Assessment of Phytomass and Carbon Stock in the Ecosystems of the Central Forest Steppe of the East European Plain: Integrated Approach of Terrestrial Environmental Monitoring and Remote Sensing with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

The rapid and accurate estimation of aboveground forest phytomass remains a challenging research task. In general, methods for estimating phytomass fall mainly into the category of field measurements performed by ground-based methods, but approaches based on remote sensing and ecological modelling have been increasingly applied. The aim is to develop the scientific and methodological framework for the remote sensing estimation of qualitative and quantitative characteristics of forest stands, using the combination of surveys and machine learning models to determine phytomass of forest stands and calculate the carbon balance. Even-aged stands of different tree species growing in the forest steppe zone of the East European Plain were chosen as test objects. We have applied the modernized methodological approaches to compare and integrate forest and tree stand characteristics obtained by ground-based and UAV-based comprehensive surveys; additionally, we developed computer vision models and methods for determining the same characteristics by remote sensing methods. The key advantage of the proposed methodology for remote monitoring and carbon balance control over existing analogues is the minimization of the amount of groundwork and, consequently, the reduction inlabor costs without loss of information quality. Reliable data on phytomass volumes will allow for operational control of the forest carbon storage, which is essential for decision-making processes. This is important for the environmental monitoring of forests and green spaces of various economic categories. The proposed methodology is necessary for the monitoring and control of ecological-climatic and anthropogenic-technogenic transformations in various landscapes. The development is useful for organizing the management of ecosystems, environmental protection, and managing the recreational and economic resources of landscapes with natural forests and forest plantations.

Assessment of Ecological and Toxicological State of Soils and Waters in the Neighborhood of Mining Industry Enterprises in the Armenian Highlands.

The article presents the results of the seven-year study on the state of arable lands and wastewaters in the districts of mining enterprises in Armenia. An assessment of the ecological and toxicological state of wastewaters and contaminated areas was carried out. Methods for their purification are proposed aimed at their further use and obtainment of environmentally safe agricultural products. An area of about 0.5 ha, next to the rural community of Syunik in southern Armenia, has been polluted for many years by mining sludges from the nearest mine watertight cofferdam of the Zangezur copper-molybdenum combine. Activities have been carried out to clean up the soil in this area. After plowing, soil improvers (zeolite, bentonite, and manure) were introduced into the soil. On-site treatments, soil tillage, and the introduction of soil improvers into the soil was implemented in late autumn. Soil and plant samples were taken to determine the content of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Co, Mo, Ni). In the following spring, the area was planted with potatoes, eggplant, and peas. A rather high yield was obtained. Analysis of plant samples showed that the content of heavy metals does not exceed the permissible level of the international food safety standard. At the same time, soil studies were carried out in the adjacent areas of the Sotk mine, located to the southeast of Lake Sevan. It was revealed that due to the increase in the volume of the mining industry and the amount of rock dumps, the organoleptic and chemical indicators of the waters of the Sotk and Masrik rivers deteriorated. Compared to the previous decade, the amounts of suspended particles per 1 L of water have increased by 210…317.0%, in the waters of Sotk-by 32.1 mg/L, and in the waters of Masrik-by 13.2 mg/L. The same tendency is observed regarding the amounts of nitrates, sulfates, and hydrogen index, which is mainly due to the chemical composition of rocks. They contain a large amount of Ca, K, Na, Mg, etc. This trend is especially noticeable along the rivers, where intensive agriculture, primarily livestock farming is carried out. The material of the work solves a complex of environmental and economic problems. It is aimed at ensuring environmental safety, improving the ecological and resource properties of soils, increasing the productivity of cultural phytocenoses and the sanitary and hygienic quality of food products.

Biodiversity of Phototrophs and Culturable Fungi in Gobustan Caves.

Unique natural objects, such as the caves of the Gobustan National Historical and Artistic Preserve, are also of great cultural and historical value due to rock art and sites of ancient people. A favorable microclimate makes these habitats convenient for colonization by microbiota, including phototrophs. In arid regions with intense seasonal fluctuations of microclimatic parameters, the conditions for survival are the least favorable; therefore, it becomes especially important to determine the composition of communities that are the most adapted to specific conditions. This work aimed to identify the biodiversity of communities of caves and grottoes of the Gobustan Reserve. The studies were carried out in July 2019. Samples were analyzed for cyanobacteria and algae by microscopy and cultivation methods, microfungi were isolated by soil dilution, and the fouling glass method was also used. In total, 29 taxa of cyanobacteria and algae, 18 taxa of fungi, and 3 species of mosses were identified. The studied habitats were dominated by the algae Chlorella vulgaris, Aphanocapsa sp., and Stichococcus bacillaris; the subdominants were Jaaginema subtilissimum, Leptolyngbya tenuis, Chlorococcum minutum, and Humidophila contenta. Microfungi had the highest occurrence of Aspergillus niger, Aureobasidium pullulans, Alternaria alternata, and Talaromyces ruber. It was noted that cyanobacteria dominated in morphologically differentiated biofilms and green algae on the rocks. The greatest number of microfungi was found in the aphotic zone and bryophyte tufts. The dominance of green algae is atypical for most caves of other regions and may be associated with intense lighting of habitats. The absence of protonema is a consequence of the aridity and low moisture content of the substrates.

Biodigestion System Made of Polyethylene and Polystyrene Insulator for Dog Farm (on the Example of the Republic of Chile).

Anaerobic digestion is a system that can have a high environmental impact through the use of different wastes to obtain biogas and its consequent use for the generation of renewable energy. The objective of this study was to implement a polyethylene biodigester, using polystyrene for thermal insulation in a dog kennel, using canine feces collected in the same place during a period of 5 months to obtain biogas and energy. The results indicated that biogas production started on day 30 and stopped during the winter period with low temperatures; therefore, from day 54 onwards, equine manure was added to continue producing biogas. Although biogas was obtained, the biodigester did not function optimally, due to the fact that the materials used in its construction did not provide efficient insulation from the low external temperatures; the low C/N ratio of the canine feces, which led to a reduction in the processing of the methanogenic bacteria; and the low amount of feces collected for use. In general, the use of a biodigester can provide a tool for the biological processing and management of organic waste, yielding a cumulative source of renewable energy and ensuring environmental safety.

Features of the Territorial Distribution, Composition and Structure of Phytocenoses with the Participation of Fraxinus excelsior, Their Resource Qualities, Ecological and Economic Importance (Southeastern Part of the East European Plain).

At present, the distribution area of Fraxinus excelsior L. in the forest ecosystems of the Volga Region is rather low and ranges from 0.01% to 2.5%. In the Middle Volga Region, using the example of the Penza region, five types of deciduous forests were identified in the composition with Fraxinus excelsior L.: oak forest aegopodium, oak forest nettle, oak forest hazel-linden, oak forest aegopodium-motley grass, oak forest carex-motley grass. In the forest phytocenoses of the Moksha River basin, the quality of Fraxinus excelsior L. is 1.5-1.7. In the forest phytocenoses of the Khoper River basin, the average quality value reaches 2.4-2.8, and in the forest tracts of the Sura river basin it is 2.8-3.2. In the western part of the study area, individuals of age class II-III (21-40, 41-60 years) predominate, in the central part-age class I (1-20 years), in the eastern part-age class V (81-100 years). This circumstance allows us to conclude that its populations in the western regions are represented by stands of different ages; the presence of young stands and middle-aged stands indicates the presence of conditions for reproduction and distribution. At the border of its range, Fraxinus excelsior L. grows in a stable population; in the western part of the Middle Volga Region, the number of species in forest stands with a predominance of Fraxinus excelsior L. is 26-30% higher than this indicator in more eastern regions. In the direction from east to west, the number of species in the composition of forest stands increases (up to 8.4), with a predominance of Fraxinus excelsior L. The number of plant associations increases in the direction from east to west. If in the east of the Penza region Fraxinus excelsior L. occurs in 6-7 plant associations, then in the west of the region-in 18-25 associations. The maximum timber stock for 100 years of Fraxinus excelsior L. stands reaches 380 m3/ha. Such a natural bioresource potential is of importance for the conduct of the national economy. Forest management in phytocenoses with the participation of this tree species is a strategic branch direction. It is expedient to restore populations of Fraxinus excelsior L. everywhere and to cultivate them in the territory of the East European Plain and especially in its south-eastern part. This is fully consistent with the principles of sustainable ecological and economic development against the background of local natural, climatic and geographical conditions. This type is necessary when solving environmental, resource-saving and economic problems in the territory under consideration.