Aim. The aim of this work is to summarize the available data on zoogeographic analysis and fauna of the bats of the Altai-Sayan region.

Discussion. The chiropterofauna of the AltaiSayan highlands includes the representatives of 13 species. The obtained data on the distribution of bats in the region made it possible for the first time to carry out a zoogeographic analysis of the chiropterofauna of the Altai-Sayan highland. The faunal complex of bats in the study area and adjacent territories is represented by boreal, European and Central Asian species. The cluster analysis by Jaccard coefficient allowed us to distinguish two main chiropterological complexes: Altai-Sayan and Ubsunur. Our boundary between these complexes coincides or is close to the biogeographic boundaries drawn for various groups of vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as plants.

Conclusion. Altai-Sayan territory is inhabited by 13 bat species of six genera belonging to Vespertilionidae family. The most common species are the following: eastern water bat – Myotis petax Hollister, 1912; Siberian bat – Myotis sibiricus Kastschenko, 1905; Ikonnikov's bat – Myotis ikonnikov Ognev, 1912; Northern bat – Eptesicus nilssonii Keyserling, Blasius, 1839; Parti-coloured bat – Vespertilio murinus Linnaeus, 1758; Ognev's long-eared bat – Plecotus ognevi Kishida, 1927. In the fauna of the region, the boundary between two chiropterological complexes (Altai-Sayan and Ubsunur) runs through Kurtushibinsk-Usinsk province.

Aim. The littoral fauna of the Far East Marine Reserve was studied at the end of the last century; however, the monitoring studies of the malacofauna are relevant because of the increased recreational load and the threat of new species introduction. The aim of the work is to update the data on species composition and distribution of gastropods and bivalves on the littoral zone of the reserve.

Methods. The material was collected during the monitoring studies in 2012-2014. The compilation of the collections and identification of the species were carried out according to standard methods. For the definition, conventional determinants and atlases were used.

Results. As a result of the research, 49 species and taxa of mollusks were found, including 33 gastropods and 15 species and 1 hybrid of bivalves. New for the littoral fauna of the reserve were 13 species of Gastropoda, 3 species and 1 hybrid Bivalvia. It was established that the introduction of Atlantic mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis into benthic communities occurs through its hybridization with native species.

Conclusion. The data obtained allows us to present a more complete picture of the biodiversity and distribution of the littoral malacofauna of the reserve, an integral part of Peter the Great Bay.

Aim. Widespread iodine deficiency causing endemic diseases in the highlands of the North Caucasus relate to the iodine epidemic. This type of pathology causes economic damage to the livestock industry, including sheep. In this regard, the aim of this work was to study morphobiochemical changes, hormonal (thyroid) background, immune reactivity in Karachai sheep during ontogenesis in different ecological zones with different iodine availability levels as well as to consider the effect of exogenous hormone (thyroxine) on the immune status of young stock under conditions of iodine deficiency and determine promising ways of developing an effective method of prevention and treatment against the pathology.

Methods. We conducted an analysis of the blood of lambs aged 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 months kept in conditions of unequal iodine provision. The serum concentration of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) was evaluated by the results of an enzyme immunoassay, morphobiochemical status and immune reactivity by hematological, biochemical analysis, correction of iodine deficiency by intramuscular injections of thyroxine at a dose of 1 mg/kg with an interval of 2-3 months.

Results. The ontogenetic features of the formation of morphobiochemical systems, hormonal background, immune status in sheep kept in different climatic zones with different iodine provision were established.

Conclusion. Disorders of hematopoietic function, differences in hematological parameters, hypoproteinemia, changes in hormonal levels, low levels of immunocompetent T and B cells in the blood of sheep from different zones were detected. It was established that the metabolic response to exogenous thyroxine contributed to the normalization of metabolic processes and activation of cellular immunity.

Aim. In order to introduce the geosphere sustainability model of geosystems in the territory of the Republic of Dagestan, we conducted a statistical analysis and interpretation using a hypsometric analysis of the territory based on a detailed study of the relief morphology using mathematical statistics and visualization methods.

Methods. The morphological structure of the territory is determined using the method of planimetry at given intervals of heights according to a hypsometric map to a scale of 1: 1,000,000; morphometric analysis of the territory was carried out using a greater number of altitudinal gradations at predetermined border intervals above 500 m of height; hypsometric map was visualized using MapInfo Pro GIS.

Results and discussion. As a result of the research, it was revealed that the main argument regarding which the energy indicators of the productivity and stability of geosystems are transformed is the relief in its hypsometric characteristics. The numerical values of the variance of the variability confirm the significant hypsometric non-uniformity of the territory. Comparing the obtained results, we conclude that the maximum uniformity (minimum of diversity) is achieved when the entire area belongs to one height gradation, therefore, , and the minimum uniformity (maximum of diversity) corresponds to the uniformity index 1 , that is, when the areas occupied by all gradations of heights are equal, the value is . From this it follows that the hypsometric diversity (non-uniformity) of the territory of Dagestan is close to the maximum value.

Conclusion. The findings of the study were used to implement the previously proposed energy model and the stability of geosystems in the preparation of ecological certificate in a number of districts of Dagestan, since the obtained quantitative estimates of the territory hypsometry are necessary as background indicators for the energy projects being developed and stability limits of the geosystems of particular regions and the entire republic.

Aim. The aim is geoecological diagnostics of regions of the Central Black Soil Region on the basis of which the areas with different degree of tension of a technogenic and medicoecological situation have been revealed. Material and methods of research. System, comparative-geographical, geoinformation, historical, statistical methods of research, as well as software packages MS Excel and Statistica have been used. The database has been formed in retrospect for the period 2006-2015. About 50 public health criteria and about 200 potential risk factors have been analyzed. 9 key (indicator) criteria have been selected.

Results. The authors propose an algorithm to perform geoecological diagnostics of the large region. The correlations between integral estimation criteria of levels of technogenic loadings and parameters of public health have been calculated. The positive correlations of weak and medium degree indicate the presence of stable trends: the increase in the levels of technogenic loads on the environment of the regions is an unfavorable "response" on the part of the population (the growth of environmentally caused pathology and, first of all, malignant neoplasms, as well as congenital anomalies in children). It is established that among the regions of the Central Black Soil Region this pattern is more pronounced for the area of the Belgorod region, where the environmental situation is much more contrasting, and the level of technogenic impact in the urban agglomeration zone is higher than, for example, in the Voronezh region.

Conclusion. In this scientific paper, the authors have solved the actual practice-oriented problem in the field of geoecological researches, namely, they have developed the method of geoecodiagnostics of a large region, which allows to quickly and reliably determine the degree of technogenic load on the area. The analysis of the obtained data allowed us to reveal the regularities of the formation of the geoecological situation in the area of the Central Black Soil Region, to formulate the main directions of environmental policy and to predict the dynamics of the geoecological situation development.

Aim. Transboundary rivers are complex enough to study which requires analysis of not only the polluting agents themselves but also geographic features and specifics of economic activities. The work is devoted to the study of the dynamics of pollution of the Mius River with ions of manganese, copper, nickel and aluminum, taking into account the peculiarities of the regions through which the river flows and the specifics of the anthropogenic load on the adjacent territories.

Material and methods. The article considers some natural and anthropogenic factors that determine the increased content of metal ions in the transboundary river Mius, taking into account the peculiarities of the territory of the river. Based on the monitoring data from 2003 to 2017, the dynamics of river pollution by aluminum, manganese, copper and nickel were presented; monthly averages for the period under review were also given.

Results. It is revealed that pollution has an annual periodicity which depends on natural factors and metallurgical industry, characteristic of Donbass. The negative effect of these metals on human health and environment was indicated.

Conclusion. There is a connection between changes in concentrations of the metals of concern, which indicates the predominance of the anthropogenic source of metals over natural in the Mius River.

 

Aim. To identify the degree of influence of the morphological heterogeneity of the territory on the ecological state of the agricultural landscape.

Methods The study was conducted on an area of 608.5 hectares and a horizontal dissection factor of 8.36 km/km2. For the observations, distributed test pads measuring 10 m2 were used. On each type of facies, test sites were laid on arable land in triplicate. We used standard research methods using GIS. Existing thematic terrain maps were digitized and a digital elevation model based on a topographic survey of the terrain was created. Calculations and visualization of data are made using and based on the ArcGIS and Microsoft Excel software.

Results. The degree of influence of the types of facies of the landscape area on individual criteria and indicators of arable land productivity (microclimatic indicators, water properties of the soil, elements of fertility) has been established. Spatial ecologically justified differentiation of types of tracts into facies types has been carried out.

Main conclusions. The slopes of the northern exposure (I-IVn) have the highest ecological stability. They lead in the content of productive moisture, mobile phosphorus and potassium. The facies of the slopes of the southern exposure (I-IVs) lead by insolation, the content of humus and nitrate nitrogen. The content of heavy metals in the soils and wheat yield is higher on the southern slopes and second-order watersheds (IVn). The maximum productivity of 2.9 t/ha was obtained on the watershed type of facies (V). A close relationship was established (r = -0.72) between productivity and pH of soil, medium – with mobile forms of phosphorus (r = 0.59) and potassium (r = 0.84).

Aim. The aim of the study is to assess the environmental problems and develop a proposal for the identification and analysis of the state of saline and solonetzic lands. Basing on this research, it is crucial to develop proposals for the effective use of lands for the agricultural needs in the first agro-climatic zone of the Stavropol Territory.

Methods. Monitoring studies of agricultural lands were carried out using modern methods which include both remote sensing and annual local surveys in areas of the first agro-climatic zone of the Stavropol Territory. Based on this, agricultural land was divided into four groups: highly productive, productive, low productive and unproductive.

Results. It has been established that the territory of the first agro-climatic zone is represented by agricultural lands for more than 95%, and over the 16-year study period, the area of these lands increased by 27,906 ha. Salinization of land is global in nature, since the total area of land with a degree of salinity is 644,334 ha, that is, more than 37% of agricultural land in this agroclimatic zone is already salinized to varying degrees. In addition, solonetzic complexes are widespread here.

Conclusion. We have established that in order to increase the efficiency of the use of these lands, their qualitative zoning with the subsequent development of agromeliorative measures is necessary. This division of land reflects their qualitative condition, degree of exposure to various degradation processes, the possibility of further land use, a set of measures for the preservation, restoration and protection of these lands and securing the corresponding status of a particular zone based on the developed regulations.

Aim. The aim of the study is to assess the current state of the elements of the naturalecological framework of the steppe regions of European Russia and the peculiarities of its spatial distribution.

Discussion. The most important component of the environmental framework of the steppe regions of European Russia is the system of relatively large zonal landscape areas of the nature reserve fund which contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, the functional integrity of landscapes and the development of ecological networks. As of January 1, 2018, the natural reserve fund of the federal level in the territory of the considered mezoregion is represented by 22 specially protected natural territories (10 reserves, 5 national parks and 7 wildlife sanctuaries) with a total area of 16.1 thousand km2. The share of the area of specially protected natural reservation is about 2% of the area of the considered mezoregion. Practically for all the regions under consideration, there is a situation where numerous natural territories with “prospective” status are considered for integration into the nature reserve fund; however, the efforts of the scientific community, environmental services and relevant ministries are not very active in implementing projects to give them corresponding status.

Conclusion. For the territory stretching from the northern border of the Saratov region to the central part of the Krasnodar Territory, the problem of the absence of cores and key elements constituting the framework of the nature reserve fund is most acute. In six territorial subjects of the Mesoregion, there are no specially protected natural steppe reservations of the federal level. The analysis of modern territorial planning schemes of the steppe regions indicates that the environmental framework of European Russia has not yet become the basis for the adoption of urban planning decisions. At the same time, its structural elements (preserved zonal landscapes, natural and derived landscape complexes), along with autonomously functioning nature-like territorial complexes, will help create a favorable environment for the population.

Aim. The aim of the work described herein was to study the dynamics of allantoin accumulation in the underground phytomass of Echium vulgare L., Symphytum caucasicum M. Bieb. and S. asperum Lepech. as well as to clarify the role of allantoin in plant adaptation to stress factors.

Methods. We studied the roots of plants growing in the foothill (Nalchik, 490–512 m above sea level) and the mountain zones of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (Terskol village, 2530 m above sea level; Verkhnyaya Balkaria village, 2680 m above sea level). The roots were collected at the stages of rosetting, flowering, fruiting and at the end of the growing season. Aqueous-alcoholic extracts of shredded roots were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results. The highest content of allantoin in the roots of Echium vulgare, Symphytum caucasicum, S. asperum plants was noted at the end of the growing season, respectively 0.915; 0.342–0.658; 2,842–3,426%. Under conditions of low temperatures and increased solar radiation, the content of allantoin in the roots increases 1.2–1.9 times as compared with the plants of the foothill zone.

Conclusion. Allantoin plays an important role in the process of adapting species of the family Boraginaceae to oxidative stress caused by hypothermia and increased solar radiation.

Aim. The aim of the work is to carry out an analysis of the wetlands of the Republic of Dagestan in order to justify the selection of the collecting sites for material from migratory aquatic and semi aquatic birds in order to monitor the influenza A virus.

Material and methods. Studying scientific publications of different years and available information on the wetlands of the Caspian Dagestan allowed establishing the areas of concentration of aquatic and semiaquatic birds where effective sampling for avian influenza is possible.

Results. The spread of avian influenza viruses in nature is inextricably linked with migration of birds. Due to the presence of a large number of reservoirs, the western part of the Caspian region brings together large populations of wild waterbirds from various places within their migration routes. Mass accumulation encourages the interaction of birds of different species and populations, which in turn creates favorable conditions for the spread of various viral diseases.

Conclusion. For an integrated assessment of the state of aquatic and semiaquatic bird populations, as well as monitoring the avian influenza infection rates, it is proposed to consider as model areas the wetlands of the Lake Aji (Papas), Lake Yuzhny Agrakhan, Agrakhansky Gulf, the Terek River delta and the Achikolsky systems of lake.

The aim of the study was an approbation of molecular-genetic methods for an analysis of contents of fish stomachs of Abyssocottus korotneffi Berg, 1906, as an example.

Methods. Sampling carried out at the board of the research vessel «G.Yu. Vereshchagin» in August 2017 in the northern basin of Lake Baikal. To study a fish feeding, testing of a DNA extraction methods and PCR conditions was performed. A fragments of the CO1 gene were amplified from total DNA isolated from the contents of the fish stomachs. The composition of food was studied based on the analysis of nucleotide sequences cloned into the plasmid pJET vector.

Results. One species of amphipods closest to Odontogammarus calculator Dybowsky, 1874 was detected in fish food. In addition, sequences of cottoid fish were found in the studied samples. To date, information about a presence of fish in the food spectrum of this species was absent.

Conclusions. The main problem of using molecular-genetic methods in studies of fish food spectrum is not enough number of data of voucher sequences of the CO1 gene of Baikal organisms in the genetic databases. Despite on advantages of analysis of the CO1 gene in studies of fish food feeding, this approach does not allow to distinguish between organisms of the same species.

Aim. In the present investigation artificial neural network (ANN) and ARIMA-model are compared for forecasting of data of colour of water.

Methods. Data corresponds to the colour of water of groundwater and drinking water of water intake of south-east region of the Republic of Belarus. The definition of colour was carried out for the period from 2009 to 2017. twice a day, the time series of values included 5215 values. The parameters of the models were estimated by 85% of the time series values, and the remaining 15% of the values (the test period) compared the forecast values with the actual ones. Optimal configurations of ARIMA-models were determined from the results of comparing the averaged values of the root mean squared errors (RMSE); optimal configurations of ANN were determined from the results of comparing the averaged values of RMSE and correlation coefficients (CC) on the test periods.

Results. Comparison of forecasting methods was carried out on the basis of the averaged values of mean absolute error and mean relative error on the test periods. It was revealed that ANN allows to obtain the predicted values of colour of water more accurate than ARIMA-model.

Main conclusions. Software implementation of ANN in the MATLAB environment empowers with sufficient accuracy get forecast values of groundwater and drinking water for 100 values.

Aim. The aim of the study is to analyze the species composition of commercial fish catches in water bodies of the Stavropol Territory for two periods from 1986 to the present.

Methods. The first period from 1986 to 2003 is conventionally highlighted and the second period from 2009 to 2017. Data on linear and area characteristics of the territorial objects was obtained using Landsat 8 satellite imagery.

Results. In 2017, in the fish industry of the Stavropol Territory, 10.8 thousand tons of marketable fish were produced, which was about 70% of the best production level in 1990. The share of common carp production was 58%, silver carp – 34%, white Amur – 5% , other carp fish species – 3%, trout and sturgeon – 1%. In 2017, 1415 tons of fish seeds were produced bringing the total to 19 million units, which is 4 times less than in 1990. The importance of fish catching in providing the population of the region with fish is not so great in comparison with fish farming. In different periods of the last thirty years, the total annual catch in regional state water bodies (reservoirs) ranged from a maximum of 1065 tons (1990) to a minimum of 82 tons (2016). The average annual catch in all state water bodies for the period 1986 – 2003 amounted to 357 tons; fish productivity was 32 kg, with fluctuations from 2 to 113 kg/ha in eleven water bodies. Over the past 9 years, since 2009, the average annual catch in all state water bodies has decreased and amounted to 285 tons.

Conclusion. For the period of 1986-2003, the average annual catch of common carp and silver crucian carp was 94 tons each and 79 tons of silver carp; the total share of these three species in catches was 85%. Over the past 9 years (2009-2017), the total share of these fish in the catches has decreased to 66%. The average annual catch of common carp and silver carps was almost halved, while the catch of less valuable silver crucian carp increased and reached 103 tons.