Temperature niche of the Altai Zokor Myospalax myospalax Laxmann (1773)

With consideration of the data on soil temperature within the range of the Altai zokor Myospalax myospalax Laxmann (1773) published in the Handbook on the Climate of the Soviet Union, it has been shown that the actual temperature niche of this species is relatively narrow. Seasonal movements over the vertical profile of the burrow allow zokors to avoid exposure to subzero temperatures.     

Structure and formation of conifer stands in the upper timberline ecotone on the North Chuya Ridge,Central Altai

The structure of Siberian stone pine (Pinus sibirica Du Tour.) and Siberian larch (Larix sibirica Ledeb.) stands and specific features of their formation have been studies in the forest-tundra ecotone on the North Chuya Ridge (2235–2475 m a.s.l.). Changes in the structure of these stands along the transition from the upper boundary of closed forests to the high-mountain tundra have proved to have an ambiguous pattern. Both tree species form mixed clusters of similar-aged trees in the lower part of the ecotone but grow singly, in scatters, in its upper part. The formation of conifer stands (tree clusters) in the lower part of the ecotone, on the slopes of the Aktru River valley, began during climate warming in the second half of the 19th century. The expansion of confers to its upper part took place markedly later, in the early 20th century (Siberian larch) or even in the 1930s (Siberian stone pine).     

Experience in Combined Glaciological and Botanical Studies on the Primary Plant Successions on Young Moraines in the Central Altai

Data are presented that concern specific features of primary plant community formation on the moraine complex of the Malyi Aktru Glacier (2190–2300 m a.s.l., Severo-Chuiskii Ridge, Central Altai), which dates from the Minor Glaciation Period. The main stages and rate of primary plant succession in the areas that became free of ice 1–150 years ago are discussed.     

Specific features of bird community formation depending on the degree of anthropogenic impact

The population density and relative abundance of some bird species reach the highest values in the communities of habitats with a high degree of anthropogenic transformation. The species diversity of birds shows an inverse correlation with the index of anthropogenic impact (in grades) calculated with regard to a number of parameters. Relevant correlations change periodically, with the correlation coefficient reaching the highest values in the nesting period and decreasing to a minimum during the flight period.     

Special features of fish species composition and community structure in small rivers of the Udmurt Republic

The composition and species richness of ichthyofauna have been studied in 36 stretches of small rivers in the Udmurt Republic to estimate the dependence of species richness on the distance from the river source and the level and type of anthropogenic load. Some specific features of modification of the fish community structure under the influence of agriculture, urbanization, and industry (oil production) have been revealed. Basic trends in the change of dominant complexes of fish species with an increase in the distance from the river source are described for small rivers flowing in different natural and anthropogenic landscapes of the Udmurt Republic.     

Fractionation of radionuclide species in the environment

Naturally occurring and artificially produced radionuclides in the environment may be present in different physico-chemical forms (i.e., radionuclide species) varying in size (nominal molecular mass), charge properties and valence, oxidation state, structure and morphology, density, degree of complexation, etc. Low molecular mass (LMM) species are believed to be mobile and potentially bioavailable, while high molecular mass (HMM) species such as colloids, polymers, pseudocolloids and particles are considered inert. Due to time-dependent transformation processes such as mobilisation of radionuclide species from solid phases or interactions of mobile and reactive radionuclide species with components in soils and sediments, the original distribution of radionuclides deposited in ecosystems will change over time. To assess the environmental impact from radionuclide contamination, information on radionuclide species deposited, interactions within affected ecosystems and the time-dependent distribution of radionuclide species influencing mobility and biological uptake is essential. The development of speciation techniques to characterize radionuclide species in waters, soils and sediments should therefore be essential for improving the prediction power of impact and risk assessment models. The present paper reviews available fractionation techniques which can be utilised for radionuclide speciation purposes.     

Ecological features and trends in the formation of the flora of liverworts under the impact of current volcanic and glacial activities: The example of Ushkovskii Volcano, Kamchatka

The flora of liverworts has been studied in the vicinity of the Bil’chenok glacier (the Ushkovskii volcano, Kamchatka), which is in a zone of volcanic ash fallout. Specific complexes of liverworts growing on young moraine and ash deposits have been identified. These complexes are dominated by thallose marchantioid species. Under the effect of periodic ash fallout (in the absence of glacial activity), communities are formed that contain increased proportions of xerophytes and species preferring sites with a disturbed ground vegetation cover.     

Postfire succession in a forest of the cryolithozone: The example of central Yakutia

The results of studies on postfire succession in larch forests of the permafrost zone are discussed. The main directions of successional processes in burned-out areas of different ages are described. It has been shown that secondary pyrogenic successions in larch forests follow the scheme of rapid regeneration without tree species replacement and the model of succession tolerance. Groups of plant species with different life strategies and indicator species characterizing different stages of the overgrowing of burned-out areas have been identified.     

Reproductive ecology of the pond turtle (Emys orbicularis L.) in the Northeastern part of the species range

In Belarussian Polesye, characteristics of reproduction, population dynamics, and factors responsible for a decrease in the abundance of the pond turtle were studied. The main factors limiting pond turtle reproduction in Polesye include the focal distribution of its populations and limited areas of reproductive biotopes. The pond-turtle popuation itself is characterized by a high potential for reproductive growth; in the current situation, the population growth is mainly limited by a high pressure of oophagous predators and anthropogenic destruction of reproductive sites.     

Expansion and some ecological features of the wild boar beyond the northern boundary of its historical range in European Russia

During a historically observable period, profound and often irreversible changes in the faunal composition, distribution, and abundance of game animals were taking place throughout the territory of northern Europe. These changes were especially conspicuous in case of large mammals because of their large body size and roles in biocenoses and human economic activities. This paper deals with the results of monitoring the range and abundance of the wild boar and some ecological observations on this species at the northern limit of its distribution in European Russia.     

A system of Pleistocene refugia for Pinus sylvestris L. in the southern marginal part of the species range

An allozyme analysis of 67 Pinus sylvestris L. populations distributed over the entire species range has provided a basis for determining locations of 12 hypothetical Pleistocene refugia (HPRs) in its southern marginal part and estimating their relative contributions to the gene pools of seven phylogeographic population groups (PPGs) in the glaciated zone of the range. Using Nei’s (1978) minimum genetic distances (DN78 < 0.015) reflecting similarities and differences in allele frequencies between PPGs and the refugia, it has been shown that the main contributions to the P. sylvestris gene pool in Central Europe, Scandinavia, and the Russian Plain were probably made by the Balkan and Southern Ural refugia, and in Western and Central Siberia, by the Southern Ural, Turgai, and Southern Siberian mountain refugia.     

Species Composition and Ecological Characteristic of Algae from the Cooling Reservoir of the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant

The results of long-term studies on phytoplankton in the cooling reservoir of the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant (the Middle Urals) are reviewed. Altogether, 199 taxa of the species and subspecies rank have been recorded, including 144 taxa described in this water body for the first time. The algoflora of the reservoir consists mainly of widespread and eurybiontic freshwater species.     

Structural-temporal organization of a rodent community in the Teletskaya Taiga,Altai Mountains

The structural-temporal organization of a murine rodent community in the taiga has been studied near Lake Teletskoe, Mountain Altai. The results show that the long-term dynamics of indices characterizing community diversity depend mainly on changes in the structure of dominance rather than on the population dynamics of species. The distribution of species in the factor space corresponds to their preference for certain biotopes, from dry to relatively moist. An analysis of relationships within the rodent community has revealed the synchronous dynamics of species abundance and antiphase pattern of changes in the structural indices of dominant species.     

Synanthropization of Vegetation in the Upper Belts of the Seminskii Range (the Altai Mountains)

Specific features of vegetation synanthropization under the effect of human activities and a long-term grazing load were studied in the subalpine and upper mountain-forest belts of the Seminskii Range.     

西南岩溶区生态安全评价研究 ——以广西为例

西南岩溶区是举世公认的典型的生态环境脆弱系统之一,也是我国典型的极贫困代表区域之一.广西处于西南岩溶地区,岩溶面积为9.8×104km2,占广西土地总面积的41%.本文以广西为例,采用生态足迹的理论和方法来测算广西区域生态安全状况,对1990～2003年广西岩溶生态环境的生态足迹、生态承载力、生态盈亏及生态压力指数进行测算分析并提出预测模型.研究结果①广西生态足迹呈不断增加趋势,从1990年的0.601 7 hm2增加到2003年的1.137 8 hm2;②生态承载力呈不断下降趋势,从1990年的0.820 4 hm2减少到2003年的0.653 7 hm2;③生态盈亏从1990年生态盈余的0.218 8 hm2下降到2003年的生态赤字达-0.484 8 hm2,出现严重的生态赤字;④1990～2003年生态足迹压力指数由0.7334增加到1.7406,增长幅度巨大,从临界安全状态到不安全状态.     

Ecological aspects of humus formation and dynamics in virgin and plowed chernozem soils of the Cisural region

An attempt has been made to make a comprehensive assessment of biological factors in the ecology of humus formation in forest-steppe and steppe chernozem soils of the Cisural region. Certain regional features in the effect of vegetation structure and composition and soil microbial and enzymatic activities on the humus state of zonal chernozem subtypes in virgin and plowed landscapes have been revealed.     

Climatic dependence of the Late Holocene dynamics of tree species cenotypes in the intrazonal ecotone of Eastern Sayan forests

A comprehensive study of paleobotanical materials collected in the northern part of the Eastern Sayan was performed, including botanical analysis of peat, palynological and carpological analysis, and radiocarbon dating. The results provided a basis for reconstructing in detail the spatiotemporal distribution of ecocenotic complexes and corresponding paleoclimate types and calculating quantitative gradients of heat and moisture supply in the Late Holocene, beginning from 3500 ka.