“Nature Chronicles”

"Nature Chronicles" is the established scientific document of Denezhkin Kamen nature reserve. It outlines the main results of nature research and observation. “Nature Chronicles” has a dual mission. First, it accumulates monitoring results of natural processes. Second, it is a stand-alone research program for data collection and data analysis.

Downloads:

• Vol. 2009
• Vol. 2008
• Vol. 2007
• Vol. 2006

The first monitoring program for Russian zapovedniks was designed in 1934 and focused on long-term studies of weather and seasonal plant dynamics, on flora and fauna and the mapping of biomes. The first volumes of the Chronicles of Nature were compiled in 1945 (Shtilmark, 1996) and the Chronicle continues to be the main scientific documentary product of the zapovednik system, providing a synthesis of systematic observations of natural processes and phenomena. Isakov (1983) characterized the Chronicles of Nature as a compilation that contains studies of the dynamics of natural phenomena besides being in itself an independent program of scientific research. This scientific study contains, in addition to primary data, the conclusions drawn from its analysis: it gives valuable insight into trends in natural processes. A zapovednik's Chronicles of Nature are compiled on the basis of primary data collected not only by researchers from its scientific section but also by technical personnel and wardens (who collect data according to a designed but simpler program) and also by those working temporarily in the zapovednik such as guest scientists, technicians from other research organizations and students. The totality of available information on the state of ecosystems of the zapovednik territory and on their individual components is accumulated in the Chronicles of Nature.

Organization of Research: Conducting Observations for Chronicles of Nature.

A thorough survey which is conducted before a territory can be given its special “preserve” status provides the zapovednik staff with primary species lists and sometimes with a series of thematic maps. At the minimum forest inventory maps are usually available from during the Federal Forest stock-taking exercise compiled every ten years for every region. These lists and maps provide a basis for the monitoring programs to be undertaken.

The main objectives for a zapovednik research team typically are:

1. To compile a detailed inventory of flora, fauna and of some abiotic components of the ecosystem.
2. To record natural processes for the compilation of Chronicles of Nature archives.
3. To study structures and patterns underlying ecosystem functions, the functions of individual groups of organisms and species, the influence of environment on these organisms, inter-ecosystem connections and other related questions.
4. To provide informed recommendations for ecosystem preservation to the environmental committees of the regions.

The first two objectives are a requisite for all zapovedniks; however, the others depend on the availability of particular specialists on staff or through collaboration with experts from other scientific organizations who often participate in the research programs.

Data collection is organized so as to ensure that phenomena and processes are studied at three levels: population, ecosystems and in relation to the broader ecosystem (Filonov and Nukhimovskaya, 1985, 1990). If a zapovednik consists of significantly differing parts, separate sets of data are collected for each part. A hierarchical organized network of monitoring plots is set up and their location is chosen to represent the landscape structure of the territory. The size and number of monitoring plots depends on the heterogeneity and size of the zapovednik, specific research objectives and logistical conditions. Sites must be suitable for conducting observations over an indeterminate period. To assure continuity all sites are marked, inventoried, described and mapped. It is highly undesirable to relocate a research plot or a monitoring site. Research projects to be carried out on zapovednik territory are subject to two stringent conditions: the methods used must have minimal or no impact on the ecosystem, and the chosen methods and research objectives must allow extrapolation of results for a wider region or category of subject. On the whole data is presented in tabular form, with notes and brief commentary appended. The Federal zapovednik's Scientific Director is responsible for editing his annual Chronicles of Nature. Each Chronicle of Nature volume is completed in quadruplicate; two copies are retained by the zapovednik and the others sent respectively to the Moscow administrative center, the Federal Archive.

Some zapovedniks publish their Chronicle volumes, which allow other organizations to make use of the information they contain.

Chronicles of Nature: the Main Headings.

1. Territory

This section describes any changes to the extent, borders, or typing of the land within the zapovednik. The first volume will have provided composite tables of land distribution within different categories - forested, unforested, aquatic, roads, wetlands and a table of forest composition detailing tree species and ages.

2. Experimental Plots and Trails.

Gives details and maps of plots, trails and quadrates used in research work. .

3. Relief.

The type and amount of detail in relief study depends on the geomorphologic composition of the land. The choice of recorded data and its volume should relate to the geomorphology of the zapovednik. For example, in alpine territories the following processes and phenomena are examined: ravines, landslides, river processes (the creation of new river beds, changes to river banks etc.), avalanches, sink holes, earthquakes, volcanic activity.

4. Soils.

The first volume will have given a detailed inventory and description of soil distribution. Observations of the moisture and temperature regimes of soils should be conducted during the snow-free period on experimental plots.

5. Weather.

Most preserves have a meteorological station on their land. This section will contain all standard readings - temperature of air and soil, air humidity, atmospheric pressure, rainfall, wind, and weather descriptions in tabular form together with accounts of the seasonal variations based on past weather

6. Water.

The first volume lists and describes the zapovednik's rivers, lakes, and wetlands. Monitoring programs differ between “terrestrial” and “aquatic” zapovedniks. Terrestrial zapovedniks conduct elementary observations of aquatic phenomena (they are mostly seasonal) and the dynamics of temperatures and water levels. These are closely related to weather observations and are likely to be conducted at the same place. Zapovedniks that have their territories located mostly in water ecosystem have specific monitoring programs.

7. Flora and Vegetation.

This section contains: inventories of flora with descriptions and notes of observed changes; records of new species; changes in distribution of those already recorded; special data on rare, endangered, relict and endemic species, including effects of seasonal phenomena and the dynamics of their reproduction.

The topics covered when recording changes to vegetation are as follows:

• Seasonal dynamics of plant communities. Phenological observations of typical and rare community members in basic types of plant communities (phenological graphs are used).
• Dynamics of growth of the upper ground mass of herbaceous communities. Fluctuations in the composition and structure of plant communities.
• The quantity and biomass of phytoplankton and phytobenthos. Fruiting and placentation of woody plants. The abundance of berries and of fungi.
• Changes resulting from successional processes of plant communities in different successional stages – (e.g. virgin forest, secondary forest, clear-cut, and grassland).
• All unusual phenomena affecting plant communities are recorded, as also cases of obvious and significant deviation from normal development resultant on disease, weather or animal activity.

8. The Animal Population and its Composition.

Species composition is described, with species and population estimates for each order and any changes in these from previous years. New species are registered with the location and date when they were seen. Rare species are treated analogously to rare flora. Game species of mammals are counted in winter, rodents in summer and special counts made of such species as bear, mink, otter and deer are made depending on a suitable season.

Birds counts are carried out for members of the Tetraonidae family and for wetland species and waterfowl. Amphibian and reptile populations are estimated by counts on transects within some of their communities during the summer months. Populations of fish, terrestrial invertebrates, and aquatic invertebrates (only in “aquatic zapovedniks) are similarly estimated.

An ecological review provides information on the ecological prospects of animals taking into account population structure, distribution, foraging success, birth rates, the survivability of progeny, death rates, seasonal questions, and behavioral characteristics together with information on tagging and rates of recapture.

9. The Calendar of Nature.

This provides a table of the year which is divided into seasons (and possibly smaller divisions) and contains weather data and data on the seasonal life of biota.

Literature cited.

Colwell, M.A., A.V.Dubinin, A.Yu.Koroliuk and N.A.Sobolev. 1997. Russian Nature Reserves and Conservation of Biological Diversity. Natural Areas Journal 17(1):56-68

Dezhkin, V.V. 1993. The Concept of Development of the Natural Protected Areas Network in the Russian Federation. Pages 5-14 in V.E. Sokolov ed., The Theory and Practice of Zapovednik Management. Moscow. (Russian)

Filonov, K.P., Y.D Nukhimovskaya. 1985, 1990. The Chronicles of Nature in Zapovedniks of the USSR. Methodological notes. Nauka, Moscow. (Russian)

Isakov, Y.A. 1983. Dynamics of natural ecosystems and its studies in zapovedniks Chronicles of Nature. Protected natural areas of the Soviet Union, their tasks and some results of studies. Moscow, pages 140-148 (Russian)

Kuleshova, L.V., O.M. Rusanova. 1995. Planning as a Factor of Social and Economic Stability of Zapovedniks. Pages 16-178 in V.N. Tikhomirov, T.M. Korneeva, I.I Grindina, V.M. Neronov, G.A. Noskov, J.D. Nuchimovskaya, R.A. Perelet, N.N. Skokova, Y.Y. Siroechkovskiy, K.P. Filonov eds., Zapovednik Management in New Sociological and Economical Conditions. Saint Petersburg. (Russian)

Marin Y.F. 2001. Studies of natural complexes in the PNAs of the Urals. Pages 286-305 in Mishin A.S., Y.F. Marin and N.M. Loskutova eds., Improvement of PNA activities through the pooling of experience. Yekaterinburg. (Russian)

Marin, Y.F. 1996. The informational system of Visimski Zapovednik as a basis for coordination of activities of the Ural zapovedniks. Pages 219-221 in Mishin A.S., Y.F. Marin, L.V. Marina, Y.L. Uhova, P.Z. Sibgatullin eds.,The problems of zapovednik management. Yekaterinburg. (Russian)

Marin, Y.F. 2000. The problems of creation a united database for the PNAs of the Urals. Pages 223-230 in Zhigalski O.A., A.S. Mishin and Y.F. Marin eds., Coordination of ecological monitoring in the PNAs of the Urals. Yekaterinburg. (Russian)

Marin, Y.F., N.M. Loskutiva and A.Y. Kvashnina. 2000. A general review of monitoring under the framework of the Chronicles of Nature in the PNAs of the Urals. Pages 203-210 in Zhigalski O.A., A.S. Mishin and Y.F. Marin eds., Coordination of ecological monitoring in the PNAs of the Urals. Yekaterinburg. (Russian)

Marin, Y.F., V.G. Petrosian. 2001. The informational system “Biosystem” and the problems of creation a united database for the PNAs of the Urals. Pages 21-24 in Mishin A.S., Y.F. Marin, L.V. Marina, Y.L. Uhova, N.V. Beliaeva eds., The studies of untouched natural complexes of the Urals. Yekaterinburg. (Russian)

Mishin, A.S. 2001. Preservation of natural complexes in the PNAs of the Urals. Pages 276-286 in Mishin A.S., Y.F. Marin and N.M. Loskutova eds., Improvement of PNA activities through the pooling of experience. Yekaterinburg. (Russian)

Puzachenko, Y.G., S.G. Priklonskiy, Y.V. Sapetin, A.D. Sorokin, V.S. Kudriashov. 1993. Reasons for Development of a Database for the Chronicles of Nature and and Example of its Use With the Data of the Okskiy Biosphere Zapovednik. Pages 143-174 in V.E. Sokolov ed., The Theory and Practice of Zapovednik Management. Moscow. (Russian)

Shadrina, G.D. 1993. The Role of Zapovedniks of USSR in the System of Protected Natural Areas of the World. Pages 15-27 in V.E. Sokolov ed., The Theory and Practice of Zapovednik Management. Moscow. (Russian)

Shtilmark, F.R. 1996. The Historiography of the Russian Nature Reserves (1895-1995) TOO “Logata”, Moscow (Russian)

Sokolov, V.E., K.P. Filonov, J.D. Nukhimovskaya, G.D. Shadrina. 1997. Ecology of Protected Territories (Reserves) of Russia. M.Yanus-K. Moscow (Russian).

Zhigalski, O.A. Y.F. Marin. 2000. Introduction. Pages 7-8 in Zhigalski O.A., A.S. Mishin and Y.F. Marin eds., Coordination of ecological monitoring in the PNAs of the Urals. Yekaterinburg. (Russian)