The Common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) has been intensively colonizing cities during the last decades. Changes in the burrow numbers and their distribution over an area might be important indicators of the population status for the Common hamster in an urban environment. In this study, we consider the character of the burrow distribution on the experimental plot (2.2 ha) situated in the park of Simferopol City, Russian Federation. The brushwood and tree vegetation on this plot had been previously mapped in detail. Hamster burrows were put on the map once a quarter during a year. The peak of burrowing activity is shown to be in November. Interestingly, the ground activity of hamsters continued even in the coldest month (January) of the year but the number of used burrows was very low. The squares where both trees and burrows were present (by average annual indicators) was met significantly more frequently than burrows in the tree-free squares (P= 0.02; χ² = 5.2) but this was not the case for the winter and spring seasons. We assume that the connection of burrows with arboreous vegetation facilitates digging, ensures better protection from predators and is a food source. All these factors ensure favorable conditions for the high abundance of the Common hamster in the urban environment.

The influence of lighting conditions on the reproductive characteristics of the Cypripedium calceolus L. was studied on the territory of the Komi Republic, where the species is located on the Northern border of its habitat. The study was carried out in the southern part of the region (within the Vychegda-Mezen plain) in 2017. Eight coenopopulations of the species in areas with various light intensities were examined, among which three coenopopulations were in swamps, and five were in forests with varying degrees of the canopy closeness. We used the index of “canopy closure” as a measure of light conditions on the areas of growth of C. calceolus. To evaluate this index, the method of analysis of digital hemispherical photographs obtained using a 180° ultra-wide-angle fish-eye lens was used. Photographs were processed and analysed using the graphical package Gimp 2.8 (GNU Image Manipulation Program, GIMP Team). Open habitats (with the index of canopy closure less than 65%) are shown to be more favorable for the seed reproduction of C. calceolus. The pollination efficiency, real seed productivity, and the number of juvenile plants of seed origin are higher in such places. Besides, the later vegetation start in swamps allows the plants to avoid damage by late spring frosts. In more shaded habitats, the vegetative renewal of C. calceolus comes to the first place, all studied coenopopulations of the species in such conditions were more stable and aimed at survival.

The dynamics of the bird community in agricultural landscapes of the Trans-Urals steppe from the period of heavy agricultural intensification (1988 – 1992) until the decline of agricultural production (2000 – 2008) is considered. In the conditions of intensive agriculture, the agrophytocenosis structure and features of the agricultural cultivation technology serve as the key factors for the differentiation of bird communities in the steppe agricultural landscape. A relatively high specific richness characterizes the bird community of virgin pastures, while among field agrocenoses, i.e. in the areas seeded with perennial grass, the population is much poorer in the grain fields prevalent in the area of agricultural landscape and, especially, in the cultivated crop fields. During the period of agricultural stability, both the living conditions and the bird community structure in the agricultural landscape remained relatively constant from year to year. The economic crisis that took place at the end of the 20th century caused a deep decline in agricultural production, namely, livestock and sown land area reduction. The restorative successions of vegetation in pastures and fallow lands led to significant changes in the conditions of bird habitats. For many species these changes meant an increase in the ecological capacity of the environment and contributed to the growth of their populations (Alauda arvensis Linnaeus, 1758; Motacilla flava Linnaeus, 1758; Coturnix coturnix (Linnaeus, 1758); Tetrax tetrax (Linnaeus, 1758) et al). The opposite tendency for reduction in numbers is demonstrated by such species that avoid high closed grass stands (Melanocorypha leucoptera (Pallas, 1811), Oenanthe oenanthe (Linnaeus, 1758), O. isabellina (Temminck, 1820) et al.). In general, the community density in the agricultural landscape increased by 2.3 times as compared to the pre-crisis period, the number of nesting species increased by 1.3 times. For the species that had formed strong ecological connectionswith agriculture (primarily, Corvidae family – Рiса рiсa (Linnaeus, 1758); Corvus monedula Linnaeus, 1758; C. frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758; C. cornix Linnaeus, 1758), the decline in the agricultural production and the reduction of functioning agrocenoses had opposite consequences and caused the decline in their numbers in the agricultural landscape.

The effect of copper on the germination of seeds of several agricultural plants, namely, common vetch, white mustard and oats in the presence of Rhodoccocus-biosurfactants was studied. As a result of the conducted studies it was established that Avena sativa L. was the most stable plant to the action of copper, and Vicia sativa L. was a less stable plant. By the copper resistance degree, the plants used in the work could be arranged in the series: Avena sativa L. > Sinapis alba L. > Vicia sativa L. Copper in concentrations from 50 MPC and above had a pronounced inhibitory effect on the germination of seeds. The pretreatment of seeds with Rhodococcus biosurfactants and seed germination under the conditions of copper contamination have been established to contribute to an increase (up to 4.5 times) in the germination, germinative energy and viability of oats, mustard and vetch sprouts. An ecologically safe method has been developed for reducing the toxic effect of copper on the growth of the following plant crops: Avena sativa L., Sinapis alba L., and Vicia sativa L. in the presence of Rhodococcus biosurfactants.

We studied the population structure and the number of larks in the steppe and semi-desert zones of the Caspian Lowland (within the territories of Alexandrov-Gay district of the Saratov region, Russian Federation, Dzhanybek and Bokey-Ordyn districts of the Western-Kazakhstan region, Republic of Kazakhstan) in six key areas in 2011 – 2018. From the data obtained, dynamic series of the density dynamics were calculated for each lark species (T_gr, growth rate), the group statistical indicators: R is the fluctuation magnitude of larks, u the coefficient of variation, etc., using Pearson’s χ² , the normal type of lark distribution was checked in their habitats. A correlation analysis between the density of larks and the vegetation index (NDVI) values was done. It has been established that four lark species (the steppe, white-winged, black and gray larks) show a tendency of decreasing their density in Alexandrov-Gay district. The maximum abundance decrease was observed for the White-winged Lark (T_gr = -28.4%, R² = 0.785). In the Western Kazakhstan part of the habitat, the highest negative growth rate (T_gr = -99.9%) was recorded for the field lark, while the maximum positive one was for the white-winged lark (T_gr = +25.2). It has been revealed that the lark density dynamics and the structure of their nesting population are influenced by the vegetation level in the previous year, and the vegetation structure associated with the soil and ground conditions of this mosaic landscape and the anthropogenic press such as cattle pasture.

The morphological variability, lipid peroxidation rate (LPR) and photosynthetic pigment content in the leaves of Aegopodium podagraria L. were studied in four coenopopulations growing in urban ecosystems whose soils were contaminated, to varying degrees, with heavy metals (HM): Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr. The increase of the HM level in the soil induced a decrease in the terminal leaflet size, the average number of phens (i.e. various variants of the leaf shape), and the chlorophyll content b in leaves but the percentage of rare phens increased. At the same time, the LPR intensity decreased, which is not typical for stress situations in plants. The level of chlorophyll a and carotenoids reduced at the medium contamination level and normalized at the highest one. The data obtained indicate that the morphological and biochemical parameters of sweeps leaves characterize differently the status of this plant species with an increase in the level of soil contamination with HM. In such conditions, the phenofonds of A. podagraria coenopopulations are depleted and individuals with smaller leaf sizes develop predominantly. But at the same time, their intensity of LPR and the content of individual pigments may remain close to normal. The results of our study suggest that A. podagraria is a species capable of maintaining biochemical homeostasis under the conditions of soil contamination with heavy metals. Thus, in contrast to the studied biochemical indicators, the morphological parameters more accurately characterized the adverse changes in the coenopopulations of goutweed, which is important in the aspect of bioindication of ecosystems under anthropogenic environmental pollution.

The applicability and necessity of analysis of snow-drift redistribution features for optimizing moisture availability for both forest cultures and adjacent territories are recommended while creating artificially-planted protective forest belts in previously treeless territories. The average distance traveled by individual snowflakes by wind, which usually does not exceed several hundred meters, is the most important parameter of snow cover formation. Just this particular mechanism regulates the amount of snow accumulation in forest belts, controls the width of snow-gathering area, and contributes to the even distribution of snow on flat lands without forests. By analysis of the ratio of potential evaporation and the average volume of additional snow-melted water per length unit of a forest belt, some specific features of moisture accumulation and peculiarities of tree desiccation on various types of soils were revealed. Evidence is given for the impossibility of the creation of stable close-planted forests on light chestnut soils in semi-desert and dry steppe regions due to the weak accumulation of snow masses and the losses of significant amounts of spring infiltration water due to secondary salinization. Ways are disclosed to optimize the water availability for crops in chernozem steppes by the adjustment of the forest belts’ width according to the mechanics of snow-drift redistribution. The conducted research shows the possibility of mathematical calculation of the optimal parameters and spatial configuration of newly-planted forest belts on the reclaimed territory. The impossibility of increasing the life cycle duration of artificial forest stands with the help of only traditional agrotechnical and silvicultural techniques without considering these criteria has been proved.

The toxic effect of a metal/carbon copper nanocomposite (Me/C Cu NC) on higher plant seeds and the bacterial sensor “Ecolum-8” was evaluated. A significant inhibitory effect of 0.1% nanomaterial on the seedlings of radish seeds was established. Some stimulating effect on the development of the roots of this culture was found at a concentration of 1 · 10^–8 %, but it was insignificant (by 11.3%). When wheat was used as a test object, its root growth was inhibited when the seeds were treated with the nanocomposite at a concentration of 0.1 and 0.01% (a decrease of 30.2 and 79.6%, respectively). No stimulating effect on the wheat root system was revealed. The preparation also had no effect on the development of the aerial part of wheat seedlings, with the exception of 60.0% growth inhibition in the option of treatment with a 0.1% MeC Cu NC solution. Lyophilized cells of Escherichia coli K12 TG1 strain (pXen7) containing the full lux-operon of Photorhabdus luminescens were used as a second biotesting object. Based on bioluminescence analysis, it was found that all studied concentrations of the copper nanocomposite were highly toxic for the bacterial strain (the toxicity index >70%). The value of the toxicological parameter EC₅₀, corresponding to the concentration of the substance that causes 50% inhibition of the luminescence of the sensory microorganism as compared with the control, turned out to be lower than the minimum tested concentration of the MeC NC Cu solutions. The calculation was made mathematically, and the probable value of EC₅₀ was equal to 0.016 μg / ml.

The European badger (Meles meles L.) has various variants of its social organization in the populations in different parts of its habitat. The paper provides information on the impact of the environmant on the structure of the family group of the European badger. The material was based on the data of our own observations conducted at ten model sites in 2011 – 2018. Model badger settlements on the territory of the Oka-Don Plain within the administrative borders of the Saratov region were studied. Based on the results of route surveys, photo-trap surveys and correlation dependence assessment, a direct and high relationship was found between such factors as the area of the family group, the size of its feeding territory, with the number of individuals in the group (r = 0.875 and r = 0.715, respectively); family groups of four types (group, polyginic, monogamous and incomplete families) were revealed. The group type of family is formed in the territorial conditions most suitable for the badger with a sufficient amount of feed. Large family groups live on such sites, forming a complex system of holes used by many generations of badgers. Polygynal families occupy territories similar to the first type, but with a small area of feeding areas. Due to the limiting factor of feed resource, such social relations do not develop up to large family groups and constitute a polygynical family of an alpha male and several females with their offspring. For the third-type social groups, a small area of family territories but a large feeding area are characteristic. Since small territorial resources are also a limiting factor, it does not allow animals to create large social groups more than a monogamous family. In the fourth type of family groups, which is characterized as an incomplete family, there are not enough suitable territories in combination with a small feeding area. Quantitatively, such a settlement consists of single individuals, and less often – a pair of animals. These types are not permanent structures, but replace each other under the influence of environmental factors. The development of a family group is limited by the total size of the area suitable for life activity, as well as the amount of available feed resources, which is a solution to the problem of resource allocation among animals of the given species.

According to a forecast of the specialists from “Centrokhotkontrol”, due to the natural climatic cyclicity, a recurrent reduction in the population of ungulates, the moose in particular, should occur in Russia from 2007 – 2010, which “will lead to a recurrent significant age minimum number” in the 2020s (in 2014 – 2015 in Central Russia). In reality, the abundance of the majority of species, including the moose, the European and Siberian roe deer, the red deer, the sika deer and the reindeer, has been steadily growing despite this “trophiclimatic” forecast. The decrease in the boar population is caused by the excessive destruction of the species due to the epizootic of African swine fever rather than by climatic changes. The populations of ungulates, however, increase unacceptably slowly (an annual growth of less than 3%), the available resources being about 5 times lower than the estimated potential. The main factors that inhibit the growth of populations are irrational legal and excessive illegal hunting and predation. The state hunting policy, the organization of hunting and resource management are still far from common sense. And all this does not guarantee the population of wild ungulates from new large-scale depressions.

The agricultural landscape of the Ivanovo region is now a sophisticated mosaic of variety of types of lands in use and abandoned lands at different stages of succession. This is mainly determined the fauna, structure and population dynamics of such open field birds as waders. The paper reflects the correlation of the fauna and population of the waders of agricultural lands in the Ivanovo region with such key factors in farming ecosystems as the stages of succession, haymaking, pasturage, and agricultural burning of vegetation. 20 wader species are noted on the agricultural areas of the Ivanovo region, 13 of which are breeding. 6 species are typical inhabitants of overgrown agriculture lands (the lapwing, the curlew, the black-tailed Godwit, the common redshank, the common snipe, and the great snipe). The moisture content of soil in a specific year is the determining factor for the common snipe to nest on agricultural lands, the species demonstrates no pronounced trends of the population density related to succession processes, up to the development of shrub-arborous vegetation. The other species of waders actively populate unused, fallow lands at intermediate stages of the demutational succession, increasing their abundance just at the first stages and avoiding sites overgrown with shrub-arborous vegetation. The lapwing also inhabits lands in use, while other wader species avoid nesting on actively exploited agricultural lands. The common redshank and the great snipe somewhat avoid lands with haymaking sites. By means of correlation analysis, a positive correlation was tracked of the wader fauna and population on non-annual (irregular) spring burns of vegetation, which hold down the succession at the stages favorable for waders.