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Purpose. The identification of soil indicators for assessing the forest growth potential of soils for the possibility of afforestation. Methods. The indicators were chosen among the soil parameters most often used to assess fertility: reserves and thickness of forest litters, morphological characteristics of soils, particle size distribution, acidity, humus and various forms of NPK content, composition and content of exchangeable cations. The research was carried out in natural medieval forests according to the methods generally accepted in forest inventory, typology, soil science, analytical work - according to classical agrochemical and standardized methods. Results. The article gives an analysis of the problem of forestry typological evaluation of low-output and degraded soils (sandy, with shortened profile, salted, eroded), which were withdrawn from agricultural usage. The actual and theoretical material on the basis of which the range of issues related to the evaluation of forest land use in different natural zones is generalized, was collected and analyzed. On the main categories of low-productive lands in different natural zones of the flat part of Ukraine temporary trial areas were laid, where soil and typological investigation were conducted. The soil indicators and parameters of forest productivity of low productivity and degraded soils are determined, on the basis of which the classification of soils based on the degree of their suitable for afforestation has been developed. The suitability of soils for afforestation were evaluated in three categories: suitable for afforestation, limitedly suitable and unsuitable suitable for afforestation. Conclusions. The experience of afforestation of low-productive and degraded soils is generalized and a system of diagnostic indicators for their forest typological evaluation on zonal and morphological basis is proposed, and an information analysis on the problem of assessing the suitability for afforestation of low-productive lands (saline, stony, sandy) that are derived from agricultural circulation is provided. The suitability of soils for afforestation is described by a system of soil indicators, in particular, their particle size distribution, humus content, common and mobile forms of NPK, and exchangeable cations. However, among these indicators, one can single out informative indicators of the level of productivity of forest lands - mineralogical (chemical) and granulometric composition of soils. At the same time, it has been proved that the granulometric composition of the soil determines such important characteristics as the content of exchange bases, common forms of phosphorus, potassium, and humus.

Grasshoppers (Acridoidea, Orthoptera) are the dominant herbivores in grassland ecosystems worldwide. They can increase rangeland productivity by stimulating plant growth and accelerating nutrient cycling. This article presents a comprehensive checklist of grasshoppers in Mongolia. Until then, the available information was very scattered, based on old studies of Mongolian grasshoppers, recorded in a few international catalogues and databases, individual records and research work on agroecosystem communities. However, the available information on the composition of the Orthopteran fauna in Mongolia was sometimes unclear or non-existent and these dubious data were excluded from the present study. In addition, the grasshopper distribution analysis used the standardised personal collection of D. Altanchimeg. We also present a list of grasshoppers, as well as their distribution and abundance, in countries adjacent to Mongolia, such as Russia, China and South Korea. The surveys covered six types of natural zones: high mountain, taiga, forest-steppe, steppe, desert steppe and desert; desert steppe and steppe zones are the most widely distributed. We hope to have contributed significantly to the study of the distribution of grasshopper species in all these natural zones.In this study, a total of three families of Acridoidea belonging to eight subfamilies, 17 tribes, 52 genera and 128 species are reported for the various natural zones. The recorded species belong to eight subfamilies: Gomphocerinae are the most numerous with 56 species recorded, followed by Oedipodinae (51 species), Thrinchinae (nine species), Melanoplinae (six species), Calliptaminae (three species), Dericorythinae, Acridinae, Egnatiinae (one species each).

Aim. To demonstrate the high adaptive abilities of dairy cattle to various ecosystems and natural zones of the Lower Volga at different times of the year. For the study we selected farms located in the steppe and semi-desert natural zones of the Volgograd region where animals of different breeds are reared.Material and Methods. Analysis was undertaken of the main indicators of raw milk quality, amino acid composition and environmental safety. Animals of all farms studied showed fairly high indicators of milk productivity in the climatic conditions of the Volgograd region, according to the standards of the breeds investigated.Results. The content of essential amino acids in cow milk for all groups varied depending on the breed and period of the year, generally reaching maximum values in winter. The calculation of amino acid scores showed that lysine is a limiting amino acid in animals of the Holstein-Friesian breed in the summer and autumn periods of lactation. The determination of chemical elements in milk during the summer period of lactation showed that all indicators are within acceptable concentrations, including heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury).Conclusion. The research conducted confirms compliance of raw milk with standards in all farms studied for the main controlled indicators of quality and amino acid composition, content of chemical elements and allows recommendation of the milk produced for the production of all types of dairy and fermented milk products.

Presented are the results from taking an inventory and analyzing the land cover transformation during 2001-2012. The study revealed 246 types of transitions between land cover classes according to the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, including 229 types of changes with a change of land cover classes. The density of changes is highest in the taiga and steppe zones of Eurasia and North America, savannas and woodlands of Africa and South America, the Arctic tundras of North America and Eurasia. It was found that the natural zones with a complex structure of land cover (open woodlands, shrublands and savannas of the tropical belt and hard-leaved summer-dry open woodland and shrublands of the subtropical belt) have the largest number of transition types (17) and types of changes (10 and 8, respectively). The contribution from the particular transformation processes to the structure of land cover changes within the natural zones was calculated to show the principal land cover trajectories for each natural zone. The findings provide a means of assessing the degree and nature of land cover transformation within the natural zones and identifying, on this basis, the leading land use trends which would have a considerable influence on the structure and dynamics of present-day land surface landscapes across the globe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Grasshoppers (Acridoidea, Orthoptera) are the dominant herbivores in grassland ecosystems worldwide. They can increase rangeland productivity by stimulating plant growth and accelerating nutrient cycling. This article presents a comprehensive checklist of grasshoppers in Mongolia. Until then, the available information was very scattered, based on old studies of Mongolian grasshoppers, recorded in a few international catalogues and databases, individual records and research work on agroecosystem communities. However, the available information on the composition of the Orthopteran fauna in Mongolia was sometimes unclear or non-existent and these dubious data were excluded from the present study. In addition, the grasshopper distribution analysis used the standardised personal collection of D. Altanchimeg. We also present a list of grasshoppers, as well as their distribution and abundance, in countries adjacent to Mongolia, such as Russia, China and South Korea. The surveys covered six types of natural zones: high mountain, taiga, forest-steppe, steppe, desert steppe and desert; desert steppe and steppe zones are the most widely distributed. We hope to have contributed significantly to the study of the distribution of grasshopper species in all these natural zones., New Information: In this study, a total of three families of Acridoidea belonging to eight subfamilies, 17 tribes, 52 genera and 128 species are reported for the various natural zones. The recorded species belong to eight subfamilies: Gomphocerinae are the most numerous with 56 species recorded, followed by Oedipodinae (51 species), Thrinchinae (nine species), Melanoplinae (six species), Calliptaminae (three species), Dericorythinae, Acridinae, Egnatiinae (one species each)., (Enkhtsetseg Gankhuyag, Altanchimeg Dorjsuren, Eun Hwa Choi, Ui Wook Hwang.)

Outdoor preschools are critical for children’s play and development. Integrating observational and interview methods, this study examined four-to-five-year-old children’s cognitive play experiences in an outdoor preschool with natural, mixed and manufactured zones. The observational results indicated that the natural and mixed zones offered a diverse spectrum of cognitive play, were supportive of different learning styles and expanded their understanding about the world. Children preferred the diverse, challenging and constantly evolving natural settings in these zones. Integrating diverse natural and manufactured settings with loose elements, the mixed zone supported considerable opportunities for functional, exploratory and games with rules play behaviors. The accessible loose materials inspired children’s imagination, social engagement and games. In contrast, the manufactured zone offered the most functional and non-play behaviors, and was perceived as an unexciting, predictable and tedious environment. The findings suggest incorporating natural features and settings in outdoor preschools to support a diverse spectrum of cognitive play. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]