Aim. The paper summarizes the data on bird counts carried out in 1995–2018 in Piedmont Dagestan. Information on the following points was obtained for the first time: composition of bird species, their average abundance, residence status, faunal‐genetic structure, ecological pattern of the avifauna, as well as the features of territorial distribution of birds in Piedmont Dagestan.

Methods. Bird counts were carried out on routes without limiting the transect width, with further separate recalculation per area according to the average detection ranges for groups. The faunal‐genetic structure was determined using a standard procedure. The ecological classification is based on the original differentiation of birds according to their occurrence in preferred habitats. The obtained data were processed using cluster, factor and correlation analyses.

Results. Of 127 bird species recorded in Piedmont Dagestan, widespread representatives of European, European‐Chinese, Mediterranean, as well as Mongolian fauna predominate, which is associated with the availability of suitable habitats. In the course of cluster analysis, we identified three groups of key areas, reflecting the abundance‐based similarities between bird populations in the studied area. The constructed structural graph illustrates the spatial‐typological organization of the bird population in Piedmont Dagestan. It is established that the development of bird communities in the compared key areas has not only a similar but also distinctive ecological pattern, formed under the influence of such environmental factors as high‐altitude gradient, availability of warmth and water, forest area, rocky outcrops, as well as open areas and man‐made landscapes.

Conclusion. The specific ecological pattern of the avifauna in Piedmont Dagestan was developed due to the contribution of both adapted populations of migratory birds of the plains, nesting in the foothills, and to that of the resident communities of typically mountain birds, whose qualitative and quantitative composition changes under the integrated influence of environmental regulatory factors.   

Aim. To evaluate the possibility of herpes viruses circulation and possible routes of transmission in population of Steller sea lions of the Sea of Okhotsk by combining a thorough literature study with screening of blood sera samples of Steller sea lion puppies of the Sea of Okhotsk obtained in 2008‐2012.

Methods. We investigated 370 blood sera of puppies of the Steller sea lion (2008‐2012) from Tyulenij island, Chkalova island and from the Kurile Islands for the presence of antibodies to two members of the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae and Gam‐ maherpesvirinae using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results. The data showed that out of 370 sera samples, 50 contained antibodies to the varicella‐zoster virus (subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae) and 46 – to the Epstein‐Barr virus (subfamily Gammaherpesvirinae).

Main conclusions. The literature study revealed that the ecology peculiarities of species contribute to the realization of the main ways of transmission of herpes viruses between individuals. We were also able to identify possible risk factors for the transmission of non‐specific herpes viruses between Steller sea lion and the animals with which they are forced to coexist. The results obtained are in a good agreement with the literature data and indirectly confirm the circulation of herpes viruses in the Steller sea lion of the Kuril Islands, as well as the island Tyulenij. We observe a significant difference in the number of Steller sea lion puppies with the presence of antibodies to gamma‐herpes viruses on the Kuril Islands and the Okhotsk Sea is‐ lands (Р > 99,7). Differences in the number of Steller sea lion puppies with the presence of anti‐ bodies to alpha herpes viruses were not reliably detected. 

Aim. This paper is aimed at studying the relative light conditions (RLC) for lawns in the crown shade of light‐requiring and shade‐tolerant trees from the landscaping sites of Stavropol.

Methods. The illuminance incident on the lawn surface was measured using a TKA‐LUX light meter from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., every two hours.

Results. It is shown that lawns under the crowns of light‐requiring tree species (Larix sibirica), received the highest RLC. During three calendar periods (22.05–15.06–18.09.2017, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.), its value amounted to 8.2‐9.2% (9.2% – at 1 p.m.); 4.6‐6.8% (6.8%); 7.0‐12.9% (12.9%). The projective cover of the lawns reached 75‐90%. In case of Betula pendula, the RLC values were as follows: 2.6‐3.7% (3.7%); 1.9‐3.2% (3.0%); 3.6‐5.7% (5.6%), with the projective cover amounting to 75‐90%. Under the crowns of shade‐tolerant species, Abies nordmanniana, the RLC values reached 1.0‐1.5% (1.0%), 0.6‐1.5% (0.6%), 0.7‐3.0 (0.7%), with the projective cover of lawns amounting to 10‐25%. For Aesculus hip‐ pocastanum, these values were equal to 0.6‐0.8% (0.6%); 0.6‐0.8% (0.6%); 9.0‐11.5% (11.2%), with dead patches being frequently formed. Projective cover values for shaded lawns correlate with the RLC value (r = 0.89).

Conclusions. Under present conditions, ground covers consisting of Vinca minor shrubs and Hedera helix vines can be used in urban greening for intensively shaded sites. 

Aim. In this paper, we set out to analyse the problem of preservation of old‐growth relic pine forests under in the context of oil field development.

Discussion. The Buzuluk pine forest is the largest natural island forest in the steppe zone of European Russia. Presenting a landscape isolate of old‐growth natural pine and pine‐broadleaved forests, this unique natural object received the status of a national natural park in 2007. In this territory, former oil and gas fields are currently being prepared for operation and maintenance. The Buzuluk pine forest has been a subject of intense scientific interest due to a number of preserved standards of old‐ growth pine forests. These standards were originally identified and described by G.V. Morozov and V.N. Sukachev, thus forming a basis for modern forest biogeocenosis classifications. The paper discusses the current problems of the Buzuluk pine forest associated with the need to preserve old‐growth pine trees serving as standards. The consequences of oil production are assessed, with environmental restrictions in the zones of oil field exploitation being formulated. Industrial development of oil and gas fields inevitably leads to negative consequences, includ‐ ing the loss of ecosystem stability, a decrease in biological diversity and landscape degradation.

Conclusion. The preservation of old‐growth pine trees is a necessary condition for the existence, restoration and sustainable development of the Buzuluk pine forest as a single ecosystem. 

Aim. The study is aimed at examining the regional specifics of using water resources in the Russian‐Kazakhstan transboundary region, taking the current hydroclimatic situation into account.

Methods. Statistical data on the availability and use of water resources in the regions of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Kazakhstan served as the initial data for the study. A comparative assessment of water supply was carried out applying traditional procedures widely used in Russia and abroad. The following indicators of water use efficiency were used: volumes of circulating and re‐sequential water supply (million m3), water losses during transportation (million m3) and water intensity of the gross regional product (GRP).

Results. It was found that, over the past 20 years, a significant transformation of the water consumption structure has taken place in the studied regions. In the Russian regions, the most serious transformation of the consumption structure occurred in the agricultural sector. A comparative assessment of water supply suggests that most regions within the Russian‐Kazakhstan transboundary territory are characterized by relatively high levels of water availability.

Main conclusions. The results indicate a significant impact of socio‐economic transformations in the Russian‐Kazakhstan region on the structure of water consumption, water supply, as well as indicators of water resource efficiency. The current water management problem consists in guaranteed provision of the population and economy with fresh water under the conditions of the spatio‐temporal variability of the river flow. Thus, the integrated management of water resources within the Russian‐Kazakhstan transboundary region should be based on improving the effi‐ ciency of water use in all sectors of the water economy, taking modern hydroclimatic changes into account. 

The aim of this work was to summarise the results of perennial (2008‐2018) research on the effectiveness of the Intestevit TM drug presenting a mixture of probiotics and nutritional supplements for correcting transportation stress in ruminants.

Methods. The condition of rumi‐ nant animals being imported into farms in the Amur Oblast were investigated. The condition of animals prior to and following transportation was assessed using 204 indicators. The statistical significance in mean values was estimated using Studentʹs t‐test: a difference with the probability of the alternative hypothesis p <0.05 was considered to be reliable.

Results. Under the influence of long‐term transportation, animals experience significant stress, which leads to various psycho‐emotional disorders becoming more pronounced over time. Such animals demonstrate a noticeable loss of weight, decreased muscle strength and reduced resistance to diseases. Consequently, livestock enterprises bear financial loses from the lack of calves, dairy and meat products.

Conclusion. The use of probiotics, such as Intestevit TM, can significantly reduce the adverse effects of transportation stress and improve the physiological state of animals. 

The aim of the research is the assessment of environmental hazards and occupational safety to implement the most effective ways to protect workers, the environment from the effects of hazardous and harmful factors when using chemicals in agriculture.

Research methods: monographic, abstract‐logical, mathematical and logical‐linguistic modeling, computational‐ constructive, probability theory, expert estimates, etc.

Results: a model of integrated assessment of environmental hazards and labor protection in agriculture, including nine assessment blocks: 1) soil contamination by pesticides, agrochemicals and heavy metals; 2) the balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, ensuring environmental protection; 3) the load of livestock on pastures; 4) the ratio of stabilizing and destabilizing factors; 5) the risk of waste and by‐products; 6) the production of environmentally safe products; 7) working conditions in the workplace; 8) the level of investment in labor protection, environment and environmentally safe products; 9) the level of environmental culture and culture of labor protection of workers and the population.

Conclusion: the Model is tested in the working conditions of LLC  ʺMalinischiʺ of the Pronsky district of the Ryazan region in manual mode and can be the basis for the implementation of information and computer technology assessment. 

Aim. In this work, we set out to study the composition of a phytoplankton community in an important fishery area, the coastal water area of Tyuleny Island in the Caspian Sea.

Methods. We present the results of seasonal observations (2016) on the state of phytoplankton in the coastal waters of Tyuleny Island in the Caspian Sea. In total, 120 phytoplankton samples were collected at four stations from the water surface layer (May–October) using the Nansen bottle and subsequent fixation by Lugolʹs solution. Sedimentation and concentration were carried out using standard procedures. The samples were processed in the Nageotte chamber with a volume of 0.1 ml under a light microscope.

Results. According to the research results (2016), 103 species and varieties of microalgae were found in the phytoplankton samples collected from the water area of Tyuleny Island. The microalgae were represented by four divisions: Bacillariophyta – 49 species, Cyano‐ phyta – 24 species, Chlorophyta – 23 species and Pyrrophyta – 7 species. The greatest species diversity of phytoplankton in the studied water area was noted during the autumn period (61 spe‐ cies). In general, phytoplankton was found to be distributed homogeneously throughout the coastal area of the island, with the biomass concentration not reaching 1 g/m3.

Conclusion. In 2016, favorable hydrological and hydrochemical conditions for the development of microalgae were observed. The desalinated water around Tyuleny Island, which is well warmed in the summer and does not freeze in the winter, contributed to the development of rich flora. Although bi‐ omass values were not high due to the prevalence of small‐celled microalgae in phytoplankton, in general, it should have a positive effect on the development of subsequent links in a trophic chain, as well as promote an increase in the productivity of waters of the Northern Caspian Sea. 

Цель:  выявление  подходов  к  оценке  формирования  туристско‐рекреационного  профиля территории на основе такой характеристики как уникальность природных объектов.

Методы. В процессе исследования подходов  к  организации рекреации,  структурных  признаков  территориального  пространства  использовались  системный,  аналитический,  сравнительно‐географический  методы  анализа  на  примере  Республики  Дагестан.

Результаты. Отмечена  субъективная природа иерархизации  рекреационной потребности,  определяющая  позиционирование  видов  рекреации  и,  соответственно,  последовательность  вовлечения  объектов  в  оборот.  Дано  определение  туристско‐рекреационного  профиля  территории  (ТРПТ),  основанного  на  оценке  уникальности  ресурсов/объектов. Рассмотрены  варианты  комбинации  различных  характеристик  уникальности  рекреационных ресурсов, формирующие уровень конкуренции и охват субъектов, демонстрирующих  рекреационный  интерес.  Доказана  и  подкреплена  фактологическим  материалом  многоуровневость  географической  уникальности  природных  объектов (данные  по  Республике  Дагестан).

Заключение.  На  основании  позиционирования  моно‐  и  полиструктурного характера уникальности выявлены приоритетные направления развития туристско‐рекреационного профиля территории, в т.ч.  с позиции  обеспечения непрерывности  рекреационного процесса. Полиструктурный характер уникальности, будучи ориентирован на удовлетворение широкого спектра рекреационных потребностей, способствует не  только  наиболее  полному  использованию  потенциала  территории,  но  и  обеспечивает  перманентность рекреации  за  счет вовлечения в процесс «сезонных»  объектов. Уникальность рекреационных объектов Республики Дагестан рассмотрена как на локальном, так и  на страновом уровне. Установлено отсутствие локальной уникальности ряда ресурсов при  наличии  их  уникальности  на  национальном  уровне.  Проанализировано  состояние  инфраструктуры туризма на основе ряда коэффициентов, предложенных авторами; оценена  востребованность санаторно‐курортных организаций и мест отдыха.  

Aim. This study was aimed at assessing the possibility of using the Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. lichen as an accumulative bioindicator of atmospheric air pollution in industrial cities.

Methods. Under the conditions of aerial anthropogenic pollution in the city of Kazan, bulk concentrations of such heavy metals (HM) as Pb, Cr, Fe, Cu, Co and Ni were determined in the thalli of epiphytic H. physodes lichen using X‐ray fluorescence analysis.

Results. According to the data obtained, the samples of lichen thalli contained 0.02÷3.08, 0.68÷2.82, 6.46÷542.99, 6,28÷21,52, 0.01÷0.32 and 0.03÷1.48 mg/kg of lead, chromium, iron, copper, cobalt and nickel, respectively.

Conclusion. It is established that the city districts characterized by different envi‐ ronmental conditions showed various HM contents in lichen thalli. On the basis of the elemental composition of the thalli, zoning of the city area was carried out.  In addition to instrumental methods, a centile analysis revealed high HM concentrations in the lichen thalli. The conducted research has confirmed high biomonitoring characteristics of the H. physodes lichen. 

Aim. In this work, we aimed to study the distribution and habitat of rare Caucasian tenebrionid beetle Hedyphanes nycterinoides, as well as to identify reasons for the population re‐ duction and to develop a basis for its protection.

Methods. Materials from the largest collection of the Zoological Institute RAS (St Petersburg) along with the authors’ fieldwork data were used for mapping the past and current distribution of the species, as well as for studying its habitat and possible trophic relations.

Results. The taxonomic history of H. nycterinoides is complicated due to the loss of the type material. This taxon is currently interpreted as a separate species. H. nycterinoides is distributed across Piedmont Dagestan and Intermountain Dagestan (Russia); however, all known specimens were collected only in the 19th‐20th centuries (the last record is dated 1984). The population of H. nycterinoides from Intermountain Dagestan is likely to have died out due to the filling of the Irganay reservoir in 2008. Only one present‐day population from the arid Rubas valley in Southern Dagestan is known. The species inhabits saline soils (solonetz, solonchak) and feeds on saltworts. It is active in April–May in the evening or in the daytime provided it is cloudy.

Conclusions. We recommend that H. nycterinoides be included in the list of threatened species of Dagestan as an indicator of the state of halophytic plant communities from the hilly landscapes of the Eastern Caucasus. The main factors of the contemporary population reduction include overgrazing and filling of reservoirs. 

Aim. To obtain new data on the species diversity and ecological characteristics of the Tomentella fungi growing in the North‐Eastern Caucasus.

Materials and methods. Sampling of research material was performed in October, 2018 during a route survey of forest ecosystems in the vicinity of Delichoban, the Derbent district, and across the territory of the Upper Gunib natural park, the Gunib district, in the Republic of Dagestan. Identification of the collected material was carried out by light microscopy in the Laboratory of Systematics and Geography of Fungi, V.L. Komarov Botanical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Results. 3 Tomentella species, which are new for the Republic of Dagestan, have been identified, including T. bryophila, T. ellisii and T. fibrosa. All the discovered species are given with a brief morphological description, details of localities and comments on the current taxonomic position.

Conclusion. The Tomentella Pers. ex Pat. s. l. genus is currently represented by 12 species in the territory of the Republic of Dagestan: Tomentella bryophila, T. cinerascens, T. crinalis, T. ellisii, T. ferruginea, T. fibrosa, T. lateritia, T. pilosa, T. punicea, T. stuposa , T. subtestacea and T. umbrinospora. All these species are found across a wide range of altitudinal gradient. Further mycological studies, including those using the molecular and genetic approach, are needed to reveal species new for the region and to expand the understanding of the spatial, ecological and trophic structure of its mycobiota. 

Аim. In this paper, we set out to study the life cycle of Thlaspi arvense L. in Central Yakutia.

Methods. The studies were carried out in a culture at the nursery for the collection of medicinal plants of the Yakut Botanical Garden (Institute for Biological Problems of Cryolithozone SB RAS).

Results. While the plant in question has a high rate of aerial part development, its underground part falls behind in terms of mass development as compared to its aerial part. The pre‐generative period lasts for 13‐17 days. Small white flowers of the plant form a corymbosepaniculate inflorescence (1.0–4.5 cm in height; 52–67 flowers per inflorescence). The plant reaches 18.0–29.0 cm in height and has 19–24 leaves. The generative state lasts for 49–55 days.

Conclusions. Freshly harvested seeds of T. arvense are in non‐deep physiological dormancy; their laboratory germination rate amounted to 2%. Following 6 months of dry storage, 100% germination of seeds was noted. However, the course of germination changed dramatically becoming explosive in nature. The life cycle of T. arvense lasts for one growing season (70–76 days). Three periods and five developmental states in the ontogeny of T. arvense have been identified. 

Aim. In this paper, we aim to assess the effect of nitrogen and humic fertilizers on the biochemical state of oil‐contaminated chernozem.

Methods. In order to simulate the oil pollu‐ tion, chernozem was exposed to oil doses constituting 1, 5 and 10% of the soil mass for 30, 60 and 90 days. For simulating bioremediation of oil‐contaminated chernozem, the following fertilizers were used: potassium and sodium humates, urea and nitroammophos. Nitrogen fertilizers – urea and nitroammophos having a nitrogen content of 46% and 15%, respectively – were applied to the soil for the purposes of restoring the equilibrium between carbon and nitrogen. Humic fertilizers (potassium and sodium humates) were applied to the soil for stimulating the indigenous oil destructive microbiota. In order to assess the biological activity of the soil, we determined catalase activity, invertase activity, as well as CO2 emission intensity.

Results. The effect of urea, nitroammophos, potassium and sodium humates on the enzymatic activity and CO2 emissions of ordinary chernozem, which had been exposed to various doses of oil (1, 5 and 10% of the soil mass) for 90 days, was studied in a model experiment. Following the introduction of nitroammophos into soil with low levels of oil pollution, catalase activity decreased, whereas respiration and invertase activity increased. Urea introduced into the soil contaminat‐ ed with a 10% dose of oil stimulated catalase activity. At oil concentrations of 1 and 5%, the introduction of potassium and sodium humates had a stimulating effect on enzymic activity and carbon dioxide evolution.

Conclusions. It is advisable to use the intensity of CO2 emissions released from the soil, as well as the invertase activity for diagnosing the state of chernozem con‐ taminated with oil (5‐10%) following the introduction of nitrogen and humic ameliorants. At lower doses of oil, it is advisable to assess the state of the soil following the introduction of nitrogen fertilizers by catalase activity. 

Aim. This article discusses the possibility of reducing ecological costs and risks during exploration of oil and gas fields. To this end, we propose to reduce the number of exploratory drilling works performed using unjustified non‐productive wells. Such a problem can be solved with the help of innovative seismic‐acoustic methods of direct deposit exploration.

Methods. The method of microseismic noise estimation (MNE) in application to hidden hydrocarbon de‐ posits is proposed. When implementing the MNE algorithms, Chebyshev spectroscopy and analysis of the noise in terms of Gaussian distribution were used.

Results. The hardware im‐ plementation of the MNE method is presented. The key component of the hardware complex is presented by an autonomous microprocessor 3D seismic module. The seismic module registers signals across the frequency range of 0.5‐40 Hz with a level of spectral density of self‐noise not higher than 0.5 nm×Hz‐1/2. Presented both in land and sea design, the module is compact and mobile.

Conclusion. The application of the MNE method in prospecting and exploration allows identification and exclusion of obviously non‐productive wells from drilling, as well as reduc‐ tion of the total number of wells more than by twofold. For the Caspian region, this indicator is expected to be higher. As a result, the method will provide a significant reduction in the envi‐ ronmental consequences of the oil and gas industry as a whole.   

Aim. In this work, we set out to study the effect of surface irradiance on the growth rate and the pigment ratio of D. salina, as well as to test a technology for semi‐industrial cultiva‐ tion of D. salina aimed at obtaining its biomass enriched with β‐carotene.

Methods. D. salina was cultivated under semi‐industrial conditions in a greenhouse module of the A. O. Kovalevsky Institute of Marine Biological Research. Square tanks (1 × 1 m) lined with polyethylene film and laid on a flat ground surface were used as propagators. The culture layer had a thickness of 10 cm and a volume of 100 litres. Pre‐grown D. salina was diluted using fresh medium without salts – sources of nitrogen and phosphorus. Dunaliella was cultivated under natural light with continuous stirring.

Results. We determined the range of surface irradiance, which can be considered optimal for intensive cultivation of D. salina in terms of energy and mineral costs. Across this range, the average growth rate of the culture under experimental conditions amounted to 0.23–0.27 g DW/(l∙day), whereas the ratio of Car / Chl a increased by a factor of 1.5‐ 2, which indicates changes in the pigment composition of D. salina. It is experimentally shown that the content of carotenoids in the tanks increased by 1.3 times amounting to 600 mg per 1 m2 at a Car/Chl a ratio of 4.5 at the second stage of D. salina cultivation.

Conclusions. Carotenoid accumulation during semi‐industrial cultivation of D. salina occures due to two factors: in‐ creased natural irradiance and temperature without an additional increase in salinity and blowing of carbon dioxide, which reduces the costs of its industrial cultivation. This two‐stage cultivation method can be used to develop a technology for obtaining Dunaliella biomass enriched with β‐carotene in the southern regions of the Russian Federation.