Arid EcosystemsPub Date : 2026-04-01DOI: 10.1134/S2079096125700386
Zh. V. Kuz’mina, S. E. Treshkin, T. Yu. Karimova
{"title":"Development of “Methods for Assessing Hydrogen Disturbances in Terrestrial Ecosystems and Landscapes” As a Result of Combined Anthropogenic (Hydrotechnical) and Natural (Climatic–Hydrological) Impacts","authors":"Zh. V. Kuz’mina, S. E. Treshkin, T. Yu. Karimova","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700386","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700386","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The “Methodology for Identifying Hydrogen Disturbances in Terrestrial Ecosystems and Landscapes” was developed as a result of combined anthropogenic (hydrotechnical) and natural (climatic-hydrological) impacts by including in the main analysis algorithm two additional blocks for quantitative assessment of not only the main abiotic (meteorological, hydrological, the relative coefficient of change, the Ped’ index) and biotic (quantity and quality of species diversity, fluctuation variability, changes in structure like layering, quality, and quantity of indicator species, food value for meadows, aggregate assessment of indicators for each ecosystem separately, aggregate assessment for landscapes for several ecosystems compatible by profile or block) components of ecosystems, but also a quantitative assessment of two biocost (water and soil) types of components (blocks). For the water block, quantitative analysis and assessment of (a) changes in the frequency of floodplain flooding of territories and (b) long-term changes in groundwater levels were added. Ground-based (quantitative) data on changes in the position of flooding and the location of groundwater levels by area and depth were verified based on space data. In monitoring the position of the groundwater level by area and depth, data on the long-term dynamics of the groundwater level during the low-water period are especially valuable. For the soil block, an analysis and assessment of (a) the quantitative (by depth of occurrence) manifestation of gleyization processes (for humid and arid territories) and (b) the qualitative (by the strength of manifestation in the soil profile, %) of their manifestation (gleyization) were added, as the most informative and easily identifiable soil markers in field conditions during anthropogenic or natural changes in the water content of the territory.</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"453 - 460"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arid EcosystemsPub Date : 2026-04-01DOI: 10.1134/S2079096125700465
P. A. Kuzmin, P. A. Krylov, V. O. Malov
{"title":"The Species Diversity of Endophytic Fungi in Xerophytes Growing on Dry Territories of Southern Russia","authors":"P. A. Kuzmin, P. A. Krylov, V. O. Malov","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700465","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700465","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Plants ensure resistance to negative environmental factors through various systems. One such system is a symbiotic relationship between a plant and endophytic fungi, specifically, <i>Arbuscular endomycorrhiza.</i> The xerophytic plants <i>Krascheninnikovia ceratodes</i> (L.) Gueldenst., <i>Haloxylon aphyllum</i> (Minkw.) Iljin, and <i>Tamarix ramosissima</i> Ledeb are used in Southern Russia to combat desertification and restore degraded lands. In this regard, the aim of this work was to determine the species diversity of endophytic fungi in the plants studied. The degree of mycorrhization and the abundance of arbuscules were assessed using the Trouvelot method (Trouvelot et al., 1986). Endophytes were identified by sequencing the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of their DNA using Oxford Nanopore technology. The research results have shown that the root system of <i>K. ceratodes</i> is mycorrhizated by two genera of fungi, i.e., <i>Monosporascus</i> Pollack & Uecker and <i>Fusarium</i> Link, which may form arbuscule-like structures creating a symbiotic, mutualistic relationship. Members of the genera <i>Fusarium</i> and <i>Simplicillium</i> (J.F.H. Beyma) Zare & W. were found in <i>H. aphyllum</i> and <i>T. ramosissima</i>. The intensity of mycorrhization in the root system of <i>K. ceratodes</i> was two times higher compared to other species studied. Herein, the abundance of arbuscules in the root system of <i>K. ceratodes</i> reached a maximum value, which was 17 times higher than that of <i>T. ramosissima</i> and 34 times that of <i>H. aphyllum</i>. It is assumed that these members of endophytic fungi form mutualistic relationships with plants to help them resist drought.</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"517 - 522"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arid EcosystemsPub Date : 2026-04-01DOI: 10.1134/S2079096125700477
L. A. Alaeva, I. V. Cherepukhina, T. A. Devyatova, I. V. Rumyantseva
{"title":"Soil Microbiota of the Humus Cycle in Gray Soils of Ravine Oak Forests of the Steppe Zone","authors":"L. A. Alaeva, I. V. Cherepukhina, T. A. Devyatova, I. V. Rumyantseva","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700477","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700477","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Current studies of the global carbon cycle cover all environmental components, including the biosphere as a whole. Decomposition and humification of organic residues in the soil result in the formation of a complex system of intermediate compounds, which are simultaneously consumed in the processes of humification and mineralization up to final products. In terrestrial ecosystems, forest ecosystems and their soils represent critical links of the carbon cycle. Despite the fact that forest ecosystems in the steppe part of the Central Chernozem region occur only as islands of ravine oak forests, their ecological functions in arid ecosystems are very important. The soils of ravine oak forests are formed along an elevational series in the following order: typical light-loamy gray soils of the summit of a west-facing slope → stratified humic water-accumulating loamy gray stratozems on proluvial–deluvial deposits of the ravine bottom → typical light-loamy gray soils of the summit of the east-facing slope. The study of the forest soil microbial community of the ravine complex was based on the recording of the abundance of groups involved in carbon turnover, such as actinomycetes, micromycetes, and autochthonous and zymogenous microflora. The results of this study showed that, in the case of arid climatic conditions (HTC = 0.8), the processes of humus formation in the oak forest soils were the most active in spring, whereas humus mineralization processes dominated in autumn. In autumn, the abundance of the zymogenous group differed insignificantly between the elements of the ravine complex (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.9956). In spring, the abundance of this group and its contrast between the elements of the ravine complex increased significantly (<i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.7715). The maximum abundance was observed on the west-facing slopes. A contrasting trend of development was observed for this group of microorganisms in the spring period. For all sites studied, the abundance of micromycetes in autumn was lower than in spring, with the maximum value observed in the soil of the ravine bottom. Actinobacteria have different development trends for the autumn and spring periods: in autumn, their quantity gradually decreased from the west- to east-facing slope, while the opposite trend was observed in spring. Thus, the activity of participation of different microbial groups in humus formation processes is highly dynamic and depends on both the seasonality (spring, autumn) and the landscape position (slope aspect, ravine element).</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"523 - 531"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579431","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arid EcosystemsPub Date : 2026-04-01DOI: 10.1134/S2079096125700441
I. B. Shapovalova, B. I. Ubushaev, S. S. Ulanova
{"title":"The Role of Artificial Reservoirs in Kalmykia in Maintaining the Biodiversity of Avifauna of Hydromorphic Ecosystems in the Context of Modern Climate Change and Increasing Anthropogenic Pressure","authors":"I. B. Shapovalova, B. I. Ubushaev, S. S. Ulanova","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700441","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700441","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This work is devoted to the avifauna of some reservoirs–storage sites of waste and collector–drainage waters, as well as reservoirs of the filling type on the territory of the Republic of Kalmykia as of 2025. The composition and structure of coastal ornithocomplexes of the Manych-Gudilo, Deed-Khulsun, and Chograi reservoirs, as well as some small reservoirs of local importance, were studied. These reservoirs are key ornithological territories of Russia (KOTR). The water areas of some of them (Manych-Gudilo Lake and Deed-Khulsun Lake) are protected natural areas of federal and regional significance, which facilitates their monitoring. A modern assessment of the diversity of avifauna and bird population of the reservoirs and their coasts (species composition, number/abundance) is given. The contribution of water bodies to the conservation and enrichment of the biodiversity of the region was assessed. Recommendations are given for managing the hydrological regime in order to maintain and preserve coastal ecosystems, including populations of rare and vulnerable bird species.</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"500 - 508"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579448","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arid EcosystemsPub Date : 2026-04-01DOI: 10.1134/S2079096125700362
E. A. Marchuk, A. K. Kvitchenko, L. A. Zalyautdinova, E. G. Egidarev, S. A. Benkovsky
{"title":"The Impact of Fires on the Composition and Structure of the Flora of Steppe Meadows of the Khanka Lowland (Primorskii Krai, Russia)","authors":"E. A. Marchuk, A. K. Kvitchenko, L. A. Zalyautdinova, E. G. Egidarev, S. A. Benkovsky","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700362","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700362","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The Khanka Lowland is a flat area surrounding Khanka Lake. According to the biome classification, it belongs to the Prikhankai pine–oak forest–steppe biome. The Khanka forest–steppe is characterized by a special type of steppe meadows, which include a complex of true steppe species, many of which are located here on the eastern border of their range and are listed in the regional Red Book. One of the most powerful factors affecting the ecosystems of the Khanka Lowland is fires. However, their impact on the Khanka vegetation has not been studied. The aim of our work was to establish the consequences of short-term exposure to pyrogenic factors on the composition and structure of the flora of steppe meadows. This research was carried out in 2023–2024 at seven sites located in the Khankaiskii district on the western coast of Hanka Lake. Data on the burnt areas were extracted using Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellite images from open sources. Descriptions were made on 42 10 × 10 m plots in areas in the year of the fire and one, two, and five years after the fires. Data analysis was performed using generalized linear mixed-effects models (GLMMs) in the R software environment. The number of years since the fire was considered as an independent factor. In addition, the topography and distance to the forest were used as predictors. It was established that the highest species richness (138 species) was noted in the survey sites in the first year after the fire, and the lowest (83 species) was noted in areas that had not burned for five years. It was shown that, in the year of the fire, the projective cover of steppe species was significantly greater than one, two, or five years after the fire, while that of nemoral mesophytes, on the contrary, was significantly less. Insignificant changes occur in the species composition of the flora of steppe meadows during pyrogenic fluctuations over the course of 1–5 years. Fires have a significant impact only on the abundance of steppe and nemoral species. In models where the dependent parameter is species diversity, the influence of the pyrogenic factor is not reliable. The topography and distance to oak forest communities have a greater impact on differences in the composition and structure of the flora. However, the overall effect of regular spring and autumn burning is more negative than positive, and only becomes apparent after a longer period.</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"435 - 444"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arid EcosystemsPub Date : 2026-04-01DOI: 10.1134/S2079096125700416
I. N. Gorokhova, L. A. Tarnopolskii, E. I. Pankova
{"title":"Soil Mapping in Unproductive Lands in the Southern Part of the Volga Upland (Volgograd Oblast) Based on Satellite Images","authors":"I. N. Gorokhova, L. A. Tarnopolskii, E. I. Pankova","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700416","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700416","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The aim of the present work was to develop and test a method for creating a comprehensive digital map of soils with outcropping rubble, sand, and sandy loam deposits and surface calcareous soils based on satellite images and field research data in the southern part of the Volga Upland. The scientific novelty of this work is the integrated approach to the assessment of soils in unproductive agricultural lands formed under the influence of anthropogenic and natural factors that require different land reclamation measures. The object of this study was the key plot located in the western part of the Oroshaemaya research station of the Volga–Don irrigation system in Volgograd oblast. Field studies were carried out in August–September 2020–2023. Route and topographical and profile surveys were conducted. On routes, the presence of carbonates was determined by the boiling rate upon contact with 10% HCl solution for daytime soil surfaces, and three topographic soil profiles were defined with the description of soils and soil-forming rocks. A Pleiades satellite image dated April 25, 2020, with a resolution of 0.5–0.7 m after processing obtained in the B1–B4 and panchromatic channels was used. It was found that the spectral brightness in all channels, which reflects the geological rocks located close to the surface and surface calcareous soils, had similar but still discriminable values, which made it possible to use the satellite image to separate these objects. The satellite image of the key site was classified separately to identify soils with different soil-forming and underlying rocks and to determine the boiling rate of surface-calcareous soils. Classification was performed using the Random Forest algorithm with training based on field data points. Only fields with an open soil surface were analyzed. The classification accuracy ranged from 0.75 to 0.90 in both cases. After classification, a bitmap file was obtained for each field, which was used to calculate the areas occupied by each of the soil types studied. The use of this approach made it possible to discriminate the surface-stony, sandy, and sandy loam soils from the surface-calcareous soils that require different land reclamation measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"476 - 482"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579437","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arid EcosystemsPub Date : 2026-04-01DOI: 10.1134/S2079096125700374
S. P. Arefyev
{"title":"Dendrochronological Reconstruction of Waterlogging of Birch Forests in Steppe Watersheds in Southern Omsk Oblast","authors":"S. P. Arefyev","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700374","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700374","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The relevance of this work is determined by the increased forest waterlogging in forest–steppe watersheds of Western Siberia since the 1990s, which has reached the greatest pace in the southern part of Omsk oblast. The goal of this study is a dendrochronological reconstruction of the timing and causes of waterlogging in insular steppe birch forests, using the Odessa district of the oblast as an example. This study uses dendroclimatic analysis methods based on the chronologies of the standardized radial increment and its year-by-year variability as an indicator of ecological and physiological stress in trees. For the period 1950–2024, contour diagrams are used to analyze the sliding correlation (response function) and year-by-year association of stress with the monthly precipitation and air temperatures for the current and previous years. Based on a combination of responses to precipitation and temperature, the influence of the dendroclimatic patterns of the steppe (typical), tundra–steppe, taiga, and nemoral forests is differentiated. Extreme birch stress events were recorded in 1952, 2007, 2014, and 2020–2024. In the 21st century, these events coincided with extremely high groundwater levels, as well as warm, snowy winters, creating conditions conducive to anaerobic root rotting. With subsequent spring flooding and drought, this led to the partial or complete death of weakened trees. Based on the trends of rising groundwater levels and regional climate warming with episodic intensification of the dendroclimatic pattern of nemoral forests, three periods were identified based on the responses of birch trees: (1) period of responses typical for the steppe zone before 1983, (2) transitional period, and (3) period of extreme atypical responses since 2007.</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"445 - 452"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arid EcosystemsPub Date : 2026-04-01DOI: 10.1134/S2079096125700398
S. V. Zhigzhitzhapova, B. B. Namzalov, Zh. B. Alymbaeva, M. A. Zharnikova, D. V. Sandanov, S. A. Kholboeva, A. A. Korobkov
{"title":"Wormwood Biodiversity Nodes of the Baikal Area of Siberia","authors":"S. V. Zhigzhitzhapova, B. B. Namzalov, Zh. B. Alymbaeva, M. A. Zharnikova, D. V. Sandanov, S. A. Kholboeva, A. A. Korobkov","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700398","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700398","url":null,"abstract":"<p>One of the most common plants in the northern hemisphere is the genus <i>Artemisia</i> L. In this article, an analysis of the biodiversity of this genus and its distribution throughout the territory of the Baikal area of Siberia is given. At present, there is no consolidated list of wormwoods for the specified region, much less any analytical publications dedicated to them. Our consolidated list of 55 species of wormwoods is based on our own collection materials, published sources, and electronic databases that are freely available. The current distribution of wormwoods on the territory of the Baikal area of Siberia shows that their concentration occurs according to four biodiversity nodes: Selenginsk–Dauriya, Pribaikalskii, Sayan–Prikhubsugul’skii, and Dauriya–Khenteiskii. The greatest species diversity for <i>Artemisia</i> at 43 was noted in the Baikal node, and the least was noted in the Sayan–Prikhubsugul’skii node at 26, while in the Selenginsk–Dauriya and Dauriya–Khenteiskii nodes, there were 38 each. The Selenginsk–Dauriya node plays a special role in the spread of wormwoods through the migration process. The processes of recent speciation and the endemism associated with these phenomena are more characteristic of the Baikal node; the phenomena of neoendemism and subsequent complex geo- and biochemical processes are caused by Baikal rifting.</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"461 - 468"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579577","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arid EcosystemsPub Date : 2026-04-01DOI: 10.1134/S2079096125700404
Z. G. Zalibekov, U. M. Galimova
{"title":"Accumulation of Migration Stocks of Atmospheric Precipitation in the Soils of the Arid Regime of the Caspian Lowland","authors":"Z. G. Zalibekov, U. M. Galimova","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700404","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700404","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The arid lands of the Caspian Lowland are part of the global arid climate zone and reflect changes in natural processes, primarily in the soil cover. The total area of arid lands is more than 90% of the territory of the region and is affected by progressively increasing droughts, moisture deficit, and a decrease in precipitation and surface water (Kovda, 1977). In the context of changes occurring in desertification processes, there is a need to mobilize available types of water resources, including nontraditional water sources. The most important of these are the migration reserves of water obtained from atmospheric precipitation and accumulated in soil horizons during interseasonal transition periods. They have a migratory ability that depends on the changing seasons. The change of seasons is accompanied by a change in the amount of precipitation and the ratio of heat and moisture (Akaev, 1996). The accumulation of maximum moisture reserves coincides in time with the period characterized by the parameters of winter dormancy (anabiosis) conditions of plants. The stage of moisture accumulation in the root layer occurs under conditions of weakened evaporation, characteristic of the initial period of vegetation (<i>Agroklimaticheskii spravochnik…</i>, 1963).</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"469 - 475"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Arid EcosystemsPub Date : 2026-04-01DOI: 10.1134/S2079096125700453
A. V. Sharikov, O. A. Vartanyants, S. V. Volkov, O. S. Grinchenko
{"title":"Migration Pathways and Wintering Grounds of Young Black Kites (Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783)) from the Central European Part of Russia","authors":"A. V. Sharikov, O. A. Vartanyants, S. V. Volkov, O. S. Grinchenko","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700453","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700453","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Telemetry is a method used to gather complex data on the movements of tagged birds by remotely monitoring transmitters attached to them. The great mobility of birds makes them difficult to observe from a single point. The spread of telemetry methods has enabled the study of the annual life cycles of birds and bird behavior. In 2023 and 2024, 14 black kite chicks were first fitted with GPS/GSM trackers in Moscow oblast; four birds completed the first migration. In the first year, black kites completed their autumn migration in an average of 71.5 days (<i>n</i> = 4). In the second year, their autumn migration speed increased, with the average duration dropping to 32 days (<i>n</i> = 2). During this time, the birds flew an average of 7864 and 6292 km, respectively. In the first and second year, the black kites wintered in the same territories characterized by arid conditions. The tracked birds migrated for winter to Israel (<i>n</i> = 3) and South Sudan (<i>n</i> = 1). The first wintering period was an average of 169 days (<i>n</i> = 2). The flight during spring migration lasted an average of 38 days (<i>n</i> = 2), with the average total distance travelled being 6069 km. The pathways of the first and second autumn migrations of young black kites were almost the same, while the spring migratory route was slightly different.</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"509 - 516"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579449","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}