METHODOLOGICAL BASIS FOR ASSESSING THE STATE OF KUNGUR FOREST-STEPPE ECOSYSTEMS

Abstract

The paper proposes a methodology for assessing the state of extrazonal ecosystems of the Kungur foreststeppe. As assessment criteria, it uses the phase of ecosystem transformation, the proportion of plant species of atypical
ecological-coenotic groups, the share of segetal species, the share of invasive plant species, and the portion of area devoid
of vegetation. The developed methodology has been tested on ecosystems under significant anthropogenic impact. The
method will provide an opportunity to identify the nature and rate of succession processes in specific ecosystems in
specially protected natural areas of the Kungur forest-steppe.
Using the example of ecosystems characteristic of the Kungur forest-steppe within the boundaries of specially
protected natural areas of regional significance, the ecological-cenotic composition of plant communities is considered,
the proportions of synanthropic, segetal, rare, and protected plant species in phytocenoses have been determined. The
paper states the need for developing a regional list of synanthropic plant species and a list of indicator species highlighting
the ecosystem value from the standpoint of biodiversity conservation. Based on such lists, it would be possible to develop
indices for assessing the state of ecosystems. It also appears reasonable to develop a software product on the basis of the
methodology.
The study has analyzed data from 2003-2023 on the state of the ecosystems and their components in the Kungur
forest-steppe within the boundaries of specially protected natural areas. The data were obtained with the help of methodology assessing the state of ecosystems in protected areas developed in 2011 at Perm State University. It has been established that over the past 20 years, the average weighted degree of degradation of the vegetation cover of the protected
areas of the Kungur forest-steppe has remained at the level of slightly degraded. According to monitoring data from 2023,
the state of the Kungur forest-steppe extrazonal ecosystems is characterized as very slightly degraded.