Nature Conservation Research

2–10

Authors: Vargot E.V., Shcherbakov A.V., Bolotova Ya.V., Uotila P.

Najas tenuissima (Hydrocharitaceae) is an endangered relict species with a disjunctive range in Eastern Europe, in the Urals, in Siberia and Kazakhstan, and in the Far East, in Japan. More than 60 locations of the plant were revealed during the last 160 years. More than 30 of them are located in the waterbodies of Southern Finland. The species is known reliably in Fennoscandia, Latvia, Russian Federation (Leningrad region, Novgorod region, Tver region, Ryazan region, Republic of Mordovia, Sverdlovsk region, Chelyabinsk region, Irkutsk region, Amur region, Krasnoyarsky Krai and Primorsky Krai), Northern and Eastern Kazakhstan and Japan. The paper summarises the data on locations of the species in the above mentioned regions. We suggest that species grows in floodplain waterbodies on the right bank of the Amur river in China. Reasons why the species has disappeared are given and discussed. An anthropogenic impact on aquatic ecosystems was denoted as the main factor causing the populations' reduction of Najas tenuissima in the XX–XXI centuries. We have shown a reduction in the number of populations found from 1857 to 1936 (in Leningrad region, Tver region, Novgorod region, Ryazan region of Russia), as well as the appearance of new populations of the species found from 2006 to 2016 (in Latvia and Russia: Amur region, Chelyabinsk region, Irkutsk region, Republic of Mordovia). We assumed the possibilities of resettlement of the species at new places. It was noted that species conservation is possible only if the territorial protection of Najas tenuissima locations will be organised.

26–35

Authors: Maslova I.V.

Data on the distribution of amphibians and reptiles in the Russian Far East in the reserves and national parks of federal importance are presented, as well as the information on the representation of these groups of animals in regional Red Data Books and the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation is provided.

44–52

Authors: Makarov K.V., Sundukov Yu.N.

Based on long-term observations, Carabus blaptoides rugipennis is a polytopic, little specialized malacophagous subspecies widespread across Kunashir Island, Kuriles. Its reproduction pattern is autumnal-summer, with low fertility, two larval instars, and hibernation as larvae and adults. The insular population is characterized by considerable variability, sometimes comparable to differences between subspecies. A new synonym is established: Carabus (Damaster) blaptoides rugipennis (Motschulsky, 1861) = Carabus (Damaster) blaptoides simushirensis Obydov, 2008, syn. nov. At present there is no direct threat of an abundance drop of this species in the Kurile Islands.

59–69

Authors: Ertuev M.M., Semenov U.A.

The implementation of the programme for the reintroduction of the Persian leopard in the Caucasus in Russia allowed carrying out a detailed video monitoring of various aspects of this subspecies' life under captive conditions in the «Center of the leopard recovery in the Caucasus». The most important stage of this programme was the formation of couples and the progeny getting of adult individuals caught in their natural environment and placed into a closed aviary. A complex sexual behaviour of leopards, while having different stages of the estrous cycle, could be identified by manifestation of characteristic features in various stages. There is an increase in both the motion behaviour as well as in the marking activity during proestrus; the cozying that helps to maintain the sexual activity of the male and the adopting of the receptive pose of the female during the estrus; avoidance of mating by the female during the proestrus stage; transition of the mating initiative to the male as well as passive behaviour of the female during the metaestrus stage. A large number of matings is caused by the species' biology. The leopard belongs to the animals with an «instigated» ovulation. Therefore the multiple coituses stimulate the maintaining of a high concentration of estrogens in the blood and promote the ovulation of follicles. As a result, we have concluded that the form of female sexual behaviour (with permissible error) can indicate the functional activity of the ovaries and the corpora lutea, as well as it allows determining the beginning and duration of the stages of the estrous cycle.

78–84

Authors: Kurhinen Ju.P., Bolshakov V.N., Bondarchuk S.N., Vargot E.V., Gashev S.N., Gorbunova E.A., Zadiraka E.S., Ivanter E.V., Kochanov S.K., Kulebyakina E.V., Mamontov V.N., Meydus A.V., Muravskaya E.A., Nizovtsev D.S., Pavlyushchik T.E., Pilats V., Sivkov A.V., Sikkilya N.S., Simakin L.V., Smirnov E.N., Timm U., Hanski I.K.

This study of the spatial distribution and ecology of the flying squirrel during the turn of the 20th century provides a description of new methods and techniques for detecting and accounting flying squirrels in the forest zone of Eurasia. The flying squirrel population area covers the territory of 61 regions of Russia, including Kamchatsky Krai and Chukotka Autonomous District. The number of flying squirrels in Karelia especially to the east – in the Arkhangelsk region and Western Siberia – significantly exceeds that of Finland, but considerable spatial variability in the number is obvious through all the regions: there are areas where this animal is quite abundant, or inhabits all the territory rather evenly, and there are areas where it is completely absent in vast territories even with seemingly favourable conditions. The flying squirrel is quite difficult to study and the reasons of its absence in obviously favourable areas are still to be explained. Some reasons are: the specificity of favourable landscape, forest coverage pattern, trophic relationships with predators and genetic aspect. A number of hypotheses are supposed to be tested in the nearest future.

90–94

Authors: Zharkikh T.L., Linerova L.G.

In 2015 the Federal Government Funded Institution «Orenburg Reserves» started the Programme of Establishing of a Semi-Free Population of the Przewalski Horse at the Orenburg Reserve on the territory of the steppe area «Pre-Ural Steppe». In 2014–2015 a pilot research was carried out to select the location for construction of the Centre of the re-introduction of the Przewalski horse. To evaluate the fodder stocks in the selected area we developed criteria for evaluating the vegetation condition under the influence of grazing. The results have shown that within the boundaries of the «Pre-Ural Steppe» plot it is most rational to place the Centre of the re-introduction of the Przewalski horse at the natural landmark Kursay. In 2015, the fodder stocks here ranged from 14 dt/ha (decitonne per hectare) in April to 30 dt/ha in September. Moreover, the grass cover vegetation here mostly consisted of species, well-grazed by Przewalski horse, particularly grasses, a significant number of legumes and well-grazed forbs. In the future, this area requires constant monitoring of the vegetation condition under the influence of the Przewalski horse grazing, with the following evaluation criteria: 1) the overall productivity of the plant mass; 2) the combination of well-grazed and ungrazed plant species in dynamics.

1–10

Authors: Grebennikov K.A.

In the paper is given a short review of the modern state of implementation of digital methods and facilities in the study of biodiversity of nature reserves in Russia in the context of global and domestic experience. Based on practical examples, some possible ways and perspectives for future development of research on nature reserves' biodiversity in Russia in the digital age are considered.

19–29

Authors: Evseeva A.A.

The article presents the results of a study of zoobenthos in streams in the Katon-Karagay national Park, carried out in 2009–2011. Presented are the taxonomic composition, a description of the spatial distribution of the given habitat classification of the studied small streams, and an area analysis of the fauna of amphibiotic insects of the studied area. An assessment of significance and metrics of zoobenthic communities for biological indication of the ecological status of the streams in the Bukhtarma river basin was carried out. Conducted research on anthropogenic load in unaffected rivers or sections of rivers will solve the problems associated with the lack of baseline data on the basin of the Bukhtarma river. Recommendations are given for the biodiversity conservation of stream bottom invertebrates in Protected Areas in the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion within Kazakhstan.

38–58

Authors: Popov S.Yu.

The Pinega Natural State Reserve is located in the Arkhangelsk Province in the northern taiga subzone. Spruce forests represent the dominant vegetation formation of its territory. The vegetation of this forest is classified, based on 192 phytosociological descriptions. It reveals 12 associations, which represent 7 groups of associations. Detailed characteristics of these syntaxa, including analysis of their biodiversity, are provided. The revealed syntaxa differ both in species composition and environmental conditions: moisture, nutrition, nitrogen availability and acidity. Most poor conditions in terms of mineral nutrition occupy sphagnous spruce forests and bilberry-dominated spruce forests, while under the richest conditions varioherbaceous, humidoherbaceous and nemoral-herbaceous spruce forests occur. The Pinega Reserve is the only locality, where the Piceetum rubo saxatilis-vacciniosum association occurs in the northern taiga subzone.

79–89

Authors: Tirskiy D.I.

The species composition of waterfowl that pass through Olekminsky Reserve is represented by 24 species; 9 of them are transient birds. Other species are presented as transient as well as nesting. Widespread species are bean goose, whooper swan, mallard, pintail, teal and tufted duck. The uneven distribution of wetlands and their limited variety determine the presence of only two places where there is a pronounced transition and regular stops of migrants. These are the lake-wetland complexes in the Olekma river valley and, to a lesser degree, the head of the Tuolba river. The total number of waterfowl transiting through the territory of the reserve during seasonal migrations has been estimated at 10000–20000 individuals. However, the wetlands nature reserve attracts, as a place of rest and foraging, an average of only 5% of the migrants. Dynamics and time of bird transition were almost the same as in the area of the Lena-Amga interfluve and relevant sections of the river valley Lena. Some differences can be traced in abundance of some species. The span whooper swan, e.g., accounted for up to 4.5–5.5 thousands individuals per season. Long-term dynamics of the migratory population of several species of geese, swans and ducks have opposite tendencies (the apparent rise, cyclical fluctuations, the decline). However, the total number of waterfowl migrating through the territory of reserve «Olekminsky» tends to decrease, which can be concluded at the observation data of the spring migration.

96–102

Authors: Vargot E.V.

Brief physical-geographical characteristics, history of creation and development of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve territory are presented. We listed aims and objectives assigned for the Mordovia Reserve in different periods. During the first years of the Mordovia Reserve the forest conservation was aimed at reforestation of the southern area of the taiga zone; the investigation of harmful insect fauna to timely response on infection foci of trees; enriching of the fauna of the Reserve. At present, the Reserve should have an ecological-educational value in addition to the value of nature conservation. The article presents the modern period of scientific investigations and the development of the Mordovia Reserve territory. Also, it contains data on the species number of flora and fauna, including those listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Mordovia (2003, 2005) and of the Russian Federation (2001, 2008). Due to the geographical location on the border of three natural zones and a high degree of knowledge of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve, there are noted 344 macromycetes (including 1 species listed in the Red Book of Russian Federation, 15 species included in the main list of the regional Red Data Book); 361 lichens (including 3 species included in the Red Book of Russia and 24 species from the main list of the regional Red Data Book); more than 100 mosses (including 7 species from the main list of the regional Red Data Book); 796 vascular plants (including 3 species from the IUCN list, 3 species included in the Red Book of Russian Federation and 46 species from the main list of the regional Red Data Book); more than 4500 insects (including 11 species from the IUCN list, 11 species from the Red Book of Russian Federation and 53 species from the main list of the regional Red Data Book); 32 fishes (including 1 species from the Red Book of Russian Federation and 11 species included in the main list of the regional Red Data Book); 11 amphibians (including 4 species from the main list of the Red Book of the Republic of Mordovia); 7 reptiles (including 3 species from the Red Book of the Republic of Mordovia); 222 birds (including 2 species from the IUCN list, 20 species included in the Red Book of Russia, and 69 species from the main list of the regional Red Data Book); 65 mammals (including 1 species from the Red Book of Russian Federation and 23 species included in the main list of the regional Red Data Book). We have indicated further problems and objectives for functioning and development of the Mordovia State Nature Reserve.

2–10

Authors: Krupa E.G., Romanova S.M., Imentai A.K.

In August 2015 four ultrafresh mountain lakes of Kolsay National Nature Park, located at an altitude of 1829–3170 m a.s.l., were examined. The water mineralization of the lakes decreased from 123.9 to 26.6 mg/dm3 with decreasing altitude above sea level. The concentration of dissolved organic matter and nitrogen compounds was at levels below the temporary maximum allowable concentration (MAC). Phosphorus has not been found in the water. The concentration of iron in the water has reached 44.0–440.0 g/dm3. The concentration of heavy metals in the water, except copper, was 10–100 times lower than the maximum allowable concentrations for standards of fishery waterbodies. The concentration of copper in water exceeded the permissible limits 2.6–5.5 times. The concentration of lead, copper, zinc, nickel and chromium in water has decreased from Lower Kolsay to Upper Kolsay. The most highland and shallow lake, which located under the Sarybulak mountain pass, had a higher concentration of lead, copper, zinc and nickel in the water than in the downstream lakes. The concentration of zinc, cadmium, lead, chromium, cobalt and nickel in the water of the other high mountain reservoirs of South-Eastern Kazakhstan has not exceeded 0.7 of MAC temporary. The concentration of copper has reached 1.5–13.9 of MAC temporary. In mountain lakes and reservoirs, the metal concentrations in the water decreased at lower altitudes, similar but less pronounce to their spatial dynamics in mountain rivers. Background concentration of cadmium and zinc in the mountain reservoirs of South-Eastern Kazakhstan was equivalent to the uncontaminated waters of the Tien Shan, the Alps and the Western Sayan mountain ranges. However, the concentration of copper, lead and chromium were higher respectively. Considering the remoteness of the region from the sources of anthropogenic influences, the background concentrations of heavy metals for water reservoirs of South-Eastern Kazakhstan are recommended as follows (mg/ dm3): zinc – 0.0020–0.0061, copper – 0.0052–0.0106, cadmium – 0.0002–0.0004, lead – 0.0017–0.0029, chrome – 0.0017–0.0028. The elevated environmental level of copper in water of water sources should be considered during the development of regional standards of the MAC.

23–37

Authors: Kazenas V.L., Temreshev I.I., Esenbekova P.A.

The article presents the results of a study on the species composition of stem pests- insects and limitation of their number, carried out in the Ile-Alatau State National Park (Kazakhstan) in 2011–2015. The reason for this study was a windfall, which occurred in 2011 in the National Park and followed a few years later by forest fires. These emergencies created a favourable environment for the reproduction of stem pests. The management of the Ile-Alatau National Park, together with the Institute of Zoology of the MES, has taken the necessary measures to investigate the species composition of the pests, their natural regulators and to conduct protective measures in the hotbeds of xylophages mass production. At the same time consultations and joint research with scientists from Kazakhstan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan and the Czech Republic were held. The monitoring of the state of forests started in 2011. The composition of species and number of xylophagous pests has been carried out. In the 2011–2015-surveys 48 species of stem pests, belonging to three orders of the class of insects, were found: Hemiptera, or Bugs (1 species, 1 family), Coleoptera, or Beetles (42 species, 5 families), Hymenoptera (5 species, 1 family). During all the years of research the Hauzer bark beetle Ips hauseri and the longhorn beetle ribbed ragy Rhagium inquisitor dominated numerically. Slightly less Orthotomicus suturalis and the kyrgyzstan micrograph Pityophthorus kirgisicus were found. Besides, the study of diseases of stem pests and their entomophages (predators and parasites) was carried out, which is a prerequisite for carrying out forest-pathological examinations. In total 53 species, from five classes, eleven orders and 27 families of invertebrates have been revealed. Most of them belong to the class of insects, others to spiders and centipedes. On several species of bark beetles and longhorn beetles an entomopathogenic fungus – white muscardine Beauveria bassiana was found. As the result of long-term monitoring, it was found out that due to removal and disposal of contaminated windfall wood, its natural decomposition in the field, the increasing number of entomophages and the spread of fungal epizootic among the pests there was a natural reduction of some old reproductive hotbeds of stem-pests, revealed in 2011–2013. However, the risk of the continued operation of some old and the emergence of new hotbeds is actual; that is why it is necessary to continue the monitoring of forest pathology and to use a number of stem pest control measures in future.

52–64

Authors: Tsurikov M.N.

During the 1997–2006 and 2010–2011winter seasons, in the area of Morozova Gora (the nature reserve "Galichya Gora"), in Russia, 1200 samples of various substrata were taken, most of which were 4500 cm3 in volume. In total, 41,854 specimens of 690 species belonging to 52 Coleoptera families were registered at overwintering sites. The analysis of the peculiarities of imago Coleoptera groups in the major winter habitats showed that in most of the investigated substrata representatives of the Staphylinidae family prevailed both in terms of species diversity and number. It is only under the bark of trees and in deadwood that Carabidae are the most numerous, whereas Latridiidae are prevalent in tinder fungi. Turf has the maximal species saturation during the winter season (the highest percentage of species referring to 18 families was registered here), as well as plant litter (10 families), with turf being the preference of 8 families richest in species diversity. The imagos of a number of families relatively rich in species – Cantharidae, Malachiidae, Melandryidae, Mordellidae, Oedemeridae, Meloidae, Scraptiidae and Anthribidae – were not found at overwintering sites, which is explained by the preimaginal overwintering of most representatives of the abovementioned families. It was shown that in substrata which are the least suitable for the overwintering of the imago of most Coleoptera species, the highest percentage of the predominant species was registered since more accessible substrata are used as overwintering sites by the same species from different habitats, which decreases the concentration of imago beetles of certain species there. A study of the peculiarities of species distribution (with no less than 30 specimens) among overwintering sites showed that the largest number of stenotopic species was registered in droppings (9 species). Then follow the substrata (in decreasing order): turf (5), hay (grass sward, haymow, meadow) (4), decomposing hay (3), decomposing wheat (3) and flour (3), plant litter (2), rotten birch stumps (1), decaying plant matter (1). Stenotopic Coleoptera species were not found in the following substrata: sandbar, decayed plant matter, soil mixed with decomposed hay and droppings, clumps of twigs and stems, hay (a field of perennial grasses), subcortical space and deadwood, tinder fungi. Cluster analysis revealed that imago Coleoptera groups overwintering in deadwood-related substrata located above the ground level stand out in their species composition. The imago Coleoptera group overwintering in decomposing wheat and flour is also characterised by a peculiar species composition, cereal pests being one of the factors. The species composition of Coleoptera groups overwintering in turf and plant litter as well as in substrata with decaying plant matter (decomposing hay, droppings, plant remains etc.) displayed the highest levels of similarity. The use of a uniform procedure for collecting material allowed calculating the average number of Coleoptera species overwintering in various substrata. It resulted in working out the major requirements for overwintering sites preferred by most imago beetles: 1) the substratum should be freeze-protected (among others, due to plant remains decomposition); 2) the moderate moisture of the location is important (extreme dryness and excess moisture of the substratum are both unsuitable for the overwintering of imago beetles); 3) the necessary presence of cavities suitable for overwintering (in hay, rotten wood, under the bark etc.); 4) it is desirable that the substrata contain enough food available in late autumn and early spring (smaller invertebrates, fungi etc.).

78–97

Authors: Preobrazhenskaya E.S., Glushenkov O.V.

The monitoring of wintering bird populations in the region of Nizhnee Prisurie on the territory of Chuvash Republic was carried out in 1989–1990. From 2000 censuses were conducted on the territory of the nature reserve "Prisurskiy" and the National Park "Chavash Varmane". These regular censuses were called project "Parus" by the Menzbir Ornithological Society of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The last ten years they were also included in the overall-Russian campaign "Euro-Asian Christmas Bird Counts" project from the Russian Birds Conservation Union. During these 20 years there were 44 bird species registered in the studied area. Eleven of them are marked by single or rare. Four species - Regulus regulus, Aegithalos caudatus, Spinus spinus and Carduelis carduelis – increased their abundance from 1990 till the middle 2000-s and then – decreased. Dendrocopos minor showed the opposite trend. The abundance of 13 species in the 1990-s was higher, sometimes significantly, than in the 2000s and 2010s. The reason may be searched in the differences between the censuses areas in 1990s and 2000s. However, the decreasing of the population densities is typical for other forest species, not only in Nizhnee Prisurie, but also in other model territories. In general, during the last 25 years we can see negative trends in the population dynamics of wintering bird species within the East European plain.

108

Authors: Gorshkov Yu.A.

The paper presents data on the seventh international Beaver Symposium. Brief historical background about previous Beaver Symposia beaver is shown. Data on the sections of symposium, number of participants and reports are presented.

111–118

Authors: Kovshar A.F.

The Aksu-Zhabagly nature reserve is located in West Tien Shan in Kazakhstan, on the border of three countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan (70°18'-57' E and 42°08'-30' N), with an area of 1281 km2; its length is 53 km from the most western to the most eastern point and 41 km from the most southern to the most northern point. It occupies the western limit of the Talasskiy Alatau ridge and its north-western spurs: Zhabaglytau mountains, Alatau, Bugultor, Aksutau and Ugam ridges. In the neighbouring Karatau ridge there is a palaeontological site with an area of 2.2 km2 with deposits of flora and fauna of the Jurassic period. The absolute heights above sea level are 1300–4200 m. The relief is alpine – deep canyons with steep slopes. The middle mountain zone (1300–2000 m) is occupied by meadow-steppe formations with juniper sparse forests (Juniperus semiglobosa, J. seravschanica); subalpine meadows (2000–3000 m) are alternated by creeping juniper thickets (Juniperus turkestanica) and rocky outcrops; the alpine zone (higher than 3000 m) is dominated by rocks and snowfields, and glaciers above 3500 m. The nature reserve's flora constitutes almost half of all West Tien Shan's flora and counts 1737 species, including: 235 species of fungi, 64 lichens, 63 species each of algae and mosses, as well as 1312 species of higher plants. Among those, 200 species are medicinal and 57 species are listed in the Red Data Books of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The vertebrates fauna includes 320 species: mammals – 52 species, birds – 247 (130 of them are nesting), reptiles and amphibians – 14, fishes – 7 species. Animals inhabiting the territory include argali (Ovis ammon karelini), mountain goat (Capra sibirica), bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus), snow leopart (Uncia uncia), Turkestan lynx (Lynx lynx isabellinus); birds – bearded vulture (Gypaёtus barbatus), Himalayan snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis), chukar (Alectoris chukar), blue whistling thrush (Myophonus caeruleus turcestanicus), paradise flycatcher (Terpsiphone paradisi leucogaster) and several species of highland finches, including Eurasian crimson-winged finch (Rhodopechys sanguinea), white-winged snowfinch (Montifringilla nivalis alpicola) and Brandt's mountain finch (Leucosticte brandti); reptiles – Ophisaurus apodus, Elape dione and Coluber rhodorhachis. 18 Vertebrate and 26 invertebrate species are listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan. In the 90 years of its existence a huge research was carried out and the scientific staff of field biologists, botanists and zoologists were prepared (N.K. Karmysheva, V.V. Shevchenko, F.D. Shaposhnikov, V.D. Utekhin, A.F. Kovshar, A.A. Ivaschenko, B.M. Gubin, Yu.A. Grachyov, etc.). At the same time dozens of expeditions were working on this territory from several scientific institutions – institutes of botany and zoology (Alma-Ata, Tashkent, Leningrad, Kiev), botanical gardens (Moscow, Tashkent, Alma-Ata), All-Union Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (Moscow), All-Union Institute of Pharmacology (Moscow), Institute of Plant Protection (Alma-Ata), Zoological Museum of Moscow State University (Moscow), Palaeontological Institute of the Academy of Sciences of USSR and many others. As a result from the material collected on the territory of the nature reserve, more than 900 scientific works were published, including 11 issues of Proceedings of the nature reserve, published since 1948 till 2016.