bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The current and projected drought-caused loss of the spring wheat yield in the south of European Russia
Authors: Cherenkova E A , Zolotokrylin A N , Titkova T B
Published: July 2021

The study focuses on the linkage between droughts at the beginning of the crop growing season and the yield of spring wheat in southern regions of European Russia. Its extrapolation into the future helps to analyze possible climatic risks in the spring wheat growing. It was found that moderate droughts from May to June, detected by using Standardized Precipitation Index data, in most cases have led to low yields. It was revealed that changes in the air moisture conditions in late spring and early summer in the period 1991-2018 compared with the previous thirty-year period were generally more favorable for the cultivation of spring wheat in most southern regions of European Russia. These positive changes were due to a decrease in the frequency of droughts. At the same time, a significant increase in the frequency of such droughts was observed in Samarskaya and Orenburgskaya oblasts, where the largest sown areas of spring wheat are situated. According to model projections of the future climate, similar changes in the air moisture conditions in the study area will generally remain favorable by the middle of the 21st century. Unfavorable regional forecasts associated with a possible increase in the frequency of droughts at the start of the crop growing season are predicted in Kuban, the east of the Volga region, and the north of the Lower Volga region and the southeast of the Central Black Earth region, in the North-Western Caspian Sea region.
The effectiveness of biological products in the steppe conditions of the Central Chernozem region
Authors: Cheverdin A Yu , Sautkina M Yu , Cheverdin Yu I
Published: July 2021

In the steppe conditions of the Central Chernozem region, the effectiveness of biologics based on associative microorganisms in the crops of spring barley and winter triticale was studied. The effectiveness of biological products was evaluated on two fertilization backgrounds: the natural background of mineral nutrition (without fertilizers) and pre-sowing nitrogen application at a dose of 30 kg / ha of the active substance. The studies carried out in the steppe conditions of the Central Forest District, with insufficient moisture supply, allowed us to establish a high responsiveness of cultivated plants to pre-sowing seed treatment with drug strains. In barley crops, mineral nitrogen contributed to an increase in productivity by 0.26 t/ha. Seed inoculation contributed to an increase in grain harvest by 0.31-.52 t/ha. The greatest increase in single application was provided by strains 7, 2P-7 and 204. Higher yield growth was observed in the binary application of strains 7, 30, 204 in combination with strain 8. The productivity of triticale in the conditions of the Central Processing Plant was higher than that of barley. Mineral nitrogen increased the yield of triticale by 0.33 t/ha. On a natural background, microbial strains increased grain harvest by 0.55 t/ha. The maximum effect was observed when inoculated with strain 18-5. The combined use of microbial strains with nitrogen fertilizer did not contribute to a further increase in the productivity of triticale.
The landscape – analog approach to optimization of steppe nature management
Authors: Chibilev A A
Published: July 2021

The attempt to analyze morphological, genetic, and typological landscape-analogs in Steppe Eurasia enveloping the vast transcontinental space of Inner Eurasia from the Danube basin to the Amur River basin has been made for the first time in the paper. Despite considerable provincial differences of a latitudinal row of steppe and forest-steppe regions connected with a degree of climate continentality, geological-geomorphological peculiarities, high altitude of low-laying, elevated and upland plateau-like plains within the all steppe Eurasian space, thanks to the comparative-geographical method, we can define landscape-analogs of a different type that are distant from each other at thousands kilometers. Steppe landscapes of Eurasia have a long and rich history of economic development, having the standard features of zonal nature management, anisochronous in time for hundreds, sometimes thousands, years. Steppe nature management experience in different longitudinal sectors can be used to solve zonal ecological problems of which countries and regions of Steppe Eurasia have met.
Taxonomic diversity of partial flora found on chalk hills in North-Western Kazakhstan
Authors: Darbayeva T Ye , Alzhanova B S , Sarsenova A N , Bohorova S N
Published: July 2021

The chalk hills in North-Western Kazakhstan (NWK) are one of the unique in botanical and geographical terms objects located at the junction of Europe and Asia. Here, the calciphyte complex has been preserved, which is of scientific interest for the study of landscape and biological diversity, the main stages of the genesis of the flora of the region and as a refugium center for relict, endemic, red-book species.

The purpose of the work is to carry out an inventory and compare the features of the taxonomic, biomorphological, ecological-phytocenotic and geographical composition of the partial flora of the chalk hills in NWK. Field work was carried out by route method in combination with stationary key areas using generally accepted methods. The object of the study was the flora of the chalk hills of the Obshii Syrt (OS), Sub Ural plateau (SUP) and Emba plateau (EP). As a result of the conducted research, it was revealed that 938 species of vascular plants belonging to 389 genera and 84 families grow on the chalk landscapes of the NWK. On three chalk hills 11 partial floras have been identified. The most original of them are the partial flora of the SUP, here the dominant position belongs to families Asteraceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae. The richest genera are Astragalus, Artemisia, Allium and etc. Here an endemic calciphytic complex stands out. Steppe species prevail in all partial flora. The research results were used in the program of environmental protection measures in the West Kazakhstan region.
Geo-ecological aspects of water level extremums’ formation in the Don river waterways
Authors: Dmitrieva VA , Buchik S V
Published: July 2021

The Don river basin has high population density, robust economy, but suffers from lack of water supply in low water level periods and seasons. This fact prompts researchers to study various aspects of the water resource dynamics. The analysis of the water flow volumes is demonstrating the decrease of the maximum spring flood water flows, the increase in the low level season water volumes, the leveling of the water flow volumes throughout the year and lower variance of the yearly water resource fluctuations. The duration of the spring floods and the summer-fall low water periods is increasing, but the flood maximums occur later (by 15-20 days), and the summer-fall low water periods start 15-25 days earlier compared to the previous century. The snow-related spring floods show anomalous patterns in terms of time of onset, duration, and height and shape of the flood wave. Autumn floods are episodic. The small rivers are showing signs of degradation, some of them are disappearing altogether. This is one of the reasons of the water resources depletion and the shift towards the earlier occurrence of the yearly low water level extremums. The low water flows and volumes of the current century pose risks for resource utilization.
Modern hydrological changes in the Don River basin, caused by economic activities in the watersheds and climatic factors, and their consequences
Authors: Dolgov S V , Koronkevich N I , Barabanova E A , Zaitseva I S
Published: July 2021

An assessment of the current hydrological changes in the Don River basin, the largest river in Russia located in the forest-steppe and steppe zones, is given on the basis of the geographic-hydrological method. Particular attention is paid to identifying the hydrological role of economic activity in catchments on the background of ongoing climatic changes. The contribution of flow from various lands to the spring surface slope runoff was determined. The anthropogenic and climatic changes of the surface slope runoff and infiltration into the soil on arable lands, as well as river runoff, its surface and underground components are calculated. It was found that due to the increase in air temperature, a significant reduction in the river runoff surface component and an increase in its underground component has become a characteristic feature of the river flow formation. It is shown that hydrological changes in the Don River basin have ambiguous after effects and along with negative there are also take place positive consequences. The identified hydrological changes are of a sustainable nature, and it is advisable to take them into account when predicting the state of water resources in the near future.
Assessment of comfort potential and prospects for environmental development of cities in steppe Russia using the index method
Authors: Dubrovskaya S A , Ryakhov R V
Published: July 2021

The paper describes the results of comfort potential assessment and prospects for development of urbanized geosystems in steppe Russia on the basis of constructed geoinformation index assessing potential for development of environmental comfort (CDPI). The index was calculated on various areas for technogenic geosystems, and the total area was represented by individual functional structures. The index was constructed as the ratio of existing and planned natural-anthropogenic components to the areas suitable for the expansion of green zones. For the first time, cartographic models were built, showing the spatial differentiation of urbanized geosystems. Index values, obtained for the studied objects (Simferopol and Rostov-on-Don), differ depending on planning structure development and topography of anthropogenic landscape. The index comfort indicators for the studied cities of Simferopol and Rostov-on-Don were characterized mainly by negative values. The highest index values were associated with urban areas in redevelopments of floodplain and terrace complexes, and also with small areas dispersed across local draw terraces.
Main regularities of changes in the river Ural run-off in relation to the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors (on the example of the upstream flow)
Authors: Gareev A , Baryshev V , Gainanshin M
Published: July 2021

The article provides research findings on the spatial-temporal variability of water resources in the river Ural basin within the boundaries of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The multiannual characteristics of changes in the river runoff are reflected with the identifying of low-flow and high-flow phases. It is established that the decreasing river runoff observed during the recent years is accounted for by the cyclical fluctuations in hydrometeorological conditions of the river basins coupled with the consequences of climate changes. The main trends in the changes of the annual, maximum and minimum runoff in relation to the impact of natural and anthropogenic factors are identified.
Spatial and temporal correlation between severe droughts and extreme low flow on rivers in the Russian Plain
Authors: Georgiadi A G , Borodin O O , Milyukova I P
Published: July 2021

Extreme low flow on rivers (when water flow was less than or equal to the value of 75 and 90% exceedance probability), observed in years with severe meteorological and agricultural droughts in the Russian Plain (1972, 1975, 1981, 1995, 1998, 1999, and 2010) were studied. In 1972 and 1975, the exceptional low flow was recorded in the largest area, including the basins of the largest rivers (the Volga, Don, and Dnieper) and even the outlet, as well as in their tributaries. One of the heaviest droughts (2010) accompanied the abnormally low flow only in the Lower Volga and its tributaries in the eastern part of its basin. In other years with severe meteorological and agricultural droughts, their occurrence areas in the Russian Plain were much less. In 1975, extreme low flow was recorded in the rivers of the Volga, Don, and Dnieper basins in the main hydrological seasons (during summer – autumn low-water season and snow-melt flood), as well as all the year round, including their outlet (in their lower reaches in the general case and in the middle reaches in the case of the Dnieper). However, in these seasons in 1972, extreme low flow was recorded in rivers in the basins of the Don and Dnieper (while in the Volga, it took place only during summer – autumn low-water season), and in 2010, it formed only in the Volga basin. Abnormally low flow in years with severe droughts were recorded mostly in rivers of the forest – steppe and steppe zones, as well as the southern part of the forest zone.
Analysis of the reclamation measures efficiency within watershed and their impact on the water bodies
Authors: Glazunova I V , Karpenko N P
Published: July 2021

The results of the detailed analysis of reclamation measures to improve the quality of water and land resources in the territory of the Sheshma River basin in Tatarstan are given in the paper. The classification of factors affecting the pollution of diffusive runoff coming from agricultural land, as well as measures to reduce water pollution and classification of methods to prevent water pollution of runoff coming from the reclaimed land and rural areas are developed. All methods on water and land quality improvement in the catchment area of the river are divided into 5 groups according to main issues and localization. The efficiency of the above groups of reclamation measures are determined on the base of water management balances including maximum pollution coefficients estimation. The analysis was carried out and the factors influencing the efficiency of the recommended measures on water and land detoxification were recommended. The factors that have the greatest impact on the efficiency of the recommended measures are: the degree of erosion of land resources in the catchment area, reclamation modes, the availability of drainage, the quality of irrigation and drainage waters. Some recommended ranges the recommended measures application are given takin into account hydrogen indicator, texture on soil, drainage flow salinity, contamination of surface runoff from agricultural lands with heavy metals, pesticides, etc..
Resource characteristics of post-agrogenic chernozems in multiple-aged fallow lands of the Belgorod Region
Authors: Goleusov P , Malyshev A
Published: July 2021

As a result of anthropogenic degradation, chernozems often lose their ability to provide an economically acceptable crop and, therefore, are removed from use, passing into a state of fallow. In this state, a certain restoration of the resource characteristics of chernozems is possible, but this process should be investigated using an extensive empirical base. The purpose of this work was the accumulation and primary analysis of data on the natural reproduction of forest-steppe chernozems. The authors have studied the structure and properties of regenerative (post-agrogenic) soils of abandoned arable land in the Belgorod Region which were taken out of use due to severe erosion degradation. For comparison, we have examined the arable soils located in the same agricultural landscapes. Depending on the abandoning age, the soils are characterized by different degrees of recovery in terms of humus horizon’s morphological structure and agrochemical properties. The most obvious regenerative feature of bedding rocks is the thickness of a newly formed humus horizon. For 30 years of recovery, it is 12 – 14 cm and can reach 18 cm in the 80-year-old fallow soils. Post-agrogenic soils demonstrate an accumulation of carbon and nitrogen as well as restoration of soil absorbing complex. The soil organic matter in the recent fallow lands is characterized by a narrower C/N ratio as compared to the middle-aged fallow soils. As compared to arable soils, post-agrogenic soils have less acidic solutions reaction. An intensity degree of progressive changes in post-agrogenic soils tends to decrease with age, which is an indicator of a slowdown in their recovery.
Newly formed soils of the sugar industry treatment facilities and invasion of Acer Negundo (Chernozem zone of Russia)
Authors: Gracheva R G , Zamotaev I V , Belonovskaya E A , Konoplianikova Yu V , Dobryanskiy A S
Published: July 2021

Sugar production generates a lot of wastewaters which are discharged into extensive treatment facilities. For the first time, soils and vegetation formed at the treatment facilities of the sugar industry in the Chernozem zone of Russia (Lgov sugar mill, Kursk region) were studied. Depending on the topography and activity/inactivity settling ponds Gleysols, Gleyic Cambisols, Eutric Cambisols and Technosols (Alkalic) were developed. Newly formed soils are alkaline, enriched with organic carbon and carbonates, and differ significantly from the background soils. In a wide variety of moisture conditions and soil properties, invasive Acer Negundo is widespread demonstrating a high degree of ecological plasticity. Newly formed landscapes, which are reservoirs of organic carbon and receive a huge microbial pool from wastewater, have become an integral part of the sugar industry environment.
Scientific bases of principles estimating a state of the vegetation cover in steppe agrocenoses using innovative methods of smart agriculture
Authors: Gulyanov Yu A
Published: July 2021

The study’s main target is to actualize notions about spatial heterogeneity of steppe agrocenoses in conditions of the current climatic and anthropogenic changes, scientific grounds of instrumental methods estimating a state of the vegetation cover, and to identify optimal phytometric parameters of high productive agrocenoces of crops. Industrial winter wheat plantings and demonstrative seeds of spring wheat, sunflower, barley, maize, soya, winter rye, and winter wheat on the chernozem in Orenburgskaya oblast were objects of the study. High technological agrocenoses of spring wheat on chernozem in Samarskaya oblast and winter wheat on dark-chestnut soils in Saratovskaya and Volgogradskaya oblasts were used in the research. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of crops was measured by a portable device-Green Seeker Handheld Crop Sensor, Model HCS – 100. The assimilating area of plants was estimated by the gravimetric method. Generally accepted practices of the statistical analysis were used in the processing of digital material. As a result of the study, spatial differences in the vegetation cover state of field agrocenoses were detailed by its instrumental examination. It was ascertained that the vegetation cover’s heterogeneity began to show at the start of vegetation and did not level itself. In the following stages, we could see that proved reasonability to examine plantings instrumentally starting from the early stages when the technical correction was possible. Detection of optimal phytometic parameters of agrocenoses of different types of crops in regions of the steppe zone in the European part of Russia by NDVI evaluation on stages of plant development in zonal climatic and soil conditions under high levels of agro technologies was offered to estimate a state of the current plantings and to make technological solutions correcting the course of vegetation.
Dynamics of the main climatic indicators in the Trans-Ural steppe
Authors: Kamalova R G , Suleimanov R R , Zaikin S V , Fatkhutdinova I Sh
Published: July 2021

The paper deals with the impact of climate change on the environment and natural processes in the Trans-Ural steppe zone within the Republic of Bashkortostan. Grade changes in climatic conditions were based on climatology in the traditional trend-analysis of fixed temperature and humidity parameters, application parameters hydrothermal: moisturizing factor GN Vysotsky-N.N. Ivanov, atmospheric moisture index (or dryness index) D.A. Pedia for the period from 1966 to 2015. Long-term observations of the network of meteorological stations were used as data for the analysis. Trends in the increase in air temperature with a slight decrease in the amount of atmospheric precipitation were found. A comprehensive analysis of indicators of heat supply and moisture supply indicates an increase in climate aridity, especially in summer; in winter, the severity of the climate decreases. The revealed tendencies of the main climatic indicators will influence the nature of natural processes in the steppe zone of the Bashkir Trans-Urals. In particular, examples of the influence of changes in climatic conditions on soil erosion processes are considered. It was found that climate changes and the existing system of farming in the steppe zone of the Trans-Urals lead to a decrease in soil resistance to air and water erosion.
Rare species of natural steppe flora – on prospects for their conservation in Samara region in situ and ex situ
Authors: Kavelenova L M , Kuzovenko O A , Ruzaeva I V , Rozno S A , Pomogaybin A V , Fedoseev V A , Yankov N V
Published: July 2021

The virgin steppes survived only in inappropriate for plowing places or in natural reserves are valuable natural heritage due to significant number of world’s flora protected species. This article is devoted to comparison of passive and active measures of biological diversity preservation for regional flora rarities. A spatial analysis in the Arc View GIS3.2 system was used for distribution study of protected areas and rare plant species according to the municipal districts of Samara region. The results of the Botanical Garden activities native flora preservation are given using data of its flora department and 2011-2020 delectuses. The number of higher plants species included in regional Red Data Book found in municipal districts varies from 23 to 115, whereas protected areas percentage there does not reach 5%, only in two slightly exceeds it. The natural monuments have low efficiency as natural reserves for highly fragmented steppe ecosystems. The passive measures for the biodiversity conservation need to be supplemented by active ones. Over 10 years, the Botanical Garden of Samara University provides ex situ conservation for 39 flowering plants species included in regional Red Book as permanent populations. The fund of ex situ plants is successfully used for reintroduction.
The historical and present-day forest amelioration in the Northern Pre-Caspian Region
Authors: Kulik K N , Kulik K D
Published: July 2021

The sandy lands of the Northern Caspian Sea region are a vulnerable natural landscape. Intensification of anthropogenic pressure leads to the soil cover degradation. The first mass plantations in the Caspian lowland began in the mid-19th century. However, due to the lack of knowledge about the reclamation conditions the results were unsatisfactory. Progress was made only at the end of the 19th century. In some parts of the sands (Tugai-Khuduk) individual trees have survived up to the present day. The work of forest-meliorators in the Soviet period fixed more than 200 thousand hectares of sands in the region, and also to create more than 50 thousand hectares of deflation-resistant shrub pastures. Forest is an azonal form of vegetation for this area. Based on the data obtained on water consumption by trees and shrubs, we gave an assessment of grazing protective forest strips, tree “umbrellas”, farm and reclamation forage plantations, conservation forest bioregions, boundary forest strips and sand-fortified plantations. They perform various functions. Unvegetated sands have the ability to store a freshwater lens that is no longer fed at the overgrown areas due to evaporation and transpiration costs. One hectare of open sands in the Caspian Sea can accumulate 1000-1500 m3 of water per year. The whole complex of forest-reclamation plantations on pastures in Astrakhan region occupies an area of 151 thousand hectares. Financially supported reforestation programs should be adopted at regional and possibly federal level, due to the importance of planting in many spheres of life in the area.
Rare cenoflora formation patterns in the Cis-Urals steppe communities
Authors: Lebedeva M V , Yamalov S M , Petrova M V
Published: July 2021

The Urals and its adjacent areas are an important botanical and geographical boundary in the distribution of the steppe vegetation of Eurasia. In the Southern Cis-Urals, the steppes belong to ecosystems of high degree of transformation as a result of plowing, pasture and recreational use. To assess the environmental significance and rational use of preserved areas, one of the important criteria is the growth of rare and protection-needed species, relics and endemics. The aim of the study is to identify the rare component of cenoflora in the Southern Cis-Urals steppe, the confluence of its species with the main types of steppe communities and characterize the patterns of their distribution based on quantitative indicators (activity index). The studied communities include 103 rare and species in need of protection, relicts and endemics that make up 15.4% of the all coenoflora. Among them 19 species included in the Red List of the Russian Federation and also 50 species included in the regional Red Lists. We found also 16 endemic species pertaining mainly to rocky and steppe endemics. Relic flora contains 39 species with predominance of Holocene relicts (25 species) and Pleystocene relicts (11 species). The analysis of cenoflora allowed to reveal features of distribution of rare species on the different rank syntaxa communities characterizing various types of habitats. The obtained data confirm the high nature protection importance for these communities and can form a basis for the complex strategy of protection and management of these communities.
Evolution of scientific views at factors of chernozem soil formation and development
Authors: Levykin S V , Grosheva O A , Kazachkov G V
Published: July 2021

Based on the comparative-historical method, we considered scientific theories about factors of chernozem formation (soil-forming material, relief, climate, vegetation and animal life, time, human) in the paper, their interrelated impact on the formation and evolution of steppe soils reflected in works of F.I. Ruprecht, V.V. Dokuchaev, P.S. Kossovich, S.S. Nestruev, P.A. Kostychev, V.R. Williams, H. Jenny, S.A. Waksman, and other researchers. Taking into account ecosystem significance in the functioning of the steppe landscapes and the high degree of agricultural development of chernozem soils, intensification of degraded processes, a necessity of understanding of the real influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on chernozem evolution is urgent as it serves a basis for the design of ways of steppe soils restoration. Therefore, in the scientific community, an interest was arisen to solve Dokuchaev and Jenny’s equations identifying the functional relation between earth and soil formation factors. At the degree of accumulation of informational data on chernozem changeability in time and space, it has emerged conditions to develop approaches contradicting soil degradation processes.
The current natural-anthropogenic threats to the steppe landscape stability
Authors: Levykin S V , Chibilev A A , Gulyanov Yu A , Kazachkov G V , Yakovlev I G
Published: July 2021

The article is devoted to estimating the current ecological-geographical situation in Russia and North Eurasia’s steppe zone connected with global natural-anthropogenic changes. Results of several scientific branches, first of all, domestic steppe sciences, were generalized. Historical, agroecological, and climatic factors that could be identified as challenges to stable steppe nature management are considered. Interpretation of the new epoch in the steppe history called “agrocen” was paid considerable attention. Novel management scenarios for the society’s feedback on the challenge were offered.
Concepts of steppe landscape arrangement and runoff management in the agrarian-social megaprojects
Authors: Levykin S V , Chibilev A A , Gulyanov Yu A , Chibilev A A , Kazachkov G V , Yakovlev I G , Grosheva O A
Published: July 2021

In the XX century, the USSR developed and realized agrarian-social megaprojects to arrange steppe agrolandscapes and control water resources to resist droughts. The first ideas emerged in the XIX century; its realization happened in the second part of the XX century. The study of the interconnection of steppe egaprojects and their system consequences is urgent under the projective style of development. An analysis of the integral impact of megaprojects on the steppe zone has a special significance, at the first line, to reduce the ecological expenses of future projects. We paid particular attention to the general conclusion taking into account little known and new facts. It promoted to specify a role and significance of fundamental science in developing ideas and in the practical realization of megaprojects, their scientific and organizing heritage, first of all for steppe science. We emphasized the scientific-organizing heritage of a megaproject of the river flow transfer and discussion about its renaissance. The project’s fundamental idea left a deep imprint in the development of real science in Orenburzhie dealing with the actions of steppe conservation has turned 150 years; official closing of the Soviet project of redistribution of the Ob water flow has turned 35 years. Due to increasing irrigation of the Arctic accompanied by the Arctic Ocean desalination that is disastrous for the climatic system and an increase of a water deficit in Central Asia, the idea of redistribution of the water runoff becomes more topical. The most typical steppe region-Orenburgskaya oblast is an epicenter of all steppe megaprojects; it is considered a model according to the evaluation of their consequences and heritage.
Phytodiversity and bioproductivity of the Leymus chinensis steppes in eastern Transbaikalia
Authors: Merkusheva M G , Boloneva L N , Badmaeva N K , Lavrentieva I.N.
Published: July 2021

The research objective is caused by wide spread of leymus communities in the southeastern Transbaikalia and gaps in studying their species composition, structure, and phytomass accumulation; it is to give a phytocenotic characteristics of leymus communities in the steppe zone of eastern Transbaikalia, and to determine the level of their biological productivity using standard geobotanical, agrochemical and soil methods. The paper studies monodominant Leymus chinensis communities growing on various soil types of meadow steppe, steppe floodplain meadows and haloxerophytic steppe of the south-eastern Transbaikalia. The species composition of communities is represented by 21 families, 45 genera, 62 species. Halophytes account for 11.3 % (7 species), halotolerant – 29 % (18 species), glycophytes – 59.7 % (37 species). The species of the families Asteraceae – 30.6 %, Poaceae – 17.7 %, Rosaceae – 8 % form the largest share in the projective cover of communities. The rest families are of 1 – 2 species. The species composition of Leymus is represented mainly by the steppe complex with xerophytes different variants belonging to the Asian type of area. The main part belongs to rhizome species in the biomorph composition, and the share of annuals and biennials is significant as well. The similarity between communities is within the range from low to medium, which is due to the great participation of single-species families and genera. The authors have assessed the contribution to aboveground phytomass of a dominant species, Leymus chinensis, other species and died grass. The greatest contribution of ears to the aboveground phytomass is marked only in Descriptions 4 and 5. The primary production of Leymus chinensis communities is estimated as high, 2105 – 3189 g/m2 a year. Underground phytomass is 84 – 94 % of the total productivity. The underground and aboveground phytomass ratio is 1:5 – 15, that is determined by various soil and environmental conditions of growing the communities.
Refugium role of natural-territorial complexes of Samara Oblast (south-east of European Russia) in the conservation of petrophytic flora and vegetation
Authors: Mitroshenkova A E , Ilyina V N
Published: July 2021

Soils in the Samara Oblast are dominated by chernozems, so significant areas are allocated for arable land. Because of this, many natural complexes in leveled areas have been lost in the last 50 years. The preserved steppes on the slopes of river valleys and ravines are of scientific value. Petrophytic communities with unique flora are widespread here. We set a goal to study the petrophyte flora and vegetation on the territory of some natural monuments of regional importance in the High Zavolzhye (within the Samara oblast). The objectives of the study were: to analyze natural monuments of the Samara oblast for the presence of petrophytic flora and vegetation; to identify rare petrophytic species that are refugia flora; to study the biology and ecology, as well as structural features of their populations. According to the results-studied the flora and vegetation of 28 natural monuments of regional importance in the High Zavolzhye region. These natural sites contain up to 27% of rare petrophyte species and are flora refugiums. The status of 24 species in the region is evaluated. The results of studying the biology and ecology of rare species, as well as the structural features of their populations indicate the need to change the rarity category of some of them in the Red Book of the Samara oblast. In the territory of Samara Zavolzhye and Predovolzhye, their numbers and habitat continue to decrease, including Eriosynaphe longifolia, Trinia hispida, Diplotaxis cretacea, Matthiola fragrans, Dianthus leptopetalus, Astragalus sulcatus, Astragalus temirensis, Nepeta ucranica, Polygala sibirica, Atraphaxis replicata, Asperula petraea, Ephedra distachya.
Variability of snow cover characteristics in the southern Rostov region (on the example of the Gigant settlement)
Authors: Nazarenko O V
Published: July 2021

Snow cover affects many natural processes, including determining and regulating the water balance, determining spring runoff. The aridity of the climate in the southern Rostov region causes water scarcity in the region. The purpose of this work is to study the variability of snow cover in the settlement Gigant for the period from 1961 to 2019. The main task is to determine the changes in the dynamics of snow cover, analyze the number of days with snow and the average snow height for the study period. The analysis included the height of the snow cover, the number of days with snow, and the average annual temperatures. The data of route snow-measuring surveys were statistically analyzed. A decrease in the number of days with snow was revealed, which is explained by frequent thaws and instability of negative temperatures. There is a tendency to decrease the snow cover in winter and an increase in the number of thaws.
Agricultural lands in the steppe Belgorod region: specifics of use and causes of dynamics
Authors: Nekrich A S
Published: July 2021

The steppe zone of the Belgorod region is the one of the economically important agricultural bases of the Russia. Here, many agribusinesses involved in crop and dairy production are located. The national economy crisis, that took place in 1990s in Russia, led to agricultural lands abandonment and regional food security problems. Most of the agricultural-oriented regions of Russia have faced a choice: to produce more crops on the same arable areas or to increase areas under cultivation by means of conversion of abandoned agricultural lands to agricultural use. Since 2014, an increase in arable lands area has occurred in most of Russian regions, but not in the Belgorod region. The region set a course to intensification of agriculture. The paper focuses in much more detail on studying territorial disproportions of agricultural lands location in the steppe zone of the Belgorod region and deals with investigation of ecological approaches for sustainable use of agricultural lands. The goal of the research is to assess geographical scales of such disproportions and to reveal the determinants leading to agricultural lands dynamics. Estimates are given in the article are based on statistical reports, geospatial data, and personal field research.
Air temperature, precipitation and agronomy in steppe zone of the Southern Urals
Authors: Nesterenko Yu , Nesterenko M , Solomatin N , Khalin A , Vladov Yu
Published: July 2021

The climate and changes in air temperature and precipitation in the Southern Urals for 134 years according to the Hydrometeorological Service are considered. An increase in the average annual air temperature by 0.0185 °C per year was revealed-from + 3.2 °C at the beginning of the study period to + 5.7 °C in 2020 and a decrease in average annual precipitation by 24 mm-up to 353 mm by 2020. An increase in air temperature occurred mainly in October-March by 3.2 °C, and a decrease in atmospheric precipitation in May-July by 15% to 104 mm, which significantly changed the conditions for natural biocenoses and agricultural practices. An increase in air temperature and a decrease in atmospheric precipitation enhances the aridization of the climate of the steppes of the Southern Urals and shifts the northern and southern borders of the steppe zone to higher latitudes. Appropriate adaptation of the pasture regime and haymaking in steppe biocenoses and rainfed farming is necessary. Winter sowing of grain crops of spring sowing in frozen ground with snow cover up to 10-15 cm is proposed. Under a stable snow cover, their seeds retain their germination and, with its melting, germinate in spring at freezing temperatures. The development of plants is provided with moisture at favorable temperatures in April-May. Podwinter crops of grain crops are more resistant to droughts and increase productivity by 1.5-2 times in comparison with spring crops.
Preservation of steppe landscapes in the structure of agrolandscapes of the Republic of Khakassia
Authors: Pavlova E V , Volkova A I , Kyrova S A
Published: July 2021

The article presents the results of longstanding field studies (2000-2020) of steppe vegetation and demutation processes of fallow lands in the Altai region of the Republic of Khakassia. The aim of the work is to identify and determine the area of steppe landscapes and demutation areas in the structure of the lands of the Altai region. For this, a land use map of the Altai region was created, the areas of land occupied by steppe vegetation and fallow lands at different stages of restoration were calculated, demutational areas susceptible to overgrowing with trees and shrubs were identified. Based on geobotanical researches, cartographic materials, visual interpretation of Sentinel-2 satellite images of the visible L2A range (2018-2020), a GIS-project was created, including a cluster of raster data, thematic vector layers: water bodies, agricultural lands, vegetation, etc. It allows you to visualize information about the state and use of agricultural lands and vegetation in the form of maps of different thematic scope. It was searched out that the part of steppe landscapes in the total area of the Altai region is 32.2%. In the main, in arable sandy steppes that are not zonal for Khakassia have been preserved. True large bunchgrass and meadow steppes have been preserved in separate fragments and represent all stages of anthropogenous fracturing (various pasture modifications of these steppes). In the study area in the structure of agricultural lands 56860 hectares of agricultural lands belongs to abandoned lands at different stages of restoration, and only 20% postagrogenic lands of which are at the IV stage of restoration (compact-tussock or truly cespitous grasses). The process of restoration of steppe vegetation is accompanied by overgrowing with Ulmus pumila L.
Paleocryogenic traces of climatic peaks of the Late Pleistocene periglacial hyperzone of the mammoth steppe in soils of archaeological sites
Authors: Plekhanova L N , Tupakhina O S
Published: July 2021

Recording and accurate dating of paleo-cryogenic processes traces in modern ecosystems can act as a key for understanding the current state and interpreting the history of landscape development. The stage of the existence of glaciers and the accompanying periglacial zone of the tundra-steppes is the milestone in general history of the Russian large areas. The paleo-cryogenic structures in the modern soil cover are the inheritance of this stage. The recording of said structures at deep levels is possible during archaeological excavations. The stratigraphy of the layers of archaeological sites provides a possibility to link paleo-cryostructures’ traces to certain periods of time and archaeologically date the enclosing context. Preservation of the more complete paleosol record relative to past periods of landscape formation is typical for modern natural zones formed under the affection of limiting factors. These zones include steppe (lack of moisture and excess heat) or tundra (excess of moisture and lack of heat). We recorded the third-order soil polygons preserved on sandy loams of the steppe area in the Orenburg region under the earthfill bunds of the Early Iron Age dwelling. We also recorded the third-order soil polygons under the embankment of a Neolithic-Bronze dwelling on sandy loam soils located in the modern northern taiga zone. In both cases the dimensions of the polygons were about 2-3 meters, and their shape was regular or broken hexagons, resulted from the surface slope or terrain roughness. Moreover, we draw parallels in the history of systems formation, and outlined tasks for further research.
Unraveling the change of land-use regimes with satellite and ground surveys in the steppe belt of Russia from 1990 to 2018
Authors: Prishchepov Alexander V , Yakovlev Ilya , Myachina Ksenia
Published: July 2021

One of the recent phenomena in land-change history in the steppe belt of Russia after 1990 is the formation of unclaimed or partially claimed agricultural lands, their periodic and fragmented use, suggesting the change of land-use regimes compared to intensive cropping in the Soviet period (pre 1991). Therefore, there is a strong need for the systematic field and remotely-sensed monitoring of shifts of land-use regimes, because they may impact various socio-ecological processes, such as the spread of wildfires, degradation and recovery of vegetation on spared agricultural lands. Here we present an elaboration on monitoring with satellite observations and field surveys of land-cover dynamic in the steppe belt of Orenburg Province and with more detailed focus on the districts (rayons) of Orenburg Province, which were once a part of Virgin Lands Campaign (1954-1963), when croplands expanded at the expense of agro-environmental frontiers. Our remote-sensing observations and ground surveys revealed widespread abandonment from 1990 to 2018. The calculation of Shannon’s Diversity Index confirmed the change in the typology of land-use regimes in Orenburg Province-transition from stable cultivation back to 1990 to new land regimes, such as stable cultivated areas with minor abandonment (typology #1)-e.g., Asekeevskij district; complete cropland contraction without recultivation (typology#2)-e.g., Akbulakskij district; strong fluctuation of cultivated and abandoned croplands from year to year (typology #3)-e.g., Pervomajskij district. Former Virgin Lands Campain areas were more exposed to typology #3. Shannon’s diversity index was useful to evaluate the changing land regimes and areas prone to socio-economic and environmental shocks. We hypothesize a new stage of land regimes may provide opportunities for biodiversity conservation, but also threats such as the spread of wildfires, particularly under the projection of an increase of aridity.
Pyrogenous transformations of steppe landscapes in the south-east of the Russian plain (natural parks in Volgograd region as a case study)
Authors: Ryabinina N O
Published: July 2021

For a long time fires have been and still are one of the powerful factors for transforming steppe landscapes. The current condition and pyrogenous transformations of geosystems in the south-east of the Russian Plain were examined. The following methods of field complex landscape research were used, such as semi-portable methods of “key sites”, of crop (quadrat) areas and others. The article focuses on the conclusions about the pyrogenous transformations of geosystems drawn on the basis of long-term field observation on the territory of the Donskoy natural park and the Elton natural park of Volgograd Region. Monitoring has revealed that pyrogenous transformations of geosystems appear to pose a serious threat to biological and landscape diversity of steppe. Under the influence of fire, self-regulation processes in steppe geosystems slow down and resistance to external influence reduces. The structure simplifies, the homogeneity of vegetation cover increases, grass stand and overall projective cover decreases, wood-shrub vegetation dies out. The colourful aspects of the steppe are vaguely displayed. For the long term (up to 3-5 years) biological productivity of geosystems considerably reduces from 1.5 to 3 times. The upper layer of humus burns out, soil fertility decreases and aridization of local pyrogenous geosystems increases. Evaporation speeds up, soil humidity deficit goes up, underground water level goes down, springs run dry. Wind and water erosion processes are being activated. Fires destroy sites of reproduction, recreation and feeding for animals and also habitats of rare and endangered species. Pyrogenic transformation is the most serious real threat to the biological and landscape diversity of the steppes.
The evolution of the theory of the interrelationship between landscape and ethnos in scientific and geographical research
Authors: Semenov E A
Published: July 2021

The ethnic problems of the interaction between nature and society are not sufficiently updated and studied. The scientific statements made by well-known scientists and necessary for determining the parameters of the influence of the geographical environment on the stereotype of human behavior, the economy profile, the forms of life, the material and spiritual culture that determine the distinctive features of ethnic groups, as well as the inverse degree of impact on the natural environment of public communities, depending on their ethnicity are often disregarded and not used in the applied context. Thus, the ideas about the relations between ethnic communities and natural environment, the peculiarities of peoples’ life support in natural and socio-cultural conditions, the natural environment usage by ethnic groups and their impact on it, the biological and socio-cultural adaptation of various peoples to the landscapes that host them, trigger a comprehensive generalization and analysis. The article’s subject is a retrospective of the evolution of scientific and geographical ideas about the relation between landscape and ethnos. In this regard, the article’s purpose is an analytical assessment of conceptual and theoretical approaches to the problem of interrelationships in the landscape-ethnos system, clarification, concretization, axiological interpretation of the most significant provisions and critical remarks of theoretical and conceptual-terminological ideas related to nature management ethno-geographic aspects and ethnic groups interaction with the natural environment.