Strict Nature Reserve Research Articles

ABOUT THE MOSS FLORA OF THE ISLANDS OF LAKE KAMENNOYE (KOSTOMUKSHSKY STRICT NATURE RESERVE, KARELIA)

The moss floras of 9 small islands (less than 10 ha) in Lake Kamennoye (Kostomukshsky Strict Nature Reserve) were surveyed for the first time. Moss species lists (with 34 to 55 species) are given for each island. In total, 87 species of mosses were revealed, of which 11 species are new for the bryoflora of the nature reserve, 2 species are new for the moss flora of the Kuitozersko-Leksozersky floristic district. With the new findings, the moss flora of the Kostomukshsky Reserve comprises 159 species.

Seasonal Fluctuations of the Numbers of leaf beetles of the subfamily Alticinae (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) in lowland steppe of Tigireksky strict nature Reserve (Northern-Western Altai, Russia)

<p>Seasonal fluctuations of the numbers of leaf beetles of the subfamily Alticinae (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) in lowland steppe of Tigirekskiy reserve in 2012 was studied in stipa and in meadow steppe. The maximal species diversity was noted in the beginning - in the middle of summer. The dominant species is Longitarsus luridus (Scopoli, 1763) with the peak of activity in the end of summer.</p>

THE NATURE RESERVE FUND OF THE ODESSA REGION IN THE PHYSICAL-GEOGRAPHICAL ZONING OF UKRAINE AND WAY OF ITS OPTIMIZATION

Problem Statement and Purpose. Previously, the analysis of the natural reserve fund of the entire Odessa region in terms of physico-geographical zoning has not been carried out. The purpose of this work was to establish modern features and ways to further optimize the nature reserve fund of the Odessa region as a whole and in the context of individual physical-geographical chorions. The following tasks were set: to characterize the general features of the NFP region as of January 1, 2017; to consider a spectrum of natural-protected objects of the Odessa region on areas; on the basis of quantitative and qualitative and quantitative indicators, to assess the representativeness of the NFP in the physical-geographical areas of the region; to provide proposals on the expansion of the Odessa Oblast and increase its representativeness. Materials and method. The materials of the nature reserve fund objects and territories cadastre are given by the Department of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Odessa Regional Administration on 01.01.2017 and are used for analysis. The distribution of objects was considered in the system of physico-geographical zoning of Ukraine, which is given in the National Atlas of Ukraine (2008). The areas of physico-geographical areas are counted on the satellite maps of Google Earth Pro. The density of the NFP facilities is determined at an area of 100 km2. The proportion of nature reserves, the proportion of strict nature reserves, index of insularity, and environmental protection index are calculated according to the formulas adopted in geography [8, 11-13, 15, 16, etc.]. Results . The number and areas of the objects and territories of the natural reserve fund of the Odessa region are insufficient to fulfill the necessary functions. The objects of the NFP are distributed in the territory of physical-geographical choriones unevenly. Ecologically sustainable objects of PZF (with an area of more than 50 hectares) in an amount of 1-5 are presented in 14 physical and geographical areas of the Odessa Region (from 19). They are absent in the Arziz-Sarata and the Cahul-Katlabuh areas. Serednyokuchurgan area has not minimally environmentally sustainable objects of the PZF too. All physico-geographical districts have 6-14 objects of PZF with an area of more than 50 hectares. South-Podolsky Upland, South Moldovskaya slopeelevated, Dniester-Bug lowland districts are not provided with the top-level PZF objects (biosphere reserve, nature reserve, national nature park) at all. The South Podolskaya slope-elevated district is represented only by a part of the Lower Dniester NPP, where zonal ecosystems of the steppe are not represented. Now the proportion of the perspective reserve (10.4%) within the Odessa region has been exceeded only in two physico-geographical districts: in Reni-Kilia (37.14%) and Kundutsky-Burnassky (17.2%), which provides a high indicator for the Trans-Dniester-Black Sea lowland region (14.43%), the Black Sea Middle-Steppe region and the Middle-Steppe subzone (11.9%). All other physical and geographical chorions require an intensive increase in the protected areas. It is proposed to expand the natural reserve fund of the Odessa region through the inclusion of new Ramsar sites and objects of the Emerald Network of Europe. It will increase the area of the PZF by at least 133 thousand hectares, which will increase the proportion of the Odessa region’s reserve by 3.8%. Due to the perspective for reserved areas, the area’s reserves can be increased by 1.2%, which will allow reaching a prospective regulated indicator (10.4%) and provide the objects of the PZF with all physical and geographical districts of the region.

Landscape indicators of the success of protected areas on habitat recovery for the Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)

ABSTRACTSince 1974, conservation efforts to protect an endangered species, the Golden Lion Tamarin (GLT), have led to the creation of the first strict nature reserve in Brazil ‒ the Poço das Antas Biological Reserve (REBIO) ‒ and the subsequent creation of the Environmental Protection Area of the Sao Joao River Basin, for sustainable use. This paper assesses the influence of Protected Areas (PA) creation and conservation programs on GLT habitat. Landscape metrics based on aerial photographs taken from three different periods are used to assess habitat conditions for this species through time. We analyzed the availability and potential quality of habitat in the years following the creation of the REBIO, comparing with its buffer zone and population rates correlations. We observed different trends in landscape dynamics between the REBIO, where most of the forest recovery occurred, and its buffer zone, where habitat loss was recorded. In general, the results showed an increase of continuous forest patches. The conservation/regeneration processes in the buffer zone have intensified in recent years. Comparisons over time, especially with respect to forest core areas and large patches, are valuable tools to assess landscape suitability for GLT survival at different spatial scales.

COENOTIC DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCES OF SPHAGNA IN NOTHERN TAIGA, EUROPEAN RUSSIA (PINEZHSKY STRICT NATURE RESERVE, ARKHANGELSK REGION)

Here we consider the coenotic distribution of 23 species of the genus Sphagnum and their relation to prime ecological factors in Pinezhsky Strict Nature Reserve (Arkhangelsk Region, north of European Russia). Ecologo-coenotic analysis was performed on the basis of 584 releves, which cover the entire range of habitats. The releves were systematized and processed by multivariate techniques. The species ecological optima and distribution among habitats as a whole were determined by calculating the species’ phytocoenotic signifi cance in groups of associations and groups of habitats. It was found that widespread (or frequently occurring) species are the most eurytopic and are characterized by the highest phytocoenotic signifi cance in one or more habitats. Species that occur sporadically have average phytocenotic indices and are less eurytropic. Rare species are stenotopic with low values of phytocoenotic signifi cance. Sixteen species among 23 occur both in boggy forests and in open bogs. Six species (Sphagnum papillosum, S. rubellum, S.majus, S.lindbergii, S.jensenii, S. balticum) are associated only with bogs and S. wulfi anum occurs only in boggy forests. Fens and poor fens have the highest value of Sphagnum species diversity. Bogs and boggy forests have a somewhat lower diversity. Rich fens and wet herbaceous forests are characterized by the lowest value of Sphagnum diversity. Cluster analysis made it possible to sort the 23 Sphagnum species into 6 groups which differ in their relation to environmental factors (humidity, trophicity, nitrogen richness, acidity, shading). It was shown by using cluster analysis and ANOVA that Sphagnum species diff erentiate ecological space fi rst of all by richness and secondly by humidity. We specified Tsyganov’s ecological indexes for all the considered species in the northern taiga subzone of European Russia.

Diversity and distribution of epiphytic lichens and bryophytes on aspen (Populus tremula) in the middle boreal forests of Republic of Karelia (Russia)

The distribution of epiphytic bryophyte and lichen species growing on aspen in the middle boreal forests was studied in southern Karelia (Russia). These forests varied in time-since-disturbance from 80 to 450 years. Two hundred twenty two species of epiphytes, including 178 lichens, 32 mosses and 12 liverworts, were recorded on 192 aspen trees in forests over 24 ha, in the Karelian part of the Vodlozero National Park, Kivach Strict Nature Reserve, Kizhi Sanctuary and Petrozavodsk City. Arthonia biatoricola, A. excipienda and Biatoridium monasteriense were collected in Karelia for the first time. Eighteen rare species (lichens Anaptychia ciliaris, Arthonia vinosa, Bryoria nadvornikiana, Chaenotheca gracilenta, C. stemonea, Lecidea albofuscescens, Lobaria pulmonaria, Melanelixia subaurifera, Nephroma bellum, N. laevigatum, Phaeocalicium populneum, Ramalina thrausta, Rostania occultata, Scytinium subtile, Usnea barbata, mosses Neckera pennata, Plagiomnium drummondii and liverwort Lejeunea cavifolia) listed in the Red Data Book of Republic of Karelia (2007) were found. Relationships between epiphytic lichen and bryophyte species richness and certain environmental variables (at different trunk heights above ground and time-since-disturbance) were evaluated. Lichens and mosses on aspen trunks often occupy different ecological niches. Cover and diversity of bryophytes was high on trunk bases, while the number of lichen species and their cover were higher at a height of 1.3 m above ground level. The total number of lichen species on aspen increased on average from 40 to 60 species per ha with increasing time-since-disturbance from 100 to 450 years. A stabilization in lichen species number was observed at about 200 years since disturbance. No significant correlation was determined between bryophyte diversity on aspens and the time-since-disturbance.

Habitat suitability-density relationship in an endangered woodland species: the case of the Blue Chaffinch (Fringilla polatzeki).

BackgroundUnderstanding constraints to the distribution of threatened species may help to ascertain whether there are other suitable sectors for reducing the risks associated with species that are recorded in only one protected locality, and to inform about the suitability of other areas for reintroduction or translocation programs.MethodsWe studied the Gran Canaria blue chaffinch (Fringilla polatzeki), a habitat specialist endemic of the Canary Islands restricted to the pine forest of Inagua, the only area where the species has been naturally present as a regular breeder in the last 25 years. A suitability distribution model using occurrences with demographic relevance (i.e., nest locations of successful breeding attempts analysed using boosted classification trees) was built considering orographic, climatic and habitat structure predictors. By means of a standardized survey program we monitored the yearly abundance of the species in 100 sectors since the declaration of Inagua as a Strict Nature Reserve in 1994.ResultsThe variables with the highest relative importance in blue chaffinch habitat preferences were pine height, tree cover, altitude, and rainfall during the driest trimester (July–September). The observed local abundance of the blue chaffinch in Inagua (survey data) was significantly correlated with habitat suitability derived from modelling the location of successful nesting attempts (using linear and quantile regressions). The outcomes of the habitat suitability model were used to quantify the suitability of other natural, historic, pine forests of Gran Canaria. Tamadaba is the forest with most suitable woodland patches for the species. We estimated a population size of 195–430 blue chaffinches in Inagua since 2011 (95% CI), the smallest population size of a woodland passerine in the Western Palearctic.DiscussionHabitat suitability obtained from modelling the location of successful breeding attempts is a good surrogate of the observed local abundance during the reproductive season. The outcomes of these models can be used for the identification of potential areas for the reintroduction of the species in other suitable pine forests and to inform forest management practices.

Eradication of invasive Carpobrotus sp.: effects on soil and vegetation

AbstractInvasive species management (eradication or control) can be used to promote native plant restoration. The objective of this study is to evaluate different treatments to guide the selection of future modalities for the eradication (i.e. elimination of all individuals in a population) of Carpobrotus sp. from a strict nature reserve. Two removal methods were tested: (1) living Carpobrotus removal; (2) living Carpobrotus and litter removal. To assess the effectiveness of each treatment, we studied the recolonization of native vegetation, the recolonization of Carpobrotus, and soil erosion and compared these metrics to those taken in native vegetation and in patches of intact Carpobrotus. We also tested the capacity of a 50‐cm‐wide Carpobrotus strip to retain soil. The removal of Carpobrotus together with its litter led to high rates of soil erosion. The Carpobrotus strips were found to retain the soil rather well. Removing live Carpobrotus while leaving its litter in place reduced soil erosion and led to higher native plant species recolonization. The composition of the vegetation 10 months after applying the treatments was biased in favor of native pioneer species. These are typically the first species to establish (Aetheoriza bulbosa and Arisarum vulgare resprouted, Frankenia hirsuta and Lotus cytisoides germinated, and Sonchus sp. benefited from long‐distance dispersal). Few weedy species were recorded (e.g. Sonchus asper asper). Whatever the treatment, the risk of reinvasion from the seed bank or from resprouting stems is nonnegligible, so long‐term monitoring is vital to the ultimate success of the eradication program.

NOTEWORTHY RECORDS OF PLANTS, LICHENS AND FUNGI IN THE MURMANSK REGION

Important findings of 49 species of vascular plants, mosses, liverworts, lichens and aphyllophoroid fungi acquired lately from the utter North-West of Russia are reported. The findings were considered important if they were newly detected for the Murmansk Region, red-listed in Russia and/or Murmansk Region, new for the Pasvik Strict Nature Reserve, other particularly rare species known from not more than five locations in the Murmansk Region. The native Sesleria uliginosa Opiz and five adventitious species (A venula pratensis (L.) Dumort., Capsicum annuum L., Coriandrum sativum L., Carex contigua Hoppe and Phaseoius vulgaris L.) are reported for the Murmansk Region for the first time. The species detected in the Pasvik Reserve for the first time are vascular plants Carex acuta L., Carex tenuiflora Wahlenb., Eleocharis palustris (L.) Roem. et Schult., Lemna trisulca L., Ranunculus pygmaeus Wahlenb., Viola epipsiloides À. Löve et D. Löve and bryophytes Buxbaumia aphylla Hedw., Mesoptychia badensis (Gottsche ex Rabenh.) L. Söderstr. et Vâna and Nardia breidleri (Limpr.) Lindb. New data are reported about the nationally and regionally red-listed species Isoëtes echinospora Durieu, Bryoria fremontii (Tuck.) Brodo et D. Hawksw. and Nardia breidleri (Limpr.) Lindb., and about 21 more species listed in the Red Data Book of the Murmansk Region. The new records for six species of aphyllophoroid fungi ( Amylocorticium cebennense (Bourdot) Pouzar, Craterellus lutescens (Fr.) Fr., Flaviporus citrinellus (Niemelä et Ryvarden) Ginns, Henningsomyces candidus (Pers.) Kuntze, Hydnum umbilicatum Peck, Peniophora pini (Schleich.) Boidin) and the lichen Stereocaulon capitellatum H. Magn. represent the second locations detected in the Murmansk Region.

Evaluating the occurrence and conservation status of Sri Lankan species of Anacardiaceae

Sri Lanka is a tropical island with variety of climatic, geographical and weather combinations. These significant variations have resulted high biodiversity in the country. Sri Lanka together with the Western Ghats is one of the biodiversity hotspots. Presently, Sri Lanka harbors 3,154 species of Angiosperm families of which 894 are endemic. The family Anacardiaceae is one of the flora groups that did not attract attention of the researchers. However, 47.4% of this family, including 46.7% endemics was considered as nationally threatened during the National Red listing in 2012. This study was carried out to investigate the current occurrence and conservation status of the members of this family. Observations on plant species were made in both protected and un-protected areas. This study present the recent occurrences of 14 species in 6 genera with 11 endemics belongs to this family. These species are dispersed in two strict nature reserves, one Man and Biosphere Reserve, one sanctuary, five forest reserves and two un-protected locations. Among the observed species 35.7% including 36.4% endemics are accounted as nationally threatened which includes ‘Critically Endangered’, ‘Endangered’ and ‘Vulnerable’ species. This information will be contributed to establish precise conservation measures and updating of the conservation status of these species in Global and National level red listing.

Evaluating the occurrence and conservation statuses of Sri Lankan Orchids (Orchidaceae): Observations on newly recorded species and undocumented regions

Sri Lanka is a country with unique landscapes and positioning. Its land profile varies from coastal areas through lowland hills to central montane region, and the climatic zones governed by seasonal monsoons results in a significantly high biodiversity. Sri Lanka together with Western Ghats is a biodiversity hot spot among the 35 regions known worldwide. Sri Lanka harbors 3154 species of which 894 are endemics belonging to different angiosperm families. The orchid flora of the country, with 189 known species including 55 endemics is one that contributes very much for this high endemism. However 70.6% are currently listed as nationally threatened species during National Red listing in 2012. The present study was conducted to investigate the current status and occurrence of species of the family Orchidaceae within and outside the conservation areas including few unexplored/ undocumented regions in the country. Field visits were carried out mainly focusing on the flowering seasons. Fourteen different sites including Forest Reserves, Sanctuaries, Strict Nature Reserves and Wildlife Parks were taken into consideration during this study. Observations were made in the field and locations recorded, collected data were tabulated and compared with available information. The observation made during the present study would make a large contribution for updating the conservation status of orchids at national and global level red listing.

Bryophytes and Their Distribution Pattern in the Nagliai Strict Nature Reserve (Curonian Spit, Lithuania)

Jukonienė, I. & Subkaitė, M. 2017. Bryophytes and their distribution pattern in the Nagliai Strict Nature Reserve (Curonian Spit, Lithuania). — Herzogia 30: 16–35.Data on bryophyte species diversity in the Nagliai Strict Nature Reserve (Curonian Spit, Lithuania) are presented. Bryophyte diversity and their patterns of distribution across different habitats were analysed. Species richness, biotal dispersity, Shannon's diversity and evenness indices were used for the evaluation of bryophyte diversity in various habitats, and the Jaccard and Bray-Curtis coefficients employed for comparisons of similarity. A total of 75 species were recorded for the territory (32 in grasslands and 62 in forests). Two species and three varieties were new to Lithuania, and four species and one variety were new to the Curonian Spit. Variations in bryophyte species richness and relative abundance of the most frequently encountered species were observed for fore-dune grassland, sand plain and dune ridges.Distinct species composition was ascertained for various substrata located in both dry and wet forests. The most frequent species occurring throughout the territory were those that favoured dry conditions and grow on different substrata, whereas obligate epixyles and epiphytes were rare. Species preferring full light were the most frequently encountered taxa in grassland habitats.

CLAVARIOID FUNGI OF THE KIVACH STRICT NATURE RESERVE: CHANGES IN THE DIVERSITY OF THE MIDDLE BOREAL MYCOBIOTA ALONG LONGITUDINAL GRADIENT

Altogether 75 species of clavarioid fungi were collected from the strict nature reserve (middle boreal subzone of the Republic of Karelia). Among them, there are 60 species indicated for the reserve for the first time, and 44 are new to Karelia. The observed number of clavarioid species in the reserve is similar to that in other localities (~100 km 2 ) in the European part of Russia (65-75 species), whereas further eastwards, in Siberia, this number drops by a factor of four, reaching a minimum in the ultacontinental conditions of Yakutia. A similar trend was established for clavarioid complexes on a larger scale - for continentality sectors (~100.000 km 2 ). Similar results were observed for some groups of fungi and lichens in flatland areas of the Euro-Siberian region. The Kivach nature reserve harbors some fungal species typical of maritime climate. They are extremely rare, or absent to the east, in the continental climate. Records from Kivach were missing many typical tundra or arctic-alpine species, whereas in an ultracontinental climate they accounted for 20 % of the species number. About 40 % of species in the reserve are common in the middle boreal subzone of Eurasia, and in Yakutia this parameter rises to 70 %.

ADDITIONS TO THE LICHEN FLORA OF THE PASVIK STRICT NATURE RESERVE (MURMANSK REGION) BASED ON RECORDS FROM 2015-2016

Although there are many published articles about the lichen flora of the Pasvik Strict Nature Reserve, the diversity of lichen-forming and lichenicolous fungi of this protected area is not completely known. In 2016, the Reserve's administration organized a new hepatic-lichenological field trip to the southern part of the Reserve. One of the main goals of this trip was to study the lichen diversity of old pine and aspen forests. As a result, sixteen species of lichens have been added to the total number of lichens ever found in the Pasvik Reserve (NW Murmansk Region), viz. Anzina carneonivea, Bacidina chloroticula, Blastenia ammiospila, Bryoria implexa, Cetraria nigricans, Cladonia cariosa, C. stricta, Diploschistes muscorum, Leimonis erratica, Multiclavula corynoides, Nephroma resupinatum, Phaeophyscia endococcina, Protomicarea limosa, Strangospora moriformis, Tephromela atra, Trapeliopsis flexuosa. The total lichen flora of the Pasvik Reserve now comprises 504 species. A rare southern species Bacidina chloroticula is new to the Murmansk Region. This species was found in the southern part of the reserve in an old aspen forest, growing on moss-covered rock. A rare species Peltigera occidentalis was found for the second time in the Murmansk Region, in an area adjacent to the Reserve. Anzina carneonivea, Bryoria implexa, Nephroma resupinatum, Peltigera occidentalis, and Trapeliopsis flexuosa are newly reported for the biogeographic province Lapponia petsamoensis. Six genera are new for the lichen flora of the Reserve - Anzina, Leimonis, Multiclavula, Protomicarea, Strangospora, and Tephromela. In addition, nineteen rarely collected species are also reported. Brief characteristics of the localities and notes on regional distribution of the species are given. New localities for three species from the Red Data Books of the Murmansk Region and Russia, Bryoria fremontii, Lichenomphalia hudsoniana and Melanohalea exasperata, are reported. It is recommended to exclude the species Melanohalea exasperata from the Red Data Book of the Murmansk Region as non-threatened.

Farming Systems and Utilization of Environmental Resources in Rural Communities in the Dry Zone of Sri Lanka Case Study in “Ritigala”, Anuradhapura District

Majority of the world poor is living in rural areas and agriculture is the main source of their income and employment. Rural people utilize environmental resources as consumption goods, input goods, output goods and storage and durable goods. According to Cavendish and Campbell (2007), environmental resources are the resources that are freely provided by the natural processes. Farming systems found in the dry zone of Sri Lanka, which utilize natural resources, have been evolved over years. Due to the paucity of studies published on the relationship between the extraction of environmental resources and the farming systems in Sri Lanka, this study attempts to generate empirical information to fill up the prevailing information gap. A field survey was conducted with a multiple stage sampling (120 interviewers) in three surrounding villages situated in the periphery of “Ritigala” Strict Natural Reserve (SNR), Anuradhapura district. Descriptive analytical methods were used to analyze the data. Three farming systems were identified through the study and the community utilizes a vast number of environmental resources, which belongs to consumption goods, input goods, output goods and storage and durable goods. From the study, it can be concluded that the value and the quantity of environmental resources used has an association with the complexity of the farming system and the geographical location of the village. Value of consumption goods, input goods and durable and storage goods utilized is higher when the farming system is complex. Contribution of environmental goods to annual household income shows a positive relationship with the complexity of farming system. Value of environmental resource used in paddy -vegetable-livestock framing systems recorded the highest value.

Edaphic Collembola assemblages of European temperate primeval forests gradually change along a forest-type gradient

The Białowieża Primeval Forest is the largest remnant of temperate virgin forest in central Europe. To investigate the relationship between forest type and edaphic Collembola assemblages, we established 36 study sites in the Strict Nature Reserve that represented the most valuable old growth forest stands and included most of the variability in forest type. The faunas of the humid and boggy deciduous forests were more abundant than those of the moderately humid forests. Three primary groups of assemblages were revealed by multivariate analysis to be typical of the following forest types: (i) coniferous bog forest, (ii) humid and moderately humid coniferous forest, and (iii) deciduous forest. Collembola assemblages were only moderately related to specific forest types but instead changed continuously along the environmental gradient that they formed. At the species level, the correlations to forest type were stronger, and approximately one-third of the collembolan species qualified as significant forest type indicators; both forest specialists and forest generalists were identified. Six species were revealed to be forest generalists because they indicated a wide spectrum of forest types. Nine species were significantly correlated with four to six forest types and were identified as broad specialists, and seventeen indicator species were associated with one, two or three forest types and were classified as narrow specialists. Because the correlation between the edaphic Collembola faunas and forest type revealed a gradual rather than categorical change in the community assemblages, we suggest that this relationship be considered in the development of future forest monitoring programmes.

A SURVEY OF THE AVIFAUNA OF THE KOSTOMUKSHSKY STRICT NATURE RESERVE IN 2015 AND 2016

The last large-scope ornithological survey in the Kostomukshsky Strict Nature Reserve was conducted some 20 years ago by S. V. Sazonov. Inventory and diversity assessment of the avifauna in the then-planned national park Kalevalsky were also conducted by S. V. Sazonov in 1992 and 1995-1997. In 1997 he was joined by N. V. Medvedev, Y T. Khokhlova, N. V. Lapshin, and A. V. Artemyev. The findings from these surveys were published later. To investigate the current state of the avifauna and assess possible changes during past decades special surveys were conducted in the reserve in June 2015 and July 2016. The method consisted in a combination of transect surveys, partially duplicating the routes surveyed in the previous years, and examination of sample plots representing all the main types of local habitats. Overall, the surveys covered around 20 % of the nature reserve area, including the Kalevalsky National Park (now incorporated within the strict nature reserve). A part of the routes included lake sections (specialized waterfowl surveys). Several plots were established in the reserve's buffer zone and in the suburbs of the Town of Kostomuksha (territory under the reserve's authority). Current records from the surveyed area include 105 species of birds belonging to 33 families of 13 orders. It should be noted, that the list of species in our paper is shorter than the one compiled after the longer surveys conducted 20 years ago (in Sazonov's publication of 1997). First, the new list misses some rare and vagrant species, the registration of which is largely random in nature and is more likely during long-term studies. In addition, for some species the optimal time of observation when birds are more noticeable is spring (migration and active demonstrations), and not summer, when our investigations were conducted. A small share of species in the reserve is more common in winter. Thus, to obtain up-to-date data on birds of these categories and, in general, to provide a more complete analysis of the state of the avifauna in the reserve, further monitoring studies are needed in all existing types of landscapes and habitats in different seasons of a year. However, a slight increase in the species diversity was observed in data from our transects compared to the results of previous studies. The reasons for that may be associated with the redistribution of birds across the reserve, some successional changes, specifics of the seasons of 2015 and 2016, and natural population dynamics of different species. In general, according to data pooled from all the surveyed sites, we can conclude that the qualitative status of the avifauna in the reserve (species presence) has changed insignificantly over the past two decades, which is apparently due to the fact that most of the local habitats are in final stages of the succession, with communities close to climax. At the same time, some changes in the quantitative composition of the avifauna were noted: the share of typical boreal species has declined, whereas the proportion of species with wide distribution and species typical of southerner regions slightly increased. The reasons for these changes are not completely clear, but because such a situation has been observed in other boreal complexes as well, we can assume that this is an expression of global processes, of the natural population dynamics of species.

MALACOFAUNA OF THE KIVACH STRICT NATURE RESERVE

The malacofauna of the Kivach Strict Nature Reserve was studied. In total, 25 species of mollusks were found. This number included terrestrial gastropods 9 species, aquatic pulmonate gastropods 9 species, prosobranch gastropods 2 species, bivalves 5 species. For eight species the nature reserve's territory is close to the northern limit of their distribution in European Russia, and for two species it is close to the southern limit. Among the terrestrial gastropods one species (Arion subfuscus) prefers forest habitats; one species (Succinea putris) prefers living on wet land, but is also found in water on the trunks and branches of submerged trees; one species (Deroceras reticulatum) is synanthropic, found only in a residential area; and the rest prefer open sites. All the aquatic gastropods found in the nature reserve live in stagnant or slow-flowing water bodies. All the observed species of bivalves belong to the superfamily Unionacea. Three species live in lakes and river pools with slow stream. Two bivalve species (Unio crassus and Margaritifera margaritifera) inhabit rapids in the Suna River. The latter two species are red-listed. In fact, the freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera used to inhabit the Suna River in the past but went extinct as a result of human activities. The present-day population of M. margaritifera includes 400 individuals. These mussels were translocated from the Nemina River within the program for restoration of this species. A list of species of mollusks described from Karelia but not found in Kivach nature reserve is presented. It is quite likely, however, that some of these species do inhabit the territory of the reserve. This is especially so for small bivalves of the family Sphaeriidae. The resultant species list can serve as a starting point for further investigations of the reserve's malacofauna.

SOIL NEMATODES IN FOREST BIOCENOSES OF PROTECTED AREAS IN REPUBLIC OF KARELIA

Soil nematode communities of coniferous and deciduous forests in protected areas of the Republic of Karelia were studied with regard to their latitudinal position. A series of parameters (taxonomic diversity, nematode population density, eco-trophic structure and ecological indices of soil food web) were used to assess the nematode communities. The highest nematode taxonomic diversity was observed in linden forests and the lowest one in soils of pine forests. Bacterial-, fungal feeders and nematodes associated with plants dominated the soil nematode community structure in all types of forest biocoenoses. According to ecological indices of the food web (SI, EI), the soil ecosystems were assessed as undisturbed, with complex trophic linkages and a moderate level of soil organic enrichment. One exception was northern taiga forests in Kostomukshsky Strict Nature Reserve, where low SI values indicated an impact of detrimental environmental factors on the soil ecosystems. It was found that the main distinction of northern deciduous forests from southerner ones is the diversity and relative abundance of plant parasitic nematodes. It was for the first time demonstrated here that the graphic triangle constructed from ecological indices of the food web can be effectively applied to identify the features of soil nematode communities specific to forest type and local habitat conditions.

CURRENT CHANGES IN THE THERMAL REGIME AROUND MAGADANSKY STRICT NATURE RESERVE

In the second half of the 20th century the process of global climate change has begun on the Earth, the atmosphere and the ocean have warmed up, snow and ice reserves decreased, the sea level rose, concentrations of greenhouse gases increased. An ongoing warming response has been recorded also in most of Northeast Asia. Climate and its change affect the life of the biota. The aim of this study is to reveal ongoing changes in the thermal regime in and around Magadansky Strict Nature Reserve, which is located in North-East Russia, in the Magadan Region. The nature reserve has four separate areas with maritime, sharply continental and transitional climates. Weather stations Magadan, Talon, Seimchan provide data that characterize the climate in the nature reserve. The annual duration of periods with mean daily temperatures above 5°C (growing season) were calculated for years 1953-2013 using long-term air temperature data series from the above weather stations. 30-year moving averages (tentative normals) were calculated from these series. Tentative winter season (with mean daily air temperatures steadily below 0°C) normals were determined similarly. The calculations and plotting were performed using Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software. Long-term series of mean annual air temperatures demonstrated statistically significant upward trends. Annual air temperatures averaged over 1984-2013 were 1.1-1.2 °C higher compared to the preceding 30-year period. This resulted in a shift of the onset and end of the growing season and winter season. Their tentative normal durations trended in the opposite directions. The average duration of the growing season increased by 4-6 days, whereas the average duration of the winter season decreased by 4-8 days. Tentative normal durations of the growing season and winter season correlate well with mean annual air temperature. Formulas were obtained for calculating normal durations of these seasons under different scenarios of mean annual air temperature rise in the 21st century.