Table of contents

The International Symposium "Earth sciences: history, contemporary issues and prospects" was successfully held in Moscow, Russia, on March 10, 2020. The organizer of the symposium was S. I. Vavilov Institute for the History of Science and Technology RAS, Moscow. Today, the research work in IHST RAS is conducted in various fields such as the history of natural sciences, the history of technology and technical sciences, the science of science, and other. Moreover, IHST RAS is one of the leading centers of international cooperation in the field of historical and scientific and historical and technical research work.

All conference organisers/editors are required to declare details about their peer review. Therefore, please provide the following information:

• Type of peer review: Single-blind peer review (by two committee members – session head and volume editor).

• Conference submission management system: submissions were received and handled via e-mail

• Number of submissions received: 240

• Number of submissions sent for review: 200

• Number of submissions accepted: 179

• Acceptance Rate (Number of Submissions Accepted / Number of Submissions Received X 100): 74%

• Average number of reviews per paper: 2

• Total number of reviewers involved: 10

Today, the production of hydrocarbons produced from clay strata of varying degrees of consolidation and metamorphization had widely developed in the world. Currently, there are many hypotheses on the formation of reservoirs in industrial oil-bearing clay rocks. The paper analyzes the mindsets on the occurrence of oil-saturated fractured clay reservoirs, presents factors affecting the distribution of radioactive elements, substantiates the mechanism of formation of fractured porosity in clay oil-saturated strata. Due to the lack of a generally accepted concept for the formation of unconventional clay reservoirs, the article proposes a new hypothesis for the formation of fractured reservoirs in these unique sections, based on a critical analysis of existing views.

Unregulated accumulation of phosphogypsum leads to dangerous geochemical flows with an avalanche effect. As a new option for the application of phosphogypsum, its dispersed placement in the small aggregate chernozem system at a depth of its modern anthropogenic illumination was described. A milling method for treating a soil layer of 30–60 cm was developed. Phosphogypsum and soil interact and agrophysical soil properties can be improved. The anthropogenic eluvial-illuvial structure of the soil profile can be eliminated. The morphological, agrophysical properties and soil moisture conditions, thermodynamic processes with Pb2 +, Cd2 + ions, the morphological parameters of the root system and the yield of sunflower after application of phosphogypsum during its utilization by dispersing in the soil layer of 30–60 cm were studied. Improved soil properties and conditions for development of the rhizosphere, passivation of heavy metals as a result of the carbonate-calcium equilibrium in the soil solution were described. The ecosphere and the agricultural production effect of phosphogypsum utilization in chernozem were substantiated.

Pollution of soils with oil and oil products, for today, very actual problem. In the present study, the content of soil enzymes (catalases, phosphatases, ureases and invertases) in the soils of Kalmykia oilfields has been studied to diagnose oil pollution. The content of oil products in the soils of oilfields is studied. As a result of research, it is established that the most informative soil enzyme in relation to oil pollution is catalase. Activity of phosphatase, ureases and invertase even in the background soils is minimal, as the studied soils show weak biological activity. It is proved that the change of catalase activity, as a rule, is in direct dependence on oil content in soil, the higher the content of oil and oil products in soil, the lower the activity of catalase.

A study of the composition of mobile compounds of heavy metals (HM) in the area of aerosol contamination by a heat supply company showed an increase in the number of these compounds near the source of contamination. In the group of loosely bound compounds, the largest part is represented by specifically sorbed compounds. Sample preparation (the degree of sample grinding) had a noticeable effect on the extractability of Zn, Cu, and Pb from the soil. During the sifting of a soil sample through a 0.25 mm sieve, the extraction of mobile forms of HM increases significantly (by 7–16 %). Thus, with an increase in the specific surface of soil particles, the extracting ability of the reagents increases. It is necessary to take into account the sample preparation used in each fractionation method to evaluate the results and compare them.

Increasing release of a new class of pollutants (nanoparticles) into the environment necessitates studying the applicability of classical biotesting methods and identifying the features of their application. We conducted a study on a site located in the development zone of forest-steppe chernozems with an area of about 100 m². The plot was divided into micro plots and nanoparticles. Zn solution was added to each surface at concentrations of 1000 mg/kg, 750 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. In the course of field and laboratory studies, we identified germination, biomass and tolerance index of test cultures (Triticum aestivum, Raphanus sativus). A study of soil contamination with zinc nanoforms showed that the test plants Raphanus sativus and Triticum aestivum had different sensitivity to the effects of the toxicant. The germination rate showed the greatest dose-dependent dependence of Zn nanoparticles. Further growth and development of plants showed a gradual adaptation of plants to the effects of the stress factor and a gradual stabilization of the biomass and tolerance index.

The basin approach is the basis of this study of the factors of modern relief formation. Modern exogenous morphogenesis of landscapes of the river basin and its parts is not well researched. In this regard, the study of the dynamics of exogenous processes characteristic of the landscapes of the Klyazma river basin in areas with different types and degree of anthropogenic impact is relevant. Based on the results of field geomorphological studies, locations of modern relief-forming processes (hydromorphism, karst, ravine erosion, landslide formation, lateral erosion of rivers) that are most characteristic of the study areas have been identified and mapped.

In this article, we will discuss the problems of high recreational pressure on beach areas, due to their deficit. Natural erosion of the coastal strip and other destructive processes, both natural and anthropogenic, lead to the need for an early and comprehensive analysis of the reviewed geosystems from different points of view. Comparison between the Azov and Black sea coasts of the Krasnodar territory reveals differences in the potential and dynamics of development of the tourist and recreational complex of these territories. Detailed segmentation and analysis of the status of beach areas was carried out according to the administrative division of the region. The paper analyzes questions related to the procedure for making certain managerial and organizational decisions that should have an effective impact on the work of the tourist and recreational complex. Coastal geosystems of the Krasnodar region have undeniable features and significance in contrast to other regions of Russia. In this regard, there is a need to divide the region into clusters.

At the Nekrasovskoye oil field, the technology of increasing the displacement coefficient by pumping agent L⁶ into the Bashkir layer was tested for the first time. Before conducting field tests, laboratory studies were carried out using core material, oil and produced water from this deposit, and the optimal composition was selected. Preliminary results are given in this article.

The Caspian lowland desert is a plain slightly inclined to the Caspian Sea, which covers an area of 2,148,648 hectares and is divided into northern, more arid, with semi-desert landscapes (Nogai Steppe) and middle that covers the deltas of the Terek and the Sulak. These territories are routinely used for animal husbandry with a forage base to be attributed to climate conditions. In recent decades, there has been a widespread rise in air temperature with different trends in precipitation. These trends are estimated based on the datasets from the Makhachkala and Lagan meteorological stations for 1960–2018. Despite the current climate changes, the conditions for heat and moisture availability to support the vegetation period estimated by the hydrothermal coefficient generally remain quite stable and sometimes even more enabling for a sustainable forage base to be formed in the region.

Stavropol Krai is located within Ciscaucasia and has an area of 6,616 thousand ha. Massive utilization of the territory, associated with the increased man-induced impact on the environment, caused the aggravation of negative processes in the agroecosystems of the region. Throughout all agroclimatic zones of the region, air temperature tends to increase, which is illustrated by both linear and polynomial trends. In 2010 there was also a rise in air temperature. A warmer spell, notably during the effective vegetation period, led to the precipitation falling in the form of short-term intense showers that generally contribute to erosion advancing. Given the prior climate conditions, the studies resulted in the arrangement of cultivated land, based on its agricultural validity, into four categories in hectares and percent of the area of agricultural land.

The paper presents the results of the analysis of lateral interaction of outwash valley landscapes on mesorelief slopes in various parts of the Medvedsky Pine Forest Nature Sanctuary in the lower Vyatka valley. The baseline data were the results of the authors' field and laboratory analytical studies of more than 120 landscape facies. These elementary landscapes occupy various geomorphological stages in the relief: I, II and III terraces above the floodplain as well as a strip of alluvial glaciofluvial deposits which graduates to the slope of the river valley. The mesorelief within each of these stages is also heterogeneous: it includes aeolian dunes and knobs, interdunal and interknob basins, karst basins and sub-horizontal surfaces. Three models of slope geosystems of the outwash valley are presented: ancient aeolian, marsh and karst. An original method for evaluating the strength of lateral interaction between certain units of slope geosystems based on the degree of difference in their states is proposed.

Based on the study towards oil recovery by deposits in the carbonate reservoirs of the Volga-Ural oil and gas province of Kashiro-Podolsk age, an express method is proposed for estimating recoverable oil reserves and service life through the parameters that can be determined at the stage of geological exploration with a sufficient degree of precision. As a follow-up to a series of feasibility studies, the method provides a rationale for the need to stimulate the production of similar deposits with hard-to-recover reserves.

The article provides a grouping of development objects using the method of the main components of the fields developed by the Langepasneftegaz TPP and identifies landfill sites. Based on the geological and field analysis, a set of measures has been substantiated to increase the efficiency of development of objects in four groups. The identified patterns allow us to make informed technological decisions aimed at increasing oil recovery, reducing water inflow and increasing the efficiency of the facilities development, taking into account the peculiarities of the geological structure of the deposits.

The purpose of this article is to present an original methodology that has been prepared for large-scale landscape-historical research. The most important methods of landscape-historical research are the systematic comparative-geographical and landscape-historical-archaeological approaches; and the main subjects of this research are not only natural territorial or natural-anthropogenic complexes, but also landscape-economic systems and landscape-historical complexes that reflect economic or spiritual human activities in specific landscape conditions during certain historical periods. A key component of landscape-historical research, complex both in subjects and in methods used, is the compilation of multiscale maps of several hierarchical levels (from regional to local) using GIS technologies, and compiling a series of multi-temporal maps for the model areas. The combination of field and desk field methods (landscape, historical, archaeological, paleogeographic, paleopedological, historical and geobotanical, various types of mapping and other natural scientific methods) with desk methods (the analysis of cartographic, collection materials) and remote-sensing methods (the analysis of aerial photographs and satellite images) allows researcher to track spontaneous and anthropogenic changes in specific landscapes, to reconstruct nature management systems and landscape living conditions of settlers, to identify the specifics of the formation of a settlement structure for the main historical chronosections, to determine the features of the interaction of man and landscape at different stages of its economic development.

The authors conducted the ecological and geochemical study of Lake Loshamye and adjacent territories (national park "Smolensk Lakeland") to identify the distribution patterns of heavy metals and their associations (Hg, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Sr, etc.) in soils of the lake's catchment area. In 2008, the annual monitoring by the national park revealed abnormally high concentrations of mercury in the water of Lake Loshamye (20 MPC). In subsequent years, the mercury concentration decreased to the minimum natural level. A set of studies in the catchment area and in the lake itself established a probable technogenic source and determined the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the impact. Scientists studied the soil of the catchment area of the lake to verify the version of the pollutant intake from outside. The article presents the results of the study, a set of mathematical methods of information processing. Authors conducted a correlation, factor and cluster analysis to identify patterns of distribution of heavy metals in soils. Peculiarities of the distribution of most elements in the soil today indicate the presence of a low technogenic impact on the soils of the Lake Loshamye basin regarding the formation of low-contrast anomalies Cu, As, Mn, Pb and Cr, Hg. Patterns of the distribution of heavy metals including mercury in soils and their concentration have natural character. The gross mercury content in soils is significantly lower than the MPC (2100 μg/kg), the median of the sample is 42 μg/kg, which practically corresponds to the world Clark of mercury in soils (40 μg/kg). The research results show that the soils of the lake's catchment area do not bear traces of anthropogenic impact. This suggests that there are no sources of contamination with mercury and other heavy metals in the study area, and this area is not a transit hub for the movement of the pollutant from the outside, and in 2008 there was probably salvo-type pollution directly into the lake's water.

The article presents a new methodology for the internal differentiation of technogenic objects (ash and slag dumps) based on ecological and geological studies of soils, bottom sediments, surface and underground waters, based on the allocation of three zones with various permissible types of nature management in their territory. The first zone (I) is the territory directly connected with the technogenic object (the bottom of the dump); the allocation of borders of the first kind is justified by the data of the cadastral division of land and the results of route surveys. The second zone (II) is the territory of the active manifestation of the impact of the object, which has a visual manifestation (the area of wind separation, the area of accumulation of solid surface runoff, the zone of drying or inhibition of the natural stand and growth), at the initial stages of the process of natural assimilation of exposure and/or at the initial stages of regression, first of all, phytocenosis. The third zone (III) represents the territory of active natural assimilation (general dispersion and/or concentration on natural geochemical barriers) of ash and slag material products (primarily, scattering flows of heavy metals and other pollutants). An analysis of the results of this work made it possible to specify the types of environmental protection measures that are carried out depending on the identified geochemical zones, the use of which—within the framework of projects of improvement and environmental monitoring of the sanitary protection zone—will significantly reduce the costs of nature users. The rationalization of the economic and legal components is associated with a decrease in the areas for a specific type of work, and all the activities of the nature user in the controlled territory.

Economically and environmentally sound concept of agriculture in any soil and climatic zone should be based on rational structure of acreage and cultivation of most biologically relevant crops, which are demanded in the market, produce environment-forming influence on soil fertility and state of agrocenoses. At the same time, crops shares in structure of acreage should best suit the properties of the territory, taking into account their spatial diversity. Based on this, an estimated structure of acreage for units of mesoscale complex agroclimatic zoning of the Samara region has been developed. It is based on the analysis of sowing structure in farming systems, normative and real crop yields in recent years, taking into account the recommendations of scientific institutions of the Samara region on saturation of crop rotation with grain crops, sunflower, corn and other cultures.

The article presents the results of applying the method for determining gas factors at the wellhead of the support network of wells and separation sites of LUKOIL-Western Siberia LLC. The object is systems of oil separation and treatment, collection and transportation of gas from fields developed by LUKOIL-Western Siberia LLC. The aim is to measure the amount of gas produced together with oil, and specify gas factors by fields. The article describes and analyzes the existing oil treatment systems and gas collection and transportation systems. The tie-in points for field measurements of gas consumption have been determined. Instrumental field measurements of gas consumption in pipelines at all separation facilities and laboratory studies of properties and composition of gas were conducted. The relevance of the research is due to the increasing attention to the rational use, reduction of losses and an increase in the overall level of use of gas extracted from the subsoil

The analysis and generalization of the experience of developing high-viscosity oil deposits in carbonate reservoirs, as well as the use of step regression analysis for geological and field modeling, made it possible to propose a number of algorithms and methods. In turn, they make it possible to effectively solve certain problems of analysis, control, regulation and engineering of fields on studied objects and similar objects in terms of geological and field characteristics.

The researchers have developed simplified models of the studied formations in the Langepasneftegaz TPP to forecast the effectiveness of using non-stationary waterflooding with flow control and flow diverting technologies. To increase oil recovery and intensify the influx of oil from the reservoirs, they recommended the integration of technologies. The article shows that complex technologies for impacting oil and gas deposits using non-stationary waterflooding aimed at increasing the oil recovery coefficient and limiting the movement of water in the reservoir while stimulating the bottom-hole zones of the reservoir will significantly increase the efficiency of field development.

It is established that geologic parameters of deposits have a significant impact on HAT efficiency, followed by parameters reflecting the technological features of wells and deposits, and technological parameters of the treatment. The set of informative parameters that determine the most effective treatment is different in the conditions of different groups of low-productive objects of carbonate reservoirs. Field and statistical models to assess and forecast the HAT efficiency according to the parameter reflecting various indicators in complex are proposed. The models can be used to select wells for treatment and to define the approximate treatment parameters.

The authors state that during the production there is the process of transition of deposits to the category of bottom water-drive reservoirs due to frontal displacement by the injected water. As a result, the nature of water flooding becomes similar to the primary areas of bottom water-drive reservoirs. It is shown that for water-drive areas, the development is characterized by unfavorably high input values of water flooding and its intensive growth in the range of oil recovery factor from 0.1 to 0.3 fractions of units. The nature of the displacement curves of areas with water-oil zones (WOZ) is identical and differs only by the amount of water flooding of oil reserves in a deposit or area, which allows drawing a conclusion about a similar mechanism of oil displacement, which is characteristic of oil reservoir. It is shown that the main feature that characterizes the development of areas and deposits with water-oil zones is the increase in water flooding at the first stage of production.

The morphology of pebbles provides important information for lithological-facial and paleogeographic constructions. The shape of the pebbles carries quite a variety of information about the geological processes of the distant past. Today, there is a large number of foreign and domestic studies devoted to the material and granulometric composition of psephites, while much less attention is paid to the morphological characteristics. Although very often it is the shape of the pebbles that can unambiguously resolve the issues of determining their genesis. Debris shape analysis includes the degree of contour rounding or roundness and the ratio of the three axial dimensions of the pebble: length, width and thickness. Based on the ratio of linear dimensions, judgments were made about the genesis of deposits, the direction of flow, the possibility of redeposition. The most popular are two factors: the shape factor of the fragment and the isometric factor. Conclusions: the end result of the genesis of the pebble material of the Beshpagirskiy quarry is the river alluvium of the ancient river network, subsequently rounded and polished in the coastal delta zone of the Sarmatian Sea. The flat-topped uplift of the Stavropol arch in the middle–upper Sarmatian can be considered the source of the supply of coarse-grained material. The research is of great interest for the search for mineral deposits.

The relevance application of shallow geophysical technologies has been established for applied research in Kuzbass. The main problem is formulated hindering its development. One of the main components of this problem is the lack of physical-geological models that provide heterogeneous information processing, allowing us to reliably determine the quantitative characteristics of the rock conditions. Traditional technologies of applied research are focused on discrete measurements (point) formed by a widely spaced grid of exploration lines, which make it difficult to build digital models of the rock conditions, which does not provide reliability and accuracy in determining their quantitative parameters. This approach is characterized by significant time and financial costs. The complexation of geophysical methods in Kuzbass in practice often depends on the availability of an instrument base. The work purpose is to study the application of shallow geophysical technologies for applied research in Kuzbass. The research object is the application of shallow geophysical technologies, and the subject is their features for applied research in Kuzbass. The research provides a generalization of practical experience in creating physical-geological models. The practical use is to improve the technology for collecting and interpreting geophysical information.

The article analyzes the natural mineral waters of the Chechen Republic which are a leading factor in the formation of a sanatorium and health resort base. The conditions of formation and distribution of natural mineral waters on the territory of the Chechen Republic are studied, their classification by chemical composition, general mineralization and balneological properties is presented. Five water-bearing zones within the region are identified and characterized. A brief historical analysis of the research and development of mineral springs is given. A detailed description of mineral springs from the point of their use for balneological purposes is given. On the territory of the Chechen Republic, there are mineral springs with various chemical composition and balneological properties, which are comparable by some properties to the best world analogues, and this creates significant prerequisites for expanding the existing sanatorium and health resort base. At this stage, the main focus should be concentrated on meeting domestic needs, solving the problem of recreation and treatment of residents of the Chechen Republic, and in the future, it should be focused on the development of domestic and international tourism and recreation.

The article is devoted to the distribution of oil and gas accumulations within the Terek-Caspian trough. Various factors that determine the spatial distribution and formation of hydrocarbon deposits in the studied region (tectonically, stratigraphically) are considered. The distribution of total oil reserves by large stratigraphic complexes is given in tabular form. Information is given on hydrocarbon deposits depending on their confinement to certain structural forms and the phase state of the fluids. The prospects of opening new accumulations of oil and gas with a further increase in geological exploration for oil and gas are determined.

When studying the vegetation of water bodies, it is necessary to pay attention not only to the vegetation of the water body itself, but also to the vegetation of the low part of its shores. Thus, we study plants with a different attitude to water: hydrophytes that are real aquatic plants, fully or mostly immersed in water. Hygrophytes, hygrophilous plants that live on excessively moist soil under neutral acidity conditions, are usually found in swamps, along the banks of water bodies, on the swampy soils of meadows and forests. The transition group between hydrophytes and hygrophytes is hygrophytes – amphibians or wetland plants (helophytes). They occupy both aquatic and humid habitats on the shores. Aquatic vegetation is divided into real aquatic and amphibian vegetation.

Water quality indicators taken from different sources over the Republic of Kalmykia vary significantly both by year and season. Therefore, an urgent need arose to develop a system targeted at regional and local monitoring of water resources. The system will involve modern monitoring technologies in real time and remote sensing techniques. In the Republic arsenal, there are some required practices. Electronic maps (for monitoring water resources) were developed at scale of 1:200000; databases are being under development. Improvement and development of the Republic's water utilization system should be based on the principles of ecosystem water use, providing for strict monitoring and control over quantitative and qualitative indicators of water resources based on a technologically advanced monitoring system including the options regulating standardization, eco-quality, and economical consumption.

The paper reflects the results obtained from the studies on hydro-botanical wastewater facilities conducted to treat waste-water at the sewage facilities located in the Andropovsky District of the Stavropol Region and intended for biological treatment of industrial and domestic waste-water. As a result of the studies within 2016–2018, it was found that during the exploitation time the content indicators of ammonium nitrogen and iron have decreased by 3 times, oil products and nitrates by 2 times, nitrites by 6.4 times, and phosphates by 8.5 times. The pH indicator reached the standard, which is important enough for water inlets since low pH without cleaning is destructive for most bio-organisms in aquatic ecosystems. The analysis of the hydrochemical indicators at the outlet in the water intake facility allows coming to a positive conclusion about the possibility of using phytoremediation methods for production and domestic waste-waters.

The main environmental problems of non-ferrous metallurgy in Russia and possible solutions are considered. Summarized and analyzed the results of work aimed at creating a technology for producing the anode mass corresponding to regulatory and technical requirements and with improved environmental properties. The effect of the modified heavy pyrolysis resin on the environmental characteristics and performance of the anode mass was studied. Practical recommendations on the use of modified pyrolysis resin as a modifying additive to oil pitch are made.

Based on the analysis and comparison of the Vilyui river regime in the natural and regulated state, the article reveals the features of changes in the annual distribution of runoff, level and ice regimes and the regime of solid runoff. To assess the consequences of the impact of large hydroelectric power stations in the Far North, comprehensive studies of the Vilyui river basin were conducted. Vilyui hydroelectric station is the first hydroelectric power station in the permafrost zone. The reservoir is completely located within the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Despite the low level of development of water resources in the Far East, the prospects for the construction of traditional hydropower plants remain. The hydropower potential of the republic is estimated at 283 billion kWh, which is 66 % of the total hydropower potential of the Far East region. The construction and operation of hydropower plants on rivers leads to fundamental changes in the natural conditions of the river. The results of the study show that flow regulation by large reservoirs is the main factor of anthropogenic disturbances in the flow volume and water regime of the Arctic rivers. To date, the diverse effects of river regime changes after the construction of a hydroelectric power station on the territory of permafrost are not fully considered in either design or prospective planned developments. The importance of accounting and studying the consequences of flow regulation can be judged by the complex economic problems that arose after the construction of hydropower facilities in the European part of Russia. In this regard, a comprehensive study of changes in environmental conditions in the territory of permafrost distribution after regulation of river flow by large reservoirs is one of the most important tasks.

The study of the ecological potential of geosystems is one of the current directions in geographical science. There are several approaches to the study. The authors suggested using an integral approach which can maximize the use of parameters of the geographical environment to identify the potential of geosystems. Based on the original method for mapping geosystems, the results of identification of their environmental potential are presented. The selected research areas on the forest-steppe border have a large number of properties that determine the diversity of landscapes. The relevance of the study is emphasized by the location in the transboundary basin of Lake. Baikal which requires making informed decisions in international relations. An attempt to change the ecological potential for a relatively long period was made.

Research and search for the most effective and cost-efficient ways of water treatments is relevant today. We propose the use of a natural sorbent as a filter load of a sorption filter for the preparation of natural water for irrigation of crops. The object of study is the water of the Volga River in the Volgograd region. In this work, we propose the use of a sorption filter for purification of natural water, where natural zeolite will be used as a filter load. Before the experiment, a chemical analysis was performed to determine the contaminants in the water and their concentrations. The fractions of zeolite were selected using fractional sieves. Based on the results of sedimentation, the optimal fraction of natural zeolite in terms of absorption properties and contact time with the studied water was selected. Based on the results, the statistical processing of the experimental data was performed and the dependences presented in the form as a power model were obtained. Thus, on the basis of the conducted studies, it can be concluded that it is advisable to use a sorption filter with a zeolite filter load for the preparation of natural waters to be used in irrigation.

Studies of the possibility of using wastewater from poultry enterprises for irrigation of light chestnut soils using sprinkler machines have shown that wastewater needs preliminary treatment. Currently, it remains relevant to search for the most effective and cost-efficient ways to treat wastewater. We propose wastewater treatment by sedimentation on natural zeolite, after which the treated effluents can be discharged into storage ponds for further use in agriculture using sprinklers. For sewage treatment, the settling method was used, before which the particle size distribution of zeolite tuffs was selected and the size of fractions was selected using sieves. The sedimentation was carried out at regular intervals on a natural sorbent (zeolite tuffs). As a result of the study, the optimal contact time of the natural sorbent with the studied effluents was selected, which allowed to reduce the concentration of impurities present to the value below the maximum permissible one. As a result of settling for 80 minutes, there is a decrease in the concentration of chemical impurities in the studied poultry runoff to the maximum permissible concentration. Irrigation with wastewater diluted in 1: 4 with pure water increased the yield of spring wheat compared to the control option by a factor of 1.5. The absorption of organic substances by a soil layer 0.6 m thick is 80-100%. Agricultural use of wastewater diluted 6-7 times provides additional net income from the cultivation of spring wheat by 40%.

The article presents the results of studies of the waste acid pickling solution processing (WAPS) formed during the etching of titanium products with hydrochloric acid. The processing includes the neutralization of WAPS with alkali, filtering, drying and calcining a precipitate of titanium hydroxide and electrochemical processing of the filtrate containing sodium chloride in an electrolytic cell with ion-exchange membranes. In the electrolysis process, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid are obtained. The proposed WAPS processing scheme makes it possible to obtain titanium dioxide, sodium hydroxide, and hydrochloric acid. Titanium dioxide can be used in the paint industry. Alkali can be used in the process of neutralizing WAPS. After adjustment, hydrochloric acid is suitable for use in the etching process of titanium products.

In Russia, the agro-industrial complex is a large consumer of water resources, which are used to supply water to rural settlements, food and processing industries, livestock complexes and poultry farms, irrigation of land, flooding of pastures and haylands, as well as for fishing, recreation and other purposes. To a large extent, the environmentally safe, cost-effective and socially oriented development of the region depends on the state and functioning of reclamation systems. The paper presents the results of long-term monitoring of the geochemical composition and water quality indicators of the Chernozemelskaya water-irrigation system (from 2002 to 2018) located on the territory of the Caspian lowland. Irrigation and drainage and surface waste of the system are found to have a level of mineralization ranging from 1.2 to 2.3 g/l with sulfate-chloride and chloride-sulfate, sodium chemism, while the medium activity is low and intermediate-mafic (pH=7.8-8.4). It is analyzed that the high level of Cl^-, Na⁺, Mg²⁺ ions in irrigation water can cause salinization and alcalination of all types of soils.

The paper presents the morpho-analytical characteristic of the sod-podzolic soil section with the second humus horizon (SHH) located in the contact zone of the southern taiga and mixed forests of the east of the Russian Plain (Kirov region, Russia). The SHH is 17-25 cm deep from the surface, has darker color and is substantially different in many properties from the overlying humus horizon of modern soil. A retrospective analysis of spontaneous and technogenic history of modern landscapes of the research region and its soil cover was carried out based on the triune provision on soil as a focus, a mirror and memory of the landscape supported by analytical methods. It was shown that over the past 7,000 years, under conditions of retarded biocirculation, a number of properties and features of the early Holocene biocenoses have been partially preserved in modern soils, starting from the depth of 17 cm. Soil farming can fundamentally change the properties of polygenetic soils with SHH, thus making tem almost fully losing their retrospective and prognostic functions.

One of the most important water quality indicators is the heavy metals content. Heavy metals (HMs) are one of the top pollutants in the list because even very small concentrations of them are highly toxic. The peculiarity of HMs as pollutants is also that there is practically no bio-degradation for them – they only move from one natural reservoir to another, interacting with living organisms and leaving traces of this interaction. Moving from one link of the trophic chain of ecosystems to another, they gradually concentrate in the master links of food chains, as well as in bottom deposits (BD). In particular, HMs can take a long time to gain a foothold in the root stalks of perennial aquatic plants. Excess of their content over the background values in the conditions of the Moscow region is a purely anthropogenic factor. Sources of environmental input can be any activity types: industry, agriculture, motor transport. However, the analysis of the heavy metals input in territories differently located about heat power engineering and oil refining facilities, allows us to assert that the main source is emissions through high pipes of enterprises of ash residues, while there are multiple exceedances of MAC in soils and surface waters, close to the pollution source. As you move away from the pollution sources, the content of HMs in snow, water, soil, and bottom deposits decreases significantly and tends to change over the years, which is associated with changes in the air-mass transport within the region.

In the climate of European Russia, there are significant changes: before the year 2010, the tendency of warm period temperature to drop with a simultaneous increase in precipitation was dominated but nowadays it is dominated a reverse trend to increase average and maximum temperatures, decrease in precipitation, and increase in the number of sunny days. This creates the most favourable conditions for the development of phytoplankton and zooplankton consuming it. Our research exemplified by the Uchinsky Reservoir has established that since 2010 the number of phytoplankton has been increasing multiply with the development of blue-green algae at the end of the warm period, and it adversely affects the quality of water, leading to the development of eutrophication processes. The factors limiting the number of phytoplankton are the development of zooplankton and almost total consumption of ammonium nitrogen by phytoplankton. To manage the development of phytoplankton due to the most favourable climate conditions, a set of measures is required to reduce the intake of biogenic elements into the water of the Reservoir.

The paper presents the results of the analysis of geological and hydro-geological situation in the Krutinsky district of the Omsk region, as well as the assessment of the quality of groundwater in terms of environmental friendliness of their use for potable water supply. In hydro-geological terms, the research area is located within the Irtysh artesian basin, covering a vast territory in the south of the West Siberian lowland. The Cenozoic sediments that compose the described territory contain a number of underground reservoirs, horizons and water-resistant strata separating them. The waters of Quaternary, Neogene and Oligocene sediments are of practical importance as a source of water supply. Groundwater is exploited by wells and shallow waters (in Neogene and Quaternary sediments) are exposed and exploited by many shaft wells. The article provides a generalized characteristic of the quality of underground waters of Quaternary, Neogene and Paleogene deposits, as well as production wells drilled in the Krutinsky district of the Omsk region. As a result of research, it was found that groundwater does not meet the requirements of SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01. The use of these waters for household and drinking purposes will be environmentally safe for the population only if such indicators as turbidity, color, chlorine, iron, dry residue and microbiological indicators are adjusted.

This study determines four hydrochemical parameters being turbidity, water pH, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids in water in three sections of alluvial marches Al-Khaweze in southeastern Iraq. The results of laboratory tests have shown that all indicators exceed the permissible norm. This is due to an increase in precipitation in 2018 and 2019 and, accordingly, an increase in the level of water and flow of rivers feeding alluvial marches Al-Khaweze.

The peculiarities of sorption interactions between TMSP₆₀₀ material obtained from carbonate sludge from sugar production and model sewage containing vegetable oils are investigated. It was found that in the absence of synthetic surfactants, TMSP effectively interacts with emulsions of vegetable oils and causes their rapid clarification. In the presence of sodium lauryl sulfate, efficiency is markedly reduced. The observed phenomenon is explained by the presence of a negative charge on the oil droplets, as a result of which they are repulsed from TMSP₆₀₀ particles. The purification efficiency remains quite high at a synthetic surfactant concentration of <0.01 mg/dm³; therefore, TMSP₆₀₀ can be considered acceptable for treating sewage contaminated with vegetable oils at a low synthetic surfactant content in the system.

The paper discusses the traditional components of the nature of the World ocean. Their participation in the formation of living matter in the conditions of hydrospheric, atmospheric, and lithospheric changes in the ocean. It is pointed out that it is necessary to further study the energy properties of the ecosystem, as Vernadsky V.I. repeatedly wrote in his works. The most important results of modem studies of the ocean should include the development of oceanic doctrine of Russia for the period until 2020, the formation of Marine College under the Government of the Russian Federation (2004) and the written concept of scientific research of the nature of the world's oceans as a whole by the Russian Academy of Sciences.

In 2008–2010, monitoring work in the national park «Smolensk Lakeland» showed an excess of mercury in the water of Lake Loshamye located in the protected area of the natural reserve. In 2014–2019, together with the staff of the national park, we studied the ecological and geochemical features of the catchment area and the water area of Lake Loshamye. We studied the patterns of distribution of several heavy metals: Hg, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb, Sr. We did not find an anthropogenic influence on the catchment area; this article presents the results of the study of the bottom sediments of the lake. As a result of the work, we determined that all heavy metals have a natural distribution in this lake, except mercury. High values of mercury in bottom sediments (up to 1000 ppb) are not typical for such natural object. The median of the sample is 152 ppb, and it is four times higher than expected mercury content considering its content in the soils of the catchment area and 2–5 times higher than the values obtained for similar objects by other researchers. The analysis of the patterns of mercury distribution in bottom sediments indicates a one-time, local anthropogenic pollution of the lake.

The article presents the results of evaluating the main direction characterizing the state of health and quality of life of the population of single-industry towns: the sphere of water supply and sanitation. To improve the health status and quality of life of the population in single-industry towns, an action plan is proposed to bring the quality of drinking water in accordance with the established requirements for the period from 2017 to 2022. Prediction of improving the quality of drinking water, including lowering the overall hardness, as a result of the installation of a drinking water treatment system as part of the study, was based on the retrospective results of the introduction of similar drinking water treatment systems in municipalities of the constituent entities of the Federation and a probabilistic forecasting system. The results of the calculations showed that the average expected value of improving the quality of drinking water will be 7.039 %.

The destructions which occur in the mountain phytocenosis reduce the adaptive capabilities of plant formation, as a result their productivity, longevity and resistance to adverse factors decrease. The species previously typical of indigenous communities do not find ecological niches. They are on the verge of extinction. This contributes to the degradation of species composition. Various secondary communities become widespread, the whole complex of existence in which differs from the conditions of indigenous communities. In order to study the state of mountain vegetation, phytocenoses were monitored and assessed, taking into account the presence of leguminous components. Vegetation monitoring was carried with regard to the vertical zonation, where the plant species and their disappearance were determined under the influence of anthropogenic and zoogenic factors. The areas with high degradation were determined, where the amount of plant formation increased and the diversity of valuable grass and bean cultures decreased, depending on anthropogenic factors. It was found that the early spring period nutrition of growing plants with the biological product Nikfan promotes the increase in the fodder mass of plants, ensuring their growth and full development. In our experiments, the doses of the biological product in a concentration of 0.1% were justified, creating favorable conditions for the development and growth rate of crops and beans.

The article presents the materials of bioecological studies on the fauna state of biological reserve "Bragunsky", located in the plains of the Chechen Republic, the assessment of the degree of anthropogenic transformation, as a result of increased agricultural and manufacturing activities of the population in some parts of the reserve, the assessment of the current state of landscapes and biotopes, developed under the influence of anthropogenic transformation. The results of a comprehensive survey and inventory of the composition and species distribution of vertebrate and invertebrate animals are described. The article describes the characteristics of ecological and faunal groups, the representation of rare and protected species about anthropogenic changes. We used methods of cartography, multimedia modeling of satellite images, accounting for the number of species and their ecological and faunal analysis. Based on the research, based on the assessment of the results of anthropogenic changes, a justification was made for changing the current boundaries of the reserve, optimizing its territory and removing from the reserve some areas that are most anthropogenically transformed and are not of value for the composition of species and their protection. Practical recommendations are given.

The article presents the results of studying the coenoflora of the mountain birch forests found in the Teberdinsky State Natural Biosphere Reserve (Karachay-Cherkessia). The work shows the current state and composition of the cenoses dominated by Betula litwinowii Doluch on the Reserve. The material to analyse the coenoflora was based on 45 standard geobotanical descriptions of 2 types of birch forests: the birch crooked forests in the upper part of the subalpine belt and the secondary birch forests on the places of disturbed indigenous cenoses in the forest belt. The range of heights of distribution of the studied cenoses above the sea level is 1,660 m – 2,260 m. The main types of flora analysis were performed: the general characteristics of the flora, the geographical analysis, the study of the biomorphological, phytocenotic and ecological spectra. The coenoflora of the studied birch trees consists of 326 species that belong to 176 genera, 66 families and 6 classes, which is 14.5% of the flora of Karachay-Cherkessia. According to the main biomorphological features, the ecological characteristics, and the predominant geographical elements, the coenoflora of birch forests of the TSNBR is similar to the regional flora. The leading role of the Fabaceae family, combined with its high content of the Ancient Mediterranean elements in the coenoflora of the Reserve's birch trees, can be explained as the nature of the flora of the whole region and the increased influence of the TSNBR Mediterranean floras on the birch coenoflora formation. The significant role of species of the meadow ecological and phytocenotic group is explained by the predominance of thinned subalpine birch forests in the TSNBR.

The article provides data on changes in the number of rare species of birds, mammals and reptiles living in the specially protected area "Serebryany Bor". The number dynamics is presented for 2018-2020. The main research methods were visual accounting, winter route accounting, and route accounting of birds developed by E.S. Ravkin. The research result is the recording of rare species of animals listed in the Red Book of Moscow, which indicates the biological diversity and justifies the need to use nature conservation measures to preserve rare species. The data can be used in a new edition of the Red Book of Moscow which will be published in 2020.

The article gives results of estimating alkaloids accumulation in the aboveground and underground plant components of family Boraginaceae (Symphytum asperum Lepech., S. caucasicum M. Bieb., Echium vulgare L., Pulmonaria mollis Wulfen ex Hornem.) depending on the ecological conditions of their habitat. Alkaloids content in the aboveground phytomass decreases in the row S. asperum > S. caucasicum > E. vulgare, and in the underground one – S. caucasicum > S. asperum > E. vulgare > P. mollis. At the end of vegetation there is an increase in alkaloids accumulation in roots and decrease in stems and leaves. Rise in air temperature and decrease in precipitation increases alkaloids accumulation in roots and scions. The level of correlation between alkaloids accumulation and microelements content in soil varies from high (Cu, Zn, Mo) to mean (Mn, Pb). The revealed regularities are recommended to discover cenopopulations of S. caucasicum, S. asperum, E. vulgare and P. mollis with maximal accumulation of pyrrolizidine alkaloids or the forecast of their accumulation in certain sections.

The Article is devoted to the methods of biodiversity conservation in the educational and experimental farm of GBPEI "Ufa Forestry Technical College", where a collection of resource species of different climatic zones is preserved. The main decorative-deciduous, beautiful-flowering, wild-growing, fruit, medicinal species and families of the collection are presented, their generalized characteristic is given. Some results of studying of features of biology and reproduction at introduction in the open and closed soil in the context of the southern Urals are given.

The results of studies of environmental safety of a new organomineral fertilizer based on highly concentrated pig farm waste are presented. The effect of the fertilizer on spring wheat yield was evaluated. The vegetation experiment was carried out on spring wheat Zlata under phytotron conditions on sod-podzolic loamy soils. The effect of the organic mineral fertilizer, granulated bird manure and mineral fertilizers (NPK) in equivalent doses on toxicity and efficiency of biomass growth is compared. Based on the experimental data, the optimal dose of the new fertilizer was determined and the uselessness of higher doses was substantiated. The agro-reclamation value of the fertilizer produced by processing the reagent of liquid pig farm waste was substantiated. The effect of the fertilizer on the soil microorganisms was evaluated. For the diagnosis of group and partial species composition of soil microorganisms, the method of sowing on agar plates was used. The results of changes in the number of ecological groups of soil microorganisms are presented. It was found that organic fertilizer is not toxic and improves soil fertility.

Earth work is considered when planning the terrain at the initial stage of construction. Instead of a manual method for calculating the volume of soil transportation, it is proposed to switch to the use of linear programming methods and computer solutions in the environment of the computing complex Matlab. The problem is stated, algorithms and a computer program are developed. The optimal plan for transporting soil masses from dredges to embankments was found for a specific task.

Today, the attention of many researchers is turned to nanoparticles (NPs) and their use in practice. At the same time, nanoforms can exhibit toxic effects in relation to living organisms. One of the promising models for assessing the effect of nanoparticles is the E. fetida worm. In this regard, the aim of our study was to study the responses of the E. fetida worm in artificial soil with the introduction of NPs of Cu and CuO. In our work, we evaluated mortality, the mass of worms, the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and the content of malondialdehyde in the worm when introducing NPs of Cu and CuO at a concentration of 0; 50; 100 and 500 mg/kg of dry soil. In the course of our study, we found the stimulating effect of the minimum of the studied dosages of CuO NPs (50 mg / kg), which in the future may be of an applied nature. It has been established that Cu NPs have the highest toxicity, causing high mortality rates (80 %), a 50 % weight reduction (p ≤ 0.05) at a dosage of 500 mg/kg against the background of increased catalase activity and malondialdehyde content with a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity.

In flax production there is a need to study the range of promising, more effective and less environmentally friendly pesticides. Under the conditions of changing climatic conditions, taking into account the aggravation of the phytosanitary situation, the tests of new preparations on linen flax are required. In this regard, we assessed the effect of the treatment of crops with protective-stimulating compositions of herbicides (Magnum + Herbitox L + Miura) and the agrochemical Nutrivant Drip of 18-0-36 – KRP grade.

For the successful development of agriculture and increase the productivity of the arid zone of the Volgograd region, preservation of the soil from water erosion and deflation, protective forest and greenery plantations that are resistant to harsh forest conditions are necessary. The objects of study are various species of poplar P. nigra, P. bolleana, P. alba etc., rose hips R. rugosa, R. spinosissima, R. alba Maximus etc., elm U. campestris x U. pumila, which were evaluated according to the following parameters: degree of damage to plants by drought, total amount of water, winter hardiness, as well as their growth and development. The study showed that species P. nigra, R. rugosa, R. cinnamomea, and U. pumila have the highest approximation coefficients. U. laevis and P. deltodies are moderately resistant to high temperatures, and the species U. pumila, P. nigra, P. alba, and P. balsamifera are thermo- and pathogenic resistant. A study of the morphological features of various poplar species revealed the tallest species P. alba and P. nigra (20–22 m). The tallest shrub species are S. sorbiforia, R. alba, and R. canina.

The creation of specially protected natural areas is one of the main means in solving many environmental problems of our time. Over time, protected areas are transformed, while losing their environmental value. It necessitates a systematic assessment of the state of protected areas in order to predict negative changes. Maintaining an ecological balance is relevant for a region with high anthropogenic pressures, such as the Saratov Region.

Restoring herbaceous cover of degraded ecosystems is an urgent issue for regions where livestock breeding is the main direction of the economy. The vegetation of the desert zone of the Republic of Kalmykia is used as a forage source almost all year round. Heavy grazing (exceeding stocking rates) in the region results in a reduction of valuable perennial forage species in the plant community and invasion of annual species that do not afford the sod. Grazing efficiency decreases, open areas of soil are subjected to wind erosion. Restoring vegetation in the areas that have lost the ability to self-regenerate is possible through revegetation, a method for improving degraded ecosystems by replanting the soil. The scientific literature on revegetation in arid conditions abounds with information available on ecological, biological and varietal characteristics, agricultural technology for revegetative species, and the yield of certain species on revegetated sites. The authors monitored plant communities enhanced through revegetation in the southern part of the Caspian lowland within the Republic of Kalmykia. The vegetation dynamics was studied through direct observation and indirect extrapolation of spatial series into time series. The paper presents data on the improvement of natural plant communities through revegetation, including adaptation of revegetative species in buffer zones, tops accumulation depending on the type and age of revegetative species, the effect of fires, etc.

To date, nanoparticles (NP) are quite promising in science and technology. However, the widespread practical use of nanoparticles requires the assessment of their effects on living organisms, including soil organisms. This study analyzes the impacts of NiO nanoparticles (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg dry soil) on morpho-biochemical parameters of Eisenia fetida. In the experiment, we determined the content of lipid peroxidation products – malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as the activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The catalase activity was expressed within bipolar activity, which can be attributed to the non-specific response of living organisms and metal activity in a substrate. The MDA content was increased at a dose of 250 mg and 125 mg/kg of NiO NP on the 28^th and 56^th day, respectively. Thus, the biochemical parameters varied depending on the dose of NiO NP. One mechanism of NiO NP toxicity in animals is the oxidative stress.

The study of biodiversity of anthropogenically disturbed areas is a prerequisite for assessing and predicting species abundance in regions. The present research aims at investigating the aquatic and coastal-aquatic flora and vegetation of the Sulem reservoir, built on the territory of the Visimsky nature reserve. Phytocoenotic material has been processed in accordance with the requirements of ecological-floristic classification of Braun-Blanquet. Flora analysis has been carried out in compliance with standard floristic methods. The study has revealed a variety of vegetation, which has been classified into 2 classes (Potamogetonetea and Phragmito-Magnocaricetea), 5 orders (Potamogetonetalia, Callitricho hamulatae-Ranunculetalia aquatilis, Phragmitetalia, Magnocaricetalia, Oenanthetalia aquaticae), 6 alliances (Nymphaeion albae, Potamogetonion, Ranunculion aquatilis, Phragmition communis, Magnocaricion elatae, Eleocharito Palustris-Sagittarion Sagittifoliae), 20 associations and 2 rankless communities. Communities of associationsElodeetum canadensis, Myriophylletum spicati and Callitrichetum hermaphroditicaeare the most common in the territory under study. Large areas are covered with Sagittario sagittifoliae-Sparganietum emersi, Typhetum latifoliae and Typha intermedia. Communities of associations Potamo crispi-Ranunculetum trichophylli, Potamogetonetum graminei, Potamo natantis–Polygonetum natantisTyphetum angustifoliae and Sparganietum erecti are less common. Flora of vascular plants include 66 species from 43 genera and 26 families. Cyperaceae (10 species), Poaceae (8 species), Potamogetonaceae (6 species), Ranunculaceae (4 species), and Typhaceae (4 species) are the leading families. Hydrophytes prevail among ecological groups. Eurasian boreal species prevail in the geographical structure of the flora. 2 species listed in the Red Book of the Sverdlovsk region include Nuphar lutea (L.) Smith u Nymphaea candida J. Presl.

The article studies the state of biota in the Urus-Martan forest reserve located in the Chechen Republic, the degree of its anthropogenic transformation as a result of agricultural and production activities. A comprehensive bioecological analysis of flora and fauna was carried out, rare and protected species were assessed in terms of anthropogenic changes in the reserve. The methods of cartography, multimedia modeling of satellite images, accounting for the number of species and ecological-faunistic analysis were used. Changes in the reserve borders optimizing the reserve territory were described. Practical recommendations were provided.

The study presents a special methodological approach to the construction of the integral model of potential biodiversity on the example of the territory of the Crimean Peninsula. GIS technologies serve the tool for creating this kind of material. The proposed technique allows effectively identifying spatial differences and carrying out multi-criteria analysis of the studied territory. The main stages of the methodology include the construction of vector layers of operational-territorial units, the compilation of a database on biodiversity criteria, the analysis of close relations between the value of biological diversity and the value of habitat diversity, the identification of statistical dependencies, as well as the construction of an integral model based on the results of preparatory stages. The resulting model resembles a raster layer of potential biodiversity for the 1x1 km cell format (potential number of species per 1 km²). The distribution of the potential biodiversity indicator at this cell size smooths certain differences in the overall pattern of the model.

Any floristic study, which gives an idea of the total number of species, is based on the distribution of flora by genera, families, orders, classes, etc. More than 2000 plant species grow in the Chechen Republic, which belong to 88 families and 460 genera. The republic is characterized by the alternation of different plant species from north to south. This paper analyzes the distribution of dendroflora species in the floristic regions of the Chechen Republic. The composition of wild representatives of dendroflora is peculiar and original and remains little studied. The analysis is based on the processing of herbarium materials and field observations.

Over the past few decades, the state of the land in the arid zones of Russia is developing extremely unfavorably due to irrational pasture use. One of the ways to solve the problem is the development of halophytes in culture to create different varieties (as fodder) and restore saline soils. Halophytes (galos – salt, phyton – plant) is a special group of ecologically and physiologically adapted plant species that are able to maximize their potential in conditions of severe salinity. Halophytes – being useful as fodder, medicinal and oil-bearing plants – have a powerful environment-forming function and the ability to desalt saline soils. One of such halophytes is kochia prostrate. This is a pasture high-protein forage crop that has a number of nutritional properties, is well eaten by many animal species (in particular, cattle and small cattle), and is also promising for use in phytomelioration on natural pastures in arid regions of Eurasia, Africa and America. Fodder based on kochia prostrate is well balanced regarding amino acid composition (lysine, methionine, threonine, etc.), thereby is an excellent fattening feed. Therefore, it is important to understand, from the point of view of selection, on what type of soil will Kochia grow favorably and give the maximum yield for creating new varieties. This article presents the results of comparing the feed and seed productivity of three ecotypes of the xerogalophytic fodder half-shrub of kochia prostrate (Kochia prostrata (L.) Schrad).

Currently, methods for interpreting various indicators of plantings by aerial and satellite images based on GIS technologies have gained significant development. They actively implement regression relationships between taxation indicators of stands. The object of the study are modal larch stands of the Altai-Sayan region, which are characterized by both coniferous and mixed forests with larch (Larix Sibirica L.) fraction from 40 to 90 % and an admixture of birch (Betula pendula R.), aspen (Populus tremula L.), fir (Abies sibirica L.) and cedar (Pinus sibirica D.). Comparison of coniferous and mixed forests did not reveal significant differences in the growth lines. Based on paired and multiple linear regression equations for coniferous and mixed modal larch forests, a set of taxation interpretation models is obtained with the aim of approximating the average diameter, age and standing volume of stands according to such interpretation indicators as average height, completeness, bonitet class and larch fraction in the composition. Thus, a number of equations have been developed for modal larch forests, which are recommended for remote sensing of larch forests in the Altai-Sayan region.

Intensification of agriculture leads to development and implementation of new soil conservation technologies that reduce degradation processes, as well as the development of methods for monitoring and controlling these technologies. Spectral indexes method as one of the methods of remote sensing is one of the most modern methods for solving this problem. This research was conducted on three production fields located in the territory of the Budenovsky district of the Stavropol territory, where plowing with the layer turnover and no-till technology were used. Aim of this research is analysis of the possibility of using 8 spectral indices to identify different types of soil cultivation. The study found that the most informative differences between tillage systems are provided by NDTI, STI and NDI7, which use the SWIR 2 spectral range for calculations. In addition, the classification of objects based on these indexes by the K-means method gives the highest accuracy.

A study area covers Ninh Binh Province as a whole that has 67.125 hectares of agricultural land, including 55.125 hectares of arable land. Ninh Binh has 13 major drainage basins. Water resources are unevenly distributed across the catchment areas. Due to a dense drainage system, every year Ninh Binh is hit by heavy flooding during the wet season. With a total length of all channels and a lock-weir network, just 22.4 % of channels are concrete lined, i.e. only every fourth kilometer of channels is concreted, thus leading to high irrigation losses. To tackle current challenges related to the effective use of irrigation systems in Ninh Binh, it is necessary to organize annual inspections and assessments of the current state of water supply networks, irrigation systems, etc.

Throughout years-long observation, the properties of cultured soils in European Russia were studied (including the geographical location, physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils, the composition and structure of bacterial communities in them, etc.). Groups of microorganisms with various reactions to anthropogenic impacts were analyzed. Biological and fermentation power indicators manifest the ongoing soil-forming processes. The increase in the numbers of microorganisms of their biological activity (denitrification) is observed along the North-South line with the maximum values in the steppe zone. For acidic soils, the following indicators and susceptible soil microorganisms were determined: Actinomadura roseola, Methylococcus sp., Nocardia carnea, Sphingomonas capsulata, as well as for alkaline soils: Rhodococcus equi, Streptomyces sp. The following dominating species were found in the microbial consortium of the taiga zone soils: – Rhodococcus rhodochrous, and the dominant species for the wooded steppe, steppe, and dry steppe zones is the association of anaerobic Ruminococcus sp. with vesicular-arbuscular micromycetes. The data obtained are crucial for environmental monitoring and the development of nature protection actions to support soil fertility.

Visual signs of the negative influence of various factors in woody plants include the loss of decorativeness and vitality, discolouration of needles, uneven growth, etc. Conifers of the boreal zone, including Siberian fir (Abies sibirica Ledeb.), have the most pronounced decrease in the ability of plants of green plantations to resist extreme environmental conditions. In perennial plantations of Siberian fir, scientists identified a complex of fungi distinguished not only by low biodiversity but also by the abundance of phytopathogens and moulds from the genera Alternaria, Diplodia, Macrophoma, Pestalotia, Sclerophoma, Cucurbitaria. The article shows that under stressed conditions (imbalance in nutrients, etc.), the fir plants in the root zone have critical disturbances or mycological effects which characterizes the deterioration of their viability and loss of resistance to disease. This data are useful for phytosanitary monitoring of green plantations and planning environmental protection measures in urban areas.

The article presents the results of research and monitoring of agricultural landscapes exposed to the combined effects of water and wind erosion in the context of the administrative regions of the Stavropol territory. This problem is significant for the region and timely detection of negative processes in agricultural landscapes allows you to respond appropriately to protect the land involved in agricultural turnover. Mapping of erosion processes is a significant problem for agriculture and the use of modern tools for monitoring agricultural landscapes contributes to the solution of this problem.

This work summarizes all known data on the distributive history of Cameraria ohridella in Europe and in Russia with special reference to current process of invasion to different regions of Russia and prognosis on its future spread through Russian territories. The invasion of the pest started in 1980s and to the present time Cameraria ohridella had occupied the most part of Europe. During last ten years from 2010 to 2020, Cameraria ohridella occupied 11 oblasts of the European Russia and was discovered in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The main host trees of the pest are trees from the genus Aesculus. However, in the focus locations of invasion, the pest damages other trees growing near chestnuts. The data on biology of Cameraria ohridella showing that its larvae as a rule perish within the first two instars in case of development for example on Acer pseudoplatanus trees, give us confidence that the distributive range of the pest is restricted to the area of chestnut and locations of its decorative use.

The world community's awareness of the rapidly deteriorating environmental situation as a threat to the continued existence of mankind determined the formation and adoption of the Concept of sustainable development in the second half of the XX century. One of the mechanisms for solving the strategic task of environmental protection is declared to be the formation and ensuring the sustainable functioning of a system of specially protected natural reservations of different levels and categories, which would ensure the preservation of natural ecosystems, making them centres for preserving the genetic fund and restoring the original biodiversity. The land-use planning, formation of new and reorganization of existing specially protected natural reservations is a guarantee of creating optimal conditions for solving the tasks assigned to them. The analytical review of the adopted normative legal documents and implemented target programs at the international and national levels objectively shows that the development of the system of specially protected natural reservations is declared as one of the main mechanisms for ensuring the implementation of the Concept of sustainable development. The research showed that not all specially protected natural reservations provide the existence of viable populations of organisms for the saving of which they were created. For the development of the system of specially protected natural reservations in the Russian Federation, it is necessary to improve the theoretical and methodological tools of the land management that adequately reflects their uniqueness and diversity, methods of rational organization of their territory, during which the creation of a stable, self-regenerating ecosystem will be carried out, ensuring the solution of environmental and socio-economic problems at both the regional and global levels.

The authors explain the need to compile the Red Data Book of soils similar to the existing Red Data Books of plants and animals. The paper reveals some theoretical and methodological approaches from general scientific and regional points of view relevant for the compilation of such works. The main soil objects in the pedosphere of the Kirov region that meet the zonal standards are identified, i.e. rare, unique and endangered soils. These soils are to be included in the environmental documents mentioned above. The results can be used to develop a local network of specially protected natural territories due to a new – pedogenic – category of objects of conservation of natural heritage as part of reserves, micro-reserves, soil monuments of nature. These materials are of interest to the scientific community and environmental services of the Kirov region and other constituent entities of the Russian Federation.

Water and wind erosion of land causes annual damage since it leads to soil degradation and loss of fertility, reducing the economic indicators of agricultural production. Detailed systematization of land resources with an assessment of the scale and level of land degradation provides a basis for ranking areas by relevance and effectiveness of erosion protection. The article assesses the level of degradation of agricultural land in the Samara region by the scale of economic losses under the influence of water and wind erosion of soil with differentiation by administrative districts. The map of eroded lands has been developed. The results of integrated erosion zoning of the territory provide an information basis for identifying priority areas requiring anti-erosion measures, as well as for optimizing the structure of agricultural land use. The main directions of anti-erosion organization of the territory and on-farm land management, depending on the features of the landscape and the nature of damage, have been described.

Territory reorganization modeling is one of the leading areas in the analysis of integrated development. The subsystem "technological platform" is part of a complex object of ecological reorganization of the territory, its functions and role in ensuring sustainability of territorial development. Reconstruction of this layer of the complex model requires changes in the equipment used in buildings and facilities, affects the construction of engineering and transport networks and communication systems and determines the possibility of obtaining innovative products. Organizational reconstruction of enterprises as innovative changes based on green technologies requires the economic mechanism of innovative development of enterprises. Areas of restructuring the technological platform of the territory by improving the level of capitalization of the territory due to its resource development were identified.

By the early 1960's due to the development of industrial production, the natural environment of the Soviet Union faced a threat of reduction of many endemic species. Biosphere reserves became the places where any human activity was strongly forbidden and scientists can conduct ecological research. Soviet biosphere reserves became an important instrument for international ecological cooperation. Creation of new national parks led to the spreading semi-protected territories. The aim of this article is to show how Soviet scientists worked out the principles of natural parks and biosphere reserves in the Soviet Union. That research will be of interest to geographers, biologists and conservation activists involved in different ecological activities.

The paper presents the results of a detailed environmental analysis of the Upper Alpine rock-and-talus flora of the central and eastern parts of the Russia's Caucasus Region. The classification of petrophytes (obligate, facultative and contingent) with respect to the acidity of the substrate (oxylophiles, xylo-calciphiles, calciphiles) and with regard to the substrate type (rupestrophytes, lapidophytes, schistophytes, lapishistophytes, morenophytes, glareophytes) is given. The species, quantity and percentage of each environmental group are indicated. The dominance in the studied flora with respect to acidity of the substrate of oxylophytes is noted, along with the physical state – lapishistophytes. In terms of the physical properties of the substrate, the flora species represent quite complex aggregate formed by stenotopic and environmentally plastic species settling on two to three, less often on four types of the substrate.

The natural conditions of highlands of the northern part of the Central and Eastern Caucasus are described. Three high-rise belts – alpine, subniveal, niveal – were identified within the studied territory. Features of vegetation cover of these belts are emphasized: fragmented vegetation in the form of separate rock-talus groups and microgroups; sparseness and simplification of its structure, participation of mosses and lichens and huge amounts of types of underlying high-rise belts. According to the high-rise distribution in the subniveal belt, the following groups of species were identified: 1) found at 3100 m above sea level, involved in creating fragmentary carpet-like alpine meadows at the bottom of the belt; 2) found mainly at 3000-3300 m above sea level; 3) living mainly in the range from 3000 to 3600-3700 m above sea level. There is a prevalence of petrophytes, high percentage of endemicity in the subniveal belt (Pseudobetckea, Pseudovesicaria, Didymophysa, Trigonocarium, Eunomia, Vavilovia, etc.). The paper lists the most characteristic families of monocotyledones (Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae and Liliaceae), the most characteristic families of dycotyledonae (Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Fabaceae, Saxifragaceae, Rosaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Campanulaceae) and species growing on different substrates – taluses of clay shale, moving taluses, rocks, rocky and crushed slopes, moraines, alpine lawns, common and rare species (Galium rugosum, Jurinea filicifolia, Jurinella moschus, Vavilovia formosa), as well as Veronica bogosensis, Cerastium multiflorumDelphinium caucasicum endemic for the eastern part of the studied area – Erysimum subnivale, Ranunculus tebulossicus, Pyrettrum aromatucum, Pseudobetckea caucasicqa, Sedum stevenianum, etc.

On the sandy tracts in the South of European territory of Russia there are 842 species of psammophytes, 25 % (209 species) are obligate forms. Many of them are endemics. Species composition, structure and productivity of plant communities depends on the degree of overgrowing of the Sands (open sands, medium-overgrown sands, overgrown sands). Their abundance varies depending on the exposure and the part of the slope. The existence of species occurs as a result of continuous and close interaction with each other and as a response to irritation of various environmental factors. The development of vegetation in this area is limited by the lack of precipitation, strong desiccation of the upper soil horizons due to high summer temperatures, low snow cover, low temperatures of air and soil in winter, the poverty of the sands with nutrients, their mobility, and occasionally strong salinity. The process of natural overgrowing of sand can last more than 50 years. Unorganized unsystematic use of pastures significantly increases these periods. Active use of pastures with low productivity destroys natural ecosystems and causes desertification. As a result, the area of full forage land is reduced, and environmental and socio-economic tensions are increasing. One of the methods for restoration and improvement of sandy areas is the regulated grazing of farm animals in accordance with the productivity of pastures.

The paper considers the present state of forests of Podolsk region within specially protected areas. Unfortunately, within the studied reserve the strict requirements of preservation and protection of broadleaf forests of the studied territory are not always fulfilled. The authors of the paper describe in sufficient detail the existing problems of the reserve. Measures for further monitoring of the geosystem are proposed.

It has been established that in municipal forestry of Stavropol (streets, squares, boulevards, parks) mixed plantations of broad-leaved tree species Tilia cordata Mill., Acer pseudoplatanus L., A. platanoides L., Aesculus hippocastanum L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Quercus robur L., prevail, which increases the shading conditions for lawns arranged under their canopy. With sparse and single-row planting of trees, lawn grass is in conditions of temporary shading and does not significantly suffer (lawns of good and satisfactory quality). In places with multi-row and group placement of tree plantations, the grass of lawns is in conditions of both temporary and permanent shading and is thinned up to 40–60 %, the relative amount of sunlight (RAS) is 2.1–9.2 % (mediocre and poor lawns). In conditions of constant intensive shading with a RAS of 0.6–2.6 %, turf grasses completely fall out, a dead cover forms, which reduces the quality of greening. Usually sparse grass are sown with fast-growing turf grasses annually. The issue of turfing of the shaded areas of parks with local forest grasses Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P. Beauv., Dactylis polygama Horvat., Festuca gigantea (L.) Vill., Poa nemoralis L. (RAS 2.1–5.8 %) and sedge Carex divulsa Stokes, (RAS 1.0–4.2 %) and the conservation of forest herbaceous cenoses is discussed. In shady parks, the use of ground cover introduced species Vinca minor L., Hedera helix L, and the herbaceous perennial Helleborus caucasicus A. Braun (RAS 1.2–7.4 %) is promising.

The article scientifically substantiates the formation of the ecological frame of the urban area in arid conditions. The object of research is the greening system of the city of Elista, the capital of the Republic of Kalmykia. The main methods of the study are analytical, cameral and comparative geographical methods. The study shows that the intensity of traffic, physical, geographical and meteorological conditions and the condition of streets affect the gas content of the city's air basin. The zones of active pollution by emissions into the air are intersections and stops of public transport. The dust-collecting capacity of leaves of certain types of vegetation does not adequately ensure the sanitary and hygienic state of the city's atmospheric air. Based on the principle of a systematic approach to the problem, ecological-functional zoning of urban landscapes, as the basis of the ecological framework, has been carried out. The structure and its main elements that can act as "cores" and "corridors" of the ecological framework are presented. The study found that open, unconverted spaces account for about 26% of the city's area. The implementation of the principles of forming an ecological frame and the broader use of conifers for landscaping in Elista is aimed at solving an urgent problem, namely, improving the ecological situation in the city and providing a favourable, comfortable environment for the population in arid conditions.

Human awareness of the danger of environmental problems is associated with serious difficulties. One of them is non-obviousness of human natural basis, psychological alienation from nature, a dismissive attitude towards environmentally-friendly activities. The purpose of this article is to study the attitude of people, in particular residents of the Chechen Republic, to the environmental situation in their region. The research objectives are as follows: to assess the state and dynamics of the ecological situation; to assess the importance of information on the environment for Russian citizens, to assess the sufficiency of measures taken and ways to improve the environmental situation; to study the attitude of citizens of the Chechen Republic to "ecological" behavior.

One of the most important problems is the study and conservation of biological diversity of our planet. The study of the flora species composition of any territory is the basis for the botanical and ecological research. One of the ways to control the environment is environmental monitoring. Fungi bacteria, complex symbiotic associations which include lichens, can be indicators of the state of the environment and its components. When predicting the state of the environment, especially air, representatives of lichen biota are widely used: species composition, distribution of lichens in cities, industrial centers, regions and states. Registration of indicators of lichen biota is part of the observation program of many stations of the global environmental monitoring network. It is important to study lichens in areas subject to the excessive economic impact, which includes Kalmykia.

The study presents the features of the spatial distribution of temperatures and precipitation within the Southern Urals based on the analysis of daily observations within 2004–2018. The study suggests the reasons for zones of temperature and precipitation distribution. There is a nature of the formation of climatic zones by the regime of moistening determined. The azonal differences of the western and eastern slopes of the Southern Urals are differentiated. Local causes of latitudinal differences in temperature and meridional physiographic features are shown. Monitoring observations of the annual course of precipitation and multidimensional classification identified 5 humidification zones. The causes are described by discriminant functions. This complicates the analysis of altitudinal differentiation and enhances the role of azonal factors. A set of identified causes is formed, including during human activities.

The effect of changing the range of introduced metal concentrations, the ratio of solid and liquid phases, and the combined presence of other metal ions in the solution on the absorption of Zn by the meadow soil was studied. As the range of applied concentrations expands and increases (up to 100 mM/L), there is a significant decrease in intensity of metal adsorption and an increase in the soil sorption capacity. It was found that with increasing dilution of the external solution (soil / solution ratio 1:10), the thermodynamic parameters of adsorption with respect to Zn increase. During the joint absorption of Zn with cations of other metals, the dominant process that affects the shape of the isotherm and the parameters of metal adsorption is their mutual competition. Competitive relationships of metal ions lead to their redistribution between different soil reaction centers.

The active development of nanotechnologies, accompanied by wide use of nanoparticles in various industries, necessitates to study its effect on higher plants. The studies were conducted in the summer of 2019 in a territory located near the village Vozdvizhenka of Ponomarevsky district (Orenburg region, Russia). The plot was divided into micro-plots and nanoparticles of Fe₃O were introduced onto the surfaces at doses of 1000 mg/kg, 750 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg. During the experiment, test plants were sown, and then we determined a set of their vital and morphometric indicators. The results allow us to conclude that of the entire set of parameters, the most sensitive test object when setting the germination test is Raphanus sativus. According to certain morphometric indicators, the most informative is the use of Lepidium sativum in the experiment. In general, the nanooxide in small doses used in the study increased the productivity of plants, which indicates the need for further studies to assess the prospects of its use in crop production.

The identification of factors determining the stability of soil organic carbon is an important step in managing the volumes of greenhouse gases and crops entering the atmosphere. The greatest influence on the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool in the soils of agroecosystems is exerted by oxidation processes under intensive agrotechnical action, decomposition, mineralization and humification by soil microorganisms, and also transformation under the influence of enzymatic activity of soils. The studies were conducted on the sites of a long-term field hospital and virgin soil located in the zone of distribution of steppe chernozems of the Southern Urals. During field and laboratory studies, the intensity of soil emission of CO2 (adsorption method), the activity of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase (colorimetric method), and the soil organic matter content (dichromateoxidationtechnique) were determined. The indicators of the content and reserves of soil organic matter in different experimental variants showed a high dependence on the intensity of mineralization processes as a result of active mechanical treatment, aeration and increased activity of microorganisms, as well as the activity of soil enzymes involved in the carbon cycle (C).

The article studies the process of filtering precipitation through soil. Two mathematical models are obtained and used, specifically, deterministic and stochastic ones. The basis of these tasks is a diffusion parabolic partial differential equation supplemented by initial-boundary conditions. The findings are used in solving the stochastic problem. The mathematical analytical formulation of the problem using the finite difference method is reduced to an inhomogeneous linear algebraic system of equations, which is implemented in the environment of the Matlab computing complex. Consideration of the task operator linearity and the principle of superposition reduced the amount of computation significantly. A number of conclusions were drawn on the basis of solutions.

Creating an industry for the treatment, recycling and disposal of waste is an important task of the development of the Russian economy at the present stage. In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation developed the national project "Ecology". As part of this project, it is planned to implement the federal project "Construction of facilities for sorting and processing MSW" for the period from 2019 to 2024. In January 2018, the Government of the Russian Federation approved the Industry Development Strategy for the Treatment, Disposal and Disposal of Production and Consumption Wastes for the Period up to 2030. The authors propose a project to build the territory of the city district of Chapayevsk with waste recycling and recycling plants. Due to the already existing and erected high-tech industries, there will be an influx of highly qualified specialists. The city will receive substantial investment injections in innovative projects; it will be possible to participate in tenders for the execution of orders, grants for the development and development of high-tech areas.

Environmental changes under the influence of anthropogenic factors are shown. Ecosystems accumulate toxic substances. A list of plants accumulating heavy metals is given. Using plants as indicators of toxicity, contaminated sites are determined and methods for restoring soil fertility are applied. The doses of introducing zeolite-containing clays together with phytoindicators are justified. The greatest sorption capacity was shown by the ragweed plant. As sorbents for restoring the environment and improving soil fertility, plant wastes, such as corn cobs, sunflower heads, are used. The studies were conducted in various soils of the North Caucasus. Measures to reduce the toxic load on the ecosystem were theoretically and practically justified. The maximum amount of toxic substances accumulates in ragweed. Indicator plants can be widely used in the rehabilitation of soils contaminated with heavy metals and other chemicals.

The spectral characteristics of coal and oil pitch are compared among themselves. An insignificant contribution of aliphatic functional groups to the total spectrum intensity for coal pitch is noted. Analysis of the obtained ¹³C NMR spectra showed qualitative structural features of the pitch components, such as the absence of signals in the range of 150-200 ppm, which indicates the absence of carbonyl- and carboxyl-containing fragments in the components of the pitch components. The content of radiocarbon in the samples of oil pitch and carbon nanoparticles was measured.

Economic activity led to significant transformations of natural landscapes of the Chuvash Republic. There is a change in certain components of geosystems and naturalterritorial complexes as a whole. In order to rationalize environmental management, the analysis of the types and degree of anthropogenic load was carried out. The ratio of different lands was taken as parameters of the analysis. It was based on the share of farmlands, settlement zone, forests and natural landscapes. On the example of the model region of the Chuvash Republic 5 main types of areas were analyzed: upland, slope, terrace, floodplain and valley-river (valleys of small rivers). The factor of different stability of terrain types was taken into account. For uplands it is taken as a unit, and decreases in other types of terrain. On the basis of the analysis of the state of geosystems, the groups of districts were identified and measures were developed to reduce the anthropogenic load on landscapes.

The paper presents a numerical simulation of the preparation of a compounded oil pitch, which, in addition to high technological parameters, has high environmental indicators. Environmental friendliness is ensured by the low content of harmful impurities, including carcinogenic benzo (a) pyrene.

The article presents the results of a study of the state of forest ecosystems growing in the zone of the Orenburg gas-chemical complex. The authors established a taxation characteristic depending on the degree of remoteness from the source of pollution, the degree of accumulation and the accumulation series of heavy metals in the forest litter, and the horizontal crown density was calculated. All obtained data were analyzed using statistical analysis methods. The data obtained can be used for practical purposes.

The analysis of the influence of new technical solutions in the technologies of electrolytic production of aluminum on the quantitative indicators of pollutants in the emissions of anode gases is presented. Describes methods to reduce emissions of resinous substances, including 3,4-benz (a) pyrene. The problem of emission capture during cooling of the pins extracted from the anode is considered in detail. For the first time in the Russian Federation, it was proposed to use environmentally friendly oil pitch, in which 3,4-benz (a) pyrene is practically absent. A variant of collecting tar contaminants by cooling anode pins in an aspirated cartridge is proposed. The new solution reduces tar emissions by an average of 5%.

The article considers the problem of the development of public policy priorities in the northern territories through the example of the solution of transport problem. According to the studies, it is concluded that, when planning the development of the transport infrastructure, it is necessary to take into account specific environmental factors and restrictions that are typical of northern cities, which are caused by environmental conditions with low selfrestoration potential. This specificity makes it impossible to mechanically transfer the advanced foreign experience of countries with a warmer climate to solve this problem. The study conducted sociological surveys among vehicle owners in order to find out whether motorists are aware of the degree of environmental danger and whether they are ready to participate in the solution of environmental problems of the coexistence of vehicles and urban areas. The results of the surveys showed that the vast majority of motorists are aware of the environmental danger to the urban environment from increasing motorization. They express their readiness to obtain and put into practice the necessary knowledge to improve the environmental situation.

Hazardous natural processes, including mudflows, are changing natural geomorphological processes, mountain landscapes, threatening the safety of the population. Due to climate changes in recent decades in the Caucasus there has been reduction in the area of glaciations, increased mudflow hazard. In the work, the possibility of mudflows in the Central Caucasus based on the interpretation of time-varying satellite images is analyzed. A forecast is given for the development of mudflow processes in connection with the degradation of glaciation.

The article is studying the prospects of the environmental issues impact on social policy in Russia. Environmental issues are coming to the fore in the context of public discourse around the world - a new surge in public discourse on this topic is expected following the resolution of the pandemic crisis. Much attention was paid to the consideration of the national project "Ecology", which is a response to a public request related to changes in the field of domestic ecology and the approach to it. The authors come to the conclusion that public attention to environmental problems will only increase, while it is advised to the state to keep it in the system field. Otherwise, it is precisely the "environmental agenda" that may become one of the main factors of destabilization of the domestic political field in Russia. Further systematic expert development of this topic should designate state structures and public organizations as a sufficient set of "roadmaps" for a consistent reduction in the level of conflict in the context of a "green" issue.

The work is devoted to the impact assessment of storage facilities of crude oil and refined products on the natural environment components of Grozny. It is noted that during the storage of oil and products of its processing in-ground and underground metal tanks, they pollute the natural environment components, worsening their sanitary and hygienic condition as a result of vapor evaporation and leakage of petroleum products from processing facilities. The impact analysis of storage facilities of crude oil and refined product on the natural-anthropogenic environment is carried out. To optimize the use of natural resources management and impact assessment of crude oil and refined products on the environment is considered the storage facilities' impact of crude oil and refined products on individual natural environment components. A map chart of pollution focuses on the industrial zone of Grozny has been compiled. Based on the identified patterns of petroleum product distribution in the geological environment are proposed recommendations for environmental rehabilitation of the geological environment of Grozny.

On the basis of a comparative analysis of known historical and archaeological data the paper shows the formation of the anthropogenic landscape for the period of 800 years of the ancient town of Artesian (Crimean Pryazovia). It was found that the process of transformation of all components of biocenoses has not always been progressive. In certain periods (war, earthquake) there was a decrease in the anthropogenic load and the natural landscapes were restored on the periphery of the territory controlled by the town. However, these periods did not change the overall outcome – radical and irreversible change of all components of the landscape by man. The obtained data are well aligned with known literary findings about the significant human influence on landscapes in past eras and confirm their existence in the northeastern part of Crimea.

In order to monitor the chemical composition of atmospheric air in cities located in the zone of petrochemical enterprises influence, automatic atmospheric air monitoring stations (AAAMS) are being established. The concentration of phenol and methanol in the air of the residential part of the city is recorded at AAAMSs. In the industrial zone air, the methanol content is measured at the source of pollution. Processing the numerical series of the measured concentrations values using the cross-correlation function allows you to get the time lag of the contaminated gas cloud moving from the source of emission to the city. Models have been developed for changes in concentration of phenol in the air of the residential area using the factor regression method, taking into account the concentration of the analyzed compounds, the time lag from the source of pollution to the living area and weather conditions: - air temperature and humidity, wind direction and speed.

The problem of environmental pollution is acute and relevant at the present time. The article presents an economic and statistical analysis of indicators of air pollution, water and land resources. The analysis was carried out for 2009-2018. The process of predicting the level of atmospheric pollution according to the trend equation (the forecast was obtained until 2022) was carried out according to the time series, the level of water pollution was predicted using the multiple regression equation (a realistic, optimistic and pessimistic forecasts were obtained) and the level of reforestation was predicted based on average dynamics (until 2022).

The authors created a cellular automata model simulating the dynamics of a fire source for rough terrain on a triangular grid, including cases of artificial and natural obstacles. The model can be used as a part of a complex of models describing fire propagation and migration of polluting aerosol and gaseous products of combustion in the atmosphere. It is applicable for predicting a possibility of occurrence, intensity, scenario of fire propagation, as well as assessing its impact on environment and also in decision support systems for the prevention of emergency fire situations. For the model description of real settlement areas, we used a digital model of the territory of the Krasnodar Territory built using geographic information systems.

The scientific relevance of this study lies in the absence of operational principles as well as control algorithms over the group of quadcopters in order to monitor situation during the state of emergency and for application with decision-making system. As a part of the study, models and algorithms were created, which allow the group of quadcopters to undertake concurrent work as well as to ensure mutual coordination. Instructional guidelines were developed on the usage of unmanned aerial vehicles for emergency prevention and mitigation. We thoroughly studied and employed a bidimentional motion simulation of the quadcopter in path and full circle; movement changes of drone population; three-dimentional motion of the group of quadcopters in a predetermined path.

The development of solar energy allows considering a possibility of using solar panels as the main power source for mobile machines. Especially for the machines used in open sunlit spaces, for example, for sprinkler machines. This article discusses a problem of justifying the parameters of a power supply in the form of accumulator batteries charged from solar panels while ensuring the required duration of operation of a sprinkler machine. Studies show that the duration of operation depends on the time of day when a sprinkler machine is started,its accumulator battery parameters, duration of the recovery charge, climatic zone and the area of the solar battery. Dependence of these parameters was found on the duration of operation of the electric drive of the support trolley of one section of the sprinkler machine, and a graphical solution to this problem is provided.

Human activities require energy. However, widely used non-renewable sources are becoming exhausted. Currently, Russia does not have an acute shortage of energy resources; therefore, the issue of renewable energy is rarely discussed. However, in Russia one of the urgent problems is urban and agricultural waste management. Agriculture, like other industries, produces products and waste (crop and livestock wastes). Straw, stalks of corn and sunflower, dung – dried manure were used to produce thermal energy. Today, there are technologies used to extract energy from agricultural illiquid assets. Producing energy from agricultural waste allows us to solve two problems – to get rid of some of waste and help the mining industry. The green energy industry is becoming a major employer. To provide it with personnel, qualitative changes in the training system are required

A further efficiency upgrading of thermal power plants and boiler units at mining companies is linked to increasing the initial parameters of steam. Modern power units can work with an efficiency of 55-58%. However, it is possible to make a review of additional possibilities of heat utilization at a thermal power station. It is quite possible to increase the efficiency by 2-3% more due to the heat regeneration both in this cycle and in the water treatment units. A technology has been developed that combines the ORC and the cycle of compressed air production in a single power engineering system using an improved thermal-transformer, specifically, a refrigeration-heating machine what works in thermal networks of a thermal power station. In addition, from a practical point of view, it is shown that the efficiency of thermal power plant can be improved in comparison with standard schemes. Use of heat pumps beyond heating systems of private houses is becoming increasingly common in centralized heating systems and with feed water of thermal power plants. It significantly reduces the cost of heat and electricity production. Besides, solar collectors can integrate very well into the technological scheme of heating network water at the thermal power plant.

A process scheme of using the absorption refrigeration machine in electricity generation systems in case of application of air cooling system of the steam turbine electric generators has been developed. The proposed scheme increases thermal power plant efficiency by 0.1-0.2% according to preliminary estimates, primarily by reducing power consumption on pumps and fans drive, as well as by reducing temperature of cooling heat carrier in the period with high ambient temperatures. A feature of the proposed technology is the combination of the most efficient air-cooling scheme and the absorption plant cycle in a single power technology complex. In this refrigeration machine, the working fluid is a binary mixture, one of the components of which is called a refrigerant, and the other one is an absorbent, where the liquid absorbent can absorb the refrigerant vapor. For the first time it is proposed to use an absorption refrigerating machine as the cooling system element of steam turbine electric generators. Currently, there are advanced air-cooling systems using multi-jet cooling for turbo-generators with a capacity of 3 to 180 MW. Finally, it can be used to increase the unit capacity of power units on the thermal power plants that use air-cooled power generators.

The article shows that coal mining enterprises has environmental problems and energy losses in recycling process. Expediency of heat sources use in order to protect the environment and increasing the efficiency of secondary energy sources use is described in the research. The ways of recycling energy sources in processing plants, as well as prospects for the improvement of modern power plants are investigated. The methods of recycling are presented in the article. The technology of co-combustion of coal-water slurry and biogas is described and developed. It is one of the proposed solutions for recycling of used dispersed materials at processing plants. The results of cluster analysis in determining the basic fossil fuels for the developed installation are given. The prospects for industry development are shown. These prospects are based on the recovery methods at coal preparation plants.

The power system of Russian Federation is diversified regionally and consists of one Unified Power System and multiple off-grid power systems. Many parts of Russia are not connected to centralized power supply by virtue of their geographical position. There are more than five thousand autonomous energy sources in the off-grid territories, which are mainly represented by diesel power plants and gas turbines. These power plants use very expensive fossil fuel. It is proposed to use a large share of generation based on renewable energy sources (RES) for such systems. Taking into account a nonstationary character of power generation, presence of electricity storage devices, as well as stricter requirements of consumers to power quality and reliability of power supply, we can say that operating conditions of such systems and their control represent a difficult problem that needs to be studied. The tasks of substantiating the development of isolated power supply systems are considered. The analysis of the essence and level of study of task groups to substantiate the development of such systems in a hierarchical sequence is given. The problem of substantiating development is presented in the form of three successive stages: substantiating a rational configuration of the power supply system, comprehensive optimization of the structure and parameters of the power supply system taking into account various requirements and studying the operating conditions. In the paper, the specific features of microgrid operation in different seasons of a year and different time of a day are analyzed, a set of problems related to control of operation is formulated and specific features of their solution are discussed.

Geoscience does not investigate the methods of producing land surveyors in the framework of court cases and reviews produced after the analysis of this expertise type. The article proposes the author's methods of this field of study: test, technological methods and method of typical errors, which are developed and justified. The paper analyzes the errors of 176 land surveyors and provides statistics of such errors. They are classified into design errors, procedural errors, and errors of a special technical nature. The article analyzes the meaning of each error type (and introduces the concept of gross and minor errors). It proposes the author's method of producing reviews of land surveyors which is a technological method. It is reviewed in detail; it is indicated that it is in the testing stage and has received a positive response. The study suggests the formation of reliable complete scientific research in the framework of the expertise in land disputes, which leads to more fair and well-grounded court decisions.

The paper is devoted to the development of recreation and ecotourism in the mountainous part of the Chechen Republic. The paper gives definitions of ecotourism. A brief geological and geographical characteristic of the territory is given (a brief history of geological development, a description of low, medium and high mountain ranges) as well as recreational potential assessment. The organization of tourist and recreational activities in the mountainous part of the republic is substantiated on the basis of numerous hydrological objects available here (springs, mountain rivers and streams with clean spring water, mineral and fresh underground water sources, alpine lakes, waterfalls), picturesque landscapes, geological objects, etc. The paper describes tourist routes with the allocation of specific objects (exits to the daylight surface of rocks with paleontological finds, unique hydrological objects, ethnocultural objects – tower complexes), their duration and length. The following routs are described: Benoy; Grozny – Tsesi Gorge; Grozny – Galanchozhsky district; Grozny – Chatoy – Itum Kale – Malchist Gorge. In conclusion, the main directions of tourist recreational framework that will contribute to the sustainable development of the Chechen Republic are highlighted: expansion of the services in the region, investment attraction, jobs creation; promotion of environmental activities; increase of the level of environmental education and general cultural level of tourists and local population, etc.

The article presents the results of total plantations inventory in small towns of the Oryol region. The article studies 41 species of trees and 15 species of shrubs growing in small towns of the Oryol region. The inventory revealed a stability of 120,605 woody plants in town. The diagnosis of the vital state of trees and shrubs presents that the urban tree plantings are weakened. Based on the data obtained there are recommendations proposed for the conservation and reconstruction of tree stands, the expansion of the main assortment of tree species.

With extremely low forest cover in the Orenburg region (4.6 %), where the environmental stress factor is particularly acute, forests have exceptional climate control, soil protection, and sanitary and hygiene. The priority area of practice and science is the preservation and growth of the forests of the region, which serves as a kind of framework in stabilizing the environmental situation in the region. The presented work shows the state of forest stands under conditions of anthropogenic impact. The culmination of the current radial growth has been established and the so-called "surge" of the current growth of tree stands has been detected with the accumulation of threshold levels of toxicants in a polluted environment, which subsequently leads to loss of stability and destruction of plantations.

The development of industry, heavy metal pollution has created serious environmental problems. A phytoremediation is a group of environmental cleaning technologies. Currently relevant is the identification of representatives of the woody flora typical of the region from the accumulation of pollutant metals. For the study, 13 sites located on the territory of sanitary protection zones of industrial enterprises of the city of Orenburg were selected. The content of heavy metals was determined in the soil and plant biomass selected from the sites. An analysis of the results shows the relationship between the concentration of heavy metals in soil and plants. The ability of plants to accumulate elements is assessed. Thus, Ulmusglabra accumulates Co from mobile soil forms in 7 reference sites, the leaves of the plant deposit Pb in 4 reference sites. Ulmusglabra accumulates nickel and copper in 4 studied areas. When analyzing individual plant species, the best potential accumulating abilities are (in decreasing order): Ulmusglabra Huds. > Acernegundo L. > Betulapendula Roth.

In Russia an investment construction project is considered a time-limited investment enterprise, which is aimed at the creation of a new, unique real estate property. The availability and use of such a property is necessary to achieve investment objectives. However, it is necessary to take into account all the necessary research at the stage of business planning. It is necessary to carry out environmental research during the construction of real estate in order to maintain safety and improve the comfort of people's lives, as well as to use rationally natural resources of our planet. At the business planning stage, such aspects as pollution of the air basin, soil and water bodies, reduction of biological diversity, use and disposal of hazardous and toxic waste, salinization and bogging of lands and the impact of noise exposure from the sources of the facility on the state of the air environment are considered.

This work presents the results of the electromagnetic study of thermal water deposits, conducted in the territory of the Bishkek geodynamic test area (Northern Tien Shan). The heat flow in this territory is quite high, which testifies in favor of the development of geothermal energy in the region. The objects with high electrical conductivity isolated in the geological environment by various electrical prospecting methods are fractured basement rocks saturated with a heated fluid (in a different aggregate state) in the upper part of the Earth's crust, promising for the development of geothermal energy.

The article assesses some of the problems that arise in the practical application of the norms of civil, land and other Russian legislation when concluding and fulfilling an agreement on the integrated development of territories for housing construction. The authors pay special attention to the issue of the content ratio of such concepts as type of permitted use of a land plot and integrated development of the territory. There is a need to introduce such permitted type of land use as integrated development of territories for the period of construction. The authors draw attention to the totality of obligations under the agreement on the integrated development of the participants' territory and note that their violation by state authorities and local authorities can lead to improper fulfillment of obligations by the developer, which will lead to termination of land lease agreement and additional costs for land lease. The authors propose developing a mechanism to protect the interests of the developer when concluding an agreement on leasing a land plot, in order to implement an agreement on the integrated development of the territory.

During the land reform, new forms of land management and land tenure are being developed. Specialization of the farm depends on the market demand. Oil production is being restored in Russia. It is necessary to combine the area of lands, land composition, soil quality, technological soil properties and crop composition, providing high sales on the world market. The study aims at identifying features of land management in agricultural organizations producing essential oil and medicinal raw materials. The list of crops is based on the assessment of soil fertility and land properties. Land composition and promising types of land management should be determined according to the land survey of land plots, which is the basis for further development of rational organization of the territory, determination of the effectiveness of planned agricultural production.

Unused agricultural land is one of the modern problems of land relations in Russia. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, its area is more than 40 million hectares. Identification of unused lands, their composition, area, territorial distribution and properties helps identify causes of their non-use which can be systematized in the following groups: economic, environmental, legal, spatial (remoteness, low profile, strip), organizational and economic (land shares, land redistribution fund). An analysis of causes of non-use allows us to solve this problem: improving the legislation and the land management system, taxation of rural producers, land management for the territorial development of agricultural production, technological equipment for development processes.

The article deals with an algorithm for identifying unused agricultural lands for their involvement in economic turnover. The research objects are the Yaroslavl region and the Smolensk region of the Russian Federation, where the share of unused agricultural land makes from 12 to 50 %. The article presents the methods of land inventory aimed at finding out the reasons for land withdrawal from active economic turnover, evaluating cultural and technical condition of land and giving recommendations for the introduction of land into agricultural turnover. The methods of estimating capital costs for involving land in active economic turnover have been suggested.

The article describes the concept of rational environmental management, existing approaches to identification of its main types, criteria for classifying natural resources in modern environmental science. The priority direction and means of preventing the environmentally crisis is recognized as a landscape-ecological approach. The role of an ecological-geographical analysis of agricultural nature management and environmental protection was described, the main goal of geographical research of its components was identified. An analysis of natural and social laws, and their interaction was carried out. The role of regional laws and features of interconnections in the development of nature, economy and population aimed at ensuring environment and resource-reproducing functions was described.

The article studies public regulation of land use greening which is a form of government participation in land use greening, its impact on the pace of development of the agro-industrial complex and health of the population. The public support is a system of financial, economic and managerial measures. According to international experience, in order to preserve land resources, an appropriate system of public management and control over soil fertility conservation is required. These measures can be legislative, administrative, and economic. Land use greening can develop on the basis of professional state environmental regulation.

The article sets forth material that relates to the current state and prospects of introducing into circulation unused defense and security lands in the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia. The article shows which factors are constraining and which are stimulating such development, as well as the degree of influence of each group of factors on the identification, assessment and formation of a land plot, as well as recommendations for their civilian use in the Russian Far East. In the process, a number of major problems were identified related to the management of land owned by the Russian Ministry of Defense, in particular in the subjects of the Far Eastern Federal District. The practical significance is that the results of the study can be useful when working with unused defense and security lands not only in the Far Eastern region, but throughout the Russian Federation.

The transformation of the Soviet planned economic model into a modern Russian market economy would not have been possible without large-scale privatization of the means of production, a large share of which is agricultural land. In contrast to the privatization of industry, which was carried out and completed in a relatively short time by historical standards, formation of private ownership of land continues to this day, having exceeded thirty years. In accordance with the goal of the land reform initiated in the early 1990s, over 115 million hectares of agricultural land were to be transferred to private ownership of more than 12 million people. The main tool for the implementation of land reform became the so-called "Land shares". Nevertheless, a number of issues have not yet been resolved; a certain tension remains in land relations and the formation of a civilized land market. The content of the article presents the author's position on the assessment of the causes, content and consequences of land transformations in Russia and proposals on the formation of a set of measures for their successful completion.

Cities of today are multifunctional geosystems accumulating various anthropogenic activities. However, the modern system of land cadastral appraisal does not pay enough attention to geography and environment of urban lands. This article defines the geographic and environmental indicators to be included in urban cadastral appraisal. The outlined logical and structural models introduce to a comprehensive system of coordinated and interrelated organizations involved in land cadastral appraisal. The model can serve as a foundation for identifying existing problems within administrative arrangements in a city and proves the importance of looking at geography, time factor, and environment for each city district in particular. The article provides some recommendations to enhance land use and ensure a more comfortable public environment. It also shares some ideas on using different kinds of geographic and environmental models and proves the need for creating a specialized geographic and environmental monitoring service.

By the end of the first decade of the 21st century, an extremely serious migration situation had developed in the Far Eastern region of the Russian Federation, which was characterized by the alarming rate of population outflow from this already sparsely populated region of the country. Between 1991 and 2010, according to various estimates, the population of the Far East decreased by 1.8 million people or by 22%. Of all the constituent entities of the Russian Federation that are part of the Far Eastern Federal District, not one is characterized by positive population growth rates. In this regard, the Government has developed a number of measures aimed at breaking the tense migration situation. The so-called "Far Eastern hectare" has become the main instrument for the implementation of the new migration and economic policies in this region. The article sets forth material related to the development of proposals to ensure the sustainable development of rural territories of the Far Eastern Federal District of the Russian Federation through the implementation of the Far Eastern Hectare program. The practical significance lies in the fact that the results of the study can be useful in identifying and forming land for the Far Eastern Hectare program.

The paper is devoted to the study of the efficiency of the agricultural land use by agrarian universities. The need to consider this topic lies in the fact that agrarian universities, which train personnel for agricultural industries, face a number of problems in ensuring and developing the agricultural production on the basis of their capacity, including land being the main means of production. However, the universities do not have sufficient funds. Their resources are always limited, so, on the one hand, rational savings will allow maintaining the quality of education, but on the other – the absence of supporting measures reduces the possibilities of meeting modern requirements of education. The theoretical significance of the study is to summarize the data on the area of agricultural land and to study the specifics of their functional purpose. During the work, the analysis of the efficiency of agricultural land use was carried out, the indicators of which can be used as a basic element for increasing economic and entrepreneurial activity of universities. Hence, the study proposes a model of planning the maximum (minimum) value of assessing the level of agricultural land use by agrarian universities to ensure proper economic activities, as well as educational, practical and research works. The results of the study can be taken into account in the preparation of promising plans for the development of agrarian education.

The article deals with issues related to the digitalization of land management as a branch of the economy. The main directions and methods of digital land management developed in our country are outlined. Significant reduction of financial expenses and relatively rapid restoration of all land management functions is possible only through its automation, informational support and full digitalization. The modern solution of application tasks is in the employment of new technologies. The work performed in the field of digital land management is aimed at creating and implementing an intelligent system of planning, land management support and optimization of agricultural landscapes, land use and protection in agricultural production at different levels of generalization (field, farm, municipality, subject of the Russian Federation, country, foreign territories), operating on the basis of digital, remote, earth information technologies and computer modeling methods with online access by means of a web interface. Smart land management is designed to provide the basic spatial basis for implementing digital transformation in the following priority areas: smart field, smart farm, smart storage, smart greenhouse, smart garden, etc. This development in the form of creating and implementing a technological earth information platform for digital land management as the main mechanism for implementing the state's agricultural policy, rational use and protection of land resources is key in relation to the sectors of the economy that have a spatial reference.

The article deals with issues related to the creation of digital land management, the information basis of which is data obtained by replacing traditional methods of obtaining information with new technologies, including: unmanned aerial vehicles, laser scanning, high-resolution satellite images. New technologies should create a higher level of information support for land management, due to a significant increase in information content and, in accordance with this, taking into account more factors that affect land management decisions. In this regard, the state data Fund formed on the basis of land management documentation should be improved and such modernization should be carried out simultaneously with the technological reequipment of land management, based on network cloud storage of information, big data and blockchain, using modern computer tools.

The article deals with issues related to the creation of digital land management based on the use of modern information technologies. The creation of digital land management is carried out in close connection with the digitalization of agriculture and other sectors of the economy. The basis of information support for land management is the state data Fund, which is formed on the basis of land management documentation, materials and data (in written, graphic, electronic, photographic and other forms) obtained as a result of land management. In addition, information support for land management includes scientific and technical products and modern information systems that allow developers and consumers of land management documentation to provide up-to-date, complete and visual information about the results of land management works and technologies for their implementation. These issues are closely related to the regulation of the entire structure of the country's land service, land legislation and, in General, the development of an optimal land policy, on which information support and full interaction of the entire land management industry depend.

The article deals with the practice of calculating the cadastral value of land plots based on the land surveying and property registration costs in the Russian Federation in 2018–2019. The empirical research base is 29 reports on the results of the state cadastral valuation provided by the State Cadastral Valuation Data Fund. The study revealed a lack of uniformity in calculating land surveying and property registration costs. It is necessary to make a federal decision on the minimum cost of land plots which can be used in regulating land and property relations.

The article discusses the main characteristics of agricultural land use in the Omsk region: the size of land use by regions and agricultural organizations, their legal status; the state of their main production parameters - fertility, technological properties, location relative to economic centers and centers of economic influence on land use. These parameters mainly determine the production potential of agricultural land use. The land use was grouped by the size of the land used, which made it possible to calculate the share of land used in agricultural organizations on the basis of ownership and lease. The current disadvantages of land lease and their economic consequences are indicated. A significant variety of the basic dimensions and legal status of lands has been established both in the region as a whole and in the natural and agricultural zones. Based on the quality of land, their production potential has been determined. It is shown that their zonal differences form a heterogeneous production basis for agricultural production. To confirm this, an analysis was made of the influence of the production potential of the land on the efficiency of crop production, both for the basic farms of all natural and agricultural zones, and for the region as a whole. The conditions of the realization of the potential of the land are analyzed taking into account labor supply, fund provision and land qualities and their influence on the results and efficiency of agricultural production. Based on this, economic and organizational measures are recommended to reduce differences in the agricultural land use system of the region, as well as increase its production potential.

Land use parameters determine to a large extent not only the scale, but also the efficiency of agricultural production. The article gives a description of the size and other qualitative characteristics of land use resulting from the agrarian transformations. The area of arable land used, including rented and owned by agricultural organizations, is shown by natural agricultural zones and the region as a whole. Based on the analysis of the influence of the size of arable land on the farm, the bonitet score, the technological properties of arable plots and their remoteness from production centers on the productivity and efficiency of crop production, the parameters providing effective and sustainable development of the industry were substantiated. In general, the trend of greater efficiency of crop production with a large land use is confirmed. As a result of the analysis, the marginal parameters of land quality were determined (bonitet score, index of estimated costs of the distance from economic centers to arable land), ensuring efficient crop production. These data were obtained for all natural and agricultural zones of the region. The validity of the parameters is determined by the state of agricultural production and is recommended for the next 5 years. In the future, such an analysis should be repeated periodically. The parameters obtained as a result of the study are recommended for use in the management of agricultural production and land use. They allow one to determine the main priorities in the agricultural policy of the region, including objects of state and regional support for agricultural production.

The article discusses the possibility of using integrated modeling to determine the rational use of agricultural land. Models for agricultural land, agricultural production buildings and settlements were developed. The principles of social and economic assessment of the use of territories by the level of their capitalization were described. The models reflect the state of territories and their individual components when making decisions on investment to ensure sustainable development of the territory. Scientific and technological progress and innovations are changing the ratio in the resource provision of the constituent territories, creating an imbalance in the resources of its elements, which develops the system. Violation of the "reference" distribution of resources of the model's layers causes instability, excessive or insufficient resources determining the control subject of the area. The materials make it possible to supplement the theoretical provisions on land management, including the introduction of an indicator of socio-economic development of the territory; capitalization ratios of the individual components of the territory, reflecting the essence of the territory as a land resource with improvements, taking into account the share of each participant in the reconstruction of the territory, which integrates the harmonious state of the territory as a spatial-territorial system.

Establishment of favorable organizational and territorial conditions for land use of farms, elimination of violations in the use of agricultural land and effective implementation of state support measures aimed at the development of agricultural cooperation require studying the methodology of organizing the territory and production of farms, as well as developing a strategy for their development on the basis of land management projects. Actual approaches to improve the territorial development of farms were developed by the authors based on the experience of the Tula region.

The key task of model development is to improve the modern paradigm of sustainable development. The main factors for improving the efficiency of the model include the spatial nature of the development of the territories, their regional dimension and the emergence of digitization. The article revealed that strategic forecasting is the base of managing the model of sustainable spatial regional development. In the era of digital technology, strategic forecasting forms the environment for managing the development of the region based on land resources and environmental principles. The social pressure of modern society brought environmental issues, rational nature management and the effectiveness of regional management decisions for long-term planning to the top of the agenda. The authors proposed a strategy for the sustainable development of the region, recommended regional programs as a combination of economic, social and environmental problems of the region's development.

One of the most urgent problems in modern conditions including the need to ensure a balanced development of the national economy, increase its competitiveness and sustainability is the creation of a mechanism for involving unused agricultural land. It is no coincidence that the President of the country addressed the problem of ensuring effective and rational land use over the past few years in his Messages to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. There are still many unresolved issues in this area. Scientists and specialists state the unsatisfactory condition and soil degradation in Russia. In case of improper exploitation (depletion, soil degradation), agricultural lands often lose their ability to manufacture products for a long time. In such cases, these lands productivity recovery often exceeds market value, mainly in regions where the market value of land is low. For this reason, the land becomes unattractive to the land owners, which is one of the reasons for the low rate of reduction of abandoned, unused land in the area.

The article considers the process of creating specially protected natural territories as one of the main and traditional approaches to the conservation of biological diversity in the framework of the implementation of the state environmental policy. Based on an analysis of a number of projects for the creation of specially protected natural territories of federal significance, a recommended list of sections has been compiled for a comprehensive assessment of the territory as a part of the environmental and economic justification for the formation of a state nature reserve.

Over the five-year period from 2015 to the present, land surveying, cadastral and appraisal activities in the field of land and property relations have undergone significant changes associated with the merger of two main data bases – the real estate cadastre and the rights register – into a single state real estate register. The so-called "comprehensive cadastral works" gained wide distribution. The article sets forth material that relates to the current state and prospects for the development of integrated cadastral works for updating the database data of the Unified State Register of Real Estate for use in the field of managing territories and real estate objects. The article shows which factors are constraining and which are stimulating, as well as the degree of influence of some factors on the conduct of complex cadastral works in order to identify unused or inefficiently used land plots of real estate to form investment-attractive plots for the effective development of territories. The practical significance lies in the fact that the results of the study can be useful when performing integrated cadastral works.

The article analyzes the natural resource potential of the Chechen Republic in the context of the ecologically oriented tourism. It examines the functions and possibilities of ecological tourism as well as the versatility of approaches to its definition in domestic and foreign publications as well. Weaknesses in the region's recreational opportunities like underdeveloped infrastructure, poor promotion of ecological tourism product, shortage of highly qualified personnel in tourism and others have been identified along with the favorable prerequisites being high landscape diversity, significant recreational resources, rich cultural and historical heritage, special mentality of the population, etc. In the future, the solution of these problems and the development of eco-tourism in the Chechen Republic will allow engaging remote areas (settlements) in the economic activity, thus contributing to the development of small business as well as engaging the local population in the tourism industry for preserving landscape and biological diversity.

In the article, the authors examined the role of assessing the resource potential of agricultural land use in the land management system. A literature review was carried out to determine the resource potential of agricultural land use. The concept of the resource potential of agricultural land use is clarified. The article proposes a methodology for assessing the intergral resource potential of agricultural land use. It determines the resource potential of the specific agricultural land use of LLC Aurora of the Babyninsky district of the Kaluga region on the basis of financial, labor and land indicators. A classification of factors has been developed to assess the resource potential of agricultural land use. The article also proposes levels of assessing the resource potential of agricultural land use.

The article analyses and explores the regularities of formation of city-planning structure of historically formed suburban areas of localities. The examples of suburbs and districts having immediate connection with the historic downtown as exemplified by modern highly-urbanized districts of European countries and the USA are dealt with. The aim and tasks of the research are to view and analyse the set systems of public spaces in the historically formed zones of megalopolises so that to predict brand travel itineraries, new unique objects of different typology on the degenerating territories of rural-type settlements on their basis. In the course of research the main criteria of urban carcass of a city and place's suburban areas formation were distinguished, that allows to create abstract model of branding of place and comfortable city environment on the basis of the research.

The article is devoted to the problem of renovating the territories of decommissioned industrial facilities. On the example of the territory of the Dalenergomash plant, located in the central part of the city of Khabarovsk, opportunities and prospects for the revitalization of these objects open up. A brief excursion into the history of the enterprise is given. The data of the analysis of the urban planning situation are presented. The main vector of the development of this territory is highlighted, associated with the functional re-profiling of factory premises for trade objects. Recommendations were developed for the development of this territory, ensuring flexibility, attractiveness of the urban environment and expanding the use of urban areas.

The article presents the assessment of the quality of the waters of the Chogray reservoir. The authors describe the hydrochemistry, the dynamics of changes in the salinity of the water and the water regime of the reservoir. The main sources of water pollution are identified. The quality of the waters of the Chogray reservoir is assessed.

The article is devoted to the analysis of prospects of application of geoinformation systems (GIS), methods and technologies of remote sensing of the Earth for monitoring and assessment of the state of agricultural lands. The article assesses the possibilities of specialized GIS in improving the efficiency of current crop monitoring, implementation of principles and technologies of organic agriculture. The peculiarities of the structure of perspective GIS for assessing the state and monitoring of agricultural lands are considered. The article describes the main tasks and functions of GIS data, notes the importance of an electronic map as the basis for the integration of cartographic, textual, digital and visual information. The work analyzes the geoinformation system of the region's agro-industrial complex being developed in the Republic of Tatarstan. The main directions of its development have been noted, among which special attention has been paid to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and UAV-technologies, which create opportunities for the operative collection and processing of large volumes of information in the GIS environment for the purpose of solving the tasks of monitoring and assessment of land conditions, which facilitates the transition to the systems of organic and precision agriculture on the basis of a more reasonable formation of directions of application of biological means of plant protection, development of recommendations on the composition of lands, structure of sowing..

Liman irrigation is an effective irrigation method in arid conditions of the Russian Pre-Caspian, which includes the territory of the Republic of Kalmykia ensuring the rational use of local surface runoff and other types of water resources and serving a reliable source of cheap and quality fodder. Based on the existing experience and experimental data, the paper states methodological bases and regulations of the regional monitoring system of ecological-reclamation state of lands and phytocenoses within limans, which ensure effective control of such indicators as fertility level (content of humus, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and heavy metals in soil); degree of salinization and alkalinization (using a zonal scale that takes into account the level of resistance of phytocenoses within limans to these negative processes); water-physical and structural properties (particle-size distribution, density, field moisture capacity, etc.), as well as species composition of vegetation (using the developed zonal classification scale) and productivity level and quality composition of fodder. The system of local environmental monitoring of Small Captain – the key section of liman irrigation system – is considered as an example. Based on the results of satellite image processing, the areas of liman zones with different NDVI levels in the time interval from 1985 to 2019 are calculated. The dynamics of the NDVI change of the Small Captain liman plant cover is shown, reflecting the true degradation picture of liman irrigation land during the considered period of study.

The article discusses innovative approaches to the formation of an intelligent decision support system for solving problems of land management, land use, cadastral and market valuation of lands, management of specially protected natural territories and objects. The research results can be used in the formation of intelligent management systems for the subsequent creation of an information resource digital platform for land use, the development of an information resource digital platform for intelligent management of agriculture and land use systems at the level of an economic entity and a region for the transition to a highly productive agricultural sector of a new technological structure, as well as for the adoption of effective managerial decisions, which will also increase the rationality and the possibility of involving land uses, subject to special protection, including those included in the territory of historical settlements and related to the territories of small towns. From the point of view of assessing agricultural land plots, or territories of cultural and historical interest, a complex of language and software tools designed to create, maintain and share a database by one or many users is one of the most promising methods of storage, processing and using data.

The paper considers the problem of processing information arrays of geographic information systems based on intelligent technologies. The authors note that geoinformatics is not only an area of scientific research, but also a technology for collecting, storing, transforming, displaying and distributing spatially coordinated information, the purpose of which is to solve the problems of inventory, optimization and management of geosystems. Geoinformatics as a field of production includes the production of software and hardware, the creation of databases and control systems. Moreover, the interrelation of cartography and geoinformatics is indicated, which is manifested in the following aspects: thematic and cartographic maps - the main source of spatio-temporal information; the systems of geographical and rectangular coordinates - the basis for the coordinate reference of all information received and stored in the GIS; maps - the main means of geographical interpretation and organization of remote sensing data and other information used in GIS (statistical, analytical, etc.); cartographic analysis - one of the most effective ways to identify geographical patterns, relationships, dependencies in the formation of knowledge bases included in GIS; mathematical-cartographic and computer-cartographic modeling - the main means of converting information in the decision-making process, management of expert reviews, making forecasts of the development of geosystems; a cartographic image - an appropriate form of presenting information to consumers. In order to solve managerial tasks, it is proposed to implement cognitive graphics in geoinformation systems based on artificial intelligence, which accompanies the process of problem solution and decision making on choosing a route based on criteria.

The article is devoted to the use of geographical information systems (GIS) for monitoring water bodies. At present, considerable attention is paid to the use of geographic information systems for monitoring water bodies. The relevance of the study is due to the need to improve the method for applying geographic information systems for effective monitoring of such objects. Theoretical and methodological foundations of development and functioning of geographic information systems of water bodies were analyzed. The regulatory framework for the development of geographic information systems for water bodies was analyzed, and proposals on possible improvements of the mechanism for developing GIS water bodies were made.

North Caucasian Federal District is made up of seven constituent entities. In terms of physical and geographical conditions predominately differentiated by the topography of an area, the territory of the region is grouped around two large areas – plain and mountainous. Most of the territory of the District is characterized by slopes of up to 5°, which occupy an area of 114,101 km², or 66.9 %. The highlands of up to 500 m are most favorable for agricultural development in Stavropol Krai, Dagestan and Chechnya. The large low-plain areas with relatively high elevation points contribute to the formation of homogeneous microclimatic factors, and, consequently, agricultural methods.

Land use in the Republic of Tajikistan is characterized by very difficult conditions for conducting useful economic activities. The crop industry is experiencing a shortage of suitable arable irrigated land (total arable land, according to various estimates, makes up about 5% of the total area of the country), which is clearly expressed in the decline in gross agricultural production. Scientists and practitioners have noted negative trends, indicating a decrease in specific indicators of per capita provision of agricultural land. All this necessitates the development of mechanisms and methods for a qualitative study of the current state of land use and the development of recommendations to prevent its further degradation. The article sets forth material that relates to the current state and prospects of obtaining and processing updated data on irrigated lands of the Republic of Tajikistan using modern information and communication technologies and GIS. It is shown which factors are constraining and which factors are stimulating in the republic. The practical significance lies in the fact that the results of the study can be useful in the study of the condition and use of irrigated lands, as well as in the effective management of these lands.

Climate change and marine conditions affecting the formation and evolution of the permafrost zone of the shelf and the continental margin of the Russian Arctic, is an urgent problem for the Russian sector of the Arctic. The results of long-term monitoring of the permafrost zone clearly demonstrate the degradation of frozen rocks both in continental and in subaquatic conditions of the western sector of the Russian Arctic. The coastal-marine region of Western Yamal is the most vulnerable and therefore model territory with climatic changes. The assessment of the dynamics of the geoecological conditions of the coastal-marine region of Western Yamal with climate change is impossible without a GIS component. At the same time, the study of geoecological processes and their mapping becomes especially relevant for the preparation of long-term plans for the development of climate-dependent branches of economic activity. The permafrost zone of the western sector of the Russian Arctic remains poorly understood. Climate warming in the western sector of the Russian Arctic is recorded after 1970. There is an increase in air temperature and duration of the warm period, a change in the amount of precipitation, and an increase in snow thickness.

This article analyzes the main problems and prospects of land management automation. It presents a flow chart of preparing a cartographic digital basis for an automated land management project using an information-logical system. The authors proposed new software solutions for obtaining a high-quality geospatial basis for a land management project and software solutions for varied approaches to optimal land organization and management methods. All developed solutions have been tested at real agricultural facilities and have shown a significant (up to 40%) increase in land management efficiency. The article notes the need to prepare new personnel for the industry in the context of digitalization of the agricultural sector and the widespread use of on-line technologies.

Having started to study biogeochemistry in 1916, V.I. Vernadsky discovered that the generally accepted opinion about the origin of life from inert matter has no scientific sources. But all the data of biology and paleontology indicate the origin of living things only from living things (Redi principle). Vernadsky found convincing evidence of biogenesis in the state of biological space-time, which allowed him to describe the biosphere as a planetary shell, which actually forms the planet. Vernadsky's concept of the planetary role of living matter is currently gaining overriding and fundamental importance for all sciences about the Earth and space.

This paper examines regional expositions at the All-Russian Agricultural and Handicraft Industrial Exhibition, which took place in Moscow in 1923. The study aims to reconstruct the geographical, historical, ethnological, and art contexts of these expositions. The objective of the study includes identifying the ambitions of the Bolshevik leaders to publicly demonstrate their national discourse at the exhibition. The focus of the study is on republican pavilions and local departments of the "Village" section of the exhibition. It is shown that one of the goals of the exhibition was to convince the public in the advantages of unification of the "Sovietised" national republics and autonomous regions into the USSR. The other goal was to articulate, along with "global", "local" context of the show: to display identity and peculiarity of a particular region. The paper argues that the exhibition became a tool for promoting modernisation (both agricultural and social) for the whole territory of the USSR, including its geographically distant parts.

Waterways and the portages connecting them played a crucial role in the colonization and economic development of forest landscapes of the vast territory of the Center and the North of the Russian Plain. Since VIII - XI centuries, water transport and trade routes started developing: "The Great Volga Route", the route "From the Varangians to the Greeks", the Severodvinsk Route and others. The system of trade routes in the territory of Ancient Russia was gradually created by the efforts of not only the Slavs, but also other peoples who inhabited Eastern Europe, including the Baltic and Finno-Ugric tribes, the Volga Bulgarians, the Khazars, and, only partially, the newcomer Vikings. These main international trade routes of ancient times would not have been possible if the local population of the interstream areas had not discovered and mastered the "portages", i.e. areas where it is possible to transport overland, or rather "drag" through "portage" or "towpath" (along the shortest paths between the upper reaches of the rivers), water crafts, boats with goods and people from one river basin to another.

The paper is devoted to the biography of an émigré scientist, Efim Mikhailovich Tschepourkowsky. The main stages of his life are described: schooling at progymnasium in Kyiv and gymnasium in Novocherkassk, studies at the Imperial Kharkov University, study visits to the leading European centers for the studies of anthropology, teaching at Moscow University and Far East University, moving to Harbin and working at the Law Faculty, forced emigration to Lithuania and the USA. E.M. Tschepourkowsky's works are analysed, in particular, his works on geographical variation of the cephalic index and eye/hair color among the Slavs. In his publications, he employed the geographical method to characterise the variation of morphological traits as well as the latest developments in genetics and biometry. Apart from the analysis of morphological features across the governorates, Tschepourkowsky made an interesting comparison of their characters. Naturally, he did not write about it in his scientific papers but described it in his memoirs.

The emergence of the profession of 'historian of science' in Russia in the 20^th century is examined based on the works of the eminent Russian scientists: Academicians V.I. Vernadsky and A.S. Lappo-Danilevskii, and others. The paper describes the interplay of the processes of professionalisation and disciplinary development of the history of science as well as creation of the first specialised research centres: the "Russian Science" Subcommission, the History of Knowledge Commission, and the Institute for the History of Science and Technology. However, normal development of the profession of historian of science and formation of the historico-scientific community whose leader, Academician Bukharin, fell victim to intraparty strife of the late 1930s led to the institutional destruction of the history of science in the USSR and distortion of its image as a separate profession.

The historiographic situation in the history of natural sciences in 1952 is reviewed based on the archive documents that are introduced for scientific use for the first time. A previously unknown fact from the history of science is established, which is important for understanding the processes occurring in social sciences and the humanities in the USSR in the mid-20^th century. The paper describes the conditions characteristic of the period of late Stalinism that had very negatively affected the work of Soviet historians of science, narrowed the scope of research, and sought to turn the history of science into an instrument for ideologically manipulating the society. At the same time, the archive documents we have studied indicate that the Soviet community of historians of science has been striving to overcome the isolationism and dogmatism forced on them by the regime. The analytical memorandum on the state of the studies on the history of science in the USSR and the tasks faced by this discipline, created at the Institute for the History of Science of the USSR Academy of Sciences at the end of 1952, is a valuable source.

As early as during the reign of Yaroslav the Wise (1019-1054), the main legislative source Russkaya Pravda (1054) was compiled, indicating the types of land ownership, borders and areas of land plots for taxation. This was the first step towards creating the simplest system of accounting and evaluation of land and other natural resources in the state on a legislative basis. Methods of land division depended on the structure of ancient Slavic settlements. The first artificial borders appeared for economic needs. Appearance of the first industries-hunting, fishing, cattle breeding, poultry farming and others, was the reason for the appearance of the first signs indicating places of private use. Drawings of land were made based on the results of inspections, inventories and simple measurements, the length of lines was measured with a measuring rope, and the area of agricultural land and forests was determined.By the beginning of the 15th century, there was a need for state land surveying (determining the location, describing borders, calculating areas, issuing legal documents for ownership, resolving disputes over land), as well as collecting information about state borders and natural resources. In X–XV centuries, not only the first important concepts of surveying were developed, but also the beginnings of the cadastre system of land accounting and division of 16–17 centuries were formed.

The present paper deals with the history of faunistic research in the Moscow Governorate in the 19th century Russia and the role played in this research by the Moscow University and affiliated natural history societies, especially the Moscow Society of Naturalists and Society of Friends of Natural Science, Anthropology, and Ethnography. The question is discussed why, in spite of a number of research projects on the Moscow fauna, initiated by these societies, even in the beginning of the 20th century the progress in the field, according to the leading Moscow zoologists, was still insufficient.

This article describes the chronology of scientific papers dealing with invasive biology. The genesis of this new discipline is characterized. The focus is on the study of invasions of plant organisms. The main tasks of the discipline are formulated and results are described. It is shown that over 40 years, single finds of alien plant species have turned into a list of invasive species in Russia, identifying the most significant invasion vectors, and determining the rate of microevolutionary changes in species of the secondary distribution range. The inventory data made it possible to conduct monitoring studies of biological invasions and alien species in general, which will help reduce the economic costs of combating invasive species. However, the dynamics of the invasive component determines the need to continue inventory work, especially in Siberia and the Far East.

Unlike the phenomenon of Lysenkoism that has been extensively covered in the history of science, the palaeontological discussion on the state of Soviet palaeontology in the wake of the notorious August 1948 Session of VASKhNIL that demolished Soviet genetics has remained overlooked so far. This paper describes the situation in Soviet palaeontology before this discussion and the role of Academician Borisyak in the development of palaeontology in the Soviet Union, and names the initiators, participants, and goals of the palaeontological discussion. The role of Davitashvili in the attempt to tarnish the name and scientific legacy of Borisyak is discussed in detail. However, despite overall atmosphere of despondency that reigned in Soviet biology at the time, the palaeontologists, overall, managed to assert both the priority and the value of their works and avoid administrative and physical repressions. This paper suggests the reasons why they succeeded.

This paper considers the peculiarities of legal regulation for three types of fire brigades in the 19th-century Russian Empire. It describes the formation of the fire protection service, one of the first public emergency response services. The authors reveal contradictions in the management system and legal status of fire brigades in Russia. They focus on the classification of fire brigades in the Russian Empire by dividing them into state police and public fire brigades. The paper also considers the public project of establishing a single centralized body of state fire protection management in the Russian Empire. To accomplish this, the archival materials of Count Sheremet'ev's personal papers and the papers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Empire are analyzed. The authors conclude that Russian state, though aware of the need for reform in fire protection, could not effectively implement it. The reform project prepared by Bogdanovich and Sheremet'ev was not implemented because of poor interaction between the state and public firefighting services of the country.

Taman Peninsula was selected as a key area for detailed landscape and nature studies. In the antique period, it was a part of the Bosporus state. Over a long period of uninterrupted economic use the landscape structure has changed significantly – the majority of local landscape complexes have been anthropogenically transformed. According to paleo-geographic reconstructions, the Taman Peninsula was a group of islands that were split by the river arms of the Kuban-Antikit. The elements of the antique settlement system were city-states (Phanagoria, Hermonassa, Kepoi, Patrei), rural settlements, roads, as well as plots of land. Rural district (khora) filled natural geographical boundaries – territorial and economic local microzones and occupied the whole islands: Cimmerida, Phanagoria and Sindika with one dominant city each. Around the settlements, along with vineyards, crops and vegetables occupied the main area of plains characterized with the steppe and dry-steppe landscape complexes. The most developed ones were landscape complexes of low-sloped plains and valleys of synclinal origin. Boundary fences of land plots fit into the terrain, which contributed to snow and water retention and prevented rain flows. At that time, a developed reclamation system existed. Perhaps this was the first experience of managing land plots in the territory of our country. As a result of the research conducted, a common set of anthropogenically transformed landscape complexes of the Taman Peninsula was identified, and a fundamental diagram of the landscape-economic system of the Khora of Phanagoria was made. Detailed landscape and historical studies with historical reconstructions of landscapes and nature and economic systems have allowed to trace distinct dependance of the development of cities, villages and farm lands of antique period on the landscape structure of the territory.

This paper presents a comprehensive landscape and historical study of the historical and cultural monument "The tract of St. Mary's Mountain". The territory of this monument, located at the crossroads of the main medieval overland roads, is ridden with numerous archaeological sites: ancient settlements, mounds and burial mounds, dating back to the 1st millennium AD, as well as natural monuments. Complex field expeditionary and office landscape-historical studies were carried out, as a result of which the modern landscape structure of the monument was analyzed, and the natural properties of the natural and cultural-historic landscapes of this territory were determined. A large-scale map of conditionally restored landscapes was compiled, and an assessment of the resource base, landscape and environmental conditions of the settlers' life was completed. A comprehensive spatial and terrain analysis of the archaeological and historical monuments was completed, and retro-reconstructions of the landscape-economic systems of the ancient Russian period were created. As a result of the research conducted, it was established that the settlement systems and environmental management systems were clearly determined by the local landscape structure. The comprehensive studies conducted have made it possible to conclude that the historical and cultural landscape of "The tract of St. Mary's Mountain" possesses a unique combination of natural and historical objects and is considered a model archeological monument of Ancient Russia, which historians compare with the synchronous monuments of Western and Central Europe of the "take off to the hills" era (11th–12th centuries).

The paper considers the objects of water use depicted in albums and described in notes of Russian travelers A.S. Norov and A.D. Chertkov, who visited Sicily in the 1820s. Among these objects are rivers, springs, fountains, ancient aqueducts, water mills. For A.S. Norov most of the drawings were made by the Russian artist F.M. Matveev, who lived most of his life in Italy. A.D. Chertkov was accompanied by the German artist C.F. Stange. The images in albums help to better represent local household traditions and features of water use and significantly supplement descriptions in texts published by the travelers.

In the 1840s, Russian-American Company paid much attention to exploration of the interior of continental Alaska. A ground for such an explorations has been solidly prepared by the Company's fur extracting activities and by the preceding treks by Vasil'iev, Kolmakov, Glazunov, Malakhov, Lukin and Zagoskin. Russians were by now acquainted in general terms with geography and peoples inhabiting the lower courses of the Kvikhpak (the Yukon) and Kuskokwim rivers. The tribes inhabiting these region, on their part, were informed, at least indirectly, with Russian promyshlenniki's activities through the process of fur barter trade and by this time did not consider contacts with them as an evil to be avoided at any cost. Zagoskin's expedition was an outstanding achievement with respect to the study of the environment and population of Alaska's interior. Arvid Adolf Etholen's and Voznesenskii's materials, together with the reports about the remarkable expedition by Zagoskin, attracted close attention of the leadership of the Geographical Society.

The study of ice events on rivers is of great importance, especially in our country where some rivers are covered by ice for months. The needs of shipping, the construction and operation of hydraulic structures, the study of channel deformations caused by ice phenomena and other purposes require knowledge of the ice regime of the rivers. The article explores the beginning of visual observations of ice phenomena and their consequences on the rivers of Russia in the XI-XVII centuries. The study is based on numerous annalistic sources describing the passage of high water, floods, and also indicate the dates of opening and freezing of rivers. It also analyzes notes of foreigners travelling throughout Russia in the 15th - early 18th centuries. The authors separately examined the observation of the passage of spring floods on the Moscow River in the second half of the 17th century.

The paper is dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the outstanding Russian scientist V.P. Semenov-Tian-Shansky and the 100th anniversary of the Central Geographical Museum that he organized in Leningrad and that existed from 1919 to 1941. The authors, basing on analysis of publications concerned both with the museum itself and those people who were involved in its arrangement, made an attempt to outline historical and cultural conditions that hastened the emergence of the museum, to reveal its specificity as compared with similar museums, and to briefly describe its founders. The paper deals with such issues as the environment which gave birth to the idea of a "museum in nature"; Semenov-Tian-Shansky's activities preceding his museum practice; the influence of V.I. Lamansky's ideas on principles of the museum building; earlier museums of similar character; the role of the Russian Geographical Society and its members in the establishment of the museum; the beginning of the museum's exposition activity. Despite the fact that this absolutely original, unparalleled project of the geographical park-museum was not realized in full it belongs to national cultural heritage and its practical experience remains demanded and relevant.

Today, orbital-based optical means of observing the Earth's surface is an important element of space technical devices. They went through almost 60-years-long history of development. The history of remote sensing is inextricably linked with the evolution of on-board photographic equipment of manned spacecraft. Observation and photographing of the Earth's surface were part of the flight program of the first Soviet spacecraft of the Vostok series. These studies were continued during the flight of the Voskhod-1 manned spacecraft (October 12–13, 1964). The 24-hours flight of a three-seater spacecraft was an important stage for the formation of approaches to the research program onboard manned spacecraft. The task of this scientific and historical research was to determine the mission contribution to the development of means and methods of remote sensing of the Earth's surface. The article describes the main technical means for fulfilling the tasks of surveying and photographing the Earth's surface during the flight of the Voskhod spacecraft, the methods of their use in flight; an assessment of the achievement of the objectives of the flight program; the main results and conclusions based on the analysis of space photographs are presented. On the basis of historical material, a conclusion was drawn on the novelty of the information obtained in the conditions of the formation of Soviet cosmonautics and on the significance of the flight results of the Voskhod spacecraft in the development of onboard facility and methods for remote sensing of the Earth from space.

Until the end of the XVIII century, mineralogy as an independent science did not exist. Mineralogy, in essence, was called the science of ore deposits in its modern sense. Then, there was no clear definition of the term "mineral." This concept included not only minerals in the proper sense of the word, but also ores, rocks, and fossils. Due to the low general level of knowledge by the middle of the XVIII century, there was no information on the chemical composition of minerals. Of all the chemical elements in the time of Lomonosov (until 1765), only 17 were known: carbon, phosphorus, sulfur, iron, nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, arsenic, silver, tin, antimony, platinum, gold, mercury, lead and bismuth. Later, until 1790, 11 more chemical elements were discovered: nitrogen, oxygen, chlorine, manganese, barium, molybdenum, tungsten, tellurium, hydrogen, zirconium, uranium. Lomonosov laid the chemical study of minerals using qualitative and primitive quantitative analyzes. Along with chemical analyzes, physical experiments were carried out to study minerals. The scientist had the idea of synthesizing minerals, artificially obtaining salts, a number of ore and other minerals. Thanks to the efforts of Lomonosov, the first scientific chemical laboratory was built and opened in St. Petersburg. Scientists covered various issues of mineral formation, including deposition methods and sources of mineral matter, and paragenetic associations of minerals.

The paper presents forgotten episode from the history of hydrology in Russia. It was a personal project undertaken by one of the first Russian women-astronomers Nina Subbotina (1877–1961) who was also competent and very interested in meteorological observation. Being well-known and well-respected in her day and time, Subbotina is nearly forgotten nowadays. When she was challenged with discovering of a reliable method to predict the height of floods of the Volga – one of Russia's main rivers – she found an interesting solution. She tried comparing the heights of Volga floods with data on the solar activity and finding whether one could influence another. If it was, one would be able to prognose the height of river flood with the knowledge about current states of sunspots.

The paper presents data on the biography of an outstanding Russian woman-scientist Olga Fedchenko in honor of her 175-year anniversary. Olga Fedchenko is known internationally for her botanical works especially on flora of Turkestan region. Also, without formal university education, she managed to become a professional highly respected in scientific community, which resulted in her election in 1906 a correspondent member of the Imperial Academy of Sciences. Her professional career began in Turkestan region where she participated in the famous Turkestan expedition of the Fedchenko couple in 1868–1872 along her husband Alexei Fedchenko. Since then a lot of her research were related to flora of this place. In late 1890s, she made a few trips there again, this time with her son Boris Fedchenko who grown to become a fine botanist himself.

The paper is a brief historical review of the Quaternary research in the Geological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Scientific management of A.P. Pavlov, V.I. Vernadsky, D.I. Mushketov, V.I. Obruchev, A.D. Arkhangelsky, and A.E. Fersman in geological programs and in the Academy of Sciences of the USSR successfully developed the Quaternary studies. The Geological Institute had an important role in the Quaternary research, during the last 90 years, which was made possible by its organizational structure, research and expeditions, organized in close cooperation with the Commission for the study of the Quaternary period, and by a large number of prominent scientists who worked at the Quaternary Department and were leaded and inspired by G.A. Bonch-Osmolovsky, G.F. Mirchink, V.I. Gromov, V.V. Menner, C.V. Nikiforova and others.

The article provides a review of Johann Friedrich Bluher's activities as a prospector, mining engineer, assayer and metallurgist during his search for ferrous and non-ferrous metal ores in Russia. Bluher visited all the regions of the Russian state with existing metal industry. He also searched for mineral deposits in territories where such kind of works had not been previously performed. The author calls attention to his works on iron and copper ores' prospecting in Olonets region and to his expedition to Bolshaya Kabardin Plain for silver and copper ores. We use records of Berg and Manufaktur Kollegiia (Mining board and Manufactory board) for the interpretation of events. We note the diversity of assessment of Bluher's activities by his contemporaries and historians of the 21th century.

The article describes activities of the Learning Mining Committee, an administrative body that existed in the Russian Empire from 1825 to 1917. It analyzes the reasons for creating the Committee and describes in brief the changes in the legal status of the Committee in the public administration system of the Russian Empire. It is analyzed the organization's Charter, as well as the conditions for joining it. Most of the article is devoted to the analysis of publications of the Committee on the history of metallurgy. One of the sources of research was the Journal of Mining. The Committee has published it from 1825 to 1917. The article identified and analyzed forty-seven publications on the history of metallurgy in the Journal of Mining. One of the research objectives was to determine the professional affiliation of the authors of historical articles. The analysis revealed that the mining engineers, officials and local historians were the authors of that works. However, in all publications, they paid more attention to socio-economic history than to the history of technology. The article also analyzes books on the history of metallurgy that were published by the Committee. The research data may be used in further research on the historiography of the history of metallurgy. The article is of interest to researchers of the history of science and technology.