Southern Crimea Research Articles

Effect of wind–wave conditions on the distribution of the phytoplankton community in the coastal area of the southern Crimea in spring (Black Sea)

Based on the measurement data obtained during the 121th cruise of the RV Professor Vodyanitsky, regularities were established between spatial distribution of quantitative characteristics and phytoplankton species composition, chlorophyll a concentration, and hydrometeorological parameters of the environment on the southern Crimean coast in the spring 2022. Chlorophyll a concentration was compared with satellite observation data of high spatial resolution. In selected areas with different shelf depths, the features of the distribution of phytoplankton indicators under conditions of changing hydrometeorological parameters were studied. The mechanisms of vertical water exchange were described. In coastal waters of the Crimea (Foros–Novy Svet), with intense western wind contributing to Ekman upwelling and low water temperature is a consequence of the upwelling, rather high values of phytoplankton biomass and abundance and chlorophyll a concentration were recorded, which were accompanied by the highest values of oxygen content. In the area of Sudak–Feodosiya, with intense northeastern wind and waves and with quite high water temperature, low dissolved oxygen, low values of phytoplankton biomass and abundance and chlorophyll a concentration were registered. Apparently, in Sevastopol area, Ekman upwelling arises under the effect of northern and northwestern winds. In three regions, dinoflagellate microalgae prevailed in spring 2022 in phytoplankton biomass. Those accounted for 52, 66, 81 % of the total number of species identified in the regions: Foros–Novy Svet, Sudak–Feodosiya, near Sevastopol, respectively. Thus, the main mechanisms were analyzed, which drive spatial distribution of quantitative characteristics and species composition of the phytoplankton community in the Crimean coastal water area with different shelf depths in spring.

EARRINGS OF THE «DANUBE-PASTYRSKE» СIRCLE IN THE SOUTH OF EASTERN EUROPE: AREA AND CHRONOLOGY

The paper presents consider of earrings of the «Da­nu­be-Pastyrske» circle in the south of Eastern Europe. The catalog of this jewelry including 39 items from hill-forts, settlements, burial grounds, hoards and chance finds was compiled. This catalog includes seven hoards of Pastyrske circle and roughly synchronous with them — Zalissia and Second Tsyrkuny hoards, although they could be dated to the second half of the 7th century as well. It also includes four hill-forts and 15 settlements, one metallurgical center and one hoard of the Saltiv culture. The materials of the archaeological assemblage from Haradzishcha (territory of Belarus) require clarification. Two cemeteries from the Crimea — Luchyste and the Khersones necropolis, one burial — Yasynuvata. For nine locations, the type of archaeological resource is unknown.
 Several regions of concentration can be distinguished: Dniester-Prut region, Pripyat basin, Southern Pobuzhjia, Middle Dnieper, Southern Crimea, Nizhne Poseymya, Bryansk Podesenia, Verkhivya Psla and the Siversky Donets basin. Other finds are scattered across Eastern Europe.
 It is impossible to determine the total number of this jewelry that come from these locations. First of all, this concerns the materials of the Pastyrske hill-fort. It is difficult to determine how many such earrings from «pre-revolutionary» collections were found on the site. Seven items come from archaeological explorations of the site already after the Second World War.
 The number of finds from Bytytsia hill-fort is still unknown until the complete publication of the materials. Semi-completed items were found in Oleshky. A casting mold for making earrings of this circle at the settlement of Tsyrkuny 13 was found. Instruments for stamping was discovered in Second Tsyrkuny hoard. 19 earrings of the «Danube-Pastyrske» circle were found in seven hoards of Pastyrske circle. Finds from Zalissia hoard are fragmented. 48 jewelry come from other locations.
 Traces of the manufacture of such jewelry are recorded on four sites — Pastyrske, Bytytsia, Oleshky, Tsyrkuny 13, and in one hoard — Second Tsyrkuny.
 In general, such earrings were found in the south of Eastern Europe in the early Middle Ages until the 10th century although the main stage of their chrono­logy falls on the 8th century. However, the small number of assemblages does not allow us to draw unequivocal conclusions.

FOCUS OF THE MASS ACCUMULATION OF THE INVASIVE OAK LACE BUG, <i>CORYTHUCHA ARCUATA</i> (SAY, 1832) (HEMIPTERA: HETEROPTERA: TINGIDAE), ON THE AI-PETRI PLATEAU (CRIMEA)

The results of observations of the mass accumulation of adults of the harmful invasive oak lace bug, Corythucha arcuata (Say, 1832) in 2018 and 2021 at the highest point of the Ai-Petri plateau (Crimea; 1234 m a.s.l.) are presented. The approximate number of aggregations of this species reached several thousand specimens, the density of groups reached 50 specimens/dm of ropeway structures. There are no food plants of this invader on the plateau. It is most likely that adults of C. arcuata are brought to the plateau by vertical air currents from the areas located below, where the pest successfully reproduces and develops. The Ai-Petri Plateau is a reserve of the adult pest, which provides its expansion to other territories of the southern Crimea by air currents. Chemical control of the C. arcuata population at the apex of Mount Ai-Petri is recommended.

Conservation value of the Kruglaya Bay and the rationale to establish a new protected object in Sevastopol (Crimea, Black Sea)

The bays of the northern coast of the Heraclean Peninsula including the Kruglaya Bay are characterized by the abundance and diversity of the winter hydrophilic ornithocomplex, which is one of the largest in Crimea. To date, the bird list of the Kruglaya Bay includes 75 species. Its coast and water areas are suitable for the wintering of hydrophilic birds, of which 8 species winter annually and 20 - periodically. The total number of birds was 0.99-1.38 thousand individuals during the main wintering period (December-January) in different years, with a significant dominance (55-72%) of the coot and black-headed gull. The protected species include 13 bird species listed in the Red Data Books (RDB) of various ranks, of which 10 species are represented in the RDB of the Russian Federation, 4 in the RDB of Sevastopol and 4 in the IUCN List of Threatened Species. In addition to the diverse and numerous hydrophilic ornithocomplex, a significant species richness of aquatic organisms and a variety of benthic biotopes were observed in the Bay. The ichthyofauna is represented by 60 species (2 of them are protected), the macrophyte flora includes 41 species (4 protected), the macrozoobenthos - 124 species (7 protected), and 43 species of the epiphyton are registered. 90 vascular plant species have been identified in the coastal zone, of which 12 species are protected. Large regular and seasonal accumulations of hydrophilic birds, a high degree of biota diversity, the presence of many protected species and diverse biotopes testify to the nature conservation value of the Bay. They are the basis to establish an ornithological reserve in its water area with a protection regime in winter, as one of the largest avifauna reserves in Southern Crimea.

Этнокультурная основа процесса формирования крымскотатарской художественной культуры и декоративно-прикладного искусства (часть первая)

Based on the research results of Russian, Soviet and foreign archaeologists, anthropologists, geneticists and art historians, an attempt has been made to trace the process of formation of the artistic culture and decorative and applied art of descendants, who by the 10th –11th centuries took part in shaping of the Crimean mountain people, the Tats of the Crimea, the ancestors of the ethnographic groups of the modern Crimean Tatar people – the southern coastal and mountain Crimean Tatars, as well as of the Greco-Tatars – the Urums of the Azov region. And also to try to characterize the culture and decorative arts of the aboriginal and immigrant ethnic groups of the Crimean peninsula, who later took part in the process of ancient cultural genesis of the population of the mountainous and southern coastal Crimea. It also shows the initial stage of the process of cultural genesis of the steppe and foothill Crimean Tatars, which was going on parallel to the process of cultural genesis and formation of the artistic culture of the Tats of the mountainous and southern coastal Crimean Tatars.

New information on the bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica (Linnaeus, 1758) and red-throated diver Gavia stellata (Pontoppidan, 1763) on the Crimean Peninsula (the Black Sea)

New data on the distribution of the bar-tailed godwit Limosa lapponica (Linnaeus, 1758) and red-throated diver Gavia stellata (Pontoppidan, 1763) on the Crimean Peninsula are presented. Against the backdrop of aquatic and coastal ecosystems’ transformation under natural and anthropogenic impact, even single finds of hydrophilic avifauna representatives in atypical spatiotemporal conditions are of interest for the analysis of emerging trends in migration phenology and abundance of both separate species and taxonomic and ecological groups of birds. The aim of the study was to clarify the distribution boundaries and terms of stay on the Crimean Peninsula of two hydrophilic bird species: semiaquatic species, bar-tailed godwit, and true water bird, red-throated diver. Bird observations were carried out during scheduled accountings on the Isthmus of Ak-Monay (March 2012) and in the Kruglaya Bay (Sevastopol) (July 2019). The bar-tailed godwit is registered in Crimea during spring and autumn migration periods. For the first time, it was found in the north of the Crimean Peninsula in 1972; later, there were an increase in its abundance and expansion of a distribution area. Recent records of this species in southern Crimea significantly expanded the known boundaries of its distribution on the peninsula during the migration period. The observation of the bar-tailed godwit in eastern Crimea on 14 March, 2012, specified the date its spring migration begins; the observation in Sevastopol (western foothill) on 27 July, 2019, was the first one in Mountain Crimea. Off the Crimean coast, the red-throated diver is a rare overwintering and migratory bird. The find of the red-throated diver individual in the Kruglaya Bay on 19 January, 2020, was the third reliable record of this species overwintering in Crimea and the first one in Sevastopol area. The registration of the red-throated diver at a considerable distance from its usual overwintering areas (off the southwestern coast of the Black Sea), along with numerous facts of the expansion of nesting or winter ranges of different bird species northward, confirms the ongoing climatic and ecological changes. Particular attention should be focused on the problem, associated with low ecological culture of the use and disposal of fishing tackles, which have a detrimental effect on hydrophilic birds. Measures have to be developed to regulate fishing with nets, hooks, and line tackles in the areas of bird mass overwintering and seasonal migrations.

Winegrower’s Knives in the Mediaeval Crimea

This paper addresses the archaeological evidence of the development of viticulture in the mediaeval Crimea as a specialized branch of agriculture. Although the scholarship mentions the areas where vines were planted (Dimitraki hollow, the vicinity of the castle of Siuiren’, Mangup, etc.), these publications do not provide any appropriate descriptions or illustrations. Therefore, reliable archaeological sources include primarily the finds of special winegrower’s knives with a curved (crescent-shaped) blade. There are three zones of their distribution in the south-western (vicinity of Cherson, Eski-Kermen, Mangup, and the vicinity of the castle of Siuiren’), south-eastern (Tepsen’ and Kordon-Oba), and southern Crimea (Isar-Kaia and the vicinity of the castle of Funa). Their chronology covers the period from the eighth to thirteenth centuries. There are two main groups of winegrower’s knives determined according to their morphological features: group 1 comprises tanged knives and group 2 socketed knives. Each group is divided into two subgroups, depending on the presence or absence of a special trapezoidal protrusion, or “axe”, on the back of the blade. The iconographic materials demonstrate that winegrower`s knives of subgroup 1B occurred in the Late Byzantine Period (tanged winegrower’s knife with a sub-rectangular “axe” on the back of the blade). Western European Late Mediaeval miniatures demonstrate the functional use of winegrower`s knives of subgroup 1A (small tanged knives with no “axe”) intended for cutting bunches of grapes.

Исследование временной изменчивости параметров вертикальной структуры вод в прибрежной зоне южного Крыма

The issues of the formation and temporal variability of the vertical structure of the Black Sea waters off the coast of the southern Crimea are considered. A large array of instrumental measurement data obtained in the second half of 2013 (June–December) during operational monitoring of the vertical temperature profile in the area of Stationary oceanographic platform of the Marine Hydrophysical Institute in the coastal zone near Cape Kikineiz is used. The measurements were carried out using a thermoline, which is a system of temperature sensors distributed in depth from the surface to the bottom. To study the vertical structure of the temperature field, a model of two-layer stratification is considered, when two quasi-homogeneous layers (the upper one is warmer and the lower one cold) are separated by a layer of large vertical temperature gradients—the thermocline. A number of parameters of the vertical structure of waters were calculated: the vertical temperature gradient, its maximum values and depth of occurrence, the temperature of the thermocline core (if it was recorded) and quasi-uniform layers, the temperature difference between these layers, and the thermocline thickness. The median estimates of the daily values of the listed parameters are analyzed. Specific cases of transformation of the vertical profile of water temperature during the upwelling and downwelling processes are considered. It is shown that the temporal variability of the parameters of the vertical structure is significant, especially in the summer hydrological season. The main contribution to the variability is caused by the seasonal course of the heat flow from the atmosphere through the sea surface and surge processes (upwelling and downwelling) in the summer period caused by abrupt changes in the alongshore wind component. In the autumn hydrological season, the thermocline is recorded sporadically with a slight gradient in the form of the lower boundary of the subsurface layer of daytime heating, or a thin bottom layer.

Annotated list of the coastal habitats flora of the Southern Crimea and its brief analysis

The aim of this work is to assess the level of taxonomic diversity and to analyze the structure of the vascular flora of the coastal biotopes of the Southern Crimea. The work is based on the results of long standing field research, which was carried out by the traditional route-reconnaissance method, analysis of YALT herbarium materials and data from literary and Internet sources. Arealogical and biomorphological characteristics of the species are given according to "Biological Flora of Crimea" by V.N. Golubev, biotope coding – according to EUNIS habitat classification. The nomenclature of taxa corresponds to the "Spontaneuos flora of the Crimean peninsula" by A.V. Yena and international databases IPNI, Euro+Med PlantBase, The Plant List, Catalog of Life. 17 types of biotopes of the local, regional and European levels were identified in the coastal landscapes of the Southern Crimea according to the EUNIS habitat classification. An annotated list of vascular plants of coastal habitats has been compiled, which includes 334 species and subspecies from 223 genera of 58 families. The "core" of the studied flora has been identified, which includes 94 species most characteristic of it from 74 genera of 29 families. The analysis of the systematic, geographical and biomorphological structures of the flora and its sozological assessment are carried out. It has been established that the diversity of the coastal landscapes of the Southern Crimea is represented by 17 types of habitats, the flora of which includes 334 species and subspecies from 223 genera of 58 families of vascular plants. The most characteristic for the studied biotopes are 94 species from 74 genera of 29 families, which constitute the "core" of their flora. 14 coastal biotopes and 41 plant species have conservation status of different levels.

A Roman Figured Weight from the Sanctuary of Eklizi-Burun (Southern Crimea)

Abstract This article is the publication of a suspended moveable weight for fast scales wrought in the shape of the bust of a Roman emperor which was found within the sanctuary of Eklizi-Burun. The cult place dates from between the Early Roman to the Late Medieval Period. The item is of good quality and well preserved. The depiction of the emperor has a combination of features which permit identification with Tiberius Claudius Nero (AD 14-37). It is an example of the Chiaramonti type distributed in the last decade of Tiberius’ rule and also reproduced after the Emperor’s death. After bringing together the available information about the artefact (date, attitudes to ‘Roman Imperial’ material culture, nature of the find’s context), the authors conclude that the fast scales, of which the weight under discussion formed a part, reached Southern Taurica during the Roman-Bosporan War (AD 45-49). The scales were probably captured by Taurians/Scytho-Taurians from Roman soldiers and then offered to the sanctuary. It is possible that they had been on one of the ships transporting Romans (soldiers of Gaius Julius Aquila stationed in the Bythinia-and-Pontus Province?) in AD 49 along the sea coast, sailing westwards from the Bosporan kingdom. These ships were cast on to the ‘Taurian beach’ by a storm and plundered by the native population (Tac. Ann. XII. 17). One of the possible locations of that event could be Plaka Cape (ancient Lampas), which is situated 17.5 kilometres directly south of the Eklizi-Burun sanctuary.

Seismic Tomography Model for the Crust of Southern Crimea and Adjacent Northern Black Sea

This new seismic tomography study for the crust of southern Crimea and the northeastern Black Sea based on low-magnitude (M ≤ 3) earthquakes indicates significant heterogeneity of the crust at depths of 15–35 km. In the present paper we discuss the velocity distribution for P- and S-waves and give geological and tectonic interpretations in the context of collisional interaction between the Black Sea microplate and the Scythian plate. The joint use of data on both types of waves (P- and S-waves) increases the reliability of the interpretation and allows us to estimate the crustal composition of Mountainous Crimea (MC) and subcrustal mantle of the northeastern Black Sea. We have detected high velocity regions in the MC crust (Vp = 6.5‒6.8 km/s, Vs = 3.7‒3.9 km/s, Vp/Vs = 1.75‒1.9), which have complex configurations and can be deep sources of mid-Mesozoic intrusions known in the MC (Ayu-Dag and Castel). The high-velocity area is separated from eastern Crimea by a linear nearly north–south low-velocity zone located between the cities of Sudak and Feodosiya. The latter is interpreted as a weakened crustal zone associated with the Korsak–Feodosiya fault. The high-velocity region beneath the Black Sea (south of Kerch Peninsula) at depths of 25–40 km most likely belongs to the subcrustal mantle (Vp/Vs = 1.80–1.85) that underlies a thin suboceanic crust of the East Black Basin. The resulting crustal model for southern Crimea and adjacent part of the Black Sea is consistent with the parameters of other geophysical fields.

CERAMIC ASSEMBLAGES OF THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE 15th CENTURY FROM THE FUNA CASTLE: UTENSILS OF THE «GARRISON KITCHEN»

The Funa fortress is located in southern Crimea and is one of the reference architectural and archaeological complexes of the Northern Pontic Region with precise date of existence.
 The fortress was built by Mangup authorities near 1423 on the border with possessions of Genoese and was destroyed in a fire during the Turkish invasion of the Crimea in 1475. The detailed chronology of the site which includes three stages of its construction history — 1423, 1425—1450s and 1459—1475, has been developed so far. So it becomes possible to clarify the dating of ceramic finds in line with these periods also.
 Ceramic assemblages of the last stage from the layers of fire and destruction of 1475 are the most representative. There is the complex from courtyard 1 among them.
 The ceramic collection includes 101 and 163 fully or partially reconstructed vessels respectively. There are large and average household containers, various kitchen utensils and tableware, both of the local Crimean production and import (Miletus Ware, Spanish Luster and Blue and White Ware, Fritware). The comparative analysis of artefacts made it possible to establish the chronological changes in ceramic assemblages during 25 years.
 Moreover, statistical and typological studies of the pottery from the layer of fire demonstrated a set of vessels there is suitable for cooking and table setting for at least 40 people. Large number of luxury tableware for diverse using and their location in the context allow suggest that there was a large feast on the platform above the «kitchen», and the remains of this banquet were not removed. According to the archaeological evidence as well as analysis of historical events the inhabitants of the fortress could burn it themselves before Turkish invasion and retreat to the capital of the principality at Mangup. Perhaps the remains of a farewell feast arranged just before leaving was fixed archaeologically.

Syntaxonomic diversity of dry grassland and phrygana vegetation of the Southern Crimea: preliminary analysis

The aim of the work is to revise the prodrome and diagnostic species of the classes of natural dry grassland and phrygana vegetation of the Southern Crimea based on own field studies and modern literature data. Methods. The work is based on the Braun-Blanquet approach to classification of vegetation communities. Higher syntaxonomy units and lists of diagnostic species are given in accordance with “Vegetation of Europe ...” (EuroVegChecklist), nomenclature of syntaxon according to the requirements of the “International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature”, nomenclature of taxon according to the Catalogue of Life and Euro + Med PlantBase international databases. Results. A preliminary version of the prodrome of natural dry grassland and phrygana vegetation of the Southern Crimea has been compiled. It was established that this vegetation type includes communities of 12 classes: Sedo-Scleranthetea , Trifolio-Geranietea sanguinei , Festuco-Brometea , Festuco-Puccinellietea , Kalidietea foliati , Ononido-Rosmarinetea , Cisto-Lavanduletea stoechadis , Helianthemetea guttati , Stipo-Trachynietea distachyae , Saginetea maritimae , Asplenietea trichomanis , Drypidetea spinosae. There are 14 orders, 14 alliances and 30 associations, three of which need to be validated. The classes of rock and scree vegetation ( Asplenietea trichomanis , Drypidetea spinosae ) are described in most detail. For most classes, a significant part of the classification units has not yet been established. Conclusion. The preliminary prodrome of the natural dry grassland and phrygana vegetation of the Southern Crimea includes 12 classes, 14 orders, 14 alliances and 30 associations. A great part of syntaxa has not yet been established. The composition of the diagnostic species indicates a significant floristic proximity of the classes Sedo-Scleranthetea - Helianthemetea guttati - Stipo-Trachynietea distachyae , Festuco-Puccinellietea - Kalidietea foliati , Ononido-Rosmarinetea - Cisto-Lavanduletea stoechadis .

Marine Centrohelid Heliozoans (Centroplasthelida Febvre-Chevalier et Febvre, 1984) From Bays of Sevastopol (the Black Sea Shore)

The species diversity and morphology of centrohelid heliozoans from the Black Sea shoreline (Southern Crimea) were studied with scanning and transmission electron microscopy to supplement our knowledge on the species composition and the features of the siliceous covering of centrohelids. Six species and forms (Acanthocystis trifurca, A. turfacea, Pterocystis foliacea, P. pontica sp. n., Raineriophrys fortesca, and Heterophrys-like organism) were found. Acanthocystis trifurca was the only species of centrohelids previously recorded in the Black Sea among observed heliozoans. The new species Pterocystis pontica sp. n. is described. Two variations of Acanthocystis turfacea cells, significantly different in the morphology of scales, were observed. Two species (Pterocystis foliacea and Raineriophrys fortesca) had an unusual morphology of scales and significantly differed from those most frequently encountered in literature.

СОДЕРЖАНИЕ РТУТИ В ЭПИФИТНЫХ ЛИШАЙНИКАХ НА ТЕРРИТОРИИ РЕСПУБЛИКИ КРЫМ

В продолжение биомониторинговых исследований ртути на территории Крымского полуострова, направленных на реализацию системного подхода к изучению ее распределения между компонентами биосферы и разработки региональных экологических нормативов этого и других металлов, проведено определение содержания ртути в эпифитных лишайниках, являющихся природными планшетами атмосферной эмиссии тяжелых металлов. Цель: определить и оценить содержание ртути в пробах эпифитных лишайников, отобранных в центральном, южном, юго-восточном и восточном регионах Крымского полуострова. Методы. Содержание ртути в лишайниках видов Xanthoria parietina, Evernia prunastri и Evernia mesomorpha определяли атомно-абсорбционным методом с использованием анализатора ртути с зеемановской коррекцией неселективного поглощения «РА-915М», пиролитической приставки «ПИРО-915+» и пакета программ RA915Р в МИНОЦ «Урановая геология» Томского политехнического университета, и методом масс-спектрометрии с индуктивно связанной плазмой в аккредитованном химико-аналитическом центре «Плазма» (г. Томск). Результаты. Содержание ртути в эпифитных лишайниках, отобранных преимущественно на заповедных территориях южного региона Крыма, а также в парковых зонах городов его центрального, юго-восточного и восточного регионов и вблизи очистных сооружений варьировало в пределах от 0,054 до 0,306 мкг/г и не отличалось от фоновых значений содержания ртути в лишайниках на других территориях Российской Федерации. В то же время наблюдалась существенная неоднородность в территориальном распределении ртути: в лишайниках парковых зон на территории городов ее содержание колебалось в пределах 0,063–0,088 мкг/г, а в горных и предгорных районах южного Крыма было выше в 2 раза. Это может быть связано с геоморфологическими и геохимическими особенностями Главной гряды (глубинные разломы ортогональной системы с ртутными рудопроявлениями и зонами геодинамической активности), а также ее барьерной функцией для воздушных масс, насыщенных морскими аэрозолями, содержащими ртуть. Помимо этого, как свидетельствуют данные моделирования экспертной группы Конвенции LRTAP, существенный вклад может вносить трансграничный перенос ртути. Вариабельность содержания ртути в лишайниках на условно фоновых территориях и интенсивное технологическое развитие Крыма диктуют необходимость дифференцированного подхода к оценке экологической ситуации в отношении этого глобального и опасного загрязнителя на различного типа территориях Крымского полуострова.

Subduction Related Magmatism of the Southern Crimea: Offshore and Onshore

Subduction Related Magmatism of the Southern Crimea: Offshore and Onshore

Геоморфологические природные риски как сдерживающий фактор в развитии прибрежного туризма на примере посёлка Солнечногорского (Крым)

In managing the recreational resources in a coastal zone of the Crimean peninsula it is necessary to consider geomorphological natural risks that become visible in so-called adverse and dangerous natural processes. Among all types of adverse and dangerous natural processes in a coastal zone of Crimea the geological and geomorphological types are the greatest threat for the recreational natural-use. They are the object of studying in this article, and their impact on recreational human activity is a subject. This research is aimed at identifying the geomorphological adverse and dangerous natural processes, the characteristics of a coastal zone of the Southern Crimea, and developing the recommendations for managing the recreational natural-use. The authors assess the risks on that side using the town of Solnechnogorskoye and its surroundings, the typical tourist center of eastern part of the Southern Crimean coast, as a key area of the recreational activity. The slope and abrasion processes are the greatest threat here. Abrasion in general is characterized by the average level of intensity, the slope processes are mostly shown as a linear erosion and a landslide activity. A considerable part of this territory represents the modern and ancient landslides that in certain cases are activated by the human impact. The forecast for the coast dynamics indicates the necessity of shore protection works for a long-term vision to protect the engineering objects located next to the sea coast. It is necessary to avoid capital construction within the landslide bodies and next to the sea coast without bank protection con- structions. Protective measures should be applied to the available engineering constructions that are affected by the landslides and the linear erosion. It willallow reducing financial losses and the probability of human losses (that will inevitably lead to a sudden outflow of recreants from the region) when using the territory for tourism. The chosen area is characterized by adverse and dangerous natural processes typical for Crimea and other seaside territories with a mountainous terrain. Thus, the gained experience can be used for other coastal areas in Crimea and beyond.

Исследования местонахождений раннего палеолита на высоких морских террасах Южного Крыма в 2016 г.

Исследования местонахождений раннего палеолита на высоких морских террасах Южного Крыма в 2016 г.

Coastal cliffs, rock-slope failures and Late Quaternary transgressions of the Black Sea along southern Crimea

Rock-slope failures represent a significant hazard along global coastlines, but their chronology remains poorly documented. Here, we focus on the geomorphology and chronology of giant rockslides affecting the Crimean Mountains along the Black Sea coast. Geomorphic evidence suggests that high (>100 m) limestone cliffs flanking the southern slopes of the Crimean Mountains are scarps of rockslides nested within larger deep-seated gravitational slope deformations (DSGSDs). Such pervasive slope failures originated due to lateral spreading of intensively faulted Late Jurassic carbonate blocks moving atop weak/plastic Late Triassic flysch and tuff layers. By introducing a dating strategy relying on the combination of the uranium-thorium dating (U-Th) of exposed calcareous speleothems covering the landslide scarps with the 36Cl exposure dating of rock walls, we are able to approximate the time interval between the origin of incipient crevices and the final collapse of limestone blocks that exposed the cliff faces. For the three representative large-scale rockslides between the towns of Foros and Yalta, the initiation of the DSGSDs as evidenced by the widening of crevices and the onset of speleothem accumulation was >300 ka BP, but the recent cliff morphology along the coast is the result of Late Pleistocene/Holocene failures spanning ∼20–0.5 ka BP. The exposures of rockslide scarps occurred mostly at ∼20–15, ∼8, ∼5–4 and ∼2–0.5 ka, which substantially coincide with the last major Black Sea transgressions and/or more humid Holocene intervals. Our study suggests that before ultimate fast and/or catastrophic slope failures, the relaxation of rock massifs correlative with karstification, cracks opening, and incipient sliding lasted on the order of 104–105 years. Rapid Late Glacial/Holocene transgressions of the Black Sea likely represented the last impulse for the collapse of limestone blocks and the origin of giant rockslides, simultaneously affecting the majority of the SW coast of the Crimean Peninsula.

Late-Holocene palaeoenvironments of Southern Crimea: Soils, soil-climate relationship and human impact

Occupying 4% of Crimea’s territory, the sub-Mediterranean landscapes of Southern Crimea stand out for their distinct soil-climatic conditions and record of human activity. This paper presents the results of study of the newly formed and well-dated soils from 21 archaeological sites, making it possible to build a soil chronosequence covering the last 2.3 ka. To study the natural processes on an intra-secular scale, short series of instrumental meteorological observations were extended, based on dendrochronological records, to a total of 160 years, and the time series of solar activity and energy for pedogenesis were correlated. These data are collated with a 4.2-ka Lake Saki varve record, which was re-analysed applying the DFT spectrum analysis method, with three distinct phases in relative secular variations in precipitation being identified. The phase of a relative climatic stability with moderate variations in precipitation (3.2–1.25 ka BP) was followed by the period of increased moisture (from 1.25 ka BP), unparalleled since the Late Bronze Age. Given the decisive role of increased moisture in the climate-controlled energy expenditures for pedogenesis, in the dynamics of vegetation cover and human ways of life, the identification of these periods contributes to a better understanding of soil–climate relationship and cause-and-effect for nonlinear change in the settlement and landscape history of the region.