In the indigenous southern taiga fern-forb fir forests on the Tom-Yaya interfluve (Tomsk Oblast), the characteristics of tree stands, underbrush, undergrowth, coarse woody debris, ground cover, soils ...and their contribution to carbon sequestration were studied. The average stock of the forest stand for the type of biogeocenosis was 315.8 ± 56.1 m3 /ha, the average stock of the Siberian fir (Abies sibirica Ledeb.) in different stands varied from 99.2 to 201.4 m3 /ha. In terms of forest health condition, the forest stands are weakened to varying degrees, the fir elements of the forest stands are stronger, which is largely due to their damage by the invasive four-eyed fir bark beetle (Polygraphus proximus Blandford). The underbrush is sparse or of medium density (880–2720 pieces/ha), formed mainly by red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) and rowan (Sorbus sibirica Hedl.). Undergrowth with an absolute predominance of fir, its number (800–920 trees/ha) characterizes unsatisfactory regeneration in all studied stands. The average volume of deadfall for the type of biogeocenosis was 2.1 ± 0.5 m3 /ha, stumps 3.3 ± 0.8 m3 /ha, brushwood – 9.2 ± 5.3 m3 /ha. The features of the phytocenosis include high values of floristic diversity (131 species), species richness of the grass cover (105 species) and species richness of plant communities (57 species per 400 m2 ). The increased participation of ferns in the composition of the grass stand is due to the presence of windows occupying from 5 to 30 % of the area of the phytocenosis, formed in stands at the site of fallouts and dead trees, mainly due to the drying out of fir damaged by the four-eyed fir bark beetle.. For the first time, data have been obtained on the phytomass of the ground cover of southern taiga fir forests in Western Siberia, estimated on average at 0.88 t/ha, with a wide variation of this indicator due to the peculiarities of the horizontal structure of the ground cover and different illumination in sub canopy parcels and windows. The features of the composition, structure and thermal regime of the soils of the studied biogeocenoses are shown. Data are presented on changes in the productivity of phytocenoses, soil humus and carbon reserves in various components of the studied forests.
The results of long-term studies (1983–2019) on the breeding biology of the starling (
Sturnus vulgaris
) in the subtaiga forest subzone in southeastern Western Siberia are analyzed. Data were ...obtained from the surroundings of Tomsk (56°28′ N, 84°54′ E, 90 m a.s.l.), the village of Kireevsk (Tomsk oblast, 56°22′ N, 84°05′ E, 90 m a.s.l.), and the village of Lomachevka (Kemerovo oblast, 56°08′ N, 86°50′ E, 190 m a.s.l.). In the study area, 932 nests were examined, with 3693 eggs measured and 135 clutches weighed. The nest-box occupation rate was 24.1%. The mean long-term date for the earliest egg laying event was April 29 (April 19 to May 6), and the median laying date was May 25 (May 19 to May 31). A long-term advancement of laying dates was revealed. That was consistent with a significant trend to warming in April. The mean clutch size was 5.27 ± 0.03 eggs, and the mean volume of an egg was 6208 ± 9 mm
3
. The reproductive success amounted to 51.5%. The embryonic mortality was 6.1%, and the partial brood mortality was 22.0% of the total number of hatched nestlings and 23.6% in successful nests. The mean number of fledglings per successful attempt and breeding attempt were 3.69 ± 0.05 and 2.56 ± 0.07, respectively. The success and productivity of reproduction in cultivated landscapes (villages, suburban dry meadows, farmlands and forest clearing) were about two times greater than in natural or poorly transformed habitats (a floodplain meadow or a dry meadow located at a great distance from the village). The differences were mainly due to lower losses of clutches and nestlings in cultivated landscapes after the return of acold weather. The clutch size in Western Siberia was significantly larger than in the European part of the species range. The volume of eggs, the breeding success, the number of fledglings per attempt, and successful breeding attempts in Western Siberia were significantly lower than those in the European part of the Starling distribution range.
Using the example of the Murmansk Oblast, the article analyzes the functioning of religious tourism within a region located in the conditions of the Polar and Subpolar areas. The region is considered ...as an example of the development of this direction of recreational economy, within which almost all objects of religious infrastructure, acting as the main objects of excursion display on thematic tourist routes, were lost during the Soviet period. A differentiated approach is used to apply the calculated coefficient of territorial concentration in order to identify the features of the placement of functioning monasteries, temples, and chapels. Their high concentration within certain areas of the Murmansk Oblast is recorded. On this basis, as well as on the basis of the analysis of the composition of the main thematic routes offered on the market, the following religious tourism clusters are proposed to be identified — Murman-Kolskiy, Tersko-Beregovoy, and Pechengskiy. The main conclusion of the article is that the role of religious objects in the implementation of educational routes throughout the Murmansk Oblast is significant, and religious tourism within its borders not only operates despite the high dispersion in the placement of monasteries and temples, as well as the losses of the Soviet period, but also has prospects for the introduction of innovative forms.
The article presents the results of a study of the peculiarities of financing the road economy of the Murmansk region — the Arctic region, the development of transport, including road, infrastructure ...of which acquires particular importance in the light of the implementation of national interests and priority directions of Russian state policy in the Arctic. In the course of work, the author considered the dynamics of spending funds from the Road Fund of the Murmansk region for 2012–2020. It has been determined that the existing volume of financing of the regional road infrastructure does not allow the region to fully implement the tasks of developing road infrastructure and improving the quality of highways (primarily local ones). It is concluded that additional funds are needed to finance the road infrastructure of the Arctic regions, including through the use of public-private partnership mechanisms. The results of the study can be used in the formation of a policy in the field of road facilities in the Murmansk region, as well as in further research on the financial support of road activities and the functioning of road funds.
Objective
: To study the regional features of the West Nile fever (WNF) epidemic process manifestations using the example of the territory with stable and long-term pathogen circulation (Volgograd ...Oblast).
Materials and Methods
: We used the data of the Reference Center for monitoring the WNF pathogen based on the Volgograd Research Anti-Plague Institute of Rospotrebnadzor over 1999–2021. The main method is a comprehensive epidemiological method.
Results
: The long-term changes in the WNF incidence in Volgograd Oblast is characterized by a cyclical nature with an interval of 1–8 years and a tendency to decrease. The maximum risk of infection occurs in August (58.8%), but there is an increase in the number of cases in September. The average duration of the epidemic season is 8.4 weeks. Case fatality rate is at the level of 4.3%; the prevalence of the number of deaths in the group of 70 years and older (75%), as well as among men (63.6%) has been established. The greatest contribution to the incidence rate is made by the age group of 60 years and older (37.7%). Features of the clinical presentation include the dominance of forms without damage to the central nervous system (91.1%) and moderate clinical course (72.3%). The prevalence of the urban population among the infected was noted (85.5%).
Conclusion
: A comparative analysis of the clinical and epidemiological WNF manifestations in Volgograd Oblast, territories with a stable circulation of the pathogen (Astrakhan and Rostov Oblasts) and, in overall, the Russian Federation, established differences in the duration of cyclical fluctuations in incidence, seasonality (Rostov Oblast), age structure of incidence (Astrakhan Oblast), distribution of cases by the severity of the clinical course, the site of the alleged infection and social status.
When working with rare plant species, applying morphometric techniques is one of the main ways to obtain a representative data set on plant individuals and the state of particular populations growing ...in different ecological conditions and experiencing different degrees of anthropogenic load. Zygophyllum pinnatum, an understudied species growing on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the Orenburg region, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, is referred as a rare species. The purpose of the work is to study morphometric parameters and reveal the vitality structure of the Z. pinnatum coenopopulations in two regions of the Russian Federation (the Republic of Bashkortostan and Orenburg region) and in the north-west of the Republic of Kazakhstan (the Aktobe Region). Applying standard morphometric techniques, we analyzed the state of 16 coenopopulations of the species. Judging by most morphometric parameters, the leadership belongs to the individuals from the “Troitsk Cretaceous Mountains” coenopopulation located in the Sol-Iletsky District of Orenburg oblast, where, apparently, the most optimal plant conditions are formed (the absence of human impact and low projective cover of the grass stand to have a favorable effect). The minimum values for most parameters are recorded in the coenopopulations located on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, resulting from arid growing conditions. The variability of most characters is within the normal range of the species response (Cv—5.0–44.6%). The discriminant function analysis revealed the morphostructural similarity of individuals from most coenopopulations. Regarding vitality, eight coenopopulations are prosperous, and another eight are depressed. The condition of the species coenopopulations is stable; however, the species is not provided with proper protection measures. Therefore, further monitoring of its habitats and improvement of environmental measures are necessary.
The study objective is to analyse the effect of the flow of internally displaced persons (IDPs) on the development of the Lviv Oblast – the largest region of Ukraine bordering on the EU. The article ...was based on available statistical data (most statistical data in Ukraine under martial law is not made public), data from sociological research of international organisations, and other official public sources of information. The study results suggest that the Lviv Oblast has become the main Ukrainian transit region on the route of refugees from Ukraine across the border, as well as one of the main oblasts accepting IDPs. At least 5 million people have passed the oblast in transit, and the number of IDPs reached its maximum in the period May-June 2022. Most of the people arrived in the city of Lviv, other large cities, as well as recreation and tourist centres. IDPs have had a positive effect on the sectors of housing construction and tourism in the oblast, and contributed to an increase in the budget income of separate territorial hromadas. Approximately 230 enterprises have also been relocated to the oblast. Most IDPs are planning or expect to return to their former place of residence, although with each month of war duration, the share of people integrating with local communities and planning to permanently remain in the territory of the Lviv Oblast increases. In spatial terms, the flow of IDPs considerably exceeded the level of urbanisation of the oblast, and accelerated the development of the Lviv urban agglomeration. In the future perspective it may contribute to an increase in territorial disproportions between large cities in the oblast, with better developed hromadas around Lviv, mountain and pre-montane towns on the one hand, and depressive hromadas in the east and south-east of the oblast on the other.
The article is devoted to the study of employers’ perceptions of the competences of employees in the shipbuilding, fishing and forestry industries of the Arkhangelsk Oblast in the context of ...digitalization and automation of production. As part of the sociological research, the team conducted a questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews among representatives of enterprises in these industries. The results of the research allowed drawing conclusions that the professional competencies of employees, as well as abilities to work independently, in non-standard situations and under stress are currently the most in demand for employers. There is also a very high demand for qualities associated with discipline and the desire to develop in the profession. In terms of the size of enterprises, the higher requirement for almost all competences in small and medium-sized enterprises compared to large employers is noteworthy. The authors conclude that about half of the enterprises in the shipbuilding, forestry and fishing industries of the Arkhangelsk Oblast have implemented automation and digitalization into all key production processes. In the near future, more than 50% of employers expect a high demand for employee competencies related to the use of new production technologies. The survey revealed a gap between employers’ expectations and the actual level of professional training and skills of recent graduates of educational institutions of higher and secondary vocational education, including with regard to the most in-demand knowledge, skills and abilities. In the context of industries, it is noteworthy that the level of satisfaction with the training of graduates of shipbuilding industry is much lower, except for those who received education through the “Plant-University” system (Severodvinsk).
The content of total mercury in organs and tissues (brain, muscles, kidneys, and liver) has been studied in common shrew and in common vole, living in different geomorphological regions of the ...Vologda Oblast. Mercury content is statistically significantly higher (2–5 times) in common shrew than in common vole. In common shrew, average mercury content (μg/g dry weight) decreases in the series: kidneys (0.158 ± 0.016) > liver (0.086 ± 0.01) > muscles (0.084 ± 0.011) > brain (0.059 ± 0.006); in common vole, kidneys (0.026 ± 0.003) > brain (0.024 ±0.004) > muscles (0.016 ±0.003) > liver (0.013 ± 0.002). Mercury content in organs of common shrew and of common vole, caught in the western geomorphological region with high swampiness and a large number of lakes, is statistically significantly higher (2–3 times) comparing to those captured in the eastern geomorphological region with a developed river network.
Paleontological excavations in Korydornaya Cave, located on the southern side of the Pompeyev Mountain Ridge in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast, Russia, and the resulting material analysis allowed to ...significantly expand the Late Pleistocene range of the recently described Tonomochota pika genus (Tiunov, Gusev 2021). This research describes a new species of this genus. Besides the new species Tonomochota khinganica sp. nov., the bone remains of Tonomochota khasanensis Tiunov et Gusev, 2021 and Ochotona hyperborea Pallas, 1811 were discovered in cave deposits. The cave deposits were formed mainly during a warm period of the Karginsky interstadial about 50,000 years ago.
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