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A geobotanical analysis of 160 steppe and ecotone plant communities with the participation of cereals in the north of the Lower Volga region (within Saratov oblast) has been carried out. The species diversity of apomictic cereals is significantly inferior to the diversity of their amphimictic relatives in the flora of the region and in the studied phytocenoses (24 apomictic and 109 amphimictic species in the flora; 17 and 34 species in the phytocenoses, respectively). At the same time, the dominants of the studied communities are equally represented by both amphimictic (14 species) and apomictic cereals (9 species). It is established that cereals with an amphimictic mode of reproduction dominate in 64 phytocenoses and apomictic cereals dominate in 48 ones. The number of phytocenoses in which apomicts are codominants significantly exceeds the number of plant communities with amphimicts codominance (46 and 22, respectively). The studied plant communities are similar in species richness and evenness. The data indicate successful competition between apomictic cereals and amphimicts and their significant contribution to the composition of steppe and ecotone phytocenoses in the northern Lower Volga region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological and geological systems formed on massifs of coarse clastic soils have a number of characteristic features of both abiotic components (lithotope, edaphotope) and biotic (microbocenosis, phyto- and zoocenosis). It has been revealed that the structure and functioning of these ecological and geological systems (EGS) are largely determined by the features of their lithotope – complexly built massifs of coarse clastic soils with a certain genesis (relating to the eluvial, water, glacial, slope or volcanogenic-sedimentary series), geological structure, relief and exogenous geological processes developed within these massifs. The main features of the EGS lithotope of the coarse-grained soil massif include the following: 1) discrete structure of the massif due to rock fragments of different sizes; 2) the shape of the debris; 3) the presence and features of the porous filler; 4) chemical and mineral composition of fragments; 5) soil salinity; 6) geochemical migration of substances; 7) physical and mechanical properties of the soil; 8) soil weathering; 9) its water cut; 10) expressiveness in relief; 11) paragenesis of modern exogenous geological processes (weathering, erosion, cryogenic processes, as well as slope gravitational processes: landslides, screes, stone avalanches, etc.). This abiotic component affects both the formation of soils and the formation of microbiocenoses, phyto- and zoocenoses developed within these systems. The features of a specific ecological-geological system of a coarse-clastic soil massif are considered on the example of the Big and Small Iremel mountains in the Southern Urals (Republic of Bashkortostan), whose specific biocenosis is characterized by a boreal mountain-taiga type. Scale-type epilithic lichens play an important role in the formation of their phytocenoses.

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Taking into account the very important role of the environment and ecology in ensuring the health and food safety of the population, a consistent and efficient state policy is implemented in our country in the direction of protecting the ecological balance. Minimization of environmental pollution, improvement and protection of the ecological situation are the main directions of our state's policy in this direction. In modern times, when oil products are extracted, due to anthropogenic and technogenic effects, soils are subjected to the degradation process and some species of our flora are suppressed. In the phytoecological or ecological-geobotanical studies conducted by us for the first time in the soils polluted by crude oil, fuel oil and lysates in the Pirallahi oil field of the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan "Shirvan Neft" Oil and Gas Extraction Department (NGCI), it is important to study the species composition and structure of the contaminated vegetation. Nowadays phytoecological studies and investigations on oil-contaminated soils are one of the most urgent environmental problems in our country. Therefore, while taking soil samples in the mines of "Shirvan Neft" in the territory of Shirvan region, the species composition of phytocenoses in the polluted areas was determined. The species composition and structure of the semi-desert type formations spread in the selected samples and areas (around the oil wells) were studied in the conducted scientific-research works. The clean plants and those contaminated with fuel oil (oil products) found in the area were herbarium, and the names of the species were specified. The results of the conducted phytoecological studies were used in "Vegetation Classification". Thus, the semi-desert vegetation recorded in the oil-contaminated lands of "Shirvan Neft" was classified in 1 association belonging to 1 formation group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the results of studying the taxonomic composition, floristic features and occurrence of weed species in different types of territories in Vinnytsia region – 159 species of weeds belonging to 116 genera from 32 families were found in the investigated lands of different types – segetal (fields) and ruderal (field margins, field roads, highways). The largest number of species was documented on field margins (123 species), and the smallest number – on roadsides of highways (80 species). The number of identified species on fields and field roads is similar to that on field margins (117-111 species). The values of P. Jaccard’s floristic similarity coefficient indicate a high similarity of the species composition of fields, their roadsides, and field roads (65.2–69.6%) compared to the roadsides of highways (47.0–55.0%). This trend indicates a close interrelation of weed species composition of the main habitat types that make up each agroecosystem (fields, field margins and field roads), which is the reason for the need for regular monitoring of weeds not only in fields, but also in their margins and surrounding field roads. It was found that the distribution of species by families is irregular. The first places by the number of species for all comparison positions are occupied by the families Asteraceae Dumort. and Poaceae Barnhart., with the family Asteraceae significantly exceeding other families by the number of recorded species. It was established that most of the registered weed species belong to the dominant families. It was found out that 59 weed species were registered on all studied types of habitats. A comparative analysis of the obtained data showed that the species are represented in different types of localities to different degrees. The weed species composition in Vinnytsia region is characterized by the unity and stability of the taxonomic structure over a long period of time and regardless of the type of habitat. High indicators of similarity lead to a comprehensive study of weed species compositions of the main habitat types that make up each agroecosystem (fields, field margins, and field roads). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survey was performed to reveal the effects of draining agricultural landscapes on soddy-podzolic soil properties under cultivating oats (Avena sativa L.) in grass-cereal phytocenoses in order to record the variations in parameters for soils across certain agricultural landscapes. A stationary field experiment was conducted across the terminal moraine hill in the Tver oblast. The experiment was designed relative to the aspect of agricultural microlandscapes (factor A) including south slope transitional-accumulative landscape (T-As), south slope transitional landscape (Ts), south slope eluvial-transitional landscape (E-Ts), (hilltop) eluvial-accumulative (E-A), north-slope eluvial-transitional landscape (E-Tn), north-slope transitional landscape (Tn), and north-slope transitional-accumulative landscape (T-An) variants and the aspect of years of research (factor B) including 2020, 2021, and 2022. The maximum moisture content in the arable soil layer (72.1% ASM) in the oat fields, on average, for the years of research, was recorded for the transitional-accumulative landscape across the north facing slope. Its increase, relative to the average for the variants, comprised 5% ASM. The soil density of 1.2–1.30 g/cm3 in the layer of 0–20 cm depth at its lower limit of 1.22 g/cm3 was typical of the transitional landscape across the south-facing slope, which was 0.04 g/cm3 lower than the average for the experiment. The cellulose-degrading activities in soils varied in the range of 43.4–83.0%. Its maximum value in the experiment was observed on the lower side of the south-facing slope (in the transitional-accumulative microlandscape). A greater decrease (by 13.5%, relative to the average) was revealed in the north-slope eluvial-transitional agricultural landscape. The average oat yield over the years of research comprised 3.45–3.92 t/ha. It reached its maximum (higher by 0.23 t/ha than the average) in the south-slope eluvial-transitional landscape variant. A direct average correlation between the crop yield and the grain weight per panicle (r = 0.48) and the number of grains per panicle (r = 0.47) was revealed, while it was found reverse relative to the biological (cellulose-degrading) activities in soils (r = –0.33). The oat plants number larger by 67 plants/m2 than the average for the experiment was recorded for the north-slope eluvial-transitional lanscape variant. The biggest increase of 0.2 g in the grain weight per panicle, compared to the averages across the variants, was estimated for the lower side of the south-facing slope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the results of a study of the state of the cenopopulation of a rare species, Allium praemixtum Vved. in the Nurata and Turkestan ranges. The ontogenetic structure of the cenopopulation was studied by the generally accepted methods (Uranov, 1975; Tsenopopulyatsiya rastenii..., 1976). Cenopopulations were characterized according to the classifications of A.A. Uranov and O.V. Smirnova (1969) and "delta–omega" (Zhivotovsky, 2001). The ecological density was determined by the method of W. Odum (1986). Geobotanical descriptions were made according to the standard methodology on sites of 100 m2 (Field geobotany, 1964). The characteristic ontogenetic spectrum is left-sided, with an absolute maximum in one of the pregenerative groups (Cheremushkina, 2004). Cenopopulations (CP) 1, 5, 6 correspond to the characteristic left-sided ontogenetic spectrum with a maximum peak in the virginal state of the species. The centered ontogenetic spectrum does not coincide with the characteristics, culminating in middle age. The bimodal ontogenetic spectrum is then considered as a temporary left-sided variant with an equal peak in the medium generative and virginal states. The density of individuals in the studied cenopopulations varied from 1.1 to 9.7 ind./m2, and the ecological density is from 2.3 to 17.63 ind./m2. According to the "delta-omega" classification Allium praemixtum cenopopulation CP 1 is maturing, CP 5 and 6 are young, CP 2 and 4 are transitional, and CP 3 is mature. Existing cenopopulations are mainly located on unprotected territory, with the exception of CP 3 (near Mazhrumsay) and 4 (near Gurdarasay). The only solution to this problem can be the strict protection of cenopopulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of the small mammal communities state in the city’s forest parks and park and in the forest, depending on changes in phytocenoses under the influence of recreation, was carried out. These studies have shown that the lower layers of phytocenoses of the forest communities belonging to pine stand characteristic of the South taiga district of the Trans-Urals foothill forest province (Kolesnikov et al., 1973) have been noticeably changed of the urban area. First of all, we observed a low renewable capacity of the main forest-forming species of the sites and the appearance of new species in the undergrowth, which are not important for forest-forming processes, but are signs of transformation of the lower layers of phytocenosis. The degree of regression digression in all urban sites was medium or weak. In the control it was very weak or absent. In forest parks and park both the extension of the shrub species composition due to synanthropic species and the increase in their number are of greater importance. The undergrowth in them is represented by raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.), tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica L.), three-lobed viburnum (Viburnum opulus L.), mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia L.), bird cherry (Prunus padus L.), goat willow (Salix caprea L.), elderberry (Sambucus racemosa L.), round-leaved irga (Amelanchier ovalis Medik.), dogwood (Cotoneaster Medik.), rosehip (Rosa acicularis Lindl.), hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha L.). The undergrowth species composition of the control is much poorer than in urban localities: it contains: bird cherry, goat willow, dog rose, green broom (Chamaecytisus ruthenicus (Fisch. ex Wol.) Klask.), mountain ash. The development of undergrowth is an influence on the growing conditions of grass-shrub species and the development of moss cover with the creation of a regime of favorability for some vegetation groups and suppression of others. Although there is a high similarity in the floral composition of the lower tiers between the forest parks, they differ in the composition of the dominant species. Changes in the lower levels of phytocenoses naturally had an impact on other components of the ecosystem, in particular, on communities of small mammals. In the urban sites appreciable share in the communities is made up of species absent from the forest: Ural field mouse (Apodemus uralensis Pallas, 1811) and striped field mouse (A. agrarius Pallas, 1771), which (during the years of depression in the surrounding forests) make up 60 % to 98 % of the community in the forest parks and parks. Comparison of the degree of similarity of the characteristics of the lower layers of phytocenoses and the characteristics of micromammal communities showed their high correspondence.

The article presents the results of monitoring the soil mycobiota of sulfur quarries in LvivRegion. The dynamics of soil micromycete complexes as a result of their adaptation to the conditions of technozems, embryozems and zonal soils of sulfur quarries was studied. The increase in the number of colony-forming units (CFU) in the studied soils of the Yavoriv and Podorozhnie sulfur quarries over the years is specified, which indicates the active processes of decomposition of plant remains, the formation of stable processes of decomposition of cellulose and other complex compounds in the detrital block of the ecosystem. The change in the frequency of banding of selected species of micromycetes over the years was studied, depending on the content of SO4-2 in the soil solution. The functional structure of soil micromycete communities after sulfur extraction was established. A decrease in the frequency of occurrence of pathogens and toxin-producing agents and an increase in the frequency of occurrence of species that actively participate in the transformation of organic remains, and also act as plant endophytes and participants in mycorrhizal symbiosis were recorded. The species composition of micromycetes that grew in the presence of SO4-2 content in the soil solution, which exceeded the background level from 3.6% to 50%, was determined, the species-bioindicators of soil pollution with sulfur compounds were defined - Fusarium oxysporum, Paecilomyces lilacinum, P. waksmanii, P. nigricans, P. funiculosum, Trichoderma viride, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. herbarum, Aureobasidium pullulans, Humicola grisea, Ulocladium consortiale, Alternaria alternate, Mortierella ramanniana var. angulispora. During 10 years of research a decrease in the content of SO4-2 in soils was noted, which is associated with an increase in the biodiversity of soil micromycetes and an enrichment of the phytocenotic cover.

Within the northeastern part of the Black Sea, the vegetation of charophytes was studied using the Braun-Blanquet approach. For the first time, five communities are described, including three associations and two subassociations from the alliance Charion canescentis Krausch 1964, the order Charetalia intermediae Sauer 1937, and the class Charetea intermediae F. Fukarek 1961. Diagnoses of the described syntaxa are given. A comparison with the Baltic and Mediterranean communities of charophytes is made. It is shown that all northeastern Black Sea communities with the dominance of charophytes, in contrast to Western European ones, include Lamprothamnium papulosum with high constancy. At the same time, the investigated communities are characterized by a lower occurrence and abundance of higher aquatic plants (except for Nanozostera noltei) and a slightly higher occurrence of red and green algae. An indirect ordination analysis showed the ecological isolation of the described phytocenoses and revealed two main factors influencing the floristic composition of communities—the granulometric composition of bottom sediments and water eutrophication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic load on natural phytocenoses is manifested by disturbance of plant cover, synanthropization of the floristic composition of groups, destruction of plant distribution areas, reduction of biodiversity, and changes in plant growth and development conditions. The degree of anthropogenic load on natural phytocenoses is a global problem that requires detailed study and monitoring studies, especially in the conditions of urban ecosystems. The natural conditions affecting the state of the phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maxim Rylskyi city of Kyiv according to physical and geographical, climatic, edaphic, and orographic features. The influence of anthropogenic activity in the experimental plots was determined and the level of anthropogenic pressure on the state of the phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maxim Rylskyi city of Kyiv was carried out by analyzing available sources of industrial production, transport, etc. It has been established that Holosiiv Park named after Maksym Rylskyi is subjected to constant anthropogenic load, in particular, intensive recreational use, atmospheric air pollution has been established, which leads to the impoverishment of biodiversity in certain areas of the park. The level of atmospheric air pollution in the territory adjacent to the experimental sites was assessed using computational and instrumental methods. It was established that the estimated CO level exceeds the standards by 8 times on Holosiivskyi Avenue and by more than 30 times at the intersection of Maksym Rylskyi Street and Holosiivskyi Avenue. The analysis of the state of the atmospheric air using instrumental research methods did not show an excess of the content of the main pollutants, however, according to the Air Quality Index, it is moderately polluted by the content of dust with a diameter of 2.5 microns. The study of the state of the phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maksym Rylsky of the city of Kyiv within the experimental plots was carried out by studying their floristic composition and evaluating the ecological groups of plants. Because it is the analysis of ecological groups of plants that makes it possible to assess the ecological conditions of plant groups, the place of growth, and phytocenotypes of plant species that are part of the phytocenosis, that is their role in the formation of the phytocenosis. The ecological assessment of the state of phytocenoses of Holosiiv Park named after Maksym Rylskyi of the city of Kyiv was carried out using the method of bioindication and lichen indication (lichen research). These methods make it possible to determine the level of anthropogenic load acting quickly and relatively easily on phytocenoses within the experimental plots. To determine the state of the trees in the experimental plots, the method of assessing the asymmetry of morphological structures was used (using the example of the hanging hornbeam Carpinus betulus L.). A comparison of the floristic composition and the state of the phytocenoses showed that plot No. 1 has a depressed state, plants do not grow evenly, and drying of trees was observed. Plot No. 2 has the best condition, the plants of the plot are characterized by the best indicators of growth and development, the largest number of species, and the frequency of occurrence of species. Site No. 3 did not record significant degradation of the phytocenosis, but there is a certain mosaic of the phytocenosis, which may be due to atmospheric air pollution and significant recreational pressure, in particular, trampling. Plot No. 2 and Plot No. 3 have the highest coefficient of species composition commonality. Common plant species in the respective areas are: Carpinus betulus L., Anemonoides ranunculoides L., Ficaria verna, Trifolium repens and Corydalis solida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the level of soil contamination with oil and petroleum products, the criterion of the cenotic level as the nature of the phytocenosis formation was used. It was found that the bioindication reaction of vascular plants to oil pollution is the deterioration of quantitative and qualitative indicators of the native phytocenosis with possible self-recovery of the plant community at the threshold concentrations of petroleum products 6,0±0,3-8,0±0,5 l/m2. Light fractions of oil products cause complete destruction of the existing plant community, and the new community is formed at the expense of the soil stock of seeds and drift ruderal plant species. Dark fractions of petroleum products cause structural changes in the species composition of the existing phytocenosis. The most resistant to oil pollution of the soil are representatives of the Poaceae family, and representatives of the families Solanacee and Malvaceae are eliminated from the phytocenosis. For 8 years of research, the projective cover of soil with vegetation is reduced to 92.6±6.3-99.6±0.4%.

The article presents the results of monitoring the soil mycobiota of sulfur quarries in LvivRegion. The dynamics of soil micromycete complexes as a result of their adaptation to the conditions of technozems, embryozems and zonal soils of sulfur quarries was studied. The increase in the number of colony-forming units (CFU) in the studied soils of the Yavoriv and Podorozhnie sulfur quarries over the years is specified, which indicates the active processes of decomposition of plant remains, the formation of stable processes of decomposition of cellulose and other complex compounds in the detrital block of the ecosystem. The change in the frequency of banding of selected species of micromycetes over the years was studied, depending on the content of SO4-2 in the soil solution. The functional structure of soil micromycete communities after sulfur extraction was established. A decrease in the frequency of occurrence of pathogens and toxin-producing agents and an increase in the frequency of occurrence of species that actively participate in the transformation of organic remains, and also act as plant endophytes and participants in mycorrhizal symbiosis were recorded. The species composition of micromycetes that grew in the presence of SO4-2 content in the soil solution, which exceeded the background level from 3.6% to 50%, was determined, the species-bioindicators of soil pollution with sulfur compounds were defined - Fusarium oxysporum, Paecilomyces lilacinum, P. waksmanii, P. nigricans, P. funiculosum, Trichoderma viride, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. herbarum, Aureobasidium pullulans, Humicola grisea, Ulocladium consortiale, Alternaria alternate, Mortierella ramanniana var. angulispora. During 10 years of research a decrease in the content of SO4-2 in soils was noted, which is associated with an increase in the biodiversity of soil micromycetes and an enrichment of the phytocenotic cover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assemblage patterns and processes of aquatic vegetation in most large floodplain rivers are not well understood, particularly after plant recovery. Identifying vegetation types, which are recurring plant groupings based on species composition, diversity, and abundances, can describe plant assembly patterns and environmental drivers that aid conservation planning and management. We used a 22‐year dataset (n = 18,000 sampling plots) to identify aquatic vegetation types during an "early phase" and "late phase" of plant recovery at multiple spatial scales nested within a 500‐km river reach of the Upper Mississippi River, USA. We hypothesized that vegetation types varied according to scale because of the stark environmental differences among riverine habitats and differing regional species pools along the river's latitudinal gradient, and that the late phase of recovery had developed several new vegetation types. We first used cluster analyses at multiple spatiotemporal scales to identify the number of vegetation types and their characteristics, such as indicator species, species compositions and abundances, and diversity index. Then we applied a multivariate regression to pinpoint environmental factors (such as hydrodynamics, system productivity, local habitat, and water quality) that structured those vegetation types. Clustering revealed that ~90% of plots irrespective of recovery phase were not classified into vegetation types, which indicated that most aquatic sampling plots are unique in species composition and unpredictable. However, impounded areas upriver from dams had matured five vegetation types: lotus (Nelumbo lutea Willd.), submersed (a mix of 11 common submersed species), watercelery (Vallisneria americana Michx.), arrowheads (Sagittaria rigida Pursh and Sagittaria latifolia Willd.), and a diverse community (with high diversity indices and multiple life forms). The vegetation types were associated with three environmental gradients related to inundation depth and duration, system productivity, and water clarity. These five vegetation types are known to be of high ecological value to fish and wildlife and thus targets for restoration, for example, the watercelery community is principal forage for migrating canvasback ducks (Aythya valisineria) along the Mississippi River flyway. Our results provide insights on vegetation assembly during recovery and aid habitat conservation by providing quantitative, environmental targets for restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cluster is considered as integral consisting of interdependent separateness. It is believed that the formation and development of a cluster is a general pattern of the formation and development of the existing one. The structure of the ecosystem is illuminated in the light of the structure of the cluster, the balance of the ecosystem is accepted as the balance of the cluster divisions. It is proved that environmental crises are a destabilized ecosystem structure as a cluster. The ability of soil organic matter to create vertical salinity drainage has been established. The history of the Aral crisis is described in an optimal light based on organic farming in preventing its consequences. The essence and scale of the country's environmental crisis in the light of the destabilization of its structure as a cluster are analyzed. As a cluster of agricultural technologies that can withstand the cluster of causes of environmental crises in the agricultural sector, the creation of a diversified small organic agricultural enterprise on an industrial basis is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal spoil-heaps cause man-made pressure on the environment of the coal mining area. Coal mining, and in recent years the mass closure of mines has been accompanied by a negative impact on natural objects and engineering structures - the basements of houses and buildings are flooded, walls and wooden fences rot, crops, trees and bushes are destroyed. Reclamation is carried out on spoil-heaps of coal mines to reduce man-made pressure. However, in the process of rock dumping on the spoil-heaps a neorelief begins to emerge causing the vegetation development. The emergence of vegetation groups is a positive phenomenon, as phytomass decomposition promotes the formation of humus. The development of vegetation on the surface of coal spoil-heaps is called vegetative reclamation or phytomelioration. Efficiency of vegetative reclamation is calculated in points and is an indicator of the suitability of a particular man-made object for natural overgrowth. The aim of the work is to establish the features of spatial arrangement of plants in populations on the surface of coal spoil-heaps. It is established that on the coal spoil-heaps, as well as in natural conditions, vegetation tends to aggregate, thus forming phytogenic fields. It should be noted that at different stages of successions, phytogenic fields are formed in different ways. Monocentric phytogenic field arises on the waste heaps during the syngenetic stage of succession. The initial endecogenetic stage of succession provides the formation of phytogenic fields of two types. The first type is the initial polycentric phytogenic field. It is characterized by the ability to combine several individuals of the same species. The second type is a mature polycentric phytogenic field. It is characterized by higher resistance, and plant community is already able to convert geoprocesses. The mature endoecogenic stage of succession is characterized by the development and expansion of tree species, and the phytogenic field is acentric and global. This kind of phytogenic fields is found on tailings with artificial vegetative reclamation.

The article provides brief geobotanical characteristics of plant communities of three populations of R. iliensis Chrshan. found in the floodplains of the Ili and Sharyn rivers, and also presents the morpho-anatomical structure of vegetative organs (stem and leaf) of the species under study. R. iliensis Chrshan. is undoubtedly a rare, endangered species of the flora of Kazakhstan. Its distribution area is shrinking from year to year as a result of anthropogenic pressure on the environment. Biometric indicators of vegetative organs in samples collected from populations 1 and 2 were approximately the same. The indicators of samples collected from population 3 differed substantially. This is a completely natural process, since there are substantial differences in the climatic conditions of the upper and lower parts of the basin where the Ili River flows: a sharp increase in temperature and a decrease in precipitation from high to low hypsometric levels of the basin. Moreover, there is a gradual aridization of the territory from east to west. Naturally, this entails a change in both soil and vegetation cover and leaves its mark on the morpho-anatomical structure of vegetative organs. With this in mind, the authors recommend continuous monitoring of the state of the populations at the three sites where R. iliensis Chrshan. was found.

Within the northeastern part of the Black Sea, the vegetation of charophytes was studied using the Braun-Blanquet approach. For the first time, five communities are described, including three associations and two subassociations from the alliance Charion canescentis Krausch 1964, the order Charetalia intermediae Sauer 1937, and the class Charetea intermediae F. Fukarek 1961. Diagnoses of the described syntaxa are given. A comparison with the Baltic and Mediterranean communities of charophytes is made. It is shown that all northeastern Black Sea communities with the dominance of charophytes, in contrast to Western European ones, include Lamprothamnium papulosum with high constancy. At the same time, the investigated communities are characterized by a lower occurrence and abundance of higher aquatic plants (except for Nanozostera noltei) and a slightly higher occurrence of red and green algae. An indirect ordination analysis showed the ecological isolation of the described phytocenoses and revealed two main factors influencing the floristic composition of communities—the granulometric composition of bottom sediments and water eutrophication.

Relevance and purpose. The Russian geobotanical science has a profound tradition of studying the vegetation cover heterogeneities. However, the number of studies on the mosaics in complexly organized coniferous-deciduous forests is very limited, and there is high ambiguity in the obtained results. In addition, there has appeared a need to resolve the “terminological issue”. The aim of this study was to assess the vegetation cover mosaics of widespread forest phytocenoses in the Moskva-Oka Plain. Material and methods. We present a review of publications on the intracenotic heterogeneity of forest cover and make an attempt to systematize the existing terminology. The field studies were carried out on the territory of the Valuevsky forest park (Novomoskovsky AO, Moscow) using classical geobotanical methods. The acquired data was analyzed with various modern methods of statistical data analysis. Results and conclusions. The obtained results indicate that differences in vegetation are much more pronounced at the level of phytocenoses than at the level of microgroups. The most powerful edificatory effect of spruce has been confirmed. We identified the following reasons that determine the weak differentiation of vegetation at the level of microgroups: the co-influence of neighboring microgroups, the lack of individual trees’ impact duration for a noticeable transformation of vegetation, and legacies in the structure and species composition of previous states over a long period of time.

Oribatid mites are distinguished by high taxonomic diversity and abundance in almost all natural zones; they are used as an indicator group of microarthropods in the study of natural landscapes and anthropogenically disturbed ecosystems. In the karst landscapes of the North, the oribatid mites are very poorly studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of soil types, plant communities, and oribatid mites in karst relief forms in the conditions of the northern taiga forests. The material was collected in July 2020 in the karst landscapes of Timan Ridge, found in the European northeast of Russia. The research sites were located in the profile of the karst crater and in the profile of the slope in the Ukhta River Valley. A sedge wetland community, and pine–bilberry–green-moss forest, located in the depression between glacial hills and uplands were also examined. A total of seven sites were examined. Geobotanical descriptions were made by standard methods, descriptions of the soil profile, and samples of the soil microfauna; 12 in each site were collected. A total of 51 oribatid mite species from 39 genera and 31 families were found. The highest taxonomic diversity of oribatids was noted in forest phytocenoses located in the upper part of the karst crater slope, the lower part of the karst crater slope, and on rock outcrops in the lower part of the slope in Ukhta river valley. Ordination of the oribatid mite community by NMDS method showed the association of sites S3, S4, and S5 located on the slope of the karst crater in one group, and sites S6 and S7 located on a slope in the Ukhta River Valley, as well as S2 (pine–bilberry–green-moss forest located in the depression between glacial hills and uplands), in another group. The swamp community was located separately from other communities. Species of oribatid mites, which created the specifics of each community, were noted. The specifics of the population of oribatid mites of karst landscapes were that along with the features of fauna, characteristic for zonal north-taiga forests (the predominance of polyzonal widespread species) were found the "conditionally southern" species, the main area of distribution of which is located in lower latitudes. The study provides the basis for future studies of poorly known oribatid mites of karst landscapes of Northern Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract—The issues of developing a general classification of continental natural and technogenic ecological–geological systems that are the subject of research in modern ecological geology, are considered. A classification that considers the composition and characteristics of the components of ecological–geological systems is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides brief geobotanical characteristics of plant communities of three populations of R. iliensis Chrshan. found in the floodplains of the Ili and Sharyn rivers, as well as presents the morpho-anatomical structure of vegetative organs (stem and leaf) of the species under study. R. iliensis Chrshan. is undoubtedly a rare, endangered species of the flora of Kazakhstan. Its distribution area is shrinking from year to year as a result of the anthropogenic pressure on the environment. The biometric indicators of vegetative organs in the samples collected from populations 1 and 2 were approximately the same. The indicators of the samples collected from population 3 differed substantially. This is a completely natural process, since there are substantial differences in the climatic conditions of the upper and lower parts of the basin where the Ili River flows: a sharp increase in temperature and a decrease in precipitation from high to low hypsometric levels of the basin. Moreover, there is a gradual aridization of the territory from east to west. Naturally, this entails a change in both soil and vegetation cover as well as leaves its mark on the morpho-anatomical structure of vegetative organs. With this in mind, the authors recommend continuous monitoring of the state of the populations at the three sites where R. iliensis Chrshan. was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal spoil-heaps cause man-made pressure on the environment of the coal mining area. Coal mining, and in recent years the mass closure of mines, have been accompanied by a negative impact on natural objects and engineering structures; the basements of houses and buildings are flooded, walls and wooden fences rot, crops, trees and bushes are destroyed. Reclamation is carried out on spoil-heaps of coal mines to reduce the man-made pressure. However, in the process of rock dumping on the spoil-heaps,a neorelief begins to emerge causing the vegetation development. The emergence of vegetation groups is a positive phenomenon, as phytomass decomposition promotes the formation of humus. The development of vegetation on the surface of coal spoil-heaps is called vegetative reclamation or phytomelioration. The efficiency of vegetative reclamation is calculated in points and is an indicator of the suitability of a particular man-made object for natural overgrowth. The aim of the work was to establish the features of spatial arrangement of plants in populations on the surface of coal spoil-heaps. It was established that on the coal spoil-heaps, as well as under natural conditions, vegetation tends to aggregate, thus forming phytogenic fields. It should be noted that at different stages of successions, phytogenic fields are formed in different ways. A monocentric phytogenic field arises on the waste heaps during the syngenetic stage of succession. The initial endecogenetic stage of succession provides the formation of phytogenic fields of two types. The first type is the initial polycentric phytogenic field. It is characterized by the ability to combine several individuals of the same species. The second type is a mature polycentric phytogenic field. It is characterized by higher resistance, and plant community is already able to convert geoprocesses. The mature endoecogenic stage of succession is characterized by the development and expansion of tree species, and the phytogenic field is acentric and global. This kind of phytogenic fields is found on tailings with artificial vegetative reclamation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aldrovanda vesiculosa is a rare stenotopic species threatened due to destruction of its biotopes. Since the species is protected nationally and internationally, monitoring of its populations is required. Information on growth conditions of A. vesiculosa in three new localities recorded in 2019 and 2020 in lentic (standing water) reservoirs with muddy sediments in the Chernihiv Polissya region is provided. All populations were found in communities of the alliance Utricularion vulgaris. In the first locality (Snovsk, an artificial pond with an area 0.6 ha), the population of A. vesiculosa (projective cover of 10%) occupied an area of 0.5 m × 1.5 m within the shoreline community of the Spirodelo-Aldrovandetum vesiculosae association. In the second locality (Lake Perekop, area 7 ha, in the floodplain of the Desna River) the species was found in an area of 1.5 m2, with projective cover of 25%, also within the Spirodelo-Aldrovandetum vesiculosae communities. In the third locality (Lake Nizhniy Bolhach, floodplain of the Dnipro River), this species was found in an area of 0.5 m2 within the communities of the Lemno-Utricularietum vulgaris association, with projective cover of 3%. The comparison of hydrochemical conditions of biotopes in the found localities and hydrochemical indicators of habitats of this species in the Czech Republic and Poland was carried out. In the first and second localities, the hydrochemical indices are optimal for A. vesiculosa. In Lake Nizhniy Bolhach, some quantitative characteristics of the water chemical composition are beyond the ecological optimum for this species, in particular, exceeded values of hydrogen index (pH 7.0), hardness (12.1 mmol/L), concentrations of calcium (163.039 mg/L) and magnesium ions (49.025 mg/L), while organic carbon content (1214 mg/L) is reduced. A short-term existence of A. vesiculosa in this locality is predicted.

Oribatid mites are distinguished by high taxonomic diversity and abundance in almost all natural zones; they are used as an indicator group of microarthropods in the study of natural landscapes and anthropogenically disturbed ecosystems. In the karst landscapes of the North, the oribatid mites are very poorly studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the diversity of soil types, plant communities, and oribatid mites in karst relief forms in the conditions of the northern taiga forests. The material was collected in July 2020 in the karst landscapes of Timan Ridge, found in the European northeast of Russia. The research sites were located in the profile of the karst crater and in the profile of the slope in the Ukhta River Valley. A sedge wetland community, and pine–bilberry–green-moss forest, located in the depression between glacial hills and uplands were also examined. A total of seven sites were examined. Geobotanical descriptions were made by standard methods, descriptions of the soil profile, and samples of the soil microfauna; 12 in each site were collected. A total of 51 oribatid mite species from 39 genera and 31 families were found. The highest taxonomic diversity of oribatids was noted in forest phytocenoses located in the upper part of the karst crater slope, the lower part of the karst crater slope, and on rock outcrops in the lower part of the slope in Ukhta river valley. Ordination of the oribatid mite community by NMDS method showed the association of sites S3, S4, and S5 located on the slope of the karst crater in one group, and sites S6 and S7 located on a slope in the Ukhta River Valley, as well as S2 (pine–bilberry–green-moss forest located in the depression between glacial hills and uplands), in another group. The swamp community was located separately from other communities. Species of oribatid mites, which created the specifics of each community, were noted. The specifics of the population of oribatid mites of karst landscapes were that along with the features of fauna, characteristic for zonal north-taiga forests (the predominance of polyzonal widespread species) were found the “conditionally southern” species, the main area of distribution of which is located in lower latitudes. The study provides the basis for future studies of poorly known oribatid mites of karst landscapes of Northern Europe.

The new concept of bioremediation of anthropogenic water bodies and quarry wastewaters treatment by phytoextraction and phytotransformation in the Subarctic conditions is presented. This technology is based on transformating the man-caused water reservoirs into nature-like marsh ecosystems. At the first stage, a new patented method for advanced waste treatment using floating bioplate was developed and implemented. After implementing the bioplate, the concentration of ammonium ions in water decreased by 53-90%, nitrate nitrogen reduced by 15-20%. At the second stage, the floating bioplate technology was modified into the highly efficient purificating marsh ecosystem, which allowed to cover the waterbody territory to the greatest possible extent. The technology is based on the creation of phytomats enabling in the accelerated mode to form plant blocks of three different types. They are aimed both at local grassing down, and at swamping deep and shallow areas of sediment ponds. In forming phytomats, two soil substitutional substrates (thermovermiculite and wood sawdust) and regionally-optimized assortment of 24 plant species are used. The proposed technology does not require energy, chemicals and soil components which are scarce in the region. The predominance of natural ecosystem processes in the formed phytocenoses allows to achieve maximum efficiency, and the use of available materials contributes to minimizing the costs of creating and maintaining the system. The introduction of this technology and formation of the artificial phytocenosis with the area of about 30% of the man-caused reservoirs territory made it possible to increase the efficiency of wastewater treating from mineral nitrogen compounds by 22%.

The study shows the biodiversity of Utricularia australis from western to northern regions of Ukraine. The environmental conditions of Ukraine are favourable for the spread and formation of phytocenosis involving U. australis, especially on thermoclimatic, cryothermal and continental scale. A broader range of the species’ relation to humidity has been recorded. The research outcome shows the existence of the species in conditions from shallow, parched reservoirs to deep water habitats which allows the species to withstand temporary drying of reservoirs in summer periods. The resilience of U. australis to some water quality parameters, including nitrogen, phosphorus, iron content, colour, pH and organic contamination was higher than in previous studies and Tsyganov’s ecological scales. Thus, due to its wide range of tolerance to the majority of environmental factors, U. australis tends to spread in contemporary climatic conditions in Ukraine. Considering that the species has category “vulnerable” in the country and is listed in the red data book of Ukraine, its conservation status is likely to be revised further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of a long-term study of changes in soils and vegetation during postagrogenic succession of sown meadows on reclaimed peat soils (Eutric Histosols) are presented. The study was performed on experimental plots in the Korzinskaya Lowland (Karelia); sowing of perennial grasses was accompanied by the application of mineral fertilizers. Observations over changes in the vegetation communities along with the reduction of the peat thickness were conducted. The soil samples were analyzed for the organic carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus contents and for the pH of salt extracts. Vegetation was described using the Braun-Blanquet approach; the botanical composition and the biomass of herbs were assessed by their cutting and weighing. Nematode communities were characterized by their taxonomic diversity, population density, and eco-trophic structure. The analysis of soil profiles demonstrated that the thickness of the peat deposits decreased over 40 years of observation (1974–2015). The direction of vegetation succession on sown meadows was dictated by the type of fertilization. Two plant communities were formed: Deschampsieta caespitosae humidiherbosum developed on the plots treated with mineral fertilizers, and Elytrigeto magnograminosoherbosum community developed on the plots treated with mineral and organic fertilizers. The main changes in soil nematode communities during the long-term succession were related to their eco-trophic structure. Two trophic groups exhibited an obvious response: the relative abundance of nematodes associated with plants decreased, whereas the share of plant-parasitic nematodes increased. In addition, it was found that the species composition of herbs predetermined the ecological specialization of dominant plant-parasitic nematode taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the coastal ecosystems of the Black Sea, macrophytobenthos and, in particular, the association of Cystoseira crinite, C. barbata, Cladostephus verticillatus, and Corallina mediterranea, with its thick vegetative canopy (VC), is the key contributor to primary production (PP). Though the vertical structure of the canopy, formed by the algal association, is of principal importance to the PP level, this subject has been long-neglected by researchers. The goal of our work was to compare vertical structures of the vegetative canopy of Cystoseira brown algae under diverse hydrodynamical conditions of the Crimean Peninsula coast. Samples were collected using the 50 cm×50 cm counting frame at eight stations positioned in shallow (55–60 cm deep) sites of Sevastopol Bay (Crimean Peninsula). Dry weight biomass of the VC was determined for all algae assemblage and for each algal species individually, per horizontal surface unit, at each height (Z). The study shows that: 1) the VC is characterized by unimodal vertical distribution of biomass, with maximum estimate in the lower part, where the biomass increases to 85% of the total biomass; 2) a series of single-peaked curves reliably describes the unimodal distribution of the biomass; thalli of different age groups are found along the canopy profile; and 3) algae found in epiphytic synusia prefer inhabiting the upper part of the VC. The role of environmental factors (seawater turbulence and solar radiation) is discussed in reference to the formation of the vertical structure, made up of the associations of the brown algae Cystoseira. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contemporary state of soils and their mesofauna in the “Golubye Ozera” Nature Preserve have been studied. The soil cover of the studied territory consists of sod-podzolic, sod-calcareous, and alluvial soils. The morphological structure and physicochemical properties of the soils are determined by the influence of relief, depth of carbonate rocks, level of groundwaters, and anthropogenic factor. The concentration of heavy metals in the humus horizons complied with the background values. The trophic structure and abundance of soil mesofauna in the investigated biotopes were usual for natural forest ecosystems of the Western Pre-Kama Region. Soil mesofauna in the nature preserve included 20 taxa and varied by biotopes, regardless of the recreation degree. It has been found that the structure and population of soil animals are influenced by the types of soil, phytocenosis, as well as by the degree of anthropogenic load.

The article is about naturalization features of invasive fraction of flora in Voronezh and some other regions of the European part of Russia. The summary table represents all invasive and potentially invasive plants of the European part of Russia with their level of naturalization (or invasive status). Invasive fraction of flora in the Voronezh region numbers 120 plants. All of them are on different stages of naturalization process in an anthropogenic areal. Invasive plants represent by agriophyts – 41 (34,1 %) species, epecophyts – 75 (62,5 %) species and colonophyts-epecophyts – 4 (3,4 %) species. Totally there are 201 species of invasive and potentially invasive plants spread within European part of Russia (Northern-West Russia, Ivanovo, Kaluga, Tver, and Voronezh regions). They formed the “black list” of European Russia. 10 species are common to all invasive fractions. These are Acer negundo, Amelanchier x spicata, Aster x salignus, Echinocystis lobata, Elodea canadensis, Heracleum sosnowskyi, Impatiens glandulifera, Impatiens parviflora, Juncus tenuis and Lupinus polyphyllus. The analysis of the general list of invasive fractions of European Russia shows that 120 species of the list are invasive or potentially invasive in the Voronezh region (100 and 20 species in accordance), adventives naturalized species – 31, native species – 19, archaeophyts – 2, apophyts – 4. 26 species from the list were not found in the Voronezh region. Apparently, the region is a transit area for many invasive plants, which migrate from South to North, from East to West etc. Not only its natural and climatic potential, but also high level of transformation of local landscapes enabled immigrant-plants to naturalize within the bounds of the region. Furthermore, for many years the Voronezh region was the center of introduction of alien plants. Many of those became a part of invasion fraction of regional flora. In recent decades green building took place of public policy of introduction. A lot of landscaping firms work with not native species. They offer them in a great variety for citizens. In case of introduction, some of these species could become invasive.

The state of lands in arid areas of southern Russia is entirely dependent on the state of natural steppe, dry steppe and semi-desert ecosystems. The study of vegetation traditionally enjoys a commanding position in synecological studies, because plant communities form the framework of terrestrial ecosystems. In this paper we give a detailed geobothanical description of the test plots made as a result of field research in the semi-desert areas of Kalmykia. In addition, we obtained photo samples of soils that were subsequently processed, analyzed and entered into the database of soils and used as an identifier of rangeland degradation, located in the semi-arid zone of the country. The creation of this database will improve the quality of remote sensing in the region. In the course of computer processing of materials using GIS technology, the geoinformation analysis of land degradation in the studied territory was held, and the area of these lands according to the levels of degradation was calculated.

The aim of this research - studying of natural floristic composition and structure of introduced plants in green plantings of cities and small settlements of Tuapse region and neighboring areas of the Black Sea coast. It is necessary for the use of the results obtained at landscaping activities. Field investigations were carried out in the Tuapse district of Krasnodar region. Limited list of exotic species is explained by microclimatic and environmental factors, as well as the adaptive abilities of introduced plants. Compared with major cities the number of species of introduced plants cultivated in small settlements is much smaller. They are difficult to cultivate and there aren't stimulation for mass breeding. The composition of urban floras on the outskirts of settlements penetrates most of the representatives of natural phytocenoses. On the basis of the data collected, composed database of exotic species of plants Western Transcaucasia, with about 330 species of plants. Species composition of urban floras of the study area includes the representatives of the neighboring regions, but different in their morphological and physiological and phenological characteristics. Natural phytocenosis in their floristic composition does not contain foreign species. In major cities represented a wide range of exotic species than in small settlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the possibility of using artificial reef structures (ARS) to control biofouling and focuses on the spatial organization of vegetative canopies formed in the ARS, which is relevant for solving the problems of cultivation of hydrobionts on solid substrates. ARS is a kind of stockade made up of cylindrical vertical structures (di = 0.33 cm, li = 20 cm) that are placed on a horizontal plate (So = a1 · a = 900 cm2). The stockade covers space (Vg = 0.018 m3) partly occupied by vertical structures (ΣVi = Vi · n, where n is the total number of axial structures on the module horizontal surface), while the rest of it remains free (Vf = Vg – ∑Vi). Three possible densities were considered for the arrangement of the said vertical structures (n/So), and namely: 544, 3956 and 10 678 pieces per m2, while the concentration of their surface area within the ARS (Cs = (∑Si) / Vg ) was set as 0.056, 0.295 and 1.106 per cm. For 43 days (from May 27 to July 9 2014), the ARSs were kept in the offshore strip of the Sevastopol Bay (Black Sea) at the depth of 2 m. The water temperature in the sea ranged from 23.3 to 25.6 °C. Samples were taken every 6–8 days. In the composition of the biofouling, diatom algae were found to be predominating in the mass, while also present were sprouts of multicellular algae and, of animals, hydroids, bryozoans, spirogbis, and larvae of balanuses were also observed. On the 7th day of exposure, 51 species of diatom algae were found on the surface of the ARS with a loose (544 pieces per cm2) and dense (10 678 pieces per cm2) structures arrangement, with only 15 species making a significant (> 5 %) contribution to the total number (ni, %) and biomass (Wi, %) of the community in certain sections of vertical structures (Achnanthes longipes, Amphora hyalina, Berkeleya rutilans, Cylindrotheca closterium, Entomoneis paludosa, Haslea ostrearia, Licmophora abbreviata, L. hastata, Neosynedra provincialis, Nitzschia sigma, N. tenuirostris, Parlibellus delognei, Pleurosigma elongatum, Proboscidea insecta, Trachyneis aspera). The values of the Sorensen – Chekanovskii (Ksc = 0.7) and Stugren – Radulescu (Psr = -0.077) coefficients indicate a very close similarity between the systematic composition of the communities being compared. As the fouling density value changes in vertical structures (W/Si) during the period under consideration, four characteristic stages can be distinguished. The first, by convention, is completed on the 7th day of observation, and an approximately equal fouling density (0.51–0.91 mg (dry weight) per cm2) is found to have been created by this time on the tops of the structures, regardless of the density of their structures, and it differs significantly (0.03–0.57 mg (dry weight) per cm2) in the middle part of the ARS. The second stage (7t–21st days) is characterized by low rates of biomass increase per unit of the surface colonized (0.003–0.08, 0.25, -0.17 mg (dry weight) · day-1 · cm-2) and by relatively low values W/Si (0.36–2.23 mg (dry weight) per cm2). The third stage is characterized by a rapid increase in the fouling density (0.30–0.75 mg (dry weight) · day-1 · cm-2). The maximum W/Si (3.09–9.07 mg (dry weight) per cm2) is reached on the 29th and 36th days of exposure. The fourth, final stage is characterized by a decrease in W/Si, this being the period of partial “disintegration” of the previously formed fouling community. The paper analyzes in detail the vertical distribution of the dry biofouling biomass (W/Si) along the axial structures with different density of their arrangement on the 7th, 14th, 21st, 29th, 36th and 43rd days of the experiment. The general picture of the vertical distribution of W/Si on the 29th and 43rd days was found to be similar. With the increase in the density of vertical structures arrangement, the maximum fouling biomass shifts towards the upper boundary of the ARS. In loosely arranged structures, the maximum biomass is located in the middle part of the canopy, while in not so densely arranged structures (3956 pieces per cm2), the bulk of the biomass (83.5–73.8 %) is concentrated in the upper half of the canopy, while in densely arranged structures, in the upper 2-cm layer (63.9–79.3 %). The paper also considers the relationship between the biofouling dry mass concentration throughout the inhabited space (Cw = (∑Wi) / Vf ) and the concentration of the ARS physical surface with respect to the upper ARS (1) layer and the entire volume of the reef structure (2) in 20-cm high structures on the 29th day of the experiment ((1): Cw = -0.232 + 7.136Cs, R2 = 0.99; (2): Cw = 0.084 + 2.652Cs, R2 = 0.93). It shows that in 20-cm vertical structures an increase in the value of Cs is accompanied by the increased screening effect produced by both structure elements and biofouling – a process which leads to the growth of biofouling agents being partially checked by the insufficient inflow of light and biogenic elements and, accordingly, to a “shortage” of biomass in the given volume of the structure space.

Evaluation of productivity of arrays of Thymus serpyllum L. in various phytocenoses in East Transbaikalia, conducted by the method of work in key areas, showed that the highest crop capacity of its raw materials accounted for the steppes and depends primarily on the species’s projective cover of the occupied areas. The total area of the identified the jungle is 34006 hectares, the production area is 2210 ha. The determined biological reserve in the investigated area is 841,58 tons, the possible annual harvesting volume is 306,49 tons. The research allowsto attribute this speciesas perspective for harvesting.

Time regularities of litter fall input are revealed in the investigation of phytocenoses under conditions of stationary soil lysimeters. These regularities correlate well with the dynamics typical of phytocenoses of the Botanical Garden of Moscow State University. The data on litter fall input obtained by sampling with the use of stationary litter fall traps and by the approach of collection of the total year litter fall are highly comparable. The total amount of organic substance and ash elements received with litter fall corresponds to the data given for natural ecosystems. It may be concluded that the functioning of modern phytocenoses under conditions of very restricted volume and area of soil lysimeters is normal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, 25 years after the Chernobyl NPP accident, even in areas with high levels of radionuclide contami-nation overt threats for the existence of plants and animals are not detected. However, the reactions that show clear and undeniable signs of radiation lesions of certain species are obvious. Genetic effects, which are the re-sult of the genome stability violations, cause mutations, separation of populations, loss of individual species and possibly other effects are of particularly importance.