Aim. The question of life forms (morpho-ecological adaptation of the organism to the environment) is an actual problem of ecological morphology. Different approaches in the study of Coleoptera life forms, including comparative morphological, ontogenetic and ecological faunal approaches, have identified the main trends of the morpho-ecological evolution of the studied fauna, and the spectrum method of life forms helped find out the laws of their landscape-zonal distribution.

Methods. Electron microscopy scanning was performed at the Institute of Arid Zones of the Southern Scientific Center of RAS (Rostov-on-Don), using a microscope SEM EVO-40 XVP (LEO 143OVP).

Results. In this article, for the first time, the life form to be used for some reconstructions of the fauna of the age of certain ecosystems of the discussed territory. In this paper, morphological adaptation of the feet is considered closely related to the features of lifestyle and environmental conditions, mainly the soil. The structure of the feet of Tenebrionidae is closely related to their living conditions and patterns of behavior. Convergence in the structure of the feet of phylogenetically distant species is the result of a match in their evolutionary development of the living conditions and behavioral characteristics. The structure of fossorials (digging legs) of Tenebrionidae and Scarabaeidae is in a thin line with a certain type of soil conditions. As a result, among the examined groups of Coleoptera the structure of fossorials is the most reliable indicator of soil conditions. The analysis of the biological diversity of coastal and island ecosystems of the Caspian Sea has shown the failure of the existing reviews for Caspian water level regime and the age of biota of islands.

Conclusion. Thus, the presence of the ancient highly specialized life forms, communities and systems in any particular area, with great certainty will allow conceding the continuity of the existence of this biota during the time required for the formation of structural units of the community, the individual species, subspecies and supra species taxa. The analysis of the life forms of individual taxonomic groups, species, communities, modern biological diversity of coastal and island ecosystems does not confirm the periods of "strong" transgressions flooding vast areas of the Caspian and the islands of Turan. They contradict these assumptions.

Aim of the research – development of management strategies ensuring sustainable development of the territories of the Volga river basin and its administrative units.

Methods. In the research we used various methods of mathematical statistics, systematic principles. We propose the conception of "brainstorming" for the assessment of the territory using indices and indicators of sustainable development.

Results. We selected nine indicators and indices. We have conducted a correlation analysis of the selected indices and indicators of sustainable development, all of which reflect the state of social, ecological and economic systems. For an integrated assessment of the two objects one introduced the "critical" and the "reference" state and fixed values for each index and indicator under the review. Factor analysis in the space of two principal components is conducted as well as one carried out the calculation of generalized desirability function for each administrative unit of the Volga river basin. "Brainstorm", taking into consideration indices and indicators of sustainable development, showed similarities in the administrative units of the Volga river basin, which primarily reflects approximately the same socio-ecological-economic development, defined by a single policy and economic decisions.

Conclusion. The analysis revealed different management strategies of sustainable development of regions. The first group (strategy A) includes the Republic of Tatarstan, and Chuvashia, Moscow and Samara regions, which should pay special attention to investments in improving the "life quality" by stabilizing and reducing the degree of anthropogenic load on the territory. The second group (strategy B): Astrakhan, Volgograd, Kirov, Tver and Kostroma and Perm regions - it is advisable to do finance and investment of resources in public education, increase the average lifetime, increase the incomes of the population. For the remaining areas optimally use a mixed strategy A + B for sustainable development.

Aim. The aim is to determine the socio-economic aspects of sustainable development of the Republic of Azerbaijan taking into account economic, environmental, social and environmental opportunities of the country; to find the rationale for the concept of sustainable development to eliminate major differences specific to regional economic development, management of economic and social development of the regions.

Methods. Historical and comparative analysis, system approach, analysis of statistical and mathematical materials.

Findings. We identified the advantages of the concept of sustainable development; cunducted the analysis of the dynamics of development of the leading industries in the region; studied the most promising sectors of the regions from the economic and geographic point of view.

Conclusion. We identified socio-economic aspects of sustainable development of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The aim is to evaluate ecological diversity of wild birds in Siberia and the Russian Far East, which are carriers of Newcastle disease virus that belongs to potentially dangerous pathogen for poultry.

Methods. Biological materials (cloacal swabs and intestinal fragments) of wild migratory birds were collected in 2008-2014. The viral isolates were propagated in the allantoic cavity of developing chicken embryos. The presence of virus was determined in hemagglutination tests and primary identification of Newcastle disease virus was confirmed by RT-PCR. Pathogenicity of the obtained isolates was determined in tests ICPI and MDT.

Results. 4443 samples were obtained from wild migratory birds of 11 avian orders and were investigated. Newcastle disease virus was detected in 40 birds from 4 orders. The Duck family (Anatidae) of the Waterfowl order (Anseriformes) plays the leading role in the circulation of Newcastle disease virus in Siberia and the Far East.The main species among them - a teal (Anas crecca), a garganey (Anas querquedula), a mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and a shoveler (Anas clypeata). All studied isolatesof Newcastle disease virus are apatogenic except for two deponated strains.

Main conclusions. Wild migratory birds from orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes are capable of carrying Newcastle diseasevirus and could transfer pathogenic variants of this virus to the Russian territory.

Aim. To determine the characteristics of the modern dissemination, distribution and seasonal activity of Hyalomma ixodid ticks in the Stavropol region.

Methods. The study of the spread of Ixodes Hyalomma ticks was conducted in all administrative districts of the Stavropol Territory in the period of 2000-2015. Collection of ixodid ticks in natural habitats, home to wild mammals and birds, was carried out according to conventional techniques.

Results. Hyalomma marginatum is a two-host tick. In the region, H. marginatum of an adult stage becomes active in early spring (late March - early April); appearance of the larvae is observed in early July; the nymphs in the third decade of July. The peculiarity of biological development of H. scupense is the activation of adult species in the cold season (winter); development is only of one-host cycle. The peak number of ticks of an adult stage in cattle falls on the last days of January and February.

Conclusion. Hyalomma ixodid ticks in the Stavropol region are distributed mosaicly, with the dominance of some species depending on climatic and landscape-geographical features of the territories they inhabit. The dominant species are H. marginatum and H. scupense, but H. anatolicum tick species occur sporadically in the east region.

Aim. To aim is to assess stocks and the fisheries of aquatic biological resources in the western part of the middle Caspian Sea and perspectives for the use of their resource potential.

Methods. On the basis of the literature sources and our own data on the fish inventory in the western part of the Middle Caspian, we discuss possible reasons for emerging environmental, economic and other problems in the use of biological resources.

Results. The main negative factors are the large-scale poaching, resulting in a catastrophic reduction in stocks of sturgeon and other valuable fish species of the Caspian Sea, a natural penetration of alien organisms (Mnemiopsis) and overfishing of some species. The potential danger is large-scale development of oil and gas fields in the Caspian Sea, which can lead to even worse situation for the biological resources of the sea.

Conclusions. In order to preserve the biological resources of the sea it is necessary to create conditions for steadily developing fishing and fish processing enterprises, thus ensuring the satisfaction of the constant demand for fish products and an increase in the revenue base of the budget and the well-being of the Russian population.

Aim. The aim of the research is to analyze the biodiversity of helminths of domestic ruminants in the south-east of the North Caucasus; indicators of infestation of cattle grazing on different types of pastures; environmental factors affecting their population structure and the formation of combined foci of bio and geo helminthiasis.

Methods. We used classical research methods adopted in contemporary parasitology: helminth - larvoscopia, complete helminthological autopsy of animals and humans by KI Scriabin, cultivation of the larvae, opening of invertebrates, flotation, and feces washed successively.Results. 30 years of research revealed that the domestic ruminants in the south-east of the North Caucasus are infected by 64 species of helminthes: sheep 54, cattle 55, buffaloes 49. Common to domestic ruminants are 39 species of helminths. The causative agents zoonozis are Fasciola hepatica L., 1758, F. gigantica (Сobbold, 1856), Dicrocoelium lanceatum (Stiles et Hassal, 1896), Taeniarhynchus saginatus (Goeze, 1782) larvae, Echinococcus granulosus (Batsch, 1786) larvae, Trichostongylus axei (Cobbold, 1879), T. vitrinus Looss, 1905, Haemonchus contortus (Rud., 1803), and Gongylonema pulchrum (Molin, 1857).

Conclusion. Infestation by helminthes of ruminants varies the extensity of invasion (EI) 0,8-67,5%, intensity of invasion (II) 1-1260 species. Animals are infected with helminthes in plain and foothill zones from April to the end of November, and in the mountains 2500 meters above sea level from July to the end of September. In the plain belt, ecological grassland can be divided into four types: steppe, semi-arid, saline, low-lying wet lands where we can find combined foci of helminthes with different quantitative and qualitative characteristics. The species composition of helminthes, their population is dependent on the environmental factors. In combined foci, ruminants are always infected with mixed invasions of helminthes, from 4 to 17 species.

The aim - to evaluate lifespan (full cycle) and ontogeny stage durations of nine alpine short-lived North- West Caucasus plants.

Methods. For calculation we used a new method which was developed and suggested earlier by us. This method is based on a discrete ontogeny description and on the probability theory and random processes. The data on the monitoring of the marked individuals were collected during six years.

Results. We found out that the lifespan of Anthyllis vulneraria is 2.6±0.3 years (hereinafter “±” is Standard error), Draba hispida – 4.5±0.3, Murbeckiella huetii – 4.6±1.1, Carum meifolium – 7.8±1.4, Eritrichium caucasicum – 9.1±1.4, Trifolium badium – 10.3±2.6, Sedum tenellum – 11±2.05, Androsace albana – 12.1±2.5, Minuartia recurva – 22.9±4.5. Also we demonstrated the matrix population models for studied plants, which show the probability of transition of individuals from one ontogeny stage to another in time interval (in our experiment – 1 year).

Conclusion. Mortality of seedlings and juvenile plants, except Murbeckiella huetii, is around and more than 50%. Two years is the minimal amount of time that is necessary for full cycle of short-lived alpine plants, as it was shown for Anthyllis vulneraria, Murbeckiella huetii и Trifolium badium. A 3-12 years lifespan was calculated for other studied species. Persistence of Eritrichium caucasicum and Androsace albana populations provided by resistance of adult vegetative plants.

Aim. We made a comprehensive assessment of the pollution level of the atmosphere in Kazan; studied the effect of meteorological variables and phenomena in the formation of the level of pollution of the atmosphere of a big city, studied areas of distribution of pollutants, identified the major stationary sources of pollution.

Methods. We statistically processed the data on air temperature, frequency of inversions, wind direction and speed, humidity, precipitation and fog; used the results of systematic observations of atmospheric pollution held by Department for hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring of the Republic of Tatarstan (DTHEM RT) for the period of 2002-2014 on 10 stationary sites.

Results. Findings of the research are of great practical importance and can be used in solving the problems of atmospheric pollution control in big cities.

Main conclusions. We identified meteorological parameters that contribute to pollution or self-purification of atmosphere in big cities; established that the air environment of the city has a limited favorable ability to self-cleaning in July and September; in all the other months, conditions for dispersion of impurities are quite favorable. The research shows that the stationary sources and vehicles are the main sources of atmospheric pollution in the city. According to CIAP5, the air pollution index in Kazan is determined as high.

Aim. The aim is to conduct an experimental study of isochoric heat capacity of 1% aqueous solution of magnesium chloride along the phase boundary curve.

Method. In order to determine the isochoric heat capacity at the phase boundary curve we used the adiabatic calorimeter of KH. I. Amirkhanov.

Results. Results of the study of the isochoric heat capacity depending on the temperature are given in tables and figures; the findings are compared with those of other researchers. When evaluating a complex system, we ought not to evaluate its effectiveness on the basis of only one criterion, even a very important, in this case must take into account the requirements of the technical, economic, environmental and of other natures.

Conclusions. When solving optimization problems of efficiency in geothermal energy it is necessary to take into account the fact of the temperature dependence of the heat and density. The temperature dependence of the density and heat capacity in the calculations significantly affect the value of the efficiency criterion to be taken into account, otherwise the calculation error can be up to 20%. The data obtained from the isochoric heat capacity of aqueous solutions of magnesium chloride is compared with the data for water and aqueous solutions of NaCl and NaOH, obtained previously, which may be represented as a model of geothermal and sea water.

Aim. The aim is to make an evaluation of the processes taking place on agricultural lands when intensively used on the territory of the North Caucasus Federal District of the Russian Federation.

Methods. Analysis of literary sources and conventional techniques with the use of geo-informational systems.

Results. Stavropol Territory and Dagestan Republic occupy 68,29% of the territory of the Federal District and determine the basic agricultural policy. Analysis of anthropogenic degradation of agricultural land in the territorial entities of the district reveals that in the Republic of Dagestan 84% of the territory suffers from degradation (water erosion), and in Kabardino-Balkaria only 0,04% (alkalinization of the land). In case we consider the degradation factor on an integrated basis, then the highest rate in Dagestan reached 2,04.

Conclusion. It was established that in the North Caucasus Federal District the anthropogenic pressure on agricultural lands is very high along with low arable lands supply, thus causing many problems for the region, including social. We suggest a set of measures to improve land productivity; to strengthen control by the public authorities over the use, protection and improvement of land and the efficient use of capital investments.

Aim. The aim was to identify the possibility of recycling the carbon in the atmosphere and the efficient use of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) coming to the soil surface by means of the formation of highly natural phytocenosis in the back half of the summer and to minimize soil preparation period for the next crop in the rotation.

Methods. We studied two systems of soil management in the stubble period, they cause: Firstly, CO2 emissions from the soil under the existing soil cultivation methods for crop rotation in the region. Secondly, the accumulation of CO2 in the organic mass of natural phytocenosis followed by plowing the green mass in the stage of milk-wax ripeness of the seeds – the dominants, and minimizing the period of preparing the ground for the next crop rotation.

Result. According to the obtained data, it shows that a nutritious regime of soil under the winter wheat during plowing of green mass of natural phytocenosis is substantially improved compared to the tillage system. Similar findings were obtained by other researchers that justify the fact that the green manure crops, in this case natural phytocoenosis, throughout its life involves hard compound subarable soil layers in the biological cycle which is used to create organic matter.

Conclusion. We provide a scientific rationale for the inexpediency of the use of existing tillage systems in agricultural landscapes, which are causing systematic destruction of weed - field vegetation during the periods free from agrocenoses.

ARTICLE RETRACTED

Aim. The aim is to conduct a theoretical study of the conditions of occurrence of surface runoff and take technical measures for its prevention.

Discussion. The occurrence of surface runoff is possible on condition that the intensity of moisture entry per time unit is greater than the intensity of its absorption and passage through the topsoil. Conditions of surface runoff occur at high intensity of moisture entering the soil surface which can be in the case of heavy rainfall, low water permeability of topsoil as a result of the increased density. The upper topsoil not affected by loosening passes moisture worse than loosened. Low water conductivity of the arable layer may be due to the fact that it is saturated with moisture up to the limit, and the underlying subsoil layers do not absorb or absorb not enough water, pass water less than enters through the upper topsoil. This phenomenon leads to oversaturation of the top plowed layer by water, which can lead to water erosion and landslide.

Conclusion. We obtained analytical expressions describing the process of accumulation of moisture in the soil and the formation of surface runoff, which also allow to theoretically justify the need for different agronomic techniques impact on soil. We should select tools and soil impact techniques in order to preserve and accumulate moisture with account of the certain agrolandscape conditions specific to these fields.

Aim. The aim is to study the effect of different environmental conditions on the morphological traits of the spike of hexaploid triticale varieties.

Methods. We analyzed 507 samples of triticale of various eco-geographical origins, in different years of study and at different seeding times. To investigate the influence of environmental conditions on the phenotypic expression of the studied traits we held a comparative analysis of the spike of two years and, in addition, of spring triticale during winter and spring crops. Analysis on the features was carried out on the main spikes. We studied the following morphological characteristics of the spike: length, number of spikelets and density.

Results and discussion. The study of differences in individual variety samples showed that more than 60% triticale samples had significant differences in the length of the spike, depending on the weather conditions of the year – with the winter crops number of spikelets per spike was significantly higher than with the spring crops. A comparative analysis of the impact of the weather conditions of the year on triticale showed that significant differences in the density of the spike were observed in less than 30%.

Conclusion. Study of the influence of conditions of the year and sowing dates on the main features of the spike of triticale showed that the density of the spike is the least affected by the external environment. The length of the spikes and the number of spikelets per spike differed significantly when growing in a various conditions.

Aim. The critic analyses of works about faunogenesis of tenebrionid beetles of Middle Asia considering the new data about phylogeography of some Mediterranean Tenebrioidae; analyses of causes of disjunction in distribution of some darkling beetles.

Methods. We used important published from 1965 to 2015 works on tenebrionid faunogenesis of Middle Asia and Mediterranean and partly author’s and colleague’s material for the critic analyses.

Conclusions. The hypothesis about ancient centers of origin of tenebrionid fauna of Middle Asia on coasts of Tethys Sea is confirmed by modern phylogeographic studies, but the time of the origin of recent taxa is possibly much earlier than previously assumed Pliocene-Pleistocene. New data on distribution of two species of the tribe Helopini, Eustenomacidius laevicollis and Catomus niger (the first record for Turkmenistan), which were previously known only from Tien Shan and Hissar Darvaz Mts are given. Small populations of these two species were found in the Eastern Caspian Region. We assume that the disjunction of its ranges is related with environmental factors (reduction of food resources, competition from close species), but not with geographic isolation.

Aim. The aim is to study the political, economic and environmental aspects of food security, which is an important component of national security; to study the issues of the use of environmentally friendly agricultural products, as well as the environmental safety of livestock products.

Methods. Determination of the dynamics of livestock production on the basis of the comparative statistical analysis, the study of animal breeding territorial organization through a systematic approach.

Results. The region has favorable conditions for the production of ecologically clean agricultural products, using environmentally friendly feed. We should develop manufacturing industries to meet international standards and provide the population with healthy food.

Conclusion. We revealed the ecological safety of livestock products in the economic and geographic regions of the Azerbaijan part of the Greater Caucasus.

Aim. Arcuate nucleus (AN) of the hypothalamus is one of the integrative centers responsible for energy metabolism in mammals. Reaction of the arcuatus nucleus of white rats on the toxic stress caused by introduction of cadmium chloride in the conditions of natural illumination, light and dark deprivations was studied.

Methods. The toxicant was entered per os at a dose of 2 mg on 100 g of body weight a daily for 15 days after one month of adaptation to an the artificial photomode. Synthetic activity was estimated a method nucleoli volumes’ measurement on hematoxylin and eosin sections of the hypothalamus.

Results. As light and dark deprivations led to the reduction of the nucleoli volumes of AN at animals of both sexes. Salt of cadmium in the conditions of natural illumination has caused reduction of the nucleoli sizes, but only in males. On the contrary, on the background of dark deprivation cadmium chloride led to decrease in activity of AN only in females. Light deprivation promoted increase in synthetic activity of AN neurocytes under the influence of cadmium salt in males, but did not change that in females.

Conclusion. The impact of toxic stress induced by administration of cadmium chloride on the hypothalamic centre responsible for energy metabolism of the organism depends on light intensity and sex of the animal. Inhibition of the synthetic activity of AN by cadmium chloride in natural lighting is more pronounced in males, and in the dark of deprivation it is more pronounced in females.

Aim. To conduct experimental studies of optoelectronic properties of CdS - AgInS2 solar cells.

Methods. AgInS2 films for solar cell CdS-AgInS2 were obtained by magnetron sputtering of crystalline targets derived from bulk ingots. Cadmium sulfide layers were deposited on the AgInS2 films by an electrochemical method in cadmium salts solution, thiourea and ammonia. AgInS2 bulk crystals were obtained in two stages: a direct fusion of the primary components (99,999) in a stoichiometric ratio, followed by directional solidification in a vertical furnace; re-synthesis has been performed on a staggered basis by heating the obtained ingots at temperatures close to the melting points of elements in the two-zone horizontal furnace.

Findings. The paper presents the results of experimental studies of the electrical properties and photosensitivity of CdS-AgInS2 film heterojunction obtained by the magnetron. We measured the current-voltage characteristics and quantum efficiency of photoconversion at temperatures up to 250-356 K. We also identified the short circuit current of up to 25 mA/cm2 and open circuit voltage of 0.38 V.

Conclusions. The study of the properties of solar cells in recent years has an important place. The results presented in the work would contribute to more efficient conversion of solar energy into electricity.

Aim. The aim is to obtain AgInS2 films and study their electrical and optical properties.

Methods. The samples of thin AgInS2 films for measurement were obtained by the method of magnetron sputtering with direct current. The structure, phase and elemental composition were studied using DRON-2 X-ray diffractometer (СuKа - radiation) and the microscope LEO-1450 with EDS attachment for X-ray microanalysis. The optical transmittance and absorption were examined using MDR-2 monochromator in the wavelength range of 400-800 nm with the Keitley electrometer and FD-10G; we applied the spectral resolution of ± 1 meV. The electrical conductivity, Hall effect was measured by the four-point probe method with indium ohmic contacts. Measurements were carried out in the temperature range of 77-400 K.

Findings. We obtained indium disulfide and silver films with the thickness of up to 1 μm on quartz substrates by magnetron sputtering. It is shown that increasing the substrate temperature to about 450 0С allows to obtain single phase film with a chalcopyrite structure with a band gap of 1.88 eV and high absorption coefficient 
(>104см-1).

Conclusions. The possibility of obtaining films in a wide range of the electrical resistance and variation of the electrical parameters at constant stoichiometry is of interest for efficient technologies of phototransduction.

Aim. Disposal of industrial waste to improve the environmental safety by means of recycling and reusing in the manufacture of building materials.

Materials and methods. We made a selection of new optimum compositions of fiber-concretes using industrial carbon black from heat generating productions, glass fibers, plasticizers, activated mixing water produced using an ultrasonic unit.

Results. New fiber-reinforced concrete compositions were developed using carbon black as an additive. As a result of the processing of the experimental data, it has been revealed that introduction of carbon black as an additive contributed to the increase of the strength characteristics of nearly all fiber-reinforced concrete compositions. It has been found that microparticles of carbon black accumulate the products of hydration of portlandcement-hydrosilicate calcium on the surface and contribute to the formation of a solid microarming concrete structure.

Conclusions. The use of industrial carbon black in fibrous concrete mixture using restructured water improves its rheological properties, reduces its segregation and improves the homogeneity of the concrete. Recycling and re-using carbon black in the production of building materials will improve the environmental ecology.