Aim.  To  study  the  species  composition,  form  diversity,  bioecological  features of summer‐ flowering trees and shrubs in green spaces of the  south‐eastern coast of the Crimea and suggest ways to expand the range.  

Materials and Methods. The green spaces of Feodosia, Sudak and the  localities of Semidvorye, Solnechnogorskoye, Malorechenskoye, Rybachye,  Morskoye,  Novy  Svet,  Solnechnaya  Dolina,  Shchebetovka,  Kurortnoye,  Koktebel and Primorskiy were investigated. Bioecological and phenological  studies of ornamental trees and shrubs were undertaken according to  generally accepted methods.  

Results. The species composition and shape diversity of summer‐flowering  trees and shrubs in green plantings of Crimea’s south‐eastern coast were  identified. It was found that summer‐ flowering plants make up almost half  of the species composition (48.6%) used in landscaping. However, only 23  species are widespread throughout the region, such as Ailanthus altissima  (Mill.) Swingle, Albizia julibrissin Durazz., Buddleja davidii Franch., Campsis  radicans (L.) Seem., Elaeagnus angustifolia L. etc. The greatest number of  species and forms of arboreal plants bloom in early summer, their number  decreasing significantly from the second decade of June.  

Conclusion. An assortment is proposed for increasing the number of trees  and shrubs which flower during the summer, taking into account both their  decorative visual appeal and their environmental requirements, especially  drought and frost resistance. Of great interest are species that bloom from  June onwards, especially those which are highly decorative and have a long  flowering period, such as Albizia julibrissin, Buddleja davidi and forms,  Hydrangea arborescens L., Campsis radicans, Kerria japonica f. plena C.K.  Schneid, Robinia viscosа Vent., Vitex angus‐castus L. 

Aim. To study of the duration life cycle and phenological phases of plants  of Nigella sativa L. (variability depending on height above sea level, seed  quality and climatic conditions of the year). 

Material  and Methods.  Generally  accepted  methods described  in  the  relevant guidelines were used in conducting the research. Samples of  Nigella sativa (black cumin) were sourced from various eco‐geographical  origins: Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Syria, Egypt and Azerbaijan.  

Results. It was determined that with an increase in height above sea level  of the place of growth, the life cycle of plants of N. sativa samples is  prolonged and their content of palmitic acid decreases.  

Conclusion. The main reason for the above‐mentioned negative changes is  a decrease in the average daily temperature with altitude above sea level  and, as a result, a delay in the accumulation of the sum of effective  temperatures necessary for the passage of certain stages of individual  development and the life cycle as a whole.   

Aim. The study of the phenology and seed productivity of golden root plants in the 2nd‐4th years of life in the Moscow region under the influence of meteorological conditions.

Methods. The objects of research were plants of golden root from the biocollection of VILAR in Moscow. The studies included field and laboratory experiments, which conducted in 2016‐2019 according to methods adopted in medicinal plant production. Weather conditions in the Moscow region during the research period were identified on the Internet. Seed productivity was assessed according to generally accepted methods. Determination of seed sowing qualities was carried outaccording to National Standard 34221‐2017.

Results. The influence of weather conditions on the passage of phenological phases of young golden root plants in 2016‐2019 in the Non‐chernozem zone of the Russian Federation under experimental field conditions was studied for the first time. The duration of phenological phases depending on conditions in the year of observation was determined. The composition of the population of young golden root plants for the second, third and fourth years of vegetation wasestablished. Adverse factors which reduce seed productivity and affect the quality of seeds were identified.

Conclusion. The favourable meteorological characteristics of the growing season contributed to an increase in the mass of 1000 seeds by an average of 43 mg and increased seed germination to 82%. Differences in seed quality and productivity of seeds depending on the conditions of the year of observation may indicate the necessity for measures for adaptation of the plants to harmful environmental factors.

Aim.To analyse the patterns of ascorbic acid content in the green mass of Galega orientalis (Galega orientalis Lam.), Gale variety, cultivated under introductory conditions to develop an effective method for increasing feed production.

Material and Methods. The influence of the following factors on the accumulation of ascorbic acid in plants was considered: pre‐sowing seed preparation, the presence of a cover crop (pea), cultivation conditions, meteorological factors and the biological age of the grass stand over a three‐year period.

Results. It was established that the plant mass of Galega orientalis is a source of ascorbic acid after plants enter the generative phase of development with predominant localization of vitamins in the leaves (96%). Patterns were revealed of ascorbic acid accumulation in the green phytomass of Galega orientalis depending on average daily temperature during the vegetation period (r = ‐0.69) and specific leaf surface (r = ‐0.83‐0.88).

Conclusion. The data obtained also indicate a statistically significant positive effect of using Baikal‐EM1 microbiological fertilizer for seed inoculation during preparation for sowing, and a negative effect of the cover crop on the accumulation of ascorbic acid in the plant mass of Galega orientalis in its virginal and generative periods of development. 

Aim. The aim is to explore the molecular and biological characteristics of influenza virus subtype H6N8.

Material and Methods. Regular collecting of biological samples from wild birds was carried out in 2016 in the south of Western Siberia. Isolation of avian influenza virus strains from birds’ cloacal swabs was performed using three passages in embryonated chicken eggs. Hemagglutination assay was used to detect viruses in the allantoic fluid. Type and subtype of influenza viruses were identified using reverse transcription PCR (RT‐PCR).

Results. This is the first time the avian influenza virus H6N8 subtype has been isolated in Russia. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) segments of A/gadwall/Chany/97/2016(H6N8) strain genome belonged to the Eurasian lineages of avian influenza viruses. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the HA sequence of the strain was closely related to the strain isolated from a duck in Bangladesh in 2015 (A/duck/Bangladesh/25767/2015(H6N1).

Conclusion. Avian influenza viruses subtype H6N8 have the ability to circulate among wild waterfowl and poultry, increasing the chance of reassortment and transmission of H6 virus strains among birds. For this reason, it is of crucial importance to strengthen surveillance for avian influenza H6 subtype among wild birds in the south of Western Siberia. 

Aim. The goal was to establish the effect of soil cyanobacteria (CB) Fischerella muscicola, Nostoc paludosum and Nostoc linckia on change in the concentration of heavy metal ions (HM) and fusariotoxins in aqueous media.

Material and Methods. In order to plot the kinetics of sorption by dry biomass of CB Fischerella muscicola and Nostoc paludosum of copper(II), lead(II) and cadmium ions from solutions with a concentration of 10‐4mol/L, the method of potentiometry with ion‐selective electrodes was used. The concentration of fusariotoxins in the filtrate of the contact medium of Fischerella muscicola CB and Nostoc linckia with F. culmorumwas determined by HPLC.

Results. The kinetics of sorption of TM ions by dry biomass of the CB isbest described by a modified second‐order model. According to the model, the sorption process limits the ion exchange reaction. In the presence of CB Fischerella muscicola and Nostoc linckia with a titer of 1.8∙106 cells/mL (1:100 dilution), a decrease in toxin and lycomarasmin in T‐2 medium occurs. However, this increases the concentration of fusaric acid and deoxynivalenol. In the variant where the titer of CB is equal to 1.8∙107cells/mL, the concentration of lycomarasmin is significantly reduced, while there is no change in the concentration of other fusariotoxins.

Conclusion. Dry biomass of CB, having a high bisorption potential, can act as a good biosorbent with respect to copper(II), lead(II) and cadmium ions. A decrease in the concentration of fusariotoxins indicates the possibility of isolating active CB substances that can inhibit the biosynthesis of certain toxins of micromycetes of the genus Fusarium, reducing both the phytotoxicity of plant growth media and increasing the safety of crop production. 

Aim. To assess the resistance of soils in the south of Russia to silver pollution using biological indicators.

Methods. The contamination of soils in southern Russia (ordinary chernozem, grey sandy and brown forest soils) was simulated with silver under laboratory conditions. Soils were contaminated with water‐soluble silver nitrate in order to reveal the maximum ecotoxicity of silver. Soil stability was assessed according to the most sensitive and informative biological parameters in dynamics of 10, 30 and 90 days after pollution.

Results. Silver contamination inhibits the activity of oxidoreductases (catalase and dehydrogenases), reduces the total number of bacteria and the growth and development of radish. For all soils, a direct relationship was noted between silver concentration and the degree of deterioration of soil properties. The toxic effect of silver was most pronounced on the 30th day after contamination. According to their resistance to silver pollution, the soils investigated form the following sequence: ordinary chernozem> grey sandy soil ≥ brown forest soil.

Conclusion. The light granulometric composition of grey sandy soils and the acidic reaction of the environment of brown forest soils, as well as the low organic matter content, contribute to the high mobility and high ecotoxicity of silver in these soils. Regional maximum permissible concentrations (MPCs) of silver content in ordinary chernozems, grey sandy and brown forest soils have been determined as ‐ 4.4, 0.9 and 0.8 mg/kg, respectively. 

Aim. To substantiate ways of geo‐ecological optimization of an oil and gas field landscape (through the example of the Volga‐Ural steppe region).

Materials and Methods. The development of directions for geoecological optimization of landscape is based on the authors’ previously developed ideas about the transformation processes of landscape, the formation and stages of the oil and gas natural‐technogenic geosystem development, and the hierarchy and multi‐scale of technogenic changes of landscape.

Results. Optimization solutions were developed for the successive stages of planning of oil and gas extraction, operation of an oil and gas natural‐technogenic geosystem field and the end of development and disposal of oil and gas facilities. The main direction of landscape optimization is highlighted and its tasks and principles formulated.

Conclusion. Reducing technogenic impact on steppe landscape, its control and regulation is not only a problem of scientific research, but also one of the state of public consciousness and the setting of priorities by management bodies. Methods of reducing the impact and restoringsteppe landscapes can only be effective as a result of implementing a targeted policy of greening education and a corresponding change in public consciousness. 

Aim. The aim is to assess the sustainability of the social and economic development of the municipalities in the Voronezh Region.

Material and Methods. A systematic approach to an integrated, structured and dynamic study of the level of social and economic sustainability of municipalities in the region. This approach uses the classification method, which defines and restricts existing conceptual approaches to the interpretation of conflict as an economic category, and the comparative analysis method, which compares the selected approaches with each other. The statistical database covers the period from 2014 to 2018. The integral index of social and economic sustainability of the municipalities in the region has been calculated.

Discussion. The results of calculations of the integral sustainability index allowed us to identify 5 groups of municipalities, characterized by a certain degree of social and economic sustainability: a group with a high level of socio‐economic sustainability, a group with an above‐average level of socio‐economic sustainability, a group with an average level of socio‐economic sustainability, a group with a low level of socio‐economic sustainability and a group with a crisis level of socio‐economic sustainability. A crisis situation in a number of municipalities necessitates the development of certain anti‐crisis recommendations that contribute to the effective use of existing potential and directly develop the internal resources of the municipalities.

Conclusion. The work resolves an actual practice‐oriented issue in the field of socio‐economic and geographical research ‐ the calculation of the sustainability of the social and economic development of municipalities in the region. Assessment of the sustainability indicators of the regional municipalities made it possible to comprehensively and adequately reveal the "strengths and weaknesses" of the regional social and economic system of the Voronezh Region and to identify the principal strategic tasks in moving towards a single strategic aim – improving the population level and life quality. 

Aim. The article aims to study the dynamics of greenhouse gas emissions as they depend on the type and structure of economic activity in the Russian Federation (RF); to identify the impact of the pandemic and its consequences on the energy sector development and to justify the need to switch to renewable energy to ensure the sustainable economic development of Russia.

Materials and Methods. In the process of conducting this study, statistical methods of analysis, system analysis method and the comparative method of analysis were used.

Results. The results of the study have confirmed the need to switch to renewable energy in order to ensure the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions into the environment (each unit of energy generated by RES will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50‐200 %). The reason is that the economy sector accounts for almost 79% of such emissions, which makes the transition to renewable energy relevant to ensuring the sustainable economic development of Russia.

Conclusion. Achievement of the internationally recognized Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 7 «Ensuring Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable and Modern Energy Sources for All» in the context of a pandemic and its consequences necessitates energy sector reform. This could be achieved by increasing the share of renewable energy in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the environment and, accordingly, to prevent further climate change, one of the main causes of not only environmental but also of economic damage. 

Aim. Calculation of the energy potential of primary land productivity, environmental regulation of technogenic load and development ofmeasures for sustainable development of territories.

Materials and Methods. The author has developed a method for assessing the spatial differentiation of solar radiation power in relation to the territory of the Republic of Dagestan. The method is based on the results of long‐term actinometric measurements taken atmeteorological stations at different altitudes in Dagestan and adjacent territories.

Results. A statistical analysis has been carried out of the regularities of the distribution power of solar radiation in coordinates of the territory of the Republic of Dagestan. On the basis of calculated regularities, a nomogram was constructed for reading the indicators of the energy of ecosystems in the latitudinal‐altitudinal intervals of the earth's surface of the Republic of Dagestan. The resulting nomogram allows the reading of the limits and average values of the characteristics of solar radiation in an area studied, for example, for all intervals of heights and latitudes in an administrative region.

Conclusion. The results obtained are necessary for the calculation of the energy potential of primary productivity of lands, ecological regulation of anthropogenic load, as well as the development of measures for sustainable, balanced ecological and economic development of territories. 

Аim. Assessment of current climate changes in the territory of Ciscaucasia in order to predict the yield of winter wheat.

Methods .Integral indicators of climatic conditions for agricultural production were employed. For the investigations, we selected five‐year periods for which the meteorological parameters were averaged, and to identify trends the data of specific five‐year periods were compared with the average value for the entireseries of observations (1960‐2020).

Results. The deviation of precipitation in April was highest in 2011‐2015, when it increased by 22 mm, and in 1986‐1990 and 1991‐1995, when it decreased by 15 and 10 mm respectively. In Eastern Ciscaucasia,where conditions are more arid than in the Western and Central regions, in both the rise in air temperature and the amount of precipitation, especially in April and May, increased in the 21stcentury for the entire period of active vegetation.

Conclusion.It was established that the value of the hydrothermal coefficient practically did not change during the 1960‐2020 period. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, there was an increase in productivity against the background of a relatively high level of annual precipitation and this stability is confirmed at the present time. There is a very close relationship between natural and climatic factors and the level of winter wheat yield.

Aim. To study the motor activity of sheep of the Zabaykal (Transbaikal) and Agin breeds in year‐round grazing in relation to the season of the year.

Material and Methods. The research was carried out in the steppe zone of the Aginsky District of Zabaykalsky Territory. Garmin eTrex 20x GPS receivers were used in the research with the help of which motor activity and the speed of sheep in pasture were monitored. Weather conditions were taken into account for the relevant research periods using data from the meteorological service.

Results. Average daily air temperature in winter was – 23.30°C, air velocity 1.3 m/s and relative air humidity 67.3%, and in spring was 13.70°C; 4.1 m/s and 35.6%, in summer – 20.90°C; 1.6 m/s and 77.3% and in autumn – 1.10°С below zero, 2.4 m/s and 50.1%. It was found that the sheep being monitored travelled different distances with different speeds of movement depending on the season of the year and origin. They travelled the greatest distance in winter with a higher average speed of movement and a shorter distance in the summer. At the same time, it was noted that semi‐coarse‐wooled (Agin) sheep passed 12378 m during the 8‐hour grazing period, which is 24.9% more than fine‐wooled (Zabaykal) sheep (Р˂0.01), in spring – 8,168 m (22.3% more, Р ˂0.05), summer – 6,511 m (24.5% more, Р˂0.01) and autumn – 9,214 m (40.3% more). The average speed of movement of semi‐coarse‐wooled sheep was higher than fine‐wooled by 80.0% (P˂0.05), 25.0, 9.1 and 23.1% (P˂0.05), respecƟvely. The nutritional value of 1 kg of dry matter of pasture grass was higher in the summer and amounted to 0.68 units with a content of 1 unit 93.1 g of digestible protein.

Conclusion. The research data allow us to conclude that the motor activityand the speed of movement of sheep in pasture directly depends on the season of the year and the nutritional value of pasture grass, as well as on type of breed. 

Aim. The purpose of the research was to study the state of hydrobionts in the Tyub‐Karagan Bay structure by season for a comparative analysis of their state with previous studies by the authors.

Material and Methods. The conditions of hydrobionts (phyto, zoo‐plankton and macrozoobenthos) of the Tyub‐Karagan Bay structure have been studied for three seasons. Studies were carried out by traditional methodology.

Results. The species composition of phytoplankton communities in spring was found to be less constant than in autumn; this is associated with heterogeneity in external conditions at the beginning of the growing season. The seasonal dynamics of zooplankton conformed to certain patterns. As a rule, from the beginning to the end of the growing season there was an enrichment of species composition and an increase in the quantitative indicators of zooplankton communities. The highest biomass was formed by bottom cenoses, where large mollusks play a leading role.

Conclusion. During the 2018 research period, species richness and species diversity of phytoplankton were at a high level. Representatives of two categories were observed most often. Blue‐green dominated in number, while diatoms formed the basis of biomass. Species richness and species diversity of zooplankton was at a low or moderate level and most often constant. The seasonal dynamics of macrozoobenthos had common and specific features, depending on the research station location. Disproportionate changes in the quantitative indicators of bentonites are associated with a decrease in the average weight of individuals by autumn. This happened both through the strengthening of the role of small species and by an increase in the proportion of younger age stages in populations of bottom invertebrates.

Aim. Study of a group of biochemical parameters of the hepatopancreas and gills of the Black Sea mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. and the functional indicator of cardiac system adaptivity of mussels from Sevastopol bays with different levels of recreational and anthropogenic impact.

Methods. Mussels were collected from four Sevastopol water areas (Kruglaya Bay, Kazachya Bay, Matyushenko Bay and Cape Khrustalnii) in autumn 2018. The bioindication methods used were based on application of functional (cardiac system adaptability) and biochemical indicators (antioxidant enzymes activity [AEA], aminotransferases, the alkaline phosphatase [AP], and products of the lipid peroxidation [LPO] and protein oxidation [PO]) of mussel tissues. The hydrochemical parameters of the investigated areas were determined.

Results. The anthropogenic impact on a complex of biochemical indicators of mussels at the sampling sites was shown. At the same time, low values of mussel heart rate (HR) recovery time (Trec) (less than 60 min.) in all sampling sites demonstrated the efficiency of biochemical changes in mussels and the possible use of all tested bays as recreational areas.

Conclusion. Results of the present research allow the characterization of the ecological status of these Sevastopol sea water areas and to make recommendations about their rational use. Matyushenko and Kazachya Bays are most suitable for beach recreation and recreational fishery. Kazachya Bay also has favourable conditions for the development of water sports. Kruglaya Bay and Cape Khrustalnii are less ecologically safe and require a series of actions to improve water quality.