Indicator role of the ontogenetic structure of rare plant cenotic populations in the assessment of the ecological state of species under anthropogenic pressure (for example,

The study of population structure, including ratios in different ontogenetic groups of individuals, provides unique information for the development of express methods of determining the ecological state of natural complexes. Data on population structure, dynamics of population indicators and other bioecological features allow to determine more precisely the need for protection of different species at regional and more global levels. The purpose of this research is to determine the ontogenetic structure of natural populations of rare plant species. The example of Rindera tetraspis Pall. was used to establish changes in ontogenetic structure of local populations under anthropogenic pressure on species’ habitats (on the territory of the Middle Volga basin, Russia). A decrease in the ability to self-sustain the number of individuals and aging of the population at cattle grazing and steppe fires have been revealed

Ontogenetic structure of lichen populations as the index of the condition of the urbanized territories

The results of population monitoring in lichen indication promote the detection of resistance of lichen species to the pollution of environment. The population of Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. on the territory of the city of Samara and in the neighborhood of the Bolshaya Glushitsa settlement (Bolsheglushitsky district, Samara region) (Russia) were studied. For identification of ontogenetic conditions of talluses, the approaches and a nomenclature of population and ontogenetic researches of Magnoliophyta were used. Taking into account the exposition, the projective cover of Ulmus pumila trunks with Xanthoria parietina talluses was revealed. On Ulmus pumila tree stems in the Bolshechernigovsky municipal district of Samara region the prevailing ontogenetic group in populations of Xanthoria parietina is young generative group, within the city it is mature generative group. Talluses in the same course of ontogenetic development have the least area, and then, the vitality, on the western part of a trunk, and the greatest on the south side. At the same time the vital level of tallus directly depends on the level of environmental pollution. The decrease in the number of talluses is related to indexes of density, illumination, natural tree mortality, cuttings, fires, diseases of tree species

Specially Protected Natural Areas as a Means of Forming the Ecological Culture of learners

Natural and territorial complexes, including specially protected objects, are important in the formation of ecological culture of the younger generation. Samara oblast (European part of Russia) has a unique system of specially protected natural territories with various characteristics of vegetation, fauna, landscapes. This provides acquaintance of learners with various ecosystems in the territory available for visiting. In order to increase the effectiveness of the process of forming environmental culture it is recommended to use a practice-oriented approach in environmental education: organization and carrying out environmental actions, expeditions, excursions, environmental trails, as well as research, project, labor, environmental protection and volunteer activities. We have developed an algorithm for conducting educational and research activities for schoolchildren and research activities for students to study the current state of specially protected natural areas

Impact of natural fires on the vegetation cover of steppe and forest-steppe zones (European part of Russia, Middle Volga region)

The effect of natural fires on the vegetation cover of steppe and forest-steppe zones in the south-east of European Russia (the middle course of the Volga River) has been evaluated. The research used methods of studying biosystems at organism, species, population and cenotic levels. The study revealed the possibility of regrowth of aboveground plant parts after fires, changes in the population structure of species, and resistance of populations and zonal plant communities to the effects of natural fires. The most vulnerable among zonal vegetation types are pine forests, feather-grass and petrophytic steppes. Frequency, intensity and area of natural fires in the Middle Volga region cause significant changes in the structure of vegetation cover and reduction of biodiversity. The results obtained in the study of the impact of fires on vegetation can be used in the planning and implementation of environmental and reforestation measures

Population Structure of <i>Pyrola chlorantha</i> (Family Ericaceae) at the Southern Range Margin (Samara Region, Russia)

The population structure of endangered species is one of the main criteria for assessing their state in their habitats. Representatives of the Ericaceae family are sensitive to environmental changes, including anthropogenic pressure; thus, they are considered the indicator species in assessing phytocenose stability. The population structure and density of the threatened species green-flowered wintergreen, Pyrola chlorantha Sw., have been described at the southern range margin (south-east of the European part of Russia, Samara Region). The observations were performed here in 2006–2021, and the main parameters of the age and spatial structure of P. chlorantha populations were revealed for the first time. Green-flowered wintergreen populations were studied at monitoring study sites and at temporarily established study plots. A bush part (ramet) was set as a counting unit. In total, 27 sub-populations were surveyed, with 1520 individuals registered. The age structure of populations was characterized using common demographic indicators: the recovery index and the population age index. The age structure of the population was associated with the efficiency of both vegetative and seed reproduction. Generally, the share of pre-generative individuals was 32.3%, generative, 66.9%, and senile, 1.8%. The studied populations were stable due to low anthropogenic impact at the growth sites

<i>Iris pumila</i> L. and the State of Its Populations in the Samara Region (Southeast of the European Part of Russia)

The current state of the coenotic populations of Iris pumila L. (Iridaceae) were studied in the southeast of the European part of Russia (Samara Region). The phytocenotic confinement and population structure of the species were assessed. I. pumila preferred growing in steppe zonal communities. In total, 118 species of vascular plants were found in the communities, where I. pumila has been registered, and of which 34 (28.8%) were included into the Red List of the Samara Region and 8 species into the Red List of the Russian Federation. In the study area, populations of I. pumila were represented by a significant number of individuals and were in a stable state. According to the “delta-omega” criterion, the populations were mature (47.0%), transitional (23.5%), maturing (17.6%), and aging (11.9%), which testified to the diversity of population structure and thus to a satisfactory state of the species in the Samara Region. The populations recovered mainly due to individuals of vegetative origin, but this process was rather slow. Under unfavorable conditions, I. pumila populations were characterized by a vegetative settled way of life. Fires, grazing, and destruction of habitats had a significant impact on the population structure and absolute abundance in the Samara Region

"Flora of Russia" on iNaturalist: a dataset

The "Flora of Russia" project on iNaturalist brought together professional scientists and amateur naturalists from all over the country. Over 10,000 people are involved in the data collection.Within 20 months the participants accumulated over 750,000 photo observations of 6,853 species of the Russian flora. This constitutes the largest dataset of open spatial data on the country’s biodiversity and a leading source of data on the current state of the national flora. About 85% of all project data are available under free licenses (CC0, CC-BY, CC-BY-NC) and can be freely used in scientific, educational and environmental activities