Abstract:
Steppe is among the most endangered biomes of the world, especially in
Eastern Europe, where more than 90 % of original steppes have been destroyed due to
conversion into croplands, afforestation and other human activities. Currently, steppe
vegetation is often restricted to places unsuitable for ploughing, such as ancient burial
mounds called kurgans. The aim of our study was to collect and synthesise existing
knowledge on kurgans by a review of research papers and grey literature. The proportion of
kurgans covered by steppe vegetation increases from west to east and from lowlands to
uplands. Despite their small size, kurgans act as biodiversity hotspots and harbour many
red-listed species. High overall species richness and a high proportion of grassland specialists
are maintained by a pronounced fine-scale environmental heterogeneity. The main
Description:
Moysiyenko, I. I. Cultural monuments and nature conservation: a review of the role of kurgans in the conservation and restoration of steppe vegetation / B. Dea´k, B. Тothmeresz, O. Valko, B. Sudnik-Wo´jcikowska, I. I. Moysiyenko, T. M. Bragina, I. Apostolova, I. Dembicz, N. I. Bykov, P. To¨ro¨k // Biodivers Conserv DOI 10.1007/s10531-016-1081-2 . Lisetskii Fedor, Barbara Sudnik-Wojcikowska, Ivan Moysiyenko. 2016. Flora differentiation amonq local ecotopes in the transzonal study of forest-steppe and steppe mounds.-Biology Bulletin. 2016, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 169-176.
