Weed plants of the European part of Russia

Study Extent

The data set on weed plants species diversity and distribution in EPR is based on the authors' own research from 1999 to 2019. It contains information on the weed plants distribution in 7 EPR regions that are Leningrad, Novgorod, Pskov, Sverdlovsk, Vologda regions, Udmurt Republic, the Republic of Bashkortostan. The latitudinal gradient covers the taiga, forest-steppe and steppe natural zones. For each weed plant species, the presence in crop is indicated. Information is given on the weed plants species composition of crops cultivated in the regions: spring and winter crops, industrial crops, row crops, perennial grasses. Herbarium samples are stored in the herbarium collections of the Ural Federal University (UFU), the All-Russian Institute for Plant Protection, Botanical Institute named after V. L. Komarov (LE), Udmurt State University (UDU), South Ural Botanical Garden Institute.

Sampling

The data set contains 2049 sampling events, which include 24,284 observations of the weed plants occurrence (associated occurrence) in arable lands in the EPR. The data set includes 330 species of vascular plants growing in 60 cultivated crops: spring and winter crops, industrial crops, row crops, perennial grasses.

Quality Control

The data was collected and processed by specialists of the All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Botanical Institute named after V. L. Komarov, South Ural Botanical Garden-Institute, the Bashkir Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture, the Botanical Garden of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Ural Federal University.

Method steps

1. The investigation of weed plants species composition was carried out in 1999–2019 by route counting that covered the entire territory of EPR. In the Udmurt Republic, relevés were carried out while in other regions, 3 test plots of 10 × 10 m were laid in each crop. Latin names are given in accordance with the International Index of Scientific Plant Names.

The list includes 330 weed plants species.

1. EQUISETOPHYTA
   rank: phylum
2. MAGNOLIOPHYTA
   rank: phylum
3. Equisetopsida
   rank: class
4. Liliopsida (Monocotyledones)
   rank: class
5. Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledones)
   rank: class

The studies were carried out in the southeast and northwest of EPR. In the northwest there are Leningrad, Pskov, Novgorod and Vologda regions. This territory lies within the East European Plain. The relief is mostly low-hilly. Leningrad region is located within 58°31′ – 59°20′ N and 28°20′ – 29°36′ E. The region area is 84000 km2. In the north-south direction the region outstretch is 320 km, and in the west-east direction is 450 km. Pskov region is located within 55°43′ – 57°14′ N and 27°39′ – 30°24′ E. The region area is t 55000 km2. In the north-south direction the region outstretch is 380 km, and in the west-east direction is 260 km. Vologda region is located within 58°39′ – 60°8′ N and 35°13′ – 46°42′ E. The region area is 144000 km2. In the north-south direction the region outstretch is 400 km, and in the west-east direction is 700. Novgorod region is located within 57°0′ – 59°18′ N and 29°57′ – 35°45′ E. The region area is 54,500 km2. In the north-south direction the region outstretch is 278 km, and in the west-east direction is 385 km. The climate of Leningrad region is Atlantic continental. The climate of the rest northwest part of EPR is moderately continental. The annual precipitation in the northwest of EPR decreases from north to south (from 800 mm to 600 mm). The duration of snow cover is 110–120 days in the west and up to 170 days in the east. The thickness of the snow cover is from 30–70 cm. The average monthly air temperature of the coldest month (January) varies from –7º C in the north to –11º C in the south. The average monthly temperature of the warmest month (July) varies from +16 º C in the north to + 18º C in the south. The duration of the growing season varies from 160–170 days in the south to 110–120 days in the north. The sums of positive temperatures vary from 1760º C (north) to 2050º C (south). The value of the hydrothermal coefficient varies from 1,7 to 1,8. In the north podzolic soils, poor in humus and significantly acid are widespread. In the south sod-podzolic soils are widespread. Sod-carbonate soils, confined to hills, are extremely rare. This part of the region partially lies within the Northern European taiga province of the European taiga region. It is characterized by middle and southern taiga spruce forests of the Central European type and broad-leaved forests with the participation of ash and oak in the west. The share of arable areas not to exceed 4% of the part region area. In the southeast there are Sverdlovsk region, the Udmurt Republic, the Republic of Bashkortostan. Sverdlovsk region is in the Central and Southern parts of the Northern Urals, as well as adjacent parts of the West Siberian and East European plains (56º03' – 61º57' N and 57º14' – 66º11' E). The region area is 194,800 km2. In the north-south direction the region outstretch is 660 km, and in the west-east direction is 560 km. There are two relief types: low mountain and lowland. The Udmurt Republic is in the Western Urals between 55°40' – 60°30' N and 48°20' – 56°40' E. The republic area is 42,100 km2. In the north-south direction the region outstretch is 297,5 km, and in the west-east direction is 200 km. The relief is predominantly flat, with alternating hills and depressions. The Republic of Bashkortostan is located within 51°31′ – 56°34′ N and 53°10′ – 59°59′ E. The republic area is 143,6000 km2. In the north-south direction the region outstretch is 550 km, and in the west-east direction is 450 km. the length from north to south is about 550 km, from west to east - about 450 km. The republic includes the eastern edge of the Russian Plain (Bashkir Urals), a significant portion of the mountain strip of the Southern Urals and part of the Trans-Ural Peneplen (Bashkir Trans-Urals). There are two relief types: plain and low mountain. The climate of the southeast part of EPR is continental. The annual precipitation decreases from north (800–850 mm, in some places more than 1000 mm) to south (350–320 mm). The average temperature of the warmest month (July) varies from +17º C to + 19º C. The average temperature of the coldest month (January) varies from – 15º C to –17º C. The duration of snow cover varies from 150–160 days (in the west and south) to 170–180 days (in the north). The thickness of the snow cover is up to 70 cm. The duration of the growing season varies from 160–170 days (in the west and south) to 110–120 days (in the mountain area of the Urals). These are typical late spring and early autumn frosts which noticeably shortening the frost-free period. The sums of positive temperatures vary from 1800° C (in the north) to 2300° C (in the south). The hydrothermal coefficient varies from 0,85 to 1,8. Most of the study area is located in the taiga zone. Podzolic, sod-podzolic soils and gray forest soils are most widespread here. In the steppe and forest-steppe zones, leached and podzolized chernozems, as well as meadow chernozem soils, are represented. The share of sown area of the total area of the region varies from 5% for the Sverdlovsk region to 25% in the Udmurt Republic and the Republic of Bashkortostan. Most of the area is in the taiga zone. Podzolic, sod-podzolic soils and gray forest soils are most widespread. In the steppe and forest-steppe zones, leached and podzolized chernozems, as well as meadow chernozem soils, are represented. The share of arable area varies from 5% for Sverdlovsk region to 25% for the Udmurt Republic and the Republic of Bashkortostan.