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Information on the state of the nesting population of some species of the order Charadariiformes (Charadriiformes) based on our own expeditionary and published data obtained during the study of bird species of the marsh-near-water complex, which is the most sensitive to changes in the water regime of reservoirs in the southern European part of Russia (using the example of artificial reservoirs of the Republic of Kalmykia), due to increased anthropogenic pressure and climate change is provided. An analysis of the impact of the water factor (drainage/watering of the reservoir) on the nesting population of some representatives of the Gull family (Laridae) is given. Information is provided on the features of the nesting ecology of the most typical nesting species of this taxonomic group for the study area, and their general quantitative indicators and population dynamics for the period 2011–2015 are given. The contribution of the reservoirs of the Sarpinskaya lake system and Deed-Khulsun Lake to the preservation and enrichment of biodiversity of the region was assessed. Recommendations are given for managing their hydrological regime in order to maintain and preserve populations of rare and vulnerable bird species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is concerned with a conjugate analysis of the productivity of herbaceous and woody plants from various landscape communities, such as the typical steppe, salinized, woody, and agricultural, in arid conditions of southwestern Siberia performed using different methods; specifically, remote sensing (analysis of the vegetation indices NDVI) and dendrochronological (analysis of the stem growth increment in width in Scotch pine (Punus sylvestris L.) from extrazonal ribbon coniferous forests (bors)). Climate factors were established that govern the dynamics of NDVI and the radial growth increment in trees of the steppe zone, which include the limiting impact of summer temperature and the positive effect of atmospheric precipitation of the previous winter and current summer seasons. Analysis of the vegetation indices and the radial growth increment in trees showed the occurrence of a moderate relationship between them, in that NDVI of May and July of the herbaceous communities (Stipa spp.-Volga fescue and arable lands) correlate with a width of annual rings in trees. The width of the pine radial growth increment in the arid steppe was found to depend on the NDVI value of the crown of tree stands in May from two years before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) is frequently used in monitoring of meteorological events. The goal of this study was to establish the relationship between the spatial NDVI with air temperature and precipitation amounts in major crops cultivated in the steppe zone of Ukraine, namely, winter wheat, winter rapeseed, grain corn, soybeans, and sunflower. The study included the croplands of eight regions: the Crimea, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, and Kharkiv. The yield data were retrieved from the official bodies of the State Statistical Service of Ukraine. The meteorological data on monthly air temperature and rainfall were retrieved from regional hydrometeorological centers. The NDVI values were retrieved from the GIMMS Global Agricultural Monitoring System, which provides Terrain MODIS NDVI 8- Day smoothed time series with 250 m resolution. The study was performed for the 2021-2022 for winter rapeseed and sunflower; 2017 and 2020 for grain corn; 2022 for winter wheat; and 2017 for soybeans. We found almost no or weak correlation between monthly NDVI values of the studied crops and rainfall amounts. A stronger correlation was found for air temperature, with the greatest values of the correlation coefficient of 0.76, 0.72, -- 0.72 for sunflower, soybeans, and winter wheat, respectively. The linear regression models, developed to predict NDVI based on the air temperature for the mentioned crops, provided good prediction accuracy with the relative error within 10-20%. The best overall fit and accuracy was produced by the model of sunflower's NDVI. Only winter crops were observed to have a negative correlation with air temperature, suggesting that the cultivated varieties of these crops are heat-intolerant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparison of the 87Sr/86Sr signatures of archaeological osteological material with features of geological provinces can be applied to determine the places of birth and living of individuals. Such reconstructions were conducted for both humans and domestic animals at the Late Bronze–Early Iron Age sites of the Crimea. The Crimean Peninsula is an interesting testing polygon for such research because it is characterized by a diverse geological situation within a relatively small area. The initial data allowed us to distinguish between three groups of mobility at the Bai-Kiyat I settlement and two groups at the Dolgii Bugor site. The Bai-Kiyat I site is located on the seacoast, so the proxy line for this area will correspond to the value of the ratio of strontium isotopes in seawater (0.7092). The inhabitants of this settlement, including a child from a burial on the settlement, are characterized by this value of strontium isotopes. Other groups include nonlocal people. The data obtained indicate that the steppe zone of the Northern Black Sea region was an ecumene, within which active mobility of groups of people was registered. This mobility is associated primarily with the pastoral type of economy in the period from the Chalcolithic to the Early Iron Age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Remote sensing is a promising technique for better management of water resources in agriculture through improvement of dynamic control and operational scheduling on irrigated croplands. The main goal of this study was to identify the possibilities of application of the normalised difference moisture index (NDMI) to water stress monitoring in maize crops, and to determine the relationship between the index and soil moisture content. The study was carried out in 2019–2021 in the experimental fields of disturbed maize, cultivated on dark-chestnut soils in the Southern Ukraine at the NAAS Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture. The crop cultivation technology was common for the conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine. Actual soil moisture content was determined by gravimetric method in the pre-sowing and post-harvest period. The NDMI values were calculated using cloudless aerospace images from the satellites Landsat 8, Sentinel-2, and MODIS with 250 m resolution. It was revealed that the seasonal NDMI dynamics perfectly reflected the water-supply conditions of the disturbed maize, and could be used for operational monitoring and scheduling of irrigation. The parameters of the water)supply conditions were determined in 2021, which was the wettest year of the study: the cumulative seasonal NDMI reached 1.71, while the highest water stress was recorded in the driest year, 2020, – the cumulative NDMI was 0.15. Additionally, there was a moderately strong negative correlation between NDMI and soil moisture content, and the coefficient of determination was 0.62. The linear regression models, developed to predict soil moisture content in the 0–100 cm layer depending on the NDMI values, had good fitting quality and reasonable accuracy, but they required further calibration and extension of the initial dataset to provide more robust and reliable results for practical implementation. Based on the results of the study, spatial NDMI could be considered a good and reliable tool for improving irrigation water management. Further studies should focus on the practical implementation of the NDMI-based model of moisture-content estimation, as well as on the possibilities of the index usage for mapping irrigated lands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A list of 179 weevil species collected from 1996 to 2019 at an isolated steppe site in plain northwestern part of Stavropol Territory in southeastern European Russia is given and compared with the weevil assemblage at Ina Village in the Barguzinskaya Depression, Buryatia. Characteristic taxonomic and ecological features of the both weevil assemblages are discussed; the ratio of the higher plants to weevil species diversity is about 1.4 : 1 in Stavropol Territory, and almost 6 : 1 in Buryatia. The distribution of the genus Mononychus along the steppe zone is shown, Mononychus ireos is recorded for the first time for Mongolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The 19th century witnessed the emergence of a powerful Muslim merchant class in the steppe zone of Imperial Russia. Those were ethnic Tatars, Kazakhs, Sarts, Bukharans, Uighurs, and Shala Kazakhs based in Petropavlovsk and Semipalatinsk. Goals. The work aims to identify outcomes of charitable activities undertaken by Muslim merchants. Another objective is to distinguish the specifics of charity efforts and the latter’s main directions. Material and methods. The paper investigates documents housed at the Central State Archive of Kazakhstan, Historical Archive of Omsk Oblast, National Archive (former Central State Historical Archive) of Bashkortostan, Russian State Historical Archive, Archive of North Kazakhstan Region, and pre-revolutionary periodicals, reports of Muslim charitable societies, reference and encyclopedic materials. The study employs both general scientific (analysis, synthesis, generalization) and special historical research methods (comparative-historical and retrospective ones). Results. The paper outlines key directions of Muslim charities in the steppe, namely: social support, enlightening and educational endeavors. Muslim merchant benefactors tended to meet not only intra-confessional needs but also nationwide ones too. And while the imperial administration did welcome the assistance from entrepreneurs in solving country-wide problems, Muslim philanthropy would still face a number of obstacles. Officials were reluctant enough to grant permits for mosque constructions, inclined to limit the functioning of madrassas and charitable organizations, banned waqfs. However, despite all the bureaucratic and administrative barriers Muslims did manage to create a coherent system of funding their needs.

Forest crop cultivation of Crimean pine (Pinus pallasiana D. Don) was implemented in 2009–2020 on sandy and sand included soils in the steppe zone of the European part of Russia. During the analysis of the reasons for the low efficiency of reforestation, the authors proposed the hypothesis that the rules of planting recommended for Scots pine relative to the depth of rooting may not be acceptable for Crimean pine. The purpose of the work is to substantiate the necessity and the most optimal value of deepening the root collar of Crimean pine seedlings on hilly sands. Experimental forest cultures were planted in 2017. The depth of the plant collar relative to the soil surface was tested at 0, 2, 4, 6 cm, and until the seedling’s foliated part. The reference group was created by machine cultivation, which required a rooting depth of 6 cm or more. In the case of hand cultivation, the variants with planting depths of 2 and 4 cm had the highest rates of plant survival (94.2–94.6 % in the first year), plant safety (67.0–94.6 % in the fourth year), and their most even distribution over the silvicultural area (variation coefficient (υ) at 6.6–28.8 %). The lack of deepening and very deep planting by 6 cm led to a decrease in plant survival and preservation by 7.6–18.6 % with an increase in the range of the variation coefficient (υ, 10.2–60.6 %). The mechanized planting with a root collar depth over 6 cm gave the lowest number of preserved plants (58.4 % in the first year, 32.7 % in the fourth year), and the greatest range for the variation coefficient (υ, 30.5–70.1 %). An analytical equalization of the density of age dynamics showed that the predicted density would not reach the normative value with low and very deep planting. The established statistically significant differences in the survival rate of forest cultures throughout the observation period (tf = 2.12–4.38> t05 = 2.12–2.45) indicated the expediency of deepening the root collar. The optimal value is 2–4 cm, but until the seedling’s foliated part. For citation: Turchina T.A., Bannikova O.A. Creation of Forest Cultures of Crimean Pine (Pinus pallasiana D. Don) on the Hilly Sands in the Steppe Zone of Russia. Lesnoy Zhurnal = Russian Forestry Journal, 2023, no. 4, pp. 76–92. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37482/0536-1036-2023-4-76-92

The article describes vegetation diversity patterns of the steppe part of the Synyukha River valley (the Southern Bug catchment area, southern Ukraine), which is represented by 20 alliances, 14 orders, and 13 classes. It has been found that general differentiation of the vegetation is most influenced by edaphic factors (soil moisture, nitrogen content, and aeration), and somewhat less – by damping variability, salinity and acidity regime. The vegetation ecofactors of the alliances Festucion valesiacae, Berberidion vulgaris, Prunion spinosae, and Prunion fruticosae best correspond to the background ecological indicators of the steppe part of the Syniukha River basin. The high cenotic diversity and specific vegetation of the granite outcrops were observed. Based on the calculations, we demonstrated that the steppe part of the Syniukha River catchment area is the southern limit of distribution of Carpinion betuli forests due to the conditions close to the limits of their ecological optimum.

Mulching is widely used in agriculture to improve soil structure and agrochemical parameters. This is especially true for agroecosystems of steppe chernozems with strong wind erosion and occasional drought. The effect of mulch introduction to the springtail communities was studied in a multi-year field experiment using different mulch quantities (0 tons/ha, 4 tons/ha, 8 tons/ha, 12 tons/ha and 16 tons/ha) and composition (pea and wheat plant residues). No-till technology was applied in a six-field crop rotation (peas — winter wheat— sunflower— winter wheat — corn— winter wheat). Collembola or springtails, playing a significant role in soil formation, were set as a model group for assessing the state of soil animals. Both the general characteristics of the springtail community and the response of individual species to the introduction of plant residues were studied. Their total abundance was correlated positively with an increase in the amount of plant residues of any composition, while no significant changes in species richness (number of species) were noted. Species diversity, assessed by the Shannon-Weaver index, significantly differed when plant residues of different compositions were introduced, while the amount of mulch did not affect this indicator. Different groups of springtail life forms reacted differently to the composition and amount of mulch. The number of springtails increased mainly due to hemiedaphic springtail species, both when plant residues of peas and wheat were introduced. Certain springtail species increased in abundance to the maximum (P. notabilis) and minimum (S. elegans, S. niger, C. succinea) amount of plant residues, while other species were associated with the composition of the mulch (D. tigrina, S. pumilis, P. alba) were identified. These results show that mulch management has pronounced impacts on springtail communities, which can inform management practices to improve the functioning of sustainable soil ecosystems in the future.

The map of the current vegetation on the territory of the present and expected distribution of the Saiga population in the North-Western Caspian region is presented. The map was created due the research work under an agreement of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) at a scale of 1 : 200,000 in the ArcGIS. The legend contains 61 numbers, which are combined into 11 groups according to the dominant formation. In the steppe zone fallow lands and pasture fields of different ages on slightly undulating and undulating plains with light chestnut soils (Kastanozem by WRB) are represented by Stipa sareptana, Artemisia lerchiana communities on loamy and sandy loam soils in complexes with Artemisia lerchiana and Leymus ramosus, Poa bulbosa, Agropyron desertorum communites on solonetzes (I); Stipa sareptana, S. lessingiana, Festuca valesiaca, Agropyron desertorum, Poa bulbosa, Artemisia lerchiana, Tanacetum achilleifolium communities on loamy and sandy loam soils in complexes with Artemisia lerchiana, A. pauciflora, Tanacetum achilleifolium communites on solonetzes (II); Festuca valesiaca, Agropyron desertorum, Stipa sareptana, Leymus ramosus, Artemisia lerchiana communities on loamy and sandy loam saline soils in complexes with Artemisia lerchiana, A. pauciflora, Tanacetum achilleifolium, Poa bulbosa, Leymus ramosus communites on solonetzes (III); Poa bulbosa, Agropyron desertorum, Stipa sareptana, Leymus ramosus, Artemisia lerchiana, A. taurica, Tanacetum achilleifolium communities on loamy and sandy loam saline soils in complexes with Artemisia taurica, A. lerchiana, A. pauciflora communites on solonetzes (IV); Artemisia lerchiana, A. austriaca, Festuca valesiaca, Agropyron desertorum, Leymus ramosus and Festuca valesiaca, Poa bulbosa, Artemisia austriaca communities on loamy and sandy loam saline soils in complexes with Artemisia pauciflora, A. santonica communites on solonetzes (V). In the desert zone pasture fields on hilly sands, on undulating plains with brown desert (Calcisol by WRB) sandy and sandy loam soils are represented by Artemisia lerchiana, Poa bulbosa and Poa bulbosa, Artemisia lerchiana communities (VI); Artemisia lerchiana, Poa bulbosa and Poa bulbosa, Artemisia lerchiana communities on brown desert saline soils of light granulometric composition in complexes with Artemisia pauciflora, Poa bulbosa communites on solonetzes (VII); complexes of Artemisia lerchiana, Poa bulbosa and Artemisia taurica, Poa bulbosa communities on brown desert saline soils of light granulometric composition (VIII); complexes of Poa bulbosa, Artemisia lerchiana and Poa bulbosa, Artemisia taurica communities on brown desert saline soils of light granulometric composition (IX); Artemisia lerchiana, Poa bulbosa communities on undulating and wavy sands, Calligonum aphyllum on hilly sands (X); Poa bulbosa, Stipa sareptana, S. caspia, Agropyron fragile, Sporobolus cryptandrus, annual (Ceratocarpus arenarius, etc.) communities on intensive pastures with brown desert sandy soils (XI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern theory of cultural layer is based on idea of indissoluble links of processes of formation and destruction of a layer of the cultural remains. The cultural remains could accumulate both in the sub-aerial and in the sub-aquatic environments. Horizons in the sub-aerial deposits are the most diverse. The equally important features, that demonstrate the current state of cultural layers, depended on scenarios of destruction of the cultural remains horizons. Processes of syngenetic and epigenetic (post-genetic) deformation proceeded differently; syngenetic destruction has been substantially connected with anthropogenic influence unlike the subsequent natural processes of destruction of a layer. The most of cultural layers of the Stone Age sites, which are located in the south of East European Plain, are the result of soil and loessial deposits. A standard epigenetic deformation of horizons was determined by cryogenic and biogenic processes and moved up and down of objects in a burial cultural layer. The degree of such deformation ranged from moderate to highly significant. The method of linking the details of the flint applications makes it possible to confidently diagnose the original stratigraphic position of the cultural layer and, in some cases, reconstruct the topography of a surface of habitation. Weak destruction of sections of the cultural layer with a dense (pressed) mass of cultural remains is noted.

Information is given on the records of fve poorly known species of weevils (Curculionidae) in the steppe zone of European Russia and the Urals, which signifcantly supplement the data on their ranges. Tree of these species, Mecinus janthiniformis Toševski et Caldara, 2011, Smicronyx albopictus Faust, 1881 and S. robustus Faust, 1885, are recorded for the fauna of Russia for the frst time. Recently described from the steppe regions of southwestern Russia, from Armenia and Romania Cionus rossicus Košťál et Caldara, 2019 and a rare steppe species Cionus gebleri Gyllenhal, 1838 are frst recorded for the Southern Urals.

Abstract The influence of environmental factors, such as lack of water and uneven rainfall, depletion of nutrients in the soil and reduced soil fertility, planting patterns and plant density, uneven growth stages, are the main limiting factors that hinder the growth of agricultural production in arid regions. The aim of the study was to assess the potential of Sentinel-2 to quantify soil conditions, which can improve the understanding of spatiotemporal dynamics in organic agriculture in the steppe zone of Kazakhstan and improve productivity management of Linum usitatissimum. In the course of the research, the influence of individual factors of the general environmental impact, such as the influence of humidity, meteorological conditions, the content of individual nutrient components of the soil on the yield, was studied. The meteorological conditions in this region in 2021 and the data of agrochemical analysis of the soil on which the oilseed crop was grown were evaluated. Sentinel-2 satellite images were used to determine the NDVI and GNDVI indices. A high content of nitrate nitrogen (12.3-16.2 mg/kg), a very low level of available phosphorus (3-10 mg/kg), and a high content of potassium (289-420 mg/kg) were found in the soil. A low content of humus (2.68-3.31%) and sulfur (1.1-4.9 mg/kg) was found. A study of the NDVI growth index showed that the highest value was reached by the period of July 20, 2021. After this period, a decrease in the vegetation index was observed. In conditions of severe drought, this change occurred earlier than under favorable conditions, and correlated with low flax yield (1.6-6.9 c/ha). This study demonstrates the potential of Sentinel-2 for quantifying soil conditions, which not only improves our understanding of spatial-temporal dynamics and environmental components in organic agriculture in the steppe zone of Kazakhstan, but also improves the management of Linum usitatissimum productivity.

The purpose of the study was to establish dependence of sunflower productivity on hybrid plasticity under the climatic conditions of the Steppe zone and effectiveness of growth-regulators on the basis of the analysis of differentiation of a vegetation index. The research on the development and productivity of different sunflower hybrids under the natural-climatic conditions of the Steppe zone of Ukraine was conducted in the years of 2019 (medium-wet), 2020 (dry) and 2021 (wet). Spatio-temporal differentiation of the vegetation of sunflower hybrids was established on the basis of calculation of a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) using the data of the decoded space images of Sentinel 2. Cartographic and grapho-analytical materials reflecting the reaction of plants to natural-climatic conditions and multifunctional growth-regulators were obtained. The dependence of the reaction of sunflower hybrids to multifunctional growth-regulators on their plasticity in response to the natural-climatic conditions of the Steppe zone was established. There was a weak reaction to application of growth-regulators of the sunflower hybrids Oplot and P64HE133 which are characterized by a high level of plasticity in response to the natural-climatic conditions of the Steppe zone. It was proven that the application of the biological preparation Helafit Combi exceeded the level of agrocenoses productivity in comparison with the chemical preparation Architect™ by 1.1-5.4%. It was established that foliar treatment with growth-regulators led to a decline in water uptake by the sunflower hybrids by 1.2-10.0% in the dry year, by 3.8-8.6% in the medium-wet year and by 3.7%-21.9% in the wet year. There was a significant reduction in the level of water uptake by the hybrid Hector -- by 7.7-10.0% and the hybrid 8KH477KL -- by 1.2-21.9%.The research results are the basis for forecasting the development of sunflower hybrid crops with further measurement of the crop productivity that allows establishing a probable level of efficiency of sunflower hybrid production by agricultural producers under the climatic conditions of the Steppe zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution range of the European mole (Talpa europaea) in the studied region has been presented differently in scientific publications that cover over 180 years of investigation. The current understanding of the species range also varies. Based on museum collections, literature data, own observations and personal communication of colleagues, we specify the border of the species range in the south of Right-bank Ukraine (mainly in the steppe zone). Original data were collected in the course of ornithological surveys in 2016–2021. Other data concern records of the species in 1900–2021; 21 records are confirmed by the collected specimens and 5 by photos. In addition, we list the palaeozoological records of the species. The analysis of data demonstrates that T. europaea in the study area (on the border of its range) is distributed unevenly. It is present along river valleys and forests in Bessarabia and in the Danube Delta and its tributaries (Odesa Oblast, Ukraine). Nearby is located a large enclave of the species in interfluve of the Prut and Dnister rivers (Moldova). From the forest-steppe, where the species is common, it penetrates the steppe zone along river valleys: the Southern Bug (Mykolayiv Oblast) and the Ingulets (Kirovohrad Oblast) and their tributaries. This is confirmed by both previous and recent records. Along the Dnipro River, south of Dnipro City, only palaeozoological records of the species are known (only from Dnipropetrovsk Oblast). In Kherson Oblast, no records of the species are known. The analysis of previous and recent finds of the species allows suggesting that T. europaea has been occurring in the study area for long time. The current climatic conditions, however, hinder the further expansion of the species in the region and/or the increase in its population density within the current range. The statement about the wide distribution of the species in the study area, which appeared at the beginning of the 20th century, in our opinion is based on interviewing data and confusion. The word ‘kroty’ (Ukrainian common name of T. europaea in plural) has been used to name not only T. europaea, but also Nannospalax leucodon, Spalax zemni, and Ellobius talpinus. Additional surveys along river valleys and in forest localities are needed for a more detailed description of the T. europaea distribution in the study region.

Dnipropetrovsk Region is situated in the steppe zone of Ukraine, in conditions of insufficient moisture. Forest vegetation covers only 5.1% of the region. Over 80% of the region’s area is used for agricultural purposes. A total of 281 species of ground beetles is known for the region, of which this article gives the data on biology and distribution of 82 species that need protection: Cephalota atrata, C. besseri, C. elegans, Cicindela maritima, C. soluta, Cylindera arenaria, Leistus terminatus, Notiophilus rufipes, Calosoma sycophanta, C. denticolle, C. investigator, Carabus stscheglowi, C. clathratus, C. excellens, C. hungaricus, C. besseri, C. estreicheri, C. sibiricus, Blethisa multipunctata, Elaphrus uliginosus, Scarites terricola, Dyschirius chalceus, Dyschirius obscurus, Blemus discus, Epaphius secalis, Bembidion ephippium, B. aspericolle, Pogonus cumanus, Pogonistes convexicollis, Patrobus atrorufus, Stomis pumicatus, Pedius inquinatus, Pterostichus chamaeleon, P. elongatus, P. macer, P. melas, Taphoxenus gigas, Laemostenus terricola, Agonum impressum, A. marginatum, A. monachum, A. sexpunctatum, A. viridicupreum, Olisthopus sturmii, Synuchus vivalis, Amara chaudoiri, A. crenata, A. equestris, A. fulva, A. sabulosa, Curtonotus convexiusсulus, Anisodastylus poeciloides, Diachromus germanus, Acupalpus interstitialis, A. suturalis, Stenolophus discophorus, Daptus vittatus, Harpalus cephalotes, H. dispar, H. hirtipes, Н. laeviceps, H. luteicornis, H. melancholicus, H. steveni, H. subcylindricus, Microderes brachypus, Ophonus diffinis, Dixus eremita, Panagaeus bipustulatus, Callistus lunatus, Dinodes decipiens, Chlaenius alutaceus, Ch. festivus, Licinus cassideus, Badister dorsiger, Masoreus wetterhalli, Lebia humeralis, Demetrias imperialis, Cymindis axillaris, Polystichus connexus, Brachinus ejaculans, B. hamatus, Mastax thermarum. To formalize the data on each species, the article provides characteristics of its ecological niche: thermal preferendum, hygro-preferendum, biotopical characteristic, biogeohorizon, trophic preferences, practical significance and protection measures. The main factors of decline in diversity of the fauna of ground beetles in Dnipropetrovsk Region are arable farming, chemical treatment of agricultural land, unregulated cattle grazing, recreational loading, large scale construction in floodplain areas.

The article discusses the presence in the middle reaches of the Seversky Donets River the Khazar burials carried out by the rite of cremation, which are known upstream of the river, within the forest-steppe. Previously, the only such burial ground in this, steppe, territory was considered "burial ground 2" of the archaeological complex Mayaki. In recent years, the discovery of three more necropolises in the steppe zone has been announced. The mapping of the complexes of "burial ground no. 2" on the monument's plan Mayaki shows that they are a series of pits scattered far apart from each other, including within the residential part of the settlement. The pits contain no calcified bones, burnt objects or other items relevant to cremation burials. There is no reason to attribute these complexes to a single burial ground, nor is there any reason to classify them as "cremations". Other sites (Bondarikha, Gosudarev Yar, Tatyanovka) are archaeological sites completely destroyed by looters. Thus, on the basis of these materials, there is no reason to claim the presence of cremation necropolises in the middle course of the Seversky Donets River.

To increase the level of management efficiency in the agricultural sector of the economy, it is necessary to substantiate environmental protection measures for the restoration and rational use of natural resources, to ensure the implementation of the sustainable environmental management principles, considering the spatio-temporal patterns of changes in climate and bioclimatic potential of the territory. Using the methods of multivariate statistics and time series forecasting, regularities of changes in climatic conditions in the Steppe zone of Ukraine for 1945-2019 were established, and a forecast of changes in the bioclimatic potential of the region until 2030 was made. It was established that during the research period the average annual air temperature increased by 3.5 °C. The amount of annual atmospheric precipitation varied within 186--778 mm with a variation level of 27.2%, in the last 20 years it was determined to decrease by 40% -- to 500--300 mm. It has been proven that the inertial probability of repeating hot years is estimated at 0.58, and the possibility of repeating wet years at 0.46. As a result of forecasting, it was determined that if the trend of climatic conditions is maintained, there will be a stable trend-cyclic increase in the average annual air temperature by 0.06 °C per year and a decrease in the amount of annual precipitation by 62.0 mm per year. This resulted in an 18.7% increase in solar radiation on the soil surface and a 26.0% decrease in climatic losses on soil formation, which reduced the rate of the natural ability to reproduce soil fertility. In particular, the bioproductivity of plants decreased by 62.0%, and the probability of its further decrease by 20% is predicted. Over the past 20 years, the coefficient of natural humidification has decreased by 66.4%, and it is predicted to decrease by 20%. The obtained results confirm significant climatic changes and their negative manifestations on the reduction of bioclimatic potential in the Steppe zone of Ukraine, the deterioration of agricultural production conditions, the reduction of harvests, the self-regenerating and self-regulating function of steppe soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of mesic and wet grasslands for the north part of the steppe zone in the Southern Bug River basin is characterized by the example of Buzkyi Gard National Nature Park and adjacent territories. I classified 39 vegetation relevés with quantitative classification methods (JUICE, TWINSPAN modified algorithm) and obtained seven clusters, which represent three associations, three communities and one derivate community within six alliances (Agrostion vinealis, Althaeion officinalis, Arrhenatherion elatioris, Convolvulo arvensis-Agropyrion repentis, Potentillion anserinae, Veronico longifoliae-Lysimachion vulgaris). Using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Didukh’s ecological scales, I determined the main environmental factors, which explain differentiation of the resulted vegetation units: variability of damping, salt regime of a soil, soil moisture, soil aeration, carbonate content in a soil, light. Characterized vegetation corresponds to six habitat types of the EUNIS classification (R21, R22, R35, R36, R55, V38). I also reviewed the major factors of negative impact on the meadow vegetation of the territory, in particular the changes of traditional land use in the last decades and their consequences. The main measures of management for studied communities should be mowing, moderate grazing, and removal of tree and shrub species if necessary.

The first records in Ukraine of two species of the genus Lysurus (Phallaceae, Phallales) are reported. Lysurus mokusin is a rare species in Europe distributed mainly in Southeast Asia. Lysurus sphaerocephalum is widespread in North and South America and thus it is also the first record for Europe. In Ukraine, they both are alien species and their appearance in the country is evidence of climate change. The article provides detailed descriptions of fruit bodies of the collected fungi, including macro- and microscopic characters, their locations, as well as distribution data in Ukraine and worldwide. The distinctions from the related species, L. cruciatus and L. periphragmoides, are described. The article is illustrated by original photographs and drawings.

Aim. To analyse the consequences of the virgin lands (1954‐1963) agrarian‐social megaproject, and of current land reforms. To elaborate contributions to the Russian post‐virgin land space development strategy.Material and methods. Historical records and sources, field geographical observations data and survey information have been used. The convergence principle, cartographic, comparative historical and comparative typological analyses, expert assessment and the logical method of generalizations have been applied.Results. A notion concerning the cumulative consequences of the largest agrarian‐social megaprojects, such as the Virgin Land campaign of 1954‐ 1963 and land reforms in Russia and Kazakhstan in the 1990s, has been developed. The actual socio‐economical and ecological problems of post‐ virgin land areas have been examined. A differentiated assessment of the self‐reconstruction potential of the steppe is given. The value of a system of formed steppe cores is demonstrated through the example of post‐ virgin land space in the Orenburgskaya oblast and a series of recommendations on these rational utlisation of these cores is proposed.Conclusion. The post‐virgin land space in Russia is characterised by a series of acute agroecological and conservational problems, such as poor development of adaptive animal husbandry and fodder production and priority accorded high risk dry crop farming. The realisation in practice of agronomy extensive approaches based on irreversible natural resources mobilization and on soil consumptive commercial crops expansion are accompanied by topsoil degradation. Under current conditions, the conservation and restoration of title (key) steppe biological objects and the more effective realisation of post‐virgin land space developmental potential both require urgent strategic initiatives by the Russiann Federation Government.

Questions: How many different silicicolous lichen syntaxa occur on the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield and what ecological factors are influencing their distribution? Location: Ukrainian Crystalline Shield, Steppe and Forest–Steppe zones, Ukraine. Methods: The field research was performed during 2013–2020. Analysis was done with the JUICE software using agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis in the integrated PC‐Ord with data transformation, pseudospecies cut levels 0–5–25, distance measure – Jaccard, group linkage – Ward's method. For the ordination of the plots we used detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) with the “envfit” function, implemented in the R package vegan. As environmental variables we used mean indicator values obtained for each species from the ITALIC database. A generalized synoptic table, which combined both our own and literature data, was clustered using Euclidean distances and the Ward error sum of squares hierarchical clustering method with Ward's criterion. Results: Seven clusters were obtained after JUICE analysis based on 197 relevés of lichen communities that included 119 lichen species. The main axis in both DCA and NMDS ordination is similar to the vector of substrate pH value. Communities on overhanging surfaces are acidophilous. Communities of water tracks are moderately basophilous to basophilous. Other communities included relevés on different granite characterized as mainly neutrophilous. Lichen communities on siliceous rocks of the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield are assigned to the classes Rhizocarpetea geographici, Leprarietea chlorinae, and Collematetea cristati. Two new alliances (Aspicilion intermutantis and Staurothelion frustulentae), four new associations and three subassociation are described. Conclusion: Silicicolous lichen communities of the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield differ from the known units of Central Europe by species composition, where lichens with arid ecology are present. Their local distribution depends mainly on a combination of substrate pH, degree of eutrophication, protection from rain, and substrate moisture.Silicicolous lichen communities of the Ukrainian Crystalline Shield differ from the known units of Central Europe by species composition, in which lichens of arid conditions are present. These communities are assigned to the classes Rhizocarpetea geographici, Leprarietea chlorinae, and Collematetea cristati. Two new alliances (Aspicilion intermutantis and Staurothelion frustulentae), four new associations, and three subassociation were described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various dentition and bone pathologies of the postcranial skeleton of caprines are regularly mentioned in archaeozoological studies. This work analyzes pathological and age-related changes in modern animals with known life histories in order to improve the accuracy of interpretation of pathologies of caprines from archaeological sites. 1468 bones of modern caprines (mainly sheep) have been analyzed. The bones originate from the territory in which there are numerous settlements of Bronze Age pastoralists. Bones of modern caprines with pathologies have been compared with bones without changes. The age of the animals was determined by the state of the dental system and epiphyses, which made it possible to determine the approximate age range of the caprines, the bones of which are analyzed in the work. For each skeletal element of modern caprines, typical kinds of changes have been revealed. In some cases, a correlation has been established between the number of pathological changes and the age of livestock. Despite the known life histories of sheep and goats, the etiology of a number of identified changes remains unknown. Most of the recorded pathologies are typical for caprines and are difficult to use for the reconstruction of the nature of animal husbandry practices. This work analyzes a relatively extensive collection of bones of caprines with known life histories. It will allow the identification of typical bone pathologies in sheep and goats and their approximate etiology within a given breeding system and area. These data can be used in the framework of archaeozoological studies of the steppe zone of northern Eurasia and other territories. This research is limited to a relatively small number of bones and complete skeletons of modern caprines, alongside the near absence of complete skeletons of modern wild ungulates from the same microdistrict. The most promising area of future work is a combined comparative study of a larger sample of bones of modern and Bronze Age caprines and wild ungulates of the same size class. It will allow changes to be identified directly related to animal husbandry practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Russia, the area of oil-contaminated soils exceeds tens of thousands of hectares. However, to date, there are no unified approaches for evaluation soil change to contamination and the rationing of oil and petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) in soils. The response of plants in the pot experiment could provide significant results for rationing of PH content in agricultural soils. This work evaluates the response of higher plants as a marker of the direction and intensity of biological processes in soils in the pot experiment under oil contamination to justify the standards of permissible residual content of PH in agricultural soils. The composition and properties of Luvic chernozems, Calcic chernozems, and Voronic chernozems (WRB, 2015) have been investigated in the pot experiment a month later the soil contamination with crude sulfur-containing oil. The effect of different oil doses on the bioproductivity of wheat and pea has been evaluated. In comparison to pea, wheat (in terms of dry biomass) showed higher sensitivity to oil contamination with medium and heavy PH fractions. A nonlinear regression model described by a logistic curve has been applied for rationing the PH content in chernozems. The quality standard values found for wheat biomass are 0.9, 0.4, and 1.0 g/kg of soil for Luvic (humus content ~9.8%, sandy loam texture), Calcic (humus content ~7.6%, clay loam texture), and Voronic (humus content ~12.8%, loam texture) chernozems, respectively. The residual PH content levels found as 30% of soil-functioning change, which corresponded to the risk level of soil degradation, estimated by the soil fertility parameter of dry wheat biomass are 1.2, 0.5, and 1.1 g/kg for Voronic, Calcic, and Luvic chernozems, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new locality of the rare fungus Hericium erinaceus, the species to be included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, is reported. The fungus was found in Odesa city, for the first time in the steppe zone of Ukraine. This species is an edible and biotechnologically valuable fungus. A description of the new locality and macro- and micromorphological characters of the found fruit bodies are provided. The information about its distribution in Ukraine and worldwide, as well as the original illustrations, are presented.

The emergence and spreading of grass fires in the steppe regions of Northern Eurasia occurs against the background of spatial heterogeneity of landscapes and differences in the structure of nature management. The studies of the spatiotemporal regularities in the development of fires make it possible to identify complex relationships between natural and anthropogenic factors in the formation of pyrological conditions. The FIRMS (2001‒2021) global archive of thermal anomalies and burnt areas and the results of interpretation of satellite images from Landsat (1984‒2021) and MODIS in the key regions were used as sources of data on the fires. It was revealed that during the period under review in the study region four phases with different levels of exposure to fire phenomena have been observed. Sharp worsening of the pyrological situation in the early 2000s was caused by a reduction in agricultural production in the countries of the former Soviet Union, formation of vast regions of underused land, and continued practice of burning crop residues and other types of use of fire for economic purposes. Variations associated with the peculiarities of the meteorological conditions in individual years were observed against the background of the same type of conditions of the fire hazard phases, which is especially characteristic of the modern period, starting from 2011. The pyrological situation in the steppe regions and adjacent territories recorded in a long-term series has been developing synchronously in general, but differences were observed in parameters such as the characteristics of the seasonal development of fires, the morphometric and quantitative indicators of burnt areas, and the types of agricultural land affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the reasons hindering the growth of the goat population is the low feed base for the year-round provision of animals with adequate feed, and in the Akmola region (Kazakhstan), this is also caused by severe soil and climatic conditions with a lack of heat and moisture during the growing season of forage crops. Therefore, to solve this problem, it is necessary to create raw material conveyors for goat farms based on the rational management of natural feed resources, taking into account the peculiarities of soil and climatic zones of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This paper presents a comparative assessment of the yield and nutritional value of the types of annual and perennial feed crops used in the raw material conveyor system for the year-round provision of complete feed for dairy goats with a productivity of 3-4 kg of milk per day. The studies were conducted in the Tselinograd district (51°09'08.8"N 71°10'10.5"E) of the Akmola region (2020-2021), which is located in the northern part of Kazakhstan. The need for feed types was calculated taking into account the daily feeding rations of animals, and the types, varieties, and hybrids of forage crops were selected taking into account the bioclimatic potential of forage crops and the socioeconomic conditions of the goat farm. The scheme of the raw material conveyor with the selection of sites has been developed, and the chemical composition and nutritional value of annual and perennial forage crops have been studied. The results of the study show the need to create raw material conveyors with the selection of species and varieties from perennial and annual forage crops in pure form and grass mixtures, providing an output from a unit area of coarse feed from 0.95 to 3.8 tons with a nutritional value on average from 7.05 to 10.9 MJ/kg of exchange energy and from 0.53 to 0.96 feed units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trifolium vesiculosum is listed in the current floristic inventories as a species native to Ukraine. In order to clarify the native versus alien status of this taxon, we studied historical and recent literature and herbarium data.We also report here our new record of the species. We found T. vesiculosum in 2020 in Mykolayiv Region (Mykolayiv District, Andriivka village, on the alluvial terrace of the Southern Bug River valley), in a disturbed habitat with predominantly synanthropic and alien species. Previous finds of T. vesiculosum in Ukraine were reported mainly in publications of the 19th century and were based on a few herbarium specimens from the present-day territory of Odesa Region. Due to characteristics of these records, dates and localities of the finds of T. vesiculosum in Ukraine, we have traced its probable introductions during the 19th century in the port of Odesa, on the sand deposits of the Danube River, in the German settlements, and therefore we can confirm the conclusion of Paczoski (1921) who assumed the alien status of the species in Ukraine. Thus, T. vesiculosum is classified as a kenophyte (introduced before 1808). Taking into account the current climatic changes in Ukraine, we emphasize the need for further monitoring of the species, changes in its dispersal strategy, and for registration of its introduction and dispersal pathways.

Aim. To substantiate ways of geo‐ecological optimization of an oil and gas field landscape (through the example of the Volga‐Ural steppe region).Materials and Methods. The development of directions for geoecological optimization of landscape is based on the authors’ previously developed ideas about the transformation processes of landscape, the formation and stages of the oil and gas natural‐technogenic geosystem development, and the hierarchy and multi‐scale of technogenic changes of landscape.Results. Optimization solutions were developed for the successive stages of planning of oil and gas extraction, operation of an oil and gas natural‐technogenic geosystem field and the end of development and disposal of oil and gas facilities. The main direction of landscape optimization is highlighted and its tasks and principles formulated.Conclusion. Reducing technogenic impact on steppe landscape, its control and regulation is not only a problem of scientific research, but also one of the state of public consciousness and the setting of priorities by management bodies. Methods of reducing the impact and restoringsteppe landscapes can only be effective as a result of implementing a targeted policy of greening education and a corresponding change in public consciousness.

Podolian-Middle-Dnieper geobotanical subprovince of Forest-Steppe zone and the belts of Artemisia-Gramineae Steppes and grass-Stipeta-Festuca Steppes of Priazov Black Sea Steppe sub-province of Steppe zone are the most well studied among twelve geobotanical subprovinces of the Ukrainian plains, while the lack of information on lichen species diversity found to be in Middle Russian subprovince of Forest zone and belt of grass-Stipeta-Festuca Steppes of Middle-Don Steppe subprovince of Steppe zone of this territory. Among twenty three administrative oblasts of the Ukrainian plains situated in twelve geobotanic subprovinces of three zones the highest lichen species diversity is found in Kherson oblast of the belt of Artemisia-Gramineae Steppes (464 species), Mykolaiv oblasts of the belt of grass-Stipeta-Festuca Steppes of Priazov Black Sea Steppe subprovince (389 species) of Steppe zone, as well as in Kharkiv oblast of Middle Russian subprovince (332 species) of Forest-Steppe zone of the Ukrainian plains on the basis of the Fourth checklist of lichen- forming and lichenicolous fungi including 2,106 of the total Ukrainian lichens. The lower lichen diversity is hitherto recorded from Rightbank Polessian subprovince (the highest species diversity 296 species in Zhytomyr oblast) and Baltic Forest subprovince (281 species in Lviv oblast) in For-est zone of the Ukrainian plains as well as Podolian-Middle-Dnieper subprovince (287 species in Khmelnytsk oblast) of the Forest-Steppe zone of territory mentioned. Insufficient level of data on lichen diversity is recorded for Middle Russian and Podolian-Bessarabian Forest subprovinces of the Forest zone, as well as the belt of grass-Stipeta-Festuca Steppes of Middle-Don Steppe subprovince and the belt of Stipeta-Festuca Steppes of Priazov Black Sea Steppe subprovince of Steppe zone. The same rather lower level of data on lichen diversity is found in Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia and Sumy of Forest and Forest-Steppe zones; in Poltava and Kharkiv, as well as Cherkasy, Kirovograd, Mykolaiv and Donetsk oblasts in Forest-Steppe and Steppe zones; in Odessa, Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts of Steppe zone, as well as Zhytomyr oblasts in Podolian-Middle-Dnieper subprovince of Forest-Steppe zone. List of the rarest taxa of the regionally unique group (hitherto known from single or a few localities) proposed as candidates for including to Red Regional lists of 22 oblasts of the Ukrainian plains as far the whole nature protection activity in Ukraine is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of studies of the qualitative and quantitative oil composition of varieties of oil flax in the Carpathian and Steppe conditions. Field studies were carried out during 2018-2020 at of the educational and research site of the Drohobych State Pedagogical University (DSPU) named after Ivan Franko (Lviv region, Carpathian zone) and the research site of the Institute of Oilseed Crops (IOC) of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine (Zaporizhzhia region, Steppe zone). The researches were carried out according to the generally accepted methodology and recommendations. The varieties of IOC NAAS breeding (Vodogray, Vogni Dniprogesu, Zhivinka, Zaporizhzhia Bogatyr, Svitlozir, Pivdenna nich) were sown on two-meter plots using the standard row-by-row method with row spacing of 15 cm in 3 replications with a seeding rate of 100 seeds per 1 linear meter. During 2018-2020, weather conditions for research in Carpathian and Steppe zones differed in the amount of precipitation and temperature regime both from each other and the average annual indicators, which affected the oil content and its fatty acid composition. The research findings showed that the average oil content in oil flax seeds under the conditions of the Carpathian region was 44.91%, and under the conditions of Steppe - 46.84%. The differences between individual genotypes for these indicators given the Carpathian region ranged from 40.14% in the Pivdenna nich variety (2019) to 48.85% in the Svitlozir variety (2018), given the Steppe region-from 41.86% in the variety Pivdenna nich (2018) up to 49.81% in Vodogray (2019). Depending on growing conditions, fluctuations in oil content within one variety reached 2-4%. It has been established that all genotypes (except for the variety Svitlozir, the oil content has not changed) are able to accumulate more oil in seeds when grown in the Steppe zone compared to the Carpathian zone. The fatty acid composition of flax seeds did not differ significantly both over the years and from the soil-climatic area of growth. The maximum amount of linolenic acid was found in the varieties Vodogray and Svitlozir, the minimum - in the variety Zhivynka. In the Carpathian zone, there was a change in the distribution between oleic and linolenic acids towards an increase in linolenic and a decrease in oleic acids compared to the samples grown in the Steppe zone. It has been established that the most influential factors of the qualitative and quantitative oil content are the variety genotypee and the soil and climatic conditions of cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study offers the results of the spectral characteristics, calculated vegetative indices and biophysical parameters of pine stands of the Northern Steppe of Ukraine region obtained using Sentinel-2 data. For the development of regression models with the prediction of the biomass of pine forests using the obtained spectral characteristics, we used the results of the assessment of the aboveground biomass by the method of field surveys. The results revealed the highest correlation relations between the parameters of the general and trunk biomass with the normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and transformed vegetation index (TVI) vegetative indices and the fraction of absorbed photosynthetic active radiation (FARAP) and fraction of vegetation cover (FCOVER) biophysical parameters. To generate the models of determining the forest aboveground biomass (AGB), we used both the single- and two-factor models, the most optimum of which were those containing the NDVI predictor separately and in combination with the FCOVER predictor. The predicted values of the total AGB for the mentioned models equalled 32.5 to 236.3 and 39.9 to 253.4 t.ha-1. We performed mapping of the AGB of pine stands of the Northern Steppe using multi-spectral Sentinel-2 images, particularly the spectral characteristics of their derivatives (vegetative indices, biophysical parameters). This study demonstrated promising results for conducting an AGB-mapping of pine woods in the studied region using free-access resources.

Aim. Verification of scientific concepts regarding the spatial heterogeneity of field agrocenoses. Identification of the variability of phytometric and structural crop ndicators and determination of the degree of their influence on the yield and quality of winter wheat grain in the steppe zone of the Orenburg Urals.Material and Methods. Establishment of field experiments, related observations and counts in accordance with the methodology of state variety crops testing and B.A.Dospekhov's guidelin. Monitoring of winter wheat crops was carried by measuring the vegetation index (NDVI) with a Green Seeker Handheld Crop Sensor, Model HCS‐100 (Trimble, USA). Determination of grain quality indicators was conducted according to GOST 9353‐2016 Wheat – Technical Conditions. Microsoft Office Excel was employed for the correlation and regression analysis of experimental data. Results. Analysis of the intra‐field heterogeneity of winter wheat agrocenoses in terms of yield and grain quality was conducted. The dependences of yield and grain quality on the principal crop phytometric and structural parameters were defined and expressed in the form of regression equations.Сonclusion. The results of the studies attest to the growth of reserves of grain yield to 3.0 t/ha and grain quality to class I‐II class in zonal climatic conditions of optimization of environmental factors to the level of the best basic plots by levelling out field soil heterogeneity. This is possible by restoring the fertility of anthropogenically‐degraded soil through the introduction of landscape‐adaptive and resource saving farming systems, soil protective and soil restorative crop rotation, differentiated application of organic and mineral fertilizers and selection of the most adaptive varieties. We also advise the introduction of intelligent ‘digital technologies’ aimed at fuller implementation of the genetic potential of cultivated varieties with careful consideration of natural resources and the preservation of biological diversity.

Growth of forest plantations on soils causes changes in their properties. These changes, their behavior, and magnitude depend on the original soil characteristics and also on the effect of forest plantations being grown. In the steppe zone of Ukraine, Robinia pseudoacacia L. and Quercus robur L. are the woody species most widely used in planting of forest plantations on chernozem soil. Chernozem soil formed exclusively under zonal steppe vegetation and chernozem soil under Robinia pseudoacacia and Quercus robur plantations were studied in this work to analyze the changes in soil properties caused by growth of these tree species. Dry aggregate size distribution, density, particle density, total porosity, organic carbon content, cation exchange capacity, pH values, hydrolytic soil acidity and dry residue, and the available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content were analyzed. The studies found that Robinia pseudoacacia and Quercus robur plantations contribute to an increase in the share of aggregates 2–1 mm in size, as well as formation of aggregate fraction >10 mm, which are completely absent in the Calcic chernozem developed under the steppe vegetation. An increase in the density and particle density, as well as a decrease in the total porosity values were observed under the influence of forest stands studied. This is more common with chernozem under Q. robur plantation. It was found that the carbon percentage decreased in chernozem under the influence of Robinia pseudoacacia growth (on average, 0.4% by a meter-deep layer), but under Quercus robur planting it increased (on average 0.3% by meter-deep layer). Effect of Robinia pseudoacacia plantings on chernozem was also manifested by a decrease in cation exchange capacity (on average, 11 cmol/100 g by a meter-deep layer). The growth of R. pseudoacacia and Quercus robur plantations results in decrease of pH values (0.2 by a meter-deep layer) and increase of hydrolytic soil acidity and dry residue in chernozem water extract. Effect of Robinia pseudoacacia planting leads to a decrease in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus content in chernozem. The change in chernozem properties under the influence of Quercus robur plantation is reflected in accumulation of these nutrients. Growth of Robinia pseudoacacia and Quercus robur plantations leads to a decrease in potassium reserves in chernozem, which may indicate its active uptake by these woody species. In general, Q. robur planting is characterized by a large positive effect on the physical and chemical properties of chernozem than Robinia pseudoacacia planting. The findings obtained serve as a ground for making a recommendation for growing Quercus robur plantations under climate conditions of the steppe zone of Ukraine in order to improve the zonal chernozems’ state and fertility.

This article discusses the history of the Tatars of the Imantau Village in North-Kazakhstan region and their activities. The number of Tatars in different periods constituted over a quarter of the population of the village. Majority of Imantau Tatars were military Cossacks, which were a part of the Siberian Cossack army. Before the revolution, the Cossacks were actively engaged not only in military service, but also in trade, agriculture, and crafts. The revolutionary events significantly changed the life of the Tatars in the village. Particular attention is paid to the contribution of the ethnic group to the political, economic, demographic, social and cultural development of the region. The sources of this article are archival, statistical, virtual, museum, and memoir materials. A lot of valuable information is contained in the metric books of the Imantau mosque.

It is generally accepted the vegetation of the North-Western Caspian Plain include to the desert zone. The purpose of the article is to justify the belonging of the vegetation of this area to the steppe zone. The descriptions of vegetation on ecological-topological profiles on three key sites carried out in 1961 and 2008 are compared. Comparative analysis of plant communities revealed changes that occurred in almost half a century. It is established that the composition of the vegetation remains the presence the steppe turf grasses on light chestnut and brown-steppe soils and extra zonal of xero-halophytes on solonetz soils. The constant participation of turf grasses in the addition of communities gives grounds to refer the vegetation cover of the North-Western Caspian Plain to the subzone of the southern desert steppes of the steppe zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographical distribution, habitats and current state of populations of a rare species in the Ukrainian flora, Galanthus elwesii (Amaryllidaceae), are considered. Populations of this species grow near the northeastern limits of its range in the southwestern part of Ukraine, in Odessa and Mykolaiv regions. Along with single Moldavian and Romanian localities, the Ukrainian sites of G. elwesii are formed in the Bessarabian Upland and the Black Sea Lowland northeastern exclave of the Black Sea shore range, and are separated from the main part of the range in the Balkan Mountains by a disjuncture in the Lower Danube Lowland. Eight out of 11 known sites of G. elwesii in Ukraine are contributed now as new floristic records. The localities of G. elwesii in Ukraine are associated with extrazonal oak, elm, elm-maple, and ashmaple forests of Quercetalia roboris ordo, and poplar forest of Salicetalia purpurea ordo, resulting from the shrub and forest plantations in the steppe zone. The optimal coenotical conditions for G. elwesii are in the anthropogenically undisturbed forests, where it formed homeostatic populations. Cutting of forest trees in the steppe zone of Ukraine has led to substitution of forests by shrubs, replacement by steppe communities and degradation of G. elwesii populations. Recommendations are proposed for the improvement of G. elwesii conservation in situ and ex situ in Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The trends in river runoff during the winter lower water period in the Ural River basin have been analyzed in this work. The long-term dynamics of the runoff parameters has been studied. Concurrently, consideration has been given to the phases with a different river water content. It was found that the water regime of the rivers in the study basin is characterized by a stable trend of a decreasing share of the spring runoff and an increasing share of the winter runoff. The growth of the share of winter runoff is caused by an increase in the frequency and duration of positive temperature anomalies and the share of basic (underground) river feeding. Comparison of the annual runoff and 30-day values of the minimum runoff in the winter period illustrates a certain interdependence in the changes of their values. In spite of the general trend of the increasing winter low water discharges, certain differences have been revealed for the rivers of the basin studied due to the heterogeneous conditions under which the runoff is formed. The regional features of the formation of the winter low water runoff confirm the different dates for occurrence of the maximum (complete) depletion of the river runoff. The significant increase in the water content of the rivers in winter affects the decrease in the variability of daily discharges, which is consistent with the previously established trend of decreasing interannual variability of the river runoff in the basin of the Ural River. The increase in the winter low water runoff is of great practical importance, because the runoff value for a given period is the limiting factor that determines the guaranteed and sustainable water consumption. Accordingly, the current trends in the change in the water regime of the rivers of the Urals basin must be taken into consideration when determining the regulations and norms for the use of water resources in the steppe zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-term dynamics of the average air temperatures and amounts of annual precipitation confirms the reality of climate change since the 1970s on the territory of Akmola oblast, one of the leading agricultural regions in Kazakhstan. The structure of agricultural production in the oblast is dominated by the rainfed cultivation of grain crops, in particular, spring wheat, which is known to be extremely sensitive to climatic and weather conditions. Analysis of the climatic indicators for 1931–2019 based on available data from meteorological stations identified intraregional features of climate change that led to an increase in the yield of grain crops. Correlation analysis established a high dependence of productivity on the climatic conditions of the warm period. If the current level of farming culture and the continued growth of average temperatures persist, the productivity in the dry-steppe and southern steppe regions of the oblast is expected to decrease. In the northern steppe regions, more intense trends in the climatic indicators of the cold months favor an increase in yields and an expansion of agricultural production. Intraregional differences in the intensity of climatic trends must be taken into account for the further development of agriculture in Akmola oblast. The following measures are proposed in order to avoid the negative consequences of climate change: the introduction of adaptation technologies, the diversification of agricultural production, the development of organic agriculture, and active support for agricultural producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water and wind erosion are the most powerful factors in the decrease of soil fertility and a threat to food security. The study was conducted on the steppe zone in Ukraine (total area of 167.4 thous. km2 ), including agricultural land (131.6 thous. km2 ). At the first stage, the modeling of spatial differentiation of water and wind erosion manifestations was carried out to calculate losses of soil (Mg∙ha–1) and to determine their degradation. At the second stage, soil-climatic bonitet of zonal soils (points) is carried out to determine their natural fertility (Mg∙ha–1). At the third stage, the spatial adjustment of the natural soil fertility to the negative effect of erosion was carried out. This made it possible to calculate crop losses and total financial losses due to water and wind erosion. The integrated spatial modeling showed that about 68.7% of arable land was constantly affected by the combined erosion, in particular the area of low eroded arable land (16.8%), and medium and highly eroded land (22.1%). Due to erodibility of soil, about 23.3% of agricultural land transferred from the category of high and medium quality to medium, low and very low quality, which is caused by the loss of soil fertility of up to 70%, crop losses of up to 1.93 Mg∙ha–1 ha–1 and eduction of agricultural income up to 390 USD∙ha–1. In the steppe region under the research, gross crop losses from erosion were up to 15.11 thous. Mg∙ha–1 (3.05 mln USD). In order to protect soils, improve fertility and increase crop yields in the steppe zone in Ukraine, the following measures were suggested: adaptive and landscape erosion control design with elements of conservation farming in accordance with the spatial differentiation of soil quality and extent of water erosion deflation danger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of a long-term research on the study and evaluation of productive and adaptive qualities of a winter soft wheat variety, Beauty, of FSBSI “SCP named after P.P. Lukyanenko” breeding. In the process of research conducted in various zones of the KBR, the best qualities of the variety have been revealed, confirmed by the results of a comparative test of seeds of various reproductions of Beauty winter wheat under the conditions of prolonged replanting.

Changes in the soil cover and biological properties of ordinary chernozems in the natural succession on fallow lands differing in their age have been studied in Rostov oblast. With an increase in the duration of fallowing, the species diversity of the plant cover and the humus content in soil increase, while the relative restoration rate of soil biological properties decreases. During a 83-year-long period of fallowing, the soil compaction increased, the density decreased by 15%, and pH dropped from 8.1 to 7.3. The humus content in the topmost 10 cm increased by 2.4 times and the invertase activity, by 2.3 times, while of the activities of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase became smaller. The integral index of the soil biological status on t 27- and 83-year-old fallow lands increased by 32 and 45%, respectively, in comparison with the cropland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of a comprehensive forest management strategy in Ukraine should be in accordance with the principles and criteria that create the preconditions for achieving parity of environmental, economic and social aspects of sustainable development. In the country, the establishment of compliance of the forestry system with certain international requirements should be implemented through the implementation of the Helsinki Criteria for Sustainable Forest Development. The aim of the work was to analyze the Helsinki criteria and indicators of balanced management of forests and actual indicators of economic activity of forestry enterprises operating in the steppe natural zone of Ukraine. The source data were the materials of sectoral reporting and state statistical information. The article shows the distribution of forest area of ​​the administrative Dnipropetrovsk region by forest users. The distribution of the area of ​​forests subordinated to the State Agency of Forest Resources of Ukraine by functional categories is analyzed. The structure of the nature reserve fund of objects and territories of the forest fund is estimated. The provision of forestry with labor resources is indicated. The areas of areas covered with forest vegetation by dominant forest-forming species with distribution by age groups are given. The total phytomass and its trend for forests subordinated to the State Agency of Forest Resources of Ukraine in Dnipropetrovsk region are calculated. The distribution of the total phytomass by structural components of plantations - wood and bark of trunks, wood and bark of branches, leaves, roots, sub-tent vegetation is given. The dynamics of the average values ​​of the stock of trunk wood, the density of phytomass and the deposited carbon in the phytomass of forests is given. The effect of biotic factors on forest plantations has been assessed - the species composition of pests and phytopathogens and the area of ​​their foci have been established. The list of the main forestry measures connected with timber harvesting is given. The species composition and area distribution of areas covered with forest vegetation by forest-forming species and age groups in forests of the protective functional group, which prevent soil erosion, are characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]