Papers by Mikhail Blinnikov
Oecologia Montana, May 4, 1995
Phytolith analysis uses tiny silica particles of specific shapes, which are produced by certain p... more Phytolith analysis uses tiny silica particles of specific shapes, which are produced by certain plant taxa and get deposited in soil, to reconstruct plant community history. Along with better known pollen analysis, phytolith analysis allows studying the history of establishment of ecosystems, improves our understanding of vegetation dynamics, provides insights into the possible future of ecosystem development. Phytolith analysis becomes a new and powerful tool in paleoecology, providing additional data about qualitative and quantitative composition of the plant communities in the past.
Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, Mar 10, 2018
The article presents the results of analysis of the phytolith composition of cereals in the North... more The article presents the results of analysis of the phytolith composition of cereals in the Northern Altai. Some 23 species of Poaceae have been studied. For each species, we analyzed a set of silicon particles in leaves, stems, and generative structures. We selected from 22 to 27 significant morphotypes of phytoliths, depending on their morphological affinity. Our results were compared with the wetting factor. We also analyzed the ratio of the composition of phytoliths of cereals and their ecological (edaphotopic) groups and life forms. We founded the correlations between several morphotypes of cereal phytoliths and life forms with optimum species moistening.
Povolzhskaya Arkheologiya (The Volga River Region Archaeology), 2021
The Beganchik locality is a stratigraphic sequence of loessic deposits, pedogenic horizons and Pa... more The Beganchik locality is a stratigraphic sequence of loessic deposits, pedogenic horizons and Paleolithic occupations located at the Kama-Volga confluence. The sequence is exposed on a bluff formed on the west side of an erosional remnant between the Kuybyshev Reservoir and the former channel of the Aktay River. Although the site is known for its Terminal Paleolithic-Mesolithic occupations of the Pleistocene-Holocene transition, evidence of older occupations and remains of fauna has been identified. Our research team identified evidence of human presence associated with a pedogenic horizon of MIS 3 age. Two AMS radiocarbon ages from a hearth produced ages around 47 000 years BP. Pollen and phytoliths from two soils horizons, including the one associated with the hearths indicate a steppe environment coincident with the formation of correlative soils elsewhere in the Russian Plain.
Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, 2019
We investigated 120 assemblages of phytoliths from modern top soils of 40 different plant communi... more We investigated 120 assemblages of phytoliths from modern top soils of 40 different plant communities of Northern and Western Altay region of Russia. The samples were collected from elevations between 360 m and 2360 m above sea level. Using statistical analyses, it was discovered that many communities produce sufficiently distinct assemblages based on standard morphotypes. Specifically we studied 6 kinds of forests (larch, spruce, fir, pine, cedar pine and birch-dominated), 3 kinds of steppes (true, meadow and petrophytic), 5 kinds of meadows (steppe-like, upland dry, wet floodplain, subalpine, alpine), alpine tundra, and mountain shrubland communities. The communities were not evenly sampled, with more redundancy in some types than in others. Using PCA, it was possible to reveal the few morphotypes most responsible for distinguishing different communities, e.g., low conical rondels, rondel sum, long cell sum, lanceolate cells with massive base, and bulliform cell sum.
Alpine Ecosystems in the Northwest Caucasus, 2004
Gigon (1987) suggested that in the alpine zone, environmental factors may play a leading role in ... more Gigon (1987) suggested that in the alpine zone, environmental factors may play a leading role in excluding certain plant species from the less productive habitats (e.g., alpine heaths), while interspecific competition may play a more important role in the more productive habitats, e.g., in the alpine grasslands and meadows. Despite some recent contributions to the assessment of the relative importance of biotic and abiotic factors along productivity gradients (Grace 1993, Keddy et al. 1994, Wilson & Tilman 1995, Goldberg & Novoplatsky 1997), Gigon’s hypothesis has not been tested with direct experiments.
Quaternary International, 2013
Researchers frequently assume that phytolith assemblages in modern soils reflect composition of r... more Researchers frequently assume that phytolith assemblages in modern soils reflect composition of recent vegetation because of the direct deposition of silica into the soil, once plants decay. This paper tests this assumption and determines whether temperate grasslands of different composition can be reliably detected based on their silica record in topsoil in a controlled experiment. The differences in total biogenic opal concentration (TBOC) and diversity of morphotypes were assessed in the Biodiversity II experiment (E120) at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve, Minnesota, USA, where controlled mixtures of C 3 grasses, C 4 grasses, legumes, non-legume forbs, and woody shrubs (Quercus) were grown for a period of eight years. The plots have been manually maintained to contain the target species, and thus provide an opportunity to test numerous hypotheses regarding phytolith production patterns under diverse mixtures of plants. Soil samples were obtained from plots representing a variety of functional group mixtures. Pinch soil samples of 20 g from 10 random locations inside each plot were obtained. Phytoliths were extracted from each sample by chemically removing organics and carbonates and using heavy liquid flotation. A chemical dissolution method was used to obtain estimates of TBOC. Morphotypes were counted under a microscope. Morphotypes were analyzed on all plots against each other and against the morphotypes expected in the plants that grow on each plot using ANOVAs, linear regression, PCA and cluster analysis. Average above-ground biomass of expected phytolith producers was weakly but positively correlated with the TBOC values (R 2 ¼ 0.42). The morphotype analysis showed that species' composition was most accurately reflected in the phytolith assemblages on grass-dominated plots. For example, it was possible to distinguish C 3 , C 4 , or mixed grassdominated plots from each other. Although the majority of phytoliths were from Poaceae, large shares were also from forbs and woody plants. Plots without any grasses still had some presence of grass phytoliths suggesting limited horizontal translocation and/or inheritance.
Турцзаниноwиа, Dec 24, 2022
Аннотация. В статье рассматривается проблема номенклатуры и классификации фитолитов. На примере з... more Аннотация. В статье рассматривается проблема номенклатуры и классификации фитолитов. На примере злаков подсемейства Pooideae юга Западной Сибири обосновано разделение морфотипа «crenate» (ICPN 2.0) на две формы: полилопастную и волнистую. Анализ литературных данных подтверждает неоднородность этого морфотипа и различные трактовки его вариаций. К первой форме были отнесены высокие в боковой проекции фитолиты с отчетливыми лопастями, ко второй группе-уплощенные формы с волнистым краем. В статье рассмотрено формирование этих двух морфотипов у 52 видов злаков, относящихся к 25 родам. Основное содержание исследования составляет анализ встречаемости форм в различных трибах и подтрибах Pooideae согласно современным сведениям о филогении злаков. На примере трех родов рассмотрены различия в формировании этих морфотипов на секционном и подродовом уровнях. В ходе детального анализа выявлено, что волнистые пластинки наиболее характерны для подтрибы Aveninae (Poeae), полилопастные частицы-для подтрибы Agrostidinae (Poeae) и трибы Meliceae. По некоторым таксонам, например, трибе Stipeae, получены неоднозначные данные, не согласующиеся с информацией по другим территориям, что указывает на необходимость дальнейших исследований обозначенной проблемы. При анализе встречаемости форм на внутриродовом уровне установлено, что в родах Poa и Festuca прослеживаются различия между отдельными подродами и секциями, а для рода Calamagrostis такие отличия отсутствуют. Полученные результаты указывают на перспективность привлечения к классификации фитолитов филогенетической информации и необходимость более полного изучения крупных родов злаков на предмет фитолитного состава (Festuca, Calamagrostis, Poa, Stipa и др.).
We propose a non-steady state model of the global temperature change. The model describes Earth’s... more We propose a non-steady state model of the global temperature change. The model describes Earth’s surface temperature dynamics under main climate forcing. The equations were derived from basic physical relationships and detailed assessment of the numeric parameters used in the model. It shows an accurate fit with observed changes in the surface mean annual temperature (MAT) for the past 116 years. Using our model, we analyze the future global temperature change under scenarios of drastic reductions of CO2. The presence of non-linear feed-backs in the model indicates on the possibility of exceeding two degrees threshold even under the carbon dioxide drastic reduction scenario. We discuss the risks associated with such warming and evaluate possible benefits of developing CO2-absorbing deciduous tree plantations in the boreal zone of Northern Hemisphere.
Ukrainian Journal of Ecology
The article presents the results of analysis of the phytolith composition of cereals in the North... more The article presents the results of analysis of the phytolith composition of cereals in the Northern Altai. Some 23 species of Poaceae have been studied. For each species, we analyzed a set of silicon particles in leaves, stems, and generative structures. We selected from 22 to 27 significant morphotypes of phytoliths, depending on their morphological affinity. Our results were compared with the wetting factor. We also analyzed the ratio of the composition of phytoliths of cereals and their ecological (edaphotopic) groups and life forms. We founded the correlations between several morphotypes of cereal phytoliths and life forms with optimum species moistening.
Alpine Ecosystems in the Northwest Caucasus, 2004
The morphological analysis of plant species is necessary for a detailed study of important featur... more The morphological analysis of plant species is necessary for a detailed study of important features of plant communities, such as plant adaptations, plant interactions and community structure (Raunkiaer 1934, Zaugol’nova et al. 1991, Pokarzhevskaya & Onipchenko 1995).
Povolzhskaya Arkheologiya (The Volga River Region Archaeology)
The article describes the results of investigations of the sub-recent assemblages of silica phyto... more The article describes the results of investigations of the sub-recent assemblages of silica phytoliths in top soils of various modern plant communities of the Middle Volga region in Tatarstan, Samarskaya and Ulyanovskaya oblasts conducted in 2017–2020. Counts of various phytolith morphotypes from 40 samples suggest a relatively low level of vegetation community specificity as revealed by multivariate statistical analyses. Nevertheless, coniferous and mixed forests can be distinguished based on the presence of a suite of conifer phytoliths, while steppes can be identified based on high proportion of rondels. Deciduous forests of the region can be detected based on high proportion of straight elongates and acutous bulbosus (trichome) type. Some matchings are made to 10 archaeological samples from various strata and ages across the region. Such samples reveal high proportion of cultured grass phytoliths and are most similar to steppes or agricultural assemblages in the modern dataset.
Flora, 2021
Porteresia coarctata (Roxb.) Tateoka is a true halophytic perennial wild grass that grows profuse... more Porteresia coarctata (Roxb.) Tateoka is a true halophytic perennial wild grass that grows profusely along newly formed, highly saline landmasses and mudflats in the coastal mangroves of the Indian subcontinent and acts as a pioneer species in mangrove succession. Comprehensive phytolith analyses on sixteen P. coarctata samples collected from different swampy mangrove locations of four mangrove forests (Sundarbans, Bhitarkanika, Godavari and Krishna) along the Indian east coast show the significant and exclusive presence of a new specialized RONDEL having four distinct horns with flat base (named henceforth as RONDEL FOUR HORNED). Significant numbers of this morphotype have also been recorded in the surface sediment samples collected from these swampy mangrove sites. The RONDEL FOUR HORNED is a diagnostic phytolith morphotype of P. coarctata and a useful indicator of coastal swampy or intertidal mangroves of the Indian east coast. This morphotype was then used to identify past coasta...
Moscow, Russia is the largest city in Europe with over 12.6 million residents. The remarkable fac... more Moscow, Russia is the largest city in Europe with over 12.6 million residents. The remarkable fact is that it is also a biologically diverse ecosystem with a few dozen specially protected natural areas, including 15 large forest parks and a variety of smaller nature-places. The recent landscaping “improvements” conducted by the Moscow government since 2010 greatly increased negative impacts on the green infrastructure, e.g., a lot more paving, systematic grass mowing, widespread planting of exotic plant species, increased residential and commercial construction, more noise, etc. While quantification of the impacts of the above on the biota is not easy, we offer some insights into the changes over the last 10 years with respect to birds, insects, and plants within a few green spaces inside the city beltway. We then proceed to analyze these changes from the political ecology perspectives by looking at what Moscow residents feel and how they interact with the now more controlled nature...
Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, 2018
The article presents results of studies of silica phytoliths in seven species of Cyperaceae and t... more The article presents results of studies of silica phytoliths in seven species of Cyperaceae and two species of Juncaceae from Western Siberia. The participation of different morphotypes in the total phytolith assemblage was calculated as percentages. The analysis of the specificity of different forms of silicification was carried out. Keywords: Carex; Cyperaceae; Juncaceae; Juncus; Luzula; phytoliths; monocotyledons References: Blackman, E. (1971). Opaline silica bodies in the range grasses of southern Alberta. Canadian Journal of Botany, 49, 769-781. DOI: 10.1139/b2012-070. Blinnikov, M. (2005). Phytoliths in plants and soils of the interior Pacific Northwest, USA. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, 135, 71-98. DOI: 10.1016/j.revpalbo.2005.02.006. Bobrov, A. A., Semenov, A. N., & Alexeev, Yu. E. (2016). Phytoliths of species some genera of the family Cyperaceae. Environmental dynamics and global climate change, 7(1), 27-33 (in Russian). Gol'eva, A. A. (2001). Phytoliths and...
Povolzhskaya Arkheologiya (The Volga River Region Archaeology), 2019
Главный редактор член-корреспондент АН РТ, доктор исторических наук А.Г. Ситдиков Заместители гла... more Главный редактор член-корреспондент АН РТ, доктор исторических наук А.Г. Ситдиков Заместители главного редактора: член-корреспондент АН РТ, доктор исторических наук Ф.Ш. Хузин доктор исторических наук Ю.А. Зеленеев Ответственный секретарь-кандидат ветеринарных наук Г.Ш. Асылгараева Редакционный совет: Б.А. Байтанаев-академик НАН РК, доктор исторических наук (Алматы, Казахстан) (председатель), Р.С. Хакимов-вице-президент АН РТ (Казань, Россия), Х.А. Амирханов-член-корреспондент РАН, доктор исторических наук, профессор (Москва, Россия), И. Бальдауф-доктор наук, профессор (Берлин, Германия), С.Г. Бочаров-кандидат исторических наук (Казань, Россия), П. Георгиев-доктор наук, доцент (Шумен, Болгария), Е.П. Казаков-доктор исторических наук (Казань, Россия), Н.Н. Крадин-членкорреспондент РАН, доктор исторических наук, профессор (Владивосток, Россия), А. Тюрк-PhD (Будапешт, Венгрия), И. Фодор-доктор исторических наук, профессор (Будапешт, Венгрия), В.Л. Янин-академик РАН, доктор исторических наук профессор (Москва, Россия), В.С. Синика-кандидат исторических наук (Тирасполь, Молдова), Б.В. Базаров-академик РАН доктор исторических наук, профессор (Улан-Удэ, Бурятия), Д.С. Коробов-доктор исторических наук, профессор РАН (Москва, Россия), П. Дегри-профессор (Лёвен, Бельгия), Вэй Джан-Ph.D, профессор (Пекин, Китай). Редакционная коллегия: А.А. Выборнов-доктор исторических наук, профессор (Самара, Россия) М.Ш. Галимова-кандидат исторических наук (Казань, Россия) Р.Д. Голдина-доктор исторических наук, профессор (Ижевск, Россия) И.Л. Измайлов-доктор исторических наук (Казань, Россия) С.В. Кузьминых-кандидат исторических наук (Москва, Россия) А.Е. Леонтьев-доктор исторических наук (Москва, Россия) Т.Б. Никитина-доктор исторических наук (Йошкар-Ола, Россия) Ответственный за выпуск: М.Ш. Галимова-кандидат исторических наук (Казань, Россия)
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Papers by Mikhail Blinnikov