Effect of Mountain Relief and Industrial Air Pollution on Biometric Characteristics of Pine Stands

The effect of mountain relief and industrial air pollution on biometric parameters of pine stands was studied. The empirical–statistical models of the dependence of biometric characteristics on the parameters of forest sites were developed using raster modeling and multivariate analysis. The possibility of predicting changes in the biometric parameters at any site on the basis of these models is shown.     

Spatiotemporal dynamics of forest-tundra communities in the polar urals

The spatiotemporal dynamics of forest-tundra communities in the 20th century have been studied in the timberline ecotone of the Polar Urals. Maps reflecting the distribution of different types of forest-tundra communities have been made, and data on the morphological and age structure of tree stands have been obtained for three time sections (the mid-1910s, 1960s, and 2000s). They show that open and closed forests have markedly expanded due to natural afforestation of the tundra and increase in the density and productivity of existing forest stands. The unidirectional pattern of plant community transition (from the tundra to closed forests) and meteorological data provide evidence that this transition has been conditioned by climate warming and increasing humidity recorded during the past 90 years.Translated from Ekologiya, No. 2, 2005, pp. 83–90.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Shiyatov, Terentev, Fomin.     

Dynamics of abundance and population structure of sea otters, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enhydra lutris</Emphasis> L., on the Commander Archipelago and activity of their migrations between Islands

Fluctuations in the abundance of insular groups of sea otters on the Commander Archipelago are analyzed with regard to changes in meteorological conditions. The main factors responsible for the abrupt decline of the Bering Sea group between 2002 and 2004 are discussed. A statistically significant correlation has been revealed between fluctuations of sea otter abundance and the cycles of solar activity in the period since 1992. Changes in the age and sex structure of the insular groups of sea otters are evaluated.     

A new approach for biological online testing of stack gas condensate from municipal waste incinerators

A biological testing system for the monitoring of stack gas condensates of municipal waste incinerators has been developed using Euglena gracilis as a test organism. The motility, velocity and cellular form of the organisms were the endpoints, calculated by an image analysis system. All endpoints showed statistically significant changes in a short time when organisms were exposed to samples collected during combustion situations with increased pollutant concentrations. The velocity of the organisms proved to be the most appropriate endpoint. A semi-continuous system with E. gracilis for monitoring stack gas condensate is proposed, which could result in an online system for testing stack gas condensates in the future.     

Structure and Dynamics of Tree Stands at the Upper Timberline in the Western Part of the Putorana Plateau

Russian Journal of Ecology - Analysis of the age structure of Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii Rupr.) forests in the western part of the Putorana Plateau (Sukhie Gory Range) and comparison of...     

Ecotoxicological investigations of extremely acidic mining lakes using bioassays suitable for testing at low pH

In this investigation different bioassays were used to detect the physiological and genotoxic effects of water samples of mining lakes. Especially bioassays with higher plants were used like the duckweed bioassay with Lemna minor, the cress bioassay with Lepidium sativum, the Tradescantia‐micronucleus bioassay and the Arabidopsis bioassay. In addition the algae‐motility bioassay with Euglena gracilis were used. All these bioassays were found to be suitable to investigate mining lake samples of extreme acidic character. Four mining lakes (ML 107, ML 111, ML 117, ML F) were selected. They show equally low pH‐values, but differ in size, age, hydro‐chemical and biological state. The results demonstrated that it is possible to differentiate the mining lakes based on the results of bioassays. Samples of ML 107 and 111 showed significant physiological and genotoxic effects. Water samples of both lakes caused severe damages and decreased growth at the same dilution level in all plant bioassays. ML F causes different effects on bioassays. The highest negative effect was observed on root development of L. sativum. ML 117 did not show any effects on duckweed, algae, Tradescantia or Arabidopsis bioassays. There was only a slight effect on the root development in the cress bioassay.     

Ecological Zoning of Forests in Areas Exposed to Industrial Air Pollution

Morphometric characteristics of the growth of forest stands located at different distances from a large copper-smelting plant were estimated. The set of diagnostic parameters obtained was used for calculating summary parameters of the state (SPSs) of the forest stands and to grade their values for zoning the forests. The results of using semivariance analysis demonstrated the appropriateness of kriging, a method of spatial interpolation, for mapping the surfaces of the state of forests. The map-scheme of the zones differing in the state of forest stands (made on the basis of summary parameters) was compared with the topographic map of the area, which made it possible to estimate the effect of large forms of relief on the location and configuration of the zones.