Cultural monuments and nature conservation: a review of the role of kurgans in the conservation and restoration of steppe vegetation

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 pl...

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Published in:Biodiversity and conservation 2016-11, Vol.25 (12), p.2473-2490
Main Authors: Deák, Balázs, Tóthmérész, Béla, Valkó, Orsolya, Sudnik-Wójcikowska, Barbara, Moysiyenko, Ivan I., Bragina, Tatyana M., Apostolova, Iva, Dembicz, Iwona, Bykov, Nikolay I., Török, Péter
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural land
Biodiversity
Biodiversity hot spots
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomes
Climate Change/Climate Change Impacts
Conservation biology
Conservation Biology/Ecology
Cultural heritage
Ecology
Environmental restoration
Flora
Grasslands
Heterogeneity
Land use
Life Sciences
Mounds
Nature conservation
Original Paper
Protection and preservation
Species richness
Steppes
Vegetation
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Summary: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 factors threatening the biodiversity of kurgans are intensified agriculture and construction works. We conclude that kurgans can play a crucial role in preserving steppe vegetation, especially in intensively used agricultural landscapes in the western part of the steppe zone. Despite the vital role of kurgans in sustaining steppe vegetation, we identified serious knowledge gaps on their distribution, vegetation, flora and fauna and their potential role in steppe restoration.
ISSN:0960-3115
1572-9710
DOI:10.1007/s10531-016-1081-2