkivski Sands. The analysis of the relief of the territory of the Oleshkivski Sands revealed that different factors were in operation at different time stages of its formation – fluvial (fluvioglacial), aeolian, suffusion-subsidence, thalassogenic, anthropogenic. Аt the present stage the dominant are aeolian and anthropogenic factors. Special attention was paid to parallel hilly ridges of the Kinburnska and Kelegeiska arenas, considered in the context of the diluvial (catafluvial) paradigm as a manifestation of giant ripples. The discreetly formed parallel ridges and extended hollows of the Kinburn Peninsula are presented in the context of flood-freshet events in the history of the function- ing of the Dnipro and the Southern Bug, in places where water masses flow through watershed geocomplexes.
 
 

Simulation of Groundwater Formation on the Sand Massifs of the Don Region: The Case of the Eterevsky Sand Massif

Simulation of Groundwater Formation on the Sand Massifs of the Don Region: The Case of the Eterevsky Sand Massif

ДИНАМИКА ПЛОЩАДИ ОТКРЫТЫХ ПЕСКОВ НА СЕВЕРО-ВОСТОКЕ СТАВРОПОЛЬСКОГО КРАЯ В 2022 Г.15

The article examines monthly dynamics of spatial distribution of open sands (desertification hotbeds and sand massifs) in the north-eastern part of the Stavropol region (Levokumsky and Neftekumsky districts) for 2022. The sands were mapped using GIS technologies and Earth remote sensing materials (Landsat-8, 9) for each month of 2022, with the exception of January,November, and December. The minimum identified area of open sands is 19.5 thousand ha (June), the maximum is 53.3 thousand ha (August), which is 6.3% of the total study area. The total increase in the area of open sands at the end of the year was 25.9 thousand ha (a twofold increase compared to the beginning of the year). For the entire period under study, almost 4 thousand sand plots were identified, with a total area of more than 300 thousand ha. During the study period, 14 dust storms were registered (with the total duration of 29 days). The most intense dust storm of these, with the highest wind speed and the lowest visibility, occurred in early March 2022, and it led to a 1.5-fold increase in the sand area. The largest increase in the area of open sands was noted in August (by 2.1 times, by 28 thousand ha), when the longest dust storms of the year occurred. The relationship between the duration of dust storms during a month and the increase in the area of open sands has been established. The study takes into account the salinization area in the form of sor depressions.

Features of operation of pastures of the Don basin

The purpose of the research was to identify the productivity of forage lands on the sandy lands of the Don basin and the optimal load on them of farm animals. The objects of research were pasture ecosystems of Ust-Khopersky, Chirsky, Kazansko-Veshensky, Tsimlyansky, Golubinsky, Archedinsko-Ilovlinsky-Don sand massifs. The work is based on the methods of landscape- bioecological research and the study of the development of phytocenoses. The optimal load of farm animals during their grazing is determined, taking into account the feed capacity of pastures and recommendations for the use of forage lands are given. Overgrown sands are the most productive (1.4-3.8 t/ha). Accordingly, they withstand the greatest load of livestock. When grazing cattle, the load on them should not exceed 0.2-0.4 head / ha, when grazing horses – 0.2-0.5 head / ha, when grazing sheep and goats – 1.0-2.9 head / ha. The most vulnerable areas are open and medium-grown sands. When grazing cattle, the load on them should not exceed 0.1-0.2 head / ha, when grazing horses – 0.1-0.4 head / ha, sheep and goats – 0.4-2.1 head / ha.

Ecological and economic significance of the Middle Don sand arenas

The research purpose is a comprehensive assessment of the Middle part of the Don river sand massifs soil and hydrological conditions. The research objects are the sandy massifs of the Middle Don on an area of 527 thousand hectares. The sand arenas water balance dynamics for the period from November to March and for the period from April to October has been revealed. It has been established that atmospheric precipitation is the main source of river water supply. The basis of river systems flood filling are clay soils that form an intra-soil runoff. The low water period level is supported by sandy soils. A decrease in the density of plant formations contributes to an increase in groundwater supply. The total underground runoff reaches 599 million m3 from the sandy massifs of the Middle Don. The volume and dynamics of the moisture movement in the soil depend on the system of sandy areas use. Therefore, the load on sandy arenas should be regulated. Pasture farming should remain the dominant form of sand use. An effective method of sandy arenas afforestation is the planting of pine plantations according to the savanna type.

Species diversity and productivity of pasture ecosystems of the Ilovlinsky sand massif

The aim of the research was to establish the productivity of pasture ecosystems on the sandy lands of the Don basin. The objects of research are herbaceous plant communities on the sands of the Ilovlinsky massif of the Volgograd region. The analysis of the species diversity of the vegetation cover, its variability in space was carried out by an inventory of 5 test plots measuring 10 x 10 m. Generally accepted methods of statistical analysis, graphical interpretation and scientific generalization were used to process, analyze and present the results. In all the surveyed sites, there is a low proportion of Fabaceae family species (0-8 %), a large proportion of the mixed grass group (58-75 %) and the weed species of plants (26-50 %) species. The feed mass consumed on average in the plots is 11-45 g / m2. A direct relationship was revealed between the influence of the percentage of Poaceae and Cyperaceae (Carex) species in the phytocenosis on medium-grown sands on the increase in the yield of sandy pastures (g / m2) in the late autumn period (r = 0.99). The condition of the soil and vegetation cover on forage lands is a consequence of overgrazing.

Растительные сообщества песчаного массива Сарыкум (Республика Дагестан)

Растительные сообщества песчаного массива Сарыкум (Республика Дагестан)