Researchers of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Zapovednoe Pribaikalye” conducted a large-scale study of some of the most vulnerable representatives of flora growing on the territory of the Pribaikalsky National Park. The objects of the study were: Zunduksky copepod, almost woolly skullcap and Olkhonsky astragalus. These species grow in restricted areas and are subject to serious threats: from tourists to farm animals.
Under the conditions of actively developing socio-economic activities in the Olkhonsky district of the Irkutsk region, coastal landscapes and, consequently, places of growth of rare, endemic plant species, including the objects of the study, are being degraded.
The scientists faced a non-trivial task – to conduct a comprehensive study, which will form the basis for the work on functional zoning of the park’s territory and the development of measures to protect rare plants, as well as to increase the population of these plants. It is important to note that an inventory of these endemics was carried out back in 2011, and 13 years later, thanks to grant support from the Foundation, it was possible to carry out the work again, while assessing the recreational impact on rare plants.
What is the purpose of studying Zundukka copepod, Skullcap almost woolly and Astragalus olchonus?
All the characters in the study have a few interesting facts in common:
- their habitats are limited and located exclusively within the coast of Lake Baikal;
- they are difficult to reproduce outside natural conditions (which is confirmed by studies: 1, 2, 3);
- all 3 species are relicts of the pre-glacial era, neighbouring dinosaurs.
In addition, it is important to note that the boundaries of their habitats include agricultural land without withdrawal from economic use, which means that livestock grazing is also possible. That is why the information obtained in the course of the study is very important – it will make it possible to transfer the areas where endemic plants are located from recreational and economic use to a specially protected zone.
Let’s take a closer look at these representatives of rare species.
Kopecnik zunduk (Hedysarum zundukii Peschkova)
A narrowly localised endemic of Russia, it is found only on the slopes of Lake Baikal between Cape Otto-Khushun and Cape Zama in a narrow strip 20 km long. It got its name due to its coin-like shape and its native cape Zunduk. It is included in the Red Books of the Irkutsk Oblast and the Russian Federation.
Skullflower almost woolly (Craniospermum subvillosum Lehm.)
Grows on coastal sands near water, all known localities are located on Olkhon Island on the western coast of Lake Baikal. Listed in the Red Book of the Irkutsk Oblast.
Astragalus olkhonskii (Astragalus olchonensis Gontsch)
Another narrowly localised endemic, growing exclusively on Olkhon Island in overhanging sands. Included in the Red Books of the Irkutsk Oblast and the Russian Federation.
During the field work, specialists collected data on key habitats of these species and expanded the network of permanent monitoring sites – now 20 sites will be used to monitor the dynamics of endemics.
All the information obtained is entered into a special digital platform, the data of which is used in the zoning of the Pribaikalsky National Park. Information about each growing point is available in the geographic information system in the form of a map.
How was the work carried out?
During 10 days the field research was carried out. During this time, all plant habitats were surveyed and their coordinates were determined, and geobotanical descriptions of the survey points were made.
For each species, sample (survey) sites were laid out, which were selected individually for each of them: 9 sites for almost woolly skullcap, 5 sites for Olkhonsky astragalus, and 6 sites for Zunduksky copepod.
For populations, the main parameters have been identified: age structure, density, etc. To determine each of these parameters, a complex of morphological and biological traits must be assessed. For example, age is determined by the presence of cotyledons, the number and degree of development of aboveground organs, the size of the root system and generative shoots, and the ratio of new formation and die-off processes.
Another indicator of interest for the study of a species is the power of its individuals, and for each species it is determined by individual biometric indices:
- for astragalus – number of generative shoots on plants, maximum and minimum length of generative shoots, maximum and minimum length of vegetative shoots, leaf length and width;
- for skullcap – rosette diameter, number of vegetative and generative rosettes on plants, leaf length and width;
- for Kopeychnik – number of pedicels per plant, rosette diameter, plant height, leaf length and width, as well as length and width of lateral leaflets.
In addition to field work, literature research was conducted, so that changes in populations can be seen in dynamics and the results can be compared with earlier surveys.
In addition to management decisions related to economic activities in the park, education is also an important area of focus. For this purpose, the National Park staff has prepared materials for information boards and proposals for this year’s recreation plan.
What has the research been able to find out?
The population of Olkhonsky astragalus was studied in two areas: one with a high level of anthropogenic load and the other in an undisturbed part. Comparative analysis revealed that the species abundance was significantly reduced in tourist areas and where there were traces of economic activity. Flowering and fruiting plants were completely absent in such areas, and a total of 7 compactly arranged adults were found. The species is abundant in the undisturbed part of the population. In order to preserve the species, tents have been prohibited in the sandy massifs of the Peschanka tract since 2015, but it is proposed to take additional measures to increase the population: to assign the status of ‘protected area of state protection’ to some well-preserved sandy massifs on the island, such as the sandy sediments of the Nyurgan Bay and Ulan-Khushinsky Bay.
During the study of the near-haired skullcap, scientists found that the habitat of this species is also subject to anthropogenic pressure. After the installation of a fence in 2014 and a change in the regime of visiting Saraysky Beach (located on Olkhon Island) in 2016, the population of the endemic began to recover. At the same time, tourists were prohibited from entering the area, setting up tents and a special trail was constructed to reduce the anthropogenic load. In the same year, specialists conducted a survey of the habitat of the almost woolly skullcap and the results were shocking – only 10 individuals were found! After changes in the tourist destination in 2017 the number was 26 individuals, in 2018 – 138. The current survey found over 200 individuals, although the number of tourists has tripled to 3,000 per year. Thus, small changes led to a 20-fold increase in the population of the red-listed species.
Surveys of habitats of Zunduk’s Kopechnik were carried out on two sections of the Lake Baikal coast: the first – from Zunduk m. to Khokhe-Nakhoitui (Khargantui) m., the second – from Khokhe-Nakhoitui (Khargantui) m. to Khuzhir m. Comparative analysis of the main demographic parameters of the species at different coastal sites revealed rather low values of the density of individuals per unit area, the total number of individuals being less than 150.
What happens after the research?
An analysis of the effectiveness of measures to conserve and restore the populations of three rare endemic species has shown that the most effective measures are the installation of fences and blocking the possibility of entering the habitats. However, in order to preserve endemics, it is necessary to designate specially protected areas and regulate anthropogenic load.
The data obtained from the survey results are included in the digital platform (geoinformation system) of the national park, which contains information on the current state of cenopopulations of rare, endemic plant species and their habitats. The platform allows timely management decisions on preservation of biocenotic diversity.
Thus, this work will become the basis for changing functional zones in the Pribaikalsky National Park. Science-based data will be used in planning economic, investment and recreational activities. The change of regime will allow to preserve and restore the populations of not only the Zunduksky kopechechnik, almost woolly skullcap and Olkhonsky astragalus, but also other inhabitants of the park.
The project was made possible thanks to the support of Siberian Wellness, the corporate trustee of the World Around You Foundation, the Code of Kindness Foundation.