Birds of Siberian-pine (Pinus sibirica) forests of the south-east part of Western Siberia (Tomsk Region)

Abstract

The article examines the fauna and bird population of Siberian-pine forests in Tomsk Region (the south-east part of Western Siberia) in the summer period. The article is based on data collected by the authors over many years in 12 areas of Siberian-pine forests in various forest subzones. The taxonomical structure of avifauna, the landscape and ecological structure, and species distribution are examined. A comparison has been made of species diversity and population density for birds of sub-taiga Siberian-pine forests in the southern and middle taiga. The authors have identified the leading species of birds in terms of population density in various forest subzones. A tendency towards latitudinal changes in species diversity and population density in Siberian-pine forests has been discovered. The authors have identified the species of birds whose diet includes the nuts of Siberian pines. Data on the bird species of Siberian-pine forests listed in the Red Data Book of Tomsk Region have been included.     

Reference community Siberian pine forests of Western Siberia as a local example of rational environmental management: anthropogenic disturbance analysis

The article describes geo-botanic characteristics of three massifs of community (situated in the vicinities of settlements) Siberian pine forests, both reference and valuable wood forests with dominance of Pinus sibirica Du Tour., growing in the mid- and southern taiga subzones of the Western Siberia natural taiga zone, Tomsk region. The results of the comparative analysis of the degree of anthropogenic disturbance in Siberian pine forests ecosystems’ composition and plant species communities’ participation are presented based on a hemerobiality scale.     

Cold resistance of three species of earthworms (Oligohaeta,Lumbricidae) in Western Siberia

We studied cold resistance of Lumbricus rubellus, Octolasion lacteum, Dendrodrilus rubidus tenuis earthworms of Western Siberia (Tomsk) populations. Worms of these species turned out to be not resistant to low temperatures (100% mortality at ?3?°C), while cocoons, on the contrary, survived ?35?°C (L. rubellus) or below ?40?°C (D. rubidus tenuis). The worms’ populations under study do not have specific cold resistance. Their main characteristics are similar in Western Siberia and other geographically remote areas according to our studies. Due to their very high cold resistance, cocoons are indifferent to winter temperatures. Hibernation of the studied species of worms in the severe conditions of the West Siberian climate is possible only in the warmest habitats where minimum soil temperature in hibernation horizons does not fall below ?2?°C. Apparently, the proportion of such habitats in the region is high as 5 out of 12 surveyed biotopes had minimum temperature above the maximum tolerated by worms at a depth of 15?cm.     

Species diversity of blood-sucking mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Tomsk Region

Abstract

This article describes the results of studying the Culicidae species composition in Tomsk region, during 8 years, 2008–2015. The survey revealed 31 mosquito species of five genera, namely Anopheles, Culex, Culiseta, Coquillettidia, Aedes. Dominant, numerous, common and rare species of Aedes genus were detected. The complete list of Culicidae species in Tomsk region was recorded. Ae. annulipes and Ae. sticticus were included in the species composition of Siberia; their presence in Tomsk region had previously been doubted. Some other species were deleted from the list because they were absent at the present time.     

The history and modern condition of the brown bear (Ursus arctos L., 1758) of the West Siberian plain

Abstract

Ursus arctos is a large carnivore and a common species for Western Siberia. The earliest traces of it date back to the Middle Pleistocene. During the Holocene, its population grew and its range significantly extended northwards. The modern West Siberian habitat lies between 55° and 67°N, and its dynamics are being affected by human activity and climate change. The beginning of the twenty-first century has been marked by the growth of the population of the brown bear and its occurrence in unusual habitats. Earlier studies of the population genetic structure prove the existence of a Pleistocene refugium on this territory. The body size of the West Siberian brown bear is the largest for U. arctos subscpecies within its range.     

First list of macromycetes forming ectomycorrhizas in cedar and pine forests of Tomsk region of West Siberia

Abstract

The study was conducted during 2004–2015 in West Siberia natural forests. The Tomsk region mycobiota is almost unstudied though this region is considered to be an accumulation zone for North American, European, and Far East fungi species. Sampling was implemented in pure cedar or pine stands. Molecular data and microscoping identified 283 macromycetes species, which form ectomycorrhizas with Pinus sibirica and Pinus sylvestris.     

Environmental,economic and social risks of nuclear power engineering (the case of the southern part of the Ob-river basin)

The Siberian Chemical Combine, the largest nuclear plant not only in Russia but also in the world, which afforded ‘heat and electricity to our houses’, was built in 1954 in the south-east of Tomsk Oblast. Tomsk is in close proximity (10–12 km) to this plant located in the closed city of Severesk; hence the radiological situation in Tomsk may be estimated as potentially dangerous. The Russian Federation’s Ministry for Atomic Energy tries to continue developing the nuclear power industry in the region and suggests new projects including a plant for nuclear fuel production and development reactor BREST-OD-300, calling this an ‘innovative project’, a ‘breakthrough’. Where will this breakthrough lead us? Is the nuclear power industry really innovative and hi-tech? The paper focuses on the analysis of economic, ecological and social risks of the nuclear power industry; it also discusses whether it is worth developing in Siberia with its huge resource potential.     

The avifauna of Western Siberia taiga zone wetlands (Tomsk oblast)

Wetland landscapes are widely spread in the Western Siberia taiga zone. Wetlands serve climatic and hydrological global functions, as well as many others. They also form the habitats for many species of animals. Dynamic development of Western Siberia wetlands and human influence on them demand the investigation of the wetlands’ bird population. This study aims to determine the wetland avifauna species diversity and to evaluate bird abundance and current state of rare species listed in Red Data Book. The study was carried out in the southern and middle taiga zones and in subtaiga. The study is based on the surveys that authors made in 2007–2013 in Tomsk oblast and also on the data gathered by the scientists in the Western Siberia forest zone. Counts were made according to Y.S. Ravkin’s methods. Counts of bird density are based on mean discovery distance on the routes. A total of 600?km walking and 150 water counting routes (by boats) were covered. It was found that 225 bird species inhabit Western Siberia wetland landscapes (196 – Tomsk oblast). Near 80% of birds inhabiting wetlands nest here.     

Russian–EU collaboration via the mega-transect approach for large-scale projects: cases of RF Federal target Programme and SIWA JPI Climate EU Programme

The mega-transect approach is a unique infrastructure which was developed in Tomsk State University for environmental monitoring and landscape-ecological research. The approach can be followed in all seasons, for field sampling, ground-based research on the field stations in combination with remote sensing and ecosystem manipulations. The mega-transect was established as a framework for the concept of Western Siberia as a natural mega-facility, a kind of natural equivalent to CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, to attract leading international research groups. The paper describes cases of Russian Federation Federal target Programme and Siberian Inland Waters Joint Programming Initiative Climate EU Programme as examples of the large-scale international projects which are now resulting.     

West Siberian palsa peatlands: distribution,typology, cyclic development,present day climate-driven changes,seasonal hydrology and impact on CO2 cycle

Palsa peatlands occupy extensive areas in Western Siberia which is one of the most paludified flat lowlands of the world. Climatic changes in Western Siberia are more dramatic compared with other northern regions, and changes in palsa landscapes are more notable due to the severe continental climate here. The distribution, peculiarities and climate-indication capacities of West Siberian palsas are poorly known outside Russia. Thus, Western Siberia is one of the most interesting vast natural polygons for studying climate-driven changes in the landscapes. This paper aims to fill the gap in knowledge on West Siberian palsas and their capacity as a climate regulator. We present issues in distribution, typology and cyclic development of palsa peatlands and their actual climate-driven changes. We also analyse the role of palsas in the atmospheric cycle of CO₂, and the hydrology of the palsa regions.     

Effects of urbanization on Neotropical wasp and bee assemblages in a Brazilian metropolis

The rapid growth of cities in many parts of the world has stimulated an increasing number of ecological studies of urban environments. Here, 12 study sites in the city of Belo Horizonte (MG), southeastern Brazil, were compared to analyze the effects of habitat changes related to urbanization on the species richness and abundance of native wasps and bees. Two spatial scales were considered: large portions of the urban landscape (entire sites) and small areas within these sites (public squares). Overall, the abundance of advanced eusocial bees (i.e. stingless bees), which were the dominant species, was directly affected by the loss of vegetation cover and the increase of buildings associated with urbanization. The magnitude of this effect varied according to the nesting habits of each species. The loss of vegetation cover associated with urbanization also had a negative effect on the abundance and species richness of advanced eusocial wasps. Generalist species of bees and wasps, such as Trigona spinipes and Polybia occidentalis, were very abundant and not sensitive to the habitat changes related to urbanization. Advanced eusocial bees also responded to small-scale habitat changes (size and vegetation cover of public squares). No relation was found between the solitary and the primitive eusocial wasps and bees and the habitat changes considered here. Conservation strategies in urban environments need to consider different spatial scales in order to maintain or enhance the local diversity of wasps and bees.     

The endangerment of bees and new developments in beekeeping: a social science perspective using the example of Germany

The endangerment of honeybees and pollination in agriculture is related to social causes and entails social consequences. The paper reflects the bee issue in terms of symbolism, discourses and practices, different perspectives and positions, and social dynamics. It then presents two case studies that apply qualitative methods to assess developments that are harmful or favourable to bees and new trends in beekeeping. The first case study addresses the booming development of urban beekeeping. This part of the paper also discusses the alternatives that organic beekeeping has to offer. The second case study investigates beekeeping for the purpose of pollination in orchards. It points to possibilities of cooperation between growers and beekeepers but also marks the main problems, which are related to insecticide use and the development of the pollination market.     

Revisiting the organohalogens associated with 1979-samples of Brazilian bees (Eufriesea purpurata)

Brazilian bees of the species Eufriesea purpurata are known to tolerate very high concentrations of DDT. As reported in the literature, these bees have suffered no harm from as much as 2 mg/bee, which is in the per-cent range of the body weight. In 1979, individuals of E. purpurata were captured as they collected DDT from walls of remote, rural houses in Brazil. Reported herein are quantities and identities of DDT, DDT metabolites, and other organohalogen compounds in four samples of bees stored since 1979. The concentrations of DDT (sum of p,p'-DDT, -DDE, and -DDD) ranged from 23 to 314 microg/bee which is up to twelve fold higher than the LD(50) value of DDT in the honey bee (Apis mellifera) but significantly lower than the no-effect concentration in E. purpurata. Enantioselective determination confirmed the presence of racemic o,p'-DDT in the four individual samples. GC/ECNI-MS investigation resulted in the detection of low amounts (<1 microg/bee) of PCA, lindane, and chlordane. At higher retention times four unknown compounds were detected with a proposed molecular ion at m/z 498, a non-aromatic hydrocarbon backbone along with the presence of eight chlorine substituents. Neither the structure nor the origin of these compounds could be determined. Considering where and when the bees were collected and considering the biology and ecology of the euglossine bees themselves, we propose that the four unknowns are natural products and, as such, are the most highly chlorinated natural compounds yet discovered.     

The influence of climatic changes on chromosome inversion polymorphism in a population of malarial mosquito Anopheles messeae (CULICIDAE) in Tomsk

In 2013, the karyotypic structure of the population of malarial mosquito Anopheles messeae in the village of Kolarovo, Tomsk Region, was studied. A level of polymorphism close to the values of the last 20?years has been noted in the studied population. A decrease in autosome heterozygosis and rise of XL₀, 2R_0, 3R₀ and 3L₀ chromosomal variant frequencies has been shown. The results have been compared with the data obtained earlier. During 40?years of monitoring, a significant transformation of frequency characteristics of A. messeae inversion polymorphism has been detected, which occurred gradually. During the period from 1974 to 1979, the frequency stability of the concentration of chromosomal inversion has remained stable in the population of Tomsk Region (Kolarovo village), which is typical for the centre of the specific range. Furthermore, during the period until 1992, there was a serious frequency restructuring in favour of inversions that was specific to the south-western part of the range. In the period from 1993 to 2013, this restructuring has been constantly reproducing from one year to the next. Such a tendency correlates well with climate warming.     

Phenetic variability of bluegrasses (Poa L., Poaceae) section Stenopoa Dum. in Asian Russia

Abstract

Research into the basic qualitative characteristics (phens), their distribution and combinations (morphotypes) was undertaken in order to reveal the genetic diversity with respect to section Stenopoa in Asian Russia. About one and half thousands occurrences have been revealed, using herbarium samples and literature data, 1144 were involved in analysis. Four key characters have been used as phonetic markers: the presence or absence of the tuft of hairs on the lemma callus, rachilla surface, ligule length, and lemma surface between veins. Based on these characters and taking into account their xeromorphic level (4 character states), 46 different morphotypes among 96 possible ones were found; 24 morphotypes among 46 (56.5%) are suggested to be of hybrid origin, and 239 (20.89%) among 1144 investigated individuals seem to be of hybrid origin as well. High phenetic diversity of Stenopoa bluegrass indicated indirectly their high genetic diversity in Asian Russia. The highest morphological diversity and phenotypic richness were found in Altai-Sayan mountain systems and in the Baikal region.     

Rare and unique communities in the South of Western Siberia of the Bolshaya Sogra natural complex (Kislukhinsky state natural regional reserve,the Altaisky Krai,Russia)

The paper presents floristic and geo-botanical characteristics of rare forest ecosystems of the south of Western Siberia – spruce forests on the site of the Ob river ancient bed within the modern Bolshaya Sogra within the boundaries of the state natural reserve ‘Kislukhinsky’ (Altai region). Spruce forests here are at the edge of their spread in the West Siberian Plain conditions. There are over 300 species of vascular plants found in these spruce forests. Among them are plants that are typical of the mountain taiga associations of Russian Altai, as well as orchids, which have high species diversity. Spruce forest set of associations is also varied. The uniqueness of the described communities to the south of Western Siberia, the large number of rare and endangered plant species listed in the Red Books of different ranks, as well as the boreal forest species complex rare to the lowland wooded steppe, which has a relict character, all served as the basis for allocating a special protection area in the ‘Kislukhinsky’ reserve and attributing the studied spruce forests to the forests of high conservation value.     

Features of the elemental composition of plants of northern Western Siberian palsas

This paper reports the current state of lake and wetland ecosystems in the north of Western Siberia and describes the mechanisms of their formation and succession. Elemental composition of lake water and macrophytes of the four most typical subarctic lake ecosystems in Western Siberia were analysed using ICP MS. We selected the species of Menyanthes trifoliata L. as an example of the biogeochemical system. The general dynamics of concentration of the chemical elements in M. trifoliata L. in all four ecosystems demonstrate the minimal concentrations of rare-earth elements, of which the mobility in fresh waters and the bioavailability are low. Similar properties are exhibited by all tri and tetravalent hydrolysates. We also calculated, at each of the four stages of development of the lake ecosystems, the coefficients of biological accumulation of chemical elements by M. trifoliata L. (Kb) relative to the water. This revealed that the M. trifoliata L. strongly accumulates heavy metals, such as Pb, Zn, Sr and Co. The sources may be both global factors (atmospheric transport, water treatment, etc.) and various types of local pollution occurring as a result of anthropogenic impact on ecosystems of the north.     

Stability of airborne microbes in the Louvre Museum over time

The microbial content of air has as yet been little described, despite its public health implications, and there remains a lack of environmental microbial data on airborne microflora in enclosed spaces. In this context, the aim of this study was to characterize the diversity and dynamics of airborne microorganisms in the Louvre Museum using high‐throughput molecular tools and to underline the microbial signature of indoor air in this human‐occupied environment. This microbial community was monitored for 6 month during occupied time. The quantitative results revealed variations in the concentrations of less than one logarithm, with average values of 10³ and 10⁴ Escherichia coli/Aspergillus fumigatus genome equivalent per m³ for bacteria and fungi, respectively. Our observations highlight the stability of the indoor airborne bacterial diversity over time, while the corresponding eukaryote community was less stable. Bacterial diversity characterized by pyrosequencing 454 showed high diversity dominated by the Proteobacteria which represented 51.1%, 46.9%, and 38.4% of sequences, for each of the three air samples sequenced. A common bacterial diversity was underlined, corresponding to 58.4% of the sequences. The core species were belonging mostly to the Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, and to the genus Paracoccus spp., Acinetobacter sp., Pseudomonas sp., Enhydrobacter sp., Sphingomonas sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Streptococcus sp.     

FixMyStreet Brussels: Socio-Demographic Inequality in Crowdsourced Civic Participation

FixMyStreet (FMS) is a web-based civic participation platform that allows inhabitants to report environmental defects like potholes and damaged pavements to the government. In this paper, we examine the use of FMS in Brussels, the capital city of Belgium. Analyzing a total of 30,041 reports since its inception in 2013, we demonstrate how civic participation on FMS varies between the ethnically diverse districts in Brussels. We compare FMS use to a range of sociodemographic indicators derived from official city statistics as well as geotagged social media data from Twitter. Our statistical analysis revealed several significant differences between the districts that suggested that crowdsourced civic participation platforms tend to marginalize low-income and ethnically diverse communities. In this respect, our findings provide timely evidence to inform the design of more inclusive crowdsourced, civic participation platforms in the future.