Arid Ecosystems最新文献

{"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}

{"title":"Wormwood Biodiversity Nodes of the Baikal Area of Siberia","authors":"S. V. Zhigzhitzhapova,&nbsp;B. B. Namzalov,&nbsp;Zh. B. Alymbaeva,&nbsp;M. A. Zharnikova,&nbsp;D. V. Sandanov,&nbsp;S. A. Kholboeva,&nbsp;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}

{"title":"Accumulation of Migration Stocks of Atmospheric Precipitation in the Soils of the Arid Regime of the Caspian Lowland","authors":"Z. G. Zalibekov,&nbsp;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}

{"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,&nbsp;O. A. Vartanyants,&nbsp;S. V. Volkov,&nbsp;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}

{"title":"On the Taxonomic Status of Vorontsov’s Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus vorontsovi): Bioacoustic Analysis","authors":"O. V. Brandler,&nbsp;A. A. Nikol’skii","doi":"10.1134/S207909612570043X","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S207909612570043X","url":null,"abstract":"<p>A comparative analysis has been conducted on acoustic alarm calls of Vorontsov’s ground squirrel (<i>Spermophilus vorontsovi</i>) and other species of red-cheeked ground squirrels within the <i>erythrogenys</i> group, which inhabit arid and semi-arid ecosystems. The absence of biphonation is a key distinguishing feature of <i>S. vorontsovi</i> and <i>S. erythrogenys</i> s. str. from other related species of the group. The alarm call of Vorontsov’s squirrel features a unique frequency modulation that differs slightly from the signal of the geographically close <i>S. erythrogenys</i> s. str., and this vocal difference correlates with the genetic proximity of the two species on a multilocus phylogenetic tree. The wide variation in alarm calls of the <i>S. erythrogenys s. str.</i> population in Eastern Kazakhstan could be due either to the presence of a large amount of pre-existing genetic variation from its ancestors (ancestral polymorphism) or to the limited gene flow from the left bank of the Irtysh River to the right bank. The divergence of signal traits among species within the <i>erythrogenys</i> group followed a model of geographic speciation, driven mainly by geographic barriers—specifically, large rivers.</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"493 - 499"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579445","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}

{"title":"Effect of Fluctuations of the Caspian Sea Level on Its Biodiversity and Bioproductivity","authors":"A. F. Sokolsky,&nbsp;N. I. Rabazanov,&nbsp;E. A. Sokolskaya","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700507","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700507","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Data are presented on changes in the Caspian Sea water level over the last 180 years. During the regression phase, the sea area decreases sharply, while salinity increases, especially in the shallow northern part of the basin. One of the primary drivers of sea-level decline is the reduced discharge of its tributary rivers. Changes in seawater salinity have led to a restructuring of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic communities. As a result, the development of freshwater and brackish‑water species has declined, while the abundance of marine species has increased. This restructuring of planktonic and benthic communities has reduced their total biomass, so the overall sea productivity has decreased. This, in turn, has resulted in deterioration of fish resources, and fish populations have fallen into a depressed state. However, with the onset of transgressive phases, the species composition of plankton and benthos communities should recover; their abundance and biomass can increase sharply, and the biological productivity of the sea may return nearly to its initial level. Sustaining fish stocks requires artificial replenishment of populations with juvenile fish. To achieve this, it is proposed to expand marine fishing in feeding areas while gradually reducing both the zone and intensity of riverine fishing in spawning areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"548 - 554"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579434","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}

{"title":"Innovative Techniques for Suppression of Deflation and Restoration of Desertified Pasturelands of the Caspian Region by Means of Phyto-Amelioration","authors":"A. S. Manaenkov","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700490","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700490","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In the arid and semi-arid regions of the Caspian region, pasture degradation is widespread due to the unravelling of the soil cover and the formation of fine sand dunes. In order to suppress areas of deflation and restore vegetation cover, low-energy technologies for phytomelioration were developed and tested over a large area 30–40 years ago. The aim of this research is to analyze the results of this work and improve the scientific and technological foundations for accelerating it and increasing its efficiency. Studies of secondary vegetation cover were carried out in large modern deflation areas in the Black Earth Nature Reserve in Kalmykia using generally accepted methods in phytomelioration, geobotany, and processing of field materials. It has been established that the development of foci should be carried out within the boundaries of blowout basins. The fundamental condition for the success of this work is a sharp reduction in the intensity of sand transfer by increasing the roughness of the eroded soil by cutting furrows and creating windbreaks made of lyme grass (<i>Leymus arenarius</i> L.) or juzgun (<i>Calligonum aphyllum</i> Pall.), and their acceleration with creation of locations of regenerative–fodder phytocenoses from teresken (<i>Eurotia ceratoides</i> L.), forage kochia (<i>Kochia prostrata</i> (L.) Schrad.), and perennial forage cereals on 10–15% of the area. Using the soil moisture reserve, in the first years they produce a large mass of vegetative organs and seeds, expand, and form a multilayered vegetation cover—forest pastures. This allows for a 2- to 3-fold reduction or more in energy and material costs for phytomelioration of desertified lands. Subsequently, forest pastures remain attractive to animals for several decades, but gradually degrade and require reconstruction. The shrub layer lasts longer under moderate grazing pressure. On shallow sands, locations with teresken have an advantage. They expand and rejuvenate through self-seeding, producing more nutritious food.</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"542 - 547"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579444","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}

{"title":"Problems of Optimizing the Structure of the Agrolandscape of Belgorod Oblast for “Carbon-Neutral Farming” and Steppe Protection","authors":"A. S. Nekrich,&nbsp;O. E. Sukhoveeva,&nbsp;A. A. Tishkov","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700489","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700489","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Based on statistical data and the 2021 agricultural census of Belgorod oblast, the modern structure of agricultural landscapes in key areas of the region and the factors that determine it have been identified. The ecological and economic state, structure, and degree of transformation of agroecosystems are characterized. Environment-stabilizing elements have been identified (protective ecosystems) of the agricultural landscape, and their contribution to maintaining sustainability was analyzed. Mechanisms for using the RothC (Rothamsted Long Term Field Experiments Carbon Model) carbon model, previously successfully verified using the example of chernozems in neighboring Kursk oblast, are proposed. For this purpose, carbon flows in the agricultural landscape of the region were estimated based on the calculation results for virgin steppes, fallow lands, and five key crops. Data on transformed and stabilizing ecosystems were compared, which will subsequently allow the development of a formula for calculating the spatial optimization of the structure of the agricultural landscape for “carbon-neutral agriculture” and the protection of the steppes in the region.</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"532 - 541"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579432","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}

{"title":"The Wild Camel (Camelus ferus Przewalski, 1878) of Central Asia","authors":"A. A. Lushchekina,&nbsp;T. Yu. Karimova,&nbsp;V. M. Neronov","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700428","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700428","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;Despite agricultural intensification and the use of advanced technology, camels still play a vital role in the livelihoods of millions of households in more than 90 arid countries. Modern research methods, primarily molecular genetic ones, make it possible to clarify some important aspects of the biology of these amazing animals. Most of the evolution of camelids since the Eocene (about 45 million years ago) took place in North America, from where about 6.5–7.5 million years ago the ancestors of the Old World camels crossed the Bering Land Bridge into Eurasia and Africa and spread widely across these continents. There are currently three types of camels: the domesticated one-humped &lt;i&gt;Camelus dromedarius&lt;/i&gt; Linnaeus, 1758; the two-humped &lt;i&gt;C. bactrianus&lt;/i&gt; Linnaeus, 1758, whose wild ancestors became extinct; and the only remaining wild Bactrian camel, &lt;i&gt;C. ferus&lt;/i&gt; Przewalski, 1878. The first description of this animal as a species was given by N.M. Przhevalski during his second journey to Central Asia in 1878. For specialists, the differences in the structure and general appearance, behavior, and habits of wild and domestic camels have always been clearly visible, which in recent years has been confirmed by genetic research. Currently, the range of wild camels consists of four separate areas, with a total area of about 110 000 km&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;. In Mongolia, this is the territory in the Trans-Altai Gobi; in China, Gashun Gobi in Gansu province, the Taklamakan desert in Xinjiang, and the area of Lop Nur Lake. According to expert estimates, in 2008 the number of animals was approximately 1250 individuals, of which 700 lived in China and 550 in Mongolia. One of the main reasons for the reduction of the species' range and its numbers was the anthropogenic factor. This is not just poaching. Mining, other industrial and infrastructure development, increasing livestock numbers, and the loss of “free” water sources are leading to the fragmentation and degradation of wild Bactrian camel habitats. The wild camel was listed in the first edition of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, prepared in 1966 by the Species Survival Commission. Until recently, it was listed there as an endangered species. The governments of Mongolia and China pay great attention to the protection and conservation of the wild Bactrian camel, creating specially protected natural areas on their territories: Zone A of the Great Gobi Nature Reserve in Mongolia and three protected natural areas in China (Lop Nur National Nature Reserve for the Conservation of Wild Camels, West Lake Dunhuang National Nature Reserve, Gansu Annanba National Wild Camel Nature Reserve). To increase the population of wild camels and prevent their extinction, as well as to study them, breeding centers were established—two in Mongolia and one in China. Successful breeding in them made it possible to release camels into the wild to restore natural populations. The conservation of the wild camel within it","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 4","pages":"483 - 492"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147579438","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}

{"title":"Study of the Impact of Oil and Oil Product Pollution on the Biological Properties of Soils in Arid Territories","authors":"A. A. Buluktaev,&nbsp;A. B. Ad’yanova,&nbsp;R. A. Mukabenova,&nbsp;S. S. Mandzhieva","doi":"10.1134/S2079096125700325","DOIUrl":"10.1134/S2079096125700325","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The significant volumes of hydrocarbons and associated pollutants released into the environment during the development of oil and gas resources mean that this type of pollution is becoming a priority for many oil production areas. In the Republic of Kalmykia, the soil cover is particularly strongly affected by oil pollution. The aim of this study is to determine changes in the biological properties of brown semi-desert soil, light chestnut soil, and the southern chernozem depending on the nature of the pollutant and its concentration in the soil. Zonal soils of Kalmykia were selected as objects of study. Laboratory and analytical studies, as well as sampling, were carried out using methods generally accepted in biology and soil science. The petroleum products used were commercial and crude oil, as well as fuel oil, kerosene, and gasoline. As a result of this study, it was established that the most informative soil enzymes regarding pollution by oil products are catalase and urease, the activity of which is significantly reduced and depends on the concentration of the pollutant. Phosphatase activity also decreases when contaminated with oil products, but not as significantly; invertase activity is stimulated by low concentrations of oil products and inhibited by high ones. All soils contaminated with petroleum products exhibit high phytotoxicity towards test plants, but the exception is brown semi-desert soil, in which, when contaminated with low concentrations of fuel oil and kerosene, the length of shoots and roots increases.</p>","PeriodicalId":44316,"journal":{"name":"Arid Ecosystems","volume":"15 3","pages":"401 - 410"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146027243","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}