Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia –
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Kosinsky Lakes, Ulyanovsk Forest Park, Malinki Biostation… It sounds like someone's route for a tent camping holiday, but these are the places where RUDN University environmental students did their practical training. They studied different types of forests and described their species diversity. In addition, the students assessed the impact of humans on ecosystems and were impressed by the speed of Sosnowsky's hogweed "capturing territories".
"We managed to work with different communities — from spruce and mixed forests to meadow and floodplain areas. To describe the forest structure, we laid out 20 x 20 m test plots: we measured the required size with a tape measure, and then determined everything on this plot. The height of the tiers was estimated approximately, based on our own height. The density of the crowns was determined visually — this comes with experience. But with species diversity, everything is not so simple. Especially in the herbaceous layer, you can’t quickly list anything. Each species had to be found separately, carefully examined and compared with the identifier — it was like a detective investigation, but now many plants are recognizable at first sight," — Yulia Shmitko, a student of the RUDN Institute of Ecology (Ecology and Nature Management, 1st year).
From glacial lakes to coniferous forests
Each of the locations where the students worked had its own characteristics. For example, the Kosinsky Lakes are a complex of lakes of glacial origin. This type of reservoir is rare for the Moscow region; they are usually found in the north and northwest of the country. Unfortunately, the lakes are subject to strong negative human influence. In Beloye Lake, due to active exploitation and storm drains, there is excessive growth of algae and other plants, lack of oxygen and mass death of fish in winter. And in Svyatoe Lake, there are processes of drainage, washing away of fertilizers, due to which the raised bog plants disappear, but the raft (a layer of flora covering the surface) of the reservoir is overgrown with willows and reeds.
"Pine, birch, oak and mixed forests (pine-birch) predominate in the Ulyanovsk forest park in the Moscow region. The further away from water bodies, the forests become drier and pine. Birch forests were often found closer to the roads – this is probably due to the disturbance of the soil cover and faster restoration of birch. Closer to water bodies, there are swampy areas with black alder. In older areas of the forest, pine begins to displace birch," – Diana Chirkova, a student of the Institute of Ecology of RUDN (Ecology and Nature Management, 1st year).
The forests around the Malinki biostation are interesting because they were renewed about 100 years ago. Farmers leased the local forests on the condition that they would plant a young tree of the same species in place of each felled tree. For several decades, ecologists have been conducting a wide range of studies here, from monitoring the state of rare species populations to studying human impact on ecosystems.
Excavations under heavy rains
During their internship, students described not only forests, but also the structure of local soil. Part of the research took place during the season of prolonged rainfall, which significantly complicated field work.
"The soil became too wet for proper digging, and it was simply impossible to dig a standard 1×1 m hole. The slopes became soggy and slippery, so some routes had to be taken with special care. But despite the difficulties, such weather gave us a lot of memorable moments – we will definitely remember how we saved each other on waterlogged paths and how we looked for detours at the cost of dry clothes," – Yulia Shmitko, a student of the RUDN Institute of Ecology (Ecology and Nature Management, 1st year).
According to the students, they encountered peat-bog, podzolic (acidic soils that form under conditions of flushing water regime under coniferous and mixed forests) and sod-podzolic soils at the locations.
In the world of flora and fauna
Of course, during long field work, ecologists could not help but encounter various representatives of the Moscow region fauna.
"I didn't expect such a great diversity of animal species. During the internship, we met those that we would hardly meet in ordinary life. For example, a beaver in the Yauza Park. It was especially surprising to see elks at the Malinki biological station. And at the end of the internship, a cute and very pleasant moment happened – I managed to feed a squirrel from my hands," – Yulia Shmitko, a student of the RUDN Institute of Ecology (Ecology and Nature Management, 1st year).
As for flora, students noted in their field journals the presence of several invasive plant species. These are plants that were introduced to the region from their natural habitat, but they began to actively spread and displace native species, threatening biodiversity.
"In the Moscow region, such plants as the glandular and small-flowered touch-me-not, white dogwood, and multi-flowered lupine are common. They displace typical forest species, occupying disturbed areas. But the most territories have been "captured" by Sosnowsky's hogweed. The rate of its reproduction is astonishing – especially on the territory of the biological station," – Diana Chirkova, a student of the Institute of Ecology of RUDN (Ecology and Nature Management, 1st year).
Participants in the field practice note that after the research they have conducted, they have come to better understand how complex and interconnected ecosystems are. And that even a small impact on one component can lead to serious consequences for the entire system.
"Fieldwork greatly changes the perception of everything we have studied throughout the year. What was previously perceived as a set of theoretical concepts, takes shape in real life and becomes logical. After practice, you no longer just "look at nature", but intuitively notice the closure of crowns, evaluate the projective cover, and recognize plant species," – Yulia Shmitko, a student of the RUDN Institute of Ecology (Ecology and Nature Management, 1st year).
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