bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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

Abstract
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.
Preserving Rare and Endangered Calcific Steppe-Dwelling East-European Species ex situ
Authors: Shustov M V , Shvetsov A N , Mamontov A K , Zueva M A 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
We have summed up the results of experimental efforts for preserving threatened and endangered calcific steppe-dwelling East-European species in the N V Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The results of experiments carried out since 2009 on the preservation of rare and endangered calcephilic-steppe species of Eastern Europe, which require alternative methods of protection, including in connection with the suppression of their populations in modern reserves of Russia, are presented in the conditions of the RAS GBS. The previous experience and methods of organizing such collections and expositions are analyzed. The main factors that negatively affect the life cycle of species at our point of introduction are identified, among them are inappropriate cultural conditions and competition that determine the duration of the existence of samples, that is, their stability. In this regard, it is proposed to create a system of specialized rockeries that imitate the characteristic natural habitats of various calciphilic communities: outcrops of rocky limestone, outcrops of writing chalk or calcareous soils. The developed approaches made it possible to study ex situ the peculiarities of adaptation of more than 170 rare and stenotopic plant species, mainly difficult in terms of cultivation. As a result of observations during the research period, preliminary results of their cultivation were summed up and the following ratio of species in the groups of introduction resistance was revealed: unstable (8%), weakly resistant (15%), resistant (40%), highly resistant (37%), that is, positive results were obtained for almost 80% of species undergoing a full life cycle in Moscow. The research results can find practical application not only in the creation of such collections in botanical gardens, but also for the restoration of populations of protected species in anthropogenically disturbed natural habitats.
Problems of effective use of the water resources of the transboundary rivers in the steppe zone
Authors: Sivokhip Zh T 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
A comparative assessment of indicators of the water supply sufficiency of transboundary basins in the steppe zone is considered in the paper. It was noted that adequate water consumption problems in separate regions of the steppe zone have the maximal topicality due to hydrodynamic aspects and hydroclimatic specifics. We should pay attention to the account of existing water resources in areas with considerable long-term flow variations. Parameters of effective use of water resources were analyzed in the transboundary river-steppe zone within the Russian-Kazakhstan sector. The nonparametric method of multivariate analysis (PATTERN) was used for the first time to estimate the effectiveness of water resources use. As a result, four groups of the regions differed by the level of sufficient water resources use were selected. In conclusion, the topicality of development and realization of intergovernmental programs concerning the problematic use of water resources of the transboundary rivers in the steppe zone was considered.
Biogeographic status of the steppe plains and foothills of the northern and western Caspian lowland
Authors: Tishkov AA , Belonovskaya EA , Sobolev NA 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The discussion focuses on the zonal nature of the Caspian steppe and the status of the local biota, which in its spatial-temporal organization and regional succession system has preserved the pool of biodiversity of dry-steppe and desert complexes. Each of them represents a set of ancient systematic groups of organisms that migrated here along both the Eastern (Turan) and Western (Caucasus, Mediterranean) coasts of the Caspian Sea, forming “young” lowland ecosystems. There is a weak significance in the Genesis of the biota of the xerophilic foothills of the Eastern Caucasus (Daghestan) and the southern Urals, which, apparently, only at the early stages of formation during periods of major sea transgressions served as refugia. The phylocenogenetically determined polyclimax and the predominance of pasqual and climatogenic subclimaxes in the region are manifested due to constant impact of cyclical short-term (hundreds of years) destabilizing factors.