The biogeographical map series for Asian Russia

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The Biogeographical Map Series for Asian RussiaI. V. Koneva and A. R. Batuev

Institute of Geography, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russiae-mail: [email protected]

Received May 30, 2013

Abstract—We give a review of the biogeographical 1:7 500 000 map series for Asian Russia. We examine the compilation technique and contents of each map in the series.DOI: 10.1134/S1875372814010156Keywords: ecologo-geographical approach, ecologo-phytocenotic complexes, ecological factors, zooanthroponoses, noso-ecosystems.

The idea of creating a series of map of nature, the population and the economy of Asian Russia at a scale of 1:7 500 000 was introduced by Academician V.B. Sochava. Four maps of this series have been published to date [1–4]. The first map entitled “Ixodidae of Asian Russia” (sc 1:8 000 000) was issued in 1974. At the time of its creation, the scale of maps of this series was not conclusively determined, and subsequent maps were constructed at a scale of 1:7 500 000. In 1977, the Correlational ecologo-phyto-cenotic map was published, and in 1988 the map “Rodents and Lagomorpha of Asian Russia”. The maps “Ixodidae” and “Rodents and Lagomorpha” were developed, having regard to a subsequent medical-geographical (anthropo-ecological) interpretation oftheir contents. This task was realized through the generation of the map “Noso-ecosystems of Asian Russia” that was issued in 2012. Thus all publications of this series refer to biogeographical maps.

The maps cover the territory of the North Asian subcontinent, a space of a planetary level, the understanding of which, according to V.B. Sochava [5, p. 215], “is of utmost importance for the transition to the solution of regional problems, not only physical-geographical but also socioeconomic”. A series of maps at such a scale makes it possible to achieve one further goal facing geography, i.e. “to enrich the general concept of zonality resting on a traditional methodological foundation by using new methods as well as invoking the latest advancements in related disciplines, which, in view of a global significance of the idea of zonality, is particularly important” [5, p. 201]. The process of creating them involves original theoretical developments, and classification constructs. The publication of the map is accompanied by an outline of experience of work on their contents and design [1–4]. Theoretical developments concerning the object of mapping of the three last maps out of the aforementioned ones, are also reported in monographs [6, 7, 8]. Work on map compilation was done within

the framework of the geosystem concept [5].According to classification attributes, all of the

aforementioned maps refer to two closely interrelated groups: maps of the geographical environment, and ecological maps [5].

Since these maps were published at substantial intervals, it is important to provide a relevant overview, and there is good reason to begin it with an outline of the Correlational ecologo-phytocenotic map, because the other maps share common medical-geographical themes and the same authors.

THE CORRELATIONAL ECOLOGO-PHYTOCENOTIC MAP

Central to work on the map is identification of the correlational dependence of the structure and biological productivity of vegetation cover on some ecological factors. The idea of the research was originated by Academician V.B. Sochava. The authors of the map are I.I. Buks, V.N. Baiborodin, and L.S. Timirbaeva; the editors are V.B. Sochava and V.N. Baiborodin.

Selection of components and processing of input material. Based on studying an extensive body of factual evidence, five components were selected for analysis with the purpose of revealing the correlation relationships between them. Two components; vegetation and relief, have a qualitative characteristic, and three components: biological productivity of vegetation, conditions of heat availability, and the degree of humidification, have a quantitative characteristic.

The principal component to be used in the analysis was the vegetation. By the beginning of work on the project, the Institute of Siberia and the Far East SD USSR had compiled the authors’ originals of the maps for vegetation of the West-Siberian Plain, Krasnoyarsk krai, Yakut ASSR, the south of East Siberia and Kamchatka oblast. At an earlier date the Komarov Botanical Institute prepared the Map of vegetation of

ISSN 1875-3728, Geography and Natural Resources, 2014, Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 102-108. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2014.Original Russian Text © I.V. Koneva, A.R. Batuev, 2014, published in Geography and Natural Resources, 2014, Vol. 35, No. 1, pp. 175-182.

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THE BIOGEOGRAPHICAL MAP SERIES FOR ASIAN RUSSIA

the Amur basin [9]. All these maps that were compiled by a team of researchers under the direction of V.B. Sochava, provided a comprehensive idea of the species and spatial structure of vegetation across almost the entire territory of Asian Russia.

The creation of the geobotanical map for this region was an important component of the preparatory stage of work. The map was compiled through a generalization of the aforementioned maps at scales of 1:2 500 000 and 1:1 500 000, on the basis of theoretical principles of classification of vegetation cover as developed by V.B. Sochava [10].

For compiling this auxiliary geobotanical map, a summary legend was developed, which retained the structural-hierarchical principles of regional legends. The main mapping unit was the vegetation formation that was adopted in V.B. Sochava’s interpretation [10]. The scale of the map was 1:7 500 000, i.e. the same as in the final version. Selection of the scale was dictated by the availability of factual evidence, based on observational data from Gidrometeosluzhba (Hydrometeorological Service).

The legend of the resulting geobotanical map contains more than 150 names displayed on the map, and provides detailed information on the vegetation cover of Asian Russia. The structure of the legend obeys the regional-typological principle. The map provides an idea of the regional-typological features of vegetation cover, its zonal and altitudinal-belt structure, the species composition of edificators and dominants, the spatial relationship of the highlighted vegetation formations, and of the restoration tendencies of the disturbed vegetation cover.

The compiled draft version of the geobotanical map of Asian Russia was used subsequently as the basis for identification of a spatial correlation between vegetation and ecological factors. The most significant ecological factors for the functioning of vegetation was the sum of biologically active air temperatures representing the sum of mean daily temperatures for the period with temperatures above 10 ºC [11]. Along with the conditions of heat availability, moisture is a necessary factor for vegetation development. The indicator that most objectively characterizes the humidification conditions is the radiation balance of dryness calculated by M.I. Budyko’s method [12]. A calculation of biological productivity was done by using the method suggested by M.I. Budyko [12] and N.A. Efimova [13]. Furthermore, it was necessary to introduce yet another component, namely a territory’s topographic features by taking into consideration the influence of the relief on the other indicators.

Technique of compilation and short analysis of the correlational ecologo-phytocenotic map of Asian Russia. For a successful identification of the correlation between the vegetation and the selected ecological factors, the final map was to display the set of phytocenotic features as well as the ecological factors interpreted in each particular contour as a

synthesis of all indicators.To accomplish this, points were applied to the

geobotanical basis, corresponding to stations and posts operated by Gidrometeosluzhba; observational data from them were used to preliminarily calculate the values of the selected climatic indicators.

At a next stage of work, the points were grouped together for the five indicators in such a way that each group of points gives an insight into the correlation relationships of the vegetation complex under investigation with definite values of the other factors. The technique of grouping is described in detail by I.I. Buks [2].

The procedural methods of analysis of material as developed by I.I. Buks embody the principles of constructing a special classification and, hence, the legend corresponding to the task of an integral, synthetic display of interacting factors on the map.

The main regularity, reflected in a classification, implies a correspondence of definite values of the sums of biologically active air temperatures to the zonal, subzonal and altitudinal-belt boundaries of vegetation. This regularity is written concisely as zonal. Every two intervals of the sum of temperatures, i.e. a change of this value by 400 ºC correspond to a particular subzone and to the similar (in the character of development) altitudinal-belt complexes. As a result, all combinations of vegetation turned out to be grouped together into seven subzonal complexes which correspond to seven levels of heat availability. Each level of heat availability within the 400º interval is divided into two sublevels at intervals of 200 ºC. The sublevels of heat availability correspond to the strips of vegetation which are conspicuous within the subzones. The levels and sublevels of heat availability with the corresponding subzonal and altitudinal-belt combinations of vegetation represent higher subdivisions of classification.

A next stage of classification involves differentiating the vegetation with respect to the humidification conditions characterized by the radiation index of dryness. The regularity that is reflected in this stage of classification can be said to be provincial. The vegetation of each sublevel of heat availability is subdivided, according to the degree of humidification, into combinations of the formations of excessively humid (less than 0.5), humid (0.5–1), moderately humid (1–1.5), insufficiently humid (1.5–2), dry (2–2.5) and very dry (more than 2.5) habitats.

A subsequent partitioning of the sets of vegetation formations is done according to the attribute of their occurrence at altitudinal geomorphological levels: plains, low-, middle-and high-mountain vegetation groups are identified. The last hierarchical stage is a complex of vegetation formations highlighted on the map.

Hence, a classification of vegetation is a system of hierarchically subordinated units of four levels. The classification is built upon the ecological basis. Each


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of the levels, except for the lowest level, corresponds to one of the ecological factors. The main mapping unit ultimately represents a territorially concretized synthesis of all components.

The ecologo-phytocenotic complexes, highlighted on the map, are based mainly on the characteristics of the native vegetative cover. On the whole, the map reflects reliably the dependence of the natural vegetative cover on ecological factors.

The map can be used as reference material in identifying the ecological potential of a territory and, hence, for forecasting and assessment purposes.

THE MAP “IXODIDAE”Ixodidae are blood sucking parasites of warm-

blooded animals, and they also attack human beings. They serve as keepers and carriers of a great variety of diseases, common to man and animals (zooanthroponoses). Analysis of the spread of ticks across the territory, the structure of their population, and the population dynamics makes it possible to assess the risk of infection by zooanthroponoses.

Material used in the creation of the maps. The creation of the maps for the tock population of Asian Russia was preceded by a great deal of work on the study the ecology and spread of ticks, and on compilation of different-scale maps (1:50 000 – 1: 000 000) for separate regions of the territory being mapped. The technique for compiling such maps is described in [14, 15]. We used a large number of publications and archival material as well as data of our own observations. The principles and methods of mapping the population of Ixodidae ticks were outlined by B.V. Vershinskii [16, 17]. The geographical and special basis for their creation was provided largely by geobotanical maps.

Methods, procedures, and scientific result. The method of compiling regional maps for the population of Ixodidae ticks was based on the principle of treating them as co-members of biocenoses of particular landscapes and using the vegetation as the indicator of landscape, which made it possible to reveal the most important correlations of the spread of arthropoda with the other factors of the geographical environment on the territory being mapped. Ecologo-geographical analysis of the conditions of existence and distribution of Ixodidae ticks and the use of geobotanical maps as a special basis provided the means of extrapolating data of field investigations to significant areas.

The map of Asian Russia was compiled mainly by one of the investigative methods, i.e. by reprocessing (transformation) of maps used as the main cartographic material. This work was done as a result of a generalization of special contents in accordance with the purpose, scale and characteristic properties of the territory.

The legend to the resulting map reflects the correlations of the species of Ixodidae ticks or their groups with definite geographical conditions. The

largest classification subdivision of the legend is the type of population of Ixodidae ticks occurring in natural complexes having a rank of zones and subzones. The type of population of Ixodidae ticks usually consists of geographical varieties. A qualitative and quantitative characteristic is given to each of them in the legend. Thus the legend is built upon the regional-typological principle. Each subdivision of the legend reveals particular links of Ixodidae ticks with the geographical environment. The lower subdivisions of mapping provide insight into the diversity of the species composition and the population size of Ixodidae ticks within vegetation zones and subzones.

The general geographical map at a scale of 1:2 500 000 was used as the working geographical basis. Work on map compilation was done in the inter-mediate scale of 1:4 000 000. A comparison of the map in the final stage was made at a scale of 1:8 000 000.

Insert maps. The content of the main map is complemented with four insert maps. The first insert displays the spread of Ixodidae tick species which have an epidemiological significance; shown are their habitat areas as well as detections beyond their habitats. Basic material for map compilation included publications, archival material, and these authors’ observations.

The contents of the second insert map is represented by the spread of poorly explored species of Ixodidae ticks which usually are of low epidemiological significance due either to their biological characteristics or to their small number on the study territory. Some of them are specific parasites of wild mammals and birds. At all stages of their development they parasitize on them only, and they usually do not attack human beings. Other species are known on the territory of Siberia and the Far East from sporadic finds.

The other insert maps highlight the types of territories which are distinguished for circulation tension of pathogens of tick-borne encephalitis and tick-borne rickettsiosis. They were built upon the map of Ixodidae ticks. In creating the insert maps, we proceeded from the assumption that circulation tension of pathogens of tick-borne encephalitis and tick-borne rickettsiosis is conditioned by the qualitative and quantitative composition of the Ixodidae tock population. A relevant assessment of the contours of the map for Ixodidae ticks was made on the basis of a comparative analysis of material evidencing circulation tension of pathogenes of the aforementioned infections as well as information on the territory afforded by the map of Ixodidae tick population.

The group of indicators used in assessing circulation tension of pathogenes of tick-borne encephalitis includes virulence of ticks, the level of immunity in animals and human beings, the frequency of contacts of the population with ticks, and the sickness rate of the population. The following gradation of circulation tension of pathogens of tick encephalitis was developed: 1) high resistant; 2) moderate: а) with an increase to high, b) with a decrease to low; 3) low in diffused foci,

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and 4) low in isolated dispersed foci. The map “Ixodidae” constitutes the first attempt

at mapping of the tick population across such a vast territory as Asian Asia, and its interpretation from the medical-geographical perspective. In the process of working on the map, a more penetrating insight was gained into the level of study of the territory, poorly explored and totally unexplored areas were revealed, and the territories were defined for which it is necessary to create larger-scale acarological maps.

THE MAP “RODENTS AND LAGOMORPHA”The series of 1:7 500 000 maps related to the

problem of zooanthroponoses was continued by the map “Rodents and Lagomorpha”. It is the second medical-geographical map in the series which, like “Ixodidae”, unravels the connection of animals participating in maintenance of natural infection foci (animal population) with natural complexes. The authors of the series are I.V. Koneva, V.N. Baiborodin, and T.A. Kulyabtseva. The editors are V.N. Baiborodin, A.V. Belov, and B.A. Bogoyavlenskii.

The goal of map compilation was to investigate the preconditions for the spread of zooanthroponoses. It is known that 25 out of 30 zooanthroponoses that are of important significance in infection pathology of man and have been studied in the greatest detail, are associated with rodents. Lagomorpha are among the main keepers and carriers of four infections out of them.

It must be emphasized that rodents and Lagomorpha were regarded as an element in the structure of geosystems. System approach determined the ecological strategy of studying the object (in close unity with vegetation and with such critical components of geosystems as heat and moisture) on the structural-dynamical basis, with due regard for the genesis of geosystems.

Principles, methods and material as used in creating the map. Map compilation was based on the known biogeocenotic laws: a correspondence of the biocenoses to the biotope (correspondence of the population of rodents and Lagomorpha to their habitats), and whether or not the vegetation has indication properties with respect to the zoocenosis, embodying the universal principles of the unity of nature which make it possible to use the methods of assessment and extrapolation.

As the cartographic basis to be assessed zoogeographically, use was made of the same maps of vegetation and landscapes compiled for separate regions of Asian Russia which served as the basis in preparing the map of Ixodidae. Prior to starting work on the map “Rodents and Lagomorpha”, some of this material was published and some part of it was stored in the archives maintained by the Institute of Geography SD AS USSR. A characterization of the population of rodents and Lagomorpha largely used published material, primarily monographic summaries.

The objects of mapping include territorial groups of animals, i.e. the population taken within the framework of natural units. A characterization of the population of each unit is based on its structural features. The role of individual species of animals in the population was assessed by indicators of the share of a species in catches, and the breadth of occurrence of its habitats within the boundaries of territories of a given type. A total of three categories of species was identified: dominant (background), common (sometimes it forms part of the dominant species), and secondary (a rare species in dominant habitats or a common species in rare local habitats). The assessment of the animal population at the first (inventory) stage of map compilation resulted in identification of territorial communities of one rank.

Classification of the population of rodents and Lagomorpha (approaches). A next stage of research includes a classification of the population of rodents and Lagomorpha with the purpose of constructing a hierarchical system of the object under investigation. Most of present-day problems related to rational nature management determine the leading role of ecological aspects in a classification. In this case, the connections of plant and animal communities with environmental conditions imply the main regularity, and the classification constructs are intended to better understand them. The embodiment of the attributes of environment in the structure of communities is achieved through the use of ideas concerning the life forms and ecological groups.

As the criterion for identification of ecological groups in zoology, use was made of practical experience (commonly widespread ideas of bog, meadow, forest, steppe and other species), and experience of zoological investigations enabling specialists to rather successfully plan research, identify habitats and to forecast. Experience was complemented with theoretical concepts of the parallelism of ecological adaptations of plants and animals, in accordance with which the process of evolution of herbivores was determined by changes in vegetable fodder. On the other hand, changes in vegetable fodder, in turn, were closely allied to the conditions of moisture availability (physical dryness in moisture-deficient, and physiological dryness in het-deficient areas).

These considerations determined the approach to the problem of identifying the ecological groups of animals and working out a hierarchical classification of species based on the peculiarities of structural characteristics [18]. An ecological classification of species made possible passing on to identification of taxa from a dominance of species of definite ecological groups. The basic structural characteristic which were used in analyzing the animal population for typization and assessment of the noso-ecological potential of the territory, include the relationship of ecological groups of animals, the peculiarities of their spatial distribution, and the character of the dynamics of the population size.


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The objective of the study, i.e. to reveal the preconditions for the spread of zooanthroponoses, dictated a need to dive special attention to the dynamics of the animal population, and to its fluctuations in particular. The most dynamical type of population for which it is possible to forecast a maximum noso-ecological potential, is the meadow and meadow-bog type dominated by rodents ecologically connected with meadow (in a broad sense of this concept) vegetation.

A total of nine types of population of rodents and Lagomorpha were identified on the study territory. Five of them (mountain-tundra, tundra, forest, meadow and meadow-bog as well as steppe) are dominated by representatives of one of the ecological groups of rodents and Lagomorpha, and two transitional groups (forest-tundra and forest-steppe) are dominated by combinations of different ecological groups. Two types (desert-Arctic and sphagnum bogs) have a fragmentary character of mammal population distribution across the territory, unlike the other types characterized by a relatively even distribution of animals.

The subtypes of population are distinguished by the share of involvement of animals belonging in ecological groups dominating in other groups. The smallest taxonomic subdivisions displayed on the map, i.e. regional varieties, are exemplified by differences at the level of species. The final version of the legend to the map displays 88 units.

THE “NOSO-ECOSYSTEMS” MAP

The map “Noso-ecosystems” completes the section of the series of maps associated with zooanthroponoses. Its generation as based on using, in full measure, two previous maps displaying the spread of pathogens across the territory, common to man and animals. As in the case of developing the other maps of this series, the system ecologo-geographical approach was brought to the fore.

Material, principles, and approaches to investigating noso-ecosystems. Input material was represented by data from research done into zooanthroponoses over the course of 50 years. The main theoretical principles as used in exploring the problem of zooanthroponoses and creating the map include assigning the pathogens, common to man and animals, to co-members of biocenoses of definite landscapes (E.N. Pavlovskii’s doctrine of natural foci of infections), the system character of foci (V.N. Beklemishev’s theory of parasitary systems), and the functional role of partial ecosystems in landscapes (V.B. Sochava’s theory of geosystems).

As the main theoretical concept that was developed for the organization of accumulated knowledge into a system, the idea was advanced concerning the noso-ecosystem, an integral set of parasitary systems. Integration is considered to mean the process of ordering, reconciling and combining structures and functions into some integrity. The idea of noso-

ecosystems on the territory of the North Asian subcontinent is realized through the study of their structural and functional characteristics within various geosystems of a given region.

For arranging the multitude of empirical regularities detected by various authors, identifying the most important common features and ranking them, all material is expounded in such a way as to correspond to the structure of the previously developed generalized (abstract) model for the noso-ecosystem of the North Asian subcontinent. In this model, the infections and invasions are grouped according to the links with the groups of animals identified taxonomically and functionally.

Thus, we examined the characteristic properties of the population of birds, their migrations and associated infections, the character of distribution of mammals, herbivores and carnivores as well as infections and invasions inherent to these groups of animals: the characteristics of the population of fish and other aquatic organisms, co-members of the parasitary systems of zooanthroponoses, and invasions occurring in aquatic biocenoses.

In the description of the individual infections and invasions, attention is focused on the area of pathogens, its boundaries and structure, and on the ecological specificity of pathogens. In characterizing the structure of the area of pathogens, the qualitative indicator, i.e. the existence of intraspecies taxa in pathogens, combined with the ecological causes determining it, was taken into account as the most important.

A central role in the study of structural and functional characteristics of the noso-ecosystems on the territory of the North Asian subcontinent have played the spatial (cartographic) models for the spread of natural foci of diseases on this territory (the aforementioned maps are implied here). They were complemented by logico-mathematical models simulating the dynamics of parasitary systems with a different structure [18, 19]. The map “Rodents and Lagomorpha” were used as the cartographic basis in the creation of the map.

Classification of noso-ecosystems. A classification of noso-e1cosystems, as well as a classification of their elements, is built upon the ecologo-geographical basis. This same approach is embedded in the structure of the map legend. The objects of mapping are territories with their intrinsic ecologically conditioned groups of pathogens common to man and animals. The largest ecological subdivision in the group of pathogens of zooanthroponoses includes pathogens associated both with natural and synanthropic foci and exclusively with synanthropic foci.

A next level of ecological classification subdivides the pathogens into five groups: ubiquitous, near-aquatic, meadow, forest, and steppe.

The group of ubiquists includes pathogens of infections and invasions mostly in carnivores: trichinosis, toxoplasmosis, and rabies.

The near-aquatic zooanthroponoses include

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invasions, the pathogens of which are associated in some phases of development with aquatic organisms: fish and invertebrates. According to the diversity of the latter, the group is subdivided into pathogens associated with crustacean (dyphyllobothriases caused by Pseudophyllidea (broad, narrow and Far-Eastern) as well as with mollusks (pathogens of opisthorchiasis, nanophyetiasis, metagonimiasis, and clonorchiasis).

Two subgroups are identified within the meadow group. Zooanthroponoses of the former and latter of them are transmitted in a nontransmissive and trans-missive manner, respectively. The former subgroup includes: 1) infections of herbivores which, in turn, are subdivided into groups of infections circulating amidst rodents (tularemia), rodents and ungulates (Q-rickettsiosis) ,and two groups of bacterioses: rodents (pathogens of psychrophils and mesothermophils), and ungulates (brucellosis, and Siberian plague); 2) invasions of herbivores and carnivores (alveococ-cosis, and echinococcosis). The second subgroup (transmissive infections associated with ticks: red velvet mites (tsutsugamushi), Gamasoidea (hemorrha-gic fever with kidney syndrome), and Ixodidae (Omsk hemorrhagic fever, and Powassan encephalitis).

The group of infections of the forest group includes tick-borne encephalitis carried by forest tick.

Steppe infections include zooanthroponoses carried by Ixodidae (tick-borne rickettsiosis, Q-rickettsiosis, and tularemia), and by fleas (plague).

Not-to-scale conventional signs in the legend correspond to: the character of the circulation of pathogens within the noso-ecosystem (diffuse, mosaic, local, and localized in extrazonal habitats); the group of animals having the leading role determining the taxonomic status of the pathogene, and physical-geographical regions with which definite strains of pathogenes are associated. Altogether there are 71 units (65 zonal, and six intrazonal) in the legend to the map “Noso-ecosystems”.

As the largest subdivisions caused by the influence of the zonal factor (the level of heat supply), the northern and southern noso-ecological belts are identified on the territory of the North Asian subcontinent. In the terrestrial noso-ecosystems of the northern megabelt there occur nontransmissive infections and invasions. In addition to ubiquitous parasites, there occur only the pathogens of the meadow ecological group which are, not infrequently represented by endemic (northern) taxa. Within the northern noso-ecological mesobelt lie the Arctic, Subarctic and Subarcticized belts.

The Arctic noso-ecological belt encompasses the territory of arctic tundras. Dominant among the pathogenic bacteria are psychrophils, and also as a result of the influence of the maritime noso-ecosystems, there occur pathogens associated with colonial seabirds and mammals.

The Subarctic belt (tundra, and northern open woodland on plains and in mountains) includes, among

the dominants, psychrophils and mesothermophils and is the home for the most intense circulation of pathogens of the meadow group represented by northern intraspecies taxa.

The Subarcticized belt includes the middle taiga and mountain forests of limited development. Pathogenes mostly of the northern as well as southern taxa circulate in the meadow (intrazonal) natural complexes. The role of the latter is enhanced with development.

In the noso-ecosystems of the southern megabelt, combining the territories of the North Asian sub-continent from the southern boundaries to the southern taiga in the north inclusive, in addition to ubiquists, there occur parasitary systems of the meadow, forest and steppe ecological groups. The pathogens of the meadow group are represented by southern (meadow-steppe) intraspecies taxa. The parasitary systems are di- and trimeran (the latter with the involvement of carriers). The former are in the dynamical meadow biocenoses, and the latter are in the less dynamical forest and steppe biocenoses.

The taiga is dominated by trimeran parasitary systems. In broad-leaved, coniferous/broad-leaved forests and the subtaiga is the home for pathogens capable of forming not only tri- but also dimeran parasitary systems. Of the most wide-spread occurrence in the forest-steppe are dimeran with no carrier) parasitary systems. In the steppe, the pathogens not only of the steppe group but also of the meadow group produce dimeran parasitary systems (with the involvement of carriers).

In regional variants of noso-ecosystems existing within a single zone, the general strategy of adaptation is ensured on the basis of mutually replacing fauno-genetic structures. The most profound regional differentiation is provided by groups of parasitary systems associated with typically aqueous biocenoses. Also known are the regional differences in serotype scene of Leptospira which are undoubtedly associated with the structure of the host population. They are recorded at the level of physical-geographical regions or their groups. Thus the regional differentiation is characteristic for zooanthroponoses associated with aqueous and meadow natural complexes.

In the southern megabelt, the spread of many transmissible infections and geographical variants of pathogens is associated with separate physical-geographical regions. For bird-borne infections the regional specificity is associated with the orientation of birds during their flights, and it is recorded within separate physical-geographical regions and their groups (sectors of the subcontinent). The Noso-ecological map of Asian Russia serves as a basis for regionalization of this territory according to zooanthroponoses.

On the whole, the creation of a series of biogeographical maps at a scale of 1:7 500 000 can be viewed as a contribution to generating the national and regional atlases.


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ACKNOWLEDGMENTSThis work was done with financial support from the

Russian Foundation for Basic Research and Russian Geographical Society (13−05−41−105).

REFERENCES

1. Experience of Generating the Map of Ixodidae of Asian Russia, Collection of Papers, Irkutsk: Izd-vo In-ta geografii Sibiri i Dal’nego Vostoka, 1974 (App.: Color Inset Map “Ixodidae of Asian Russia” Sc 1:8 000 000) [in Russian].

2. Ecologo-phytocenotic Complexes of Asian Russia: Experience of Mapping, Irkutsk: Izd-vo In-ta geografii Sibiri i Dal’nego Vostoka, 1977 (App.: Color Inset Map “Correlational Ecologo-phytocenotic Map of Asian Russia” Sc 1:7 500 000) [in Russian].

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14. Vershinina, T.A., Experience on Mapping of Ixodidae – Carriers of Natural-Focal Diseases, in Principles and Methods of Geographical Mapping (Using Western Siberia as an Example), Irkutsk: Izd-vo In-ta geografii i Dal’nego Vostoka, 1968 pp. 50–72 [in Russian].

15. Koneva, I.V., Geographical Regularities of the Spread of Ixodidae and Their Mapping in the Amur Region, Dokl. In-ta geografii Sibiri i Dal’nego Vostoka, 1970, issue 28, pp. 25–34 [in Russian].

16. Vershinskii, B.V., Map of the Population of Ixodidae on the Territory of the Southern Taiga and Northern Forest-Steppe of the Middle Siberia, Sc 1:2 000 000, Problems in Medical Geography, Collection of Papers, Leningrad, 1962, pp. 171–174 [in Russian].

17. Vershinskii, B.V., The Principles of Mapping the Population of Ixodidae – Carriers of Human Diseases, Dokl. In-ta geografii Sibiri i Dal’nego Vostoka, 1963, issue 3, pp. 37-42 [in Russian].

18. Koneva, I.V. and Kharitonov, A.N., Simulation of a Partial Ecosystem, Geografiya i prirod. resursy, 1983, no. 2, pp. 144–152 [in Russian].

19. Koneva, I.V. and Kharitonov, A.N., Logical-Mathematical Modeling in Landscape-Epidemiological Forecasting, Geografiya i prirod. resursy, 1980, no. 2, pp. 123–130 [in Russian].

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The biogeographical map series for Asian Russia