earthworms

EARTHWORMS (LUMBRICIDAE, ANNELIDA) AS A COMPONENT OF ARTIFICIAL FOREST ECOSYSTEMS IN THE NORTHERN CASPIAN SEMI-DESERT

Authors: Sizemskaya M. L., Vsevolodova-Perel T. S.

The results of the ongoing 50-year experiment of introduction of the Eisenia nordenskioldi species into massive oak plantations (Quercus robur L.) in the Northern Caspian semi-desert are analyzed. The change of the quantitative proportion of the dominant earthworm species due to the growth and conditions of forest cultures as well as their impact on the meadow-chestnut soils is considered.

RECREATION IMPACT ON SOIL MACROFAUNA COMMUNITIES IN THE FOREST-PARK ZONE OF KAZAN CITY

Authors: Gordienko T. A., Vavilov D. N., Sukhodolskaya R. A.

To evaluate the status of the forest-park zone of Kazan City, the soil invertebrate populations in three deciduous forest plots with various recreational degrees were studied. The macrofauna abundance in forest-parks was significantly higher in comparison with suburb forests. The taxonomic composition of the pedobiont communities did not change significantly within the period studied, with earthworms predominated. However, their abundance varied strongly from year to year.

Ecologo-biological characteristic of natural steppe biogeocenoses in the Central Caucasus (the Terskiy variant of vertical zonation, Kabardino-Balkaria)

Authors: Uligova T. S., Gorobtsova O. N., Tsepkova N. L., Rapoport I. B., Gedgafova F. V., Tembotov R. K.

An ecologo-biological characteristic of the natural steppe biogeocenosis components in Kabardino-Balkaria (within the Terskiy variant of vertical zonation) is given. The research results of biological features of common chernozem calcareous soils (humus contents, enzymatic activity, and soil respiration intensity), their spatial and profile distribution combined with basic ecological factors are represented.