Microelemental composition of fluvioglacial sands as a factor of increased phytodiversity in the polissya landscapes
O.V. Shopina, N.G. Kadetov, I.N. Semenkov
Section: Chemistry of natural environments and objects
To determine the reasons for the presence of area with increased phytodiversity and resistance to fires within the Kerzhensky Reserve, in 2017, field works were carried out to analyse the characteristics of the flora and soils. Within the study area (less than 4.7 km2) 169 species of vascular plants (26% of the whole reserve flora and 69% of the species found in places burnt in 2010) were found including rare species for Zavolzhie: Cephalanthera rubra (L.) Rich., Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br., Epipactis helleborine (L.) Crantz, Kadenia dubia (Schkuhr) Lavrova et V. Tichomirov, Equisetum hyemale L., Trifolium montanum L. et al. In the study area, the share of eutrophs and xerophytes is 10 and 5% more than in the burnt area. The share of hygrophytes is 10% less. The high levels of phytodiversity and resistance to fires allow us to consider the surveyed (studied) area as a refuge in the period of fires and a source of subsequent spreading of species. The podzols of the studied site (13 cross-sections) are characterized by standard pH values, particle size and humus distribution, with the 1.5 to 2 times elevated content of microelements. According to the content in the A-horizon (n=13), microelements form a range: Zn (90–118 mg/kg)> Sr (82-101)> Ni (45). On the biogeochemical barrier in the A-horizon, Mn, Fe, Mg, As, Ca, P, Ti, Al, and K accumulate. In subordinate landscapes, Fe, Mn, Al, K, and As accumulate; Co and Cu dissipate. The content of Ca, K, Mg, P, Si, and Ti is similar in autonomous and subordinate landscapes. The high content of microelements results in the increased phytodiversity of the study area.
ISSN 1995-4301
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