Home – Home – Jornals – Geography and Natural Resources 2024 number 2

The paper presents data on a granulite xenolith from the Zarnitsa kimberlite pipe (Yakutia, Russia), which stores a record of two metasomatic events in addition to the main stage of metamorphism. The granulitic mineral assemblage consists of garnet, clinopyroxene, and plagioclase as main phases. The granulite xenolith contains kyanite-clinopyroxene and later orthopyroxene-plagioclase symplectites. Kyanite-clinopyroxene symplectites appear as short veins inside or between grains of rock-forming minerals. Orthopyroxene-plagioclase symplectites form kelyphite rims in all garnets or occur as veins in garnet grains. The P-T conditions for granulite in the lower crust reconstructed by Perple_X phase equilibrium modeling are 700-750 ℃ and 1.2-1.3 GPa. According to TWQ thermodynamic calculations, the kyanite-clinopyroxene symplectites were produced by Si-metasomatism at invariable Р-Т parameters. The growth of orthopyroxene-plagioclase symplectites after garnet was maintained by Ca inputs upon heating and decompression (200 ℃ temperature increase and 0.6 GPa pressure decrease) while the xenolith was transported by ascending kimberlite melt.

Sulfur isotope ratios (³³S/³²S, ³⁴S/³²S, and ³⁶S/³²S) archived in the rocks of volcanic and ferruginous formations of the Sumozero-Kenozersky (~2.9 Ga) and Kostomuksha (~2.7 Ga) greenstone belts of the Fennoscandinavian shield were studied. The data obtained provide new arguments in favor of developing ideas about the existence of bacterial activity in the Archean ocean and the involvement of sulfur in the biogenic cycle, and also indicates the absence of free oxygen in the Earth’s Archean atmosphere. Based on the isotopic data of sulfur-34 and -33, the active activity of sulfate-reducing and disproportionating elemental sulfur bacteria in the surface environments of Archean sedimentary rocks was identified. The discovery of isotopic anomalies of sulfur-33 and -36 in the studied rocks became a key evidence of the absence of free oxygen in the atmosphere during the formation of the Meso- and Neo-Archean deposits of Karelia.

The paper presents data on two groups of magnesian Cr-V spinel occurring as rock-forming minerals in various types of Cr-V bearing rocks of the Sludyanka metamorphic complex (South Baikal area, Siberia, Russia): (i) low-Al magnesiochromite-magnesiocoulsonite spinels and (ii) Al spinels varying from V-bearing aluminous magnesiochromite and Al-Cr coulsonite to spinel proper with minor contents of Cr and V, and with complex zoning patterns. Spinels in the Sludyanka rocks are also present as iron-magnesian accessories, among which high-Cr varieties are compositionally similar to mantle-derived spinel from igneous rocks and to inclusions in diamonds. Comparison of formation conditions for mantle spinels in igneous lithologies and spinel phases in metamorphic rocks shows that their mineral chemistry is mainly controlled by the bulk composition of the igneous and sedimentary protoliths, respectively. Detrital spinel may be a false indicator poorly applicable to paleogeodynamic reconstructions and diamond potential evaluation.

The work is devoted to the analysis of the geological structure and assessment of the oil and gas potential of the Anabar-Khatanga and Lena-Anabar oil and gas areas (OGA) of the Lena-Tunguska oil and gas province, which are located on the continental margin of the Siberian platform, on the coast of the Laptev Sea. Administratively, the study area includes the northeastern regions of the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the northwest of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the offshore of the Khatanga Bay and the southern, transit part of the Laptev Sea (Khatanga-Lena interfluve). Based on integrated interpretation of geological and geophysical materials, we present regional-zonal models of the geology of the upper Proterozoic-Phanerozoic deposits of the Arctic regions of the Siberian platform, sets of seismogeological sections, structural and parametric maps, results of structural-tectonic analysis, potential estimates of oil-producing formations; analysis of reservoir properties and types of oil and gas promising objects, and a quantitative assessment of hydrocarbon resources. The study area is of interest in terms of oil and gas potential. In this region, the Central Olgin field was discovered, numerous bitumen, oil and gas shows were noted. A series of oil-producing formations enriched in organic matter occurs in the sedimentary cover, and in the sections of all sedimentary complexes, high-capacity reservoirs are distinguished. There are prerequisites for the formation of both anticlinal and complex oil and gas promising objects. The prospects for the oil and gas potential of the Anabar-Khatanga OGA are mainly associated with Permian terrigenous deposits and Cambrian-Devonian carbonates. In the Lena-Anabar OGA, all upper Proterozoic-Paleozoic sedimentary complexes from the Riphean to the Permian level are of interest in terms of oil and gas potential.

New and revised previous data based on detailed description of sections have provided better constraints on fauna taxonomy, lithology, and stratigraphy, as well as on biostratigraphic ages of sediments. The lithology and stratigraphy of several key Upper Ordovician sections in the northern Gorny Altai area show that the local units of Sandbian and Katian Savelieva and Bulukhta formations can be used as reference for the regional Ordovician division. It is suggested to include a newly distinguished Bulukhta facies zone, an area of Late Ordovician coarse clastic deposition, into the mapped Ordovician deposits of Gorny Altai. According to paleogeographic reconstructions, the deposition occurred in a large sea gulf surrounded with elevated landmasses exposed to erosion.

The wavefield structure is studied from explosions within the Mururoa atoll based on seismic records from four stations (BCAO, KAAO, GRFO, BRVK) located at distances 152.1º, 152.4º, 143.6º, 141.7º, respectively. The cross-correlation analysis was used as the main tool of the similarity of explosion seismograms conducted at different times. It has been concluded that changes in correlation similarity in time are reconcilable with the hypothesis of differential rotation of the Earth’s inner core in the period from 1977 to 1991. The evidence of structural anomalies not only in the inner core but also in the outer core has been demonstrated.

Ground penetrating radar method which was applied to study distribution and occurrence of polygonal wedge ice along with other structural features in the near-surface layers of the permafrost section on the western coast of the Taymyr Peninsula and Kotelny Island. The polygonal microrelief in the region under study is at a descending stage of development and is mainly placed in sand-gravel deposits and silts with rare interlayers of light gray sands. The ground penetrating radar (GPR) data were analyzed and interpreted by modeling of the polygonal wedge ice structures in gprMax - a software that simulates electromagnetic wave propagation. The effect of the seasonally thawed layer on the measurement results was assessed, and the results of ground penetrating radar sounding of the polygonal microrelief were interpreted. The ground penetrating radar studies performed in this work indicate that unmelted lower ends of ice wedges preserved under pseudomorphs can be observed in some spots. Repeated wedge structures of higher generation, which do not appear on the surface, have been identified. The propagation velocity of electromagnetic waves in the studied sediments was determined.

The paper presents an approximate algorithm for modeling a stationary discrete random process with marginal and bivariate distributions of its consecutive components in the form of a mixture of two Gaussian distributions. The algorithm is based on a combination of the conditional distribution method and the rejection method. An example of application of the proposed algorithm for simulating time series of daily maximum air temperatures is given.

A continuous-discrete stochastic model is constructed to describe the evolution of a spatially heterogeneous population. The population structure is defined in terms of a graph with two vertices and two unidirectional edges. The graph describes the presence of individuals in the population at the vertices and their transitions between the vertices along the edges. Individuals enter the population from an external source at each of the vertices of the graph. The duration of movement of individuals along the edges of the graph is constant. Individuals may die or turn into individuals of other populations not considered in the model. The assumptions of the model are formulated, the probabilistic formalization of the model and the numerical simulation algorithm based on the Monte Carlo method are given. Distribution patterns of the population are studied. The results of a computational experiment are presented.

The paper deals with Monte Carlo modeling of spatiotemporal signals of wide-angle lidars for probing atmospheric clouds. Using computational experiments, we study the features of lidar signals for monostatic and bistatic sensing schemes which make it possible to analyze the optical and microphysical properties of the cloud environment. When probing thin cloud layers, the lidar signal looks like an expanding and attenuating light ring. It is shown that for a bistatic scheme a second ring, which appears for a short time inside the main one, is characteristic of the lidar signal.

In this paper, a new stochastic algorithm for solving the system of Lame equations based on the Slobodianskii representation is proposed, in which the recovery of boundary conditions for the harmonic functions involved is carried out implicitly using the method of fundamental solutions, while the unknown coefficients in this method are calculated using a stochastic projection method. Results of numerical experiments for several examples of two- and three-dimensional boundary value problems are presented, which demonstrate the high efficiency of the proposed method.

The article provides original information about relict phenomena in the structure of the forest component of the mountain forest-steppe of Southern Siberia (SS). Larch (Siberian larch ( Larix sibirica Ledeb.)) shrub-grass forests are characteristic element of vegetation in the forest-steppe of the SS. The oldest are the Pliocene, the most thermophilic analogues of the modern forest-steppe, noted in the foothills of the Western Tannu-Ola ridge (Horlety) is a small-leaved larch, dwarf-gmelin wormwood with participation in the community of mountain-Asian elements of ancient Middle-earth. It is important to note that in the species composition of the relict larch forest, the role of characteristic boreal species such as spirea ( Spiraea media Schmidt), prickly wild rose ( Rosa acicularis Lindl.) is insignificant in comparison with typical elements of semiarid florocenotypes of the Ancient Middle Earth. Among them, participation in the shrub layer of the small-leaved honeysuckle community, an element of the Altai-Dzhungar-Tien Shan relict florocenotype of highland Asian shrubs, is especially significant in phylogenetic terms. In the conditions of Western Transbaikalia, in the spurs of the ridge Malyi Khamar-Daban (Inzagatuy tract) describes the relict larch forest with the participation of characteristic species of the periglacial Pleistocene complex. In the Quaternary period - especially the xerothermic phases of the Holocene, as mountains deglaciate and a relatively warm and temperate climate develops, conditions are created for the formation of a modern mountain forest-steppe in the conditions of the semi-humid climatic regime of the SS. For example, forb-iris-sedge larch, characterized by a rich species composition of herbaceous plants, along with a well-developed undergrowth. This is expressed in the processes of mesoxerophytization of vegetation with the development of floristic complexes of meadow steppes and hemiboreal forests in the structure of phytocoenocomplexes of mountain exposure forest-steppe from Altai to Transbaikalia.

The results of the study of the intraspecific variability of the morphological traits of Siberian larch ( Larix sibirica Ledeb.) cones in the south of Siberia (Tomsk Region, the Republics of Altai and Khakassia) are presented. Ecotypes (marsh, upland, forest-steppe, and steppe) and intraspecific forms, differentiated by the color of young female cones - red cone (f. rubriflora Szaf.), green cone (f. viridiflora Szaf.) and pink cone (f. rosea Szaf.) are considered. As a result of the study, a significant ecotopic variability of metric and qualitative traits of Siberian larch cones was established, caused by the heterogeneity of the ecological and geographical conditions of tree growth and probable interspecific hybridization. In the southern taiga subzone, in the process of hybridization with Sukachev’s larch ( Larix sukaczewii Dylis), plantations of Siberian larch (marsh and upland ecotypes) were formed with a predominance (up to 95 %) of large-cone and large-scale trees promising for forest seed production. In the forest-steppe and steppe ecotopes of Altai and Khakassia, the proportion of trees with small cones increases (up to 37 %), and the polyvariance of Siberian larch cenopopulations in terms of the quality of cones increases. When evaluating the shape variability of Siberian larch, it was shown that trees of the red cone form produce larger cones (length, 30.1 ± 0.7 mm; width, 23.7 ± 0.7 mm) with a large number of smaller scales. The green cone form is characterized by smaller cones (length 28.8 ± 0.8 mm, width 22.3 ± 0.8 mm) with fewer larger scales. The pink cone form has intermediate values of the traits under consideration. The predominance of large cones in red cones may have an adaptive character, associated with the formation of a larger number of cones with large seeds. The identified features of the ecotopic and form differentiation of Siberian larch should be taken into account when carrying out silvicultural, breeding and silvicultural activities in the south of Siberia.

The article deals with the issues of artificial reforestation on the burnt areas in the permafrost zone of East Siberia (Yakutia). Scientifically substantiated work on forest plantations in Yakutia has not been carried out before this work. The results of long-term observations of larch crops, which were carried out on the territory of the Megino-Kangalassky forestry of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), are summed up. Artificial reforestation was carried out with of Kayander larch ( Larix cajanderi Mayr) seedlings. The article also presents and analyzes all the experiences of creating forest plantations recorded in various sources, carried out in the republic in different years. An analysis of the growth and development of larch plantation is given, an estimate of survival rate for 8 years is given. In the first years after planting, seedlings adapt to new environmental conditions, starting from the third or fourth year after planting, there is an increasing growth of seedlings, and from 15-20 years, the growth of larch crops is intensified. The characteristics of the vegetation in the area of artificial reforestation and in the control are given. For twenty years, significant changes in the vegetation cover have been traced: from meadow-forb to forest vegetation. The materials of the article can be the basis for the development of the most promising technologies for reforestation in the permafrost zone and will make it possible to achieve high-quality reforestation during artificial and combined reforestation in the light of recent changes in forest legislation.

The article presents data on the effect of emissions from the Bratsk Aluminum Plant (BrAZ) on the photosynthetic apparatus of Siberian larch ( Larix sibirica Ledeb.). On the basis of data on the content of elements-pollutants (fluorine, sulphur, heavy, light metals and metalloids) in needle trees using cluster analysis the trees of critical, strong, moderate, low level of contamination, as well as background stands were identified in the surveyed area. It has been established that in the needles of trees with an increase in the level of pollution, the content of pigments decreases: chlorophyll a - by 68 %, chlorophyll b - by 72 %, carotenoids - by 67 % compared to the background level. The morphometric parameters of the assimilation organs of polluted trees (the length of auxiblasts of the second year of life, the mass of needles on them, and the length of needles) are reduced by 45-65 % compared to the background values; their minimum values are found at a critical level of pollution (on the territory of the BrAZ industrial zone). The presence of functional disorders of the photosynthetic apparatus of needles in conditions of pollution by emissions from an aluminum plant is evidenced by a change in the parameters of chlorophyll fluorescence: a decrease in the photochemical activity of photosystem II (F_v/F_m) by 7 %, the electron transport flow rate (ETR) - by 26 %, the quantum yield of photosystem II (Y(II) - by 35 %, as well as an increase in background fluorescence of chlorophyll F₀ by 26-35 % and non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) by 27 % compared to background values. The maximum negative impact of emissions on the photochemical processes of larch needles was recorded at the critical level of trees pollution.

The carbon depositing capacity of forest cover in the context of climate stabilization is determined by the productivity of its biomass, which, in turn, is formed under the influence of climate. The first attempts to build maps of forest productivity by stem volume and its growth were based on integrated climate indices without the use of statistical methods. When the taxation indicators of stands and climatic factors were included in the models as independent variables, the contribution of climatic factors to the explanation of the variability of production indicators was statistically insignificant due to the regional level of the models. With the release of multifactorial modeling of biomass to the Eurasian level, the explanatory ability of both taxation and climate variables has become statistically significant. However, the stability of such models was not evaluated and the multicollinearity of the defining variables was not checked. In our study, on the basis of the author’s database on the biomass of trees of forest-forming species of Eurasia and the WorldClim climate database, a conjugate analysis of monthly and average annual precipitation for the period from 1970 to 2000 was performed, the relationship of aboveground biomass of trees with their size, precipitation and temperature was revealed, and the multicollinearity of independent variables in models of biomass of forest-forming species was estimated. It has been established that multicollinearity of determining factors, including temperatures and precipitation, is not observed in the range of the main forest-forming species growing in Northern Eurasia from the subarctic to the southern temperate zones when developing climate-sensitive biomass models. But south of the 37th parallel, in the subtropical, subequatorial and equatorial zones of Eurasia, multicollinearity of temperatures and precipitation occurs when modeling the biomass of trees.

Populations of laurel poplar ( Populus laurifolia Ledeb . ) in the basins of the Tom and Chulyshman rivers, which are characterized by polymorphism in bark color, were studied. The most obvious morphological feature that marks these forms is the base of the leaf blade - rounded-wedge-shaped in gray bark and heart-shaped in white bark forms. The population of the river Chulyshman, differs from the plantations of the Tom’ basin by a sharp predominance of the ovate-triangular (75.5 %) shape of the leaf blade and the absence of elliptical leaves. There is a predominance of intrapopulation variability, which is typical for poplar. The interpopulation component in terms of quality features accounts for 11.8 %, in terms of phenotypes 23.8 %, which indicates the average differentiation of the studied plantations. The conducted studies have shown that the observed relationship between the blade morphology and form polymorphism is characteristic not only for the plantations of the river basin. Tom, but in general for laurel poplar. It has been established that polymorphism in different parts of the range is not an adaptation to moisture regimes, but probably reflects the distribution history of the species. The observed relationship between the populations of Tom and Chulyshman is explained by the evolution of the river system of the Altai-Sayan mountainous country. The Chulyshman River from the Oligocene to the Upper Pleistocene (30-40 thousand years ago) was part of a single river system, which also included sections of the Biya, Kondoma, and Tom. Considering that laurel poplar arose in the Neogene, and the formation of laurel poplar forests spread widely in the Middle Pleistocene, its white-bark and gray-bark forms probably populated this ancient river system even before the formation of Lake Teletskoe.

55-year-old crops of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) the IB productivity class (bonitet) with a completeness of 0.94 on an area of 1.9 hectares, created according to the scheme 1.82 × 1.10 m, were studied. More than 2 thousand trees were located on this area and polygons of their nutrition were built around them in the «ArcMap-ArcView» program. The territory was divided into 24 test areas, with density fluctuations at the age of 30 years 1153-2207 trees/ha, a fullness of 0.84-1.03 and an average diameter of 19.1-23.0 cm. It was found that the density affects the intensity of the fall of trees by only 22 %, and 78 % of the factors of their fall are not related to the density. Therefore, increased density within these limits is not the main reason for the fall of trees. It was also found out that in the younger class of the tree’s feeding area, the probability of its falling off after 25 years is the greatest (58 %) and gradually decreases to 5-7 % by the senior classes. At the same time, the area of nutrition increased by 2.1 times or more did not guarantee the trees their complete safety by the age of 55, and in 9.6 % of cases they died for no apparent reason. The feeding areas of falling trees turned out to be almost functionally related to the frequencies of feeding areas at the age of 30 with a correlation of R = 0.95 ± 0.03, and this leads to the fact that their small feeding area (less than average) increases the probability of falling off by only 27 %. This is confirmed by S. N. Sennov’s research (1999, 2005) that despite intensive thinning at the age of 40, over the next 40 years trees died at any diameter, and the nature of the fall did not differ from the control. Therefore, from a forestry point of view, thinning felling in middle age is no longer effective. We need a much earlier optimization of the density of the stand at the age of 10-15 years.

In natural stands of Scots pine ( Pinus sylvestris L.) near Yekaterinburg city and in the city forest park the state of trees was studied at the edge of the tree stand and in its depth up to a distance of 225 m. On each of 16 transects there were studied 6 - 10 registration sites with a radius of 11.3 m and a distance between them of 25-33 m. For natural stands: 10 transects; 100 sites, in the forest park: 6 transects; 52 sites. The transects were located perpendicular to the edge of the stands. The relationship of the trunk diameter with foliation and branchiness, determined visually on a point scale in 2315 trees was determined. Most of the transects had south and southwest orientations. For relationships there were obtained nonlinear ratios. In them the coefficients of the variables depend on the distance to the edge of the stand. The relationship between the values of the coefficients and the factor of distance to the edge of stand is also non-linear, are described by polynomials of 4-5th degree. It is characterized by the presence of two maxima. Four zones are distinguished in natural stands (0-75 m, 100-125 m, 150-175 m, 200-225 m), characterized by different ratios of the development of trees assimilation apparatus ( for trees with the same diameters). In the forest park the width of the located between the maxima zone of decrease in the dependency of traits coefficient is greater than in natural stands. This is due to the shift of the first maximum closer, and the second - further from the edge of the stand by 25 m each. These features of the influence of urbanization are apparently explained by the influence of urban conditions on changes in the relationship between the diameter of the trunk and the development of the assimilation apparatus of trees.

The comparison of snow density in small open spaces adjacent to forest stands and under the canopy of spruce stands located on the macroslopes of the Middle Urals of the eastem end westem expositions was carried out. It was found that the density of snow in open spaces on the western macroslope is usually higher than on the eastem one. The forest canopy somewhat reduces the difference in the amount of snow density observed between forest clearings, but maintains a tendency of increased density on the western slope. On the western and eastern slopes, there is a higher variation in snow density under the canopy of stands than in forest clearings and a more significant variation under the crowns of spruce ( Picea A. Dietr.) than in the aisles. On the eastern slope, the dynamics of snow density in forest clearings over the years of observations has no indisputable connection with the sum of temperatures and precipitation of winter periods. On the western slope, when comparing between the observation seasons, the snow density in the forest clearing differs at a reliable significant level ( p < 0.05). The canopy of the forest can regulate the peculiarities of weather conditions, and most often, there is no statistically significant inter-seasonal dynamics of snow density on the permanent trial square of both slopes. A comparison of the snow density under the crowns and in the aisles showed that both on the eastern and western slopes the snow in the aisles is denser. Also, within the season, both on the eastern slope and on the western slope, the peculiarity of the canopy structure of the stand does not create conditions for the formation of snow density significantly different between the permanent trial square. Except for some years when differences are observed on the eastern slope between the density of snow on the permanent trial square with a predominance of the birch proportion in the composition formula and permanent trial square with pure spruce forests.

Naturalizing plants are characterized by both a reduction in the gene pool in comparison with the genetic diversity of the same species in the natural range, and the accumulation of new adaptive traits. Nanking cherry ( Prunus tomentosa Thunb.) on the one hand, it demonstrates instability to support in the conditions of Yekaterinburg, on the other hand, it shows a tendency to naturalize in the vicinity of Chelyabinsk. The study of the variability of plants in the places of naturalization of Nanking cherry by weight, fruit color, and peduncle length showed that the value of such populations for the selection of new selected forms is not inferior to the breeding garden laid from seedlings obtained from free pollination in varietal plantations of Nanking cherries. Only plants that have undergone natural selection in nature can be characterized by a higher adaptive potential. The range of variability in fruit weight for all studied plants in naturalization sites ranged from 0.57 to 2.16 g. In the breeding garden - from 0.62 to 2.20 g. Among the varieties, the highest average fruit weight in 2021 was noted for the Natalie variety 4.1 g, but in previous and subsequent years of observations did not reach such values. In the naturalizing populations, no plants with the maroon color of the fruit characteristic of the Damanka variety were found. In the breeding garden, such a fruit color was found, but the weight of the fruit is much less than that of the Damanka variety. The varieties, including some of which were obtained by introgressive hybridization with the species of Nanking cherry and louisiania vicinifolia ( Louiseania ulmifolia (Franch.) Pachom. sin. Prunus ulmifolia Franch.), did not show an increase in the length of the peduncle, characteristic of the species that took part in the creation of varieties. Plants with a longer peduncle length than those of existing varieties were found at individual centers of naturalization.

A method for separating clean plates of epicuticular wax has been proposed. The use of water, which can penetrate deeply into wax structures under the influence of van der Waals forces and expand upon freezing, allows to quickly obtain uncontaminated wax plates with a native structure without any third-party chemical impurities. Using scanning electron microscopy, images of blue spruce ( Picea pungens Engelm.) needle wax were obtained. Its morphological and structural characteristics have been determined. A distinctive feature is the presence of wax nanotubules with a characteristic diameter of ~150 nm and a length of 3-5 μm. Nanotubes lie on top of each other in stacks, forming a one-dimensional long-period lattice. Microscopic observations of the wax were made in reflected and transmitted light. It has been shown that the coating of blue spruce needles consists of microparticles of wax with a structural color. In a wide spectral range, individual particles change color from blue to red, as a result, large conglomerates of particles are white. Fluorescence spectra of needles with native wax cover and the same needles after wax removal were obtained. When comparing the width of fluorescence lines at half-height of blue spruce needles with and without wax, the influence of the wax layer on the lifetime of excited electrons in photosystem II was revealed, thereby establishing a connection between the wax cover and the process of photosynthesis. Using the matrix transfer method, transmission spectra were calculated for a lattice similar to a waxy structure, a chloroplast, and a combination of a waxy structure with a chloroplast. In the latter version, the long-wave zone of selective reflection is much wider than in individual cases. When examining a structure containing a chloroplast and epicuticular wax, there is a slight splitting of the stop zone, as if there were a defect, which contributes to a high concentration of energy at the site of splitting. Due to an increase in energy concentration, the density of photonic states at the corresponding wavelengths increases. This effect is important for photosynthesis because, according to Fermi’s golden rule, the rate of reaction is proportional to the density of photonic states. The calculation results are in good agreement with the experimental spectra.

The four-eyed fir bark beetle ( Polygraphus proximus Blandford) and the fungus ( Grosmannia aoshimae (Ohtaka, Masuya & Yamaoka) Masuya & Yamaoka) form an extremely aggressive invasive tandem affecting Siberian fir ( Abies sibirica Ledeb.) throughout almost its entire range. In spring 2023, the beetle and its fungal associate were first detected in fir plantings at the Botanical Garden, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences in the city of Yekaterinburg (Middle Urals). At the time of detection, the pest had destroyed and infested more than a third of the fir trees in the area accessible to visitors and had begun attacking the collection of fir species in the arboretum. The phytopathogen G. aoshimae was found in all beetle galleries. Fungi of the genus Geosmithia Pitt were frequently encountered also. The beetles first attacked Siberian fir trees with the smallest stem diameter. Beetles began exiting weakened trees infested in spring and infest live trees as early as late July - early August. From the fir collection, fir trees from the Balsamea section: Siberian fir, balsam fir ( A. balsamea (L.) Mill.), subalpine fir ( A. lasiocarpa (Hook) Nutt.), Frasier fir ( A. fraseri (Pursh) Poir.), Khingan fir ( A. nephrolepis (Trautv. ex Maxim.) Maxim.), Sakhalin fir ( A. sachalinensis F. Schmidt Mast.), were infested first. Firs of the section Grandis had traces of single attacks, and Manchurian fir ( Abies holophilla Maxim.) (the section Momi ) was not attacked by beetles at all. Traces of four-eyed fir bark beetle attacks were also found in the park-exhibition, 3.5 km far from the Botanical Garden, which indicates a wide distribution of the invasive bark beetle in the metropolis.

We examine the progress achieved by the Irkutsk-based V.B. Sochava Institute of Geography SB RAS, the leading institution of geographical profile in the east of Russia. A resolution on the establishment of the institute was adopted on November 29, 1967. Subsequently, it was renamed several times, but maintained its focus on the present status and evolution of natural geosystems and their components as well as on the geographical bases for sustainable development of the regions of Siberia. Emphasis is placed on the specific characteristics of the historical stages of the institute’s establishment. The following Siberian scientific schools were formed; the school of physical geography (V.B. Sochava’s theory of geosystems), the school of systems and atlas cartography, exogenous geomorphology, landscape geochemistry, landscape hydrology, geography of economic development, population geography, and medical geography. The structure of the institute is described; it currently includes eight laboratories, namely physical geography and biogeography; geomorphology; landscape geochemistry and soil geography; economic and social geography; theoretical geography; and cartography, geoinformatics and remote sensing methods. Doctors and candidates of science make up half of institute’s staff of about 200. Annually, about 20 researchers are trained in postgraduate programs in 10 geographical specialties. The institute’s main achievements are highlighted, covering the entire period of its activity and encompassing all geographical sciences, with references to the most important publications included in the list of references. The scientific-organizational, international and social activities are presented. The objectives of the institute are defined in the context of global and regional challenges.

This article summarizes the most important results in the main areas of activity of the Baikal Institute of Nature Management, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (BINM SB RAS). From the moment of organization the institute was focused on a comprehensive solution of environmental problems which were transformed into the scientific concept of “sustainable development”. Interest in the issue of sustainable development of the regions has not diminished in recent decades, but is ever increasing due to the processes of globalization. While in the first years of existence of the institute the problems of development of individual regions and individual aspects of the concept of sustainable development were discussed, the problems of integration of natural, economic and social components of balanced spatial development at the level of macro-regions along such corridors as “Silk and Tea Road”, “Steppe Road”, “China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor”, etc. The concept of sustainable development involves the analysis of the resource potential, the implementation of social programs and the development of new environmentally sound technologies and materials. These directions represent a strategic basis for the economic development of society in modern conditions. New approaches to the creation of sustainable ecological and economic systems are based on multidisciplinary knowledge and results of long-term research done by BINM SB RAS scientists.

This article summarizes the results of many years of comprehensive research conducted by the scientific team of the Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology SB RAS. As part of these studies, the composition, structure and patterns of evolution of the geo- and ecosystems of Central Asia are investigated. The complexity of the approach allows us to analyze various aspects of their evolution: geological, geographical, biological, physical, and climatic. The article describes the areas of research within which the most significant and fundamental results were obtained. In particular, the results from studying the geosystems of the Transbaikal North are shown. Regarding gold ore formations in Transbaikalia, a relationship has been identified between the type of gold ore formation and the content of toxic elements in the geological substrate. For natural and technogenic hydrogeochemical systems of Eastern Transbaikalia, the main geochemical indicators of the environment have been identified, which determine the mobility of rare, rare-earth and radioactive elements. Using the example of tungsten deposits in Transbaikalia, the importance of an integrated approach to the analysis of the processes that determine the hydrogeochemical parameters of the territory is demonstrated. The existence of metastable ice 0, which is formed from supercooled water at temperatures below -23 °C, has been experimentally proven. A large-scale analysis of the processes influencing the formation of saline lakes in Central Asia has been carried out. The study of the evolution of the limnosystems of Transbaikalia made it possible to identify the features of glacial morphogenesis which formed the basis for the zoning of the study area. Using the example of reservoirs and watercourses in Transbaikalia, the connection between their genesis and the specifics of their biotic composition is shown. It has been shown that the morphological variability of mollusks can serve as a bioindicator of paleoclimate. The results of studies of flora and fauna, and also the landscape uniqueness of the region, served as the basis for the creation of a number of specially protected natural areas of Transbaikalia. The most important study of the fossil biota in this area was the discovery and description of the remains of the feathered ornithischian dinosaur Kulindadromeus zabaikalicus in Transbaikalia. A separate important area of research is the analysis of environmental, economic and socio-demographic factors in the development of Russia, including Siberia and the Far East, taking into account cross-border interactions of this territory.

Engineering and ecological survey data obtained on the oil and oil-gas condensate fields located in Eastern Siberia (Krasnoyarsk krai, Irkutsk oblast, and Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)) are processed and systematized. We determined average (background) concentrations of heavy metals and toxic elements which are subject to obligatory monitoring when carrying out engineering and ecological surveys (lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, nickel, arsenic, and mercury) for the main associations of soils, the prevalent kinds of soils, and also units of geochemical and metallogenic division into districts. It is established that the differences between soil phases for concentrations of the elements under study are, in general, rather small, which reflects commonalty of the source of elements: terrigenous deposits of the lower Paleozoic and poor development of processes of bio-accumulation in taiga conditions. The peat-podsolic alluvial-ferruginous soils are characterized by increased concentrations of copper and nickel. The influence of the litogenic basis on concentrations of heavy metals and toxic elements manifests itself more clearly than do the transformations of initial material in soil formation processes. Correlation coefficients are determined, dendrograms of interrelations of content of elements are constructed, and their associations are revealed: nickel and zinc; cadmium, mercury, arsenic; copper and lead. The resulting average concentrations of elements can be used as background concentrations in subsequent engineering and ecological surveys in the region.

For the first time, an assessment is made of the content of microplastics in the surface waters of Lake Khanka and its tributaries. The sampling, preparation and analysis were carried out during the period 2021-2022. Five geographical points were selected (the source of the Sungacha River; the mouth of the Spasovka River; the Vostochnyi cordon; the Ilistaya River, and the Komissarovka River) as the areas most susceptible to pollution. Scanning spectrophotometry was carried out using the AIM-9000 SHIMADZU IR microscope, which showed that microplastic particles were present in all water samples examined. Microplastics of mixed and synthetic nature predominated, the concentration varied depending on the season (from 6 to 27 units/m³) in the spring-summer and (from 5 to 24 units/m³) in the autumn-winter sampling period. Microplastics were identified, mostly of secondary origin, and the vast majority was identified as fibers. A spectral analysis of the particles showed that polyester and natural fibers were the most common types of microplastics. An increased concentration of microplastics was observed at the mouths of the Spasovka and Komissarovka Rivers, in the area of the Vostochnyi cordon which is located in the eastern coastal part of the lake on the territory of the Khanka State Nature Reserve as well as at the source of the Sungachi River which drains Lake Khanka. It is concluded that the likely sources of microplastic pollution in Lake Khanka and the rivers of its basin are the river flow from the wastewater treatment plants, the runoff from agricultural land, and precipitation and/or untreated wastewater. A comparative analysis of the surface waters of Lake Khanka, the Haihe River (PRC), the Songhua River (PRC), and the rivers of Japan and South Korea was carried out. In all the water bodies presented, the predominant type of microplastic was represented by fibers of synthetic origin. The average concentration of microplastics in Lake Khanka was found to be noticeably lower than in the others, only exceeding in the Haihe River.

A palaeogeographic map at a scale of 1:500 000 was built for the territory of Northern Cisbaikalia and Northwestern Transbaikalia during the maximum phase of the Last Glacial Period (MIS-2). Methods of remote identification and spatial registration of glacial landforms with subsequent geomorphological analysis were used. Exaration (cirques and troughs) and accumulative forms (moraines) have been studied, and the values of the depression of the palaeo snow line have been determined. The boundaries of the feeding areas have been reconstructed, the sizes and types of glaciers have been determined, and their correlation has been made in isolated mountain structures. The depression of the palaeo snow line of the mountain structures of the North Baikal Highlands and the ridges of the central part of the Baikal Rift Zone was 1200-1400 m in relation to the modern one. In terms of morphology, the glaciation of the region under consideration is attributed to the mountain-valley and reticulate with several sections of the mountain cover confined to the flattened surfaces of the summit belt of mountain structures. It has been established that the thickness of the glacier everywhere could reach 400-600 m or more. The axial parts of the ridges were mainly subjected to intense glaciation. The largest glaciers covered the Baikal, Barguzinskii, Verkhneangarskii, Delyun-Uranskii, and North and South Muiskii ridges. Together with those flowing down the valleys, they were represented by a single field with huge tongue lobes of outlet glaciers. Less extensive areas of glaciation emerged on the Muyakansky and Ikatsky ridges. Insignificant centers of glaciation are confined to the watershed parts of the Synnyr ridge and the Babanty mountain range. Extremely limited glaciation centers in the rest of the territory, mainly in the pre-rift zone, are associated with protruding peaks of watersheds to the northwest of the Baikal Rift Zone (North Baikal Highlands), and to the south-east towards the Vitim Plateau. An extensive palaeo lake with a level of 860 m, which arose as a result of the damming of the Vitim by the Sygykta glacier in the area of Lake Oron, was reconstructed in the Vitim River basin.

A cartographic assessment of the dynamics of residential and agricultural nature management in the territory of the Selenga River delta using multi-time topographic maps for the period 1952-2015 is presented. A feature of this period is the Lake Baikal level regulation to ensure the operation of the Irkutsk hydroelectric power station and the transformation of the nature management system of the Selenga River delta and the lake shore. As a result of vectorization of retrospective layers of topographic objects, file geodata of the ArcGIS information environment were formed, representing a cartographic reconstruction of nature management in 1952, fixing a time slice of the natural state of the coastal geosystems of the lake, and making it possible to establish physical and geographical characteristics concerning the past economic use of the territory. Based on the elevation marks and contour lines of the topographic basis of the scale 1:50 000 survey of 1952, a digital terrain model was compiled, as well as a map of the geomorphological structure of the study area. As a result of combining the reconstruction with modern digital layers, the dynamics of waterlogging and flooding of the delta territory as a result of long-term Lake Baikal level regulation was established, and a spatio-temporal assessment of the dynamics of individual objects of nature management was carried out. In accordance with the physical and geographical location of the estuary and the modality of traditional nature management, the settlements were all divided into three groups: coastal, island and estuarine. A register of settlements has been compiled, in which each settlement is registered, broken down by area, number of households and number of inhabitants. As a result of the cartographic assessment of the dynamics of the water surface area, zones of waterlogging and flooding of the territory, stable areas, liquidated settlements and socio-economic facilities, and abandoned arable land were identified. Maps of the dynamics of the water surface and environmental management were compiled.

This article analyzes the spatial structure of the zonal mountain-taiga vegetation on the Tsagan-Daban ridge in Western Transbaikalia. A three-level approach is implemented in revealing the spatial structure of vegetation: at the zonal (altitudinal-zonal), regional and landscape (intralandscape-phytocenotic) levels. As a result, features of the vegetation structure were identified on maps: a chorographic 1:1 500 000 map, a medium-scale (based on a satellite image) map, and a digital large-scale model using drone images. Thus, the zonal vegetation of the Selenga middle mountains, namely a steppe grass-shrub pine forest on a small-scale map of the vegetation of the south of Eastern Siberia on a medium-scale map of a key area, is differentiated by highlighting four contours: forests, forest-steppes, fallows, and agrocenoses. Further, on a digital large-scale map (Sc 1:5 000) of the key area within the boundaries of the mountain forest-steppe, 13 contours of steppe and forest vegetation, as well as shrub groups with areas of fallows and agrocenoses, were identified. The information content of the map has increased significantly. Thus, in the composition of the forests there occur rare communities of elm forests, as well as ephedra steppe groups with the participation of a relict population of the Dauro-Manchurian species Physochlaina physaloides. Also, a cluster analysis was made of forest-steppe catena communities. The results of the analysis are of methodological significance, because they allow typifying mountain forest-steppe landscapes. Thus, the identified steppe and forest clusters occur almost independently of each other, the similarity between them is minimal, indicating the most arid type of exposure forest-steppe. In general, the approach used in the analysis of the spatial organization of the phytocoenosystems is promising, as it provides a deeper understanding of the diversity of forest-steppe vegetation by identifying its structure at different scales.

Global warming leads to an increase in the intensity of glacier melting, which affects the flow and mineralization of river water. However, these issues concerning small mountain rivers have been little studied. A study is made of the current state of the hydrological and hydrochemical characteristics of the rivers on the northern slope of the central part of the Greater Caucasus (Terek, Malka, Baksan, Cherek Balkarsky, Cherek Khulamsky, Chegem, Nalchik, and Kurkuzhin). We examine changes in the magnitude of mineralization of the main rivers within the Terek basin. The relationship between salinity and water discharge is studied. The rivers with floods during a warm period of the year are characterized by a close relationship between these characteristics (the coefficient of determination is 0.8-0.9), which makes it possible to determine river flow based on the relationship between flow and salinity. The Nalchik and Kurkuzhin Rivers, which are not fed by glaciers, are characterized by low values of the coefficient of determination: 0,4 and 0,2, respectively. A comparative analysis is made of the results we obtained for the years 2021 and 2022 with published data on the mineralization of the rivers for an earlier period (1958-1959). It was found that to date, the mineralization of rivers during low-water and high-water periods decreased on average by a factor of 1,5 and 1,8, respectively. Average long-term water flows of the rivers within the Terek basin in 2000-2022 increased by 2-9 m³/s when compared to the indicators of 1925-2013.

Presented are the results from studying the seasonal soil freezing dynamics during 2009-2023 in a section of the Ob River valley in Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra (the territory of the Middle Ob region). In this study area there occur alluvial sod-gley soils in the floodplain on the pine-sphagnum bog peaty upland (oligotrophic soils), peaty-gley soils in the pine swamp forest, and illuvial-iron podzols under the mixed birch-aspen-Siberian stone pine stands. Data from neighboring sites located to the north and south of the main fixed station are used for comparative characterization. The purpose of this study is to reveal the seasonal freezing dynamics in the Middle Ob region. The objectives of the study are focused on identifying the long-term seasonal freezing dynamics in the southern permafrost zone. The research methods are based on field measurements using soil pits and snow measurements in the second half of March and the first half of April. The results of measurements from 2009 to 2023 revealed a decrease in the depth of soil freezing starting from the year 2015. It was found that the average annual temperature of the peat oligotrophic soils is 4.49 °С. An increase in the mean annual temperature at a depth of 0.20 m by 1.16-1.45 °С was noted. The mean annual temperature for illuvial-iron podzols at a depth of 0.20 m is 3.87 °C. The mean annual temperature gradient varied from 0.35 to 1.23 °C. The mean annual temperature for alluvial sod-gley soils during the study period was 5.23 °C. The average annual temperature gradient ranged from 0.42 to 1.12 °С. The results of snow survey allowed us to calculate the water equivalent of snow cover for the 15-year period. The average annual snow cover height was 76 cm. The water equivalent of the snow cover was high: 259 mm in 2015 and 232 mm in 2020. The data obtained in the course of the study show that, within the key area, freezing depends on the integrating landscape-forming geocomponents and reflects the manifestation of the global climatic trend with local variations.

Results of recent studies into physicochemical properties of the Goryachii Klyuch nitrogen thermal spring (Republic of Khakassia) obtained in 2021 during field studies are presented. It was found that spring water is moderately fresh (mineralization 0,45 g/L), weakly alkaline (pH 7,4), and with bicarbonate sodium-calcium composition. The main macro-components forming the chemical composition of the water were contained in the following ratios: HCO₃^- > Ca²⁺ > Na⁺ + K⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Cl^- > SO₄^2-. Zn, Cu, Pb, Mo and Fe were detected in the spring water. The concentration of lead exceeds MPC in groundwater and surface water bodies of household and cultural-domestic use, and the other components are within MPC. The measured total specific alpha- and beta-activity of radionuclides does not exceed the normative requirements. Radon was detected in the Goryachii Klyuch (2,55 Bq/dm³). The Goryachii Klyuch spring belongs to an important group of mineral waters widely used for balneological purposes. The possibility of its balneological development and protection as a unique hydro-geological natural monument should be envisaged. Priority activities are proposed to prepare a comprehensive program for the development of the thermal spring area. They include: infrastructural development of the spring; implementation of a program of comprehensive recreational monitoring for the area; implementation of a package of biotechnical measures aimed at increasing the recreational sustainability of the area around the spring and enhancing its aesthetic appeal; the spring should be given the status of a protected area of regional (local) significance, with the possibility of using the area for tourism and recreational activities; providing of preferences and granting support to entrepreneurs engaged in tourism and recreational activities in the area, and development and implementation of measures for year-round use and promotion of this territory as a full-fledged tourist product.

Based on data on air temperature as obtained at meteorological stations of Cisbaikalia, the dynamics of the continentality index over 90 years has been studied. An analysis was made of the dynamics of the continentality index in four circulation epochs in the Siberian sector (two zonal and two meridional epochs). The continentality was assessed by using the Gorczyński Continentality Index (GCI). The average long-term values of GCI in the study area are in the range from 51 to 86, which corresponds to the continental (33 < GCI < 67) and extreme continental (67 < GCI < 100) climate. A latitudinal growth of the GCI is clearly manifested. Minimum values were recorded at weather stations on the coast of Lake Baikal as well as at weather stations located in the central and southern parts of Irkutsk oblast, which are located on the coast of the reservoirs of the Angara cascade of hydroelectric power stations. It was found that with the zonal form of circulation, the continentality index either increases moderately or decreases at a slower rate than with the meridional form of circulation. An increase of the continentality index is observed at all weather stations at the second zonal circulation epoch (1977-2005). It is established that this is due to elementary circulation mechanisms (ECM) of the meridional northern group, the frequency of which at the second zonal epoch is twice as high as at the first epoch. The greatest contribution was made by sediment-forming ECM 12a, the duration of which since the late 1980s is twice as large as the long-term average. A distinctive feature of the weather stations on the Baikal coast is the positive trend of the continentality index at the last meridional epoch, while a negative dynamics is observed at the “continental” stations.

The essence and content of the concept of changeability as a complex property of geosystems is revealed in the context of the development of one of the theoretical foundations of complex physical geography, namely the theory of geosystems. An analysis of the basic concepts of the theory of geosystems related to the invariant, dynamic states of geosystems as well as their transformations is carried out. This analysis allowed us to identify the main categories and forms of realization of discrete and continuous, spatio-temporal and temporal changeability depending on natural and anthropogenic factors of influence. A comparative analysis is carried out between the evolution of geosystems and biological evolution and certain analogies between these processes are revealed. The concepts of evolution and transformation of geosystems are compared, and their similarities and differences are shown. The main dynamic states of geosystems (equifinal and variable) are reflected, and the relationship between them is revealed. It is pointed out that there are fundamental differences between indigenous and serial facies distinguished by factor-dynamic features, and indigenous and serial biogeocenoses as dynamic states of a particular facies determined mainly by natural and anthropogenic dynamics of the biota as well as related changes in matter and energy exchange between components of the geosystem and its environment (adjacent geosystems). A total of eight main forms of spatio-temporal and temporal changeability have been identified; four of them are forms of temporal changeability (natural and natural-anthropogenic dynamics, transformation, and evolution), and four are their spatial-temporal analogs associated with the spatial differentiation of dynamic states of geosystems within one and several invariants, as well as with typological heterogeneity of geosystems.

This article is devoted to the problem of applying in practice the norms of recreational load in specially protected natural areas (SPNA). Results of efforts related to the determination of the permissible recreational load on the ecosystems of the Lake Dus-Khol natural monument in the Republic of Tyva are summarized. A brief critical analysis is made of the methodological basis for determining recreational loads in national SPNA, and the methods used to calculate the load norms for the study area are shown. The load norms introduced are analyzed for the functional areas of SPNA, boarding houses and the undeveloped coast, and the landscapes. It is concluded that currently the coast is considerably congested by visitors, the modern level of development of recreation is not consistent with the lake’s potential, the low level of recreation and “wild” forms are due to the material inadequacy of infrastructure as well as due to an extremely low level of service, and the lack of planned management. On the basis of the scenario method, the possible trends in the development of the natural monument and the entire resort area are established. The directions of interaction of factors and images of the most possible states of the lake’s coast are described. According to the results of a structural analysis of the three most likely scenarios (the inertial development of the lake’s coast (preservation of the trends that have developed to date), the installation of an elementary infrastructure on the coast (observance of sanitary and epidemiological standards), innovative development (creation of a special economic zone of tourist-recreational type of republican significance)), the key stages of making managerial decisions are identified. They will ensure systematic monitoring of compliance with the rules in practice. Each stage: regulatory and legal lawmaking, scientific and research support for management decisions, examination of project documentation, monitoring of design decisions, is represented by elementary standard functions of state institutions in the field of science, nature conservation, management, and control. The synthesis of functions forms a system of state control. It eliminates the need to monitor the stay and behavior of an individual vacationer. An algorithm for standardizing and monitoring recreational load in SPNA is proposed. It is useful as a discussion idea for researchers in the field of nature conservation, conservation studies, administrations of SPNA, and specialists of environmental agencies.

This article considers the space of the Russian Federation based on analyzing the variability in macroregional identifications of its regions. Four variants of economic zoning of the territory of Russia as carried out by the State Planning Committee of the USSR and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation are analyzed. Territories are identified, which in all variants of zoning are referred to the same macroregions and groups of macroregions (combined by basic terms-concepts, such as Siberia, the Far East, the Urals, etc.) and territories referred in different zonings to different macroregions and their groups. The former and latter territories are defined, respectively, as areas of stable and disturbed macroregional identity. Disturbances of macroregional identity are variative. The concepts of macroregional cores (areas of stable and slightly disturbed macroregional identity) of various levels are introduced. Areas that, by their identity, occupy an intermediate or transitional position between the cores, are defined as ligament areas. Core areas are regarded as territories of potential isolation, and ligament areas as territories that increase the stability of the RF space in relation to the risks of disintegration. Three areas of disturbed macroregional identity (ligament areas) were identified, namely the Black Sea-Caspian, Volga-Ural, and Eastern. The Black Sea-Caspian area connects the historical and political-economic core with the republics of the North Caucasus and the industrial core of the middle Volga region. The Volga-Ural area connects the most developed territories of the European and Asian parts of the Russian Federation. The eastern area is the European part of the country, and Western Siberia with the Far East. Both European areas of disturbed macroregional identity, compared with the Eastern one, have a higher level of socio-economic development, have a greater demographic weight, are characterized by increased involvement in military-political conflicts in the post-Soviet space, and, accordingly, receive increased attention from the federal authorities. Overcoming the socio-economic lag of the majority of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, which form the Eastern area, from the average levels for the country, is one of the factors for maintaining the country’s territorial stability.

A brief history of the latest major geographical discovery of the 20^th century: subglacial Lake Vostok in Antarctica, is considered. The contribution of Russian and British scientists to this milestone event is analyzed. The article estimates the scientific importance and the need to study the unknown hydrological object located under the glacial strata of more than 3700 m in thickness, the habitat of microbial variety under the conditions of chemosynthesis as well as testing scientific and engineering technologies for space projects in the search for life. It is indicated that the Antarctic community has approved the Russian comprehensive environmental evaluation of environmental effects of the project for unsealing the glacier above Lake Vostok. The role of subglacial lakes in Antarctica’s hydrology is determined, and the hypotheses of their origin are considered: the possibility for glacier melting at its lower surface and tectonic formation of lacustrine valleys and water in them before glaciation of the sixth continent. Based the results of paleotectonic studies in Antarctica and India and taking into consideration the analysis of the size and topography of the Lake Vostok valley, it is concluded that it has a rift-related origin. This geological process is characteristic of the period of splitting of the Gondwana supercontinent that began 130-140 million years ago. This is evidence of a high likelihood that the water body of Lake Vostok came into existence prior to Antarctica’s drift toward high latitudes of the southern hemisphere. It is concluded that Lake Vostok had appeared long before the beginning of glaciation of Antarctica 35-40 million years ago and, accordingly, that the age of strata of water and bottom sediments of Lake Vostok is much more ancient than the age of the glacier located above it. The results obtained indicate that a scientific study of this lake is more promising than the search for the most ancient ice on Earth with the maximum supposed age of only up to 1,5 million years.

We examine the factors and conditions of economic, resource and environmental nature. It is concluded that the reduction of poverty in Kyrgyzstan plays a key role in terms of sustainable development and strategic security of the country. The article identifies the reserves of Kyrgyzstan’s economy to strengthen the natural capital potential of the region. Regional factors for the development of the strategy to achieve socio-economic and environmental security of Kyrgyzstan are identified. It is shown that digitalization, by comprehensively improving the socio-economic conditions of management, has a beneficial effect on the processes of innovative modernization of Kyrgyzstan, and contributes to improving regional policy to achieve socio-economic stabilization. It is established that Kyrgyzstan has unique tourist and recreational resources and great potential for the development of touristic and recreational business activities. Due to the availability of touristic and recreational resources in the regions of the country, it is the touristic and recreational activities that can act as an alternative way for the socio-economic activity of the population and as a means of reducing the poverty level of the population. The article shows some socio-economic and regional features of tourism in Kyrgyzstan, with due regard for the specifics of ensuring socio-ecological-economic security. The importance of tourism and recreation in terms of the socio-ecological and economic stabilization of the region is substantiated. With the burden of environmental and economic problems accumulated in the past in the regions of Kyrgyzstan, a further development of the tourism and recreation industry is a significant precondition for greening the economy. The tourism and recreation sector of Kyrgyzstan may well become a kind of locomotive for the country’s green economy in conditions of increased vulnerability and limited assimilation capacity of the mountainous areas of the country.