Home – Home – Jornals – Contemporary Problems of Ecology 2025 number 5

Under climate warming, changes in the growth, vital condition and habitats of woody plants are predicted mainly on the border of their ranges. We studied the effect of the changing hydrothermal regime on the condition of pine forests growing on the southern border of the Pinus sylvestris L. range (Tuva basin). During the “warming restart” in the 21st century, the values of the pine growth index (GI) exceeded the previously observed GI maxima, due to the relative improvement in humidification conditions in the last decade. At the same time, the frequency and area of fires increased (the fire return interval decreased to 5 ± 1 years in fragments and to 3 ± 2 years in the whole territory). The number of viable undergrowth in the burning areas (on average up to 10 thousand/ha) is potentially sufficient for successful post-fire regeneration of pine forests. However, repeated grass-roots fires periodically destroy the undergrowth. Currently, an increase in air temperature combined with satisfactory humidification contributes to the growth of pine trees. Improvement of humidification is predicted under all climatic scenarios (SSP4.5, SSP7.0 and SSP8.5) in the studied pine habitats. However, the current level of burning (which leads to the destruction of undergrowth in the areas traversed by fire) threatens the preservation of relict stands of pine trees at the southern limit of its range. Under warming conditions, the preservation of pine trees in the south of its range is due to a combination of two factors - the dynamics of burning and humidification.

Changes in breeding, distribution and abundance of waders in a key area of the Bolshezemelskaya Tundra in 2024, characterized by a cold and prolonged spring, were analyzed in comparison with 2 previous warmer years. In cold 2024, incubation in waders started 2 weeks later than in 2022 and 2023 and was observed only in species belonging to the Arctic fauna type. The total nesting density of all waders in 2024 was lower in different habitat types than in the 2 previous years. Birds used habitats that were freed from snow cover at the earliest time for nesting. In these habitat types, nest density in 2024 was higher than in the warmer years 2022 and 2023. An increase in nesting density of Little Stint Calidris minuta (Leisler, 1812) and Dunlin Calidris alpina (Linnaeus, 1758) was observed in 2024 compared to 2022 and 2024, for which the study area is the southern part of the breeding range. The total abundance of waders in 2024, compared to 2022 and 2023, decreased by more than 2 times.

Rapid climate warming in the Arctic contributes to an increase in the number of fungal species. However, the long-term dynamics of alien mycobiota, especially in Siberia, has been studied fragmentarily. In one of the largest industrial centers of the Arctic - Norilsk city and nearby settlements located in Taimyr (Dolgano-Nenets) district of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, 78 species of fungi and pseudofungi (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Oomycota) were collected on alien plants over a hundred-year period. Of these, 59 species are new to distict, 32 of which are noted for the Russian Arctic for the first time. Fungi are associated with 57 species of alien woody and herbaceous plants, eight of which are included in the Black Book of Siberian Flora. 50 species of fungi were found on woody plants and 38 on herbaceous plants. The richest mycocomplexes are associated with Populus tremula (seven species of fungi), Acer negundo and Prunus padus (five species each). Most of the alien fungi species (69.2 %) are taxa widespread in Siberian forests, which, thanks to alien host plants, were able to expand their range to the north, while 7.7 % are invasive for the entire territory of the Arctic and Siberia. The primary ranges of 24 fungi species are located in America, East Asia and Europe. All alien fungal species were brought to district unintentionally. The main vectors of dispersal are the development of transport infrastructure and the movement of transport, people and related goods during economic development of territories. The first results indicate the absence of a correlation between the number of aphyllophoroid fungi species with the age and area of cities, but a reliable relationship has been established with the number of residents. A detailed study of other territories will allow the development of a Black List of the Russian Arctic mycobiota.

The first data on the breeding biology of the Pacific Eider (Somateria mollissima v-nigrum) in the Asia were obtained using the example of the nesting population in the Apapelgin River (Western Chukotka). From 2018 to 2024, research was conducted to assess nesting density, phenology, and reproductive parameters of the eider. A total of 1,291 nests of this species were examined. The study presents data on the key parameters of the investigated nesting population: eiders predominantly nested in coastal lowlands rich in lakes, known as “laida.” The average nesting density was 26.8 ± 2.3 nests/kmІ, showing a declining trend over the years (RІ = 0.7). The average clutch size was 4.7 ± 0.1 eggs. The onset of egg-laying was influenced by the rate of snowmelt and the average temperatures during the last decade of May. The apparent nesting success across all years was 33.4 %, and the cumulative Mayfield Nest Success (MNS) estimate during the egg-laying and incubation periods was 0.37 ± 0.14. The egg volume in clutches decreased over the study period and was influenced by weather conditions at the beginning of the nesting season, the date of egg-laying, and clutch size. The obtained data were analyzed in comparison with similar data on nesting populations from the American continent.

The ecological and geographical differentiation and dynamics of the spring migration of passerine birds of the Putorana Plateau are analyzed. In 1988-2007, 8 points were surveyed on an area of 250 000 km². The route census method was used. There are 58 species in the fauna of the spring migration period. Birds fly along the coastal-edge strip along rivers or lakes in the northern, western, and eastern directions. The bird population density is 179-332, on average (n = 4) - 231 individuals/km². Significant amplitude of daily abundance indicators of species, asynchrony between phenological phenomena in different species and in individuals of the same species are characteristic. The time interval during which the first individuals usually appear is 4-12 days for different species, 6-9 days for most species, and 8 days on average. Early migrants, such as the horned lark, white wagtail, and brown thrush, usually appear on May 25 - June 4, May 22 - June 1, and May 27-June 2, respectively. Late migrants, such as the sand martin, funnel, common chiffchaff, and arctic warbler, usually appear on June 7-16, June 7-16, June 5-11, and June 10-18, respectively. For most species, the average duration of the entire spring migration is 9-12 days, and the main migration is 4-6 days. The configuration of the spring migration course is a combination of 2-3 waves of varying power, but always with one distinct maximum. Significant bursts of migratory activity of birds occur on days with the lowest air temperature and precipitation in the form of snow or rain. The comparative nature of the spring migration of closely related species in different seasons varies from complete synchronization of the waves of maximum migration to their absolute discrepancy.

The variability in the body shape of perch Perca fluviatilis Linnaeus, 1758 (Perciformes: Percidae) and roach Rutilus rutilus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in syntopic populations with different relative abundance from two lakes and two reservoirs has been studied by geometric morphometrics methods. Along with the characteristic interspecific features, general and specific patterns of intergroup differences in two types of water bodies have been detected for populations of phylogenetically distant species. The range of species-specific multidirectional shape variability was 2.3 times less than parallel differences. It is likely that the specific interpopulation shape variability in perch and roach is associated with the relative abundance of these species, which differed in lakes and reservoirs. In adjacent water bodies of each type, the small range of interpopulation differences was found in species with high relative abundance in fish communities, while, on the contrary, the large range of interpopulation differences was found in species with lower abundance. Significant differences in body shape was identified for the populations of both species, which have lived relatively isolated for 13-17 generations in two adjacent reservoirs recently built (about half a century ago) on the river.

The altitude influence on the pigment composition of plants has been little studied in arid climate. In this work, we studied pigment content along the altitudinal gradient in Gobi, Mongolia. The altitude negatively correlated with climate aridity, which affected the leaf traits. Along the gradient, the thickness and density of photosynthetic organs decreased and the content of chlorophylls (Chl) and carotenoids (Car) increased, while the maximum nett-assimilation and the ratio of Chl a/b and Chl/Car did not change. A decrease in the nitrogen to chlorophyll (N/Chl) ratio with altitude was also revealed, which indicates a change in the ratio between RuBP carboxylase and pigment-protein complexes of thylakoid in the leaf. Despite the simultaneous changes in chlorophyll content and leaf thickness with altitude, the analysis of partial correlations showed that these parameters changed independently of each other. The path analysis confirmed that pigment content and leaf thickness are two independent ways of plant adaptation to habitat. We concluded that changes in the pigment complex of plants with altitude are required to maintain the photosynthetic capacity under changing climate aridity.

Based on a comparative analysis of 711 relevés and field observations, the authors compiled a scale of dynamic states of psammophylous grass vegetation in the Southern Nechernozemye of Russia. The following were chosen as the main criteria for their selection: the size of the total projective cover in communities, the presence of renewal of tree species (Pinus sylvestris and Betula pendula) and their age stage, life forms of pioneer species colonizing the primary substrate or substrate after disturbance. In habitats of 6 types, in which successions of 6 variants are realized (A - xerophylous cereal, B - moss-lichen xerophylous, C - undershrub xerophylous, D - forb-cereal xero-mesophylous, E - forb-cereal mesophylous, F - forb fallow xerophylous), 5 stages of succession were identified, ending with the restoration of forest communities. At each of the stages, certain dynamic states of vegetation are formed in the listed habitats. The associations of the floristic classification of the vegetation are represented by different dynamic states. According to the results of the study, psammophylous grass vegetation belongs to 3 stages of succession. Coenofloras of the samples of communities at the identified stages have statistically significant differences in total projective cover, floristic saturation, abundance evenness, and habitats - by individual environmental factors. General patterns of changes in the spectra of life forms according to I. G. Serebryakov were revealed in samples of relevés at different stages of succession: species of different life forms can act as pioneer species forming communities at the initial stage of succession; during the implementation of succession from stage 1 to 3, the proportion of monocarpic annuals decreases in community samples of all variants; the total diversity of life form types increases from stage 1 to 3. Considering the high commonality of the coenofloras of psammophylous grass vegetation of different syntaxa due to the wide representation of psammophilic oligotrophic species in their communities, as they invade and take root in the communities, the differences in the coenofloras are leveled. During the implementation of succession, a convergence of dynamic states occurs, leading to a decrease in their number over time as the oligotrophic pine or birch-pine forest is restored in the studied climatically homogeneous region.

In cryoaridic conditions of the South Chuya glaciation center (Altai Mountains) on the foreland of the Sophiysky glacier (2410-2500 m above sea level), primary vegetation successions were studied from the settlement of the first vascular plants, leafy mosses and ground lichens and the formation of simple groups to primary plant communities in deglaciated area between the modern glacier tongue to the terminal moraine rim of the mid-19-th century. Three stages of primary vegetation succession were identified, the species composition of vascular plants, leafy mosses and ground lichens, the main participants in succession, and dominant species were fetched out, and the features of primary vegetation were characterized. Ideas were obtained about the course of primary succession in cryoaridic conditions occurring in the upper part of the mountain-steppe belt of the South Chuya Range. It has been fetched out that over 150 years, a complex of plant communities similar to high-mountain tundras was formed in these cold and dry conditions. 126 species of vascular plants, 22 species of leafy mosses, and 6 species of ground lichens participate in the primary succession on the foreland of the Sophiysky glacier.

Successional transformations after fires in broad-leaved Korean pine and Korean pine-dark coniferous forests of Sikhote-Alin are considered at the population structural level. The principles and provisions of the systemic approach and the closely related concept of structural levels were adopted as the methodological basis. We consider successions as an integral biogeocenotic process and at the same time it is a differentiated process within which the specific development of elements of different structural levels (phytocenotic, population, etc.) is carried out. In establishing the basic content, driving forces and mechanisms of regulation of the succession process at the population structural level, well-known knowledge in areas of evolutionary theory. The article summarizes the results of long-term studies of the features of age-related development, growth rates, the rhythm of generation change, the dynamics of the indicators of the cenotic role and the number of leading population. In addition, changes in the species composition and stocks of viable seeds in the litter and soil during post-fire successions are considered.

For the first time, information about the algae of the Tapsa River is presented in the Tapsinsky State Nature Reserve of national significance. A list of algae has been compiled, including 103 specific and intraspecific taxa, which belong to 50 genera, 28 families and 6 divisions. It has been established that the algoflora is based on diatoms. 9 dominants have been identified. A comparison of the algoflora of the Tapsa River and the Hutinsky Nature Reserve was carried out. An ecological and geographical analysis of the algae of these watercourses has been performed. It has been established that the algoflora of rivers is represented by benthic species, with a predominance of indifferent forms in relation to the need and active reaction of the environment. 137 types of saprobicity indicators were identified in all the studied watercourses. The predominance of betamesosaprobionts and oligosaprobionts was noted. Geographically, cosmopolitan and boreal species dominated.

The article studies the manifestations of rhythm in the seasonal dynamics of apical growth of stems and axial shoots of Scots pine trees growing in areas with different forest growth conditions (forest cultures and natural regeneration under the canopy) in the forest park of Yekaterinburg. The analysis was carried out based on a comprehensive quantitative approach to the study of morphogenesis, including a comparison of morphometric and physiological data. Four stages lasting 1-4 weeks were distinguished in seasonal changes in growth characteristics. The seasonal dynamics of the growth rate is nonlinear, and accelerations are oscillatory. The period of acceleration oscillations is about one week, which corresponds to infradian rhythms. The amplitudes of acceleration oscillations and the growth rate increase at the first two stages, and decrease at the stages of additional and complete growth. It was found that the general appearance of the seasonal dynamics of growth rates and accelerations of stem and branches is similar. The differences between them are in the discrepancy between the start and end dates of individual growth stages, as well as in higher rate of stem growth. It was found that a decrease in the influx of assimilates and reserve substances into the apical part of the stem by removing branches of the two upper tiers of the crown leads to a decrease in the stem growth rate, but does not change its seasonal dynamics. It was found that seasonal changes in the stem and branch growth rate in Scots pine correlate with air temperature more strongly than in previously studied species. No connection was found between growth acceleration and air temperature. The revealed features of stem and branch growth indicate that the morphogenetic processes in them are of a similar nature.

In the third decade of the XXI century in St. Petersburg, phenological anomalies are most pronounced in the “Spring Revival” sub-season, both of its phenomena began to occur at a significantly early date, with great anticipation. At the same time, gray alder began to bloom especially early, as an indicator of the first stage of the “Spring Revival” sub-season. The second most powerful anomaly occurs at the second stage of the “Beginning of Summer” subseason and lasts almost until the end of the calendar year, including the “Pre-winter”. At the same time, the summer phenomena are ahead of schedule, and from the “Beginning of Autumn” sub-season, the phenodates abruptly change their sign to the opposite. All the phenological stages and sub-seasons of autumn began to occur at a late date. For the first time, in some years, the “Beginning of Autumn” sub-season came later by 12 days (2022) and 18 days (2024), and the second stage of the “Beginning of Autumn” sub-season in 2024 began 16 days later than the norm of the climate of the 30th anniversary of 1980-2009. The duration of the “Winter” season decreased by 2021-2024 by 9 days, and the summer season increased by 11 days. In the context of ongoing and increasing climate warming, the importance of phenological observations and the need for continuous monitoring are increasing. The role of botanical gardens as biodiversity conservation centers is increasing.

The analysis of long-term data (2005-2020) from phenological observations of 5 species of the genus Viburnum from the collection of the South Ural Botanical Garden-Institute of the Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Viburnum opulus L., V. lantana L., V. dentatum L., V. veitchii C. H. Wreight (V. glomeratum Maxim) and V. sargentii Koehne. It has been established that for the beginning of vegetation, these taxa need a sum of positive temperatures above 0 °C (175-182 °C), while the local species V. opulus begins to vegetate first. The sum of positive temperatures from 235 to 278 C is required for the start of shoot growth, and 436-691 C for the beginning of flowering. The North American species V. dentatum blooms later than all other species in the Bashkir Urals. Complete lignification of shoots occurs earliest in V. dentatum at a total of positive temperatures of 2078 °C, later than in V. lantana (2601 °C), which can be explained by the geographical origin of these species. The Far Eastern species V. sargentii ends its vegetation earlier than all of the studied species, and the european V. sargentii ends its vegetation later V. lantana, and this is most likely due to the genetic characteristics of the species. The onset of the initial phases of seasonal development of Viburnum species (bud opening, the beginning of shoot growth, the beginning and end of flowering, the beginning of lignification of shoots) is greatly influenced by the sum of positive temperatures above 0 and +5 °C. At the beginning of the remaining phenophases (the end of shoot growth, complete lignification, fruit ripening and leaf fall), the influence of these temperature parameters, as well as the sum of temperatures above + 10 °C and the amount of precipitation, weakens. The duration of the growing season of species of the genus Viburnum in Ufa is 158-171 days. Over 16 years of observations, it was found that the timing of the beginning of vegetation, the beginning of flowering and the end of vegetation in the local species V. opulus became later by 5-8 days, the process of shoot growth in this species became longer by almost a month, and the lignification of shoots - by 2 months. Such dynamics indicates a change in climatic conditions in the Republic of Bashkortostan.