Tree‐rings contain information about variability of climatic factors and about various negative events (abnormal weather events, fires, defoliation caused by leaf‐eating insects, etc.).

Due to the fact that information about climatic conditions and negative events, as a rule, covers short time intervals, the study of tree‐rings makes it possible to obtain data on both the climate and the dates of negative phenomena and also the degree of their impact on ecosystems over long time intervals.

Old‐age trees are of particular value, since they allow obtaining information about variability of environmental conditions and negative events over hundreds of years. During our research in the Buzuluk Pine Forest in the national park of the same name, special attention was paid to identifying old Scots Pine trees (Pinus sylvestris L.).

The difficulty in studying the old tree growth dynamics was that in many of the trees the wood in the central part of the trunks had either decayed with the formation of hollows or contained areas of rot, which resulted in the inability to take samples that contained all tree rings, starting from the periphery to the center of the trunk. To estimate the age of such trees, we developed a technique by which the missing number of tree rings from the first tree ring in the samples, positioned at a calculated distance (zero radius) from the center of the trunk, was estimated by the number of tree rings formed before reaching the same radius in closely located old trees with healthy centre wood.

The purpose of this work was to estimate the age of the unique Velikansha Pine Tree. The age estimation carried out according to our technique showed that the age of Velikansha Pine Tree as of 2023 was about 320 years.

The study aims to study the parasitic fauna of domestic poultry (chickens, turkeys, geese) in the mountainous zone of Armenia (Gegharkunik, Tavush regions).

The material was collected from 2022 to 2023 in two regions of the mountainous zone of Armenia. A total of 107 samples of bird feces and 130 mollusks of the species Lymnaea stagnalis (Linnaeus, 1758) of the Lymnaeidae family – intermediate hosts of biohelminths – were examined. The study and species identification of parasites were carried out in the Laboratory of General Helminthology and Parasitology of the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia. As a result of studying the species composition of the parasite fauna of domestic birds (chickens, turkeys, geese), their infection with helminths and protozoa, 3 species of nematodes (Ascaridia galli, Capillaria obsignata, Singamus trachea), 1 species of trematodes (Echinostoma revolutum) and 1 species of protozoa (Eimeria sp.) were identified. Mixed invasions (helminths + protozoa) were identified in all birds.

The degree of invasion of helminths and protozoa varied. Eimeria were found in all examined birds with an extent of invasion from 36 % to 100 % and high rates of invasion intensity. The highest extent of helminthic invasion was recorded with Nematodosis and up to 86 % with Ascariasis with low rates of invasion intensity, which is apparently due to seasonal changes and zonal features of invasion, as well as timely implementation of therapeutic and preventive measures on farms.

Timely detection and study of the spread of helminths in poultry and the diseases they cause is important for maintaining poultry health, productivity and high-quality production.

Aim. To summarise the results of studies of the problem of interspecific hybridization of blood‐sucking mosquitoes Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus and probable consequences of this phenomenon. The review considers the direction of the hybridization process, mechanisms of postcopulatory isolation, hybrid survival and the effect of interspecific hybridisation on the representation of vectors in the sympatry zone.

The study of interspecific hybridization of mosquitoes Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus began in the first half of the 20th century. As a result of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus mating, females of both species lay nonviable eggs. Mating of virgin females of Ae. aegypti with males of Ae. albopictus sterilizes females by means of proteins of accessory glands of the male, but the reverse interspecific crossing does not affect the fertility of females of Ae. albopictus. This phenomenon is called satyrization (reproductive interference). The satyr effect causes asymmetric parameters of the Ae. aegypti population, which can lead to a decrease in the population or extinction of the species in a given territory. However, during long‐term interaction in the sympatry zone, females of Ae. aegypti become resistant to satyrization.

Satyrization is the most likely cause of competitive displacement of native mosquitoes by invasive species, especially Ae. albopictus. Even low levels of asymmetric mating interference can cause competitive displacement of a species or its population decline. Satyrized Ae. aegypti populations quickly develop resistance to interspecific mating, which partially offsets the negative effects of reproductive interference and facilitates coexistence with Ae. albopictus. Ae. albopictus mosquitoes are capable of satyrizing females of other species, which can lead to competitive displacement and possible extinctions, especially of endemic species. Thus, successful satyrization contributes to the ecological success of the invasive Ae. albopictus.

The aim was to study the species composition, population dynamics and regulatory role of entomophages of the main pests on winter wheat Triticum aestivum L. under conditions of non‐pesticide crops protection in organic crop production.

The research was carried out in 2021–2023 on the territory of the FRCBPP (2021–2023), at the basic organic farms of Mezhdurechye LLC of the Tula region and Kirillov P.G. Head of Farm IE (2022–2023) of the Voronezh region, using pheromone traps, Malaise traps, mowing with an entomological net and visual observations in wheat cenoses and adjacent lands.

The species biodiversity and abundance of entomophages in the wheat cenoses cultivated according to organic farming standards (non‐pesticide protection systems) have been significantly increased every year, leading to the effective restoration of natural biocenotic regulation mechanisms. The most favourable effect of the cancellation of chemical treatments was on bioindicatory species of hymenopteran parasites of the family Scelionidae, which regulate the number of the Sunn pest,and on the complex of aphidophage insects of the families Coccinellidae (Coleoptera), Chrysopidae (Neuroptera), Nabidae and Anthocoridae (Hemiptera).

Egg parasites – telenomuses – (Scelionidae family) play a significant role in the biocontrol of Sunn pest. Two species, Trissolcus grandis T. and Telenomus chloropus T., were mainly identified. The imago of Sunn pest E. integriceps were infected by two species of flies‐phasias Clytiomyia helluo F. and Alophora subcoleopterata L. A high number of aphidophages was established, among which Coccinella septempunctata L. was the dominant bioindicator species.

The aim was to study the relationships between colonies of different species of apple aphids with two species of ants and some aphidophages in the south of Russia.

The studies were carried out from 2013 to 2020 in the apple orchards of the Kuban educational farm of the Kuban State Agrarian University in Krasnodar. The area of the two experimental plots was 0.5 hectares each. The objects of the studies were four species of aphids: Aphis pomi, Dysaphis devecta, Dysaphis plantaginea and Eriosoma lanigerum. Monitoring was carried out every seven days during the entire apple tree growing season: aphids were noted as individuals and colonies, as were various species of aphidophages.

Data were obtained showing that predator-prey relationships may change depending on the presence or absence of ants. The main types of aphidophages were identified in all four species of aphids observed: Aphis pomi – 13 species, Dysaphis devecta – 4 species, Dysaphis plantaginea – 7 species, Aphis pomi – 1 species. The dependence of the increase in green apple aphid colonies on the number of ants was shown.

The most preferred species for various aphidophages is the green apple aphid. In April-March, ants often begin feeding in Dysaphis devecta colonies, but then move on to Aphis pomi. The results of the study can be used in planning protective measures in apple orchards.

The study of the species composition and regulatory activity of entomophages as bioindicator taxa in agrocenoses of the central and western zones of Krasnodar Territory.

The research was carried out in 2021–2023 on various agricultural and fruit crops and weed on the basis of experimental scientific crop rotation of the FRCBPP (Krasnodar), the Kuban educational and experimental farm (Krasnodar) and in the Dinsky, Abinsky and Crimean districts of the Krasnodar Territory.

An assessment of the biodiversity of ladybugs of the Coccinellidae family among the entomofauna in agroecosystems of the central zone of the Krasnodar Territory showed that out of ten identified species eight are entomophages that reduce the number of insect pests (aphids, scale insects, whiteflies, etc.), while two species are mycophages. It was found that the dominant bioindicator species controlling aphids in field crops is C. septempunctata, whose population density exceeded the other nine species, amounting to 75 %. The second bioindicator species controlling the number of lepidopteran pests of the genus Bracon (Hymenoptera Braconidae). From the order Neuroptera: green lacewing, Chrysopa carnea Steph.; seven–point lacewing, Chrysopa septempunctata L.; lacewing, Chrysopa phyllochroma Wesmael. Of the suborder of short-whiskered diptera: 39 % of the species belong to entomophage ladybugs of the Coccinellidae family; 13 % of the Empididae family; 6 % of the Dolichopodidae family; 10 % of the Asilidae family; 7 % of the Bombyliidae family and 3 % of the Syrphidae family.

As a result of the research, the main bioindicator species of entomophages were identified among the families of Coccinellidae (Coleoptera, Coccinelidae), Braconidae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae), Chrysopidae (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae), and representatives of the suborder of short-whiskered diptera (Diptera, Brachycera).

Carbon balance assessment of farms in various natural conditions within the boundaries of the Altai Territory in order to reduce carbon emissions. The study covers 4 farms, more than 30 thousand hectares of arable land and 13 agricultural crops. The methodological basis for the assessments is the methodology for determining the volumes of emissions and absorption of greenhouse gases approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation in 2022.

On each farm, the soil under different crops has a unique carbon balance and therefore the choice of crops grown and their cultivation technologies determines the carbon balance of the farm. The maximum contribution to carbon accumulation comes from the entry of plant residues into the soil; the application of mineral fertilizers also plays an important role. The main components of carbon emissions are its losses through haymaking, erosion and deflation. Soil respiration takes up a small share in the overall carbon balance.

In the dry steppe zone, a negative carbon balance was revealed for all types of crops studied, except for spring wheat. In the forest‐steppe zone, carbon accumulation was noted for wheat, rapeseed and barley, and losses were noted for buckwheat and peas. In the foothill steppe zone, an increase in carbon in the soil is also typical for wheat, barley and sunflower, while a decrease is typical for buckwheat, soybeans, rapeseed, alfalfa and haylage. The greatest carbon losses occur in fields occupied by forage crops, which is associated with the removal of plant residues during harvesting.

Aim. To monitor, assess and map regional biological diversity in the southern steppe agricultural landscape, which has a high proportion of arable land; to highlight types of key ecosystems for its conservation; and to develop cartographic models of the ecological framework at regional, basic and local scale levels.

The study was carried out on the basis of field research, cartographic analysis and GIS technologies.

The results showed that forest belts, island forests, river valleys, gullies, boundaries and fragments of degraded steppes on 7 % of the territory, which are little disturbed and not used in agricultural practice, perform the role of reservoirs of regional flora and fauna, buffer zones and transit corridors in the agricultural landscape. For more than 100 species of rare, relict and endangered species of vascular plants and terrestrial animals, they represent potential habitats. 8 types of habitats were identified corresponding to their ecology, geographical area and ecological valence. They are structured according to the environmental role played and priority of protection. Even in conditions of intensive and productive agricultural production, it is possible to preserve the high floral and faunal diversity of the steppe biome not only in protected areas, but also in the types of natural ecosystems studied as elements of the ecological framework.

Ecological approaches and low-cost biodiversity conservation measures are proposed for each element identified. The approaches developed can be applied in the agricultural sector of the south of Russia in environmental protection programs and policies at the regional, municipal and local levels.

The study was aimed at identifying pressing problems that limit sustainable (balanced) recreational nature management in the North-East Caucasus.

In the course of the analysis of approaches to the organisation of recreation and the state of the tourist and recreational sphere, regulatory and legislative acts, official statistics of regional ministries and periodicals were used, together with systemic, settlement, literary and analytical and comparative geographical methods. The graphic material was developed using Draw.io software and Microsoft Office Excel 2013.

The dominant role of recreational nature management in mountain region conditions was noted. Justification of need to find a balance between satisfaction of the recreational needs of the population and ecologically safe forms of recreation and tourism were determined. It has been proven that the tourist and recreational potential is only used to insignificant extent. A complex of interrelated and mutually agreed geopolitical, geoecological, legal, social and economic problems limiting the rational use of recreational resources was identified. Particular emphasis in the context of the development of environmentally oriented types of tourism is placed on the problem of insufficient development of a system of ecological paths and routes, as well as poor engagement of specially protected natural areas in the fields of recreation and tourism.

Against the background of regional tourist and recreational potential, the authors associate the prospects for sustainable recreational nature management in the north-east Caucasus with the solution of the problems identified in this work. It is assumed that their resolution will have a multiplicative effect in the economy, social sphere and for geoecological security. It is also necessary to develop a scientifically based concept for the rational use of recreational resources, which corresponds with the strategic goals of the development of the tourism industry of the nation and ensuring interregional cooperation in organising recreation and tourism.

The aim was to quantify the carbon stock and budget at the Grozny Green Zone carbon polygon site.

The assessment of the carbon stock and budget was carried out on the basis of the ROBUL methodology, the software of which is publicly available on the website of the Centre for Environmental Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences. To assess the carbon stock and budget, information from the State Forest Register (SFR) on species composition, areas and reserves of wood and categories of plantings was used. Instrumental measurement of CO₂ flows at the carbon polygon site was carried out using the turbulent pulsation method.

For the carbon polygon site, the carbon stock was 207708 tons, while the carbon budget was 267 tons/year. Analysis of pulsation measurements showed that for 8 months of 2023 (April–November) CO₂ emission exceeded absorption. The maximum absorption of CO₂ occurs in May. This is due to the growth of biomass and photosynthesis processes. The maximum emission occurs in September.

For a section of the site, calculated values of the carbon stock and budget for pools were obtained. Monitoring the flows of climate-active gases will make it possible in the future to create a database of runoff and emissions of greenhouse gases characteristic of the forest-steppe zone of the Chechen Republic, with the possibility of subsequent interpolation of data to representative regions.

A principal trend of the modern world is a requirement for sustainable development, which involves taking into account not only socio-economic but also environmental factors, one of which is the anthropogenic load on the ecosystem.

Since the anthropogenic load varies across a region in the entire range of values from 0 to 100 %, a strategy for its eco-development should be based on estimates of consumption potentials in distributed parameters so that the total load does not exceed the capacity of the entire territory analysed.

All the significance indicators used in the study in various combinations are included as elements of the structural and functional model. The simulation and balance model "Region" constructed as a result of the calculations establishes a direct relationship "impact – response" in ecosystems, which is achieved by indexing the anthropogenic load relative to the capacity of the environment.

The results of the calculations obtained of the anthropogenic load can form the basis for solving a number of related challenges. In particular, for the Republic of Dagestan, it is useful to know the ratio of the anthropogenic load in individual areas to a similar indicator elsewhere for the republic as a whole. The resulting index will show the place of a specific administrative district in terms of anthropogenic load in relation to the average for the republic. In addition, such an index can serve as an objective basis for planning measures for the ecological and economic stabilisation of a district.

The implementation of the international One Belt – One Road project, initiated by the Chinese leadership in 2013, will certainly have a global geoeconomic effect. The purpose of this article is to analyse urbanisation processes in the participating countries located on the routes of the great Silk Road and Tea Road. In the study, based on literary sources and by generalizing the results of satellite imagery, rates of development of urbanisation processes were considered using as examples the capital cities of the participating countries: Beijing (Peoples Republic of ChinaRC), Astana (Kazakhstan), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) and Ulan-Ude (Russia). The choice of cities is an attempt to conduct a time slice of the dynamics of urban spatial development of cities with differing populations and levels of development.

The results obtained indicate that urbanisation processes have common features that meet modern trends and the main historical stages of economic development. At the same time, there are significant differences in the dynamics of development due to socio-economic, political, and historical-geographical factors. In the development of urbanisation processes, taking into account global challenges, it is necessary to take into account the individual regional geographic features, as well as national and international geopolitical interests.

The aim was to conduct a study and evaluate the impact of underground disposal of industrial wastewater and liquid waste on the geological environment when they are placed (injected) into a Paleocene aquifer complex and placed within a mining allotment, using the example of a depleted gas field.

The following were carried out: collection and synthesis of geological, geophysical and hydrogeological materials for the study area; results of drilling and testing of wells; measurements of formation pressures and temperatures; assessment of the compatibility of liquid waste with formation waters.

The impact of industrial waste injection on the hydrodynamic conditions of the absorption horizon was assessed. The wellhead pressures contributing to hydraulic fracturing and the increase in reservoir pressure in injection wells due to the injection of industrial waste were calculated. The radii of distribution of industrial wastewater at the end of the estimated period of operation of the landfill were determined, taking into account the volume already injected and the removal of ‘pollution spots’ under the natural pressure of formation water over 20 years. A geological model of deviations from design indicators during the operation of the facility has been proposed and options have been considered in which industrial wastewater may go beyond the boundaries of the mining allotment.

It has been established that according to the proposed geological model, it is possible to prevent deviations from the design indicators of the operation of the facility, to predict and prevent the release of disposed liquid waste in the geological environment beyond the boundaries of the mining allotment. The impact on the hydrodynamic system of the absorbent formation is considered to be insignificant and concentrated mainly within the permissible limits. When operating a landfill, it is necessary to constantly monitor the repression on the formation and not allow it to increase above 8.5 MPa. During the operation of the landfill, it is necessary to constantly monitor the repression on the formation and not allow it to increase above the recommended level. Despite the growth of formation pressure due to the injection of liquid waste being less intense, the release of industrial waste beyond the mining allotment with the actual volumes of injection into the absorbing formation of the thickness proposed is not expected to be possible.

The objective was to assess the relationship between the dynamics of economic growth and the level of pollutant emissions in the ecosystems of Russian administrative regions in the period from 1999 to 2023.

The work uses methods for analysing the level of anthropogenic impact on the environment, based on the assessment of the parameters of the "ecological Kuznets curve", coupling, decoupling and regression modelling. The analysis is based on data covering 8 federal districts of Russia, including the Southern and North Caucasian federal districts. Features were considered of application of the analysis of the ecological Kuznets curve to study the relationship between environmental and economic indicators. A quantitative assessment is presented of the relationship between the gross regional product and the rate of discharge of polluted wastewater and pollutant emissions into the atmosphere by federal districts of Russia: ecological Kuznets curves were constructed and the decoupling values and the parameters of the regression model are calculated.

The results obtained indicate that the economic development of Russian regions in the long term cannot be fully recognized as being balanced ecologically nor does it contribute to the reduction of its environmental impact. The results of the statistical assessment of the anthropogenic impact on the environment can serve as a basis for adjusting the parameters of an ecological‐economic strategy aimed at achieving sustainable and balanced growth in Russian administrative regions.

The aim was to assess the tourism and recreational potential of the Republic of Tatarstan to determine the prospects for the development of hiking tourism.

Considering the prospects for the development of hiking tourism in the Republic of Tatarstan, the authors of the study identified the main criteria for assessing the tourism and recreational potential of the territory, such as the natural environment, the level of infrastructure development and logistics of hiking routes. The article used the cartographic method of assessing tourism resources and the methodology of integrated qualitative assessment of the tourist potential of a region by A.V. Drozdov using indicators in the form of a point scale.

In order to determine the prospects for the development of hiking tourism in the Republic of Tatarstan, problems hindering the development of this type of tourism were summarised. Among the problems currently hindering the development of hiking tourism, general problems of active tourism and ways to solve them and specific problems of the development of hiking tourism in the Republic of Tatarstan were identified.

Despite the high rates of development of sports tourism in Tatarstan, large investments in infrastructure and the enormous work done in this area, the region has many unrealised resources. The study showed that the Yelabuga and Zelenodolsk municipal districts of Tatarstan have the greatest potential for the development of hiking tourism. Of the indicators of the natural landscape component, the Yelabuga and Zelenodolsk districts are leaders in two of three possible indicators. Of the totality of regional distribution of infrastructure, the Yelabuga district has a large number of points in two of three indicators and the Zelenodolsk district in all indicators.

The Yelabuga and Zelenodolsk municipal districts of Tatarstan have the potential to become centres for the development and organization of active recreation, including the organisation of hiking tourism in the east and northwest of the Republic.

The aim was to undertake an Agroecological assessment of pre‐emergence herbicides on the crops of the Aris sunflower hybrid in Krasnodar Territory. The experiment was carried out at the Federal Research Centre of Biological Plant Protection in 2023 on sunflower crops (Aris hybrid), according to the guidelines for testing herbicides in agriculture. Widely used pre‐emergence herbicides were applied in the experiment. The biological and economic efficacy of herbicides was assessed by the number, weight and yield of sunflower seeds in comparison with the control. A comparative ecotoxicological assessment of the preparations was carried out based on the environmental load indicator.

Application of the preparations: Frontiere Optima, CE (0.8 l/ha); Dual Gold CE (1.3 l/ha); Proponite, CE (2.0 l/ha), Gezadar, SC (2.0 l/ha), Begin Turbo, SC (1.5 l/ha); Acris, SE (2.0 l/ha); Versia, OD (3.0 l/ha) and Camelot, SE (3.0 l/ha) before sunflower germination provided 75...96 % herbicidal effect. No negative effect on the crop was observed and 149.1...155.5 % of the saved yield compared to the control was obtained. Herbicides: Frontiere Optima, CE, Dual Gold CE, Proponite, CE, Gezadar, SC are characterised by a lower environmental load compared to the preparations Begin Turbo, SC; Acris, SE; Versia, OD and Camelot, SE.

When choosing herbicides for use on sunflower crops, it is necessary to take into account not only their biological effectiveness, but also their environmental load.

The linear model of economic development has exhausted itself and further economic growth, without harming the environment, is possible only after transition to a closed‐loop economy model. The waste management industry is the most promising and has the resource potential to implement the principles of a circular economy. This article examines the results of the analysis of the long‐term impact of environmental factors on the formation and functioning of a circular economy in the field of waste management, and suggests criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of implementing a closed‐loop economy model