Nature Conservation Research

9–18

Authors: Balycheva D.S., Ryabushko L.I.

The paper presents for the first time a list of the benthic microalgae of the Lebyazhy'i Ostrova Reserve, including the Karkinitsky Gulf and Sary-Bulatsky liman. During 2015 and 2016, 78 taxa were found: Bacillariophyta – 69, Cyanoprokaryota – 6, Haptophyta – 3. In the Karkinitsky Gulf 45 taxa were found, in the Sary-Bulatsky liman – 56 taxa. The Czekanovski-Sorensen similarity coefficient between these locality is 46%. The basis of the flora is diatoms: Cocconeis scutellum, Entomoneis alata, Halamphora coffeiformis, Nitzschia scalpelliformis, Pleurosigma angulatum, Pl. elongatum, Psammodictyon panduriforme, including Coronia daemeliana, Surirella striatula, Tryblionella circumsuta, which are rare for the microphytobenthos of the Crimean coast of the Black Sea. According to different classifications, dominant algae are benthic (86%), marine (49%) and cosmopolite (30%) species. Two potentially toxic species of diatoms, H. coffeiformis and Pseudo-nitzschia calliantha, were found once, 20 species of saprobionts – indicators of water quality were found. A comparison of the floras in the protected regions of the Black Sea between the Lebyazhy'i Ostrova Reserve and the Kazachya Bay Sanctuary showed 38 common species of benthic diatoms, in the Karadag Nature Reserve – 43 and in the Kazantip Nature Reserve (Azov Sea) – 21. The total microalgae abundance of the epilithon of the stones of the Sary-Bulatsky liman varied from 81,000 to 331,000 cellscm-2, biomass – 0.012–0.018 mgcm-2, number of species – 11–13. A significant contribution was made by cyanobacteria, their average abundance reached 256,000 cellscm-2 and biomass – 0.007 mgcm-2. The abundance of diatoms varied from 48,000 to 75,000 cellscm-2, the biomass reached 0.011 mgcm-2 with the dominance of Seminavis ventricosa. The obtained data have shown the necessity of regular monitoring of the microphytobenthos of the Lebyazhy'i Ostrova Reserve in order to identify the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of mass, rare, toxic species and aquatic environment quality estimating using indicator species of microalgae.

28–42

Authors: Popova N.N.

The article presents data on the state of the study of the bryoflora in the Tambov region. We have justified conservation status categories for rare bryophytes recommended for inclusion in the second edition of the Red Data Book of the Tambov region. All known locations, general distribution features, ecological-coenotical confinement, some population characteristics were given for each species. The estimation of territorial protection was conducted. The priority of limiting factors was identified.

56–65

Authors: Repka P., Barabasz-Krasny B., Możdżeń K., Urban P., Švajda J.

The aim of this study was to evaluate environmental awareness of young people and effectiveness of education used by national parks. The research occurred in the period from 2012 to 2014. The Veľká Fatra National Park (Slovakia), Bohemian Switzerland National Park (Czech Republic), Bieszczady National Park (Poland) and Bükki National Park (Hungary) as parks of countries of the Visegrád Group were analysed. The study was focused on the target group of students of gymnasiums and secondary schools in the regions where national parks are located and outside these regions. In all the analysed countries we used a questionnaire, which was distributed among 1301 students. For each respondent, answers were entered in a spreadsheet and statistically analysed. The following non-parametric statistical tests were used: Kruskal-Wallis, Friedman, Wilcoxon and parametric ANOVA. The best results were noted among students from Poland and the Czech Republic. In other countries of the Visegrád Group therefore it is appropriate to introduce actions aiming at increasing the ecological awareness of students, according to the models of education functioning in national parks and schools in Poland and the Czech Republic. It is also necessary to revise the ways in which national environmental education exists in all studied countries, as well as to strengthen volunteer activities.

77–82

Authors: Benediktov A.А.

The calling signal of the endemic to Altai-Sayan mountain system grasshopper Podismopsis altaica (Acrididae: Gomphocerinae) from the territory of the Russian Altai (State Nature Biosphere Reserve «Uvs Nuur Basin», the Mongun-Taiga site) is described for the first time. A comparison of the signals of P. altaica with P. poppiusi, the second species of Podismopsis also distributed in Altai Mountains, is given. It is shown that under lower temperature the repetition period of the series of sound of P. altaica is shorter than that of P. poppiusi. In addition, these two species are found in different habitats. P. altaica inhabits alpine stations, but P. poppiusi inhabits meadow and meadow-steppe stations. So the difference of habitats of P. altaica and P. poppiusi do not allow populations of these species to contact closely with each other.

89–91

Authors: Kataeva R.I.

Gennadiy D. Kataev's path is from a student of the Perm State University to the Leading Researcher of the Lapland State Biosphere Reserve. He achieved a lot over the 43-year period of his work. These are the defence of his PhD thesis, more than 200 scientific publications on the mammal ecology. His age is not a hindrance for summer and winter routes in the Lapland Reserve and for the implementation of his creative ideas.

105–108

Authors: Tashev A.N., Khapugin A.A.

This paper presents information about the Eighth Planta Europa Conference (Save plants for Earth's future) (22–26 May 2017, Kiev, Ukraine). We presented brief data on the history of previous Planta Europa meetings. We presented general information about the main events of the Conference, its thematic areas represented by oral and poster presentations. Brief data on the number of participants, presentations and excursions into botanical gardens of Kiev are presented.