Nature Conservation Research

1–21

Authors: Orlova M.V., Orlov O.L.

Parasitism is a widespread life-history strategy in nature. Despite the abundance of parasitic species, many aspects of their biology (e.g., population parameters, vulnerability degree, extinction possibility, and the need for protection) remain understudied. Parasites are perceived negatively (even by some scientists). This results in the underappreciation of the importance of parasites in the biosphere. In this review, we summarise modern views on the ecological, scientific and applied significance of parasites. According to literature review, parasitism is not considered as a strictly negative phenomenon. And parasites are recognised as significant components of the ecosystem similarly to free-living species. Prospects and extent of co-extinction of parasites with the hosts and the possible consequences of this phenomenon are discussed. Additionally, we discussed the problems and solutions associated with parasitic species conservation as well as recommendations on considering the status of protected species to several ectoparasite species.

29–36

Authors: Rozenfeld S.B., Kirtaev G.V., Rogova N.V., Soloviev M.Yu.

The global population of Anser erythropus has rapidly declined since the middle of the 20th century. The decline in numbers has been accompanied by the fragmentation of the breeding range and is considered as «continuing affecting all populations, giving rise to fears that the species may go extinct». Overhunting, poaching and habitat loss are considered to be the main threats. The official estimate of the dimension of the decline is in the range of 30% to 49% between 1998 and 2008. Monitoring and the prospection of new areas are needed for the future conservation of this species. The eastern part of the Nenetsky Autonomous Okrug, the Baydaratskaya Bay and the Lower Ob (Dvuobye) are important territories for the Western main population of Anser erythropus on a flyway scale. Moving along the coast to the east, Anser erythropus can stay for a long time on the Barents Sea Coast, from where they fly over the Baydaratskaya Bay to the Dvuobye. We made aerial surveys and identified key sites and the main threats for Anser erythropus on this part of the flyway. According to our data, the numbers of the Western main population of Anser erythropus amount to 48 580 ± 2820 individuals after the breeding season, i.e. higher than the previous estimates made in autumn in Northern Kazakhstan. The key sites of Anser erythropus in this part of the flyway were identified.

64–82

Authors: Muchnik E.E., Konoreva L.A., Kazakova M.V., Sobolev N.A.

The article presents the results of lichenological studies at the territories of Meshchersky National Park (Klepiky district and Ryazan district of the Ryazan Region, Russia) and Meshchera National Park (Gus-Khrustalny district of the Vladimir Region, Russia). Both Protected Areas represent an entire natural-anthropogenic area created in 1992 to preserve the unique forests and wetlands of the Meshchera Lowland, and to restore forest-marsh territories damaged by draining and long-term extraction of peat. Both the national parks are located in the centre of the Meshchera Lowland, in the basin of the River Pra (left-side tributary of the River Oka), and its tributaries – the River Buzha and the River Pol. In 2008–2018, we studied the lichen diversity using the traditional route method with more detailed studies within 64 sample plots. The following habitat types were inspected: pine forests, mixed forests and small-leaved forests, floodplain oak forest, swamps, meadows and heaths, shores of water bodies, and anthropogenic biotopes. Material of previous studies was also included in the analysis. An annotated list included 199 lichen species and eight non-lichenised fungus-related species which are traditionally counted in lichen lists. They belong to 88 genera and 43 families. The similarity of the lichen lists of the two national parks is 0.63 according to the Sørensen-Dice index. Cladonia bacilliformis, Lecania naegelii, Peltigera polydactylon, Porpidia crustulata, Pycnora praestabilis, and Xylopsora caradocensis were new species for the Vladimir region. Cladonia bacilliformis, C. cervicornis, C. floerkeana, and Stictis mollis were new species for the Ryazan region. Cetraria ericetorum, Cladonia bacilliformis, C. cervicornis, C. floerkeana, Peltigera extenuata, Stictis mollis were new species for the Meshchersky National Park. Chaenotheca furfuracea, Cladonia bacilliformis, Lecania naegelii, Peltigera polydactylon, Porpidia crustulata, Pycnora praestabilis, Xylopsora caradocensis were new for the Meshchera National Park. Acrocordia gemmata, Bacidia rubella, Chaenotheca stemonea, Chaenothecopsis pusiola, and Cladonia parasitica were considered as indicators of old-growth and undisturbed forests. Four rare species (Bryoria fuscescens, B. nadvornikiana, Cetraria ericetorum, and Peltigera extenuata) are listed in the Red Data Book of the Ryazan region. The following 19 species are rare for the centre of European Russia: Absconditella delutula, Acarospora versicolor, Arthonia fusca, Bacidia friesii, Biatora albohyalina, Cladonia sulphurina, Lecania suavis, Lecanora fuscescens, Micarea erratica, Microcalicium ahlneri, Ochrolechia androgyna, Porpidia soredizodes, Rhizocarpon reductum, Stictis mollis, Thelocarpon laureri, Thelloma ocellatum, Toninia athallina, Trapelia placodioides, and Xanthoparmelia stenophylla. In total, the species richness of lichen biotas in both national parks is equivalent to that in the Oka State Nature Reserve (208 species).

93–98

Authors: Popov S.Yu., Makukha Yu.A.

Ptilium crista-castrensis is one of the most common moss species in the forest zone. It is dominant in the moss layer of the blueberry and cowberry forests. At least with low abundance, it occurs almost in every forest type and mires. In addition, it is a component of the moss layer in tundra. We compiled the published annotated lists of regional bryophyte floras into a generalised dataset. We then created a map of the P. crista-castrensis model range using the kriging method. We included data from 179 locations, with data points in 39 Protected Areas. We determined climatic preferences of the species by comparing the species occurrence and climatic factors on locations. The comparison of the created model map with the map of vegetation zones allowed us to analyse the spatial distribution of P. crista-castrensis. We could demonstrate a sharp decrease of P. crista-castrensis abundance at the borders of the forest and steppe zones. By the range boundaries, this moss is a rarely occurring species, where it grows exclusively in limited pine forest patches. This species is completely lacking in the steppe zone. Its abundance has maximal values in the northern taiga subzone considered as the climatic optimum of P. crista-castrensis. In the forest zone, the occurrence of P. crista-castrensis varies from sporadically to commonly. At the northern and southern borders of the forest zone, the species occurrence is characterised as rare. A too low average temperature and precipitation are unfavourable for P. crista-castrensis in the north of the study area. At the same time, a too high temperature and too low precipitation and humidity have the same effect in the south of the study area.

106–108

Authors: Borzée A.

Data on the predator-prey relationship of small animal species is still understudied, especially in countries where scientific research is not yet widely shared, such as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Here, I report the interaction between a Hydaticus sp. larvae and a Dryophytes japonicus treefrog tadpole, where the invertebrate preyed on the vertebrate. This is the first data available on the diet of a Hydaticus sp. larvae, and the first behavioural observation of D. japonicus, in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.