Species Composition Of Vegetation Research Articles

Yak and Tibetan sheep dung increase the proportional biomass of grasses and alleviate soil nitrogen limitation in degraded Tibetan alpine grassland

The dung of Tibetan livestock serves as a natural fertilizer that plays a crucial role in maintaining plant productivity and restoration of degraded alpine grasslands. However, research on how livestock dung affects vegetation composition and soil quality in Tibetan alpine grassland on the time scale remains uncertain. We established three types of nutrients (yak dung, Tibetan sheep dung and urea) and control on a Tibetan alpine grassland in 2017, and measured the vegetation (species composition, aboveground biomass, composition of functional group biomass, and species diversity) and soil characteristics (soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP)), and calculated the SOC/TN, SOC/TP and TN/TP ratios) at the end of August 2017, 2018, and 2019. The study aimed to compare the effect organic fertilizers (two Tibetan livestock dungs) and inorganic nitrogen fertilizer (urea) on vegetation characteristics and soil chemical properties, and to assess whether the livestock dung can improve soil nutrient availability level in degraded Tibetan alpine grassland. Our results showed that: (1) Tibetan sheep dung delayed the increase of aboveground biomass, and urea increased the aboveground biomass in 2017 and 2018; (2) yak and Tibetan sheep dungs and urea increased proportional biomass of aboveground grasses and plant species richness index in the three years; and (3) livestock dungs increased SOC, TN, the ratios of SOC/TP and TN/TP in 2018. Our study implies that yak and Tibetan sheep dung stimulated plant growth and altered soil nutrients, while alleviating soil nitrogen limitation in degraded alpine grasslands. The return of livestock dung to soil may be a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers in near-natural recovery of degraded Tibetan alpine grasslands.

The influence of herbicide protection on the yield of annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) in the conditions of Western Forest Steppe

Methods. Field, quantitative to determine weediness of crops, mathematical and statistical to assess the reliability of the data obtained.
 Results. It was established that the species composition of the dicot segetal vegetation in the sunflower agrocenosis was mainly represented by white quinoa (Chenopodium album L.), common bittersweet (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), birch mustard (Polygonum convolvulus L.), field mustard (Sinapis arvensis L.). Among the variants of the experiment, the highest number of weeds was noted in the control without herbicides — 31.2 weeds/ m2. The introduction of soil and insurance herbicides contributed to the reduction of weediness of sunflower crops. The negative influence of segetal vegetation on the formation of the yield of the studied crop has been proven, which manifested itself in a decrease of its seed productivity with an increase in the number of weeds in the crops. Thus, in the control variant without the use of herbicides the yield of sunflower was the lowest and amounted to 1.55 t/ ha due to strong weediness of the crops. The highest yield of sunflower (4.13 t/ ha) was noted for the variant in which the herbicide Oscar Premium, s.e. was applied to the seedlings. at the rate of 3.75 l/ ha and post-emergence spraying of crops with a tank mixture of herbicides Challenge, s.c., 1.0 l/ ha and Heliantex, s.c., 0.045 l/ ha with the addition of Vivolt surfactant 0.25 l/ ha.
 Conclusions. The lowest weediness of sunflower agrocenoses (1.5 units/ m2) at the time of harvesting was noted on the variant with the use of ground (Oscar Premium, s.e. 3.75 l/ ha) and tank mixture of insurance herbicides (Challenge, s.c., 1.0 l/ ha + Heliantex, s.c., 0.045 l/ ha + Vivolt surfactant 0.25 l/ ha) in the phase of BBCH 14. The highest yield of the researched crop was also noted on the specified version of the experiment — 4.13 t/ ha, which is 2.58 t/ ha more than the control version.

2011–2015年东洞庭湖洲滩典型植物群落样方调查数据集

The fixed sample plot investigation obtains the dynamic characteristics of ecosystem through long-term data accumulation and accurate space-time comparison, which provides a solid basis for long-term ecosystem research. In accordance with the unified monitoring specifications set forth by the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN), Dongting Lake Wetland Ecosystem Research Station conducts long-term positioning monitoring on the species composition and community characteristics of typical beach vegetation in the wetland ecosystem in response to the changing hydrological conditions of Dongting Lake. We processed the data of long-term monitoring sample plots of three typical wetland plant communities (Carex sp, Miscanthus lutarioriparius and Polygonum hydropiper) in Dongting Lake to obtain the dataset of sample survey of typical plant communities on East Dongting Lake beach from 2011 to 2015. This dataset covers a total of 14 indicators, including species name, Latin name, number of plants (clusters) (plants or clusters/quadrats), average height of leaf layer (cm), average height of reproductive branches (cm), coverage (%), phenological period, dominant species, number of plant species, density (plants or clusters/m2), leaf layer height (cm) of dominant species, reproductive branch height (cm) of dominant species, total coverage (%), and total dry weight of aboveground green parts (g/m2). This dataset comes with detailed background information to ensure its consistency across both spatial and temporal dimensions. Moreover, to ensure data accuracy and reliability, the dataset underwent comprehensive quality control throughout the entire process and is subject to expert review and verification. It can serve as an important source of background data for studying the process and succession trends of the beach wetland ecosystem in response to the hydrological conditions of Dongting Lake, and provide data support for vegetation remote sensing monitoring, biodiversity protection, wetland ecological restoration and adaptive management of Dongting Lake.

2011–2015年洞庭湖洲滩群落植物生态型、生活型和生长型组成数据集

Analyzing plant life-forms and ecotypes can provide deep insights into the relationship between plant community structure and environmental conditions, and plant life-forms play an important role in understanding the emergence, development, and succession laws of plant community. An investigation was made on the species life-forms and ecotypes of wetland plants in Dongting lake wetland. In accordance with the unified monitoring specifications of the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN), the Dongting Lake Wetland Ecosystem Observation and Research Station conducts long-term positioning monitoring on the species composition, species life-forms, growth forms and ecotypes of typical beach vegetation in the wetland ecosystem in response to the changing hydrological conditions of Dongting Lake. The dataset of long-term monitoring conducted on three typical plant communities (Carex sp., Miscanthus lutarioriparius and Polygonum hydropiper) in Dongting Lake wetland has been verified by experts to ensure the accuracy of the data. We then classified and processed the data to obtain the dataset of community composition of plant life-forms, growth forms and ecotypes on Dongting Lake beach (2011–2015). The dataset covers a total of 8 indicators, namely species name, Latin name, life-form, growth form, ecotype according to light intensity, ecotype according to water requirement, ecotype based on soil pH and ecotype according to responses sediment burial. This dataset comes with detailed background information to ensure its consistency across both spatial and temporal dimensions. This dataset comes with detailed background information about site information and site management records to ensure its consistency across both spatial and temporal dimensions. This dataset can provide support for the analysis of the classification of plant life forms and the composition and structure of ecotypes, and serve as valuable reference for further study of vegetation succession in Dongting Lake wetland.

How to successfully improve the biodiversity of city grasslands?

Urban grasslands (UG) are among the most common types of urban green areas. They are usually species poor, and spontaneous plant migration, which can increase biodiversity, is limited. To improve the range of ecosystem services provided by UG, various seed mixtures are applied during the establishment and restoration of UG. These mixtures vary in content, quality, and cost. High-quality seed mixtures are expensive and are usually only available in small amounts. Meanwhile, alternative methods of seed introduction (e.g., fresh hay application, seeds harvested by brush) have not been well studied in UG restoration, and inexpensive commercial mixtures could have low quality and lead to poor restoration outcomes. Here, we tested the effectiveness of different seed sources to create high-quality UG at two study sites. Based on the results, all seed addition methods increased the species richness of restored grasslands. The outcome of seed addition was satisfactory regardless of differences in residual vegetation species composition and soil properties between the sites. The species richness on plots that received a commercial mixture of flower meadow plants dedicated to pollinators decreased after overwintering. The alternative seed sources (fresh hay and seed incidentally collected during mowing) yielded grassland quality that was comparable to that on plots that received high-quality mixtures with known seed origin (a seminatural meadow mixture and a mixture with the addition of grasses).

INFLUENCE OF HERBICIDE TREATMENT ON YIELD SPRING RAPE IN THE FARMS OF THE MAGZHAN ZHUMABAYEV DISTRICT OF THE NORTH KAZAKHSTAN REGION

The research work is devoted to the study of the effect of herbicide treatment on the yield of spring rapeseed in the farms of the Magzhan Zhumabayev district of the North Kazakhstan region. Field experiments were conducted to study the effect of herbicides on weed vegetation and the yield of spring rapeseed oil seeds. The timing of sowing spring rapeseed is the end of May. The species composition of the weed vegetation of rapeseed agrophytocenosis was determined. The most common weeds in spring rapeseed crops are tilted schiritsa, common shepherd's bag, white mar, field osot, creeping wheatgrass. The type of clogging of crops is root-sprout-annual. The soil of the experimental field is a complex of leached and ordinary chernozems. The objects of the study were selected herbicides "Simba" and "Hacker". These drugs are aimed at combating annual and perennial weeds. They have a systemic effect, are absorbed by the leaves, transferred to the point of growth, roots and rhizomes and easily move around the plant, disrupting cell division and stopping its growth. The drug Simba has a high efficiency in the fight against monocotyledonous weeds in spring rape crops, the average efficiency for 28 days was 28.9%. Hacker herbicide is effective for controlling dicotyledonous juvenile and perennial weeds, providing an average efficiency of 40% in 28 days. Among the processing options, the most optimal from the point of view of crop quality was the treatment with Hacker preparation in compliance with the recommended consumption rate. The quality of the crop in this variant is close to the harvest with manual weeding and differs by only 3-5%.

Comparative assessment of the change in the species composition of vegetation on the territory of the western field of RSAU-MTAA

The article presents the analysis of changes in the floral composition of the western field of the Ecological Station of the Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy for 4 years. The research object is located in the center of the megalopolis, it is subject to high anthropogenic load, as it is surrounded on both sides by a road network, and at the same time it is part of the facies of the Forest Experimental Dacha. The site is characterized by close occurrence of groundwater, high density of upper soil horizons, heterogeneous soil structure and mesorelief, resulting of in flooding. As a result of a significant number of anthropogenic and abiotic factors, it is necessary to analyze the vegetation composition and the species richness of the area in order to assess the dynamics of variability of these conditions and to predict the potential stability of the biological diversity of the area. The changes in the species composition were analyzed by describing the vegetation and evaluating quantitative indicators: frequency of occurrence, abundance of species, degree of their dominance according to the O. Drude scale, as well as the Shannon index and indicators of species richness and saturation.The studies carried out showed a pronounced variability in vegetation cover from 2018 to 2022. During the study period, there was a change in plant families and an increase in species diversity: richness and saturation indices. In 2022, there was an increase in the number of species and an increase in the uniformity of their numbers compared to 2018.

Is spectral pixel-to-pixel variation a reliable indicator of grassland biodiversity? A systematic assessment of the spectral variation hypothesis using spatial simulation experiments

Covering 30%–40% of the terrestrial surface, grasslands are important hosts of biodiversity, crucial for nutrient cycles and carbon sequestration. However, these ecosystems face a pressing threat in the form of biodiversity loss, which can disrupt their functioning and resilience. Addressing this challenge requires effective monitoring of biodiversity changes on large scales. Remote sensing emerges as a valuable tool in this endeavour, enabling the assessment of grassland biodiversity through the analysis of vegetation patterns, species composition, and ecosystem health over extensive areas.According to the spectral variation hypothesis (SVH), the link between pixel-to-pixel spectral variation and species diversity in remote sensing images can be used to retrieve plant diversity based on spectral data. Nevertheless, the transferability of the proposed relation across ecosystem types, seasons and spatial resolutions remains unclear. The absence of comprehensive data has hindered systematic assessments of the SVH so far, which would ideally incorporate coherent sets of diversity estimates from remote sensing data and in-situ plant diversity measurements.With this study, we present a combined approach that brings together trait data from field measurements, simulations of spatial species distributions and radiative transfer models for a systematic and in-depth analysis of the SVH in temperate grasslands. Based on simulated grassland communities with different diversity levels, we assessed the spectral-to-species diversity relationship across (1) three temperate grassland types, (2) three seasons and, (3) five spatial resolutions (from 10 m to 0.2 m pixel size). We used the mean Euclidean distance and Rao’s Q as measures for spectral diversity and different biodiversity indices to describe the species and trait diversity of the simulated grassland communities.Based on 45000 simulated grassland communities in five different spatial resolutions, we found that the spectral-to-species diversity relationship is not stable across grassland types and seasons, despite the spectral diversity metric used. Correlations with spectral diversity were inconsistent for the different applied diversity indices and no single index outperformed the others. Spectral diversity was mainly driven by the spatial resolution (i.e. pixel size) of the image and not by species richness (SR) or functional trait diversity (FD) per se. Our results further underline that the link between SR and FD is not always prominent in plant communities and the basic assumption of the SVH is fulfilled only under certain conditions. Consequently, we argue that FD, which is an important driver of the spectral signature of a plant community, is not inevitably linked to the number of present species in an image. We conclude that the interplay of SR and FD is crucial for the expression of the spectral-to-species diversity relationship. This study clearly underlines the context-dependency of the SVH and we point out that, although of promising value for distinct ecosystems, it is not universally applicable in grasslands.

Landscaping of settlements in the Aral Sea disaster zone (Kazakhstan)

The role of landscaping in ameliorating the environmental conditions within settlements surrounding the Aral Sea is paramount. The primary natural constraints affecting the proliferation of plant species in the green spaces of Aralsk include low winter temperatures, elevated summer temperatures, meager precipitation, and susceptibility to windstorms. An evaluation of the species composition of tree and shrub vegetation was conducted in landscaped areas belonging to social and cultural facilities, as well on private residential property, within the municipal boundaries of Aralsk. Plantings surveyed encompassed an area of approximately 34,000 m2. 89.5% of the flora is comprised of five predominant taxa: Ulmus pumila, Populus x canadensis, Haloxylon ammodendron, Platycladus orientalis, and Acer negundo. These species demonstrate resilience to both high and low temperatures throughout the growing season, and their availability as planting material in the region further enhances their suitability. Presently, the city incorporates 31 taxa of tree and shrub species in its green spaces. Notably, Ulmus glabra, Catalpa ovata, Platanus orientalis, Hibiscus syriacus, and Prunus padus have been introduced and were not previously observed in the city. Analysis of the age distribution reveals 68.7% of young trees, underscoring ongoing landscaping efforts within the city even amid a shortage of irrigation water.

Impact of Phytophthora dieback on a key heathland species Xanthorrhoea australis (Asphodelaceae) (austral grasstree) and floristic composition in the eastern Otways, Victoria

Context The plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi causes severe declines in susceptible vegetation, including loss of plant species, vegetation structure and fauna abundance. Grasstrees (Xanthorrhoea spp.) are keystone species that provide optimal habitat for vertebrates and invertebrates and are highly susceptible to the pathogen. Although effects in the Otway Ranges have been assessed at specific sites, there is less knowledge across the landscape on the extent of loss of Xanthorrhoea australis (austral grasstree). Aims The aims were thus to assess impacts at three Heathy Woodland sites and to determine the magnitude of loss of X. australis and susceptible species losses. Methods Floristic composition, species cover or abundance, and basal area of X. australis were recorded in quadrats within treatments (uninfested, infested, post-infested vegetation). Analyses included floristics (PRIMER v7), significant effects (ANOSIM), species contribution to similarity/dissimilarity (SIMPER). Species richness and susceptible species cover were analysed using two-way crossed ANOVAs to detect the influence of site, treatment, and interactions. Key results Species composition of uninfested vegetation was significantly different to infested and post-infested vegetation, with susceptible species more abundant in uninfested areas. Post-infested vegetation had the lowest percentage cover of susceptible species. The mean percentage cover of X. australis in uninfested vegetation (43%) was 10-fold greater than in infested areas (4.3%) and extremely low in post-infested vegetation (0.9%). Conclusions Susceptible species were subject to density declines and extirpation, and the loss of X. australis resulted in major structural vegetation changes. Implications These results have severe implications for heathy woodland communities and reliant fauna. Limiting the spread of P. cinnamomi and protecting grasstrees is critical for their security.

Studying the efficacy of herbicides against annual cereal and dicotyledonous weeds

The harmfulness of annual cereal weeds increases annually. In the Akmola Region, the species composition of weed vegetation, numbering many species and infesting crops, is very diverse and is represented by the following and the most common: Avena fatua (common wild oat), Echinochloa grusgalli (chicken millet), and Setaria viridis (gray mouse). High severity is also observed in lamb’s quarters (Chenopodium album), common beetle (Amaranthus retroflexus), and European stickseed (Lappula squarrosa). The evaluated herbicides include “Dezormon”, “Dezormon Efir”, “Topik”, “Ovsyugen Extra”, combined formulations like “Ovsyugen Extra + Arbalet + Liberti”, “Ester + Ovsyugen Extra”, “Megastar + Efir”, and several others, each demonstrating varying degrees of biological effectiveness, ranging from 76% to 99%. The outcomes indicate that the use of these herbicides significantly mitigates the weediness of the cereal crops, thereby enhancing the grain yield. This study provides valuable insights into the strategic application of herbicide mixtures as a sustainable solution for weed management in cereal cultivation, emphasizing the need for integrated weed control strategies to ensure agricultural sustainability and food security.

Assessment of conservation status of riparian vascular plant species in a dry season exposed flood plain area of the Incalaue river catchment, Niassa Special Reserve, Northern Mozambique

Riparian vegetation usually gets less focus in biodiversity assessments and yet species diversity is important knowledge when applying patch specific conservation value in the Niassa Special Reserve (NSR). This study assessed the composition and conservation status of riparian species in an exposed river basin downstream location. Purposive sampling was used in the selection of sites and respondents to maximize data collection. The study found 19 species belonging to 15 families with 52.63% of them having a frequency of ⩾50% in sampling plots. There were 10 species that are endemic to the sub-Sharan Africa Region. Fabaceae was the dominant family with 5 species. The species with the highest population was Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr. Species richness ranged from 0.35 to 0.98 with a mean of 0.66 ± 0.22. The IVI ranged from 34.70 (F. indica (Burm. f.) Merr) to 4.43 (Tribulus cistoides L.) with a mean of 15.79 ± 7.79. Threats of species loss and ecosystem disturbance were agriculture, infrastructure development and plant harvests. There was a reported decline in species availability over the previous 10 years by 18.7% of the respondents. The results added to existing studies and records of vegetation species of conservation value in areas exposed to loss in the NSR. This study advances research on vegetation range dynamics in the NSR and presents a need to mitigate human land use impacts on riparian vegetation species composition.

DYNAMICS OF SPECIES CHANGE OF LIVING ABOVE GROUND COVER IN YOUNG CULTURES OF ZHEREBKIVO FORESTRY

The species composition of herbaceous vegetation in oak plantations before their closure were analyzed. It was found that after cutting down the mother stand, the diversity of plants from different families begins to increase already in the first year. According to the results of field observations, a sharp reduction of shade-tolerant species and an increase of light-loving and drought-resistant species was revealed. As a result, non-forest edifiers increase and the change of tree communities by grassy non-forest formations, uncharacteristic for forest biocenoses. Representatives of the Poaceae family, as well as Fabaceae and Rosales, characteristic of the steppe zone, begin to actively appear on a fresh log. In the following years, the dominant position is occupied by the family of Asteraceae. In the first year after felling, about 40 species were identified, over the years their number decreases, and already in the sixth year, the number of species is about 17 species. Analysis of the coenomorphic structure shows that in the first years the number of sylvans significantly decreases, some species disappear altogether from the plantations. Instead, ruderants (from 55% in the first year to 35% in the sixth) and pratants (from 28% to 35%) begin to dominate. In the trophomorphic structure of the living ground cover on the lands not covered by forest, there is a significant decrease of mesotrophic species between 1–2 and 3–5 years. A significant decrease in oligotrophs (from 6% to 0%) and mesomegatrophs (from 3% to 0%) is also observed. No significant difference in the change of megatrophic species was found. According to the hygromorphic structure, mesophytic vegetation (46%-58%) is dominant in all studied areas. The greatest floristic similarity of grass cover is characterized by 2-3-year crops with 45% similarity of species composition, 4-5-year crops (46%) and 5-6-year crops (46%). The same types of grass vegetation grow on these Фlogs, acting as indicators of ecological conditions in the forest phytocenosis.

Influence of Long-Term Use of Mineral Fertilizers on Weed Infestation of Grain-Grass-Rowed Crop Rotation

In a long-term study in a long-term stationary experiment, it was revealed that the effect of mineral fertilizers extended to the quantitative composition and structure of the contamination of fields of grain-grass crop rotation, but not to the species composition of weed vegetation. Under the influence of mineral fertilizers, the height and weight of weeds increased, but their number decreased during the period of co-growth with cultivated plants during the growing season (by 12.0–22.6%). In the absence of a pronounced competitiveness of cultivated plants in the non-maneuverable version of the experiment, the weeds from the spring period to the harvest increased by 47%. The contamination of fields with perennial dicotyledonous weed species and their relative abundance in fertilized variants decreased by 2.4–3.6 times, and with small-year dicotyledonous species increased by 1.3–1.4 times. White marjoram and pickles turned out to be responsive to the application of mineral fertilizers, while field thorice and wild radish mainly grew in an untreated version, where the acidity of the soil had higher indicators.

Functional Efficiency of the Woody Vegetation Species Composition in Urban Green Spaces

Functional Efficiency of the Woody Vegetation Species Composition in Urban Green Spaces

Developmental Dynamics and Driving Factors of Understory Vegetation: A Case Study of Three Typical Plantations in the Loess Plateau of China

Understory vegetation is one of the most important links for improving forest biodiversity, and its restoration is conducive to sustainable forest development, energy flow, and nutrient cycling. However, little is known about the developmental dynamics and main driving factors of the long-time series coverage, biomass, diversity, and species composition of plantation understory vegetation. In a case study of three typical plantations, with a natural secondary forest as reference in the Loess Plateau of China, we collected understory vegetation from a Robinia pseudoacacia Linn. deciduous broad-leaved plantation, Pinus tabulaeformis Carr. evergreen coniferous plantation, and mixed plantation with an age span of 10 to 50 years. (1) The understory plantation coverage and biomass results of stands with different ages showed the R. pseudoacacia plantation to be significantly higher than the P. tabulaeformis plantation, and the species diversity of the P. tabulaeformis plantation changed the most with the stand age. However, the growth resource imbalance, and drastic changes in the stands’ environment caused by excessive intraspecific competition in the early stage of the P. tabulaeformis plantation vegetation restoration, are the main reasons that make the species diversity of undergrowth vegetation of P. tabulaeformis plantation lower than that of other stand types. (2) The understory species composition of the plantations revealed their degree of community stability. Compared to the R. pseudoacacia plantation and P. tabulaeformis plantation, the mixed plantation had higher stability, and its species composition closely resembled a natural secondary forest. The community stability of the P. tabulaeformis plantation was the lowest because it had the lowest coverage, biomass, and species diversity of understory vegetation. However, the understory species composition of the three plantation types converged, which was due to atypical species contribution. (3) The dynamic changes of canopy and soil nutrients were the main driving factors affecting the R. pseudoacacia plantation understory vegetation species composition. Stand density and elevation limited the understory vegetation communities of P. tabulaeformis plantation restoration. Soil bulk density is the key factor affecting understory vegetation in mixed plantations, and this effect weakens with the stand age. In future studies, the focus should be on the converged action and further development trend of atypical species, choosing an appropriate recovery strategy (active or passive), and providing more possibilities for the intensive management of vegetation under different plantations.

Current state of trees and shrubs vegetation conditional references linden-ash oakwoods flood places of Dniprovsk Prisamarya

Natural oakwoods are considered one of the main centers of biodiversity of flora and fauna in Europe and an important agent of providing a wide range of ecosystem, sociocultural and economic services. But in the modern period, there is a decrease in the share of common oak natural forests in the forest reserves of European countries and various manifestations of their degradation. Floodplain forests form a particular value among natural oakwoods. They’re not only play an important role in the formation of vegetation and biogeocenotic cover, but also have a significant positive environment-transforming effect on soil-hydrological and mesoclimatic conditions. That helps to regulate the hydrological regime of river floods. An analysis of the current state of the tree-shrub vegetation of conditional reference linden-ash oakwoods of the central floodplain of the Samara River was conducted. They are a complex of forest vegetation component of Prysamary Dniprovskyi, the territory of which is reserved for the creation of a national nature park. The forest valuation indicators of stands of the main forest-forming tree species have been determined. According to the obtained data, the species composition of tree-shrub vegetation and the type of stand correspond to typical fresh central floodplain linden-ash forests. An increase in the share of participation in the tree stand of Acer campestre and a decrease of Tilia cordata are characteristic. Quercus robur and Fraxinus excelsior take a leading part in the formation of stocks of stem wood. It is determined that in the natural linden-ash oak centropopulation Fraxinus excelsior, Acer platanoides, Acer campestre, Ulmus laevis, Tilia cordata, Ulmus glabra, Pyrus communis, Ulmus minor belong to the normal type and are stable and capable of self-maintenance. The most active self-regeneration is recorded in Acer campestre. The population of Quercus robur is characterized as regressive with signs of disruption of natural regeneration processes and the absence of healthy undergrowth. Fraxinus excelsior, Acer platanoides, Ulmus laevis, Pyrus communis are distinguished by the highest indicators of vitality ((Ln) and according to the index of relative vitality their tree stands belong to the “healthy” categoty. The tree stand of Quercus robur belongs to the “weakend” category. Deterioration of the vitality of Quercus robur tree stands and disruption of its self-regeneration processes can potentially lead to a decrease in the edifying role of oak in fresh linden-ash forets of the valley complex of the Samara River. Also, it can lead to a transformation of their type of wood composition and a decrease in productivity. Major of environmental significance of the forest vegetation of this area requires systematic comprehensive monitoring studies to update current data on the state of unique natural oakwoods. The presented results are a continuation of the monitoring studies of natural reference central floodplain linden-ash forests and can become the basis for the development of differentiated methods of their preservation and restoration.

Impacts of anthropogenic disturbance on forest vegetation cover, health, and diversity within Doma forest reserve, Nigeria.

Forest encroachment is a common practice that has led to the destruction of canopy trees in the Guinea savanna part of Nigeria. This study investigated the influence of human activities on vegetation health and species composition of Doma forest reserve located in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Landsat satellite data from 1986 to 2021 were utilized to assess forest cover change, land surface temperature (LST), and vegetation indices (VIs). The results show that dense woodland vegetation in the Doma forest reserve depreciated between 1991 and 1999 by 17.82% before increasing by 7.37% between 1999 and 2021. Similarly, vegetation greenness (measured by the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Green Chlorophyll Vegetation Index (GCVI), and leaf area index (LAI)) of the forest mirrored the changes observed in the forest cover. The LST extracted for each year was correlated with all VIs, and an inverse relationship was observed in all relationships analyzed. The decline in greenness between 1999 and 2011 was attributed to increasing lumbering, bush burning, and sand dredging activities. Results also showed the current diversity state (H1 = 0.23), evenness (0.63), and the volume of tree (1.31 m3) species in the heart of the Doma forest reserve. However, a high (25%) native tree species in the Fabaceae family correlated with a dramatic increase in the VIs and an increase in dense woodland cover indicating the importance of Fabaceae in forest ecosystem regeneration.

The effectiveness of new generation herbicides in reducing the contamination of spring rape crops in the conditions of the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe

Results. The results on the effectiveness of herbicides of a new generation in reducing the contamination of hybrids of spring rapeseed of German selection of Licorice and Cultus CL in the soil and climatic conditions of the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe are presented. The research was carried out at the pilot site of the Borsky training and production complex of the Krasnoyarsk State Agrarian University (2021–2022) field experiments to study the effect of herbicides on weed vegetation and the yield of oilseeds of new spring rapeseed hybrids in the conditions of the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe. The objects of research are herbicides of the chemical class imidazolinones. The species composition of the weed vegetation of rapeseed agrocenosis has been determined. The type of blockage is juvenile. Spraying of crops from weeds was carried out in the phase of development of spring rapeseed «3–4th real leaf». Method of application — once together with a selective herbicide at a dose of 0.35 l/ha and a continuous herbicide at a dose of 0.06 l/ha, an adjuvant at a dose of 0.2 l/ha per 200 liters of working solution was used to enhance the contact of the drug with the plant surface. Under the influence of a mixture of herbicides in the agrophytocenosis of spring rapeseed, a decrease in the weed component by 98.4% was found. On plots with the use of herbicidal preparations, an increase in the yield of oilseeds in the Hybrid Cultus CL was recorded by 2 times.

Comparison of alien Robinia pseudoacacia stands with native forest stands across different taxonomic groups

There is much knowledge about the impact of non-native Robinia pseudoacacia on native ecosystems, but mostly it is related to one group of organisms. In this article, we provide an analysis of the impact of R. pseudoacacia on the surrounding biota with a broader scope in a model area with homogeneous abiotic conditions compared and analysed by the twin plots method. Microclimatic conditions and the changes in the species composition of vegetation, terrestrial gastropods, carabid beetles, bats, and acoustic diversity were analysed. The planted Robinia stands were always brighter and warmer and had lower canopy closure than the control plots in the native floodplain forest. More nitrogen and phosphorus were recorded in the soil of the Robinia stands. The floristic composition changed the most based on the planting of Robinia trees. Compared to those in the adjacent floodplain forest, more heliophilous neophytes, archaeophytes and grasses were found. Assemblages of gastropods and carabid beetles were less affected by the planting of Robinia trees and more by the microclimatic conditions of the studied locality. The number of recorded bats and acoustic diversity were higher in native floodplain forests due to food and shelter options.All results show that the planting of Robinia trees changes the microclimatic conditions and species composition of forest stands. The warmer and less humid environment under Robinia stands is not desirable in the face of ongoing climate change. The alien (including invasive) and ruderal plant species in the understorey are supported due to the more favourable brighter conditions and nitrogen fixation in the soil. Additionally, the other groups of organisms react negatively to changes under Robinia trees in terms of microclimatic conditions, food and shelter sources. Therefore, forest managers, policy-makers and conservation workers should choose stratified management when deciding whether and where to plant R. pseudoacacia.