Aim. The present work reveals the foundations, realities and perspectives of education for sustainable development in Russia. In recent years, the Russian Federation passed a series of measures to introduce ideas of education for sustainable development in educational practice, including at a high political level. To date developed the "National strategy for education for sustainable development" and the "Plan of action on education for sustainable development" prepared by the working group under the leadership of the Member-correspondent of the Russian Academy of Sciences N.S. Kasimov. But unfortunately they have not yet been adopted at the State level. Location. Russian Federation Methods. Analytical review of current scientific, technical, normative and methodological literature that raises the issue of education for sustainable development. Results. The formation of a system of education for sustainable development involves a transition from traditional teaching to an environmentally oriented model, based on a broad interdisciplinary knowledge and on an integrated approach to the development of society, economy and environment. Main conclusions. Environmental education must be multi-level and continuous. It begins in the family and preschool, continues in middle school, followed by stages of University and postgraduate education. In connection with this, we believe, necessary to analyze in detail the situation in the field of education for sustainable development separately for pre-school, school, University and postgraduate levels of education.

Aim. The problem of accessibility to the population with quality drinking water is a major and urgent problems in Russia. At the same time, providing the population with clean drinking water is essential for socio-economic development of the Republic of Dagestan. The paper presents the results of studies of the quality of drinking water in settlements of the Kizilyurt district of Dagestan. Methods. During the monitoring works conducted a questionnaire survey on the quality of life of the population, conducted research to assess the extent of soil contamination, as well as analysis of drinking water quality at 16 inhabited locality in 13 rural settlements Kizilyurt district (Sultan-Yangi-Yurt, Chontaul, Komsomol'skoe, Novyi Chirkei, Stal'skoe, Nechaevka, Zubutli-Miatli, Miatli, Aknada, Kul'zeb, Kirovaul, Shushanovka, Nizhnii Chiryurt, Gel'bakh, Novye Gadari, Matseevka). Studies performed with modern physico-chemical methods of quantitative chemical analysis, regulated by normative documentation approved in the established procedure for monitoring and environmental control. Results. In studies of water sources, it was identified that the main elements of pollution in drinking waters of the study area are compounds of arsenic and iron. Main conclusions. The studies show that, in spite of the undertaken measures aimed at providing the population with quality drinking water, the problems of access of the population Kizilyurt district to clean water are acute today and need a speedy solution.

Aim. Despite the fact that the Caucasian dragonflies dedicated to dozens of publications and has a General idea about the original fauna of dragonflies in this region, still many unclear issues about the status of many species, their spatial distribution, characteristics of the life cycles and ecology of dragonflies in a kind of mountain conditions. The research objective of this work is to study the species composition and geographical distribution of the fauna of dragonflies of Dagestan. In this regard it took to solve the following tasks: to conduct a detailed study of the fauna of dragonflies as the least studied in odonatological respect, to analyze the composition of the fauna of dragonflies, to compare the composition of the fauna of dragonflies Caucasus and Dagestan.

Methods.As the largest of modern insects, leading to the same open and active lifestyles, adult dragonflies easy to observe in nature, getting in a short time without bulky equipment material for a variety of biological problems. Material for this work, we used our own fees, collection materials, and literature.

Results. For the first time for the area analyzed the composition of the fauna of dragonflies, which includes 42 species belonging to 8 families. The results not only significantly improve old ideas about the composition of the fauna from Russia, territorial distribution, which is important in terms of learning about biodiversity, but also contribute to the overall biogeography. Main conclusion.There are 82 species, distributed in 27 genus, 10 families, and 3 suborders in the fauna of the Caucasus at the present time. There are 15 genus of 27 presented in the fauna of Dagestan in all in the Caucasus

Aim. We studied geographical spreading of bumblebees on South-Eastern slope of the Greater Caucasus by enumerated exponent: accordingly complexions of fauna, zone and landscape spreading. Ascertained special species of Bombus for zone and landscape complexions. Location. SouthEastern slope of the Greater Caucasus.

Methods. Except own researches we have analysed collections of bumblebees and scientific literature in institute of zoology of National Academy of Sciences of Azerbajcan Republic. Bumblebees were caught by means of a gauze net and exgauzer. Pollinators were immobilized by means of sulfuric ether in mordant. The caught pollinators were defined with use of determinants: Mamaev E.M. and other, 1976; Osichnyuk A.Z., Panfilov D.V. and other, 1978; Panfilov D.V., 1978; Skchirtladze I.A., 1988. Results of definition of caught material were specified and approved in Institute of Zoology of National Academy of Sciences of Azerbajcan with Dr. Sci. Biol. Aliev Kch.A. and with research associates of the Zakatala reserve candidate of biology Gasanov Sh.O. and Mustafaeva R.G.

Results. We belive that bumblebees of Zakatala reserve is possible to belong to 6 faunistic complexes: Palearctic, Transpalearctic, West-Palearctic, Mediterranean, East- Mediterranean, Endemic of Caucasus. The most part, 27 species of bumblebees is found in high mountain landscapes. The 5 types from them are strictly specific for subalpine and high mountainous meadowshrubby landscapes. Only 2 species of bumblebees are specific to the broad-leaved woods and the wood-bushes of low mountainous. There are species of Bombus which are most often met in the Zakatala reserve: B. alagesianus; B. alboluteus; B. alpigenus; B. argillaceus; B. daghestanicus; B. eriophorus caucasicus; B. haematurus; B. hortorum; B. hypnorum; B. lucorum; B. mlokosiewitzi; B. rehbinderi; B. silvarum; B. terrestris; B. tristis insipidus; B. vorticosus. There are most rare species of Bombus in Zakatala reserve: B.armeniacus; B.brodmannicus; B. canus; B. fragrans; B. georgicus; B. jonnelus; B. simulatilis; B. velox.

Main conclusions. The most species of Bombus of the Zakatala reserve are eurytopic B. lucorum would be found in all 5 investigated landscapes, 4 species of bumblebees was found in 4 and 9 species in 3 landscapes. The results of researches can be used in zoogeography for creation of the regional catalog of bees of the South Caucasus and microreserves of rare, disappearing insects of the Caucasian ecological region.

Aim. The aim of the research presented in the paper is to identify the species composition of coastal and island ecosystems in the Middle and North-Western of the Caspian Sea, ecological review and the identification of trophic specialization showing the dependence of the weevils to certain life forms of plants. Location. The Dagestan coast and the islands of the Middle and North-Western Caspian Sea.

Methods. The proposed work is based on observations and collections of the authors which are based on extensive expeditions of ecological-geographical faculty of the Dagestan State University and the Institute of Applied Ecology in the period from 1991 to 2014 along the Dagestan coast and the islands of the Middle and North-Western Caspian Sea. In studies are used traditional methods of entomological research and statistical processing. In addition, for a more precise characterization of the trophic spectrum we use a number of additional grades.

Results. The fauna of weevils of the coastal and island ecosystems in the Middle and North-Western Caspian Sea is original. Conducted ecological and faunistic analysis allowed us to identify ecological groups based on trophic specialization (monophagy, narrow olygophages, wide olygophages, polyphages), confinement to the life forms of plants (dendrobiinae, cannobina, chortobiont), trophic adaptation and localization of imaginal and larval stages (insect, anchorage, ect.)

Main conclusions. Studies have shown that the fauna of the weevils of coastal and island ecosystems consists of 318 species of weevils belonging to 126 genera.

Aim. Use in scientific research of biogeographic maps for assessment of biological diversity of individual groups and territories today is a very important technique that is widely used by many researchers. The object of this study was elected phyletic compact group of land snails, characterized by stringent strictly confined to a particular environment and a poor ability to overcome geographical barriers, which makes it very convenient model when conducting ecological and zoogeographical studies.

Methods. In work was used the method of blending the modern habitats of the terrestrial mollusk fauna on paleokarst Caucasian Islands Paleogene-Oligocene period. The family Clausiliidae Gray, 1855 was chosen for analysis , as occupying a leading position in species composition relative to other families of mollusks in the Caucasus.

Results. The analysis of the propagation of biological diversity of land snails Caucasian family Clausiliidae using the method of «overlay areas», showed a high percentage of the study group attachment to the Caucasus paleo islands - 79% or 50 species from 20 genius are placed within them, while 8 species from 6 genius paleo island found near the borders, and 5 species belonging to 4 genius, marked a considerable distance.

Main conclusions. The results demonstrate the ability to use the group of land snails as a model for the study of correlations and paleogeographic reconstruction of the events of the Caucasus Isthmus

Aim. The purpose of this research study is to determine the species composition of the study area, ecological and zoogeographical analysis, identification of trophic specialization, showing the dependence of the weevils to certain life forms of plants.

Location. The work is based on observations and contributions received as a result of complex expeditions Ecological-geographical faculty of the Dagestan State University and the Institute of Applied Ecology in the territory of Inner Mountainous Dagestan.

Methods. Materials presented of collection: of assistant professor of the Department Biology and Biodiversity Dagestan State University - Gul'nara Mukhtarova (Magomedova) 1995 – 2002; of professor of the Department Biology and Biodiversity Dagestan State University - Madina Ismailova 1990, 1992, 1995 – 2002; of professor of the Department Biology and Biodiversity Dagestan State University - Gaiirbeg Abdurakhmanov 1985, 1986, 1987, 1996 – 2002. Analysis ranges of species of the studied fauna carried out using the classical works on zoogeography.

Results. As a result of faunal studies for the study area recorded 415 species of the weevils. Conducted research and analysis of published data identified food connections for 94 % species of the fauna of weevils in the study area. Zoogeographical analysis of the faunal showed that the Palaearctic complex are most numerous and presented by 109 species (26%), the Caucasian complex – 83 (20%), the Steppe complex – 47 (11.3%), the European complex – 36 (8,67%), the Euro-Mediterranean complex – 30, the Turan complex – 28, the European-Siberian complex – 28, the Eastern Mediterranean complex 19, the Mediterranean complex – 17 (4.1%), the Persian complex – 10, the Holarctic complex – 5, the Cosmopolitan complex – 2, and the Paleotropics complex – 1. Main conclusions. Analysis of the findings shows a great similarity in the composition of the forage base of weevils for the different areas that probably indicates the predominance in the composition of these faunas steppe and riparian groups. A significant number of endemic species present in the fauna of the region apparently is not only the result of the restructuring of migrants which had entered here and due to autochthonous speciesforming process that began much earlier.

Aim. Fauna of Kazakhstan includes about one thousand species of spiders according to the latest data (Logunov, Gromov, Timokhanov, 2012; Mikhailov, 2013). However, most of these data refers to the western and eastern regions of the country. Spiders fauna of Central Kazakhstan is poorly studied. The aim of this study is to summarize available data about spiders in protected areas of Kostanay Region of Kazakhstan.

Location. Kostanay Region, Kazakhstan

Methods. Spiders were collected in 2013 on territory of Naurzum State Reserve and Altyn Dala State Reserve using hand collection and soil traps.

Results and main conclusions. Preliminary annotated list of 84 species, 49 genera and 15 families from protected areas of Kostanai Region of Kazakhstan based on original and literature data is given. Thirty five species of spiders are registered in Naurzum Reserve and fifty three species are found from Altyn Dala Reserve. Found a number of rare and little-known species (Hypsosinga kazachstanica, Shaitan elchini, Evippa kazachstanica).

Aim. Until recently, spider fauna of the Republic of South Ossetia has been the least studied among the regional araneofaunas of the Caucasus. According to the literature data, as little as 30 spider species have been known from the republic’s territory (Mkheidze, 1997, Mikhailov, 1990; Ponomarev, Dvadnenko, 2013; Trilicauscas, Komarov, 2014). Therefore, the aim of the present article is to summarize available data on the spider fauna of South Ossetia.

Location. Republic of South Ossetia.

Methods. The material was collected in various districts of South Ossetia in 2011-2014 by Yu.E. Komarov. Mainly, the collecting was performed in the city of Tskhinvali and its environs, and in the South Ossetian State Reserve. Spiders were sampled with pitfall traps and sweep netting. The time of traps’ exposure is April–December.

Results and main conclusions. To date, the spider fauna of the Republic of South Ossetia includes 230 species from 29 families. 222 species were registered by the authors, eight species (Clubiona pseudosimilis, Gnaphosa lugubris, Linyphia hortensis, Neriene peltata, Geolycosa vultuosa, Pardosa azerifalcata, Ero aphana, and Philodromus rufus) are known from the literature only. Seven species are new to the Caucasus (Clubiona pseudosimilis, Gnaphosa lugubris, Linyphia hortensis, Neriene peltata, Geolycosa vultuosa, Pardosa azerifalcata, Ero aphana, and Philodromus rufus). Of these, two species were known earlier only from Turkey (Pardosa consimilis, Ozyptila spirembolus), and one species (Tegenaria pseudolyncea) only from Azerbaijan. Against the background of the widespread species predominance, the Caucasian element is small and presented by twelve species (Tegenaria pseudolyncea, Dysdera tkibuliensis, Haplodrassus caucasius, Zelotes khostensis, Mansuphantes ovalis, Sintula oseticus, Tenuiphantes teberdaensis, Pardosa azerifalcata, P. caucasica, Piratula hurkai, Trochosa cachetiensis, and Xysticus ukrainicus).

Aim. Tthe article presents the results of breeding broodstock of sturgeon in the Shirokolski fish farm. The volume of commodity output reached 50 tonnes of sturgeon, and two tones black caviar. After drilling termal well volume growth may reach 100 t, obtaining food caviar 5 t.

Location. Russian Federation, Dagestan Republic.

Methods. We used the standard ichthyological research methodology. Results. At the present time the plant formed one of the largest sturgeon broodstock total biomass of more than 50 t, which include clean lines: Beluga, Russian and Siberian sturgeon, sterlet, paddlefish, and hybrid forms. The plant research for the early detection of sex by ultrasound scan. The main role of bester, which is used to obtain the food caviar. The biomass of the herd is about 30 tonnes per year is about 10 tons of breeders. Mature females Bester in our conditions in 7-8 years. Sterlet is used as producers for the purpose of reproduction and food caviar. Maintenance of broodstock is 6000 fishes and approximately 2000 breeders of medium weight from 1.5 to 6.0 kg. Mature female starlet at age 4- 5 years.

Main conclusions. The results convince us that the development of sturgeon aquaculture is one of the feasible ways not only to increase employment and reduce social poaching, but also stabilizing the feedstock, substantial improvements in the efficiency of hatcheries and processors.

The article presents the results of long-term observations of the hunting-fishing kind of fauna of the CR - Badger. Studied feeding habits, reproduction, placement, as well as the influence of various factors on the strength and survival of the species. The study tested many modern methods of surveillance and data processing on many issues of biology and ecology of the species in all natural zones of the Republic.

Methods: we used the methods of collecting faeces and traces of life, taking the number on the analysis of havens, accounting tracks. The feeding habits have been studied on the contents of stomachs and defining systematic conditioning food residue. Applied techniques Morphometry, morphological and physiological analysis.

Results: the results of the research were obtained data on abundance and Habitat Badgers in the Chechen Republic, on the number of species in different natural zones. Describe the basic biology and ecology of the species, its morphological and physiological indicators. Describes in detail the feeding habits and reproduction of Badger in the foothills and high mountains, the influence of anthropogenic factors.

Application results: the data obtained by environmental organizations for the development of measures to protect the species from poachers and illegal methods of extraction. Results of the study of biology and ecology can be used to analyze the influence of characteristics of natural and climatic conditions of the Chechen Republic to the environmental adaptation of species, assessing the practical value of Badgers in the wild.

The subject of this article is the study of certain characteristics of the distribution and abundance of the Caucasus subspecies of European roe deer in the Chechen Republic. The purpose of this study is to analyze the most characteristic features of the species biology and ecology, Adaptive conduct. Methods. Direct observation methods used, the collection traces activity and accounting numbers. The results. The article presents the results of long-term observations of Roe in the Chechen Republic in different seasons of the year. Data on the distribution and characteristics of the region, the distribution of habitats. Discusses the results of reproduction and food species, seasonal cikle of life and some features of behaviour in terms of the Republic. Field of application. The research results can be used to develop measures for the preservation and restoration of the main hunting-fishing species of the Chechen Republic, in carrying out biotechnical activities on hunting farms.

The study presents the population indices of the life quality of inhabitants of Dakhadaev district, Republic of Dagestan. The study was conducted using a questionnaire SF-36. The regularities of the age-and gender changes of parameters of the life quality were identified. The highest rate in the analyzed settlements was marked on a scale of social functioning, the lowest – on the scale of overall health. The integral indexes of men were higher in all age groups than those of women. The highest parameters of the integral index of the male and female population were fixed in the age-group to 35. The most gender differences are noted on the scale of the role-physical functioning, the least on the scale of social functioning. In whole with age increasing we saw lowering parameters of indices of the life quality as in male group, so in female one. Besides the most changes in indices of the life quality were on the scale of role-physical functioning. Minimal differences in age groups were observed on the scales of social functioning and mental health. Women have more age lowering of indices of the life quality than men exceptthe role-physical functioning and social functioning. The highest parameter of the integral index of the life quality was observed in Zilbachi administrative settlement, the lowest one – in Kharbuk settlement of Dakhadaev district, Republic of Dagestan. The data of population study of the life quality give the information about indices of the life quality of population, reflecting in such a way the degree of its physical, psychological and social wellbeing. This information allows to estimate the efficiency of realization different medical and social and economic programs, aiming to improvement of the life quality of the population, rising the level of its wellbeing.

Aim. The aim of this work was a pilot study of population indices of the life quality of inhabitants of Dakhadaev district, Republic of Dagestan.

Location. Dakhadaev district, Republic of Dagestan.

Methods. The study was conducted using a questionnaire SF-36 in accordance with the requirements of the International project of evaluation of life quality (IPELQ). Data was collected by questionnaire on the basis of direct survey respondents. Statistical processing of the data obtained from surveys of the quality of life based on the general principles of statistics and conducted using the package of applied programs STATISTICA and Excel.

Results. Population indices of the quality of life of the residents in some rural settlements in Dakhadaev district of Republic of Dagestan were received. Average indicators of the life quality of residents for 8 scales of the questionnaire SF-36 range from 58,5 (scale of the overall health) to 76,3 (scale of social functioning). The study of gender differences in population indices of quality of life showed that the parameters of the life quality of the male population in all scales of the questionnaire significantly higher than those in women. A similar trend was observed in all age groups, that is, in general, indicators of physical, mental and social functioning of the female population of the studied territories were lower than of men. Indicators of the life quality in the analyzed settlements are decreasing in both men and women.

Main conclusions. The results of population studies of quality of life in general indicate that the environmental component, understood in the framework of 3-defining model of sustainable development (economy, social sphere, ecology), makes a great contribution to the integral profiles quality of life of the rural population. Although the countryside is traditionally considered to be ecologically safe, in our study the numeric parameters of the quality of life have the same dynamics as in studies of population in large, industrialized cities, reflecting the specific problems of the environment.

Aim. The composition of the species of the phytoplankton in the Russian sector of the Caspian Sea in conditions of transgression, anthropogenic and chemical contamination has been studied.

Location.The Russian sector of the Caspian Sea

Methods. The phytoplankton samples were collected at the depths of 8 – 50m by the use of the Nansen bathometer and subsequently were fixed in 4% formalin. The office processing was carried out in a box of Nozhotta type, which has the volume of 0.1 ml and the triplicate surface, under the light microscope of Biolam P15. The system of domestic diamotologists was used during the classification of Bacillariaphyta, as for the classification of Dinophyta, the Dodge scheme was applied. Cyanophyta algae were classified according to the system of A.A. Elenkina with the amendments adopted by A.I. Proshkin-Lavrenko and V.V. Makarova. The classification of the Chlorophyta division has been done according to the Smith system.

Results, main conclusions. Presented the taxonomic structure and the lists of species of the phytoplankton community in the sea coastal shallow waters Russian sector of the Caspian Sea have been presented. A high floristic diversity and domination of small cell forms are characteristics of the modern structure of the coastal shoal waters of the Dagestan part of the Caspian Sea. The auttaclimatizant of 1934, Pseudosolenia calcaravis, has not been discovered in the plankton of the researched water area. The phytoplankton community has been represented by 58 species of six groups: Cyanophyta, Bacillariaphyta, Dinophyta, Euglenophyta, Chlorophyta and the small flagellate. Bacillariaphyta were the basis of both the taxonomic diversity and the biomass. Cyanophita prevailed in number.

Aim. Identifying the laws for natural resources deposits that can and should be the basis for a long-term program of activities for the inevitable and painless transition to renewable fuel energy resources within environmentally acceptable limits.

Methods.Methods of measuring and evaluating the sustainability of geosystems are used illustrated in the paper.

Results. Basing on a comparative analysis of generalized indexes of population density on the energy supply and food we found patterns that are the theoretical basis for controlling the structure of the economy and settlement in the context of ecological regulation of social and economic policy of the Republic of Dagestan.

Conclusions.Latest global evaluation of anthropogenic burden resulting from the geosphere concept allows making significant corrections in previously completed evaluation under the biosphere concept.

Aim. The main purpose of the present work is the analysis of the situation in the field of education for sustainable development on the territory of the Russian Federation. We believe it appropriate to begin its consideration with the scientific and organizational principles of education for sustainable development.

Location. Russian Federation

Methods. Analytical review of current scientific, technical, normative and methodological literature that raises the issue of education for sustainable development in the Russian Federation Results. The transition to the new doctrine of education for sustainable development is particularly important on the path to "Sustainable development". However, it should be noted that the existing in our country, the progress in education for sustainable development does not yet meet modern requirements.

Main conclusions. Developed strategic planning documents on education for sustainable development with the support of the Ministry of education and science of the Russian Federation still has not gained official status. All this contrasts with the situation in most foreign countries and does not correspond to the declared national policy objectives in the field of education.