Natural and medical sciences

The article presents generalised data on internationally important staging sites of Greylag Goose (Anser anser), Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons), Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus), Bean Goose (Anser fabalis), Whooper Swans (Cygnus Cygnus) and Bewick’s Swans (Cygnus bewickii) in the Neman River delta shared by Russia and Lithuania.The authors indicate the decrease in the population of Bean Geese alongside with the increase in the population of Greylag Geese, Whooper Swans, Bewick’s Swans and particularly Greater White-fronted Geese. This phenomenon is brought about by the global climate change, changes of the migratory flyways of certain species (particularly Greater White-fronted Goose) and by human impact.
In order to preserve the wetland complex of utmost importance for migrating birds, it is necessary to develop the cross border Ramsar territory and to grant the corresponding status to the Russian part of the Neman delta.

The article considers some biotic reactions to climatic transformation on the basis of the research conducted in 1980—2006 in the primary ecosystems of southern Taiga on the Central Russian Plain. The change of structure, diversity and productivity of small mammal communities are connected to climatic trends, extreme and catastrophic climatic phenomena.

The article analyses the seasonal dynamics of zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha Pallas), larva length composition and juvenile recruitment in perennial natural colonies in the Prybrezhny Querry (the Kaliningrad region). In 2002, zebra mussel larvae were found in plankton from the second part of July till the end of August. The peaks of abundance were registered in the middle of July and in the beginning of August. The larvae accounted for 33% of the total zooplankton abundance. The size of larvae varied from 100 to 375 μm. The beginning of the juvenile settlement was observed in July. Colony mud accumulation is considered having a negative effect on successful settlement and survival of juveniles.

The article describes the quantitative content dynamics of the hydrocortisone steroid hormone in different organs and tissues in the course of the common octopus ontogenesis. The author detects general patterns of its quantitative distribution in the octopus organism and formulates a hypothesis on the functional significance of hydrocortisone in the examined tissues of mollusks.
Hydrocortisone level is one of the most important organizers of general adaptation syndrome in the organisms of vertebrates under different forms of stress. It may be also used as an indicator of organism state of invertebrate hydrobionts in biotesting and bioindication of water biocenoses.

The article presents the preliminary results concerning the quantitative content of nitrogen-fixing, cellulose-eliminating microorganisms and microorganisms using the mineral forms of nitrogen and microscopic fungi in Kaliningrad soils under different environmental conditions.

The analysis of Ch. balatonicus population cytogenetic structure shows that all seven chromosomal arms are polymorphous, the most polymorhous one is arm D, which was presented by four chromosome band sequences. Standard sequences as well as their zygotic and genome combinations prevail in the population. The presence of balD5, balD7 sequences in the population
karyofund earlier recorded only in eastern populations and three new inversion band sequences (balB8, balF8, bal(EF)X) characterizes the cytogenetic structure as partly unique, formed under specific conditions of brackish water reservoir.

The article presents regress equations of age-related average height changes by growth classes and of general wood pulp by average height and density of the black saxaul forest stand, derived as a result of statistical modelling.

The article reviews the research on the influence of abiotic factors on plant antioxidant pool formation conducted at IKSUR.

The article is dedicated to the research on ontogenesis development of the Dracocephalum nutans L. and Dracocephalum grandiflorum L. species in the Alma-Ata region. The research results include the following: growth and development rhythm of the species corresponds to the natural climatic fluctuations of the new environment; i. e. vegetation period coincides with the period
of stable positive air temperatures in the Alma-Ata region. The vegetation period of Dracocephalum nutans L. lasts 160—170 days; Dracocephalum grandiflorum L. — 140—150 days.

The article presents experimental data on six alfalfa variety tests according to two standards. The analysis of the data is adjusted to the climatic conditions of the Kaliningrad region.

The article considers the main polluting factors of urban soils and estimates the impact of anthropogenic pressure on the quantitative and qualitative composition of soil microflora. The authors outline the prospects of research on the microflora of Kaliningrad soils situated in different ecological conditions.

The article examines the morphological structure, chemical and physical properties of soils in Kaliningrad city parks.

The article presents the preliminary results concerning the quantitative content of nitrogen-fixing, cellulose-eliminating microorganisms and microorganisms using the mineral forms of nitrogen and microscopic fungi in Kaliningrad soils under different environmental conditions.

The article focuses on the diversity of the Deyma basin soil mantle in dependence on different factors of soil formation on two key spots. The author defines topographical (ecological) soil series, typical of boreal zone river basins.