Trifolium Repense L. Breeding In The Central Chernozem Region: Main Directions And Methods Of Work

Varieties and breeding samples of creeping clover Trifolium repense L. of lawn direction were studied in the nursery of competitive varietal trials. Using the methods of recurrent breeding involving local populations of creeping clover growing on chalk outcrops as initial forms, two varieties ‘Krasnoyaruzhsky’ and ‘Ilyok’ were obtained, as well as a new breeding sample PO 17/07. Varieties ‘Krasnoyaruzhsky’, ‘Ilyok’ and selection sample PO 17/7 are characterized by high seed productivity, the possibility of cultivation on soils with high carbonate content (burial of construction waste in an urban environment, reclamation of man-made-disturbed landscapes, etc.); high resistance to trampling. Seed yield over three years of tests in varieties ‘Krasnoyaruzhsky’, ‘Ilyok’ and breeding sample PO 17/7 significantly exceed the standard by an average of 24,6-26,8%; have uniform foliage at the level of 48-53%. Breeding sample PO 17/7 is planned to be submitted to the State variety testing.

ASSESSMENT OF AESTHETIC ATTRACTIVENESS OF LANDSCAPES WHEN PLANNING OF RECREATION AREAS (Belgorod region as an example)

The article is focused on studies of domestic and foreign scientists concerning the aesthetic properties of landscapes. Different methodological approaches of analysis and description of the visual quality of landscapes are presented. The world experience in the application of methods to assess the landscape attractiveness of territories when arranging of recreational zones was studied. The analysis of different types of landscapes, their aesthetic advantages and disadvantages, as well as characteristics from the point of view of the arrangements of recreational areas was carried out. The relation between natural features of the area, its aesthetic parameters and the demand degree among vacationers was revealed. The features of the natural framework of the Belgorod region were determined; characteristic of regional landscape features, affecting the emotional perception of landscapes (chalk outcrops, wetlands of riverine lands, etc.) were identified. The assessment of the aesthetic attractiveness of landscapes is carried out using the territories of the Valuysky municipal district as an example. The localization of the areas with the greatest aesthetic attractiveness was determined and the promising territories for the development of recreational zones were identified. The compositional structure of the gully-like landscape was analyzed as one of the characteristic features for this region as a whole. Recommendations on the application of the assessment method for aesthetic of landscape attractiveness, taking into account regional characteristics the Belgorod region as an example were proposed.

Syntaxonomy of chalk outcrop vegetation of the order Thymo cretacei-Hyssopetalia cretacei

The order Thymo cretacei-Hyssopetalia cretacei Didukh 1989 combines chalk outcrop plant communities of the southwestern Central Russian Upland. Its specificity can be attributed to a rather peculiar and heterogeneous flora with a large number of endemic species. The question about its origin has caused a lively discussion, which has been going on since the late nineteenth century. Since 1989 works on the classification of these communities have frequently been carried out, but until today no unanimous decision could be reached. The purpose of our research was to conduct a critical analysis of the syntaxonomical structure of Cretaceous outcrop vegetation and to show its difference from the steppe vegetation of the class Festuco-Brometea Br.-Bl. et Tx. ex Soó 1947. The territory of our research covers the southwestern foothills of the Central Russian Upland and the Donetsk Range, located only within the steppe zone and characterised by Cenomanian chalk outcrops. In total 354 relevés were used for the analysis. The modified TWINSPAN classification was used for the analysis. Our research has shown that the order Thymo cretacei-Hyssopetalia cretacei includes twelve associations belonging to three alliances: Artemisio hololeucae-Hyssopion cretacei Romashchenko et al. 1996, Euphorbio cretophilae-Thymion cretacei Didukh 1989 and Centaureo carbonatae-Koelerion talievii Romashchenko et al. 1996.

Synphytosozological assessment of pasture ecosystems vegetation in south-east Ukraine

As part of the pasture vegetation of steppe ecosystems of the south-east of Ukraine we found 62 rarity formations (79% of the total number), with 338 (52%) rarity associations of dominant classification. Green Book of Ukraine includes 18 formations with 79 associations (respectively, 54% and 67% of these syntaxa of regional vegetation), and the rest of the formations and associations are rare for this region. Rare vegetation formations and their associations are listed and distributed by types of grassland steppe ecosystems. The highest syntaxonomic variety is characteristic for gully and ravine steppe ecosystems formed on eroded chernozems underlain by loess (750 associations of 81 formations), the least syntaxonomic diversity is found in above-floodplain terraced steppes on the sands (140 associations of 24 formations). The greatest number of regionally rare associations is cenotically confined to the chalk outcrops (49 associations of 16 formations). A large number of associations are stenotopic. These results suggest a high synphytosozological value of pasture ecosystems vegetation in the south-east of Ukraine, which is very important for the conservation of the steppe biome biodiversity. It should be taken into account when grounding establishment of the local reserves for biota protection, their protection regimes and performing pasture load calculations for specific areas.

Validation of Erysimum talijevii (Brassicaceae), with considerations on the problem of recognition of alternative names

Syrenia talijevii, an Eastern European threatened endemic species restricted to chalk outcrops, was described in 1936 by Klokov, who also mentioned in the protologue the name Erysimum talijevii. An analysis of the protologue, other publications and taxonomic practice of Klokov demonstrated that he never accepted the name E. talijevii and it was not intended as an alternative one, being mentioned just once as a previously unpublished provisional name or synonym. Consequently, since Syrenia is now submerged in Erysimum, the new combination Erysimum talijevii (Klokov) Mosyakin is proposed. Considerations on what should be regarded an alternative name are provided. It is concluded that a more precise definition of the term “alternative name” and more specific guidelines for recognizing such names are desirable and should be added to the ICN.

Provenance of Chalk Tesserae from a Roman Town-House in Vine Street, Leicester

Fourth-centurya.d.chalk tesserae from Roman Leicester (Ratae Corieltavorum) yield rich microfossil assemblages that identify a biostratigraphical age of Cretaceous Late Cenomanian to Early Turonian. The nearest chalk outcrops to Leicester lie in Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and north Norfolk, indicating that the material for the tesserae must have been sourced remotely and transported toRatae.Superimposing the Roman road network onto a map of the relevant Chalk Group distribution provides a guide to possible sources. A process of evaluation identifies Baldock in Hertfordshire and Bridlington in Yorkshire as the most likely sources for the Leicester tesserae.

Petrophytic feather-grass and thyme steppes in the south-east of the Kursk Region (within the limits of the Oskol river basin)

The paper deals with 2 new associations, represen­ting the petrophytic steppe communities described from the Oskol river basin (Kursk Region), Gypsophilo altissimae—Stipetum capillatae ass. nov. and Carici humilis—Thymetum calcarei ass. nov. First asso­ciation is included into the alliance Astragalo-Stipion Knapp 1944. The communities of this alliance are represented by the most xerophytic variant of the feather-grass steppes of Kursk Region and they are characterized by the combination of obligatory calci­philous and typical steppe plants. Second association is included into the alliance Centaureo carbonatae—Koelerion talievii Romaschenko, Didukh et Solomakha 1996 of the order Festucetalia valesiacae Br.-Bl. et Tx. 1943. The alliance comprises petrophytic thyme steppe communities on chalk outcrops (mostly in the southern slopes) and on hill’s tops. The commu­nities are characterized by the dominance of obligatory calciphilous and petrophilous steppe species. The communities of this alliance are widely spread in the Oskol River basin in the southern part of the Middle-Russian Upland.