Changes in the Distribution of Broadleaf Tree Species in the Central Part of the Southern Urals since the 1970s

Russian Journal of Ecology - Changes in the distribution of broadleaf tree species—Tilia cordata Mill., Quercus robur L., Acer platanoides L., and Ulmus glabra Huds.—in the central part...     

Influence of Clear Fellings on the Bryophyte Component of the Broad-leaved Forests of the Bashkir Cis-Ural Region

The change in the composition of the bryophyte component of succession communities that occur in the process of natural regeneration at the site of clear felling of the indigenous elm—maple–linden forests of the Bashkir Cis-Ural Region has been studied. The vulnerability of species to the consequences of felling is affected by their substrate confinement, ecological amplitude in relation to the factors of temperature, humidity, variability of soil moisture, and type of life strategy. In the secondary aspen forests, the absence or low constancy of nemoral epiphytic and ground mosses was noted.     

Altitudinal zonality and diversity of butterflies in the southern Far East and Transbaikalia

Species richness, taxonomic diversity, and qualitative composition of the butterfly fauna (Lepidoptera, Diurna) are discussed in the light of data on the altitudinal zonality of local faunas in the southern Far East and Transbaikalia. It is shown that qualitative elevation-dependent changes in the fauna occur only in the western and northern parts of the region.     

On the Formal and Informal Estimates of Floristic Diversity: An Example of Pine Forests of the Southern Urals

Advantages of the informal assessment of biodiversity based on the phytosociological spectrum (the ratio of species associated with different higher units of ecological-floristic classification in the cenoflora) are demonstrated in a study of pine forests of the Southern Urals (classes Vaccinio-Piceetea, Brachypodio-Betuletea, and Querco-Fagetea). The phytosociological spectrum reflects environmental conditions better than formal estimations of , , and -diversity.     

Assessment of vegetation β-diversity on the basis of syntaxonomy

Using the example of vegetation in four specially protected natural areas in the Southern Urals, it has been shown that its β-diversity can be estimated in two ways: from the number of syntaxa ranking from the class to the association and from the syntaxonomic spectrum, i.e., the ratio between associations of different classes. The second approach is more informative and better reflects the diversity of vegetation.     

Ecological and phytocenotic features of the bryophyte component of water protection forests on the Ufa Plateau

The composition of bryophytes in forests of the Ufa Plateau has been studied. The results obtained by ordination methods show that the coverage of epigeic mosses decreases with an increase in tree stand density and proportion of broadleaf tree species as well as in the coverage and average height of herbaceous layer. The main factors determining the distribution of epigeic mosses are illumination level, soil fertility, and the degree of soil development.     

Analysis of trends in the formation of species richness of plant communities using syntaxonomy and ecological scales

On the basis of syntaxonomy of primary forests in the Southern Ural region, an analysis of trends in the formation of their species diversity has been performed in regard to heat supply, soil moisture, and general soil richness. The roles of environmental factors have been estimated using Landolt’s scales. The results have shown that communities of forest classes Querco-Fagetea, Brachypodio-Betuletea, and Vaccinio-Piceetea differ in the trends of changes in species richness along gradients of the above factors. In communities of all these classes, species richness depends primarily on heat supply, with soil richness being the second most important factor.     

Experience in syntaxonomic and ordination analysis of progressive succession in cutover areas of boreal light conifer forests in the Southern Urals

Progressive succession of plant communities has been studied in cutover areas of bilberry-green moss forests of the alliance Dicrano-Pinion in the central upland part of the Southern Urals. The results are presented concerning the alpha-diversity and phytosociological spectrum of communities at different stages of succession.     

Ground Fires as a Factor of Maintenance of Pine–Larch Forests in the Southern Urals

Russian Journal of Ecology -     

Comparison of different ecological scales with respect to efficiency in assessing ecological conditions in forests of the Southern Ural region

Ecological scales proposed by H. Ellenberg, E. Landolt, and D.N. Tsyganov have been used to evaluate the roles of three ecological factors—elevation above sea level, soil moisture, and soil nitrogen—in determining the composition of forest communities in the Southern Ural region. The results obtained with all these scales are similar, which indicates that any of them can serve the purpose.