Algae of the soils of Ukraine

Study Extent

The dataset summarizes literary and original data on the composition and distribution of algae in the soils of Ukraine for the period from 1926 to 2000. The data refer to almost 12,000 finds of 932 species and intraspecific taxa (including the nomenclatural type of the species), which were registered in 1,080 locations. In addition to the names of species and intraspecific taxa, the dataset also contains synonyms under which certain species, varieties and forms were mentioned in publications or processing protocols of specific samples related to soil algae of Ukraine.

Sampling

Algofloristic studies, the results of which formed the basis of this dataset, were conducted according to a single strictly unified methodology and covered all systematic groups of algae, all physiographic zones and mountain regions of Ukraine, all types of zonal soils and vegetation. According to the commonly used method, the soil is collected in paper envelopes that were previously sterilized in an autoclave at a pressure of 0.5-1.5 atm for 30 minutes and more, or roasted in an oven at 130-150o for 1 hour. Soil sampling is carried out with a knife, digger or sampler that is sterilized directly in the field: the tool is wiped with alcohol and then repeatedly inserted into the soil under investigation. The selected samples are processed either in a fresh state within 1-2 days from the moment of selection, or dried in a dark place to an air-dry state and stored for further processing for several months (usually up to six). The main differences in collection methods that affect the quality of subsequent floristic or phytocenological processing are the type of sample taken (individual or combined) and, partially, the amount of soil sampled (in the case of an individual sample). An individual sample is taken, as a rule, if there are local macroscopic growths of algae on the soil (skin, crusts, "blooming") in order to establish or investigate the species forming these growths. An individual sample covers a small depth (mostly only 1-2 mm), has a small area (up to 10 cm2) or is generally a separate algal thallus The combined soil sample is taken, as a rule, during floristic and coenological studies. Sampling is carried out within one phytocenosis from a trial plot, the size of which varies from 5-30 m2 in grassy phytocenoses to 100-2500 m2 in forest phytocenoses. The combined sample consists of 5-50 individual samples, the area of ​​each of which is from 1 to 25 cm2; at the same time, the total area of ​​all individual samples that made up the combined sample in the works of different authors ranges from 10 to 400 cm2. According to our data, the number of species in the combined sample detected by the same type of processing methods increases rapidly with an increase in the total area of ​​the combined sample in the range of 10-25 cm2, and, starting with an area of ​​30-40 cm2, more or less stabilizes . Therefore, combined samples, consisting of at least 5 individual samples and having a total area of ​​more than 30-40 cm2, are suitable for trial comparisons, if the sampling points of individual samples were chosen randomly. When selecting combined samples, which was carried out by the authors of this work, the following requirements were met: the combined sample consisted of 10 individual samples with an area of ​​3x3 cm or 20 individual samples with an area of ​​2x2 cm, or 5 individual samples with an area of ​​4x4 cm, stochastically selected to a depth of up to 2 cm of the A1 soil horizon from a test plot within one phytocenosis. When studying phytocenoses of one type, a six-fold minimum repetition of combined samples was adopted. The completeness and quality of species identification depends to an extraordinary degree on the method of sample processing. According to M.M.Hollerbach and E.A. Shtyna (Hollerbach, Shtyna, 1969), the methods used in the determination of soil algae can be divided into two groups: direct microscopy of freshly selected samples and cultural processing methods. Direct microscopy Direct microscopy is extremely useful in studying algal macroscopic growths and in determining algal abundance and biomass. In some cases, the authors of this work used direct microscopy to identify even systematically difficult species during quantitative surveys of algae (for example, on steep slopes of ravines and bare sands). Cultural methods Cultural methods used in soil-algological practice for the determination of algae are divided into four groups: the method of soil cultures, the method of accumulative cultures on liquid nutrient media, the method of accumulative cultures on agarized nutrient media, and the method of pure cultures. All these methods were used during the research of phytoedaphon of Ukraine. The method of accumulating cultures on an agar medium A small amount of soil from a freshly selected sample or soil culture is sown on 1.5-2% agarized nutrient medium. After some time (usually two to four weeks), colonies of various algae develop on the agar. Algae that have formed colonies are identified, and individual species (of course, taxonomically difficult) are isolated for further processing into pure cultures. Cultivation conditions under which algae are grown on a 1.5-2% agar medium at a temperature of 20±3oC, periodic illumination with an intensity of 1800-3000 lux and a 12/12-hour or 16/8-hour alternation of light and dark phases are called in soil algology standard or usual (Bold, 1970; Deason, 1976). Pure cultures In many cases, only the use of pure cultures makes it possible to accurately determine the species of specific soil algae. Algologically pure cultures are usually sufficient to determine systematically critical species, but if physiological tests or biochemical analyzes (primarily pigment composition) are required for determination, bacterially pure cultures are required.

Quality Control

The authors of the dataset are fully responsible for the quality of the published data (species identification, georeferencing, other provided data).

Method steps

1. Organizing of samples' collecting following the commonly used methodology.
2. Growing of the cultures of some organisms from the samples.
3. Species identification using microscopes nad other modern tools.
4. Georeferencing.
5. Publishing of the results in a form of a monograph.
6. Extracting of the information from the monograph with subsequent creation of the dataset according to Darwin Core standards.

The dataset consists of records of algae and other microorganisms extracted from the soild of Ukraine.

1. Plantae
   rank: kingdom
2. Bacteria
   rank: kingdom
3. Chromista
   rank: kingdom
4. Protozoa
   rank: kingdom
5. Chlorophyta
   rank: phylum
6. Charophyta
   rank: phylum
7. Cyanobacteria
   rank: phylum
8. Euglenozoa
   rank: phylum
9. Cercozoa
   rank: phylum
10. Cryptophyta
    rank: phylum
11. Ochrophyta
    rank: phylum
12. Rhodophyta
    rank: phylum
13. Chlorophyceae
    rank: class
14. Chlorokybophyceae
    rank: class
15. Bacillariophyceae
    rank: class
16. Conjugatophyceae
    rank: class
17. Cyanobacteriia
    rank: class
18. Cyanophyceae
    rank: class
19. Chrysophyceae
    rank: class
20. Cryptophyceae
    rank: class
21. Eustigmatophyceae
    rank: class
22. Euglenoidea
    rank: class
23. Klebsormidiophyceae
    rank: class
24. Peranemea
    rank: class
25. Kinetoplastea
    rank: class
26. Imbricatea
    rank: class
27. Trebouxiophyceae
    rank: class
28. Ulvophyceae
    rank: class
29. Porphyridiophyceae
    rank: class
30. Pleurastrophyceae
    rank: class
31. Xanthophyceae
    rank: class
32. Zygnematophyceae
    rank: class

The dataset covers entire territory of Ukraine.