Showing papers in "Russian Journal of Ecology in 2008"
TL;DR: The results of studies on the biomorphological features of 22 plant species growing on the southern coast of the Russian Far East provide evidence for the diversity of pathways of their adaptation to stressful habitat conditions.
Abstract: The results of studies on the biomorphological features of 22 plant species growing on the southern coast of the Russian Far East provide evidence for the diversity of pathways of their adaptation to stressful habitat conditions. An analysis of the anatomical and mesostructural characteristics of their leaves has revealed representatives of euhalophytes, crinohalophytes, and glycohalophytes among these plants. Adaptation is achieved by means of halomorphosis, haloxerophytism, and development of some heliophilic features accounted for by species-specific manifestations of succulence, the presence of salt excreting trichomes, and thick pubescence. The similarity of these adaptations to those of desert plants is discussed. Along with plants characterized by a high germination rate, species that counterbalance a low efficiency of seed reproduction by active vegetative propagation have also successfully established themselves on the coast. Adaptation to coastal habitats is also achieved due to the diversity of life forms characterized mainly by tap root systems with laterally extending branch roots, creeping shoots, and a high vegetative mobility.
30 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of climatic conditions on the dynamics of 21 populations of 10 species of the family Orchidaceae at the northern limit of their range in Europe was studied between 1992 and 2004.
Abstract: The effect of climatic conditions on the dynamics of 21 populations of 10 species of the family Orchidaceae at the northern limit of their range in Europe was studied between 1992 and 2004. The abundance of orchid populations proved to depend primarily on air temperature during the previous and current growing seasons.
27 citations
TL;DR: The extra-and intercellular contents of most metals in these transplants approached those in the aboriginal thalli and in some cases (intracellular content of cadmium) exceeded them.
Abstract: A sequential extraction procedure was used to study localization of heavy metals in thalli of the lichen Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. growing under conditions of chronic aerotechnogenic pollution in the Middle Urals. Trends in the seasonal dynamics of metal contents in the thalli were revealed. The dynamics of metal accumulation was also studied in the thalli brought to the polluted zone from the background environment. After one year, the extra-and intercellular contents of most metals in these transplants approached those in the aboriginal thalli and in some cases (intracellular content of cadmium) exceeded them.
26 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the reproduction of the Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica), including radial and apical tree increments, the age structure of stands, the amount of young growth, and its distribution along an altitudinal gradient, have been studied in the forest-tundra ecotone of the Western Sayan.
Abstract: Parameters of reproduction of the Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica), including radial and apical tree increments, the age structure of stands, the amount of young growth, and its distribution along an altitudinal gradient, have been studied in the forest-tundra ecotone of the Western Sayan. The results show that, over the past 30 years, P. sibirica undergrowth has expanded to the mountain tundra belt, the apical and radial tree increments and stand density have increased, and the life form of many P. sibirica plants has changed from prostrate to erect (single-or multistemmed). These changes correlate with the dynamics of summer temperatures and monthly (in May and June) and annual precipitation. The rise of summer temperatures by 1°C promotes the expansion of P. sibirica undergrowth for approximately 150 m up the altitudinal gradient.
25 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, changes in the main climatic factors (air temperature and total precipitation) and their effect on the radial increment of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) over the period from 1933 to 2002 were studied in an insular pine forest growing in the steppe zone of the Southern Urals.
Abstract: Changes in the main climatic factors (air temperature and total precipitation) and their effect on the radial increment of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) over the period from 1933 to 2002 were studied in an insular pine forest growing in the steppe zone of the Southern Urals. Evidence for a significant increase in the amount of precipitation and air temperature in the second half of this period was obtained. Functions of response of radial increment indices to climatic parameters were analyzed. Relative contributions of air temperature and precipitation to variation in the radial increment of pine in different time intervals proved to differ in relation to climate changes during the past century. DOI: 10.1134/S1067413608030028
22 citations
TL;DR: The results of regression and correlation analyses of long-term data (1971-2005) on the dates of arrival of 16 bird species to the Ilmen State Nature Reserve (the Southern Urals) show that they have not changed in most of these birds, unlike in many countries of Europe and North America.
Abstract: The results of regression and correlation analyses of long-term data (1971–2005) on the dates of arrival of 16 bird species to the Il’men State Nature Reserve (the Southern Urals) show that they have not changed in most of these birds, unlike in many countries of Europe and North America. This is explained primarily by the absence of any significant trends in the dynamics of spring air temperatures in the study region. Only the herring gull Larus argentatus and the lapwing Vanellus vanellus have shown a significant tendency to arrive earlier, while the garganey Anas querquedula has shown a tendency to arrive on later dates in the past two decades. Nevertheless, interannual fluctuations in the dates of arrival are well manifested in both early arriving species wintering in Europe and late-arriving species wintering in Africa. These fluctuations largely depend on temperature conditions in spring. As a rule, almost all species studied—from waterbirds to passerines—appear in the Il’men Reserve earlier in years with early and warm springs than in cold years. Hence, spring weather is the key factor determining the dates of arrival of migratory birds to the study region.
21 citations
TL;DR: On the basis of long-term monitoring of macrozoobenthos in the Volgograd Reservoir, the causes of changes in its species composition were analyzed and invading species were identified.
Abstract: On the basis of long-term monitoring of macrozoobenthos in the Volgograd Reservoir, the causes of changes in its species composition were analyzed and invading species were identified. During the first 20–25 years after construction of the reservoir, invading species appeared at a rate of 0.4 species per year. In the subsequent years, this rate increased to one species per year due to spontaneous expansion of species and the remote effect of their introduction.
18 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a comparative assessment of dissolved organic matter (DOM) input into the soil has been made on slopes of northern and southern exposures (as variants reflecting the current state and warming) and the dynamics of DOM export in a creek depending on the increasing depth of the active soil horizon in the drainage area have been revealed.
Abstract: Fluxes of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in larch biogeocenoses and its export from the drainage basin have been studied in the zone of continuous permafrost. A comparative assessment of DOM input into the soil has been made on slopes of northern and southern exposures (as variants reflecting the current state and warming). The dynamics of DOM export in a creek depending on the increasing depth of the active soil horizon in the drainage area have been revealed. It is concluded that an increase in the depth of the seasonally thawing layer induced by global warming will not have any significant effect on the amount of annual DOM export. Reduction of DOM export may be expected upon a decrease in litter stocks under the effect of their mineralization and forest fires.
16 citations
TL;DR: It is indicated that both the extent of mistimed reproduction and the breeding date per se influence breeding performance in this study system.
Abstract: Although mistimed reproduction (i.e., time-lag between peak food supply and offspring food demand) has been attributed to habitat modifications or climate change in recent avian investigations, earlier breeding parents have higher reproductive success in many habitats. Here we compare first and second broods in great tits (Parus major L.) from two Mediterranean oak habitats differing significantly in the timing (about 5 weeks), but not the amount of caterpillar supply required to rear chicks. The study indicates that both the extent of mistimed reproduction and the breeding date per se influence breeding performance in this study system.
16 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that a high migration activity allows the pigmy wood mouse (a radiosensitive species) to avoid long-term radiation exposure.
Abstract: It is shown that the response of rodent populations to acute and chronic irradiation depends on its functional structure, i.e., on specific features of animals with two alternative types of ontogenetic development. Upon acute irradiation, sexually immature young of the year (animals with the second type of ontogeny) are most radioresistant. Exposure to chronic irradiation, as in the zone of the Eastern Ural Radioactive Trace (EURT), leads to an increase in the proportion of mature young of the year (animals with the first type of ontog- eny), which are the most radiosensitive part of the population. The abundance and fecundity of mice in the impact zone are consistently higher than in the background zone, which improves the adaptive potential of the population. The role of species ecological specialization and configuration of the contaminated zone in the for- mation of migrant rodent population is emphasized. It is concluded that a high migration activity allows the pigmy wood mouse (a radiosensitive species) to avoid long-term radiation exposure. DOI: 10.1134/S1067413608040085
15 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a cyclic successional replacement of plant communities may take place in open larch forests on permafrost soils, including four consecutive stages with dominance of green moss, sphagnums, lichens, and dwarf shrubs.
Abstract: Studies on vegetation and permafrost table depth in the zone of sporadic permafrost distribution in the Uksichan River valley (the central Kamchatka Peninsula) have provided evidence that these components of biogeocenosis are interrelated and develop coordinately. In open larch forests with green forest mosses dominating in the ground vegetation layer, the permafrost table lies approximately 60 cm below the soil surface. When the ground vegetation layer is dominated by sphagnums, the permafrost table rises to 40–20 cm. In areas with a dwarf shrub-lichen ground layer, the soil thaw depth increases. A hypothesis is proposed that cyclic successional replacement of plant communities may take place in open larch forests on permafrost soils, including four consecutive stages with dominance of green mosses, sphagnums, lichens, and dwarf shrubs. In areas disturbed by fires, pioneer moss or herbaceous communities develop in the ground layer.
TL;DR: The relationship between long-term dynamics of reproductive parameters and body condition were studied in female water voles from a cycling population, finding that as the index of body condition increases upon transition from decline to peak in the population cycle, the numbers of corpora lutea and live embryos also increase and the risk of resorption of the entire litter becomes lower.
Abstract: The relationship between long-term dynamics of reproductive parameters and body condition were studied in female water voles from a cycling population. Body condition was estimated from the deviation of body weight (excluding the weight of the uterus with embryos) from the theoretically expected weight calculated from the equation of body weight regression with respect to body length. As the index of body condition increases upon transition from decline to peak in the population cycle, the numbers of corpora lutea and live embryos also increase and the risk of resorption of the entire litter becomes lower.
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of afforestation on the activity of microbiological mineralization of soil organic matter has been studied in Siberia, and the results show that this effect concerns mainly net nitrogen mineralization and net nitrification, while carbon mineralization (CO2 formation) does not depend on the type of ecosystem.
Abstract: The effect of afforestation on the activity of microbiological mineralization of soil organic matter has been studied in Siberia. The results show that this effect concerns mainly net nitrogen mineralization and net nitrification, while carbon mineralization (CO2 formation) does not depend on the type of ecosystem. It is proposed to use the rates of net nitrogen mineralization and nitrification as the most sensitive indicators of changes in an ecosystem.
TL;DR: Examination of the genetic diversity of five widespread populations in Shanxi Plateau, the distribution center of Chinese pine, using 15 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers and five inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR)Primers found high diversity at the species level, while genetic differentiation results were obtained from the data of RAPD and ISSR.
Abstract: Chinese pine, Pinus tabulaeformis Carr., a species that ranges broadly across northeastern to southwestern China, plays a vital role in the maintenance of the structure and function of these ecosystems. In this study, we examined the genetic diversity of five widespread populations in Shanxi Plateau, the distribution center of Chinese pine, using 15 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers and five inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers in 140 individual tree samples. Similar genetic differentiation results were obtained from the data of RAPD and ISSR. Based on the two sets of data, Nei’s genetic diversity was 0.2842 and 0.3078 and Shannon’s indices of diversity were 0.4332 and 0.4468. Genetic diversity at the species level was found high relative to that for other genera of Pinaceae. The greatest diversity was observed in the Lingkong Mountain population (0.3860), while the lowest was recorded in the Luya Mountain population (0.3352), most likely as a result of natural adaptation and anthropogenic perturbation. The relative magnitude of differentiation among populations (G
ST) was 0.1491 and 0.1356, respectively, implying that most genetic variation was within the populations (∼0.8509), rather than among populations.
TL;DR: In this paper, the emergence and survival of seedlings in the Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb) were studied in different parts of the timberline ecotone on the Iremel’ Massif, the Southern Urals, from 2003 to 2006.
Abstract: Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of cones and seeds and the emergence and survival of seedlings in the Siberian spruce (Picea obovata Ledeb.) were studied in different parts of the timberline ecotone on the Iremel’ Massif, the Southern Urals, from 2003 to 2006. In the productive year 2003, a decrease in the number of cones (from 110000 to 3000 per hectare), the yield of seeds (from 13 × 106 to 0.09 × 106 per hectare), and their laboratory germination rate (from 34 to 14%) with an increase in elevation above sea level was recorded. In 2004, significant differences in the number of seedlings per hectare were revealed between the lower, middle, and upper parts of the ecotone (85 200, 19 800, and 0–400 ind., respectively). It has been shown that the greater part of seedlings (76–96%) perish during the first cold period. New generations of spruce trees are formed only after productive years. Seed production and seedling mortality in spruce apparently depend not only on air temperature and soil moistening but also on snow depth and soil temperature, which change more abruptly along the altitudinal gradient.
TL;DR: In this paper, the trend of changes in the successional status of northern taiga forests exposed to technogenic pollution in the Kola Peninsula is discussed, and main studies of digression in spruce and pine forests are characterized on the basis of the dynamics of species composition of phytocenoses and chemical composition of atmospheric fallout.
Abstract: Trends of changes in the successional status of northern taiga forests exposed to technogenic pollution in the Kola Peninsula are discussed. Main studies of digression in spruce and pine forests are characterized on the basis of the dynamics of species composition of phytocenoses and chemical composition of atmospheric fallout, soils, and dominant plants.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors analyzed the development of benthic communities on rocks from the interdisciplinary test site near Cape Berezovyi (southern Baikal) and found that the development and activity of hydrobionts depended on the chemical composition and structure of the rock.
Abstract: Development of benthic communities on rocks from the interdisciplinary test site near Cape Berezovyi (southern Baikal) is analyzed. Rock plates were placed on the bottom in the shallow-water zone of Baikal for six months, and a community consisting of microorganisms, microphytobenthos, and meiobenthos developed on them. The development and activity of hydrobionts depended on the chemical composition and structure of the rock. Marble and granite plates were populated by them more selectively than amphibolite plates. It is supposed that the biota plays an important role in destruction of rocks in the shallow-water zone of Baikal.
TL;DR: The results of the census of stray dogs and data on their territorial distribution in the city of Petrozavodsk are reported in this article, where the population density of these animals has been found to vary within the urban area, depending mainly on the availability of secluded areas to live in and on population control by municipal services.
Abstract: The results of the census of stray dogs and data on their territorial distribution in the city of Petrozavodsk are reported. The population density of these animals has been found to vary within the urban area, depending mainly on the availability of secluded areas to live in and on population control by municipal services.
TL;DR: In this article, it is shown that the Braun-Blanquet method is promising for estimating the efficiency of the system of specially protected natural areas (SPNAs) and drawing up guidelines for its further development.
Abstract: Using the example of Southern Ural forests, it is shown that the Braun-Blanquet method is promising for estimating the efficiency of the system of specially protected natural areas (SPNAs) and drawing up guidelines for its further development. In particular, evidence is provided that forests of the unions Aconito-Piceion and Lathyro-Quercion are protected quite insufficiently. Proposals concerning organization of new SPNAs are formulated.
TL;DR: Spearman’s coefficient of rank correlation between the group values of variance in fluctuating asymmetry (FAR2) and corresponding ITP values reached rS = 0.914, providing evidence that the method is highly appropriate for ecological indication of the phenogenetic response of trees to environmental pollution.
Abstract: Variation of bilateral leaf structures in Middle Ural cenopopulations of the weeping birch (Betula pendula Roth.) growing in gradients of industrial pollution was studied to test the efficiency of a new method of population and individual phenogenetic monitoring allowing an indirect assessment of developmental destabilization by segregating the variance of total asymmetry (TAR2) into its additive components, the variances of fluctuating asymmetry (FAR2) and directional asymmetry (DAR2). The method was tested in the impact zones of two copper-smelting plants in the Middle Urals. The degree of impact was characterized by the index of technogenic pollution (ITP) reflecting the average total contents of 15 water-soluble pollutants in snow samples. The level of asymmetry was estimated from the numbers of denticles with incoming veins (dentovenal elements) on the left and right leaf margins. Spearman’s coefficient of rank correlation between the group values of variance in fluctuating asymmetry (FAR2) and corresponding ITP values reached rS = 0.914 (p < 0.001), providing evidence that the method is highly appropriate for ecological indication of the phenogenetic response of trees to environmental pollution.
TL;DR: The Scots pine is the most sensitive indicator species among conifers growing in the Southern Urals and analysis of chromosome aberrations in anaphase-telophase cells is most effective among the cytogenetic methods tested.
Abstract: The level of chromosome aberrations at different stages of mitosis has been studied in the seed sprout meristem of four conifer species growing in the Southern Urals in areas differing in the kind and degree of industrial pollution. The results provide evidence for the adverse effect of pollution on the chromosomal machinery of these species. With respect to environmental quality assessment, the Scots pine is the most sensitive indicator species among conifers growing in the Southern Urals and analysis of chromosome aberrations in anaphase-telophase cells is most effective among the cytogenetic methods tested.
TL;DR: In this paper, specific ecological features of ground beetles inhabiting city parks and suburban areas were studied in the large industrial city of Nizhnii Tagil (Sverdlovsk oblast).
Abstract: Specific ecological features of ground beetles inhabiting city parks and suburban areas were studied in the large industrial city of Nizhnii Tagil (Sverdlovsk oblast). Carabid cenoses of city parks retained considerable species diversity but proved to be strongly dominated by a limited number of species. An analysis of their state before and after recreational impact revealed changes in the species composition of communities, the set of dominant species, the degrees of their dominance, and the ratio between classes of life forms. The results show that the stronger the recreational impact, the more significant the decrease in the species diversity of the carabid community.
TL;DR: In this paper, three dominant desert shrubs (Nitraria tangutorum, Calligonuum mongolicum, Haloxylon ammodendrori) were selected in Minqin Oasis, Northwest China, to determine the groundwater level; soil water potential; and change of the three shrubs in density, coverage, and biomass along the natural and seminatural oasis-desert ecotone (ODE), respectively.
Abstract: The ecotone from oasis to desert is an important area for combating sandy desertification. Three dominant desert shrubs (Nitraria tangutorum, Calligonuum mongolicum, Haloxylon ammodendrori) were selected in Minqin Oasis, Northwest China, to determine the groundwater level; soil water potential; and change of the three shrubs in density, coverage, and biomass along the natural and seminatural oasis-desert ecotone (ODE), respectively. The results indicated that traits of desert plant interaction with the topsoil water and groundwater depth along the ODE play an important role in generating complex desert vegetation spatial dynamics. Some natural desert plant species with shallow root systems will distribute themselves according to distribution of topsoil water. Thus, the distribution of Nitraria tangutorum had a decreasing trend in distribution along ODE. Calligonuum mongolicum occurs in different trends in natural and seminatural ODE due to utilizing groundwater as well as topsoil water. Some plant species with deep roots, such as Haloxylon ammodendron, will show more degradation near oases and will exhibit an ascending trend along ODE. Therefore, it is of primary importance to protect the integrity of groundwater depth in order to protect the stability of the oasis-desert ecotones.
TL;DR: The composition and structure of the Gray mussel (Crenomytilus grayanus) community in Vostok Bay of the Sea of Japan have been studied, with the Shannon indices of species diversity and equitability becoming lower, due to intensive organic pollution of Vostoks Bay resulting from increasing recreational activities and sewage discharge.
Abstract: The composition and structure of the Gray mussel (Crenomytilus grayanus) community in Vostok Bay of the Sea of Japan have been studied. A total of 165 species have been identified in the macrobenthos. Its species composition has changed insignificantly since the 1970s. The total biomass of the biocenosis has decreased, and the size-age composition of the C. grayanus population has changed due to poaching. The trophic structure of the community has also changed, with the Shannon indices of species diversity and equitability (E) becoming lower, due to intensive organic pollution of Vostok Bay resulting from increasing recreational activities and sewage discharge.
TL;DR: Adonis vernalis L. (the spring adonis) is a herbaceous perennial of the family Ranunculaceae with a specific rhythm of development involving early flowering and active vegetative development throughout summer.
Abstract: 68 Adonis vernalis L. (the spring adonis) is a herbaceous perennial of the family Ranunculaceae with a specific rhythm of development involving early flowering and active vegetative development throughout summer. Its seeds germinate underground, with the pericarp remaining in the soil and seed leaves emerging on the surface (Kulpa, 1960). Seed productivity and the time of emergence of sprouts depend on ecological conditions of plant growth (Poshkurlat, 1971). The range of A. vernalis extends over the forest–steppe and, partially, steppe zones of Europe and Asia. This species prefers calcium-rich chernozem soils of different types but also grows on meadow chernozems and gray forest soils.
TL;DR: In this paper, the size and shape of third-order soil polygons under stony ridges (whiskers) between the kurgans have been described in detail, and the results have shown that the paleosol under the Kurgans erected at the turn of the Late Sarmatian and Hun times (1600 years ago) is characterized by a higher humus content and deeper location of the carbonate horizon, compared to the recent soil.
Abstract: Studies on paleosols under an archaeological landmark of a rare type (a complex of kurgans with “whiskers”) dating from the Early Iron Age (the fourth century AD) have been performed in the steppe zone of the Transural Plateau. The size and shape of third-order soil polygons under stony ridges (“whiskers”) between the kurgans have been described in detail. The results have shown that the paleosol under the kurgans erected at the turn of the Late Sarmatian and Hun times (1600 years ago) is characterized by a higher humus content and deeper location of the carbonate horizon, compared to the recent soil. This indicates that an increase in atmospheric humidity took place in the fourth century AD.