Submontane Areas Research Articles

77 years of uninterrupted agricultural research in Suceava

In 1946, by decision no. 1933 of the Ministry of Agriculture, the first agricultural research unit in the northern part of Moldova (the Suceava Experimental Agricultural Station, currently the Suceava Agricultural Research and Development Station) was established, as a necessity for the development of agriculture in Bucovina. After three years of operation in the submontane area from Ilisesti (19 km from Suceava), by decision no. 564249 of August 24 of the same ministry, the resort was transferred to Suceava. The area where the cantonment is located is individualized by specific pedoclimatic conditions, characterized by thermal restrictions, the non-uniformity of the hydrological regime — from insufficient to excessive — and by a great diversity of soil types, from soils with low fertility to those with good fertility. The consequence of this ecological diversity was, from the beginning, the need to diversify the concern related to research activity in response to solving the main problems of agriculture in the Suceava Plateau. If in the year of establishment (1946) the concerns were directed towards the cultivation of potatoes, meadows and fodder plants, over time it can be seen by following the evolution of concerns and the way of achieving the basic objectives of agricultural research, in Suceava, a continuous expansion of the problem areas addressed as well as the amplification of their complexity.

Factors affecting the biodiversity of historical landscape elements: detailed analyses from three case studies in Slovakia.

A direct, positive correlation between biodiversity and the traditional agricultural landscape is evident on the national or regional scale. It is mostly conditioned by higher landscape diversity and less intensive farming. We have carried out research on a detailed scale at plot level (productive plots of arable lands, grasslands, vineyards, orchards, and unproductive agrarian landforms (mostly field margins) such as terraced slopes, terraced steps, heaps, mounds, and unconsolidated walls) in three traditional agricultural landscapes: the mountain village Liptovská Teplička, the vineyard landscape in Svätý Jur, and dispersed settlements in a submontane area in Hriňová. We determined the statistical significance of the impact of the selected landscape ecological factors (a set of factors concerning land use and management, agrarian landforms and relief properties) on the distribution of vegetation and selected invertebrate groups (spiders, millipedes, grasshoppers, and crickets). We also explored whether maintaining traditional land use and traditional management helped to enhance the biodiversity. We found that the management regime is the most important factor determining the species composition of vascular plants and all studied animal groups. Also, present land use and agrarian landforms character (type, skeleton content, continuity) are significant factors. Our expectation of a positive relationship between biodiversity and the maintaining traditional land use and traditional management was, in general, not confirmed: such a relation was only found in Svätý Jur for biodiversity of spiders.

Contribution to the knowledge of marsh vegetation of montane and submontane areas of Northern Apennines (Italy)

Freshwater ecosystems are crucial for biodiversity conservation. They are among the most threatened habitats in the world. However, the wetlands of southern European mountains still lack fine-scale plant community studies. Here we studied submontane and montane palustrine communities of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines. Data from 123 vegetation plots dominated by palustrine species were analysed by means of cluster analysis. We identified 18 vegetation types that we attributed to five classes (Phragmito-Magnocaricetea, Montio-Cardaminetea, Isoëto-Nanojuncetea, Molinio-Arrhenatheretea, and Epilobietea angustifolii), and to two Natura 2000 habitats (3130 - Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea, and 6430 - Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels). According the 4th edition of the International Code of Phytosociological Nomenclature we corrected the names Phragmition communis Koch 1926 nom. inept. in P. australis Koch 1926 nom. corr., Phragmitetum communisSavič 1926nom. inept. in P. australisSavič 1926nom. corr., Glycerietum plicataeKulczyński 1928nom. inept. in G. notataeKulczyński 1928nom. corr., Beruletum angustifoliaeRoll 1938nom. inept. in Beruletum erectaeRoll 1938nom. corr., and we mutated the name Scirpetum lacustrisChouard 1924nom. inept. in Schoenoplectetum lacustrisChouard 1924nom. mut. nov. Our study highlights the diversity of marsh vegetation of montane and submontane areas of Northern Apennines. Most of the palustrine communities, though important from the point of view of conservation, cannot be attributed at present to any habitat type legally protected at the European level.

Mechanism, risk, and solution of cultivated land reversion to mountains and abandonment in China

The cultivated land requisition-compensation balance (CLRB) system in China has been designed to defend cultivated land resources and grain production functions. Nevertheless, since the addition of a new policy, namely the linkage of increase and decrease (LID) of urban and rural construction land in 2008, a mass of cultivated land has been returning to mountains, sometimes resulting in abandonment. The county of Wannian was investigated from the microcosmic perspective, and we attempted to analyze the causes and risks employing the boosted regression trees (BRT) model and the grain productive capacity assessment model. The results indicate that (1) The compensatory cultivated land (CCL) has shifted uphill, with considerable fragmentation, from 2010 to 2020, and the abandonment rate reached 14.77%. (2) The factors of site condition, including elevation, patch area, and continuity of cultivated land, as well as a series of combinations, can explain the causes of abandonment. (3) The abandonment of these cultivated land areas eventually resulted in the risk of 297.48 t grain production capacity loss. The reason for the return of cultivated land to the mountains and its subsequent abandonment is the lack of consideration for the coupling relationship among site condition, use state, and function requirement, resulting in a spatial mismatch. Based on the findings, we propose a solution of the natural resources requisition-compensation balance (NRRB). To make up for the loss and reduce the risk, a spatial replacement was taken between the abandoned CCL in uphill and cultivable and available forest land (CAFL) in submontane areas CCL, optimizing the spatial pattern of land use toward Von Thunen’s agricultural circle.

Diversity profiles of medium and large-size mammals in an Atlantic Forest remnant: seasonal and spatial patterns

ABSTRACT Mammal populations are declining due to habitat fragmentation and loss, but protected areas can maintain these populations at viable numbers and reduce their risk of extinction. This study assessed the mammal community composition, diversity profiles, seasonal variation, and habitat use in a protected area in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. With an effort of 5,023 camera trap days, we registered 1,889 independent records of 20 species, with an additional 13 species recorded through direct observation. There was no difference in the seasonal diversity profiles of mammal communities. The diversity in submontane areas was consistently larger than in lowland ones, but the number of records was higher in lowland areas. The diversity profiles decrease when more weight is given to the common species. The reserve is the protected area with the third highest mammal richness in the state of Rio de Janeiro and harbors 11 threatened mammals. This study shows the importance of small protected areas for the conservation of mammalian diversity in a fragmented anthropogenic landscape.

Forest Dynamics and Agroforestry History since AD 200 in the Highland of Sumatra, Indonesia

Understanding past forest dynamics and human influence is essential for future forest management and ecosystem conservation. This study aims to provide insights into the forest dynamics and agroforestry history in the highlands of Sumatra for the last 1800 years. We carried out palaeoecological multi-proxy analyses of pollen, spores, non-pollen palynomorphs, macro-charcoal, and X-ray fluorescence on a limnic sediment core taken from Danau Kecil in the submontane area of Kerinci Seblat National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia. Our results provide an 1800-year record of forest dynamics under climate change and human influence including the transition from forest opening to shifting cultivation and eventually permanent agroforestry. Indicators for forest openings and secondary forest formation have been present since the beginning of records (AD 200). This is followed by the possible initiation of sugar palm (Arenga) cultivation (AD 400). Since AD 500, potential agroforestry and forest gardening practices have promoted major timber trees such as Lithocarpus/Castanopsis, Bischofia, and Dipterocarpaceae combined with sugar palm (Arenga). Permanent agroforestry systems were possibly established since AD 1760, evinced by an increase in commodity trees such as Dipterocarpaceae for resin production. With the Dutch invasion ca. AD 1900, agroforestry intensified and expanded to the Kerinci Valley. This was followed by land use intensification and potential rice cultivation around Danau Kecil since the 1940s. This study provides the first details on past forest dynamics around Danau Kecil since AD 200, showing among others how appropriate forest management and a closed canopy could reduce fire vulnerability in submontane rainforest.

Contribution to the knowledge of aquatic vegetation of montane and submontane areas of Northern Apennines (Italy)

The importance of wetlands for biodiversity conservation is widely recognized. Their relevance is crucial in the identification of habitat types included in the Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC and in the application of the following conservation measures. Yet, several montane and submontane areas are poorly investigated from the phytosociological point of view. Here we studied aquatic communities of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines in Italy using 52 vegetation plots dominated by hydrophytes collected in wetlands of natural and artificial origin. We analysed our data using a cluster analysis and identified 12 vegetation types that we classified as three vegetation classes Charetea intermediae, Lemnetea and Potamogetonetea, and two habitat types of conservation importance, as the hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp. (Natura 2000 code 3140) and the natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition (Natura 2000 code 3150). Our study highlights the diversity of aquatic habitats in montane and submontane areas of the Northern Apennines where water bodies are generally small and scattered. This study further highlights the important role of natural freshwater ecosystems for vegetation, but also the notable role of partly or entirely artificial water bodies in maintaining aquatic communities.

Correlations Between Auxological Indices and Thyroid Volume in Children with Stature Delay in Endemic and Non-Endemic Areas of Sibiu County

Abstract Palpation of the thyroid gland, completed by its ultrasonographic examination, is an important method for assessing endocrine disorders caused by insufficient iodine intake. Hypothyroidism (through iodine deficiency) can be one of the main endocrine causes of poor mental and somatic development in children. The data obtained after palpation and ultrasonographic determination of thyroid volume in two groups of children (6-12 years) with small stature from different areas of Sibiu County, a submontane area (endemic) and a hilly area (non-endemic), show statistically significant differences between the values obtained for the two groups. Goiter was present in over half of the children living in the endemic area, a statistically significant percentage, higher than that obtained for the hilly area; thyroid volume values were statistically significantly higher compared to those of non-endemic area. Thyroid volume correlates positively and statistically significantly, both with the auxological indices of children (height and body mass), but especially with their age.

Acclimatization and productive qualities of American origin Aberdeen-Angus cattle pastured at the submontane area of the Northern Caucasus

Beef production remains one of the most difficult and time-consuming sectors in cattle breeding. The purpose of this work was to establish the productivity and acclimatization abilities of the Aberdeen-Angus breed of American selection to the natural and climatic conditions of Karachay-Cherkessia Republic. The experimental research was performed in Hummer Company LLC of Ust-Dzhegutinsky District of Karachaevo-Cherkessia Republic, Russian Federation. The object of the study was livestock of Aberdeen-Angus breed imported from the USA (Dodge City, Kansas). The research was conducted by setting up the scientific and technical experiments, summarizing and analyzing the data of the zootechnical registration. To study the specific features of acclimatization and adaptation of animals, five experimental groups with 20 heads each were organized. The groups were formed of daughters of bulls Gar New Design 5050 (I group); Three Trees Prime Cut 0145 (II group); Boyd Poundmaker 21 (III group); Woodhill Foresight (IV group); Vermilion Nebraska M404 (V group). It was found that the Aberdeen-Angus cattle of the American selection showed rather high adaptation potential, which resulted in quick acclimatization to the changed environmental conditions and adaptation to the conditions of housing and feeding. The animals had a high thermal stability index ranging from 58.1 to 74.3, with the highest thermal stability indices of 70.8 and 74.3, respectively, of Gar New Design 5050 and Vermilion Nebraska M404 bull calves. The best adaptation coefficient indices were also obtained for calves of Gar New Design 5050 and Vermilion Nebraska M404 bulls. The descendants of all five breeds have high stress resistance values and are characterized by optimal reactions to pain irritation. In terms of natural resistance the daughter of bulls Gar New Design 5050 and Vermilion Nebraska M404 were superior to their peers. The structure of the hair cover of cows in groups I and V was the most adapted to environmental changes. During the period of sucking the bulls born from cows of I and V groups had significantly higher average daily gain in live weight, which allowed at the age of 6 months to have a live weight of bulls of 201.0 and 203.5 kg respectively.

Effectiveness of grassland crop rotation in the submontane area of the Republic of North Ossetia Alania

In conditions of the submontane zone of The Republic of North Ossetia Alania the investigated cultures of grassland crop rotation made positive effect on structurally-aggregate properties of soil, water stability of soil aggregates, and also on fruitfulness and energetic potential of cultivated crops. The most favorable impact on soil structure was made by clover and winter wheat, which are having more lengthy periods of vegetation, well developed root system, ensuring the better protection of soil in autumn and spring from the destructive effect of atmospheric precipitation. Intertilled cultures had low evaluation in this context. The capacity for structure formation is more weakly expressed in potatoes. In result of research it was revealed that the soil under study has good structural condition because it contains from 52.1 to 55.8% of water-stable aggregates. It was established that the weight by volume kept changing in all cultures of crop rotation. By the end of vegetation, the tendency of increasing weight by volume has been observed practically in all variants. In general, the average soil density under all cultures has been optimal during the whole period of research. The maximum output of feed units was marked among the following options: oat + clover – 9.83 t/ha, clover – 9.49 t/ha, corn – 9.49 t/ha. The more quantity of digested protein was contained in the crop of clover, for the rest of the cultures the index was approximately at the same level. The grass rotation where the pickup of feed units and digested protein was credibly exceeding the indices of intertilled rotation, was the more fruitful (7.96 t/ha – rotation grass and 6.33 t/ha – intertilled rotation).

The Effect of the Manner in Which Montane and Submontane Areas Are Utilized on the Quality of Leachate Water

This study aimed at assessing the effect of how submontane soils are managed on the quantity and quality of leachate water, as well as on the load of nutrients leached with it. The quality of leachate water moving through the soil profile at the depth of 0–30 cm was investigated. The quality of leachate water from six research variants was analyzed in three periods: intensive growing, inhibited growing, and the non-growing season. It was established that the type of flora had a significant effect on the amount and chemical composition of water flowing through the soil profile. The highest loads of minerals were leached with leachate waters from arable land. Contrary to the common opinion, unused meadow had the best quality of leachate waters. On account of the quality of leachate waters in submontane and montane areas, it is recommended to reduce plow tillage in these areas. It is also recommended to use these areas as meadows and pastures, with moderate fertilization and rational use, i.e., two mowings or three grazings during the growing season. The study emphasizes how important the management of the use of submontane and montane areas is for the quality and quantity of leachate waters.

Growth-climate responses indicate shifts in the competitive ability of European beech and Norway spruce under recent climate warming in East-Central Europe

Long-term changes in climate substantially affect the tree growth and species distribution in Europe. In the presented study, the radial growth of Fagus sylvatica (L.) and Picea abies ((L.) Karst.) has been studied along an altitudinal gradient covering six vegetation formations characteristic for sub-montane, montane and high-montane conditions of the western Carpathians. Tree growth responses to temperature and precipitation changes have been analysed based on the sample of increment cores and standard dendroclimatic methods in two time periods, the reference period 1961–1990 and the recent period 1991–2012. The growth responses of spruce and beech to recent changes in climate were similar up to high-montane zones, where the beech shows significantly larger improvements of radial increments in comparison to spruce. The growth responses were mainly temperature driven. In the sub-montane area, the increased effect of precipitation in the recent period was overridden by the negative effects of warming, and the alleviated temperature limitation had an evidently supportive effect on tree growth in montane and high-montane areas. In the near future, the warming will likely cause decline in radial increments of beech and spruce in sub-montane areas due to expected landscape drying. At the same time, the improved competitive ability of beech in the high-montane zones suggests a shift in the leading edge of beech distribution into higher altitudes in East-Central Europe.

Peculiarities of physical and sexual development of boys in the onset of puberty in different ecologo-geographical regions of the Republic of Dagestan

The study objectiveis to compare the characteristics of physical and sexual development of boys aged 11–13 years living in different ecological and geographical areas of the Republic of Dagestan and to determine the effect of chronic iodine deficiency on the onset of puberty.Materials and methods. In a lowland area containing 11 districts, 501 subjects were examined; in a mountain area containing 17 districts, 325 subjects were examined; in a submontane area containing 7 districts, 274 subjects were examined. In total, 1100 boys aged 11–13 years were randomly selected.Results.Physical development of the boys was mostly characterized as normal but with a clear tendency toward lower values, especially in the submontane districts. In boys living in the areas with severe iodine deficiency, delayed onset of puberty was observed 3.2 times more frequently than in their counterparts living in the districts with mild iodine deficiency. Total fraction of boys with signs of delayed sexual development was 38.5 %, and they mostly lived in the submontane area.Conclusion.Emerging in Russia tendency toward lowered characteristics of physical development of boys is observed in the Republic of Dagestan. This confirms the negative effect of chronic iodine deficiency on sexual development of boys which manifests through delayed sexual maturity.

Using ALS data to estimate afforestation and secondary forest succession on agricultural areas: An approach to improve the understanding of land abandonment causes

The aim of the article is to identify the relationships between the phenomenon of land cultivation abandonment and spatial features of parcels that influence the economic effects of land cultivation. The study covered submontane areas with unfavorable soil and climate conditions which, nevertheless, were a place of intensive agricultural activities until the beginning of the 21st century. The study area is also characterized by unfavorable parameters of land fragmentation. The study covered part of the Małopolska Region in southern Poland with an area of 1745 km2. The area is divided into nearly 370,000 parcels. The study was based on ALS data with a density of 8 points/m2. On its basis, a number of categories of high vegetation were determined and then processed into a 1 × 1 m grid structure. This allowed to define the height structure of vegetation in every parcel. Other features, including land use status at the end of the 20th century, were derived from cadastral databases and digital soil quality maps. To explain the causes of observed forest expansion, the following diagnostic features were used in the models of logistic regression: size of a parcel, its width, slope, soil quality, and accessibility to the road network. The results allow to formulate an unexpected conclusion: unfavorable spatial features of parcels, negatively affecting the profitability of agricultural production, have no statistically significant influence on the decision of land cultivation abandonment.

Landuse effects on structural stability and soil organic carbon in the submontane areas of north-western Himalayas, India

The present investigation was undertaken to study the influence of different land use systems viz. forest, horticulture, agriculture, pasture and degraded land on soil organic carbon and structural stability in north-western Himalayas, India. The soil organic carbon (SOC) content was higher in pasture land (7.57 g kg−1) and was least in degraded lands (5.01 g kg−1), but bulk density and particle density was higher in degraded land. The maximum water holding capacity was higher in forest and least in degraded land in the surface and sub-surface layers. The dry and wet aggregate stability index and percent of aggregates in the 2.0 mm class was higher in pasture land than other land uses. The aggregate stability index from dry structure (ASId) and their corresponding wet aggregate stability index (ASIw) were related significantly (r = 0.999**).

Role of human agency in the transformation of the biogeography of Sri Lanka

The area referred to as the ‘Central Highlands of Sri Lanka’, despite being the venue of a thin scatter of ‘Stone Age’ human settlements was sparsely populated by man throughout the island’s ‘Pre-Modern Era’, and much of it, especially at its higher elevations remaining under primeval forest cover. In late medieval times when this highland area became a part of the ‘Kandyan Kingdom’, its forest-clad localities, except those that were appurtenant to village settlement ecology, tended to be strictly protected under royal decree. The cultivation of coffee on large areas of land – ‘plantations’ or ‘estates’ –commenced as a major economic enterprise after the establishment of British rule over the island in the early 19th century. This invariably entailed the extensive clearing of forests. The ‘Ferguson map’ that depicts the coffee estates that existed in 1863 and 1880 provides valuable information about the distribution of coffee plantations. The present study is a product of an attempt to determine the location and the extent of coffee plantations in relation to vegetation zones, administrative districts, and river basins of the Central Highlands. It indicates, inter alia, the main plantation area in the Upper Mahaveli catchment, and in the sub-montane zone. The second largest extent was in the Kelani Basin. Clearing of forests led to erosion of hillslopes, siltation of riverbeds and the low-lying areas, particularly in these two river basins. Within a period of 50 years the landscape of a large part of the Central Highlands was transformed from forest-covered hills to a landscape dominated by plantations. This process caused irreparable damage to the biodiversity of the montane and sub-montane areas of Sri Lanka.Keywords: endemism, evolutionary stable unit, mammal subspecies, habitat quality, ecological niche, mammalian evolution.

Directions of Growth, Improvement and Prospects for Efficiency of the Productivity of Sheep Breeds Tigaie in the Context of Zootechnical Bioeconomy

Abstract Nowadays, tigaie breed represents almost 26 percents of tha total sheep group in our country, being grown on the hill, plateau and depression areas, with atmosphero=ic precipitation of 650-800 mm, and in limited number in some submontane areas. The proportion of the Tigaie breed will be in the future of about 24% of the total herd. Due to its exceptional resistance and superior combining capabilities, the Tigaie breed will be a biological source of industrial cross-breeding and improvement, as well as the creation of new types, for fine-meat-milk wool, such as Spanca genetically stabilized or semifine-wool, as well as semi-wool milk. In order the breed to be properly harvested in the shown directions, it is necessary to keep valuable cores in the pure breed, subject to an appropriate selection and propagation program. The economic efficiency of animal production is largely determined by the results obtained by forage crops, the low cost of feed, contributing to the increase in the economic efficiency of livestock production.

THE TURKIC MATERIALS OF ARCHEOGRAPHIC EXPEDITIONS OF 2015-2016.

The article deals with manuscript and printed books written in the Arabic graphic, revealed by the author in private collections of particular people living in flat and submontane areas of the Republic of Dagestan. During summer months of 2015 and 2016, the author visited Nogaysky, Karabudakhkentsky, Buynaksky, Khasavyurtovsky and Kizlyarsky districts, where he recorded old printed (lithographic) books and manuscript materials stored in fifteen private collections and in the museum of the village of Terekli-Mekteb and in the Jame Mosque of the village of Ullubiyaul as well. The author draws attention mainly to the materials written in the Turkic languages in Arabic graphic both in Dagestan and outside it - in Turkey, Central Asia, the Volga Region (Kazan, Ufa, Orenburg), in the Crimea, and in St. Petersburg. Books of this origin existed and were used by Dagestan readers of the 19th - early 20th centuries. The revealed materials are subjected to an archeographic description according to the generally accepted scheme. They allow us to assess the situation related to the subject, degree of use, the prevalence of Muslim literature in various districts of Dagestan. Among the written objects found in various collections, the author recorded many texts written not only in the Arabic, but also in the Kumyk, Azerbaijani, Tatar, Ottoman Turkish languages and in the common Turki language.

Between mountain and plain: new evidence for the Middle Palaeolithic in the northern Susiana Plain, Khuzestan, Iran

The Middle East generally (Bar-Yosef 1994) and Iran specifically (Vahdati Nasab et al. 2013) have become a focus for the study of human migration between South-west Asia and Central and Eastern Asia during the Pleistocene (Asgari Khaneghah et al.2005; Biglari & Shidrang 2006; Heydari Guran 2012). In Iran, studies of the Palaeolithic have concentrated on the Zagros and Alborz areas, but recent work in the sub-montane areas, desert margins and lowland plains have also revealed interesting results regarding the activities of hunter-gatherer societies (Biglari et al. 2000; Dashtizadeh 2009; Vahdati Nasab et al. 2009, 2010, 2013; Darabi et al. 2012).

Effects of sheep stocking on the plant community and agricultural characteristics of upland Anthoxanthum odoratum–Geranium sylvaticum meadow in northern England

AbstractIn the UK, upland hay meadows (Anthoxanthum odoratum–Geranium sylvaticum grassland) with high plant biodiversity are rare and confined to submontane areas of northern England. We report results from a 5‐year experiment to test suggestions that recent biodiversity declines were attributable to increased sheep‐stocking density and a longer spring stocking period, thus delaying the shut up date for the growth of the hay crop. Longer stocking periods and higher stocking densities decreased the forage mass at 8 July, but they increased herbage N content and digestibility, reduced plant species diversity and reduced populations and seed production of Rhinanthus minor. Compared with unstocked swards, the similarity of the vegetation to Anthoxanthum odoratum–Geranium sylvaticum grassland was reduced by 16·9% when stocking with sheep continued until 27 May each year, and by 8·3% when sward heights were maintained at 3 cm compared with 5 cm. Increased mean sward height and height of R. minor were positively correlated with accumulated temperatures. Results support suggestions that recent reductions in the nature value of these grasslands might be a consequence of high stocking densities persisting until later in the spring, carried out during a 1‐year period with warmer temperatures.