Ecological and conceptual consequences of Arctic pollution

This is the final version. Available on open access from Wiley via the DOI in this recordAlthough the effect of pollution on forest health and decline received much attention in the 1980s, it has not been considered to explain the ‘Divergence Problem’ in dendroclimatology; a decoupling of tree growth from rising air temperatures since the 1970s. Here we use physical and biogeochemical measurements of hundreds of living and dead conifers to reconstruct the impact of heavy industrialisation around Norilsk in northern Siberia. Moreover, we develop a forward model with surface irradiance forcing to quantify long‐distance effects of anthropogenic emissions on the functioning and productivity of Siberia’s taiga. Downwind from the world’s most polluted Arctic region, tree mortality rates of up to 100% have destroyed 24,000 km2 boreal forest since the 1960s, coincident with dramatic increases in atmospheric sulphur, copper, and nickel concentrations. In addition to regional ecosystem devastation, we demonstrate how ‘Arctic Dimming’ can explain the circumpolar ‘Divergence Problem’, and discuss implications on the terrestrial carbon cycle.Forest ServiceMinistry of Science and Higher EducationRussian Science Foundatio

Brown bear attacks on humans : a worldwide perspective

The increasing trend of large carnivore attacks on humans not only raises human safety concerns but may also undermine large carnivore conservation efforts. Although rare, attacks by brown bears Ursus arctos are also on the rise and, although several studies have addressed this issue at local scales, information is lacking on a worldwide scale. Here, we investigated brown bear attacks (n = 664) on humans between 2000 and 2015 across most of the range inhabited by the species: North America (n = 183), Europe (n = 291), and East (n = 190). When the attacks occurred, half of the people were engaged in leisure activities and the main scenario was an encounter with a female with cubs. Attacks have increased significantly over time and were more frequent at high bear and low human population densities. There was no significant difference in the number of attacks between continents or between countries with different hunting practices. Understanding global patterns of bear attacks can help reduce dangerous encounters and, consequently, is crucial for informing wildlife managers and the public about appropriate measures to reduce this kind of conflicts in bear country.Peer reviewe

Organization of research of technogenic territories

To conduct complex research, the system of classification of biological objects was developed and adapted for different nature conditions and forms of anthropogenic impacts. The experience of organization of biological investigations at coal mine dumps and gold-mining polygons, pollutant emissions, operating and developing hydropower station reservoirs was used in the work. The general structure of development of the classification schemes of anthropogenic lands is presented with three generalized specific levels distinguished. The form and intensity of the anthropogenic impacts were used for zoning. Spatial extrapolation and forecast of the anthropogenic impacts are made with respect to the geomorphological state and succession’ dynamics of the anthropogenic habitats. Monitoring and resource estimation are carried out by the succession stages. Quantitative estimation of the structure of the anthropogenic lands is made with a use of moderate- and high- resolution satellite data in GIS. Types of mountain recultivations of coal mine dumps determine three post-anthropogenic succession series/classes: erosion, forest, and steppe. They are divided by groups of types depending on succession stage – from juvenile to closed corresponded to the zonal standards. The type shows stage that is determined by the dominant vegetation. For Norilsk anthropogenic region where there is constant pollutants impact, five classes/zones, four groups of types by geomorphological characteristics and two additional indicators which estimate the presence of dead ground vegetation as well as six types by dominant vegetation were defined. Classification scheme of the impact of hydropower station reservoirs is characterized by three levels of generalization for water and coast surfaces. The basin is divided by classes depending on the width and direction of the dominant winds (open, closed), groups of types depending on depth (deep-, shallow-water), types depending on flowage and stagnation. The coastline is divided by classes of constant marginal erosion, periodical impoundment and climate impact, group of types and types by well-known succession series and stages typical for the coast vegetation

Typology of forest hunting grounds

The analysis of the developed classification schemes of forest hunting grounds is given. Previously, forest typology was taken as a basis with a 4-level division (category-class-group of types-type). The authors adhere to this scheme, but give environment-forming arguments and criteria for their selection. An analysis of the main literature on the classification of forest hunting grounds shows the evolution of the classification of natural resources from the use of available information (forest planning materials) to the specific assessment of productivity displayed on satellite images. Any thematic interpretation of the natural basis does not correspond to the tasks of hunting management. Animals are mobile, and the forest environment is dynamic, so the classification of hunting grounds should take into account the spatial and successional factors in the formation of habitat conditions. The proposed scheme takes into account at the level of the range the action of climatic (zonal, altitudinal-zone), population-ecological (forage, protective and nesting) and population dynamics-succession (dynamics of stands) factors. When hunting planning, the already available materials of forest planning and former hunting planning are taken into account, but the thematic interpretation of the original information must be also considered. A direct interpretation of the ecological properties of the image of hunting grounds from satellite images is proposed, and the developed classification scheme of the dynamic state makes it possible to predict their successional productivity and the level of animal abundance. Therefore, one should focus on obtaining direct information about hunting grounds using high-resolution satellite imagery

Specifics of stands formation at coalmine dumps in forest-steppe zone

Rock dumps of coalmines have high potential for forest regeneration and environmental capacity, which are dependent on the technology of reclamation and the properties of technogenic soils and grounds. Traditional forestry methods for obtaining the main criteria of biological indicators of woody vegetation were used in the study as follows: ground seed germination, seedling planting technology, composition and increment of tree stands, root structure, care harvesting of undergrowth, biotopic classification. Natural overgrowing of dumps is dependent on the availability of seeds and conditions for their germination and subsequent growth. Most of the zonal tree and shrub species are able to colonize and grow on the coalmine dumps. Mineralization of the dumps surfaces without rich soil stratum, porosity of the upper horizon of lithostratum, and low nutrient content (nitrogen) give benefits in the growth and subsequent formation of birch, pine and sea-buckthorn stands. Afforestation is the cheapest and most effective method of biological reclamation. The analysis of artificial reforestation shows the probability of targeted plantation cultivation of various tree species. The use of a wide range of tree and shrub species make it possible to create biologically diverse intrazonal technogenic ecosystems with high recreational and economic productivity. Wildfires spreading out in spring season on herbaceous rags limit the overgrowth of the dumps by forest vegetation. Two-year cyclical increment decline of trees due to provocative spring warming takes place. The zoogenic factor, especially zoo chores distribution of berry plants, has essential value for forest forming process. By the results of forest formation analysis at rock dumps, alveolate-hilly technology of mine reclamation was developed, which allows to significantly improve dumps’ afforestation capacity, their biological posttechnogenic diversity and productivity

Biological resources of coal dumps (on the example of Borodinskiy coal mine)

The results of the assessment of biological resources in the dumps of the Borodinskiy coal mine are given. The habitats of the same ecological capacity are distinguished according to the developed classification and interpretation of space imagery. The habitats are allocated according to the technology of recultivation (4 options), the tendency of the formation of post-technogenic ecosystems (succession – 4) and the age of the dump (formation stage – 4). For each type of habitat, the composition and productivity of grass cover, forest stand, berries, mushrooms, and game are determined. Grass cover is recommended to be used “in the lifetime state”, for example, as honey plants. Haymaking and grazing leads to the degradation of vegetation cover in mountain dumps. The zonal norm of recultivated arable land (with the application of PSP) is reached not earlier than 30 years later. The experiments with planting crops (potatoes, carrots, beets, cucumbers) showed productivity significantly inferior to the zonal norm. Forest plantations (pine, spruce) are developing the most productive first site class and superior zonal norm. The most productive are zoochorny berries plants, while it should be borne in mind that the productivity of sea buckthorn for natural reasons drops rapidly. In addition, it creates a fire-hazardous structure of forest plantations. The yield of edible mushrooms symbiotic with tree species (pine, birch, aspen) is higher than the zonal norm by an order of magnitude. At the same time, in the first 3–4 years entomoparasites do not affect the fruit bodies of mushrooms (there are no worms). The animal population of the dumps is under strong pressure from synanthropic species (raven, forty, black kites), which are attracted by the city dump. At the same time, the productivity of hunting grounds at dumps is 4 times higher than the zonal norm, perhaps this is due to the protection regime of the coalmine. The methodical techniques used and the data obtained with their help allow us to estimate the biological resources of any dumps and predict (modeling) their states. The materials should be applied in assessing the projected impact of mining and the formation of rock dumps on biological resources and planning their further economic use

The influence of weather conditions on population dynamics of small mammals in the dumps of opencast coal mines

Piles of rocks represent the diversity of environmental conditions, which is manifested in the difference of forage and cover conditions. The influence of weather conditions is manifested in a greater degree at the initial stage of formation of ecosystems dumps. The research was carried out on the piles of Borodino brown coal mine section from 2005 to 2014. Data analysis showed a positive correlation of moisture in the area and the abundance of rodents that is not observed for insectivores. The method of correlation analysis showed a weak dependence of population dynamics of small mammals to weather conditions. The study used factor analysis, which grouped the values of population density, diversity, dominance, temperatures of summer and spring, coefficient of moisture, indicators of snow in three clusters. The first cluster combined indicators as diversity and abundance of small mammals. The second cluster combined indicators of moisture in the area, such as summer precipitation and snow cover (snow depth and snowmelt period). The third cluster included the total temperature of the spring and summer period. The description of characteristics of the studied objects in three-dimensional space of factors is obtained. It has allowed revealing of the role of individual indicators on the population dynamics of small mammals

Impact of utilization of munitions to forest ecosystems

The article highlights the impact of ammunition at military ranges on the natural environment of disposal. The results of complex studies are presented (soil, vegetation, small mammals) for two sites: in the Krasnoyarsk forest-steppe (N. 1), where in 2013 the disposal of projectiles was completed and in Kansk subtaiga (N. 2), where the disposal of projectiles continue. The scientific novelty of the work lies in the interdisciplinary consideration of the issue using instrumental research methods and satellite data. It was found that under the influence of explosions, a belligerative landscape is formed, funnels are formed, which are filled with water. As a result of the removal of soil (soil and underlying parent rocks) during explosions, the structural organization and physical properties of soils change at a distance of up to 15 m from the edge of the funnel. The authors note that the formation of communities takes a long time and begins from the pioneer stage as result of shedding of the walls an erosional succession type occurs in the blast craters. The direct impact of explosions is manifested as internal hemorrhage and impaired kidney in small mammals. An indirect effect is manifested in a change in the biotope: loosening the soil and the formation of reservoirs at the bottom of the craters, contributes to the formation of local settlements of tundra voles Microtus oeconomus Pallas. According to the results of the research, the parameters and spatial confinedness of disturbed by the explosions habitats were determined, which is necessary for the organization and monitoring of this anthropogenic impact. This problem has been little studied and requires further research

Animals’ population on the glades of electric power line-500 kw in fir and pine formations of the southern taiga

The test groups of animals showed different reaction on the presence of electric power line (EPL) glades, which cross light and dark conifer formations. The microarthropods react on the changes of hydrotermic soil conditions in a higher degree. The direct influence of electromagnetic field on the population density of soil invertebrates has place in both forest formations, but with opposite consequences. The same is demonstrated by herpetobium elements: the clear dominance of «meadow» species in fir formations and the absence of this in pine parts. Small mammals on the LEP glades increase their abundance and species diversity. They also demonstrate that their distribution is dominated by food and protection conditions. But at the same time, the distribution of constant rodent winter refuges demonstrate the negative effects of EPL existence. The analysis of bird populations on the basis of optimal life conditions demonstrated a highest negative effect of electromagnetic field of EPL. Independently of the creation of good protection, food and nesting conditions for birds, which usually occupy open biotopes and bush with herb thickets, they avoid the EPL glades. The first results showed the dual effect of EPL glades on animal populations. It is necessary to take into account the forming of intrazonal locations and real electromagnetic effects. The significant conclusions are found for birds, because they receive more irradiation. Also some biological peculiarities are important: the migratory species have a possibility to react immediately, according to the season, on the changing of biotopes. As for other animal groups, it is necessary to prolong the study of seasonal changes. For the invertebrates it must be performed the instrumental analysis of the differences of hydrotermic conditions of EPL glades and native biotopes

Forests of the Khan-Khukhii Mountain Ridge in Mongolia

The results of complex forest-ecological studies at the Khan-Khukhii Mountain Ridge in the territory of National Natural Park Khan-Khuhii-Khyargas-Nuur, Western Mongolia are presented. The forests at the Khan-Khukhii Mountain Ridge are isolated from the north by the desert, and from the other sides – by dry steppes. The location of the stands makes it possible to study climatic, geomorphological and economic factors, affecting forest formations along the border of forest distribution. Five sample plots in accordance with the variety of forest vegetation and geomorphological locations were established during the field surveys. Sample plots were placed at the lower forest boundary in the old-growth larch sparse stand experiencing the greatest pasture load, and in the herbaceous larch stand with zoogenic inhibition of undergrowth and fragments of selective felling of the lower part of the northern slope. Larch forests of green moss-red bilberry type with the participation of the Siberian stone pine are characteristic of the upper part of the slopes. The Siberian stone pine stand with dead ground cover is bordered by watersheds and a steppe southern slope and a herbaceous larch stand in the north. An intrazonal object was categorized as yernik (dwarf birch) on permafrost grounds. The geomorphological affiliation of the Siberian stone pine and larch formations to elevations above the sea level and slope exposition is shown. The zoogenic factors determining silvicultural processes limit forest restoration and lead to the formation of a savannah type of vegetation. Under adverse climatic conditions, primary pests of larch needles and root pathogens are detected. Forest logging leads to the growth of grass cover and movement of livestock into the forest zone, followed by the cessation of forest restoration. In the forests of the Khan-Khukhii Mountain Ridge there are no signs of fires (no cinder and fire scars on tree stems), which indicates a long pasture load and the impossibility of accumulation of combustible material. The results of the study made it possible to recommend the directions for silvicultural operations on the territory of the National Natural Park Khan-Khukhii-Khyargas-Nuur. First of all, it is necessary to identify factors of the curtain and highly dense forest regeneration on the border between the forest and steppe. If there is a continuing intensive pasture load, forest compartments will remain within the present boundaries or will be reduced. The impact of global climate change on the current distribution of forests has not been revealed